Bai Chen finally remembered a researcher who also studied Mega Evolution and had deduced the origin of Mega Stones. It was said that Mega Stones were once ordinary evolutionary stones.
They were transformed after being bathed in the energy of Xerneas and Yveltal, fired by the Ultimate Weapon.
Xerneas is one of the Legendary Pokémon, codenamed 'X,' wielding the power of life. Yveltal is its counterpart, codenamed 'Y,' wielding the power of death. Along with Zygarde, they are known as the 'XYZ' trio.
In terms of status, Xerneas and Yveltal are roughly equivalent to the Sun and Moon deities of Alola (the two final forms of Cosmog). Zygarde corresponds to Alola's legendary Great Radiant One, Necrozma.
As for the Ultimate Weapon, its lore is complex, but one thing is certain: it possesses the power to resurrect Pokémon, grant immortality, and steal life.
The energy it releases is a very specific form of life energy. One could say that the birth of Mega Stones requires two indispensable elements: special evolutionary stones and specific life energy.
If compared to Z-Moves, the special stones are like the Z-Crystals with unique circuits, and the life energy is the light converted from natural energy. However, there are exceptions. For example, Rayquaza does not require a Mega Stone to undergo Mega Evolution.
Bai Chen asked Lysandre, "Representative Lysandre, as far as I know, Mega Evolution doesn't strictly require a Mega Stone. For instance, the recently reported Mega Rayquaza."
"Correct. Our current research is far from sufficient. We still don't know exactly how Rayquaza achieves it." With Steven Stone present, Lysandre didn't hide anything and spoke directly to Bai Chen about the Giant Rock. "While we don't know how Rayquaza does it, we have obtained the key object that allowed it to evolve. You can try it yourself, Mr. Bai Chen."
Steven asked in shock, "You want him to try Mega Evolving using the Giant Rock?"
"Why not? I imagine Mr. Bai Chen would be very interested."
Steven tried to stop this reckless idea. "That's too dangerous. The energy emitted by the Giant Rock is countless times stronger than a Mega Stone. One mistake could cost a life."
"There is certainly risk," Lysandre looked at Bai Chen. "What are your thoughts, Mr. Bai Chen?"
Since Bai Chen's goal for this trip was the Giant Rock, how could he refuse? "Is there even a question? I came here to find the method for Mega Evolution. If there's a chance, I'm naturally willing to try."
Steven urged him, "Think carefully. Our research shows the energy and heat generated by the Rock are immense."
"If you're talking about the rock Groudon and Kyogre fought over, then I am indeed interested. Of course, I'm not stupid enough to gamble with my life. If it gets dangerous, I'll stop the experiment myself."
Since the person involved said so, Steven couldn't say much more.
"Please follow me," Lysandre led the way. As they reached a coded security door, three 'Aether employees' in white lab coats joined the end of the line—the Team Rocket trio.
They had successfully blended into the core area. Before anyone noticed, they slipped away from the group again. Their stealth skills were so formidable that only Bai Chen and Indeedee noticed them.
Once they're in here, they have a clear path, Bai Chen thought.
Lysandre led them into the room housing the Giant Rock. Looking at the massive object, Bai Chen was slightly surprised. "This thing is huge. It must be at least 10 meters tall." He started to worry about how Team Rocket would actually manage to haul it away.
"So this really is here," Bai Chen remarked.
Lysandre asked, surprised, "You knew about the Rock?"
"I've been investigating Mega Evolution. When the reports about Mega Rayquaza came out, I suspected you had taken it. Seeing Mr. Steven coming and going from your lab in Lumiose City confirmed it." Bai Chen provided a plausible reason for his arrival, finally answering Quinn's earlier doubts.
"The Rock has indeed been secured by us. We intend to use its Mega Evolution energy for peaceful purposes."
Peaceful? You mean piece-ful, as in blowing the world to pieces, Bai Chen thought privately, though his face remained neutral. He smiled. "Then we have plenty of room for cooperation."
"We could cooperate deeply regarding your own Mega Evolution. We have the most advanced equipment and cutting-edge research. You should consider us," Lysandre offered an olive branch.
"We'll see if we can cooperate after I see the Rock's power," Bai Chen pointed at the Giant Rock. "Can I touch it directly?"
Steven shook his head. "The risk is too high. The Rock's energy would attract Rayquaza and other Legendaries..."
Lysandre countered, "Just for a moment should be feasible."
"Representative Lysandre, what do you mean?" Steven frowned. When the Rock was found, both parties had contributed. Technically, half of it belonged to the Devon Corporation.
If the Rock caused a disaster, Devon would be held responsible. He couldn't agree.
"Don't worry, Champion. I wouldn't put Lumiose City in danger. We have a massive training room 500 meters underground that can shield energy. We just need to move the Rock there."
Steven was still worried. Lysandre continued, "Champion, don't you want to witness a brand-new Mega Evolution? This could be the moment a new era begins."
Steven looked at Bai Chen, then at the Giant Rock. If asked if he wanted to see it, the answer was obviously yes.
But considering the Rock's danger and the city's emergency evacuation notice, he hesitated. Finally, he said, "In seven days. Once the emergency alert for Lumiose City is lifted, we will conduct the experiment."
Since Steven insisted, Lysandre had to concede. "Seven days it is, then."
Bai Chen didn't know why Steven was so cautious, but he didn't object. After a brief tour of the research results, Lysandre was willing to show, and the group prepared to head back to the surface cafe.
Unnoticed by everyone, pink spheres were silently disappearing from Indeedee's bag one by one.
Back at the surface cafe, Steven apologized to Bai Chen. "I'm very sorry for interrupting your plans." Steven, Bai Chen, and Lillie were sitting together over coffee.
Bai Chen waved it off. "The fact that you're willing to let me try is already beyond my expectations. I appreciate the trust."
"It's less about trust and more about curiosity. How about a battle now? I'm very interested in your strength."
"Not today," Bai Chen declined. It was too early to challenge a Champion. "I recall you're one of the Master Class in the World Coronation Series, Steven?"
"Because I participated last year, I am indeed in the Master Class. Are you participating too?"
"My rank is currently in the 1000s. I'm a long way from facing you."
"With the strength to easily beat an Elite Four member, I believe it won't be long before we meet on the stage."
"That day shouldn't be far off," Bai Chen replied.
Beside him, Lillie scooped a bit of cake and shared it happily. "Mr. Bai, this cake is delicious. Do you want a taste?" Bai Chen didn't hesitate and took a bite. While chewing, he monitored Team Rocket's movements.
It's time for the chaos to begin.
Inside the lab's ventilation ducts, the Team Rocket trio looked down at the Giant Rock.
Meowth: "That's the legendary Giant Rock, meow! They say it can make Legendary Pokémon Mega Evolve."
Jessie's eyes were filled with the shimmering colors of the rock. "It's so beautiful! Before we give it to the Boss, I should chip off a small piece to make some jewelry."
James didn't look as relaxed as the other two. He frowned. "Don't you guys think this is a bit strange?"
Meowth asked, "What's strange, meow?"
"Our operation—it's been too smooth. A heavily guarded lab, and we just waltzed in and found our target immediately." Usually, they were caught and chased out of such places. This felt like someone was helping them in the shadows.
Meowth brushed it off. "That's because we're perfectly prepared, meow!" Jessie agreed. "We prepared a lot for today. It's normal to be successful. Everyone gets lucky once."
Meowth didn't give James a chance to argue further. "The researchers are gone, meow! Let's go!" Using Fury Swipes, Meowth opened a hatch. They jumped down and landed steadily.
Looking at the 10-meter-tall rock, Jessie marveled, "It really is a big one."
"Good thing we prepared for this, meow!" Meowth was carrying a massive iron crate on his back. He pressed a blue button on a remote. His mechanical backpack unfolded into a portable tracked vehicle with a giant robotic claw.
Meowth operated the claw to grab the cylindrical housing. He pressed another button, and the mechanical arm ripped the Giant Rock, along with its bulletproof glass casing, right out of the floor.
"The Giant Rock is ours, meow! Retreat!"
The word flashed through their minds simultaneously. They escaped the lab with the Rock, but their luck seemed to have run out.
They ran right into a returning researcher. Staring at each other, the researcher's eyes were drawn to the massive rock on Meowth's back. He shouted in shock, "Who are you?!"
As if a switch had been flipped, the trio expertly ripped off their disguises.
Jessie: "Prepare for trouble!" James: "And make it double!" Jessie: "To protect the world from devastation!" James: "To unite all peoples within our nation!" Jessie: "To denounce the evils of truth and love!" James: "To extend our reach to the stars above!" Jessie: "Jessie!" James: "James!" Meowth: "Meowth, that's a name!" Jessie and James: "Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!" Meowth: "Surrender now, or prepare to fight!" Wobbuffet: "Wobbuffet!"
Upstairs, Bai Chen heard the new motto (translated to their classic style) and was a bit speechless. When did they practice that? He was satisfied with them revealing their true identities.
As their old motto says, they "denounce the evils of truth and love" (or "implementing the true evil" in the original context). They didn't care about framing other groups; for them, the bigger the crime, the higher the glory.
The researcher stared at the big 'R' on their uniforms. "Team Rocket?" Clearly, he hadn't heard of this Kanto-based group. But he knew it wasn't the time for confusion. Just as he reached for his communicator, Jessie sent out her Pokémon, Gourgeist.
"Sorry, but if you call for help, things get messy. Gourgeist, Seed Bomb!"
A barrage of green seeds hit the researcher like machine-gun fire, knocking him unconscious. They crossed over him and headed for their preset escape room. But after only ten seconds of running, a piercing alarm echoed through the facility. The base clearly had other security systems.
"We've been spotted, meow!" Meowth pushed the control sticks, fleeing with the Rock.
At a corner, a Flamethrower surged toward them. They reacted quickly, stepping back to dodge. Jessie peeked out. Team Flare grunts in red suits were approaching.
"Intruders! Houndoom, use Flamethrower!"
Jessie pushed Wobbuffet forward. "Wobbuffet, I choose you!"
Wobbuffet used Mirror Coat on its own, its blue body shimmering with rainbow colors. The Flamethrower was reflected with double the power. Screams from the Team Flare grunts followed, then silence. "Great job, Wobbuffet!"
They sped up their escape. Meanwhile, downstairs, Lysandre—who was discussing cooperation with Quinn—received an urgent report. After a grunt whispered in his ear, Lysandre apologized to Quinn.
"Excuse me for a moment." He rushed out of the meeting room toward Team Rocket's location, utterly confused as to how they got in and how they knew exactly where the Giant Rock was.
Team Rocket burst into a storage room where they had previously left a crate of materials. James opened it, revealing a digging machine with a massive drill.
Since they were underground, they knew they couldn't leave through the front. They had picked the optimal spot to dig out.
"Digging starts!" James started the machine. The drill roared to life; they estimated 30 seconds to finish the escape tunnel. Outside, more Team Flare grunts arrived. Jessie bought them time. "Gourgeist, Shadow Ball!" James joined in with Inkay. "Inkay, help out! Psybeam!"
Explosions filled the air as they successfully held off the reinforcements. Just as the tunnel was almost finished, a new figure arrived at the door.
"Pyroar, Flamethrower."
The voice came before the person. Jessie didn't care. "Shadow Ball, counter it!" But this enemy was far stronger than the others.
Searing heat flooded the room. With just one move, Jessie's Gourgeist was defeated. James's Inkay tried to use Psybeam, but Pyroar lunged with Fire Fang, biting down hard. Inkay was defeated in one hit.
Pyroar growled at the trio. Lysandre slowly walked in, looking at the trio and the Giant Rock behind them. "Oh no, the big boss is here. This guy is way too strong," Jessie sweated, recalling her Gourgeist.
Lysandre snorted. "How did you get in here?"
"With our brilliant wits, meow!" Meowth pulled out a new remote with a red button. This was Plan B. "Time to launch, meow!"
Click. Meowth pressed the dangerous-looking button.
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!
Suddenly, a series of chain explosions rocked the entire base. Fire surged through the ventilation shafts, the power grid failed, and the lights dimmed instantly.
One bomb went off just outside the storage room. The explosion sent Lysandre flying, slamming him hard against the wall. He slumped to the ground, unconscious.
After the violent blast, the Team Rocket trio was the only group left standing, completely unharmed. They looked at each other in shock. James asked Meowth, "That was your Plan B?"
Meowth, who hadn't expected such a massive explosion, denied it. "It wasn't me, meow! I prepared super-sticky foam, meow!" He looked at the tracked vehicle; the front cover had opened, spraying a massive amount of white foam everywhere.
James was confused. "If it wasn't you, then who planted all these bombs?"
"I don't know, meow!"
Jessie didn't care who the mastermind was. "Who cares who planted them? The bombs helped us. Let's get out of here!" During the chaos, the escape tunnel above them had been finished.
"Yeah, meow! Maybe they have other enemies outside!" They grabbed their hooks and escaped through the hole, shouting one last time: "The Giant Rock belongs to Team Rocket!"
On the surface, the three people enjoying lunch felt the ground shake violently. Steven asked in shock, "What happened?"
Bai Chen faked an expression of surprise. "Could there have been an accident in the underground lab?" The lab was directly beneath the cafe; the source was clearly underground.
"Oh no, we have to help!" Steven rushed toward the entrance with Bai Chen and Lillie. At the metal door, Steven tried to use his pass, but the power was out. The door wouldn't budge.
"Let me." Bai Chen pushed Steven aside. He took a deep breath, activated his Armor, and punched the metal door. It was ripped off its hinges. As it opened, choking black smoke billowed out. At least a third of the lab was on fire.
"What on earth happened here?" Steven looked at the burning ruins in disbelief.
Bai Chen patted Steven's shoulder. "Don't ask why, saving people comes first!" Steven nodded and rushed into the facility behind Bai Chen.
Bai Chen smiled inwardly. The plan was a success. Now, it was time to rescue Zygarde.
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