The old woman's voice drifted through the small wooden hut like the echo of forgotten centuries.
"…a thousand years ago, a great calamity struck…"
Chen Shi nodded along, feigning interest.
He already knew the story — just not this version.
Steven Stone, meanwhile, leaned in eagerly, hanging onto every word like a student in front of his favorite professor.
The elder continued:
"From the depths of the earth rose a monstrous beast. Wherever it walked, magma surged and life was scorched to ash."
"At the same time, from the deepest seas, another sovereign awakened. Its very presence summoned tidal waves taller than mountains."
"The two giants met — and fought."
"The oceans boiled. The earth split. Everything caught in their clash perished."
"At last, one of our ancestors climbed to the highest peak and begged the Dragon God to descend and end the disaster."
She stopped talking.
Chen Shi's eyelid twitched.
That's it? That's the entire legend?
Big Red (Groudon) can't fly, Big Blue (Kyogre) splashing around, and Big Green (Rayquaza) comes down to smack them?
He could've recited this story in his sleep.
Steven Stone slowly pieced things together, murmuring:
"This matches… rumors I've heard. Ancient super-powerful Pokémon… But…"
He hesitated.
"Why bring us here?"
The elder folded her frail hands.
"Because our ancestor left behind a prophecy."
Chen Shi mentally sighed.
Here we go. I knew this was coming.
Summoning the Sky Dragon arc unlocked, apparently.
"A thousand years after the calamity," the elder said softly, "the disaster will rise again."
"At that time, a hero will appear — one who can awaken the Dragon God and prevent the world from breaking."
Steven Stone stiffened.
"A thousand years… that's now."
Chen Shi barely held back the urge to roll his eyes.
Perfect. Just perfect.
He began distancing himself immediately.
"So you want us to help find that hero?"
He said this while loudly pointing at the hypothetical "not me."
But the elder simply stared at him.
Silent. Ancient. Knowing.
"Child… why do you think the hero is not you?"
Chen Shi froze.
"…huh?"
Steven Stone slowly turned his head toward him, eyes widening.
So my "ordinary friend" is secretly legendary-hero material?
Interesting.
Even Zinnia, quietly observing from the side, blinked in surprise.
She had assumed these boys were just lucky travelers.
But the elder's words… the aura around Chen Shi…
Chen Shi forced a painful smile.
"Grandmother, you must be mistaken. I'm extremely ordinary."
He grabbed Steven Stone's arm.
"If anyone's the hero, it's him. Strong! Rich! Righteous! Has protagonist hair even!"
Steven Stone tore his arm away.
"Don't drag me into this!"
The elder only shook her head.
"No. I can feel it — a power clings to you. A power similar to the Dragon God's own."
Chen Shi went still.
Oh no.
She's sensing…
Mega Evolution energy.
Rayquaza's Mega signature.
His own unique resonance with Mega Stones.
What kind of ancient monster can detect THAT?
Steven Stone's eyes widened even further.
So his friend had been hiding even more secrets.
Chen Shi scrambled for an excuse.
"Others can use this power too! There's more than one Mega user! Why does it HAVE to be me?"
The elder's expression softened.
"Because only you came."
"Only you saved our five hatchlings."
"Only you carry this destiny."
Steven Stone slapped Chen Shi's back, barely suppressing laughter.
"Looks like fate picked you, Old Chen."
Chen Shi's face turned black.
Fate my ass.
He felt cornered.
If he didn't escape now, they'd slap a ceremonial robe on him and make him call down Rayquaza tomorrow morning.
He straightened his back—
And betrayed Steven Stone instantly.
"Grandmother! This power isn't unique to me!"
"I can teach him!"
He pointed directly at Steven Stone.
The hut fell silent.
Zinnia: "???"
Steven Stone: "???"
Elder: "???"
Chen Shi pressed on desperately:
"Let him be the hero! I can train him personally!"
Absolute betrayal.
Steven Stone looked at him in pure disbelief.
Teach me WHAT?!
Mega Evolution works like that now?
Are you insane?!
Zinnia stared in shock.
This man…
would rather doom the world than accept the role of chosen one.
The elder exhaled slowly.
"So… you truly do not wish to be the hero?"
Chen Shi shook his head so fast he almost snapped it.
"Absolutely not."
Zinnia leaned to the elder and whispered:
"…he might be more stubborn than a Salamence."
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