Chapter 14: Mega Stones
The video continued playing.
Once the cake had been finished, Misty wiped her hands and stood up. She retrieved a small gift box and placed it in front of Raina.
"This is Mommy’s present."
Raina put down her fork and carefully removed the wrapping paper.
Inside was a Poké Ball.
However, it was no ordinary Poké Ball. It had clearly been custom-made by a skilled artisan. The ball was white and decorated with pale-blue patterns, giving it an exquisite and adorable appearance.
"This is..."
Raina stared at it in surprise.
"Open it and see."
Raina pressed the button.
A flash of red light appeared—
A small, fluffy brown creature materialized on the table. It had large ears, brown fur, and a thick ruff of cream-colored fur around its neck.
It was an Eevee.
Eevee blinked and looked around before tilting its head.
"Eevee~"
Raina froze completely.
Three seconds later—
"Aaaaaah! Eevee!"
Raina scooped Eevee into her arms and bounced excitedly in her chair, nearly toppling over along with it.
Asher reacted quickly and caught the back of the chair, narrowly preventing a disaster.
"Mommy! It’s an Eevee! The Eevee I’ve always wanted!"
Misty smiled and nodded.
"Mm-hmm. It took me a long time to find one through a contact. It has a very gentle temperament, so the two of you should get along well."
Raina lifted Eevee high into the air.
"Eevee! Eevee!"
Its tail swayed gently, and it did not appear frightened in the slightest.
"Eevee, I’m Raina! I hope we’ll get along from now on!"
Eevee tilted its head and studied her for two seconds before extending one tiny paw and placing it against her finger.
"Eevee!"
Asher then placed another gift box on the table.
"Now it’s time for my present."
Raina’s eyes lit up once again. She carefully placed Eevee on the chair before tearing away the wrapping paper and opening the box.
Inside was an elegant transparent case containing a single scale.
The scale was pale pink and possessed a pearl-like sheen. When the sunlight touched it, its surface refracted countless rainbow-colored rays.
Raina carefully picked it up and held it before her eyes.
"It’s so beautiful..."
"That is a Prism Scale," Asher explained.
"Dad, what does it do?" Raina asked.
"You’ll need it someday."
Asher smiled softly.
Raina carefully returned the Prism Scale to its case and hugged the box against her chest.
"I’ll make sure to keep it safe!"
[VIP Chat Group]
[Ash]: A Prism Scale? What’s that?
[Professor Oak]: It is a rare Evolution item. Under certain conditions, a specific Pokémon can evolve while holding it.
[Max]: Which Pokémon?
[Wallace]: Feebas.
[Professor Oak]: Correct. A Prism Scale is a key item used to evolve Feebas into Milotic.
[Lorelei]: By giving her that present... Was Asher implying that he already knew Raina would catch a Feebas someday?
[Lance]: Judging by what he said, yes.
...
Only Asher and Raina remained in the living room.
Misty had gone into the kitchen to wash the dishes.
Raina sat on the sofa holding Eevee’s Poké Ball, gently tracing the button on its surface with one finger.
"Dad."
"Hmm?"
"When can I leave on my journey?"
Asher lowered the camera and looked at his daughter.
"When do you want to leave?"
"I want to leave now."
"Now?"
Asher smiled.
"Do you understand what setting out on a journey means?"
"I do."
Raina raised her head, her golden eyes filled with seriousness.
"It means leaving home and facing unknown challenges on my own, meeting new Pokémon, battling powerful opponents... and becoming stronger."
Asher leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling.
He remained silent for a long time.
"Dad?"
"Hmm?"
"You don’t want me to go?"
"That isn’t it."
Asher sat upright and looked at his daughter.
"I was only thinking about how quickly time passes."
Raina tilted her head.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing."
Asher reached out and ruffled her hair.
"You’ve grown up. It’s time for you to go out and experience the world."
Asher reached into his clothes and removed a small black velvet box.
"I originally planned to give this to you on the day you left."
He placed the box on the coffee table in front of Raina.
"But since you’ve made your decision, I may as well give it to you now."
Raina curiously picked up the box and opened it.
Inside was a crystal-clear stone set into a silver necklace. Beneath the light, the stone refracted countless tiny rainbow-colored rays.
"This is..."
"A Key Stone," Asher answered calmly. "You should have read about it in your books."
Raina’s pupils widened slightly. She gently touched the Key Stone, feeling its smooth warmth beneath her fingertip.
"Dad... This is extremely rare, isn’t it? I..."
"There’s more."
Asher removed two smaller boxes from his pocket and pushed them across the table.
"A Blastoisinite and a Gyaradosite."
Raina stared blankly at the boxes before looking back at Asher.
"Dad, you..."
Asher leaned against his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Mega Evolution requires an exceptionally deep bond between a Trainer and their Pokémon."
His voice softened.
"Wartortle has been with you for six years. You caught Gyarados later, but even when it was still a Magikarp, you fed it every day, trained with it, and spent time talking to it."
"Even though you weren’t especially powerful at the time, it still chose to obey you after evolving. That is the bond between a person and their Pokémon."
Asher reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
"This power is proof of the trust between you and your Pokémon. Remember, Mega Evolution is not a shortcut to becoming stronger. It is the physical manifestation of your bond. Do you understand?"
Raina put on the necklace and spent a long time gazing at the two Mega Stones inside their boxes.
At last, a smile appeared on her face.
"Mm-hmm. I understand. Thank you, Dad."
...
[Regular-Seat Chat Group]
"Aaaaaah! I’m crying!"
"Asher is such a wonderful father..."
"A Key Stone and two Mega Stones? Just how wealthy is this family?!"
"This isn’t merely about money! Those items aren’t easy to obtain even if you’re rich!"
"Calm down, person above."
"I can’t calm down!"
...
[VIP Chat Group]
[Brock]: ...A Key Stone and two Mega Stones.
[Gary]: Blastoisinite and Gyaradosite are both extremely difficult to obtain. Gyaradosite, in particular, is reportedly found only among hidden ruins in a certain region.
[Ash]: Wait. Mega Evolution? What’s that?
[Gary]: ...You don’t even know about Mega Evolution?
[Professor Sycamore]: Allow me to explain! Mega Evolution is a special phenomenon discovered in the Kalos region—an Evolution that surpasses ordinary Evolution!
[Professor Sycamore]: During battle, a Trainer uses a Key Stone while the Pokémon holds its corresponding Mega Stone. When the two stones resonate, the Pokémon can temporarily unleash its hidden power, changing its form and greatly increasing its battling capabilities!
[Professor Sycamore]: However, Mega Evolution requires an exceptionally deep bond between a Trainer and their Pokémon. It is not something just anyone can achieve.
[Diantha]: Indeed. Mega Evolution is proof of the bond between a Trainer and their Pokémon, not merely a way to increase strength. Only Trainers who understand that can truly call themselves Pokémon Trainers.
[Ash]: Um... I still don’t completely understand what Mega Evolution is, but it sounds amazing!
[Professor Sycamore]: Ash, when you come to the Kalos region, I would be delighted to let you experience the mysteries of Mega Evolution for yourself!
[Ash]: Really?! Then I’m definitely going to Kalos!
[Gary]: ...You haven’t even decided where you’re traveling next. Stop making random promises.
[Ash]: Of course I’ve decided! The next region I’m visiting is... It’s...
[Delia]: The Unova region, Ash. You’ve mentioned it many times.
[Ash]: Right! Unova! Then I’ll go to Kalos afterward!
[Professor Sycamore]: Hahaha! In that case, I’ll be waiting for you in Kalos.