Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

All the plants and trees in the laboratory began to grow rapidly. The researchers observed this, along with the data panels on their computers, nodding continuously.

"It’s starting to react." One of the researchers in a white coat said.

"Good. Now adjust the beam’s frequency and see what happens." The lead researcher beside him nodded.

The researcher complied. Moments later, the Zygarde core cells inside the glass chamber appeared even more distressed. A dense green light radiated from their bodies. The plants and trees in the lab grew even faster—and the data panels began flashing alarms.

"Oh no—return the beam to its original frequency!" The lead researcher panicked and ordered.

But it was too late. The core cells inside the chamber exploded—as if using a massive Self-Destruct. The glass chamber shattered, forcing the researchers to shield themselves and retreat. The entire lab went dark, with only the faint glow from the core cells providing light.

"Quick—restore everything!" The lab leadership shouted.

The weakened core cells noticed Gengar hiding in someone’s shadow.

"Rrrrr~" It called out to Gengar.

"Gengar~" Gengar called out to the livestream camera.

Back in the bathroom, Rio heard the call. Mewtwo translated: "Old Ghost says the green thing is asking for help—it wants to be taken away from here. What should we do? Should we save it?"

"A cry for help?" Rio raised an eyebrow, then smiled, speaking into his phone: "Old Ghost, save it. Bring it to me."

Back in the lab, the lead researcher approached the distressed core cells, reaching out to touch them—but was suddenly lifted into the air by an invisible psychic force.

"What’s happening?!" He cried out in terror.

Whoosh! The lead researcher was thrown against the wall. The others looked up—and were also lifted and hurled aside.

"Gengar~" Gengar’s figure emerged, looking at them with contempt. It scooped up the Zygarde core cells with Psychic and departed, vanishing under the horrified gazes of the researchers.

A minute later, the core cells were delivered into Rio’s arms. It looked at him fearfully, terrified that he might also have ill intentions.

"Don’t worry—I won’t hurt you." Rio smiled.

But the core cell’s wary expression didn’t relax.

"If you don’t believe me, you can leave right now. I won’t stop you." Rio shrugged.

"Rrrrr~" The core cell called out.

"It’s asking if you’re serious." Gengar translated.

"Of course." Rio smiled.

Zygarde was different from other legendary Pokémon—it was composed of many cells scattered across the Kalos region. Only when all of them gathered and fused could it become the true Zygarde. Among these cells were core cells and regular cells. Regular cells were abundant, but useless without consciousness. Only core cells—of which there were only two—possessed awareness and intelligence, capable of absorbing regular cells to evolve. Only when both core cells were together could the complete Zygarde appear.

This core cell in his hands—was it useful? Not really. His Pokémon could crush it in an instant unless it reached its complete form. But to reach that form, it needed both core cells. So it was better to let it experience the harshness of the outside world, so it would understand the value of staying with him.

"However, if you want to leave, you should wait a bit. Leaving now will make it easy for them to catch you again." Rio added.

The core cell studied him for a long moment, then nodded slightly.

"Rrrrr~"

"It says thank you."

"No need—it’s the least I could do. I know you’re a Zygarde cell, and saving you is what any trainer should do." Rio turned to Gengar. "Old Ghost, go check on Alain’s battle again."

"You know it’s troublesome, yet you still ask me." Old Ghost shot Rio a look, then sank into the ground.

"I want to see if there’s a Gengar Mega Stone around." Rio muttered.

Moments later, he watched through his phone as Gengar made its way to the arena. On the observation platform, Lysandre had just received news that the core cells had been stolen by a Gengar.

"What?! Say that again—Zygarde’s core cells were taken by a Gengar?!" Lysandre struggled to contain his anger.

"Yes, Mr. Lysandre." The lab leader cowered. "It was a Shiny Gengar—it appeared suddenly from the shadows. We had just finished an experiment on the core cells and didn’t expect this."

"A Shiny Gengar?" Malva, observing from the same platform, interjected.

"Yes—a lavender Shiny Gengar." The lab leader nodded.

"What is it, Malva?" Lysandre grew suspicious of her reaction.

"Mr. Lysandre, according to reports the Kalos League received, a Shiny Gengar appeared during the gang-beating of Sinnoh’s three gods. And when Unova’s Kyurem was attacked, a lavender Shiny Gengar was also present." Malva explained.

"You mean..." Lysandre’s eyes widened as realization struck.

Malva nodded. "I think the organization that has been capturing legendary Pokémon may have already infiltrated Kalos—and specifically, Team Flare."

Lysandre’s expression darkened further.

"Find a way to inform the Kalos League—but do not mention that the core cells were stolen from us." Lysandre said finally.

Team Flare had a positive public image in Kalos as an upstanding corporation. If word got out that the core cells had been stolen from their company, it would be like shooting themselves in the foot. The Kalos League would become suspicious of them.

"Understood." Malva nodded.

After she nodded, Lysandre turned and left, taking the lab leader with him, leaving Malva alone on the observation platform. She watched him go, then turned her attention back to the arena. Lysandre had assigned her to be Alain’s final opponent.

At that moment, Alain’s Charizard was battling a Mega Evolved Banette. The fight was nearing its end—Banette was defeated by Charizard’s Flamethrower. With that victory, Alain had now beaten nine Mega Evolution trainers. Only one more remained to complete Lysandre’s challenge.

"You did great, Charizard—just one more and we’ve won." Alain encouraged his Charizard, which nuzzled against him affectionately.

From the observation platform, Malva applauded. "I’m impressed—I didn’t think you’d actually beat nine opponents." She leaped down to the competitor’s area opposite Alain.

"Hello there—I’m Malva. I’m your last opponent."

Alain’s expression turned serious. "Elite Four Malva."

"Oh, you know me—how flattering." Malva covered her mouth. "I heard you lost to Siebold, one of my fellow Elite Four."

"This time is different—I’ve grown stronger, and I have more to protect." Alain countered.

Malva smiled and threw her Poké Ball. "Houndoom—show Charizard what you’ve got."

A flash of light—a level 65 Houndoom appeared.

"Hound~"

"Charizard, Flamethrower!" Alain gave the first command. His Charizard spat green flames at Houndoom—but they left it completely unharmed.

"Flash Fire ability?" Alain realized, narrowing his eyes.

"Exactly—Flash Fire. Fire-type moves are nothing to this one." Malva smiled, then pulled out a Key Stone from her chest.

"Burn bright—Mega Evolve, Houndoom!"

"Hound~" Golden light erupted from the Key Stone, resonating with the Mega Stone hanging around Houndoom’s neck. Moments later, Houndoom Mega Evolved into a level 75 Mega Houndoom.

"Flamethrower." Malva gave the same command. Her flames struck Charizard, causing it to cry out in pain—but it held on.

"Fly, Charizard!" Alain called out.

"Use Smog!" Malva ordered. Black smog poured from Mega Houndoom’s mouth, enveloping the airborne Charizard.

"Burn it away with Flamethrower!" Alain commanded. Green flames erupted from within the smog, burning it away.

"Tough approach, huh? I don’t mind." Malva smirked.

"Steel Wing!" Alain ordered. Charizard’s wings glowed silver as it charged at Mega Houndoom.

"Houndoom, push it back!" Malva commanded. Mega Houndoom used its horns to block and sent Charizard flying into the air.

"Crunch!" Malva pressed the advantage. Mega Houndoom leaped four or five meters into the air, its blazing fangs clamping onto Charizard’s shoulder and dragging it to the ground, pinning it down.

"I heard your goal is to become the strongest trainer through Mega Evolution—but what does Mega Evolution mean to you?" Malva taunted, not rushing to finish the fight.

"Why are you asking that?" Alain glared.

"Because I’m interested in you, of course." Malva flicked her hair.

Alain ignored her and ordered: "Charizard, Flamethrower!" Charizard fired green flames at Mega Houndoom’s face, forcing it to retreat.

"Can you tell me your answer? I’m curious." Malva pressed.

Alain looked at her and finally answered: "I just want to become stronger—alongside Charizard."

"But there are countless strong Charizard out there. Why choose this one?" Malva asked.

"Because Charizard and I have come this far together—we’ve fought side by side, striving toward the same goal. I truly believe in this partner." Alain said firmly.

"And I’ve watched the battles of the Kanto Champion—who also has a Charizard. He showed me the infinite potential of Charizard—that even Sacred Fire, a legendary move, can be mastered if you’re willing to push hard enough. If his Charizard can do it, then mine can too. I will make Charizard not only the strongest trainer’s partner, but the strongest Charizard in the world."

"I see—you’re quite honest. No wonder Lysandre respects you." Malva raised an eyebrow behind her glasses. "Houndoom—Dark Pulse."

Meanwhile, back in the bathroom, Rio raised an eyebrow at being mentioned. He pulled out his own Charizard’s Luxury Ball.

"Hey, hey—someone wants to beat you and become the strongest Charizard." Rio said to the ball.

Charizard couldn’t respond through telepathy, but it shook the ball in reply. Rio couldn’t be sure what it meant, but he could guess: Let Alain’s Charizard come at me—if I don’t take it down in one hit, I’ll consider it a loss.

"Charizard, I feel the same as Alain—but the difference is, he wants to become the strongest, while we already are the strongest trainer and the strongest Charizard." Rio smiled, turning his attention back to his phone.

Just then, the Banette trainer from earlier was preparing to leave.

"Gengar, follow that Banette trainer—bring him to me so I can ask where he got his Mega Stone. Since he uses Ghost-types, he might have seen a Gengar Mega Stone." Rio instructed.

Gengar complied, stopping its livestream of Alain vs. Malva and tailing the Banette trainer. A minute later, it knocked him out with Hypnosis and brought him before Rio.

"Tell me—where did you get your Mega Stone?" Rio demanded.