Mega Synchronization
Alec's POV
It had been a few days since Alec and Cassidy arrived in Speaker Valley and they were currently staying with Sarah. Alec opened his eyes as the sun entered his room, tired from yesterday's rehabilitation. His leg was better now and he didn't need the cane, but he had to get used to walking on his own again and his leg wasn't cooperating.
He stumbled out of his room and downstairs to where breakfast was being made. Andrew and Cassidy were already there and their Pokémon. [Morning Alec,] Flame greeted.
"Morning everyone," Alec muttered, still tired.
"How's your leg doing?" Sarah asked as she walked into the room with breakfast.
"Still a bit sore, but it's getting better," he answered.
"Well, if it's good enough I think I have a solution to Flame's problem," Sarah told him. That got everyone's attention and they looked at her. Alec could still remember what Olympia told him.
Alec, Ethan, and Flame stood in front of Olympia after Alec had let out Flame. He nodded for Olympia to tell him. "When I had the vision of this threat, I saw you and Flame achieve something powerful. You two were completely in sync, in more ways than you are now. But I also saw that this ability came at a price," she started.
"What price?" Alec asked.
"Because Flame uses so much Mega Evolution energy when he Mega Evolves, he doesn't have much room to grow in Mega Evolution energy. I'm sure you noticed the increased power when you Mega Evolved near the Sundial?" she asked.
"Yeah. We figured that since the Sundial is the source of Mega Evolution energy Flame absorbed its power," Alec answered.
"And it's that power that will bring Flame's end," Olympia told him.
Alec was in shock. Flame was going to die? Ethan and Flame were both shocked as well. [No. No, that can't be true. Flame can't die!] Ethan cried out.
"I know it's a lot to take in, but that's what I saw. But there may be a way to avoid that future," Olympia added.
"If you know what it is, then tell me," Alec asked desperately.
"I saw a village in a large crater, one whose people are long forgotten and reduced to myth," Olympia told him.
[The Speakers!] Flame realized.
Olympia looked at Flame. "You are critical in the threat that approaches, but if you don't find a way to stop this, you will die before the threat can begin," she explained.
"Then we go to the Speakers. They may know what to do," Alec told Flame, who nodded in agreement with Ethan.
If Sarah found a way to deal with Flame's extra Mega Evolution energy, then he'd take the chance no matter what. "When the Sundial came to our planet, a piece of it broke off and landed not far from here," she started.
"Hold on. You're talking about the Trial of Bonds," Andrew said.
"The Trial of Bonds?" Cassidy asked.
"In Speaker Valley, achieving Mega Evolution is considered the highest honor. However, not everyone can form such a bond. Speakers may unlock their ability by a strong bond, but Mega Evolution is something stronger than the ability to Speak. The Trial is meant to test the bond you have with your Pokémon," Andrew explained.
"Okay, but how will this trial save Flame?" Alec asked.
"The trial is for Mega Evolution, so I think that it can help. How I don't know, but I think it's your best shot," Sarah answered.
"Alright then. If this is the only way then I'll take the trial," Alec said determinedly.
"Alec, are you sure about this? You don't know what the trial will have you do," Cassidy asked.
"I have to take the chance, Cassidy. If I just sit by and let Flame be destroyed then what kind of friend and trainer would I be?" he answered.
Cassidy was quiet for a bit. "I know. I'm just worried, is all," she said quietly. Alec put his hand on her shoulder in reassurance.
"I'll be fine," he told her. Cassidy gave him a small smile.
"If you're going to be taking the trial, then I'd recommend we wait until your leg's fully recovered," Sarah advised. Alec nodded in agreement.
A few days later, Alec's left leg no longer bothered him. The wound on his chest still bore the scar from that day, but it didn't bother him as much as it used to. The scar went from his left shoulder down to just above his liver, and sometimes Alec would get flashes of the Drapion that did this to him when he touched it. He wished he could remember what had happened. From what he could recall, he had just found Serena's Eevee when he was confronted by someone who had a grudge against him and attacked with his Pokémon even though Alec didn't have any of his with him. After that, everything was a blur.
Alec, Cassidy, Andrew, and their Pokémon walked to the cave where the trial would take place. When they arrived, a few people were gathered around the cave, but the number was slowly increasing. "Why are there so many people here?" Cassidy asked.
"Because normally the trail is held yearly with people who can't use Mega Evolution yet. This one is with someone who can and earlier than normal, so I'm not surprised people came to see," Andrew answered.
"I don't care if the whole world comes here. What matters is save Flame," Alec stated.
[You don't have to do this you know. We can find another way,] Flame told him.
"Not happening," Alec replied.
Sarah stood in front of the cave entrance as the group came up and the village continued to gather. Eventually, the time came and Alec came up with Flame. "Let the trial begin," Sarah declared before looking at Alec. "Good luck in there," she told him.
Alec nodded and he and Flame stepped into the cave together. He didn't know what to expect, but Andrew had told him that the trial would test the bonds of the person and Pokémon that entered. "Be careful Flame. We don't know what to expect," Alec told him.
[I will,] Flame answered.
As they continued down the cave and reached an open area when they were suddenly attacked by a bunch of Golems, Gravelers, and Geodudes. Alec and Flame both jumped back when a bunch of Stone Edges came at them. "We don't want to fight you!" Alec shouted, but the Pokémon didn't listen as more rocks came at them.
[I don't think they're going to listen,] Flame told him.
"It seems so," Alec admitted. He then grabbed his necklace and activated the keystone. "Mega Evolve!" he shouted.
Mega Charizard Fusion then appeared in a wall of fire before Flame used it to unleash a powerful Flamethrower. However, it's like it didn't do anything to the Rock/Ground-types they were facing. Even the weak Geodudes didn't appear to have any damage. [What kind of Pokémon are these?] Flame asked.
"I don't know. But if fire won't work then we'll use fists. Focus Punch!" Alec shouted. Flame slammed his fist into two Golems, sending them flying back into several of their companions. "Now Flamethrower!" Flame fired and caused an explosion. That did the trick since now the Pokémon that were hit were knocked out.
[That did something, but there's a lot more of them than I thought,] Flame said. It's like they were popping out of midair, as it seemed like more and more opponents were appearing out of nowhere.
"We're not going to win like this, and we can't run either," Alec noted, seeing the Pokémon blocking their escape.
[We'll win. I know we will,] Flame said confidently.
"Yeah, you're right. We will win. They won't stand in our way to save you!" Alec shouted.
When Alec finished, his left eye turned blue, and similarly colored waves of energy came waved from his eye. The same thing was happening for Flame, but his eye and wave were yellow instead. They were both surprised when they started to see out of the other. It was like two separate sights.
[What's this?] Flame's voice asked in Alec's head.
"Flame?" he asked, using his thoughts.
[Alec?] Flame's voice asked.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
[I think so. This may have to do with the extra Mega Evolution energy I have.]
"Then let's take them down. Flamethrower!"
Flame spun around, letting loose his fire which had yellow mixed in with the blue. The attack took down many of the foes and caused the bonded pair to be surrounded by a ring of fire while the remaining Rock/Ground-types retreated in fear.
[Think that's all of them?] Flame asked vocally. Alec could see the sight he had from Flame slowly disappearing as the wave of energy around their eyes died down and they returned to normal.
"I hope so. Now which way do we go?" Alec wondered, looking around to see a ton of tunnels.
Before they could make their decision, they heard something walking towards them from the tunnel ahead. "So you were the ones who hurt and scared off my servants," the voice said, a mix of male and female. Regirock then stepped out from the tunnel in front of Flame and Alec and looked at them. "For that, you will pay," it said before unleashing a Hyperbeam at them.
Alec and Flame both jumped out of the way. "We didn't want to fight them, but they were attacking us!" Alec shouted.
"You still hurt them, and for that, you will pay!" Regirock shouted before unleashing another Hyperbeam.
"Dragon Claw!" Alec shouted. Flame dove in and dodged Regirock's attack and hit it twice with his claws.
"Pathetic. Even with all your power, you still haven't learned the full aspect of Mega Evolution," Regirock said before hitting Flame with Power Gem.
"Flame!" Alec shouted, running towards him.
"Worry about yourself, human!" Regirock shouted as it shot a Power Gem towards him. Alec jumped back in time. "Just because humans don't battle, doesn't mean you will get to sit out!" Regirock added before sending Power Gems, Stone Edges, and Hyperbeams at him. Alec tried to dodge the best he could, but one of the Power Gems hit Alec right in the chest before sending him into the wall.
[You leave him alone!] Flame shouted, appearing next to the legendary Pokémon with Focus Punch ready. As Flame went in for the hit, Regirock stopped it with its arm.
"Pathetic," it said before hitting Flame with an Ice Punch. "You don't realize that Mega Evolution is a two-way street, so you will pay for your abuse of power," it said.
"Wasn't it mad about us hurting its friends earlier?" Alec thought. That's when he realized that Regirock must be a part of the test, and the Golem, Graveler, and Geodudes were as well. "Wait a minute. Two-way street? I know that Pokémon and trainers are connected when they use Mega Evolution, but that was it, right?" he wondered.
Alec looked up to see Regirock walking up to where Flame was on the ground, his chest slightly frozen. "This is the end for you both. You have failed to realize your true potential," it said.
Alec then got an idea on the spot. It was risky, but it may be the only way they win this. "Flame!" he shouted. "I need you to focus your Mega Evolution energy on me!"
Flame looked at him shocked while Regirock turned to look at him. [Is that even possible? And if it does work it could kill you!] Flame called out worriedly.
"It's the only way we can win this Flame! Trust me!" Alec responded.
Flame hesitated as Regirock spoke. "A human absorbing Mega Evolution energy? Impossible. You'll just end up killing your human. Are you willing to live with that?" Regirock asked Flame.
"Don't listen to him Flame! I need you to trust me!" Alec called out.
Flame slowly stood up as the ice melted off his chest. [I've always trusted you,] Flame answered before closing his eyes.
Alec's keystone then lit up and it started releasing energy. A purple light shined from Flame's chest and rainbow-colored energy flew out of it and towards Alec. It hit him right in the chest, absorbing itself into Alec's body. Alec felt like he was being ripped apart as he felt his body started to shift and was surrounded by a bright light.
When the light cleared, Alec's body had changed. He had wings on his back which were a lot like Flame's, but the blue was replaced with yellow, horns on the sides and top of his head, fangs, and his pupils had become narrow slits.
Feeling the surge in power, Alec let out a Flamethrower from his mouth, the yellow flames doing damage against Regirock. When the legendary recovered, it looked at Alec. "What is this?" it asked.
"The strength of our bond," Alec said as he and Flame started seeing each other's sight again, their left eyes swapping and the waves coming from them were much larger than before.
[Let's take it down,] Flame thought.
"Couldn't agree more," Alec replied.
The two then flew towards Regirock and gave it a Focus Punch from them both, sending the legendary flying back with visible damage. Regirock stood up and fired Hyperbeam at the two and they both dodged the attack with ease. Alec and Flame then used Flamethrower, which had both blue and yellow flames in them and they slammed into Regirock.
"You say we haven't learned the full aspect of Mega Evolution, and you're right. We'll never fully understand it. But we know enough to know that our bonds will end up defeating you!" Alec shouted at the legendary.
[And we'll keep learning, cause that's what it means to grow!] Flame added.
"[Now witness our combined strength!]" they shouted together as their bodies were surrounded by blue and yellow fire. "[BLAST BURN!]" they shouted as they slammed their fist into the ground, causing the fire to rush towards Regirock. The resulting explosion was so massive that Alec and Flame both had to struggle to not be sent flying out of the cave.
When the smoke started to clear, both Alec and Flame were panting heavily. [Is it over?] Flame asked. The answer was provided when they saw Regirock laying on the ground.
"We did it," Alec realized as both he and Flame returned to normal. He then fell back onto the ground exhausted. "That was intense," he noted.
[Yeah. Though I wonder why our attacks only affected him and the other Pokémon when we were in sync,] Flame questioned. At first, Alec was confused, but as he thought about it Flame had a point. That was odd.
Before he could offer any kind of response, the cave started wavering and shifting. When it was done, Alec and Flame stood in front of a large stone that glowed with Mega Evolution energy. "What in the world is this?" Alec asked as he stood up.
"It means you passed the test," a voice came. Alec and Flame turned to see a woman with long white hair standing not too far away from them wearing a long, flowy white dress. Her skin made her look like she was some kind of spirit.
"This was the Trial of Bonds?" Alec asked.
"In order to strengthen your bond, you had to face challenges that could only be solved by increasing it. That's why you were only able to affect your opponents when your bond was strengthened," the woman answered.
[Who are you?] Flame asked.
"I was the first Speaker to use Mega Evolution. When I died, my spirit was absorbed by the stone you see before you," the woman answered, gesturing to the large stone. Alec and Flame both looked at the women with wide eyes. They were talking with a ghost. Not weird at all. "But that doesn't matter. Since you passed the test, it means your bond with each other has grown to new heights," she added.
"That's all well and good, but I went through this trial to save Flame. So have I done that or not?" Alec asked the woman.
She merely smiled. "Tell me, when you fought Regirock, what did you do?" she asked.
"Are you going to answer my question with more questions?!" Alec asked angrily.
"Answer me," the woman said sternly which made Alec flinch back.
He thought about it for a bit when he came to his conclusion. "I… told Flame to focus his Mega Evolution energy on me," he answered.
"Exactly. If Flame didn't have the energy to spare, then that wouldn't have worked the way it did. You would have achieved that form while Flame turned to normal. In short, you absorbed Flame's extra Mega Evolution energy," the woman explained.
Alec's eyes widened in surprise and Flame's did the same. "So then, I did it. I save Flame?" Alec asked in clarification.
The woman nodded. "That you did," she answered. Alec felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his chest. Flame was going to be alright. "But you must be careful," the woman added. "No human has ever absorbed Mega Evolution energy before, so there's no telling what the consequences may be," she warned.
"I'll be careful. I won't use it any more than I need to," Alec promised. The woman nodded at him.
"Now, since you passed the test, normally you'd be given a keystone, but you already have one, obviously," the woman said.
"Don't worry about it. I did this to save Flame. I don't need anything," Alec told her.
"Actually, I was thinking of something else. A way to help you," she said as she walked up to him.
"Uh… what are you doing?" Alec asked, feeling a bit nervous. The woman put her hands on the side of his head and Alec's vision went white.
When he opened his eyes, he was standing outside the building where the Anistar Showcase happened. "Eevee!" his voice called out. Alec turned to look to see himself run-up to Serena's Eevee and he realized what this was. "There you are. You really were scared, huh?" his past self asked.
[It was a lot of loud noises at once,] Eevee admitted.
"It'll be fine. Why don't we head back to the performance? I'm sure you'll want to watch Serena," past him told her.
[Alright,] Eevee replied.
"Well look who it is," a voice said with malice. Both Alec's and Eevee looked up to see... Chester?! Alec then put two and two together. Chester was the one behind the attack on him.
"What do you want?" Past Alec asked coldly as Eevee hid behind his leg.
"I'm here to show you how strong I am. So let's go," Chester demanded.
"Sorry. But I don't have time for you. Let's go Eevee," Past Alec said as the two started leaving.
"Don't you dare turn your back on me! I want a battle, and I'll have it now! Drapion, Night Slash!" Chester shouted as he threw the Poké Ball. Drapion appeared and aimed for Eevee, but Alec's past self intercepted the attack.
[Alec!] Eevee cried out as she ran up to his past self.
"Eevee, find Ethan and get back to the Showcase. Don't worry about me. I'll take care of this," past Alec told her. Eevee looked unsure, but past Alec looked at her with a reassuring smile. Eevee nodded and ran back inside.
"Now then, let's fight," Chester said. Past Alec moved his hand towards his Poké Balls, but Alec knew he wouldn't find them. "What's wrong. Don't have the will to fight?" Chester mocked when he noticed past Alec didn't grab any Poké Balls.
"That's not it. It's just that I've decided you aren't worth it," Past Alec lied. Chester looked furious at those words.
"I will not be ignored! Drapion, use Cross Poison on the pest!" Chester shouted, pointing at past Alec. Drapion hesitated for the briefest of moments before lunging towards past Alec. Past Alec's hand then moved towards the knife and pulled it out and blocked Drapion's attack with it.
"You'd attack a trainer with your own Pokémon?!" Past Alec asked in shock.
"Keep attacking Drapion!" Chester commanded, ignoring past Alec's question. As Drapion moved in with a Night Slash, past Alec brought his knife up again but this time Drapion's attack broke the blade.
Drapion's attack cut right into Alec's left shoulder and down his chest, spilling blood on the ground. Alec thought he'd have to fight the urge to run, but his PTSD wasn't reacting. He guessed it had something to do with the woman and because he wasn't really here. Past Alec didn't even cry out in pain when the attack landed and was staring wide-eyed into the air, mouth a gasp.
"That was disappointing," Chester muttered before turning to Drapion. "I don't want to ever see you hesitate again! You hear me!" he shouted. Drapion nodded in fear. "Good. Now break one of his legs and let's be done with it. I want to see if he can still feel pain," Chester said coldly. Drapion obeyed and hit Alec's left leg multiple times with his claws. So much so that Alec could hear the bones snapping and breaking.
Once he had been satisfied. Chester walked back into the woods with Drapion behind him. As the Pokémon disappeared from sight, Arco ran up and saw his trainer's body. [Father!] he called out as he ran up. [Father. It's Arco, please be alright,] he pleaded.
"Alec!" Cassidy's voice cried out. Alec and Arco turned to look and saw Cassidy exiting the building with Ethan and Eve.
[Ethan! Over here!] Arco cried out. The three turned to see the sight. Ethan and Eve showed horror while Cassidy looked distraught. They ran up to Alec as the white started to take hold again.
When Alec opened his eyes, he was back in the cave with the woman and Flame. He recoiled back and held his head with his hands, gasping for air for a few moments. [Alec! What happened?] Flame asked, concerned.
Alec calmed down before saying anything. "I know who did it. Who put me in the hospital," Alec answered. "Chester," he said scornfully. Flame flinched back a bit.
[The guy who had Samurai fight while he was injured?] Flame asked for confirmation and Alec nodded. [Damn. Let's go bet the Distortion World out of that guy,] Flame growled.
"Don't let vengeance consume you. I showed you because you needed to know. Someone like that needs to be stopped," the woman told them. Alec and Flame nodded. "Good. Now, you're free to leave the cave," the woman said before waving her hand to reveal a passage. "That will take you right back to the entrance," she told them.
"Thank you," Alec said before he and Flame left for the surface.
When they arrived, the village looked at them with curiosity as Sarah stepped up. "So, did you do it?" she asked.
"Yeah. I was able to take the excess Mega Evolution energy from Flame," Alec answered.
"So Flame's going to live?" Cassidy asked next to Sarah. Alec nodded.
The crowd around them all breathed a sigh of relief. "So what happened to the excess energy?" Sarah asked.
"I have it," Alec answered, but only loud enough that Sarah, Cassidy, and Andrew, who was on Sarah's other side, heard.
Sarah grabbed his shoulders. "What's that meant to mean?" she asked in a hushed tone.
"I'll explain later," Alec told her.
Sarah nodded before addressing the crowd. "The trial has been completed!" she announced and the crowd applauded.
Later back at Sarah's place, Alec explained what happened with his battle with Regirock. "So you absorbed Flame's excess energy?!" Andrew asked in shock.
"It was the only thing I could think of to win the fight. I knew the risks when I did it but Regirock saying Mega Evolution was a two-way street got me thinking I could do it. To be honest, I sort of forgot about the excess energy when I did it. It wasn't until after the battle I realized what I actually did," Alec explained.
"You idiot!" Cassidy shouted, grabbing his jacket. "You could have died from that! How could you do something like that and not know for sure that you'd be okay!" she continued yelling, but she was slowly breaking down. "I can't afford to see you hurt. Not after…" she said before she started crying into his jacket. Alec embraced her and pulled her close, finding it hard to see her like this.
"I'm sorry Cassidy. I won't worry you like that again," Alec told her.
"You'd better not," she retorted through her tears.
"What's done is done so we can't change it now," Sarah started. "But you'd better be careful with how you use this energy. Something like that will no doubt draw a lot of attention."
"I'm the Kalos Champion. I've had attention on me since I earned the title," Alec stated with a small smile.