Kalos Seven

The warm rays of morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of Professor Sycamore's laboratory, casting soft golden hues across the polished floors. As Alain and Dawn entered, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants filled the air. The kitchen area had been set for a casual breakfast, a break from the usual rush of research and battles.

Dawn stepped inside, glancing around curiously. This was her first time meeting Professor Sycamore, and despite her relaxed demeanour, she felt a flutter of nerves. Alain had spoken highly of the professor, and she hoped to make a good impression.

Professor Sycamore greeted them with his usual warm smile. "Good morning, both of you! I'm thrilled to have you here, Dawn. Alain tells me you've had quite the journey, and I'm eager to hear more about it."

Dawn returned the smile, feeling her nerves ease a bit. "Thank you, Professor. I'm excited to be here too. I've heard a little about your research and would love to learn more."

They all sat down at the table, and the conversation flowed easily as they enjoyed breakfast. Sycamore was curious about Dawn's adventures, asking about her experiences and the Pokémon she had encountered. While he read extensively over Professor Rowan's notes, it was always more enlightening to learn directly from the source.

"Alright Dawn, I think it's time we got down to business. Do you mind showing me your mysterious new Pokémon? You have my word your secrets are safe here"

Dawn glanced at Alain, who gave her a nod of encouragement. She then reached for the Pokéballs clipped to her belt. "Alright guys, time to come out"

She stood up and released her first Pokémon: Hisuian Typhlosion. The Ghost and Fire-type emerged in a swirl of spectral flames, its normally gentle expression now glowing with an otherworldly aura. The translucent fire around its neck flickered softly, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Sycamore stood up from his chair, his eyes wide in disbelief. "I… I can't believe it." Alain watched with a small smirk as the professor's normally calm, collected demeanour dissolved into pure excitement. Sycamore carefully observed Typhlosion, taking in every detail as though he couldn't believe his own eyes.

"And that's not all," Dawn said, enjoying the professor's reaction. She held up another Pokéball. "This one's even rarer."

With a flick of her wrist, she released her second Pokémon: Hisuian Braviary. The Psychic and Flying-type spread its violet wings wide, its feathers shimmering in the morning light. Its powerful presence filled the room as it hovered above them, surveying its surroundings with calm intelligence.

Sycamore's mouth fell open. He shook his head in disbelief, his fingers brushing his hair in a nervous, excited gesture. "This… this is groundbreaking! Here you are with Pokémon from an ancient region. This changes everything."

Dawn chuckled softly. " But wait, there's one more I want to show you."

Sycamore, still recovering from the first two reveals, could hardly contain his curiosity. "There's more?" he asked, barely able to sit still.

With a knowing smile, Dawn took out one last Pokéball. "This one's different. It's what the people of Hisui called an Alpha."

Alain crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair with an amused look on his face. "You might want to brace yourself for this one, Professor."

Dawn tossed the Pokéball into the air, and with a flash of light, her Alpha Garchomp appeared. The room seemed to grow smaller as the colossal Pokémon materialized, towering over the breakfast table with an imposing presence. Its red eyes glowed with a fierce intensity, and its sheer size and power were undeniable.

Professor Sycamore's breath caught in his throat. He stumbled back slightly, his eyes as wide as saucers. "An… Alpha Garchomp," he whispered, almost in disbelief. "this… this can't be real."

He circled the massive Garchomp, marvelling at its size and the aura of power it exuded. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached out, feeling the energy radiating from the Alpha Pokémon.

"This… this is beyond anything I could have imagined," Sycamore said, his voice filled with awe.

Sycamore was silent for a moment, clearly deep in thought, before he looked at Dawn with a renewed energy in his eyes. "Dawn, you've just opened up a new frontier of research. I have to say, I never expected to see something like this so early in the morning." He chuckled, still clearly buzzing with excitement. "But I think we need to take this further."

Alain glanced between the two of them, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed. "A battle?" he asked, a smirk already forming on his lips.

Sycamore nodded, his eyes gleaming. "Yes! I would love to test the strength between a Mega and an Alpha, what do you say, Dawn?"

Dawn's eyes lit up, her competitive side kicking in. "That sounds like a challenge! Garchomp's always ready for a good fight."

The Alpha Garchomp let out a low growl of approval, its eyes flashing with anticipation.

Sycamore smiled, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Perfect. Let's see how an Alpha stacks up against a Mega."

After finishing breakfast, Professor Sycamore led Dawn and Alain down the hall to a massive domed room within the lab. As the doors slid open, Dawn gasped. Inside was a large, open battle arena, but unlike the typical steel or concrete floors she was used to, this one was designed to mimic the natural world. Lush green grass stretched across the floor, dotted with trees and rocks, and an artificial sky with shifting clouds hung above them, casting a soft, natural light over the entire space.

"This is incredible," Dawn said, turning in a circle to take in the scenery. "It feels like we're outside."

Sycamore smiled, clearly proud of the facility. "We designed this battle arena to simulate natural environments as closely as possible. It allows us to see how Pokémon perform in conditions closer to what they'd experience in the wild."

Alain leaned against the entrance, arms crossed, his eyes following Dawn as she examined the area. "It's one of the professor's best inventions. Battles here feel as real as they get."

Dawn grinned, turning back to Sycamore. "This will be perfect. Garchomp loves wide-open spaces."

Sycamore walked toward his side of the arena, grabbing a Pokéball from his coat pocket. "As does mine. Now, let's see how an Alpha compares to a Mega." His excitement was palpable as he released his Pokémon, a fierce-looking Mega Garchomp materializing with a powerful roar. Its massive scythes gleamed under the artificial sunlight, and the ground beneath it cracked slightly from its sheer presence.

Dawn nodded in approval. "Impressive, but I think Garchomp's ready to show you what an Alpha can do."

She tossed her Pokéball, and her Alpha Garchomp emerged once again, its immense size dwarfing the Mega Evolution. The two Garchomps stood facing each other, the tension in the air palpable. Alpha Garchomp's glowing red eyes met Mega Garchomp's gaze with an unwavering intensity, the ground vibrating beneath its heavy, battle-hardened body.

Alain whistled, clearly impressed. "That Alpha is something else. Look at the size difference."

Sycamore ran his fingers through his hair, his scientific curiosity overtaking any doubt he had about the outcome of the battle. "Let's begin, shall we?"

With a nod from both trainers, the battle commenced.

"Garchomp, start with Dragon Claw!" Sycamore called, his Mega Garchomp roaring as it charged forward, its claws glowing with a brilliant blue light.

Dawn remained calm, watching the attack approach. "Stone Edge, Garchomp."

Alpha Garchomp slammed its massive claws into the ground, summoning jagged stones that erupted from the earth. The stones shot toward Mega Garchomp, blocking its path and forcing it to halt its charge. The Mega Garchomp tried to slice through the stones with its claws, but Alpha Garchomp's attack was relentless. The sharp stones grazed its sides, leaving marks on the powerful Pokémon's body.

Sycamore frowned slightly. "Impressive, but let's see how your Garchomp handles this! Earthquake!"

Mega Garchomp slammed its massive fists into the ground, sending shockwaves across the arena. The earth trembled violently, causing several trees to shake and rocks to crack.

Dawn grinned. "Not bad, but Alpha Garchomp's got this. Garchomp, fly up!"

Alpha Garchomp leapt into the air with a speed that defied its massive size, easily avoiding the tremors below. Hovering for just a moment, it eyed its Mega counterpart from above.

Sycamore's eyes widened in surprise. "That speed…"

"Now, Dragon Rush!" Dawn commanded.

Alpha Garchomp roared as it descended, its body surrounded by an aura of raw dragon energy. It crashed into Mega Garchomp with incredible force, sending the Mega form skidding backward. The impact created a gust of wind that blew through the entire dome, rustling the leaves of the trees and kicking up dust.

Mega Garchomp struggled to regain its footing, clearly rattled by the power of the Alpha. Sycamore was visibly shocked. "I've never seen a Garchomp like this. Its strength... it's on a completely different level."

Dawn didn't let up. "Finish it with Outrage!"

Alpha Garchomp's eyes glowed with a primal fury as it charged forward once more, this time unleashing a flurry of devastating attacks. Each strike hit with brutal precision, sending shockwaves across the battlefield. Mega Garchomp, despite its strength, couldn't withstand the onslaught. The ground beneath it cracked as it collapsed from the sheer force of Alpha Garchomp's final blow.

Sycamore could only watch in awe as his Mega Garchomp reverted back to its original form, panting heavily before finally falling to the ground, defeated.

The battle was over.

Dawn smirked, brushing her hair out of her face. "Looks like Alpha wins."

Sycamore stood there, frozen, trying to process what he had just witnessed. Slowly, a wide smile crept onto his face. "That was… absolutely incredible. I've studied Mega Evolution for years, but to see an Alpha Pokémon overpower a Mega like that… I'm speechless. This changes everything. So many possibilities for research, for discovery."

Dawn smiled, resting a hand on her Garchomp's side. "We've been through a lot together. Garchomp's always been special, but when we found her in Hisui, she was already an Alpha. It took time to learn how to harness that strength."

Professor Sycamore's curiosity piqued further. "Dawn, your Pokémon... I've never seen anything quite like them. Their size, strength, and forms are incredible. Could you tell me more about them? What were they like before they evolved? Were they always so unique?"

Dawn thought for a moment, her expression growing thoughtful as she recalled her journey. "Well, it's hard to say for Braviary and Garchomp, to be honest. I didn't raise them from their pre-evolved forms. I caught both of them fully evolved, so I'm not entirely sure what they were like before." She glanced at her towering Alpha Garchomp. "I have no idea if Garchomp was an Alpha when it was a Gible or if the Alpha status only happens at its final evolution. For all I know, it could've always been this way."

Professor Sycamore's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Fascinating! So, you're unsure if Alpha traits are something inherent from birth or something that develops at a certain stage in a Pokémon's life. That's an intriguing question—one we could explore through further research."

Dawn nodded, her curiosity deepening. "Yeah, the same goes for Braviary. I don't know if its pre-evolution—if it even has one—also has an alternative form, or if it's the same as its modern counterpart. I've never seen a Rufflet from Hisui, so I can't be sure."

The professor's mind raced with possibilities, his excitement palpable. "The forms your Pokémon take... it's almost as if they're relics of a different time, a different evolutionary path. We've theorized for years that certain Pokémon may have ancient forms, but to see them in front of me, alive and well, is a discovery of immeasurable value."

Dawn smiled at his enthusiasm. "I'm glad they're so interesting to you. It's been a wild ride having them, that's for sure."

Sycamore leaned forward slightly, a new question forming in his mind. "And what about your Typhlosion? What was its evolution process like? Did it always have that Ghost typing?"

Dawn's expression softened as she thought back to her Typhlosion's origins. "No, Typhlosion's a bit of a different story. I actually hatched it from an egg in modern-day Sinnoh. Back then, it was just a regular Cyndaquil, and it evolved into Quilava while we were still in the present. Everything was normal until..."

Her voice trailed off for a moment as she recalled the strange, overwhelming shift that happened when she was sent back in time to the Hisui region. "When we ended up in Hisui, things changed. When Quilava evolved into Typhlosion, it became the Ghost-type version you see now. At first, I thought it was just a visual difference, but its entire nature changed. It wasn't the same gentle Quilava I had known. It was more... wild, almost like it was adapting to the harsh, ancient world we'd been thrown into."

Sycamore looked intrigued, hanging on every word. "So, you believe Typhlosion's Ghost typing—and its change in demeanour—could be tied to the environment it evolved in? Almost as if it was... reverting to a primal state?"

Dawn nodded slowly. "That's exactly what it felt like. It wasn't just an evolution in appearance—it was like the Pokémon itself was reverting to the past, becoming something more in tune with the world it lived in. I've wondered whether all Hisuian Typhlosions were like that, or if it was something to do with how it had to cope with being thrust from modern times into a world that was so different."

Sycamore's face lit up with excitement, clearly fascinated by this discovery. "This is extraordinary! It suggests that Pokémon may evolve not only in form but in nature depending on the environment they're exposed to. Hisui's ancient, untamed world could have brought out those latent, primal traits in Typhlosion."

Dawn smiled. "Yeah, it was kind of wild watching it change like that. But it was still my Typhlosion, even with its new form."

Sycamore stared into the distance, his mind clearly racing with possibilities. "Dawn, this is revolutionary. If we can understand how environments—especially ancient environments—affect a Pokémon's evolution and nature, it could unlock so many secrets about the past and the future of Pokémon evolution. And to think we've only just scratched the surface of your team's potential!"

Dawn glanced over at Typhlosion, Braviary, and Garchomp. "I guess I got lucky with these guys. They've all been through so much with me."

The professor chuckled. "Lucky or not, you've opened the door to a world of discoveries.

Sycamore turned to Alain, his mind racing with ideas. "Alain, I know we had already discussed your next research mission, but this changes things. Dawn, I'd like to propose something."

Dawn raised an eyebrow, curious.

Sycamore continued, "I'd like you to join Alain on his mission to search for new Mega Stones. We've recently heard word that Mega Stones might have been found outside of Kalos, specifically in the Hoenn region. If that's true, it could mean there are undiscovered Mega Evolutions or even stones compatible with your Pokémon."

Alain blinked, surprised. "You want Dawn to come with me?"

Sycamore nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Absolutely. Dawn, your Pokémon are proof that there's more out there than we ever imagined. You and your team could help us uncover these new Mega Stones. And who knows? Maybe some of them will be compatible with your Pokémon."

Dawn's eyes lit up at the idea. "That sounds amazing. I've always loved exploring new places, and with my Pokémon by my side, I'd be more than happy to help."

Sycamore smiled warmly. "Then it's settled. You and Alain will work together on this mission. I'll stay here and continue researching your Hisuian Pokémon in the meantime. There's so much to learn."

Dawn, glancing over at Alain, gave a small grin. "Looks like we're partners now."

Alain attempted to sound annoyed but deep down was happy with the turn of events, "I can hardly wait"

Just then, Dawn's face lit up as she remembered something. "Oh! Before we leave for Hoenn, my mum told me to check out the Poké performance, do you think I'd have time to check one out before we leave?"

Sycamore chuckled. "Ah, yes, the Pokémon Showcases. They're quite the spectacle. Kalos is famous for them. There's one happening this afternoon, of course, you should go, I would hate to deprive you of the experience."

Sycamore turned to Alain, who was quietly observing their conversation. "Alain, why don't you accompany Dawn to the Pokémon Showcase in Lumiose City while I make the arrangements for your travel to Hoenn? You can make sure Dawn gets a proper tour of the city. It would be a shame to travel this far and not take in the sights"

Dawn couldn't help but chuckle at his last remark. "See Alain I told you it's normal for people to enjoy sightseeing"

Alain just rolled his eyes "Alright fine, let's get going, I guess"

Sycamore, pleased with the arrangement, couldn't help but smile. "While you're out enjoying the showcase, I'll get everything prepared for your journey to Hoenn.

"Thanks so much, Professor" Dawn waved goodbye as Alain led her out of the room to begin her tour of the city.