Chapter 16

The journey back to Kalos was serene, with Alain piloting Charizard through clear skies while Dawn leaned into his back, her arms wrapped tightly around him. As Lumiose City's skyline emerged, crowned by the iconic Prism Tower, her excitement bubbled over.

"We're almost there!" Dawn exclaimed; her sapphire eyes bright. "I can't wait to see Garchomp, Braviary, and Typhlosion again!"

Alain smirked but kept his focus on Charizard's smooth descent. "I'm sure they've missed you too. Though, they might act like their too cool to care."

Dawn laughed; the sound carried away by the wind. "You've got their personalities down, that's for sure."

Charizard landed gracefully on the front lawn of Professor Sycamore's lab. The air hummed with the anticipation of discovery as Alain and Dawn approached Professor Sycamore's lab in Lumiose City. The towering structure was as lively as ever, with assistants bustling about and the faint hum of machinery echoing from within. Alain pushed open the heavy doors, stepping aside to let Dawn enter first.

"Welcome back!" Professor Sycamore's cheerful voice rang out as he approached them with open arms. "It's always a pleasure to see you two." His gaze landed on the bag Alain carried, the faint glow of Mega Stones visible through its fabric. "And I see you've brought some treasures for me."

"It's good to be back," Alain said. "We found several stones, including one that reacted to Dawn's Lopunny."

Dawn smiled, pulling out her Poké Ball. "Professor, you have to see this. Lopunny, come on out!" With a flash of light, Lopunny appeared, her elegant form radiating energy as she curiously tilted her head.

"Ah, Lopunny," Sycamore mused, crouching to examine her. "She's beautiful. And you say you've already confirmed her compatibility with a Mega Stone?"

Dawn nodded, holding up the delicate pink stone. "We found this at the ruins in Hoenn. When Lopunny got near it, there was this surge of energy. Alain helped me train her, and…" She trailed off, excitement bubbling up. "Can I show you?"

"Please do," Sycamore encouraged, stepping back.

Dawn fastened her Mega Ring, the pink stone glowing faintly. "Alright, Lopunny, let's do this! Mega Evolve!"

The energy from the stone spiralled around Lopunny, engulfing her in radiant light. When it cleared, her Mega Evolution stood proudly, a lithe, powerful form exuding confidence and strength.

Sycamore's eyes widened in awe. "Fascinating! Mega Lopunny—her typing must have changed."

Dawn pulled out her Pokédex, eager to confirm. "Let's see… She's now Normal and Fighting-type! And her move set… Whoa, she's learned High Jump Kick and Scrappy for her ability. That'll let her hit Ghost-types directly. Amazing!"

"Remarkable," Sycamore agreed. "The transformation alone is a marvel, but to unlock such potential with a bond… There's still so much we don't understand about Mega Evolution."

The excitement in the lab began to cause attention. Dawn's gaze darted around the lab. The familiar scent of books and freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and her heart raced when she heard a distant rumble. A second later, her Garchomp appeared, its confident gait and sharp eyes unmistakable. Behind it, Braviary soared in, its majestic wings nearly brushing the ceiling, while Typhlosion padded in with a casual growl, its fiery mane flickering faintly.

"Garchomp! Braviary! Typhlosion!" Dawn called, rushing forward.

Sycamore gave Alain an approving look before his expression turned mischievous. Glancing at Dawn, who had wandered off to greet her Pokémon, he leaned in closer to Alain. "So, Alain, how was your trip? I trust you were the perfect gentleman?"

Alain shot him a warning look, his ears reddening slightly. "The trip was fine. Productive."

Sycamore chuckled. "Productive, indeed. She seems happy. That's all I'll say… for now."

Before Alain could respond, Dawn's delighted laughter filled the room. Her Typhlosion, Braviary, and Garchomp had practically tackled her with affection. Typhlosion nuzzled her side, its flames flickering happily, while Braviary fluffed its wings proudly. Garchomp stood slightly apart, its stoic expression softened as Dawn wrapped her arms around its massive neck.

"They missed you," Sycamore said, watching the scene fondly.

Dawn turned back; her eyes bright. "They've been amazing, Professor. How were they while I was gone? I hope they weren't too much trouble."

"They've been wonderful company," Sycamore said with a warm smile. "Though Garchomp has a knack for intimidating my assistants, and Typhlosion set a few pieces of equipment on fire."

"Oh no!" Dawn gasped, glancing at Typhlosion, who gave an innocent shrug.

"Braviary, on the other hand," Sycamore continued, "has been keeping an eye on everyone. It's quite the guardian."

Dawn laughed, brushing her hand along Braviary's sleek feathers. "That sounds just like them. Thank you for taking care of them, Professor. I'm glad they behaved themselves for the most part"

"It's been my pleasure," Sycamore replied. "Now I believe you've brought something for me?"

Alain stepped forward, handing Sycamore a secure case. "These are the Mega Stones we've collected. Some are already identified, but a few are still unknown."

Sycamore opened the case with reverence, his eyes lighting up as he examined the glowing stones within. "Magnificent," he murmured. "Each one radiates such unique energy. This will advance our understanding of Mega Evolution significantly."

As they discussed, an assistant approached with a tablet. "Professor, you have a call from Steven Stone and Cynthia."

Sycamore's expression shifted to one of intrigue. "Perfect timing. Let's take it in the main lab."

They moved to a conference area, where Steven's and Cynthia's faces appeared on a large screen.

"Ah, Sycamore, Alain, Dawn," Steven greeted warmly. "Good to see you all. We've been analysing the stone you sent over from Hoenn."

Cynthia nodded; her tone thoughtful. "Our findings suggest that the stone's energy resonates with Rayquaza. It's incredible—while Mega Evolution feels like a modern discovery, the energy it taps into appears to be ancient."

Steven leaned forward slightly. "We believe that by comparing notes, our research can complement each other. Sycamore, your understanding of Mega Evolution and its reliance on bonds could fill in the gaps in our knowledge about Rayquaza's connection to this energy."

Sycamore nodded, visibly intrigued. "And perhaps your insights into Rayquaza's raw, primal energy could explain why Mega Evolution requires a trainer's bond. There's an undeniable link between ancient power and the emotional connection of the present."

"Dawn's Hisui Pokémon might also be key," Cynthia added. "Their raw power seems to mirror the ancient energy we've observed. Studying their interactions with Mega Evolution could provide invaluable insights."

Dawn blinked, surprised to be drawn into the conversation. "You think my Hisui Pokémon could help?"

Steven smiled. "Absolutely. They're a bridge between ancient and modern Pokémon. If we can understand them, we might uncover why Mega Evolution exists at all."

Cynthia's tone turned serious. "But to advance this research, your Mega Pokémon need to reach their full potential. We'll need more data on their capabilities in battle—to see if they can rival the raw power of ancient Pokémon."

"That's where you two come in," Sycamore said, turning to Alain and Dawn. "Continue training and battling with your Mega Pokémon. Observe their limits and breakthroughs. We need to understand if this power is sustainable or if there's more to uncover."

Steven's expression softened. "And speaking of training opportunities, Cynthia and I wanted to share some news. There's an event starting soon in Unova—the Friendship Cup. It's a worldwide competition promoting unity through battle. Trainers from all over will attend, and all the champions, including myself and Cynthia, will be there to oversee it."

Cynthia added, "It'll be a perfect chance for you two to test your Mega Pokémon, gather more data, and connect with other trainers pursuing similar goals."

Dawn's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing! Alain, what do you think?"

Alain folded his arms, his expression thoughtful but resolved. "It's a good opportunity. We'll go."

Sycamore grinned. "Wonderful. I'll send all the data we've gathered so far to Steven and Cynthia. And while you're at the Friendship Cup, keep us updated on anything new you learn."

Steven nodded. "We'll keep working on our end. Good luck, both of you."

The call ended, leaving the lab in a brief silence. Dawn turned to Lopunny, who was watching her with eager eyes. "Looks like we've got a lot of training to do, girl. Ready to show the world what we've got?"

Lopunny chirped in agreement, her confidence mirroring Dawn's own.

Alain glanced at Charizard's Poké Ball at his belt, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Let's make it count."

Sycamore watched them, his gaze filled with pride and curiosity. "The answers are out there, and with you two leading the charge, I know we'll find them."

As the call ended, Sycamore turned to the pair, his expression firm but kind. "This is your chance to grow. Mega Evolution is about connection—a bond between you and your Pokémon. Remember that as you train."

Later that evening, the lab's lounge buzzed with quiet activity. Alain sat on the floor, meticulously polishing Charizard's scales, with Pachirisu resting on his shoulder, while Dawn lay sprawled on the couch with Piplup and Fennekin, while her Typloshian sprawled beside her.

Dawn broke the silence "By the way, Alain, have you ever been to Unova?"

Alain shook his head. "No. I've never had a reason to visit."

"Well, now you have one!" Dawn said, her tone laced with excitement. "I wonder if we'll run into Ash there. If there's a big tournament, there's no way he'd miss it."

Alain's expression didn't change much, though there was a subtle shift in his eyes. "Ash Ketchum, right? The trainer from Kanto?"

"Yeah, that's him," Dawn confirmed, her eyes sparkling. "We travelled together for a long time. He's... well, he's Ash. Full of energy, totally determined, and always trying to help everyone around him. It'll be great to catch up."

Alain gave a small nod, his voice neutral. "Sounds like someone you admire."

Dawn chuckled. "He's one of a kind, that's for sure. But trust me, Alain, you'll like him. Even if everyone else at the tournament disappoints you, I'm sure you'll enjoy a battle with him"

Alain didn't respond immediately, instead glancing at her Pokémon as they continued their restless pacing. "Well, let's hope he doesn't distract you too much. We've got a lot of work to do before Unova."

Just then, Dawn's Hisui Pokémon stirred uneasily. Garchomp growled low, and Typhlosion's flames flared slightly. Braviary let out a sharp cry, its wings twitching as it glared at the training field outside.

"They're restless," Alain observed, his tone calm but watchful. "They need to battle."

Dawn sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "They've been like this ever since we got back. I think they've missed the action. They're not used to sitting still."

Alain smirked slightly, crossing his arms. "Then let's give them something to do. Tomorrow, we'll battle. It'll be good training for both of us."

Dawn tilted her head, intrigued. "You'd battle me? Really?"

"Of course," Alain replied with a calm certainty. "You need the practice. And it'll give me a chance to test my own team's readiness."

Professor Sycamore, watching from his desk, couldn't help but smile at their exchange. "The two of you have quite the dynamic. If Unova is your next destination, I have no doubt it'll be an adventure worth remembering."

With that, they all began preparing for the next day, the promise of training and challenges sparking anticipation in the air.