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Time: after the Bug-Catching Contest.
Location: the entrance of the National Park.
At this moment, Liam and Delia were standing at the park's entrance. In Delia's arms rested the newly awakened blue Shuckle. With one hand, she held out a small piece of berry, teasing the little one with a gentle smile. She looked as though she had already forgotten the ordeal from earlier.
"I truly am sorry. Please allow me to apologize once more. This incident was indeed my negligence. I'm terribly sorry!"
Next to Liam and Delia stood the Park Director and Ginko. The director bent down again, bowing his head with a deeply apologetic tone.
"Mm, Director, you don't have to say any more. We don't blame you, and everything's already been resolved, hasn't it? Just let it go."
Liam, standing beside Delia, replied with a smile. But it was obvious from his stance—he made no move to help the director back up—that he was still a little annoyed inside.
"Uh… heh, heh."
The director, still bent over, broke out in a nervous sweat. Then, with a sudden thought, he straightened up, quickly reached into his pocket, and pulled out a round stone. The stone was about the size of a large marble, lying smoothly in his palm, glinting faintly.
"Ahem. This is a mysterious stone I happened to find long ago while traveling. I've treasured it ever since… but to express my apology, I can only grit my teeth and part with it. I hope you'll accept it—and not hold my mistake against me anymore…"
With a pained expression, the director slowly held out the stone toward Liam.
"This is? Uh… Director, you're far too kind. I told you already—we're not angry. The matter is over, and we won't pursue it any further. After all, it wasn't your fault. But… if you really insist, then I'll reluctantly accept this stone."
At first, Liam hadn't paid much attention to the stone. But after a single glance, his eyes flashed with a subtle gleam. Without another word, he reached out and took it.
Director: "…Heh, good, good."
The director finally breathed a sigh of relief. To him, using a shiny stone of unknown purpose to pacify Liam and Delia was more than worth it.
"Well then, since there's nothing else, we'll continue on our journey. Mr. Ginko, Director, we'll take our leave here. I hope we meet again someday."
With that, Liam said his farewells. He took Delia's hand, and the two quickly walked away.
...…
On the open road, Liam held Delia's hand tightly, hurrying along until they were far from the National Park. Only then did he slow down.
His behavior was slightly unusual, but Delia—who knew him well—only smiled, keeping close at his side. She already understood: Liam must have gotten something valuable.
"Alright, we're far enough now. No need to rush anymore; they won't be chasing after us."
Delia, a little tired from the quick pace, finally spoke with a smile.
"Hehe, you really know me well, Delia~ I thought maybe you hadn't noticed."
Liam stopped at last, turning to her with a grin.
"Hmph, do you think I'm that dense? I just didn't feel like asking. You've got so many secrets—if I pried into every one, it'd drive us both crazy."
Delia shot him a playful glare, lips pursed in triumph.
Liam: "…"
For a moment, Liam didn't know how to reply. A smile was the safest answer.
"Alright, alright. I won't dig into your business. When you feel ready, you can tell me yourself. But you should know—no matter what you do, I'll always support you."
Seeing Liam's helpless smile, Delia chuckled and brushed it off. She then looped her arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder, her tone serious.
"Hehe, it's nothing too special. When the time is right, I'll tell you."
Feeling the warmth in her voice, Liam gently patted the brim of her hat, his expression tender.
"Hmph, I won't press you. Oh right—about that stone from earlier. It's good stuff, isn't it? You seemed awfully happy about it."
Delia tightened her grip on his arm, smiling as she asked.
"Hehe, hahaha~"
The moment she mentioned the stone, Liam couldn't help laughing.
Delia: "…? What's so funny?"
Liam: "Hahaha!"
Still laughing, Liam pulled the round stone from his pocket and lifted it to the sunlight. A rainbow-like glow shimmered across its surface. As he touched it again, information flooded into his mind.
[Ding!]
[Item: Key Stone.]
[Description: A gem with mysterious power. Allows a Trainer to resonate with a Pokémon holding the corresponding Mega Stone, enabling Mega Evolution. Extremely rare and highly valuable.]
"Delia, here—you keep it."
Smiling, Liam held it out to her.
"Eh! For me? Isn't this really important? Wouldn't giving it to me be wasteful?"
Delia's eyes widened in surprise. She let go of his arm to carefully accept the stone.
"Wasteful? Impossible! I think you're the best person to have it. Later, we can find someone to craft it into a beautiful accessory. That way, this Key Stone will truly be worthy of you."
Liam's answer was firm.
"Key Stone? So that's what it's called? What a strange name…"
Delia tilted her head curiously.
"That's right. It's called a Key Stone. These only come from a faraway region called Kalos. For the director of the National Park to have gotten one… he must have traveled a lot in his youth. Fortunately for us, he didn't know its true value—or else we'd never have gotten it."
Liam's face showed both relief and gratitude for their luck.
"Hmm? But why the name 'Key Stone'? A key… could it really be some kind of key?"
Delia muttered the name to herself, then looked at Liam teasingly.
But then… she saw his half-smiling expression.
"Wait—don't tell me it really is a key!"
Delia gasped.
At last, Liam gave her a small nod, smiling faintly.
"That's right. It's a key—a key that unlocks a Pokémon's path to a higher level of evolution."