Because of the dazzling and overwhelming display of Mega Evolution unleashed by Zinnia's Salamence, too many people's attention was drawn toward it, and in that very moment, Maxie and his group managed to retreat successfully.
Steven originally had the intention of blocking them, yet with Zinnia standing stubbornly in his way, he was simply unable to break through her defenses in such a short amount of time.
As for Lucas, he never once showed any inclination to intercept them at all.
"Boss, we should retreat as well."
Shelly walked up quietly beside Archie, lowering her voice as she spoke.
The situation at present was far too unfavorable for them. Although it was vexing and bitter beyond words that they failed to obtain the Blue Orb, it was still better than the alternative of being captured on the spot by Steven.
"Retreat!"
Archie's face looked extremely unsightly. Even his hated rival, Maxie, had at least gotten away with the Red Orb in hand.
But he, the leader of Team Aqua, was actually leaving empty-handed!
Still, Archie was not completely foolish. Looking at the current battlefield, he knew that if he did not order a retreat now, then perhaps by the time they tried later, it would already be far too late.
Steven was still tangled up with Zinnia.
"Salamence, Dragon Rush!"
Zinnia, who had been watching closely, noticed the Team Aqua members preparing their retreat. Inwardly, she let out a small sigh of relief.
So much pressure, as though she had to act as father and mother both!
She herself could not help but feel a great deal of helplessness—after all, she was practically worrying herself sick on behalf of both of these criminal organizations.
And yet, she truly did need both Team Aqua and Team Magma to successfully awaken Kyogre and Groudon.
Without a second thought, Zinnia commanded her Mega Salamence to immediately charge.
The massive dragon roared, its body suddenly engulfed in a ferocious aura shaped like a colossal dragon, and it hurled itself at Metagross with a devastating rush.
"Metagross, Meteor Mash!"
Steven's eyes grew sharp, his voice crisp as he gave his order.
Metagross lifted its massive forelimbs high, gleaming with metallic energy, and met Salamence's assault head-on.
The force of Dragon Rush and Meteor Mash collided violently in midair. A shockwave of wind and power burst outward, rippling in waves across the field.
"Indeed… its strength has increased greatly."
Steven's mind was already analyzing.
Before undergoing Mega Evolution, Salamence had been firmly suppressed when facing Metagross in direct confrontation. But now, at the very least on the surface, they appeared to be evenly matched.
That alone was proof enough that the boost provided by Mega Evolution was truly immense.
"Salamence really can evolve even further? What on earth is going on here?"
Even now, Green could not hide her astonishment. The scene unfolding before her eyes felt completely absurd.
A pseudo-legendary Pokémon like Salamence was already considered terrifyingly strong. And yet, here it was, somehow evolving again into an even more powerful form.
And more importantly—the process seemed controllable.
Green's sharp eyes noticed something subtle. Before Salamence had evolved, the ornament strapped to the black-haired woman's ankle had begun to shine.
That meant this so-called evolution could actually be manually triggered!
"This is Mega Evolution," Lucas explained indifferently as he toyed with the Blue Orb in his palm, answering for the benefit of Green and Marnie. "Also called 'Mega Evolution,' meaning an evolution that surpasses normal boundaries. It is achieved by the resonance between the Keystone held by the trainer and the Mega Stone carried by the Pokémon, temporarily granting a higher form of power."
He was far from a stranger to the concept of Mega Evolution, and so his tone carried no special excitement.
"You… you already know of this?"
Both Green and Marnie were momentarily stunned. Even Steven, locked in battle, found himself instinctively glancing back at Lucas with a start.
Even Zinnia, overhearing with her sharp senses, turned her gaze toward him in surprise.
Lucas had not bothered lowering his voice, and given Zinnia's keen hearing, she could catch much of what he said.
"Don't make such a fuss. The only reason you haven't heard of it is because very few people currently know. But in Kalos, they've already begun their research."
"I expect Mega Evolution will soon spread throughout the world."
Lucas arched his brow slightly. Whether the Draconids or the researchers of Kalos had first mastered this phenomenon, he could not say.
But what he did know was that in Kalos, the studies were already underway. It was only a matter of time before the results came out, and when they did, Mega Evolution would no longer be a secret.
"This… then, can you also Mega Evolve?"
Green's face froze, her expression bewildered. This was clearly a world-shaking discovery, yet Lucas spoke as though it were the most casual of matters.
"Of course. Did you really think the gemstones worn by my Gardevoir or my Tyranitar were there just because they looked pretty?"
Lucas shot her a sideways glance, unable to resist the urge to sneer.
Who did she think he was?
If he knew of Mega Evolution, then obviously his Pokémon were capable of it as well.
What a foolish question.
Green: "…"
She quickly realized how silly her outburst had been, puffing her cheeks in mild frustration. She had truly been rattled by the news.
Taking a closer look at Gardevoir by Lucas's side, she noticed it was indeed wearing a bracelet on its wrist, set with a shining stone.
Marnie, too, leaned forward curiously.
"Gardevoir~."
Gardevoir, understanding perfectly what the two girls wanted, lifted her delicate arm with a smile, displaying the bracelet so they could see clearly.
"How beautiful…"
Marnie whispered softly, admiration in her eyes as she looked upon the dazzling Mega Stone on Gardevoir's bracelet.
Hearing this, Gardevoir's large eyes curved into happy crescents. She was delighted, for this bracelet had been a personal gift from Lucas himself.
"So… does that mean any Pokémon can undergo Mega Evolution? Could my Blastoise also do it?"
Green's eyes lit up, her tone rising with excitement as she directed the question toward Lucas.
Both Marnie and even Steven, mid-battle, perked their ears at that.
For the potential of Mega Evolution was enormous. And unlike Galar's Dynamax phenomenon, it seemed not to be bound by severe restrictions.
And Lucas had just stated plainly: Mega Evolution would soon spread across the entire world.
"I don't know about every Pokémon. But certainly, many can. Blastoise is one of them. Metagross, Charizard, Gyarados… all are capable."
Lucas shook his head slightly. If his memory was correct, in total, just over forty species were known to be capable of Mega Evolution.
"And beyond these ordinary Pokémon… even some legendaries. Latios and Latias, the Eon Pokémon. And Rayquaza as well—they, too, can Mega Evolve."
His eyes flickered faintly with thought.
To think… even legends were not beyond this power.
He did not mention Mewtwo, though. That case was… unique. Normally, every Pokémon required a Mega Stone. Rayquaza alone bypassed that, its internal organ—the Delta organ—acting in place of one.
And yet in the movies, Mewtwo could Mega Evolve freely, just as Latios and Latias had shown the ability in the Hoopa movie—without even needing Keystones. Perhaps they had already absorbed the stones into themselves, merging them permanently. That, at least, was the only reasonable explanation.
"Legendaries too? Even they can Mega Evolve?"
Green's eyes widened with awe. This power was far greater than she had imagined.
"Of course. Did you think Rayquaza suppresses both Groudon and Kyogre so easily just by being 'strong'? Without Mega Evolution, it would never dominate them so consistently."
Lucas's reply was matter-of-fact.
Ordinary Rayquaza could contend with Groudon and Kyogre.
But once the two titans underwent Primal Reversion, no ordinary Rayquaza—no matter how strong—could face them both.
Only Mega Rayquaza could continue to keep those ancient rulers under control.
Zinnia: "…"
He even knew about Mega Rayquaza?
Her brows furrowed slightly. From the beginning, she had known Lucas was not simple, but to know even the secret of Rayquaza's evolution? How could that be?
"What about the stones, then? The Keystones and Mega Stones—how are they obtained?"
Green pressed on, heedless of Zinnia's troubled face.
Right now, she cared little for the fight between Zinnia and Steven. What mattered most to her was Mega Evolution!
Her Blastoise could Mega Evolve!
"You? You couldn't afford them. Mega Stones are far beyond your reach."
Lucas cast her a sidelong glance, delivering the truth like a blade.
Unless she had Red's luck—receiving one as a gift, or stumbling across one in the wild—there was no way a normal person like her could afford one.
Otherwise, to buy the specific stone you wanted, the price would be astronomical.
"???"
Green's smile froze in an instant.
Did he have to be so blunt?
Was being rich really something to flaunt like this?!
She was furious. Yes, she was poor. But did he have to stab her right in the heart with it?!
Damn you, Lucas!
'If money alone can solve it, then it isn't even a problem.'
Steven, however, felt relieved at those words. Money? For a top-tier heir like him, money was just numbers.
If it meant obtaining a Mega Stone for Metagross, he didn't care how high the cost.
"…Perhaps, with this Orb of Kyogre, I could even test it myself someday."
Lucas ignored Green's seething glare, lowering his eyes toward the Blue Orb glowing faintly in his hand.
This was the very artifact tied to Kyogre's Primal Reversion, the crystallization of its dormant power.
Lucas was deeply interested in Kyogre.
When his current plans concluded, he would try inviting the sea leviathan to his side. Whether it would agree or not—that was up to fate.
As for the fact that it could not fly… well, that was a minor detail.
"Time to withdraw."
After another span of battling, Zinnia recalled her badly injured Altaria, clearly preparing her own escape.
"Salamence!"
She called sharply, and Mega Salamence instantly understood, unleashing a powerful Dragon Pulse to force Metagross back.
Then, with incredible speed, it dove toward her.
Agile as ever, Zinnia leapt and landed neatly on Salamence's back.
"You think I'll let you get away?!"
Steven's eyes narrowed at once. He could see her intent to flee.
"Psychic!"
Metagross's eyes glowed deep blue, psychic power surging.
Instantly, Mega Salamence's entire body was wrapped in the same blue glow—Metagross's attempt to hold it still.
Yet the dragon roared fiercely and tore its way free.
Metagross might be a pseudo-legend, but its strengths were in overwhelming physical attack and defense. Its special attack was not truly remarkable.
It simply could not maintain a perfect hold on Mega Salamence with Psychic alone.
Steven frowned. If she escaped now, it would spell great trouble.
This black-haired woman's power was undeniably strong.
But before he could act further—
Mega Salamence suddenly froze mid-flight.
Its movements stopped short, body trembling.
Zinnia's face shifted instantly. Once again, Salamence's body was engulfed in a psychic glow. But this time—the force was far stronger than Metagross's!
Even Mega Salamence could not break free, able only to struggle faintly in place.
"It's him!"
Zinnia's eyes snapped downward. She saw clearly—it was Gardevoir!
The elegant Pokémon stood by Lucas's side, her eyes glowing with an immeasurable psychic depth, arms raised, firmly locking Mega Salamence in place.
"You'd better stay."
Lucas's lips curved into a smile as he lifted his gaze toward Zinnia.
"There are quite a few questions I want you to answer."
Yes, he had no intention of letting her go.
Archie and Maxie were nothing. In Lucas's view, they were mere disposable tools.
But this woman of the Draconid People, she carried within her countless secrets. Secrets of Rayquaza.
For instance, the Sky Pillar. Why, if the Draconids had built it, was it only the people of Sootopolis who could unseal it in the end?
And that mysterious prophecy—she was the one who could explain it to him.
Moreover, Zinnia's personal strength was formidable. Lucas found himself quite interested.
If he could bend her to his side as an enforcer, it would be excellent indeed.
After all, the Draconids specialized in dragon-types, a natural complement to the Blackthorn clan.
Wallace might have been the last of the Sootopolitans.
But the Draconids? They were far from extinct.
Even if none were as powerful as Zinnia, their combined strength would be formidable.
Should they join the Blackthorn clan, their clan's might would rise considerably.
And Zinnia herself could even serve as a hidden card within the Johto League.
(End of Chapter)
(AN: As for Mewtwo, Latios, Latias, and their free Mega Evolution in the movies—my interpretation is that they likely absorbed their stones into their bodies directly, allowing them to evolve at will. That's the basis for this book's setting as well.)