"It seems… the Kalos region is quite close to the Unova region, isn't it?"
After ending the call with Cynthia, Steven looked at flight tickets online.
He could also take the opportunity to visit Professor Sycamore first.
After all, Steven still had a Mega Stone whose corresponding Pokémon was temporarily unknown.
What if, by good luck, Aron had found the Mega Stone for its evolved form?
Visiting and asking Professor Sycamore to analyze that Mega Stone shouldn't take much time.
Having decided, Steven booked a flight to the Kalos region for tomorrow morning.
...
The next morning, Steven departed for Lumiose City in the Kalos region.
Steven, who left in the morning, arrived in Lumiose City around two in the afternoon.
"Professor Sycamore's Pokémon Lab… it's on South Boulevard."
Steven immediately took out Metagross's Poké Ball and rode Metagross to the Pokémon Lab.
As soon as the Shiny Metagross appeared, it attracted attention from the crowd around the airport.
Some even took out cameras to snap a few photos.
Before long, Steven spotted the sign for the Pokémon Lab.
Professor Sycamore's Pokémon Lab was large, and there seemed to be an even larger building behind it.
Ding-dong—
Steven pressed the doorbell and waited quietly.
Bang—
"Piplup~"
Piplup ran out on its own, rubbing its slightly deflated belly.
"I'll prepare food for you all soon. Don't rush," Steven said with a helpless smile as he looked down.
Click!
The Pokémon Lab's door opened, and a young researcher poked his head out, asking curiously, "Who are you?"
"I am Steven from the Hoenn region, and I've come specifically to visit Professor Sycamore," Steven said with a light smile.
"Steven?! I know you!"
"Hmm?"
A bad feeling rose in Steven's heart.
"Wallace, the Hoenn region Gym Leader's rumored partner!"
Crack—
It seemed something had shattered.
"Uh… can you let me explain?" Steven wanted to cry but had no tears.
Damn those malicious paparazzi!
"Piplup~ (￣︶￣)♦"
Yes, yes, that's him!
"Please come in! Professor Sycamore is feeding Pokémon in the backyard."
It seemed he didn't want to hear Steven's explanation.
Before following the young researcher inside, Steven lightly kicked Piplup's rear.
"Piplup! ╰(‵□′)╯"
Why kick me? I didn't say it!
"Professor Sycamore is inside. I won't disturb you anymore."
The researcher smiled and gestured toward the door in front of Steven.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
As soon as the researcher turned around, he pulled out his phone and frantically typed on the screen.
Steven watched the young researcher with a hint of embarrassment.
Too much internet browsing isn't good!
It's human nature to enjoy gossip, and Steven wasn't about to get angry over it.
Pushing open the backyard door, Steven entered a large greenhouse with its own ecosystem.
Lawns, forests, rivers.
A man in a white coat with medium-length wavy hair was squatting among a group of Pokémon with his back to Steven.
"Hello, are you Professor Sycamore?" Steven didn't approach but stood in place and called out.
"Hmm?"
Professor Sycamore turned his head and saw Steven standing at the door.
"That's me. And who are you?"
"I am Steven from the Hoenn region, and I've come specifically to consult you on some matters, Professor."
"I see. Then can you wait for me to finish feeding these little ones?" Professor Sycamore showed a kind smile.
He was, after all, a middle-aged man. By all accounts, he was one of the younger and more handsome Professors.
"Of course. May I also prepare lunch for my Pokémon here?" Steven asked.
"Naturally," Professor Sycamore readily agreed.
Steven released all his Pokémon.
Metagross, Skarmory, Aggron, Scizor, and Riolu.
Piplup, on the other hand, had been outside the entire time.
With the sudden arrival of unfamiliar Pokémon in the backyard, some shy Pokémon quickly hid.
The Pokémon surrounding Professor Sycamore, however, clutched his pant legs tightly.
"Uh, I didn't mean to, Professor," Steven quickly explained.
"It's fine. With sudden guests, these little ones just aren't used to it yet," Professor Sycamore smiled slightly, not minding at all.
Steven's gaze fell on the few Pokémon at Professor Sycamore's feet.
They were the starter Pokémon from the Kanto and Kalos regions.
Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander.
Chespin, Froakie, Fennekin.
When these little ones saw Aggron happily stuffing a pile of ore into its mouth, their eyes widened in disbelief.
It was simply incredible!
They mostly ate high-grade Pokémon food.
But seeing the Pokéblock that looked like soft jelly that Steven fed his Pokémon, their eyes filled with curiosity.
"Professor, if you don't mind, you can share these with these little ones."
With many eyes on him, Steven took out a box of general Pokéblocks from his bag, walked up to Professor Sycamore, and offered it.
"Thank you very much," Professor Sycamore smiled and accepted the Pokéblocks.
The Professor's expenses were almost entirely devoted to research. He mostly fed Pokémon ordinary food.
Food was much cheaper than Pokéblocks.
However, the quality of the food the Professor used was by no means low.
Amidst the joyful sounds of Pokémon eating delicious food, Professor Sycamore spoke first.
"Steven… was it? May I ask what brings you here?"
"Actually, it's about Mega Evolution." Steven took out the Mega Stone that Aron had chewed on back then from his bag and handed it to Professor Sycamore.
"It's a Mega Stone."
Professor Sycamore took the Mega Stone and tilted his head, observing it carefully.
"Yes, I want to know which Pokémon this Mega Stone belongs to."
"Well… we need to analyze the energy contained within this Mega Stone and then compare it with the database to find out which Pokémon it belongs to. This will take some time."
"It's fine. I can wait."
"Alright, then come with me."
Professor Sycamore led Steven back to the Pokémon Lab, placed the Mega Stone into the instrument, and began preliminary analysis.
"This Mega Stone contains a considerable amount of Steel-type energy and Ground-type energy…"
Professor Sycamore explained while staring at the data on the computer screen.
Steel and Ground?
Then it wasn't Aggron's Mega Stone.
Not to mention Aggron is a dual Steel and Rock type, and Mega Aggron is a pure Steel type.
Its Mega Stone should contain pure Steel-type energy.
It seems that finding a Mega Stone is already very lucky.
He couldn't ask for it to be Aggron's Mega Stone as well.
For a Mega Evolution that is Steel and Ground type, Steven could only think of Steelix.
It was most likely Steelix's Mega Stone.
Speaking of Steelix, Steven remembered the incredibly high-quality Steelix in Granite Cave.
It's possible that even his family's ancestral Mega Stone was secretly taken by Aron because it thought it was delicious.
Plus, Aron usually snatches its ore to eat while it's asleep.
Its quality is understandable.
"As for which Pokémon's Mega Stone it is, it still needs time to match."
Although Steven already knew the result with high certainty, the process was still necessary.
"Steven, can I ask you for a favor?"
Seeing Professor Sycamore's serious expression, Steven nodded slightly and said, "Professor, please tell me first, and I'll see if I can help."
"I just saw a Mega Stone on your Metagross's arm. Can you two Mega Evolve?"
"Yes," Steven nodded in response.
"Then, would it be possible for me to record your data after Mega Evolution?" Professor Sycamore requested.
"My paper on Mega Evolution is still lacking some practical data support."
"Of course," Steven nodded without hesitation, agreeing.
Once Professor Sycamore's paper is published, it's estimated that the era of widespread Mega Evolution will begin.
Mega Stones and Key Stones will become well-known to people.
They will no longer be just useless stones apart from being beautiful, but rather powerful tools that promote the growth of a Trainer's and Pokémon's strength and bond!