Gurkinn brought Steven to the top of the Tower of Mastery.
Korrina followed closely behind them.
Steven felt the evening breeze and watched as night gradually enveloped the sky.
He still didn't understand why Gurkinn had brought him up here.
"Steven, have your Lucario carefully sense its surroundings," Gurkinn said, gazing into the distance with his hands clasped behind his back.
Steven and Lucario exchanged glances.
Lucario nodded slightly, closed its eyes, and began concentrating.
A blue light emanated from its body, indicating it was using Aura.
Lucario seemed to receive some distant summons and took two steps forward.
"Steven, activate your Key Stone," Gurkinn instructed in a deep voice.
"Hmm?"
Steven felt somewhat confused—Lucario didn't possess a Mega Stone yet, so what was the purpose of using the Key Stone?
Nevertheless, he removed his brooch, which seemed to react to the Aura emanating from Lucario.
The Key Stone on the brooch emitted a faint glow.
"The Key Stone can not only perform Mega Evolution with Pokémon but also amplify a Pokémon's Aura," Gurkinn explained, crossing his arms.
"Lucario?!"
Lucario, whose Aura had been enhanced to a significant degree, suddenly opened its eyes wide.
"Did you sense it?" Gurkinn's mouth curved into a knowing smile.
"Sensed... what?" Steven was genuinely bewildered.
"That's the direction of Mega Island. Lucario detected the Lucarionite," Gurkinn turned around and explained to Steven.
"Lucario's heart truly recognizes you as its partner; otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to sense the Mega Stone so quickly. However, you two haven't achieved perfect synchronization yet."
Steven raised his hand questioningly. "What is Mega Island?"
"Mega Island is an island that appeared mysteriously," Gurkinn began explaining.
"You can find all varieties of Mega Stones there, which is why it's called Mega Island."
"And because of that, wild Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution are also drawn there."
"Professor Sycamore's research paper also includes data compiled from studying the numerous Pokémon on Mega Island."
Steven suddenly understood—just as Lucario had sensed the Lucarionite, many wild Pokémon would also be attracted to that island.
But why had he never heard of an island like Mega Island before?
Facing Steven's unspoken question, Gurkinn provided an answer.
"Actually... I gave Mega Island its name," Gurkinn chuckled.
"It's an island that Lucario accidentally sensed, and satellites cannot detect its existence at all, so very few people know about it."
"To prevent too many people from disturbing the wild Pokémon in pursuit of Mega Stones, I haven't disclosed its location to anyone."
"However, Steven, you are an exception besides Professor Sycamore," Gurkinn said with an approving smile.
After all, Lucario had given its endorsement.
"It's already evening now. Tomorrow, you and Lucario should travel to that island."
"Okay! Thank you for your trust, Master Gurkinn!" Steven bowed respectfully in gratitude.
"It's nothing. By the way, aren't you going to reconsider my earlier proposal?"
"No need to reconsider..." Steven replied with an awkward smile.
Only Korrina, standing nearby, appeared confused. "What proposal?"
"Ahem, you don't need to worry about that," Gurkinn coughed twice.
Leaving Korrina completely puzzled.
"Oh, right, Master Gurkinn, there's something I'd like your Lucario to help with," Steven suddenly wondered if Gurkinn's Lucario could detect the abnormality within his body.
"What is it?"
Steven recounted the entire situation.
"Four types of Aura? How peculiar." Gurkinn stroked his chin thoughtfully, pondered for a moment, then summoned his own Lucario.
"Lucario, sense his Aura carefully."
Gurkinn's Lucario closed its eyes and placed its paw on Steven's chest.
A moment later, Gurkinn's Lucario opened its eyes and gently shook its head.
It hadn't detected any abnormality in the Aura within Steven's body.
Steven frowned.
Even Gurkinn's Lucario couldn't sense it?
His own Lucario and Mew could perceive it clearly.
"Perhaps this is your unique bond with your Lucario."
"A unique bond?"
Steven murmured thoughtfully.
...
Steven stayed overnight at the Tower of Mastery and had his Lucario train alongside Gurkinn's Lucario.
If Mega Island truly possessed all varieties of Mega Stones, then Steven's journey wouldn't be wasted.
He could simply complete his collection of missing Mega Stones in one trip.
The next morning, Gurkinn transported Steven to Mega Island by boat.
"Steven, this time, you cannot use any other Pokémon—you are only permitted to go with Lucario," Gurkinn stated with a serious expression.
"Yes, understood." Steven nodded.
After locating the Lucarionite, he would then have Scizor sense whether there was a Scizorite belonging to it.
Splash!
Steven and Lucario looked upward, watching a nearly seven-meter-long Gyarados leap from the water.
It soared over the boat and crashed back into the ocean.
Water splashed across Steven's face.
Steven wiped the water from his face, and this sensation reminded him of his mischievous Empoleon back when it was a Piplup.
When it had first joined his team, its favorite activity was spraying water at people's faces.
It would also occasionally drench Steven's pillows and blankets, forcing Steven to maintain several spare sets.
Now it had matured considerably, though it still retained a slightly rebellious streak.
"That's Mega Island."
Gurkinn suddenly pointed toward the island gradually revealing its true form in the distance.
The boat slowly approached the shore.
Before Steven disembarked, Gurkinn spoke with a grave expression:
"The wild Pokémon here are exceptionally powerful, so you must proceed with caution."
"Unless absolutely necessary, I hope you and Lucario will locate the Lucarionite together without relying on other Pokémon."
Steven nodded and replied, "I understand, Master Gurkinn."
"Go. I'll be waiting for you here," Gurkinn nodded gently.
"If you haven't found it by sunset, return first."
If he had a Flying-type Pokémon available, one day would definitely suffice.
But searching only with Lucario meant he had to rely on his own legs.
So it would inevitably take longer.
"Then I'll trouble Master Gurkinn to wait here. I'll be as quick as possible."
"Mm, go."
Steven disembarked and, together with Lucario, scaled Mega Island along the cliff face.
The environment of Mega Island was excellent—very suitable for Pokémon habitation.
"Lucario, sense the direction of the Mega Stone."
"Lucario."
Lucario nodded and closed its eyes.
It trotted in the direction of the Mega Stone's presence.
Steven followed closely behind.
Passing through a small cavern, Steven even discovered a Sableye inside.
"I really encounter Sableye quite often," Steven remarked, then suddenly considered another question.
"Sableye can neither fly nor swim particularly well..."
"How did it get to Mega Island?"