Sam originally planned to go to the auction with Steven, but Steven was too obsessed with digging up rare stones. In the end, he left the task of accompanying Sam to Wallace.
"I see—you're here for Charizard's Mega Evolution Stone," Wallace said after speaking with Steven, finally understanding Sam's purpose in coming to Sootopolis City.
"You should've told me earlier," Wallace added casually. "The auction house is run by a friend of mine. I can just ask him to get it for you."
"That… feels a bit embarrassing, Mr. Wallace," Sam replied.
Wallace waved his hand dismissively. "It's just a Mega Evolution Stone."
This was the advantage of status. To an ordinary Trainer, a Mega Evolution Stone was extremely rare and valuable—but to someone like Wallace, it was just another item.
In fact, if Metagross's Mega Evolution Stones weren't so scarce, Steven wouldn't have needed to rush all the way to Kanto to search for them.
With just a simple phone call, the auction house promptly delivered Charizard's Mega Evolution Stone.
The person in charge wasn't foolish. Trading a single stone to build a relationship with Wallace was an easy and profitable decision.
"So this is Charizard's Mega Evolution Stone…"
The stone in Sam's hand was a mix of deep blue and black.
"This should be the X-type Mega Stone."
There weren't many Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, and Charizard was unique among them—having two different Mega forms.
If Pikachu was the mascot of the anime, then Charizard was undeniably one of the most favored Pokémon in the games.
Some even jokingly called it "Masuda's favorite," a Pokémon that seemed to grow stronger with every generation.
Sam was excited after obtaining the Mega Stone, but he didn't immediately summon Charizard to try it.
The timing wasn't right.
Even without testing it, he had a strong feeling—if he attempted Mega Evolution now, it would likely fail.
Charizard's strength… and the bond between them… still weren't enough.
With his main goal in Sootopolis City accomplished, Sam had no intention of staying longer. After saying goodbye to Wallace, he boarded a ferry and headed for his next destination—Larus City.
---
Larus City was located near Lilycove City in the Hoenn Region. It was a highly advanced city, filled with moving walkways and robotic systems. Its most famous landmark was the Battle Tower.
That was Sam's destination.
If he wanted to strengthen his Pokémon—or deepen his bond with them—nothing was more effective than constant battles.
Compared to searching aimlessly for opponents, the Battle Tower provided exactly what he needed.
The tower had two divisions: a beginner tier and an advanced tier.
Each challenge consisted of seven consecutive battles, with no breaks, no switching Pokémon, and no items allowed.
In other words, a Trainer had to defeat seven opponents in a row without rest.
One against seven.
Even for Sam and Charizard, that was no easy task.
The challenges could also be repeated continuously. After winning five full rounds—a total of 35 consecutive victories—a Trainer could advance from the beginner tier to the advanced tier.
The higher the win streak, the greater the rewards.
Many Trainers came here specifically for those rewards.
---
"So this is the Battle Tower…"
Standing in the middle of the futuristic city, Sam looked up at the massive structure rising into the sky.
But he didn't rush in immediately.
Instead, he checked into a nearby hotel to rest.
Once a challenge began, it couldn't be stopped midway. The best strategy was to recover fully and fight at peak condition the next day.
---
Inside the hotel room, Sam placed his backpack on the bedside table.
Suddenly—
The Deoxys core, which had been silent for so long, began to glow.
A dazzling light filled the room.
The crystal floated toward the balcony, shimmering under the moonlight.
The light pulsed again and again…
Deoxys was sending out a signal.
Sam's expression turned serious.
It was calling for something—or someone.
He knew this scene.
Larus City was the stage where Deoxys, the visitor from space, would appear.
If its companion responded, Deoxys might leave.
Should he stop it?
The thought flashed through Sam's mind—but he quickly shook his head.
His relationship with Deoxys wasn't like that of a Trainer and Pokémon.
It was closer to friendship.
And if a friend wanted to leave to find something important… why should he interfere?
After capturing Regirock, Sam's mindset had changed.
Legendary Pokémon weren't invincible.
Not even Deoxys.
He believed that one day, Tyranitar would surpass it.
The core continued to glow.
All Sam could do now… was hope.
Hope that the one answering the signal would be another Deoxys—
and not Rayquaza.
---
The next day, stepping into the Battle Tower, Sam finally understood just how bustling it was.
The registration area was fully automated, managed by artificial intelligence. Inside, there were Pokémon Centers, item shops, and rest areas—everything a Trainer could need.
This was a place where one could battle without worry.
As Sam walked through the corridors, he heard constant cheers and sighs echoing from the battle arenas.
"So many Trainers…"
This was easily the highest concentration of Trainers he had ever seen.
Making his way to the central hall, he arrived at the booking terminal.
The technological gap in the Pokémon world was astonishing.
Some areas in Hoenn still lacked electricity, yet Larus City felt like it belonged in the future.
But that wasn't something Sam cared about.
He had already seen advanced technology in his previous life.
What he sought now… were powerful battles and mysterious Pokémon.
Sliding his membership card into the terminal, Sam calmly selected his first challenge.
The battle was about to begin.
---------------Author---------------
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