Aaron's eyes widened as he read the description of the new Mega Stone.
"This is ridiculous."
Being able to switch freely between Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y would already have been broken enough.
But after mastering both forms, Charizard could combine their powers and unlock an entirely new Z form?
"System, are you trying to get me banned?"
Aaron could barely contain his excitement as he asked the question in his mind.
"Everything provided by this System is guaranteed to be premium quality."
The System sounded deeply offended.
"We've been together this long, and you still doubt me? That hurts, Aaron."
"Just wait until the Inter-Realm Host Tournament someday. Then you'll—"
She abruptly cut herself off.
"Ahem. Never mind. I've already said too much."
"Mahjong is calling. Bye!"
Her presence vanished without another word.
Aaron blinked.
"Wait. What tournament?"
"System?"
He tried calling her again, but there was no response.
She had completely disappeared.
"Always with the secrets..."
Aaron shook his head, then happily stored the Combined Charizardite in his System inventory.
He turned toward the battlefield.
"Good work, Charizard. Take a rest."
Charizard gave a satisfied rumble before Aaron recalled it into its Poké Ball.
He then returned to Braveon and the others.
"Aaron, that was incredible!"
Liora's eyes practically sparkled as she looked at him.
"Charizard defeated all three of Frost's Pokémon by itself!"
Aaron laughed.
"The matchup did most of the work. Charizard had the advantage against his Ice-types."
He gave her a knowing look.
"Same way Frost's Ice-types had the advantage against your Dragons."
Liora's smile immediately grew brighter.
"Oh, right. Your Egg."
She carefully handed the yellow Pokémon Egg back to him.
"You said you brought it out of the Dragon's Lair, didn't you?"
Her curiosity got the better of her.
"Was it your reward for clearing the ninth floor?"
"That has to be it," Blaze chimed in. "You entered without an Egg and came back carrying one."
He leaned closer, trying to examine the shell.
"Come on, tell us. What's going to hatch from it?"
Aaron accepted the Egg and smiled mysteriously.
"What would you say if I told you it was a Legendary Pokémon Egg?"
"I'd believe you," Liora answered immediately.
"You're completely full of it," Blaze said at the exact same time.
Blaze turned toward her in disbelief.
"Liora, you're hopeless."
"You believe everything Aaron tells you. At this rate, he could empty your bank account and carry you off, and you'd still thank him."
Liora's face turned bright red.
She lowered her head and began fidgeting with her fingers.
"Well... if it were Aaron, I probably wouldn't complain."
Blaze fell silent.
"..."
She was beyond saving.
"It might actually be a Legendary Pokémon Egg."
Braveon's expression turned serious.
A faint blue glow flickered through his eyes as he focused his Aura on the Egg in Aaron's arms.
The life force contained inside was extraordinary. Even through the shell, he could sense an immense reserve of energy—far beyond anything he would expect from an ordinary Pokémon Egg.
Blaze stared at him.
"You can't be serious."
"Only the Protector of Hualis is known to possess a Legendary Pokémon. That alone should tell you how rare they are."
He gestured toward the Egg.
"If Aaron were really carrying a Legendary Pokémon Egg, would he be walking around with it in plain sight? Half the country would come after him."
The possibility was difficult to comprehend.
If the Egg truly contained a Legendary Pokémon, Hualis might soon have a second one.
And yet Aaron was carrying it around as casually as though it were an ordinary starter Egg.
Blaze knew that if he possessed something that valuable, he would hide it somewhere no one else could ever find it.
Otherwise, it would bring nothing but trouble.
Braveon did not answer.
He merely continued staring at the Egg, his expression thoughtful.
"We'll know soon enough."
Aaron adjusted the Egg carefully in his arms.
"Let's find an incubator."
He began walking toward the exit.
Blaze followed, still unconvinced.
"Fine. If that thing really hatches into a Legendary, dinner's on me for a month."
Aaron glanced back with a grin.
"I hope you've been saving up."
"Don't push your luck."
Liora laughed as she followed them, with Braveon bringing up the rear.
...
They soon found a store specializing in Pokémon Egg incubators.
Aaron did not bother comparing the cheaper models. He immediately purchased the best one available.
The premium incubator automatically regulated temperature and humidity while supplying the Egg with a steady flow of nutritional energy. There was no risk of the developing Pokémon being weakened by poor conditions.
Aaron carefully placed Zeraora's Egg inside.
Once the incubator was sealed and activated, a soft yellow light surrounded the shell.
A sales associate approached them with a polite smile.
"Sir, our store provides private incubation rooms for Trainers who purchase an incubator."
She glanced at the premium model Aaron had selected.
"Since you purchased our top model, you may use one of those rooms free of charge."
"Perfect. Thank you."
Under the associate's guidance, Aaron carried the incubator into one of the private rooms, with Liora, Braveon, and Blaze following close behind.