The Great Crater.
It lies deeper than the lowest floors of Area Zero, formed by tectonic changes two million years ago, and has existed ever since.
If not for the accidental discovery of the Great Crater during the construction of the Zero Lab, it might still be unknown to the world today.
At least, that's what Professors Sada and Turo thought.
Whether the Area Zero expedition team from 200 years ago was aware of the Crater's existence, they couldn't say for sure.
After all, the two professors were firm believers that the history they saw was not necessarily the whole truth.
"The Great Crater contains stronger Terastal energy than Area Zero. Perhaps that's why, within the Crater, we observed an extremely special form of Terastallization.
"We've named this phenomenon 'Stellastalization'."
As Professor Sada spoke, Professor Turo deftly pulled up an image to show Lucas.
It depicted a Noivern soaring through a cavern glittering with crystals.
But the Noivern's appearance was very unusual.
It was fully Terastallized, with a pure white crown inlaid with multicolored gems hovering above its head, surrounded by smaller multicolored stones.
The photo was taken from an excellent angle, showing almost every detail.
Lucas's pupils contracted as he asked the professors, "This is Stellastalization?"
"That's right," Professor Sada nodded, turning on a laser pointer to indicate points on the image.
"After careful verification, we determined the crown had eighteen colored gems. Each one corresponds to one of the eighteen Pokémon types.
"So we propose this hypothesis—
If Terastallization changes a single type, then Stellastalization may grant access to all eighteen types—the power of every type!"
The professors' theory was bold. Most people, even with photographic evidence, would harbor doubt.
But not Lucas.
He was surprised, yes, and raised an eyebrow at the idea of a Noivern in the depths of the Crater. But having seen special forms of Terastallization before—such as the Masked Ogerpon—he found it plausible.
To him, Stellastalization might relate to Terastallization the way Gigantamax relates to Dynamax. Both have the same origins, but distinct differences.
Lucas chatted with the professors about their findings and even saw a second key piece of evidence—a fragment shimmering with multicolored starlight, which they called a "Stellar Tera Shard."
It made him wonder just what kind of power Stellastalization held. After all, aside from Pokémon like Arceus, who can swap types, nothing else could possibly be associated with all eighteen types.
Naturally, Lucas agreed to join the professors on their expedition.
The Great Crater lay even deeper than the region reached by the prototype time machine. Fortunately, an elevator had already been built, so descending wouldn't be difficult.
After discussion, they decided that Professor Sada would stay with Arven at the Zero Lab, while Professor Turo would take Lucas into the depths to meet the "Zero Treasure"—the source of Terastal energy, Terapagos.
The elevator dropped rapidly, and after a short stop, the doors opened with a "ding."
A wave of humid air rushed in. Lucas blinked and rubbed his thumb and forefinger together.
"It's really damp down here."
Turo nodded. "We're nearly a kilometer underground."
"With this level of humidity, even if it wasn't raining, a Mega Swampert could easily activate Swift Swim."
Lucas took out his Poké Ball and released Swampert.
In a flash of light, the Mega Evolved Swampert waved its huge arms, using its fins to sense the air before nodding at Lucas.
Its Swift Swim ability could indeed be triggered here.
Since the professors had mentioned that wild Stellastalized Pokémon appeared in the depth of the Crater, Lucas called on Mega Swampert to act as a bodyguard. With any luck, they'd meet a Stellastal Pokémon he could test in battle.
Staring at the crystalized landscapes, Lucas took a deep breath and set out under Professor Turo's guidance.
The Great Crater was deathly silent. Only their footsteps echoed in the vast, unknown cavern.
Following his memory, Professor Turo remained calm. He and Sada had come here so many times—and had seen so few Stellastal Pokémon. Maybe, by the time they got to the "Zero Treasure," they wouldn't run into a single one…it was all up to luck.
He said as much while smiling.
But he failed to notice that Mega Swampert, leading the way, suddenly stopped, causing Turo to bump into its rock-solid back.
Though he worked out, the impact nearly sent him flying.
Just then, Lucas's voice drifted over.
"Is that a Stellastal Pokémon?"
Turo: "!?"
Ignoring his sore nose, Turo looked where Lucas pointed. Sure enough, just around a bend in the rock wall ahead—right where their path turned—a Glimmora took root.
The Stellastal crown and eighteen gem-like stones were instantly recognizable.
No way!?
A flabbergasted Turo looked at Lucas, who looked eager to fight. He was utterly stunned.
How did Lucas encounter a Stellastal Pokémon right away!?
The disguised Glimmora, realizing it had been spotted, abandoned stealth and unfurled its petals, launching an attack.
Earth Power!
Glimmora glowed, channeling dazzling, starlit, earthy energy into the ground. Cracks split open as a torrent of stony energy surged forth.
"It made the first move!"
Lucas didn't hesitate for a second.
"Block it!"
Mega Swampert narrowed its eyes, pausing for a split second, before slamming its arms into the ground!
Boom!
With terrifying force, the ground split. Several boulders rose up, directly intercepting the Earth Power.
To Turo's shock, the entire cavern seemed to shudder at Swampert's strength.
The Stellastal Glimmora, surprised Swampert could counter its move, fired off another Earth Power.
But this attack was nowhere near as potent as the last.
Lucas noticed this and decided to test something else.
"Professor Turo—keep an eye on things and record everything," he reminded.
Snapped back to attention, Turo scrambled to set up his portable analyzer, quickly collecting data.
This was the first time they had a chance to gather concrete numbers on Stellastalization!
After Mega Swampert shrugged off Glimmora's Earth Power, Lucas said, "Muddy Water!"
A wave of muddy water appeared from thin air, surging toward Glimmora and smashing it against the ground.
Rather than go for a combo, Lucas waited.
A few seconds later, Glimmora rose slowly, rich green light gathering between its petals.
"Super effective?"
Lucas muttered under his breath.
As a dual Rock/Poison Pokémon, Glimmora was doubly weak to Water. Judging from its reaction, the Muddy Water hit hard as it should have—was Stellastalization not changing its type after all?
Seeing the green energy in Glimmora's petal, Lucas decided to keep testing.
"Close in and pressure it."
Mega Swampert's eyes gleamed. In the humid air, it darted forward with frightening speed, startlingly fast for something its size.
As Glimmora finished charging Energy Ball—a glowing, starlit green sphere—it launched it at Swampert.
This was easily more dangerous than Earth Power; as a Water/Ground type, Mega Swampert was four times weak to Grass.
Its sturdy arms now glinting with metallic shine, Mega Swampert caught the Energy Ball and squeezed—
Bang!
Deep green smoke exploded as Swampert crushed the Energy Ball by brute force! Glimmora, visibly stunned, froze.
But its resistance soon flared again, unleashing Meteor Beam and Sludge Wave in rapid succession. Still, Mega Swampert countered easily with Hammer Arm and Muddy Water.
In a brief lull, Lucas called out once more.
"High Horsepower!"
Mega Swampert tensed its right fist. Earthen energy enveloped it; its orange air sacs expanded.
In the next instant—
With a blast of pressurized gas, propelled by blinding speed and immense force, Mega Swampert's punch became a blur, exploding in front of Glimmora!
BOOM!
The shockwave thundered through the Great Crater. Stellastal Glimmora was smashed into the wall, firmly embedded.
Lucas could guarantee that Swampert hadn't held back—not with its monstrous strength, Mega evolution's extra "air sac" modules, and a STAB, quadruple-effective High Horsepower.
Ordinarily, no Glimmora could have survived.
But—
Watching Glimmora still struggling in the wall, its Stellastal crown intact, Lucas fell silent.
Stellastalization could let it survive a Mega Swampert's quadruple-effective High Horsepower!?
But the damage from Muddy Water was normal...
Just then, Turo completed his analysis and excitedly cried, "I get it!"
Lucas turned toward him, puzzled.
Turo seemed caught up in a frenzy, eyes glued to the data.
"Even under Stellastalization, Glimmora's typing remains Rock/Poison. The data spike when it used Meteor Beam and Sludge Wave confirm this.
"Its type and resistances don't change, unlike Terastallization.
"But perhaps the crystalline surface during Stellastalization gives it extra physical bulk, letting it withstand moves like High Horsepower.
"Furthermore, with Terastal energy boosting STAB moves, its Earth Power and Energy Ball were exceptionally strong—I suspect Stellastalization powers up all moves, regardless of type!
"Given the difference in strength between its two Earth Powers, there might be a usage limit on this boost."
Turo finished his explanation, voice filled with conviction.
…
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