"Where are you going, Ash?" Gary asked as he hurried out of the flower shop, holding Eevee in his arms.
"I found a jewelry workshop nearby," Ash replied while walking out with Pikachu perched on his shoulder. "I'm planning to have the Pidgeot Mega Stone crafted into a wearable item."
As he spoke, Ash released Frogadier, Pidgeotto, and Fearow from their Poké Balls.
Training Pokémon wasn't just about skill drills or battle techniques.
Another equally important factor was bond building.
Friendship and affection could evolve into synchronization.
And when synchronization deepened further, it became true bond.
Whether it was Pidgeot's Mega Evolution or Greninja's Bond Transformation like in the original story, both required extremely strong synchronization between Trainer and Pokémon.
In the original storyline, Korrina, the Fighting-type Gym Leader of Shalour City, once attempted Mega Evolution with her Lucario before their bond was strong enough. Lucario was overwhelmed by the sudden surge of power and lost control, rampaging uncontrollably.
Even Ash's previous self had struggled to master the Bond Transformation with Greninja. It took a long time before both Trainer and Pokémon finally synchronized perfectly.
In short—
Whether for normal battles or for wielding advanced powers like Mega Evolution and Bond Transformation, consciously strengthening trust, understanding, and synchronization between Trainer and Pokémon was extremely important.
"Pidgeot Mega Stone?!"
Gary nearly jumped in shock.
"Ash, how do you have something like that? That's far rarer than items like the Light Ball or Mystic Water! It's an incredibly precious treasure!"
If Ash had said this to most six-year-olds, they would have stared blankly.
But Gary was the grandson of the world-renowned Pokémon scholar Professor Oak. Naturally, he knew exactly what a Mega Stone was.
Mega Stones—also known as Mega Evolution Stones—allowed certain Pokémon that had already reached their final evolution stage to undergo a temporary transformation into an even more powerful combat form.
After the battle ended, the Pokémon would revert to its normal state.
But during Mega Evolution?
A Pokémon's power could skyrocket dramatically.
In the early and mid stages of a Trainer's career, a Mega-Evolved Pokémon could easily fight opponents two tiers above its level.
For Trainers, Mega Stones were among the most coveted items in existence.
Of course, if someone asked Ash what item he wanted the most—
He would jokingly say:
"A full set of Arceus Plates."
But that was only a joke.
Even a single pair of Mega Stones could easily cost tens of millions of Poké Dollars on the market—roughly ten times the value of normal battle items—and even then they were almost impossible to buy.
So Gary's shock was completely understandable.
…
"Ash, where did you get it?" Gary asked excitedly, his eyes gleaming.
"Did you find it in some obscure antique market in Viridian City? Or pick it up as a lucky bargain somewhere?"
He looked ready to jump in a taxi immediately if Ash revealed the location.
Ash laughed.
"If rare treasures were that easy to find, the world would be full of millionaires."
"Didn't I tell you before? I once used Healing Grace to treat a very important Pokémon belonging to Giovanni, the Gym Leader of the Viridian Gym."
"After that, I became his student."
"This set of Pidgeot Mega Stones was a reward he gave me—both as thanks and as a gift for becoming his apprentice."
Gary clicked his tongue.
"Man… that's the Gym Leader of the strongest Gym in Kanto."
He grinned mischievously.
"By the way, does Giovanni still accept disciples? Suddenly I kind of want to become his student too."
Ash laughed.
"Sure, I can introduce you."
"But I guarantee you'll regret it sooner or later."
"Really?" Gary snorted proudly.
"I don't believe you."
The two continued chatting and joking as they followed the navigation instructions from Ash's Rotom Phone.
Soon they arrived at the jewelry workshop Ash had found earlier.
The shop sign read:
"Rainbow Radiance."
"Hello, welcome."
A female clerk wearing clothing reminiscent of traditional Kimono attire stepped forward to greet them.
"What service can I help you with today? Are you looking to purchase finished jewelry, commission custom pieces, repair existing jewelry, or request other types of crafting?"
She didn't show even the slightest hint of discrimination because the boys were young.
In fact, the moment she saw Ash, she clearly recognized him.
"I'd like to commission a custom set of jewelry," Ash said directly. "And I'd like the most experienced master craftsman in your shop to handle the work. Price isn't an issue."
"Of course, Mr. Ash," the clerk replied politely. "I'll take you to Master Caldor's workshop."
She lowered her voice slightly.
"But… Master Caldor has a rather unusual personality. You might want to prepare yourself mentally."
Gary frowned in confusion.
"Isn't this just a paid commission? Even if a craftsman has a strange personality, they wouldn't refuse a paying customer, right?"
Ash shook his head with a smile.
"That's not necessarily true."
"For highly skilled designers and master artisans, money alone isn't always enough to secure their services."
…
Ash had already drawn up the design blueprint for the Mega Evolution equipment based on the Ring concept he remembered.
The most important components were the Mega Stone and the Key Stone.
The rest was mainly the craftsmanship of turning them into wearable accessories.
Technically, any experienced jeweler could probably finish the work.
But because this item was extremely important, Ash deliberately chose a well-known, highly rated workshop and intended to hire the most experienced master craftsman.
Now that the clerk had mentioned this master's eccentric personality, Ash felt even more convinced.
A craftsman with such a reputation must possess extraordinary skill.
And for something as important as his Mega Evolution equipment—
He wanted the best.
Maybe it was just human nature.
…
Led by the clerk, Ash and Gary arrived outside the master craftsman's workshop.
The door wasn't closed.
Still, the clerk politely knocked before entering.
"Knock… knock…"
"Master Caldor," she called from the doorway.
"There's a client here who would like to commission a custom jewelry set from you."
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T/N:
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