Aaron took out a Key Stone.
It was the new one the system had rewarded him.
In this world, Aaron had discovered that once a Key Stone was paired with a Mega Stone, it could only trigger Mega Evolution for that specific stone.
He did not know why that was the case, but he did not really care.
If anything, it meant that when he bought Key Stones later, he might be able to make a little extra profit.
Aaron tightened his grip around the Key Stone, leaped into the air, and landed on Gyarados's head.
His golden hair whipped in the wind, and his black trench coat snapped around him.
A smile slowly spread across Aaron's face as excitement surged through his voice.
"Gyarados..."
"You've waited long enough."
"Go beyond evolution."
"Mega Evolution!"
"Mega Gyarados..."
"Show them why you're a legend!"
The Key Stone flared, and dazzling light erupted from Gyarados's body, piercing through the smoke-darkened sky like a second sun.
...
In Tidefall, the townspeople watched the thick smoke rolling across the sky, anxiety growing on their faces.
The fire was getting worse.
Then, beyond the smoke, a brilliant light suddenly bloomed.
It shone so brightly that everyone stopped where they stood.
"Mom... what's that light?"
"Is a Legendary Pokémon here?"
A little girl blinked her bright eyes and pointed toward the sky.
"Huh?"
Her mother froze, then looked up.
Sure enough, a dazzling light was shining above the mountainside.
The others saw it too, and surprise quickly spread through the crowd.
"What is that light? It's coming from Corestone."
"I don't know... could it be a Pokémon?"
"What kind of Pokémon glows that brightly?"
"What exactly is happening over there?"
"No idea. But whatever it is, something huge is happening at Corestone."
"This is definitely making the front page of Grit City News tomorrow."
"Doesn't that look like Evolution light?"
"Evolution? Does your Pokémon light up half the sky when it evolves?"
...
"ROOOOAR!"
From within the dazzling light, a dragon's roar exploded across the sky like thunder.
Everyone in Tidefall stared at the white radiance, and the same thought crossed many of their minds.
Was there really a dragon inside that light?
...
The roar carried a pressure that made even the berserk Pokémon pouring out of Corestone pause.
One after another, they turned toward the blazing light in the sky.
Meanwhile, inside the hidden chamber, Aotum stood with a glass of red wine in his hand.
Through the surveillance feed, he also saw the overwhelming light above the facility.
An uneasy feeling rose in his chest.
Aotum's expression darkened.
The research data transfer had already reached 95%.
As long as he held out a little longer, he could leave.
Even if the Pokémon Police arrived, the Pokémon army would hold them back. His chances of escape were still high.
"Hmph..."
"You really think you can catch me?"
Thinking of his plan, Aotum slowly regained his composure, and a smug smile returned to his face.
Then, on the surveillance feed, the white light finally began to fade.
The figure inside was revealed.
CRASH!
The wine glass slipped from Aotum's hand and shattered on the floor, red wine spilling everywhere.
He stared at the screen, eyes wide with disbelief.
"What the hell kind of Pokémon is that...?"
...
High above the Corestone facility, a massive creature nearly sixteen meters long emerged from the fading light.
Its entire body was covered in hard blue dragon scales. Rows of sharp red spines ran along both sides of its long body.
A pair of long dragon horns rose from its head, and its enormous mouth revealed rows of razor-sharp fangs.
Two long whiskers hung from its chin, fluttering in the wind.
On both sides of its neck were a pair of fierce dragon fins.
Beneath its massive body, four powerful dragon claws gripped the scorching flame clouds beneath it.
This was Gyarados after Mega Evolution.
Mega Gyarados.
"ROOOOAR!"
Mega Gyarados opened its jaws and released a thunderous roar.
The force of it scattered the thick smoke around the facility.
RUMBLE!
Dark clouds rapidly gathered over Tidefall.
Lightning flashed through the storm, followed by deafening thunder.
A moment later, torrential rain poured down over the entire town.
The flames consuming the Corestone facility gradually weakened beneath the downpour.
For the people of Tidefall, the scene looked like something out of a legend.
Rain fell in heavy sheets, but no one moved.
They simply stood there, soaked to the bone, staring at the massive figure coiling in the sky.
Someone finally muttered,
"Is that... a Legendary Pokémon?"
Mega Gyarados's terrifying presence and enormous body had shaken everyone speechless.
It was far too massive.
Far too overwhelming.
Like a dragon that had stepped out of myth.
...
Standing on Mega Gyarados's head, even Aaron was stunned.
He had expected Gyarados to grow after Mega Evolution, but not to reach a terrifying sixteen meters.
The massive blue dragon coiled among the flame clouds above the storm, its scales flashing under the lightning.
Aaron stared for a moment, then let out a low laugh.
"Okay... yeah."
"Kaidou would be proud of this one."
Mega Gyarados really did look like an Azure Dragon now.
...