Meteor Falls.
A battle between Mega Evolution users ended almost as soon as it began.
Alain was not yet the Alain who would join the Masters Eight in the future.
Mega Charizard X did not last two punches against Mega Metagross.
With two booming Meteor Mashes, Mega Metagross beat Mega Charizard X senseless.
Alain finally understood that the gap between him and Steven was like an unbridgeable chasm.
Steven had still been holding back at last year's Master League.
Mairin stood nearby, stunned, her little mouth hanging wide open.
After reversing Mega Metagross's evolution, Steven's lips curved slightly.
"Now can you tell me what you're here for?"
Alain explained, "I'm Professor Sycamore's assistant.
Professor Sycamore is researching Mega Evolution, and since Mega Evolution originated in the Hoenn Region, we've come to investigate."
Steven nodded. "I see. I happen to be heading into the ruins. Would you like to come along?"
Alain immediately nodded. "Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Steven."
Steven actually had a reason for inviting Alain.
Before coming to Meteor Falls, Steven had consulted some records.
At least two Key Stones were needed to open the long-sealed ruins.
But those were only records, after all, and Steven intended to verify them himself.
If he failed, he would invite a Trainer with a Key Stone from somewhere nearby in the Hoenn Region.
He simply had not expected Alain to turn up on his doorstep like this.
It was just what he needed, right when he needed it.
The fact that Alain was Professor Sycamore's assistant put Steven even more at ease.
Another important reason was Mairin.
Although Alain wore a cold expression, the fact that someone with Mairin's personality could get close to him suggested, to some extent, that he was not a bad person at heart.
Of course, Steven