The Sycamore Pokémon Lab.
Although the battle between Greninja and Diancie had ended.
For Professor Sycamore, the research had only just begun.
Professor Sycamore excitedly recorded the data,
Having witnessed Ash and Greninja's Bond Phenomenon firsthand,
"Vian, did you collect all the data on Mega Evolution and the Bond Phenomenon?"
Li Wei had previously mentioned the so-called Bond Phenomenon to Professor Sycamore.
So Professor Sycamore had simply adopted the term.
"Of course, Professor!"
"This is absolutely marvelous!"
Professor Sycamore couldn't help spinning in a circle.
As Professor Sycamore browsed the data, he muttered to himself.
"Two completely different evolutionary paths."
"Mega Evolution is stable and controllable, relying on external objects and powerful emotions,
while this Bond Phenomenon displayed by Ash and Greninja is much more driven by the mind, and much harder to control,
but the potential it unleashes seems to depend more on absolute synchronization between Trainer and Pokémon."
Li Wei walked over to Ash and looked at him and Greninja.
"There's no need to rush. You've already found your direction."
Although this battle had ended in defeat, it had shown Ash and Greninja the path they truly needed to walk together.
Ash nodded firmly.
"Yeah! I understand!"
If things followed their normal course, Ash and Greninja would be able to control it before the Kalos Region's Pokémon League tournament.
Steven looked thoughtful. Ash and Li Wei were both fascinating people.
One was constantly catching rare Mythical Pokémon and could even hold proper conversations with Legendary Pokémon.
The other kept encountering rare Pokémon, though "rare" meant something rather different in his case.
For example, a Pikachu whose true strength was unknown, an Infernape with an explosive Blaze, and now Ash-Greninja.
One could say that both Li Wei and Ash were blessed by fortune.
In accordance with Steven's wishes,