The next morning.
In the largest hot spring pool in Lavaridge Town, Chen Shi, Steven, and Pheobe soaked comfortably with a group of Pokémon.
"This feels amazing~"
"Kiya~"
"Chako-yee~"
The other Pokémon also let out contented cries, resting against the side with blissful expressions.
"This hot spring really is wonderful. Too bad I left in such a hurry last time that I never got to properly enjoy it."
Off to one side, Steven spoke with regret.
"It's not too late to enjoy it now!"
"Let's have a nice, long soak today and enjoy ourselves."
"Chako-yee~"
Beside them, Togetic looked thoroughly pleased. I'll forgive you this time for keeping me in the Poké Ball for so long.
Don't do it again.
Suddenly, Steven gave Chen Shi a puzzled look.
"What was that power the Grandmother-in-Chief mentioned back in the village?"
"Didn't you say you'd teach me?"
"Then hurry up and teach me!"
The two had grown quite close by now, so Steven no longer stood on ceremony.
He simply asked outright.
Chen Shi sighed. "Not now. I'll teach you later."
He shot Steven an exasperated look, as if to say he was getting quite a bargain.
"There's too much riding on this to expose it now. Let's wait until we're stronger."
In truth, telling Steven about Mega Evolution now would have been fine. Chen Shi trusted his character.
If he asked Steven to keep quiet, the guy wouldn't tell even Mu Jin.
But even the smallest chance was still a risk.
He would keep this secret a little longer.
Still... after their trip to Meteor Falls, Chen Shi felt Steven might be better suited to collecting Mega Stones.
Everyone knew Steven was an avid stone enthusiast, after all. No one would find it suspicious if he collected strange stones.
Unlike his grandparents, who had to be secretive even when collecting stones, terrified that someone would discover their identities.
Yet Chen Shi still worried that telling Steven directly about Mega Evolution might expose it. Better to get him to take Mega Stones seriously instead.
He believed Steven would understand later.
Meanwhile, seeing that his friend intended to keep it secret, Steven had no intention of pressing him. Hadn't he said he would teach him later anyway?
They had at least that much trust in each other.
But then Chen Shi asked him seriously, "Do you remember the stone Aggron saw?"
Steven immediately recalled the stone with silver and deep orange mixed together.
"Of course. What about it?"
"I remember digging up a similar one the next day, too. You suddenly told me to catch a Mawile then."
Chen Shi stared straight into Steven's eyes. "Steven, those stones are incredibly important and valuable. You can collect more of them in secret."
"But remember, you must keep this confidential. Don't tell anyone else."
"And it's best to collect them discreetly, not out in the open."
Seeing his friend so serious, Steven realized those stones might not be as simple as he had thought.
After thinking it through carefully, an incredible possibility occurred to him.
His voice trembled as he asked, "Could those stones be connected to the power the Dragon God used to stop the disaster?"
"Is that also why that old woman thought you were the next hero? Because you have that power too?"
Steven could hardly believe his own guess, but it was the only explanation that made sense.
Why else would Chen Shi, who clearly had no interest in stones, insist on going to Meteor Falls with him to dig for them?
And why would he care about only one particular kind?
In the Draconids' underground storeroom, Chen Shi had chosen just one Outrage scale, while his other choice had been a stone similar to the ones from before.
After all, Chen Shi's starter Pokémon was Drakloak, a Dragon-type Pokémon.
With so many Dragon-type resources available, why would he choose a seemingly useless stone instead?
He refused to believe that a fourteen-year-old genius who was already an Intermediate Breeder was a fool.
That could only mean the stone was extraordinary.
It was very likely connected to the crucial power the Dragon God had used to stop the disaster a thousand years ago.
But that very possibility was what made it so hard for Steven to believe.
This was the Dragon God. Even though Steven had never seen it, he knew it was a legendary Pokémon.
What kind of power could matter so much to a Pokémon like that, even becoming essential to stopping a disaster?
Under Steven's expectant gaze, Chen Shi nodded slightly, confirming his guess.
"That's why I said they're so important and valuable. Remember to keep this secret. Don't tell anyone."
"It isn't time for this power to be revealed to the world yet."
"Because we can't safeguard it."
Steven's expression grew solemn, and he nodded slightly.
Naturally, he understood the principle: an innocent man could become a target simply by possessing a treasure.
Sometimes, the more you had, the more you stood to lose.
Especially in a world where power ruled supreme.
Then he asked excitedly, "Is that power really so strong?"
Chen Shi said, "It really is. It brings a complete transformation. It doesn't just increase their level-it enhances the Pokémon themselves."
"It's no exaggeration to call it a change from the inside out. But this power is temporary. It doesn't last very long."
"Lasting through one battle isn't a problem, though!"
"That's enough." Steven was thrilled. Even that brief explanation was enough for him to understand.
This power was indeed formidable, but it could only be used temporarily.
Still, Steven wasn't greedy. He knew that gaining anything came at a price.
If it could last through one battle, that was enough.
At that moment, Chen Shi gave Steven a meaningful look. "I still think Mawile is a pretty good choice."
Steven understood now. His friend had been giving him hints all along; he simply hadn't caught on.
Mawile probably wasn't as simple as he had thought.
Then Steven smiled and nodded. "I think so too. I'll look around when I get back and see if I can find a suitable Mawile."
The two exchanged a smile. Nothing more needed to be said.
But Pheobe suddenly asked from beside them, "Brother Chen Shi, should I catch a Mawile too?"
Only then did they remember there was someone else with them.
The girl had been listening from the very beginning, yet both of them had completely forgotten about her.
The corner of Chen Shi's mouth twitched. "You don't need to. Don't you already have a Haunter?"
"Just focus on raising Haunter well!"
"Oh, okay." Pheobe nodded thoughtfully.
Watching her, Chen Shi shook his head helplessly.
He hoped she would take his advice to heart.
Alolan Ninetales
Before you continue