Mega Evolution!

Xiao Yan arrived in front of an imposing building.

"This is it-the Cinnabar Gym!"

Xiao Yan and Pikachu pushed open the gym doors and entered the final gym. Several Pokémon statues stood beside the battlefield in the center, and standing in the middle of the battlefield was...

"You're finally here, challenger!"

"Are you the Gym Leader?"

Xiao Yan stared at the old man and his pink floral shirt.

"Indeed. I'm Blaine, the Cinnabar Gym Leader, and I use Fire-type Pokémon. Now that introductions are out of the way, let's skip the chit-chat. Referee!"

Blaine signaled to the referee standing nearby that they could begin.

"This match is between Xiao Yan of Pallet Town and Blaine, the Cinnabar Gym Leader. Each side will use three Pokémon in a three-on-three battle. The Gym Leader may not switch Pokémon during the match; only the challenger may do so. Let the battle begin!"

"Burn bright, Ninetales!"

Blaine sent out his first Pokémon.

"I choose you, Riolu!"

Xiao Yan sent out Riolu.

"Ninetales, Fire Spin!"

Riolu was immediately surrounded by Ninetales's Fire Spin and inflicted with a burn.

"Riolu, use Earthquake!"

The ground shook violently under Riolu's move, dealing a fair amount of damage to Ninetales.

"Not a bad move, but Riolu is still trapped in Fire Spin and has already been burned. Its stamina is steadily draining. Let's see how long your Riolu can last."

"Ninetales, finish it off with Hyper Beam!"

Watching Riolu trapped in Fire Spin, I suddenly thought of something.

"Riolu, Protect!"

A quick explanation for those who still weren't familiar with the move: Protect was a move that most Pokémon could learn. It could block one attack, no matter how powerful the opponent's move was. Simply put, it was an absolute defense. Its only drawback was that it couldn't be used repeatedly, as its success rate would gradually decrease.

The blue energy shield in front of Riolu blocked the immensely powerful Hyper Beam. After using Hyper Beam, Ninetales was temporarily unable to move.

"Focus Blast!"

A blue sphere of energy flew from Riolu's hands and struck the immobilized Ninetales.

"Ninetales is unable to battle. Gym Leader, please send out your second Pokémon."

"I didn't expect you to have that trick up your sleeve."

Blaine recalled Ninetales and sent out Rapidash.

"Great job, Riolu!"

Xiao Yan recalled Riolu and sent out his second Pokémon as well.

"Gyarados, use Rain Dance!"

Dark clouds gathered above the battlefield, and heavy rain began falling inside the gym.

"My flames won't be extinguished!" Blaine said, looking up at the dark clouds overhead. Rapidash was already poised to attack, waiting for its Trainer's command.

"Rapidash, Stomp!"

Rapidash charged toward Gyarados.

"Gyarados, Hydro Pump!"

Energy continued to build in Gyarados's mouth. Just as Rapidash was about to stomp on Gyarados...

"Rapidash!!!"

Gyarados's point-blank Hydro Pump sent Rapidash flying.

"Rapidash is unable to battle! Gym Leader, please send out your final Pokémon."

Blaine recalled his Rapidash.

"It's been a long time since I've seen a challenger as strong as you... I'll bring out my prized Pokémon to end this battle."

A bird wreathed entirely in flames appeared on the battlefield.

"Is that Moltres?!" Xiao Yan asked in surprise.

"Heh! Scared?" Blaine said.

Now I can try that.

"Thank you, Gyarados."

Xiao Yan recalled Gyarados.

"I'm counting on you, Umbreon!"

An unusual-looking stone hung around Umbreon's neck.

"That Pokémon is another of Eevee's evolutions... but what's that stone around its neck?"

A quick explanation: Mega Stones were held items used for Mega Evolution. Each Mega Stone had a corresponding Pokémon and Key Stone. Mega Stones and Key Stones were scattered throughout the world, but not every Pokémon and Trainer pair could successfully achieve Mega Evolution. So far, no one had managed to Mega Evolve a Pokémon, and the conditions for successful Mega Evolution remained a mystery.

"Let's do this, Umbreon!!!"

The Umbreon Key Stone on Xiao Yan's bracelet resonated with the Mega Stone around Umbreon's neck, and both shone with white light.

White light enveloped Umbreon. When it faded, Umbreon stood on the battlefield with a slightly altered appearance. Mega Umbreon now had white, scarf-like fur around its neck.

"Let's fight together, Mega Umbreon!"

Blaine was astonished by the sight, but there was no time to dwell on it during a battle.

"Shadow Ball!"

After Mega Evolution, Umbreon gathered energy faster, and the power of its moves had increased dramatically.

"Moltres, use Flamethrower!"

This was a showdown between a Legendary Pokémon and Mega Evolution.

Flamethrower and Shadow Ball collided in midair and exploded. Both Pokémon were caught in the blast and took considerable damage.

"That's Moltres for you, one of the Legendary Birds. But my Mega Umbreon is no pushover either. Double Team!"

Mega Umbreon moved rapidly, creating the illusion of duplicates.

"What incredible speed... In that case, Moltres, Fire Blast!"

An enormous Fire Blast hurtled toward Mega Umbreon, but it struck only a few of Mega Umbreon's afterimages.

"If none of those are the real one... then where is it?"

Just as Blaine and Moltres were searching for Mega Umbreon...

"Swift!"

Swift rained down from directly above Moltres.

"What?! It can jump that high?!" Blaine exclaimed in astonishment.

The attack struck Moltres, sending it crashing to the ground.

"Moltres!!!"

"Moltres is unable to battle. Since all three of Gym Leader Blaine's Pokémon are unable to battle, the winner is Xiao Yan from Pallet Town."

Blaine took out a badge and handed it to Xiao Yan.

"This is the Crimson Badge. It's been so long since I've been this happy. You've truly opened my eyes-even my Moltres lost to you. Never forget the trust you and your Pokémon placed in each other during that battle."

"Thank you. That was a great battle."

Now I've collected all eight badges...

After saying goodbye to Blaine, Xiao Yan decided to rest on Cinnabar Island for a few days before heading to the venue for the Indigo League tournament.

"It looks like only Umbreon can Mega Evolve for now. I'll have to try again with the others."

Xiao Yan tightly gripped Charizard's Pokémon Ball.