Bai Chen remembered that Team Flare was in the process of capturing the Legendary Pokémon of the Kalos region. Zygarde was their primary target. Zygarde consists of two cores: the red Z1 and the blue Z2.
He recalled the original story clearly. After Z1 was captured, it eventually escaped the laboratory under accidental circumstances and ended up hiding in Bonnie's small yellow bag.
Following a series of events, Z1 temporarily joined Ash's group and was affectionately nicknamed "Squishy."
One of Bai Chen's goals for joining Ash's group was to secure Z1. However, he hadn't expected Team Flare to capture Z1 so early, nor that he would stumble upon it himself.
"Can you hear my voice?" Z1 asked again, seeing that Bai Chen hadn't responded.
Bai Chen glanced at his Indeedee. Understanding the signal, Indeedee silently pulled Z1 into her Web Mind. Finally, Bai Chen was able to communicate with the Core.
"That's a fascinating communication ability you have. Are you mimicking the wavelength of plants?"
"Please, save me!" As soon as the connection was established, Z1 began pleading for help.
"This is a bit unsightly," Bai Chen mused, not agreeing immediately. "The strongest Legendary Pokémon of Kalos, the guardian of order, Zygarde, is asking a passerby like me for help? Aren't you worried that I'm working with Lysandre?"
A bead of cold sweat (figuratively) rolled down Z1. "You... you know who I am?"
"Of course. Has your other core, Z2, also been captured by Lysandre's Team Flare?"
Z1 was at a loss for words. Bai Chen knew far more than he had imagined. The Core remained silent, terrified of revealing Z2's location.
After a few seconds of silence, Bai Chen had a realization. "I see. Z2 hasn't been caught yet. That's good news."
"Then you are not a member of Team Flare. Please help me. Team Flare is..." Z1 started.
Bai Chen finished the sentence for him. "Let me guess. Team Flare wants to use the energy from the Giant Rock to control you, then use your power to destroy the entire Kalos region?"
"How do you know these things?"
"Just a reasonable deduction based on my knowledge of you and Team Flare."
"Listen to me! The Kalos region is in grave danger. Team Flare intends to use our power to wipe out the world. Please, get me out of here and stop this disaster." Z1 pleaded sincerely.
Bai Chen replied calmly, "That sounds nice. Protecting the world and having a powerful Legendary Pokémon owes me a favor."
Z1 was overjoyed. "I am located in—"
Z1 was about to give his location, but Bai Chen added, "However, I'm sorry. I don't move without a benefit."
"A... benefit?" Z1's tone turned cold. So, humans were greedy after all? He began to feel a familiar despair regarding the species.
"Don't look so shocked. I'm not from this world. Whatever happens here doesn't truly affect me, so don't try to bind me with 'righteousness' or 'morality.' It won't work."
"A traveler from another world?" Z1's anger subsided slightly. If he were an outsider, it would indeed be difficult to demand that he risk his life for free.
"I come from a very distant world." As the supreme guardian of Kalos, Z1 would certainly see through Bai Chen's identity the moment they met in person anyway.
Bai Chen didn't beat around the bush. "Your situation looks pretty dire. I can save you, but I have conditions. Once I rescue you, you and Z2 will become my partners. How about it?"
"That is absolutely impossible!" Z1 couldn't believe Bai Chen had the nerve to suggest something so outrageous.
"What if I help you dismantle Team Flare? Does that sweeten the deal?"
"Dismantling Team Flare is something we can do ourselves once we are free!"
"A pity," Bai Chen shook his head. "How about this then? I saved you once, and in return, you assist me three times whenever I need it. Then we're even."
"Why three times?"
"Because I'm taking advantage of your misfortune," Bai Chen admitted shamelessly.
His honesty left Z1 stunned. After a moment of thought, compared to the condition of becoming permanent partners, this was much lighter—and within his range of acceptance.
"I can agree to help you, but the decision to act will remain mine." In other words, if Bai Chen's request went against Z1's will, he would refuse.
"In that case, let's make it five times."
Z1 didn't answer immediately.
Bai Chen urged him, "Make a decision quickly. I don't have much time to chat." Lysandre was about to reach the destination.
Z1 finally agreed. "I will keep my promise. I hope you keep yours."
"I look forward to our future cooperation." Bai Chen smiled.
He was a master of psychological manipulation. If he had started by asking for five favors, Zygarde would have refused outright.
But by starting with an "insane" condition (becoming partners) and then "lowering" it to his actual goal, Zygarde was far more likely to agree. Furthermore, Bai Chen already had dozens of plans to officially recruit Zygarde. PUAing Pokémon was his specialty; no Legendary ever left the team once they joined!
The Battle with a Kalos Elite
Communication with Z1 cut off just as Lysandre led Bai Chen to the basement battle arena. Team Flare scientists were waiting, including the stout Xerosic.
Steven Stone was surprised to see half of the institute's researchers gathered there. Lysandre turned to Bai Chen. "I assume you wouldn't mind a battle?"
"Not at all."
Steven was even more confused. Was there a Legendary Pokémon? Why were they so serious?
Lysandre offered Bai Chen a data-collecting combat suit, but Bai Chen refused under the guise of "Aether Foundation trade secrets." He stepped into the arena while Lillie and Steven went to the second-floor observation deck.
Across from him, a pink-haired woman with red glasses walked out. Another familiar face: Malva, one of the Kalos Elite Four. She was a secret Team Flare member and a famous news reporter.
Steven was privately shocked. Malva is an Elite Four member. What Pokémon are they testing that requires her? Only when Bai Chen stepped into the center did Steven realize: Bai Chen was the test subject.
"You really are a handsome one," Malva teased. "I've heard about you, and I'm very interested in your strength. I volunteered for this. Please, be gentle."
"It's an honor to fight an Elite Four member. I hope you'll go easy on me."
"It's hard to refuse a handsome man's request. I'll be gentle," Malva said, tossing her Poké Ball. "Go, Houndoom!"
A sleek, black Pokémon with curved horns appeared. Bai Chen scanned it. Level 63. It had two Grandmaster-level moves and a slew of Master moves. It also had two unique traits: the Rarity 6 Toxic Flame and the Rarity 5 Intimidating Howl. Most importantly, a Mega Stone hung around its neck.
"Miss Malva, you're quite the liar," Bai Chen muttered. She said she'd go easy, then sent out one of her primary partners. While not her absolute ace, it was a powerhouse.
Malva smiled. "I think you're worth the effort."
Bai Chen knew she had orders to collect his biological data. "Please, wait a moment."
Right in front of everyone, Bai Chen took off his shirt and shoes. He hadn't worn his armor today because the car couldn't handle the weight of the Rathalos armor and his Great Sword. He was effectively bare-handed.
To beat this Houndoom, I have to end it instantly. If I let her Mega Evolve, my win rate drops to zero. Even with his high-level skills, bridging a 13-level gap against a Mega-evolved Pokémon without equipment was nearly impossible.
But he had the advantage of information. One thunderous strike could end it before it could react.
Malva stared at the shirtless Bai Chen for a second. Is this a 'magic' attack? Trying to distract me with that body?
"I'm ready. Let's begin."
Malva composed herself, though her face wasn't as red as Lillie's. "Isn't this a bit of a foul?"
Bai Chen said nothing. On the second floor, Lysandre announced the start. "Begin!"
Malva was still processing the visual. In the next heartbeat, a black blur whipped past her and slammed into the arena wall behind her. A gust of wind and dust blew through her pink hair. She turned around, her pupils shrinking.
"What speed?! What power?!"
Houndoom had been sent flying instantly, leaving a deep crater in the reinforced wall. The power wasn't just "strong"—it was terrifying. In the observation room, everyone—except Lillie—wore the same expression of utter disbelief.
Steven gasped, "Are we sure he isn't a Pokémon?"
Lysandre's eyes gleamed with fanaticism.
Malva snapped back to reality. "Houndoom, use Flamethrower!" A blast of toxic fire surged toward him.
Bai Chen activated Extreme Speed, weaving through the flames with fluid grace. He lunged at Houndoom, his right fist clenched.
"Houndoom, dodge it!" Malva shouted.
In terms of pure speed, Houndoom was no match for Bai Chen, especially since it was mid-animation from its previous attack. The punch landed squarely on Houndoom's head, pinning it back into the wall.
Close Combat! Bai Chen unleashed a storm of punches.
Seeing her Pokémon in trouble, Malva yelled, "Use Inferno!" A pillar of crimson fire erupted around Bai Chen. The heat was far beyond the Flamethrower.
"Protect!" A translucent green barrier formed around Bai Chen. If he hadn't mastered the Protect move, even his Armor wouldn't have held up against that point-blank blast.
Seeing the move fail and hearing the thud of flesh on flesh, Malva reached for her Key Stone to Mega Evolve. But Bai Chen was faster. The Fighting-type Z-Crystal sigil manifested before him.
"All-Out Pummeling!"
A series of thunderous explosions echoed through the hall. When the dust settled, Houndoom was still conscious—its Level 63 bulk and defenses were impressive.
Bai Chen didn't give it a chance to recover. He grabbed Houndoom by its tail and began slamming it back and forth into the ground like a rag doll.
After ten seconds of relentless slamming, Bai Chen finally let go. Houndoom lay limp, its eyes swirling with dizziness.
The room was silent. The entire battle had lasted less than thirty seconds. Bai Chen had ended it like a hurricane. Houndoom's loss wasn't a fluke; Bai Chen had used Extreme Speed to seize the initiative, Close Combat to shred defenses, and a Z-Move to finish.
Being double-weak to Fighting-type moves and having low physical defense, Houndoom stood no chance against the onslaught.
Bai Chen calmly walked back to his clothes and dressed himself. "Miss Malva was too kind. Thank you for holding back; I didn't take a scratch."
The only move that had "hit" him was blocked by Protect. He had revealed only his basic combat stats—skills like Aura, Telekinesis, and Super Regeneration remained hidden.
Malva sighed, recalling her Pokémon. As an Elite, she knew why she lost: overconfidence and type disadvantage. Houndoom hadn't even used 10% of its true potential before it was overwhelmed.
"Marvelous!" Lysandre shouted into the microphone from the observation deck. "Mr. Bai Chen, you have given me an incredible surprise!"
"Thank you," Bai Chen replied. A golden glint flashed in his eyes. He sensed an overwhelming desire for possession radiating from Lysandre; the man now viewed him on the same level as a Legendary Pokémon.
"Please, come up. Let us discuss the possibilities of Mega Evolution."
Back in the lab, Lysandre looked at Bai Chen as if he were the most perfect treasure in the world. He turned to Xerosic. "Bring up our research results."
"Yes, Representative."
Xerosic pulled up a mountain of data. Lysandre began to explain: "Our research shows that when a strong emotional bond exists between trainer and Pokémon, the Key Stone and Mega Stone release a specific energy wavelength.
This activates the hidden potential within a Pokémon's body, causing Mega Evolution."
"The burden on the body is immense. Thus far, Pokémon can only hold this power during battle. If you, a human who can use Z-Moves, wish to Mega Evolve, the prerequisite is that your physical foundation must be strong enough, and your body's potential must not be fully developed yet."
Steven Stone listened, realization dawning on him. A human wanting to Mega Evolve? This is madness.
Lysandre continued. "As for the conditions, you need a Key Stone and a Mega Stone. The Key Stone is the 'starter,' but the Mega Stone is specific.
Currently, no Mega Stone works for two different species. We don't know exactly how they are formed, but by scanning different Pokémon during evolution, we found the secret."
Lysandre displayed several analysis charts. He overlapped the energy wavelengths of Mega Evolution with charts of Pokémon life-force wavelengths.
Bai Chen noticed with surprise that the two patterns were identical.
"According to our analysis, the wavelength emitted by a Mega Stone is nearly identical to the life-force wavelength of the corresponding Pokémon.
Simply put, Mega Stones release a specialized form of Life Energy. When a massive surge of this energy enters your body, your potential is fully unlocked."
"Life energy..." Bai Chen frowned. A thought began to form in his mind.
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