After Gardevoir gave Metagross a gentle Life Dew as courtesy, Steven prepared to depart.
"Chen Shi, I'm heading back. Today was… genuinely enjoyable."
"And that information—Devon owes you more than you know."
Chen Shi smiled lightly.
"You're welcome anytime. Call if you ever need help."
Steven nodded warmly. After bidding farewell to Grandpa and Grandma Chen, he mounted his Skarmory and ascended into the sky.
The two elders exchanged a confused look.
How did these two boys go out, fight a battle, then return acting like lifelong brothers?
They didn't question it.
Youngsters forming bonds—especially with someone like Steven Stone—was a blessing.
Back in his room, after assigning Togepi's training tasks, Chen Shi flipped through the Metagross Breeding Manual Steven had given him.
Nearby, the shiny Beldum bobbed around the room like an overly curious metal Roomba, inspecting every nook with exaggerated seriousness.
As expected of the Stone family, the manual was incredibly thorough.
It detailed each evolutionary stage—Beldum → Metang → Metagross—covering:
optimal mineral supplements
energy intake schedules
muscle-density conditioning
recommended habitats
move-development milestones
It would save him years of experimentation.
Early-stage Beldum needed mostly:
Energy cubes
specific mineral stones to boost density, conductivity, flexibility, and mobility
And thanks to Devon's generosity, three cargo trucks had arrived earlier, stuffed with perfectly sorted mineral resources.
All he had to do was feed Beldum on schedule.
He looked at the floating silver bullet circling his desk.
Not very strong yet…
Mostly ramming into furniture like a clueless baby Dreepy.
But unlike Dragapult's slow evolution line, Beldum evolved at Level 20.
Once it became Metang, it would possess real combat strength.
And with his current resource stream?
A shiny Metagross was practically guaranteed.
His gaze shifted toward the Togepi egg resting safely on the table.
He chuckled, picked up a pen, and wrote a letter.
Beldum watched suspiciously.
Why was its new Trainer writing a letter with such a stupid grin?
Was its Trainer… normal?
It wasn't sure.
Around noon, Chen Shi returned from running errands.
The moment he stepped in, Grandpa Chen waved him over.
"Shi'er, come here."
"What is it, Grandpa?"
Grandpa Chen spoke calmly:
"An old friend reached out. He wants us to look after his granddaughter for a while."
"Go bring her back."
Chen Shi nodded.
"Where is she?"
"Mt. Pyre. Take your grandma's Gengar—he knows the path."
"Gengaaaar!"
Gengar rose halfway out of Grandma's shadow, wiggling its fingers proudly.
Chen Shi blinked.
"Mt. Pyre? Someone's living up there?"
Grandpa snorted.
"You'll see. Gengar will guide you."
"Gengaaaar!"
Gengar patted its round belly, confident.
Then dove straight into Chen Shi's shadow.
Chen Shi sighed.
"…Fine, fine. I'll go now. You want me back tonight?"
Grandpa nodded and handed him a Poké Ball.
"Take Salamence. You'll be back before dark."
Back Mountain
Chen Shi found Salamence overseeing Dragapult's intense training.
"Sister Long, Grandpa wants me to fly to Mt. Pyre. Sorry, but I need your help."
He raised Salamence's Poké Ball.
Seeing her own ball, Salamence bowed immediately for him to mount.
But before lift-off—
"Chiiya!?"
Dragapult zoomed over, eyes wide.
Where are YOU going without ME?
"…I'll be back tonight. What are you even tagging along for?"
Dragapult puffed up like an indignant balloon.
It was absolutely going.
Chen Shi rubbed his forehead.
"…Fine. Come along."
Dragapult spun joyfully, nuzzled him, then settled onto Salamence's back.
Salamence finally spread her wings—
And the three blasted into the sky.
Wind ripped past them, forcing Chen Shi's hair into a magnificent involuntary slick-back.
Baby Dreepy—perched atop Dragapult's head—squealed in delight.
No wonder Dragapult loved firing baby Dreepies like missiles…
If this was how they felt, then once Dragapult reached its final form…
Would he be launching several baby Dreepies a day?
Chen Shi's expression slowly grew evil.
He began planning.
Beside him, Dragapult paused mid-flight, glaring suspiciously.
Someone nearby was having impure thoughts.
It looked around.
Nothing unusual.
It resumed enjoying the thrill of flying.
Chen Shi glanced down.
"Holy— That's Mauville City. Sister Long, you're too fast! Are you sure you're not a Dragonite?"
Mt. Pyre
An hour later, Salamence descended at the base of the towering volcano.
"Thanks, Sister Long."
He stroked her neck before recalling her.
Mt. Pyre—the Hoenn counterpart of Lavender Tower—served as a resting place for countless Pokémon.
Some died in battle.
Others passed naturally, brought here lovingly by their Trainers.
Centuries of accumulated ghost-type energy had transformed the mountain into a Ghost-type sanctuary.
They wandered at night, pranking travelers.
So aside from grieving Trainers or ghost-hunters, few visited.
Dragapult, however, was thrilled—eyes darting everywhere like he'd arrived at an amusement park.
Gengar popped out of Chen Shi's shadow.
"Gengaaaaar."
Follow me.
The air grew colder as they ascended the crumbling stone steps.
Several mournful Trainers passed them on their way down.
Chen Shi bowed respectfully and continued.
Halfway up, Gengar turned suddenly—left, right, left—through a maze of narrow paths.
Until they reached a stone wall.
Gengar pressed its hands against it—feeling around.
Then—
Its eyes brightened.
It grabbed a hidden seam and—
Click.
A concealed entrance slid open, revealing a pitch-black interior.
"Gengaaaaar!"
It pointed proudly.
Found it.
Chen Shi stared at the darkness.
His eyelid twitched.
"…Wonderful."
He sighed and stepped inside behind Gengar.
Dragapult floated in eagerly.
It liked this creepy place far too much.
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
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