"Professor Lucas."
Before Professor Kukui even arrived, his voice reached them first.
Lucas and Cynthia turned back together, staring at Kukui.
Kukui shuddered, then stammered, "Um... am I... am I interrupting?"
Lucas shook his head. "No, Professor Kukui, did you need something from me?"
Just as Kukui was struggling with whether to leave or stay, Alola's great woman, Burnet, walked over and bailed him out.
"Um, Champion Cynthia, I have some things I'd like to ask you about. Would that be alright?"
Cynthia smiled and nodded.
Then, Burnet and Cynthia stood not far away and began to chat.
Burnet winked at Kukui, and Kukui gave her a grateful look.
Kukui turned to look at Lucas and said, a bit embarrassed, "Um... I didn't interrupt you and Champion Cynthia, did I?"
Lucas shook his head. "It's fine, we just finished discussing some important matters."
"That's good, that's good."
Kukui let out a sigh of relief.
Just now, Lucas's gaze had looked ready to skin him alive.
Actually, Lucas had a very favorable impression of Kukui. After all, when Ash traveled to Alola, Kukui and Burnet truly treated Ash like their own son, and they didn't have any dark history.
So Lucas didn't blame Kukui for interrupting his conversation with Cynthia. Instead, he asked curiously, "So, did you have something you wanted to discuss with me, Professor Kukui?"
Kukui snapped out of it and quickly said, "Ah, right! To show my appreciation for you answering my questions, I've decided to give you this."
Kukui reached out his hand, and lying in his palm was a white z-crystal.
"Is this... Normalium Z?"
Lucas said as he looked at the z-crystal in Kukui's palm.
Kukui nodded. "Yes, Burnet and I found it by chance when we were camping outdoors on our way here from the Alola region. Perhaps it can be of some help to you."
"You and Burnet? Camping outdoors?"
Lucas instantly caught the key point of that sentence, squinting his eyes at Kukui.
Kukui looked completely blank. "Ah? Is that the key point?"
Seeing Kukui's expression, Lucas knew they probably hadn't sparked any romantic feelings yet, so he changed the subject. "Never mind. Is it really alright to give me such a precious item?"
Hearing the second half of Lucas's sentence, Kukui smiled and shrugged. "I believe you will make this z-crystal shine with a different kind of brilliance."
Seeing Kukui say this, Lucas didn't stand on ceremony either. He reached out and took the Normalium Z. "Then I'll thank you. It just so happens that I have a Pokémon that can adapt to this Normalium Z."
As soon as Lucas finished speaking, Gengar popped out.
"Gen gengar"
That's right, it's me.
"Not you. You're a Ghost and Poison-type Pokémon."
"Gen gengar!"
I know Hyper Beam! I can use it too!
"No way."
Gothitelle floated out.
"Gothitelle."
Gothitelle raised her hand, indicating that she also knew Hyper Beam.
Immediately after, Lilligant and Ninetales both popped out.
We know it too.
Latias: "Who doesn't!"
"You already have the Soul Dew and a Mega Stone, so this Normalium Z isn't for you."
"Oh."
Lucas looked at Gengar, Lilligant, Gothitelle, and Ninetales, who were arguing over who should get the Normalium Z.
Gengar: You all already have a Z-Move! This one should be mine!
Lilligant: Listen to yourself. Don't you already have Mega Evolution?
Gothitelle: I work myself to the bone every day, it should be given to me.
Ninetales: I'm tired too!
Gengar, Lilligant, Gothitelle: Pokémon who sleep all day should keep their mouths shut!
Ninetales: ————
Lucas: "Stop arguing, the Normalium Z is for the Tackle move."
Gengar: Targeting me again...
Lilligant, Gothitelle: Never mind then, that's not ladylike at all.
Ninetales: See, see, told you so.
Lucas looked at Dash, who was standing to the side with a grin. "Why didn't you try to get it for yourself?"
Dash scratched his head and smiled embarrassedly.
"Ma Machamp."
It's fine, I'm very strong and don't need it. Besides, I already have Dynamax.
Looking at the simple-minded Dash, Lucas patted his shoulder in exasperation. "Dynamax can't be used outside the Galar region, so doesn't that mean you basically have nothing?"
"Ma Machamp."
Heheh.
"Don't worry, this Normalium Z is for you."
Lucas handed the Normalium Z to Dash, letting him keep it.
Since Lucas had the All-Purpose z-crystal given by his Golden Finger, as long as a Pokémon carried a z-crystal of the corresponding type, he could use Z-Moves.
This saved him the trouble of repeatedly swapping z-crystals on his ring during a battle, which was incredibly convenient. Besides, a Pokémon carrying a z-crystal didn't seem to take up an item slot.
Other Z-Move users: What do you mean by 'using multiple Z-Moves in a single battle'?
Seeing Lucas hand the Normalium Z to the exceptionally muscular Machamp, Kukui tried to remind him, "Um..."
"Professor Lucas, the z-crystal is for you to use."
Lucas gestured to the ring on his left wrist, which happened to be set with a brilliant z-crystal. "It's fine, I have this. Arceus gave it to me."
Kukui: Does Arceus even manage this? Isn't this managed by Tapu Koko and the others?
This was truly like a Squirtle pulling its head into its shell—leaving one completely unable to make heads or tails of it.
Seeing Lucas hand the Normalium Z to Dash, Gengar and the others didn't object.
Gengar: Great, Dash got stronger again.
Lilligant: A physical tackling move really suits Dash.
Gothitelle: Hurry up and get stronger, all of you. That way, I won't have to work so hard in battles... battling is so tiring...
Ninetales: Wow~
Gothitelle had the deepest resentment and was the one who most eagerly wished for Gengar and the others to get stronger, so that she wouldn't have to take the field during battles.
Lucas nodded with satisfaction. "Since Dash got the Normalium Z, let's find a place to test it out."
"Gen gengar~"
"Lilli~"
"Swoosh."
"Gothitelle."
"Wow~"
"Ma Machamp!"
Gengar and the others burst into cheers, drawing the attention of Cynthia and Burnet.
Cynthia and Burnet walked over, and Cynthia asked Lucas, "What's wrong? Why are you all so happy?"
Lucas briefly explained, and Cynthia nodded.
"So that's how it is. I happen to know where there's a battlefield. I'll take you there."
"Alright."
Seeing Cynthia and Lucas preparing to test the Z-Move, Burnet said, "But... Professor Lucas, didn't you just use two Z-Moves earlier? Can your body really handle it if you keep going?"
Kukui also realized this. "Reasonably speaking, isn't only one Z-Move allowed per battle?"
Ordinarily, a Z-Move could only be used once per battle. Most people could only use it once a day, and even exceptional individuals could use it twice a day at most; any more, and their bodies wouldn't be able to bear the burden.
Lucas's eyes darted around.
Is that so?
I didn't know that...
However, he still patted Kukui's shoulder and said in a heartfelt tone, "Because the bond between me and them... is already indestructible."
Kukui: ?
Burnet: ??
Cynthia smiled and chimed in with an assist: "Back when I returned to the past to resolve Arceus's crisis, Lucas stayed in the present to face Arceus. Even though we were in different times and spaces, his bond with Gengar still transcended time and space, achieving Mega Evolution."
Kukui: ?
Burnet: ??
Professor Platane, who was passing by: ???
"Ah? The example you mentioned was yourself?"
Professor Platane asked in surprise.
Latias had the deepest impression of this, having engraved the matter into her heart.
Lucas ignored the resentful gaze coming from the transparent body beside him, merely nodding calmly.
"So you see... the bond between a Trainer and their Pokémon is the most mysterious and touching thing, which is also why I wanted to study it."
Hearing this, Lilligant, Gothitelle, and Ninetales looked at each other and rolled their eyes in unison.
Lilligant: Still bragging.
Gothitelle: He clearly studies dietary therapy, but now he's making it about bonds again...
Ninetales: Let him brag, we're the ones who chose him after all.
Ninetales looked completely helpless, her eyes filled with a resigned fondness.
And then—
Smack.
"Hiss~"
Lucas pursed his lips.
A burning pain spread across his back.
"Professor Lucas, what's wrong? Are you alright?"
Burnet asked worriedly.
Lucas looked calm on the surface. "It's nothing, I just accidentally bit my tongue."
Cynthia looked at Ninetales, her eyes saying 'nice job'.
Under Ninetales' "gentle" reminder, Lucas took Dash to a battlefield not far from the venue.
"Dash, have you prepared your favorite dance pose?"
Lucas asked, smiling as he patted Dash's strong and powerful arms.
Dash nodded solemnly.
"Oh? What pose?"
Lucas asked curiously.
In the next second, Lucas was scooped up by Dash. Dash sat Lucas on his arm, roared twice, hugged him tightly, spun him around a few times, and then suddenly used all his strength to throw Lucas high into the sky.
Before Lucas could even react, he was already airborne.
Off the field.
Lilligant, Gothitelle, and Ninetales burst into sharp, high-pitched shrieks together.
Lilligant, Gothitelle, Ninetales: Dash!!!
This was exactly why they didn't feel safe letting Lucas and Dash handle things alone. Because as long as Dash was by Lucas's side, when there was no danger, Dash himself was the greatest danger.
"Gothitelle."
Latias.
"Don't worry, I'm here."
Latias catapulted into the air, flew straight up, caught Lucas, and then flew down steadily.
"You scared me to death. Thank you, Latias."
Lucas stroked Latias's neck and spoke.
"Hehe, as long as I'm here, you can rest easy."
Below, Gothitelle's eyes glowed with purple light.
Latias was only slightly better than Machamp.
"Wow— Dr. Lucas can actually fly—"
Burnet watched Lucas fly down from the sky, incredibly surprised.
"It's not that I can fly, it's Latias."
Lucas got down from Latias's back and said.
Then Latias revealed her form.
Her red and white body looked so cute.
Dr. Lucas actually has a Latias!
Kukui, Burnet, and Professor Platane were incredibly surprised.
"Is that— a Mega Stone?"
Professor Platane pointed at the Mega Stone hanging around Latias's neck and asked.
Lucas nodded, "Yeah, that's right."
Professor Platane: "Can Latias also perform Mega Evolution?"
"You didn't know? Latias and Latios both can, and even Rayquaza can too."
"Should I have known?"
"Shouldn't you have known? Aren't you the professor who researches Mega Evolution?"
"I— I—"
Professor Platane was rendered speechless.
"But the key is, who would have Latias and Latios as test subjects?"
Latias: "Hmm?"
Sensing Latias's dissatisfaction, Lucas quickly said, "Don't you dare have designs on my Plane Sister, she's very fierce."
"I don't!"
Professor Platane quickly said, "Can you let me see what Latias looks like after Mega Evolution?"
Lucas looked at Latias, and Latias nodded indifferently.
"No problem, then you all step back a bit."
Cynthia led them back, watching Lucas.
Lucas gripped the wooden plaque pendant he had just tied on, hesitated for a moment, and then let go.
Can't pull it anymore, if I pull any more, there won't be any red string left.
After letting go of the wooden plaque pendant, Lucas wrapped his arms around Latias's neck and gently pressed his forehead against hers.
Lucas and Latias both closed their eyes.
"Latias, our hearts are connected."
Two streams of intersecting light enveloped Lucas and Latias.
"Mega Evolution."
Lucas said softly.
The light dispersed, and Latias transformed into a super fighter jet.
Powerful and beautiful.
Professor Platane: "This— This—"
Looking at Mega Latias, he didn't know what to say for a moment, so he took out his phone and kept taking pictures.
"So Legendary Pokémon can also perform Mega Evolution—"
Professor Platane said.
Lucas looked at Professor Platane and said earnestly, "Legendary Pokémon are also Pokémon."
Everyone present fell silent.
After a long while, Professor Platane finally said, "I see, I understand."
At this moment, Machamp, who had been scolded, walked over. Seeing it looking a bit dejected, Lucas patted its shoulder— arm, "It's okay, as long as you like it, that's all that matters."
Machamp's eyes lit up, then it grabbed Lucas and ran off into the distance.
"Ma Machmap."
I have an idea.
Lucas was clamped under Machamp's arm, once again falling into a state of confusion.
Then Lucas felt the whistling of the wind all around his ears, and the scenery before his eyes constantly changing.
Behind him.
"Gothitelle!!!"
Put Lucas down right now!!! He isn't a stick! And you aren't a Conkeldurr, you idiot!
"Lilli!"
Machamp! You come back here!
Lilligant had already started charging up.
"Gen Gengar!"
Put my Lucas down, if he dies, who is going to make delicious food for me!
Ninetales rushed out first and intercepted Machamp.
Under the siege from all sides, Machamp put Lucas down.
"Ugh~"
Lucas leaned against a tree and vomited for quite a while.
Lilligant handed Lucas a bottle of water, and he gulped down more than half of it in one go.
After recovering for a moment, he finally came to his senses.
So just now, he had been used as a concrete pillar by Machamp to swing around—
Damn Conkeldurr! Damn Marshal! Next time I run into you, I'll beat you so hard even your mother won't recognize you!
Mega Latias was flying in the air and, having witnessed the whole process, thought of a scene played on TV.
"This moment, this is Machamp dancing with his shield and axe, Lucas swinging Machamp— oh wait, it's Machamp dancing with Lucas."
Mega Latias finished speaking and happily rushed toward Lucas.
"Here I come!"
Lucas: !!!
What are you doing! Stupid plane!
Bang!
The scene turned into a chaotic mess.
Watching the noisy, blushing Gothitelle and the others, Burnet swallowed, looking toward Cynthia.
"Are Dr. Lucas and the others— always this— lively?"
Cynthia looked accustomed to it, wearing a polite yet distant smile, "This is the bond that belongs solely to him and Gengar and the others."
"Just like a family, fighting and making noise, yet never leaving each other's side."
Lucas walked back with Machamp and the others, looking exhausted.
"Are you okay?"
Cynthia asked.
Lucas shook his head, "No, Machamp was too happy after getting the Normalium Z, so it just acted out a bit."
Lucas smiled, "You also know that Machamp isn't very good at expressing its feelings with language, but this is fine too, this is our Breeding House's big sister."
Gengar is the big brother of all the Pokémon in the Breeding House, and Machamp is the big sister.
But—
Gothitelle is the mother of the Breeding House.
Latias, having cancelled Mega Evolution, returned to Lucas's side with panda eyes.
"Didn't you say we were going to test Machamp's Z-Move?"
Lucas nodded, "Alright, I'm ready to test Machamp's Z-Move."
"Then let me be your test opponent, Dr. Lucas."
Kukui volunteered.
Lucas always felt the title Dr. Lucas was a bit awkward, so he said, "I'm not used to being called Dr. Lucas, you guys better call me Lucas, I'm used to that."
Then he looked at Kukui, "Are you sure?"
Kukui nodded, "I am also a veteran Z-Move user."
Lucas looked at Kukui's confident expression, wanting to say something but stopping.
In the end, he still nodded, "Then I'll leave it to you."
"No problem, Lucas."
Kukui walked onto the field first.
"Is the dance ready?"
Cynthia asked.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely surprise you."
After Lucas finished speaking, he took Machamp and walked onto the field.
Kukui threw a Poké Ball, and a fiery red tiger appeared on the field.
The world's number one Incineroar appeared.
Machamp was Intimidated.
Machamp was unconvinced; Machamp started to narrow its eyes.
Incineroar suddenly had an ominous premonition.
"Lucas, be careful, Incineroar and I also have a deep bond."
Kukui placed the Firium Z onto the Z-Ring and said to Lucas.
"Use your full power, Professor Kukui."
Hearing Lucas say this, Kukui didn't hold back at all, and he and Incineroar started the dance, a terrifying aura beginning to permeate the entire field.
Off the field.
Gengar, Lilligant, Ninetales, and Latias all looked toward Gothitelle.
Gothitelle: ————
She floated into the air expressionless.
Got it! So annoying!
psychic power surged from within her body, wrapping around the entire field.
On the field, Machamp tapped its four fists together, and then, with Lucas's cooperation, started a battle dance with surging momentum.
"This is— another unique dance—"
Burnet muttered to herself.
Every one of Machamp's poses was filled with intense fighting spirit, while Lucas accompanied Machamp in his own way from behind.
Both were battle dances, but Machamp's was indomitable, while Lucas's gave people a sense of being grounded and calm.
Lucas and Machamp were like a general and a warrior.
If Ninetales's Wukong Step was a dance that belonged to restraining aura, then Machamp's battle dance was a dance of unrestrained release; both had the goal of crushing the opponent.
"Incineroar, Ultra Limit Fireball!"
"Machamp, let's go."
The battle dance finished, and Lucas roared.
"Ultimate Invincible—"
"Big Tackle!!!"
Machamp transformed into an extraterrestrial meteorite, slamming fiercely toward Incineroar.
Facing the incoming massive fireball, Machamp crashed into it without fear.
Boom!
A massive mushroom cloud rose up, and was immediately suppressed by Gothitelle.
The smoke dispersed, and Incineroar lay in the crater, motionless.
Burnet: "———— One-shot?"
No matter what, Kukui had the strength to hold down the Alola region; was his trump card just one-shot by Lucas's Machamp like that?
Lucas looked at Machamp standing on the field and nodded with satisfaction.
"Our Machamp's main style is 'brute force overcomes all'; with this Ultimate Invincible Big Tackle, who can withstand an extraterrestrial meteorite?"
Lucas looked at Gothitelle in the air, and she understood his meaning, staring coldly at him.
What do you think?
Alright, there are still Pokémon that can block it.
Gothitelle Mom, the Breeding House's most solid backing.
Who could possibly refuse such an understanding Gothitelle Mom?
Anyway, Lucas couldn't.
***************************
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