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i
Learning under Professor Sycamore was a truly enlightening experience for anyone who took up the calling.
It was fraught, sure, and dangerous. The Professor has always preferred hands-on learning, even within the comforts of the lab, and that meant a horde of Pokémon lurking within every corner. Whether they were wild or not were irrelevant— in many cases, it was near impossible to tell. But such was the nature of discovery.
And Alain loved it.
Wandering down the hallway, he tugged at the lab coat that he was wearing, loaned by the Pokémon Labatory itself. A new week, the same place. The weekends were entirely too short with the enjoyable pastime of engaging with the Pokémon instead of endless work with the usual nine to five schedule, and yet that’s how life went— with fervour, with explosiveness, with liveliness and joy. Just like any other day. Cosette walked by and gave him a wink, holding in her arms one of the precocious Starters that Kalos was known for, and Alain gave her a small smile as he rubbed the head of the struggling Froakie within her grip. “Same one?” he said, voice low, and she laughed in response.
“How could you tell?” She winced as she moved her head away from the rising Frubbles, hugging the squirming Pokémon even closer to her chest. “C’mon, Froakie, you know that I’m just doing what’s best for you.”
“Kie, kie!”
Alain observed the proceedings, confusion clouding his judgement. He reached a hand out and the frog turned to him, yellow eyes bright, and spat out a couple of bubbles to ward him off. Embarrassingly he backed away, and Cosette looked up at him with an apologetic expression. “Ah, sorry about the mess. He’s just really fussy today. The other Pokémon should be fine though, so feel free to move on from here and forget that this… ever… happened!” She pulled the Froakie up before it could slip away from her grip, and the younger researcher gave her a nod before walking off once more.
…Apart from minor issues such as that, the laboratory was an amazing place. And walking between its four walls, watching the light shine through the tall windows and illuminate the illustrious halls, had only inspired Alain to do more. Be more. Be worthy of this place and everything it represents.
Opening the door to the right, he found the food cart already loaded for him. Sighing, Alain took it and wheeled it forward, moving inside the glasshouse portion of the building and gently swatting away an overeager Combee. “Just wait, I’ll give it out soon enough.”
It was his day for feeding duty, which meant what it usually did. Give the Pokémon their food and some supplements, check on them to see if they’re doing okay, and go through a quick overview of the landscape to ensure that the grass as well as water levels were okay. It was better than some of the other duties, such as bidaily clean-up, but he would rather do the weekly check-ups where they studied the Pokémon and collect data on any changes that they’ve experienced.
Alain let out a small exhale as he set down the last bowl nearby, watching the Helioptile hesitantly take up one of the pellets. A small bump touched the back of his leg and he turned around, finding out it was exactly who he expected. “Hello there, little one. Back for more?”
“Manderrrrr.” The Charmander chirped softly as she leaned in his grip, pawing at the air as he gently scratched her head. She suddenly moved away from him a few moments later to chatter loudly towards the Helioptile, who squeaked before lowering his frills and allowing the curious Marill to share the bowl alongside them.
He watched all of this with interest, sitting down next to Charmander as soon as she walked back to him. “You’re too nice, you know that?”
The small Fire-Type looked up at him questioningly, her tail-flame burning bright. “Char?”
Alain sighed, but there was no ire in it. Sometimes, this is how he spent his time. In the glasshouse, watching the world go by, letting thoughts come and go. “Never mind.”
Some time passes. Maybe it was a few minutes. It probably was. He still felt like every second was a blissful century, stretching out forever in this heavenly place.
“Hey! The Professor wants you!”
“I’m coming.” Standing up, he stretched himself out and brushed his lab coat once over before turning to Charmander. “I’ll be back soon, alright? Keep the peace for me.” The Pokémon nodded resolutely before running forward, waving her tail about as she hunted for her usual resting spot (a nice hill with a good vantage point). Cracking a small smile, Alain then walked out of the glasshouse and followed behind one of his colleagues, or rather another higher up. Sophie had that charming quality of being a lot kinder to him than most of the others, probably due to his 'sopping wet Furret behaviour' (Cosette's words) and 'resting Houndour face' (words whispered by the research assistants while they thought that he couldn't hear). It was nice, but also served as much of a reminder of how different he was.
He wasn't sociable. He wasn't gifted. He was no prodigy or saint, his body and mind were already weary, and he didn't have much in the department of looks or charm. Swallowing back that inferiority complex, Alain allowed himself to get led to the main room on Floor 3, giving a small wave to Sophie who responded with a smile before walking off with her own duties in mind.
Gently opening the door, he found the Professor sitting by one of the chairs hutched over the small screen in front of him. Just as quickly he heard, “Good morning, Alain; it's nice to see you on this fair day. So, how was feeding duty?”
“Good morning. The usual.” Alain looked around the room, noting the big screen showing pictures of an ancient ruin wall marked with symbols. “Did you call me for something?”
The Professor nodded, swinging out of his chair around to stand by him. “Yes, I wanted to ask if you’re willing to take on the cleaning duty for the next few days.” He quickly put his hand out to pause him, adding, “I know that it’s not desirable, but we’re short on hands and we can’t leave the Pokémon as they are, especially with Pokérus on the rise lately. Cleanliness is the first step to any disease prevention, after all.”
The young researcher pondered over the issue, his eyes still catching onto the picture displayed behind the Professor. The latter caught the former’s interested gaze and hummed as he realised the source of it, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Well, I suppose this could be a good incentive than anything else.”
“Incentive?” Alain looked up at the Professor, who gave him a proud grin.
“I’ve seen the look on your face. This, mon ami, is one of the earliest depictions of Mega Evolution. A mystery that I’m still trying to solve even after all this time.” Stepping away to stand closer to the screen, the Professor threw his hands out with a spellbinding grin. “It’s quite a marvellous phenomena, all things considered. Two stones, one for a Trainer and another for the Pokémon, resonating to unleash power within the Pokémon itself. The way it mimics Evolution is only undercut by the fact that it’s completely reversible. Can you imagine that’s all I know, after all this time?” He slumped over the back of the chair he once sat on, exhaling noisly as he did so.
Alain’s mind was still zooming though— with possibilities, with reality, with ideas and questions. Stepping forward himself, he asked, “This isn’t a new change?”
The Professor looked over at him and laughed, shaking his head. “Oh, non, not at all! This thing, this transformation, it’s been used by the people of Kalos for quite many years! Hundred and thousands, I would say. Although it’s recently gathered more interest with our current Champion utalising such power with her Ace, causing more people beyond the old families to become aware that Mega Evolution exists. And no matter where I go, I can’t avoid the topic. Alas, I’m doomed to be haunted by too many interesting subjects to pursue.” He then gave a quick glance at Alain and pursed his lips. “Although I have a feeling you’re going to ask me something else.”
That’s the Professor alright— melodramatic to a fault, but also keen-eyed and familiar with the people he knew. Swallowing, Alain leaned forwards and chewed over his words. Two stones. Rising interest. More power.
The Professor was gracious enough to let him stay here, even though he never did much. A shared love for Pokémon did bridge a lot between him and the other researchers, but he never truly had a topic to delve into. The Fairy-Type debacle was being neatly tied up by a pair of research assistants, and the subject of change within Pokémon was being monitored by the senior researchers such as Cosette. Alain was helpful, cared for the Pokémon, organised notes and checked them over, but he didn’t have a niche. He didn’t have something to offer as himself. The only thing he’s ever done of his own accord is save wild Pokémon in the city, and that’s what any kind of person could do. All he wanted was…
Noting the glint in his eyes, the Professor shook a hand out. “Maybe don’t answer me just yet. Let us finish your work first before all else.”
“Finish my work?” he echoed, subconciously following the Professor out with the memory of that ancient wall in his head (a stylised carving of a man and a Lucario, holding up two small circles of light).
The Professor smiled at him, rubbing his chin. “Oh dear, I didn’t think you’d forget so easily. I did have that errand for you to consider after all.”
Alain’s face reddened, and he walked forward quicker to match his superior’s pace. “I’ll do it!” he swiftly said, teeth clacking with the speed in which he spat out those words.
But the thought still remained. Of a mystery, of twin stones, of a connection glowing brightly between people and Pokémon, manifesting as strength.
(“It only happens in battle, or so I’ve seen,” The Professor said, meandering around with a light lilt to his voice. Alain could listen to it all day. He has done that before, just sit down and absorb information, even at the cost of his comfort or daylight, even at the amused chuckles of others.
“Maybe… its power is too great to handle anytime else,” he hesitantly replied, and that’s how their conversations started to flow, unbiddened and unrestrained.
“Maybe. It does bring the question of how only humans can bring out this power.”
“Does the human give their own?”
“To my knowledge, it seems to be purely from the Pokémon. All people do is unlock this potential, so to speak.”
“So this can’t arise from Pokémon-Pokémon relationships, can it?”
“As far as we know, that’s not the case.”)
Questions, leading down and down, twisting in his mind, tangling his thoughts. It was no wonder when Alain finally asked his real query eventually, holding Charmander by his side while holding that bright shine within in his eyes.
“Can we go on a journey? I’ll collect stones and bring it back to you, and maybe we can achieve this Mega Evolution on our own!”
Professor Sycamore loved learning about the world, and so did Alain. So this course was natural, the journey obvious in hindsight. After all, wasn’t the best way to learn something is by taking on a hands-on approach?
ii
Passion was a trait that Professor Sycamore had in spades: emotion, fashion, theatre, food. It was something that was amplified when it came to research, to encounter new experiences that can change the field of science for good, to tackle new information with resources and connections, and to connect deeply with whatever topic he was pursuing with everything that he’s got.
That’s the type of energy that Alain endevoured to keep in mind as he hung up his labcoat and donned his casual wear, walking outside of Lumiose with Charmander by his side. He had little to go off on, beyond the fact that ancient ruins may house the stones he seeked at that some old families around Kalos (and the Champion of said region) used such a strategy, but they were small problems on the road to mastership. No matter what, he was going to find Mega Evolution from wherever it hid and bring it back to the lab, a veritable example of such a phenomena, and prove his worth.
Because Alain yearned to be useful, to be worthy, to make the lab proud of him just as he was proud of it. To make everything worth it, in the end. To shed light on a mystery spanning thousands of years. To see the Professor smile, just like that one fateful day.
“Apparently there are a plethora of special rock formations found in Geosenge. Do you think that’s anything important?” Alain turned to Charmander, who was nibbling on her snack for the day. The Pokémon snuffled happily as she swallowed, choking the meal back before giving him a toothy grin.
He sighed before repeating himself. The Fire Starter gnawed on her lower lip before popping back the skin with a low whine, giving him those pleading eyes. Alain scratched her head at her bequest, thinking about how spoiled his partner Pokémon is becoming. “In any case, it’s still good to look around. The fact that Kalos is the only reported region to have Mega Evolution present has to mean something around here.”
Pack up, stand up, leave. They’ve started a routine for themselves for days like this— for when to eat, to take a break, to sleep. Everything had to be planned so that they could prepare for the discovery of a lifetime. If it was within his power, Alain would make sure that it was ready, just like they were.
…He needed to get new clothes at some point. His were the raggy threadbare orange jacket over a yellow button-up, blue jeans having ‘lived past its expiration date and were on the verge of release’, according to the Professor. Of course he would worry about the state of Alain’s clothing, but the actual owner of such wear didn’t really think much of it at that time. It would be a mission to get two special stones before returning back. It wasn’t supposed to be too long.
Although now that he was squinting against the fourth zenith of the sun, he could probably see why such worries would arise, beyond that superficial layer at the very least.
“…Let’s pick up the pace, Charmander.”
Passion meant scouring through the far reaches of Kalos. Passion meant searching above and below ground for any hints of a mystical shine. Passion meant standing strong even as his body was about to waver, his mind too, staring at his scratched up fingertips as his search brought up nothing by old dirt and pain once more with nothing useful to show for it.
Mega Evolution had to mean something. Had to be something, a tangible effect, upon the nation. Alain had watched videos of the Champion as she took on an exhibition match, a shaky spectator recording the glow and transformation of a tiny speck on the ground, the change so powerful even from that height and distance. This phenomenon… it had the power to change the world. To change power structures, to change the relationships between people and Pokémon, to change the very earth itself.
And that meant that Alain had to get it, at any cost.
Arriving at his next destination, he found another empty ruin, another picked clean arena, another trashed altar.
Alain gritted his teeth as walked forward, head held high and footsteps strong as he recalled Charmander back, not wanting to subject her to his emotions. His passion. His failure. Something that was inevitably his, no matter how much he had tried to shuck himself free of its oppressive weight.
Brushing his fingers across the cracked stone, he recalled the twin circles of light from that original source he once found on the third floor’s large central screen. Back in the lab the temperatures were always moderate, although they could never truly combat summer, and everything was controlled. Was simple. A schedule, a timesheet, results easily taken in and recorded for analysis. The wilds were anything but, and while it was freeing, it was also haunting.
So much land to cover, so little time. So much responsibility, no matter where he went. He pulled himself away from the ruins, focusing all that twisted energy into a ball and burying it deep down.
It’s just one setback. He can’t let it get to him. The next place, because there will be a next, will give him the answers he needed.
And then all of that energy, that effort, that love, will be realised at last.
iii
Whenever the Professor was faced with a puzzling issue, he would always prepare for multiple attempts and stick to his resolve. It was a mark of a researcher to stay on the path no matter how difficult it may be, no matter how little information that path may yield or the limited resources by one’s side. To break new ground was a thrilling experience worth it all, and for Professor Sycamore, who had already delved into so many topics— discovering a new Type, researching change in Pokémon and humans through their relationships with the world around them, and figuring out Mega Evolution?
This was the one thing keeping Alain going at all costs. He could not let the Professor down. He has made a choice, and he’ll stick with it. Home was only an option when he had something to show for it.
He looked down at Charmander, who was desperately trying to take enough steps to not get left behind. Slowing down his own pace, he gave the Pokémon a small smile; she may have been old for a Starter, but she was still young and full of fierce determination. The more they travelled the more he could see how much they must’ve clicked, and even that thought brought the Professor in his mind because he was the one who agreed for them to set out together. “Don’t wear yourself too soon, Charmander. We’re nowhere close to the site yet.”
The Pokémon threw a harsh glare at her Trainer, running even faster and overtaking him. “Char, char, mander-char!” she hissed once she deemed herself far enough to make a point, looking back at him with a smirk, and he shook his head.
“This isn’t a race,” he called out, but he let his pace grow quicker as well. Who was he to tell his Pokémon to not take fun while they can? Especially after already finding two new and different locations that resembled the pictures that they have studied so quickly after their first failure. When they manage to find the stones within it and perhaps even achieve Mega Evolution on their own, then that will be the crowning achievement of their journey for sure, something worthy to feel proud about.
But for now, enthusiasm was fine. It was a fine fuel for travel, as it were, and in the vast wilds that they were trekking through, fuel was just as much a necessity as travelled distance. As of now they were currently nearing the nearest site containing stones that shimmered in the light, a place where many Pidgeot were sighted. A good enough clue considering what they knew, which wasn’t much, and something that Alain would have to take with both hands. “Don’t tire yourself just yet, Charmander. There’s still some distance left.”
The Fire-Type waved him off, tail swirling in the afternoon light as they made their way forward. Passion was good. Passion is what drove them forward, even through rain, through heat, through forests and little food. Even though the Professor had told them that it was fine to come back if they needed to, Alain wouldn’t take it. This was a job that needed to be done, and he will fulfill it with everything that he’s got.
Of course, that meant being a little stingy with details. Questions about their wellbeing were redirected to Chamander's growth, and queries based on worry were quickly shut down with short and clipped answers. And, look, Alain didn’t mean to sound rude or abrupt, but every day that they were in the road was another day that they could be missing out on vital information. Missing out on the stones that they needed. On the results so crucial to their entire journey.
And he won’t stand for that.
What matters is the results, always.
So Alain will give facts, talk about their search efforts, chat about the Pokémon. But his mind will always be on the path that they’re on, the road to success, and he wouldn’t give up until he had something to show for it all.
Charmander suddenly stopped, lowly growling as Alain let his feet stop by her side. In front of them were two people, dressed in dusty clothes and smiling at him, teeth pearly white despite the dirtiness surrounding them. Two women. One of them stepped forward, nodding towards him before holding up one hand and saying, “Looking for this?”
His eyes lasered in on the object in her grasp. A large chunk of orange crystal, with a small swirl of yellow, red and grey within. Somehow, Alain knew what they had. “A Mega Stone…”
The second woman beamed at him, clapping her hands. “Wow, looks like you do know what you’re looking for. If you ever cared to know, this is a Pidgeotite; not that you’d get any use for it.”
“I will.” The name suggested that only a Pidgeot could make use of the stone. Still, research was research, and the lab would take anything. So would Alain. Squaring himself up, he asked, “Is there anything I can do to get that?”
“Hmm…” Woman 2 looked over to Woman 1, who rolled her shoulders and handed off the precious commodity to the former. Standing forward, she pulled out a Pokeball and gave him a forceful stare. “Battle us.”
He battled them.
He lost.
He watched as Charmander shivered against the ground, light frost covering some of its extremities as her tail-flame flickered briefly. The Weavile smirked at them before being recalled back, the Trainer regarding him with an aloof look. “You have to become stronger if you’re ever going to get anything,” the other woman said, and Alain felt his hands ball into fists by his side.
He had to keep trying.
(He battled, he lost. The man in front of him returned the Shiftry, his lip curling in distaste as Alain reached for Charmander, scratched up and peeking through one eye. In his bag glimmered a stone with hues of purples and reds.
“You have to become stronger if you’re ever going to show your worth.”)
He couldn’t give up.
(He battled, he failed. The Bisharp screeched after jumping away from that final blow, Charmander struggling to stay on her feet after barely enduring that attack, the multicoloured stone so close yet too far, incredibly so.
Again. Not again. Those words echoing in the void, in his head, worming deeper and deeper. “You have to be—”)
He had to. There was no other choice.
iv
To truly persevere one had to keep moving on, even when it hurt. It was a necessary part of growing up, of being strong, of showing self-worth and growth, and it’s something that Alain would have to do if he was going to get anywhere useful. After all, even Sycamore himself never knew how to leave well enough alone. It was one of those traits that everyone sighed at— he would no sooner endure Pokémon attacks than leave one of them out to the cold. Would rather wrap his hand with bandages and suffer through infection than leave a weary Gible alone. Would rather keep calling his travelling ward even at the most inconvenient of times just to see them, as he said, just to make sure that they’re alright.
So it was no wonder that through the remembrance of those familiar incidents gave Alain the courage to brave through the Kalosian wilds to search for the rarest of stones, even with only one Pokémon at his side, even after all the failures that they’ve already endured.
Charmeleon growled as they walked out of that Pokémon Centre, looking put out. Alain stuffed his hands in his pocket, ruminating over the empty dais and barren results, the battles and the losses, experience that has made them stronger but not strong enough. They’ve managed to win some battles, but even then, by the time that they’ve finally reached their location, there was nothing left.
Nothing there, nothing to show for. Effort meant nothing if there was emptiness in his pack— no stone, for the Pokémon or for the Trainer. And Alain tried to hold himself together through that call, tried to be strong, but he feared that the Professor could already pick up on his weakness (and maybe realise that this was a lost venture, that this wasn’t worth it, that he wasn’t worth it).
“Charrrr.” Alain turned to his partner Pokémon, who narrowed her eyes at him. Her tail-flame was burning ferociously, a sign of her dedication and hunger to win, and he couldn’t blame her. If battling was what it took to cement their place, well, that’s what they’ll do. Anything and everything for the search for Mega Evolution.
He gave her a short nod, walking quickly. “It’s a good thing the next site is close. Be prepared.” Charmeleon barked once before focusing on the road ahead, her body posture rippling with power and single-minded concentration.
He was preparing himself as well. The site was close, but that held just as many dangers as those that were more remote. Accessibility bred more challengers, more opportunities for others to take it before him, more stronger opponents nearby and lurking for the chance to prove their superiority and claim the area. While Alain had no interest in the ruins beyond the artifacts that they held, it was rumored that places which housed the special stones were flooded with power in and of themselves, the perfect training ground for those with the right Pokémon and the right materials.
A stage that he held no advantage in, only losses as far as the eye can see. As the packed dirt path beneath them gave way to crumbling stone, Alain threw a hand up to pause Charmeleon’s movements. They were close. So close, yet so far…
Biting his lip, Alain slowly made his way across. At some point someone came in front of them, raving about the sanctity of a place— They beat her Beedril, Charmeleon's golden stream of fire enough to knock it out in one shot. The pair kept moving, leaving the woman behind and beating the next person too, their Whirlipede dealt with after a short struggle of speed and power.
They were so close. There was the platform, and this one seemed to need some sort of activation in order to reveal its treasure. He’s seen the mechanism enough times to know how it works— following the lines, the circles, the twirling tendrils that seem to emit light upon meeting, before pressing the button in the middle. Too slow, and it would lock up. Too fast, and it would crumble. But no matter what it would inevitably showcase what it had inside, either through meticulous lock-picking or a ruthless Slash attack.
Eventually it opened up, revealing a block of gold which had a faint swirl of yellow and red inset within, the light from the sky causing the crystal around it to echo with gold. Alain’s eyes glittered with that light, with that dawning feeling of accomplishment, worn down and almost withered into nothingness. He did it. He finally did it. His voice bubbled up, delirious with joy he didn’t even think he had within him and he turned to—
“Hello, young man. Care for a battle?”
Alain didn’t even care back then. He thought he was on the top of the world, having finally gotten something of note, having finally completed something of his quest. And having more ease, greater ease in fact, with beating opponents after all that time, well, he was riding on the high of being right for once.
He didn’t know. Hindsight meant nothing without humility, without caring, without a second chance to do it all again. And Alain only had now, this moment, this chance to stay in the battle and the discovery, so, too, warm.
“Charmeleon, let’s go!”
“Pyroar, use Dark Pulse!”
His knees hit the ground as he pulled Charmeleon closer to himself, his ears still ringing with the force of that final Hyper Voice. Alain couldn’t move, couldn’t fight, couldn’t do anything but clutch his prize, the stone that he worked so hard to get.
The man in front of him didn’t budge. “Now, I’d like to get the Ampharosite without any further complications, so if you would please…” The Pyroar by his side snarled, baring fangs with the intent of causing further complications if needed.
And Alain just wanted to be left alone with something good for once. And once again everything was being torn away from him, and it was just like every other loss— so utterly defeating, encompassing, rotten and broken. Charmeleon groaned in his grasp, and he had a brief flash of clarity— that if he didn’t give it up, then Charmeleon would get hurt even more. And he couldn’t allow that. Not after everything that they’ve gone through together.
His heart twisting in his chest, Alain offered up the Ampharosite. The man easily grabbed it and observed the rock, checking its condition, before brushing it against his jacket. Alain was left empty-handed once more, fingers having touched his goal before being ripped away from it, and his next breath shuddered in his chest.
The man sends him a clouded look, still holding his reward in front of him. “You have to become the strongest. That is the only way you can make a change in this world.” He pulled out a small card, letting it flutter to a stop in front of Alain on the ground. “For when you’re ready to do anything to make your dreams become a reality.”
Alain never got to ask what he meant. The man just walked away, around the ruins, and disappeared.
The only thing that was left was his card.
Looking down, the young researcher stared at the battered form of his partner Pokémon, a sight that he hadn’t seen for the last few weeks. Completely and utterly destroyed. Without even landing a single hit, without being able to dodge a single attack. Even Fire-Type attacks did damage in a way that belied all known laws of nature, acting almost super-effective with the sheer force that it carried against them.
And Alain couldn’t do anything.
Expression equally as clouded, he picked up Charmeleon and walked off in search of that Pokémon Centre once more; no longer for a reunion, but for a brief reprieve.
So that they can get up again, try again, more and more. So that they can become stronger and finally get what they need. What everyone is counting on.
Because they have no choice. Because this was his lot in life.
(Despite the fact that this was his choice, all the way from the very beginning.)
v
Carrying out activities on your own was something that had to be done, sometimes. You can keep trying with others, over and over, pursuing a goal with single-minded determination, but in the end, it is alone where your strength truly shines.
That slip of paper burned a hole in Alain’s pocket as he continued forward, his breath burning hot, his face flushed with barely restrained emotion. His passion. His determination. His failures, as high and vast as the sky, blocking everything good from his view.
The Professor, still waiting on him. Waiting for the discovery that will never come.
Alain growled, stomping forward to the next site. There has to be another way, another place, another choice. He combed through every sign he could, visited every ancient ruin that could hold what he needed, and found blank, emptiness, zero, null.
His hands were coming up void. His thoughts too. All there was inside him was blinding rage and a deep pit in his gut, and he couldn’t face back to examine the cause, he couldn’t look down to untangle it— no, there was something for him out there and he had to chase it, no matter how much it stung. It was his duty. He couldn’t fail his duty.
Another battle, win or lose, he still found nothing. Another trek, close or far, and there was emptiness. Charmeleon frothed and spat through every trial, flames getting stronger, but it wasn’t enough.
They weren’t enough. No matter how hard they tried, the net result was zero.
And faced with no choice…
Lysandre Labs was a fortress of a building; tall, intimidating, and sleek, it was just as much business as it was innovation. Moving up the elevator Alain held in his breath, not allowing his mind on the amount of wealth and comfort these walls exuded. Some part of him may always yearn for what he used to know, a cozy labyrinth filled with Pokémon cries and the smell of coffee, but this is now, and he couldn’t afford to think of the past.
Emptying his mind of all irrelevant thoughts, he then walked out to the topmost floor, towards the room that he was directed to. It was an open-spaced area, with one section lower than the rest, presumably a meeting place with how it was rounded and contained seats. The ground he was treading held many pedestals with antiques stored within— a suit of armour, a rock carved with sigils. Power radiating just as much as fortune.
“Hello and welcome. I’m glad to see you once more.”
Alain looked up to see the man from before walking from the opposite door— the man with the fiery hair. In this environment, the man’s black suit was holding a deep glow, the fur trimmings looking ethereal in the sunset bleeding through the wall-length windows. He seemed to be much more business-like than before, where his clothes were more suited to travel, but Alain could still see that polished grace that he held, that readiness and fervour tucked away within the depths of his eyes. “Hello.” He then caught himself, belatedly adding, “And it’s an honour to meet you again as well, sir.”
“My name is Lysandre, and the honour is all mine.” The man raked his gaze over him, giving a small nod afterwards. “I don’t believe I’ve caught your name, though.”
“It’s Alain.”
Lysandre hummed thoughtfully at that, his hands folding behind his back as he turned to the window. Alain still faced him, trying to read his posture. However it was an impossible feat for a myriad of reasons— having been on the road for so long, always having difficulty reading anything but battles, research and Pokémon, the practiced closed-off state of the man in front of him. All Alain could grasp was the importance of who was before him, the belief releasing in steady waves from his form even with all that distance between them. After a minute, Lysandre finally asked, “So, have you thought about it?”
“I have.” Lysandre Labs was one of the biggest corporations in Kalos, always striving for greater heights… or so that’s what his research has given him. In truth, the only time Alain has heard of the name was through reading the manufacturer of some of the older equipment in the lab, through some charity events that were held nationwide on some odd year, wide overarching effects that he rarely had a mind to pay attention to. And the fact that the owner of such a corporation was interested in him… “But why?”
Lysandre shook his head. “Mega Evolution has existed for millenia, proving the strength of human and Pokémon spirits combined is greater than the sum of its parts. But people will fight for more power, and the whole world suffers for it. It’s deplorable.” He faced Alain with that raging fire in his eyes as he murmured, “For the small fraction of time that we’ve met, I think you may share the same need that I do. To research, to understand, to become greater than the rest. Isn’t that right?”
Alain’s hands clenched by his side, his heart doing the same inside its cage. His mouth dry, he said, “I… couldn’t do it.”
“I know.” Lysandre’s voice turned soothing as he faced the younger man, eyes crinkling with sympathy. It made Alain’s stomach lurch, although he couldn’t really say more than that. “A pity that desire alone cannot change anything. I wish it were that way as well.”
His mind whirring, Alain then decided to spit out the thought in his head that crept in as soon as he heard the word 'research'. “But— But if you want some research, the Professor can help! He hasn’t gotten a lot, but without him I—”
“No!” The word was quick and sharp, as forceful as the attacks he once launched against him, and Alain shut up immediately. Suddenly regaining decorum and restraint, Lysandre brushed the front of his vest as he eyed Alain and said, “This topic of research can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. It is dangerous as it is, a delicate topic full of devastation and hardship, as you have experienced but a fraction of yourself. History has proven this time and time again that information is one of the most deadliest weapons mankind can wield. Knowledge must be earnt and used correctly, or otherwise humanity will only worsen the state of the world and everyone in it.”
(Pokémon hurt and abandoned, the Professor turning away angry people, threats being tossed away with the morning newspaper. So many instances of danger. Of suffering. Based on reason, without reason.
Was it worth getting power without being able to truly wield it? Without being able to enforce rules to help others make wise decisions? Without the ability to protect the Professor, the lab, the people he loves, just as he is now, a young boy failing at getting a single stone on his own?)
“...” Alain stared at him, vision focused on what was ahead of him, and Lysandre gave him a small smile. “But still, your trust and honesty… You are one of Professor Sycamore’s pupils, are you not? For him to take you under his wing proves your potential, alongside your willingness to stick to your ideals by working so tirelessly without fault.” Pulling out a suitcase from next to him, he placed it on the table between the two of them. Holding his eye contact, the businessman crooned, “We must protect him, don’t you agree? And only the strongest can be worthy of the knowledge Mega Evolution holds, to control it and have it at their beck and call with the strength that it deserves.”
Opening the case after saying those words, Alain’s eyes widened with shock. For within it, right at his fingertips, was a…
“A Key Stone and a Charizardite. If you help me with my goals, I shall help you with yours.” Lysandre’s smile was pointed, direct, tight-lipped with the barest showing of teeth. His eyes were resting on the person in front of him, sharp, focused, narrowed on the quarry of his choice.
And Alain couldn’t refuse, could he? He could barely restrain himself, running over to grasp the table, unable to touch the case but instead fixing his gaze upon the two objects as if it would disappear right in front of him, a round orb shimmering with blues and blacks, next to a bracelet containing a small sphere glittering with a hundred different colours. “I-It’s real…”
“Of course it is.” Pulling his eyes upwards to face Lysandre, Alain could see the warmth radiating out of the man. No, not warmth— heat, as if he was the crackling firepit nearby personified, burning up all oxygen and sucking everyone in with his transient yet powerful aura. It was the opposite to the Professor’s lax style, with worldly issues paired with that permanent grin. But Alain wasn’t worth that grin now, wasn’t he? Too weak, too powerless, nothing to show for it. Unless…
He faced Lysandre with a straight posture, mouth line firm as he regarded the man’s next words. Lysandre's tone became more intimate, more personal, as he followed it with, “But you need to prove your value to keep it, of your own accord. You need to be strong to protect the ones you love so that they can continue doing the research they love without fear, without pain, just as I need to make the same go for everyone in Kalos. The world, even. So?” And his grin was great, legendary, dominant as he said, “Will you join me?”
Alain... took it. Because Lysandre was being too generous, and the price was something beneficial for all. Because this was the only way forward. Because this was for a short time, and it will always be worth it, and once he's done he'll come back home. He'll have proven his worth. He'll finally protect the ones he love, and that will retroactively solve any hurt that he may cause with his absence, with his presence too.
Because this was the right choice. Because this was the only one. Because Alain was weak, and this could make him strong. One day, some day. Today, even, if he got started early.
(Two hands shaking, one firm, one still limp with shock.)
(New clothes to hide the old shame, ready for travel, this time with a purpose.)
(A room, and a Holokit, and metal fashioned to hold the Charizardite. A bracelet for his Key Stone too. A deal above his head at all times, and back then? He wasn't worried. He will help in any way possible to finally stand tall on his own. And then...
He shook his head. He needs to focus on the now. What he has now, and what he stands to lose. What he'll never lose again.)
And so that's how one life ended and a new one began, as perfect as a contract can be.
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+ i
“Got yourself a new toy, didn’t you. Heard he used to be from Sycamore, a real nice lad until… well, I don’t really need to guess with you, do I? Not really beating the allegations around here, are you, pretty boy?”
Lysandre watched from above as Alain trained, wearing completely different clothes to when he first arrived and having his newly-evolved Charizard now through the obstacle course with little difficulty, calling out attacks to counter the targets strewn across the room. His fingers touched the glass as his breath fogged it up, making the arena look dimmer than it actually was. “His spirit is strong. It’s just what we need to move the plan forward.”
The voice behind him scoffed. “So you’re stooping to manipulation to reach your goal? And I thought you said that humanity was bad enough. That we had to enlighten others.” The glass fogged more as a head rested on his shoulder, chin digging deep. “That we need to make the world more beautiful, not make it worse.”
“Are you jealous of this upstart?” Turning to the speaker’s reflection, he gave her a deadpan look. “You of all people should know about strength in numbers. There is no use in pursuing our ideals if we don’t have the resources to make it happen.”
“And some sprout off the side of the road will cut it? You’re thinking too big, Lys. Too addled with delusions of grandeur.” Her back was turned to him once he finished his words, distance once again maintained, but he could still see that curled lip in his mind based on her words. Acidic, bleak, cutting. “He’s going to break. There’s no way he’ll survive.”
Through the dissipating fog, Lysandre could see Alain battling some of the grunts. So many times did that boy call for a battle. Too many times he failed, unable to truly get the edge. He once again regarded that flash of light, the curling lines that gave way to a new Evolution, a temporary yet powerful kind, and he found his interest peaking with every moment. That was new. “You’re thinking too small, yourself. Diamonds are formed under pressure, after all, and I do hate to see such zeal left to waste.” His eyes shined with the latest attack, an explosion of heat and fire even he could feel from up here, and he could feel the edge of his lips rise up. “It is an agreement, nothing more. He’s free to leave if he wants. Just ask.”
There was silence behind himself, and then some footsteps echoed, growing fainter. He heard the door latch open before the voice said, “You better hope that your plans work then, for all our sakes.”
The flames died down, and the victor was clear. Moving his hand away, Lysandre closed his eyes. “My dream will come true, I reassure you, and your loyalty will be repaid in full, his as well. I shall see to it myself.” The door clicked, and he was left alone.
Down below, Alain panted next to his Mega Charizard X, all opponents left on the ground scorched with the strength that their agreement had made into a reality.
This is the power of Mega Evolution.
This is about the deft twist of fate.
This is the story of a boy wanting to make his loved ones smile no matter the cost, and the path that he must take alone to fulfil the mission he has been given.
And this is the start of the makings of a beautiful world.