Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 45: Mega Charizard Y

Mr. Fuji’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected Rio’s answer to be "both."

Rio grinned. "I think kids have to choose—why can’t adults have both? Besides, right now, only Charizard and I are suited for these stones anyway."

Mr. Fuji raised his white eyebrows. He had to admit, Rio had a point. "But these two Mega Stones can’t be used simultaneously in a single battle—they consume a tremendous amount of a Pokémon’s stamina," he cautioned, still feeling uneasy.

"Then I won’t use them both in the same fight—I’ll choose based on the opponent," Rio shrugged. In the few seconds since speaking, he’d already figured out how to use them: one Mega Stone attached to Charizard’s neck, the other tied to its tail. Whichever evolution he wanted, he’d activate the corresponding stone.

Mr. Fuji paused again. That... actually makes a lot of sense. "Are you sure you’ve never heard of these before?" he finally asked suspiciously.

"Not at all—you’re overthinking it, Grandpa," Rio waved his hands quickly. "I’m going to have Charizard try out this new evolution right now."

With that, he swiftly took both Mega Stones and left. Mr. Fuji’s mouth hung open for a moment, unable to form a response.

Soon, Rio carried the two boxes containing the Mega Stones out to the Pokémon House garden. Charizard was currently like a celebrity, surrounded by volunteers and other Pokémon taking photos and marveling at it.

"Everyone, step aside—and keep your distance. I’m about to unlock a deeper power within Charizard," Rio said with a smile, motioning for them to move back.

Once they’d cleared some space, he took out the red Mega Stone.

"Charizard, hold this stone." He handed the Y Mega Stone to a bewildered Charizard.

"Roaar~" Charizard let out a low cry, as if asking what this was for.

"Don’t ask—you’ll see in a moment," Rio smiled.

Charizard nodded, curiously examining the warm red stone. Rio put away the X Mega Stone box and took out the Key Stone from the Y box.

"Charizard, look into my eyes."

"Roaar~" Hearing Rio’s suddenly serious tone, Charizard straightened up and locked eyes with him.

And in that moment of eye contact, a flood of memories involuntarily surged through Charizard’s mind—a recollection of its journey from despair to rising again.

First, being abandoned by its former trainer at the underground arena because of unpaid gambling debts. Then, suffering repeated beatings in the arena for losing battles. Then, the Pokémon Police arriving and sending it to the Pokémon House. Being fought over by many volunteers at first, then eventually becoming unwanted—treated like a hot potato that everyone wanted to avoid.

Until one day, a young man appeared at the Pokémon House. He chose it at first sight, ignoring others’ advice and insisting on taking over its care. He worried constantly about its condition, fearing it might starve, and kept urging it to eat. He even fought Munchlax—who was practically a starving ghost—just to ensure it got a proper meal. In the end, he ended up in a wheelchair. Yet he still cared for it with unwavering attention. After Munchlax beat it up, he was the first to comfort and encourage it—telling it that it wasn’t a failure, but a super genius among Pokémon, one in a million among Charmanders, merely lacking the right training.

It believed him. Under his guidance, it discovered that it truly was powerful—worthy of being called a genius. It learned moves faster than other Pokémon, won every battle without exception, and today, it had reached its final form, gaining the ability to soar through the skies.

And all of that had happened in just 68 days of training.

He had said he wanted to stand at the peak of the Pokémon world together. To be honest, that hadn’t been its wish before. But now—it was.

The flashback ended. Charizard saw the Key Stone in Rio’s hand suddenly burst into a dazzling rainbow light, and heard him shout: "Charizard, unleash your deeper power!" Its blood surged, and an inexplicable resonance connected it to the stone in its arms.

"Roaar~" It couldn’t help but roar to the sky.

The next second, the light of Mega Evolution enveloped Charizard’s entire body. Under the awestruck gazes of everyone around, Charizard’s form began to change again within the evolution light.

"What is Rio doing?! How is Charizard evolving again—hasn’t it already reached its final form?!" Cynthia looked as if she’d seen a ghost.

"Was this kid really seeing these stones for the first time?" Mr. Fuji, who had come out of his office, muttered as he watched Rio’s practiced movements.

A few seconds later, Charizard’s Mega Evolution completed.

After Mega Evolution, although its skin remained black, a third horn had grown from its crown, joining the two it already had. Its wings, limbs, and tail had all lengthened noticeably, small wings had sprouted on its wrists, and the flame on its tail burned more fiercely than ever.

"Roaar~" It roared, unleashing a jet of flame far more intense and blazing than anything before—a declaration of its newfound power.

At the same time, as a result of its evolution, the setting sun suddenly blazed with renewed intensity. The entire town of Lavender was baffled by the sudden brightening of the sky.

Rio, however, was thrilled by the sunlight. He stared at Charizard’s post-Mega Evolution stats, which had updated before his eyes.