"Mawile, I'm counting on you completely this time."
"Maw~" Mawile responded excitedly, feeling incredibly strong and vastly different from her previous self.
**Mawile (Shiny)**
Gender: Female
Type: Steel, Fairy
Ability: Sheer Force
Held Item: Mawilite
Potential: Elite
Level: 38 (Superior Peak)
Moves: Growl, Astonish, Baton Pass, Crunch, Iron Head, Taunt, Sucker Punch, Thunder Blaze, Ice Blaze, Fire Blaze, Psychic Fangs, Fairy Wind, Brick Break, Play Rough, Swords Dance, Protect
Not only were her Fairy-type abilities fully activated, but her move pool had also expanded significantly. Despite being Steel/Fairy, Mawile relies on moves from various types for damage.
This time, Ethan planned to re-enter Granite Cave to capture a powerful ally. With the Ever Grande Conference a year away, he needed at least six Pokémon, and to challenge a Gym, at least two.
At the cave entrance, Ethan encountered the man with the shady background again. "Uncle, long time no see."
"Is it… you, kid?" the man replied, surprised. He'd nearly forgotten Ethan, but Luxury Balls aren't common, so he remembered. "My name's A-Jay, but folks call me Brother Jay. You can too."
"Hello, Uncle Jay," Ethan replied, feeling an odd reluctance to associate with this so-called brother despite knowing it wasn't his real name.
"It seems you're confident this time. Treasure hunting or Pokémon catching?"
"Both, depending on what I find," Ethan said, entering the cave with his bag.
A-Jay watched him go, noting the kid's newfound confidence.
Deeper into Granite Cave, Ethan released Mawile. "Mawile, are there any powerful or unusual Pokémon here?"
Mawile thought a moment, nodded, and led the way. Pokémon with powerful parents often have good talent, and Ethan aimed to find such habitats.
Granite Cave's maze of tunnels could easily confuse even the most experienced, but Ethan had a "local Pokémon" guide.
After many turns, Mawile slipped into a narrow passage—likely a tunnel dug by Aron.
"I didn't expect to find Aron's traces," Ethan said, following her.
Crawling through, they emerged into a vast cavern, its walls embedded with stardust ore emitting a faint blue glow. These ores were rare, highly valued, and could sell for hundreds of thousands of Alliance currency.
Brown mushrooms grew in the cave, favored by Pokémon in the Monster Egg Group. This hidden gem was deep within Granite Cave.
"Maw~" Mawile called, and Ethan hurried towards her.
In the cavern, over a dozen Aron nibbled on mushrooms, alongside a few Lairon and one Aggron.
**Aggron**
Gender: Female
Type: Steel, Rock
Ability: Rock Head
Potential: Quasi-Elite
Level: 52 (Gym Mid-stage)
Moves: Metal Claw, Rock Tomb, Protect, Iron Head, Metal Sound
Recognizing the Gym-level Aggron, Ethan abandoned his first plan and opted for a gentle approach to capture.
"Hello, Aggron, I'm Ethan, a Trainer. May I capture an Aron?" Ethan asked, offering a large quantity of Steel-type Energy Cubes to the curious Aron.
Raised underground on a diet of ore and mushrooms, they eagerly gathered around the unfamiliar, delicious food Ethan provided.
"Roar!" Aggron looked at her offspring in disappointment. She'd moved them deep underground to avoid humans, yet they were easily swayed by a few Energy Cubes.
"Aggron, I know you want peace for your children, but don't you want them to have a better future?" Ethan reasoned. "Mawile achieved Elite-level in just over a month with my help, and I provide excellent nutrients."
Seeing Ethan's generosity with the Energy Cubes, Aggron didn't immediately drive him away. She sensed his genuine intentions but was reluctant to separate from her offspring. Politely, Aggron decided to refuse the young Trainer.
Aggron roared, and the Aron and Lairon formed a circle around Ethan.
"Is this a challenge? If I win, you'll let me catch an Aron, right?" Ethan asked. Aggron nodded, confident in her strength against an Elite-level Mawile.
"Alright, no backing out!" Ethan declared, as Mawile readied herself for her first real combat test with her new move.
Aggron was powerful but had clear weaknesses: her Steel/Rock typing was vulnerable to Fighting and Ground, and her speed wasn't great. With levels not too far apart, Aggron could be kited effectively.
Ethan feared a mass rush of Pokémon. Mawile's speed wasn't high, and she might not Protect herself. Otherwise, he wasn't afraid of a Gym-level Aggron.
Ethan pulled out the Key Stone necklace from his collar, resonating it with Mawile's Mega Stone.
"This is what I've been waiting for. Respond to my bond, Mawile!"
The Evolution Key Stone in Ethan's hand shone brilliantly, and Mawile's Mega Stone glowed with vibrant colors. Under Aggron's astonished gaze, Mawile's appearance transformed dramatically.
Her dark red upper jaw turned blood-red, two large mouths like twin pigtails sprouted behind her head, and her body's color scheme shifted to yellow and black.
Previously cute, Mega Mawile now exuded sheer ferocity and power. The two blood-red mouths seemed capable of shredding anything.
Mawile's aura now approached that of a Gym-level Aggron, setting the stage for an epic confrontation.