Hoenn Region, Mossdeep City.
Steven had returned from Rustboro City and was now undergoing intensive training at home for the next two weeks.
Before the "Aura Guardian" ceremony in Rota, Steven needed to be fully prepared.
He only hoped this time it would just be an ordinary ceremony.
Without too many unexpected complications.
After discussing the departure time with Wallace, they agreed that Wallace would come to Mossdeep City so they could leave together.
At the same time, Steven underwent a comprehensive physical examination at Mossdeep City's medical center, but the results showed absolutely no problems!
He was completely healthy!
"Phew..."
Steven removed his training weights, bent over, and leaned on his knees while panting heavily.
When you truly grow up...
Steven didn't understand if his father meant growth in strength or growth in maturity.
Since that was the case, then he would work on developing both.
"Peli~"
Suddenly, the cry of a Pelipper echoed across the sky.
Steven looked up and saw a Pelipper with a small green mail pouch circling above his head.
The Pelipper hesitated for a moment, then finally landed in front of Steven.
Wuwuwu~
This place has such strong Pokémon... it's so intimidating~
The Pelipper released a package from its beak, then immediately took flight again.
"Thank you!" Steven called out to the quickly departing Pelipper:
"You really are a very dedicated delivery Pokémon."
It was already flying toward its next delivery location.
Look at that—it was working so hard, flying at full speed despite the exhaustion.
Steven unwrapped the package to find a very elastic strap inside.
There was also an embedded slot in the middle of the strap.
Steven carefully placed the polished Mega Stone that Riley had given him into the embedded slot.
"Aggron!"
"Kao?"
Aggron walked with heavy steps toward Steven, curiously eyeing the strap in his trainer's hand.
Steven placed the Mega Stone band around the horn on Aggron's head.
"Let's try Mega Evolution, Aggron."
"Kao!"
Aggron nodded enthusiastically, took a few steps forward, and was ready to begin!
Seeing this development, the other Pokémon in the backyard gathered around to watch.
"Piplup! ヾ(≧▽≦*)o"
Good luck, best friend!
Steven took a deep breath and lightly touched the Key Stone embedded in the back of his glove.
He closed his eyes, carefully trying to sense Aggron's presence.
Having already experienced Mega Evolution with Metagross for the first time, Steven quickly recalled his precious memories with Aggron.
First, there was that time in Granite Cave when the little Aron kept guarding that Aggronite, constantly standing watch as if it had been assigned an important mission.
Then came Steven's worry when Aron evolved into Lairon.
And finally, there was Steven's joy when Lairon evolved into Aggron.
Although the time Steven had spent with Aggron wasn't as long as his time with Metagross, Aggron still held an incredibly important place in Steven's heart.
Every single one of Steven's Pokémon did.
They were his friends, and they were his family...
"Hmm?"
Steven concentrated for a long time, but he didn't receive any response or feedback from Aggron.
Opening his eyes, Steven saw Aggron staring at him with eager, expectant eyes.
Was their bond not strong enough yet? Or was this Mega Stone not actually Aggronite after all?
"Kao~"
Aggron pointed to its wide-open mouth meaningfully.
"Alright..." Steven smiled helplessly.
This felt like paying a toll to proceed.
He picked up his backpack from the ground, retrieved a piece of high-quality ore from inside, and tossed it into Aggron's mouth.
The ore made satisfying crunching sounds as Aggron chewed it.
"Let's try sensing the connection again, Aggron."
"Kao..."
Aggron responded with a muffled sound while still munching on the ore.
Steven repeated the previous steps once more.
This time, Steven clearly felt Aggron's presence and emotions.
They had successfully established a strong connection.
Steven, with his eyes still closed, chuckled in amusement.
It really did come down to the ore after all...
"Aggron——"
Steven composed himself, suddenly opened his eyes wide, and immediately shouted with determination:
"Mega Evolve!!!"
The Key Stone on the back of Steven's glove and the Mega Stone on Aggron's head simultaneously began emitting brilliant light.
The extended energy beams met in the air between them, connecting together perfectly!
Aggron's body became enveloped in a dazzling white light that was still blinding even in the bright afternoon sun!
Its physical form began to gradually transform!
The energy fluctuations radiating from Aggron stirred up a powerful wind that blew Steven's jacket backward, making it flap wildly in the breeze.
After the white light dispersed with a brilliant "bang" into countless particles of starlight, a colorful rainbow pattern appeared around Mega Aggron.
This indicated that the Mega Evolution had been successful.
Mega Aggron's forehead horn had become shorter and broader, a sharp blade-like horn had grown on its nose, and a downward-pointing spike now protruded from its lower jaw.
Its shoulder armor had lengthened and curved toward its head, the steel bands on its four limbs had significantly expanded, and the steel rings on its arms now had holes from which new metallic spikes extended outward.
Its tail had also become much thicker and was now reinforced with three silver steel rings.
"You seem to have gotten even taller, don't you?" Steven looked up at Mega Aggron and smiled proudly.
"Kao!" Mega Aggron nodded in agreement.
Master looks a little smaller from up here now!
Steven was momentarily stunned—he seemed to actually understand Aggron's general meaning this time.
Was it because he and Aggron were now deeply connected through Mega Evolution?
Moreover, Mega Aggron had also entered Champion-level combat strength.
Maintaining Aggron's Mega Evolution state felt much easier than maintaining Metagross's Mega state.
Mega Aggron looked absolutely amazing!
At least, that's what Steven thought with pride.
After experiencing this Mega Evolution and feeling the incredible power of Champion-level strength firsthand, Aggron would probably reach Champion-level on its own very soon.
That meant Skarmory's training regimen would probably need to be doubled yet again.
If it gets doubled one more time, Skarmory will become a complete training fanatic!
Skarmory's training intensity could already be said to have surpassed normal limits time and time again.
Whoosh!
Steven released the Mega Evolution state with Aggron, and this time he didn't feel particularly exhausted afterward.
Looking at the serious-faced Skarmory watching from the side, Steven knew exactly what Skarmory was thinking without even having to guess.
"Skarmory, next time I'll make sure you get your moment to shine." Steven smiled warmly at the Steel/Flying-type.
Previously, during the battle against Wallace, Skarmory's strength had been slightly insufficient, so it could only set up Stealth Rock for the team to chip away at the opponents' HP.
Then it had been knocked out by Milotic's powerful Surf attack in the rain.
"Skaar!" Skarmory nodded firmly, its expression extremely serious and determined.
Steven had a feeling that if Skarmory continued training at this pace, it would soon undergo its next molt and become even stronger.
However—
In Steven's heart, Skarmory's strategic value was absolutely second to none!
If any opponent really tried to give them trouble...
One layer of Stealth Rock, three layers of Spikes, and they would learn to behave quickly.
What? That's not enough punishment?
A well-timed Whirlwind would definitely make them cooperate.
Oh, the opponent's Pokémon flies and thinks it can avoid stepping on Spikes?
Just have Metagross use Gravity on the field, and they'll come right back down to earth.
Wait, the opponent has Magic Guard as their ability?!
Fine then, Metagross, just go attack it directly!
Steven refused to believe he couldn't handle any challenger!