Chapter 785: Picking Up the Key Stone

【You saw many stalls in Shixiang Town, prompting you to join in】

Stalls?

The precursor to the future stone market?

All All Baimu clearly remembered how the "juicer" pot from the chef's house was picked up from the stone market.

【Your fashion show and booth successfully attracted passersby, but sadly, very few were willing to pay】

Just looking, not paying.

True.

Most people coming to Shixiang Town are here for stones; clothing naturally falls outside their selection range.

All All Baimu watched the screen showing how few clothes had sold, and how the kimono girl and her group had exhausted themselves for little return, thinking mobile stalls only treat symptoms, not root causes.

Even treating symptoms is going poorly—clearly, selling traditional attire from other regions in the Kalos region is extremely difficult.

【You decide to pack up early and wander around with your friends】

After the narration popped up.

The scene shifted.

The kimono girl appeared on a street lined with stalls on both sides; the two boys were not beside her, likely wandering separately.

The camera now moved at a normal pace, unlike earlier when it sped up during visits to other cities.

What's about to happen?

All All Baimu silently watched as the kimono girl stopped before a stone stall.

【You noticed a mottled crystal; your instinct told you something was hidden inside】

Huh?

The narration popping up snapped him to attention.

Could it be…

The mystery remained unsolved.

The kimono girl bought the crystal and left, showing no intention to use the vendor's tools to smash it and reveal its contents.

All All Baimu was speechless, his leg trembling so violently he nearly woke the shiny Mewtwo dozing on his lap.

【You returned to the agreed meeting point and met your excited friends】

The two boys showed the kimono girl a stone that was green on the outside and yellow inside, like an egg.

【You learned this stone is called a Light Stone; research suggests Bulbasaur undergoes incredible changes upon encountering it】

Holy crap, a Light Stone!

Though deeply disappointed by the simulator's heavy-handed foreshadowing, seeing this still made him appreciate the two boys' perfect support.

Fixed talent "Beautiful Face" should've been "Childhood Friend" instead.

Even if "Childhood Friend" doesn't sound much like a talent.

Light shone brightly.

Bulbasaur gradually evolved.

【Your Bulbasaur evolved into Venusaur】

The small girl holding flowers became a noble Queen of Flowers.

Her power was now incomparably greater.

After evolution, it could draw strength from any nearby flowers, no longer limited to just the one it held in its hands.

Too bad.

In most cases, Venusaur's "battlefield" lacks enough flowers for it to absorb, unless fighting on home ground.

【You and your companions continued forward】

They really did plant a foreshadowing?

All All Baimu was deeply disappointed the crystal's secret remained unrevealed, but remembering Saffron City lay ahead, he allowed himself a flicker of anticipation.

In the scene, the three arrived at Route 11.

【To prepare for the upcoming fourth Gym, you began special training with your friends' help】

In the forest.

The kimono girl's four Fairy-type Pokémon, plus one additional Fairy-type, stood in a line.

As the only simulation with multiple travelers, the kimono girl didn't rely on wild Pokémon for training like other simulations.

The two boys' Pokémon partners served as her growth fuel, saving her countless detours; their enthusiasm and drive became her second blue talent: 【Nurturing Skill】.

All All Baimu unexpectedly thought of the Pokémon Adventures manga's Pearl and Diamond arc.

The female protagonist, Platinum, traveled with two male protagonists—Diamond and Pearl, constantly challenging Gyms.

Of course.

In that story, all three grew together; the kimono girl was a "secondary account" nurtured by two veteran players.

——

【You arrived in Saffron City】

The kimono girl and her group reached their destination.

Just entering the city.

The narration suddenly explained why the special training had been necessary.

【You learned from your friends that the Saffron Gym Leader possesses a mysterious power enabling Pokémon to evolve anytime, anywhere—it poses a great threat】

Clearly, the two boys had both suffered from Mega Evolution before.

Thus, despite Fairy-type's advantage over Fighting-type, special training was arranged specifically for the kimono girl.

【You challenged the Saffron Gym】

Saffron Gym Leader—

A younger version of Koko?

Though the golden-haired youth in the scene had no bald spot or those signature long eyebrows, given the Saffron Gym's family inheritance model, it could hardly be anyone else.

The Gym battle began.

The results of the training were on full display: Pancham barely broke a sweat, using 【Play Rough】 and 【Drain Kiss】 to defeat Koko's first two Pokémon.

This boosted the kimono girl's confidence.

Until Lucario appeared.

【You stared in shock as Lucario suddenly Mega Evolved, recalling your friends' warnings】

While most would be stunned by Mega Evolution, the kimono girl quickly calmed down and switched out Pancham.

【You sent out Key Stone, implementing the pre-planned strategy】

Experienced boys had prepared a contingency plan during training specifically for Koko's Wangpai Mega Lucario; if executed properly, victory was assured.

One of the kimono girl's greatest strengths was never letting her companions down.

She effortlessly bridged the gap between "knowing" and "doing"—a clear display of talent.

Using Key Stone's 【Prankster】 ability, she deployed Metal Sound, Taunt, and Thunder Wave to successfully weaken Mega Lucario.

Creating a stable output environment for Venusaur, who replaced it.

Ultimately, Mega Lucario fell to Venusaur's 【Moonblast】, as if a cannon had descended from the sky; Venusaur herself was barely standing.

【You defeated the Saffron Gym Leader and earned the Battle Badge】

A hard-fought battle.

The two dog-headed strategists were largely responsible; without them, the Saffron Gym would've taken two tries.

After receiving the badge, the kimono girl did not leave immediately; instead, she pulled the crystal from her pocket and showed it to Koko.

【You noticed the crystal grew warm during Lucario's evolution; you suspect it's connected to the recent evolution】

Here it comes! Here it comes!

All All Baimu perked up, watching as Koko's head sprouted an exclamation mark, clearly astonished.

Then—

Narration popped up.

【You heard Koko call the crystal a Key Stone, saying it contains the key to unlocking Mega Evolution】

Key Stone!

Seeing this, All All Baimu was stunned.

Key Stones are far rarer than Mega Stones.

The kimono girl actually picked one up at a stall—what insane luck!

Era factor?

He forced himself to find an excuse.

No wonder one reached the semifinals and the other the finals—they could've trained a champion, likely because the two boys lost due to lacking Mega Evolution.

Competing in the Kalos League was tough enough.

On-screen.

The kimono girl followed Koko into a tower crowned with a Mega Lucario statue.

【You followed the Gym Leader to the Refining Tower, where he explained the history and secrets of Mega Evolution】

The kimono girl was amazed by everything before her; more importantly, she realized she was about to enter a realm her friends had never reached.

And this could help her fulfill her wish.

【You hear him say: "You, who coincidentally obtained the Key Stone, may become the Legacy Bearer."】

What is a Legacy Bearer?

A Trainer who masters Mega Evolution is a Legacy Bearer.

【You eagerly and humbly ask the Gym Leader what you should do.】

"Are we entering Corun's storyline?"

All All Baimu eagerly speculated about the kimono girl's sixth Pokémon—Mawile? Sableye? Or the dragon traitor, Latios?

But CocoBul gave the kimono girl a sketchbook.

The narrator explained that the sketchbook contained all known Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, as recorded by past predecessors of the Sora Gym.

【You hear him say: "Bring one of them to me, and I'll give you the corresponding Mega Stone."】

No way!

They're just giving away Mega Stones?

All All Baimu knew CocoBul owned a family heirloom Mega Island, covered entirely in all kinds of Mega Stones—but was it really that generous to hand one out so freely?

Probably 【Flower Bloom】 is active…

Could CocoBul be 【Love Blossom】's target?

Is a fourth person joining the trio!?

Love at first sight?

He studied CocoBul in the simulation screen, knowing that pixel characters' emotions were often displayed via thought bubbles above their heads.

If CocoBul had fallen for the kimono girl, his head would surely be floating hearts—

Nothing.

Even after the kimono girl left the Refinement Tower, CocoBul's head never showed any strange expression.

This result made All All Baimu cover his face.

He's insane.

Is he really watching a dating sim?

He rubbed his face to calm down. In the simulation, the kimono girl also informed the two boys of the situation.

Both boys were naturally delighted by the kimono girl's luck.

【You begin discussing which Pokémon from the sketchbook to catch.】

There are only two Fairy-type options total; if CocoBul's sketchbook doesn't include the Pokémon added later via Gem Reprints, the choices shrink further.

If All All Baimu were choosing—

He carefully scanned the surroundings, confirmed Mawile definitely hadn't followed, then boldly chose Sableye in his mind.

After all, he'd always included one in his team when playing games.

But.

【You chose Mawile.】

All All Baimu: "..."

You're making me look heartless.

He watched the trio in the simulation preparing to search for Mawile, feeling utterly exasperated.

The narrator revealed the trio's choice of Mawile was carefully considered.

First, Mawile doesn't require the long evolution chain like Sableye—from Ralts—and can Mega Evolve immediately. Second, Boy A had previously spotted flocks of Mawile near the Shining Cave.

Much easier to catch than Ralts, which had vanished without a trace.

Of course, there was another crucial reason—

【You prefer smaller Pokémon.】

"Hmm..."

All All Baimu recalled the kimono girl's Fairy-type Pokémon—all of them small, including Florges.

These Pokémon appear proportionally like 1.8 to 2-meter creatures, but in reality, like Lucario, they're all short—typically only 1.1 to 1.2 meters tall.

【You decide to set up a stall before returning.】

The kimono girl hadn't forgotten her true purpose for leaving home; she pulled her two friends into a fashion show.

After visiting so many towns and staging so many runway shows, Boy A and Boy B had progressed from initial embarrassment, to indifference, to outright enjoyment.

All All Baimu even saw smiley face emojis above their heads—

'(￣▽￣)~*'

Unbelievable.

Previously, they'd always shown—'ヽ(ー_ー)ノ' or '(；′⌒`)', sometimes just sweat drops.

The power of habit is terrifying.

This stall's success mirrored past ones after Gym battles—like a reward payout, selling large quantities of kimono outfits.

【You nearly forgot your cold reception in Shixiang Town.】

The screen accelerated.

Since the return journey wasn't the simulation's focus, the kimono girl and her companions quickly returned to Yaoxiang City and headed straight for the Shining Cave.

Catching the wild Mawile was effortless: Key Stone appeared, Fairy Lock activated to prevent escape, and it was captured in a flash.

【You caught Mawile. A new kimono design was unlocked.】

Six Pokémon assembled.

Following her friends' advice, the kimono girl abandoned further captures and decided to focus solely on this six-Pokémon team for the League Conference.

The screen shifted.

The kimono girl met CocoBul at the Refinement Tower.

【You received the Mawile Mega Stone and the Mega Hairpin.】

The Mega Hairpin came from the kimono girl's crystal; CocoBul extracted it from the crystal, and she embedded the Key Stone into the hairpin.

The hairpin was naturally meant to match the kimono as an accessory.

After thanking CocoBul, the kimono girl and her companions continued their journey.

Along the way.

【You begin attempting Mega Evolution.】

But Mega Evolution isn't so easy. The newly caught Mawile had no bond with her whatsoever—no conditions for Mega Evolution existed.

They walked and experimented all the way through Route 12.

【You arrived at Wing City.】

Wing City.

A resort and port city.

It hosted many travelers from other regions.

【You noticed many travelers dressed similarly to you; your friends told you they might be from Kanto or Johto.】

The kimono girl's and Boy A's ancestors both came from Johto, making her feel warmly toward these travelers.

【You believed they would surely visit your stall.】

The kimono girl felt the urge to set up a stall.

But the two boys stopped her, urging her to challenge the Wing Gym first.

【You decided to challenge the Wing Gym.】

The Wing Gym was built atop a towering ancient tree.

The Gym Leader, Fu, was still young—not yet the old man with the green felt hat and white beard he would become.

What remained unchanged: he still loved planting flowers and plants.

Even the battle arena's sides featured his flowerbeds.

When All All Baimu saw this, he silently cried out: "Florges' domain has arrived!"

As expected.

The kimono girl remembered the Pokémon knowledge her companions taught her—including that Florges draws power from flowers.

Fu's Pokémon were strong, but Florges, after absorbing their energy, was stronger.

It defeated all three of his Pokémon without needing a second Pokémon to enter—smoothly, as easily as the first two Gyms.

【You defeated Wing Gym Leader Fu and received the Plant Badge.】