Chapter 85: Nana's Change!

The challenge target has appeared, and combining with past life memories, I learned that Keerni and her grandfather would not appear at the Salar Gym,

Going there would be pointless.

Ash decided to change his destination, following Keerni to Stone Forest Town to help the little girl complete Mega Evolution.

At the same time, Ash also kept in mind the possibility of going to Stone Forest Town to see if there were any other Mega Stone veins.

Nana watched the whole process silently,

Witnessing Ash's Frogadier grow stronger again,

Thinking of her own Meowth and Iron Dumbbell, which had made no progress, she couldn't help feeling gloomy.

She does like Ash,

But constantly following Ash, her feelings made no progress, and even her strength gradually fell behind, making Nana feel somewhat vexed.

Especially, every night she could still enjoy VIP-level treatment, watching the full live broadcast of Ash and Serena's joint performance.

Many times… Nana wanted to use Instant Teleportation to go and join in.

She barely managed to suppress the urge in her heart,

Perhaps following Ash on his travels to get closer to him, this decision itself was wrong,

It's time to part ways with Ash for a while.

But before that, Nana intended to personally witness Lucario's Mega Evolution.

By the way, learn which Psychic-type Pokémon can Mega Evolve,

And…

Most importantly, she still wanted to do something for Ash before they parted, leaving a deep impression.

……

During the journey,

Ash's group encountered Team Rocket again, with Team Rocket disguising themselves as Mega Evolution Masters.

With Ash's tacit approval, they successfully captured Lucario.

After Team Rocket escaped in a hot air balloon,

Keerni, through her bond with Lucario, still found Lucario and Team Rocket despite having lost the target, and defeated Team Rocket,

proving that her bond with Lucario had met the standard, though Lucario still couldn't fully trust her in battle.

Two days later,

Everyone arrived at the destination, Stone Forest Town,

At the entrance of a shop selling evolution stones in town, everyone witnessed a person purchase a Sun Stone and use it to evolve their Helioptile into Heliolisk.

Afterwards, everyone split up to inquire at various shops and residences in town.

Searching for clues about Lucario,

Without exception, they received completely negative answers.

"Never heard of a Lucario evolution stone!"

"Mega Stone? No, miss, want to take a look at this stone! These stones are also pretty!"

"……"

After compiling the information, Clemont rolled his eyes.

"Keerni, hasn't your grandfather made a mistake?"

"How could it be… My grandfather told me there's a Lucario evolution stone here; there's no way he'd lie to me!"

"In that case, it would be troublesome…"

"We're done for, the clue is cut off."

Seeing everyone's dejected looks, Ash smiled and shook his head.

"Don't be too pessimistic; given the value of Mega Stones, how could they possibly be sold at a roadside stall? Not to mention their low yield, even whether passing trainers have enough funds is a problem."

"Is that so? Then Ash, you just went to the shop to ask…"

"That's because…"

While speaking, Ash took out from his waist the items he had bought in the shop, five pieces of jewelry,

"I prepared gifts for everyone."

Specifically, the so-called gifts were actually four necklaces of different-colored gemstones, and one pink diamond ring.

He evenly distributed the gemstone necklaces to Diancie, Nana, Keerni, and Yurie.

Finally, with Serena blushing, Ash personally placed the pink diamond ring on the beautiful maiden's fair finger.

Diancie immediately expressed her thanks,

Although she could have as many of these gemstones as she wanted, this after all was a gift from Ash to herself.

"Thank you, Ash!"

Moreover, looking at the diamond on Serena's ring, which was only the size of half a fingernail,

the princess disdainfully pursed her lips,

clasped her hands together, and directly created a pink diamond the size of an egg.

Seeing this, Serena's mouth twitched slightly, but she still accepted the diamond.

"Thank you, Diancie, but this is really too big."

In the corner, Nana silently looked at her own necklace, then glanced at the ring on Serena's hand,

in her aloof, keep-out eyes, a hint of resolve appeared, and she secretly made up her mind.

The lively and enthusiastic Keerni put on her necklace and even spun around.

"Thank you, Ash, I really like it; from what you mean, do you know where the Lucario evolution stone is?"

"Super Evolution Stones generally only appear in Locations suitable for sale, but before that… they first exist within a Super Evolution Stone vein. Is there a mine nearby?"

Hearing this, Keerni immediately became excited, dancing with her hands and feet, "I see, I'll go ask right away."

"Wait…"

Clemont promptly stopped the restless Keerni, "No need, there is indeed a mine."

He said this while shaking the coordinates displayed on the map on his phone.

At the same time,

An elderly mountain‑climbing man who had been observing from the shadows, feeling the moment was right, walked confidently up beside the group.

"Everyone, a group photo during the journey becomes an indispensable memory later; shall we take a picture for Commemoration?"

The man was actually sent by Keerni's grandfather, specifically to guide Keerni toward the mine, serving as a guide on the Super Evolution Stone vein road.

Taking a photo is a ruse; giving a clue is the truth.

But with Ash's hint, Keerni already knew the answer, so she naturally wouldn't ask him again.

The group accepted the elderly climber's suggestion, took a group photo, each received a souvenir picture, and then smiled and bid each other farewell.

"Goodbye, sir."

Mountain man:?

Where's the question? Ask quickly! I'm not really here to take your photo.

Watching the group head toward the mining area, the elderly climber scratched his head in bewilderment.

"In that direction, how could they know the destination is over there?"

Could it be… that an old friend tricked them?

At the same time,

Team Rocket's three members, who had been silently watching Ash's party,

were now getting excited,

"Did you hear, Xiaojiluo! The Super Evolution Stone vein!"

"The superior didn't blast us away and gave us such vital information; he must want us to seize the vein, meow!"

"Exactly, exactly, let's get there before them and claim the vein for ourselves!"

"Promotion and raise!"

"Become branch manager!"

"Reach the pinnacle of life!"

Thus, shortly after arriving at the entrance of the Super Evolution Stone vein,

Ash's party personally witnessed Team Rocket launch from the tunnel like cannonballs, soaring at a forty‑five‑degree angle into the sky!

"What an annoying feeling!"

"Team Rocket!" Serena, Clemont, and Yurie shouted in unison!

"How could they be here!"

"Never mind, let's hurry inside and take a look."

The group quickly entered the tunnel, and a wooden door at the tunnel's deepest point appeared before them.

Carefully pushing the door open,

they saw a long corridor, with azure pools on both sides; at the far end lay a spacious platform, upon which stood a structure resembling an altar.

In the center of the altar rested an orange‑yellow Super Evolution Stone, uncut and about the size of a soccer ball.

Seeing this Super Evolution Stone, Keerni exclaimed, "It's a Lucario Evolution Stone!"

Diancie gave a thoughtful expression,

So this is also a Super Evolution Stone! It feels different from Diancie's Super Evolution Stone, but the aura is similar.

What concerns Diancie is...

Deep within this vein, there is another Super Evolution Stone aura.

And it is extremely close to the aura of one of Ash's Pokémon.