Pokémon Adventures: GAMER PATH

~Third POV~

[Kanto Region, Pallet Town – West Woods]

After the visit from Mega Guru Gurkinn and Korrina, Azure has taken the two to the outskirts of Pallet Town, heading to West Woods. A secure private forest without anyone looking to disturb their battle.

Before leaving Azure, let his Alakazam take over the lab as he had to handle Gurkinn and Korrina. Azure had his Pikachu over his shoulder and Eevee on the ground, trotting around, ready to react to anything.

As they wandered through the West Woods, the Mega Evolution Guru said his voice was a low rumble, like distant rockslides, "Azure Sky. I have journeyed from Kalos. The news of your battle travels faster than a Pidgeot with a tailwind. You wield the power of the bond, yet you have not undergone the ceremony."

Azure nodded, understanding. He had discovered his Key Stone and Mega Evolution on his journey, the knowledge pieced together from scratch and pure instinct.

Having given enough distance, Azure finally spoke up as he said calmly, "This should be far enough. No one would bother us this far in."

He'd never had a formal teacher in the arts. Gurkinn continued, his eyes sharp and discerning, "It is not just a power-up, young man. It is a covenant. A sacred trust between Trainer and Pokémon, made manifest. I came to see this bond for myself and to give you the acknowledgment you have earned. I challenge you to a ceremonial battle."

A grin touched Azure's lips. The peaceful rest was over, and a familiar fire ignited in his chest as he replied, "I accept. What are the terms?"

Gurkinn stated, a weighty seriousness in his tone, his voice determined, "One-on-one. A true test of a single, powerful bond. I will use my partner, Heracross."

Azure's mind raced. Charizard was resting, its bond celebrated in the league final. He needed a partner whose trust was absolute, whose speed and power were second to none, and who knew how to pick.

Before leaving, he picked his oldest Pokémon that journeyed with him through Kanto to make its appearance. He looked at the gleaming red Poké Ball he had just finished polishing.

There was only one choice. He grinned as they made some distance apart.

They stood on the open field of West Woods, the air once calm, now crackling with anticipation between two Mega Evolution Trainers. Gurkinn held a single Poké Ball, his expression that of a master artisan about to appraise a masterpiece as he roared, "Heracross, let's go!"

*Pop*

With a flash of light, the powerful Single Horn Pokémon appeared, its sturdy blue carapace shining and its horn looking sharp enough to pierce steel. Azure grinned, seeing its level being a bit lower than Scizor's.

Azure took a deep breath, his connection to the Pokémon within the ball already thrumming. He roared, hurling the Poke Ball out, "Then I will choose my partner! Scizor, I choose you!"

*Pop*

A crimson blur shot from the ball, landing with a soft metallic thud. Scizor stood poised, its yellow-and-black eyes fixed on its opponent. Its pincers, patterned with eye-like markings, twitched slightly, ready for action.

This was one of Azure's main team members, a partner since it was a Scyther, their bond forged in countless battles. Korrina, acting as Referee, declared, "I Mega Student Korrina shall witness this ceremony! The Mega Ceremony of Azure Sky begins!"

Having said those words, Gurkinn declared, "Heracross, Brick Break!"

*Woooosh*

The beetle Pokémon charged, its fist glowing with fighting energy. Azure calmly commanded, "Scizor, dodge with Agility followed by Bullet Punch!"

*Zooom*

Scizor became a red streak using Agility. It sidestepped the heavy blow, the Brick Break shattering the earth where it had stood.

*BASH*

In the same fluid motion, its pincer shot forward, slamming into Heracross's side with the force of a piston. The metallic clang echoed across the field.

*CLANG*

Heracross grunted but stood its ground, its natural bulk absorbing the hit. Gurkinn smiled, seeing Scizor's strength as he said, "Impressive speed, young man, you taught your Scizor well! But Mega Evolution reveals a Pokémon's true potential! Heracross, let our bond take shape!"

He touched the Key Stone on his wristband. A brilliant rainbow of light erupted from it, shooting towards Heracross.

*ZZZZ*

The Pokémon roared as the energy enveloped it, its body contorting and growing. Its form became bulkier, its horn longer and more pronounced, and two smaller horns emerged on its forehead. Its arms thickened into massive, powerful limbs.

Mega Heracross had arrived, its presence dominating the field. Azure felt a thrill run down his spine as he thought, 'This is the power of a true master of Mega Evolution! Now I get to taste the power of Mega Pokémon battle!'

Feeling a course of excitement through him, Azure roared, following suit, "It's our turn, Scizor! Let's show him the strength of our connection! Mega Evolve!"

Azure touched his own Key Stone, a glove that had the stone in the middle. A corresponding light flared from the Scizorite attached to his partner.

*Zzzz*

Streams of energy linked them, a visible representation of their years of trust. Scizor's body shimmered, its metallic armor reshaping itself. Its legs became more pointed and blade-like. Its wings grew larger, almost like a cape. But the most dramatic change was its pincers.

They swelled to an enormous size, lined with jagged, serrated teeth, each pincer looking heavy enough to crush a boulder. Mega Scizor locked its gaze on Mega Heracross, its Technician ability humming with latent power.

Gurkinn breathed, a look of genuine admiration on his face as he thought, 'This pressure…! He truly raised his Pokémon well, and I can just feel their strength and bond between them this strong!'

Gurkinn was deeply impressed by their bond and power. He grinned, feeling a fire ignited in him as he stated, "Incredible! Now, Mega Heracross, show your true skill! Pin Missile!"

*PEW*

*PEW*

Mega Heracross's ability, Skill Link, guaranteed the attack would hit five times. Five sharp projectiles shot from its horn, each one a deadly spike.

However, Azure faced worse as he countered, "Meet them with Bullet Punch!"

Mega Scizor stood its ground. Its massive pincer became a blur, striking each incoming pin with blinding speed and priority.

*Clang*

*Clang*

*Clang*

*Clang*

*Clang*

The sounds of CLANG! They were heard as Scizor met each of those spikes head-on. Sparks flew as steel met energy, the sound like a blacksmith's forge gone wild.

Gurkinn pressed the attack, "Close Combat!"

*Zoooom*

Mega Heracross charged, unleashing a furious storm of punches and kicks. Scizor, unable to dodge them all at close range, brought its massive pincers up defensively.

*BASH*

*BAM*

*SMASH*

The blows rained down, denting its steel armor and forcing it back. Azure could feel his partner's strain through their bond.

But Close Combat came at a cost, lowering the user's defenses. This was the opening Azure was waiting for.

The second that Mega Heracross started to pant from exhaustion, Azure yelled, "Scizor, endure it! Now, Swords Dance!"

*BAM*

As the final blow of Close Combat landed, Scizor planted its feet. It weathered the hit, and in that brief moment, it crossed its pincers, a surge of energy dramatically boosting its attack power.

A dangerous red aura now pulsed around its metal body. Gurkinn's eyes widened, ordered, "A risky move! Heracross, finish it with Megahorn!"

Mega Heracross lowered its massive horn, channeling all its power into one final, devastating charge. It was an attack that could end the match.

But Azure and Scizor were faster. Their bond gave them more than just power; it gave them perfect synergy through their battles and experience.

Azure declared, his voice ringing with certainty, shooting his hand out, "It's over! Scizor, full power… Aerial Ace!"

With its attack stat maximized and the move boosted by its Technician ability, Mega Scizor unleashed its attack. It didn't even need to move from its spot.

*Zoooom*

Its arm shot forward like a cannonball, a blur of red and steel moving faster than the eye could follow. It bypassed the Megahorn charge, striking Mega Heracross square in the chest with priority.

*BOOOOM*

The impact was immense. Not a loud explosion, but a deep, resonant BOOM of metal striking chitin. All the energy from the Swords Dance focused on a single point.

Mega Heracross's charge stopped dead. It staggered backward, the light of Mega Evolution flickering and fading from its body before it collapsed onto the grass, unconscious.

*Thud*

The silence that followed was broken only by the panting of Mega Scizor, its transformation receding, leaving the familiar crimson warrior standing tall, bruised but victorious.

Azure ran to his partner, placing a hand on its metal shoulder. He smirked as he said proudly, "You were incredible, Scizor."

The Pokémon responded with a soft click of its pincers, a sign of their shared triumph. Gurkinn recalled his Heracross with a quiet word of praise.

He walked toward Azure, his expression one of profound satisfaction. He said, his voice softer now, "I have seen it. The trust. The strategy. The willingness to weather the storm to create an opportunity. You did not simply overpower my Heracross. You and your Scizor fought as one mind. That, Azure Sky, is the true essence of Mega Evolution."

He placed a hand on Azure's shoulder. He chuckled softly as he declared, "There is no need for any further ritual. This battle was the ceremony. You are a true Mega Evolution successor. Wield that power with the wisdom you have shown today."

Azure grinned smugly, wiping the nose from his face as Gurkinn handed the Mega Stone for Dragonite as he said happily, "And here you go, young man. The Mega Stone for Dragonite, I can't wait to see when you'll use it the next time on the big stage."

Understanding his words, Korrina growled as she argued with her Grandfather, pointing her finger at him, "But Grandpa Gurkinn! He's gonna reveal Mega Evolution to EVERYONE, doesn't that I don't know raise some concerns!"

Gurkinn, hearing this, turned his attention to Azure. Curiously, he asked, "Good point. So? Can you explain why you revealed the existence of Mega Evolution to everyone, young man? You seem to be aware of their importance?"

Hearing that, Azure casually replied, shrugging his shoulders, surprising the two, "Easy. Because I want a challenge."

Both blinked, hearing such an easy answer as they both said, in a surprised voice, "You want a challenge?"

Azure nodded as he recalled Scizor into its Poké Ball as he said casually, "Yeah. I want to see what a world of Mega Evolution is capable of, and to see what kinds of never-before-seen Pokémon and Trainers to come out of it."

Korrina glared, her eyes hearing Azure's childish reasoning as she stated, "You do realize your actions started a revolution! People will scramble to learn and get Mega Evolution, along with the bad people that'll use them wrongly!"

Azure simply nodded his head, agreeing as he bluntly said, dismissing Korrina's words, "Yeah. But then again, isn't letting this knowledge just be kept a secret wrong, though? I can agree with what you say that some people unworthy of it will use it for bad intentions, sure. But what about those that are worthy of it on their own? I can name 3 that Gurkinn would be interested in visiting to become Mega Evolution Trainers."

Gurkinn was interested in the idea as he bluntly stated curiously, "It wouldn't happen to be those 3, right? Blue, Green, and Red?"

Azure nodded as Gurkinn chuckled, shamelessly shaking his head as he replied, "I knew it! I've seen their matches, and to be able to command Legendary Pokémon, they'll be worthy successors of Mega Evolution."

Korrina gritted her teeth as she pointed back at Azure angrily, "But Grandpa – "

Gurkinn hushed her as he bluntly stated to his granddaughter, shaking his head helplessly as he moved ahead, leaving, "Hush, Korrina! The damage has already been done, anyway, not much we can do to change it. And besides, we've got 3 potential Mega Users to see, and young man, thank you for your time."

With a respectful nod, the guru turned and began his long walk away from the woods, his purpose fulfilled. Korrina frowned but ultimately followed her Grandfather Father, clearly displeased that nothing to be done about the emergence of Mega Evolution.

Azure watched them go, then looked down at Pikachu, Eevee, and the proud, stalwart Scizor in its Poké Ball. The peaceful rest in Pallet Town had been shattered, but in its place was a renewed clarity.

The bond with his Pokémon wasn't just a source of strength; it was a sacred promise, now formally recognized by the master himself. Under the endless sky, he knew his journey was far from over.

/////

A/N: Reach the goal of 250 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!