The Choice

 The research was very fast. Most of them were based on assumptions and there were details of those assumptions. Mathematical formulas, chemistry formulas, there were a lot of them. Now, even though Axel was also a full-fledged researcher, he didn't have in-depth knowledge of all of them.

Bourne had also mentioned all the details in his summary, this was very easy to read and understand. From his research, Axel came to understand many things. The general theory of mega evolution was gathering all the left-up potential of a Pokemon and then further evolving. As per Bourne's research, it came to notice that such an evolution could only be done for a short period of time.

It could not be done permanently. Axel nodded in understanding. This meant that Bourne was going in the right direction. Axel had not told this information to Bourne cause if he did, he would not have any evidence to prove it.

Bourne went on to say that such evolution could only be done with the help of external sources. Axel knew about this and had already told Bourne about it. However, he didn't know where he was going to find mega stones and keystones.

He may have been a Pokemon fan but he didn't know all the details. He had not watched Pokemon anime when the new seasons came out. So, he didn't know where it really was. That was why he could not tell anything about the keystones and mega stones.

This was also one of the reasons why Bourne decided to ditch Axel. Cause Axel only had the idea, he didn't give any input.

There were other assumptions but most of them were wrong. However, one thing that interested him was the assumption of space intervention.

The story was of Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre. Nobody had seen Rayquaza in today's time. No one. But there have been stories of its existence. Ancient people had claimed to have seen it. These ancient people were called Draconids. They prayed Rayquaza as the 'Dragon lord'. It was said that Rayquaza lived in space. It was considered as a hero of the world and would come down to save the world in a time of need. It was said to have the power of the mightiest dragon.

The draconids had claimed that Rayquaza had come down to the planet and they had seen it. As per their experience, it once came down to stopping the fight between Groudon and Kyogre. However, while battling, Groudon and Kyogre, achieved an evolution for a short period of them and they became exceptionally powerful. These were their primal forms.

It had been said that Arceus saw it and then gave Rayquaza new power, which enabled it to transform too and it also became very powerful, eventually, stopping Groudon and Kyogre. All of them returned to their previous forms.

Rayquaza then went to sky pillar to rest for some time and then went to space again. The location of the said 'Sky pillar' was still a mystery as no one had found it to date.

However, as per Bourne, it was somewhere in the Hoenn region and the place could be 'Meteor Falls' among other locations. Axel knew for sure that it was 'Meteor falls'. He might have remembered it before, but now things were getting clear.

If they wanted to find mega stones and key stone, they needed to go to 'Meteor falls'. As per the report of Bourne, it was said that the fight of 3 giants happened in Sootopolis City. So, that was also the location, that Axel wanted to go.

Another interesting thing that he found in the summary was about the war 3000 years ago. It had been said that during that time there were some evolution stones that were irritated by the light of Xerneas and Yveltal that was fired from the ultimate weapon. There still exist some of these evolution stones hidden somewhere and these stones might have the power of mega evolution.

Axel had heard of it in anime but in the real world, it just sounded like something that could not be trusted. Who would trust some evolution stones that were 3000 years old and were modified by the powers of the ultimate weapon and some mythical Pokemons?

After reading the summary and doing his own research for a couple of hours, Axel was ready to go meet Bourne.

###

"So, what do you think about my research?", asked Bourne clearly proud of himself. He had done some good work and gotten closer to the mystery of mega evolution. However, without the help of Axel, he might never complete it.

First of all, places like 'Meteor falls' required an expedition team to complete. That required a huge amount of money. Something that Prof. Bourne didn't have. Bourne was a researcher, but he had not invented or discovered anything substantial. So, he didn't have a lot of money.

Secondly, Bourne had listed around 10 places like 'Meteor falls'. So, it was going to cost 10 times. Axel had an edge in this conversation and he was going to take advantage of it.

"The research has improved a lot. I must say that I am impressed."

"Thanks, I knew that you would be pleased by the research."

"Yes, I am but there are lots of 'ifs' and 'buts' in your research. You have listed a total of 12 extremely dangerous places, that could have the answer to mega evolution and frankly, we don't even know if that place is in on those 12 places."

"What are you getting at?", asked Bourne.

"What I am about to tell you is that, the cost of exploring all these 12 places and not getting the guaranteed return stinks a lot. You will never be able to complete this research without my help."

"Axel, what are you getting at?"

"I am telling you that with my help, I will be able to finish this research and get a sizable result within 3 years. All the expenses of the expedition would be borne by me but I also need some compensation.", said Axel.

"Oh, so that is where you are getting to?"

"Yes."

"What are your conditions?", asked Bourne.

"First of all, since I am incurring all the expenses, the rewards that we would get, I will get the majority portion of it."

"How much?"

"I will take all the rewards till my expenses are met and we will divide what is left 50-50."

"That is absurd. Do you even realize that amount of time and money I have put through in this research for a decade?", shouted Bourne.

Bourne had been researching this for more than a decade now and he had been fully invested in it. He had incurred a lot of expenses for this research.

"The second condition, we will be equal partners in this research. After the research is complete, you will do all the boring details and when anyone asks about it, you will tell that we are equal partners."

"WHATTTTT?"

This had hit hard for Bourne. How can they be equal partners when the whole life of Bourne had been this research? However, Axel was still not done.

"Thirdly, during any description of papers, or announcing our name, by name would come first."

Bourne was so angry right now that he could not even talk. However, his face was hideous.

"And finally, I will be the first trainer to show the result of this research in the league battle, 2.5 years in the future. That is all the conditions that I have. Now, before you say no, let me tell you the consequences of you saying no."

Axel took a sip of his coffee while looking at Bourne who was absolutely furious. He was so angry, that he could not even speak.

"If you say no, you will never be able to complete this research. Good luck getting a sponsor for all the expeditions. That would cost billions of Poke dollars and you don't even have a guarantee to get the research done. However, I take part in it and you fulfill all of my conditions, and if I don't finish the research of this by the end of 3 years, then I will leave giving you all the data that we have collected. I will also not charge you a dime for it.

Looking at the moral perspective, it is like tit for tat. When you had a good standing, you left me not saying anything and now you are here asking for my help. It is only reasonable that do the same to you.

Don't lash out on me right now. It is already late evening. We will meet here tomorrow at 9 a.m and you will tell me if you are ready or not and no, the conditions are non-negotiable.

If you say no, I will just leave you and do my own research with all the knowledge that you have right now. Don't worry, I don't have any copies of your research."

After saying it, Axel went to his room. He didn't want to see the reaction of Bourne as he expected that it might turn out to be a hands-on-hand fight. Bourne looked very scary right now and even though Axel could handle him as he was an elemental rank human, he didn't want to destroy his reputation.

Axel also called his Pokemons to have dinner with him. He was very happy about the conversation that he had. He was sure that he would get one of his Pokemons to Mega evolve till he could challenge the gym. Thinking about the league battles, he only had 2.5 years left till he could get all the gym badges and get his young Pokemons to rank up to king rank.

He would now need to fully concentrate on their growth. He could not properly train his Pokemons during the time he was in Aeus island. However, he was able to get his Pokemons to king rank within 2 years when he started his journey. So, he was pretty confident to do that again.

He thought to rest today completely. From tomorrow, he would be making training plans for all of his Pokemons. Charizard and Shedinja were close to reaching tier 3. Mamoswine was close to reaching tier 2 and Pidgeot was surprisingly in the process of ranking up to king rank.

His young Pokemons also needed a lot of training. After more than 5 months, they finally had their basics down. Their fundamentals and bases were very solid and they could now become stronger.

After training so many Pokemons, Axel now had a huge amount of experience in dealing with the training of his Pokemons. However, he was not going to do that tonight. He was going to have a very heavy dinner and sleep with his stomach full.

###

Axel may be having a very relaxing day but Bourne was not. He didn't know what to do. Whatever Axel had said was absolutely right. Till now, he might have invested around 4 billion Poke dollars in this project. All from his sponsors. But after not getting any results, he was getting pressure from them.

He didn't have money in such a huge quantity. Going on these 12 expeditions would cost a lot of money. Billions of Poke dollars and now he didn't have sponsors that were ready to give those money. He could share this with other researchers but he didn't want to do that. Sharing it with Axel was already getting him enough trouble.

Axel's conditions were inciting. If Axel and Bourne could not complete this research in 3 years, then Axel would leave giving him all the data and getting nothing in return.

But if he succeeded, Axel would gain a lot of money, and fame, and Bourne would just be a side chick. Obviously, Bourne would also get a lot of money and fame and he would be recognized in the world but Axel would gain more.

So, what was he going to do?