Chapter 37: Mega Stone

As Julian scoured the beach and the surrounding areas of Seafoam Island in search of a Water Stone for Professor Oak, he encountered various challenges and hints that led him in the right direction. The elusive Water Stone remained elusive, but he received a crucial clue: the northeast of the island held the potential to provide the sought-after stone.

However, the path to obtaining it was not without obstacles, as the stones in that region were protected by vigilant Pokémon. Julian's quest to secure the Water Stone had only just begun, and he would need to prepare himself for the challenges that lay ahead.

Julian stood at the edge of the towering cliff, gazing down at the relentless waves crashing against the jagged rocks below. It was clear that obtaining the Water Stone he sought would require diving into these treacherous waters, a task not to be taken lightly. Understanding the danger, he decided to call upon his trusty Gyarados once more, knowing that his powerful Water-type Pokémon could assist him in navigating the perilous sea.

Julian summoned Gyarados, and the imposing creature appeared before him, ready to lend its strength.

As Julian and Gyarados resurfaced from the depths of the sea, Julian took a deep breath to fill his lungs with fresh air once more. Gyarados had sensed something intriguing beneath the waves, and Julian knew that his partner had a message to convey.

Julian: "What did you sense down there, Gyarados?"

Gyarados, using its powerful body and expression, communicated that it had detected a strong and mysterious presence in the depths, something beyond just the Water Stone they had retrieved.

Julian: "Interesting. It seems there's more to discover here. Let's investigate further, Gyarados."

With renewed curiosity, Julian and Gyarados prepared to delve back into the depths, intrigued by the secrets hidden beneath the sea's surface on Seafoam Island.

Gyarados nodded with a glint of excitement in its eyes, piquing Julian's curiosity. They both plunged beneath the waves once more, Gyarados powering through the water until they reached a sunken ship. Julian examined the ancient vessel, realizing it must have rested on the ocean floor for over fifty years.

As Julian swam inside, he made a grim discovery: the ship's interior held the haunting remnants of the past, with several human skeletons scattered about.

Julian remarked somberly, 'It seems like some unfortunate souls met their end here, entwined with the ship's fate.'

Julian embarked on a thorough exploration of the sunken ship, meticulously combing through its ins and outs. In the darkest depths of the captain's cabin, he stumbled upon something that emitted an eerie resonance and glimmered mysteriously. The room was cloaked in obscurity as he ventured inside, and there, he encountered a wild Gyarados, slumbering peacefully while curled protectively around the radiant object. Julian couldn't quite discern what it was, but it held an undeniable allure.

Gently retreating from the cabin, Julian communicated his intentions to his trusted Gyarados. 'Gyarados, we need to retrieve that shining object from the captain's cabin. Attack, but be careful.'

With a resolute nod, Gyarados puffed up its chest and channeled its power into a dazzling Hyper Beam, directing it towards the cabin where the wild Gyarados rested.

Julian winced as the cabin's structure crumbled under the assault. 'I said attack, not destroy, but I suppose it's too late now.'

The wild Gyarados, previously slumbering peacefully inside the cabin, was rudely awakened by the explosive Hyper Beam. Startled and enraged, it shot up from its curled position, locking eyes with the colossal red Gyarados that had assaulted it. Fear gripped the wild Gyarados as it saw its colossal counterpart, and without a second thought, it bolted away, disappearing into the depths of the sea.

Observing the wild Gyarados retreating, Julian sighed with relief and slowly made his way back toward the ship. Gyarados had unleashed tremendous power, leaving the ship in ruins, and the once-shining object had been flung into the unknown. Julian shook his head in dismay, pondering the mysterious item's fate.

Turning to his loyal Gyarados, Julian asked, 'Gyarados, can you sense where it went?'

Gyarados scanned the area, and its sharp instincts led it to a shattered piece of metal. Julian swam over, curious about what Gyarados had discovered. As he lifted the metal fragment, his eyes widened in astonishment—what lay before him was none other than a Gyaradosite, a Mega Stone.

Julian marveled, 'It's a Gyaradosite! I never expected to stumble upon one of these until I reached the Kalos region. It seems our luck was on our side today, with Gyarados guiding us to this Mega Stone. And where there's a Mega Stone, there might just be a Keystone.'

Determined, Julian scoured the ship's remains in search of the elusive Keystone, but despite his efforts, he found only a collection of gold coins and several abandoned Poké Balls, all disappointingly empty. Frustration welled up within him as he came to two conclusions.

Julian contemplated his findings, a tinge of disappointment evident in his voice. "If there was a Keystone here, it might have been devoured by some Pokémon, or perhaps it never existed in the first place, and the person who possessed this Mega Stone met their fate aboard this ship while on a journey."

Despite his fruitless search for the Keystone, Julian couldn't deny the strength of his Gyarados, and he concluded, "But, honestly, we don't need one right now. My Gyarados is formidable as it is. Mega Evolving it would be overkill."

With a sense of finality, Julian made his decision. "I think it's time to leave."

He climbed onto Gyarados's head, gazing at the Gyaradosite in his hand, his thoughts consumed by the image of his Pokémon undergoing a Mega Evolution. Gyarados resurfaced and began the journey back to the island shore, their mission a mix of success and bittersweet reflection.

Julian smiled warmly at his Gyarados, appreciating its contribution to their successful day. "Gyarados, you were exceptional today, uncovering that Mega Stone. It's going to be a remarkable asset, enhancing your already formidable strength."

Gyarados responded to the praise with an exuberant roar, startling a few people on the beach. Julian quickly approached them, offering apologies for the sudden commotion, and then recalled Gyarados into its Poké Ball.

As he looked out at the sea, Julian contemplated their next steps. "My time here in Seafoam Island has come to an end. It's time to return to the mainland. Our next destination is the abandoned power plant, where we'll face Zapdos. It's going to be an arduous battle, but I've got plans in mind for that legendary Pokémon."

Julian hurried toward the bustling seaport in search of a ship or ferry departing for the mainland. To his dismay, all the vessels were scheduled to leave the following day. Undeterred, he secured a ticket for himself on the first available departure and made his way back to the Pokémon Center.

Inside, Julian inquired about Pokémon massage therapy, determined to ensure his loyal companions didn't suffer from muscle strain or soreness. The center offered the service, and he wasted no time sending his Pokémon in for a well-deserved session of relaxation.

With his team in good hands, Julian found a quiet corner and dialed Professor Oak's number, eager to provide an update on his adventures and seek guidance for the challenges that lay ahead.

Oak: "Oh, Julian, you're quick to call. What's going on?"

Julian: "Nothing urgent, Professor Oak. I just wanted to let you know that I've managed to find both the Ice and Water Stones for you."

Oak: Chuckling warmly, "Ah, I had no doubt you'd come through. And about the Electirizer, I've already made arrangements with someone to procure it. It should be in my possession within a month, so when you return, I'll hand it over to you."

Julian: "Thank you, Professor Oak. By the way, do you recognize this?"

Julian carefully retrieved the Mega Stone he had discovered and presented it to Oak. As Oak laid eyes on the Mega Stone, his expression shifted from curiosity to seriousness.

Oak: "Julian, where did you come across this stone?"

Julian could sense from Oak's question that the professor had some prior knowledge about Mega Stones.

Julian: "Gyarados discovered it on the ocean floor while we were searching for Water Stones."

Oak: "Did you come across any other stones that resemble this one but on a smaller scale?"

Julian: "No, Professor, this was the only one we found."

Oak: Speaking in a hushed tone, "I see, Julian. Let me confide in you a secret, one that you must keep to yourself until the time is right for it to become public."

Julian nodded solemnly, acknowledging Oak's request and the gravity of the situation.

Oak: "What you've stumbled upon is known as a Mega Stone. If my deduction is accurate, it's likely a Gyaradosite, given that your Gyarados discovered it. These Mega Stones, in conjunction with a companion stone known as the Keystone, have the remarkable ability to induce a temporary evolution beyond a Pokémon's final stage. This phenomenon is known as Mega Evolution. However, this discovery is still shrouded in secrecy, as researchers continue their efforts to unravel its mysteries. The plan is to eventually share this knowledge with the public once the research is complete. Until then, I must emphasize the importance of keeping this information strictly confidential."

Julian: "I completely understand, Professor. My lips are sealed."

Oak: "Very well, Julian. I'll be busy conducting some additional research on these Mega Stones while you're away. When you return in a few months, we can explore their potential further."

With that, the call with Professor Oak concluded, and Julian left the private booth, making his way back to his room.

Julian pondered the conversation he'd just had with Professor Oak. 'Looks like my hunch was correct. Mega Stones are a well-guarded secret, and their research is far from complete. As far as I know, only a select few Pokémon are documented as capable of Mega Evolution, but the truth might be that any Pokémon can achieve it. They just need to find the right Mega Stone tailored to their species. Even Mewtwo can Mega Evolve, a fact the world remains oblivious to. It appears the potential for Mega Evolution is vast, waiting to be unlocked for countless Pokémon species.'

Julian's mind buzzed with the endless possibilities of Mega Evolution, leaving him deeply intrigued by this enigmatic concept. Determined to learn more, he instructed his computer system to initiate research on Mega Evolution. With his curiosity piqued, he settled in for a well-deserved night's rest, knowing that tomorrow marked the beginning of a new chapter in his journey as he headed to the mainland.