Chapter 0625: Earthquake and Kalos Forms

It was midsummer, and the heat was sweltering.

Natsume opted not to ride Arcanine and instead pedaled leisurely down the street on his Rotom Bike.

The Professor Sycamore Research Institute, located on the same Southern Street as his café, stood as one of the most prominent buildings in the area.

Due to its location in Lumiose City, the institute's backyard was relatively cramped—nowhere near as spacious as Professor Oak's sprawling grounds.

"Guess I can't borrow the Professor's training field after all..." Natsume thought regretfully.

An invisible Gengar levitated beside him, emanating a faint chill like a portable air conditioner.

To others, the coolness might feel eerie… but Natsume was long accustomed to it and found it quite pleasant.

Passing through shaded avenues and symmetrical architecture, he arrived at the institute, its entrance flanked by white stone pillars.

Guided by an Audino, Natsume made his way toward the central courtyard.

The pink Audino waddled ahead, its stubby arms swaying adorably.

Natsume mused: "Isn't this just an EXP rookie?"

Audino let out a noise that sounded vaguely like "close enough."

After crossing the front garden and ascending to the second floor, Natsume leaned against the stone railing, peering down at the backyard.

He spotted Flabébé, Bunnelby, and other Kalos-native Pokémon, along with a trio of Kanto starters—Professor Sycamore had requested them from Professor Oak for his Mega Evolution research.

Natsume scanned the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ash's extraordinary Froakie, but came up empty-handed.

As he stepped inside, Professor Sycamore brightened and greeted him warmly:

"At last, we meet, Natsume-sensei!"

"Long time no see," Natsume replied. "I never got to thank you for helping me secure the café location last time."

"I didn't do much, really," the Professor Sycamore chuckled. "Though I must apologize if Alain caused you any trouble!"

"Trouble? Not exactly..." Natsume paused.

After all, Mega Charizard X hadn't even broken through Blastoise's defenses, saving him the cost of Potions.

This visit was mostly a formality—when arriving in a new region, it was customary to pay respects to the local Pokémon Professor.

Compared to Professor Oak and Professor Rowan, Professor Sycamore was younger, having risen to prominence only in recent years.

Additionally, his catchphrase was "Magnifique!", earning him the nickname "Professor Splendid".

"Gengar~!"

Gengar materialized from invisibility, grinning mischievously as it handed Professor Sycamore a Special Edition Pokédex.

Both Natsume and the Professor blinked in surprise.

"Gengar?" Gengar scratched its head, confused.

Wasn't it standard procedure to register upon arriving in a new region before challenging the League Tournament?

Natsume: "..."

Since when were you so well-versed in protocol?!

Grabbing the Gengar's head, he forcefully shoved it back into the shadows. Gengar gurgled like it was drowning: "Gengar~ glub glub glub..."

Natsume dusted off his hands and turned back to the Professor, deadpan. "Please continue."

Professor Sycamore wiped his brow. "Actually, there is something I'd like to ask of you."

Glancing at the holographic display, he retrieved a small case from behind the analyzer and presented it to Natsume.

"This is a Tyranitarite. If possible, I'd like you to have it."

The Dusk Ball at Natsume's waist trembled, as if sensing something delicious.

Natsume froze, then slowly typed a question mark in the air.

Natsume: ?

"I was hoping that once your Larvitar evolves into Tyranitar, you could perform Mega Evolution and allow us to collect data."

Exchanging a glance with Alain, the Professor Sycamore added:

"In return, this Tyranitarite will be yours to keep."

Inside the case lay a yellowish orb, streaked with crimson and black.

Unlike typical Mega Stones, this one was larger—about the size of a fist—and pulsed with a faint, discernible energy aura.

Professor Sycamore exchanged a glance with Alain, then turned back to Natsume with their agreed proposal:

"As compensation, this Tyranitarite will be gifted to you."

Inside the case lay an earthy-yellow orb, streaked with swirling red and black hues.

Unlike typical Mega Stones, this one was larger—about the size of a fist—and pulsed with a discernible energy aura that Natsume could sense.

Hearing this, Natsume hesitated.

He did have reason to acquire a Tyranitarite.

But Larvitar was still in its first-stage form, and Natsume disliked owing favors.

Natsume deliberated, then said: "Professor Sycamore, this gift is too valuable. I can't accept it."

The Dusk Ball at his waist stopped shaking.

Inside, Larvitar stared at the Mega Stone before obediently looking away.

"Larvitar..."

Unlike the mischievous Togepi, Larvitar wasn't the type to throw tantrums—more like a well-behaved little one.

Professor Sycamore, recognizing Natsume's hesitation, smiled.

"We could formalize this with a business contract, transferring ownership of the Mega Stone to you."

"All I ask is that when Tyranitar undergoes Mega Evolution in the future, you share the recorded data with me."

A business contract sounded manageable.

Though admittedly, it meant another hefty expense.

Thanks to his earnings across multiple regions' games... Natsume had gone from rags to riches. A single Mega Stone was well within his budget.

Natsume accepted the proposal with a sigh.

"I'll have my secretary handle the contract details."

Still, frugality was a virtue—best to have Oleana negotiate the price down!

Once agreed, Natsume placed the wooden case on the floor.

"Gengar~" Without fully emerging, Gengar extended a shadowy hand, tucking the case away like a cat hiding coins in a box.

Professor Sycamore watched with an amused smile.

Even in this brief interaction, he could see the bond between Trainer and Pokémon—

"This is truly... magnificent!" Professor Sycamore threw his arms wide dramatically.

Alain sighed. "That's just how Professor Sycamore is... Please don't mind him."

Natsume nodded.

Alain's bill would conveniently be offset by the Mega Stone purchase.

Now, all that remained was researching his newly acquired Tyranitarite.

"Larvitar seemed to resonate with this Evolutionary Stone."

Natsume frowned. "But it hasn't even evolved yet..."

Pondering this, he bid the Professor Sycamore farewell and hurried back to the café.

Inside the wooden case, the earthy-yellow Tyranitarite glimmered faintly, its energy pulses dense and vibrant.

Natsume released Larvitar from its Dusk Ball, meeting its gaze.

"Larvitar?" Larvitar tilted its head slightly.

Natsume: "You're not going to double-evolve like Blastoise, are you...?"

"Larvitar..." Larvitar blinked, the black markings under its eyes resembling scars, yet its expression remained docile.

"Doesn't seem to be the same case."

Natsume mused: "Blastoise double-evolved due to the Tree of Beginning's aura and its Everstone shattering..."

"As for Larvitar, it won't evolve until it's eaten its fill."

He flipped open Giovanni's Techniques, contemplating:

"Theoretically, suppressing evolution could allow Larvitar to learn 'Earthquake' earlier..."

"Tomorrow, I'll find a proper training ground—or ask Clemont to borrow Prism Tower."

"Larvitar..."

Larvitar stared intently at the crystalline Tyranitarite in the case.

Natsume set the book aside, smiling at the pseudo-legendary's adorable behavior.

Then, abruptly, Natsume froze—his pupils contracting.

"Gengar!"

Larvitar's maw gaped open, and with lightning speed, it snatched the Evolutionary Stone and crunch—

CRACK!

Natsume and Gengar stared, dumbfounded: (⊙□⊙)

"Gengar! Σ(°△°|||)︴" Gengar belatedly startled.

Natsume: "It—it just ATE the Mega Stone?! (╬ Ò﹏Ó)"

"Larvitar... (￣～￣)"

Larvitar crunch-crunched the Evolutionary Stone, swallowing with effort as an intense aura surged through its body.

Suddenly, its eyes sharpened—unyielding, like a warrior's—and it slammed a fist into the ground.

"Larvitar! (▼へ▼メ)"

Delicious!

I want another!

A shockwave erupted. The ground cracked, fissures spiderwebbing outward—

The ultimate technique of the earth: 'Earthquake'.

Without evolving, Larvitar had already mastered this move!

Natsume stiffened, his Strategist instincts kicking in as he barked:

"Gengar, Hypnosis!"

"Gengar~" Azure light flared in Gengar's eyes, instantly putting the overexcited Larvitar to sleep.

But the Earthquake raged on—a roaring beast shaking the entire garden!

BOOM!!

Dust plumed. The streets of Lumiose trembled, pedestrians gasping as the café rattled.

Standing on miraculously intact ground, Natsume surveyed the devastation and twitched.

Guess I'll be staying at Moe-Moe! for a while...

"Little Rotom, contact Matori," Natsume said flatly.

"Beep... Connecting! Rotom!"

Matori answered crisply: "Your orders?"

Natsume massaged his temples.

"Send me the contact for Lumiose City's fastest renovation team!"

……

Half an hour later.

Natsume: (⊙□⊙)

The renovation captain scratched his head awkwardly. "Pardon me for asking, but... do we know each other?"

The man had curly hair and a well-groomed stubble, but beneath the surface, his essence remained unmistakable.

"It's nothing." Natsume sighed deeply. "I'm acquainted with your relatives in Tokyo City, Saffron City, and Jubilife City."

The renovation captain blinked in confusion.

A coworker whispered in his ear, and suddenly the captain stood at attention, his expression turning reverent.

"Natsume-sensei, I have heard of your great name for a long time. No need to say more, we will give you this business for free!"

Natsume gazed skyward, tears glistening at the corners of his eyes.

There it was - the Kalos variant of Renovation Captain!