In a Black World —
Professor Sycamore's words stunned the two Charizard trainers on the spot.
"Charizard… can evolve again?"
They stared in disbelief.
Outside of Mega Evolution and a handful of known phenomena like Gigantamax, no one had ever heard of Charizard possessing a higher evolutionary state.
Even Lance's Charizard was limited to standard Mega Evolution.
Yet now, Professor Sycamore had lit a fire in their hearts.
[Professor Sycamore]:"Yes… but I can't confirm it yet. This has been a research topic of mine for a long time."
"I've been wondering whether Pokémon that have already reached their final evolutionary stage could still undergo a higher-tier evolution."
"And the conclusion I reached is this—it's possible."
"That said, I've only proven the possibility. I haven't found a concrete case yet."
"But we'll discuss that later. Right now, we still need to answer the question."
That's right.
The question was still active.
Only five minutes total.
Almost a full minute had already passed.
[Professor Oak]:"If Sycamore says higher evolution is possible, then we can't rule out option D so easily. What about option A?"
[Ho-Oh]:"I can explain the Rainbow Wing."
"There is immense vitality within it. That life force is what guides the chosen Rainbow Warrior to me."
"And Aura is essentially the source of life itself."
"If Black World Ash overuses his Aura, he will die. You all know this."
"The reason Aura Fusion between Ash and Charizard is imperfect is simple—their strengths don't match."
"Black World Ash's overall power already exceeds sub-Legendary tier."
"But Charizard hasn't even reached Elite Four–level."
"To maintain Aura Fusion without destroying Charizard's body, Ash must expend a massive amount of Aura."
"That's why the resulting power only reached the intermediate Elite Four tier."
"This technique achieves its true peak only when both sides are equal."
"So option A would mean Ash burns through all his Aura just to survive, then uses the Rainbow Wing to save his life."
"If that happens, the Rainbow Wing would dissipate, and he would lose the status of Rainbow Warrior."
"Unless I personally gave him another one later."
[Cynthia]:"Option A is dramatic, but this is only a discussion match. They wouldn't push things that far."
[Wallace]:"Then A is out. That leaves B and D."
[Lorelei]:"Option B is the most realistic."
"Overpowering the opponent through sheer will for a moment, then collapsing—it makes sense."
It was the safest and most logical answer.
But—
Black World Ash had been walking a path paved with miracles.
He had repeatedly overturned what everyone thought was impossible.
If the outcome really ended at option B…
It would be reasonable.
But also deeply regrettable.
[Steven Stone]:"Let's tentatively keep B. What about C?"
[Professor Oak]:"Impossible. Black World Ash hasn't reached the point of losing control."
"This is Charizard's battle."
"A trainer supporting their Pokémon is one thing."
"Personally stepping in to fight?"
"That would be an insult to Charizard's pride."
Everyone agreed.
Option C was eliminated.
[Professor Sycamore]:"As for option D… Administrator Liza, is there anything unusual in Charizard Valley?"
[Liza]:"There is."
"Deep in the worship chamber lies a strange stone—blue overall, with black and blue patterns intertwined."
"It's been there longer than any administrator can remember."
"I've only ever been responsible for cleaning it."
"But it's never reacted to anything."
"Ash's Charizard hasn't resonated with it either."
"Is D really possible?"
[Professor Sycamore]:"Option D states that Black World Ash and Charizard resonate with it."
"So it's normal that others couldn't."
"And the fact that the stone exists at all means D is possible."
"Though still less likely than B."
Final conclusion:
B: Most likely
D: Possible
A & C: Eliminated
The countdown reached zero.
Answer Results
Option A: Random participants
Option B: Steven Stone, Bruno, Lance
Option C: None
Option D: Professor Sycamore, Ash, Cynthia
Correct Answer: D
Punishments and rewards were distributed.
[Lance]:"…It was really D?"
[Steven Stone]:"No! My Diancie Crystal Sculpture!!"
[Steven Stone]:"My punishment is that it's sealed for ten days!"
[Wallace]:"Help—this guy is crying on me!"
[Bruno]:"I'm banned from physical training for ten days…"
[Lance]:"Mine is worse!! I have to walk ten laps around Silver Stadium wearing an advertisement on my cape!!"
Meanwhile—
[Professor Sycamore]:"My reward is a Mega Evolution Origin and a Mega Stone for Charizard X."
"This confirms my theory. This evolution is directly tied to Mega Evolution!"
[Ash]:"My reward is Charizardite X… So it really is for Charizard?"
[Cynthia]:"I received a Key Stone, but there's no usage explanation."
The punished group stared in envy.
In a Black World —
The scarred Charizard stared in shock.
By all calculations, this opponent should have collapsed.
That single blow earlier could have punched straight through a rock wall.
Yet not only did Ash's Charizard remain standing—
Its strength had increased.
Then—
The claws gripping its wrist tightened.
Even the scarred Charizard felt danger.
Ash screamed.
Charizard roared.
Azure Aura erupted into the sky.
Deep within Charizard Valley, a mysterious blue-and-black stone shone brilliantly, lifting into the air.
Aura poured into Charizard's body.
Light engulfed everything.
When it faded—
A black Charizard stood there.
Crimson eyes.
Dark-blue flames.
A transformed body.
"Charizard… evolved again."
Ash whispered.
The battle had only just begun.
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