[Cynthia]: I might be missing something, but… isn't Mega Evolution supposed to require a Key Stone?
[Cynthia]: Didn't Professor Sycamore explain this before? Mega Evolution happens when the bond between Trainer and Pokémon activates the vitality within the Key Stone, which in turn resonates with the Mega Stone.
[Cynthia]: So I think the reason Black World Ash and Charizard achieved a bond-based Mega Evolution is because Ash's Aura replaced the function of a Key Stone!
[Cynthia]: Aura itself represents life force. Combined with their bond, it resonated with the Mega Stone hidden in Charizard Valley. With all conditions met, Charizard finally completed Mega Evolution!
Professor Sycamore suddenly slapped his palm.
[Professor Sycamore]: That's it! How did I not realize this sooner?!
[Professor Sycamore]: Aura can actually replace the function of a Key Stone! As long as the bond is deep enough, Mega Evolution is absolutely possible!
[Professor Sycamore]: So that's how it works… so that's how it works!!
Just as everyone was discussing Mega Evolution—
The scene on the Black World screen shifted.
In a Black World —
With Scar Charizard collapsing to the ground,Ash and Charizard had officially won the battle.
No one would believe it if they heard it.
From peak Gym Leader–level to Champion-level—It had taken less than an hour.
After layers of breakthroughs and amplifications, Charizard had finally stepped into the realm of Champions.
Even if his strength dropped later, the benefits to his training, potential, and growth would be immeasurable.
Nearby—
Jike, who had watched Scar Charizard fall, rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
Even though she had prepared herself mentally,seeing it happen still felt unreal.
One of the Three Kings of Charizard Valley…defeated by an outsider.
Worse—
That trainer was absurdly young.
And that Charizard hadn't even been evolved for a year.
Such a combination defeating a Valley King was nothing short of fantasy.
Yet it had happened.
Just as Jike was about to step forward and speak—
Both Ash and Charizard suddenly shuddered.
Their eyes lost focus.
Their bodies gave out.
A brilliant light flashed over Charizard's body as it reverted from its pitch-black Mega form back to normal—
And both collapsed.
Sabrina, who had been prepared, instantly Teleported over.
Using Psychic power, she stabilized Charizard while supporting Ash—
But the moment Ash fell into her arms, Sabrina's expression changed.
Her face flushed red.
Not because he landed somewhere inappropriate—
But because Ash was ridiculously heavy.
The training weights.
She had forgotten about them.
"Ugh—too… heavy…"
In the end, Sabrina failed to support him and fell backward—
But still managed to let Ash rest safely on her lap.
Her black stockings pressed against the warm ground, making her frown slightly.
"Sabrina, how's Ash?"
Misty rushed over.
Ash was breathing steadily.
Completely asleep.
Just exhausted.
Charizard, placed gently beside him, was no better—either unconscious or asleep.
After nearly two hours of nonstop combat,both had pushed past their limits countless times.
Breaking through to this point—
They had earned the respect of the entire Charizard Valley.
"He's just overworked," Sabrina said softly, brushing Ash's cheek."Sleeping like this… it's rare to see him so defenseless."
If not for her earlier failure to catch him,the moment would've been almost peaceful.
Misty chuckled.
"He's always like that. Except for the fight with Mewtwo, I've never seen him take off those weights."
"But then—why did Charizard revert?" she asked."Wasn't that an evolution?"
She looked at Charizard, puzzled.
That black form had been impossibly cool.
Surely that wasn't just a temporary transformation… right?
"Let's take them to my place first."
Jike stepped forward.
"I have beds and medicine. They need rest."
Brock checked Ash and nodded.
Sabrina lifted Ash using Psychic power—it looked like she was carrying him, but it was all telekinesis.
With her physique, even normal Ash would've been difficult—let alone weighted Ash.
Charizard was taken away by the other Charizard for treatment.
They were experienced with injuries here.
When Charizard was returned to his Poké Ball—
A massive blue orb remained where he had fallen.
Almost the size of a fist.
Jike gasped and quickly picked it up.
On the way back, she explained.
"This stone has been passed down in Charizard Valley for generations. It should've been enshrined in the temple… How did it end up suppressed by your Charizard?"
Sabrina's gaze turned sharp.
Jike immediately waved her hands.
"Wait—no! I'm not accusing Ash of stealing it! I'm just shocked it appeared here!"
Only after Sabrina looked away did Jike wipe the cold sweat from her forehead.
She really liked that kid.
Soon, they reached Jike's residence.
As Sabrina laid Ash on the bed and prepared to release Charizard—
Ash slowly woke up.
His recovery speed was abnormal.
When consciousness returned, he instinctively resisted—
Until he smelled a familiar scent.
"…Sabrina?"
"Huh? You're awake!"
Her face lit up instantly.
Misty, Brock, and Jike rushed over.
"Ash, are you okay?"
"How do you feel?"
"Ash—this might be inappropriate, but—what exactly happened to Charizard earlier?! That wasn't evolution… was it?! Please tell me!!"
That last question was definitely from Jike.
For a Charizard fanatic like her,that pitch-black dragon was perfection.
Blue flames.Scarlet eyes.Bladed wings.
Even if her own Charizard became like that, it wouldn't feel strange at all.
Ash rubbed his dizzy head and smiled wryly.
"I'm sorry, Miss Jike. I don't fully understand it myself."
"But I can say this with certainty—that form was Mega Evolution."
"It wasn't just our strength, though. Something else helped us."
Ash recalled the mysterious power flowing through him.
Without it, Charizard would've grown stronger—
But not evolved.
That power awakened something deep in Charizard's genes, allowing him to cross an impossible gap.
"What about this?" Jike asked suddenly, holding up the orb.
Ash's eyes lit up.
Aura flowed instinctively as he examined it.
"This… this is it."
"This is the power that helped Charizard Mega Evolve."
Surprise—and confusion—flashed across his face.
Where had this come from?
After Jike explained its origins, Ash sighed softly.
If it truly belonged to Charizard Valley, he couldn't take it.
But—
If one existed, others might too.
At least now, he knew Mega Evolution was possible again.
Jike smiled slyly.
"So… want it?"
Ash froze.
"Huh? Isn't this a sacred relic?"
"It is—but it's technically ownerless. If your Charizard resonated with it, that means it chose you."
She leaned closer.
"I can give it to you~But you'll have to leave Charizard here."
"Nope."
Ash rejected it instantly.
Absolutely not.
That defeated the entire purpose.
Jike blinked, then hurriedly waved her hands.
"No, no! Not permanently!"
"I mean—let Charizard stay here for daily training. You can take him anytime."
"Like leaving a Pokémon with someone to train."
"It's good for his growth!"
Ash hesitated.
Too good a deal.
A Mega Stone and daily high-level training?
"What do you gain from this?" he asked cautiously.
Jike's face flushed.
Her fingers traced her cheek nervously.
Sabrina and Misty immediately tensed.
This expression—
Had they found another rival?!
Before either could react, Jike blurted out:
"I want him to… breed."
"…Lay eggs."
Everyone froze.
Ash.Misty.Brock.Sabrina.
"…Huh?!"
[Caitlin]: PFFFT—HAHAHAHA!! I'm dying!![Cynthia]: They thought it was a love rival—but it was about Charizard genetics all along![Jike]: Look, if it were your Charizard, wouldn't you want offspring too?! That Mega form is INSANE![Jike]: Unknown evolution, insane growth speed, limitless potential—how could any Charizard lover resist?![Jike]: It's fine! My Lisa's got him now![Ash]: Wait… weren't they already pretty close last time I saw them?[Jike]: Eggs soon~[Ash]: ...
That fast?!
It hadn't even been half a year!!
Was his Charizard built different?!
Author's Note
Charizard Valley is written this way intentionally.
Mega Evolution appears earlier, and Black World Ash's Charizard gains access to Mega Stones here.
Compared to canon, it's unreasonable—
But within this story?
Perfectly reasonable.
Because this is Charizard Valley.
Having an X Mega Stone here makes sense.
And when Charizard appears in the Silver Conference,he'll be smashing Lorelei head-on.
PS1 : I understand that many readers are facing issues within the chapters. By tomorrow or the day after, I'll be fixing all of them. I'll personally go through all 125 chapters, review everything carefully, and correct the mistakes. My goal is to provide a smooth and enjoyable reading experience for every reader. Thank you for your patience and support.
PS2 : I've been consistently releasing chapters for many days now, and If you want to support my work and read the 70+ Chapters ahead you can check out my P@treon. -> patreon.com/Sagamaster789
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