Chapter 119: Deoxys, Setting Out for Dragon Village

"Buzz, buzz, buzz."

A massive helicopter descended from the clouds, marked with a large "R." It was Team Rocket's aircraft.

The helicopter lowered a flat platform, scooped up the three light barriers, and prepared to depart.

"Alright, you brats, our mission is accomplished. See you later!"

The members of Team Rocket quickly climbed the ladder, ready to flee in their helicopter.

"Don't think you're getting away! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pika-pi!"

Pikachu’s Thunderbolt struck the aircraft, but it had no effect. Both Cheng Cheng and Muzi were currently unable to battle with their strongest Pokémon, making it difficult to stop them.

"You aren't getting away that easily."

Just then, a red Pokémon blocked the path of the helicopter.

"Deoxys, I'm counting on you."

Deoxys unleashed a Psycho Boost, destroying the platform holding the three light spheres. The aircraft began to shudder violently.

"Damn it, we were so close!"

"Doctor, what should we do?"

"Forget it. Our ultimate goal wasn't those three Pokémon anyway. Let's go."

Dense smoke billowed from all sides of the helicopter, and the craft sped away through the haze, vanishing from the scene.

The three light barriers fell to the ground; deprived of their power source, they shattered. The three Pokémon broke free and immediately began fighting each other again.

"Deoxys, please help Landorus."

Deoxys flew toward the battlefield and struck Tornadus with a Shadow Ball, inserting itself into the fray. Deoxys began battling Tornadus, while Landorus engaged Thundurus. Cheng Cheng checked Deoxys’s data.

Pokémon: Deoxys
Type: Psychic
Level: 77
Combat Power: 13,678
Moves: Leer, Bind, Night Shade, Taunt, Thief, Teleport, Double Team, Spikes, Pursuit, Amnesia, Iron Defense, Agility, Recover, Zap Cannon, Recover, Shadow Ball, Psychic, Psycho Boost, Snatch, Superpower, Swift, Hyper Beam, Counter, Mirror Coat, Extreme Speed, Skill Swap, Zen Headbutt, Cosmic Power.
Talent Abilities: Meteor Form, Pressure.

Cheng Cheng noticed that Deoxys had grown significantly, though its combat power still trailed behind Tornadus. However, Tornadus had been fighting for a long time before being captured, and its remaining strength was likely only half of its peak.

The battle shifted from a one-on-two to a two-on-two, becoming even more intense. Although Deoxys was weaker than Tornadus, it held its own by shifting forms to absorb the attacks while simultaneously dealing damage back.

Before long, Landorus and Deoxys defeated Thundurus and Tornadus. Deoxys stopped, and Landorus flew toward the others. Instead of attacking, Landorus began to heal their wounds and communicate with them. Cheng Cheng managed to decipher their exchange; it was essentially a call for peace. Soon, the hostility vanished from all the Pokémon.

Tornadus used its power to shroud the sky in dark clouds, and a light rain began to fall.

"It's the Rain of Grace."

Indeed, it was the Rain of Grace, infused with life energy. With this rain, the land would be nourished, and vegetation would grow rapidly.

Landorus then exerted its power, causing stalks of Revival Herbs to sprout from the ground—likely from seeds or roots that had survived the destruction. Everyone was overjoyed to see the herbs growing, but Thundurus suddenly used an electric attack to scorch them all. The leaves turned into shards and drifted away.

"I understand now. Thundurus scorched them to help them spread their seeds and provide enough nutrients."

After a while, Tornadus summoned the Rain of Grace again. Once the light rain ceased, Landorus used its power to make the herbs grow once more. The group was delighted to see the area covered in Revival Herbs.

With their task complete, the Forces of Nature departed. Deoxys didn't leave immediately; it flew over and stopped in front of Cheng Cheng.

"Deoxys, thank you so much for this time."

Deoxys nodded and turned to leave. Just as it seemed to be gone, it suddenly reappeared right in front of Cheng Cheng and pressed its head against his.

Cheng Cheng felt something flood into his mind, though it would take time to process. Deoxys drifted away, turning to continue its journey.

When Cheng Cheng opened his eyes, Deoxys was gone. He had wanted to ask about the information he had received, but it was too vast; he would have to sort through it slowly.

"Cheng Cheng, what was that about with Deoxys?"

"That’s a Pokémon I met during my travels. I wanted to catch it originally, but it was too strong, and I failed. However, we became good friends. It injected its power into this necklace so that I can call upon it for help when needed."

"Wow, that is so cool!"

"By the way, speaking of necklaces, what was that evolution with Gardevoir earlier?"

Cheng Cheng had expected Muzi to ask.

"I'll tell you about that a bit later."

Cheng Cheng didn't want too many people knowing about Mega Evolution yet, as it had only appeared in the Kalos region. He didn't want to attract unwanted attention; the world was a dangerous place.

Afterward, Ash gathered a bag of Revival Herbs to deliver to Clay. Cheng Cheng, having contributed significantly to the effort, saw no reason to be modest. Revival Herbs were precious medicine, and he took a bag for himself, roughly the same amount as Ash. He could have taken more, but he didn't want to be greedy when so many others needed them.

With the herbs secured, the group took a ferry back to Driftveil City and stayed at the Pokémon Center.

The Center had single, double, and multi-bed rooms. Cheng Cheng initially wanted two singles, but Muzi insisted a double was fine. He didn't refuse.

"Cheng Cheng, can you tell me about Gardevoir now?"

"No problem. Come on out, Gardevoir."

Cheng Cheng released her. "What happened before was indeed an evolution, but this state is called Mega Evolution."

"Mega Evolution?"

"Yes. As you probably know, many Pokémon existed in ancient times. Modern Pokémon still carry those ancient genes, though they are incomplete. Because of this, they normally can't evolve further, but Mega Stones change that. They contain the genetic fragments for specific Pokémon. If a Pokémon has a Mega Stone, it can undergo Mega Evolution."

"However, it's not easy. Most Mega Evolutions require the bond between a Mega Stone and a Key Stone held by the Trainer. It also requires a deep connection between the Pokémon and the Trainer."

"I see. Can I see your Mega Stone?"

"Of course, this is the Key Stone."

Cheng Cheng handed his bracelet to Muzi, who examined it curiously, then looked at the necklace on Gardevoir.

"Wow, this is amazing! I want a Key Stone too, so my Pokémon can Mega Evolve. That would be so cool."

"Key Stones are extremely rare. So far, they've only been discovered in the Kalos region. I was very lucky to get this."

"In that case, let's travel to the Kalos region sometime! Maybe I'll find one too."

"Of course we can. But for now, we have to participate in the Unova League, so I need you to keep this a secret."

"Of course, no problem!"

Muzi happily agreed. She kept the bracelet in her hands, carefully studying it. Cheng Cheng felt too awkward to ask for it back, so he decided to go to sleep, trusting that she wouldn't break it. Probably.

Early the next morning, Ash took the Revival Herbs to the Driftveil Gym to meet Clay. Clay was welcoming, though his expression was a bit strained—the memory of Slowking’s previous antics was still fresh. Regardless, Ash battled Clay, won, and earned his badge.

Afterward, Cheng Cheng said his goodbyes to Ash. Ash had invited him to travel together, but Cheng Cheng declined. He wanted to head to the Village of Dragons with Muzi to earn his final badge and see her hometown. Furthermore, one of the messages Deoxys had left him concerned the Village of Dragons, and he was eager to investigate.