Chereads / POKEMON: BLAST OFF! / Chapter 230 - EPISODE 10: Wielder of Strength!*

Chapter 230 - EPISODE 10: Wielder of Strength!*

I did more research pertaining to the process known as Mega Evolution but sad to say I was only able to find three articles about it.

Some make sense, while most are parallel to what is written in the other article, making me have trust issues with papers and books. Sadly, if I want to know more about Mega Evolution then I must seek for Kalos myself or if I've been moved again. There are three facts I am certain about when it comes to this process. It needs a strong bond with a Pokemon, it requires an object known as a Mega Stone, and it must be used for the common good.

At around an hour before six, I did a little stretching to relieve my worn-out sanity. That is when I realized there were only a few people left. By a few, I mean two. It's just me and a strange old man whom I noticed was staring at me all this time to the point he starts to freak me.

He wears an old kimono outfit but is also a member of Team Rocket. I can say by the Rocket Logo embedded on the scarf surrounding his neck. Amidst the absence of everyone, with dusk arriving, the two of us stare, stagnantly. We did not move, and we looked like total idiots.

"Luna Evergreen." the old man calls my name.

"Y-yes, sir?" I ask, my voice stutters due to how confused I am.

"Oh and, sorry for staring. I was gathering details from your um... apparel." The man somehow apologizes as he takes off his pair of glasses. He starts to be covered with a white veil for some reason as his old looks revealed his true identity. Still an old man but more cunning. A cane supports his leg and instead of a kimono outfit, he wears the one of a kind, Team Rocket Neuro Outfit.

"You're a Neuro agent?!"

"Indeed I am. But that was before during my earlier days as a member of Team Rocket. My name is Melchior Stronghold. I am one of the oldest and first recruits of Giovanni's vast organization.

Sigh, seeing young agents like you makes me proud of the man I have become. I was once like you Luna, excellent in missions except for your abundant failures in Johto."

"How did you know about my identity?"

"Simple. I scanned you with my glasses. It's one of the most profound technologies of Team Rocket. Hehe."

"That reminds me. Why am I assigned with a partner instead of the classic trio strategy?"

"In Hoenn, Crimson despises the use of the trio strategy and prefers "tag partners" instead. But still, like me, you are registered as a combat agent as I am registered as a Neuro agent." replies, Melchior, easing my confusion.

"Now I understand. Glad to meet you, Melchior. I'm... um, never mind, you already know me."

"Indeed I do. I am surprised to see a woman like you eager to read books."

"Oh me? I'm not an avid reader. I'm not from Hoenn so I decided it would be nice to research more about the region's traditions and cultures. So far, I am astounded by its history." I reply with an intoned voice.

"Ho ho. Now I see why. Anyway, young Luna Evergreen, may I have the honors of challenging you to a Pokemon battle?"

"Me?!" I was stupefied by his words.

"You're the only person I'm talking to in this room. So basically, yes. I want to see how powerful you are as an agent and Elite Operative of Team Rocket. Prove to me, you have what it takes. Once again, I shall introduce myself. I am Melchior Stronghold, a Veteran Elite Operative of Team Rocket. I hope to have a good battle with you."

Hearing his words again all I ever wanted to do now is to faint. Another reason why I was here is to have at least a moment of calmness and serenity since I've recently stopped global chaos from succumbing to Johto. He is an old man and I did not want to hurt his feelings so I agreed to his battle.

"Fine." I sigh and banged my head harshly to the wooden table.

"You seem to have the looks of a person being forced. Is there by any chance I'm forcing you?"

"What? Of course not. I totally accept your challenge. This will help me train my Pokemon and you can observe my personality so it is a win-win for both of us." while massaging my head, I utter my words in a sarcastic way, regretting the decision to bang my head in the first place.

"What was I thinking?" I thought to myself, wondering the purpose behind hitting myself in the first place.

At least by hitting myself, it was able to give the old man a chuckle of a lifetime. Now that I have challenged a Veteran, one question stands in the way. Am I fit to defeat him? Or will things turn up as another failed strategy? So far, I have gotten used to controlling my multi-personality which I must not since it was the one which helped me defeat my enemies.

A part of me asks why I was not like my former self. Back in Kanto, I would brutally murder anyone to show how ruthless I am. I did some ruthless things in Johto but that did not satisfy me. I want to do more. More than what I did in Kanto. It is through this when I become more confident. I have moved on with my mother's death since I do not shed a tear for her or weep every night. I could barely remember her image and as long as it remains hidden inside the deepest chasms of my sanity I will become the Luna I was once.