"Huh? What's this?"
Nathan looked at the scale in his hand, confusion appearing in his eyes.
A dragon scale?
Didn't seem like it.
It actually looked more like the scales found on Palkia.
Calyrex's voice rang out just in time to resolve his confusion.
"That's a scale from Palkia. Give it to one of your Pokémon to hold—it will boost the power of Dragon-type moves. It's a gift from Palkia, a token of gratitude."
"Why would it thank me?" Nathan asked in confusion.
Calyrex floated in front of him and said gently,
"If you hadn't found it and allowed me to awaken it, it would have taken a very long time to wake up on its own. That's why it gave you this scale as thanks."
"I see."
Nathan suddenly understood and carefully stored the scale away.
This was a valuable item—if he gave it to Flygon to hold, it would no doubt be quite effective.
Although Flygon was currently holding a Soft Sand, it definitely didn't compare in value to Palkia's scale.
"Palkia has already left. Now, it's time for me to give you my gift. Bring out your Metagross. Also, have you decided whether you want to catch that Pokémon we saw earlier? For a human Trainer like you, that Pokémon would be considered quite powerful. Not to mention, it has absorbed additional power and evolved into an even stronger form."
"Of course I do."
Nathan smiled in anticipation.
"I'll be counting on you, Calyrex. Even if I can't get it to fight for me right away, I'm confident I can make that happen in the future."
"Come out, Metagross."
Nathan called out, tossing a Poké Ball.
With a flash of light, Metagross appeared, floating in the air.
It looked at Nathan curiously, confused.
"I'm counting on you, Calyrex," Nathan said politely.
"This is something I ought to do."
Calyrex's voice was light and ethereal. As it spoke, a wave of Psychic-type power burst forth, enveloping Metagross.
Metagross instinctively resisted the strange force.
Nathan quickly calmed it down, and only then did Metagross relax.
Afterward, a glow began to shimmer across the parts of Metagross's body coated in metallic membrane—an unmistakable pink glow, symbolic of Psychic energy.
The light began to crystallize into tiny pink crystals, dazzling and beautiful.
Crack!
With a soft sound, the crystals suddenly shattered like powder and merged into Metagross's body.
"It's done."
Calyrex spoke again.
"My abilities only allow me to do this much. I can't go as far as Regigigas, who can crystallize an entire Pokémon's body into pure energy."
"This is already amazing." Nathan grinned happily.
Although he hadn't tested it yet, just as Calyrex had said earlier, Metagross's Steel- and Psychic-type moves would now be greatly enhanced. It was like carrying two powerful held items—definitely a huge gain.
"If you ever encounter Regigigas, you might want to ask for its help—it's an expert in this field," Calyrex added softly.
Nathan nodded.
If given the chance, he definitely would.
After all, Regigigas was said to be a master of this kind of power.
It had created the Dragon-type Regidrago—perhaps Regieleki was its creation as well.
In any case, if Metagross's body could be transformed into a crystallized fusion of Steel and Psychic energy, it would become a terrifying force.
Perhaps one day, it could even challenge Legendary Pokémon.
But for now, Nathan had no idea how to find Regigigas, so he could only leave that for the future.
"Well then, let's go find that Pokémon we saw earlier. I'll help you capture it—but only capture it. What happens after that is up to you."
Calyrex looked at Nathan seriously.
"That Pokémon is very strong, and it's carrying a treasure. While I have no interest in the treasure, many other wild Pokémon in this region are. If it stays here, it will disturb the balance and development of others. That's why I'm helping you—but I hope you treat it kindly. Even if it can't become your true partner in the end, please find it a suitable place to live."
"I understand."
Nathan nodded, fully grasping what Calyrex meant.
Among humans, Pokémon trafficking and bizarre experiments were all too common.
Calyrex was worried that if the Steelix didn't become Nathan's true partner, it would end up being used for research or worse.
Nathan understood—and he would never do something like that.
He returned Metagross to its Poké Ball, planning to test its enhanced powers later.
No rush for now.
Riding on Flygon's back, Nathan and Calyrex headed toward the location of the Dynamax Steelix.
Deep down, Nathan was curious—would Calyrex and the Dynamax Steelix end up fighting?
If they did, it would be something worth seeing.
After all, it would be a battle beyond the Elite Four level.
It was said that once a Pokémon surpassed the Elite tier, improving further meant tapping into the essence of their type—like a Grass-type enhancing its innate Grass energy.
Origin?
Laws?
Nathan wasn't sure.
But he wouldn't mind witnessing it firsthand.
Unfortunately, that wasn't meant to be.
By the time he and Calyrex arrived, the massive Steelix had already sensed them.
It raised its head with a roar, exuding a fearsome aura.
As the evolved form of Onix, Steelix was normally around ten meters long.
But this one had doubled in size—truly monstrous.
"ROAR!"
Steelix let out a deep, threatening growl, warning Nathan and the others to leave.
But seeing that they remained floating overhead, Steelix suddenly opened its massive jaws, and a violent energy surged forth.
Dragon Breath.
Boom!
The Dragon Breath shot out in a furious blast.
Even though it wasn't the most powerful Dragon-type move, its sheer force was terrifying.
Had Flygon taken a direct hit, it would've been instantly knocked out.
It clearly showed just how strong this Dynamax Steelix was.
But in the next instant—
Hum!
Calyrex raised its right hand.
A wall of light formed in front of them, easily blocking the Dragon Breath.
Then, with another wave of its hand and a flash in its eyes, Calyrex unleashed a surge of psychic energy.
Boom!
Steelix's massive body was suddenly slammed to the ground by the force, pinned and unable to move.
"Damn…"
Nathan couldn't help but smirk, deeply impressed.
Calyrex was even stronger than he'd expected.
"I've restrained it. You can begin the capture," Calyrex said. "But I suggest you talk to it first. Otherwise, I can't guarantee it won't attack you after the capture—especially once I leave."
Apparently, suppressing Steelix didn't take much effort for Calyrex.
Nathan nodded.
Staring at Steelix's massive form, he swallowed nervously and took a deep breath.
"Flygon, get us closer."
"Fly~"
Whoosh!
Flygon flew closer to Steelix.
The nearer they got, the more they could feel the overwhelming pressure Steelix gave off.
Flygon, especially, was visibly nervous.
"Come out, Volcarona."
Nathan tossed another Poké Ball.
With a flash, Volcarona appeared by his side...
…
In the sky, Calyrex watched Nathan with interest.
It wasn't sure what the human planned to do by summoning his strongest Pokémon—was he planning to battle the wild Steelix?
Obviously not.
Calyrex had overthought it.
Nathan had no intention of throwing his life away.
"Steelix, you have one of these stones too, don't you?"
Nathan pointed at the Wishing Star shard hanging around Volcarona's neck.
Steelix may be a Pokémon, but it could understand what Nathan was saying.
Its keen eyes followed Nathan's finger and locked onto the shard.
Immediately, it sensed a familiar aura—but also looked puzzled.
"ROAR."
Steelix growled, nodding slightly, but also clearly warning Nathan not to get any funny ideas about its treasure.
"How about coming with me?"
Nathan smiled.
"If you come with me, I'll make sure you're well-fed every day. And as you can see—I already have one of these. I'm not interested in stealing yours, so don't worry.
All I ask is that when I need help in battle, you lend me your strength.
And in the future, give me a chance to officially capture you through battle.
How's that sound?"
"ROAR."
Steelix roared again—it clearly didn't understand a word of what Nathan just said.
Nathan didn't mind.
He casually reached into his bag and pulled out a high-quality Pokéblock.
And then tossed it straight into Steelix's mouth.
Poison?
This human is trying to poison me!
Feeling something tossed into its mouth, Steelix panicked and roared again.
Humans are so treacherous...!
Wait—
What is this?
Mmm… Delicious.
Steelix's eyes lit up with desire as it stared at Nathan.
"Taste good?"
"ROAR."
Steelix let out a reluctant-sounding growl.
Meh… Just okay. A noble Steelix wouldn't admit it was tasty. Hmph.
Nathan smirked.
"If you agree to help me in battle from time to time, I'll feed you one of those every day. Deal?"