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| - Brendan and May kept walking through the dark passageways of the Granite Cave in hopes that they would run into Steven at some point. They knew that he was in the cave, but they didn't know what part of the cave he was in. Due to the cave's large tunnel system, they figured it would take them a while before they ended up finding him. "Man, why is this guy so hard to find?" Brendan asked. "And why are we even doing this for Mr. Stone?" "Hey, he gave us free PokéNav's, this is the least we can do for him," May reminded him. "And besides, networking is always a good thing for a Pokémon trainer to do. You never know who will be of importance somewhere in life. Someone as large and respected in the Hoenn Region as Mr. Stone can definitely help us out in the long run." "I guess you're right," Brendan shrugged. "I just wish he had a better hobby. One that didn't take us risking our lives in this stupid cave." "Hey, Torchic seems to be having fun," May said and then looked to the Pokémon in her arms. To her disappointment, Torchic was fast asleep. "Torchic is sleeping..." Brendan chuckled. Suddenly, something whirred past May's head. She cowered on the floor as Brendan looked around for the source of the wind. In the distance, Brendan could see a Zubat flapping its wings trying to fly around. "It's just a Zubat," Brendan reassured her. "Calm down there." "It could have been anything, though," May defended herself and got back up. "I just don't want to run into any more scary Pokémon." "Relax, if anything happens we have Lairon and Grovyle to resort to. And your Corphish is pretty powerful, too." "I guess that sounds better..." The two of them continued their hike through the cave until they heard murmuring. They slowly crept over to the source of the noise to see a group of miners sitting down in front of a narrow passageway. "What's going on here?" Brendan asked. "There's some guy named Steven down the end of this passageway," one of the miners explained. "He asked if we could stop mining for a bit so he could check out the ancient mural up ahead." "He's been gone for a while, though," another miner added in. "I heard that man really loves his rocks, so he's probably just having the time of his life." "Do you mind if we go in?" May asked. "We have to deliver a letter to him." "I don't see why not," a miner shrugged. "Just don't destroy anything and you'll be all good." "Thank you," Brendan and May nodded in unison and headed down the narrow passageway. The passageway was dark and tiny, but it was traversable. As they went deeper and deeper into the small tunnel, they could see that it widened until eventually they were in a large chamber with a tall set of stairs at the end. The walls of the chamber held torches which kept it lit. On top of the platform of the stairs was a tall man with steel blue hair. "I'm guessing that's Steven," Brendan mumbled and began to climb the stairs with May. As they ascended up the stone staircase, they could see that the man was examining a large carving on the wall. The drawing style seemed to be from people of ancient times. "Um, excuse me?" Brendan asked and tapped the man on his shoulder. With a startled jolt, he turned around to face them. "Are you Steven?" "You scared me!" Steven exclaimed and looked directly at Brendan's eyes. "Yes, I am Steven." "We have a letter we're supposed to deliver to you from your father," May said and handed Steven the envelope from her pouch. "Thank you very much," Steven nodded and took the letter from May's hands. "How did you two manage to make it this far in the cave? It's awfully dark." "It was tough and we ran into a powerful Lairon, but we managed to trust in our Pokémon," Brendan shrugged. "Even little Torchic helped out, right?" May asked and chuckled at her Fire-type Pokémon chirping in her arms. "You managed to run into a Lairon in this cave?" Steven asked. "That's odd, I never would have figured an Aron to evolve here..." "It was powerful, but Brendan managed to capture it," May explained. "Oh, and my name is May, by the way." "Well, it's nice to meet you two," Steven nodded and looked to Brendan. Oh, so are you the Brendan I have heard about?" "Umm, I guess?" Brendan shrugged. "You must have been the trainer who defeated Roxanne previously." "Yeah, how do you know that?" Brendan asked with one eye squinted. "I happen to know a few gym leaders quite well," Steven explained. "But never mind that, you two show some great potential. Just to make it this deep in this cave as a pair of new trainers is something quite incredible. I picture the two of you making it far someday." "Anyways, what's the painting up there?" May asked and pointed to the ancient picture of two large Pokémon fighting. Steven sighed and looked up at the mural again. He squinted his eyes and tried to see if he could find any hidden meaning. He shook his head in deep frustration. "All I am seeing in this is a mural of two legendary Pokémon fighting," Steven said quietly. "The ancient people of Hoenn must have thrown in some hidden message here, but I cannot seem to find it." "Hidden meaning?" May asked. "What makes you think it isn't just some old painting from thousands of years ago?" "You see, the humans depicted in this mural are holding up two Mega Stones," Steven explained. "Mega Stones?" "They are stones capable of allowing Pokémon to reach a new level of power called Mega Evolution," Steven told them. "As of now, we know very little about it other than the fact that the required items are necessary in addition to a Pokémon's bond with its trainer." "So these two Pokémon had trainers?" Brendan asked. "How do people even control those things?" "That is where the hidden meaning comes into play," Steven sighed. "These Pokémon were far too powerful in their primitive states to have trainers commanding them. Their Mega Stones, the Red and Blue Orbs, have been kept in Mt. Pyre near Lilycove City for safekeeping. However, without growing bonds, it puzzles me to know how they could have reached Mega Evolution. Something else must have come into play..." "Maybe they didn't Mega Evolve?" Brendan suggested. "Maybe it was something similar that paved way for Mega Evolution?" "You see, I have been weighing my options on any possibility," Steven mumbled. "Right now that seems like the most possible explanation. We still don't know the exact origins of Mega Evolution, so these super ancient Pokémon could have certain ties to its roots." "What exactly did these Pokémon do and why are they so important right now?" May asked. "You ask some good questions, May," Steven complimented her. "The land creature is called Groudon and has been estimated to be a Ground-type. It created the continents and took residence in the ground of the Hoenn Region after its work was completed. The water creature is called Kyogre and has been estimated to be a Water-type. It created the seas and sleeps somewhere in a cave under the Hoenn trenches. These two Pokémon clashed in order to control the balance of the Earth. This proved to be a catastrophic war for those in Hoenn." "Why is this still significant? Aren't these ancient Pokémon hidden away?" "Team Magma and Team Aqua intend to revive them," Steven explained. "I'm sure you are familiar with the two of them." "Team Aqua, yes," Brendan nodded. "They stole the Devon Goods, but we've never heard of Team Magma." "Well, they want to expand Hoenn's land and seas by reviving these Pokémon. Additionally, since they are working towards different goals, it is essentially written in stone that the conflict between these two Pokémon will happen once again." "Is there any way we can stop this?" May asked. "I like the Hoenn Region the way it is." "As do I, May," Steven agreed. "There is a way, though. Legend says that there was a third super ancient Pokémon, one that protected and created the skies. This Pokémon has not been in slumber and has been waiting for the day that these two fight again, only to quell it. Rumor is that it hides in the air." "Do we know where it is right now?" "Unfortunately, we do not," Steven sighed. "The last known sighting of this Pokémon was approximately two years ago. After that, it's almost as if its trace was completely vanished from existence." "Could somebody have caught it?" "While that it is a good thought, it is practically implausible. Such a powerful Pokémon would not handle the modern effects of a PokéBall so well. It is almost immune to capture." "Well, that sucks," Brendan complained. "I guess that's it, then," May told Steven. "We're going to have to leave soon if we want to get to the next city." "I'd suggest going to Slateport, then," Steven suggested. "It's just across the sea and I'm sure you'd both like to meet Captain Stern." "Wait!" Brendan exclaimed. "Before we leave, I'd like to have a battle with you." "With me?" Steven asked, shocked. "Brendan, you just started training Pokémon." "I know, but I'm sure you're a powerful trainer," Brendan explained. "It can't hurt for me to challenge you." "I don't think that's a good idea..." "Oh, come on, I'm up for the challenge," Brendan stated confidently. "I can't lose!" "If it's what you wish, then I cannot decline," Steven said and stood at one end of the platform. "Let's get this through," Brendan said and stood on the other side of the platform. He pulled a PokéBall out from his belt and tossed it forward. "Lairon, it's your time to shine! Show Steven the awesome power you have!" Lairon flew out of its PokéBall in a brilliant glow and fell to the ground with a metallic thud. It growled powerfully once before waiting for Steven to send out his Pokémon. "Regirock, this battle is yours!" Steven exclaimed and sent the legendary golem Pokémon out of his PokéBall. Regirock fell to the ground from its PokéBall in a loud thud. It made beeping noises and flashed its braille eyes in order to intimidate its opponent. "What is that thing?" Brendan asked and pulled out his PokéDex. "Regirock, the legendary Rock Peak Pokémon," his PokéDex started. "Regirock was sealed away by people long ago. If this Pokémon's body is damaged in battle, it is said to seek out suitable rocks on its own to repair itself." "L-l-legendary Pokémon?" Brendan stuttered in shock. "You have a legendary Pokémon!?" "I told you this battle wasn't a good idea," Steven shrugged. "Regirock, use Superpower!" "Lairon, dodge it and use Iron Head!" Regirock charged its fist up in a powerful light blue glow and charged at Lairon. Lairon completely ignored Brendan's commands and sighed. Regirock slammed its fist into Lairon's head and knocked the Pokémon back. "Lairon!" Brendan exclaimed. "Why didn't you listen to my commands?" "Maybe it doesn't find you to be a worthy trainer," Steven explained. "Bullshit!" Brendan shouted angrily. "I'm a worthy trainer! Lairon, listen to me and use Iron Head!" "Regirock, end this battle with one more Superpower!" Lairon yawned loudly and slowly closed its eyes. Regirock beeped and let its braille letters blow a bright orange as its fist charged another Superpower attack. Regirock slugged the powerful double super effective hit right at Lairon's head and knocked the Pokémon out. "Lairon!" Brendan exclaimed and held its PokéBall up. "Come back..." "He... he wiped the floor with you," May commented from the sideline. Brendan fell to his knees in defeat. Despite only starting off as a trainer, he had not faced the harsh reality of a loss yet. Additionally, his most powerful Pokémon had no intent on listening to his commands. He was worthless. "Regirock, come back," Steven sighed and called his legendary Rock-type Pokémon back. He walked over to Brendan. "I warned you about battling me." "Why didn't Lairon listen to me?" Brendan asked while looking at the ground, never even attempting to get up. "Sometimes powerful Pokémon do not feel that their trainer is worthy for them," Steven explained and put his hand on the young trainer's shoulder. "How do I over come that?" Brendan asked and stood up. "I thought I was good enough for it." "The only way to make a Pokémon compassionate towards you is to train hard enough," Steven told him. "The more you bond with your Pokémon, the more trust it will have for you." "Thanks, I guess..." Brendan sighed. "It was a good battle." "No, thank yourself," Steven nodded. "By choosing Lairon, you took your first step in earning its trust." "I... I did?" "Yes, you did," Steven smiled and shot Brendan a thumbs up. "Anyways, I should be taking my leave. Shouldn't you two head to Slateport soon?" "Yeah, that's what we were going to do until Brendan here got distracted," May groaned. "Come with me, I will take you there," Steven said and led the two down the stairs. As they began to leave the cave, one thing kept lingering in Brendan's mind. No matter what he said, Lairon wouldn't listen to him. He was worthless.
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