Pokemon: Age of War, Book 1. Claws In The Dark

Salamence

"Alright.. I'm here." Bishop said. "And Might I say... strange science lab we have here.

The science lab was a large metal dome, much different from the other fancy brick buildings that made up the campus of the Academy. It was rumored that the head of the lab, Eric Winchester and his assistant Rotom were overly obsessive with their work, and spent more time tinkering with their experiments on steam power and electricity.

"The television is old news!" Rotom would say. "OLD NEWS OLD NEWS!! We look to higher devices... we shall create.. the computer!! A device that will gain the ability to think and calculate on it's own!! Yes yes!! The Americans are working closely with us on this project!! OH YES!!!"

"The computer is already invented." Eric would then say. "We're trying to make it portable Rotom! Yeesh!!"

"Oh yes! Oh yes!!" Rotom would say back. "BUT A COMPUTER ISN'T TRULY INVENTED TILL IT IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC!!! ONWARD GOOD BOSS!! LET US MAKE HISTORY!!"

All and all, they were a strange pair.

Elain sighed as Aggron lumbered around behind her patiently. "I don't know what those two were thinking when they petitioned to build this facility. But the lawn behind this place is a good area to practice new techniques.

"Hmmm.. like maybe the Squat and Flap?" said Slyveon, winking at Bishop.

"NO.." said Bishop flat out. "We both promised we'd never try that again.. "

"What is the Squat and Flap?" Aggron asked curiously.

"Trust me.. you don't want to know." Bishop muttered. "Let's just say me and Slyvy were feeling bold and adventurous, and then we tried something that ended up with Slyvy having a little less fur left then she'd like."

Slyveon shivered. "It was so... cold.."

"Right... " Elain said. "Moving on. So here's what I wanted to give you."

Elain handed Bishop a dark round blue stone with a slight glow around the jewel. "It's called a Charizardite X. It allows a Charizard to turn into one of it's 2 Mega Evolutions..

"Charizard has two Mega evolutions?" said Bishop.

"Yep.. but X form is unique, because Charizard becomes a Dragon type when it's used." said Elain. "I figured you could use this.. if you ever find your dad.."

"Well.. My dad is a stubborn Pokémon.. but I'm not sure he appreciates military fighting." said Bishop. "Thanks.. so.. tell me, how does this work?"

"You need a device called a Mega Ring." said Elain. "The stones set in them used to have to be found through large expeditions.. but Rotom and Professor Winchester found out how to produce them artificially using elements from meteors. Anyways.. the stones in the Mega rings resonate with the same spirit energy that humans use to summon Sync Weapons from their Pokémon partners, it links to the Mega Stone, and voila.. instant biological super evolution."

"I don't have a ring.." Bishop muttered.

"You need to earn one.." said Elain. "If you make it to one of the top seven, you will be granted a Mega Ring. "I know I'm probably going to regret saying this.. but.. I think you've got the right potential to be challenging one of the less powerful of the Seven. But if you want to know what I think you should do.. is you should find another pokemon to partner with you first.."

"Another pokemon to partner with me?" Bishop said. "But me and Sylvy work together just fine!"

"Well, truth be told.. most of the Sync Fighters who are available for Rank Fighting all have two partners. I know you've known your Slyveon your entire life, you're siblings pretty much. Aggron's been family to me too.. " said Elain. "But most of the students here were only partnered for the duration of their pre-instructional phases.. in other words.. people like us who would've been okay with just using our one partner are few and far between. Having just one type of Pokémon, and just one type of weapon will leave you to vulnerabilities."