Advent: Explorers of Boundaries

♠︎Mega Evolution Pendant

A month has passed, and Team Awesome, with ghostly hints leading the way, grew closer to the elusive Four Sword. Clues from the ghostly Sceptile had guided them to the Ethos region, a land rich with French influence and ancient mysteries and odd yet beautiful landscapes. After a long search, they stumbled upon a hidden cave, winding deep into the mountainside.

As they ventured further into the cave's cool, shadowed depths, a rumbling echoed through the chamber. Suddenly, Tapu Bulu, a lesser guardian of Ethos, emerged, blocking their path. Its eyes narrowed as it looked down at the two intruders, its voice ringing out in a stern but unintelligible torrent of French to the duo.

Elton clenched his fists, squaring off. "Hey, dude! I don't know what you're saying, but we need to get through! So move!"

Tapu Bulu's eyes flashed, and it snorted, clearly ready to defend the territory. "Non, non, et NON! Pas de passage pour vous! Vous avez troublé le sanctuaire sacré d'Ethos!"

Elton leaned closer to Muffy, hissing under his breath, "What's it saying? I don't speak baguette! Is it... cursing us out?"

Muffy shrugged, bewildered. "I have no idea... I doubt someone would say praises with that face."

Elton now with Leaf Blade drawn on his hand as that leafy blade was enhanced by the Koholint Sword, puffed himself up. "Well, then maybe it would like to settle this like real Pokémon!" Tapu Bulu's nostrils flared, its hooves pawing the ground as it snorted with equal determination.

Just as the two were about to lunge at each other, the ghostly Sceptile phased into view, raising a spectral hand between them as he used his magic to calm down and speak to Tapu Bulu in a way Tapu understood. "Ah, calm down, you two! Elton, no need to challenge every guardian we meet, and Tapu Bulu, come on. They're here on important business. The Successor is upon us."

Tapu Bulu blinked, looking slightly taken aback, then grunted. "Hmph, d'accord. Mais ne causez plus de problèmes! Allez-y... mais respectez Ethos!"

Elton smirked, tossing a cheeky salute to the still-fuming Tapu Bulu. "Yeah, yeah, appreciate it, buddy. Thanks for understanding... whatever it was you said."

Once they moved past the still-grumbling Tapu Bulu, they finally reached the heart of the cave, where a pendant rested on a stone pedestal, glowing faintly. The ghostly Sceptile appeared beside it, his gaze serious. "This is the Mega Evolution Pendant. Only those who've truly mastered Mega Evolution are worthy of it."

Elton grinned, rolling his shoulders confidently. "Mastery? Oh, I've got that covered dude." With a flash of light, he Mega Evolved, his form transforming into a powerful Mega Sceptile. He reached forward, grasping the pendant, feeling its energy pulse in his hands. The first of the four pendants was finally theirs.

The ghostly Sceptile nodded approvingly, his voice echoing through the cave. "One down... but the journey is far from over."