Two years could seem like a short time to an adult.
For a child, they were an enormous part of their life.
On Celestia Island, the seasons advanced without stopping.
Spring covered the orchards in flowers.
Summer brought storms from the sea and forced the Pokémon of the mountains to descend toward the valleys.
During autumn, the workers harvested tons of Berries that would be used in the breeding center, sold in Kanto, or stored for winter.
Lucian changed alongside the island.
By the age of seven, he no longer lost control of his powers whenever he sensed too many emotions at the same time.
He learned to create basic mental barriers, move several small objects, and communicate with Beldum through clearer impulses.
They couldn’t hold a real conversation.
They didn’t need to.
A sense of danger, a direction, or an intention to attack was enough during battle.
Growlithe progressed as well.
His body became stronger, his legs grew faster, and his coat acquired a brighter color thanks to the diet prepared at the breeding center.
Flame Wheel was no longer a move that consumed nearly all his energy.
He could now use it several times without losing control of his flames.
However, he still attempted to steal food whenever someone cooked meat.
Some things never changed.
Elena trained alongside Absol.
At first, Adrian focused on teaching them discipline.
Elena had to learn to observe before running toward danger, while Absol needed to grow accustomed to sharing her decisions with a human.
Their first sessions ended in arguments.
“You can’t disappear every time you sense something,” Elena complained one morning.
Absol looked away.
“We’re supposed to be partners.”
The Pokémon gestured toward the forest with her snout.
“Yes, I know you found the danger first.”
Absol raised her head.
“But you could have warned me.”
The Pokémon pointed toward the forest again.
“I can’t run as fast as you!”
Lucian watched from a nearby rock.
Growlithe sat beside him.
“They’re too similar,” he said.
The Fire-type barked.
“You don’t have the right to comment either.”
Over time, Elena and Absol learned to adapt.
The girl began recognizing changes in her partner’s behavior before a vision of danger became too intense.
Absol, meanwhile, stopped leaving the area without communicating with her.
They developed simple signals.
One movement of the tail indicated unease.
Two strikes against the ground meant nearby danger.
A low growl warned of a threat they couldn’t yet locate.
Absol’s special ability remained exhausting, but the nighttime episodes decreased after they began using breathing and concentration exercises.
Her potential still hadn’t reached the Diamond rank.
Lucian didn’t try to rush it.
Some improvements required time, not resources.
Daisy visited the island during summer.
She arrived with three suitcases, a box filled with accessories for Swablu, and the intention of staying for two weeks.
Her first argument with Elena began before she finished stepping off the ship.
“Lucian said my room was ready,” Daisy said.
“It’s next to his,” Elena replied.
“I know.”
“I also have a room nearby.”
“But not inside the mansion.”
“I live here. I don’t need to stay as a guest.”
They both smiled.
Lucian, standing between them, sensed a tension he couldn’t entirely interpret.
His grandfather watched from the harbor.
“Don’t get involved,” he advised.
“They’re arguing about bedrooms.”
“Exactly.”
“I could resolve it by explaining the mansion’s layout.”
“That would only make things worse.”
The old man was right.
It took Lucian three days to admit it.
Despite their rivalry, Daisy and Elena ended up getting along better than either had expected.
Daisy helped Elena prepare products for Absol’s fur, while Elena showed her the island’s trails and the best places for Swablu to practice flying.
They also argued.
A lot.
However, neither allowed anyone else to criticize the other.
During that visit, Daisy performed a small routine for the breeding center’s workers.
Swablu combined Sing, Mist, and Fairy Wind with far greater precision than she had displayed in Pallet Town.
The silver star-shaped clasp still secured her ribbon.
Lucian fulfilled his promise and watched the entire performance.
The album received new photographs.
Then autumn and winter arrived.
The second year passed faster than the first.
Lucian began accompanying the guardians during safe patrols around the island.
He didn’t participate in dangerous missions, but he learned to recognize territories, study populations, and record environmental changes.
The system’s Population Registry function completely unlocked after he studied three different tribes.
The Ponyta of the eastern meadows.
The Butterfree that migrated toward the coast during spring.
And a Wooper community living in the southern wetlands.
The reward wasn’t an extraordinary power.
The system allowed him to organize territorial maps, compare resources, and anticipate possible conflicts.
Lucian considered that far more useful.
That knowledge would become the foundation of the organization he intended to build someday.
However, none of those advancements were as important to him as the growth of his partners.
And when Lucian turned eight, Beldum decided that the time had come to return to the mountains.
Lucian was on the training field when he felt it.
Beldum had completed a series of exercises using Confusion.
Six metal spheres floated around it, each moving in a different direction.
Two years ago, it could barely hold one.
Now, it controlled all six without allowing them to collide.
“Change the pattern,” Lucian ordered.
The spheres formed two circles.
One rotated to the right.
The other moved in the opposite direction.
Beldum maintained control, but its energy was beginning to show signs of exhaustion.
“That’s enough.”
The spheres descended onto the grass.
Beldum didn’t protest.
That caught Lucian’s attention.
It normally tried to continue whenever a training session ended.
The Pokémon floated toward the north.
It stopped and looked at the mountain range.
Lucian closed his eyes.
His connection with Beldum had become much deeper than before.
He didn’t receive words, but images and emotions.
A mountain covered in mist.
Metallic bodies floating among the rocks.
The sound of hundreds of overlapping magnetic fields.
The colony.
“You want to return.”
Beldum released a vibration.
Growlithe, who was training with Elena and Absol on the other side of the field, raised his head.
He ran toward them.
“This isn’t a training expedition,” Lucian said.
Growlithe looked at Beldum.
The metallic Pokémon transmitted another impulse.
Loneliness.
Rejection.
Then determination.
Lucian placed a hand against its body.
“You don’t need to prove anything to them.”
Beldum turned toward him.
Its response was clear.
It didn’t want to return for the colony.
It wanted to do it for itself.
Lucian understood.
“Then we’ll go.”
Growlithe barked.
“You too.”
The Fire-type wagged his tail.
Elena approached with Absol.
At eight years old, her light-brown hair reached below her shoulders.
She wore it in a messy braid to prevent it from getting in the way during training.
“Where are we going?”
“Beldum wants to visit the colony.”
Elena stopped smiling.
She knew the story.
“I’m coming with you.”
“We don’t know if they’ll allow us to approach.”
“Absol can detect danger.”
The Dark-type Pokémon nodded.
Lucian thought about the mountains.
The Beldum, Metang, and Metagross colonies controlled the island’s highest territories.
Even the Starfall family avoided entering their inner lands without an invitation.
“First, we’ll speak with my grandfather.”
“That wasn’t a no.”
“It wasn’t a yes either.”
Elena crossed her arms.
“Then I’ll keep asking until it becomes one.”
Lucian knew she was serious.
Lucian’s grandfather remained silent while Beldum explained its desire through magnetic pulses and emotions.
The old man was accompanied by his Metagross.
The enormous Pokémon had remained beside the Starfall family for decades.
Marks from old battles covered its metallic legs, and its red eyes contained an intelligence that was impossible to ignore.
Metagross exchanged a series of sounds with Beldum.
Lucian didn’t understand every nuance, but he sensed a question.
Beldum answered without retreating.
The old man’s Metagross turned toward the mountain.
Then it looked at its Trainer.
“It seems to have made its decision,” Lucian’s grandfather said.
“I’ll accompany it.”
“That may be precisely what the colony refuses to accept.”
Lucian frowned.
“It’s my partner.”
“And because of that, they’ll allow you to reach the outer boundary. But we don’t know whether their leader will tolerate the presence of several humans.”
Elena raised a hand.
“There are only two of us.”
“I haven’t given you permission to go.”
“My father did.”
Adrian, who was standing beside the door, shook his head.
“I said I would consider it after speaking with him.”
“That’s close to a yes.”
“Not as close as you think.”
Absol sat beside Elena.
Growlithe remained next to Lucian.
The old man observed the group.
“This isn’t an excursion. The Pokémon in the mountains do not live under the rules of the breeding center.”
“We know,” Lucian replied.
“If their leader orders you to leave, you will.”
“Yes.”
“If Beldum decides to enter alone, you won’t follow it.”
Lucian looked at his partner.
That was more difficult to accept.
“It won’t be unprotected,” the old man continued.
“My Metagross will maintain contact from outside.”
Beldum released a vibration.
It wanted Lucian to be present.
“I won’t enter without permission,” the boy said.
“But I’ll go as far as they allow me.”
His grandfather nodded.
“We’ll leave at dawn tomorrow.”
Elena smiled.
“I’ll prepare my backpack.”
Adrian placed a hand on her shoulder.
“You still haven’t received permission.”
“But we’re going, right?”
Adrian looked at Absol.
The Dark-type Pokémon appeared as determined as Elena.
“You will remain beside me for the entire journey.”
“I accept.”
“And you’ll obey when I tell you to retreat.”
Elena took a second to respond.
“I accept.”
“Too slow. But it’s still better than nothing.”
The journey to the mountains took nearly five hours.
The first part followed familiar paths.
They passed through the orchards, crossed a pine forest, and followed a river flowing down from the peaks.
Then the terrain changed.
Vegetation became sparse.
Massive rock formations rose from the earth, and the air acquired a metallic taste.
Elena watched as her needle spun.
“Now I understand why you gave mine to Lucian.”
“I didn’t give it to him. I lent it to him.”
“It’s been two years.”
“It’s still a loan.”
Lucian carried the compass inside his backpack.
“I can give it back.”
Elena looked at him.
“Not until you begin your journey.”
“That’s two years away.”
“Then take care of it.”
Absol stopped.
Her body tensed.
Adrian raised one hand.
Everyone fell silent.
A deep sound passed through the mountains.
It wasn’t a roar.
It was a metallic vibration.
Lucian’s grandfather’s Metagross answered.
A powerful presence appeared on top of a rock formation.
It was a Metang.
Its blue body reflected the light, and a scar crossed the upper part of its face.
It remained several yards above the ground, observing the group.
Beldum moved forward.
Metang released a magnetic pulse.
The energy passed through the air.
Lucian felt pressure against his teeth and a slight pull on the metallic objects in his backpack.
Beldum answered.
Metang watched it for several seconds.
Then it turned and began ascending a narrow trail.
“It’s allowing us to follow,” the old man said.
They continued.
As they climbed, more members of the colony appeared.
Several Beldum floated among the rocks.
Two Metang watched from elevated positions.
Lucian also spotted the silhouette of another Metagross in the distance.
All of them observed the shiny Beldum.
Some approached out of curiosity.
Others kept their distance.
Lucian sensed surprise, distrust, and recognition.
Beldum continued forward.
It didn’t hide behind Lucian.
It didn’t lower its gaze.
Growlithe walked beside it but kept his flames contained.
Absol moved next to Elena, alert to the magnetic fields that seemed to make her uncomfortable.
The trail ended in front of a large plateau surrounded by stone columns.
At its center stood a natural metallic formation that extended toward the sky.
Its surface was covered in marks produced by countless impacts.
“The Magnetic Spire,” the old man said.
“The colony’s young train here.”
Three Beldum surrounded the formation.
They attempted to advance against a magnetic current pushing them backward.
Lucian understood the exercise.
The spire released irregular pulses.
The Pokémon had to stabilize their own fields and maintain control over their movements.
One of the Beldum was thrown several yards.
An adult Metang caught it before it struck a rock.
Their guide turned toward Lucian’s Beldum.
It released an invitation.
“You don’t have to do this,” Lucian said.
Beldum moved forward.
The system appeared.
Bond Mission Detected
Name: Beneath the Colony’s Gaze
Objective: Accompany Beldum during the Magnetic Spire trial.
Condition: Lucian cannot directly interfere with the course.
Additional Objective: Understand what Beldum seeks by returning.
Reward: Will be determined according to the result.
Lucian closed the window.
He didn’t need a reward to support his partner.
Beldum positioned itself in front of the spire.
The adult Metang released a pulse.
The magnetic current struck.
Beldum was pushed backward but stabilized itself before losing control.
It began to advance.
At first, it moved slowly.
Every yard required it to correct its position.
The magnetic fields pulled its body in different directions.
The other Beldum watched.
One released a vibration Lucian recognized.
Mockery.
Not because of weakness.
Because of its color.
Growlithe bared his fangs.
“No,” Lucian said.
The Fire-type remained still.
Beldum heard the vibration.
Its body tilted for a second.
Then it continued.
The pressure increased.
When it reached the halfway point, the field changed.
Beldum was thrown to the left.
Lucian took a step.
He remembered the condition.
He couldn’t interfere.
Beldum used Confusion on one of the columns.
It didn’t attempt to move it.
It anchored itself to the column through psychic energy and stopped its fall.
The Metang guide released an approving vibration.
Beldum returned to the course.
It advanced another yard.
Then another.
The metal spheres used during training would have been simple in comparison.
This required all of its control.
Lucian felt its exhaustion.
He also sensed something else.
The memories Beldum associated with the colony.
Floating behind other members of its species.
Trying to approach.
Being pushed away.
Hearing vibrations that pointed out its different color.
Waking alone outside the territory.
Then another image appeared.
A five-year-old boy with silver-white hair extending his hand.
Growlithe sleeping beside Beldum during a storm.
Elena placing flowers on its body.
Daisy using its head as a seat for Swablu.
Lucian’s grandfather examining its metallic structure.
The breeding center.
The training field.
A home.
Lucian understood.
Beldum hadn’t returned to ask the colony to accept it.
Nor did it seek revenge.
It had returned to prove that it no longer needed their approval.
“Keep going,” Lucian said.
“You aren’t alone.”
Beldum advanced.
The magnetic field reached its maximum intensity.
Several small stones began rising around the spire.
Beldum trembled.
Its body stopped moving forward.
The objective was only a few yards away.
One of the colony’s Beldum lost control during its own course.
The current threw it toward the spire.
The Metang supervising the trial attempted to move.
Another magnetic shift pushed it in the opposite direction.
The young Beldum was about to crash into the structure.
Lucian’s partner reacted.
It abandoned its own trajectory.
It used Confusion.
Psychic energy caught the other Beldum in midair.
The spire’s power pulled at them both.
Beldum couldn’t hold the other Pokémon and continue advancing at the same time.
The Pokémon that had mocked it stared back.
Lucian felt its fear.
“Don’t try to complete the trial,” he said.
“Get it out of there.”
Beldum answered.
It had already made that decision.
It focused all its energy.
The young Beldum began moving inch by inch, away from the spire.
The magnetic field increased again.
The shiny Beldum’s body struck the ground.
It didn’t release the other one.
Growlithe took a step.
Absol tensed her legs.
The colony’s adults remained prepared, but none of them intervened yet.
This was a trial.
However, Lucian sensed that something had changed.
The energy surrounding the Magnetic Spire wasn’t following its normal pattern.
The pulse was too powerful.
The Mount Moon fragment appeared in his thoughts.
The Astral Resonance Network.
But he didn’t sense any cosmic energy.
This came from the mountain itself.
“The spire is overloaded!” he shouted.
His grandfather sensed it at the same moment.
“Metagross, stabilize the field!”
The enormous Pokémon extended its legs.
A psychic wave covered the plateau.
The adult Metang reacted.
However, before they could reach the two younger Pokémon, white light surrounded Lucian’s Beldum.
Growlithe barked.
Elena’s eyes widened.
“It’s evolving.”
The metallic body began to change.
Its long shape expanded.
A second limb emerged as psychic and magnetic energy gathered around the Pokémon.
The light grew until it illuminated the entire plateau.
Lucian felt the bond between them transform.
It didn’t disappear.
It became broader.
Stronger.
The light faded.
A silver Metang now floated where Beldum had been.
Its two arms ended in enormous claws.
A golden spike extended across its face, and its red eyes shone with new intensity.
The young Beldum remained suspended within its psychic field.
Metang moved both arms.
It released a magnetic wave that passed through the spire’s current.
For a moment, it created a stable area.
It threw the Beldum toward the adult Metang.
Then it lost altitude.
Lucian ran.
Metang landed on one metallic knee in front of him.
“You did it.”
The Pokémon breathed heavily, but its energy was filled with satisfaction.
Lucian placed both hands against its face.
“You evolved.”
Metang released a sound much deeper than its old vibrations.
Growlithe reached them and jumped to touch one of its arms.
Metang caught him before he fell.
The Fire-type barked excitedly.
Elena ran over with Absol.
“It’s enormous now!”
Metang straightened.
Its body floated above Elena’s head.
“Not as large as a Metagross,” Lucian said.
“Let me enjoy the moment.”
Absol observed the newly evolved Pokémon.
Metang extended one arm.
The Dark-type sniffed it before touching the claw with her horn.
Lucian’s grandfather and the colony’s adult members completely stabilized the Magnetic Spire.
The field returned to normal.
It was the same one that had mocked Lucian’s partner’s color.
It stopped in front of the shiny Metang.
It released a short vibration.
Respect.
Metang answered.
There was no pride or resentment.
Only acceptance.
Then the colony’s leader appeared.
A Metagross descended from the mountains.
It was larger than Lucian’s grandfather’s partner.
Several sections of its body had a darker tone, and the cross on its face showed the passage of time.
The pressure of its mind covered the plateau.
Every Beldum and Metang moved aside.
Metagross stopped in front of the shiny Metang.
Lucian sensed the recognition between them.
Father and son.
The colony’s leader studied its descendant’s new form.
Then it looked at Lucian.
A psychic presence touched his mind.
There were no words.
He saw the day Beldum was born.
The colony’s surprise at its color.
The disputes between the Metang.
The fear among some members that the difference represented an illness or dangerous mutation.
Then he saw the small Beldum drifting away.
The leader hadn’t personally expelled it.
But neither had it stopped it from leaving.
It had chosen to protect the colony’s stability rather than defend its descendant.
Lucian felt regret.
Metang felt it as well.
The leader lowered its enormous head.
It wasn’t a command.
It was an apology.
Metang remained in front of it.
For several seconds, it didn’t respond.
Lucian didn’t interfere.
The decision didn’t belong to him.
Finally, Metang extended one arm and touched the cross on its father’s face.
It accepted the apology.
But it wouldn’t return.
Its home was with Lucian.
The leader raised its head.
It transmitted one final image.
The highest areas of the mountains.
A cave surrounded by metallic rocks.
A place Lucian still didn’t have permission to enter.
It wasn’t a permanent rejection.
It was a promise for the future.
When they were ready, the colony would show them something hidden deep within the mountain range.
The system screen appeared.
Bond Mission Completed
Beneath the Colony’s Gaze
Result: Beldum completed the trial through its own decision.
Additional Objective Completed: Lucian understood that his partner wasn’t seeking the colony’s acceptance, but closure for an old wound.
Evolution Registered: Beldum → Metang
Rewards:
—Psychic bond strengthened.
—Metallic Structure Analysis function improved.
—Future access to the colony’s Magnetic Sanctuary.
—Basic method unlocked: Psychic Synchronization Training.
A second window appeared.
Updated Analysis
Species: Shiny Metang
Type: Steel/Psychic
Ability: Clear Body
Age: 3 years and 4 months
Current Strength Category: Early Advanced
Potential: Diamond
Condition: Exhausted, no serious injuries
Registered Moves:
—Take Down
—Confusion
—Metal Claw
—Iron Head
—Iron Defense
—Gravity
—Pursuit
—Psyshock
Notable Changes:
—Considerable increase in physical and psychic power.
—Greater magnetic control.
—Improved flight capability.
—Mental bond with Lucian strengthened.
—Exceptionally stable evolutionary structure.
Condition for Future Evolution: Complete physical development, mastery of synchronization between its mental cores, and sustained strengthening of its magnetic field.
Lucian closed both windows.
Metang had reached the Early Advanced category.
That didn’t mean it had complete control over its new power.
Its strength had increased all at once, while its control still partially belonged to Beldum.
They would have to adapt their entire training routine.
But they had taken an enormous step forward.
Lucian rested his forehead against his partner’s.
“We still have a lot of work ahead.”
Metang answered with a deep sound.
Growlithe barked, reminding them that he was also present.
Lucian placed a hand on his head.
“You won’t be left behind either.”
The Fire-type raised his chest.
Elena smiled.
“Neither will Absol and I.”
Absol nodded.
From the edge of the plateau, Lucian’s grandfather observed the three children and their Pokémon.
Time was advancing faster than he wanted to admit.
Lucian was no longer the child whose powers had awakened at five.
He was eight.
Metang had evolved.
Growlithe was approaching a new stage of development.
Elena had found Absol.
In Pallet Town, Daisy and Swablu were also pursuing their own dream.
Only two years remained before Lucian could officially register as a Trainer and leave the island.
Two years seemed like a long time.
The old man knew they would pass in an instant.
The return to the mansion was slower.
Metang was exhausted, so Lucian’s grandfather’s Metagross helped stabilize him for part of the journey.
Even so, Metang refused to enter its Poké Ball.
It wanted to travel the path home with Lucian.
By the time they reached the lower forests, the sun was beginning to set.
Elena walked beside Lucian.
“Daisy will want to know.”
“I’ll write to her tonight.”
“Will you send her a photograph?”
“Yes.”
“I want to be in it.”
Lucian looked at her.
“It’s a photograph of Metang.”
“I can stand beside it.”
“Why?”
“Because I helped during the expedition.”
“You didn’t do anything related to the evolution.”
“Absol sensed the overload before the spire completely lost control.”
Lucian looked at the Pokémon.
Absol raised her head proudly.
“That’s true.”
Elena smiled.
“Then I’ll appear in the photograph.”
“You can take one with Metang and another without you.”
“The first one will be the photograph you send to Daisy.”
“Why?”
“Because I want her to see that I was here.”
Lucian suspected there was another reason.
He decided not to ask.
When they reached the mansion, several workers came outside to receive them.
News of the evolution spread quickly.
Doctor Miriam examined Metang and confirmed that it had no serious injuries.
It only needed minerals, rest, and time to adjust to its new body.
Lucian personally prepared its nutritional mixture.
They later went into the courtyard to take the photograph.
Metang floated in the center.
Lucian stood to its right.
Elena appeared on the left with Absol.
Growlithe jumped in front of everyone at the exact moment the camera activated.
The first image was slightly blurred.
In the second, Growlithe remained still.
In the third, Absol looked away.
In the fourth, Metang lifted one arm too high and covered Elena.
They needed eight attempts.
Lucian chose the fifth.
Elena and Absol were clearly visible, Growlithe looked toward the camera, and Metang floated behind them with both arms extended.
He wrote a message to Daisy.
“Beldum evolved today. It’s now Metang. The trial took place within the colony’s territory, and everyone returned safely. I’ll tell you the details in my next letter.”
Elena read over his shoulder.
“It looks like a report.”
“It’s a message.”
“You could write that you miss her.”
Lucian looked at her.
“Metang? It’s right here.”
“Daisy.”
“That isn’t related to the evolution.”
Elena crossed her arms.
“I’m trying to help you.”
“It doesn’t seem that way.”
“Write something more personal.”
Lucian thought for several seconds.
He added another line.
“I wish you and Swablu had been here to see it.”
Elena read the sentence.
Her expression changed.
“That’s too personal.”
“You told me to make it personal.”
“Not that much.”
Lucian sent the message before she could stop him.
Elena looked at him.
“You did that on purpose.”
“I followed your advice.”
“Sometimes you’re unbearable.”
Absol lay down beside her.
The Pokémon appeared amused.
A response arrived several minutes later.
Daisy had sent a photograph.
In it, she held Swablu in front of a screen displaying Metang’s picture.
Both were smiling.
The message read:
“Congratulations, Metang! I knew you could do it. The next time we meet, Swablu and I will also have a surprise. And Lucian… we wish we had been there too.”
Elena read the message.
“What surprise?”
“I don’t know.”
“Ask her.”
“If I did, it would stop being a surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
Lucian remembered saying exactly the same thing two years earlier.
“Daisy does.”
Elena narrowed her eyes.
“I definitely shouldn’t have helped you with that message.”
Lucian put the communicator away.
In the courtyard, Metang rested beneath the stars.
Growlithe slept against one of its arms.
Absol remained close to Elena.
Everything had changed.
And at the same time, the most important part remained the same.
They were still together.
Evolution wasn’t a final destination.
It was the beginning of a new stage.
For Metang.
For Lucian.
And for everyone who would someday leave the island by his side.
End of Chapter 22