Chapter 277 - 276: Interlude
The news of the Vortex Auction House spread like wildfire across Indigo, Hoenn, and Johto.
Social media feeds exploded with screenshots of the promotional message. Trainer forums filled with speculation and excitement.
News channels ran special segments showing clips of Gladion's Tyranitar mega evolving. The hype built quickly. Everyone wanted to talk about it.
In Indigo and Hoenn, mega evolution remained extremely rare. Gladion was the only trainer who had officially used it in public battles. His mega Tyrnaitar had stood toe to toe with legendary Pokemon.
Only three other people could perform mega evolution: his mother ,Sabrina and his sister Gwen. Though, no one knew about them yet.
Gladion had deliberately held back from selling mega evolution stones. He had kept them locked away until now. Their rarity made them priceless and he could not sell them in a store because it was a limited resource and new mega evolution stones can't be made.
Now, for the first time, a small number would appear in this auction. He chose to sell them this way because limited supply drove value higher. Auctions created competition. Competition created record prices.
Every invited trainer understood the stakes. They had seen the power increase when Colossus mega evolved. Even though some of that strength came from Colossus being an alpha specimen.
Trainers wanted that trump card. They wanted something as cool and reliable as mega evolution in their own teams. The invited trainers planned to bid hard and they would push their budgets to the limit.
Researchers and collectors focused on a different prize. The revived fossil Pokemon drew their attention most.
Ancient creatures that had not walked the Earth for millions of years now existed again. They could study genetics, behavior, evolution patterns, and ancient ecosystems. Collectors saw something simpler. Owning a piece of prehistory was a dream come true for them.
---
Lance sat in his office. The auction checklist lay open on his desk. Every invited guest received the same detailed list of items or Pokemon that would be sold in the auction.
His finger traced three lines in particular. Salamencite, Charizardite and Altarianite. The mega stones for Salamence, Charizard and Altaria. Sadly there was no stone for his dragonite but he could still get mega evolution stone for at least one Pokemon of his main team.
He pressed the intercom button. "Clear my schedule for the auction day. I will be taking part in this auction."
His assistant's voice came back quickly. "Understood, Champion. I will shift everything. Do you need travel arrangements or security detail?"
Lance shook his head even though she could not see him. "Just make sure that there are no meetings on that day."
---
Agatha sat in her favorite rocking chair. The old Elite Four member held the auction invitation in her wrinkled hands. Her Gengar floated half in shadow behind her. Agatha cracked a wide, toothy grin.
"To think that at this age, I would get to experience something like this."
She turned her head slightly toward the shadow. "Gengar, how do you feel about mega evolving?"
A low, raspy cackle echoed from the darkness. Agatha laughed softly, "I thought so. We will see if we can get that Gengarite."
---
Giovanni mumbled looking at the auction invitation, "Hmm, he still invited me after knowing that I am Team Rocket leader? I guess a businessman is a businessman. Everyone wants to earn as much as they can even if it means being nice to your enemies."
He opened the envelope and scanned the checklist. Mega stones. Fossil Pokemon. Rare items. Giovanni's lips curved into a thin smile.
"It is a good chance to get some mega evolution stones for Team Rocket as well as some fossil Pokemon," Giovanni muttered.
---
Steven Stone sat in his private office at Devon Corporation. The invitation rested on his desk next to a polished mega stone display case. He already owned several mega stones and a small collection of fossils from the earlier deal with Gladion. But the auction tempted him anyway.
'I am pretty sure that he might have something extraordinary like the crystal Onix. Even without that, it would not hurt to attend to get some more ancient Pokemon and show people the wealth of Devon Corporation.'
He smirked at the thought. A public appearance with high bids would also remind everyone of Devon Corporation's financial strength.
---
It was not only the Indigo champion that had received the invitation.
Wallace muttered, "My my, it would not hurt to attend it. And Gym Leader Gladion has asked me to perform too. Hmm, it would not hurt to get some new Pokégram followers from Indigo."
---
Gladion had cast a wide net with the invitations. He sent them to people who stayed away from public light for years too.
Reclusive researchers in mountain labs. Professors living in remote islands. Collectors hidden behind private estates. Trainers who had retired but still craved one last thrill. Even ancient clans received envelopes.
One such invitation went to a special clan from Hoenn that almost no one knew existed. They lived deep in hoeen mountains, guarding old dragon traditions.
Their elders stared at the card for a long time. The promise of mega stones for dragon type Pokemon made him want their clan come out of hiding. They debated quietly. In the end, they decided to send a representative.
Each invitation carried the same message: power waited for those rich enough to claim it.
-----Author Notes------
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