The sun had set behind the mountains, painting the sky over Kazehana in shades of purple and orange. The city streets began to glow with lanterns, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Kenji was returning home with his parents, feeling lighter and happier than ever. He had shared his secret, received their support, and found the clothes and accessories he needed to face his future.
After dinner with his parents, Kenji retreated to his room. The day had been long and exciting, but the night promised to be even more intriguing. He had a mission to fulfill, a test to carry out. He had to uncover the power of the Resonance Stone.
He took the Resonance Stone out of his inventory and placed it on his desk. The rock glowed faintly, emanating a mysterious energy that both attracted and intimidated him. He knew this stone could transform Charmander, but he didn't know how. He had the information, but not the practical knowledge of how to use it. The system didn't explain the details.
Taking a deep breath, he opened the Pokémon System on his phone. He reviewed the information about the Resonance Stone, looking for clues on how to use it safely and effectively. But he found nothing useful. The system only stated that the stone could enhance Pokémon traits and cause random mutations.
"What does that even mean?" Kenji murmured, frowning. "What kind of mutations can happen? Will they be beneficial or harmful? Will I be able to control them?"
He looked at Charmander, who was watching him curiously. The small fire Pokémon swayed its tail excitedly, as if eager to try out the stone.
Kenji felt a pang of doubt. Was he doing the right thing? Was he putting his partner at risk out of ambition and curiosity?
Shaking his head, he pushed those thoughts away. He knew he had to trust his instincts, to follow his intuition. The Pokémon System had given him this opportunity, and he couldn't waste it.
He also recalled Akari Hoshi's words about beast evolutions. Akari had told him that some beasts were capable of mutating, changing their form and power, becoming even stronger. Perhaps the Resonance Stone was the key to unlocking Charmander's hidden potential.
"Alright," Kenji told himself. "I'm going to do it. I'm going to test the Resonance Stone. But I'll be careful. I'll observe Charmander closely, and if anything seems off, I'll stop immediately."
Following the steps indicated by the System, Kenji learned that he had to let his Pokémon consume the stone so its energy could harmonize with the Pokémon's own system. The preparation was crucial since the process was random, and if the bond between the user and the beast wasn't nearly perfect, it could cause irreversible problems.
Kenji looked Charmander in the eyes. "I trust you," he said softly. "I know we can get through this together."
Charmander responded with a brave roar, affirming his confidence in Kenji.
Kenji took the Resonance Stone and offered it to Charmander. The small fire Pokémon sniffed it curiously before swallowing it whole.
Instantly, Charmander's body began to glow with an intense light. Kenji shielded his eyes with his hands, waiting for the brightness to fade.
When he opened his eyes, he saw something strange on Charmander's body. Dark purple patches had appeared on his skin, as if ink had spilled over him.
Fear gripped Kenji. What had he done? Had he harmed Charmander with his experiment?
He rushed forward and examined Charmander carefully. The fire Pokémon seemed fine, though his breathing was slightly labored. His eyes gleamed intensely, and his tail flame burned brighter than ever.
"Are you okay, Charmander?" Kenji asked, his voice filled with concern.
"Char!" Charmander responded with a brave cry. He seemed full of energy, ready for battle.
Kenji let out a relieved sigh. At least Charmander didn't appear to be in pain. But he still needed to understand what these purple patches meant.
Opening the Pokémon System on his phone, he checked Charmander's stats. To his surprise, nothing new appeared. His attributes remained the same, and no new abilities were listed.
"What's going on?" Kenji wondered. "What did the Resonance Stone do?"
Suddenly, Kenji felt something strange in Charmander's mind, as if a new voice was manifesting inside his head. It was a passive ability, something that influenced the nature of his attacks. Kenji read the name in his mind:
Explosive Spark: Fire-type attacks have a chance to trigger an additional explosion at the point of impact, dealing extra damage.
Kenji's jaw dropped. "Incredible!" he whispered. "Charmander has learned a new ability!"
Explosive Spark... It was a fascinating ability. Every time Charmander launched a fire attack, there was a chance that an explosion would occur at the point of impact, dealing extra damage.
Kenji realized that the effectiveness of Explosive Spark would depend on the power of the fire attack. The stronger the move, the bigger the explosion. For now, Charmander could only use Ember, so the explosion would be small, barely noticeable. But as he learned stronger attacks—like Flamethrower or even the legendary "Fire Spin"—Explosive Spark could become a devastating weapon.
A smile spread across Kenji's face, excitement surging through him. Charmander had become even more powerful, even more versatile. Together, they could face any challenge, overcome any obstacle.
At the same time, however, he felt a sense of responsibility. He had to protect Charmander, to ensure that he used his power responsibly. Explosive Spark was a dangerous ability, and if uncontrolled, it could harm the innocent.
"I'll have to train you carefully, Charmander," Kenji said, looking at his partner seriously. "You'll need to learn to control your power, to use it only when necessary. We can't let Explosive Spark become a threat."
Charmander responded with a determined growl, showing his willingness to learn and grow.
Kenji stepped toward the window and gazed up at the night sky. The moon shone brightly, illuminating the streets of Kazehana. Ryūsei Academy was approaching, bringing with it a world of possibilities and challenges.
"Tomorrow is going to be an important day," Kenji thought, feeling sleep creep in. "I have to be prepared for anything."
And so, with a heart full of hope and a body exhausted from excitement, Kenji drifted off to sleep, dreaming of dragons, explosions, and a future filled with adventure. The night embraced the city of Kazehana and the dreams of Kenji.