[Ash] Whoa, a huge Pokémon battle.
And it's taking place right here in town.
Wow!
We should definitely go!
Pikachu!Wait.
Is that... It is!
Diantha's doing an exhibition battle!
Wonderful!Yeah.
Awesome, all right.
So, who's Diantha, anyway?
How can you not know who she is?
She's the strongest Trainer in all of Kalos, that's who!
Yup.
She's the Champion.Nenene.
Really-- No kidding?Pika.
Diantha the Champion, huh?
I'm psyched!
Not only is Diantha the Champion,
she also happens to be a world-famous movie star!
Movie star?
Just have a look up there.
Whoa.
That's her in the blockbuster "My Sweet, Sweet Lady."
[Serena] Elegant, with a dignified presence.
The all-around perfect leading lady.
I so admire her.
I do, too!
[Ash] Yes!
That's it.
I'll challenge her.Pika!
In that case, I'll ask her to take care of Clemont for me.Nene.
That's even more ridiculous.
[Ash] C'mon-- Let's go see her!
Hey!
Coming!
Wait for me!
♪ I wanna be the very best ♪
♪ Like no one ever was ♪
♪ To catch them is my real test ♪
♪ To train them is my cause ♪
♪ POKEMON! [Gotta catch 'em all] ♪
♪ It's you and me POKEMON! ♪
♪ I know it's my destiny POKEMON! ♪
♪ Yeah you're my best friend ♪
♪ In a world we must defend POKEMON! ♪
♪ Gotta catch 'em all
♪ Gotta catch 'em all ♪
♪ POKEMON! ♪
[Ash] "The Bonds of Evolution!"
[narrator] As our heroes continue their journey to Shalour City
and Ash's next Gym battle challenge,
they decided to go and meet Diantha, the Champion.
Everyone, settle down.
[Ash] Check out that crowd.
Now, Diantha won't be seeing anyone
or giving any interviews today.
Know what?
Were out of luck.
Shall we go back?
[man] Hey, over here.
Nice to see you.
Professor Sycamore?
[Serena] What are you doing here, Professor?
There's only one reason for me to be away from my lab.
And what's that?
You're here to do research on Mega Evolution, right?
Still as perceptive as ever, Clemont.
Exactly.
I'm doing extensive research on Diantha's Gardevoir
and its Mega Evolution.
Oh.
Gardevoir?
It can really Mega Evolve?
It sure can!
Wow... I wanna see.
Have you already seen Diantha, Professor?
I have.
She's getting her makeup done in the next room.
Diantha's on the other side of that door!
Wow, wow, wow!
We are so unbelievably lucky!
Yes!
I'm gonna go challenge her to a battle.
Sorry to keep you waiting, Professor.
Oh dear, I see you have guests, don't you?
It's Diantha for real!
So pretty!
Why, thank you.
So, did you reconsider what we spoke about earlier?
You must mean about me lending you this Key Stone, right?
Key Stone?
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't.
If there's anything else I can help you with, I'd be happy to.
But, this Key Stone is part of the bond I have with Gardevoir.
Bond?
I can't lend it to anyone.
Sorry.
I understand how you feel, but please.
All right, well, how about the next time I visit Lumiose City,
if I have some time on my hands--
[woman] Not going to happen.
No way.
Diantha's schedule is already jam-packed.
Right now, we haven't any plans to visit Lumiose City.
Your expression is as cute as ever when you get angry,
you know.
Why don't we discuss this whole scheduling conflict
in a civilized way over a little dinner?
No thanks!
You're on soon.
Are you all set to go?
Yes.
You're all welcome to stay for the exhibition battle.
Pika.
[announcer] And now for today's main event!
Please welcome our Trainers.
Crowned Best of Brackish Town just last year,
say hi to Magnus!
He'll be facing off against the elegant Kalos region Champion,
Diantha!
Yeah!
Yay, Diantha!
Professor, what's with that Key Stone
you two were talking about before?
You see, the Key Stone is crucial for a Pokémon
to Mega Evolve.
The stone a Trainer possesses is called a Key Stone,
and the stone a Pokémon possesses
is called a Mega Stone.
Key Stone and Mega Stone.
All right, Gardevoir, it's time.
Let's show the fans a spectacular battle!
Gardevoir.
The Champion's Pokémon.
Pika.
[woman] Gardevoir, the Embrace Pokémon.
Gardevoir will use all of its psychic energy to protect
a Trainer it has made a deep connection with.
Hey, look!
Gardevoir's wearing a pendant as well.
Yeah, you're right.
That's Gardevoir's Mega Stone.
Mega Stones have many different names,
depending on the Pokémon that Mega Evolves.
In Gardervoir's case, its Mega Stone is called Gardevoirite.
I see.
As long as you have both a Key Stone and Mega Stone,
a Pokémon can Mega Evolve.
So cool!
[Sycamore] That's actually not enough.
A Pokémon can't Mega Evolve unless the hearts of Trainer
and Pokémon become one.
Hearts become one?
It means they need to have an exceptionally strong bond
between them.
Of course!
That's what Diantha meant when she said the Key Stone
is part of their bond.
[James] Ooh.
It sounds like the Champion's Gardevoir
possesses the power to Mega Evolve.
Yeah!
That's what I'm talking about!
Diantha's a great actress, just like myself.
Oh... How did I forget that?
A fellow great actress's Pokémon is worthy to be my Pokémon.
And Gardevoir will be my Pokémon, mark my word!
Marked.
In addition, the Boss will love a Pokémon that can Mega Evolve.
Now!
Absol, let's go!
Sol!
Gardevoir and Absol.
[woman] Absol, the Disaster Pokémon.
When disasters are detected with its horn,
Absol comes down from the mountains to warn people.
Here we go.
Now, let the battle begin!
You may go first, Magnus!
Thank you!
Absol, use Bite!
Sol!
Voir.
It's gone.
Absol-- Behind you!
Now use Quick Attack!
Ab, Ab, Ab.
Absol!
Sol, sol, sol!
It appears Diantha and Gardevoir can communicate
just by making eye contact.
Oh wow, they can do that?!
Pika, Pika.I'd have to say it's their strong bond
that allows them to successfully accomplish that.
All right, use Psycho Cut!
Absol!
Use Shadow Ball!
In that case, use Perish Song!
Sol!
And checkmate.
Use Moonblast.
Gard!
Absol is unable to battle.
Gardevoir's the winner, which means,
the victory goes to Diantha.
Incredible!
Diantha's amazing!
Wonderful!
She's strong.Gardevoir didn't Mega Evolve.
And they still won.
Awesome.
Yeah!
I'm gonna get her to battle me!
I'll ask her again, too.
For my research.
[man] Will she comment on her victory?
[woman] Just a few words?
[Ash] Whoa-- They're all here again.
Please, calm down!
Diantha's sh**ting a movie right now,
so she's already left the stadium.
What?
Man.
She's already gone?
Movie stars sure are busy.
That's too bad.
So what do we do now?
Wait.
Just a sec.
Let's go here!
It says they make the best chocolate cake anywhere.
Let's find out!
I wanna go too!
Sounds great!
Would you like to come, Professor?
Sure do!
First, I have to send the footage to the research lab.
I'll meet you there.
Great.
[Serena] There's a crowd here, too!
It seems like there's a huge crowd everywhere we go today.
Yeah.
They're not getting me down!
Let's move it.
Right with you.
[Bonnie] I'm exhausted.
But we finally managed to get a piece of cake.
Can't wait to try some.
Now, let's see--
Wait!
Pika.What are you thinking?
That slice is for the four of us.
This one slice?That's right!
If we're not splitting it, I'll just eat it all by myself.
Hey!
I want some!Nene.
One slice, that's all?
[Clemont] Sounds like that's my cue!
The future is now, thanks to science.
Clemontic Gear, on!
I thought that we would encounter a situation
precisely like this one.
I call it the Precisely Even Cut-o-matic!
Precisely Even Cut-o-matic?
Like the name suggests, it eliminates the imperfection
from eyeballing a cut, making equal slices
with . millimeter precision.
We've got this one piece.
It's gotta be right.
All right, here we go.
[woman] You're sold out already?
I am so very sorry.
What a tragedy.
To think I came all this way just to have a piece
of this shop's award-winning chocolate cake.
The end of the world.
End of the world?
That's disappointment.
Ma'am?
If you're okay with a bite,
we'll be happy to share ours with you.
You will?
Sure.
Haven't I seen you all before?
Hi--It's me.
[all] Diantha?
Pika!Nene!
[all] Who's that Pokémon?
It's Gardevoir!
Gardevoir.
[Clemont] Now, where were we?
All right!Science is so amazing.
Pika, Pika!
[Serena] Help yourself, Diantha.
[Diantha] Thank you.
[all] Let's eat!
[all] So good!
Wow, best chocolate cake I ever had.
It is!
The sweetness brings the bold bitterness and acidity
together perfectly.
A memorable cake, for sure.
You certainly know your cake.
I just adore desserts.
I do too!
Me too!
Nene!
Whenever I visit a town for work, I always look forward
to sampling their most popular desserts,
whether I'm busy or not.
Movie star and Champion.
Juggling two jobs must be challenging, to say the least.
But, I do it out of love.
So it's really not work at all.
You're so amazing!
That's right.
You're a keeper.
Won't you please take care of my brother?
Take care?
I told you to stop this!
You see, my brother is a bit shy, so I thought
it would be good if he married a dependable woman like you.
Me marry your brother?
It was just a joke!
I wasn't joking!
Excuse me... Diantha?
Please have a Pokémon battle with me.
You?
[Serena] Ash?
You must know Diantha doesn't get much private time
and here you are bothering her this way.
Yeah, but I want to be a Pokémon Master,
so having a battle with you would be awesome
because you're the Champion-- Please?
All right.
I usually turn down unofficial battle requests,
but you shared your chocolate cake with me.
Just this once.
All right!
She said yes, Pikachu!
Pikachu!
[Sycamore] A battle against the Champion, eh?
Professor!
If you don't mind, I'd like to come watch it.
I see you're going to use Pikachu, right?
Right!Pikachu!
Now, I really hope to see a Mega Evolution this time.
Battle begin!
You may go first, Ash.
Pikachu, use Iron Tail!
Pika... chu!
Pika!
Now follow it with Quick Attack!
Pika!
Use Electro Ball!
Chupi!
Now Thunderbolt!
Pi, Pika... chu!
Wow, it dodged Thunderbolt, too.
Pika.
Pikachu's moves didn't do a thing.
Wow!
And checkmate.
Shadow Ball, go!
Gardevoir!
Pika?
Pika!
Pikachu!
Ash!
Oh, man.
That hurt.
But, I'm fine.
Buddy, are you okay, too?
Pikachu.
All right, the real battle starts now!Pika.
[Diantha] He really cares about his Pokémon.
Ash is a very passionate Trainer.
Prepare for trouble, actress to actress.
But two are too many, so more is really less.
To protect the world from competition.
In keeping with the actor's tradition.
To perform with great style, truth and love.
To allow great talent to fit like a glove.
Jessie!
And James!
Team Rocket blasts off with award-winning grace.
Surrender now or prepare for us in your face.
Meowth on the case!
Gardevoir.
Gardevoir.
Team Rocket!
You're doing it again?
They're a bunch of really bad guys
who go around stealing other people's Pokémon!
They steal Pokémon?
What despicable people!
[James] Thank you.
We'll wear that as a badge of honor.
Since I'm the greatest actress of all time,
I accept your kind words.
Quick, Gardevoir!
Shadow Ball!
Gardevoir.
Oh, smashing.
The only thing getting in and out of this box
is sunlight, dig?
And curtain up!
[Meowth] Bye bye, chump guys!
Man, they're gone!
They flew away!
Don't worry-- I'll take us right to them.
Diantha,wait.
Do you know where Gardevoir is?
Yes.
Come on, Clemont, hurry up!
It happened when I was in the Lapidarian Highlands
for a film sh**t.
That's one of the last unexplored regions in the world.
Yes, that's right.
A thick fog rolled into the area while we were sh**ting.
It's Gardevoir!
Gardevoir.
Diantha!
Gardevoir.
Later, my manager Kathi Lee told me that Gardevoir
had appeared from its Poké Ball on its own.
It then guided everyone to exactly where I had gotten lost.
Could the stones be responsible for what happened?
I wonder.
Maybe Diantha's and Gardevoir's hearts were connected
and called out to each other.
Did you say it was our hearts?
I think Ash's right.
Yup!
Gardevoir's up ahead.
[Ash] It's them!
[Jesse] So let's review.
This Gardevoir can Mega Evolve.
And once it's safely into the Boss's hands,
we'll evolve into big sh*ts.
A major mega-promotion!
[Team Rocket] Hey!
There they are.
Ash, I want you all to stay here.
But--
It'll be fine.
All right.
You listen.
I want my Gardevoir!
How'd she find us?
The how means nothing.
We'll just see.
Now, Gardevoir, let's show them a few things
about a strong bond.
Voir.
Gardevoir!
Look at that light.
Is it--It is!
That's when a Pokémon Mega Evolves!
Gardevoir, now Mega Evolve!
Gardevoir!
Gardevoir.
Yeah, check it out!
Wow-- It Mega Evolved!
What a sight!
Excellent!
It's so cool!Marvelous!
Uh, I think we're in trouble.
Chill!
Our box can deal with anything that galoot dishes out!
Use Shadow Ball!
Gardevoir!
Our box is junk!
Such pompous power!
And checkmate!
Excellent work.
Use Moonblast.
Gar...
Let's beat a hasty retreat!
Step on it!
Gardevoir!
[Team Rocket] We're blasting off again!
[Ash] Awesome!
[Bonnie] You did it!
Gardevoir.
Hey look, it changed back!
Right.
What makes Mega Evolution
different from ordinary Evolution is it isn't permanent.
[helicopter approaching]
That's what I call perfect timing.
Diantha!
[Diantha] Ash?
I realize we weren't able to finish our battle together,
but it was fun.
I thought it was fun, too!Pikachu.
Thanks so much to all of you.
Will we ever see you again?
I wanna talk to you more.
Now you shouldn't bother her like that.
I'm sorry.
I have a movie sh**t to get to.
I want to thank you for showing me the bond
that's so crucial for a Pokémon to Mega Evolve.
I'm glad I was able to help.
Take care!
Diantha?
Right now, I'm training really hard to enter the Kalos League,
so, when I win, will you battle with me again?
That's a tall order.
But that's the spirit.
Yes.
I'll look forward to it.
[narrator] An encounter with Diantha has given our heroes
and Professor Sycamore a deeper look
into the mysteries of Mega Evolution.
Now, it's off once again to Shalour City,
as the journey continues.
♪♪
17x27 - The bonds of evolution!
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Japanese anime follows Ash a young trainer of fictional creatures called Pokémon.
Japanese anime follows Ash a young trainer of fictional creatures called Pokémon.