Gary and Zinnia stepped through the stone illusion and entered the village proper. Ignoring the curious stares of its residents, Gary turned to his guide.
"Zinnia, you just said I 'smell like a Dragon.' What does that mean, exactly?"
"You're carrying the aura of a Dragon Pokémon," she answered matter-of-factly. "And not an ordinary one. Only someone accepted by a truly powerful Dragon could have that scent, so you must be a good person."
Gary scratched his head. He didn't consider himself especially virtuous—just a reasonably knowledgeable Trainer who happened to be a little handsome.
"Are you part Growlithe or something? How can you smell Dragons?" he asked, more intrigued by the ability than the compliment.
"Don't call me a dog!" Zinnia huffed. "It's a gift. Everyone in the Draconid tribe is naturally attuned to Dragon Pokémon."
Gary was impressed. He already knew about psychics like Sabrina, Aura Guardians, and people with Verdant abilities, but this Dragon sense was new to him.
A small wooden house soon came into view, and a short, white-haired woman stood in its doorway.
"Grandma!" Zinnia hurried forward. "I found Shelgon."
Her grandmother nodded, then fixed her clouded eyes on Gary. The look made him feel as though she could see straight through him.
"Hello, ma'am. I'm Gary, a Trainer from outside," he said, breaking the silence.
"You travel with an exceptionally powerful Dragon-type," the old woman stated.
Gary blinked. Zinnia had said the same thing. Clearly, this perception ran in the family.
"Grandma, he's come here looking for Dragon Pokémon," Zinnia explained. "He brought Shelgon back to me, and I want to help him if we can."
The old woman turned to Gary again. "Don't you already have a Dragon companion? Why seek another?"
"The Dragon Pokémon with me chose to follow of its own accord; I never officially caught it," Gary replied. "I'd like to raise one from scratch myself."
"Very well. May I meet the Dragon that follows you?"
There was no harm, Gary decided—he'd already used Latios publicly at the Rustboro Gym. He enlarged the Heal Ball and clicked the release.
With a flash of light, Latios appeared.
"Latios!" Zinnia and her grandmother gasped.
"Woo?" Latios glanced around, puzzled but comfortable; the air here felt rich and soothing, even compared with Alto Mare.
"You've truly gained Latios's trust," the old woman whispered, awestruck.
"Is that unusual?" Gary asked. Trainers like Tobias had partnered with a Latios before, and Ash had once traveled with a Latias.
"In Meteor Village, we venerate the Dragon God—Rayquaza," she explained. "We honor all Dragon Pokémon, but a Legendary one such as Latios is extraordinary."
Gary knew the legend well: Rayquaza had stopped the ancient clash between Groudon and Kyogre, earning the tribe's reverence. In truth, Rayquaza simply coveted the Rainbow Meteorite's energy—but myth rarely matched reality.
"Woo!" Latios suddenly cried and shot out of the village.
"Latios, what's wrong?" Gary exclaimed, sprinting after him. Zinnia followed at once; her grandmother came after at a slower pace.
Villagers paused from their work and pressed their palms together in prayer as the blue dragon streaked overhead.
Latios halted above a vast crater at the village's edge.
Gary arrived, breathing hard. "What is it?"
Latios hovered, nose angled toward the darkness below, and trilled softly. Something down there was calling to him.
A thrill ran through Gary. Most researchers believed Mega Evolution had originated in Kalos, but the Draconid legends placed its roots here, in Meteor Falls. Had Latios sensed dormant Mega energy?
"Gary, what's happening?" Zinnia asked, catching up.
"Latios feels something in the meteorite crater," he said.
"Could it be the meteorite's energy?" she wondered aloud.
"You know about that?" Gary asked.
"I only know the stories," she admitted. "I've never actually seen the meteorite."
"It's the meteorite," the grandmother's calm voice sounded behind them. "Latios can feel what little power it still holds."
Gary and Zinnia turned.
"Grandma, do you know what's attracting him?" Gary asked.
"Tell me, Gary—have you heard of Mega Evolution?"
He nodded. "Of course. But what does that have to do with the meteorite?"
"Everything," she said. "The power of Mega Evolution comes from that stone. Though most of its energy has seeped away over the centuries, a remnant remains. If Latios wishes, you may let him descend and see for himself."
Gary's pulse quickened. All this time he'd thought Mega Evolution began in Kalos; discovering it started right here was staggering.
He met Latios's eager gaze and smiled. "All right, buddy—let's go take a look."