Alan's obsession with Mega Evolution isn't about becoming the strongest, it's about proving he deserves his Charizard's power, and every loss cracks that certainty a little more. The special trades the usual Pokémon formula of friendship and growth for something meaner: a kid who has to learn that dominance isn't the same as connection. By the end, Alan's chase for the summit matters less than what his Charizard finally understands about him.

Alan, once an assistant to Professor Platane in Lumiose City, sets out with his partner Charizard with one goal: master Mega Evolution, defeat every Mega Evolved Pokémon, and stand at the top as the strongest. At the request of the mysterious Fleur-de-lis, the pair travel across Kalos and Hoenn, seeking out capable trainers who use Mega Evolution so Alan can improve and help with Fleur-de-lis's research. Along the way they battle Mega Absol and Mega Garchomp, and Alan faces Siebold of the Kalos Elite Four. A young girl named Manon and her Harimaron join him, and he reluctantly lets them come along. Behind it all lies a question: why is Alan so fixated on Mega Evolution, and what is his journey really for?