Chapter Thirty-Four: Steven Stone
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“In the Hoenn region, the Gym Leader of Ecruteak City, Matsuba, is a renowned spiritual ‘Seer.’ He possesses a peculiar ability called ‘Clairvoyance,’ allowing him to see things invisible to others. He is also responsible for guarding the Bell Tower and the Burnt Tower, places said to be inhabited by legendary Pokémon.”
“If we ask him to conduct an experiment, we’d surely get an accurate conclusion. Unfortunately, I’m not an expert in the supernatural, so I can’t participate in this matter.”
Dr. Soramaki scratched his head, showing an apologetic expression, while Professor Okido waved his hand.
“No, no, artisan items aren’t really our field of study. Whether it’s you, me, or Dr. Solans, these belong more to craftsmen and technological companies’ research domains.”
Each region’s professor focuses on different research areas. Professor Okido himself studies “the relationship between Pokémon and humans,” with disciplines linked to Pokémon behavior, ecology, ethics, and types. Other professors are similar, showing little interest in the supernatural.
Soramaki specializes in breeding, and although Solans has an interest in rocks, his main research areas are meteorites, astronomy, and energy.
However, at this moment, Professor Okido suddenly changed the subject:
“But just like evolutionary stones... perhaps in distant regions, there exist materials we’ve never seen before. This isn’t limited to rocks; it could also be something related to Pokémon.”
“For example, the evolutionary stones we just learned about—they are natural rocks but closely connected to Pokémon evolution. Maybe there are similar special stones in our region that no one has discovered yet.”
“Why don’t we pay attention to this strange shop? Perhaps rare materials will appear there in the future that could aid our research.”
Professor Okido’s suggestion was met with agreement. Dr. Solans also remarked that a certain Hoenn Elite Four member might be interested in such talismans.
After the video call ended, Professor Okido at the Pallet Town Research Lab looked at the “unique talisman” in the shop and slowly recalled a familiar person.
The Kanto region isn’t without experts in the occult... but that person doesn’t have a good relationship with him.
Should he invite her to the lab for research?
No, better not. If he asked her for help because of research, he would definitely be scolded.
———
When Daigo arrived at Fallleaf Town, Dr. Solans’s “cross-regional discussion” had already concluded.
“Oh! Mr. Daigo, you’re here! Sorry to trouble you with such a long trip...”
“Not at all! After all, it’s about a rare stone!” Daigo wasted no time and eagerly asked, “So... doctor, what about that stone?”
“How could the stone be with me? It’s still in the Kanto region,” Solans said with a wry smile, then relayed their earlier discussion to Daigo. Learning that the stone was from an uncommon area, Daigo couldn’t help but feel excited.
He hadn’t finished exploring the stones in common regions; who knew how many secrets lay buried underground? To find surprises in unknown regions was unexpected!
Their conversation after meeting was much more detailed than the phone call. Daigo learned that the stone was currently in the hands of a Gym Leader from Kanto, and he also had heard of “Abe.”
“He’s Kanto’s youngest prodigy Gym Leader, right? I heard he’s quite skilled in Bug-type research and even discovered the move ‘X-Scissor,’ distinguishing it from ordinary slashing moves.”
“I see. But since that stone was sold to him...” Daigo pondered.
If he wanted to buy it forcibly, he had enough funds. Offering a fair price, Daigo believed the other party would be willing to part with it.
But that would give a bad impression of just throwing money at treasures; the proper way would be to find the craftsman.
Also, if others found it useful and refused to sell, that would be awkward.
“This kind of stone, possibly related to Pokémon, isn’t an ordinary geological rock but a special mineral formed under specific conditions.”
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Daigo elaborated, “Those special minerals related to Pokémon we know, like Hard Stones, Mystic Water, and the King’s Seal, all have strong Pokémon connections. And as we understand, their formation in nature mostly involves rock, water, and Psychic-type Pokémon.”
As a professional gem collector, Daigo’s home in Viridian City displayed stones from many regions: hornblende excavated from Mt. Moon tunnels in Kanto, flint from the Fiery Path in Hoenn, and diabase from Mt. Coronet in Sinnoh.
So he knew clearly which stones were unusual and which required unique environments and conditions to form.
“I was supposed to head to Sootopolis City in Kanto in a few days. There, the Science Museum discovered rare fossils. But now it seems I might need to visit Kanto first.”
Daigo shrugged, “Time is tight. I plan to make a brief visit to Kanto, then after the research in Sootopolis concludes, I’ll go seek that craftsman.”
“In that case, why not keep an eye on his shop?” Dr. Solans pulled up the store’s webpage on his computer.
“It’s a popular online shop now, and it has some unique items.”
“There are talismans, too. The Elite Four member, Phoebe, should be interested.”
Daigo saw the items for sale in the shop. Upon noticing things that could boost move power while locking HP, including unique talismans and eerie fabrics, he began to think.
“This craftsman seems to sell everything. Are his descriptions credible?”
“I’ll send him an email to confirm formally.”
Daigo drafted an email at Solans’s lab and sent it to Koutai. Soon, he received a “reply.”
“Sorry, I’m currently away on business. Will contact you upon return. — Automated reply.”
“...An automated reply, makes sense. This craftsman must be out collecting rare materials in the wild.”
Daigo imagined the scene briefly. Without an immediate answer, he decided to monitor Koutai’s shop and discussed with Dr. Solans whether evolutionary stones might be a new type of meteorite. Meanwhile, he sent Phoebe a message about the “discovery of something valuable.”
———
June 19.
After the dream incident ended, Koutai busied himself with planting and watering, refraining from touching the symbolic tablet, and the word “wavy water” was dismantled.
During this time, using the ability of the “Leaf Picker Traveler,” Koutai found two White Herbs.
Both were White Herbs. When held by a Pokémon whose ability is lowered, they restore it once to the previous state.
Koutai planned some itinerary: to close the shop for a time after August and September, leave the Sinnoh region, and the first destination would be Unova.
“The Forest of Joining... I have a growing feeling it must be there.”
“I need to go to Unova, but not now.”
Since the message said meeting was possible, then it must be possible to see again!
Meanwhile, the evolved Doublade didn’t idle away. Besides helping clear branches and gather wood, it trained constantly in “Substitute” and “Reflect,” occasionally practicing “X-Scissor.”
It once boasted that weapons need no defense, but now it completely changed... claiming the virtues of knights. To Koutai, this guy was truly driven by a deep desire to win...
What knight! Not a knight at all!
He hoped Doublade wouldn’t actually learn to cancel X-Scissor! That would really awaken memories of its past life.
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However, after evolving into Doublade, the two consciousnesses both believed they alone were genuine, accusing the other of being a counterfeit and repeatedly telling the other not to imitate their swordsmanship!
Honestly, Koutai once wondered if Pokémon like Doublade might suffer from dissociative identity disorder.
Now it seems the signs are already appearing!
“If I can find the Dusk Stone, Doublade can evolve directly into Aegislash, and the split consciousness issue would cease.”
Koutai thought this, but there were no clues about the Dusk Stone... maybe he could only hope for help from Wolro, who roams wild?
During this, a small incident occurred:
Lileep: “Doublade turned into two! Which one is the original Doublade? (。﹏。*)?”
Left Sword: “I’m the original, I’m Doublade! ゞ（⊙）╯╬！”
Right Sword: “I’m the original, he’s the split one! ゞ（⊙）╯╬！”
Because of Lileep’s curious comment, the two swords began fighting each other. Koutai quickly intervened; otherwise, Doublade would end up battling itself!
Though curious, Lileep saw the situation and knew better than to ask more. It scurried off to the herb garden, quickly digging a small hole to bury itself.
“Caring for Pokémon is a skill too. Breeding in the Pokémon world is important... could there be psychological issues?”
Koutai thought so and paid special attention to Doublade.
Today, before processing stones, Koutai found another unread email in his inbox.
It was from a new, wild customer!
But the inquiry was to purchase an evolutionary stone?
“Could it be introduced by Abe? Looks like he’s already using that stone.”
Thinking this, Koutai replied, first informing the sender that evolutionary stones are precious and not easily found, and he currently had no second stone.
Even if he had another, he wasn’t planning to sell it soon; it was meant for Doublade... or rather Doublade’s evolved form, to wear for a while.
Koutai pondered:
“Evolutionary stones might be found in various regions. You can search in local caves or mountains. If there’s a large gathering of Pokémon, there’s a chance to find such stones.”
Indeed, Hoenn had one evolutionary stone, but in the game, it wasn’t located in any terrain. Instead, it was on a Magikarp Fisherman by the water’s edge, who had the Magikarp wear the stone...
In the games, the only way to find “wild evolutionary stones” is in the trash bins of the Pokémon Village in the X/Y versions, where wild Pokémon gather. Also, Santalune City in Kalos has one, given after spotting a certain number of Pokémon.
After replying to the email, Koutai checked his store again. He noticed a few new followers and that some had purchased the unique Cleanse Tag and some eerie fabrics.