"Alright, let's try."
Ashford had successful experience with this before, so of course he knew what to do.
He gripped the Key Stone in his hand, then fastened a silver-and-black orb with a yellow base onto Kangaskhan's wrist. He shouted:
"Respond to my evolution, Kangaskhan!"
Under everyone's expectant gazes, a milky-white glow illuminated Kangaskhan's body, enveloping her completely.
Soon the white light faded. Kangaskhan herself didn't seem to have changed much, but the baby Kangaskhan had leaped out of her pouch and grown considerably larger.
Everyone froze. In the past, although only two or three Mega Evolutions had succeeded, they had all involved dramatic changes to the Pokémon itself. There had never been a case like this, where Kangaskhan remained unchanged while her baby jumped out.
"What are you standing around for? Get the equipment!"
Flint's shout snapped everyone back to attention. The researchers scrambled into action, each grabbing testing instruments and rushing toward Mega Kangaskhan to begin their measurements.
Though the evolution had succeeded, Ashford still wore a frown.
"Why did this evolution succeed?"
"Probably because the evolution conditions were met this time."
Auron smiled as he spoke from the side.
Ashford paused. "Met? But it was the same setup as before. Why did some evolve while others didn't?"
"From the moment I first saw the Rainbow Stones, I had this feeling. With so many different colors, could each Rainbow Stone correspond to something specific?"
"Later, when Dad told me you'd discovered evolution energy inside them, I started thinking—what if each Rainbow Stone corresponds to a specific Pokémon's evolution energy?"
After hearing Auron's words, both Ashford and Flint fell into deep thought.
Auron didn't disturb them. But after a while, a researcher came running over with detailed physical data in hand.
"Physical data collection is complete. Should we set up the move targets now to test abilities? Is that okay?"
The researcher's words interrupted the two men's contemplation, but neither seemed to mind. They simply nodded.
"Yes, go ahead. We'll watch from here."
"Understood."
With a wave of the researcher's hand, several others wheeled over the move testing targets.
"Kangaskhan—Fire Punch!"
Kangaskhan threw a rapid punch, her flame-wreathed fist striking the target. Then, to everyone's astonishment, the baby Kangaskhan also unleashed a Fire Punch, hitting the target as well.
Everyone froze, then simultaneously turned to look at Ashford.
Ashford's brow furrowed. "Why are you looking at me? Record the data."
"Oh, right!"
Only then did everyone turn back to documenting Kangaskhan's readings.
"Dr. Vale, Kangaskhan's Fire Punch shows approximately a thirty percent increase in power. The baby Kangaskhan's Fire Punch is roughly one-quarter the strength of Kangaskhan's."
Ashford nodded, then directed the baby to attack on her own.
"Baby Kangaskhan—Fire Punch!"
But this time, the baby Kangaskhan just stood there, confused. She looked up at her mother questioningly.
Kangaskhan gazed down at her child with loving eyes, full of encouragement.
After a moment's hesitation, the baby threw a punch at the target—but there was no move behind it, just a simple physical strike.
Auron rubbed his chin and addressed his grandfather.
"Could it be because of the Ability? Maybe it changed after evolution?"
Flint nodded. "Mm, the three Pokémon we've successfully tested all had their Abilities change. That's why we specifically added Ability testing to the protocol. What you're suggesting is very possible."
"So you're saying this evolution resulted in a new Ability? At the very least, I've never seen an Ability where one Pokémon attacks and another follows up."
Flint also turned to look at Auron.
"Which three Pokémon succeeded in the previous trials?"
After thinking for a moment, Auron asked.
"Venusaur, Sceptile, and Blastoise. Venusaur's post-evolution Ability should be Thick Fat."
"Sceptile's post-evolution Ability should be Lightning Rod, and Blastoise's Ability is the same as the Clawitzer line—Mega Launcher."
Ashford paused to consider before continuing.
"And the fourth successful Pokémon is now Kangaskhan. Two attacks, one large and one small, one from each Pokémon. I've never seen an Ability like this."
"Then it must be a new Ability."
The moment Flint heard this, he grew excited. The unknown was always the most mysterious! With so many evolution stones, who knew how many new Abilities they might discover?
"Let's try again. Kangaskhan—Iron Tail!"
Ashford continued directing Kangaskhan to use her moves.
Finally, after testing every move Kangaskhan knew, Ashford and the others reached a conclusion.
"Yes, it should be a new Ability. The baby Kangaskhan uses the same move as the mother, but with only one-quarter of the damage."
"Time to name it."
"How about... Parental Bond?"
Before Auron could even chime in, Ashford had already said the exact name he'd been thinking of.
"Works for me."
Flint had no objections and agreed immediately.
Auron, however, gave his grandfather a strange look and tentatively asked:
"What's the price of a cup of Palace Jade Wine minus the price of a small hammer?"
Ashford blinked. "What?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing!"
Seeing Ashford turn his attention back to Kangaskhan, Auron let out a long breath and patted his chest.
"Good. That gave me a scare."
A while later, Kangaskhan exited her Mega state and returned to her normal form. The baby Kangaskhan climbed back into her mother's pouch.
"Auron? What's next?"
Ashford and Flint both turned to look at him simultaneously. They knew that Auron's special Aura ability allowed him to perceive certain unique things, and he had just demonstrated that capability.
"Um, this one... it's related to Lucario."
Auron pulled another Mega Stone from the box and handed it to his grandfather.
Ashford excitedly accepted the Lucarionite and fastened it onto Lucario's wrist. Then he shouted:
"Lucario, Mega Evolve!"
"..."
Lucario did not transform as everyone had expected. He remained exactly the same.
The entire room fell into awkward silence.
"Did you say it wrong? Wasn't it 'Respond to my evolution' just now? Quick, say it again!"
Flint was getting anxious. How did you mess up the chant this time? It was the same as before!
Ashford took a deep breath and called out once more:
"Respond to my evolution, Lucario!"
"..."
Still nothing changed. Now even the researchers couldn't help themselves, turning around to stare at Ashford.
Ashford's face flushed red. He grabbed Auron urgently.
"Auron, what's going on? Why isn't it working again?"
Auron was doing his best to hold back laughter. He'd wanted to say something when Flint had spoken earlier, but neither of them had given him the chance. Ashford had immediately followed Flint's suggestion and shouted that incredibly chuunibyou line. Auron simply hadn't had time to stop him.
"Um, Grandpa, let me think this through. There shouldn't be anything wrong. How about... you try again?"
Auron looked at Ashford with barely concealed amusement. His grandfather's expression immediately darkened."Alright, let's try."
Ashford had successful experience with this before, so of course he knew what to do.
He gripped the Key Stone in his hand, then fastened a silver-and-black orb with a yellow base onto Kangaskhan's wrist. He shouted:
"Respond to my evolution, Kangaskhan!"
Under everyone's expectant gazes, a milky-white glow illuminated Kangaskhan's body, enveloping her completely.
Soon the white light faded. Kangaskhan herself didn't seem to have changed much, but the baby Kangaskhan had leaped out of her pouch and grown considerably larger.
Everyone froze. In the past, although only two or three Mega Evolutions had succeeded, they had all involved dramatic changes to the Pokémon itself. There had never been a case like this, where Kangaskhan remained unchanged while her baby jumped out.
"What are you standing around for? Get the equipment!"
Flint's shout snapped everyone back to attention. The researchers scrambled into action, each grabbing testing instruments and rushing toward Mega Kangaskhan to begin their measurements.
Though the evolution had succeeded, Ashford still wore a frown.
"Why did this evolution succeed?"
"Probably because the evolution conditions were met this time."
Auron smiled as he spoke from the side.
Ashford paused. "Met? But it was the same setup as before. Why did some evolve while others didn't?"
"From the moment I first saw the Rainbow Stones, I had this feeling. With so many different colors, could each Rainbow Stone correspond to something specific?"
"Later, when Dad told me you'd discovered evolution energy inside them, I started thinking—what if each Rainbow Stone corresponds to a specific Pokémon's evolution energy?"
After hearing Auron's words, both Ashford and Flint fell into deep thought.
Auron didn't disturb them. But after a while, a researcher came running over with detailed physical data in hand.
"Physical data collection is complete. Should we set up the move targets now to test abilities? Is that okay?"
The researcher's words interrupted the two men's contemplation, but neither seemed to mind. They simply nodded.
"Yes, go ahead. We'll watch from here."
"Understood."
With a wave of the researcher's hand, several others wheeled over the move testing targets.
"Kangaskhan—Fire Punch!"
Kangaskhan threw a rapid punch, her flame-wreathed fist striking the target. Then, to everyone's astonishment, the baby Kangaskhan also unleashed a Fire Punch, hitting the target as well.
Everyone froze, then simultaneously turned to look at Ashford.
Ashford's brow furrowed. "Why are you looking at me? Record the data."
"Oh, right!"
Only then did everyone turn back to documenting Kangaskhan's readings.
"Dr. Vale, Kangaskhan's Fire Punch shows approximately a thirty percent increase in power. The baby Kangaskhan's Fire Punch is roughly one-quarter the strength of Kangaskhan's."
Ashford nodded, then directed the baby to attack on her own.
"Baby Kangaskhan—Fire Punch!"
But this time, the baby Kangaskhan just stood there, confused. She looked up at her mother questioningly.
Kangaskhan gazed down at her child with loving eyes, full of encouragement.
After a moment's hesitation, the baby threw a punch at the target—but there was no move behind it, just a simple physical strike.
Auron rubbed his chin and addressed his grandfather.
"Could it be because of the Ability? Maybe it changed after evolution?"
Flint nodded. "Mm, the three Pokémon we've successfully tested all had their Abilities change. That's why we specifically added Ability testing to the protocol. What you're suggesting is very possible."
"So you're saying this evolution resulted in a new Ability? At the very least, I've never seen an Ability where one Pokémon attacks and another follows up."
Flint also turned to look at Auron.
"Which three Pokémon succeeded in the previous trials?"
After thinking for a moment, Auron asked.
"Venusaur, Sceptile, and Blastoise. Venusaur's post-evolution Ability should be Thick Fat."
"Sceptile's post-evolution Ability should be Lightning Rod, and Blastoise's Ability is the same as the Clawitzer line—Mega Launcher."
Ashford paused to consider before continuing.
"And the fourth successful Pokémon is now Kangaskhan. Two attacks, one large and one small, one from each Pokémon. I've never seen an Ability like this."
"Then it must be a new Ability."
The moment Flint heard this, he grew excited. The unknown was always the most mysterious! With so many evolution stones, who knew how many new Abilities they might discover?
"Let's try again. Kangaskhan—Iron Tail!"
Ashford continued directing Kangaskhan to use her moves.
Finally, after testing every move Kangaskhan knew, Ashford and the others reached a conclusion.
"Yes, it should be a new Ability. The baby Kangaskhan uses the same move as the mother, but with only one-quarter of the damage."
"Time to name it."
"How about... Parental Bond?"
Before Auron could even chime in, Ashford had already said the exact name he'd been thinking of.
"Works for me."
Flint had no objections and agreed immediately.
Auron, however, gave his grandfather a strange look and tentatively asked:
"What's the price of a cup of Palace Jade Wine minus the price of a small hammer?"
Ashford blinked. "What?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing!"
Seeing Ashford turn his attention back to Kangaskhan, Auron let out a long breath and patted his chest.
"Good. That gave me a scare."
A while later, Kangaskhan exited her Mega state and returned to her normal form. The baby Kangaskhan climbed back into her mother's pouch.
"Auron? What's next?"
Ashford and Flint both turned to look at him simultaneously. They knew that Auron's special Aura ability allowed him to perceive certain unique things, and he had just demonstrated that capability.
"Um, this one... it's related to Lucario."
Auron pulled another Mega Stone from the box and handed it to his grandfather.
Ashford excitedly accepted the Lucarionite and fastened it onto Lucario's wrist. Then he shouted:
"Lucario, Mega Evolve!"
"..."
Lucario did not transform as everyone had expected. He remained exactly the same.
The entire room fell into awkward silence.
"Did you say it wrong? Wasn't it 'Respond to my evolution' just now? Quick, say it again!"
Flint was getting anxious. How did you mess up the chant this time? It was the same as before!
Ashford took a deep breath and called out once more:
"Respond to my evolution, Lucario!"
"..."
Still nothing changed. Now even the researchers couldn't help themselves, turning around to stare at Ashford.
Ashford's face flushed red. He grabbed Auron urgently.
"Auron, what's going on? Why isn't it working again?"
Auron was doing his best to hold back laughter. He'd wanted to say something when Flint had spoken earlier, but neither of them had given him the chance. Ashford had immediately followed Flint's suggestion and shouted that incredibly chuunibyou line. Auron simply hadn't had time to stop him.
"Um, Grandpa, let me think this through. There shouldn't be anything wrong. How about... you try again?"
Auron looked at Ashford with barely concealed amusement. His grandfather's expression immediately darkened.