The Silver family truly lived up to their reputation as a business family: they were incredibly wealthy.
The Silver family's laboratory was, without a doubt, the most luxurious one Ethan had ever seen.
The research equipment was fully stocked, and it even surpassed that of the Pokémon Researchers Guild laboratory.
After entering the lab, Ethan released his two Pokémon, Sandslash and Meltan, so they could cooperate in the study.
The researchers, upon seeing them, immediately showed excited expressions. The instruments lit up one after another, quickly switching into research mode.
Watching the busy researchers, Ethan looked at them for a moment, then went to a corner by himself.
He took out the Drilbur and Excadrill breeding methods that Lucas had given him, along with the special Pokémon food recipe, and began to study them.
After a preliminary reading, Ethan discovered that the breeding method was truly very detailed: it included everything from the incubation stage of Drilbur to the care of Excadrill after evolution!
Seeing this, Ethan couldn't help clicking his tongue. He felt he might be being a little dishonest... but Sandslash's combined moves were his lifeline, and he couldn't reveal them just like that.
While Ethan reviewed the notes, the research in the lab had already begun. Under the guidance and care of the researchers, Sandslash and Meltan cooperated without any problems.
Both were already used to this type of study. They knew that, in these circumstances, any request they made would probably be granted, so they also acted a bit shamelessly.
Every now and then, Ethan glanced toward the research group. Very soon he noticed that the researchers were completely baffled by Sandslash's combined moves: they didn't seem to be discovering anything.
However, on the other side of the lab, the researchers working on Meltan were extremely excited, quickly recording data. They had clearly made major discoveries.
...
After finishing a day of research...
Ethan left the lab accompanied by Sandslash and Meltan.
After a plentiful dinner, Lucas kept his word and took Ethan to the family vault.
As expected of a family that owned the Devon Corporation, the resources inside the treasury were incredibly abundant. There were extremely rare Pokémon items Ethan rarely saw elsewhere, all arranged neatly in display cases.
"A Mega Stone!"
While walking through the vault, Ethan suddenly noticed a gem placed in an inconspicuous corner.
It was a Mega Stone, just like he remembered!
"Could it be... Lucario's Mega Stone?"
His gaze had passed over the gem unintentionally, but memories immediately resurfaced.
Each Mega Stone had its own unique color pattern. Generally, the colors it contained corresponded to those of the Pokémon's mega-evolved form.
The Mega Stone in front of him was a mixture of red and blue, with a brown background. In his memory, there weren't many Mega-Evolved Pokémon with that color combination.
"No... it could also be Mega Gyarados's. Its blue-red combination is also possible."
Ethan pondered for a moment, though the fact that the stone was in the Silver family vault made him lean more toward it being Lucario's Mega Stone.
"Mega Lucario...!"
Although his eyes were still traveling across the room, his mind was already completely focused on the Mega Stone.
"If only there were a way to obtain this Mega Stone..."
As he left the treasury, Ethan was still thinking about it. Of course, none of this showed on his face. Instead, he praised the Silver family's impressive collection, saying it had opened his eyes.
Lucas, who had been watching Ethan's every expression, couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
...
The next day, Ethan got up early.
After having breakfast with his Pokémon, he headed toward the Silver family's laboratory again with Sandslash and Meltan.
Along the way, he inevitably passed the breeding area again, where he saw the three Riolu playing.
Now that he suspected the Mega Stone in the vault was likely Lucario's, his gaze toward the Riolu was no longer the same.
He even thought, for a moment, that maybe he should reveal the evolution conditions of Riolu in exchange for one.
Of course, that was only a passing thought. Before obtaining a Lucario himself, it was best to keep the secret well hidden.
"Riou!"
As the three Riolu played, Ethan suddenly saw another Riolu appear atop a large tree.
That Riolu glanced sideways at the three companions playing below, then refocused on the branch in front of him, wearing an extremely serious expression.
Then he took a deep breath and started running. When he reached the end of the branch, he leaped with all his strength toward the tree in front of him.
Thud!
Before Ethan's surprised eyes, the Riolu almost reached the tree, but fell just short and dropped straight to the ground, startling the three Riolu below.
"Riou!"
"Riou!"
"Riou!"
The three began laughing.
Then they jumped up to the tree in one bound, and from there made another leap, easily reaching the next tree and moving with great ease.
The Riolu that had fallen saw this, gritted his teeth, and ran back toward the tree. He climbed quickly and returned to the branch, determined to try again.
He pushed off and jumped once more.
This time he went a little farther, just enough to land on the tree ahead. But before he could smile, his body wobbled... and he fell again.
"What...? Isn't Riolu a Fighting-type Pokémon?"
"This Riolu's body is way too weak—how can he not jump across such a small distance?"
Ethan blinked in surprise.
Was it a fake Riolu?
"That Riolu has a birth defect. His constitution is very poor."
At that moment, Lucas appeared behind him and explained.
"A birth defect?"
Ethan fell silent for a moment and looked back at the Riolu.
The Riolu had already gotten up, climbed the tree again, and was preparing for another attempt.
(End of chapter)