Morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Midori Laboratory.
Machines hummed quietly.
Researchers moved between workstations while holographic screens displayed Pokémon data from across Johto.
Ethan sat in front of a monitor, scrolling through his Pokédex.
After yesterday's gala, he had spent most of the morning reviewing his team.
The screen flickered.
[Pokédex Entry Registered
Name: Noivern (Vesna)
Type: Dragon / Flying
Gender: Female
Shiny: ✓
Ability: Frisk
Hidden Ability (Unlocked): Infiltrator
Nature: Timid
Known Moves:
Absorb
Supersonic
Wing Attack
Dragon Rush
Name: Gengar
Type: Ghost / Poison
Gender: Female
Ability: Levitate
Hidden Ability (Locked): Shadow Tag
Nature: Modest
Item: Ghost Gem
Known Moves:
Shadow Ball
Sludge Bomb
Night Shade
Will-O-Wisp
Name: Marshtomp
Type: Water / Ground
Gender: Male
Ability: Torrent
Hidden Ability (Locked): Damp
Nature: Adamant
Known Moves:
Bite
Mud Shot
Water Gun
Rock Slide
Name: Onix (Rocky)
Type: Rock / Ground
Trade Pokémon: ✓
Gender: Male
Ability: Sturdy
Hidden Ability (Locked): Weak Armour
Nature: Impish
Known Moves:
Rock Slide
Dragon Breath
Dig
Stealth Rock
Name: Flaaffy
Type: Electric
Gender: Female
Ability: Static
Hidden Ability (Locked): Plus
Nature: Modest
Known Moves:
Electroweb
Thunder Wave
Power Gem
Signal Beam
Name: Sentret
Type: Normal
Gender: Female
Ability: Run Away
Hidden Ability (Locked): Frisk
Nature: Jolly
Known Moves:
Quick Attack
Foresight
Baton Pass
Reversal
Pokémon Not In Hand: Gible, Scyther]
Ethan nodded slowly.
The team was progressing.
Not fast enough.
But steadily.
Which mattered more.
The laboratory doors opened.
Midori walked over carrying a metal case.
Behind her were several researchers wheeling a large machine into position.
"The Trade Machine is ready."
She placed the case onto a nearby table.
"And here are the Metal Coats."
The case opened.
Inside rested two polished silver coats.
Both gleamed under the laboratory lights.
Ethan smiled.
Perfect.
Nearby, Kitsu stood leaning against a wall.
Scyther's Poké Ball spun lazily in her hand.
Midori looked between the two Metal Coats.
Then at Ethan.
Then at Scyther's Poké Ball.
Confusion slowly appeared on her face.
"...Why two?"
Ethan blinked innocently.
Midori pointed.
"Onix only needs one."
Ethan remained silent.
Midori narrowed her eyes.
"...Ethan."
Kitsu immediately looked away.
That was never a good sign.
Midori crossed her arms.
"What are you planning?"
Ethan coughed.
"Science."
"That's not an answer."
"It is if you're a researcher."
"It absolutely is not."
Around them several assistants quietly began paying attention.
Because whenever Ethan said the word science—
Something usually exploded.
Or evolved.
Occasionally both.
Midori sighed.
"Explain."
Ethan tapped Scyther's Poké Ball.
"I think this evolves."
The room froze.
A researcher nearly dropped a clipboard.
Midori stared.
"...A Bug-type."
"Yes."
"Using a Metal Coat."
"Yes."
"...Why?"
Ethan opened his mouth.
Then stopped.
Because he couldn't exactly explain future knowledge.
"I have a theory."
Midori rubbed her forehead.
Of course he did.
Researchers feared those words.
The last time Ethan had a theory, the laboratory accidentally discovered three previously undocumented interactions between Dragon and Fairy energy.
One assistant quietly whispered:
"Should we start recording?"
Another answered:
"We should always be recording."
Midori ignored them.
"Do you have evidence?"
Ethan nodded.
"A little."
That somehow worried her more.
Ethan looked toward Scyther's Poké Ball.
"Scyther's body already has metallic properties."
He began counting on his fingers.
"Blade-like limbs."
"High physical durability."
"Natural weapon adaptation."
"Steel-type energy compatibility."
Several researchers blinked.
Actually...
That wasn't completely unreasonable.
Ethan continued.
"Everyone only tested Rock, Ground, and Steel Pokémon."
Midori paused.
That was true.
After Steelix was discovered, dozens of laboratories had attempted similar experiments.
Rhydon.
Graveler.
Golem.
Magneton.
Skarmory.
Nothing worked.
The projects were eventually abandoned.
Mostly because Metal Coats were expensive.
Very expensive.
Most laboratories decided further testing wasn't worth the cost.
Midori slowly looked at the Poké Ball.
Then at Ethan.
"...You think everyone was testing the wrong category."
Ethan smiled.
"I think nobody asked what happens if the answer isn't Rock-type."
Silence filled the room.
Several researchers immediately started writing notes.
Midori stared at him for a long moment.
Then sighed.
"You know..."
Ethan smiled.
That was usually the point where adults gave up.
Midori pointed directly at him.
"If this somehow works..."
A pause.
"...I am publishing the paper."
Ethan immediately nodded.
"Deal."
Kitsu snorted.
"You're not even pretending to care about credit."
"Nope."
Midori shook her head.
Impossible child.
Behind them, the Trade Machine finished powering up.
Lights illuminated across its surface.
Energy began flowing through the transfer chamber.
One researcher swallowed nervously.
"Should we start with Onix?"
Midori nodded.
"Yes."
Then she looked toward Scyther's Poké Ball.
And despite herself—
A small part of her wondered.
What if the crazy child was right again?
Midori looked toward her younger brother.
"Well, Ethan."
She crossed her arms.
"Let's see your theory."
Ethan simply nodded.
The Trade Machine hummed to life.
Blue energy flowed through the transfer chamber.
Rocky's Poké Ball rested on one side.
Scyther's rested on the other.
Researchers crowded around observation screens.
Several cameras had already begun recording.
Mostly because Ethan was involved.
That alone justified documentation.
The machine activated.
Energy surged.
The first monitor immediately displayed Rocky's data.
Type energy began rising.
Rock energy.
Ground energy.
Then—
Steel energy.
The Metal Coat attached to Rocky's transfer chamber began glowing.
Cracks spread across its surface.
Midori nodded.
"Normal."
Everyone relaxed.
This was expected.
The coat always shattered during Steelix evolution.
The metal wasn't consumed.
It was converted.
Integrated into the Pokémon's Type Core.
Several researchers took notes.
Then someone spoke.
"...Wait."
Everyone looked at the second screen.
Scyther's chamber.
The Metal Coat attached to it—
Was also cracking.
Silence.
One researcher blinked.
Another adjusted his glasses.
A third looked at his notes.
Then at the screen.
Then back at his notes.
"...That's not supposed to happen."
Midori immediately stepped forward.
"What?"
The technician pointed.
"The Metal Coat is reacting."
Everyone stared.
The silver surface continued cracking.
Not slowly.
Rapidly.
Like something inside Scyther was actively pulling the steel energy into itself.
Kitsu blinked.
"...Huh."
Ethan smiled.
There it was.
Midori looked at him.
"You knew."
Ethan looked innocent.
"I suspected."
"You knew."
"I strongly suspected."
"You absolutely knew."
The machine suddenly emitted a warning tone.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
One monitor flashed red.
Energy readings spiked.
A researcher nearly dropped his clipboard.
"Type conversion detected!"
Another looked horrified.
"Type conversion?!"
Midori spun around.
"What do you mean Type conversion?!"
The researcher stared at the numbers.
"I DON'T KNOW!"
Nobody liked hearing those words in a laboratory.
The transfer machine glowed brighter.
Rocky's evolution proceeded normally.
His body expanded.
Steel energy wrapped around him.
The familiar shape of a Steelix began forming.
Researchers immediately recognized the process.
Then they looked at Scyther.
And everything stopped making sense.
The Bug-type's body was changing.
Its green armor darkened.
Metallic sheen spread across its exoskeleton.
Its blades grew larger.
Sharper.
Heavier.
Red coloration appeared across its body.
The machine alarms became louder.
BEEP.
BEEP.
BEEP.
Midori stared.
"...That's not Steelix."
"Nope."
"That's definitely not Steelix."
"Nope."
One researcher slowly sat down.
"Are we discovering a new evolution?"
Another answered.
"We are either discovering a new evolution..."
A pause.
"...or violating several laws of nature."
The light intensified.
Then—
FLASH.
The laboratory disappeared beneath white light.
Everyone shielded their eyes.
Silence followed.
The machine powered down.
Smoke drifted upward.
The room slowly became visible again.
Rocky emerged first.
The massive steel serpent stretched across the chamber.
Steelix.
Successful.
Several researchers cheered.
Then immediately stopped.
Because nobody was looking at Steelix anymore.
Every eye had shifted toward the second chamber.
A red armored figure stood there.
Motionless.
Powerful.
Its steel claws gleamed beneath the laboratory lights.
Its wings folded neatly behind its back.
Yellow eyes opened.
The room froze.
One researcher whispered:
"...What is that?"
Ethan smiled.
"Scizor."
Silence.
Then twenty researchers began screaming scientific terminology at the same time.
Midori simply stared.
Then slowly looked toward Ethan.
"Ethan."
"Yes?"
"What."
"Yes."
"THAT IS NOT AN ANSWER."
Kitsu immediately started laughing.
Because somewhere in the world—
Millions of Pokédollars in research grants had just become obsolete.
And Ethan had somehow done it again.
Scizor slowly looked down at itself.
Its blade-arms were gone.
Replaced by enormous steel pincers.
Its body was heavier.
Harder.
Different.
Scizor flexed one claw experimentally.
CLANG.
The metallic sound echoed throughout the laboratory.
Scizor blinked.
"Scizor? Kleavor?"
Translation:
"This is new."
It looked at Ethan.
Then at its claws.
Then back at Ethan.
"Scizor?"
Translation:
"I was expecting a Kleavor."
The entire laboratory froze.
Midori blinked.
"What?"
Kitsu tilted her head.
"What did he say?"
Ethan immediately looked away.
"Nothing."
Scizor pointed at itself.
Then made a chopping motion.
"Scizor. Scyther. Scizor?"
Translation:
"Stone axe evolution. Not giant metal lobster."
One researcher dropped his pen.
"Did it just call itself a lobster?"
"I think it called itself a giant metal lobster."
Scizor looked offended.
"Scizor!"
Translation:
"A dignified giant metal lobster."
"Ah. My mistake."
---
Steelix meanwhile was admiring its new body.
The massive steel serpent twisted around happily.
"Steelix!"
Translation:
"I am invincible!"
Immediately afterward it tried to turn around.
And accidentally demolished a laboratory table.
CRASH.
Steelix froze.
"..."
Everyone stared.
Steelix slowly looked away.
Translation:
"Nobody saw that."
Meanwhile Scizor continued examining itself.
It opened and closed its claws.
Testing weight.
Balance.
Reach.
Then its eyes narrowed.
A red metallic glow briefly flashed across its body.
Instinct.
New moves.
New capabilities.
New power.
The Bug-Type immediately understood.
It wasn't weaker.
It wasn't stronger.
It was different.
A specialist.
A predator built for precision.
Scizor looked toward Ethan.
"Scizor."
Translation:
"This better not affect my garden privileges."
Ethan nodded immediately.
"Garden privileges remain unchanged."
Scizor relaxed.
Important priorities.
Midori finally snapped out of her shock.
She pointed at Scizor.
"Ethan."
"Yes?"
"What did it mean by 'expecting a Kleavor?'"
Silence.
The room became very quiet.
Ethan felt every researcher in the laboratory turn toward him.
Kitsu immediately took three steps away.
Midori narrowed her eyes.
"Ethan."
The young trainer looked toward the ceiling.
The ceiling offered no assistance.
"...Hypothetically."
"No."
"...What if ancient Scyther had another evolution?"
The room froze again.
One researcher whispered:
"Please tell me he's joking."
Another researcher answered:
"He never jokes about evolution."
Midori slowly lowered herself into a chair.
Because somehow—
In the span of ten minutes—
Her younger brother had:
Created the world's first Scizor.
Accidentally implied another evolution exists.
And nearly started a second research crisis before lunch.
Kitsu patted her shoulder sympathetically.
"At least the building hasn't exploded this time."
Midori stared into the distance.
"Yet."
Several hours later.
The laboratory still hadn't recovered.
Half the researchers were celebrating.
The other half were questioning reality.
The remaining half were writing papers.
Nobody mentioned that mathematics didn't support having three halves.
Today had already broken enough rules.
The doors of the Harmonia Estate laboratory opened.
Two men entered.
One older.
One younger.
Both famous.
Both respected.
Both completely unprepared.
Professor Elm Senior entered first.
Current Head Research Director of Johto.
Behind him walked his son.
Champion Elm.
Future Professor Elm.
Current headache victim.
The moment they entered—
They saw Steelix.
Then they saw Scizor.
Then they saw the research reports.
Then they saw the camera footage.
Then they saw Ethan.
And finally—
Their brains stopped functioning.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The silence lasted almost thirty seconds.
Champion Elm finally pointed at Scizor.
"What is that?"
Midori answered immediately.
"Scizor."
Champion Elm looked at her.
Then at Scizor.
Then at her again.
"What is a Scizor?"
Midori pointed at Ethan.
"He says it's called Scizor."
Champion Elm slowly turned toward Ethan.
Ethan waved.
"Hi."
Professor Elm Senior was reading the report.
Then rereading it.
Then reading it a third time.
Because the report somehow became more absurd every time.
Project Summary
Subject: Scyther
Method: Trade Evolution + Metal Coat
Result: Successful Evolution
New Species Registered
Designation: Scizor
Typing: Bug / Steel
Professor Elm Senior adjusted his glasses.
Then removed them.
Then put them back on.
"Midori."
"Yes?"
"Tell me this report is incomplete."
"It isn't."
"Tell me this is a joke."
"It isn't."
"Tell me the cameras malfunctioned."
"They didn't."
Professor Elm Senior looked toward the ceiling.
As if Arceus personally owed him an explanation.
Elm Jr was having a different crisis.
Because he recognized the pattern.
A very specific pattern.
A pattern he had seen before.
Slowly—
Very slowly—
He looked toward Midori.
Then toward Ethan.
Then toward Steelix.
Then toward Scizor.
Then back toward Midori.
"You people did it again."
Midori sighed.
"Unfortunately."
Champion Elm pointed dramatically.
"Thirteen years ago your family accidentally discovered Electivire."
Midori rubbed her forehead.
"That was not accidental."
"It exploded."
"It was controlled."
"It exploded."
"It was mostly controlled."
Elm Jr pointed at Scizor.
"And now THIS."
Scizor waved politely.
The Champion stared.
"THAT THING DIDN'T EXIST YESTERDAY."
Scizor looked offended.
"Scizor."
Translation:
"I existed yesterday."
Nobody understood him.
But everyone somehow felt judged.
Professer Elm Senior finally sat down.
Because standing required energy.
Energy he no longer possessed.
"This family has officially discovered three evolutionary lines."
A pause.
"Three."
Another pause.
He looked toward Ethan.
Then toward Midori.
Then toward the laboratory.
Then toward the heavens.
"At what point do we start suspecting witchcraft?"
Kitsu immediately raised her hand.
"I've been asking that for years."
Midori nodded.
"Valid question."
Ethan looked offended.
Elm Jr stared at Scizor one final time.
Then sighed.
"You realize this changes Bug-type research forever."
"Probably."
"Steel-type research too."
"Probably."
"The League is going to lose its mind."
"Definitely."
"The academic community is going to lose its mind."
"Definitely."
"The Church of Arceus might lose its mind."
"Almost certainly."
Professor Elm Senior closed the report.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Then looked at Ethan.
"Ethan."
"Yes?"
"Please don't discover another evolution this month."
Ethan thought about it.
Scyther.
Kleavor.
Porygon.
Several Eeveelutions.
Half a dozen regional forms.
And about fifty other things.
"...No promises."
The entire room groaned.
Because somehow—
That was the most terrifying answer he could have given.
To be continue
Hope people like this Ch and Give me power stones and enjoy