Owen and Eevee arrived at the Aoki Research Institute for the second time. At Professor Aoki's invitation, they were there to assist with a new project regarding the Anticipation ability.
Owen was a bundle of nerves and curiosity. He couldn't fathom what else there was to study about the ability. Could it be expanded to sense natural disasters like an Absol? That would be incredible, though Absol sensed changes in the sky and earth through its horn—a different mechanism entirely.
"Speaking of which, people in this world are still quite superstitious, treating Absol as a 'bringer of doom'..." Owen mused as they entered.
"What can I get you to drink?"
Professor Aoki poured a glass of water for Owen and handed Eevee a glass of red liquid. "This is another nutritional supplement specifically formulated for Normal-types. You can't buy this on the market."
Aoki beamed. Yesterday was a green, vegetable-like juice; today was a red, watermelon-like drink. Eevee accepted it reluctantly and began to sip.
Still... no taste at all.
"Professor Aoki, about this important project? How can we help?" Owen asked.
"No rush. Before we begin, let me tell you a story."
Owen blinked, surprised, but nodded.
"Once, there was a trainer. From a young age, he loved Bug-type Pokémon. That passion carried him all the way to becoming a Professional Trainer specializing in Bugs."
"But during an exploration of a Secret Realm, his Butterfree was gravely injured while protecting him. This Butterfree, which he had raised with such care and which excelled in Psychic powers, died because its life force was too fragile. An injury that wouldn't have been fatal to other Pokémon easily snuffed out its life."
Owen and Eevee's expressions softened. This was indeed a known weakness of many Bug-types.
"From then on, the trainer vowed to change that reality. He retired from the front lines and became a researcher, diving into genetic studies. He wanted to use DNA as a breakthrough to bolster the fragile vitality of Bug Pokémon."
"However, the task was harder than he imagined. He began to despair—until another expedition, where he discovered a fossil that was still biologically active and contained a massive amount of ancient Pokémon genetic material. He saw hope again."
"He knew exactly what that fossil represented. A life force that remained active despite the passage of eons... it could be the key to elevating a Pokémon's very state of being. His dream became the development of a 'Panacea'—a universal drug that could strengthen all Pokémon, Bug-types included."
"Did he succeed?" Owen asked.
"No," Professor Aoki shook his head.
"He faced setback after setback. The result of his research wasn't a miracle cure, but an immature drug called R."
"R is a substance capable of rewriting genes, but it sends Pokémon into a state of pure madness. When absorbed in certain quantities, it doesn't just alter the DNA—it generates an entirely new, alien gene within the body."
"A Pokémon with this gene can theoretically obtain power far beyond its normal limits. But this gene is uncontrollable.
Most Pokémon who develop it see their eyes turn blood-red; they become hyper-aggressive, refuse to listen to commands, and cannot be cured.
They rage until they die of sheer exhaustion. It is a condition a hundred times more terrifying than the 'Outland Syndrome' found in feral Secret Realm Pokémon."
"And then?" Owen's voice was barely a whisper.
"He needed a more suitable subject. Research showed that Ditto, which can restructure its cells, and Eevee, with its unstable DNA, had the highest potential compatibility.
Ditto was ruled out because it lacks the ability to evolve and thus cannot elevate its life state. Eevee became the only choice."
"By this point, his experiments were no longer recognized by the public. He faced arrest. On the eve of his capture, he fled. He knew that if he were caught, he'd spend his life in prison, unable to finish his work. Do you think he gave up?"
"Probably not..."
"Correct. He didn't. Without a lab or subjects, he crossed provinces and borders to restart his research. Then, he remembered a paper—a paper on the discovery of the Anticipation ability.
The researcher who verified that paper surely had a lab full of Eevee subjects, didn't he? And he had never tested a subject with the Anticipation trait before."
Owen's heart hammered against his ribs. He had a very bad feeling about this.
Aoki continued, "But unfortunately, his research showed that the five Eevee in that lab were still insufficient. Their cells rejected R violently. Just then, a rookie trainer visited the lab.
Coincidentally, his partner was also an Eevee.
On the off-chance that one more subject might yield a result, he gave that Eevee a dose of R and tested a shed fur sample. To his delight, the rejection rate was incredibly low. This Eevee was the perfect subject to perfect the drug."
"R is a virtually tasteless substance. In its liquid state, it comes in green and red. The green is weaker, with a latency period of a few days.
The red is more potent. When they mix in the system, the reaction becomes violent. There are currently less than three minutes until it takes effect."
Aoki looked at his watch and smiled at Owen.
That smile sent a primal chill down Owen's spine. His body wouldn't move. He and Eevee were both pinned to the sofa by an invisible force!
"Professor... Aoki?"
"Professor Aoki? You mean the researcher? He's been dead for days," the man said, his face shifting. "You can call me Dr. Chen."
"Aoki" shook his head and laughed. "Once I confirm your Eevee is the perfect specimen, I'll be taking my leave."
Beside him, a Pokémon appeared—a grey, bipedal fox-like creature with a massive, crimson mane covering its back. Its red claws and piercing eyes revealed its identity.
The Illusion Fox Pokémon: Zoroark.
Owen felt a void of despair opening beneath him. He prayed this was some sick joke by the real Professor... but then, the doorbell rang.
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