"Does the combination of the move Absorb with the ability Water Absorb amount to pulling water from a distance?"
At that moment, Ethan was also surprised by the demonstration of that long-distance water absorption that Cacturne had just shown.
Cacturne activated the move Absorb in his hands, completely enveloping them in a light green glow. Then he extended his hand toward the lake in front of him and made a gesture. Immediately, concentric ripples appeared on the water's surface, and a jet of water suddenly rose and shot directly toward his hand, where it was completely absorbed.
That ability to "pull water from a distance" made Ethan's eyes shine, and many plans to develop the potential of the Water Absorb ability began to emerge in his mind.
If the move Absorb and the ability Water Absorb could achieve long-distance water absorption, could it also be applied in close-quarters combat?
Take humans as an example: the human body contains more than 80% water. Just imagining what would happen if Cacturne could use that move on a person was terrifying.
Of course, the structure of Pokémon is not the same as that of humans. Some are made entirely of rock or metal, but most are still flesh-and-blood beings. The ability to absorb water would have a devastating effect on them.
Moreover, Ethan had long been planning to train Cacturne's close-combat abilities, and this absorption capability fit perfectly with that development direction, potentially producing unexpectedly outstanding results.
Of course, developing this technique would not be easy. Just like the Storm Drain ability some Pokémon have, it is extremely difficult for it to work directly inside a living body.
"In short, it's a development route very suitable for Cacturne." Ethan thought silently, once again reviewing and refining Cacturne's training plan.
As he watched all his Pokémon enter practice mode, a slight smile appeared on his face.
At that moment, Sandslash approached him. After seeing that Cacturne had managed to activate his hidden ability, Sandslash also began asking when he would be able to awaken his own Steel-type hidden energy.
"Yes, your other moves have already reached a bottleneck."
"Don't worry, next we'll help you complete your steel-bones and copper-skin training."
Ethan patted his head with a smile, quite satisfied with the Pokémon's spirit of self-improvement.
Regarding the training of Sandslash's Steel-type energy, the method of coating the entire body with steel energy to strengthen it was already losing effectiveness.
Therefore, Ethan decided to change approaches and start from nutrition. If Sandslash consumed food with Steel-type energy, he could activate that internal energy by supplementing it from within.
Professor Reynolds, an expert in Steel-type Pokémon, had provided much help in this matter, and even Sandslash's current food recipe had been given by her.
But if Ethan wanted to find the perfect foods and ideal training for a Steel-type Pokémon, Professor Reynolds recommended visiting the Silver family, the ones behind the Devon Corporation.
So Ethan planned to visit Lucas Silver as soon as he returned to the Pokémon University of Ironvale City.
After reassuring Sandslash, Ethan refocused on the development of hidden genes.
According to his theories, Sandshrew could mutate into an Alolan Sandshrew thanks to hidden Steel- and Ice-type genes inside its body. The same was true for Cacturne: he must possess a hidden gene related to the Water Absorb ability, which was why he had managed to activate it.
So... would it be possible, by analyzing how Cacturne had awakened his hidden ability, to discover a general method for activating the hidden genes of other Pokémon?
But a problem arose: how was a mediocre student like him supposed to discover such a complex method?
Naturally, Ethan thought of the Pokémon Researchers' Guild. Who else could they consult about this kind of problem if not the great Researchers of the League?
That was why he decided to write an article explaining the activation process of Cacturne's hidden ability and send it to the guild. He was certain the great Researchers would be very interested in this topic.
And indeed, once the article was submitted, it caused a new commotion in the academic field. In particular, the formal introduction of the concept of a "hidden ability" was of enormous importance for the study of abilities.
At such an early stage in the development of the Pokémon ability system, this forward-thinking idea significantly advanced the field, proving its great relevance.
...
"Ethan, you always find a way to surprise us."
At the headquarters of the Pokémon Researchers' Guild, President Beckett looked at the article with a bewildered expression, not quite sure what to say.
After all, several of the guild's major current research projects involved Ethan.
Among them were A New Direction for Pokémon Evolution and The Study of the Justified Ability and Dark Energy, both of enormous importance to the League.
In addition to those, Ethan had also contributed to The Study of Sandstorm Weather, Research on Totem Pokémon, and The Study of Emotional Energy.
And now he had submitted a new article: The Activation of Hidden Abilities, which would undoubtedly become the next major research line of the guild.
"I've just been lucky."
Ethan scratched his head in embarrassment, attributing all his "plagiarism from his past life" to luck.
"Then your luck truly defies the heavens."
"All right, enough about that. Show me your Cacturne."
President Beckett suddenly stood up, his eyes shining.
Ethan immediately released Cacturne. President Beckett recognized him as the same one from earlier at once.
Then he released his own Starmie, a Water- and Psychic-type Pokémon, and ordered it to use Water Gun on Cacturne.
Although it was only a low-power attack, President Beckett's Starmie was incredibly strong. Cacturne was able to absorb the energy of the attack, but he was still pushed back several steps by the force of the impact, which surprised Ethan.
But the one who was even more surprised was President Beckett. According to his observations, Cacturne had really absorbed the Water-type move. Clearly, his ability was no longer the original Sand Veil.
After a series of tests, President Beckett finally confirmed that Cacturne possessed the ability Water Absorb.
(End of chapter)