"Wow, that was truly an incredible battle. It's a pity my research field isn't Mega Evolution—otherwise, no matter what, I'd definitely want to thoroughly study your Sceptile, Aiden!"
Hearing Professor Birch's words, Aiden smiled.
Truthfully, he didn't like the idea of his Pokémon being studied by Professors. But Professor Birch had helped him greatly—refusing outright wouldn't be appropriate. And since Birch himself wasn't planning to delve deeply into Mega Evolution, that was actually for the best.
At that moment, Professor Oak also asked with keen interest,
"Aiden, how exactly were you able to make Sceptile Mega Evolve? We've only heard rumors about it. Professor Sycamore from the Kalos region is said to be deeply researching this phenomenon."
As Professor Oak spoke, Professor Birch, Professor Rowan, Professor Ivy, Professor Elm, and even Professor Juniper all wore eager expressions.
They all wanted answers from Aiden.
Likewise, Ash, Gary, Tyson, Brock, May, Iris, Morrison, and the others were watching him with anticipation.
Because if they could learn the secret of Mega Evolution from Aiden… would their Pokémon also be able to Mega Evolve?
"Yeah, Aiden, tell us! I really want to know too!" Ash said excitedly.
Facing everyone's curiosity, Aiden gently patted Mega Sceptile and smiled.
"Honestly, it was also a matter of luck. One day while Sceptile and I were traveling, we discovered a special set of stones. At the moment when Sceptile and I truly connected, it triggered this transformation."
"Since it's like a breakthrough beyond evolution, I call it Mega Evolution."
Somewhere far away, Professor Sycamore would probably faint in the bathroom. His papers… if he published them later, wouldn't they look like plagiarism?
Aiden was now explaining Mega Evolution right in front of all these regional Professors. If Sycamore later published the same theory, wouldn't it be obvious who copied whom?
"These Professors aren't fools, you know."
"So I believe that every Pokémon, as long as you find its corresponding Mega Stone and pair it with a Key Stone, should theoretically be able to Mega Evolve."
"But that's only a theory. To truly confirm it, we'll need countless Trainers to test it in practice."
Hearing this, Tyson immediately became excited.
"Then my Blaziken can definitely Mega Evolve too, as long as I find its Mega Stone, right?"
Aiden nodded with a smile.
"Exactly."
"Then my Swampert too!" Morrison shouted.
Meanwhile, Tyson's eyes gleamed with determination. If Aiden's Sceptile could Mega Evolve, then his own Sceptile definitely could too—there was no doubt about it.
Taking out his phone, Tyson snapped a photo of Mega Sceptile's Mega Stone, smiling in satisfaction.
"Aiden, since you took first place this time, and we already agreed on the reward, go ahead and tell us what kind of starter Pokémon you want," Professor Birch said warmly. "I can also give you a Hoenn starter if you like."
Hearing this, Aiden smiled.
Professor Birch really knew how to read the situation—Aiden had just been thinking about how to bring this up, and Birch had already handed him the opportunity.
"Of course I want one. Thank you very much, Professors."
In fact, Aiden already had his plan for the starters.
The first priority was naturally Fire-type starters.
In the wild, Fire-type starters were the rarest.
Grass-types like Treecko and Bulbasaur could still be found in the wild, sometimes even forming small groups. Water-types like Mudkip and Squirtle could also be found with some effort if you searched rivers and lakes.
But Charmander and Torchic? You basically never saw them in the wild.
Since Professor Birch was offering a Hoenn starter, Torchic was the obvious choice. Swampert was strong, but Mudkip could still be found in the wild with enough luck. Blaziken, on the other hand, was both powerful and cool—no contest.
For Kanto, although Aiden liked both Blastoise and Venusaur, Charmander was simply too rare. You couldn't even catch Pokémon in Charicific Valley. So Charmander it was.
As for Blastoise and Venusaur, Ash would run into their clans in the original story anyway—there would be chances.
In Johto, Aiden's favorite was Totodile. Typhlosion and Meganium… well, their looks were a bit lacking. Aiden valued cool appearances. Just look at his team—strong and stylish.
For Sinnoh, since he already had Infernape, the obvious choice was Turtwig. Empoleon looked a bit awkward, but Torterra was actually pretty awesome.
As for Unova, his favorite was Snivy. If it had Contrary, Serperior would be absolutely broken—basically cheating.
"So, Professors, I can choose one starter from each region?"
Perhaps because of Aiden's incredible strength—or perhaps out of appreciation from the senior researchers toward a promising young Trainer—everyone was surprisingly generous.
With Professor Birch already offering, Professor Elm from Johto also agreed to give him a starter.
In the end, all the Professors agreed to give Aiden one regional starter each.
Gary would get two, while Tyson and Harrison would each get one.
"Then I want: Kanto's Charmander, Johto's Totodile, Hoenn's Torchic, Sinnoh's Turtwig, and Unova's Snivy!"
Five starters.
As Aiden listed them like ordering dishes, the Professors all agreed without hesitation.
Professor Oak chuckled.
"Aiden, I didn't realize you were so knowledgeable about Pokémon. If you weren't such an outstanding Trainer, just based on your understanding of Mega Evolution alone, I'd want to bring you onto the path of being a Professor."
Hearing that, Professor Birch immediately panicked.
"Hey, hey, hey, Oak! Your grandson is already walking the researcher's path—don't steal the person I have my eye on!"
For a moment, laughter echoed through Scientist Town.
Just then, a hearty voice rang out from the distance.
"Looks like everyone's full of energy, huh, youngsters? Hahahaha!"
Everyone turned to look.
A man dressed like a ship's captain, riding on a Salamence, was flying rapidly toward Scientist Town.
If it wasn't Drake, the Dragon Elite of the Hoenn Elite Four, then who else could it be?
...
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/SorenSwiftTL