Chapter 33: Attention from the Doctors

"A stone?"

Professor Elm quickly received a reply from Professor Oak, who suggested that this intriguing matter should be directed to Professor Cozmo in the Hoenn region.

However, Professor Elm was not personally acquainted with Professor Cozmo. As Professor Oak was his mentor, he naturally sought his guidance first. After hearing Professor Elm’s account, Professor Oak became deeply interested in the item known as the "Eviolite."

"To think such a stone exists! It provides defensive capabilities to Pokémon that have not yet reached their final evolutionary stage. It carries the word 'evolution' in its name, yet it lacks the properties of an Evolution Stone. Hmm... this is a completely undiscovered type of rock!"

"Perhaps it is a meteorite from space... Indeed, we must inform the experts in the Hoenn region. I shall also contact my old friend, Professor Rowan, in the Sinnoh region. Since Pokémon evolution is his primary field of research, he will surely be fascinated by this stone."

"By the way, does Bugsy have any additional Eviolites?"

Professor Elm quickly replied, "No, it seems he does not. You are intending to study it, I presume? He mentioned he only purchased one, and as for the artisan who sold it to him... that remains unknown. The artisan seems to be located in a rather remote area."

Professor Oak mused, "I see. An unexplored region or a distant wilderness? These places still harbor many secrets, so it is normal for mysterious items we do not recognize to emerge. If we could get in touch with that artisan... but no, I shall wait until I have spoken with the others first."

"Different regions, natural terrains, types of materials, the appearances and populations of Pokémon—everything varies. New, undiscovered things... it is truly heart-racing!"

...

Hoenn region, Fallarbor Town.

This is a small agricultural town located in the northwest of Hoenn, very close to Mt. Chimney. Consequently, volcanic ash often drifts here, which has the effect of making the local vegetation grow quite lushly.

Professor Cozmo, a well-known expert in the study of meteorites and rocks, resides in Fallarbor Town. Because of its proximity to Mt. Chimney and Meteor Falls, it is convenient for him to excavate meteorites. Occasionally, he also travels to the island city of Mossdeep in the eastern sea to conduct more advanced research at the Space Center.

Naturally, as someone who loves studying meteorites and digging for rocks, Professor Cozmo has an eccentric friend who also shares a passion for stones.

Professor Cozmo looks like a field geologist, wearing adventure workwear and glasses, with a tall, thin build and bright, inquisitive eyes.

"Eviolite? I have never heard of such a stone! Where was it unearthed?"

Professor Cozmo was quite shocked by the message from Professor Oak. Professor Oak is the leading authority in the Pokémon world, and for there to be a stone he was unaware of—or had never even heard of—was astounding!

A wave of enthusiasm for researching this new rock surged within Professor Cozmo. Perhaps this unheard-of stone was actually a new type of meteorite!

However, upon hearing that the stone's origin was mysterious and that it had been sold to a Johto Gym Leader by an artisan from a distant land, his heart sank.

"An artisan from a distant land..." Such a description implied that the region was currently difficult to reach. Perhaps it was a land as far away as Kalos or Galar, but if their logistics were already reaching Johto, they must be using Unova cargo planes!

After hearing Professor Oak's brief explanation, Professor Cozmo felt a burning curiosity. Even though his own research did not typically involve evolution, egg groups, or weak Pokémon, the nature of the precious stone and the reason it possessed such properties were the essence of his work—much like the elemental Evolution Stones that allow Pokémon to evolve.

Even now, new Evolution Stones are still being discovered from time to time!

Although Professor Cozmo could not travel to a distant region himself, as he had unfinished research on meteorites, he thought of someone—a person he could absolutely entrust with this task.

And that person was right here!

"...beep... beep..." Professor Cozmo dialed a number. After a brief wait, a charismatic, young male voice answered.

"Hello? Professor Cozmo? This is Steven. Is something the matter?"

"It is like this..." Professor Cozmo relayed the information he had received to Steven.

Although this process of "I don't know"—"Ask an acquaintance"—"Chain of delegation" was somewhat comical, if the uniqueness of this stone were confirmed, it would be a new, milestone discovery for the research community!

After all, if a stone that boosts defense exists, could there eventually be stones that boost attack, speed, or vitality? Its origin, the process of its creation, where it was formed, the geological conditions and environment it came from—and if it truly came from outer space, it would involve his primary profession of astronomy and meteorology... these were all worthy subjects of study!

"You said... what?"

Steven, on the other end of the line, seemed equally incredulous. This was the first time he had heard of such a strange and precious gem!

As the most famous and wealthiest stone collector, Steven’s capacity for action was immediately maxed out.

"Professor Cozmo, it is hard to explain over the phone. I will ride my Metagross to Fallarbor Town immediately. Don't go anywhere! You must wait for me!"

——————

Steven, full name Steven Stone, is the Champion of the Hoenn region, a well-known wealthy heir, the young master of the major corporation Devon Corporation, and a famous gem collector.

Although his family's company is based in Rustboro City in the western part of Hoenn, he resides in the island city of Mossdeep in the eastern sea.

After contacting Steven, Professor Cozmo resumed his discussion with Professor Oak, and Professor Elm joined the group as well. They held their discussion via video phone.

While called a video phone, it was effectively a specialized machine with multiple functions, for which the video communication was merely one feature. In research labs, these machines could even facilitate the long-distance transmission of Pokémon anytime, anywhere.

Professor Oak’s image appeared on the screen, wearing his classic red shirt, white lab coat, and gray hair.

"Regarding that stone..." Professor Elm spoke up, "I have already inquired with the local Gym Leader, Bugsy, and learned the name of the artisan's shop."

"This artisan seems to have a connection to Mr. Kurt. He recently returned to Johto from Sinnoh... no, it cannot be said he is in Johto. In fact, the artisan currently seems to be somewhere in the northern mountain ranges of Johto. As you said, it is a very remote location, though they seem to have network access there."

"Kurt!" Professor Oak exclaimed in surprise, though he quickly expressed doubt. "That doesn't sound right! Kurt is an artisan skilled at crafting Poké Balls, not one who specializes in processing stones."

As the foremost authority in Pokémon research, Professor Oak was friends with many prominent figures, and Mr. Kurt was one of them.

Professor Elm adjusted his glasses. "Yes, it seems they are merely acquaintances. Bugsy was a customer introduced by Mr. Kurt, but Mr. Kurt didn't say much about the artisan. He didn't seem to care much, or perhaps he just felt..."

"Felt that he would definitely be able to provide the right goods, eh?" Professor Oak mused on the video call. "Kurt seems to have great confidence in him."

"Hmm, well, the name of the shop is..."

Professor Elm immediately replied, "...Traveler's Workshop."

"Traveler's Workshop... the name isn't particularly striking. I expected something more flamboyant," Professor Cozmo muttered, then opened a page on his computer to search for it. "Found it. This is the one... but there is no mention of an Eviolite inside."

Professor Cozmo flipped through a few pages carefully, scratching his head. "Wait, the items in this shop... look at the descriptions!"

Focus Sash, Focus Band, Black Belt, Cleanse Tag, Spell Tag.

"Oh! There are some very rare items here!"

Professor Oak, on the video call, rubbed his chin. He was also browsing the shop's inventory, and these special items immediately caught his attention. Aside from these, the shop also sold Power Bands, Shell Bells, and Fire Stones—all rare items.

"Focus Sash? I've never seen this. It looks like a ribbon or strap worn by a martial artist!"

"But the Black Belt, Cleanse Tag, and Spell Tag are all rare and precious items!"

Cleanse Tags and Spell Tags are treasures not easily obtained, crafted by mediums, prayer masters, shrine maidens, gravekeepers, and psychics. In places with many Ghost-type Pokémon, ominous spiritual locations, or areas where large numbers of weak Pokémon gather, wearing a Cleanse Tag can easily help one avoid them.

A similar item is the Pure Incense from the Sinnoh region, made from special herbs, which achieves a similar effect to the Cleanse Tag. The appearance of this incense is also linked to a Pokémon called Chimecho. In the Hoenn region, Chimecho is considered a "final form" Pokémon. However, in the distant Sinnoh region, a pre-evolution, Chingling, was discovered. A key reason for this difference is that when a Chimecho holds Pure Incense while breeding, the offspring is not another Chimecho, but a Chingling.

As for the Black Belt, it is a standard martial artist's sash, but the shop explicitly states it can increase the power of Fighting-type moves. However... it's called a "Black Belt," so why is it red? It looks like a scrap product from the making of a Focus Sash!

"It says here that this charm can dispel any curse state on the body, but it is discarded after one use."

"A Spell Tag can produce a curse, which isn't surprising."

"The Focus Sash prevents a Pokémon from being knocked out in one hit, giving it a fighting chance even against disadvantageous types."

"These special effects seem different from similar items I've seen before."

"Could this artisan be a powerful medium? I also found a material called 'Old Cloth' in the back of his shop. Although the photo looks like ordinary tattered fabric, even I can feel that these cloths carry an ominous aura. Could they be the 'Reaper Cloth' used for evolution...?"

The three professors discussed their findings with one another. Professor Elm then made a suggestion: "I will purchase some and hand them over to people with the relevant expertise to conduct research and experiments!"