3 ❀ video

[ortion]

[Okay, the chaos at the base has finally settled down and the network is back to normal. Time to make a post he's been meaning to make...

The video begins with a shot of the ever eye-searing flashy Dist from across a table in some nondescript location. Those seem to be pretty common, don't they? On that table rests various evolutionary items: a Razor Claw, Dubious Disc, Dusk Stone, and a Metal Coat which Dist is rolling in his free hand.]

Network, let's talk about evolutionary items. Not how they work, because I am sure that has been speculated to death. I'd like to ask why. Specifically, why do they only work on certain Pokemon? Some make sense, such as the Magmarizer which is obviously geared toward a Magmar. And of course, a Thunderstone would only apply to an Electric type Pokemon.

But what about the Razor Claw? [He sets the Metal Coat down and picks up the claw, examining it in front of the 'Gear's camera.] There are plenty of clawed Pokemon this could apply to, and yet apparently only Sneasel actually make use of it. I'm sure you saw my Metal Coat just now; that is another intriguing one. Currently, only two noted Pokemon have adapted and taken on a metal coating to achieve extra defense.

[Now that he's given enough examples, he sets the Razor Claw down and leans back a bit, propping his chin up with his hand.]

Do you ever wonder if there may be more Pokemon out there ready to use these items to their advantage? Perhaps some Pokemon already have the capability but have yet to be introduced to these items. [A small smile spreads across his lips.] Wouldn't it be absolutely thrilling to be the first to discover a brand new evolution unknown to the masses?

[After letting those words sink in, he ends the video.]

[private video to fellow Rocket scientists]

Speaking of evolution, is anyone in the Goldenrod base available at the moment? [He reaches for that Metal Coat again.] I am about to begin the initial testing for my current project, and a second person is necessary for it.

[Insincerely,] Many thanks.

Comments

[video - private]

[scientificflair]

[And, over the Rocket feed a short while later, you will soon get unrefutable proof that all good art is full of hipster angles and poorly-lit a response. The angle isn't enough to show you Descole's face, though you are getting a rather lovely shot from the desk he's sitting at; he seems to be leaning back in his chair a bit, the shot revealing a good amount of his suit with the cape draped over it, bits of that white boa ruffed around his neck toward the upper left, and a rather visible smirk coming into view as he moves to engage the device properly, resting his hands against the desk.]

What sort of project are we discussing? Steel-types are a bit...relevant to my interests, you could say.

[video - private]

[ortion]

[What's even the point of video if you're not going to show your face man? Well, at least this person has a nice suit and...boa...wow. That is actually a good combo.

Oh right there was a comment wasn't there? And it's a very good one. Considering this man replied to the filtered portion of Dist's post, this must be a scientist he hasn't met yet. And he's also into Steel types. Yes, Kato spoke of him long ago...]

Then you will love this. I plan to experiment with the Metal Coat, starting by evolving my Scyther to watch the process first-hand. [He rolls the Metal Coat in his hand again.] Ultimately I want to see if I can get this item to work on other Pokemon aside from the two known species it applies to.

[video - private]

[scientificflair]

Is that so? Consider me interested, then.

[Very, very interested, goodness lord.]

And who might you be? I've found myself rather preoccupied, of late; I think it's time I got to know some of you.

[video - private]

[ortion]

How wonderful. [AS YOU SHOULD BE.

He gives a small bow...as good as a sitting bow can get, anyway.]

I am Dist the Rose. [Yep, still holding on to that title.] Just Dist will suffice, however.

You must be Descole, correct? I heard of a Steel type specialist in the department with that name when I first arrived, so I'm sure this isn't mere coincidence. [Assumptions are awesome.]

[video - private]

[artfuldestruction]

[[Even though Dist is pretty much next door to him at present, Kato will engage him over the feed because dammit that's what technology is for!! At least it's more convenient than emails.]]

One of my Pokemon evolved using that method, so I'm more than willing to assist if you need it.

[[He kind of owes you one, anyway....]]

[video - private]

[ortion]

[That's okay Kato, the scientists here are basically hermits anyway.

Dist considers Kato's offer for a moment. Normally he'd still be angry at the man for what went on last week, but eh. It's not like his rampaging beast of a Pokemon actually harmed any of his equipment. Besides, Kato's usually a decent guy.

And yes, he does owe Dist. Yep.]

I have no objections.

[video -> action]

[artfuldestruction]

[[Kato is rather thankful that Pluto didn't decide to do a number on Dist's equipment as well as his own, yes; it's taking him long enough to repair his machines, let alone those of another scientist. That and the fact that something tells him Proton wouldn't be too impressed if he had to ask for funding. Ugh, what a mess of a day that was.

With any luck, this experiment will go well.

Walking into the lab, Kato approaches that table, smiling (....well, smirking, really, but that's how we smile around here) and placing his hands behind his back.]]

Quite a collection you've got going here.

[AUDIO - LOCKED]

[determinator]

[Oh come on, why isn't he on the private video here! He's totally a scientist! ...Okay, no he's not, but who do you think connected all you scientists together?? ...Okay, so he hasn't done anything for the science department but that's not the point!

Anyway, Archer will reply a short while later, locking the audio feed down immediately. He's still a little out of it due to the whole "being here for a year and having a breakdown over it" thing, but that's no big deal! This sounds fascinating.]

Let me guess; you're going to try to force evolutions on Pokemon?

[From the sound of it, he approves!]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you're Dist, one of the Team Rocket scientists?

[You can practically hear the smirk. As for where he got this information? Let's just say he's attached at several vital organs to good friends with Kimblee. You know, that one guy who was trolling you.]

[AUDIO - LOCKED]

[ortion]

[Wow Archer, are you mad or something--

Well, he certainly caught on at least...]

"Force" is such a strong word. But I would like to guide them in the right direction.

[In other words, yep you got it Archer.

That second bit actually catches him off guard somewhat. On one hand, it's great that he has some kind of reputation already, but on the other hand he doesn't like that tone one bit.]

Why yes, I am. Have you seen my previous network posts, or has someone spoken to you about me?

[AUDIO - LOCKED]

[determinator]

[Mad? Oh goodness no! He's just a little short of sane, but that doesn't make him mad!]

A bit of both, actually. I am Team Rocket Beta Frank Archer, it's a pleasure to finally speak with you, Dist.

[That totally explains everything. Because a high ranking means stalking the network is okay!!! Or something, don't question him.]

I've wondered the same thing about evolution. Some of the items make marginally more sense - such as the Up-Grade for Porygon - but others make no sense at all. What is the difference between the Sun Stone and the Leaf Stone? Why do some Pokemon evolve by stone and others by level? There are plenty of questions we don't have answers for.

The Metal Coat is possibly the most useful item to start with. Steel-types tend to be incredibly resilient, in my experience. They can be used to evolve a Pokemon at any level - I waited for quite some time before evolving my Scyther to test this theory. If you can guide an evolution, I'd certainly like to see the results. Do you have a Pokemon selected for the experiment?

[Private video.]

[shakespearealien]

[Gorthan always loves hearing from Dist, especially when his daily routine, outside of the usual lab work, lately consists of being Agnus' caregiver.]

A wonderful question, Rose. The genome of Pokémon is, after all, an incredibly flexible thing, and responses to outside stimuli can easily exceed all expectations. It's really just a matter of trying and experimenting, even with combinations that may seem implausible at first.

I am still in Goldenrod, indeed, and I will be until Agnus decides that we should depart. Until then, I am always available for testing.

[Private video.]

[ortion]

I was wondering what your take on this was, Gorthan. [Gorthan did say he specialized in genetic engineering.] The Pokemon's will to adapt is truly an amazing thing, especially since they have been able to do it so rapidly. Pokemon evolution is nothing like I have ever seen before. And the evolutionary reaction with a Metal Coat is one of the most astounding things I have learned of.

[He raises an eyebrow at the second portion of the comment.] Going somewhere?

[Private video.]

[shakespearealien]

Going somewhere indeed, which is why I intend to make the most out of the time I have left with you, Rose.

Will you make me privy to this latest undertaking of yours? It sounds most interesting.

Incidentally, I don't think it's their will to adapt as much as it is a spontaneous reaction of their genes and cellular structure to the object or environmental situation in question. But this is merely my speculation, of course. Regardless of that, the genome of Pokémon is extremely flexible - just consider move learning, for a moment, and think of how many different types of powers most Pokémon can master.

[islandshore]

[The feed starts up with a close-up of a grinning Gliscor, who lets out a shriek and floats back onto a pile of rocks. Riku then steps into view and grins.]

You'd think that Razor Claw would work on something like Gligar, but it turns out that they need a completely different item called Razor Fang.

It's definitely strange, and I can see why you'd want to experiment.

[ortion]

[Riku will receive an annoyed stare from Dist. Was that Gliscor bit really necessary?

Regardless, it's a comment worth responding to.]

I do agree; their claws are much more apparent than their fangs, but perhaps it's the fact that Gligar and Gliscor's claws are a different shape than the Razor Claw? I would say that their claws are more crab-like.

[islandshore]

[It... wasn't exactly planned. Deathclaw's just a bit of an attention hog. Silly scorpion.]

Yeah, that's true. Still, something like a Razor Fang seems just as generic to work with other types of Pokémon.

[video]

[enjoymyatelier]

[did somebody say




science]

Is there anything about the Razor Claw that would prevent it from being exclusively related to Sneasel, or is there something about it that would make that completely arbitrary? I'll be honest, I'm not particularly familiar with either.

[video]

[ortion]

[Nope, certainly no science going on here!

I mean yes.]

That is the mystery about it. There doesn't appear to be anything limiting it to just Sneasel, like a Magmarizer being exclusive to a Magmar. Sneasel certainly isn't the only clawed Pokemon, so I don't see why something like a Zangoose or a Sandslash couldn't use one.

[video]

[enjoymyatelier]

That certainly is strange, then. Granted, it wouldn't surprise me at all if it were completely arbitrary, given how this world tends to be.

[private video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

[This is all very interesting stuff since Cobra knows next to nothing about these things. The idea of a metal covered Pokemon definitely appeals to him as well.]

Which two Pokemon use that Coat you mentioned?

[private video]

[ortion]

Scyther and Onix. I'm actually surprised you didn't know that, Commander. You've been here for quite some time, haven't you?

[He will find any excuse to take a dig at people. Sorry Cobra.]

[private video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

That's correct. I have. But I know little about these items. They happen to fall outside my areas of expertise.

[Also, it's hard to learn about trade evos and use them when no one likes you.]

But you did sssay Scyther evolves into one of these? I'll have to look into that. It sounds promising.

[He is picturing a roboScyther. That probably isn't what it turns into, but he likes the idea of it just the same.]

[video]

[vulpesvivus]

...huh. I hadn't really thought about that.

[video]

[ortion]

[Oh hey, it's you again.]

Really? I'm honestly shocked. [Is he judging? Apparently so!] I'd expect most scientists to notice these things rather quickly.

[video]

[vulpesvivus]

[Sup.]

I'm an engineer. Most of my spare time's spent theorizing about machinery, not Pokemon evolution. If I was a biologist, it'd probably be the other way around.