ortion | 3 ❀ video

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3 ❀ video

[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.

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[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?

[Kato's line of thinking is basically what Dist's is. That would be useful, and that's why he's researching these items.

Dist smirks, tapping the center of the Pokeball to enlarge it.]

I intend to push the limits of current knowledge.

[HE'S SO FUNNY AND VAGUE ISN'T HE...]

Come now Doctor Kato, surely you can at least fathom a guess?

[Well. Aren't you a special snowflake? ~~see the irony there?~~]

The pleasure is mine, Mr. Archer.

[Though really, there is a bit of surprise in Dist's voice. He's heard of Archer, of course. He's heard of all of the higher-ranking members. And so he makes note to at least try to act polite, although he really isn't intimidated by ranks.]

Indeed, the ability to evolve a Pokemon early on is helpful, especially if their base form is rather weak. [Although that doesn't apply to his Scyther, it's still a point.] You will be pleased to know that I am going to start with the Metal Coat. My own Scyther shall be the first test subject, simply so I can see how the process works and how she actually uses the item for her evolution. From there, I will work with other Pokemon I believe could benefit from a boost in defense.

[Dist would be lying if he said he wasn't just a little curious about where Agnus and Gorthan are off to, but he can only guess it's for their project. Or maybe they're going to explore a bit?

Although he'll appreciate the extra quiet in the labs that their departure will cause, it'll be strange to not have the scientists around. Dist has always been a loner but he's actually grown used to their presence.

His expression remains thoughtful until he finally responds to Gorthan's request.]

Certainly, Gorthan. I do believe your knowledge could be of great use while I work through this project. [As much as he'd rather take all the credit for this, he really does think Gorthan knows what he's talking about. Case in point: this discussion.]

So while evolution through gaining levels depends more on their will-as observed in some Pokemon refusing to evolve after reaching the correct level-evolutionary items have special properties that cause involuntary evolution? That is an interesting way to look at it.

[[Aren't you a sassy one? Let his smirk deepen.]]

Far be it from me to assume the level of your genius, Dist. Although I feel I can safely say you're not trying to develop a method of coating Pokemon in steel; that would be far too obvious, no?

[[Man now we're just straight up trolling one another; quick, let's pretend to actually be professionals.]]

Or is my hypothesis incorrect?

[[...ok, maybe one more.]]

Yes, exactly. It would be perfect for say, a Mawile. It has no known evolution and relies on its fangs. Even Golbat could benefit from an alternate evolution using the item.

Well, now you know. It may benefit you to research all of these items. You never know, you may have more Pokemon that can use them.

[Dist nods in agreement to that second bit.]

It is. Upon evolution, Scyther becomes Scizor and trades speed for durability. They are apparently very powerful as well, and able to resist more types of moves.

[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.

[Kato will know he's hit the nail on the head when Dist suddenly frowns. Wow he hates you so much right now--]

This isn't about how obvious it is. You cannot tell me it wouldn't be useful, can you?

Edited 2012-09-23 06:49 (UTC)

[[smug smug smug alright let him just put up his hands in surrender, don't worry~]]

Oh don't worry; I'm not doubting the usefulness of the concept. What I'm interested in is what exactly you need my help with.

[[Ranpu the Lunatone will just hover around his head as he speaks.]]

Because of course, I'm more than willing to assist however you need. Although I'd rather not get my coat dirty, if you don't mind.

I happen to have a Sssscyther. I should attempt this. My team could use more durability!

[Which probably isn't something he should be telling other people, but oh well. Too late now!]

[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.

Tell me all, and I will listen. Alternatively, just give me a time and a place. I am curious to see what fruits your research has yielded this time.

But of course. The mechanisms that allow the genetic makeup of Pokémon to resist mutation and evolution caused by environmental factors are always very feeble. I trust you have looked into the research that was previously carried out at the Lake of Rage - that is a good example.

[WOW RUDE, he is the most special of snowflakes.]

That sounds excellent. The evolution process doesn't seem to be any different from what I could tell, but perhaps you'll find something else there.

[It's okay Cobra, Dist doesn't really care anyway.]

I do hope you have friends around, because you will need one to evolve your Scyther.

[Dist shrugs, apparently satisfied with Otacon's response.]

I suppose I can accept that excuse.

[...yeah.]

The two fields often crossed in my line of work. I really haven't been blown away by the level of machinery this world has to offer, so I've decided to examine evolution for the time being.

[If you say so...]

There must be some sort of difference if Scyther cannot evolve without help from this item. I'd like to see if I can figure out what it is.

Really? We have the ability to put things like an eleven foot cobra into something the size of a baseball, and you're not fascinated by that kind of machinery?

Mawile could definitely use an evolution. Steel types are great and all, but Mawile's stats are pretty undesirable. At least Crobat's got its perks.

Friends?

[Hahaha, who needs friends?]

I have little use for ssssuch things. What do I need another person for? Is thissss one of those trade things?

[He has made a whopping total of one trade in two years, Dist.]

[Oh hey, someone who shares his view!

Except not really. Dist is just in denial.]

Yes, trade is required for the evolution to occur. Another form of evolution that still makes no sense to me, but exists nevertheless.

Some creatures simply get the short end of the stick. That remains true in most worlds.

[He'll smirk a little.] It'd certainly be nice to turn the odds in their favor. Perhaps Mawile could be the next Magikarp with a wonderful evolution.

[He doesn't really care about Mawiles that much. It's just an example.]

Oh no, I've already tinkered with Pokeballs a bit. Believe me, they are an exception to what I just said. They are something I'd like to look into more sometime in the future.

Making no sssense but existing is more or lessss a fair assessment of this entire world!

[At least from what Cobra's seen.]

But enough about that. What other Pokemon evolve in thisss manner? If you know of any, that is.

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.

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