Egg Groups?
The researchers exchanged puzzled glances, none of them understanding what that term meant.
Since Professor Elm hadn't yet reached any concrete research results, he hadn't given his theory a proper name. His assistants and apprentices could only watch him, noticing the change in his expression as he typed on the computer.
"Classifying Pokémon by biological traits sounds like a general approach, but there must be other factors, like type and habitat, right? Have you already finished dividing the Egg Groups?"
Tap!
Elm hit the send key hard, waiting anxiously for a reply.
He had only intended to test the waters, to see if he could learn more about the magnetic field evolution. He never expected that this Corviknight actually had research related to his question.
He'd heard that Corviknight's schedule was irregular and that he was often busy. A trace of worry stirred in Elm's heart.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Macro Cosmos building.
Shiro lay back on his chair. It was already close to 6:30, and he was just about to wash up when his laptop chimed again.
A message. And it was from one of his friends.
Professor Rowan? Someone else? Juniper? Elm?
He clicked it open at once and saw Elm's message.
"Factors that affect Egg Groups..." he muttered. From the content of Elm's message, it seemed the professor hadn't fully completed the classification yet.
Egg Groups were the key to determining whether two Pokémon of opposite genders could produce an egg. Without them, breeders could only rely on experience and family traditions to guide breeding efforts.
The grouping wasn't determined by appearance alone; a Pokémon's environment played a major role too.
For example, a Pokémon that lived underwater all year might look similar to a land-dwelling species, but the two would still be unable to breed together.
Going by how Professor Elm defined them in the original work…
Shiro didn't hesitate or hold back. He listed the full scheme and sent it.
Egg groups can be split into sixteen categories, based on form traits plus habitat:
Monster: Looks like a monster, or is notably feral.
Water 1: Amphibious or multi-environment species.
Bug: Insect-like in appearance.
Flying: Birds, bats, or other creatures that can fly.
Field: The largest group. Most land‑dwelling Pokémon fall here.
Fairy: Cute or mystical species with otherworldly traits.
Grass: Plant-like Pokémon.
Human‑Like: Bipedal species with humanoid features like walking legs.
Water 3: Aquatic invertebrates.
Mineral: Crystalline or silicon‑based life.
Amorphous: Those with no fixed form.
Water 2: Vertebrates like fish.
Dragon: Pokémon that look like dragons or have dragon-like traits.
Ditto: As the name suggests, Ditto is the only Pokémon in this group. It can breed with every Pokémon except those in the Undiscovered or Ditto groups, regardless of gender.
Undiscovered: Pokémon that cannot breed with any other species.
Gender Unknown: Not a regular breeding egg group, but in certain cases Pokémon are categorized here. These Pokémon can only breed with Ditto.
The egg group system is vital for breeding and inheritance. Pokémon belonging to two different groups can pass on moves through chain breeding, linking unrelated Pokémon and teaching them moves they normally cannot learn.
In short, Egg Groups are a groundbreaking discovery in Pokémon breeding. Even ordinary daycare facilities can use this system to determine whether two Pokémon can produce an egg, instead of spending a long time helping them bond only to find out they are incompatible.
* * *
Back at Elm's lab.
The detailed egg group classifications popped up line by line on the screen.
Elm's eyes widened as he hungrily read through them, his hands scribbling notes nonstop, as if the information might sprout wings and fly away.
The researchers standing behind him were equally focused. What they were seeing was almost a complete research achievement. It was far better than the vague theories they'd been working on and was something truly useful.
A few minutes later, Elm's tense expression didn't ease. He clutched the list of egg groups he had just written down, stood up abruptly, then slowly sat back down under the stares of his assistants and apprentices.
He had just meant to ask about the progress of Corviknight's research. He never imagined that the man would send such a detailed result. The classification was practically finished, only needing the known Pokémon to be slotted into their groups.
Of course, he would still need to consult Corviknight for uncertain parts, but this was already a monumental breakthrough.
Holding such a straightforward result, Elm found it hard to believe that someone like Corviknight truly existed in the research world. A person who could share his findings selflessly, driven by pure scientific passion…
Even Professor Oak would keep his own projects tightly under wraps to avoid leaks. Everyone feared their work being stolen or copied.
"To think there are still people like Corviknight." Elm's throat tightened. In all his years of research, this was the first time someone had shown him such complete trust. It was also the first time he had received a final answer without years of trial and error.
This mysterious person from Galar was a true role model for the entire Pokémon research community.
One assistant, seeing Elm's expression, quickly reminded him, "Professor, if you don't reply now, Corviknight might log off."
"Oh!"
Elm snapped out of his thoughts, his fingers trembling as they typed. In the end, he managed to write what he wanted to say:
"Mr. Corviknight, I sincerely thank you for your generosity! I swear I will never claim your work as my own. Have you already completed the classification of all known Pokémon?"
* * *
On the other end, Shiro yawned as Elm's reply came through. He thought for a moment. There weren't as many Pokémon now as in later generations, but there were still hundreds… some of the groupings he couldn't even recall. Typing it all out would be too much trouble.
So he simply wrote:
"Not yet. I have a lot going on right now. If you want, you can handle the classification yourself. I believe you are also running related experiments, right? Besides, these are just some suggestions, not actual research results."
* * *
"No way!" Elm's excitement was almost too much to contain. "I understand your situation. Rest assured, once the Pokémon classification is complete, your name will be at the top of the paper!"
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