Pokémon Center.
After the competition ended, the four returned here directly.
"Is Onix okay?" they asked as soon as they saw Jasper Reid sitting in the resting area.
Both Jasper Reid and Onix had been the main contributors to the victory against Duskwell City Pokémon University, so everyone was concerned about their condition.
"Don't worry, the doctor said it's fine now," replied Jasper Reid, touched to see his teammates rush to check on him as soon as the battle ended.
"What a relief, that explosion really scared us," laughed Marcus Foster, giving him a strong pat on the shoulder. He was clearly very happy.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
"You all did excellent in this battle!"
"The University is proud of you!"
At that moment, a cheerful laugh came from the entrance. It was the principal, entering while stroking his beard, a wide smile on his face. He was clearly in a very good mood.
"Hahaha, Principal, you arrived just in time!"
"This time they really gave us a tough fight! That team from Duskwell City Pokémon University was way too strong!"
"This competition was nothing like a simple exchange tournament!"
Marcus Foster, seeing the principal, took the chance to dramatically complain about how tough the battle had been.
"I know, I know," replied the principal. "I know how difficult it was for you. That's why I came immediately with a reward."
He patted Marcus Foster on the shoulder, then took a box out of his briefcase and opened it.
Immediately, a multicolored glow emerged. Inside were five different Evolution Stones: Fire Stone, Water Stone, Leaf Stone, Moon Stone, and Sun Stone.
"These five stones are of the highest quality, personally selected from the university's treasure vault," he proudly announced.
Hearing this, everyone cheered. Marcus Foster, passionate about Evolution Stones, was the first to run over and inspect them, murmuring with satisfaction something like: "Now that's worth it!"
"Jasper, you opened the battle, so choose first," said Lucas Silver after exchanging glances with the others and getting their approval.
"Ah, no, you should choose first," Jasper Reid hurried to say, trying to decline the offer.
"It's your turn! If it weren't for your Onix's sacrifice, we might not have won," the others insisted.
"Alright, you choose first. That tactic was spectacular," added the principal with a smile.
Jasper Reid nodded slightly, a bit nervous, and looked at the stones one by one, hesitating.
Although his family was slightly more well-off than Ethan Black's, they worked in a quarry, so he didn't know much about Evolution Stones. He wasn't sure which to pick.
At that moment, Lucas Silver discreetly passed him a small note. Jasper Reid took it, read it, and quietly thanked him.
Ethan Black also received a note from Lucas Silver. Upon opening it, he saw a list detailing the effect of each Evolution Stone and the Pokémon that could evolve with them:
Fire Stone: Growlithe, Eevee
Water Stone: Poliwhirl, Shellder, Eevee, Staryu
Leaf Stone: Gloom, Weepinbell, Exeggcute, Nuzleaf
Moon Stone: Nidorina, Nidorino, Jigglypuff, Skitty
Sun Stone: Gloom, Sunkern
Ethan Black noticed the list covered basically all the Pokémon he remembered, though some weren't included because they weren't native to the country.
However, he was struck by the fact that Vulpix, a very popular Fire-type Pokémon, didn't appear on the list. Was it an oversight, or did even the Devon Corporation not know the secret of its evolution?
While pondering, Jasper Reid chose the Leaf Stone, probably because Grass-type Pokémon are easier to breed.
"Now it's your turn, Ethan. Your Sandslash was key to our strategy," said Lucas Silver once Jasper Reid had finished.
Ethan Black, without refusing, stepped forward to inspect the stones.
First, he examined the Sun Stone. He noticed it was bigger and shinier than the one he had obtained before, confirming that, as the principal said, these were the best from the university's treasure.
Then he looked between the Fire Stone and the Water Stone, and finally chose the Water Stone.
The reason was simple: both Growlithe and Eevee, which evolve with the Fire Stone, are rare and costly to raise.
In contrast, those that evolve with the Water Stone—like Poliwhirl—are more common and easy to train. Plus, Shellder has the hidden ability Overcoat, which could work well in a sandstorm team.
But his favorite was Staryu. In the games, he had always liked it, especially because it was the only Pokémon from the first three generations that could learn the move Camouflage, leaving a very special impression.
If he could catch a Staryu with that move, he could integrate it into his sandstorm team.
After Ethan Black, Marcus Foster chose a Fire Stone, Alex Baxter picked a Moon Stone, and as captain, Lucas Silver took the remaining Sun Stone.
The principal watched silently. Seeing that Lucas Silver, as captain, was the last to choose, his eyes showed admiration. He paused for a moment and seemed to make a decision.
"Very well, you've received your rewards. Now I have something else to discuss with you," he announced.
The five looked at him attentively.
"I've decided that the five of you will join the university's representative team. Let's form a new generation of the university team!"
These words took them by surprise. Normally, the team was formed after the graduation of senior students, and selection was done through a special evaluation in the new semester. No one expected the principal to decide to form it so soon!
(End of chapter)