"Good thing I didn't kill that Drapion."
Ethan let out a sigh, still a bit shaken by what could have happened.
After all, President Beckett had promised that the results of the research on Totem Pokémon would first be applied to his Sandslash. Naturally, he wanted the study to progress as quickly as possible.
And then there was the Skorupi egg. Fortunately, he hadn't touched it; otherwise, all of the guild's recent efforts would have gone to waste.
"Right, the Skorupi egg!"
Suddenly, Ethan realized something, and his eyes lit up.
Thinking about it... didn't that Skorupi egg now belong to the guild? And couldn't he perhaps find a way to obtain that Skorupi, who carried the bloodline of the Totem Drapion and was being raised through special guild methods?
"Bloodline, regionality, and emotional energy."
"Those are the three approaches we've established in our research on Totem Pokémon."
President Beckett continued explaining. While Ethan looked puzzled, the Pidgeot didn't descend; instead, following Beckett's instructions, it flew into the distance—toward the laboratory where research on Totem Pokémon was conducted.
There, in the middle of a large garden, three huge Pokémon lay lazily on the ground. One of them was, indeed, the Totem Sandslash that Ethan had captured.
When the Totem Sandslash saw Ethan arriving, it froze for a moment; a fearful expression appeared in its eyes as it took a few steps back.
"Ethan, do you want your Sandslash to become a Totem Sandslash?"
President Beckett looked at him with a smile while pointing at the massive Sandslash before them.
"Of course I do."
Ethan rolled his eyes while also staring at the Totem Pokémon, imagining how his own Sandslash would look if it became one.
The hardened red fur, the light green skin, and a body even larger than a Tyranitar... and on top of that, it would automatically summon a sandstorm in battle. That image was on par with any Tyranitar.
As he pictured the scene, Ethan licked his lips, growing more and more excited.
"If you truly want that, then help me with something."
Seeing his enthusiasm, President Beckett smiled again, his eyes narrowing.
Hearing this, Ethan immediately became alert, sensing something ominous. He carefully asked, "What is it?"
"You see, our next step is to study the influence of regionality and bloodline on Pokémon."
"The problem is that Drapion and its descendant, Skorupi, have growth cycles that are far too long. That's why I thought of your Sandslash."
"Your Sandslash and the Totem Sandslash come from the same Secret Kingdom. Also, after comparing them, we discovered that although the connection is faint, they share the same ancestor."
"That's why we want to move the Totem Pokémon research lab to the Stonefield Town Secret Kingdom. There's a massive number of Sandshrew there, and it's precisely where the Totem Sandslash was born. Maybe we can recreate the conditions that produced the Totem Pokémon and uncover the secret of their development."
"And since your Sandslash comes from that same place, has the bloodline connection, and is strong enough, he's the ideal subject for the study."
President Beckett explained everything in one go, leaving Ethan deep in thought.
For Ethan, Sandslash was his first Pokémon. Their bond was unique. Being apart, even for a short time, made him feel somewhat lost.
In the end, he left the decision to Sandslash. And when Sandslash heard that the research was related to the Totem Sandslash, his eyes lit up intensely.
Since he was young, he had lived under the dominance of the Totem Sandslash and was even driven away by it. That gave him a strong obsession with becoming a Totem Pokémon as well. It seemed he believed that only by doing so could he truly overcome his past, even though he was now far stronger than his former oppressor.
However, when he heard that he would have to be separated from Ethan, his eyes dimmed again. Clearly, he didn't want to be apart.
"Sandslash, if you want to do it, go ahead. It will only be temporary. Stonefield Town is close, and my parents are there. I'll visit you often."
Ethan noticed the change in Sandslash's eyes, and warmth filled his chest. The excitement Sandslash had shown earlier made it clear what he truly desired.
Once he understood, Ethan had his answer. He crouched down, petted Sandslash, and smiled.
Upon hearing him, Sandslash trembled slightly, then hugged Ethan's leg and whimpered softly.
"Then, President, I'll leave my Sandslash in your care."
Ethan turned and smiled, giving his final answer.
"Don't worry. Just like with your other Pokémon... we'll take care of him and train him. And if you have any special requests, feel free to tell me." President Beckett nodded with a smile.
Ethan also nodded. Entrusting his Pokémon to the guild researchers was the best thing he could do.
Before leaving, he planned the training of each of his Pokémon. Staying at the guild was not only safe but would give them more time and resources to train—it might even be more efficient than remaining constantly by his side.
And since President Beckett had mentioned special requests, Ethan remembered the Skorupi egg and brought it up.
"The Skorupi egg—could I...?"
"You certainly know how to pick things, kid. But Skorupi still needs to participate in the experiments related to Totem Pokémon, so I can't give him to you yet. But once we finish the research, I don't see any problem giving him to you. Consider it a promise." He said with a smile. If the project succeeded, gifting that Skorupi as a reward was perfectly reasonable.
"Then, thank you very much, President."
Ethan's eyes narrowed with joy.
With the guild's care, by the time the research ended, Skorupi would surely already have considerable strength.
During that time, he could also plan Skorupi's future training... and when he finally received him, he would be a new and powerful member of his team!
(End of chapter)