Pokémon: When the World Changed Chapter 423 - 418: The Move Return

Sky Secret Kingdom — Pokémon Totem Research Laboratory.

After Ethan made his decision, he took Sandslash to undergo a full check-up at the laboratory.

When examining Sandslash's physical condition, even the staff were shocked: the data showed that its physique was absurdly outstanding!

"This Sandslash is without a doubt the physically strongest one I've ever seen! Not even the Totem Sandslash reaches this level."

"Its physical build is comparable to so Fighting-type Pokémon... how did you train it?" exclaid a researcher dedicated exclusively to studying Sandslash.

Although Sandslash isn't a particularly powerful species, the Pokémon Researchers Guild assigns specific studies to each line. In the case of Sandshrew and Sandslash, because of their enormous population, Shiny specins weren't that rare; but a Sandslash with such a monstrous physique... that was unheard of.

Not only that researcher was surprised; even Professor Brown —the one in charge of Totem Pokémon research— and President Beckett showed looks of astonishnt.

"Steel-type energy?"

At that mont, Professor Brown seed to realize sothing, his eyes shining with interest.

"That's right — Steel-type energy. My Sandslash's diet and training thod are based, in part, on Excadrill's training techniques."

Seeing that Professor Brown had identified the reason behind Sandslash's incredible physique, Ethan didn't hide it; after all, he would soon be leaving the Pokémon in their care, so he needed to make things clear.

Besides, the Guild would be the one supplying Sandslash's specialized food, which wasn't cheap at all; for Ethan, that would be a major relief.

"Excadrill, a Ground- and Steel-type Pokémon!"

"You've got guts. If your training thod had failed, you probably would've ruined your Sandslash."

Professor Brown shook his head, shocked by Ethan's boldness. He couldn't understand how he could be confident enough to try sothing like that.

Ethan only smiled. In this world, Alola and Ultra Space had not yet appeared or rged with reality. Therefore, Alolan regional forms were not known.

If Alolan Sandslash existed here and was confird to be a Steel-type, Professor Brown wouldn't be nearly as shocked.

But speaking of that... It seed like the appearance of the Secret Kingdoms followed so kind of pattern. Since arriving in this world, Ethan had always had a vague suspicion.

The Secret Kingdoms began appearing 23 years ago.

And if he rembered correctly... the first Pokémon ga was released 23 years ago.

Creepy. Though maybe it was nothing but coincidence. Still... when would Alola appear? And Ultra Space...?

"Training Sandslash using Excadrill's thods..."

President Beckett also shook his head. But recalling Ethan's outrageous training thods for his other Pokémon, he eventually accepted it without much surprise.

The researcher specialized in Sandslash opened his mouth as if wanting to ask for the exact thod, but asking directly would be disrespectful. His face reddened with hesitation.

"Ethan, would you be willing to allow the Guild to record the special training thod you used on your Sandslash?"

"Of course, you'll receive a reward. If you have any specific request, you may state it as well."

President Beckett had noticed the researcher's expression, and after thinking for a mont, made the proposal to Ethan.

That special thod had huge theoretical value: if a Sandslash could strengthen its body by imitating the thods of a Ground-/Steel-type Pokémon, then perhaps that principle could be applied to other species as well.

"No problem."

Ethan answered without hesitation.

During his growth, the Pokémon Researchers Guild had helped him imnsely. Compared to that, a single training thod was nothing.

But...

"I wonder if President Beckett could give , in exchange, the thod for learning the move Return."

Ethan proposed this after thinking it through. Getting that thod was, in fact, one of the main reasons he had co back to the Guild's main headquarters.

"Alright. I need to head to the Emotional Energy Laboratory soon. I'll teach it to you there."

President Beckett accepted without hesitation. By this point, neither of them cared much about the relative value of their thods.

After that, Ethan discussed with President Beckett and Professor Brown the details of Sandslash's training and planned its future regin.

Once everything was arranged, he left Sandslash in the laboratory. Sandslash watched him leave with obvious reluctance. Ethan mounted Pidgeot and flew toward the Emotional Energy Laboratory.

Once there, he released Kingdra so it could et its new companions.

Then, accompanied by President Beckett, Ethan toured the entire laboratory. He also released Riolu so it could begin familiarizing itself with emotional energy, forming the foundation for learning the move Return.

However, regarding Riolu's ability to sense emotions through aura... Ethan decided not to ntion it for now.

After all, his knowledge of that ability ca from mories of his previous life; he couldn't be 100% sure it worked the sa way in this reality.

"This is the Riolu with exceptional ntal power. You want it to learn the move Return?" President Beckett asked, observing it with interest.

"That's right. I don't know if it's thanks to its innate ntal strength, but its perception is incredibly sharp. I want to see if it can use that sensitivity to learn the move Return more quickly." Ethan explained, hinting at part of Riolu's uniqueness.

"I see. A good idea."

After seeing Sandslash's case, President Beckett only nodded slightly. He already knew Ethan always had his own plans.