When a Pokémon uses a move that matches its own type, the move receives a 50% Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB).
For example, if Frogadier uses the Ice-type move Ice Punch against Pidgeotto, and we only calculate damage based on typing—ignoring proficiency or mastery levels—the calculation would look like this:
Ice Punch base power: 75
Ice-type is super effective against Flying-type, granting ×2 damage
If Frogadier activates Protean and changes its own type to Ice, it gains the 50% STAB bonus
On the other hand, if a Pokémon uses a move that does not match its type, the move's power is reduced by 20%.
So—
If a normal Water-type Pokémon used Ice Punch against Pidgeotto, the damage calculation would be:
75 × 2 × (1 − 20%) = 120
However, if Frogadier activates Protean, transforming into an Ice-type Pokémon before attacking, then the calculation becomes:
75 × 2 × (1 + 50%) = 225
The difference between the two outcomes is 105 base damage.
That was equivalent to landing an extra Ice Beam plus a Water Shuriken worth of damage.
Compared to many Abilities that only trigger passively, Protean can be activated proactively.
Because of that, Frogadier's entire battle style was best built around this Hidden Ability.
Memorize the entire type effectiveness chart, understand every resistance and weakness—
And while maintaining the cool, composed aura of a ninja—
Also become a master of type manipulation.
…
No matter how one looked at it, Frogadier's future training focus was clear.
It would relentlessly concentrate on strengthening three attributes:
Physical Attack
Special Attack
Speed
These three stats would form the core of its development.
Second, it needed to learn every off-type move it could possibly acquire and master them thoroughly.
During training sessions, it would also practice move chaining, seamlessly linking different moves together in battle.
Beyond that—
There was little else required.
As long as the direction was correct, all that remained was relentless effort along that path.
…
At first glance, this training model might seem simple.
A dual-attacker build, a ninja-style combat approach, and a skill framework centered on Protean.
Anyone looking at it might think they could replicate it.
But the truth was—
Only Ash could truly make it work.
Because he possessed something others didn't:
The system.
Of course, that wasn't the only factor.
Ash's own insight, knowledge, and strategic understanding, combined with Frogadier's Peerless Potential, were things other Trainers simply couldn't copy.
Even the slightest difference in execution could lead to completely different results.
Anyone attempting to imitate Ash's system for training Frogadier would end up like someone trying to paint a tiger but producing something resembling a cat instead.
…
In short—
As a Trainer, Ash was unique.
The Pokémon under his command were also unique.
And after long-term training and development, the results they produced would likewise be one of a kind.
Not only unique—
But exceptional.
Very few Trainers could ever hope to match them.
"Speaking of which…"
Ash leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Pidgeotto should evolve soon."
"The Pidgeot Mega Evolution Stone set I obtained from Team Rocket…"
"After I finish helping Mom shoot promotional photos for the flower shop tomorrow morning, I should find a reputable jewelry store and have it processed."
Sitting at the desk, Ash closed his notebook.
He then took out a black velvet box from his system inventory.
Inside were two items:
The Pidgeot Mega Stone
The Keystone meant for the Trainer.
Mega Stones were extremely precious.
Ash had no intention of sending them all the way to Kalos for professional processing.
The distance alone made it too risky.
Instead, he planned to find a skilled artisan in Viridian City to craft the accessory.
After all, the process itself wasn't particularly difficult.
With the Mega Stone and Keystone already available, the Pokémon could technically perform Mega Evolution immediately as long as the bond between Trainer and Pokémon was strong enough.
The so-called "processing" simply meant embedding the stones into wearable accessories.
Common designs included:
Necklaces
Earrings
Hairpins
Rings
But those clearly weren't suitable for Ash.
Items like:
Brooches
Wrist guards
Bracelets
…were far more appropriate.
Ash wasn't some aristocratic noble like Steven Stone.
He didn't possess that refined noble aura that made a Keystone brooch look effortlessly cool.
But there was another example that came to mind.
In the Kalos League Conference from the original anime timeline, the Trainer Alain—who had defeated Ash's previous self to become champion—used a wristband to house his Keystone.
That was a design worth referencing.
…
"Alain's wristband was custom-made by the Lysandre Research Lab," Ash muttered.
"Replicating it exactly wouldn't be easy… and copying someone else's style isn't very cool either."
"So it can only serve as inspiration."
"Even if I go with a bracelet design, it still needs to match both my style and Pidgeot's future aura."
He leaned back, thinking carefully.
But Ash wasn't a jewelry designer.
He had no real idea what type of accessory suited him best.
However—
When he searched up Pidgeot, Pidgeotto's evolution, on his computer…
He suddenly gained inspiration.
…
As a bird Pokémon, there were very few places on Pidgeot's body where accessories could be worn.
Essentially only:
The neck
The ankles
But Mega Evolution was an extremely advanced power.
Among Trainers, it stood alongside Alola's Z-Moves and Galar's Dynamax as one of the highest-tier battle techniques.
In other words—
It was a hidden trump card.
Trump cards should ideally remain somewhat concealed.
Even if they couldn't be completely hidden, Ash still didn't want it to be overly flashy.
Putting a giant gold chain around Pidgeot's neck would be… ridiculously ostentatious.
So Ash made a decision.
The Mega Evolution Stone accessory would be worn around Pidgeot's ankle.
…
At that moment, another memory surfaced.
A show from his previous life that resembled Pokémon in some ways—
Digimon.
Some Digimon that possessed sacred powers wore accessories called "Holy Rings."
Examples included:
Gatomon's tail ring
Salamon's collar
Angemon's wrist ring
Angewomon's ankle ring
Phoenixmon's twin ankle rings
These Holy Rings were incredibly beautiful.
They were engraved with ancient runic characters, giving them an aura of mystery and nobility.
Like Pidgeot, Phoenixmon was a bird-like being.
Seeing Phoenixmon wear elegant ankle rings had always looked incredibly majestic.
…
Ash's eyes lit up.
"If I embed the Mega Stone into a Holy Ring–style anklet and place it on Pidgeot's leg…"
"That would look amazing."
"And if Pidgeot has a Holy Ring design…"
"Then as its Trainer, I should also wear a matching bracelet styled the same way."
Ash quickly flipped open his notebook again.
"I remember the Holy Ring looked something like this…"
With a few quick strokes, he began sketching.
His past life had given him a decent foundation in drawing, so it didn't take long before the designs took shape.
Soon, two designs appeared on the page:
A Holy Ring–style anklet embedded with the Pidgeot Mega Stone
A matching bracelet set with the Keystone
Ash studied the drawings carefully.
Then he nodded with satisfaction.
"Perfect."
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