Three days ago, when Theo had been chatting with Cynthia, she mentioned that she and Professor Juniper were exploring an ancient ruin near Striaton City in the Unova region.
The terrain there was extremely complex and highly dangerous. Their first attempt at exploration had ended in failure.
Now that Cynthia had completed the League's cooperative mission and her Garchomp had gained the ability to Mega Evolve, the two of them had decided to return for a second attempt at exploring the ruins.
Theo had not expected Cynthia to answer his video call so quickly, but after only two rings, her figure appeared on the screen.
Behind her seemed to be a dim cave. Strange patterns were carved into the rock walls, and Professor Juniper stood nearby, holding a magnifying glass and carefully studying something.
"What's wrong? Why did you suddenly call? Did something happen?"
Cynthia's voice carried a faint echo from deep within the cave, her tone filled with urgency and concern.
She had only recently told Theo that she would be exploring ruins, and Theo was not the type to disturb others without reason. If he was calling now, something important must have happened.
This time, Theo did not joke around like he usually did when chatting with Cynthia. Instead, he immediately turned the camera toward the crimson cocoon that Larvesta had transformed into.
At the same time, he quickly explained everything that had happened.
From Larvesta's abnormal state at sea, to its transformation into a cocoon after landing, to recalling the evolution video of Larvesta's mother, to his own use of his so-called Evergreen Power (Energy Orbs) to replenish its energy, and finally his speculation that volcanic energy might be required, he explained everything in detail.
Cynthia often watched Theo's livestreams in her spare time, so she already knew about his encounter with Kyogre during the Water Festival and the fact that he possessed a special ability.
Theo had also explained it to her before, using the same explanation he had given to Juan and Wallace, calling it Evergreen Power.
"Larvesta turned into this?"
Cynthia's brows furrowed immediately. Beside her, Professor Juniper put down her magnifying glass and quickly walked over, adjusting her glasses as she carefully observed the cocoon on the screen.
"Professor Juniper, do you know anything about this situation?"
Theo's voice carried a trace of hope.
As one of the top Pokémon researchers in Unova, Professor Juniper had unparalleled knowledge of local Pokémon. Perhaps she could provide an answer.
Professor Juniper stared at the cocoon for a long while and asked a few follow-up questions before finally speaking slowly.
"Don't worry too much. For now, there doesn't seem to be any danger.
Larvesta's current state resembles the cocoon stage that many Bug-type Pokémon go through before evolving, but there has never been any record of Larvesta needing to undergo such a stage."
She frowned, rubbing her temples before continuing,
"For now, don't touch it. I'll contact Champion Alder. Volcarona is one of his main Pokémon, and he has done extensive research on Larvesta's evolution. I'll ask him if he knows what's going on."
"That's right, Mr. Alder!"
Cynthia's eyes lit up as she added,
"I battled him recently, and if not for Garchomp's Mega Evolution, the outcome would have been hard to predict. Don't worry, we'll contact him right away."
After ending the call, Theo waited with anticipation.
...
Striaton City, Unova.
Professor Juniper had already called Alder. Not long after, a middle-aged man with fluffy red hair and a bright, hearty smile appeared on the screen.
The background looked like a training field, and faint sounds of Pokémon battling could be heard.
"Professor Juniper? Champion Cynthia? Aren't you two exploring ruins? Why are you calling me all of a sudden?"
"Well, Champion Alder, long story short…"
Professor Juniper quickly explained Larvesta's situation.
Alder's previously casual expression gradually became serious when he heard the words "Larvesta forming a cocoon." When Cynthia played the recorded footage Theo had sent, showing the red cocoon, his pupils shrank as he exclaimed:
"This is… a Cocoon of Fire!"
"A Cocoon of Fire?"
Professor Juniper and Cynthia asked in unison.
"That's right,"
Alder's tone became unusually serious.
"Only an extremely small number of exceptionally talented Larvesta that have absorbed a large amount of high-purity energy during their growth will undergo this kind of evolution.
They transform into a Cocoon of Fire and undergo a complete rebirth through flames. They must rely on the eruptive energy of an active volcano to break out of the cocoon and evolve into the strongest form of Volcarona."
Alder continued to explain:
"The cocoon stage compresses energy, and the geothermal force and energy shock from a volcanic eruption act as the key to breaking the cocoon and completing the final transformation.
You know my Volcarona, right? It also evolved this way, but it is not something that can be replicated.
When I was young, I encountered Victini in the town of Eindoak and helped release it from its seal. Victini used its Victory Flame to refine my Larvesta's body, allowing it to undergo the Cocoon of Fire and achieve a nirvana-like rebirth.
Now that Victini has regained its freedom, I have no idea where it has gone. I never expected to encounter another Larvesta with the same special evolution. This is truly rare!"
Upon hearing this, Cynthia immediately explained:
"Champion Alder, you must have heard about the incident in Hoenn where Victini helped a Larvesta evolve into Volcarona. Theo's Larvesta is the offspring of that Volcarona!"
Alder scratched his head.
"I see… but even if it is the offspring of that Volcarona, without Victini's help, it shouldn't be able to trigger this kind of special evolution. This is really strange…"
Of course, Alder had no way of knowing that Theo's Larvesta had been nurtured since childhood with a stone fragment bearing Groudon's mark, and after being captured, had continuously consumed advanced energy orbs.
Groudon, known as the god of land, possessed Fire typing in its primal form. Although its energy was not as pure as Victini's Victory Flame, when combined with the system's advanced energy orbs, the two together allowed Larvesta to accumulate enough high-purity energy within its body to meet the conditions for this special evolution without Victini's help.
"Forget it, no point overthinking it now," Alder said, waving his hand.
"I still have important matters to handle and can't leave at the moment, but I'll send all the information I have on this special evolution to Professor Juniper. It includes the necessary precautions.
I'll send it right away. Pass it on to that kid Theo and have him follow the instructions. That should help Larvesta evolve successfully.
Also, give him my contact number. If there's anything he doesn't understand, he can video call me directly. I'll guide him and help him get his Larvesta through the evolution."
(End of Chapter)