Chapter 196: The Unwanted Scorbunny

Chapter 196: Chapter 196: The Unwanted Scorbunny

If Mega Evolution used the power of the three deities of X, Y, and Z to unlock the genetic restraints within a Pokémon—allowing it to return to an ancestral state and evolve—

Then Dynamax energy was more like a sudden mutation caused by radiation.

That was precisely why this method of enhancement was so dangerous.

Once it went out of control, no one could predict what would happen.

Sora did trust that nothing would happen to Calyrex.

After all...

This was the King of Bountiful Harvests.

At his peak, he had stood on the same level as Eternatus, one of the supreme beings whose power rivalled the Darkest Day itself.

"Your King’s Power..."

"And the Dynamax energy of the Darkest Day."

"The power of a king and the power of a demon king."

"One leads to becoming a hero..."

"The other to corruption."

Although there still wasn’t enough proof, Sora remained convinced that his theory was correct.

"As long as we fully understand Dynamax energy..."

"We’ll be able to grant Pokémon divinity."

And divinity...

Was the key to breaking through the barrier between Level 89 and Level 90.

"So my simulated energy..."

"Can it do that?"

Victini asked curiously.

"For Legendary Pokémon that already possess divinity, your simulated energy can still make them stronger."

Sora explained,

"But ordinary Pokémon..."

"They’ll still need the power of the Darkest Day."

Divinity was divinity.

It wasn’t energy.

It was a unique characteristic.

Something Victini couldn’t simply recreate through energy manipulation.

However...

Victini could use her imitation of Dynamax energy to help Pokémon adapt to the real thing much more safely and efficiently.

Take Sylveon, for example.

If Victini infused her with intermediate-state Dynamax energy every day...

Gradually building up her resistance...

Then, once she had adapted sufficiently...

Sylveon could absorb a large amount of genuine Dynamax energy.

At that point...

She would make up for what she lacked.

Complete her transformation.

Gain divinity.

And perhaps even awaken an entirely new form.

As for Calyrex...

His determination was genuine.

He truly wanted to help Sora.

"Let’s continue our research for a while longer."

"At the very least..."

"I need to be certain this power won’t harm you."

Sora wanted Calyrex to grow stronger first.

At only Level 70...

He simply couldn’t put his mind at ease.

"I shall do my best."

With their preliminary discussion of Dynamax energy concluded...

Sora recalled most of his Pokémon and went to sleep.

The next morning...

After a restful night, Sora prepared to say goodbye to Sonia.

They planned to leave Postwick and head toward Wedgehurst, before continuing to the nearby Slumbering Weald.

"Oh, right."

Just before they departed, Sonia stopped them.

"Would any of you be willing to take this little one in?"

She held a Poké Ball in her hand.

As it opened...

A small rabbit-like Pokémon appeared before everyone.

"It’s a Scorbunny."

Korrina crouched down and gently stroked its head.

Scorbunny was remarkably well-behaved.

There was none of the fiery temperament or unruliness commonly associated with Fire-types.

As expected of a Pokémon chosen as one of the regional starters...

It really was perfect for beginner Trainers.

"Scorbunny is supposed to be one of the starter Pokémon prepared for new Trainers, isn’t it?"

Sora had no intention of catching it.

His schedule was already overflowing.

Just taking care of the five Regis was enough to drain all his time and energy.

There was no way he could properly raise another Scorbunny as well.

"That’s right."

Sonia looked a little embarrassed.

"But this year was... a little unusual."

"There were supposed to be three new Trainers setting off."

"But only two actually came."

"As for the third child..."

"Their parents had already prepared a different starter Pokémon for them."

"...Isn’t that a conflict?"

Sora looked speechless.

"Why not just take Scorbunny as well?"

"They could raise two Pokémon instead of one."

"Well..."

Sonia hesitated.

Before she could answer...

Cynthia seemed to understand.

"This kind of thing does happen from time to time."

"What do you mean?"

"Children tend to compare themselves with one another."

Cynthia explained,

"Someone else starts with an ordinary Pokémon."

"I have a regional starter."

"But if everyone has a starter..."

"Then my family prepares something even rarer."

"They want to be different."

"To feel special."

"...Tch."

Sora found the whole thing rather irritating.

Back when he’d worked in Eindoak...

He’d dreamed of owning a regional starter.

Yet here...

Someone was deliberately refusing one.

"Well..."

"They’re only children."

Sonia wasn’t fond of this situation either.

Unfortunately...

There wasn’t much she could do besides finding Scorbunny a suitable Trainer.

"If this drags on too long..."

"It’ll miss this year’s travelling season."

"And then..."

"I’ll have to send it back to the facility that raises starter Pokémon."

That would be a real shame for Scorbunny.

A Pokémon chosen to become a regional starter naturally possessed exceptional qualities.

Whether it was courage...

A love of battling...

Or a desire to travel the world alongside a Trainer.

If Scorbunny were sent back...

Its future would follow an entirely different path.

Whether that future was good or bad was another matter.

But it certainly wouldn’t be the life Scorbunny wanted.

"Emma."

"Korrina."

Sora had already decided he wouldn’t take Scorbunny himself.

Instead, he looked toward the two girls.

"What do you think?"

As for Cynthia...

Forget it.

Her second team had already reached Elite Four level.

Her third team was full as well.

She already had Pokémon suitable for top-level, high-level and intermediate-level battles alike.

There was no reason for her to start raising an entirely new beginner’s team.

Korrina shook her head.

"Scorbunny is adorable."

"But I specialise in Fighting-types."

"If I can’t give a Pokémon the best possible training..."

"Then I shouldn’t catch it."

That was Korrina’s philosophy.

Among everyone present...

Only Korrina and Emma had any real chance of taking Scorbunny in.

And Korrina had already made her decision.

"Sorry, Master."

If Sora insisted...

He probably could persuade her.

But there was no point.

Even if no one adopted Scorbunny...

Returning to the starter facility wasn’t a bad outcome.

It would still be well cared for.

Fed.

Sheltered.

Not to mention...

Sonia herself genuinely cared about it.

"Scorbunny is a wonderful Pokémon."

Emma looked eager.

"Could... I really?"

She genuinely liked Scorbunny.

Its appearance perfectly matched her tastes.

Her only concern was whether she was capable enough.

From Sonia’s description...

Scorbunny loved battling.

It wanted to challenge strong opponents.

It wanted to grow stronger.

"What’s there to worry about?"

"You’ve got me."

Sora began explaining Scorbunny’s abilities, traits and future potential.

Emma still lacked confidence.

She wasn’t sure she was worthy of raising such an excellent Pokémon.

Sora gently placed a hand on her head and smiled.

"You already call me Master."

"If I can’t help my own disciple raise a team of powerful Pokémon..."

"Then how could I ever trust you with protecting our sanctuary in the future?"

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