"Dark Stone?"
Natsuhiko stared at the stone in his hand, lost in thought.
Despite its dark purple hue, it exuded a faint glow, suggesting it was anything but ordinary.
As one of the evolution stones containing special energy that can cause Pokémon to evolve, the Dark Stone holds considerable value throughout the Pokémon Realm.
Natsuhiko remembered.
The Dark Stone can evolve Murkrow into Honchkrow, Misdreavus into Mismagius, Lampent into Chandelure, and Doublade into Aegislash.
Therefore, evolution stones like the Dark Stone, once entering the market, are quickly snatched up.
However, due to differences in origin, reasons for their birth, and the level and quantity of contained energy, variations in quality inevitably exist among evolution stones like the Dark Stone.
Such differences significantly affect the value of various evolution stones and the effects of using them to evolve Pokémon.
If it's a basic-level evolution stone, it can only allow the Pokémon to complete a basic evolution using the contained energy.
But top-quality evolution stones not only allow Pokémon to smoothly complete the evolution but can also greatly enhance the Pokémon's abilities, body, energy, and more, even allowing them to understand some difficult techniques.
Thus.
Finding evolution stones isn't hard, but finding high-quality evolution stones is.
Natsuhiko fiddled with the Dark Stone, feeling a subtle, chilling sensation seep from it.
He was not particularly knowledgeable about evolution stones, as his Pokémon hadn't needed them before, so he couldn't be certain of the quality of this Dark Stone.
But now things were different.
He had Togepi.
Togepi evolves into Togetic based on its affinity with the Trainer, and Togetic needs the Stone of Light to evolve into Togekiss.
This was a hurdle he couldn't avoid.
Because only when Togepi evolved into Togekiss could it fully showcase the abilities it possessed.
Through earlier contact and understanding, Natsuhiko knew a bit about his Togepi.
This is the known information:
Pokémon: Togepi
Attributes: General Type (Fairy Type)
Trait: Celestial Grace
Power Evaluation: Excellence Level
Mastered Techniques: Growl, Coquettish, Waving Finger, Yawn, Try Again, Look at Me, Prayer, Mysterious Guardian, Gift, Trick, Lucky Spell, Secret Power, Dawn, Healing Bell Sound, Water Fluctuation, Electromagnetic Wave
The effect of the Celestial Grace Trait is to increase the probability of additional effects from techniques, such as paralysis, scorching, withering, etc.
Though it's not the hidden trait Super Luck, the Celestial Grace Trait also suits Togepi very well.
Regarding Togepi having learned so many techniques—this isn't necessarily a good thing.
Togepi hasn't undergone systematic training, nor has it had its techniques carefully paired and tested for practical use, nor has it mastered the perfect timing for technique release.
This all requires Natsuhiko, as its Trainer, to adjust and refine it bit by bit.
And it certainly isn't an easy path.
Thus, many powerful Trainers are not very fond of capturing already powerful wild Pokémon as their own, because the habits, combat styles, and understanding and usage of techniques these Pokémon have are almost fixed.
It's relatively difficult for them to fit into a Trainer's combat rhythm and style.
But Togepi was still okay, as it was only at Excellence Level, and having multiple inherited techniques showed it wasn't an ordinary talent. After a period of adjustment, it would likely adapt quickly to Natsuhiko's rhythm.
He put away the Dark Stone.
The value of this Dark Stone combined with the previous Onix meant Natsuhiko had secured a decent rest period, free from the need to rush for resources.
"But... why would there be a Dark Stone found here?"
With doubt in mind, Natsuhiko walked into the Onix's cave.
The original site of the Dark Stone had been destroyed by Beedrill, but this only allowed a clearer view of the internal situation.
The grey rock surface held dark purple streaks within, giving him an illusion similar to the Dark Stone.
Natsuhiko's brow furrowed slowly.
"It's quite strange for a place mostly inhabited by Rock-type and Ground-type Pokémon to yield a Dark Stone."
Bop, bop—
Togepi walked up to Natsuhiko and placed a hand on the rock wall.
But just upon contact, it jerked back as if shocked, its little face turning somewhat pale as it backed away step by step.
Seeing its reaction, Natsuhiko's brow furrowed deeper.
Togepi is a Pokémon filled with happiness, and it has a unique sensitivity to misfortune.
The fact that Togepi reacted so strongly...
After pondering for a moment, he decided to give up.
"No need, a Dark Stone and an Onix's value are already quite enough for me. Who knows what might be on the other side of this rock wall—a terrifyingly strong Pokémon like Aerodactyl. Better to stick with making safe money."
Having made up his mind, Natsuhiko didn't hesitate any further, retreating with Beedrill and Togepi.
This archaeological site's tunnels were expansive; there had to be more than just one Dark Stone.
Relying on Togepi's understanding of the environment, even if they couldn't find another thing as valuable as the Dark Stone, they might still find some costly treasures before deciding to leave this noticeably odd tunnel.
And after Natsuhiko left.
From the place where he had stood, a head wearing a pale skull mask with a glowing red eye poked out slowly from the rock wall.
It scanned the traces of combat left in the cave and the corner where the Dark Stone was once embedded, now in disarray.
The crimson eyes shifted before retreating gradually.
...
...
After some effort.
Guided by Togepi, Natsuhiko collected four Rock Shell Fruits—a type of fruit offering significant benefits for Rock-type Pokémon, and one of the tree fruits favored by Breeders.
Though their value was certainly not as high as the Dark Stone, each was priced at several tens of thousands of Alliance currency, which was considerable.
Seeing Togepi, a bit tired from running, and the slightly injured Beedrill from frequent battles.
"Time to go."
Taking out Abra's Pokeball, he saw that, while Abra was still asleep, it was clearly not a state of exhaustion-induced deep sleep, having already regained its energy.
He threw out the Pokeball to summon Abra.
"Abra?"
Abra appeared, rubbed its eyes, yawned hugely with a few tears squeezing from its eye corners, and stretched out its whole body in a big stretch.
After doing all this, still a bit bewildered by its surroundings.
"Togetic—"
Togepi trotted over to Abra and extended its hand innocently.
"Abra?"
Abra glanced at Togepi, even more puzzled, and looked instinctively toward Natsuhiko.
Seeing Natsuhiko's affirming gaze, Abra dumbly shook Togepi's tiny hand.
Had it gotten a new companion just by taking a nap?
Sly gleam flashed in Togepi's eyes, and a yellow arc flickered in its hand.
"Abra!!"
Abra jumped up immediately.
Fully awake now, it wildly shook its numbed hand.
Togepi, on the other hand, was laughing so hard it hugged its belly and rolled on the ground.
Indeed, there's fun in shaking hands.
Beedrill looked up, indicating it didn't want to comment.
"Alright, save the ruckus for later. Abra, can you sense the 'anchor' location?"
Natsuhiko chuckled and poked Togepi's little head, preventing Abra's hovering hand from clapping down.
Togepi stuck out its tiny tongue, obediently stood aside, and bowed its round body to Abra.
Abra shot a resentful glare at Togepi, closed its eyes, carefully sensed for a moment, then nodded toward Natsuhiko, though with a hint of confusion on its face.
"Alright, then it's time for us to leave."