One day after school, Cole spotted Larvitar racing toward him, crying out in distress.
"Yow~ Yow~ Yow~"
The Pokémon gesticulated frantically, anxiety written across its face.
Did something happen to Helioptile?
Understanding Larvitar's urgent message, Cole sprinted toward the lightning rod.
When he reached the site, he found all the orchard's Pokémon gathered there, including Zapdos — who had been bringing Helioptile to this spot daily.
The crowd parted as Cole approached, giving him a clear view of Helioptile.
The Pokémon's body was encased in dense, golden lightning bolts that formed an electrical cocoon. Occasional flashes of milky white light rippled across its form.
This is...
Cole studied the familiar glow. Could it be... evolution light?
But Helioptile hadn't used a Sun Stone!
In fact, after days of absorbing Zapdos's electricity, Helioptile's final hidden energy circuit had activated. Only the delayed arrival of Cole's traded Sun Stone had postponed its evolution until now.
"What's happening?" Cole asked.
"Screee~"
Zapdos's response confirmed Cole's suspicion — Helioptile was indeed evolving.
"But..."
Without an evolution stone, was this normal? Would it be safe?
Sensing Cole's concerns, Zapdos offered an explanation.
While many Pokémon require evolution stones, these items aren't strictly necessary.
Evolution represents a dramatic transformation in a Pokémon's life form. For some species, this process is particularly challenging, which is why they typically need evolution stones to break through their natural barriers.
However, if alternative conditions or catalysts can provide that same breakthrough opportunity, evolution can still occur naturally.
Such special conditions are simply rarer than evolution stones, which are more readily available.
In this case, Zapdos's powerful electrical energy had given Helioptile that crucial opportunity, allowing for a natural evolution.
"I see!"
Cole sighed in relief, though he felt a twinge of regret about the Sun Stone he'd traded for — now rendered unnecessary. The other person had already sent the evolution stone, and it wouldn't be right to back out of the deal now.
Gradually, the electrical currents surrounding Helioptile's body were absorbed within. The lightning cocoon faded away, replaced by a brilliant evolution light that enveloped its entire form.
In the milky white glow, Helioptile's body stretched upward. Its four-legged stance shifted to an upright posture, its tail lengthened, and its figure grew more slender.
"Helioli~"
With an excited roar, Helioptile — now Heliolisk — burst from the light, revealing its new form to everyone.
Though its physical transformation wasn't dramatic — standing upright, it was barely over a meter tall — its temperament had changed remarkably.
Where Helioptile had been quiet and docile, Heliolisk was energetic and lively, constantly bouncing and shifting its feet, never staying still for a moment.
As it hopped about, the umbrella-like organ around its neck — resembling a scarf — opened and closed rhythmically, sparks of electricity dancing across its surface.
This neck frill, as Pokémon researchers called it, served as Heliolisk's electricity-generating organ and was vital to its abilities.
After its joyful display, Heliolisk finally noticed Cole. In a flash, it darted to his side and hugged his waist.
Its modest height meant it could only reach that far.
Its speed had increased dramatically since evolving — Cole had barely registered its movement.
He patted its head and said joyfully, "Congratulations, you've finally evolved!"
After sharing its happiness with Cole, Heliolisk turned to Zapdos with a solemn thank you. Without Zapdos's help, its evolution wouldn't have gone so smoothly.
Zapdos seemed indifferent to the gratitude — it had merely helped as a favor to Cole, having nothing better to do while recovering from its injuries.
After Cole and Heliolisk finished thanking it together, Zapdos spoke:
"Cole, my injuries have almost healed. It's time for me to leave."
Cole was startled but managed to say, "Then I wish you safe travels!"
Without further delay, Zapdos nodded to Cole, flapped its wings, and soared upward, vanishing from sight in an instant.
Heliolisk watched Zapdos disappear into the distance, its eyes filled with longing.
Seeing this, Cole gave it an annoyed pat and said, "Don't tell me you're still thinking about mooching off of it?"
Heliolisk scratched the back of its head with its small claw, smiling sheepishly, neither denying nor confirming.
After the other Pokémon had dispersed, Cole said to it, "Come with me."
Heliolisk obediently nodded, hopping along behind him.
Back at home, Cole placed his hand on Heliolisk and used his Special Ability energy to check its physical condition.
The evolution had brought significant changes — its Source Energy had increased dramatically, and its hidden energy circuits had expanded substantially. These circuits, located in its neck frill, formed intricate patterns of concentric circles, layer upon layer.
However, something surprised Cole — even though Heliolisk had reached its final form, its hidden energy circuits weren't as complex as Daisy's.
This was noteworthy because his mom hadn't been raised by Cole from a Ralts stage by stage — much of her potential had gone untapped, yet she still maintained the advantage.
Cole wondered if this was unique to Daisy or common to all Gardevoir, since he hadn't examined other Gardevoir's hidden energy circuits.
Perhaps next time he met Diantha, he could check her Gardevoir's configuration!
To assess Heliolisk's specific changes, Cole took out the energy detection device Lysandre had given him and began his examination.
Soon, Heliolisk's energy ratings appeared on the device's screen:
┌─────────────────────┐
│ HELIOLISK │
│ Energy Quantity: A- │
│ Energy Quality: A- │
└─────────────────────┘
Cole was amazed — thanks to Zapdos's help, Heliolisk had made remarkable progress in just a few days, achieving double A-rank.
Especially in terms of energy storage, it had almost caught up to Daisy, though its energy quality still lagged far behind — all thanks to Zapdos!
Cole put away the energy detection device and patted Heliolisk's head with satisfaction, "Well done, very clever of you."
If it wasn't clever, how could it have gotten such benefits from Zapdos? Look at Daisy and Enamorus — they're both Fairy-type Pokémon, but Daisy hadn't even tried to gain any advantages from Enamorus. What a waste of resources!
Though Landorus and Enamorus had already helped Cole tremendously, he wouldn't ask for more, not wanting the Legendary Pokémon to think him greedy. It was important to leave a good impression.
While Cole hadn't encouraged his Pokémon to seek benefits from the Legendary Pokémon, it was different when they offered help themselves.
After several days of recovery, Landorus and Enamorus were feeling much better. Tired of staying in their room, they ventured out for fresh air.
In the Fairy flower garden in front of the house, Chikorita was bouncing around, using Grassy Terrain to nourish the flowers. The touched flowers immediately became vibrant and blooming.
This caught Enamorus's attention. It hovered above the flower garden, silently watching the cheerful Chikorita below. Moving through the flower beds, Chikorita looked like an adorable grass sprite.
Unaware of its observer, Chikorita continued happily playing in the garden while using Grassy Terrain.
After a while, Enamorus spoke up.
"Little one, do you like flowers and plants?"
Startled by the sudden voice, Chikorita tumbled backward. When it realized who was speaking, tears welled up in its eyes. Face-to-face with such an amazing creature, the inexperienced little one couldn't hide its fear.
Enamorus: (⊙o⊙)
It was bewildered by Chikorita's reaction — was it pretending to be hurt?
Of course, Chikorita wouldn't dare try to deceive Enamorus. It got up and nodded an obvious yes to the question.
"Can I see your Grassy Terrain again?" Enamorus asked.
"Chiko~"
Chikorita nodded eagerly and bounced around the flower garden again, using Grassy Terrain.
Seeing its joyful demeanor, Enamorus's mood brightened as well.
It noticed that Chikorita's Grassy Terrain was indeed unique, containing an intense life force that made Enamorus fall into deep thought.
After finishing Grassy Terrain, Chikorita looked expectantly at Enamorus, hoping for praise just as Cole would always give.
However, Enamorus didn't catch its meaning and instead asked, "Shall I give you a gift?"
A gift?
Chikorita immediately nodded happily—it loved gifts!
Enamorus reached into the clouds beneath its body and pulled out a glowing green orb, about the size of Cole's head. Looking at this orb, Chikorita felt an inexplicable desire to possess it.
Before it could ask what the orb was, it slowly transformed into streams of green light that floated toward Chikorita.
Chikorita wasn't afraid; instead, it eagerly stepped forward. Each beam of light landed on the sprout on its neck, gradually being absorbed.
Once all the green light had entered the sprout, the buds on Chikorita's neck became even more vibrant, sparkling like jewels.
"Chiko?"
Chikorita slowly opened its eyes, momentarily confused.
Seeing this, Enamorus smiled and said, "Try using Grassy Terrain again."
Though Chikorita didn't understand why, it obediently complied.
As the green energy rippled through the flower garden, the fairy flower buds slowly began to open their petals.
!?
Watching this scene, Chikorita was dumbfounded — could it really be this powerful? It had no idea!
In fact, this was possible because Enamorus had used its power as the God of Spring to awaken Chikorita's hidden talent. While Chikorita's final evolution, Meganium, could possess the ability to revive plants when powerful enough, such a small Pokémon normally couldn't achieve this.
While observing Chikorita, Enamorus was surprised to discover that it had already begun slowly awakening this ability naturally. Without help, it would have taken a very long time to fully awaken this innate power, so Enamorus used its divine power to accelerate the process.
Since Chikorita was still very young and not powerful enough, it could only make flower buds bloom. To gain the ability to revive dying plants, it would need continuous training and cultivation.
Enamorus explained this talent to Chikorita, but the explanation proved too complex for the little Pokémon to grasp.
It only knew one thing — it had become more powerful!
After explaining everything, Enamorus left.
Meanwhile, after checking Heliolisk's condition, Cole brought it outside.
He planned to take his Pokémon to Mt. Olympus to remove all the failed grafted berry trees.
Just as he walked out the gate, a Fletchinder flew over carrying a package about its own size.
Someone had sent Cole's package to the orphanage, so Alfred had asked Fletchinder to deliver it. The orphanage now kept a Fletchling or Fletchinder stationed there specifically for deliveries, since they often needed to send items.
Just as Cole was about to open the package, Chikorita came bouncing over, circling around him.
"Chiko~ Chiko~ Chiko~"
Cole had to calm it down, "Alright, wait a moment, we'll talk later. Let me check the package first."
Hearing this, Chikorita obediently crouched to the side, waiting quietly.
After opening the package, Cole was surprised to find the Sun Stone he had traded for.
"What a coincidence!" Cole said with a wry smile. The Sun Stone had arrived right after Heliolisk finished evolving.
Though this Sun Stone's quality matched the Water Stone he had sent.
Oh well, he'd just keep it as a collection piece — whether it was a Sun Stone or Water Stone, they were essentially the same.
✲✲✲
T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!
For just $1.50 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
https://www.patreon.com/collection/1305384