Cole and Alfred were walking home from school that afternoon, later than the other children who had already returned.
When he entered the house, Lily greeted him, "Brother Cole, a package came for you today. I put it in your room."
Package? Cole was puzzled — he hadn't ordered anything recently.
"Are you sure it's for me? Not delivered to the wrong address?"
Lily replied, "It has your name and the correct address. It must be right."
"I'll go check it out then."
In his room, Cole found a rectangular cardboard box on his desk. Sure enough, it was addressed to him at Blue Bird Orphanage.
The sender's information explained everything.
"Ah, it's from Lysandre..." Cole suddenly remembered and quickly opened the package.
Inside was a device about the size of a phone, roughly as large as an adult's palm.
"Just what I was hoping for!" He exclaimed joyfully.
This was the energy detection device Lysandre had promised to give him and Diantha back at the Sea Spirit's Den — something Cole had been eager to receive.
There had been no news about it since their return. Cole had assumed Lysandre's busy schedule made him forget, and he hadn't wanted to ask about it. The device's arrival today was unexpected.
Along with the device, the package contained an instruction manual and a handwritten letter.
Reading the letter, Cole learned why it had taken Lysandre a month to send the device.
Far from forgetting, Lysandre's research institute had been improving the device. He had waited to send the new version to Cole and Diantha until after the improvements and testing were complete.
Cole eagerly studied the instruction manual. The device was straightforward to operate, and he grasped its functions quickly.
The energy detection device had two capabilities: measuring environmental energy concentration, which Lysandre had demonstrated at the Sea Spirit's Den, and detecting Pokémon energy levels.
The second function intrigued Cole most.
To his knowledge, no other device in the Pokémon world could detect Pokémon energy levels. A Pokémon's strength was typically judged by its battle record, while titles like Elite Four member or Gym Leader merely indicated trainer rank, not Pokémon power.
Unlike Berry trees whose energy levels are easy to detect, Pokémon bodies are more complex. They possess a special protective mechanism that shields their bodies from external examination.
When Pokémon lose their fighting ability in battle, they rarely die — unless deliberately harmed — and instead only temporarily lose consciousness. This protective mechanism keeps them safe.
While this mechanism protects Pokémon, it also makes it harder for humans to study them. This has led some people and organizations to conduct unethical underground experiments on live Pokémon.
Measuring Pokémon energy levels alone isn't particularly meaningful, since these levels don't completely represent combat ability. However, if trainers could understand their Pokémon's energy levels, they could make their training more focused and effective.
This was indeed beneficial.
Cole was surprised that Lysandre's research institute had managed to bypass this protective mechanism and measure Pokémon energy levels.
It was an incredible achievement!
Yet everything has two sides — once this technology became public, Pokémon would have fewer secrets from humans.
Cole felt uncertain whether this technology would ultimately prove good or bad.
Of course, since he didn't control this technology, he had no say in the matter. Its impact would depend on how Lysandre used it.
Following the manual's instructions, Cole first tested the room's energy concentration. The device's screen displayed a stable green wave, showing a [D+] concentration — quite ordinary.
But ordinary wasn't bad — in fact, it was ideal. This level meant the environment was perfectly suited for human habitation.
High-energy environments like the Sea Spirit's Den were actually harmful to humans.
These places generated subtle pressure fields — the higher the energy concentration, the stronger the field. Extended exposure would inevitably damage human bodies.
While Pokémon and plants could better tolerate high energy levels, even they would perish if the concentration became too extreme.
Perhaps only legendary Pokémon could endure prolonged exposure to such intense energy environments.
Lysandre's device wouldn't trigger an alarm for high energy concentration alone, since brief exposure wasn't immediately dangerous to humans.
It would only alert users to environments with directly harmful energy, like those containing Yveltal's Death Force.
Putting down the manual, Cole released Daisy and the other two from their Pokéballs, then waved to Popplio.
"Popplio, come here for a moment."
"Woo?"
Popplio waddled over to his side, looking up at him with a puzzled expression.
Cole crouched down and held the energy detection device in front of it, "Put your hand on this and input a bit of energy into it."
"Woo~"
Popplio nodded and followed his instructions, placing its hand on the energy detection device and inputting a bit of its Source Energy.
Beep beep~
The device quickly responded, showing two bar graphs on the screen with text descriptions.
┌─────────────────────┐
│ POPPLIO │
│ Energy Quantity: B+ │
│ Energy Quality: A │
└─────────────────────┘
'Wow, it really detected it!' Cole thought excitedly.
The device could measure not only the amount of energy stored in Popplio's body but also the quality of its Source Energy.
Cole marveled at Lysandre's brilliance. Such advanced technology explained the researcher's success — who else could create something this sophisticated?
Popplio, confused by Cole's amazed expression, moved its head closer to peek at the device's display.
Bang~
It nudged Cole's head aside but couldn't make sense of what was shown.
Popplio: (ᵒ̤̑ ▽ ᵒ̤̑)?
What's this thing?
Cole chuckled and patted it, "Can't understand it, huh? That's what happens when you're not educated — you should read more books."
Popplio gave him a look that clearly said "Are you trying to fool me?" before turning away with an incredulous expression.
Cole waved to Helioptile, "Helioptile, you come try too."
"Ai bi~" — Okay!
Helioptile scampered to his side and, unprompted, skillfully placed its small paw on the device's sensor and input its source energy.
Cole gave it a thumbs up, "Nice, very clever!"
Helioptile: (,,◕⋏◕,,)
It blushed shyly at the praise.
Popplio: (╬ಠ_ಠ)
The sea lion watched from nearby and puffed up angrily: Hmph! What a show-off!
Soon, Helioptile's energy rating appeared on the screen.
┌─────────────────────┐
│ HELIOPTILE │
│ Energy Quantity: B- │
│ Energy Quality: B+++ │
└─────────────────────┘
Compared to Popplio, its Source Energy was lower in both quantity and quality, but this was natural since it had joined the team more recently.
Cole patted Helioptile's head and said, "Good job, keep training hard!"
"Ai bi~Ai bi~"
It nodded vigorously.
Finally, it was Daisy's turn.
After seeing the others demonstrate, Daisy needed no guidance from her son. She input her energy into the device, and the evaluation results quickly appeared.
┌─────────────────────┐
│ GARDEVOIR │
│ Energy Quantity: A- │
│ Energy Quality: A+ │
└─────────────────────┘
'Double A rating! Does this mean my mom is really powerful?' Cole thought to himself.
Without other Pokémon's data for comparison, he wasn't certain if his Pokémon were strong, but reaching an A rating had to be impressive.
"Garde~" — Let me see, let me see!
While Cole was lost in thought, Daisy snatched the energy detection device from his hands and examined it intently.
Cole said helplessly, "Can you even understand it?"
"Garde... Gard Ga~" — Of course I can understand!
Daisy pointed indignantly at the results on the screen and explained everything. To Cole's surprise, she truly understood it perfectly.
Seeing her son's dumbfounded expression, she felt quite proud: Hmph, you think all that time watching TV with Claire was wasted? You can learn things from TV too!
Cole praised her sincerely: "Not bad, as expected of my mom — you got your smarts from me!"
"Mm-hmm~" Hearing his praise, Daisy nodded with satisfaction, then suddenly realized something was wrong.
What does he mean "got your smarts from me"? Am I his mom or is he my mom?
Daisy: (╬ •̀_•́)
She immediately glared at him.
"Hahaha..."
Cole laughed as he tried to run away, but how could he outrun a Psychic-type Pokémon? In an instant, he was floating in the air.
"Dear mom, I'm sorry! It's my brain that's like yours! It's my brain that's like yours, elder!"
"Garde~Garde~" — Hmph, I'm not old, and it's too late to apologize now!
Daisy said angrily with her hands on her hips.
Thump~
Cole was thrown onto the bed by her psychic power. She removed his shoes and tickled his feet — his greatest weakness.
"Hahaha... Help! Popplio, Helioptile, save me!"
"Woo woo~" — I'm coming too!
Popplio called out as it jumped onto the bed, but not to rescue him.
It used its little hands to tickle Cole's armpits, remembering how he had praised Helioptile while ignoring it. Of course it would side with Daisy now!
"Hahaha... I'm sorry, I'll... I'll never do it again, please show mercy, you two!" Cole's stomach ached from laughing.
"Ai bi~Ai bi~"
Only the sweet little gecko remained loyal, but outnumbered two to one, it couldn't fight against the "tyranny" and could only run circles under the bed.
After playing around for a while, everyone finally stopped.
Then Cole said to Daisy and the others, "I'm going to Mt. Ascendant, want to come along?"
"Woo woo~"
Popplio raised its hand first.
"Ai bi~Ai bi~" — I'll go too.
"Garde~" — Of course I'm going too!
So the whole family prepared to head out together.
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
Seeing Cole come out of his room, Lily approached him, "Brother Cole, was that package yours?"
He nodded, "Yes, it's mine — it wasn't delivered to the wrong place."
"That's good." She nodded, then noticed the backpack in his hand, "Aren't you having dinner at home?"
"I'm going to Mt. Ascendant. I'll have Talonflame bring back dinner for me. Could you let Meili know?"
"All right, but come back early tonight — don't always stay out until dark."
"I know, you little busybody!"
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
At Mt. Ascendant, Cole gathered all the Pokémon on the mountain to measure their energy levels and make comparisons.
He started with the Bunnelby family and Captain Talonflame.
┌─────────────────────┐
│ PAPA BUNNELBY │
│ Energy Quantity: C+++│
│ Energy Quality: B- │
└─────────────────────┘
┌─────────────────────┐
│ MAMA BUNNELBY │
│ Energy Quantity: C │
│ Energy Quality: B │
└─────────────────────┘
┌─────────────────────┐
│ BABY BUNNELBY │
│ Energy Quantity: D- │
│ Energy Quality: C+++│
└─────────────────────┘
┌─────────────────────┐
│ CAPTAIN TALONFLAME │
│ Energy Quantity: B++│
│ Energy Quality: A │
└─────────────────────┘
The other Talonflames' energy quantity generally ranged from [C] to [B], with energy quality between [B] and [A]. The Fletchinder and baby Fletchling were much weaker, with both energy quantity and quality below [D] level.
Based on these comparative data, Daisy, Popplio, and Helioptile were indeed quite strong.
While testing, Cole recorded the Pokémon's data with a pen. With this convenient energy detection device, he planned to continue keeping records to track the changes in the Pokémon's levels.
'Hmm? I wonder if Pokémon eggs can be detected!' he suddenly thought.
He took out the dark green Pokémon egg he had brought back from the Sea Spirit's Den. The egg was now kept in an incubator that he had bought from the Pokémon Center when he first returned to Coumarine City.
Cole took the Pokémon egg out of the incubator and placed the energy detector against it.
"..."
After a while, there was no response from the device.
As expected, it was just wishful thinking!
After organizing all the data, Cole took Daisy and the others to Mt. Olympus, where he checked all the grafted Berry trees.
These Berry trees hadn't been grafted for long, so no major changes could be seen yet. He was constantly worried that one day he would come to find all the trees had withered and died.
✲✲✲
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