“Vulpix, be good.
Once I finish this experiment on Jigglypuff, I’ll play with you,” Aaron said to the Vulpix eagerly waiting on the side, then focused on recording data for the Jigglypuff in front of him.
Although Aaron already knew about the Fairy-type—its advantages against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting types, and its weaknesses to Steel and Poison, as well as reduced damage against Fire and Bug types—that knowledge alone wasn’t enough.
It still needed detailed experimental data to prove it in reality.
Moreover, reality was not the same as the game.
Just like Grass resisting Electric-type attacks—where damage is halved in-game without explanation—in reality, it was because Grass Pokémon grounded electricity into the soil.
If they were lifted into the air, that resistance could disappear entirely, just like how Ash’s Grovyle would later be crippled by Pikachu.
“Aaron, put your work aside for now.
Get ready to head to Hollywood to receive the Ice Stone found in the Alola region, as well as a recently excavated Pokémon Egg.
It’s highly likely to be Togepi,” Professor Oak said as he walked over.
“It’s finally here?
And a Togepi Egg?” Aaron’s eyes lit up with excitement.
With the Ice Stone, his Vulpix could evolve into Ninetales.
And Togepi’s final evolution, Togekiss, was also an extremely powerful Pokémon.
With proper training, Ninetales and Togekiss alone would be enough to sweep eight Gym Leaders.
“That’s right.
Although it hasn’t hatched yet, based on current research, there’s at least a 70% chance it’s Togepi.
This will also help confirm whether Togepi truly belongs to the Fairy-type,” Professor Oak said.
“Got it.
I’ll go right away.
Vulpix, follow me.”
Without hesitation, Aaron rushed out the door.
The Vulpix followed closely behind, then leapt onto his shoulder.
Aaron glanced at it helplessly.
Once you evolve, you won’t be able to jump onto my shoulder anymore.
I’ll probably be the one riding you instead.
Hollywood wasn’t far from Pallet Town—about an hour and a half by car.
Soon, Aaron arrived in what could be called one of the most prosperous entertainment cities.
Unlike the decline it would later show in Ash’s timeline, this Hollywood was still bustling with life.
Streets were filled with traffic, and well-dressed people came and went.
“The address is Hollywood, Golden Street 37, a restaurant… should be easy to find.
Once you evolve, you’ll become Ninetales,” Aaron said to Vulpix.
Vulpix tilted its head innocently, seemingly not fully understanding what evolution meant.
But after nearly half a year together, it had grown used to Aaron’s care and training.
If he told it to evolve, then it would—no hesitation. New chapters come out on g.com first.
Aaron smiled and patted its head.
Luckily, Vulpix wasn’t like Ash’s Pikachu, who resisted evolution.
Otherwise, that would be troublesome.
Then again, Pikachu only resisted because Raichu’s form didn’t suit it.
Thinking of Ash’s Pikachu, Aaron fell into thought.
In the future, he would definitely catch many Pokémon.
If some of them also refused to evolve, what should he do?
After thinking for a long time, he still had no answer.
Vulpix’s soft cry snapped him back to reality.
Aaron shook his head with a smile.
Forget it.
No point worrying about the future when he only had one Pokémon right now—and Togepi hadn’t even hatched yet.
When he arrived at the restaurant, he was about to contact the person he was meeting when he suddenly noticed a graceful, elegant woman sitting by the window, calmly drinking a beverage while smiling at him.
“Miss Lorelei?
Why are you here?” Aaron asked in surprise.
“Of course I came to deliver your Ice Stone and Pokémon Egg.
Who else did you think would bring them?” Lorelei replied with a smile.
“It was kind of you to trouble yourself, Sister Lorelei,” Aaron said with a grin.
“You little brat, you even know how to be shy now?” she teased.
“Cut the polite talk.
If it weren’t for you, my Vulpix wouldn’t have evolved into Ninetales or developed Fairy-type moves.
How’s your paper coming along?”
“I’ve already prepared the first draft.
It’s not fully complete yet, but with Jigglypuff’s data and the techniques developed with Sister Lorelei, it’s enough to prove the existence of the Fairy-type,” Aaron said.
“So you’re about to become a Pokémon Professor,” Lorelei said.
“If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have made that bet with you half a year ago.”
“A paper alone won’t make me a Professor yet.
At best, I’ll be a Professor candidate—just like you’re a Champion candidate.
In theory, if you win the upcoming Champion Challenge, you still have a chance to win our bet,” Aaron said with a smile.
“But that’s just theory.
In reality, your chances of beating Bruno and Agatha are pretty low.
So I’m still going to win.”
“Or I’ll take back your Ice Stone.”
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.
Sister Lorelei is invincible—Bruno and Agatha are nothing,” Aaron said quickly, pretending to surrender.
“Alright, I’ll stop teasing you.”
She took out an Ice Stone and a Pokémon Egg from her bag.
“This is the Ice Stone, and this is the Togepi Egg.
It’s about to hatch soon.
Make sure you’re the first person it sees when it opens its eyes, or it won’t recognize you as its trainer.”
“I understand,” Aaron said, carefully accepting both items.
Vulpix let out a curious cry, staring at the Ice Stone.
Aaron smiled and handed it over.
“Want to evolve now?
If you do, just extend your paw.”
Vulpix tilted its head, then gently touched the Ice Stone.
In an instant, a mysterious glow enveloped its body.
The surrounding temperature dropped sharply.
Even though this wasn’t his first time seeing Pokémon evolve, it was the first time witnessing his own Pokémon evolve.
Aaron couldn’t help but feel excited.
When the light faded, Vulpix was gone—replaced by a majestic white Ninetales.
The other diners in the restaurant erupted into astonished murmurs.
“So beautiful… what Pokémon is that?”
“It should be Ninetales, right?
But why is it white?
Aren’t they supposed to be yellowish?
Is this a new form?”
“A newly discovered Pokémon form?
Why hasn’t it been announced yet?”
“Wait… isn’t that Miss Lorelei, the famous Elite Four candidate?
Is that her Pokémon?”
“Lorelei… the Ice-type master?”
…
Before Aaron even had time to properly bond with his newly evolved Ninetales, the surrounding noise drowned everything out.
He turned to Lorelei with a helpless smile.
“Your fame is way too big.
Next time I go on a date with you, we’re definitely picking a more discreet place.”