News of Albert's Eeveelution research had spread far beyond Evergreen Island.
It had shaken the scholarly halls of Eden Empire, the icy laboratories of Pearl Federation, and even the serene research towers of Silver Republic.
But it was in the Indigo Realm that the strongest resonance was felt.
Professor Samuel Oak, the revered authority in Pokémon evolution, had taken special notice—not just of Albert's Eevee studies, but of his closing remarks on emotional resonance and happiness as a measurable force.
It was Joseph who made the bridge possible. With Devon Corp's reach and his reputation as a meticulous businessman, he was approached by Oak, who proposed a collaboration.
At first, Oak had been skeptical—after all, the boy in question was only five years old.
But after reviewing Albert's published papers firsthand and seeing the precision of his instruments and theories, Oak was tempted.
Hence, the call was arranged in Joseph's study.
Albert sat across the desk, his feet barely touching the floor, as Oak's image came alive on the holo-communicator. The Professor's eyes softened almost immediately when he saw him.
"Researcher Deford, is it? I must say… I've reviewed your work on Eevee more times than I can count in the past few weeks. Extraordinary."
Albert, bashful but composed, bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Professor. But there's so much more. I want to understand how happiness—or intimacy—can serve as a trigger, just like stones or environments. It feels… overlooked."
Albert straightened, excitement breaking through his nerves. "While working with my Eevee, I saw how their emotions resonated. My instruments could pick up spikes when they were playful, or when they bonded with me. That resonance—what I call friendship value—might be the missing link in unexplained evolutions. For example, I've read reports of Golbat becoming Crobat, but no stone or environmental trigger was identified. The only common factor seemed to be the trainer's bond."
Oak's eyes widened slightly. "Golbat into Crobat… I'd heard rumors, but never considered emotional resonance as the key."
Joseph interjected smoothly, his voice steady. "Albert's instruments are already calibrated to measure emotional flux. What he needs now are specimens—Pokémon likely to evolve under such conditions."
Oak nodded slowly, then began to list species long suspected of such mechanisms: Pichu, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Togepi, Riolu, Buneary, Swadloon, and Woobat. Even including the enigmatic Type: Null, and the delicate Snom. "Each of these," Oak explained, "has confounded us for years. If your theory holds, Albert, you may illuminate them all."
But Albert wasn't merely absorbing information.
His small hands clutched his notes, and he spoke with quick precision. "Then I'd like to add to that list: Chansey, whose rumored evolution into Blissey seems tied to nurturing bonds. Munchlax, whose happiness might unlock Snorlax's maturity. Alolan Meowth, known for its moody behavior, perhaps intimacy stabilizes it. And Budew, Azurill, and Chingling, which I believe are overlooked examples."
Oak blinked, then broke into a smile. "You've already been connecting the dots yourself. Impressive. Then it seems we're aligned. I'll send over specimens of each species I've listed, five of each, to your Rustboro estate. Joseph, if you'll arrange the rest, young Albert should have quite the foundation for his next study."
Albert looked between them, stunned at the scale of what was being planned for him. "That's… twenty different species." His voice trembled, not from fear but exhilaration. "If I can track their changes—if I can prove the happiness link—it would mean documenting not just one evolution, but entire families of them."
Professor Oak smiled warmly, eyes crinkling with a mix of amusement and genuine wonder. "Indeed, Albert. Your Eevee work was only the beginning. The world expects much of you—but I hope you remember to approach it with joy as well as rigor. For friendship itself is not something you can force; it must be nurtured."
As the holoscreen dimmed, Albert leaned back in his chair, staring at the glowing list of Pokémon.
A calm certainty sat deep within him—he already knew, from memories of another life, that happiness and intimacy were the keys to these evolutions.
He had seen them before, in games and anime that once felt like fiction.
But this was not that world.
Here, these truths were unproven, fragile theories resting on the edge of disbelief.
His task now was not to guess what could happen, but to prove it beyond doubt. The challenge wasn't in knowing—it was in making the world believe.
Albert's fingers curled tightly around his notes. "They exist," he whispered to himself. "But this time, I'll be the one to show everyone."