Genetic Research Institute, backyard.
After chatting for a while, Dr. Li Qing took Fang Yuan to choose a Ditto, with Principal Mo following closely by their side.
Dr. Li Qing's research institute is the largest Ditto habitat in Hua Nation, housing over two hundred Dittos.
In the woods, many Dittos with light purple bodies, small black eyes, and soft and elastic forms frolicked about...
Among them, there were also other Pokemon, which were likely transformed from Dittos.
"The Dittos in the research institute are generally divided into three types: the common type. These are the Dittos with the soft Feature, which usually assist me in my research,"
Dr. Li Qing said slowly.
Assisting research? Researching what? Incubating eggs? Fang Yuan remained silent, thinking he must be overthinking it.
"The second and third types are the transformation-specific Dittos. Even without training, these Dittos can perform perfect transformations and have strong transformation abilities, capable of transforming based on memory or impression and can almost deceive the eye with their transformations,"
"Among them, the second type specializes in transforming into Pokemon adept in combat,"
"These Dittos, after special training in my institute, generally master the transformation of two types of targets: one is a Water-type Spirit, and the other is a Flying-type Spirit. Besides being combat partners, they can also help trainers cope with various complex environments."
Fang Yuan nodded. In other words, having this type of Ditto was like having a helper who could switch between a Flying-type mount and a Water-type mount... Truly, Dittos are versatile creatures.
However, he already had Dragonite and Milotic, so he wasn't particularly envious of this use of Ditto.
"What about the third type?" Fang Yuan asked.
"If the second type of Ditto excels in transforming into living beings, then the third type specializes in transforming into items. For example, they could help a trainer change the appearance of a mask, or a cloak that withstands Pokemon moves..."
"Of course, if well-trained, a Ditto can also be all-purpose. I categorize them this way simply because their innate talents are different, and targeted training can yield better results."
"I understand the principle," Fang Yuan said.
"So, have you decided which type you want to choose between the second and third?" Dr. Li Qing asked.
"Thinking it over, Ditto is the only Pokemon in the world capable of using the Transformation Technique. No matter what type of Ditto it is, if it's well cared for, it will become a great Helping Hand for a trainer."
"..." Fang Yuan responded affirmatively, agreeing with the logic.
However, the real master of transformations should be Dream, truly.
"The third type," Fang Yuan said without hesitation the next second.
Using a Ditto as a main combat Pokemon has its limitations; Fang Yuan preferred instead to have a more functionally versatile creature.
Moreover, although the third type of Ditto is relatively proficient at transforming into items, it doesn't mean they can't transform into Pokemon. After all, Dr. Li Qing had only provided basic breeding and cultivation. How they developed further would depend on the trainer himself.
"A fine choice," Principal Mo nodded, thinking to himself that as a Master Level Trainer, he also knew the limitations of using Ditto in battle were too great, whereas a Ditto skilled in item transformation had a vast array of uses. Moreover, Fang Yuan was also a researcher, making this type of Ditto the best assistant for research.
"The third type, huh..." Dr. Li Qing observed, looking towards the woods.
Actually, Fang Yuan's mind was already undergoing an explosion of ideas, crazily pondering over how to cultivate Ditto.
Good at transforming objects... could he, with Rotom's suggestion, transform into an Inferno Shock Turbo Protector and fuse with Monferno for armed fusion?
If he cultivated Ditto to be even more powerful, could it transform into a Cosmic Battleship and fuse with Self-detonating Magnetic Monster and Gear child to arm itself... and fly out of the atmosphere to absorb cosmic magnetic fields?
Or perhaps... Ditto, in collaboration with a future Gengar, could also bring about some creative tactics.
Ditto could enter Gengar's inner space, and through transformation and Gengar's Mirror Property Moves, form a combination of skills, thus giving Gengar the ability to freely switch between 18 types of single attributes and multiple compound attributes, achieving Attribute Roulette Tactics.
If Gengar's attributes in battle could switch from Ghost, Poison to Ghost, Fire, its battle power would definitely be stronger.
Ditto is simply a Pokemon born for team battles.
Thinking this way, Fang Yuan felt that the use of transforming masks and cloaks to protect Trainers was just a secondary feature.
Fang Yuan's eyes also began to size up this group of Dittos...
"This one." Meanwhile, Dr. Li Qing walked up to a large tree and said.
"This is...?" Fang Yuan.
"Exactly." As Dr. Li Qing knocked on a tree close to them, the large tree instantly flashed white, reverting to the form of Ditto.
Like a pool of pale purple slime...
"Meng Meng~ Meng Meng~~" Ditto's tiny eyes were full of confusion, wondering if there was something it should know about?
"This one belongs to the third category, and it has excellent talent in physical strength. Its transformation can last much longer than other Dittos."
"Physical strength?" Fang Yuan's eyes lit up, Dittos with a talent for physical strength must be among the cream of the crop.
"Alright, I will take good care of it from now on!!"
As Fang Yuan looked at Ditto, Ditto also looked back at Fang Yuan, and Fang Yuan was genuinely worried that the creature might transform into him on a whim. When domesticating a Pokemon like Ditto, you simply couldn't encourage it to make a habit of transforming into humans... otherwise, it could lead to major chaos.
At that moment, Dr. Li Qing knelt down, picked up Ditto, and explained to it, "Ditto, from today onwards, he is your Trainer."
"Meng Meng~ Meng Meng~~" Ditto still didn't understand what was happening, clearly with a mentality of a child, yet upon hearing Dr. Li Qing's words, it instinctively became happy.
Fang Yuan could feel Ditto's joyous, simple mind... It had been a long time since he encountered such an innocent Pokemon.
Initially, Eevee was just as naive and adorable, but unfortunately... it was brought up to be an internet-addicted girl. Indeed, starting with Chimchar, every Pokemon Fang Yuan had captured ever since was a character.
"Bwoo." Taking Ditto from Dr. Li Qing's hands, Fang Yuan held Ditto in his arms, while Eevee, who was by Fang Yuan's feet, "zoomed" up onto his shoulder, its big eyes observing the new team member.
Eevee, as Fang Yuan's Beginner Elf, was also beginning to think about how to cultivate Ditto.
For example, transforming into a soft large bed or an eSports massage chair in the wild... it couldn't get any more comfortable.