Pokemon Biology: Conditional Evolution

We live in an enlightened age of knowledge and solutions. Many pioneers in various subjects have paved the road for scientific discoveries and have allowed for new ways to think, act, and research to the point that we take things for granted. Once we receive an answer, we stop looking at the question. Facts are seen as such, with no questioning of the raw material used to reach that consensus. As Pokemon Biologists, we strive to go further than that, to challenge familiar hypotheses, to reach new explanations and the issues that arise with them, and to keep examining what's otherwise deemed as common knowledge. In an earlier issue, we discussed the various examples of Combined Evolution, but now we'll be inspecting another aspect of Pokemon metamorphosis: Conditional Evolution.

As Pokemon receive experience, they will develop accordingly, gaining strength, skill, and new moves with each passing level. At a certain point, they will have collected enough energy to evolve into a new form and become more powerful in the process. Other species, however, aren't dependent on experience in order to evolve, but require a different kind of stimulus to develop further. The questions the panel will aim to answer are:

• What different kinds of stimulus can result in evolution?
• Why is this stimulus required for some species to evolve?
• What benefits do the species receive upon evolution?

With us in the studio tonight are our chosen panelists Arcticblast, Bummer, Joeyboy, and shade, represented here by Oddish, Quagsire, Golduck, and Totodile respectively, and the first topic we'll be covering is:

The Nidoran family are common vermin within Kanto city districts. They breed like rabbits, feed like rats, and are as hostile as bears. Luckily, their lesser forms are easily controlled once discovered, and even their evolved forms can be managed if targeted appropriately. But if you leave Moon Stone jewelry among the trash, you're in for a world of trouble, as the weak radiation from these gems are enough to trigger a most gruesome reaction in these venomous rodents.

Multiple theories have been made regarding the true nature of the energy emitted from Moon Stones. Contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to with lunar forces, as the affected species aren't necessarily nocturnal or active during the night. Instead, it's generally believed that the rocks give off gamma rays of a specific frequency, which can cause some species to evolve due to how readily it is absorbed into their genome. This affects their gene expression, and in turn, their hormone production, which causes their body to greatly change its composure. For the most part, this sudden metamorphosis still results in a creature which isn't too different from the stage before it, apart from some additional bulk or new features. But in the case of Nidorino and Nidorina, it's nothing short of a werewolf transformation, and the list of radical changes made to these species is long and constantly expanding. They go from being quadrupedal to bipedal, their torso becomes fully developed, and their skin grows thicker to function as both armor and poison storage. In short, no cocktail of growth stimulates could possibly come close to this sudden change in physiology, and while these hazardous behemoths prefer a life in seclusion, a rampaging Nidoking is a force of nature one would be unwise to underestimate.

Machoke and Gurdurr are both strong fighters which dedicate their whole existence to the mastering of physical combat and blunt violence. Be it straight punches, quick throws, or thumb wars, they continuously strive to excel their skills, with a high metabolism to account for their strenuous activities. But given the strength they can build up from personal training alone, once they are caught or given to a Trainer for the first time, they instantly bond with their new guardian, and it has been proven that these two fighters develop better under an overseeing presence.

With that in mind, the fact that they evolve after being traded to a different Trainer has for a long time been disputed. Neither Machoke nor Gurdurr requires more energy absorbed from the transfer in order to evolve, as they're both saturated with power prior to their evolution. For that reason, many believe that their evolutionary trigger is instead of a psychological nature. This, too, has spurred a plethora of different theories. The trade could be seen as proof of their adulthood, where they no longer require the aid of their original Trainer and are prepared to serve a new ally. The reverse is equally possible, where this sudden exchange causes them to evolve further, in hopes that their old master would have a change of heart and reclaim their services (which is often the case). There is, of course, another theory that their transformation is merely fueled by their anger and rage due to the sudden dismissal from their Trainer, but the number of murder incidents related to both custody exchanges and Pokemon assaults aren't nearly as numerous to make a conclusive statement. The fact remains that a Pokemon trade is the right kind of stimulus required for their final form, and it has been a major boon to Trainer interaction ever since.

Woobat, being the fluffy ball it is, has swayed many Trainers into adding it onto their team. Many look forward to the task of raising it carefully and tenderly so that it may one day evolve into Swoobat as a product of friendship and care, and a final testimony to the bond between its Trainer. Or rather, that's the allure of it. Despite the skepticism from a majority of Pokemon breeders, the reality isn't as cuddly as Woobat's furry hide.

Woobat are, unlike their Zubat brethren, psychic beings, and are in need of neurological stimulus if they are to mature properly. But being the cave dwellers they are, they rarely come in contact with other sentient beings on a longer basis, and intelligent species are even rarer. So when it becomes captured by a traveling Trainer, it's actually a good turn of events, as it now has a perfectly fine mind to harvest energy from. Granted, it takes a long time for it to establish a firm connection to its owner's cerebral network, which is directly proportional to the affinity between the two. As their trust grows stronger, Woobat's infiltration goes deeper. Eventually, the connection will be strong enough to support a direct absorption of the Trainer's emotive surplus, thus giving Woobat what it has always lacked: feelings. While they may not seem like it, Woobat are purely objective creatures, where any behavior reminiscent of happiness can be attributed to mimicry. But with this emotional download, they have a tangible blueprint to replicate indefinitely within their own mind, causing them to evolve into the lovable Swoobat. While ordinary Trainers have nothing to worry about concerning this one-time transfer, continuous breeding of these creatures is not recommended, as many breeders have developed apathy as a result.

It was long believed that Magmar was the final stage of the Magby line, as it possessed decent base stats and a well developed physique. But as Unova researchers discovered that even this lava duck could receive a boost from Eviolite, it was a definite proof that there were still untapped potential left within its genome. Many researchers tried anything to be the first to unlock its secret form, but to no avail. It was traded, befriended, exposed to every evolution stone imaginable, but no method created a response. So with most things, we had to find the answer within nature itself.

The first Magmortar was found in an area adjacent to a supervolcano, which days before had ravaged the surrounding area. It was swiftly caught, studied, and then released back into the volcano along with a heat resistant tracker. The tracker lasted for about an hour, as it only resisted degrees up to 3000° F, but the research team managed to pinpoint its course and sent in several Magmar of their own in an attempt to lure this mysterious evolution back to the surface. When they returned, all of them had evolved into Magmortar, and thus it was quickly concluded that the immense thermal energy and properties of magma deep below the Earth's crust was the stimulus this fire dweller required. Granted, being within the vicinity of an active volcano was too much of a risk for amateur Trainers who wanted their Magmar transformed, so a safer way to trigger their evolution was required. Some years later, the first Magmarizers hit the market, which contained pulverized magma rocks and exothermic reagents, which together with the energy during Pokemon trades results in a burst of "magma energy" that triggers Magmar's process of evolution. At least according to the product pamphlet.

What's pink, has a huge appetite, and can coat a large variety of objects with slime? With the exception of unpleasing individuals you may know of, these traits are an accurate description of Lickitung, which is renowned for being a species whose biggest muscle can easily fit within its mouth cavity. Living a life where the main objective is to satisfy its daily hunger has worked out fairly well so far for this tongue twister. However, Lickitung is a slow creature, in more than one way. With a lagging tail, clumsy body, and slow reflexes, getting around the environment while also staying away from predators is one of the largest issues of its daily life. But rather than making use of their scrawny limbs, more and more specimens were discovered to use Rollout to spin themselves away. But not as Lickitung.

In a process which is still shrouded in mystery, any Lickitung knowing the move Rollout can at any time evolve into a rounder form officially known as Lickilicky. With thinner arms and legs, along with a smaller tail, this ample gourmand is more suitable for rolling at higher speeds with less effort required. Researchers have theorized that this move activates many cognitive processes within the minds of Lickitung, which allows its body to prepare the accommodations to better adjust its proportions and bulk. It did, however, take a long time before a definite link between the move Rollout and Lickilicky was clearly confirmed, thanks to Trainers who trained this species. Granted, earlier versions of TM04 enabled people to teach Lickitung Rollout, and Move Tutors in Hoenn also have documentations of the same accomplishment, but with no spontaneous evolution of Lickitung as a result. This has led many to believe that Lickitung's instincts play a large role in its development, and thus, directly teaching the move to it won't have the same effect. It's something they need to figure out on their own.

And with that, I'm afraid our time for this riveting program has run out! We thank all of our unpaid panelists for their insightful entries regarding this fascinating and constantly changing field in PokéScience, and we'll hope to see you all next month!