>>33744549(1/2)
>TotTI speculate a Pokémon’s body changes the way it thinks, reacts, and behaves. As for the impact on the trainer, evolution is especially significant when they share a close bond. If they are kindred spirits, changes to one will influence the other, which is typically something to be celebrated. Nevertheless, things do not always go as planned. Enter conflict.
>DevolutionA traumatic, downright unnatural experience. Akin to going backwards when every part of you is meant to go forwards. For the Pokémon, it can result in psychological harm, physical scarring, memory loss, and other uncertain side-effects. A trainer who is close to their Pokémon would also suffer, in a similar way to how illness effects the patient as well as their loved ones.
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In HS, the MC’s best friend, Weavile, becomes a Sneasel. Becoming smaller, knife-cat loses strength, and her battle skills regress. Her personality remains, but she is not as brave and less confident than before. For her trainer, she now sees her Pokémon differently and because they are so close this is even more distressing for her.>Quick example of an evolution changing how a Pokémon may behave: Sneasel having a different hunting mentality than WeavileI’ve written Weavile as more tactical and deliberate based off how it “carves patterns in trees with its claws as a signal to others” and “forming groups of four or five that hunt prey with impressive coordination” suggesting a pack-hunting attitude with an emphasis on careful preparation.
On the other hand, Sneasel has a much shiftier, yet spontaneous approach: “it seeks out unguarded nests and steals eggs for food while the parents are away” and “suddenly extends the claws and startles its enemy” prompting a stereotype that Sneasel is sly and reactive.
Then you also have the anatomical differences. It has been fun to write for these species, but I digress.
