Chapter 13: From The Past
"Ambrette Town looks like one of the coastline islands', feels like home. If the weather was only a little warmer at least." Malie stated as she and Louis were coming up a roadside hill, in open view of the town before them.
"Kalos tends to do with visitors from I seen myself." Louis replied back as they made their way down the road, glancing around the area with an welcoming grin. His smooth out face slowly turning to a smirk of glee when seeing Malie was enjoying the area as well for what it was.
Malie took a sad breath afterwards that made Louis raise an brow to it, but rolled his eyes from her following words.
"As much as the view is nice. We should check into a center. I need to get to the anthropological lab and let the doctor know that I am here." Malie stated, rushing to where Kanoa resulting of the closest one near them by the outskirts. With matching footsteps, Louis followed after.
"You can go ahead to the lab, Malie. I can sign us in and catch up with you later." Louis called out to her.
"No can do, partner. We are getting there together. Come on!"
After the check into the center, Louis and Malie had release there Pokémon to let them stretch out their legs. Tophet gave one flick of his tail before jumping onto the bed, eyeing his owner who was rummaging through her packs, gathering what she needed. Louis over on the other bed, slowly and carefully removed his egg from his large backpack, setting it on the side table, not so much a shake or blink dim happen. He had a frown from his egg slow growth, thinking that the incubator and the warmth of the bag would at least speed some progress during their travel, something would happen.
"Hey Malie, how did it take for Troop to hatch again?"
She looked up from her tablet, toeing off her shoes in swift motion to get more conformable and soon slipping off her hoodie feeling the heat of the room doing enough, the tablet light shadowing her face after she was done when looking his way, answering with a short say. "About two weeks, would have been a month if it was during the winter season, but he was breed at the end of spring. When did you get this egg?"
"About two days before I got Froakie."
"Cold weather is likely what is happen to slow the hatching, likely by the start of spring should get some kind of reaction."
"That long?" Louis whined, as he look through his bag to pull out of snacks for his Pokémon resting on the soft and large ends of his bed. Glancing over by the windowsill to see the Froakie minding himself.
"Hey, hey, those two weeks weren't easy for me you know. Do you have any idea of how tender a baby Wimpod is? I thought he was going to take off the moment he was born. Even if he did though, he was healthy and I would have let him go, if he wanted that." Malie relied back, with a fondness growing in her eyes, soon her gaze landing on her Litten, who had a tilted head her expression, but only gave a wink back, confusing the poor creature even more.
"I guess I have something to look forward to." Louis said, still not very happy by the results but was willing enough to go through with them, for now at least.
"You bet you do. By the time you take off for Sinnoh, you'll have a new partner to partake in contests with." Malie told him, going back to her tablet, rushing through snips of information on it. Giving a few taps on the recorder before removing the device from the back in testing the rang once more. Having her call out in giving the volume level checks. While having Kanoa have a small recharge by the egg awaiting to be called upon.
"Wouldn't that be nice. But what about when I think of using some native ones there, which ones would be appealing enough?"
"Wrong person to ask that, have you chat with Ren on this at all?"
"No, not really. She has been working on finding her own grove and let me tell you, that has been a trip lately. Have you called her at all?"
Malie quickly shook her head before saying. "No. Haven't gotten nerve or the insanity to just speak outright to her. I want to focus on this and not her latest fashion tips. Love her to bits, but you know . . ."
Louis just gave a nod of understanding, walking over to his Froakie to leave a small bowl of treats, before walking over and doing the same for the Litten. While in fast return, gave the bowl a sniff before ignoring it. Not seeing that made Malie frown, having her call out to her furry friend.
"Just eat a little bit, Tophet. We're going to be having a long day and every little bit helps."
The Litten's ears twitch from his owner's probing words, having a huff at her, though still went to the bowl and having a few bites.
"Speaking of that, we should do the same and then head over. I saw a vending machine, got anything in mind or free for all?" Louis asked, grabbing for his ID and making his way to the door.
"Nope. But make it fast, night is coming early and I want an easy start in this as soon as I can."
"Will do. See you in a bit." His last words, and out the door he went.
Leaving for Malie to tend to the Pokémon among her, still doing read ups and check ups on her tablet sitting cross-legged on the bed. Not even noticing Tophet climbing into the small opening to rest there, purring when he felt a few strokes on his head. Listening mindlessly to the under breath mutters his owner was doing during her check ups. Having a few slides and clicks few the peaceful quiet hotel akin room. Now and then, she would look over side of her right to the Skiddo and Goomy, cuddling on the bed across from her, rising her gaze higher to the window in seeing the Froakie looking very asleep, though a speedy weak throw of pebble food at her, barely touching her bare feet. Giving a roll of her eyes, not minding it all that much and going back to her work. With one final nod, closed the tablet and slipped it back in the larger bag she owns, leaning against the wall behind her in hopes to will her body to relax.
Not even five minutes of silence passed before Louis came rushing back into the room. All with the will of a Rhyhorn of slamming the door. Leaning against his door, plastic bag of candy bars and cans rattling along with him. Dark green eyes landing on Malie who in turn looked at him in worry.
"Louis . . ." Malie whispered, as she carefully got up from the bed with ease as Tophet jump out of her lap to do so, The Litten and Froakie watching with confusion of their owners, having her continued. "What happen?"
"Good news and bad news. Which one do you want first?"
"Good?"
"Ren is here."
"If that's the good news. What is the bad news?"
"She was, I guess you could call it talking; to Caiden and it was getting pretty heated."
"You got to be kidding me. Kanoa, wake up, we have to go now." Malie exhaled with a groan. Grabbing her things she needed, Kanoa up and floating near, slipping back on her shoes and going to the door, as Louis moved out of the way. Tophet already off the bed and following after her without so much a notion to him.
"What about Caiden and Ren?"
"I didn't come here for their drama. I came here to work as Kukui instructed, Louis. Do what you think is right to handle them, but I'm not going to waste my time on them. Though if Caiden comes within a foot of me, I might punch him." She told him, quickly nosing through the bag he was holding, grabbing what appeal to her, patting him on the shoulder all the same.
Malie then was already out of the room, Louis rushing himself to grab his things. Recalling his Skiddo and Goomy, having his Froakie following right after him when Louis didn't recall him and told to come along. Locking the room behind him and trying to catch up with Malie, who somehow was able to sneak pass Ren and Caiden with ease, as he didn't have much luck on that account.
"Louis! There you are!" The woman with wavy shoulder pass brown hair, tall and curvy body clan in a flowerily short sleeve top, flip-flops and short blue jeans, pale skin with speckled freckles seen while on her face and arms, wide and kooky dark brown eyes of the duo called out in glee, known as Ren, running up to hug him, which was awkwardly returned, eyeing the young man not far from them as they did.
"Hey Ren, not sure to be surprise or not to see you here. Why are you here?"
"Well, duh, I came because my two besties were together without me and got on the earliest boat ride here. I just got to town myself and then I met up with this trash you see here." Ren hollowed out in quick fashion, sending a stink eye to the other athletic thin man who was strolling up to them.
"Trash? Oh, watch it Ren, you could had almost hurt me there, spitfire darling." Caiden said ruefully to Ren, holding out a hand to Louis, who in less of appeasement return the shake. Caiden's light green eyes framed well on his light dark skin, perked from the motion, using his spare hand to tussle up his already wild dirty blonde hair. His words slipping out like a river. "Still the same I see, Louis." Pulling his hand back, giving it a clench from sudden pressure after having been in a tight grip.
"I'll have to agree on the same here, Caiden. Mind answering why you are here?"
The group not hinting at the low growl that came from the Froakie at Louis's feet.
Caiden had a short laugh from the bluntness of Louis's words, not even noticing the bite behind them, as he gave a reply. "Work. Kanto top researchers sent me here to look at some of Kalos's larger fossils and are designing a bountiful trade later on finds later if it goes well. And it will."
"By your daddy's funds, no doubt." Ren hissed at him, arms crossed.
"My father wants to make sure this went well and want capable hands to do so. Why disappoint by not going along with it? Besides, Kalos is a wonder of a place for knowledge, and why waste the chance of a paid vacation too." Caiden said with an easy tone, having stretch out his arms enough to lay them cross behind his head, good nature grin on his face, before saying. "Odd to just see only you two here. Malie Blossom must still too much of a Skitty to come? Don't get me wrong though, I personally wouldn't want her to go through the troubles on own her being. Too sedative and a sweetheart for her own good, if you know what I mean?"
Louis cut Ren from saying anything, getting between the two of them without giving away of him moving at all. Resorting to the other man of being closer, and replying with.
"She tends to shock people at times. Don't sell her too short there, Caiden."
"Too much of cutie to think otherwise." Caiden replied right back, happy-go luck shining in his eyes, as an easy smile still on his face, soon leaving to turn away and heading to the center's entrance way. Yelling to them when he was farther way. "We should catch up some time though, for old times sake, later!"
"I will never understand what I saw in him." Ren growled once seeing the last of him, turning to face Louis with a smile, and even giving a happy greetings to the Froakie at his feet, when hearing a wary croak from below them.
"At least you didn't want to out right kill him, so progress. Malie was somehow able to sneak out to not even punch the guy." Louis said calmly, as he made to leave, Ren and Froakie following right after him.
"I missed her? Darn it." Ren muttered.
"Though be ready, I told her you were getting heated with him, so she's not very happy about you either."
"I can't help it. I see his face and all I want to do is scream at the sight of it."
"Yes, well, Malie is here now. So try to be civil about it."
"She won't."
"No, but it doesn't mean she won't try. Even if they are in the same building together, she won't want to strangle him, unlike someone else. Malie still hurt about what happen between them; but I like to believe she's grown out of it, which by the way, someone else should do to." Louis ended, glancing at Ren with a knowing look, who only gave a cheeky grin back.
"Well she should anyway to that jerk."
"Let's not focus on that and just catch up, get something ready, when we'll meet up with Malie afterwards."
"Not that worry about those two are you?"
"Trying not to be, here, so work with me on this."
"Oh, fine, take me shopping and show me around. Get my mind off that jerk."
Louis rolled his eyes, as Ren latched onto his arm with a pout dragging him to the store line of the town. Froakie warily following behind them, glancing of where he caught the last of that other male human sprinting off to, but thought nothing of it and caught up with the other humans.
"Fine. As you wish." Louis replied back jokingly.
Meanwhile in the later hours, at the shores of the anthropological lab, in the above ground outdoor observation center. Malie was working away along aside worker of the lab, pointing out the insights and close encounters the lab had breached so far. Having sky eye views up in the higher levels to see the active and leisure dinosaur-like Pokémon roam in the man-made nature areas below them, as they used the side views of the spider web design catwalk to have Kanoa snap pictures every now and then at its owner ready. Tophet keeping up to speed with the group and small Pokémon the research had with him during his travels. Malie asking away on questions, having her tablet hologram-screen shots between her and the research doctor of her records that the Alolan scientist had on their files, her recorder hanging well on her collar end shirt as they spoke.
". . . We also believe that in the coming years, later generations of trains and who such else will have only more ancient Pokémon to discover. Some of our archivers even believe that some in the deeper layers mountains of Kalos, there are more than just the Tyrunt and Amaura evolution family lines."
"And possible chance of new rock duel types in that future, Dr. Clement?"
"Ah, you must being speaking about the fellow lab backgrounds over in Johto looking into finding Rock/Normal types or even Rock/Poison types, correct?"
"Yes, as well with the heliographic markings they had printed were something to take note of and something isn't very much seen even most textbooks." Malie answered back, bring up the said images up for the doctor to gander at, he wisely took in those details, moving each image in front of him as he pleased, nodding now and then when seeing something of his interest.
"I'll have to branch more ways over to them and see what else they have picked up on. Outstanding on this find here." He stated, bring up certain pictures of aged scrip's and faded etches they had.
"I haven't look in that much deeply myself, sir. Alola doesn't have this kind of in-depth archives to hold up even a lab of their own. Which is again of why I am here."
"You can be sure that this won't go unnoticed, Miss. Kāne. Knowledge like this must be know wide for our world's future to go on the right path. I'll personally call Professor Kukui and head research of Melemele that there'll be teachings there when further research and helpers that has made a better and more fruitful dent when the time comes for it. I have heard of something of a building that was made as a nature reserve on one of the islands on a more wild teaching of then these routes. Is that true?" Saying with humorous questioning tone, once he was done looking through the images, having the young woman bring her tablet back to her, to finish up any last minute notes.
"Deeply agreeing here, doctor. The park you are asking about; is there of more for entertaining reasons than learning, it does dive into this characteristic on a more jollity level. But our researchers are in a much in need for a more control environment for young minds that wish to train, teach, and breed, when it becomes that of is sure promising career choice. The park is more of a gateway so no one is that shy about it. More of where the Alolan researching has been striving for in the last few years ever since Mega Stones were added into our programs."
"That is also something we have been egging on for as well. Though of course, those results have been less than pleasing as of late when we heard some of the comes over in Alola. Blind sights for a faster future, isn't it?"
"I wouldn't know much of that personally. Mega Evolving has never been an board topic I like to linger on or would dare much practice on any Pokémon. Yet, that is the price to pay when needing to fill the holes, they are risks like any others, and will always and should be treaded on smartly."
"Open mind activist, good to hear on that." The doctor replied back with a good humor grin on his face, as they headed down another branch lane of the catwalk. When coming up to see a clock hanging by one of the exiting doors that headed back inside, the doctor spoke again. "For now, I believe we should cut the tour short and have lunch, how does that sound?"
"Would you mind answering some of my own questions, sir?" Malie asked, having tucked away some of her tech as she walked with the doctor, her Litten right her feet, as the other Pokémon ran off to play elsewhere when they being called by another scientist, and Kanoa floating behind to take some last photos of the lab and Pokémon in the area.
"Not at all."
Later on in the day, after an insight and vigorous day. Malie, Tophet, and Kanoa were heading back to the center, while the cooling night was slowly passing through the hours. Everything of her work, tucked away in her side bag as they walked down the lightly crowed streets.
Once we are back at the center. Edits, updates, and report?
Malie nodded, as she looked around the area, taking a short break at a bench when seeing Tophet was very sluggish behind the two. Waiting for him to catch up and relax on the opening spot near her. Having a laugh slip out of her as she pet her Litten.
"Ate a bit too much there, huh, Tophet? Good food?"
Tophet gave a low mew, batting his head against her hand for more petting, leaving Malie to soon scratch his belly to sooth the ache he must have been feeling.
"Don't worry, once we get back. You call it a night and sleep it off. We'll have a bit of relaxing time before heading off to our next location, so take it easy."
You as well, Malie.
"I will, Kanoa. Ease up on the sass, would you?"
Never. For I do it because I love you.
"Sure, let's take a look at your updated files here now." Malie said, having Kanoa float up to her, screen open and ready for inspection. Gently fingering through the updated notes and photo files. Having her say. "Breathtaking on some of these, they'll do well. I think we should do some of the wild here and head down to the water some time. I noticed besides Froakie and a few wild Surskit, we don't have much in that type chart."
I shall make a warning for an early morning for that tomorrow.
"Perfect."
Once Kanoa moved away, Malie got up from her seat, taking Tophet into her arms. Giving his rounded out belly a few soothing pets before making their back to the center.
"Hey! Wait!"
She heard the voice and kept walking. Yet, she didn't make it far when feeling a hand on her shoulder, keeping a neutral face when turned by the other, to see them. A happy grin was seen, as the man kept her at arms length.
"Malie, it is really is you. Hel- I mean Alola."
She took a calming breath before speaking. "Alola Mr. Rivera, surprise to see you here."
He gave a laugh before answering back. "Come on, don't be like that, Caiden is fine you know. Shouldn't I be the one to say that though? It's really great to see you again, been a few years right? We were like what? fourteen and sixteen or something at the time?"
"Fifteen and seventeen . . ."
"Wow, three years already gone by that quick. Wow. And well, look at you." He said gesturing at her being with glee, unware for Malie to see his brows go up when seeing a Fire Type in her arms, yellow tints of silted eyes glaring right back at him. But his light green gaze went to level with her light grey-blue eyes, having a well suited smile in place as he spoke again. "Still short and cute as ever. What are you doing here in Kalos?"
She rolled her eyes back at him, gently removing his arms off her shoulders and giving more space between them. Eyes on him when she said. "Working. There was an opening to be a Holder and research gather for the Melemele head teacher and professor. Given that what has happen lately, I sprung for the chance and now I am here. Now if you excuse me, I need to turn in. I have been on my feet all day and Kanoa said I need to rest up for the next assignment."
Yes, we must make haste. Probity enough as it was to see you again, Mr. Rivera. But we must depart.
Caiden was about to reach out to her, a hand making close to one her arms but jerked back when the fire cat tried to take a bite out of his hand. Shocked very much, that Malie calmed the kitten when the fur on the back started to spike up, petting her starter with ease, though the silted glare to the male human didn't go away as the Litten made himself comfortable again.
"Goodbye Mr. Rivera." Malie said hotly before walking away from the man, once out of sight, gave her Litten a happy twist play with his ears, earning a purr from the small black kitten, having her say. "Good boy." With only a brisk walk the rest of the way back to the center, loosing her shoulders ready for what is to come, as she spare Tophet enough room in her left crook arm, and right opening the door.
"Malie! Long time no see!"
"Alola Ren." Malie answered back with a warm growing grin, mentally setting herself for what was to come, and closing the rented room door behind her.