S.R: Hi all!
M.R: Sup!
S.R: It's been a while. But we haven't forgotten!
M.R: Nope, nope, nope. Things have just been chaotic….
PhoenixWyvern & his GF: Riiiiiight. Chaotic. *Glares at S.R*
S.R: Oh, hush. I told you that your characters would be in and out of the story!
PhoenixWyvern: YOU LEFT US TO FREEZE OUR ASSES OFF IN THE SEA FOAM ISLANDS!
S.R: *Opens mouth to point out that they are completely fine so it doesn't matter but is interrupted by the sound of heavy machinery*
Everyone: *Looks out the window to see a little girl driving a crane with a wrecking ball*
PhoenixWyvern's GF: Is that?
PhoenixWyvern: My little sister? Yeah. Strange that she chose the crane though. Normally she'd be driving a tank.
S.R: QUICK! MOVE ON TO THE STORY BEFORE SHE CAN DO ANYTHING!
ASH'S POV
Since I was eager to train my entire team again, I convinced Brock to let us rush from the Sea Foam Islands to Cinnabar Island. Because of said rushing we managed to arrive on the island around noon on our third day of traveling.
"Alright Ash, I know you're eager to start working with everyone, but what are you going to do first? I mean you've got that fossil that Lorelei gave you. Plus there's still the Aerodactyl egg that needs to hatch. Not to mention figuring out how you're going to deal with Blaine when you battle him."
Brock asked me as we set our feet on solid ground after climbing off Gyarados's back. Reaching up to my shoulder I rubbed Pikachu's head as I took a moment to think about what I wanted to do and was surprised. On top of the things Brock mentioned that I could do, there were still may more things for me to accomplish before I got to the point of challenging Blaine.
"Well first, I should find the gym and see what the hours are. After all it'd be bad to be ready to battle Blaine and make my way to the gym only to find that he isn't there."
I replied only to receive a nod.
"That's a great idea… I've always been interested in the seeing how the ecosystem around the volcano here works so I want to head over there. You mind if I do my own thing while where here?"
Brock wondered, as he mentioned his curiosity about the volcano. I smiled as I told him to go for it. We're friends and we travel together, but that doesn't mean we have to bee joined at the hip. If he wants to go off on his own while we're here in Cinnabar that's fine.
"Alright then. I'll meet you over at the Pokemon Center later on."
"Right. See you later Brock."
Pikachu called out to him saying 'have fun', but of course Brock didn't understand beyond the fact Pikachu was saying see you later. With that Brock and I split up. The town on Cinnabar island was rather small so I had no problem finding the gym, but when I tried to open the door to find out what hours Blaine kept as the gym leader I found it locked. Shaking my head in confusion, at that I turned to try and find someone I could ask about the gym, only to almost run into an older man. Pikachu wobbled on my shoulder but managed to prevent himself from falling.
"Sorry about that sir. I didn't know you were behind me."
"Oh it's fine young man. I have to say it's not everyday that someone comes to Cinnabar to challenge the gym."
He brushed it off, a kind smile on his face as he inquired about my approaching the gym. He smiled at Pikachu as well.
"My goal ever since I was a little kid was to become a Pokemon Master like my dad, challenging the original gyms in every region I visit. But this gym doesn't seem to be open right now. Not that I'm ready to challenge Blaine. I just wanted to see what the gyms hours are."
I explained, only vaguely noticing that the old man gave me a similar impression to Professor Oak and Mr. Fuji.
"I see. Well that explains why you don't know. Blaine got tired of being swamped with challenges from sore losers that just wouldn't give up, so he set up a task that you must complete before entering his gym to challenge him." here the man paused for a moment so he could point to a building. Sections off the building were decayed and ruined leading me to believe it was an old mansion by its appearance. He then continued "Blaine hid a copy of his gym key in that mansion over there. If you can find it, then you can open the gym and challenge him. If you get that key, then it doesn't matter what time it is, Blaine will accept your challenge if you enter the gym."
Nodding my head at the reason why the gym was locked I thanked the man for telling me about it.
"Well I'm not in a rush to battle Blaine just yet. I may have 6 badges already, but Blaine and Giovanni are going to be my toughest battles yet. I have to prepare accordingly… Which reminds me. Is that massive building over there by the Pokemon Center, the research lab by any chance?"
I asked, trying to get a bit more information about the towns layout.
"Yes, yes it is the research lab. Might I inquire why you wanted to know?"
The man questioned in simple curiosity. Since he reminded me of Professor Oak I didn't have a problem with telling him.
"Oh, while I was traveling through the Sea Foam Islands I received a Pokemon fossil as a gift from Lorelei."
To prove it I pulled my bag off my back and opened it to show him the fossil. Pikachu hopped to the ground when I moved to make it easier for me to get my bag off my back.
"I see. Well luckily, the lab does have someone that can revive that Pokemon for you. I've also heard that a Pokemon Professor or two are at the lab to help out with some research lately."
Eyes widening at that piece of info I smiled, before politely thanking the man. His words had cemented the Research Lab as my next task to check off my list. Despite being giddy at the thought of meeting another Professor aside from Professor Oak, I managed to stay calm enough to walk to the lab rather than run with Pikachu at my side.
Thanks to that I only just managed to catch the old mans mumbling of "This kid is even more interesting that Lance told me." Pikachu also caught it, and we shared a look.
'How much do you want to bet that man was Blaine and he's testing you after hearing Lance praise you?'
Pikachu asked me through our bond.
"No bet, that's the truth without a doubt."
I commented, chuckling lightly as I did. Pikachu's chortled as well. Luckily no one was around to see and give us weird looks. It didn't take us too much longer after that to enter the lab. A nice brown haired lady was sitting at a reception desk, and she glanced up at me as I came in the door.
"Excuse me young man, is there anything I can help you with?"
She inquired as she typed on her computer without looking away from me.
"I'm looking for the lab room where Pokemon fossils can be revived. I also heard that a few Pokemon Professors were hear helping with an experiment?"
"Ah yes. If you head down this hall it'll be the last lab on your left where you find Professor Horner. He is the one to talk to about reviving fossil Pokemon. As for the Pokemon professors, well Alola's Professor Kukui and Sinnoh's Professor Rowan are helping with research in the second lab on your left if you head down the hall. Be sure to knock loudly before entering the room however. I don't know exactly what they're doing but It's rather noisy so you might be ignored if you don't get their attention with your knock."
The receptionist swiftly answered. I thanked her for letting me know before looking at Pikachu.
"Which one should we do first buddy? Revive our Amaura fossil, or see what the professors are up to?"
I asked. He tilted his head in thought for a moment before I heard 'Let's revive Amaura first' through our bond. Smiling I nodded at his idea and we proceeded down the hall and entered the lab that we'd been told Professor Horner was in.
"Hello?"
I called out as I entered the room after knocking.
"Ah yes, hello there young man. What can I do for you?"
An older man with silver hair peaking out from under his hat looked up at me.
"Um, I was gifted an Amaura fossil, so I came here wondering if I could find someone that might help me revive it."
The mans eyes lit up with joy when he heard the word fossil and he eagerly asked me to show him the fossil. For the second time of the day I pulled my bag off my back and opened it up. This time rather than leave the fossil in my bag I pulled it out and carefully handed it to the professor.
"Yes, yes this is an Amaura fossil and it's in excellent condition. I should be able to revive this Amaura with no issue. It will take a bit of time however."
He excitedly commented, as he turned to work immediately.
"I don't have an issue with that but… Um, do I have to pay for this? I don't know how the process works, so I don't know If I have to pay or anything for it to be done."
Raising a hand and shooing me away he spoke.
"Not at all. Despite being time consuming it's actually a rather simple process. But it does require my focus. Come back tomorrow morning and I should be finished."
Accepting his answer I smiled and thanked the professor before leaving the room. Calmly walking back towards the entry way I found the lab that the Pokemon Professors were supposed to be working in. I knocked harshly on the door, waiting till I heard someone call to enter the room.
When I walked in I was shocked to see an Eevee and several of it's evolutions, just attacking a man. But he was laughing as they did so I wasn't worried about if he was okay or not. Regaining myself I looked around and saw several scientists in lab coats. An older man with gray hair and an awesome mustaches was wearing a smart blue vest over his shirt and tie but he had a brown coat over top of that, in his hands was a pen and notepad that he was taking notes on, likely notes about the attacks from the Eevee and it's evolutions. The man they were attacking was a tall and tanned skinned person. He was wearing a pair of gray sweatpants, and a white lab coat, but instead of buttoning it up it was open displaying his bare chest. He also had a pair of glasses on his face with a white hat on his head to finish the look.
"Might I ask why you are here young man?"
The mustached man asked me without taking his eyes off of the Pokemon. The tan skinned man rolled his eyes at the tone before calling out.
"Relax a bit Rowan. We've been working quite diligently. It wouldn't hurt to take a break and talk to the kid properly."
Sighing, the professor with the brown coat rubbed at his eyes with a hand before turning to face me properly.
"Yes you're right professor Kukui. A break sounds like an excellent idea."
Smiling the professor with the open lab coat approached shook my hand as he gave me a proper introduction. Professor Rowan did the same, though with less enthusiasm.
"I'm Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town. I currently have Trainee Field Researcher status under Professor Oak. But I'm also traveling across Kanto challenging gyms so I can become a Pokemon Master like my dad."
"Ketchum huh… That name sounds familiar."
Kukui muttered, but Professor Rowan actually smiled at my name.
"So you're the young man I've heard about from Cynthia. Thank you for helping her out, during the incident on the S.S. Anne."
I shook my head in response a blush coming to my face.
"There's no need to thank me for that. I just did what I thought was right."
Professor Kukui caught my blush and chuckled. The gray haired professor smiled as well.
"Regardless, I want to thank you for saving her, not just because she's been an immense help with my research, but because she's like a daughter to me."
"As much as I know you'd like to continue bragging about your assistant Rowan, I think I'd like to hear what brought Ash here to visit."
Professor Kukui cut in. Nodding Professor Rowan agreed that he was interested as well.
"I came to Cinnabar planning to do a bit of training before challenging Blaine for my 7th badge. But on my way I was given a fossil for the Pokemon Amaura, so I decided to stop by the lab here and see about having Amaura revived. But then I heard that there was a couple of Pokemon Professors here. I remember Professor Oak telling me that each regions head Pokemon Professor has a different field of research so I decided to stop by and chat for a bit and see if I could learn something that might help me in raising my Pokemon. I mean Professor Oak is very helpful, but there are still things he doesn't know."
"Every trainer is different, what works for us might not work for you. But I can understand wanting to learn more. I mean if you want your Pokemon to be the best, you have to strive to be the best as well."
"Yes, professor Kukui is right about that. We might be able to give you suggestions, or answer questions you may have but it's up to you to determine what is best for you and your Pokemon."
The two professors commented after hearing why I wanted to see them. But they agreed to answer my questions. The first thing I had wondered about was what they specialized in with their field of study on Pokemon.
Professor Rowan told me he studied Pokemon evolutions, and the patterns that determined how and evolution would go. An example being how Eevee can be exposed to different Evolution stones to evolve into a different Pokemon. Where as professor Kukui specialized in studying Pokemon attacks and what factors determine what moves a Pokemon can learn.
Both of which were useful answers. Since I'd been told Several times that Pikachu could become a Raichu already even though he didn't think he was ready, I asked professor Rowan to take a look at him and see if he could figure out why. Pikachu was curious as to why he felt that was as well, so he eagerly hopped up onto a nearby table so the professor could get a better look at him.
"Hmm…. Pikachu seems perfectly fine to me. So it's not a physical issue. If you've already got 6 badges under your belt I doubt its an issue of a lack of power that's necessary to evolve without straining himself. I don't kn-!"
Professor Rowan started to say before cutting himself off as he studied Pikachu's eyes. A full minute passed in silence as he and Pikachu just stared at each other. When the professor finally looked away he turned to me.
"I see… Yes, that's most certainly why he doesn't think he's ready. Pikachu subconsciously knows he doesn't have the experience to evolve. You see when a Pokemon evolves their power grows immensely. Your Pikachu is fairly powerful already, but struggles to control that power at times. If he cant' control his current power, then he wouldn't be able to control the power gained upon evolving as well."
I partially understood what he was saying but it was confusing. He sighed when he noticed my lack of comprehension.
"It's like this. Pikachu can supply power to a battery. But let's just say he will accidentally over charge it 35% of the time and ruin the battery. If he evolves the power he can supply increases, and without fine control, the percentage of the time he accidentally over charges the battery will be higher, possibly up to 55% of the time depending on just how much power he'd gain upon evolving."
"Oh, yeah, I can see how that would be bad. It's a good thing Pikachu has such sharp instincts. It would be quite dangerous for us if he evolved without gaining full control over his power… But that's also a problem. Pikachu grows stronger in leaps and bounds. By the time he can control his current level of power he'll be much stronger."
At that Kukui chimed in.
"Have Pikachu hit me with his best attack. I want to see something."
Nodding slowly I turned to Pikachu. He looked at me as if to ask how much he should hold back, but professor Kukui told us not to worry and just him him with all Pikachu's got.
"You heard him Pikachu. I guess that means you should hit him with Volt Tackle."
Pikachu placed as much room between him and the weird professor as possible before charging towards him as static energy poured off of him. My eyes went wide as the electricity that arced through the air around him was much denser than it was a few days ago in the Sea Foam Islands. Pikachu collided with the professor head first, and drove the two of them into the wall.
"Ow..."
The professor mumbled as he pulled himself and Pikachu away from the wall. He looked right at me as he confidently stated "It's not that Pikachu is growing stronger. It's that he's learning to control more of his power as he goes… Your Pikachu is a monster when it comes to his full potential. In other words He's always been able to use this much power, but he has had to work hard to be able to control it at this level. For example take two men who can lift 350 pounds maximum. One struggles to do it because he hasn't trained for it. But he can still do it. While the other man has no issues, because he worked hard to be able to do it. Both men have the same potential it's just one has practiced more than the other."
Kukui explained as he thought I didn't understand what he meant when he was talking about potential after he saw the frown on my face.
"No I understood that, I was confused about how you could figure that out from letting Pikachu attack you."
The tanned professor just laughed at me before winking.
"That's a trade secret… but if your other Pokemon are as strong as Pikachu here, then I don't think you need to ask us for tips on raising your Pokemon. Not unless it's a Pokemon you have no idea how to take care of."
"You caught Cynthia's eye, so I'll agree with professor Kukui. Professor Oak surely has taught you well enough to handle any Pokemon you find here in Kanto. Unless you have a Pokemon from Sinnoh or Alola respectively I don't think we could advise you on how to care for them."
Professor Rowan commented as well. I just smiled before unclipping two Pokeballs from my belt. A moment later Conan and Eira were free. They cheerfully greeted me and Pikachu, before looking around and noticing the surroundings were strange compared to what they were expecting.
"Ah, yes that's right Cynthia did mention you'd gotten a Riolu egg as a prize while on the S.S. Anne. But that other Pokemon..."
"It's a variant of Vulpix. Specifically the Alolan form. Instead of being a Fire type it's an Ice type."
Kukui explained for his fellow professor. After that the three of us delved into talk about how to take care of the two Pokemon, who weren't even a year old yet. Of course Conan and Eira were interested in hearing us talk about what they could do in the future. With their help I created a plan for how to raise Eira for a few months until she was ready to debut in trainer battles. Conan was already at the point were I could let him battle against another trainer's Pokemon, but their advice for his move set was very helpful.
Hours later I found myself crawling into a bed in the Pokemon Center after having dinner with Brock. While we ate I filled him in on my day of learning from the two Pokemon Professors, and he mentioned finding several different Pokemon as he explored the safe areas of the volcano.
"We've got a lot of work ahead of us, but I know we can do it Pikachu."
Pikachu nodded his head tiredly 'Right. But we won't be alone. Everyone even Eira is ready and willing to work hard to reach our dream.'
He reminded me. I smiled at the thought of my Pokemon.
"Yeah. I'm counting on all of you."
I whispered as I looked towards the night stand where the Pokeballs that housed my Pokemon were currently resting. Closing my eyes I drifted off to sleep.
S.R: No we didn't make it up as we went. Meeting Rowan and Kukui has been in the plans for this story since day one. Honestly we could have put more, but wifey and I decided that this was just enough. Doing any more in this chapter would be a bit much to take in and keep track of.
M.R: Right… Is there anything else we need to mention this time?
PhoenixWyvern: Yeah! Us! We aren't done complaining about being left behind.
S.R: Quit yelling. As funny as it might be, I don't think the readers care enough to read you chewing us out for it. Nor do I think they'd care enough to read about how your sister threatened to destroy our home if we didn't bring you guys back into the author's notes at the very least.
Shout from outside: Yes they would! A threatening Loli is very persuasive.
PhoenixWyvern: Carly, you can calm down now. Go put the crane back and you can have a cookie.
S.R: Anyway, the next chapter will be training and finding the key to Blaine's gym. Other than that. I've got nothing…. Time fore the list of Pokemon.
ON HAND:
1. Pikachu (m) 2. Conan: Riolu (m) 3. Charmeleon (m) 4. Gyarados (f) 5. Ivysaur (f) 6. Wartortle (f)
TRAINEE FIELD RESEARCHER SLOT ADDITIONS:
7. Scyther (m) 8. Gengar (f) 9. Eira: Alolan Vulpix (f)
AT THE RANCH:
1. Pidgeot (f) 2. Beedrill (m) 3. Nidorino (m) 4. Muk (m) 5. Growlithe (f) 6. Golbat (m) 7. Apollo: Espeon (m) 8. Artemis: Umbreon (f)