Getting on Research Task : Chapter 3

Professor Laventon and Captain Cyllene were equally surprised that Sylvern not just completed the trial test but acquired a Luxray as well. The difference was Professor Laventon shows his while Captain Cyllene hides hers pretty well.

Either way, Sylvern managed to passed her entry trial, so she has become a member of Galaxy Survey Corps with no rank. Captain Cyllene had given her a team uniform and sent her back to her quarters to try it on.

Professor Laventon had said to Sylvern quietly that the Captain had faith in her that she will pass the test, so last night the Captain had stayed up all night to help the village's seamstress Anthe to made her uniform small enough so it will fit her. After saying that, the Professor left her at her now current place before getting the three Pokemon into the pasture while letting Luxray and Rowlet stay in her possession.

After changing her clothes to the blue uniform of the Galaxy team, Sylvern saw herself in the mirror and sighed.

"I guess this is it?.. Although.. I need to find a way to get my hair tied somehow.. it's getting longer already." Aside from her new uniform, she really likes her new red scarf though. They're warm and long like a safety blanket, long enough for the two ends on her back to reach the back of her thighs.

When Sylvern went out of her quarters, Rei grinned happily, "Now you really look like one of us for sure!"

Sylvern smiled back a little. Rei escorted her back to the Galaxy Hall to meet back with the Captain.

When she saw the Captain, she quickly came over and muster a sincere smile, "Thank you for the clothes, Captain. It fits me perfectly and it wasn't floppy like before."

The Captain only nodded before telling her to stay still. Cyllene made quick work with the child's hair, putting it up in a pony tail before tying a bandana on her head. There.

Sylvern brightened up a notch and gratefully smiled, "Thank you Captain!"

Cyllene nodded, "The satchel is for you now, use it well. This is some money for your work and to buy some necessary items, along with a recipe for crafting."

"Crafting?" Sylvern asked. That's new, and it doesn't sound or feel familiar at all.

"If you can make your own items, you can save up your money for other things. Rei will show you the basics." And with that, Cyllene sent her out to meet Rei at Craftworks.

Rei grinned, "Now you'll see me work where I ace at, crafting stuff! Since you're new, the Captain only give you the recipe for regular pokeball. When you have all the necessary items, you can make one on your own, watch."

A few minutes was all it takes for Sylvern to see Rei in a new light.

"That's so cool! How did you do that?" she light up when Rei finished one pokeball from scratch.

Rei grinned even more, "It's easy if you have the recipe. Here, I'll show you."

It took Sylvern the rest of the day to at least conjure up a decent and useable pokeball. It brought her spirit down but Rei mentioned that if she does it all the time she would be a master in her own pace. So for now, this will do.

"Don't hesitate to ask me or the Professor if you can't make them, Sylvern. It takes practice. For only a day, you can make a decent pokeball and that's good! You should be proud of it." Rei said, trying to cheer her up and luckily it works when Sylvern took comfort in that.

"I guess.. Thanks for showing me how to make them Rei, you're really good at this crafting stuff." She sincerely smiled in pure awe at his skill.

Rei smiled gratefully, "Thanks! And you're welcome. Oh, don't be late tomorrow, it's your first day of work and Professor Laventon wants to show you how to work on your pokedex first thing in the morning. Have a good night sleep Sylvern!"

Sylvern nodded and bid him a 'good night' before retreating back to her quarters. Unbeknownst by herself, Sylvern dreaded the uncomfortable silent in the night when she has to go to sleep. Fortunately for her, her two new Pokemon seemed to already adept on reading their human companion discomfort.

Both Rowlet and Luxray went out of their pokeballs unprompted and Sylvern was grateful for that.

"Hi.."

Rowlet tilted his head before jumping into the girl's hug. Sylvern squeezed him close to her chest while Luxray went to curl up behind the small girl.

"I still don't know why you wanted to come with me though, but you do feel familiar.." she trailed off before falling asleep to Luxray's fur with Rowlet snuggled in her embrace.

Luxray thought about her words and knew why.

The faint Luxray scent was there clinging to her but the other Luxray himself was not around. If this young one was his cub and with the way his scent clings protectively that means the other Luxray was around her constantly, then.. where is he?

It was still a mystery to the new Luxray, but for now the young one is safe with him until he can get her back to the other Luxray.

He'll make sure of it.


Sylvern managed to get up early enough for some stretching because of a certain Luxray's persistence that she got up and move. Sylvern didn't want to know how Luxray knew that stretching was good for humans and she certainly didn't want to know how Luxray knew she has to get up early.

Sure he could've just heard what Rei said from his pokeball, but even Sylvern has difficult time to determine what time it is now. Sure she could've look at the sky, it was quite easy. But it was nagging her mind when she didn't know the exact time, like minutes, hours, seconds, because they are important for her. Too important, because she didn't want to cause any delay on whatever it is.

Sylvern shook her head clearing it from stray thoughts. Now's not the time, she has to go and meet-

"Sylvern! Great you up early, Professor Laventon is waiting for you near the Wallflower. Let's have some breakfast while he explains how to fill up your pokedex." Rei came over and waved her over before walking down the Floaro main street.

Sylvern followed with a trepidation on meeting with Beni again. Beni never spoke ill about her again after that first one, but she simply didn't like how he refused to meet her gaze or ignored that she was simply there.

On the other hand, she didn't really mind that he ignored her because that means she doesn't have to interact with him that much.

Sitting on one bench, Sylvern ate her breakfast while Professor Laventon gave her a blank- well not entirely but it still so thin, pokedex book that she needs to fill up for her Survey Corps work and to earn herself some money.

"You will need to draw every major detail of a pokemon as much as you can get here dear, or if it's too long or takes too much time you can just catch the pokemon and finish the major detailing later when you get home. The bindings can be tied on and off easily if you want to add some new pages. Now, is there any question you want to ask before your first day of work?"

Sylvern nodded, "Is there any specific pokemon I have to get today or is it just up to me?"

"It's up to you my dear. Our pokedex is pretty much still so bare that I'm sure if you venture around you can already see a new pokemon we haven't known yet. Now I have to ask.. how is your drawing skill?"

"My drawing skill?" she asked back, not sure with what the Professor meant.

"Yes, is it any good or.. at least recognizable?" Professor Laventon asked awkwardly. He didn't want to accidentally insult a 7 year old's drawing, but this is a serious research work where they need at least a decent enough drawing of a picture to recognize the real one. They have their own drawing artists at the corps to perfected every and each of their field members' pokemon drawings for the future pokedex, but it still very important for the field members to at least knew how to draw a little. It doesn't hurt anybody and it will help tremendously in their line of work.

"I.." Sylvern didn't know how to answer Professor Laventon's question. She definitely can't draw a real life-like drawings, and she doesn't really know if her drawings are decent enough for the Professor or not.

Rei was quick to offer a solution, "How about you try drawing your Rowlet for now? Then we can decide if you need another member as your artist companion or not."

So she did. With a brush and look of concentration, Sylvern tried to draw Rowlet which was simple enough with his round body. Both Rei and Professor Laventon saw that Sylvern at least can draw the general shape of a pokemon quite right, but her detailing really do need some work.

"That's a good drawing!" Professor Laventon said with a big smile, but even Sylvern raised a bemused eyebrow at his exclamation.

"Professor.. It's not." Sylvern said. It wasn't, really.

"Well, it would need some work, but you are very attentive to details and that's good!" Professor Laventon praised.

Sylvern was not sure but she didn't dare to push it unless she wants to lose her job on her first day. Even a Depot Agent didn't get fire that fast.

Wait.

But before Sylvern can think more about it, Rei and Professor Laventon hustled her out of the village before all three of them travel back to Aspiration Hill.

Sylvern was excited, because Professor Laventon gave her the free reign today for her work,

"Explore around the terrain and familiar yourself with it while looking out for new pokemon. You can look for the same ones you caught yesterday or try catch new pokemon, it's up to you. I expect to see at least 2 or 3 new drawings, either from yesterday's pokemon or new ones. Good luck and have fun!" was Professor Laventon's instruction.

Ever since the first time she saw it, Sylvern can't wait to explore Obsidian Fieldlands and when she was given the chance she wasn't going to waste it.

Sylvern quickly took off after Professor Laventon gave her the green light to explore. Luxray went out of his pokeball and stay close behind the running child while unbeknownst by Sylvern, Professor Laventon asked Rei to keep an eye on her silently just to make sure that she's alright and to let Professor's conscience has at least a peace of mind from letting a 7 year old wander off in the wild.

Rei did not envy Professor Laventon's conscience.


Sylvern had managed to find a bluish purple stone near the river bank of Aspiration Hill before she went up again and ran downhill to Horseshoe Plains.

In her excited spree, Sylvern ran around without so much of tiring down anytime soon. Luxray certainly has signed up for a full time job keeping an eye on this child.

Luxray snapped out of his thoughts and let out a warning cry before a second later Sylvern tripped over a rock and stumbled down the hill.

Sylvern took a hard fall down which made the stone she just found earlier flew out from her grasp.

It hit an unsuspecting eevee who was surprised to see a tumbling down human before he got hit by a rock.

Sylvern lift up her head and can only watch helplessly when eevee evolved to a blue version of bigger eevee complete with fins.

Eeevee who now had evolved can only blinked and watched the human quickly kneeled down and apologized over and over again.

"Sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean- I can't- don't-, I don't know that pokemon can evolve from a stone! I'm really sorry!" she rambled on guiltily, apologizing profusely while Luxray can only sighed in exasperation and apologized for the human cub as well,

"She really feels sorry. She didn't mean to evolve you so quickly and without asking for your preferred form. I don't think she knew that your kind has so many evolution forms either from the way she doesn't even know that certain stones can evolve pokemon. Are you.. alright though?" Luxray asked the now Vaporeon who just look at his new form and shrugged. He was a carefree chilled eevee after all and didn't really set on on evolving to a certain form. Sure he didn't really plan on evolving around this days, but he really didn't mind his new form either.

Instead, he felt he has to calm the girl down because from the quick look on her silver grey eyes it were on the verge of tears.

So Vaporeon strode closer to the child and put his paw on her lap before giving a soft purring noise that meant he has forgiven her and didn't really mind.

Sylvern still felt so guilty. It was her fault that the pokemon suddenly evolved.

Vaporeon didn't want the girl to feel guilty though, so with a small smile he gave a soft mewed while sat in front of her. Surprisingly, the child was quick to catch on on what he hinted on.

"You.. want to come with me like Luxray?.." when Vaporeon nodded she asked incredulously, "Why? I made you changed form involuntary and you still want to come with?"

You look like a good companion that's all, was what Vaporeon thought. And if it can make the girl at least smile again, it was worth it.

And indeed, even when she still feels a little guilty Sylvern can't help but let out a sincere small smile on having a new friend. She threw an empty pokeball gently to Vaporeon whom touched it and quickly sucked inside.

Sylvern's arc phone told her that she had caught a Vaporeon, one of eevee's evolution forms. The new information clear the tears from her silver grey eyes before she rambled excitedly about eevees.

"-Wow! 8 forms? That is so cool! And you look cool!" was what Vaporeon caught on and he stood up with swelled pride of his new form.

"-I think I need to draw an eevee and you for my today's report Vapo'. It will be exciting! And thank you for coming with me, I hope we can be fast friends in the future," Sylvern gave a big excited grin to Vaporeon who smiled his own version of smile.

Luxray can't help but smiled fondly at the two young ones interact.


Sylvern returned to the Professor in the late afternoon with some new drawings and caught pokemons. Only Vaporeon who wanted to stay with Sylvern and that's fine for the child, as long as she's not completely alone.

Professor Laventon was really happy with her first work and gave her some money that she was sure has bigger quantity than what she has ever kept before. He also said that with 5 new pokemon and more, Sylvern was more than ready to get her first star for her rank. She has to show her pokedex to Captain Cyllene first before she approves but the thought of getting her first rank was enough to make Sylvern smiled a big grin.

The trip back to the village was filled with Sylvern's chatter with Rei whom nodded and responds at the right place. He already knew everything she told him though, he was there after all but seeing the innocent happy smile on her face was enough for Rei to be happy as well. A little ways behind them, Professor Laventon walked with a satisfied and fond smile. He had noticed that Rei was quite unsure about Sylvern when they first met but after some interactions, the both of them look like siblings who share stories about their day.

Arriving at the headquarters, Sylvern showed Captain Cyllene her pokedex and smiled happily when the Captain nodded and gave her her first star in her rank. Captain Cyllene may not show it, but she was quite pleased with Sylvern's achievement and Abra seemed to like the girl as well. Her happy innocent demeanor was quite contagious.

After receiving her first star, Rei congratulates her by giving her some lessons on fighting in pokemon battle with strong and agile styles.

"What's the difference?" Sylvern was confused. They look the same to her and none of those styles ring any familiarity with her. After Rei's lengthy explanation, her 7 year old's mind still can't comprehend what he meant.

"Hm… how about this, both styles can be used if your pokemon master the moves. Now, agile style means that your pokemon was more light on their feet- what's the word.. oh! Faster. Yeah, your pokemon becomes more faster with their moves, while strong style means that your pokemon's moves becomes well- more stronger. It seems your Luxray knew some of those moves, why don't you show it to her?" Rei asked Luxray to demonstrate which he complied to so his young one won't be so clueless about it.

After some thunder demonstration in both styles, Sylvern got the gist of it and Professor had called it a night so they could have some dinner and rest.


The next day Rei got some request from Mai who was a Diamond clan member and warden. Professor Laventon and Captain Cyllene suggested that Sylvern goes with him since she's already got her first star and should know some of the other two clans' members and wardens.

Rei agreed and brought the girl to Worn Bridge where Mai was waiting and immediately cooed on Sylvern's sight. She was quite motherly after all and Sylvern is a young child. Rei took it as a win since Sylvern's young charm works perfectly with Mai.

"Wait, she's a Survey Corps Member? A fully registered member? Not as make believe or a trainee?" Mai finally asked in slight disbelief. Sure some kids already work for their part in the clan, but most of them were at least 10 years old. Sabi, their youngest working member was at least 9 and on her way to 10, while Lian from Pearl clan she knew was at least 10 or 11.

And this child is 7? With a Luxray for companion nonetheless?

"Yeah, she's a new member, but she's really good in what she's doing for the team." Rei said with a proud smile.

Seeing is believing of course, so Mai believes him, and Sylvern has her Luxray out of the ball so that gained a new bonus points in Mai's eyes who doesn't really like the concept of pokeballs in the first place.

"How about a battle? Between you and me?" Mai finally said to Sylvern.

"A battle?.." The young child seemed unsure, but agreed when Rowlet came out of his ball and gave his own cry of agreement. It will be a good practice and Mai wants to see if Sylvern was really as good as what Rei said.

Munchlax seemed curious and was excited for the battle. Well.. as excited as Munchlax can be. Sylvern earned another bonus points in Mai's eyes when she was curious and interested in seeing the new pokemon and seemed to grasp on every detail on Munchlax.

Sylvern won the battle and had officially gained a new respect from Mai and Munchlax respectively.

"So.. what's the request that you asked the Survey Corps to solve? It can't be about battling Sylvern since you just know about her today." Rei asked.

Mai nodded and led them to Deertrack Heights, right there was a big size pokemon with red eyes which was a Kricketune and it was milling around.

"It's so big." Sylvern commented with clear curiosity in her tone and silver grey eyes. Mai has a distinct feeling that the child didn't even know anything about alpha pokemon yet. Thankfully, Rei was ready to explain it to her.

"It's an alpha pokemon, Sylvern. Their size were usually three times bigger than their normal size and they are very aggressive. If you saw them, approach with caution. I mean it Sylvern."

Sylvern gulped and nodded nervously, but the curious glint in her eyes wasn't gone.

"This is the request. We want you to drove it away so it won't hurt people who wants to pass by here. Can you do it?" Mai asked.

Rei gulped nervously, but Sylvern was quick to volunteer since she wants to see it up close. Rei was about to object but Mai encouraged her, "Sure, give it a try Sylvern. Be very careful."

Sylvern nodded and ventured closer to the pokemon before Rei can stop her.

"Why did you allow her?! She's young, she's 7! You're going to get her killed!" Rei whispered harshly to Mai whom frowned,

"Have some faith in her Rei. If she's as good as what I saw and what you proclaim then she's going to be fine. Even the Professor said she has some gifts with pokemon handling, right?"

"Yeah, but still.."

Mai softened at the clear concern on Rei's face, "It's good that you care so much about her, but you have to trust her Rei. She can do it. Look."

Rei looked just in time when alpha Kricketune noticed Sylvern and Luxray before giving a furious cry and attacked first.

Sylvern had dodged like what Rei had taught her and Luxray was quick to retaliate and gave his own thunder attack. It was a quick fight and in the end, Sylvern managed to caught the alpha Kricketune.

Rei's jaw was agape while Mai look happily smug.

"Rei! Rei! I got it! Do you think Professor Laventon will give me more allowance if their size was bigger than the normal ones?" was what Sylvern asked.

Rei can't help but laughed and ruffled her hair proudly. Yeah, she's going to be fine.


The next day, Sylvern was summoned up to the 3rd floor by Commander Kamado, or what Rei called, "The Big Boss" of Jubilife Village and Galaxy team as well.

It turns out Professor Laventon really does gave her 'bigger' allowance for alpha pokemon, but he warned her to always be careful and doesn't actively seek out alpha pokemon-

Sylvern yawned tiredly which stop last night memory in her mind. She had got up early again after certain adult pokemon rouse them all up to stretch. Even Rowlet and Vaporeon got roped in with her to do some stretching. It was actually quite funny to see Luxray demonstrate some stretching moves to Rowlet and Vaporeon who both tried to mimic it as best as they could.

"You never stop to amaze me, don't you?" was Rei's comment when he saw them.

Sylvern shrugged, "Don't blame me, it was all Luxray." Luxray gave a roar of agreement and he was certainly look smug on his accomplishment with the younglings.

Rei snorted in amusement, "Sure. Ready to meet the Big Boss?"

"Depends, can I have some coffee? I don't do well in the morning."

"Even I was restricted from coffee and I'm 8 years older than you."

"Well at least I try."

Rei snorted again and Sylvern laughed in her pure genuine way.

"Seriously though, you better get going. It's one thing to be late for the Captain, but it's a whole nother level to be late for the Commander. It's 3rd floor Sylvern and your legs are short."

"You're going to regret every short joke you ever told me when I'm taller than you." Sylvern pouted but walked away to the headquarters.

"Keep dreaming Sylvern. Keep on dreaming."


Commander Kamado's office turns out was the whole 3rd floor of Galaxy Hall. Not to mention there were 4 other people inside the office with him.

Sylvern nervously walked in because she didn't see any door to knock into, but the Commander only nodded and introduced her to the 4 other people, "This is Sylvern. Our newest member of Galaxy Survey Corps. She's a girl who fell from the space-rift in the sky about 4 or 5 days ago. I guess Mai from Diamond clan already know her, am I right?"

Mai nodded and smiled at Sylvern, "We met yesterday, Commander. Hello again Sylvern."

Sylvern smiled and waved, "Hi Mai!"

"A child? You're going to send a 5 year old to quell the Lord of the Wood's frenzy?" The light brown haired woman asked incredulously.

"I'm 7." Sylvern instantly corrected. The blue haired man snorted in amusement when he heard it and saw the light brown haired woman stiffened in disbelief.

"Still a child." The woman said firmly.

"Ah come on Irida, we all know you had been trained as the clan's leader since you could walk. Have some faith on the girl, will you?" The blue haired man said.

"It's not as dangerous as this and you know that Adaman." The light brown haired woman, called Irida, said with gritted teeth.

Commander Kamado cleared his throat to silence everyone before he introduced them all, "I'm Commander Kamado. This is the Diamond clan leader, Adaman." He gestured to the blue haired man whom smiled at her, "And this is the Pearl clan leader, Irida."

"Hello." Irida said shortly. Sylvern ignored her in favour on looking at the only unknown person in the room.

"You know Mai already." Adaman said which Sylvern absentmindedly nodded to.

"Well, this is one of our warden. Since Lian can't come here, Ingo is taking his place for today's meeting. Sylvern, this is Warden Ingo." Irida introduced.

Sylvern was staring at the new man. He looks and felt familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on who or where she had met him.

The man can only stared in disbelief and pure concern horror washed over his pale face. Silver grey eyes meet the similar silver grey ones. One remembers who the other was while the other was not.


Ingo was accompanying Irida, the clan leader, to the meeting that Commander Kamado conducts today to proceed on how to quell Kleavor's frenzy because it had taken a sudden turn to worse when Kleavor had hurt some people from the Diamond clan.

Young Lian was supposed to be the one who accompany Irida since he was Kleavor's warden. But since Kleavor was in some sort of frenzy, Lian can't leave him unattended or other people would get hurt. So Ingo it is.

They had arrived to Jubilife Village in early morning and they went straight to the Commander's office where Adaman and Warden Mai was already waiting.

Ingo, Mai, and the Commander were listening to the two leader's bickering when a small child appeared from the steps.

Ingo's breath stopped short when he saw her. The one thing he could remember clearly from his past when the memories started flooding in a few days ago. He was hoping it was just a coincidence that they were eerily similar. There's no way that she was here in this place, working a dangerous job even for adults.

But then the Commander had said her name was 'Sylvern', and she fell from the space-rift in the sky. The same one where Ingo fell from and only had started to remember a few days ago along with his niece memories.

His only niece was here, without her mother- his younger sister around and working a dangerous job for the Survey Corps.

When she looked at him with confusion and not recognition, he knew she has some amnesiac problem just like him. To make it worse, it seems that she does not remember him.

When Irida introduced him, his niece's silver grey eyes locked on to his own similar ones with a look of pure confusion and concentration, like she was trying to recall on a memory or recognition that wasn't there anymore.

Ingo's front might look normal like his usual frown face, but inside he felt like crying in either relief or horror and wanted to swept up his niece in his arms and never let her go again.

But Ingo has to hold it all in as to not scare his young niece and let out a small smile of pure relief and fond amusement when she said,

"You're old."


"You're old." was all what Sylvern can say. Her head hurts from trying to remember something that wasn't there so she stopped and say the first thing she thought about him.

She was sure she saw a hint of amused smile from the man's face before Rei pushed her head down in admonishment.

"That is not the first thing you said when introduced to someone and that's not nice Sylvern." Rei, who had been sent by the Captain had heard the child's last comment before pushing her head down in a bow, "She's sorry Warden Ingo. She didn't mean it."

"But it's true!" Sylvern whined from under Rei's hold whom deepened her head more, "Okay, Okay! I'm sorry Warden Ingo. You're not old after all."

Rei sighed in exasperation before letting her get her head up straight again. Sylvern rubbed the back of her head before looking back once again to the man's silver grey eyes.

Huh..

"Since you're 'quite' old, can I just call you 'Uncle Ingo'? It seems fitting." Sylvern said, unable to stop the comment who knows came from where.

Rei was close to pushed her head back down again when they heard a small fond chuckle from the said man which made all heads turned to him. Warden Ingo had never smiled, let alone laughed. But Sylvern didn't know that.

"You may call me 'Uncle Ingo' if you wish so Young Sylvern." Ingo said with a fond smile. She may haven't remember him yet, but this.. this is one step closer.

Because the first words his niece had said in his profound lost memories was 'Unca In-go'.

A.N : Hopefully the reunion was up to everyone's expectation :) See you in the next chapter!