Professor Cerise smiled. The lab was full of life right now. Chrysa and Ren had been working on their independent research. With school out Chloe had been continuing her research on legendary Pokémon. The new group of researchers had just returned from Alola and were excitedly reminiscing. And Ash and Goh were… wait where are Ash and Goh.
"Chloe, have you seen Ash or Goh?" Professor Cerise asked, sticking his head into the lounge.
"Nope, and I'm glad for that fact." Chloe said pointedly. "Those two are bad together."
"So what are you working on?" Professor Cerise asked.
"The missing Regi's. We still have no idea where the last two are, and with Regirock in Kalos with Serena, nows a good a time as any to locate them." Chloe said. "That and this. It looks like Zapdos, but it's never been shown flying."
"Go through the process. What can you tell?" Professor Cerise said encouragingly.
"It's fast, and the wing pattern is similar to that of Zapdos." Chloe said showing the photo. "But look at those legs, and those wings definitely aren't made for flying."
"Looks like something to look into, I'll consider it when you submit the idea." Professor Cerise said. "I should still looks for the boys, just in case."
"Have fun." Chloe said waving him off.
A series of bonks from the third room drew the professor's attention first.
"Goh, there you are." Professor Cerise said, quickly catching the ball Goh was tossing. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, just practicing." Goh said.
"Practicing what exactly?" Professor Cerise asked.
"Take a look. A strange bird has been seen flying over southern Galar, except whenever someone tries to hit it, suddenly there are three." Goh said showing various photos of it.
"So your plan is to throw one Pokeball at a time?" Professor Cerise asked curiously.
"No, my plan is to throw five at once, go into the other doorway and watch." Goh said, grabbing the ball back.
Goh proceeded to quickly toss five Pokeball sized balls around the room, each hitting various targets before striking his door in the same spot.
"Impressive, so you've been working on the angle you throw them at." Professor Cerise remarked.
"Exactly." Goh said. "If I can ricochet them around to hit that spot, maybe I can hit the real bird."
"Interesting, have you seen Ash, I'm just checking in on everyone." Professor Cerise said.
"Not since earlier." Goh admitted.
"Thanks anyways." Professor Cerise said.
"Watch out dad!" Parker shouted as he and the others ran past him towards the lounge.
"Parker, I've told you this is the living quarters for our on site staff." Professor Cerise scolded.
"Chloe gets to go up here, why can't we?" Parker pointed out. "Besides the doors opened for us."
"I understand your points. Your sister is in there doing research though, so if you must be up here, please don't disturb her." Professor Cerise groaned.
"They have the entire lab, and designated stations, yet she chooses the lounge to do work." Parker pointed out. "She deserves what happens as a result."
"Parker." Professor Cerise half threatened.
"Fine, we'll be quiet." Parker bemoaned.
"Good." Professor Cerise said. Whoever said raising kids would be easy, clearly never did it at work.
"Professor, there you are!" Ren exclaimed. "Take a look at this."
Ren dragged him off to his side station where he had been working on a special project for a few months.
"Say Hello to Beebo!" Ren said pulling a sheet away revealing a robot underneath. "He can send messages, connect to devices, and even has gps."
"Ren, while I'm impressed with the work, our phones already do that." Professor Cerise pointed out.
"But can our phones do this?!" Ren said turning on his robot. Beebo began floating around processing his surrounding, before turning to face Professor Cerise.
'Hello sir and or madam. How may I help you today?" Beebo said.
"Surprise me." Professor Cerise said intrigued.
"One surprise, coming up!" Beebo said as he began humming.
"Why does he sound like you?" Professor Cerise asked.
"He had to get the sound files from somewhere, so why not me?" Ren joked. "Oh your surprise is almost ready."
"How do you know the surprise is… waffles!" Professor Cerise said in shock. "It makes waffles!?"
"Yes, but more than that, Beebo scanning mode." Ren said.
'Scanning mode activated. Pokémon nearby, Magnemite and Impidimp.'
On Beebo's screen, pictures of an Impidimp and Magnemite popped up.
"Give me battle strategies for Magnemite." Ren said.
'Magnemite, Electric and Steel type, recommended types include. Ground, Fire, and Fighting.'
"So how is this helpful?" Professor Cerise asked.
"Beebo can help the new kids or even tours of the park, introducing people further into knowing everything about Pokémon!" Ren said excitedly.
"We will have to do some further testing, but I believe this will be incredibly reliable." Professor Cerise said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I still have other stops to make."
"Professor there you are. I was going over the numbers, and I don't know how we'll manage all of you on one flight." Chrysa said. "A Corvinight can only holds up to eight people, add in your luggage, and it will take six cabs at least. And that's with splitting up some families to do so."
"We'll need seven at least actually. Professor Cerise corrected. "You and Ren will be joining us, I have some people stopping by to watch the Pokémon while we're away. We all deserve this."
"Okay but what about room and board, this is an expensive outing you've planned." Chrysa said frantically.
"I've already cleared it, I'll ask for two extra Corvinight Cabs just to be safe." Professor Cerise reassured. "Now where is Ash?!"
'Resident Ash left the lab several hours ago.' The AI said.
Somewhere in the outskirts of Vermillion
"Man, I would've thought this place would be crawling with trainers today." Ash groaned. "What's a guy gotta do to run into someone?"
"Pika." Pikachu said falling next to Ash.
Holding up his phone, blocking his eyes from the sun, Ash looked at his number. 227, he was getting close to his dream, he just knew it.