~ Chapter 16 ~
Return to Jubilife; Team Galactic Attacks
"As I said before, never get involved with so called 'evil teams', or they will drag into all of their business until the end of time. We never did end up keeping that promise to Professor Rowan, at least not after they attacked him personally. If we hadn't broken our promises to him and our families, I'm not sure how different the world might be today—but I can say, there is a strong possibility there wouldn't be a world today. Perhaps a little bit of meddling isn't so bad after all then…"
Sam paused outside of the entrance to Jubilife City and smiled.
He had loved the big city, ever since he had first arrived. It showed promise of a brand-new adventure, and unlike Twinleaf Town, every day was different, and something new always happened to him. Sam loved Twinleaf Town, sure, and the simple routine of life was enough to keep him contented, but there was nothing like the allure of a large city to keep Sam wanting to travel more.
"Tonight, we're staying in the Sinnoh National Hotel," explained Sam as they started to walk through the bustling streets, "I told you we'd be staying somewhere nice once and a while, and now we're celebrating."
"Celebrating what?" asked Alyssandra.
"My badge!" explained Sam with excitement, "The dinner that night, that wasn't the celebration, this is the celebration."
"Well so long as it's expensive and on you, I'm okay with it," said Niya with a smile, "I do need to relax anyway."
"I think we all do," joked Jeremy, "Team Galactic, ancient Pokémon, and all this travelling; I think we've earned it!"
"I agree," said Sam, "That's why I arranged this. We can spend a few days here just relaxing and enjoying life."
"How dare you, leave me alone!" cried a deeper, and familiar voice as the group rounded the corner.
Sam looked around and noticed that in the alley across the street stood Professor Rowan, and nearby were two Team Galactic grunts, trying to get his briefcase from him.
"Guys, look! It's Professor Rowan!" exclaimed Sam as he pointed to the professor, "He's in trouble, let's go help him!"
The group dashed across the street, pushing through people and crowds to try and get there on time. When they finally reached the alley, they dashed between Team Galactic and Professor Rowan.
"Leave him alone," said Sam, his hand on his Poké Balls, "Or we'll deal with you like we dealt with your accomplices at the Pokétch Company."
"You're the children who brought down our Jubilife operations?" asked one of the grunts.
"That's right," said Alyssandra, "And we'll screw this operation up too if you don't leave right now—and don't even think about fighting, we've beaten your kind before, and believe us, you're not that hard."
The two grunts looked at each other, then back at the group of teenagers who were defending Professor Rowan.
"Pull back," said one of the grunts, "It's not worth it—we'll take care of them later. But hear our words, children, don't mess in our affairs again!"
The grunts ran off down the alley, and the group turned their attention to Professor Rowan.
"We're sorry about not being able keep the promise we made you," said Alyssandra apologetically, "But we needed to stop them—"
"It's all right, Alyssandra," said Professor Rowan gently, "This was one of those times you're allowed to get involved with these punks. You did the right thing."
"What were they trying to steal from you though?" asked Sam, "From what we could tell it had something to do with your briefcase."
"Here is not the place to talk," said Professor Rowan, "Let's go get a bite to eat and we can talk there."
The group followed Professor Rowan around the corner and down the street to a small coffee and pastry shop.
As they all sat down at a patio table, covered by an umbrella to keep away the midday sun, Professor Rowan ordered everyone a round of tea and some of the finest pastries.
Upon digging in to the food, Professor Rowan finally began to speak, finishing the first bites of a small lemon tart.
"I used to come here all the time when I was a boy," said Professor Rowan nostalgically, "I remember when my parents first brought me here during a summer vacation. I fell in love with their lemon tarts—I am very partial to them you know."
The Professor chuckled happily and continued. "I remember when I brought Aurelio here too. He immediately fell in love with the cheesecake. He did love his cheesecake."
Sam couldn't help but smile. He too loved cheesecake, something he had no doubt gotten from his grandfather. In fact, if Sam could eat one thing for the rest of his life it would probably be cheesecake…or maybe meat—he did love his meat.
"Anyway," said the Professor as he returned to the present, "You wish to know what it was Team Galactic was trying to steal from me yes?"
Everyone nodded, and Professor Rowan continued. "They heard about my research I've been doing on your ancient Pokémon that you caught in the Oreburgh Gate. I have no idea how, though. I haven't told a soul."
"Why? What did you find?" asked Niya, "You hadn't figured it out yet when we spoke to you last."
"Well, I ran some tests on the Pokémon, and studied their behaviour, and it's just as you said," explained the professor, "These Pokémon were born and raised in the wild, and Jeremy's Bastiodon is at least a quarter century old. That means they descend from wild Pokémon of their species, because fossil revival was only made available in the past five years."
"So, you're saying that there are more of our Pokémon where they came from?" asked Jeremy.
Professor Rowan nodded. "They seem to be living in Mount Coronet, because the types of things your Pokémon liked to eat varied from plants found high in the mountains to varieties found in the foothills—so it's clear that they migrate around as needed. My estimate is that there are hundreds of them out there still alive."
"So, what does Team Galactic want with the research of yours?" asked Alyssandra.
"I believe they want these Pokémon for themselves," Rowan explained, "I've limited their possible locations to one of a few locations on the southern parts of Mount Coronet, and I've written all of my findings down on paper, which I keep here in my briefcase. I think they must've caught wind of my research—perhaps they were spying on me hoping to steal something else from me—and now they want it. Although, thanks to you guys, I'm sure they'll leave me alone…for now. They must have been keeping an eye on me already though, if they found out about my findings so fast. Meaning they probably want me for something else."
"I hope so," said Sam, "But just in case, you should leave Jubilife and go back to Sandgem for a little bit. Stay out of the bigger cities where Team Galactic would be."
"He can't go back there, Sam," said Alyssandra, "They'll want all of his research at his laboratory."
"Then he should move the laboratory," said Jeremy.
"But where is he going to move it to?" asked Niya, "It's not like the lab has legs—it doesn't move on its own."
"He can move in to my grandmother's house," said Sam, "I know what you're going to say—I'm being too generous, but you're a family friend and my grandfather's friend, and you're in danger."
"Sam, I—" started Professor Rowan, but Sam persisted.
"Move your important research and any equipment you need and can't let fall into Team Galactic's hands and bring it to my old home. Use the basement, and if you want you can use my bedroom. My grandmother should be fine with it, I'll call her later on—and bring Pascal with you, he needs to remain safe as well."
"Sam…I don't know what to say," said Professor Rowan softly, "You are so much like your grandfather, the way you're being so kind to an old man like me. It's like I'm sitting here talking to him again."
Professor Rowan smiled. "Very well. I'll do as you say, just make sure you've called your grandmother before you tell me to start the move. I'm going to need a few days to transport my research and important equipment—there's just one thing I require from you."
"What is that?" asked Sam and he made way for the waitress who brought them all a tray of complementary coffee.
"It's settled then," said Sam decisively. The matter was all but closed to him.
"Thank you, Sam," said Professor Rowan gratefully, "I owe you for this; all of it. You're protecting me, even if it could cause you trouble."
Sam simply smiled. "I've heard stories about my grandfather's travels and trouble isn't new to my family."
Professor Rowan laughed as well. "Yes, that's very true," he said returning to his normal self, "I'd best be off then—I'll call a Fearow as soon as possible, and then I can begin the move the second I return. Thank you again, Sam."
Sam nodded a "You're Welcome," and then shook Professor Rowan's hand before the old researcher disappeared off down the street.
"That was a nice thing you did," said Alyssandra with a smile as she sipped her tea, "You really helped out Professor Rowan."
"It's the least I could," said Sam, "After everything he's done for all of us. It was only time for us to start giving back. Now come on, it's time to start our relaxation time—the hotel's just down the street."
