The professor stood in front of the screen in front of them, which flicked to life moments later. A map of the country appeared, which certain areas highlighted in different colors.
"Here is what we hope to accomplish with this project." Professor Willow began, motioning to the monitor behind him. "It's been many, many years since we last did any kind of checking upon the populations of Pokémon in the nation, and the reports of smuggling and poaching aren't doing anything to help calm our nerves. We just need a basic outline of what's living where. Nothing too complicated, or requiring too much study. Just report what you can find based off of the old data we will be giving you, and note if there are any changes from the last project. Any questions before I move on?"
"What's with the colored circles on the map?" Elise piped up first.
With that Willow turned around and touched one of the circles close to him, directly over a lake on the map. Various bits of information began to pop up on the map, mostly about the Dratini species; population, habitat, even news stories related to that specific population appeared.
"This is the main focus of the project. The populations corresponding to these circles are the ones most likely to be changed from the last study. Whether it be due to smugglers, natural disaster, or other circumstances we believe these populations are the ones most in danger." He explained, clicking again to close all of the popups on the screen. He asked once more for questions, taking the following silence as cue to continue.
Daniel pocketed the pokedex upon leaving, he'd have to get used to having on him at all times now. All of his work would rely on this machine. They agreed during the meeting that it would be best only to stick together until they reach the first crossroads, then split into pairs and head separate directions. Of course the two who knew each other, Sara and Nathan, volunteered to work together first. That left him with Elise, the two strangers. At she gave him the impression that she was serious about the work, while he had doubts about the others.
Nathan and Sara were walking behind him, both fiddling around with their pokedexes.
"Have you figured out how to change the name?" Sara asked Nathan, a little agitated.
"Yeah, hand me yours" Nathan responded.
"I don't know why the hell they couldn't just put 'Sara'." She complained while he fiddled around with the device. "No need to put my whole damn name if no one uses it."
"I never did catch your full first name, I assume Sara is a nickname." Daniel cut in, seizing the moment to try and learn something about his traveling companions.
"Yeah, it's short and doesn't stand out too much up here. My name is actually Saraviella."
"I can see why you'd shorten it." Elise added, joining in.
"It's a pain in the ass to repeat every time, and then have to spell it." She continued to grumble, taking the pokedex Nathan passed back to her. "I understand I'm interesting and all that, but what about you guys. I barely know anything about you guys."
"What do you want to know?" Elise asked.
"Where you're from, I guess. Since I guess you can officially call us trainers now, what pokemon you're carring also."
"I'm from Amethyst." Daniel spoke up. "The only pokemon I have is a magnemite from there."
"The city with all the steel factories? Kind of fitting." Nathan commented.
"I guess that would make us opposites then." Sara said while putting away her pokedex. "I've got a Trapinch from home. Ground don't work against yours, and electric doesn't work against mine. What about you?" She said motioning to Elise. "Brought a pokemon from your home also?"
"Well…" She responsed, thinking a bit. "Unless you consider Gastly a good representative of Malachite Town."
A cold wind blew through the trees at that time, adding to the awkward silence that befell the group until Daniel finally spoke up.
"Well… Isn't Malachite Town said to be really tiny and really, really haunted?"
Heck, as far as he could remember, all of the dumb ghost hunting specials he saw on TV as a kid took place in Malachite. He could also recall some fact that there was something like two tombstones for every living citizen there.
"I don't think it's that much more paranormal than any other city." Elise said, trying hard to defend herself against seeming strange. "I mean, once you get past the graveyards and occasional noises, it's just like any other small town!"
The other two both turned towards Daniel, putting a hand on each of his shoulders.
"I would get a head start on the anti-spirit measures"
"Try not to get possessed"
"Oh come on!" Elise yelled behind them, noticeably flustered. "It's not like I'm a mobile haunting spot!"
Nathan and Sara both shot a grin at each other before losing it, having to slow down due to their laughing.
Daniel slowed down to match pace with them, but was pulled along by Elise with a sharp "just leave them there."
By the time the two caught up with them, the sun was just about to set, and the outline of Spinel City was just visible on the horizon.
