Chapter Eleven
"Hey! Look! I can see Ft. Jonova!" Ellis yelled, from the crest of the hill.
Two hours, and several bad jokes later, they were on the outskirts of Ft. Jonova. Mason stopped on the top of the hill and cleaned his glasses.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Mason agreed.
Amanda nodded her head furiously; "I can't believe we are at the first major city, and gym battle already! It seems like we just left yesterday!"
Colby laughed, it had been a bit longer than yesterday…but it seemed the same way to her to.
"The Professor's lab is just over there, see the green topped building?" Mason pointed to the middle of the city somewhere.
Colby's gaze followed his finger, and sure enough she could see the green top of a building poking out.
"I see it," Colby said.
"Yeah, me to," Amanda said.
"Don't forget me three!" Ellis laughed.
A few yards ahead, they could see the Welcome to Ft. Jonova sign…but something was…wrong with it. The blue sign looked like it had been spray-painted over with something…
"Hey…guys, what's wrong with the sign?" Colby asked, gesturing toward the sign. Ellis squinted at it, and they reached the sign. The white lettering of Ft. Jonova was crossed out in black spray paint and Ft. Jo-MAMMA was written in sloppy handwriting.
"What the…?" Ellis asked.
Colby and Amanda bust out laughing, "Well, someone doesn't like this town," Amanda laughed.
"O-oh dear," Mason squeaked, with a smile on his face, "no need to be alarmed children. It's just the local pranksters…"
"Local pranksters?" Ellis reiterated.
"Yes, this group of pranksters that have done various things around the region… No one knows who they are or what they want…but everyone knows them," Mason explained.
Colby gave the sign another look, and shrugged.
"Well, we probably should get going again…it's almost sundown," Ellis pointed out. Mason nodded and they continued on their path, entering Ft. Jo-MAMMA. Colby glanced all around her and saw the huge, silvery buildings that seemed to reach the sky.
It was like Portsburg, only bigger. They set foot on the blacktop roads and passed many people with Pokémon, walking about. The streetlights were just getting ready to come on as dusk began to fall over Ft. Jonova. Buildings enveloped them on both sides, some brick, and some shiny.
To the left, Colby spotted the familiar orange-topped Pokémon Center building. To the left of that, was a Poke Mart, which she needed to stop at before they continued to the next city.
"The Professor's building is right at the end of the road here. Leader Josh's Gym is straight up the main road and to the left, on the corner," Mason said, taking a left on a side street.
"Cool!" Ellis smiled, happy to get the information.
At the end of the short side road, Colby could see a small building with a green-topped dome. The dome had a Poke Ball symbol engraved in white on the top of it. As they neared, the streetlights began to flicker on, and the yellow ball of a sun settled low on the horizon.
The building wasn't as big as it appeared on top of the hill. In fact, it seemed smaller from up close. It was a fairly simple, three story, oval shaped, brick building. There were some concrete stairs with a wooden rail leading up to the oak door. The four climbed the stairs with ease and Mason knocked on the Charizard head knocker. Knock, knock, knock, seemed to echo all throughout the building. They waited for a few seconds until the sound of footsteps answered. Slowly, the door cracked open, spilling light everywhere and a man in his late forties peeked his head out. "P-Professor, I have brought the suitable three," Mason stuttered.
"Oh! It's you Mason!" The man replied.
Upon realizing who was on the other side of the door, the Professor swung it open and ushered them inside. He shut the door and in the light Colby got a full view of him.
He was wearing a white lab coat, like Mason's, and his hair was a tousled, light brown. A bit of stubble was on his chin, but not quite a goatee. His brown eyes were smiling at them brightly as he clapped his hands together.
"Mason! It's great that your back my old friend," the Professor said, shaking Mason's hand firmly.
"Thank you sir. It is good to be back," Mason said with a smile.
The Professor directed his attention, now to them.
"Ah! You are the three that Mason has selected! I'm sure you are sort of confused as to what is going on right now. Let me explain. My name is Professor Daunte Giaden, and I am Aurora's Pokémon Professor. You can just call me Professor Daunte," he said.
"I'm Ellis, this is Amanda, and that's Colby," Ellis introduced.
Just as Professor Daunte was getting ready to say something, the front door came swinging open, and slammed shut again.
"Uncle! Uncl-"
The familiar, fiery red head stopped dead in his tracks as he saw everyone starring at him. Colby about fell over when she saw Riley.
What was he doing here?
It was a rather awkward moment as everyone starred at each other for a few seconds. Professor Daunte seemed to light up as he saw Riley on his doormat. Colby, Amanda, and Ellis exchanged looks of surprise and irritation.
"Riley! So nice of you to drop by, perfect timing. I'd like you to meet these three trainers that Mason found. This is Colby, Ellis, and Amanda-"
"Yeah, we've met," Riley said sternly, with a glare toward Ellis.
Ellis returned the glare, and added a rude hand gesture when Professor Daunte wasn't looking.
"Oh…you have? Well that's great! These are the three that will be helping us on our project-"
"Sure, I'll take the two cupcakes. But the green headed prick can go to-"
Ellis looked like he wanted to kick him extremely hard, and was gritting his teeth in anger.
"Riley! Try and be nicer to them! After all, you three will be traveling together so you can carry out the work needed for the project-"
"Whoa…whoa, whoa. What? No, there is no way I am traveling with him," Riley interrupted, pointing at Ellis.
"Professor Daunte…do we have to travel together to carry out the work?" Amanda pleaded.
Riley gave her a small smile, and something that looked like a wink. Colby really wanted to punch this guy…maybe an arm spasm would be a valid excuse?
Professor Daunte looked confused, but shrugged.
"Well…if you don't want to travel together…and the work still gets done, then I suppose not."
Amanda looked relieved, as did Riley. Ellis was expressionless, and still shooting sharp glares at Riley.
"I guess you four already know each other…but this is my nephew Riley," Professor Daunte said.
Riley managed a stern nod, and smiled again at Amanda. She looked like she kind of wanted to go hide somewhere for a very long time.
"Oh! I'm getting sidetracked here! I was telling you three about the project-" Professor Daunte was yet again, interrupted by Riley,
"You were telling them about the project? But, you wouldn't tell me a thing! Why tell them?"
Professor Daunte looked strained, "Riley, I hadn't told them anything before you arrived-"
"But you just said you were telling them!"
Colby really wanted to punch Riley. He seemed like a snot. Who would talk to their uncle like that?
Professor Daunte sighed, "Let's just start from the beginning alright?"
Riley seemed irritated, but didn't object.
"If you kids will follow me, I will tell you more about this project," Professor Daunte said, walking down the back hall, from the main room.
Colby's feet hit tile floor and she glanced around the room with awe. Bookshelves lined the walls, and various lab tables that were scattered, covered with all sorts of instruments.
Professor Daunte proceeded to the back table which was littered with maps of Aurora, instruments, microscopes, books, Poke Balls, and many other things that Colby couldn't even name.
"Surprisingly…the story begins, well, here!"
"It begins on the table?" Riley asked, with a smirk to his voice.
"Riley…please, just try to cooperate," Professor Daunte said with a deep sigh. "Dumbass," Ellis muttered under his breath.
Riley didn't seem to hear, and was poking around on the table.
"Anyways… One day, I was sitting at my desk over there," Professor Daunte said, gesturing towards the large oak desk in the corner, "when I had a sudden idea! I had earlier that day been thinking of all the Pokémon in the Aurora Region, and how many that was. In fact, I didn't know even all the species that were out there yet. So this got me wondering…would there be a way that all the Pokémon could be cataloged and observed? Of course, this seemed like an impossible task…but I thought about the idea for a while. Later, that same night, I had an idea. What if one could catalogue these Pokémon with a device? Nothing had been invented…yet." Professor Daunte walked over to one of the small tables with Mason not far behind.
"I thought over the idea, and tried to come up with a way in which this could be made into reality. After many sleepless nights, and cups of coffee later, the PokeLog was born!" Professor Daunte pulled a little black device off of the table.
It was a single screen, shaped like a triangle, with a type of silver protection coating on it.
"Professor Daunte? Is it kind of like the PokeDex of Johoto and other regions?" Ellis asked.
"Yes, Ellis, it is. It is basically the same design, except I made it a bit more modern," Professor Daunte explained.
Ellis nodded and continued to study the device with wonderment.
"So, what I need you four to do is exactly what the device was built for! I would like you all to bring this with you on your quest around Aurora, and catalogue your journey as you could say…"
Ellis glanced at Colby and Amanda with excitement. They returned the enthusiasm and Colby was already excited to get going! She was surprised that Mason had picked them for this important mission! This hadn't been done before in the Aurora Region, so it would be a first for everyone. They were going to be making history!
"That sounds awesome Professor Daunte! We would be happy to help!" Ellis said, excitedly.
Professor Daunte smiled, and glanced at Riley, "What about you, Riley?"
Riley glared at Ellis, "Yeah, of course I'm in. After all, you asked me first."
Colby rolled her eyes at his rudeness, so annoying.
"Great! I knew I could count on you four to help! Good choice, Mason," Professor Daunte congratulated.
"Sure, Professor! I hoped that two weeks of waiting would yield rewards to your liking," Mason answered, grinning.
"If you three will excuse us for about twenty minutes. We have to go attend to a test really quick. Make yourselves comfortable in the living room. Riley…try not to be rude," Professor Daunte said, disappearing with Mason upstairs.
Riley looked annoyed and everyone followed him into the living room. It was simple, with two couches, a coffee table, and a television in the corner. Colby, Amanda, and Ellis sat on one, and Riley on the other. They sat there and faced each other, which was awkward.
"We don't like this any more than you do, but if it's for the good of Pokémon and research then we need to make an effort to get it done for Professor Daunte," Amanda said, directing her sternness to Riley.
Riley laughed and gestured towards the two girls, "I'm fine with you Twix, and Tootsie Pop over there-"
"Tootsie Pop? Twix?" Colby echoed, with an irritated snap behind her voice.
Riley smiled and winked at her, "You are Tootsie Pop, hard on the outside, and mushy on the inside. Amanda is Twix, a soft personality."
Colby about threw up. He was failing so hard at flirting. Amanda looked a bit pained, and seemed to loose all sense of reason.
"The one thing I do have a problem with, is that lettuce thing over there," Riley spat, glaring at Ellis.
Ellis ground his teeth together and stood up, with rage in his eyes. Riley did the same, and they faced each other with a coffee table in between them. Eyes locked and blazing, Riley had a smirk on his face.
"Go ahead, hit me Pothead. I dare you," Riley hissed.
Ellis had a look of confusion and rage on his face at the same time. "Pothead?" He asked.
"Yeah, Pot leaves are green on the top aren't they?" Riley fired back.
After being able to take it no longer, Ellis lunged, but Colby managed to pull him back before he made contact.
"Enough! Ellis, he isn't worth it," Colby said with anger, in between the two.
"I may not be worth his time, but I'm worth every second of yours," Riley said with a smile.
This time Colby was the one to face him, and she wasn't happy.
"Shut up, or I'll make you," She commanded.
"Oh, Tootsie Pop, getting a bit fiery there. You look cute when you're angry," Riley smiled.
"One more word, and your going to wish you were never born," Colby hissed.
Riley had a smug look on his face, and they all sat down again. Finally, after ten minutes of silence, Professor Daunte returned.
"Good to see you didn't kill each other! I'm guessing you three need rooms for the night?" Professor Daunte asked.
"Yes, if you don't mind," Amanda said.
"No problem, just follow me. Riley, you can meet me here bright and early tomorrow morning. Remember what I said about being late!" Riley shrugged, and gave Amanda a last look.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be there, night Twix," he called as he slammed the front door. Amanda shuddered and followed Professor Daunte up the stairs with Colby not far behind her. They all came to the second level, and looked down a hallway both ways.
"At the end of the hall, there are two rooms open. Ellis can have one, Amanda and Colby the other. I will see you three bright and early tomorrow morning! If you have any questions or need anything, just find me, I should be down stairs," Professor Daunte said with a smile, continuing down the stairs.
They called out their thanks and receded to their rooms at the end of the hall with ease.
"Riley is a real pain," Amanda said, laying the bed.
Colby nodded, lying down on the couch with a sigh.
"I don't think Ellis was very happy with him…" Amanda pointed out the obvious.
"Definitely not," Colby said with a laugh.
"Can you believe that Professor Daunte has given us this important of an assignment?" Amanda asked, awe in her voice.
Colby propped herself up on one elbow, "No, I was shocked. It's going to be so cool though! Getting to see all of those Pokémon species, and at the same time doing research that is valuable to Aurora!"
Amanda nodded, "I know! Think of all the new species we will discover! It's just hard to imagine…"
Colby lay back on her pillow and looked up at the ceiling, thoughts running through her mind about the day.
"We have to battle Josh tomorrow to…wow, so much to contemplate," Colby thought aloud.
"Let's hope that goes well…" Amanda said, sleep starting to fill her voice.
"Night Amanda," Colby muttered, rolling over.
"Night Colby," she responded with a yawn.
Colby turned over and closed her eyes, letting a good nights sleep envelop her.
Colby closed her PokePages Journal the next morning and stuffed it back in her backpack as Amanda finished in the bathroom.
"Ready to go downstairs?" Amanda asked, grabbing her stuff.
Colby nodded and pushed open the door. They continued down the hall and took the stairs two at a time to the main floor.
"It's about time you two showed up!" Ellis laughed from the couch.
"Wow…he didn't sleep in for once," Amanda said with surprise on her face.
Colby and Amanda sat down beside him.
"Where is Professor Daunte?" Colby asked.
"I don't know, he hasn't been around here since I've been up," Ellis responded.
Colby sighed and leaned back into the cushy couch, tired. Sleeping on a couch wasn't exactly the most comfortable thing…but it was better than the ground. "Good morning everyone! Wouldn't you join me for breakfast?" Professor Daunte said from the doorframe.
Colby jerked awake and finally got up. Breakfast did sound really good at the moment.
They walked down the same hallway to get to the lab, but instead of going all the way down, they turned left into a small dining room. There was a large, wooden table in the middle with chairs surrounding it. Pancakes and bacon, along with eggs were sat in the middle of the table.
"Wow! It looks delicious Professor!" Ellis said, sitting down beside Amanda and Colby. Professor Daunte took a seat at the end of the table and passed around the food.
"Why thank you! To bad Riley couldn't join us…but of course, he is always late-"
"Think again Uncle!" A voice said from the doorframe.
Colby looked up, and there was Riley, wearing his Riachu A Love Song shirt again. That shirt was almost as funny as his face.
"Oh! What a nice surprise Riley! Sit down and have breakfast with us," Professor Daunte said.
To Colby's utter irritation, he grabbed the chair beside her. But at least Ellis wasn't sitting by him…
"Good morning Tootsie Pop," Riley whispered.
"Shut your mouth," Colby retorted, starting to nibble on her food.
"Where are you three from?" Professor Daunte asked, making conversation.
"Well, I'm from Portsburg, Colby is from the Hecate Region, and Ellis lives in Afron Village," Amanda explained, eating some eggs.
Riley snorted beside Colby, "Afron Village, what a joke."
On Colby's other side, Ellis tensed, and stared at his plate in fury.
"Riley…" Professor Daunte sighed, clearly spent with his rudeness.
"What?" He asked, smirking.
"Quit being so rude! These are our guests," Professor Daunte scolded.
"Yeah, whatever," Riley retorted, taking a big bite of pancakes.
"Do you have any Pokémon Colby?" Professor Daunte asked.
"Yeah, actually. I have Nicksy, my…"
Colby stopped, not quite sure what to call him. What was Nicky's species called anyway?
"I have two," she concluded.
"That's great! Already two Pokémon, you seem to be doing well," he congratulated. The rest of breakfast was uninteresting, but at least Riley didn't comment any more. They all finished up and met in the lab again. Professor Daunte passed out PokeLog's to everyone.
Colby turned the small object over in her hands and brushed its smooth screen.
"The way it works is simple. When in a battle, you just hold it up, and it gets the information. Then it displays it on the screen for you to see! I will be checking on your progress once in a while," Professor Daunte explained.
Ellis smiled, "Thanks Professor! We will get to work on our cataloging."
The Professor nodded and gave them a smile.
"Have fun on your journey to explore Aurora. I will be checking in on you soon! Farewell until then, and good luck!" Professor Daute called as they disappeared out the door and into the vast world of Pokémon.
A/N: Review to lemme know what you think :)
