Part LXXXIV: Meeting the Kalos Professor
At last, he sensed the sense he had been waiting all his life to feel, the pure heart of a true trainer. This had to be it, the one he was destined to be with if that trainer proved himself. Never before had he been this certain.
He had been born different; he knew that from the very start. His ability was an extremely rare one, one that came by only once every few generations, but it was a powerful one if truly maximized. It required several factors to be met and could only be done if he found the right human, so that was what he had been waiting for that.
It had been why he hadn't played with his other hatchlings and thus been ostracized and attacked by them for his strange behavior. He had been training and fighting in preparation for his destiny, but he had been outnumbered and badly beaten. From there he'd been taken to a new place and given his species he was offered to new trainers once he was healthy again.
This had been perfect for him. He needed the right trainer so that person might just come to him, but alas he didn't have a choice and the ones who picked him weren't right for him. They didn't have the strength or the heart for him to achieve his maximum potential, so he had left them or refused to listen to their orders. This had led to him returning or being returned to the lab he lived in to await a new trainer.
After a while no one chose him, and others of his kind were offered instead but he didn't mind. He was in the hub of the region and over the last year he had trained his senses to seek out the right trainer for him. He would spend his days in the city searching and then return to the lab to sleep at night. Nothing had happened yet, but he knew that he would find the right human eventually, and the long wait taught him patience.
Today, at long last, that patience seemed to have had paid off. He had sense the presence he had been waiting for. A trainer who truly loved and cared for Pokémon above and beyond what was expected had just arrived in the city. He had to find the trainer and observe him, somehow, he could tell that the presence was male, and see if the trainer was just as he had expected.
It took him a little while, stealthily sticking to the shadows of buildings and the trees that graced the city to find the boy but as soon as he saw the human male, he knew that the boy was a true trainer. He could tell that from the healthy and powerful looking Pikachu that rode on his shoulder and clearly had a deep connection with the trainer.
While his sense on the matter wasn't perfect, it was more an eyeballing of the connection, he could tell that the Pikachu had achieved that max with the trainer. It was a max that he wanted to achieve and then exceed as only he could. This was the best candidate to date for him.
Now the man just had to prove that to him, and he got a sense that it was about to happen as the group were about to walk into a trio who had less than pure hearts and ill intentions. A confrontation was about to happen. He would watch and intervein when the time was right, so long as the trainer proved himself during the coming conflict. So long as everything went as he hopped today would at last be the day that he joined a trainer for good.
"Everything is set to attack the lab." Meowth said in his distinctive voice to his fellow Team Rocket members returning to them from setting the charges. "Once we get to the balloon, we can take off and then blow the roof when we're over it and take all the research, Mega Stones and the strong Pokémon there. We need that research for da boss."
"About time." Jessie mumbled. "We've been in Kalos for almost a year and nothing to show for it yet other than our own Pokémon. I've put everything on hold to lay low, so this had better be worth it."
"True but that is what da boss wanted." Meowth reminded her. "We were to actually take our time here and get everything set up rather than rush in and fail spectacularly like we always do. Plus, Team Flare was busy being a distraction while we prepped our many plans and bases throughout the region, so they kept everyone busy and not focused on us. All wes had to do was wait for them to be beaten as they always are and then take their research as we begin to launch our own plans."
"Yeah, we aren't here to destroy the region." James said with a nod. "But to acquire all the knowledge on Mega Evolution, the materials and the Pokémon capable of it so that Team Rocket can get stronger and rule the world as the boss wants."
The other two members murmured in agreement at this. After two failed attempts at Pikachu back in Kanto the year before the trio had finally realized that if they were to truly succeed for the boss they would have to be away from the twerp and his Arceus damned Pikachu, as well as whatever interchangeable twerps and twerpettes were with him at the time.
Only then could they succeed and move up in the organization so that they could come back for that Pikachu with better gear. They would catch that Pikachu one day, but they needed a break from it and the boss had agreed that it was a good idea to send them away from Kanto for a bit. They had done alright in Unova until the end after all, so they had proven that they were capable when not focused on one overpower electric mouse.
This time he had sent them to Kalos, but they were ordered not to act right away. Instead, they were ordered to slowly plan, build as many machines and bases as possible, and be ready to take the region by storm when they knew more. It had been as they were planning that they had learned of Mega Evolution and Team Flare's plans for Mega Energy which had been the jackpot for them.
They had built up a complete dossier on all of it and brought it back to the boss in Kanto for a personal report a few months back to show him their progress. Course they'd seen the twerp and the Sinnoh twerpette who was apparently sticking around for the year as soon as they had landed and decided to go after Pikachu again for a bonus gift for the boss. That had failed but their report had survived, and it had good enough for him to be pleased with their progress.
He'd ordered them to lay low and wait for Team Flare to make their grand move and ensure that they failed and was destroyed in the end. They'd done this without the gym leaders, Champion, and a few other meddling good guys noticing but their little aid had been the difference in the end. After all, in all that chaos, who would notice a few extra attacks that cleared the way for that boy and his Mega Charizard to reach the monstrosity.
After that they'd used the chaos to copy all of Team Flare's data before the authorities could get their hands on it. Now they needed Professor Sycamore's date on the location of Key and Mega Stones and then they could begin attacks all over the region as they took what they wanted.
Of course, they also had to deal with Jessie's vanity as she was going to use their travels to compete in Showcases this year, they had had to restrain her the year before, as well as Contests using her Sinnoh persona for the latter as a glorious comeback to the Contest scene. It was a good cover though and ensured they could be where they needed to be when they needed to be there so Meowth and James had agreed to let her compete and serve as her managers.
However, all of that would start in a bit, they first had to get the data and Mega Stones held in Professor Sycamore's lab as they had been instructed. That was the plan for today. Get the Stones, the data, and some powerful Pokémon like that Garchomp that he had as a bonus and flee.
Their next stop was out west and there was a Contest on the way in a month's time, so everything was going as planned. This time they would succeed because for once there were no meddling twerps in Kalos to stop them. Of course, that was the moment they walked right into Ash and his group.
Ash, Misty, and Max had been walking with their new friends and May through Lumiose City as they pointed out landmarks, famous places and of course the best dining and shopping options for them to take in on the way to the Professor's lab. It was an amazing city, unlike any that the couple had been to before and really showed how Kalos was different from the other regions they'd been to.
The 4 regions that Ash had first traveled in were all similar as they were near each other with Kanto and Johto actually existing on the same continent, so the culture was roughly similar across the 4 regions. Unova, by contrast, was on the other side of the world and had been total alien to them. Now they were seeing that Kalos was just as different from Unova as it was from the other regions they'd been to.
It was new and interesting, and Ash couldn't wait to see the whole region beyond Lumiose City. That was why he hadn't been looking where he'd been going and walked head first into a trio of people on the street, taking Misty and a squawking Piplup with him as they all fell to the ground.
"Hey watch was you're going." An angry woman with long red hair and glasses wearing the height of Kalos fashion and too much jewelry yelled haughtily as she leapt up.
"Yeah, wees had the right of way." A small person said jumping up to berate them.
"You should be more careful." A blue haired man who was likely the redhead's boyfriend leapt up as well to shout at them. "We could have…"
"I'm sorry, I'm new here and I was taking it in." Ash said as the man was shouting at him looking up at the man as Pikachu, who'd rolled back joined them. "You're right I should have been looking. That was totally my fault sir."
The trio instantly turned in on themselves with their backs to Ash and his friends muttering excitedly. Ash just shrugged as he got up and helped Misty to her feet so she could grab an indignant Piplup. They were about to move on when he noticed something odd. The little person had a cream-colored tail with a brown tip that curled in on itself.
"Um why do you have a tail?" Ash asked the person.
"Crap they made us." Meowth muttered to the others as they'd been talking about running into the twerp and his crew right when they were about to execute a plan. "Damned twerps showed up just as we were preparing to attack."
"That doesn't stop anything." Jessie said shaking her head. "We will just beat them now, take Pikachu and then go one with the plan. This is a blessing. They won't be expecting us."
"Yeah, I agree." James said with a nod. "Let's grab it and anything else in the process."
"Excuse me but we're just going to leave, sorry for bumping into you." Ash said deciding to ignore the odd people and move on. "Have a pleasant day."
"Oh no you're not." Jessie said standing up. "For fate has brought you back to us with a gift."
"Yes, we are going to get it this time." James said standing as well. "If you catch my drift."
"Prepare for trouble!" Jessie said ripping off her clothes to reveal her Team Rocket outfit.
"And make it double!" James added doing the same as they turned to Ash and his friends, those who knew them groaning at the sight.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth that's right!" Meowth added as he removed his clothes to join them in their pose.
"Wobbuffet!"
"Mime, mime."
"Really?" Ash said with an exacerbated sigh as the team finished their poses. "You guys are here as well?"
"I thought we were done with you back in Kanto." Misty added with a note of frustration. "Now we have to deal with them again. It was so nice barely seeing them for an entire year."
"I really haven't missed them." May said shaking her head as she pulled out a Poke Ball. "Team Flare was a challenge but at least these two won't be much of one. These jokers never learned that we were better."
"Yeah, I enjoyed not meeting them." Max said also pulling a Poke Ball out. "But at least this time I can help out in beating them."
"Well, we are better than we were before." Jessie said tossing out a Poke Ball. "Gourgeist, show them."
"You too Inkay." James said throwing out his own Poke Ball. "Show off how much stronger we are."
"Pikachu ready for some old school fun." Ash said with a grin.
"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a nod as he ran forward looking forward to frying these morons once again, he missed the light workout they provided.
"Vulpix, get in there." Misty said throwing out her other Pokémon, Piplup was still recovering from earlier so he couldn't be used. "Time for some easy experience."
"Vulpix." Vulpix almost mewled as he appeared.
"It's so cute, I'm taking it as well." Jessie squealed. "For all her flaws, the Sinnoh twerpette always knew how to find the cutest Pokémon."
"Not a chance." Misty said defiantly. "And if you want cute you should see my Spiritomb, I wish I had him right now to show you just how good I've become."
"Wait for us, let's do this just like old time." May said throwing out her own Poke Ball. "Blaziken come on out."
"At last, I can enjoy this pastime as well." Max said throwing his ball. "Gardevoir, show them how good you are. They tried to take you before when we first met so it's time for revenge."
The two tall, bipedal, Hoenn Pokémon appeared before the siblings. Blaziken roared as he appeared ready for the fight while Gardevoir just nodded as she recognized the fakes who'd tried to take her as a Ralts when her Max had saved her life. She was really going to enjoy this.
"Is that a Mega Stone?" Jessie asked blinking at the belt that May's Blaziken wore.
"That it is and as I don't want to waste time today, so I think I'll kick it up a notch." May said with a grin as she unzipped her top a little to reveal the choker she wore with her fancy clothes and touched her Key Stone set into it. "Blaziken time to show Ash and Misty what we've learned. Mega Evolve!"
"This isn't good." James said as Blaziken began to change. "Since when did the Hoenn twerpette use Mega Evolution."
"It just means that we will get another Mega Stone and Mega Evolution capable Pokémon." Meowth said with a grin as his claws flashed. "So, I say bring it, we'll take all of them."
Ash watched as May's Blaziken began to change as it Mega Evolved, the second he'd ever seen. Its height didn't increase but its body changed. The swept back hair shifted into two parts on either side of its head forming an X with the chest hair. Its horn merged into one slightly bent one in the center of its head and the fur around its mouth shifted down on either side. Lastly a pair of flames shot out of its wrists as the color faded to reveal Mega Blaziken. Even its body was different as it was now red and black rather than red and white.
"Gourgeist is part grass type, you can take it Misty." May said taking charge as she knew the two unfamiliar Pokémon that the other 3 didn't while the Kalos natives took a step back to watch the battle. "Max, if Gardevoir knows any of the few fairy type moves use it on Inkay, it's part dark type so you have the advantage on that front, but we should avoid it as well given our Pokémon types. Ash, you already know how to deal with these morons so go for Wobbuffet. Meowth is mine for threatening Mega Blaziken."
"Oh yeah." Ash said with a nod. "Pikachu, Electro Ball."
"Wobbuffet send it back with Mirror Move." Jessie ordered. "Gourgeist, use Dark Pulse on Vulpix."
"Vulpix dodge that and counter with Fire Spin." Misty called out. "I know you can do it."
"Gardevoir, Disarming Voice on Inkay." Max called out. "It's not a fairy type as far as I know but it doesn't miss so it will do. Gardevoir doesn't know a fairy type move."
"Good enough." May said. "Mega Blaziken, hit Meowth with Sky Uppercut, we have the advantage there."
"Inkay Foul Play." James said. "Use it on Blaziken."
"And I don't fancy taking a fighting type move so I will use my Fury Swipes on Gardevoir." Meowth said as he lunged at Gardevoir claws flashing as he leapt.
What happened next was utter chaos. Then again, with 8 Pokémon battling on a street the results would be messy and they knew it but thankfully Team Rocket took the brunt of the attacks as they usually did.
May and Max showed their teamwork as their Pokémon attacked at the same time. Mega Blaziken dashed forward both dodging the Foul Play from Inkay before launching a savage uppercut into Meowth's chin as he intercepted the hurtling normal type sending him flying into the air before he could reach Gardevoir.
At the same Gardevoir let out a charming cry aimed at Inkay. Inkay wailed in pain as the, unbeknown to everyone present, fairy type move caused emotional, super effective damage to Inkay.
Inkay spun away in pain and slammed into James's face flooring him. A second later and unconscious Meowth landed on top of them showing that they were out the fight. The other battle, however, wasn't as quick.
Vulpix had leapt high and gracefully spun away from the Dark Pulse before he opened his mouth and sent out a stream of fire at Gourgeist. The Pumpkin Pokémon didn't dodge in time before the fire encircled her and trapped her in a vortex of flames doing a lot of damage in the process. That battle was fine, it was the one between Pikachu and Wobbuffet that was not going well.
Pikachu had formed the ball of electricity at the end of his tail and sent it at the blue psychic type. At the same time Wobbuffet glowed with a multicolored sheen and the ball was reflected off it and back at Pikachu. Pikachu had to leap up and out of the way of his own attack as Ash dove to the side to avoid it himself just before it hit the pavement and exploded.
"Ha, you can't get past Wobbuffet." Jessie said with a laugh. "Keep Mirror Coat up Wobbuffet."
"Froakie." A cry came from a tree above them.
Before any of them could react, a small, blue, frog looking Pokémon leapt out of the tree and began throwing something at Wobbuffet. It was the weird bubble things from its chest and the surprise of the attack caused Wobbuffet to stumbled and fall over, stuck to the ground by the move though Ash had a feeling that that wasn't a move seeing as it wasn't reflected back at them.
"Blast that thing back with Seed Bomb Gourgeist." Jessie said. "Wobbuffet, get up."
Wobbuffet just wailed as he flailed on the ground unable to get up. Gourgeist however floated up and into the air, the vortex of flames hitting her again, but she waited until it died down before striking, she was too strong to go down from a pair of Fire Spins.
Gourgeist sent out a series of hard seed that hit the blue Pokémon and exploded as another vortex of flames hit Gourgeist. That did it as she dropped unconscious onto the growing pile of defeated Team Rocket members.
The blue Pokémon, a Froakie Ash had to guess if it had called out its name when it attacked, wailed as it was thrown back and Ash deduced that it was a water type from its color and reaction to the grass type move. He acted before he could think on it and leapt up to catch the injured Pokémon in his arms, calling out an order to Pikachu in the process.
"Thunderbolt!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled knowing what to do as he sent a powerful blast of electricity into the still flailing Wobbuffet.
The force of the attack hit Wobbuffet and in classic fashion passed into Jessie, James, Meowth and their other Pokémon. They all shrieked in pain before an explosion happened sending them high into the sky.
"We're blasting off again." They wailed before they disappeared in a dot in the sky their plans for the day now foiled.
"That was Team Rocket?" Serena asked once the short battle was done and Mega Blaziken had returned to normal.
"Yeah, you see what I meant when I told you how incompetent they were." May said as the smoke cleared and she recalled her exhausted Pokémon. "Take a rest Blaziken, that was a little overkill, but I didn't want to deal with them, so I had to end it quickly."
"I was enjoying not dealing with them." Misty said with a sigh as she rubbed a happy Vulpix's head affectionately before returning him, he'd get a pampering later for doing a good job in his first actual battle. "We only saw them 3 times last year, it was so nice not seeing them, but I have a feeling we will see a lot more of them this year."
"Alas that seems to be the case." May said with a sigh. "They are here in Kalos so we should be on guard for them to randomly appear when we least expect it."
"Well, it was a good warm up battle, and that Disarming Voice was odd, right Gardevoir?" Max asked his tall Pokémon. "It seemed a little strong to me."
"Gardevoir." Gardevoir sang in agreement, it shouldn't have worked that well, but she wasn't complaining.
"Still well-done girl." Max said with a smile before he returned her.
"What do mean?" Clemont asked confused. "Is Disarming Voice usually weaker or something?"
"Disarming Voice is, as far as I am aware, a normal type attack." Max explained adjusting his glasses as he went into explanation mode. "It shouldn't have produced that reaction on Inkay. I deduce that it may be one of the moves that has changed to fairy type just as several Pokémon have changed."
"What moves are currently fairy type?" Serena asked curiously. "It's all so new that we don't know much about it."
"As of right now only Play Rough and Dazzling Gleam have been confirmed but there is no doubt many others." Max said. "Those have been confirmed from multiple source. I will need more points of reference though to confirm it, likely a strong dragon type's reaction to it. I tried against Ash's Dragonite but Gardevoir didn't get the move off in time."
"I see yes that is how it should be done." Clemont said with a nod. "And I expect several other moves may have changed as well. I can think of few with, including one with a rather appropriate name and style already, that could be candidates."
"There are a handful that are candidates so I expect within a few months the Professors will have a fuller list." Max said. "The offensive moves are easy to confirm, it is the status and defensive moves that will be hard to confirm though that could be where using them on ghost types would be useful."
"Regardless you two have such cute Pokémon!" Bonnie almost squealed. "Max, you're Gardevoir is amazing, I would love to meet it properly. Misty, that Vulpix is adorable, I've never seen one before, can I brush it sometime?"
"Well how about when the big kids do their own thing this week, and the couple get all uncomfortably romantic, you show me the city Bonnie and you can meet Gardevoir then." Max said with a smile. "She is one of my oldest Pokémon, my first catch actually and there is a long story behind her. I'm sure she'd like you and love Dedenne, she's really the mother figure to all of my Pokémon."
"I'd like that, and I agree." Bonnie said with a stage whisper to Max. "I don't want to deal with the couple in such a romantic city as this, though Clemont could learn a thing or two from them, and the big kids can have their fun as well. I'll use this time to find a wife for Clemont with you."
"Bonnie." Clemont scolded. "What have I told you about proposing to every girl you deem pretty and marriage material."
"To keep doing it dear brother because I am such an amazing little sister." Bonnie said trying to sound and look innocent and failing at it. "Because you know you appreciate my efforts."
"Do not worry Clemont." Max said with a smile at the spluttering inventor. "I have experience with stopping Brock's amorous advances, including the ones on his now fiancée, I'll keep her in check."
"No fun." Bonnie pouted folding her arms across her chest and then brightening. "I'll still do it anyway. Nothing will stop me from finding someone who will care for Clemont for the rest of his life."
"Anyway." Misty said interjecting before they got too far-off topic though not without chuckling at Bonnie's reaction. "Bonnie, you can meet Vulpix after we talk to Professor Sycamore but be careful, he's a little prideful and will have to trust you before you can brush him or touch his tails."
"Of course." Bonnie said with a nod. "I learned that lesson from Pikachu and will be extra careful with Vulpix."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said sheepishly but the girl had deserved the shock she got.
"How did you get one?" Clemont asked. "Vulpix is not a Pokémon that is found in Kalos, so it is pretty rare to have one in here."
"Oh, well, it's native to Kanto which is where I got him." Misty said surprised that Vulpix would be rare here. "It was when Ash and I went to Cinnabar Island for his challenge with the gym leader there, an eccentric and odd man called Blaine. He'd set up some sorta riddle challenge on the island and I solved it. The reward was a Pokémon egg he'd found that he wanted to give to the winner. It hatched a week later and was a Vulpix so that's how I got one."
"I think you mentioned that when I visited for the Grand Festival." Serena said trying to recall if Misty had mentioned this story when they'd met or not. "But I don't recall you using him in it."
"I didn't because he wasn't ready for it." Misty said simply. "I had another Contest to compete in out in Cremini Town and I had already promised Shuppet and Spiritomb that I'd use them, though Shuppet evolved shortly before it. Vulpix was with me for training and he watched it but with the importance of the Grand Festival I had to stick with Pokémon who had Contest experience so I couldn't use him. That was why I decided to take him with me to Kalos with Piplup so he could get some time with me."
"That makes sense." Serena said before she shuddered slightly. "Your ghost types were a shock though. I didn't see them until the final and they were so different to what I had seen and expected from you even if I'd heard of them. Vulpix fits your style more."
"True Vulpix is small and cute which is what I was known for at the start, but any good trainer or coordinator knows to have a variety of Pokémon on hand, I learned that from Ash." Misty said. "It started when Swinub and Cyndaquil fully evolved int Mamoswine and Typhlosion respectively, and then in Kanto I decided to branch out more after I caught Pinsir. To me all my Pokémon are beautiful, and I show that in my care and raising of them. Plus no one expects a Spiritomb in battle let alone someone like me to suddenly produce one."
"That is true." May said. "And yours is amazing. Still, wait until Vulpix evolves. I can't wait to see what you will do with that Pokémon."
"Is the evolution just as cute?" Bonnie asked eagerly.
"More like beautiful, or handsome in mine's case as he is a boy so it's more fitting to use that word I feel." Misty said with smile. "Ninetales is one of the most attractive Pokémon I have ever seen. I've only seen one, Blaine has one who he used against Ash in their battle, but I know that when the time is right, I have a Fire Stone as it is a stone-based evolution, and Vulpix is ready he will evolve."
"Stone evolution shouldn't be rushed." Clemont agreed. "They are possibly one of the best forms of evolution as you just have to wait until the Pokémon is ready to evolve it."
"No, it shouldn't, I let my Gloom dictate when she wanted to evolve and what she wanted to evolve into." Misty said. "She took a few months, and a painful loss both emotionally and in my case physically as I was thrown into a wall in the process, for her to decide it was time. When she told me, I presented her the two Evolutionary Stones I had, she chose the one she wanted and evolved."
"Gloom has a branched evolution?" Clemont asked and Misty nodded. "Huh, I didn't know that but it's not a common Pokémon in these parts either, so I'd never really looked into it."
"Er guys, as much as this is a great conversation, I think we should get moving." Ash said from behind them standing and holding the injured Pokémon that had helped them in his arms. "It's hurt bad. That was a grass type attack it took for us and it's clearly a water type I think so it needs help. Is there a Pokémon Center near here?"
"It's closer to the gym but we are pretty near Professor Sycamore's lab." Clemont said quickly realizing that Ash was right. "And that is a Froakie, the water type starter here in Kalos so he will know precisely what to do. In fact, I am certain that is the troublesome Froakie that lives with him."
"Then let's run there." Ash said. "It needs help, and we should get there quick. Lead the way Clemont."
Clemont just nodded as he turned and ran, Ash on his heels as everyone followed. He wasn't going to let this Pokémon down, not after it had helped them and even if it hadn't, he would still help it because that was what he did when a Pokémon was in need. It wasn't the best introduction to Professor Sycamore, but Ash would take it.
It didn't take them long to run to the lab, as Clemont had said they were pretty close to it. Ash was in a hurry because of the injured Pokémon he was carrying but he still had time to blink in surprise at the sight of the lab.
It wasn't like the others he'd seen. It looked like a large, old style, mansion complete with large gates that were thankfully open and a small grassy area out front of it. Shaking his head, Ash ignored it for the moment and continued up the stairs and through the wide-open front doors that Clemont had thrown open for them.
"Professor!" Clemont called out as he entered. "We have an injured Pokémon that needs immediate attention."
"Coming." A voice called and a tall man came running out of a side room followed by a female assistant and saw the Froakie in Ash's arms. "I see, I know that Froakie. Sophie, please take him right away."
The man, Professor Sycamore Ash presumed, spoke the last bit to his assistant. The blue haired woman rushed forward, and Ash handed over the injured Pokémon to her.
"Thank your young man." Sophie said with a nod. "I'll take it from here, Froakie will be as good as new in no time."
She then turned and left as the rest of their large group reached the mansion panting from the unexpected run. Ash took that moment, as the Professor looked a little shocked at the large group, to evaluate the Kalos region Professor.
He was younger that Ash had expected, probably around Professor Birch's age out in Hoenn making him, at a glance, the second or third youngest of the Professors Ash had met after Professor Elm who at least looked the youngest. He had messy black hair swept slightly to one side and gray eyes with a few whiskers of stubble on his cheeks and chin.
Sycamore wore the typical white lab coat thought in an odd, almost double-breasted style with the sleeves slightly rolled up and clipped back. Under it he wore a purple button-down shirt that came to just below the rolled-up sleeves with a few top buttons undone and a large, popped collar. Other than that, he was normally dressed in black slacks, brown shoes, and a yellow belt with a large ring for a belt buckle.
Ash had to admit, he was taken aback a bit by the more casual, cool attitude of the man before him. Most of the professors he'd met had been serious or at least clearly passionate about their chosen specialty. This one seemed like he was just having a good time as he recovered and studied the group with a smile though Ash didn't doubt that this man was passionate about his research.
"Thank you for bringing back Froakie to me." Professor Sycamore said offering a hand to Ash which he shook, realizing at the last minute that the Key Stone in his glove was going to make this awkward whenever he had to shake hands but there wasn't much that he could do about it. "He's an interesting one for sure. I'm Augustine Sycamore if you haven't guessed, the Kalos Professor."
"Ash Ketchum, I'm from Pallet Town out in Kanto and it is a pleasure to finally meet you Professor Sycamore." Ash said as they shook. "And it was the least I could do. Froakie helped us out and got hurt in the process. I just did what anyone would have done in that situation."
"Ash Ketchum, it is a nice to finally put a face to the name, well up close as I did watch a replay of your quarterfinal in the Indigo Conference given what you did in that match." Professor Sycamore said with a smile. "May has told me a lot about you and Serena said you would be arriving soon when I saw her the other day."
"Good things I hope." Ash said as May and Serena blushed, both receiving an annoyed look from Misty that Bonnie didn't miss but couldn't decide if it was because of the blush or the fact they seemed to have not mentioned Misty as well.
"Only the best as it is you Ash." May said as they all got together, and she bowed slightly to Sycamore while Misty again had to reign in her annoyance. "Professor, a pleasure to see you again."
"It's only been a little over a month since you left May and I knew you would be back so it's not like it's been years." Sycamore said with a chuckle before his gaze fell on Misty. "Now if this is Ash, then the red haired girl with the Piplup must be Misty, the recent Kanto Grand Festival winner and his girlfriend, right? I've heard a lot about you as well young lady."
"Correct Professor." Misty said shaking his hand and smiling at him glad that May hadn't left her out as well, that could have been awkward if she had. "You seem to already know about me."
"May has told us many stories of you two though we were a little too busy dealing with the aftermath of Team Flare's attack to watch the Grand Festival or Indigo Conference unfortunately, other than a replay of Ash revealing fairy types to the world." Professor Sycamore said. "But Serena filled us in on your win. If it is possible, I would like to meet you Banette, Pinsir and Spiritomb."
"Why them?" Misty asked a little taken aback by the sudden request.
"Well, the first two are known to have Mega Evolutions so I want to see if any of the Stones Alain has collected call to them as Pokémon have an innate sense for their own Mega Stones." Professor Sycamore said. "As for Spiritomb, well, I've never met one as they are rather rare, so I really want to see it in person. I've never known a trainer to catch one, so I am really curious about yours. Same goes for you Espeon in fact, is it really a shiny one?"
"See for yourself, I have her on me for a bit." Misty said with a smile as she pulled out a Poke Ball and opened it. "Come on out Espeon and say hello to everyone."
Espeon appeared and mewled happily before blinking her eyes at her new surroundings. Misty had told her they were going to a new region so she was interested in seeing it a bit so this must be her first moment in that new region as it certainly smelled different to where they'd been the other day. She was also surrounded and being admired by several people and she knew why, she was unique and gorgeous after all.
"My that is a shiny variant for sure." Sycamore said looking over the green furred Espeon before him his eyes wide at the sight. "Exceedingly rare to find a shiny Eevee begin with and then to have it evolve into an Espeon, that takes a lot of trust between Pokémon and trainer, as well as daylight, to accomplish. Add in that you have a female Espeon, I wouldn't be surprised if she was one of a kind."
"It was a pleasant surprise during a training battle with my mom for sure." Misty said recalling Espeon's evolution as Espeon nodded at the praise she was receiving. "But I am very happy with it, Espeon feels right for her."
"She's so pretty." Bonnie gushed getting as close as was acceptable to the beautiful green Pokémon. "Can I groom her?"
"Dedenne." Dedenne said helpfully to encourage Espeon.
"Piplup." Piplup added from Misty's arms knowing that his approval would help a lot.
"If Espeon is ok with it then you can." Misty said with a smile. "I usually groom her every night, a coordinator has to make her Pokémon presentable after all so my on-hand Pokémon always get care before bed, but she can have an early grooming today if she agrees."
Espeon looked over to the small blond human female who was smiling at her and waiting for her response. Both the small yellow electric type on her and Piplup had vouched for her and seeing as Espeon was out she could give it a go. if she didn't like it, she'd make it clear with a Psybeam. She nodded and prowled over to and open space and sat down waiting for her pampering.
"Thank you." Bonnie said as she hurried over and began to get to work. "Wow your fur is so soft, softer than I had thought at a glance."
Espeon just mewled in agreement as Bonnie set to work. Misty smiled at the sight as an idea came into her mind regarding Espeon and what Sycamore had just asked of her.
"Professor, would be it be ok to register some of my Pokémon here?" Misty asked. "As well as any new captures when if I exceed 6 on me. I feel like some would like to see Kalos and I may change some around throughout the year so it would be easier to have some here and you get to study them. This is the first time I am going to a new region with less than 3 Pokémon, once Espeon is done teaching Serena's Sylveon the art of a Contest battle, so it would be nice to have some nearby just in case I have need of them."
"I think that would be an excellent idea." Professor Sycamore said with a nod. "Who were you thinking?"
"Banette, Spiritomb, Pinsir, Vileplume, Buneary, Furret, and if there is space Mamoswine." Misty said quickly. "If you want to study Pinsir, Vileplume has to come as they're best friends and are never apart, I caught them together and never separate them. The others will be nice to have nearby. Togekiss is the problem solver at Professor Oak's ranch so she has to stay, Pachirisu likes it there too much to move and Typhlosion gets on with the Johto Pokémon Ash has so they are going to stay."
"That works, I have a large conservatory and storage area, the Pokémon here would like to meet new and unusual Pokémon like yours." Sycamore said thoughtfully. "Though Mamoswine may be too big but we can sort that out later. I still haven't introduced myself to Max, May's brother."
"No worries Professor, I don't mind waiting and seeing Misty's Espeon in person is something else." Max said as he shook the Professor's hand. "I saw it evolve but she is always an impressive sight whenever she's out of her Poke Ball."
"An Eevee evolving, especially when it is one of the 3 that require high friendship with its trainer, is always a sight." Sycamore said. "We still aren't entirely sure how Sylveon evolves other than high friendship at any time of the day which had been the prevailing theory until its type suddenly changed. With it being one of the new fairy types there is so much more to learn on it I think."
"It is still so weird to think of there being fairy types." Clemont said. "I was amazed when I heard of them and as a gym leader it has changed so much, especially with Valerie becoming a fairy type specialist."
"Well, you are currently standing with the person who revealed them to the world and the person whose Pokémon began the research into them." Sycamore said surprising Clemont and Serena with the second part, Bonnie wasn't paying attention from her spot. "So why don't you ask them about it."
"Wait, wasn't it during the Indigo Conference that the type became officially recognized?" Clemont asked as he looked to Ash. "In the full battles if I recall but I don't recall how it all started. If you knew the Pokémon that started the whole research, then that would explain it."
"I knew of the immunity to dragon type attacks, but I had only planned on it should I face a particular rival of mine." Ash said. "I was there when Misty's Togekiss showed it off, that was what started the research into it, and saw it again in an evil Azumarill we ran into in the way to Saffron City, so I asked if I had a Pokémon capable of the same phenomenon. I did but it was my Mr. Mime who I'd never used but I knew the Pokémon I would use him against. As such I planned for it and shocked everyone with it when I used him to beat Cameron's Hydreigon."
"Oh, so that's how it happened." Clemont said surprised at how involved Ash had been. "We will have to talk about this more later, I want to hear the full story."
"We can when we get to the gym because there is so much as we encountered almost all the odd aspects of fairy types last year." Ash said before turning back to Professor Sycamore. "You said there was something interesting about that Froakie and I am curious as to what it is. I have met many interesting Pokémon in my time, what makes this one like that?"
"Oh, this Froakie has behavioral issues." Sycamore said with a sigh. "He used to get chosen by a trainer then at some point he'd leave the trainer and return here, or the trainer would return him for repetitive disobedience. It was as if he wanted to choose his trainer and not the other way around, so after a while I stopped offering him and used other Froakies instead. I figured he would decide on his own trainer in time, but it's been a while and I'm starting to think it may not happen."
"That does happen." Ash said recalling his experiences with peculiar starter Pokémon. "I've owned at least one starter from each region I've been to and a few have had pasts. Often it is because they have unfortunately been abandoned but my Snivy ran away from her trainer because they were weak to her and my Oshawott chose me and followed me a good distance to be with me."
"Yeah, my Wartortle was like that as a Squirtle." May added. "He chose me when we were in Pallet Town and so Professor Oak let me take him."
"It does happen when a trainer makes a special impression on a Pokémon." Sycamore said rubbing his chin. "I guess this Froakie is just different and waiting for the right trainer. Speaking of trainers, I presume that Ash and Max are here for the Kalos League."
"You bet." Ash said with a nod. "I was so close in Kanto last year. I will not fail this time."
"And I am going to upset Ash by finally beating him." Max said with clear determination in his voice. "So, I will be entering as well. I was top 8 in Hoenn, I intend to go further in Kalos."
"Then why don't we retire to another room for tea and I can provide the three newcomers with pokedexes that have been updated with the latest data from the Kalos region." Sycamore said with a smile. "Though I am unsure what your plans are here Misty."
"Oh, I am joining May as a judge for the Contests here." Misty said as they began to follow the Professor to a new room. "As a Top Coordinator I was asked to spend the year as a judge in one of the expansion regions and given the factors I had to consider in my decision Kalos was the best region for us."
"Well welcome, I will do my best to get you settled and sorted out for your journey." Sycamore said. "And there is a lot I want to discuss over tea."
"Thank you." Ash said as they entered another room and joined the Professor for tea.
Tea lasted a good few hours as they ended up in a deep discussion with Sycamore over Mega Evolution after they had received their pokedexes and been told how to register for the Kalos League. It had been what they had been expecting so everyone was fully invested in the conversation.
As May had said, the Professor had been intrigued by the results Ash had gotten with his Charizard when she had reported them to him, something Ash told him about from his own perspective of that battle. Ash's experiences proved that Charizard was the only known Pokémon with two potential Mega Evolutions. That said there was no way to confirm if legendries had Mega Evolutions so some of them could have multiple forms as well.
They learned of all the ones that the Professor knew of and the oddities of the ones who changed, added, or in Aggron's case lost a type upon Mega Evolving. They also learned how it was believed the phenomenon came into being, and whatever else the Professor knew on the topic as it was his area of expertise.
They also learned that Mega Evolution had had a successful trial in the Lumiose Conference so it would continue to be allowed going forward in Kalos. Other Conferences would begin to implement it in the coming years with Hoenn going first this year and Kanto following suit in a year's time.
Alas the Professor didn't have any Mega Stones for their Pokémon and no Key Stones for Max or Misty, but he encouraged them to find them during their journey. If he or Alain, who was out west having tracked down an Alakazite in a cave, found the Stones for the Pokémon that they had he would reach out so long as they let him know what happened when they did Mega Evolve their Pokémon. Naturally, they all agreed to help.
Other than that, they just spoke about the region, the League, Showcases and what to expect from the first year of Contests in Kalos. Sycamore was looking forward to hearing about how they went and all of their progress that year.
They talked for so long that it was late afternoon when Sophie interrupted them to tell them that Froakie was fully healed up and had left again. Sycamore thanked her and the interruption reminded them that they had to get to the gym so they bade Sycamore farewell and he saw them out promising that they would meet again later this week if they were free. However, as they left, they found their way to the gates blocked.
Froakie was sitting in the middle of the path waiting for them, a Poke Ball at his feet as he looked at them. The sight was so odd that it caused all of them to stop and blink in confusion at the Bubble Frog Pokémon.
"I think Froakie has finally decided that he wants a trainer." Sycamore said recovering first.
Froakie croaked in confirmation. The boy he'd felt the connection to and who he thought could be the one had proven his first sign by showing his love for Pokémon by helping Froakie when he was injured and showing love and care despite not knowing him. He had also showed skill in battle with his Pikachu, that Mirror Move notwithstanding as it was basically all a Wobbuffet was good for. All that meant that he had earned the right to train Froakie and prove himself further as they trained together.
Froakie looked at the raven-haired man with Pikachu on his shoulder, Ash as he'd heard him called, and then rolled the ball towards him with his nose. It was a clear indication as to which of the trainers he wanted to go with.
"You want to join me?" Ash asked Froakie and Froakie nodded in confirmation. "Alright thank you for choosing me. I am honored by this."
Ash walked forward and bent down to pick up the Poke Ball. He then stood and tossed it into the air. Froakie croaked happily before leaping up and slapping the button with a paw causing the Poke Ball to open and engulf him in red light. It fell down and landed in Ash's hand, twitching several times before it dinged in confirmation of a capture.
"Welcome to the team Froakie, I promise to make your decision a worthy one." Ash said with a smile at the ball which seemed to nod in his hands, something he'd never experienced before. "Alright I caught a Froakie!"
Ash said the last bit while striking his usual capture pose surprising the Kalos lot who weren't used to it while the others just cheered for him. Ash grinned as he put Froakie's ball away, thanked the Professor and left with his friends heading to the gym in the center of the city.
It had certainly been an exciting introduction to Kalos, including his first Kalos Pokémon in near record time for a regional catch for him. While he had 3 Pokémon now Ash was still going to challenge that bug type gym first in Santalune City first so that his Pokémon could get some experience and maybe even catch another new one before he faced Clemont. Well, that and Ash didn't really have anything good to face electric types at the moment.
However, that was in the future, first they had to see Lumiose City and enjoy the week they had in the largest city in the world. Still, his Kalos journey had started and Ash couldn't wait to see what happened next as he took on his latest region and this time he would come out on top of it. Ash knew it.
