"Welcome to Cinnabar Island!"
""Professor Oak?!""
May and I exclaimed at the same time as we were greeted by none other than that very same professor, who should have been back in Pallet town.
"Surprise!" He declared with wide arms as he made a sweeping gesture. "I know the two of you were on your way here with fossils to resurrect, and I have been meaning to watch and study the process up close for a while now."
"So you decided to meet us here and watch it yourself." I finished for him, to which the professor nodded.
"Exactly! So, how was your voyage?" He asked as the three of us made our way off of the pier.
"Pretty good." I replied, before giving him a quick rundown of our diving trip, and the pokemon I caught.
"Yes, my aides updated me on all of your new pokemon last night, thought I am sorry to hear about that poor Lapras. Am I right to assume that the reason for catching so many Shellder was to use them on Slowpoke?"
"That's right. I figured it would be lot easier to get Slowbro and Slowking by just evolving them myself compared to just trying to find them in the wild." I explained.
"Indeed. I know for a fact that very few trainers even bother trying to catch and train Slowpoke, and only bother if it has already evolved into Slowbro. Slowking meanwhile are borderline impossible to find in the wild, to the point that their mere existance was considered nothing more than legend until a few decades ago..."
"Really? That's really interesting." I said as the professor continued leading us through the streets.
Even as we continued talking I noted the island around us, how hot it was here, yet it wasn't quite tropical like one would expect from a place like Alola. Despite that, the locals seemed to be trying their best to make sure that Cinnabar island was THE premier vacation destination of all Kanto.
When the ship May and I had been on pulled in, I had seen beaches covering nearly every strip of land that wasn't being used as a dock, each one filled with hundreds of people as they enjoyed themselves in the sun. And as we walked I was able to get a look at the town that the locals called home, a place with no buildings that towered over the others, and the esthetic was obviously meant to replicate places that were more tropical.
"Why would the fossil research center be located here, professor?" May asked as we neared the building that was our target, which was distinctly different from all of the others.
"The biggest reason is energy." The professor said, before pointing to the centerpiece of the entire island, a volcano.
"The greatest obstacle the men who run this center ran into when they were trying to prove their research worked was power. The energy needed to create life that hasn't existed in tens of millions of years was immense, and beyond anything they could afford to support on the mainland. So they had the idea to move out here, where they could tap into the geothermal vents all over the island to generate their own power, and as much of it as they needed. In fact, they even make up for the expenses by supplying power to the rest of the island! It's the main reason why the locals are ok with them being here."
As the professor finished speaking we entered through the front door and were waved past the reception, obviously becasue of the professor, who then led us down the hall to one of the rooms on the ground floor.
"Ah! Professor Oak!" Greeted a man in a stereotypical white doctor's gown.
"Doctor Adler! I'd like you meet a couple of trainers that I've been looking after." Professor Oak started, but as he gestured towards us, the aforenamed Doctor Adler immediately stepped forward.
"May Birch, daughter of world renowned professor Birch, and host of the popular show, May's Expeditions!"
"You're a fan?" May asked as she shook his hand.
"My kids are. I'll have to get an autograph or something before you leave. And you."
The final part was directed at me, and suddenly I felt very self conscious as I accepted his offered hand.
"YOU are the man who fell from the sky." The doctor said pointedly, before a small flashlight seemingly materialized in his hand.
"Tell me, are you warm blooded, or cold?" He asked while shining the light right in my eyes.
"Who or what was it that brought you here?"
"WHY are you here?"
"Has any food you've eaten here proved toxic?"
"Are there any fundamental biological differences between your kind and ours?"
"What age are you?"
"How about reproduction"
"That is enough doctor!" Professor Oak cried, cutting off the rapid stream of questions that doctor Adler was asking me.
"What? Inquiring minds want to know." Doctor Adler said with a shrug, though he did let go of my hand and stopped shining the light in my face.
"I can tell you everything we know about Noah myself, once we start the restoration for their fossils." Professor Oak said sternly, though tiredly at the same time.
"Hmmm. Very well then. Follow me."
The three of us followed Adler as he led the way, with professor Oak muttering an apology to me about his behavior.
"It's fine. I suppose it's just something I'll have to get used to." I told him, before we exited the building entirely to find a massive enclosure before us, filled with prehistoric and extinct pokemon of all kinds.
"Before we start the restoration process on your fossils, I wanted to show you all this. Each of the species found in this enclosure are one of those we've brought back from extinction. You can see down there Kabuto and Kabutops, Omanyte and Omastar, Anorith and Armaldo, Lileep and Cradily, Cranidos and Rampardos, Shieldon and Bastiodon, Archen and Archeops, Tirtouga and Carracosta, Amura and Aurorus, Tyrunt and Tyrantrum, and finally Aerodactyl."
I stared at each of the restored pokemon in awe as they each went about their business in the massive enclosure, each one surviving amongst the others like a giant ecosystem.
"And they all live well with one another?" Professor Oak asked in awe.
"Indeed. They balance each other out quite nicely. Most of the aquatic species keep one another in check to prevent overpopulation, while the Tyrantrum feed on the land based herbivores as well. And with there being enough to form several herds, we never need to worry about the few we have wiping them all out." Alder explained.
"What keeps the Aerodactyl and Archeops from flying away?" May asked curiously, pointing to the the few flyers that drifted lazily through the warm air.
"Wireless fences. Chips we planted in each of them that generate noise and vibrate to irritate them if they get too close to the boundry. And they double as trackers if any do get loose on the island. If we're lucky though, then in the next few years we will get approval to move them all to another island where we can study them without fences. We will then be able to see how they interact with other pokemon native to this time and region."
"Amazing..." I muttered, watching as a small Tyrunt tried it's hand at hunting for the first time. It reminded me a scene that I think I saw in a movie, but it wasn't a Tyrunt...
"Alright! Let's go and take a look at your fossils!" Adler said suddenly, breaking the spell as he led back into the facility, and to one of the rooms on the ground floor.
I felt the temperature go up several degrees as we entered this room, more than likely due to the dozens of massive machines that filled it. And several of them were large tubes that looked like incubators, where we could see several fossil pokemon gestating inside.
"A brief rundown of our process." Adler began as we followed him. "First, we will extract the dna from the fossils you bring us. Then we will take the code from that dna and apply it to unfertilized eggs that we have collected from our living specimens that you just saw. In about three days, thanks to our revolutionary tech, the prehistoric pokemon will 'hatch' from their incubators like the ones you see here. Obviously there's more technical stuff to it, but you should get the jist. Any questions?"
"Yeah. Is this process for free?" May asked warily, and I couldn't help but to worry about that too now that she brought it up. I doubt it was free, or cheap, to basically make new prehistoric pokemon.
"Actually, yes." Adler replied, surprising us before he explained.
"We clone the fossils that trainers bring us for free because of several reasons. One being that the more fossils they bring us, the more samples of dna that we get to work with to increase our odds of discovering new prehistoric pokemon and bringing them back. Secondly, every trainer that uses prehistoric pokemon that we've brought back for them is effectively acting as advertisements for our facility and work, which brings in more fossils and more potential investors. Lance for example came to us with fossils from an Aerodactyl and Tyrantrum, both of which are famous members of his team now."
Relief filled me at Adler's explanation, and May and I readily handed over the fossils we had dug up and received down in Diglett cave.
May had a Claw Fossil, which was a remnant of either an Anorith or Armaldo, which I thought was an interesting match for her. I would have figured she'd be more interested in an Amura. As for mine, I produced a Dome fossil that would be a Kabuto, a Claw fossil for another Anorith, a Root fossil for Lileep, a Cover fossil for Tirtouga, and finally a Helix fossil so massive that I thought Adler's eyes were going to pop out of his head.
"So, about three days?" I asked him, even as the man looked at my Helix fossil like he wanted to make love to it.
"Yeah... Three days." He said, and May and I shared a looked before we slowly backed out of the room.
"I'll escort you two out." The professor said, walking with us as we exited the facility. "I assume that you'll be wanting to challenge Blaine now?"
"Perhaps, once we find his Gym. First I want to get to a Pokemon Center and have them look at Lapras." I said while pulling said pokeball out and holding it in my hand. "She got treatment from the crew, but I'd feel better if she were properly looked at to make sure there wasn't anything we missed."
"I agree. But also, I was going to say that you should take your time before challenging Blaine. There are plenty of pokemon on this island to add to your pokedex." The professor said sagely, before pulling an item out of his pocket. "Here Noah, I picked this up for you this morning since I figured you were going for a Slowking, and I thought you deserved a small reward for all of the progress you've made."
I blinked as the professor held out a Kings Rock to me, the final piece of the puzzle I'd need to evolve a Slowpoke into a Slowking.
"Thank you professor. I was going to see if there were any stores around selling them before buying one online." I said while gratefully accepting the gift.
"Think nothing of it my boy. Additionally, I also happen to know that the north side of the island is home to quite a few Slowpoke. You can go there after dropping off Lapras, and take your time picking out the two you'd like to catch and evolve. I'm sure a Slowbro and a Slowking would be a massive help against Blaine.
"Additionally, you can find just about every kind of fire type pokemon on this island that are native to Kanto and Johto, as well as a few from further regions. I would advise catching as many as you can of them as well before leaving if you want to fill you dex as quickly as possible."
I smiled at the suggestion since fire type was my favorite typing in general. Charizard, Blaziken, Arcanine, Ninetails, Magmar, Camerupt, Infernape, Ceruledge, Chandelure, Skeledirge, Cinderace, Coalossal, Alolan Marowak... There were just SOOOO many good fire types.
I thanked the professor again for the Kings Rock and the advice, before May and I departed for the Pokemon Center. It wasn't too hard to find though, obviously, and then we were on our way to the northern beach of the island.
What awaited May and I there was a large stretch of rocky shore with numerous tide pools, where HUNDREDS of Slowpoke were loafing in the sun with their tails in the water, fishing for food.
"Look at all the Slowpoke." She said in awe.
"Yeah. Now I just need to pick one." I replied, scanning the masses of pink.
"Ahoy there!" A voice called out to us, and May and I looked over to see an older man approaching us, dressed like he was preparing for a day in the sun with an open floral shirt, beach shorts, and flip flops. "We don't have any Slowbro right now, so you kids will have to come back another day." The man said as he approached us.
"Slowbro? We're here for Slowpoke." I said pointedly.
"Really?" The guy asked while raising his brows.
"Yeah. I already have the Shellder needed to evolve them into Slowbro and Slowking." I said while holding up two pokeballs, and the Kings Rock for the man to see.
"Well dip me in honey and call me a Slowpoke's tail! It's been a while since I've seen anyone interested in actually catching a Slowpoke." The man said with a wide grin on his face.
"Really? No one want's to catch a Slowpoke?" May asked curiously.
"Not trainers anyways. Slowpoke are too hard to train with how slow their brains run, and you HAVE to catch a Shellder in order to evolve them, unless you're content to just sit by the beach day after day for as long as it takes. Most folks I see here are just looking for a Slowbro that's already evolved." The man said while pointing out to the crowds of Slowpoke.
"That sounds lazy." I said bluntly.
"Some trainers are." The guy replied in a tired tone. "They want to get strong pokemon right off the bat, but don't want to put in the effort needed to help train an 'average' pokemon to that point. That's also why I won't let anyone catch Big Boss either."
"Big Boss?" I asked curiously.
"Yeah. Over here."
The man then gestured for May and I to follow him as he led the way through the crowds of Slowpoke, who looked at us curiously as we passed by.
"So are you in charge of these Slowpoke or something?" I asked him curiously as we made our way through the tide pools.
"I own the land, and keep the Slowpoke safe from those who want to hurt and use them. Already I've had to deal with Team Rocket trying to come in and cut off their tails to use as pokemon lures. Plus theres to occasional trainer who's too high on their Rapidash." The man explained, right before we found literally the largest Slowpoke in the entire bunch.
"Is that an alpha?!" May exclaimed in disbelief as we looked at the Slowpoke, who was at least double the size of the others around us, and significantly powerful.
"Yep. This is Big Boss, as I call him. You wouldn't believe how many trainers I have coming through here with the express purpose of catching him for their collection. But I won't just let anyone take him."
"What if they beat you up and take him by force?" I asked curiously.
"Then I can report them to the authorities. Since this is my land, I have the say on whether or not trainers can catch pokemon here." He said with a shrug. I had to admit, it was hard to argue with that logic.
"So then, can I catch him?" I asked, figuring that I would try my luck. An alpha Slowking would be too enticing to pass up.
"That depends. Are you worthy enough to have him?" The man asked, his mouth curling into a smirk.
"I'm sponsored by THE professor Oak from Pallet town, who is also currently on this island." I said pointedly, pulling out my ID card as I did so to show that I was being supported by the illustrious professor.
"Wait, really?" The man asked incredulously.
"Yeah. He was even the one who gave me the Kings Rock just earlier since he knew that I was after a Slowking. Plus when he's not with me, I'm sure Big Boss would appreciate being at the professor's lab to help him with his research." I suggested, recalling from looking them up on the pokedex that Slowking loved to engage in research.
"I might just take you up on such an offer. IF you can manage to catch him that is." The man said, and I smirked.
"Well, to catch an alpha, which are said to be significantly stronger than their usual counterparts, how about this?" I asked, while swapping out of my pokeballs. "I choose you, Celebi!"
"Bebebe~!"
"!!!"
I noticed the man stand up straighter when the small Legendary appeared.
"A pink Celebi?!" He exclaimed in disbelief, even as the terrain around us grew noticeably greener from moss, lichen, and grass.
"Yep~! You ready for your first battle, Celebi?" I asked her.
"Cebebe!" She declared, even as Big Boss slowly turned towards us.
"Sloooooooow?" It asked in a low, dopey voice.
"Then start us off with a Magical Leaf!" I commanded.
"CELEBI!" She cried, summoning a storm of leaves that shimmered with psychic power as they pelted Big Boss relentlessly.
"Slooooooow?" It lowed dumbly, seemingly not even registering the attack despite the damage it was accumulating. Even so, that didn't stop it from opening it's mouth, and unleashing a massive blast of water.
"POOOOOOOOOOOOKE!"
Celebi danced around the pressurized water that I assumed was some kind of Water Gun attack, though it looked more like a Hydro Pump...
"Hit it with a Confusion." I told Celebi next. With how long it took Slowpoke to even realize they had been hurt, the goal would have to be to actually do enough damage to knock it out first.
"Cebe!"
Celebi's entire body began to glow as she encased Big Boss in psychic power, far more than the usual Confusion would use, and lifted him up into the air before slamming him back down into the ground repeatedly.
"That should be enough..." I muttered to myself as I pulled out a pokeball, and tossed it at Big Boss hopefully.
The massive Slowpoke was immediately sucked inside as the pokeball fell to the ground, and began to teeter back and forth for a few seconds. And then, it fell still while giving a soft ding.
"YES!" I yelled excitedly that I had managed to catch an alpha Slowpoke.
"Way to go, Noah!"
"Well done lad."
May and the man both congratulated me as well as I went and collected the pokeball.
"Cebe?"
"Yes, you did well Celebi." I praised her as she approached me, to which she then became bashful. And with her happiness, more and more plants began to grow around us.
~~~
Slowpoke- the Dopey pokemon
This pokemon uses it's tail to fish for prey at the edge of oceans, lakes and rivers. However, because of how forgetful it is, this pokemon will often forget what it was doing and just spend the entire day loafing at the edge of the water.
~~~
"About what I expected." I said as I scanned him, before turning my attention to the rest of the Slowpoke around us. I needed one more for a Slowbro. "You look good."
I focused on one that looked slightly larger than the others, but was no alpha like Big Boss.
"Bebe?" Celebi asked as I approached it, wondering if she could fight this one too.
"Not this time. I want to give someone else a try." I said to her in apology, before pulling out one of my other pokeballs. "I choose you, Joltik!"
"Tiiiik~!"
Joltik trilled as he appeared, all three inches of him that made even the smallest of Slowpoke around us look massive by comparison. But, Jotik was also effectively a perfect counter to them.
"Start with Electoweb!" I ordered him while pointing at the specific Slowpoke I was after.
"Joltik!"
With another trill, Joltik sprayed the Slowpoke with electrified webbing that completely covered it. On top of being sticky and slowing the opponent's movements, like String Shot, Electroweb would also continuously shock the opponent for as long as they were tangled up in it.
"Poooooke?"
The Slowpoke lowed in confusion, it's head tilting appropriately.
"Now finish it with a Fury Cutter!" I told him, and Joltik shot forward to give the Slowpoke a series of small attacks that dealt significant damage to it since they were bug type attacks.
"And that should be enough." I said while tossing a pokeball at it, sucking the Slowpoke inside. Sure enough, it went still after a couple small jerks.
"Another one bites the dust." May said as she stepped up to my side.
"That it does." I replied, before calling out both Slowpoke in an empty area while all of the others around us watched.
"You gonna evolve them right now?" The man asked.
"No reason not to. You wanna record this May? The professor might like the data." I asked her, and it only took seconds for May to be doing so. That was a streamer for you.
I then called out both of the Shellder I caught yesterday, and grabbed one while approaching the smaller of the two Slowpoke.
"Ready?" I asked it.
"Shell!" It declared while opening it's mouth, before clamping down on the Slowpokes tail.
"Slow?" It lowed curiosly, before it began to glow as it seemingly stood up on it's hind legs while the Shellder on it's tail also changed shape. "Broooooo?"
~~~
Slowbro- the Hermit Crab pokemon
Now that there is a Shellder firmly biting it's tail, the Slowbro has to reluctantly swim for food instead of just fishing. But because of this, it can focus more while it's powers have become much more potent. Additionally, should the Shellder come off, it will revert to being a Slowpoke.
~~~
I finished scanning the Slowbro with a smile before turning my attention to Big Boss.
"Now it's your turn."
"Slooooow?"
I took the King's Rock out of my bag and gently placed it upon Slowpoke's head, before grabbing Shellder and clamping it down over it as well. And like the other one, he began to glow with a brilliant light as he stood on his hind legs.
"Slowking!" My newly evolved Slowking declared with a focus in his eyes that hadn't been there before. And thanks to him being an alpha, he easily stood at least twelve feet tall. Maybe even thirteen.
~~~
Slowking- the Royal pokemon
Slowking undertakes research each and every day, devoting itself to it's studies into the mysteries of the universe. And if the Shellder on it's head comes off, it will forget everything it has learned.
~~~
"Nice~." I said with a whistle.
"Nice~." Slowking said in a low voice above us, mimicking me as he did so.
"Woah.... It can speak as well?" May asked curiously.
"Of course. Slowking are amongst, if not the only pokemon known to learn how to speak like humans." The man said knowledgeably beside us. "It helps them conduct their research since they will usually live and work alongside humans. But there are so few of them that not many people know this."
"Well then, you will be able to research a lot whenever you're staying with the professor." I told Slowking with a smile.
"Professor?" He repeated back, before giving me a big dopey smile as he seemingly understood.
"Thanks for all your help." I told the man after recalling Slowking and Slowbro to their pokeballs.
"No problem. It's nice to see Big Boss finally get to become a Slowking, and to know that he's going somewhere good." He replied, shaking hands with me before leading the way out as May and I followed him.
"Before we go, think you can point us towards the Gym?" I asked him as we prepared to depart.
"Just head toards the volcano. Blaine built the Gym at it's base." He said while pointing at the interior of the island. "It's about a day's walk from here."
"Thanks. I'll make sure to use Slowking while I'm there to test his strength." I said with a smirk.
"I almost feel sorry for Blaine now." He replied as May and I left, first to pick up Lapras, then to find Blaine.