Lucas looked at the listless Pokémon lying all over the carpet and couldn't help but gasp.
"So many?"
Even though Lucas had mentally prepared himself, he was still taken aback.
Inside the teaching building, all sorts of Pokémon lay sprawled across the empty hallway.
Patrat, Swadloon, Whirlipede, Tepig, Oshawott, Pansage, Pansear, Panpour, Blitzle—
A Researcher in a white lab coat walked up to Lucas and Nina and asked politely, "Excuse me, have your Pokémon also developed abnormal symptoms?"
Lucas shook his head.
"If not, please leave this area as soon as possible to avoid your Pokémon falling into an abnormal state as well."
The Researcher advised the two to leave quickly to prevent their own Pokémon from falling into an abnormal state.
Just as Nina was about to speak, she saw Lucas pull out an ID card.
"I am a Pokémon Professor from the Sinnoh region. My research focuses primarily on Pokémon emotions and bonds, and I am also a Pokémon Doctor. Professor Juniper specifically entrusted me with coming here to investigate and handle the abnormal status issues of the Pokémon at Striaton Academy."
The Researcher took the ID card Lucas handed over, looked at it carefully, and was instantly overjoyed, "That's wonderful, Professor Lucas. Please, you must help us find the cause of the Pokémon's abnormal status."
"It is my duty."
Lucas took back his ID card, hung it around his neck, and said seriously.
"Do you have any new findings so far?"
Lucas walked beside the Researcher, looking at the listless Pokémon lying on the ground, and asked.
The Researcher immediately began reporting the results they had observed over the past two days to Lucas.
Watching Lucas act like a leader questioning a subordinate, Nina covered her mouth with her hand and whispered to the Gengar floating beside her, "You have to admit, he's putting on a pretty convincing act."
"Gengar gen—" Exactly, exactly.
"But where did he get that ID card? Isn't he afraid of being found out?"
Gengar pulled out a newspaper. Although she didn't know why it was hiding the day's newspaper, there was a small section on it introducing Lucas. Nina took the newspaper and could clearly see it written: "Pokémon Breeder from the Sinnoh region successfully promoted to Pokémon Professor; research topic focuses on Pokémon emotions and bonds."
"???"
"He really became a Pokémon Professor?"
Gengar nodded.
"Gengar gen~" That's right~ I'm a Pokémon Professor's assistant now.
"This guy is just too monstrous."
Nina returned the newspaper to Gengar and, watching Lucas's back, said.
At this moment, Lucas was examining the Pokémon in front of him. He took the gloves the Researcher handed him, put them on, and then gently pried open the eyelids of the Tepig in front of him.
The Tepig was startled and snorted sparks from its snout, preparing to defend itself. However, because it had no strength in its body and was surrounded by a sense of oppression, its sparks turned into scattered little flames.
"It's okay, I'm here to help you. Just take a nap, and you'll feel better after sleeping."
Lucas comforted the Tepig and then said, "Pupils are slightly dilated, temperature is normal."
He lifted the Tepig's hoof, "Hoof is soft and weak."
"Hoof is soft and weak—wait, forelimb is soft and weak."
There was a rustling sound nearby. Lucas turned his head curiously and found that the Researcher was taking notes on what he said. Lucas glanced at it and saw that "hoof" had been crossed out and changed to "forelimb."
Oh no—I was just thinking about how delicious pig's trotters are—
To hide the awkwardness of his slip of the tongue, Lucas changed the subject, "Why did you decide to record these things?"
"Oh, this? I noticed you didn't have an assistant with you, Professor Lucas, so I thought I'd temporarily act as your assistant to record your findings for you."
Lucas: !
"Is that what assistants do?"
"Yes, that's very normal. An assistant is there to help the Professor, including but not limited to recording notes, scheduling, and so on."
Hearing this, Lucas glanced at the Gengar following behind him.
It seems other people's assistants are different from mine—
"Gengar gen—" Why are you looking at me? I can't write, and I can't even read my own writing. You expect me to record things for you?
Gengar said righteously.
All you do is eat!
Lucas bared his teeth at Gengar.
Gengar stuck its tongue out at Lucas.
The main point is that neither would yield to the other.
"Is Gengar your assistant?"
The Researcher beside him asked curiously.
"No, how could it be? It definitely isn't."
Lucas didn't hesitate at all and denied it three times, "My assistant is a Gothitelle."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gothitelle floated in from outside the door.
It shook its head at Lucas.
There was nothing unusual in the surroundings.
Lucas nodded to indicate he understood.
Watching Gothitelle return to Lucas's side, the Researcher hesitantly offered her paper and pen, "Um—should I let it record?"
Seeing the slightly disappointed expression on the Researcher's face, Lucas said, "It's fine, you two can record together. It just so happens I can give you a detailed analysis."
"Thank you very much."
The Researcher exclaimed with gratitude.
Lucas signaled for her to keep her voice down, then turned his gaze back to the Tepig in front of him, "Where was I just now?"
"Oh, hoof is soft and weak—ah, no, forelimb is soft and weak. Sorry, I had pig's trotters for lunch—"
What a coincidence—I had pig's trotters for lunch too, peanut-stewed pig's trotters. They were delicious.
Lucas took the stethoscope, pressed it against the Tepig, and listened carefully to its heartbeat.
"The heartbeat is a bit rapid, and the breathing is also a bit fast. It seems to be falling into a state of panic."
After finishing his detailed analysis of this Tepig, Lucas shifted his target to a Whirlipede nearby.
It could be said that the symptoms were all similar.
"Similar symptoms, huh—then I can rest easy."
Lucas felt more confident now and began examining the Blitzle, which seemed to be in even worse condition.
Lucas reached out to stroke the Blitzle, but as soon as his hand touched it, he pulled it back sharply.
"Static electricity?"
Lucas put his slightly numb index finger into his mouth and said in confusion.
"That's not right—generally speaking, the power of static electricity shouldn't be this strong, right? Especially since it's summer now. I seem to recall the weather forecast saying it rained a few days ago—"
"?"
Lucas thought of something.
He hurriedly turned to look at the Researcher beside him, "Did the academy have a very heavy rainstorm a few days ago?"
The Researcher nodded, "Yes, it rained for a whole day and night, and then there was thunder for a whole day. I still feel scared thinking about it. The thunder was terrifying, as if something very scary was thundering in the sky. Fortunately, all the lightning that struck the school was absorbed by the lightning rods and conducted into the ground."
Listening to the Researcher, Lucas's suspicion grew stronger. He turned his head and reached out, only to find Gengar and Nina sitting in the corner by the door, eating snacks and chatting, along with Empoleon and Arcanine.
"You guys—when did you go over there?"
Hearing Lucas's words, Nina took a bite of a cat-ear snack and said matter-of-factly, "Just now. We can't help you with this, so we just sat here eating snacks and waiting for you, to avoid disturbing you and making you distracted."
Lucas sighed tiredly, "Gengar, bring me the toolbox first."
Gengar made an "oh" sound, pulled a toolbox out of its mouth, and placed it on the ground.
"Gengar gen" Gothitelle—please.
Gothitelle used its psychic power to bring the toolbox over. Looking at Gengar sitting motionless on the ground, Lucas glared at it.
"You're lazy to death."
"Gengar gen!" Mind your own business! Blehh!
Lucas took a capacitive pen out of the toolbox, intending to test it, but remembering the jolt he got earlier, he thought about it and put the capacitive pen back, then took out a large light bulb.
The Researcher looked at the large light bulb in Lucas's hand, feeling a bit curious.
Why would your toolbox have a few large light bulbs in it?
Lucas ignored the Researcher's confusion and gently brought the light bulb close to the Blitzle.
Immediately, the light bulb lit up with a dazzling glow.
Lucas looked at the shining light bulb and couldn't help but say "Wow."
"Shiny."
Moving the light bulb away, Lucas stood up and went to a few other Electric-type Pokémon, testing them one by one. Not a single one failed to light it up.
"It seems the most severely affected ones right now are these Electric-type Pokémon. They were affected by the unknown lightning a few days ago, causing the electrical energy in their bodies to surge chaotically and their circulation to go out of control, which in turn affected their bodies. Help me ask the Trainers of these Electric-type Pokémon if these Pokémon were unable to use Electric-type moves the day after the storm."
Lucas stood up and said.
The Researcher didn't waste any words; she nodded and turned to leave.
"Gothitelle, go help prepare some herbal medicine, then add a little bit of the special winter honey brewed by Vespiquen. Remember, just a few drops are enough. By the way, do we have any left?"
Gothitelle nodded, "Gothitelle."
"There's only a little bit left after you ate it, but it should be enough."
"That's fine then."
The winter special honey was a sweet honey that Vespiquen brewed specifically for Lucas during the winter. He and Vespiquen each took half. For the half he kept, Gothitelle would add a little bit of sweet honey whenever he cooked to strengthen his physique.
That said, he didn't feel like his physique had strengthened all that much; after all, he still couldn't take one of Shauna's Rocket Headbutts.
Meanwhile, our Shauna was leading Tomoyo, following behind Diani as they toured Striaton Academy.
"Up ahead is the commercial district of our Striaton Academy. There are many things for sale inside. I'll take you to have a look, and whatever you like, I'll buy for you as a gift."
Since her Dewott had recovered with the help of Shauna and Tomoyo, she was incredibly happy, so she thought about buying some precious items for Shauna and Tomoyo as gifts.
"Thank you, Big Sister."
Shauna said sweetly, thanking her happily.
"Big Sister is so kind, playing with us and buying us things as gifts."
"Ling-ling~"
Little Bell beside Shauna made a pleasant sound.
Tomoyo, holding the pink Dratini in her arms, nodded in agreement.
"It's nothing, really. It's just that I'm happy today. Let's go, I'll take you to pick out some gifts."
"Uh... this... that... does Little Tomoyo really want this?"
Diani wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, speaking somewhat nervously.
Tomoyo looked at the beautiful scale in front of her and said crisply, "Little Dratini likes this."
Diani looked at the pink Dratini in Tomoyo's arms; it was quite cute, but the way it stared straight at that scale was not cute at all.
—
"The main thing is... I can't afford it..."
Diani said awkwardly, and then she discovered that the merchant had already packed the scale and handed it to Tomoyo.
Tomoyo took a card out of her small bag and handed it to the owner, who took it and swiped it.
Beep~
Payment successful.
Diani: ???
You just bought a million-dollar Dragon Scale?
Tomoyo took back the card, put it back in her bag, took the Dragon Scale, and hung it around Dratini's neck.
Dratini chirped happily a few times.
For some reason, Diani suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
It was a good thing she didn't have to pay, otherwise, even if she sold herself, she wouldn't be able to afford it.
She looked at Tomoyo, somewhat curious about her identity.
By the way, who exactly is she? To dare to walk around with this much money at such a young age? Isn't she afraid of being robbed?
Shauna is the same, and she doesn't even know to advise her... wait, where is Little Shauna?
Diani hurriedly searched for Shauna's figure, and after discovering she was standing in front of a vendor, she breathed a sigh of relief and walked over with Tomoyo.
She found Shauna staring blankly at a stone.
Seeing that she seemed very interested, Diani asked the owner.
"How much is this stone? I'll buy—"
"800,000."
"How much?"
Diani's mouth dropped open.
800,000? You dare to sell a broken stone for 800,000, why don't you just go rob someone!
"800,000 is already considered very cheap. It's embedded with a Fire Stone and a Thunder Stone, and according to conservative estimates, there are at least three more Evolution Stones inside, so 800,000 is already considered very cheap."
"Are you trying to trick a ghost? If there were really that many, wouldn't you have taken them out? If you took them out and sold them separately, it would be at least 400,000 more expensive."
Diani ruthlessly exposed the owner's words.
Seeing that the owner was still wearing the Striaton Academy uniform, Diani warned him: "If you think they are young and want to deceive them, watch out, or I'll report you to the teachers."
The owner's face immediately soured, "How about this, I'll give you a discount."
At this moment, Shauna pointed to a tooth-shaped item on another shelf and said, "That one, together with the stone, 100."
"1,000,000? Deal!"
The owner agreed immediately.
Diani looked full of regret; she still paid too much.
Children's money is just so easy to scam.
Tomoyo stood beside Shauna, looking at her best friend, "Do you want me to help you pay?"
Shauna shook her head, "No, Little Shauna has her own money."
After saying this, Shauna took a card out of her small purse and handed it to the owner, who took the card and swiped it.
Beep~
Payment successful.
Diani: —
How do you have so much money too—
Why on earth do you two little girls carry so much money with you?
Shauna had the owner pack up the stone, carried it on her back, waved to the owner, and said bye-bye sweetly.
Carrying the stone on her back, Shauna grabbed Tomoyo and Diani's hands and hurried to run away.
And after the owner saw the three of them leave, he also quickly packed his things and ran away.
One went east, one went west, each running their own way.
Over at Lucas's side.
Shauntal walked in from the door with a man.
"What happened? You needed to make the trip yourself?"
Shauntal looked at Lucas, who was standing in the hallway, and asked.
"You arrived so quickly? Could it be that you were nearby?"
Lucas was surprised by the speed of Shauntal's arrival; in his predictions, Shauntal wouldn't arrive until at least the evening.
"I happened to be nearby when I received your message. This is Cheren, the Gym Leader of Aspertia City, and currently also a teacher at Striaton Academy."
After Lucas greeted Cheren, he explained the situation to Shauntal.
After finishing, he looked at Shauntal and asked a puzzled question: "By the way—Striaton Academy is the most famous school in the Unova region, after all. Such a big thing happened, and you didn't have a single Elite or Gym Leader come over?"
Shauntal was speechless. She sighed and said, "After all, not all regions are like your Sinnoh region—"
She looked at the listless Pokémon lying on the carpet and said, "I only received news that the weather near Nacrene City and Striaton City seemed abnormal, so I came to investigate, and I asked Cheren and the Nacrene City Gym Leader, Lenora, to help me. I didn't receive any reports of Pokémon at Striaton Academy showing abnormal emotions."
"So what's the situation now?"
"Most of the Pokémon don't have much of a problem; they will recover quickly after drinking some herbal medicine."
Lucas took the report from the Researcher's hand and handed it to Shauntal. Gothitelle also handed the report she was holding to Cheren so they could read it in detail.
"The difficult ones right now are the Electric-type Pokémon. The electronic energy in their bodies has been affected by an unknown current and is in a chaotic and disorderly state. We must find a way to help them sort out the chaotic current in their bodies so that they can return to normal."
"What should I do?"
Shauntal looked at the report and asked.
"Find a larger open space, and then—"
Lucas explained his idea. Shauntal nodded, then looked at Cheren, "Is there a relatively large place in the school?"
"Yes, not far from here."
Shauntal looked at Lucas, and Lucas nodded, "Then, Gym Leader Cheren, can you help me go—"
After hearing Lucas's words, Cheren looked at Shauntal, and Shauntal smiled and said to him, "He is the second Champion of the Sinnoh region, and he came here specifically to help us deal with this matter."
Cheren was surprised. The Champion of the Sinnoh region? Did he defeat Champion Cynthia?
Thinking of this, Cheren hurriedly left to arrange the things Lucas had entrusted him with.
Seeing that there was no one else around, Shauntal breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm exhausted."
Lucas took the drink Gengar handed over and passed it to Shauntal, while opening one for himself to drink, "How was your investigation? Did you find anything wrong?"
"Yes, I found a place where the surroundings were full of traces of fighting."
"Done by Pokémon?"
"Yes, and it doesn't look like it was done by ordinary Pokémon."
"Is that so—by the way, with the Unova League's efficiency, aren't you really afraid that Team Plasma will cause some trouble?"
Lucas asked curiously.
"Caitlin's emotions are unstable, Grimsley has his own ideas, Marshal refuses to leave the League, so I had to come—"
Shauntal said, "Actually, after your reminder, Caitlin and I have already increased our vigilance against Team Plasma. But just with the two of us, Caitlin and me, there is no way we can cover so many places. Now, unless Team Plasma attacks our League Headquarters, we probably won't be able to work together."
"So you each have your own ideas and can't cooperate."
Lucas was a bit helpless, "In the end, it's highly likely that I'll need to step in?"
"Thank you. After all, with a Champion here, the security is always a bit better."
Shauntal smiled and thanked him.
Lucas shook his head, "Forget it, I already accepted benefits from Professor Juniper anyway."
Shauntal: ???
***************************
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