Chapter 36: Picking the mind of an old legend

Chapter 36: Picking the mind of an old legend

The platter was rather quickly demolished and everyone broke into small groups to discuss their observations. I could almost see hypotheses and conclusions zipping through the air as people spoke, sometimes by themselves but most of the time there seemed to be another that was acting as Darkrai's advocate. Salvadore for all that he wasnt contributing looked like he was loving every second of the intellectual back and forth.

Daisy had been caught up with my younger siblings and dragged into the lounge room where I could see them playing with Eevee. Oak himself had remained at the table with his teams notes. He read through them all with a sharp eye but the smile and his bouncing frame showed that he was in his element.

Anyone want a drink? I offered the room at large. The group of debating scientists shook their heads, pausing for a moment only to return to argue over the importance of soil content.

Oak perked up. If I could have a coffee with some milk and sugar that would be just lovely!

I had his drink made up alongside a tea for myself quickly. I claimed the seat next to him and settled back. Oak stopped reading through his notes and took a drink. Then he laid his drink back down and sat so that it was very obvious that I had his attention. The smile told me that he knew I had questions and this was an old routine for him.

Might I help you with something Brock? He said amicably.

I chuckled, I guess you get this a lot? I said gesturing towards myself.

Everyone seems to think I have answers for them. Ive lived a good life for the most part. Its had its ups and downs. Coloured, is the best way I have heard it described. Some good, some bad. Ive gotten used to it. I rather like to believe Ive helped the majority of people that talk with me even! He said with a proud puff of his chest.

Then he rubbed the back of his head. Or at least I like to think so! Hahaha! So, what did you want to talk about?

I propped up my chin. Hmmm if only I could make up my mind about that myself

Oak shrugged and gestured to the paperwork. Oh dear! That usually means you have a lot to ask! He said with a teasing tone. Or maybe its one big question that needs to be approached delicately? Like trying to get an egg from a fearows nest for breakfast?

Youve done that? I said trying to picture the man that had walked into my gym so calm and confidently with a man that would be silly enough to try stealing from a fearow.

It was when I was youngger! He said making sure to say the last part under his breath, but I still heard it. I wondered for a moment if it hadnt actually been that long ago.

I chuckled only to jolt as I realised how at ease I was with a man that was known far and wide in Kanto. He was surprisingly affable, but then again hed been that way in the anime. So perhaps it was how he was. Still, I had a number of questions I wanted to ask him. The question was where to start? My eyes drifted around and paused on Salvadore.

What do you need to do to become a Pokemon Professor?

Oak followed my gaze to Salvadore. His expression softened. Well you need to want to be one first. Its a highly regarded role, but not a financially highly regarded role. There are certainly ways to make money off it but it depends on your field of interest. He sipped his coffee.

There are many years of hard work and rigorous learning that come before anything can progress. It might not seem that way right now, He gestured towards Cerise pulling a face at Elm as the man decried Biancas suggestion on the grotto needing to have a waterfall rather than a pond as it did right now. but a lot of this information needs to be set out as precisely as it can be. For that, Id recommend that any aspiring man, or woman, looks to pursue their high school education and then take a university course. I lectured for a time at Celadon University so Im rather partial to it myself.

He rubbed his chin, Being an intern at a lab would help to keep the goal in sight as well.

Would you recommend not going on a journey?

I think it is important to have the journey. It becomes a shared experience for so many of us that it shapes us for the rest of our lives.

I scratched my chin in thought. Despite less than a third of people actually getting to experience said journey to completion due to the restrictions?

Oak raised a single finger. There need to be some standards for trainers. Not all who use pokemon should be allowed to do so lest they train their pokemon and discard them creating problems for everyone with a lack of care and breaking the trust between mankind and pokemon. This would create serious problems for everyone were it the case.

I waved my hand back and forth. Ah, I was actually referring to the financial limitations that people face. You need sponsors willing to stable your pokemon for a journey, to have a better shot at going the distance to the conference.

That depends on what you want to get from the journey, Oak rebutted gently. Some people just want a year off and to travel around. For those, it is the experience, but for the serious trainers there are still people rising up to be serious contenders with just six pokemon. Some people are more than able to enjoy themselves with the six pokemon holding limit the League enforces without stable rights.

I bobbed my head from side to side before speaking. It does limit their chances at more frequent wins however, and limits their possible experiences. People that make it to the Conference with only six pokemon are not as prolific as people with stabling rights. More pokemon usually means more chances at experiencing different battling styles or moves, leading to better performances.

Oak watched me. Hmmm is that your take on the issue of more pokemon versus less?

I acknowledge that a good trainer can make less pokemon work very well for them, as they are able to focus their efforts. I raised a finger, However! More makes things easier as you have a wider choice of pokemon to pick from. Having more pokemon affects their ability to fight in more matches as well as their win ratio which impacts their cash reserves. This has a direct impact on how they get around, where they go, what they purchase for their pokemon and more. You can see how the issue compounds itself from there.

I wave my hand about, The new pokenet registry system they're implementing might make the difference even more stark. Oak nodded to show he was listening.

I tapped the table. Pokemon trainers will be able to know what pokemon their opponents have ahead of time at tournaments, or if theyre regularly using the pokenet. Previously trainers went into such matches mostly blind, but now they will be able to scout out opposition teams much easier. Again, quantity creates a difference. If you have to prepare against just six pokemon compared to a fully stabled trainer of twenty-six, who is going to have an easier time of it?

Thats discounting the fact that some trainers are better than others, he said. I got the impression he was more making an argument for the sake of it rather than believing his words.

Im not discounting that, Im just saying that it becomes easier. You can win and the most dedicated or skilled or richest trainers will rise to the top but the middling trainers? Theyll fall off in place of trainers with deeper pockets or sponsors footing the bill.

Oak drummed the table. That could potentially have some concerning ramifications He assessed me with a shrewd look. How would you address this issue?

How Im currently combating it, is by using an equity equals fairness approach for sponsorships.

Ho? He said leaning forward.

I offer sponsorships to young trainers for two years and allow them access to training with me, either in person or over a transceiver. Previously I have done this for two young trainers but starting this next circuit I will be offering it to four such trainers at once. I have the means to give back and invest in them. This on the scale of Kanto as a whole, however, only addresses a small percentage of the people that want to be trainers. It gives some people a chance, though. Now to qualify for this sponsorship you need to be assessed first with a means test, where people that have well-paying parents, those willing to support them that is, I said as an aside. Oaks gaze sharpened at my words but I barrelled on. Those children dont qualify for the sponsorship. Whereas those children with no parents are given chances to work with pokemon for a week and demonstrate their skills. This allows people that seriously want to become pokemon trainers more opportunities. I waved a hand. Its not a perfect solution.

Is there ever a perfect solution? Oak said, taking a long drink of his coffee, his eyes vacant as he spoke, Im not unaware of what you speak of you know? When I was champion I was very aware of the division between the rich trainers and the poor. In my time the issue was more centred around pokeball purchase.

At my interested look he raised a pokeball from his belt. Pokeballs were limited in number and were more apricorn balls, lanterns, He laughed once, Ive even seen a staff used to transport pokemon in! I blinked as I recalled the Rota movie. But the issue back then was that only people with the closest of friendships with pokemon could have companions. This limited the strength of pokemon they could have unless they had access to the pokeballs of the time. This led to lots of issues, as transporting weakened pokemon was much tougher when they couldnt be returned. Oak looked down as he rolled the pokeball around in his hand.

Things things were rougher back then.

I didnt say anything and let him sit as he worked through his memories. Had he lost a pokemon that way? Unable to take it to a caregiver? The noise of the debate washed over me. I glanced over to find that theyd found a whiteboard and were writing things, crossing them out and creating diagrams that I couldnt decipher. Or maybe that was just Joshuas handwriting?

Oak sat up and shook himself lightly. I tried to address that issue during my time as a champion of course. To combat this I implemented a subsidy while investing League funds in research into technology for developing the ease with which pokemon can be captured. At the time this seemed a contentious issue and I had many sleepless nights over it, but it ultimately created what we enjoy today. The use and ownership of pokemon has grown explosively in our society and were better off for it. This time he looked at the pokeball in his hands with a smile.

Id like to remind you of our arrangement with the ancient types! shouted Crowley.

I nodded. I havent forgotten. I tilted my head. How I shut my eyes. The reporters?

Crowley nodded and brandished the transceiver at his assistant. She heard from a friend who heard it from them! Brock! Should I come down there?

I dont think theres a need for that unless the machine for resurrecting pokemon is finished.

Ninety seven percent complete? he said while looking shifty.

Best to present a completed product. When the time comes Ill put in a word with them and well get it all on the up and up.

He beamed at me. Expect results within the week! He then hung up on me before I could tell him to settle down. I wasnt that rushed for another Aerodactyl after all.

I was leaning on my game knowledge, but I did have faith that Crowley would have results. He might have had them far, far later in the future but I wasnt expecting or needing a payoff any time soon. Supporting him really only costs me another pokemon trainer wage for the gym each month.

Brock! Called Yolanda as she dragged Daisy towards me. I raised an eyebrow, dropping the arm with my transceiver down. Brock! She called out again as she stormed up to me.

Yes Yolanda? I asked, curious as to what could inspire this reaction.

You should hire Daisy as your receptionist! She said bouncing on the spot.

I raised an eyebrow at this and glanced at Daisy, who shook her head with a smile. I looked back to Yolanda who beamed at me expectantly. Hmmm, well for that to happen she first has to want to take the position. You shouldnt go around offering people jobs like that.

Yolanda tilted her head. Why not?

I chuckled. Most of the time Yolanda was easily the most mature of my siblings but in times like this where she didnt have much experience, I got to see her acting as a kid.

Well, receptionist work isnt the most glamorous of roles. Telling someone you want them to work in that position could be taken as an insult.

I didnt mean it that way! Yolanda said, whipping around and rapidly shaking her head no at Daisy who merely laughed.

Its fine, I knew you didnt mean anything by it. She then smiled at me. Some people wouldnt be insulted you know?

I nodded. I know, but its a niche headhunting sort of question. While youre great with handling pokemon and little kids, that doesnt mean youd make a good receptionist. Somehow I doubted that. She put a hand to her chin and continued to smile.

Oh? I almost want the job now? Is that your game?

I snorted and shook my head at her. Not at all. Im interested in how you tamed my family so easily, but no. No games. I tilted my head. Were you thinking of applying for the receptionist position seriously? The application cut off is tomorrow if so.

She shook her head. No, I think I will keep my work as an intern for my grandfather for now. I enjoy it. She glanced into the cave system behind me. Speaking of, we should probably return, no?

I nodded and joined her in walking back in, Yolanda trudged along. Aww, youd have been great to have around here all the time.

If your brother wanted me to come around Im sure he could find a way, she said while wiggling her eyebrows at me.

I shook my head. Sorry, Ive got enough on my plate, pass.

Daisys eyes narrowed. Hmmm, is that so? She said with an undertone that I couldnt quite place. It did send goosebumps up my spine though, and for a second I thought something much larger was watching me.

I paused when I realised Bertha was sitting in the tunnel doing just that. Oh! Hey girl, want to come with me? There are some people that will love to get a look at you.

Bertha stood and rumbled her assent. Daisy stared at the giant drill pokemon. Oh my, the television really didnt do her justice.

I grinned. When I led her into the grotto Shin greeted her loudly. The researchers all stopped what they were doing and gaped at her. Don was up on his ledge, but I could see his annoyance as Bertha lumbered in. He sniffed and stuck up his nose, curling into a bundle to ignore us.

I knew hed be back down soon. His pride wouldnt let someone else be the centre of attention in his territory. Id have to move things out of here if the professors wanted to look Bertha over.

Elm squealed a little in joy. Oh! Thats right I forgot you had her! Oh! And also your Geodude line that has an electric typing! We need to see them as well!

Bianca perked up at that. I sighed.

It was starting to look like I was going to have trouble having this group out of here by tomorrow now. Still, a small price to pay for having someone highly specialised in pokemon breeding looking over my rare pokemon.

Crowley might be a long-term payout, but Bianca and my ancient pokemon? By the end of the next circuit, I might just have another few Kabuto, Omantye and Aerodactyl hanging around the gym.

Show me show me! Elm said running up to me like a child that couldnt wait. I laughed and turned to Yolanda.

I think we better make up the spare beds in the gym for tonight, unless everyone is happy to transit in again?

Elms team all looked very pleased by this announcement.

Daisy smirked. I think I wouldnt mind Professor Oak leaned over and put a hand on her mouth.

Well transit in. I own an Alakazam who can do so. Although Stephen might like to examine his future quarters?

Stephen nodded absentmindedly as he read through a handful of notes, before stopping and peering up at us in confusion. Sorry, what was that?

I chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. Come on, lets find you a spare room and some sheets for tonight. I led Bianca, Joshua, Elm and Stephen to the rooms we kept.