Dynamax and Mandrakes
The party from last week ended up quite a success, if you ask Professor Oak. Everyone had enjoyed the party pretty well even the Pokemon. He was also quite happy to see his grandson and favorite pupil finally relax and lose some of the shadows hanging around them. He knew the four boys had talked together at some point after the party, he didn't know what it was about but he trusted them. Now, he was playing host to Professor Magnolia, a fellow researcher. She had heard about the incident of the three Dynamax Pokemon appearing at the ruins outside of Pallet town and had come from the Galar region to investigate.
Samuel, "Professor Magnolia, welcome."
Magnolia smiled, "Thank you, Professor Oak."
Samuel, "I must say, I'm quite excited about the new find. One of the oldest Dynamax Pokemon appearing near Pallet town. It's something, although we could have done without the trainers hurting themselves."
Magnolia sighed, "I heard you want to increase the age of trainers who are going on a journey from 10 to 13 permanently?"
Samuel was blank faced, "Too many dangers nowadays, I'm afraid. Just take my kids for example, they have not even starter their journey, yet they watched Team Rocket murder their fellow trainers."
Magnolia gave a grimace, "I have heard, I'm sorry they had to go through something like that. If it makes you feel better, our dear Champion Leon and myself approve the move as well. But in his case the reason is, most probably because of his baby brother."
Samuel laughed, "I would not be surprised. I have seen his interview, he was literally gushing about how adorable his baby brother is."
Magnolia gave a smile, "He's a good kid, a tad over enthusiastic but a good kid."
Samuel, "Isn't he the same age as Lance?"
Magnolia nodded, "Yes he is. I'm happy he's not going for a double Championship. That brat may be a genius in battle but he hates the paperwork that comes with being a Champion like the plague. He swears up and down it's alive."
Ash walked up to the two elders after a while, "Professor! The rooms are ready and Gary is helping them pick a room. The Pokemon who came with them have easily settled down with the other Pokemon as well."
Samuel ruffled his hair, "That's great Ash. Thank you."
Ash smiled, "No biggie."
Ash then turned to Professor Magnolia, "Is it true? What they are saying about giant Pokemon?"
Magnolia looked at the starry eyed boy that her colleagues seem to have become fond of, "Yes it is true. And we are going to learn more about it in the next few days."
Ash hummed, "And the temples?"
Samuel, "What about the temples, Ash?"
Ash looked up smiling, "Will they be restored? I bet they would look great if they were back in top shape again."
Magnolia laughed, "That's why we are working with the archaeologists. Not only to learn about the Pokemon but also to fix the temple."
Ash brightened like the sun making Magnolia blink, "Awesome, I saw the temple once, I think they are pretty impressive. If we could restore them properly I bet they would be really magnificent to look at."
Gary came at this point, "It's too bad we won't be able to go. We got our semesters this two weeks."
Ash pouted, "Yeah!"
Magnolia smiled softly as the two kids left, "I think, I can see why you and Blaine like having these two around. They are like sunshine and rainbow."
Samuel grinned, "You don't know most of it."
Ash and Gary left the older people behind as they were getting together to prepare for the excavation. They had their first semester to prepare for, although they already studied as much as they could for them. It doesn't hurt to prepare extra. The two weeks flew by pretty fast in Gary's opinion. One moment they were writing their first paper, the next moment they were already on their last one. He half wondered how the excavation went, his grandpa had prevented them from nosing around and told them to focus on the papers instead.
Ash leaned against his shoulder giving a sigh, "It's over."
Gary smiled, "Yup! One semester is done, five more to go."
Ash grinned, "Think they'll be as tiring as this one?"
Gary shrugged, "Who knows? It may be easier."
Ash, "You know, I'm mostly happy we got Red and Green to talk to us. And I mean actually talk."
Gary sobered, "They didn't tell us everything but I guess it is better than nothing."
Ash nodded, "What happened was cruel and sad. I can't say I am not scared because I am. What if they died instead? I want to beg them to stay here, right here so bad."
Gary hugged Ash, "I know Ash, I know, but it's their life yeah. We can't stop them but we can definitely care for them when they are hurt."
Ash smiled, "I guess so. You are right."
Gary smirked, "Aren't I always?"
Ash hit his shoulder giggling, "We will be there for them. Do you want to check on the garden? I think the devil's vine is quite big enough for us to use now."
Gary grinned, "Yeah sure. Hey Eevee, Pikachu, Litten, Charmander! We're going to the garden, want to join us?"
Eevee yawned, -Sure!-
Pikachu looked at them sleepily, -Why not?-
Charmander and Litten simply nodded their heads before getting up from their cuddle pile and walking over to the two boys. Ash led the way to their personal garden that seem to be growing bigger every month. He was quite happy with how far the garden had come. Most Pokemon avoided the Mandrake fields, the magical vines and all magical plants, but the berry fields always had one or two Pokemon around.
Gary, "You know Misty's birthday is coming up."
Ash, "Yeah and I am still working on her present."
Gary smiled, "Mine is almost ready. Hey we should visit Green at Saffron sometime. I want to see their plant field."
Ash nodded enthusiastically, "We could introduce Misty to the plants as well."
Gary snickered thinking about how she would react, "That'll be fun to watch."
Gary had been ecstatic when Green had found Mandrakes, real living Mandrakes near Saffron city. It was a miracle they survived there despite the conditions. Now, after a few months the Mandrakes had multiplied and were being used in potions that helped counter different types of paralysis. Sabrina had been fascinated by the plant and had started her own nursery on it. Her Pokemon not so impressed by the screaming plant but acknowledged that they were good medicine.
Behind the Saffron gym:
Sabrina twitched, "Mandrakes are really loud."
Green shrugged, "They are what they are."
Sabrina's Alakazam eyed the moving plants suspiciously, -Are you sure they are not Pokemon?-
Green nodded, "Pretty damn sure big guy. You can't use them in battle, can't talk to them and their screams can turn you deaf if they are young or kill you if they are matured."
Sabrina looked at the moving leaves sceptically, "It looks so harmless like an Oddish."
Braxien agreed, -And ugly, don't forget ugly.-
Sabrina looked through the book Green had given her, "And this potion helps against paralysis? Both human and Pokemon?"
Green nodded, "Yes it does and it doesn't have the side effect of nausea that most paralysis potions have on humans."
Sabrina had a thoughtful look, "Well, I can see the benefits of this, though I'm not sure the preparation process is exactly safe. But with enough safety and precaution it can be done."
Harvey heaved more carts in with the other psychics, "Miss Sabrina, these are the rest of the mandrakes."
Sabrina nodded, "Good, now I believe tomorrow is the weekend, go enjoy it."
The young psychics were delighted at the idea of no homework during the weekend and left quickly. The older psychics however stayed back out of curiosity. Sabrina gave a small rare smile when she saw the curious spark in her students' eyes. She instructed them to help her apprentice to separate the young mandrakes from the mature ones. Green smiled as the others helped him with the plants, he may not be into potions like his younger sibling but he learned a thing or two about caring and prep of the ingredients. He shivered thinking about some of the other plants Gary seemed to be fond of, especially the black vine aptly termed 'Devil's Snare'.
Green, 'I'll have to call them to Saffron at one point to get the other plants in the ingredient list.'
Sabrina on the other hand was fascinated by one of the books that spoke of psychic abilities. According to it anyone who trained hard enough would be able to develop at least a low level psychic defense. Considering how old the language it was written in was, it could be considered a treasure tome. There were small snippets and stories about Psychics of the past and their adventures. The younger psychics adored them and enjoyed reading the translated ones. The crowd favourite being the story of a Dynamax Alakazam and Hypno.
Sabrina, "Green, the other ingredients in the list. I'm guessing you know where to get them?"
Green, "Well, I know where they are available, but whether or not it'll be enough for a commercial production is another question."
Sabrina nodded, "We could always convert one of the swamps around the city into a field like the one used for the mandrakes. It's not like they are used by Pokemon or owned by people."
Green, "If it's possible that would actually be beneficial for us. Are we going to ask Silph Co though? I mean they are more into technology rather than anything biological."
Sabrina frowned, "We'll see. I want this to be available to Pokemon trainers and Rangers strictly speaking. Not to the rich which is the main target for Silph Co. On another note, your book that was published under Children's Fairy Tales was a fan favorite."
Green smiled, "Is that so? I knew others would enjoy those stories as well."
One of the older students, Musa grinned, "Well you were right about that. My son enjoys those stories. I'm surprised you refused to take the money though."
Green waved it off, "I already have money also the money from the books goes to the school and the regrowth projects for these potion plants. Any ways I was not the one to write the stories I only shared them. Plus I got an offer from them to publish any book I write in the future if I ever consider it. Maybe when I am older."
Alakazam spoke up, -I for one enjoy Divination, who would have thought a subject created by a human would be so useful. It does lead to the question how it was forgotten.-
Sabrina sighed, "Time is a cruel Mistress, my friend. Things sometimes disappear because of time."
Braxien grumbled, -I hope we don't have to handle the creepier plants, I got enough of them back home.-, she shivered remembering how one of the vines had picked her up one day when she had joined the younger Pokemon at the garden. Ash had coaxed the vine to let her go but the feeling remained.
Green laughed, "Don't worry my fire dancer, we don't plan to grow those vines here. I'm afraid I don't know how to use runes to support their growth."
Sabrina, "But we could do it though?"
Green, "Yeah... But Pokemon don't like those vines so not anytime soon, we aren't. In fact even the grass Pokemon avoid them, now that I think about it."
Sabrina's Alakazam looked curious, -I would like to see them.-
Green smiled, "Sure, mom wants you guys to have lunch with the family next month. I can show you then."
Braxien and his Alakazam however grumbled beneath their breaths about unnatural plants before following Green out to the city. Green wanted to get some TM for the younger students who will pass the test next week. He was not one to depend on the TM himself but he saw the convenience of using one. He had talked to Red about the effectiveness of using TM vs training their Pokemon the old school way. They had both decided to label TM as a tool for emergency when they might be in a rush, otherwise it was not exactly necessary.