Chapter 435: Prof. Rowan
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Next Day, Sandgem Town – Rowan's Lab]
The S.S. Spiral cut a clean, shimmering path across the cerulean expanse of the Sinnoh sea, its rhythmic churn a gentle lullaby to the passengers on board. Among them, leaning against the railing with a quiet confidence that belied his youthful countenance, was Azure here, embarking on a new chapter.
A familiar weight settled on his shoulder—Pikachu, his faithful partner, whose bright eyes mirrored the sea's blue. On his head, Eevee, a vision of fluffy warmth, purred contentedly, occasionally nudging his ear with her muzzle.
Tucked securely within the inner pocket of his jacket, a tiny, disguised Pichu (Mew), let out a soft, almost imperceptible mewl, sensing the impending adventure. Azure's lips curved into a faint smile.
His journey to Sinnoh was two-fold: to once again test his mettle in a new League, and to fulfill a rather unique commission from the esteemed Berlitz family. He was to be the bodyguard for their heir, Platinum Berlitz, a task that promised both intrigue and responsibility.
"HOOOONK!"
The ship's horn blared, resonating, signaling their imminent arrival. The docks of Sandgem Town rapidly grew larger, bustling with activity. Pokémon and people moved in harmony, a microcosm of the region's vibrant life.
Azure disembarked with the practiced ease of a seasoned traveler, his specialized backpack, surprisingly light despite the advanced equipment it held, settling comfortably on his shoulders. He wore practical, dark clothing, designed for movement and blending in, a stark contrast to the flamboyant attire some high-profile trainers favored.
His eyes, sharp and alert, scanned the surroundings, taking it all in. Je murmured, stroking Eevee's head, "Alright, buddies, Sinnoh it is. Let's make the most of these few days before duty calls."
Pikachu, ever-eager, let out a cheerful cry, "Pika-Pika! (Ah, right! It's Adventure Time with the gang!)"
Eevee's tail gave an enthusiastic wag along with a cry, "Bui! Eveoi! (Okay, what villain of the Region is it this time?)"
Even the hidden Pichu wiggled slightly in approval as it cried out, "Pi! (Yeah! Adventure and snacks! Lots of snacks!)"
Sandgem Town was a charming coastal settlement, a symphony of sea breezes and the calls of Pokémon. Azure spent his time simply immersing himself in its rhythm. He observed the local Pokémon.
Starly darting through the skies with crisp chirps, Bidoof diligently gnawing on riverside logs, and the occasional Kricketot creating their melodic hums from sheltered patches of grass. He pulled out his Arc Phone and meticulously jotted down observations.
He noted the subtle differences in behavior, the unique interactions between Sinnohan Pokémon and their human companions compared to other regions. It was a habit born from years of travel and an insatiable curiosity that even his transmigration from Earth hadn't dulled.
Every new region was a fresh canvas, a new set of data points for his ever-expanding understanding of this world. He mused aloud, watching a young boy share a Poffin with a happily munching Buneary, "Fascinating. The level of harmonious cohabitation here seems particularly pronounced."
Azure's sightseeing took a more academic turn. Professor Rowan's lab. Azure recalled bits of information from his research—Rowan was a specialist in Pokémon Evolution, a field that had always held a certain allure for Azure, given the diverse evolutionary paths of his own team.
The laboratory itself was a sprawling, modern structure made of sturdy stone and gleaming glass, standing out amidst the more traditional architecture of Sandgem. As he approached the entrance, a young woman in a lab coat emerged, clutching a stack of papers.
She blinked, surprised to see him. She asked, surprised, a polite smile on her face, "May I help you?"
Azure replied casually, his voice calm and clear, "Good morning. My name is Azure Sky. I believe I was expected a few days from now, but I arrived early. I'm here to meet Professor Rowan."
The assistant's eyes widened slightly in recognition as she exclaimed, "Azure Sky? Oh, yes, of course! Professor Oak mentioned you'd be visiting sometime soon, though we expected Platinum's bodyguard a bit later. Please, come in! The Professor is quite busy, but I'll let him know you've arrived."
She ushered him inside, the scent of ozone and something akin to old parchment filling the air. The interior of the lab was a hive of quiet activity. Assistants moved purposefully between humming machines and towering bookshelves.
Azure found himself in a spacious research area, where the air felt thick with intellectual pursuit. And there, at the center of it all, stood Professor Rowan, a man whose stern demeanor was softened by an underlying warmth in his eyes, alongside another distinguished-looking gentleman—Mr. Berlitz, Platinum's father, if Azure's memory served him right.
They were both hunched over a large table, illuminated by a focused beam of light, intently examining a collection of enlarged photographs. The photos were of cryptic symbols and abstract murals, seemingly ancient.
Azure's trained eye immediately gravitated towards two distinct emblems. One was a faded, moss-green pentagon, its edges softened by time, with an intricate, almost floral pattern within.
The other was a vibrant, almost luminescent pink circular emblem, reminiscent of a swirling galaxy, both symbols resonating with a deep, forgotten history. A faint, almost imperceptible thrum echoed in Azure's mind, a quiet recognition of something profoundly significant.
He paused a respectful distance away, not wanting to interrupt their concentration. Pikachu twitched an ear, sensing the intensity, while Eevee merely watched, curious, and Pichu (Mew) peeked curiously out.
After several long moments, Mr. Berlitz sighed, running a hand through his neatly combed hair. He trailed off, frustration evident in his tone, "These symbols continue to elude us, Professor. Our archaeological teams have unearthed countless examples, but their context…"
Professor Rowan chimed in, adjusting his spectacles with his arms crossed, "Indeed, Mr. Berlitz. These particular ones, found in Jubilife City, are especially perplexing. The artistry, the material… it speaks of an advanced civilization, yet their meaning remains stubbornly out of reach."
It was then that Professor Rowan finally looked up, his gaze sweeping over the room and landing on Azure. His eyes, sharp under bushy brows, softened as he greeted him, "Ah, young man! My apologies, we were quite engrossed. You must be Azure Sky, correct? Professor Oak sent word."
Mr. Berlitz turned, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as he exclaimed, "Azure? But I thought you were expected in a few days. You've arrived early!"
Azure offered a small, apologetic shrug as he helplessly said, "I admit, I was a bit eager to begin my journey in Sinnoh. I could have arrived sooner on my Dragonite, but I thought it might be a bit… conspicuous to drop out of the sky into a local port. I'd rather keep a low profile, especially before my duties officially begin."
He chuckled lightly, a sound that held a hint of amusement. His gaze, however, lingered on the photos on the table as he asked, "Though… if you don't mind me saying, what you're studying there seems far more interesting than my travel arrangements."
Professor Rowan's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he explained to Azure, "You find these interesting? They're ancient, yes, but their significance is a mystery even to our best scholars."
He gestured to the green pentagon and the pink circular emblem, continuing, "These photos were taken from recently discovered ruins beneath Jubilife. We simply can't fathom their origin or purpose."
Azure's chuckle became a bit more pronounced, a knowing glint entering his eyes as he uttered, "Well, Professor, Mr. Berlitz… I've actually seen these before."
The two men froze, mid-sentence, mid-gesture. Their expressions shifted from polite curiosity to utter astonishment, as if a record had suddenly screeched to a halt. A pin could have dropped in the lab, and its sound would have been deafening in the sudden silence.
Mr. Berlitz finally managed to stammer, his voice a little hoarse, "Seen them? How could that be? These are newly discovered and unknown to modern history!"
Azure simply smiled, a wry, almost mischievous expression. He stated it plainly, as if discussing the weather, "They're the Hisui Symbols, actually. Of the Pearl and Diamond Clans."
The silence that followed was even heavier. Professor Rowan's spectacles nearly slipped from his nose, and Mr. Berlitz's jaw dropped so low that Azure half-expected it to hit the table. Even Pikachu let out a soft cry in confusion at the men's reactions, "Pika…? (Such weirdos?)"
Professor Rowan breathed, the words barely a whisper, "Hisui… Symbols? The Pearl and Diamond Clan? You mean… from ancient Sinnoh?"
Azure confirmed with a nod as he explained casually to them, "Precisely. Those two emblems were the distinguishing marks of two prominent, ancient organizations that thrived in what was then known as Hisui, long before it became the Sinnoh we know today. They held differing beliefs regarding the deities of time and space, Palkia and Dialga, respectively, and often found themselves at odds, though they generally coexisted."
Mr. Berlitz's eyes were wide, practically bugging out of his head. He pounded a fist lightly on the table, the thump echoing in the stunned room, asking, "But… how could you possibly know this?! Our finest archaeologists, historians, linguists—they've been stumped for years! There's no record of these clans, no definitive proof of Hisui ever being anything more than a mythological age!"
Azure gave him a deadpan expression, then slowly, deliberately, reached up and pointed to the faint, yet distinct, etching of a stylized 'GS' on the Poké Ball-like charm that hung from a leather thong around his neck.
The GS Ball. Azure began, his voice dry, explaining, "Well, how else do you think Professor Oak managed to get his hands on living Hisuian Pokémon, back when everyone thought they were extinct? How else did he get all those detailed documents and historical accounts that shocked the entire world a few years back?"
He paused, letting the implication sink in as he continued explaining, "I've gone back to the past. Specifically, I've traveled extensively in Hisui, with Celebi, to see what that era was truly like."
*THUD*
The revelation hit Mr. Berlitz like a tidal wave in disbelief. He stumbled back, colliding with a bookshelf, sending a stack of old journals tumbling to the floor with a loud THUD!
His voice was a high-pitched squeak, utterly unbefitting a man of his stature, "You… you own Celebi? And… you traveled through time?!"
The very idea was preposterous, yet the quiet conviction in Azure's eyes, the GS Ball, and the sudden, logical explanation for Oak's impossible discoveries made it undeniably real. Professor Rowan, though equally stunned, recovered faster.
He muttered, almost to himself as if recalling something, "Professor Oak… yes… he did mention a remarkably talented young trainer he knew, one who had an 'unconventional' partner and a penchant for 'unearthing the impossible.' He never elaborated on how he obtained the Hisuian Pokémon specimens for his research, or the detailed historical records that upended our understanding of Sinnoh's ancient past. He just said it was 'a friend with unique resources.' I… I can only now surmise… it was you, Azure, who provided them…"
He looked at Azure, a flicker of awe and profound intellectual curiosity in his gaze as he finished, "You are truly… an enigma."
Azure merely shrugged again as he replied dismissively, "Just a guy who likes history and occasionally bends the fabric of space-time to explore it."
The Pichu (Mew) in his jacket gave another soft, almost imperceptible cry, as if agreeing with its master's statement about bending reality, "Pichu! (Yeah, that pretty much sums up my dada's life.)"
Professor Rowan clapped his hands together, a sudden spark igniting in his eyes. He politely asked Azure excitedly, "Remarkable! Absolutely remarkable! Azure, if what you say is true—and given the evidence, I can no longer doubt it—then you possess a wealth of knowledge that could revolutionize our understanding of Sinnoh's origins! We have countless other photos, fragments of murals, cryptic inscriptions from various sites across the region. Would… would you be willing to lend us your unique insight? To help us decipher the rest?"
Azure considered it for a moment. This was a significant diversion from his original plan of laying low.
But the allure of scientific discovery, of correcting historical inaccuracies, and the opportunity to delve deeper into the lore of a region he was about to call home for a while, was too strong to resist.
Not only that, but Azure also thought casually, 'Besides, it couldn't hurt to gain a good rapport with the esteemed Professor and Mr. Berlitz.'
Azure replied calmly, a genuine smile gracing his lips, "I don't mind at all, Professor. I'll do my best. Whatever I learned during my travels in Hisui, I'll share to the best of my ability after all…"
Azure cheekily added with a wink, "Knowledge is power, and knowing the ancient history of a region can sometimes reveal clues about its present and future."
Professor Rowan's face broke into a wide, delighted grin, a stark contrast to his usual stern expression. Mr. Berlitz, still somewhat pale, managed a weak smile, his mind clearly reeling from the implications of time travel and ancient clans.
Azure mused, gently petting Pikachu on his shoulder, "This would certainly be an eventful stay in Sinnoh."
An eventful, and perhaps, historically significant, stay. The secrets of Hisui were finally about to be unveiled, and Azure Sky was once again at the heart of it all.
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A/N: Hope you liked the chapter!