Tia comes up with a way to complete the Pokedex and start her first research project as a Pokemon professor.
What was a newly-minted professor to do once the research was done and the dissertation was written and passed?
Tia had asked herself this several times in the wake of her successful thesis defense. She didn’t want to rest on her laurels, so to speak.
What to do…
She could finish off what she could of Professor Oak’s Pokedex project. She scrolled through the pages, reviewing the data already collected. It was almost complete, with the only data missing being from Pokemon that were considered legendary.
Tia thought a moment. In order to capture these so-called Legendary Pokemon for the Pokedex, she would probably have to do more traveling. Set up another research trip, so soon after finishing the first one? Somehow, Tia looked forward to it. Then, she thought, she would also need Aidan’s help, with all that he knew about Pokemon legends. The thought of the two of them going on a trip together, even for research, lifted her spirits.
However, there was the research she would be expected to perform now that she was a new professor. She was expected to publish papers in her chosen subject, as well as possibly do some teaching on the side. All of that would be difficult to do while on a research trip to catch Legendary Pokemon, unless she could come up with something new to develop...
That gave her an idea. She pulled out a printed copy of the paper she had just recently written and presented, and flipped through it. Then, she pulled out a drawer in her desk and pulled out a Beast Ball and a sheaf of papers filled with scribbles and design drawings. Afterward, she got up from her desk, walked up to the bookshelf, and pulled out a book on ancient Hisui. She opened it and immediately flipped to the section on the Galaxy Team and their specially-made Poke Balls.
“Excellent!” Tia said to herself. She grabbed her Pokegear, and dialed a number.
“This is Ginkgo Gadgets Specialty Shop,” a slightly bored-sounding man answered, “How may I help you?”
“Hello there,” Tia said cheerfully, “This is Tia Cade. I’d like to make a Poke Ball order.”
There was a scrambling noise on the other end. Then, “Welcome!” in a much more interested voice. “Which Poke Balls would you like to order?” In a whisper, he added, “It’s her again! The researcher!”
“I’d like 150 each of your Gigaton Balls and Jet Balls,” Tia replied, “along with a basic explanation of your crafting process, and any tips you can give me on catching Pokemon with these balls.”
The voice on the other end gave a low whistle. “That’s a tall order, ma’am. But we’ll get you what you need, I assure you! These Balls are crafted with ingredients that are slightly rarer than your typical Apricorn balls, so the turnaround time will be slightly longer – around 8 weeks – and the cost will be a little higher. Is that all right with you?”
Tia thought a moment. Two months. Two months would be just long enough for her to submit a new project proposal to Silph, and possibly get them on board to support producing what she had in mind. “That will be fine,” she said confidently.
“And as for the crafting process,” the man added, “you understand that there are some trade secrets that I can’t give you. But I can send you what I can, along with some ancient Hisuian recipes that’ll come in handy.”
“I understand,” Tia said, “And thanks!”
“No problem,” he assured her, “I’ll get the crafting summary and those recipes out to you as soon as possible, and send you the final bill when the Balls are ready.”
“Thank you so much,” Tia said in closing, “Goodbye!”
“Bye, now.” The man said. Before hanging up, Tia heard him shout: “We’ve got another big one, guys!”
Tia smiled, then hung up the Pokegear. She opened her laptop and typed several lines, and wrote several things onto a pad of paper. There were so many things to do if she was going to get this project off the ground.