Tia and Aidan’s Pokemon journey continues as they track down and battle the Legendary Pokemon of Kanto and Johto. Their goal: To test a brand-new prototype Poke Ball, and to complete the Pokedex. And maybe take their relationship to the next level in the process.
Tia Cade took a deep breath as she walked down the brightly-lit hallway. The clicking of her heels against the polished linoleum floor echoed through her head as she passed several researchers in bright white lab coats. She nodded politely in greeting, and pushed away the thought that the researchers wore the lab coats more comfortably than she did.
It had been a couple of months since Tia had officially joined Silph Co.’s research team, but still she felt out of place. Perhaps since both of her parents worked on the same team, the rest of the staff held high expectations for her. Maybe since she was on the cusp of presenting her first research project, the rest of the staff were watching her closely to see how it would shake out. Or to watch her fail.
Tia gave her head a small shake and willed the last thought away as she approached the door of the conference room. She paused in front of the door, eyes closed.
You can do this, she thought to herself.
She opened her eyes, turned the doorknob, and entered the room.
From the corner of her eye, she could see that not only was Silph’s top management in attendance, but several of the senior researchers, including her parents. Even Professor Oak and Professor Elm were in the audience.
Tia walked directly to the computer and inserted a small thumb drive, pulling up her project presentation. Then she took a quick look around the room.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Tia spoke, “I’m Professor Tia Cade, and I’m here to discuss a very special topic that I hope will lead to a new business venture for Silph Co.”
The title slide appeared, reading “Project Infinity,” along with the Silph Co. logo and the words “Strictly Confidential.”
Tia clicked her pointer and the slides advanced, showing images and schematics of various Poke Balls.
“As you all know, Silph has developed many variants of the Poke Ball, from the standard model Poke Ball to the ultimate model Master Ball.”
The slides stopped at the Master Ball schematic.
“However, even with the Master Ball, there are limitations. Many that are entirely situational. When used in battles held in extreme environments such as lava flows or high-pressured underwater areas, or even when in contact with high-powered Pokemon attacks, even the Master Ball has a chance to fail. It is only as good as the sum of its parts. That being said, what would be the solution?”
Tia advanced the slide to show images and schematics of another type of Poke Ball.
“A new model of Poke Ball. One that can be used in extreme environments, and during intense battles. It can withstand extremely high and extremely low temperatures, high and low pressures, and even direct Pokemon attacks. Its code name: the Legend Ball.
“Several prototypes have already been built, and the next phase of the project, approval pending, is extensive field testing.”
The slides advanced to images of different Legendary Pokemon.
“How will this field testing commence, you may ask? It will be in the most extreme situations of all: battles with the Kanto and Johto Region’s Legendary Pokemon. The benefits will be twofold: chances to field test the Legend Ball, as well as obtain research data on the Legendary Pokemon when captured.”
Tia paused to look around the room. “The field testing will be performed ethically, and the Legendary Pokemon will be shown the proper respect. No destruction of the Legendary Pokemon’s natural habitat, and battles will be with strong, highly-trained Pokemon teams.”
“As for the amount of staff to complete this project, only a few people are needed. We have a consultant who has spent countless hours researching the Legendary Pokemon and can guide us to their lairs, as well as a couple of high-level Trainers.”
The presentation reached its end, and Tia turned again to the crowd. “Now, I’d like to open the floor for questions and comments,” she finished.
A researcher raised his hand. “It’s a very interesting proposal,” he began, “But before we invest in this project, I’d like a guarantee that it will be completed.”
Tia raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“There seems to be a significant lack of urgency in getting this project started,” the researcher continued, “A delay of over nine months from your initial proposal to today.”
“That can be explained,” Tia answered. “In order to safely approach the Legendary Pokemon, once found, one would need a team of highly-trained Pokemon and a high level of battling skill. Realistically speaking, there are very few Trainers with this level of ability. The Pokemon League Champion, possibly, aside from a few others.
“But to ask the Champion to assist in this project would essentially invite a media circus into Silph’s affairs, and with several projects in the pipeline that need to be kept under wraps, that would not be the best idea.”
“And your solution?”
Tia smiled. “To be most effective, and as discreet as possible... The project will need, at most, two strong Trainers, with no connections to the League. Aidan Gray, the folklorist who will track the whereabouts of the Legendary Pokemon, also happens to be an accomplished Trainer in his own right.”
“And the second Trainer?”
Tia’s smile grew. “Myself.”
There were surprised murmurs in the crowd. Tia’s parents beamed, and the researcher who was speaking looked at her again in a new light. “So those nine months…”
“They were spent honing my skills as a Trainer. Learning how to battle, and taking the Pokemon League challenge and earning Badges. When Aidan and I felt we were ready, we put together the final project plan.”
The researcher nodded approvingly.
Tia fielded a few more questions from the audience, then the room fell silent as Silph’s top management whispered among themselves. After a few minutes, the Company President spoke up.
“The project has been approved. You may begin immediately.”
Tia nodded. “Thank you.”
The crowd dispersed, and Tia’s parents flocked toward her.
“Congratulations,” Nathan said, beaming.
“Now all that work and preparation will finally pay off!” Naomi added.
Tia smiled back. Her hand went to her waist, feeling the Poke Balls of her team holstered beneath her lab coat. She could almost feel them bristling with excited energy.
“We can finally begin.”