Chapter 4: First Meetings

 Edward heaved a sigh of relief as they disembarked the bus, they spent the last couple of hours on. Thankfully, they wouldn't have to travel anymore for at least the next two weeks before they make the return to Kalos.

 As child-like as his mentality may have become, he still had trouble dealing with the excited rambling of other children his age. Serena, as pleasant of company as she is, is still only six years old and prone to the hyper activeness that comes with being a child with a still developing mind and body. So being stuck in a single spot for hours on end leads to impatience and that leads to an inordinate amount of questions and chatter.

 Mental exhaustion aside, Edward looked out over the rolling hills that surround the sleepy town of Pallet. Even from here he could make out Professor Oak's Research Lab cresting a ridge overlooking the town. The town itself only consisted of a couple dozen houses or so, and no real amenities could be seen other than a tiny convenience store and gas station. One thing that was visible from here was the large varieties of Pokémon that were roaming the grassy fields as we walked to Oak's lab. From the common Rattata and Pidgey to Rhyhorn and Rapidash, all sorts of Kanto Pokémon roamed the fields that Edward assumed were owned by Professor Oak who was the foremost Pokémon researcher and also a former Kanto Champion.

 As they got closer, Edward could see the wind turbine spinning lazily behind the red sloped roof of the lab. The main entrance to the lab was a pair of automatic sliding glass doors, above which a massive glass three-piece window sat adding some natural sunlight to the interior. The travel-worn group of five stopped at the gate to the lab as there was a sign that read: [Participants for the summer camp please sign in at the front desk, and ring the bell and I'll be with you shortly.]

 Walking through the double doors, Edward was met with a small office reception area that was partitioned off from the rest of the lab with a line of cabinets and display cases containing what he assumed were research samples and awards. On the front desk was, as stated by the sign, a clipboard with a sign-in chart and a call bell were laying out. So, after signing in with names and dates of arrival, they rung the call bell, and it wasn't long till an older man with greying hair walked out wearing a lab coat. Edward immediately recognized who this man was, Professor Samuel Oak. 

 "Welcome to my research lab." Oak greeted them with a warm smile, and then recognizing the party's identity he said, "Why if it isn't David and Lillian, and that would make you Grace the Pokémon Rider from Kalos?"

 "It's good to see you again Professor Oak. It's been so long since me and my brother studied here, and yet you still remember us." David spoke out in surprise. while Grace just nodded her head in confirmation with a smile.

 "Actually I spoke to your brother not too long ago, and he wanted to tell you he's free now and is doing better thanks to his heroic young assistant. He actually had a favor to ask of you, but I do believe you were still enroute here." Prof. Oak spoke before going down to one knee to look Edward and Serena in the eye. "I'm Professor Oak, it's nice to meet you Edward, and you Serena. Welcome to my summer camp, and I hope you enjoy your time here."

 "Hi Professor Oak, are all those Pokémon outside the lab yours? Can I play with them? Who else is here?" Serena let loose several questions in her excitement. Leaving Prof. Oak unable to interject, and he just listened quietly with a patient yet wry smile as she got it all out.

 "Well Serena my dear, most of the Pokémon outside are other people's Pokémon who've entrusted them to my care, and yes you can play with them once we get you and Edward here settled in." Oak spoke with an amused chuckle and ruffled her hair before continuing, " As to the others joining you there is currently only the three local attendees one of which is my grandson and one other girl who is about your age. The others will be here in the next day or so I believe."

 " Good afternoon, Professor Oak, I'm Edward Krane. It's an honor to meet you sir. Also Dad studied here?" Edward greeted the Professor politely, before offering his hand for a handshake.

 "Well, aren't you a polite young man, and it is my pleasure to have you here. Your father and uncle studied and worked here as interns for five years before going on to build the lab your uncle now runs." Oak spoke with a warm smile. 

 Edward noticed a head of blue hair peeking out from around the partition, and Prof. Oak following his gaze called out, "Jovi dear, this Prof. Krane's brother and his family. Come out and greet them."

 Professor Oak then turned to Edward's father and spoke in a quiet tone that Edward managed to overhear, "David, this is Jovi, the daughter of your brother's assistant and the sister to his other assistant who saved him, Michael. Allen asked me to take care of her during the duration of the summer camp, and then see if you can take her with you when you return to Kalos. It seems tensions are running high in Orre."

 David gave a slight nod, as the girl in question ran over to Oak's side before grasping onto the hem of his lab coat and hiding behind him with only her face peering out at them. 

 Edward looked at the girl in front of him with a friendly smile, as she seemed anxious and shy. Edward introduced himself, "Hey Jovi, I'm Edward. I hope we can be friends." 

Jovi shrinks back a bit, before saying, "Hello Edward, Jovi hopes so too."