Chapter 24 Departure

Next day,

Inside the Oak Laboratory,

Alex was following behind Samuel as they passed through the many scientific devices which he used for his research purposes.

There were many assistants of his working of them or went through the readings on the computer and did the project assigned to them by the Professor.

These people who served as the assistant here were some of the smartest people in the Pokemon world. If they decide to leave the Laboratory and their apprenticeship come to an end under Professor Oak, the Pokemon league would immediately entitle them with a professor title and a possible doctorate too, if they have their project completed and the thesis has been confirmed.

Professor Oak led Alex towards the interior part of the laboratory. In the innermost parts were the places where Professor Oak did solo research work.

After arriving in his special zone, he called out," Porygon, open the folders regarding the Alpha ruins which the league sent me a few days ago. Also, project the image in front of us."

On hearing the command, the Z shaped artificial Pokemon does as he is asked and the image of a medium scale island appeared on the air. It was the aerial shot of the island.

The most characteristic part of this island was the volcano which seemed active if the black gas appeared from the volcano's opening.

While Alex was busy looking at the holographic image of the medium-sized volcanic island.

As for how big a medium sized island is, they range from 60 km² to 300 km².

From the preliminary view, Alex noticed that the island has dense forest covering on the peripheral areas would an occasional opening and two Rivers passing through the island. One was in the east of the volcano and another on the west.

The area around the volcano seemed pretty barren, except for some shrubs and bushes on the areas around it. There are some buildings in the forest area whose top are visible through the hologram.

" What is this, Prof Oak?" Alex asked the pokemon Professor.

Samuel took some papers out of his drawer. He gazes on the papers and speaks out," This island is called Fire Paradise. This island has a total area of 186 km². Every few decades, the volcano of this island erupts turning at least ⅛ of the island barren and covers it in hot magma.

The mysterious thing is that after every decade the area of effect shifts towards the clockwise direction. And, it is also rumoured that there, Groudon resides there. And he is sleeping at the bottom of the volcano affecting the changes happening in that island every few decades .

Because of this belief the people who resided on that island built many shrines dedicated to the god of lava who decides the fate of the island. You are following me, Alex " Samuel looked at his young protege.

" Yes professor. But what is my task there?"

" Patience, Alex. As I was saying, because of the unique nature of volcanic eruption, the ecosystem of island is pretty unique. As for how unique, you will know when you visit it.

As for the task, you are going to follow some people of the archaeology survey to check the ruins built in the past and what information they hold regarding the continent creator, Groudon.

This will be good for you because there are some people of your generation who have taken the task of protection on that island. So Alex do you accept it or not?" Samuel inquired Alex.

Alex was in deep thoughts of whether to accept it or not but remembered his reducing bank balance and agreed. After all he needs to stock some cash and meeting people of similar age was a good plus.

" I accept the task. But Professor what types of Pokemon do you recommend me to take with me?" He doesn't know much of the island so the advice of Prof was something which could protect his life in that place.

Professor Oak on hearing this gave Alex a critical look but withdrew it after sometime, and finally spoke,"You are my student, Alex and I don't involve myself in my students Adventure but taking into consideration that you don't know much about the place and this is your first ruins exploration, I would recommend you to take water type, ground type, flying type, some for healing and a psychic type at the very least." He took a deep breath and continued,"And be cautious, Alex for the locals aren't going to be friendly to you. We are visiting their place of worship and there may be some chances of causing damage to these places. So don't trust anyone fully.

The situation there may be even more dangerous than what you faced during the Pokemon tide, for you may suffer betrayal and backstabbing. Always have some cards in your hand. Never fully reveal the hand. " He warned him.

With the amount of seriousness, Professor Oak spoke Alex knew that things there would not be so easy. He will suffer greatly in that place, so he decided to be prepared.

" Yes professor. I will be prepared for every possible scenario." He promised him.

After the serious talks was over, Samuel patted his shoulders and spoke," There are many things which can help fire type Pokemons but the situation there prevents us from having a permanent base there, for the loss of property is great in the place due to volcanic eruption.

Now head for Daisy. You will be leave in three days time, better discipline your new Magmar and prepare yourself in this time. I will submit your application for task participation in your behalf. Now get going." After that, he shooed away Alex from his laboratory.

After Alex left his office, he ordered Porygon," Contact Blaine for me, Porygon."

The artificial Pokemon did as he was asked and called Blaine.

" Hello Blaine here, who is calling?" Came a ride voice from the other side.

" Hello, Blaine. I am Samuel. How are you doing today?" Samuel asked his friend.

Blaine doesn't seem to like the small chats of Samuel and angrily spoke,"Is this why you called? To know how I am doing today? Then let me tell you, I am doing very bad today. You and your bastard student and son all of you resigned from the champion position and increased our workload.

Do you have any idea how busy I am now? You better have a good reason to call me now." Blaine shouted at Samuel from the other side.

Samuel just picked his ears from the shouts of Blaine and waited until his angry run was over. When it was over, he spoke," Sorry about that. But there is a very good reason for me to disturb you."

" And what reason is it?" Blaine asked curious.

" We may have to cancel the plan we made for Alex." As soon as he spoke there was complete silence on the other side. Samuel waited for the storm which is most likely to come.

After a few moments of silence,Blaine spoke out calmly but there was a hint of anger in his tone," And please tell me why must we destroy the plan which we so pain takingly created, just so he can have a decent opponent to fight against as practice before his league matches?"

He took a sip of his tea and said as if it answers everything," I am thinking of sending him to fire paradise."

Blaine was stunned for sometime and finally spoke out and complained to his old friend," Why did you decide to do that? You know how messy the things are going to be there. If we add Alex to the mix then the situation may go out of hand."

Samuel however didn't seem to be convinced of this and retorted," But it will do Alex good in the long run if he has some encounter with his colleagues. And I don't think any one will have problem with Alex going there. " He seemed pretty confident in his words he even arched his eyebrows and looked at his fire master friend daring him to give a valid reason which can prevent Alex from going there.

Blaine was angry at the provocation but finally calmed himself and agreed that Samuel's way did hold some merit and he can see everyone agreeing to this.

" Very well, I will do as you say. Even though you have resigned from your Champion position, you still love to order us around. " He once again complained to him. " You better don't call me anytime soon because I don't think I can handle any more of your last moment plan change any longer. Let Agatha handle those things. " And with that he put down the phone.

Samuel went to his own leisure work while Blaine on the other hand was extremely busy for he was making calls to make sure Alex could enter the Quota assigned for the ruin exploration.

After Alex's name was entered in the list, another thing happened for another name entered the list of trainers responsible for security. It was Elsa Reid from the Almia region.