Hunting for Answers

Jackson was packing his backpack as the video message replayed in his head. The video had featured Professor Blackthorn in his laboratory as he asked trainer’s to go out and search for Nera. The professor said the Nera could be found all over the region and encouraged trainers to explore. The video assured trainers that the Nera was completely safe, but Jackson felt a little doubtful. 

His partner, Atlas, had been affected by the Nera when he was a poochyena. It had fused his DNA with a hoot hoot’s but had left the pokemon unharmed. Still, Jackson had his doubts on if all the Nera were harmless. 

Jackson cared little about the research implications of observing the Nera. What had gotten his attention was Professor Blackthorn’s promise of rewards for those that found Nera. The trainer could certainly use the money so he was ready to hunt down as much Nera as he could.

“Alright, let’s go.” Jackson said to his pokemon, Atlas, as he zipped up his backpack and put it over his shoulders. He then picked up a metal wolf mask from a nearby table before putting it over his head. It began to glow as screens lit up inside the helmet.

The trainer shut the door to his apartment and locked it behind them, knowing that with the rise in crime since the outbreak, theft was at an all time high. As he walked away the streets of Thunderdale were active as ever. The streets were lit by colorful glowing lights on nearby buildings. 

Jackson knew he would have to get further away from the crowded city in order to have a better chance of studying Nera. With that the trainer settled on going to the area surrounding Brookfell, which was his original home.

The air was hot as Jackson and Atlas reached the sandy desert. Dunes spanned for miles which meant it would be easy to spot nearby Nera. “Alright, be careful and don’t touch any Nera if they get close to you.” The trainer advised Atlas, who nodded with understanding.

The two moved through the sands together, both of them on the lookout for any Nera. Atlas was the first to spot one as he let out a yip, catching Jackson’s attention. The trainer looked at his partner pokemon for a moment before following his gaze. He saw a small orb hovering over the sands, but he was too far away to make any meaningful observations about it.

“Alright let’s get closer.” The trainer instructed as he began to move carefully over the sands. Soon enough the two were close enough to get a better look at the Nera. It mostly looked just like a floating blob, but it did have a bit of a pokemon like form to it. The Nera was floating over the dunes, moving slowly but not with any real direction.

As the two were watching they spotted a growlithe approaching. The small fluffy animal had spotted the floating Nera and looked very curious. The pokemon’s ears perked up as it trotted towards the orb. As it got closer the growlithe began to pause for a few moments in between steps. The pokemon was clearly still a bit nervous as he approached.

Jackson was intrigued as he watched, glad it seemed like they might be able to study the Nera’s effects without touching it themselves. Atlas seemed to be as equally interested in the situation as he stared intensely. 

The growlithe was now close enough to the orb that the pokemon would be able to touch it. The fire pokemon seemed to hesitate for a few moments. It seemed to gain more confidence as it raised its paw and touched the Nera. 

Jackson watched as the Nera disappeared and seemed to be absorbed into the pokemon. The process was so quick that for a moment he thought he imagined it. Then, the growlithe began to slowly change in front of them. First the pokemon’s coat began to turn from a fiery orange into a deep blue. Then the light orange on the pokemon’s head, tail, and underbelly began to change in shape. It began to look more like flowing water, especially with its new blue coloration. Finally, fins began to sprout from the backs of the growlithe’s legs. The pokemon seemed unharmed by this process as it looked down as its now changed limbs.

“Woah.” Jackson said with amazement as he looked over at Atlas. His pokemon partner’s transformation hadn’t been as dramatic, and he hadn’t witnessed a lot of it first hand. Atlas looked back at him, panting as his tongue hung out from his mouth. The trainer could see that his pokemon wasn’t as impressed by this whole transformation as he was.

Once the growlithe seemed to get over its initial shock it looked around the landscape before trotting down the dunes and away from view. Jackson had heard about elemental transformations before, but witnessing it first hand seemed completely different.

“We definitely need to report this to Professor Blackthorn.” Jackson said, half to himself and half to his pokemon. For a moment he even forgot about the financial reward that had originally convinced him to go out in search of Nera. The process that he had watched was fascinating and also had him thinking of the kind of pokemon that could result from the process. 

The two began to walk through the desert towards the city of Brookfell. Jackson didn’t want to wait until they got back to Thunderdale to report his findings. He couldn’t help but be excited to see what the professor would have to say about the Nera. Jackson was also hopeful that he would be provided with a substantial financial reward for his observations. 

Jackson found a nearby building that offers telecommunication services. He sat down at one of the screens, putting in the professor’s information as it began to ring. The trainer wasn’t a researcher by any means, but now he found himself wanting to learn more about Nera. Maybe he’d even go back out regardless of financial rewards.