Chapter 30: The Scarlet and Violet Book
Chapter 30: The Scarlet and Violet Book
Inside the wooden house, Professor Oleana and little Peiper sat on chairs meant for guests, observing the situation within.
The room was filled with various pieces of furniture, and while it was a bit cramped, everything appeared to be in order.
On the windowsill sat a potted plant, and within it lay a lazy Miniryu, basking in the sunshine. From its spirited state, it was clear that it was well cared for.
The owner of this place seemed to be a neat and tidy person who loved Pokemon.
"Please excuse the wait!"
Naoki brought over drinks for Professor Oleana, Peiper, and Mastiff Daddy respectively.
Since there was no tea at the ranch, he used some MooMoo Milk purchased from the Pickling Market. With the addition of whipped cream from a Sprmilk and some Pecha Berries, it became a simple caramel-flavored Pecha Berry Milk.
This drink had the effect of reminding Pokemon of sweet and happy moments while also restoring their stamina.
Little Peiper, still looking a bit glum, took a sip from his cup and immediately his eyes widened in surprise.
Beside him, Mastiff Daddy lapped at the drink with his tongue, his eyes widening as well, and he soon began to lick more eagerly.
Professor Oleana didn't drink but instead began to explain, "My husband, Fortu, and I have been researching Pokemon of the [past] and [future] in the sinkholes of the Hisui region. Not long ago, we successfully developed a time machine, and the Pokemon recorded in the Scarlet and Violet Book were summoned to our world."
Naoki turned to Professor Oleana, his sharp eyes catching the nuance in her words.
"The Scarlet and Violet Book?"
Professor Oleana looked surprised. "You don't know?"
"I've heard of it," he said, though his thoughts differed. Naoki was well aware, but what caught his attention was the professor's reference to a single book, the Scarlet and Violet Book, rather than separate Scarlet and Violet Books.
As everyone knew, GF would split the games into two versions for sale. Pokemon Scarlet told the story of Professor Oleana and the past Pokemon, hence the Scarlet Book.
The Scarlet Book was authored by someone named Heizhi, who documented his journey with an observation team to an unknown region of Hisui, where they encountered a host of paradoxical Pokemon not native to the area.
On the other hand, Pokemon Violet featured Fortu, the professor's husband, and his encounters with future Pokemon.
In this version, there was no Scarlet Book; instead, there was the Violet Book, and the ancient paradoxical Pokemon were replaced by future paradoxical Pokemon.
However, according to Professor Oleana's statement, the Scarlet and Violet Books in this world were not separate but a single volume.
Similarly, Fortu, the scholar responsible for researching future forms of paradoxical Pokemon, also existed in this world.
Upon realizing this information, Naoki's first thought wasn't about the past and future forms of paradoxical Pokemon but about Peiper potentially losing both his father and mother at some point in the future, becoming the true Batman...
With this in mind, Naoki turned to look at little Peiper, who was drinking his milk alongside Mastiff Daddy.
Noticing his gaze, Professor Oleana glanced at her son beside her, a hint of unperceivable tenderness flashing in her eyes. She introduced him, "This is my son, Peiper."
At this time, Peiper was not yet the Peiper senior who would go on to search for secret condiments but a child not yet ten years old.
Naoki recalled the brave way Peiper had faced Golurk to protect Professor Oleana and complimented, "He's a very brave boy!"
Due to his parents' busy work schedules, little Peiper had mistakenly believed that Golurk and Milurk had taken his parents away, which was why he disliked others mentioning them.
However, deep down, he loved his father and mother dearly and longed for them to spend more time with him.
Professor Oleana, sitting beside them, offered a smile as well. "Peiper has always been very sensible. My husband and I are often busy with work and don't have much time to care for him, so he's been living on his own since he was very young."
Peiper lowered his head again, silently sipping on his juice.
"Woof woof!" Mastiff Daddy barked softly by his side.
"That's right," Professor Oleana added. "And he has Mastiff Daddy to keep him company."
Naoki nodded but remained silent, instead choosing to recount the story of how he had encountered Golurk. "One night, it suddenly appeared on the ranch, injured. Moto Lizard and I brought it back to the house and treated its wounds with berries and healing medicine. After that, it stayed with us and has been living here ever since."
"During this time, has it shown any signs of aggression or anger?" Professor Oleana inquired.
Naoki thought carefully before shaking his head. "No, it's always been well-behaved." Recalling Golurk's enthusiastic fishing assistance, he couldn't help but smile. "It even helps me with work in its own way, though sometimes it doesn't know its own strength and uses its most powerful moves to catch fish for me."
Professor Oleana: "...”
She pictured the scene in her mind and felt a sense of incredulity.
A thoughtful expression crossed Professor Oleana's face. After a moment, she turned her head to glance at Golurk, who was lying not far away, feigning meditation but always alert to the conversation.
Its sturdy body, vibrant red skin, flamboyant dragon whiskers, and thick, heavy feet... Everything about it seemed identical to the Golurk they had summoned from the future.
Could it be because it knew that this ranch owner had saved its life, and so it developed an attachment to him? Beyond that, Professor Oleana could think of no other explanation.
After a moment of contemplation, Professor Oleana reached into the pocket of her lab coat and retrieved a somewhat outdated-looking phone.
"Please excuse me for a moment," she said to Naoki. "I'd like to discuss this with my husband, Professor Fortu."
Naoki gave a slight nod. "Of course."
Professor Oleana stepped outside, standing on the grassy field of the ranch to make the call.
Inside the house, only Naoki and Peiper remained.
Looking at the sad boy before him, Naoki couldn't help but speak up. "Your name is Peiper, right?"
Peiper, who had been staring at his mother's retreating back, turned his gaze back and murmured, "Yes."
Following Peiper's gaze, Naoki looked in the direction of Professor Oleana and asked, "Your mother is an incredible person, being able to invent something like a time machine. Have you ever fantasized about traveling to the distant past or future?"
Peiper lowered his head to glance at Mastiff Daddy by his side, his voice sounding a little sullen. "That's their wish."
At that moment, Professor Oleana ended her call and returned to the house.
After a brief discussion with her husband, and upon careful consideration, they decided to let Golurk stay at the ranch.
Professor Oleana glanced at Golurk and then turned to Naoki. "Naoki, we'd like to entrust Golurk to your care."
It seemed they had come to an agreement.
Naoki nodded in agreement. "I will."
Professor Oleana continued, "Do you have a way to contact you? Let's exchange information. If anything happens with Golurk or if you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. Likewise, I'd appreciate any updates or insights you can provide about Golurk."
(End of Chapter)
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