章 100: Chapter 098

After a tour of most of the ranch, Alex led all the girls back to the dining area in the laboratory for lunch.

There, he saw Professor Oak along with four other people, talking. Two of them were Nurse Joy, looking nearly identical, except for the fact that one was significantly older than the other. One of them was a gentle looking middle aged man. The other seemed to be an arrogant young man.

"In any case, these tests prove that those of the Chansey line are pure Normal type Pokemon. They can learn a couple of Fairy type moves, but which Pokemon can't? Why the Chansey line is not a Fairy type may be a mystery, but isn't so many things also the same?" said Professor Oak addressing the elderly Nurse Joy, while another Nurse Joy and two people also listened.

Professor Oak then spotted the 9 coming in. "Ah Alex, there you are. Just in time for lunch. I hope that Miss Joys enjoyed the tour of the ranch?" he said.

"Good afternoon Professor, Nurse Joy, Nurse Joy," greeted Alex. He then looked at the other two people present. They must be the witnesses arranged by the Joy clan and Professor Oak. Essentially, they seemed like glorified mouthpieces.

One was a middle aged man who had orange colour hair, with a scraggly beard. The other was a red haired young man, with sharp features. He kind of resembled the Johto Champion Lance, but was distinctly different in some respects.

"This is Rudolf Hattern, an old friend of mine. The young man right here is August Blackthorn, from the Blackthorn clan" introduced Professor Oak.

The Hattern clan was one of the top clans of Kanto. They had control over many resource rich mines in the southeastern parts of Kanto. While they did not have any exceptional trainers to talk note of, their business skills and connections were a formidable force to be reckoned with in Kanto.

The Blackthorn clan, on the other hand, was a powerful trainer oriented clan primarily based in the Johto region, around Blackthorn City. They had exclusive access to the Dragon's Den, a special S rated wild area where there were numerous Dragon type Pokemon and the corresponding resources. While they were not rich, they were certainly powerful and self sufficient. The reigning Johto Champion, Lance Blackthorn was from this clan.

Alex figured that Rudolf Hattern came because he was well connected with a good reputation, and would quickly disseminate the truth about the Chansey line's typing. August Blackthorn probably represented forces like the Blackthorn clan, whose primary strength was due to the strong Dragon type Pokemon they own. Together, they could effectively quell the worries of an overpowered Joy Clan.

"My name is Alex Burns. Nice to meet all of you" said Alex.

"Haha! Samuel, is he a young trainer you are sponsoring? How come he is in the lab instead of out there on an adventure?" asked Rudolf.

"He wasn't ready yet back then. So he helps me around the lab for now. He is still a trainer now, and interacting with Pokemon and learning stuff as he helps me here. He will go when he is ready" said Professor Oak.

"Alright then. I should be leaving. Samuel, I am sorry I cannot stay for lunch. But there is an urgent matter I have to deal with in Fuchsia city as soon as possible. So I will have to take your leave" said Rudolf looking at his watch.

The girls had already approached the Nurse Joys and were having an animated conversation.

"It's all right Rudolf. We can always have lunch together next time right? You have an open invitation if you want to visit anytime" said Professor Oak, to Rudolf who was leaving.

"I have to be leaving too Professor" interjected August from the side. He then asked, "By the way, I don't think Researcher Burns was along with the staff we saw. Will you not introduce us to this rising genius?"

"Unfortunately, Researcher Burns set off for the Sinnoh region day before yesterday to work on a new project" said Professor Oak with a straight face.

"Is that so? Such a pity" said August as he started walking away. When he was passing Alex, he stopped, patted his shoulder, and said, "Tell your father Researcher Burns that I said hi"

Alex was confused for a moment, and stuttered, "Ah? Uh Yeah sure. I will do that."

August looked happy with himself for having made the association and walked out with his nose in the air.

Alex looked at Professor Oak, who looked back at him with an amused smile. Alex shrugged.

"You know, that might be a great cover for you to use the influence of Researcher Burns without drawing too much attention towards yourself" said Professor Oak. He then looked at the leaving back of August Blackthorn and said, "Sometimes, the brightest ideas come from the dumbest people."