[attr="class","gideon-words"]




A grim frown soured Gideon's expression for a moment as he recalled witnessing Gunner Graves burning alive. It had felt like a part of him was burning away, too. Thank Arceus his brother had lived.[break][break]

"That was some sort of vengeful spirit or otherworldly manifestation. It might even be a separate entity altogether. Nevertheless," [break][break]

The professor was all business now. Admittedly, he'd let this particular venture lay idle for too long. Could Caleb Harcourt take up the mantle that angelo vestri had discarded?[break][break]

"It is dead. Parts of its soul have been scattered around Hoenn and beyond. But it seems to have reached out to Angelo in some way," Gideon explained, rubbing his chin in thought. "He had one of those soul shards and was searching for others."[break][break]

A beat, and then GIDEON GRAVES decided to divulge the full truth.[break][break]

"Which is where I came in. We had plans to create a device that might help us find these shards of Victini."

[attr="class","gideon-notes"]

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




"That was a close one!"[break][break]

GIDEON GRAVES’s heart was nearly beating out of his chest. Adrenaline coursed through him, pushing him through the threshold of the eerie ship and away from their wild Pokémon encounter. [break][break]

Though out of danger — for now — the professor wasn't exactly calmed by what he saw within the mirky waters within. jack wainwright's headlamp, along with his own, revealed a dilapidated scene. It was difficult to piece together what this room had even been.[break][break]

"Legitimate fossils wouldn't be displayed where the public can view them," He explained, examining the directory beside his partner. "Those are usually casts. The fossils we're looking for would be kept in some sort of climate-controlled storage facility... here!"[break][break]

Gideon pointed to an area labeled COLLECTIONS on the map.[break][break]

"It doesn't seem too far... but we'll need to go deeper into the ship."

[attr="class","gideon-notes"]

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




“Extremely lucky. I wouldn’t trade my time there for the world.” The professor replied, masking in his own way with a cordial smile. He’d never been great at small talk, but his leadership roles and especially his standing as director of a museum necessitated it at times. [break][break]

“My team and I did discover a few interesting things. Cutieflies are certainly cute, but,” His smile became lopsided, as if to soften the blow before giving bad news, “They’re vectors for many more diseases than we first thought.”[break][break]

As the SWANNA emerged, GIDEON GRAVES paused to appreciate its elegant demeanor and resiliency in the face of a crisis. A few seconds later the PELIPPER he had been working on beat its wings and joined the other bird, feeling renewed after its cleaning.[break][break]

There were still numerous Pokemon, however, that still needed their help. He and DESIREE BLOOMS were going to be here for awhile.

[attr="class","gideon-notes"]

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




GIDEON GRAVES watched as the STARMIE twirled in the water, momentarily uplifted by the sight. This was what he came here to do. It was have been a small act, but it made a difference, little by little. [break][break]

"Of course," The professor assured, packing up the extra supplies back in his bag until they were needed again. "I think I make quite the adept sidekick, if I do say so myself." [break][break]

He smiled then, a small, teasing twinkle in his eye.

[attr="class","gideon-notes"]

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




GIDEON GRAVES didn't see it as a kindness, necessarily, but a duty. Humans and Pokémon all coexisted together — sharing the same space, the same resources — but humanity had won the evolutionary race in the end. With power and sentience came responsibility, at least in the professor's estimation. [break][break]

"Not long, no," He replied, wiping flecks of soapy water that had been accidentally flung by his KUBFU off of his cheek. "About two years? Maybe a little more. I was studying disease transmission between the region's Cutieflies and other species."[break][break]

Already the PELIPPER was looking much better than before. The oil was nearly completely cleaned off of its feathers.[break][break]

"I agree, it was beautiful there. A little hot for my tastes, though," The professor added, smiling good-humoredly. "Were your visits just for pleasure? Or work, perhaps?"

[attr="class","gideon-notes"]

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




With Proteus acting as a quasi-ferryman, GIDEON GRAVES followed jack wainwright and his SHARPEDO down into the depths. All was going smoothly until a nearby concussive force alerted to some sort of disturbance.[break][break]

Seconds later multiple wild Pokémon emerged from the gloom, seemingly startled by the commotion or possibly enraged by their intrusion. Likely both, if Gideon had to guess. Still, Jack kept his cool and instructed him on what to do.[break][break]

"On it." The professor replied, trying to mimic the ranger's demeanor. He wasn't sure if it was a passable performance.[break][break]

Waving his hand at Proteus and then motioning toward the door, the SLOWKING understood that this was an urgent matter — using his PSYCHIC powers, rusty bolts released themselves and floated into the darkness before the metal door was pried from its hinges.[break][break]

"We're clear!" Gideon alerted over their comms, already swimming toward the threshold.

[attr="class","gideon-notes"][break]

43. force open a locked or barricaded door to access a critical area

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




GIDEON GRAVES worked as the two men conversed. Pulled from his supply bag was a portable, battery-powered two-way camera, capable of underwater use and motorized by a small fan. The plan was to have his ROTOM inhabit the machine and guide it underwater, looking for objects of import to scavenge. [break][break]

"Angelo saved me in the Ultra Deep Sea as well," The professor commiserated, remembering how deftly angelo vestri fought — and always with his characteristic charm and wit, even in the most dire situations. "He's certainly missed."[break][break]

The mention of LATIOS and LATIAS certainly piqued Gideon's interest.[break][break]

"Oh?" There was a thoughtful hum to his voice now. [break][break]

"Hmm..." He rubbed his chin in contemplation, inwardly weighing how much he wanted to divulge to Caleb Harcourt, a practical stranger. "There was something the two of us were working on..."[break][break]

The camera's engine thrummed in the background of their conversation. So far nothing of interest had popped up on the screen.[break][break]

"...having to do with Victini."

[attr="class","gideon-notes"][break]

21. Use technology to assist in the operation.

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




GIDEON GRAVES's smile deepened, crinkling the edges of his eyes. Even in this dilapidated, objectively dismal space, ollie morales still somehow found the gumption to flirt. He was a marvel, that was for sure. [break][break]

"Not very subtle of you. How did you picture that going?" Clearing his throat, the professor took on a mocking tone, trying and utterly failing to mimic his friend. "Oh, Ollie, I'm the treasure! Come plunder me~!"[break][break]

His eyes lingered on the ranger as he stepped away.[break][break]

"Something like that?" He chuckled lowly, but was cut off by Proteus waddling back over to him.[break][break]

As their Pokémon returned, it became apparent that many of the inhabitants here had suffered due to crisis that had transpired here. Gideon watched as Ollie leaned down to check on the Pokémon; in the meantime, he was already way ahead of his friend.[break][break]

"On it." The professor replied, his hands already leafing through their supply bag. "We've got some gauze, antiseptic ointment, surgical glue."[break][break]

He strode over, handing Ollie whatever he needed to get the job done.

[attr="class","gideon-notes"][break]

05. Provide first aid or medical support to injured individuals.

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




Thread by painful thread GIDEON GRAVES weaved a secure hold around ollie morales's wound, stitching severed skin back together. He was quiet as he did so — laser-focused on his work, gaze steadfastly on his friend's hand.[break][break]

For some reason it was hard for him to look Ollie in the eye. He'd been so relieved to see him in one piece just moments ago — but now that relief had morphed into something ugly. Gideon couldn't even place the emotions he was feeling, he only knew that they weren't good.[break][break]

"Don't—" He tried to stop himself but failed. "Don't joke around. You could have died, Ollie—"[break][break]

Gideon's mind kept flashing to ollie morales's face right before he'd left to fight mint frost. How he'd practically begged to go with him, how Ollie had made him go with the rest of the civilians. [break][break]

It just didn't sit right with him.

[attr="class","gideon-notes"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




"...and I'm the one that gave her away."[break][break]

GIDEON GRAVES's frenzied emotions begin to settle as the memories bloomed in his mind, faded but still there.[break][break]

He'd never married in that dream. Never even really found anyone, truly, to call a partner. But he'd had a family nonetheless. Gunner Graves, of course: always his dearest confidante. angelo vestri and skyler dross: two friends that had grown so close to his heart. And Naomi Sato and parker jones: his daughters by bond and not by blood yet cherished all the same.[break][break]

Leveling parker jones with a knowing look, he then took the Poké Ball in hand and released what was inside. When the VIVILLON emerged with a bright fluttering of wings he was convinced, then, that their shared dream had transcended past the confines of its manifestation. Memories had leaked through, linking them together by strings of fate.[break][break]

It wasn't only Naomi Sato that GIDEON GRAVES worried for now. parker jones was still in his heart, too — he just needed her reminder. Good thing she had been so persistent, as always.[break][break]

Twenty years together. Would they get that much time this go around?[break][break]

"Tell her..." He hesitated for a moment, unused to such stirring displays of emotion. But Gideon knew that this chance wouldn't come twice.[break][break]

He offered an upturned palm for parker jones to take, if she chose to. If she took it, he'd gently clasp his other hand around hers and squeeze — a comforting gesture that she might remember from their time in that poisoned Galar, where things so often went awry and words of comfort were all that he could give.[break][break]

"That I'm thinking of her. And you, too, Parker. That I'm glad she has someone to lean on. That I'm..." The professor cleared his throat, fighting off the forming lump. "I'm proud of her for fighting for what she believes in. For trying to protect us."

[attr="class","gideon-notes"]

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




"Thank you," Gideon replied, already stretching nitrile gloves onto his hands, "Luckily we were able to reconfigure the space to better house more bombastic species like these Paradox Pokémon thanks to recent government funding."[break][break]

The rubber snapped softly into place as he regarded his guest.[break][break]

"So your reaching out came at the perfect time." Like fate, even. "And I appreciate the offer. I'll keep your Iron Valiant in mind for future studies."[break][break]

As for MEW's safety and Greyson Connors's concern about possible danger, Gideon responded with an emphatic, "None whatsoever."[break][break]

He extended a hand, offering it to MEW. "May I begin? I'll be sure to explain everything I'm doing as it's happening."

[attr="class","gideon-notes"]

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




As Eduardo Hisakawa hurried to tell his story to an uncertain GIDEON GRAVES, the professor listened with a critical ear, his mind whirring a mile a minute to determine the validity of all he was hearing.[break][break]

It was fantastical. Like something out of a sci-fi novel or videogame. Gideon instinctively wanted to deny, deny, deny, but a feeling deep in his gut told him that there was sincerity to Eddie's tall tale. Hoenn's narrative was changing, after all, and more fantastical things had already happened than what was spilling from the other man's lips.[break][break]

"...I see." GIDEON GRAVES noticed Eduardo Hisakawa's desperation: the tremble in his voice, the conviction in his expressions. He was either one hell of an actor or telling the truth.[break][break]

Agonizing seconds passed by as the professor deliberated on what to do. In a way, he couldn't help but commiserate with Eddie's distress — this realization brought on a creeping ache to his shoulder and a flaring, phantom pain on his back.[break][break]

"Fine." Gideon finally relented after a group of patrons entered their section of the exhibit, his hand rising to unconsciously grab at his left shoulder. "Just— follow me. And don't try to pull anything. There are cameras everywhere in the building."[break][break]

His ROTOM was also housed in his tablet, secured in the satchel at his side, and ready to act if needed.[break][break]

Using his ID Card on a nearby door, Gideon ushered Eddie into a narrow corridor. It was a more private, if sterile, place to talk.[break][break]

"I think you can understand my hesitation to believe you," The professor stated once the door closed behind them, less panicked than before but still brusquely skeptical. "So, let's just calm down, and..."[break][break]

His words faltered for a moment, realization sinking in. He was alone back here, taking a big risk. And if his skintight shirt was any indication, those huge muscles could probably do a lot of damage if Eddie wanted to force his way down to the basement.[break][break]

GIDEON GRAVES took a deep breath, exhaling through his nose. There was no turning back now.[break][break]

"...I want to know more. What questions did this 'ex-member' ask? What weird curio?"

[attr="class","gideon-notes"]

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]

[attr="class","gideon-words"]




"I'm a Pokémon geneticist," GIDEON GRAVES explained, though he now wore many other hats as well. "I'm mostly locked inside these days, but in my college and post-doc years I did quite a bit of field work."[break][break]

While he spoke, his SLOWKING used its PSYCHIC powers to lift the struggling PELIPPER from the water and over to where they stood on dry land.[break][break]

"Even some time in Alola. There was an oil spill there that I helped contain, along with rehabilitating some of the affected wildlife."[break][break]

While Proteus' abilities kept the PELIPPER from moving or stressing too much, Gideon released another of his Pokémon to help him with the cleaning: his spunky and ever-energetic KUBFU.[break][break]

"I need some help washing the oil off of this bird, Lil' Guy. Take the soapy sponge there, ye— hey now, eeeasy." The KUBFU, eager as always, sped to the bucket of detergent-laced water and then back to the PELIPPER at a breakneck speed, almost knocking over half of their gathered equipment in the process. Gideon knew from experience that, if left unchecked, his littler helper could potentially cause more harm than good.[break][break]

"There, that's it. Nice and gentle." The professor encouraged, taking a sponge of his own to clean the oil from the PELIPPER's feathers.

[attr="class","gideon-notes"][break]

05. provide first aid or medical support to injured individuals

[attr="class","gideon-pkmn"]