The blue turtle tilts her head at the name ‘Zilla’ but otherwise doesn’t seem to protest. In fact she turns expectantly towards Robert and gives a haughty, “Touga!”

“Ah, on it! You’ll be needing a ball for her Kurt, I’ll go fetch her’s.” and with that he trots over to what looks like a well hidden maintenance shed.

Shelly quietly whispers my direction, “I saw your little princess on the news say your team is heading to Alola soon?”

Naomi has little care for subtlety as she steps back from behind Lacy, “What of it?”

“More importantly,” Lacy’s eyes narrow, “Why are you whispering?”

The elder researcher smirks, “I have an old experiment still residing at the Alola fossil lab. When you visit, show them lil miss Zilla and ask to see Project T. That should prove how valuable my work is.” She turns to Lacy, “And why the league can’t risk letting me go.”

Robert jogs back over, “Here you go Kurt! Zilla’s ball is a work of art from Devon’s Pokeball department.”

It has a sand textured, beige underside while the top looks like a polished, miniature Tirtouga shell.

He pulls out his phone, “Link it with this app and not only does this limited edition Fossil Ball look great, but it actively monitors the health of your fossil pokemon and immediately gives you a heads up if she develops any irregularities.”

I can’t help but look towards the gal out early for allegedly good behavior, “Even intentional ones?”

“You wound me sir,” Her hand raises to her breast as she deadpans, “I am a reformed citizen, bla bla bla and stuff.”

Lacy rolls her eyes, “Let's get back to Janey, let the murderous hag get back to her tanning appointment.”

As the woman goes back to her lounge chair and moves to pick up her drink I spot an unattached ankle monitor sitting in the sand under her towel.

Well, I’ll have to bring that up with Cindy’s cousin, the lovely police chief, next time we get lunch. This woman just radiates problems.

I look back to my new pokemon, “Well Zilla, let's go meet everyone else.” I click her ball and once she's safely inside, “You’re my problem now.”

Jane happily shows off her own Fossil Ball. It is covered in a purple and grey synthetic leather. We both agree we can’t possibly leave without seeing the Tyrantrum habitat. Common it’s a freakin 'Trex!

The exhibit isn’t quite as large as I expected, only a soccer field or so in a ridiculously tall greenhouse. Furthermore the first Pokemon we find is definitely not what I expected.

The patch of dirt viewing area is surrounded by hundred foot jungle trees from which a green lizard, easily my height, drops down. It stalks along the tree line while fanning a tail that looks like a green fern plant.

I pull up dexa, “Mega Sceptile, agile beyond comparison, these tall reptiles defend their forests with bladed leaf like growths on their arms and tail.”

Lacy nudges me with her elbow, “We haven’t talked about your dex app’s voice yet have we?”

Rob doesn’t mind any of this as he goes into tour guide mode, “Our Tyrunt project the last two decades has centered around our findings after experimenting with ancient Sceptile samples which are common in Hoenn.”

He points as several curious Tyrunts race out of the thick jungle foliage. Each one fairly skinny but exceptionally fast, just like Vermilya’s Tyrunt in the Mosh.

“Mega Sceptile and Tyrantrum,” he goes on while waving at the Sceptile, “Are both Dragon type Pokemon. This has also furthered our theory that the ancient strength found in dragon bloodlines will allow the best results for developing healthy and strong fossil pokemon.”

I hold up my new ball with Zilla, “Not for every example though, right?”

Chuckling the scientist dismissively waves his hand, “Well we have all kinds of theories about ancient pokemon. This one just seems to hold the most true for us.”

One of the Tyrunts comes up and wines for scritches which Jane obliges, all under the careful watch of the Sceptile. I can see a scale pattern like tree bark on the little guy.

“The Pokemon League has officially recognised this program as a success. They fall under the category of a regional variant. Our Tyrunts have the chance of developing the ability Chlorophyll and adapting certain grass moves like wood hammer, trop kick, or even Synthesis.”

Well that's fine and all, “What is it about their health that got you the green light to go this far?”

He frowns a bit, but screw him, this is all so ethically off putting to me.

“They have the same estimated life expectancy as Sceptile lines. No genetic malformations or deficiencies have shown up, and no guardian of Arceus has shown up to strike us down. Every step was above board and with league approval.”

I really don’t have anything else to say on that. But looking around, “So no Tyrantrums currently?”

“Just one,” his confidence returns, “He’s on Miss Zinnia’s team however. She’ll be fielding him for the Conference this year!”

“Well I’ll look forward to it,” mulling this all over along with Shelly’s comment, “Do the other regional labs have approved hybrids like this?”

He hesitates before looking at Naomi and shrugging, “Kanto has developed an interesting Syther and Kabutops hybrid. Sinnoh has Rampardos and Haxorus in collaboration with our own studies. Same for Galar’s newer Armaldo and Duraludon experiment. Finally Unova had… a failure.”

“That's putting it lightly,” Naomi laughs, “Even in school we covered it as a textbook example of why meddling with such powerful pokemon is utter foolishness.”

Rob just nods, “Their approved program was Archops spliced with Braviary.”

Lacy pipes up, “Which was perfectly fine if you ask me.”

“However,” he sighs and looks at his own creations, “That’s not a dragon. When Team Plasma was shut down, much of their material was turned over to the lab for processing. Some of the fossil team got their hands on Reshiram samples. They figured they could one up us or something.”

See, this just screams movie material, “Let me guess, super powerful pokemon breaks loose?”

“Exactly, in fact it’s still unaccounted for.” We start making for the exit, “Actually, the remaining team there moved on to Garchomp sampling which has been very promising so far.”

We pass an exhibit with Cradily, “What about those, any fancy dragon splicing with them?”

He shudders, “Yes, Alola is working with Alolan Exeggutor samples after the Toxapex experiments didn’t pan out. Truly the Dragon variable seems key.”

Honestly this bit of behind the scenes info, no doubt thanks to Naomi’s social status, has soured my mood for the whole lab adventure. Thankfully we’re on our way out.

Oh it's interesting for sure, and I can see the draw from the standpoint of the scientific community. Hell, it seems the labs that take it too far are practically shooting themselves in the foot.

Perhaps it just hasn’t reached the stage that requires good old Arceus to step in. Those speedy little Tyrunts certainly looked happy. Plus, with what Jack said about life spans it may be simply too early to give a verdict as long as they’re healthy and well cared for.

I guess in my head it’s akin to someone forcing a peacock to mate with a turkey just for fun. Afterwards, maybe the offspring live longer than a week, they’d be sterile too. Buuuut I’m definitely oversimplifying this. Over thinking it too.

Lacy apparently agrees as she wraps her hand in mine once we’re at the jeep, “You girls hop up front, have you learned to drive Janey?”

The girl visibly gulps, “They had a course in the pen actually. Part of their offerings to help us get jobs… It’s been a few months.”

Naomi hops a bit, “I’ll help, I was practicing on a private lot in the parking zones back home!”

Wow, so reassuring…

“I don’t mind driving,” I start but get pulled to the back seat by my girl.

Jane ends up needing a bit of coaching specific to the jeep but actually handles herself just fine. She won't go faster than five under the speed limit, which I’m fine with considering her lack of experience.

The gorgeous woman resting her head on my shoulder looks up into my wandering eyes, “I see your spirit isn’t completely lowered,” she teases while trailing her hand up my thigh, “Really though, you seemed bothered by the lab. I know I don’t like their utter disregard for employee safety.”

Sure babe, let's have a serious conversation while you rile my blood up in the car with other people, “Good thing we need to swing by the house for our pokemon. Anyway, I’m not sure what to think of all that talk of experiments. It all came across as incredibly too cavalier.”

“The official league statement on the matter,” her hand moves back to my arm, “Is that such experiments, done with proper care and due diligence, are simply an accelerated recreation of the natural process by which pokemon may change over time to adapt to new environments.”

Evolution, in the actual definition.

As we turn the corner to Lacy’s house she sits up, “Looks like my dad is visiting… Kurt, what's that box?”

Sure enough there is a 6x6 foot, thin box on the front porch and leaning against it is Old Man Cutter. Jeans and green plaid shirt that doesn't hide his old man muscles, short yet sharp white beard, with equally short grey hair.

His Scyther is putting about the front yard checking the hedges like it does every time she visits. A single branch growing beyond design will know the swiftness of the five foot, bug pokemon’s blade.

I once asked the old man why his pokemon never evolved, she said it was perfectly happy the way she was. Then I learned the bug’s OCD for landscaping and understood.

Jane carefully parks besides my future in-law’s truck and we all hop out.

Giving Franklin Cutter a solid handshake, “What ya out here for?”

“Hrmf,” he gives me a stern eye but cracks a smile, “Well lad, I suspect the big bat in there is under strict orders to protect them eggs. Also, the thing farted when it growled so all the more reason to wait outside.”

Ah, introductions seem in order, “So Frank, meet my teammates Jane and Noami.”

The girls wave and he gives polite enough nod, “Seen you lasses on the broadcasts. Nice brutes ya got there Jane, but don’t forget about speed.”

Jane raises her new pokeball, “Already on it Mr. Cutter!”

With a flash of light, Ares the pup Aerodactyl appears and begins to swoop about the front yard.

Frank looks at Naomi, “Nice to meet another Wattson, you know I had a fair few battles with your father back in our day.”

She gives a polite smile, “I’m sure father misses those days during every board meeting.”

I never did get time to visit the senior Cutters ranch and see his full retired team, “We need to visit your place this week Old Man. I’d like to see how you’ve built a home for your team.”

He nudges the box, “This something along those lines?”

Pulling out the only pokemon I brought with me this morning, “Come on out Blue, I got you something. Olive, would you like to help us pick a place to set this up in the backyard?”

The Scyther ambles over and with a delicate slice, opens the side of the box. A children’s sandbox is revealed to the overwhelming glee of my Phantump.

Lacy opens her front door only to immediately shut it again, “Arceus Kurt, the bat can’t stay inside if he’s going to fumigate the entire house.”

Peeking inside, and it does reek of a big blue monster’s farts, I see Shak curled up in the corner with mine and Naomi’s eggs. He’s looking at us to make sure it's us while my Joltik is napping on his back.

“Good job bud, let's head out back.” In a flash of light he’s back in his ball which causes Tesla to jolt awake with a startled chirp as she drops to the floor. “Wake up time girl, you’ve got new teammates to meet.”