Chapter 98: Professor Bill
The inside of Bill's house was spacious but simple. There were no unnecessary decorations, making it clear that Bill wasn't one for extravagance.
A modest corridor led inward, with murals depicting various Pokémon on both sides. It was obvious that Bill had a deep affection for Pokémon.
"Hello!"
As Ash, Brock, and Misty stood at the entrance, wondering whether to step inside, a young man emerged.
He was dressed casually, with a gentle smile and short, slightly curly brown hair, giving him an air of quiet intelligence. This man was none other than the famous Pokémon researcher and inventor—Professor Bill!
"Hello, Professor Bill. We've brought the materials that Professor Oak asked us to deliver," Ash said, handing over the package.
"Ah, don't rush! Come in first," Bill replied, though he eagerly accepted the documents Ash had brought. While browsing through them, he motioned for the group to enter.
"Thank you... we'll be coming in, then," Ash said, exchanging glances with Brock and Misty. The three of them smiled awkwardly and followed Bill inside.
Although Bill was absorbed in the materials, he navigated his home without even looking up, leading them straight to the living room.
"Please, take a seat. I'll get some water. I only have boiled water though, so I hope that's alright," Bill said as he skimmed through the papers.
Despite his focus on the documents, his hospitality didn't waver.
"Thank you," Ash and his friends responded in unison.
"Make yourselves at home! No need to stand on formality with me," Bill said warmly. He also took a moment to acknowledge Pikachu, offering the Pokémon a playful smile.
"You've all gone through the trouble of delivering these important documents. If I didn't offer you a drink, I'd be a terrible host."
With that, Ash, Misty, and Brock relaxed a little. Bill poured four glasses of water—one for each of them and one for Pikachu.
His equal treatment of Pokémon showed his deep respect for them, which Ash and his friends appreciated.
As they sipped their water and observed the room, Bill became fully engrossed in the documents, which mainly pertained to fossil Pokémon. Fossils weren't only remnants of ancient species, but could also belong to modern-day Pokémon whose populations had dwindled to near extinction.
In the Kanto Region, for instance, fossil Pokémon like Aerodactyl, Kabuto, and Omanyte had become exceedingly rare. These Pokémon were now found only in protected areas.
Bill's current interest in fossil Pokémon had been sparked by a recent paper co-authored by two renowned professors:
Professor Rowan from Sinnoh, an expert on Pokémon evolution, and Professor Sycamore from the Kalos Region, who was researching Mega Evolution.
Their joint paper had captured the attention of the global academic community.
Professor Rowan proposed that Pokémon evolve to reach more complete forms, but since there was no record of legendary Pokémon evolving, it could indicate that legendaries are already in their perfect state.
Professor Sycamore, who shifted his research from evolution to Mega Evolution, supported Rowan's theory.
He suggested that Aerodactyl's Mega Evolution was actually its original form from ancient times, and that the current Aerodactyl we know was a diminished version.
This theory was backed by research from Professor Oak and Professor Juniper, who had co-authored a paper on Magikarp.
Their findings revealed that Magikarp was once a fearsome and powerful creature in ancient times, much like fossil Pokémon.
However, it had undergone an unknown transformation, leading to its current form, which is often regarded as the weakest of all Pokémon.
The evolution of Magikarp into the powerful Gyarados was proof that the species once had great strength, and that it could thrive in both water and on land.
Based on these studies, Sycamore and Rowan believed that Aerodactyl's true form was that of its Mega Evolution.
Moreover, Sycamore theorized that all Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution were reverting to their ancient, more powerful forms when they underwent this transformation.
After reading this paper, Bill's interest in fossil Pokémon intensified, particularly in Aerodactyl. He hoped to learn more about the origins and true forms of these ancient Pokémon.
However, due to the simple facilities at his lighthouse, Bill had struggled to gather all the necessary information. That's why Professor Oak had asked Ash and his friends to deliver the documents.
"Dark Silly Valley... It seems like I need to visit that place," Bill muttered thoughtfully, examining the material in front of him. He seemed determined to investigate the fossil Pokémon further once he finished his current work.
"You all arrived at just the right time," Bill said, looking up from the documents with a smile.
"What do you mean?" Brock and Misty asked in confusion. But Ash, more aware of the events from the original story, had an idea.
"Could it be... the giant Dragonite?" Ash wondered quietly to himself.
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Adios guys waiting for ur stones