TOM: Let's make our way to Doc ASAP, drop off my papers, and head out--
JIM: Hey there, champs in the making!
JESS: ...*pokes*
JIM: Ow.
TOM: I did that exact thing!
JESS: How did you get back to the gym so fast--?!
TOM: Because this man is a phantom!
JIM: I am not!
TOM: ...phantom.
JESS: We're just dropping in to see Doc--
TOM: Also, how are we both champs in the making? Can't there only be one champion of the Pokemon League?
JIM: Well sure, but both of you could end up as champion some day, one then the other.
TOM: But who would stay champion, Phantom-Man?
JIM: I suppose that's up to you two.
TOM: ...goddamn vague phantom.
JESS: You'll be there when we face Marcus?
JIM: I'll do my best!
TOM: We shall see, phantom...we shall see.
JESS: Let's just go, Tom.
TOM: They seem to be cleaning up very nicely around here...Jess, are you just gonna walk through the plant like that?
JESS: Like what?
TOM: You're practically dripping with birds.
JESS: I like my birds.
DOC: Jess, Tom...how can I help you?
TOM: Jess tells me you're working on some kind of dark energy reader?
DOC: Well, yes. The technology is going to take some time to develop...it's not a particularly common device to build, but I'll do what I can.
TOM: If that's the case, I wanted you to take a look at this.
DOC: What is this?
TOM: A theoretical dissertation on the potential to use technology in order to develop a pseudo-telepathic communications bridge between Pokemon and their trainers.
JESS: When the fuck did you write all of this?!
TOM: Mental breakdowns take time to get over. I needed something to ground me.
DOC: That...that would be quite a feat of engineering if such technology could be developed.
TOM: Technically, it already has been. Poke Balls have to be synched to the brainwaves of the master trainer in order for a Pokemon to be commanded in battle. All that really needs developing is the hardware to read the brainwaves of the trainer as thoughts occur, the software to translate those waves into commands, and the means of transmission directly to the Pokemon.
DOC: That would revolutionize the was we communicate and understand Pokemon.
TOM: Not to mention the implications for battle. You could silently issue commands to your Pokemon at the immediate moment you think them.
DOC: I would be very interested in seeing if this was possible.
TOM: Could you try?
DOC: Well, I am known to take on too many projects at once.
JESS: You could actually use Tom's invention to help with the dark energy reader!
TOM: If you can read the brainwaves of a trainer and a Pokemon, you could cross-reference the data gathered with the dark energy reader to determine if another individual is being mentally manipulated Poke-naturally.
JESS: ..."Poke-naturally"?
TOM: Like supernatural...but with Pokemon.
JESS: You can't just add Poke- to the front of a word and make that be a thing.
DOC: No, that's pretty much how it works.
JESS: I tried calling Marcus again a little while ago, since he's not on TV anymore. His voicemail said he was busy with the duties of a gym leader...to which, I call bullshit. I'm gonna try to call the Pokemon Center there, too.
TOM: If you can make any progress on this device, Doc, please keep in touch.
DOC: Actually, I'm gearing up for a brief exhibition into the Frozen Plateau right now, but I'll be certain to put forth a good effort in getting something developed.
JESS: Is there anything we could help you with for your exhibition?
DOC: Well, I'm going to study the effects that cold climate have on electrical conductivity. It's an entirely frozen micro-climate created by the Snover there.
JESS: Tom! We should take your Snover there! That way, it can learn things about its culture and hopefully be able to learn how to be a better Snover!
TOM: Well, that was never really the probably with my little tree-buddy. He's completely deaf, so it might even be impossible for him to communicate with his own kind--actually, Doc! I thought of one way we could help you!
DOC: How so?
TOM: I'd like you to look after my Snover for a bit while we go out to Seraph. You'll be able to test to see if the mental-communications tech is working successfully, since it cannot follow verbal commands anyway.
DOC: I'd be happy to look after your Snover for you. And you're right, if it really is deaf, that would make it an ideal test subject.
JESS: And to test the dark energy reader, you can watch after Destruction, my Sandile.
DOC: Sure thing!
TOM: Let me just let my Snover know that I'm going to be leaving him here for a little while.
TOM: Hey there, buddy! Umm...okay, how do I say this without words? Uh...this man...Doc...good guy, thumbs up, very smart...I go south now...after clock changes...I come back, get you back.
SNOVER: ... :)
TOM: That's the best I got.
JESS: We need to find out if Marcus is being manipulated in any way. What can you tell me about him.
DOC: Well, he's considerably bitter about the failure of the World Tournament, especially since he's so very proud of his status as the only Dark-type gym leader in the world. He claims it's because the League is trying to keep those Pokemon down out of fear.
JESS: Dark-types matter!
TOM: This new tournament on his island chain might be a way to save face for him. We'll check it out, grab the HM 03, and then we'll update you before heading out after the S.S. Anne.
JESS: Let's get going! Bye, Doc! Bye, Destruction!
TOM: Bye-bye, tree-buddy!
TOM: So, once we go through this gatehouse, it's past the Cliffs of Promise and then straight on into Seraph...
And hopefully answers to explain what the hell is going on in this region, not to mention my son as well.
Thousand Wood...here we come.
