Mission #5

Jackson’s partner pokemon, Atlas’, coat was extra puffy from being in the river. The two were boarding the train to get to Grovehart city. The trainer was bringing back jars filled with swamp water from Murkhaven at Blackthorn’s request. The water was thick, sludgey, and smelled. Which was exactly why Atlas had needed cleaning off in a river. However, this was also what had intrigued Professor Blackthorn.

The trainer took another look into his backpack, making sure that the jars were still intact. He moved his bag carefully to rest in between his feet. Jackson didn’t want to know what would happen to his backpack if the swamp water spilled all over it.

The train began to slow down to a stop as it reached the Grovehart station. Just as Jackson was beginning to lift his backpack up, someone nearby bumped into it. The backpack was pushed against his prosthetic leg and he could hear the sound of glass cracking.

“Fuck.” Jackson said as he got off the train as quickly as possible, Atlas following behind him. As the trainer got outside he saw the sludge water beginning to seep into his bag, staining the fabric. “Man, we gotta get this to the professor.” He groaned. The trainer could also see people looking at him with disgust as the smell began to spread around the train station.

By the time Jackson reached Professor Blackthorn’s lab the water had completely soaked the bottom of his backpack. The smell had become even worse, which he was forced to smell with every breath. Luckily, the trainer had been able to remove everything from it before the water touched his supplies, but he knew there was no way he’d use that bag again.

Jackson held the bag away from his body as he entered the lab, Professor Blackthorn putting down his holopad to look over at the trainer. “Oh my, what happened?” He questioned. His pokemon, Finch, quickly began to move away from the smell that was beginning to fill the room. Atlas wrinkled his nose as he stood next to his trainer.

“I got your disgusting swamp water. But some asshole in the bus broke the jars.” He said, the annoyance clear in his voice. 

“I see. I see… That is most unfortunate.” Professor Blackthorn said as he took the backpack and began to examine it. “I’m afraid I have even more bad news… This isn’t a sufficient amount for my research.” He added.

As if Jackson wasn’t already annoyed enough by the situation, finding out that it had all been for nothing was even worse. “Don’t worry I’ll still give you a reward!” The professor quickly explained upon seeing Jackson’s reaction. “In fact, if you can get more samples I’ll add to the reward.”

The trainer scratched his head. The thought of going back to the disgusting swamp wasn’t appealing in the least, but he hoped the reward would turn out to be worth it. “Alright.” Jackson replied with a sigh.

Professor Blackthorn moved towards some of the nearby cabinets and began rummaging through them until he pulled out a backpack. He then went to another cabinet and pulled out some plastic jars and bags. “Okay here’s a new backpack. I’ll take care of… disposing of that one.” He said, putting Jackson’s backpack in a nearby trash can that was labeled for biohazard disposal. “And these are to hopefully make sure your new backpack doesn’t suffer the same fate.”

“Thanks.” Jackson answered as he put his supplies into the new backpack, plus the storage containers that Professor Blackthorn had given him. Atlas was watching him curiously, his tail wagging slowly.

“It’s getting late, so it might be best if you stay in the city and head back to Murkhaven tomorrow. Here, take this to the hotel and they’ll give you a room.” The professor advised as he handed a card to the trainer. Jackson nodded with agreement as he turned to walk out of the lab.

Jackson was already tired enough from one trip to the swamp he certainly didn’t want to go there again without some rest. Atlas also looked to be tired, his jaws arching in a wide yawn. Using the card the trainer was able to quickly get a room, which he was surprised to find was decently nice. He threw his stuff down on the nearby table and got ready for bed. By the time he laid down Atlas was already asleep, curled up in a small ball.