“Huh, so Jenny will be coming with us” I said after I finished reading the letter to all my Pokémon. I left out the hugs and kisses since I don’t think any of them would appreciate them as much. “Lick Lick” “Tan Tan” my first two Pokémon said nodding with approval. “I agree, it is a good thing. I just hope I don’t mess this up. Jenny is going to be coming with us on her first adventure, and she doesn’t know what it is like being out in the field. I’m sure they have done some training at her academy, but I don’t want to assume anything” I said while standing up. “You know what, I’ll put it all in a letter. Cha, you up for a trip tomorrow?” I asked my little flyer. “Pidg Pidg” Cha chirped flapping his mighty yet tiny wings. “Thanks bud, you are the most reliable mail service I’ve ever known” I said scratching his favorite spot.

  We all sat together leaning against a corral post watching the sun set, and just enjoying a nice breeze. “This world may be different and new to me, but some things are beautiful no matter what world you live in” I said to my team. Taco and Rapunzel were enjoying the last minutes of the sun’s warmth thouroughly with their eyes closed. Po was lulling his tongue in and out after having a nice roll about in the grass. Cha was resting atop Tremor’s head with his wings spread, just feeling the gentle breeze and letting his feathers flutter. Tremor was deep in thought, or more likely, was taking a quick nap. “How lucky are we to be here right now together” I said quietly. “RAWR SNAP SNAP” ruined the atmosphere and disturbed our peace. “What was that?” I asked my team. We immediately all took off running towards the noise which came from the lab’s side door.

  “Help, someone help me!” Professor Oak was screaming while being cornered by a very large Pinsir. “On our way Professor!” I called running down the hill. “Po and Cha! Dine & Dash!” I called out. Cha’s wings started glowing as he increased altitude, and Po stopped to start curl up. “WAH WAH WAH WAH” Po came flying past us like a saw blade that had been cut loose from a sawmill. Cha came flying down like a lightning bolt descending from the heavens. Cha and Po made contact with the Pinsir at the same time sending Oak flying in the air as it spun around like a ragdoll in a washing machine. Po and Cha were already out of the way as the Pinsir landed on its back. “Rapunzel secure the Professor please!” I called out. “TANG” Rapunzel yelled as her arm of vines shot out forming a big catching mit. Professor Oak landed in the glove made out of vines and was lowered to the ground slowly. “Thank goodness you were all out here. This Pinsir was going to seriously injure me” Professor Oak said as he slowly stood up. “Deep breaths Professor. Let me handle Pinsir. Is it a new Trainer Pokémon?” I asked while petting Po’s tuft of fur on his head. “Yes and no, my research aide that is stationed at the Safari Zone sent it. He said that he caught it just to measure it and see how much more a giant Pinsir eats. Then he added that he was done with it already and to just keep the Pinsir here” Professor Oak said brushing the dirt off his coat. “So he caught it just to abandon it here?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. Professor Oak sighed, “it would appear that is indeed the case.” “Is this researcher the one who also abandoned Cha, Po, and Rapunzel?” I asked trying to keep my temper from rising. “Yes, he said that his research with them was done and sent them here for me to handle” Professor Oak said looking down. “Let’s clean up out here and put Pinsir away for now. I want to talk about this inside. Can you invite Gary and Daisy here for dinner please? I want to talk to all of you about what’s normal in this world” I said already grabbing Pinsir’s Pokéball.

  About an hour later, all of us were seated in the lab with our Pokémon all relaxing except for Tremor who had to sit by the open window instead. (I don’t want him to miss hearing anything, but he is just too big to fit in this lab) I thought to myself. “Professor, I want to approach this as gingerly as possible. I don’t want to offend or upend anyone’s career, but I have some serious questions and doubts about some of your trainers and researchers” I said calmly trying to remove all emotion from my statements. “Mr. Austin, you are already a better researcher than all of Grandpa’s current staff. I would also wager, you are better than his current trainers too” Daisy answered. “Sis is right, everything you have taught us has been true, and you’ve already proven several of the things they taught us wrong. None of them would have been able to beat Team Rocket like you did either” Gary added on. “Kids, I know you mean well, but I want to hear from your Grandpa because I am not familiar with what’s normal or standard here in the Kanto Region” I said trying to hide a blush. “No, the kids are right Austin. My current aides and trainers have been very below what the previous standards for this lab have been. I haven’t had a new champion in over 10 years. Ever since Lance first appeared we haven’t been able to compete” Professor Oak said looking down with disappointment. Taco slowly reached his head in between Oak’s hands and placed his head there. “Thank you for the love Taco. You are a very nice Pokémon. I can’t believe anyone could hurt you or force you to fight” Professor Oak said stroking Taco’s scales.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Between Team Rocket becoming stronger and Lance holding down the Champion position in the Elite 4, Professor Oak has been struggling. “Do we need those field researchers? Can we stop sponsoring those trainers on the grounds of failure to produce results?” I asked Professor Oak. “Are you suggesting conserving our funds and pulling out of all research and battling for the year?” Professor Oak asked. “Professor Oak, I would like your permission to review each trainer file and each researcher file to see what I can determine” I asked hoping to help the Professor. “I ask you to be kind and remember that some of them have families. Are you planning to contact them, or do you want me to help?” Professor Oak asked. “Professor, if the are doing good research and show the ability to learn and adapt they have nothing to fear. The trainers need to be producing results, and at minimum they need to beat all eight gyms and get to the Elite 4” I said holding firm. “Access granted!” Professor Oak said with no hesitation. “What do we do going forward after investigations are complete and we decide each researcher’s and trainer’s future?” Professor Oak asked looking concerned. “Come Fall, I am going to publish my research on Pokémon diets and show the world what real research looks like. To prove the research findings, two trainers who’s Pokémon took part in the study will be sponsored by Professor Oak’s Lab and will reach the Elite 4. At least one of them will win if not both” I said with the utmost confidence. “Who are we sending?” Professor Oak asked looking confused. “We will be sending Austin and Jenny. Grandpa, I thought Austin’s plan was obvious” Daisy said shaking her head. “Oh, of course. How silly of me. Are you sure that Jenny and yourself can really do it?” Professor Oak asked. “There is only one way to find out Professor!” I said slapping my legs and standing up. “My team will be ready come Fall. Po and Rapunzel can easily take the first two gyms. Tremor will be able to beat the 3rd gym and 5th gym with ease. Cha will beat the 4th gym by himself. That Pinsir, I will convince her to join the team and she will beat the 6th gym. We will make sure to show off Mega Evolution in that battle and prove more of our research. Tremor could beat the 7th gym and Po of course could too, but I am sure we will have a water type friend at some point who can help. Giovanni and the Earth Badge can be very easy or near impossible depending on how he handles his team. All ground types will be an easy sweep for Rapunzel and our future water type friend. Still figuring out how I will handle the Elite 4 if we make it that far” I said showing how much thought I had put into it. “I can see why you were sent here” Professor Oak said shaking his head. “I want to help, you let me know how and what I can do. I will be there to make sure everything goes smoothly” Professor Oak said getting riled up. “I have some ideas” I said smiling and nodding.