Vol. I, Part 1: Chapter 3

  The Whitley family was well-known. Not just in Striaton City where they lived, but across the entire Unova region. The walls of their home were plastered with degrees, certificates, and awards from various prestigious medical institutes. The mantelpiece above their fireplace didn’t hold family photos or leftover Christmas cards. It was a shrine to the success the Whitleys had achieved.

  Rosa sat on the couch, knees pulled up to her chest. She held a magazine featuring the latest news on the Unova Pokémon League, willfully ignoring the accolades looming over her.

  “It fits perfectly right there,” her dad said, stepping back to admire the new Master’s Degree placed at the center of the mantle. “Right next to my doctorate.”

  Dr. Dennis Whitley was the most famous doctor in Unova. His reputation made Striaton Hospital, where he practiced, the most renowned medical facility in the region.

  “Thanks, Dad,” his son, Matt, said. “But do you really have to place it in the center? Doesn’t that seem a bit… much?”

  “Nonsense, you’ve earned this spot,” Dr. Whitley said, placing a heavy hand on his son’s shoulder. “And once you’ve finished your residency in Hoenn, I’ll be sure to make room for your surgeon’s license.”

  Dr. Whitley couldn’t be prouder. The twenty-six-year-old was leaving for a different region to continue the Whitley legacy as a medical prodigy. He was smart, handsome, and, according to Rosa, so irritatingly humble.

  Rosa flipped a page, ignoring her father and brother entirely.

  ‘From the Concert Stage to the Pokémon League: Meet Roxie, Virbank’s Newest Gym Leader.’

  Rosa scanned the article.

  A Poison-type Gym Leader? If I battled her, I would use a Psychic-type, like Gothitelle. But Scolipede’s Bug-typing could beat Gothitelle, so Rhyperior would provide perfect coverage with its Rock-Ground typing.

  “Rosa, did you hear me?” Her dad’s voice thundered across the living room.

  Rosa perked up, snapping back to reality. “Sorry, what, Dad?”

  Dr. Whitley sighed. “I said, has Dr. Reese gotten back to you about your application to the University?”

  Rosa felt her heart sink.

  “No,” she replied bluntly, returning her eyes to the magazine. An overwhelming dread began to creep into her chest.

  “Well, could you send her a follow-up email? I want to make sure you get accepted before the semester starts,” her dad continued, his tone clipping with annoyance.

  “I will,” Rosa replied, not looking up.

  “That wasn’t a suggestion, Rosa. Do it now, please,” Dr. Whitley said, his voice dropping to that assertive, doctor-knows-best register.

  “Fine,” Rosa grumbled. She tossed her magazine onto the coffee table and trudged toward the stairs.

  “Hey, Rosa, I left my old textbooks on your desk. You should probably start reading them. Dr. Reese’s curriculum is brutal. Just because I was her favorite doesn't mean she went easy on me,” Matt added with a helpful smile.

  God, he’s so annoying.

  “Thanks, Matt, I’ll get right on it,” Rosa replied, dripping with sarcasm.

  She exited the living room quickly to avoid any further conversation. Just as she reached the stairs, her mother called from the kitchen.

  “Rosa, honey, could you take the casserole out of the oven? My hands are busy,” she called out over the sound of chopping vegetables.

  “Sorry, Mom, Dad’s got me on important University business,” Rosa shot back with attitude.

  “Rosa, please,” her mom pleaded.

  A pang of guilt hit her. It wasn't fair to take her frustration out on her mom.

  “Okay,” she let out with an apologetic sigh.

  She walked into the kitchen and slid on a pair of oven mitts.

  “What does your dad want you to do?” her mom asked, trying to engage her.

  “Send an email to Dr. Reese about my application,” Rosa said, focusing on not burning herself as she pulled the dish out.

  “You haven’t gotten your acceptance letter yet?”

  “Nope, still nothing,” Rosa replied, hiding a subtle sense of joy.

  “Oh, I don’t think you need to worry. I’m sure Dr. Reese is just backed up with all the applications.”

  Rosa said nothing.

  “Are you ready for the big University life?” her mom asked, breaking the silence.

  “I’m ready for… something,” Rosa muttered.

  “I’m sure you’ll do great,” her mom said, missing the subtext entirely. “With your academic gift, I’m sure you’ll do better than I did in Pokémon Nursing School.”

  “I seriously doubt that, Mom. The Striaton Pokémon Center would collapse if you weren’t in charge of it,” Rosa replied.

  Rosa could tell her mom knew she was right, but she never would admit it.

  “It takes a lot of hard work and studying to get to where your father and I are. Matt’s going to learn that lesson very soon when he starts his residency. I hope you will take this seriously.” Her tone shifted, becoming less of a friend and more of a parent.

  “I’ll try.”

  Rosa slipped off the oven mitts and made her way upstairs, passing a framed picture of her and her mom in the hallway. It was the closest thing to a family photo the Whitleys displayed. But rather than a candid of a mother and daughter sharing a Casteliacone, it was a picture of an award Head Nurse Laura Whitley received for treating wounded Pokémon during the Pinwheel Forest fire a few years ago. Rosa had been there as a volunteer.

  ‘Mother and Daughter Save Countless Pokémon Affected by Fires,’ the news article headline read. Rosa remembered treating the injured Pokémon under her mother’s guidance. She felt sorrow for their pain, but despite her disdain for the medical field, she had learned a valuable lesson from that incident.

  She was good at it.

  When she got to her room, she sat at her desk and opened her laptop, shoving Matt's stack of books to the side. She stared blankly at the email she had no intention of writing. She knew Dr. Reese would accept her application in a heartbeat. Not because she was a Whitley, though the name itself was a guaranteed spot, but she certainly had the qualifications. She had her Phlebotomy license, a piece of paper she earned just to get her dad off her back, stashed in a pile of “useless” documents. She knew how to perform CPR. She knew how to triage a wound. Rosa felt her stomach twist.

  Her hand drifted to an empty Poké Ball she kept on her desk. She had found it years ago while exploring the forest with her cousin and their friend. It was dirty and beginning to rust, but it was a reminder of her true passion. She and her cousin used to play in the forest constantly, having mock battles with imaginary Pokémon.

  “Yeah,” Rosa whispered, shaking her head at the rusty metal. “Silly.”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “The Whites are here!” She heard Matt's voice through the floorboard of her bedroom.

  Through her window, she saw a car pull up in the driveway. Her aunt, uncle, and cousin stepped out onto the driveway.

  Finally. Hilda.

  “Matt's already packing his bags for Hoenn. He’s acting like he’s a surgeon already,” Rosa complained to Hilda.

  The two girls were walking along the neighborhood sidewalk, eager to escape the adults.

  “Wow, good for him. Maybe he'll be just as famous as your dad one day,” Hilda said, her voice heavy with sarcasm.

  Rosa laughed. She loved her brother, but there were times she despised how much her parents fawned over him. Being a decade older, he had always been more of a babysitter than a brother growing up.

  “He seems pretty stoked about it. I mean, I would love to go to Hoenn. Imagine what kinds of Pokémon live there! I bet there are lots of tropical ones,” Rosa said.

  “Maybe we can sneak inside Matt's suitcase and smuggle our way into Hoenn!” Hilda suggested.

  Rosa laughed again. “He’s so hyped up that he probably wouldn't even notice.”

  “And if we get caught, we'll say he's kidnapping us!”

  “Oh my god, Hilda! You're insane.”

  The two girls giggled. If there was one person Rosa could count on to lift her spirits, it was Hilda.

  “So, have you thought about what you're going to do next?” Hilda asked, turning serious.

  “Well, Dad's going to try to get me into the University. He wants me to get my degree in medicine.”

  “Go figure. But hey, at least you can hang out with me and what's-his-face. You know, that boy who usually tags along with us?”

  “You mean Hilbert?”

  “Yeah, that guy!”

  “You're both going to the University?”

  “And Cheren and Bianca, too! Those two have been working with Professor Juniper. They're building a new team to help with field research. Bianca told me the University just approved the funding. So, Hilbert and I joined the Research and Development department as field researchers.”

  “Hilda, that sounds amazing! Do you start after summer?”

  “We sure do. Cheren’s our team leader. You know, we are looking for more members to join,” Hilda said, eyeing Rosa meaningfully.

  “You know my dad would never let me,” Rosa said bluntly.

  “You've got to try. Please, Rosa. Otherwise, you'll leave me all alone with Hilbert!”

  “Trust me, I want to go. So much. More than anything, actually,” Rosa admitted.

  “What if I talk to him?”

  “There's nothing you can say to change his mind,” Rosa said, almost laughing at the idea.

  “You're right. Uncle Dennis has always been really stubborn. I guess that's where you get it from.”

  “Haha, shut up!”

  “What about your mom? Can she convince him?” Hilda asked.

  “I don't know, Hilda. My parents aren't going to let me ‘waste my time’ at University studying Pokémon.”

  “It's not wasting time! It's legitimate research with the region's top Pokémon Professor!” Hilda argued.

  “Try selling that narrative to my parents.”

  Rosa knew she was right, and she could tell Hilda did too.

  Hilda sighed. “Well, I hope the Medical department treats you right. I'm worried about you, Rosa. You seem so defeated every time you talk about it.”

  Rosa appreciated her cousin's concern. Hilda was the younger cousin, though not even by a year, but she had a heart full of support.

  “I'll be alright. I can take care of myself. Besides, we'll still get to hang out at the University, even if we are in different departments. I'll make sure Hilbert doesn't drive you crazy,” Rosa promised.

  Hilda laughed. “Okay, you better.”

  The girls made their way back home. Both Hilda’s and Rosa's moms were sitting in the living room talking, while Mr. Whitley, Mr. White, and Matt were out in the backyard.

  “There's food in the kitchen for you girls if you want,” Laura Whitley offered.

  They grabbed plates of food and brought them into the living room to join their mothers.

  “Hilda, your mom tells me you're going into Pokémon Research?” Laura asked.

  “Yup. That's right. I'm going to be working with Professor Juniper and aiding her research,” Hilda said between bites.

  “Hilda and her friends are part of a trainer team that conducts field research. It's a new initiative the University approved,” Kathleen White told her sister.

  “That's right. Hilbert's on the team, too,” Hilda remarked.

  “I'm sure it'll be a wonderful opportunity for you both. You've always loved working with Pokémon growing up. It's a great fit,” Laura said warmly.

  Hilda glanced at Rosa. There was a glint in her eye. She was planning something.

  What is she thinking?

  “You know, Aunt Laura, the Research and Development department does more than just research. We also have a Rehabilitation Center were we nurse sick Pokémon back to health. It's a little bit like working at a Pokémon Center, except without all the fancy machines,” Hilda explained innocently.

  “Oh, really?” Laura asked, perking up.

  “Yeah. Hilbert and I toured the campus last week. There are whole facilities dedicated to nursing Pokémon back to health. It's part of the ‘Development’ portion of our department.”

  “Do you train on Pokémon medicine as well?” Laura asked.

  “You bet!” Hilda said, smiling.

  Is she lying?

  Rosa stared at her cousin.

  “And speaking of ‘great fits,’ Rosa would help us out tremendously with her skills.” Hilda winked at Rosa.

  Oh no, Hilda, not now.

  “Mom, I think Hilda is exaggerating a bit,” Rosa said quickly, trying to save face. Hilda shot her a sharp look.

  “I see what you're saying, Hilda. But we're trying to enroll Rosa in the Medical department,” Laura explained.

  “I know, but it would be really cool if Rosa could join us. I think she'd do great. Plus, she can also study Pokémon medicine like you do,” Hilda pressed.

  Laura bit her lip and looked at her sister. “I understand you want her with you, but Dennis has already talked to Dr. Reese about Rosa's enrollment. I'm sorry, Hilda.”

  “It's okay, mom. She wasn't being serious,” Rosa intervened. Again, Hilda glared at her.

  “Laura, can I talk with you in the kitchen?” Kathleen asked suddenly.

  “Sure, Kathleen. Let's go.”

  The two women left the room. As soon as they were out of earshot, Rosa turned on her cousin.

  “What are you doing?” Rosa whispered loudly.

  “Trying to save your butt from four years of torture!” Hilda hissed back.

  “Hilda, I already told you, I'll be fine.”

  “Really? Are you really going to be fine?” Hilda challenged.

  Rosa hesitated. She loved Pokémon. Being with her friends and her cousin, doing what she loved, sounded like a dream. She knew this was her only opportunity to break free.

  “I don't know. It can't be that bad, can it?” Rosa deflected.

  “Rosa, you beautiful, dimwitted flower, this is your dream! Don't let your parents take it away from you,” Hilda pleaded.

  Rosa sighed. “It's not up to me.”

  “Yes, it is. It's your dream. Not theirs.”

  “Then how do I convince my dad?”

  “Well, let's go see what our moms are saying.”

  Hilda got up and signaled for Rosa to follow. They tip-toed to the edge of the hallway, just out of sight of the kitchen.

  “She's always been at the top of her classes,” Laura was saying.

  “But don't you think it's time you let her decide what she wants?” Kathleen replied.

  Thanks, Aunt Kathy.

  “Looks like they are talking about you,” Hilda whispered.

  “We've already begun enrolling her in the Medical department,” Laura insisted.

  “You know she doesn't want to study medicine. Hilda talks to me about her almost every day!”

  Rosa gave an inaudible ‘awww’ to her cousin, who acknowledged it with a wink.

  “I know, but if we just let her give it a chance at the University, she might like it. She's very smart and has so much potential. She would do well!” Laura said.

  “Rosa does not love medicine. She loves Pokémon. Remember when we were kids? All we cared about were Pokémon. That's why you became the region's best Pokémon Nurse. And now our girls share that same love we once had. Can't you give Rosa just this one chance to actually follow her dream?” Kathleen urged.

  There was a long pause.

  “I don't know what Dennis would say,” Laura said quietly.

  “Since when does Dennis control everything Rosa does? You're her mom, for crying out loud!” Kathleen said, her voice rising slightly.

  “Okay, okay. I'll see if I can talk to him. Maybe I can sell him on the idea of Rosa studying Pokémon medicine in Research and Development. Was Hilda right about that?” Laura asked.

  “I don't know,” Kathleen admitted.

  “Yeah, I totally lied about that,” Hilda whispered to Rosa. “Our team doesn't actually study Pokémon medicine.”

  “You're the worst,” Rosa whispered back, trying to hold in a laugh.

  “What are you two doing?” a voice asked from behind.

  Both girls jumped and spun around. It was Matt.

  “Oh, nothing!” Hilda said in the most obviously guilty tone imaginable.

  “I thought you were outside with Dad!” Rosa hissed.

  “I came in to get a drink.” Matt eyed them suspiciously. “Are you spying on Mom?”

  “What? No. Don't be stupid, Matt!” Rosa lied badly.

  “Okay. Whatever,” Matt shrugged, walking past them into the kitchen. Their moms stopped talking in hushed tones and greeted him.

  “Damn it, Matt. You ruined our eavesdropping,” Hilda groaned.

  “I think we heard enough,” Rosa said, a small spark of hope lighting in her chest. “To me, it sounds like Mom's going to help me out.”

  “I sure hope so.”