“Here we are” Professor said cheerily. All around me where different kinds of dry food and a refrigerator with some kinds of wet food. “Professor, where do you keep the meat and insects?” I asked not seeing anything looking remotely natural or organic. “We feed the Pokèmon this nutrient rich dry food made by some of the top breeders. Each section is for a different kind of Pokèmon, and some species enjoy the same food.” Professor Oak said pointing to the dry food pallets. (Mental note to self, explore natural diets using real ingredients) I said in my head.

  We prepared the food and portions for each corral and took everything outside to give to the Pokèmon. Some Pokèmon came running as soon as we walked outside knowing what time it was, but some hung back afraid of the charging Pokèmon. “Professor are there social hierarchies between the different species here?” I asked while pouring another bag of food. “Yes, there is definitely hierarchies with certain Pokèmon being territorial and food driven enough to establish dominance over the others in their corral” Professor Oak said as he was patting a Nidorina. “Professor Oak, I have an idea of what I could start with to help out around the lab” I said while brainstorming about priorities. “Oh, what do you have in mind?” Professor Oak asked. “Why don’t I start my work out here with these Pokèmon in the corrals. I want to experiment with their diets and also moving some of them around to help make studying them easier” I said while watching a Raichu and Sandslash fight over their food. “Well that would certainly be a big help right away! Just make sure to document everything properly and let everyone know what your findings are” Professor Oak said with a big smile.

  Once we finished giving all the Pokèmon their dinners we finally locked everything up and headed down the hill. We headed West for a while and then turned North on the path and went towards the top of the hill leading to what I assumed was Route 1. As we climbed, we discussed theories and currently known information. Using what I knew from the games and the show, we were about 5 years before the Team Rocket/Mewtwo Event. Red and or Ash’s house was on the horizon to the West, and Gary or Blue’s house was directly to the East. Professor Oak lead the way to the house and knocked on the front door. After a minute, a young lady opened the door, who I assumed to be Daisy Oak. “Grandpa you’re late!” She said with a pout on her face. “Hello Daisy, I’m home and I brought my new aide from the lab with me” Professor Oak said stepping aside to reveal me standing behind him. Daisy looked to be about 13 to 15 years old with light brown hair and green eyes. “Hey Gramps! You’re finally home!” Said a young boy’s voice coming down the stairs. “Hello Gary, yes I am home. Daisy and Gary, this is Austin and he will be helping out at the lab as an aide” Professor Oak said.

  (So I am in the anime or game’s timeline. I still can’t tell which yet, but I know generally where things are headed.) I thought in my head. We all sat down and had dinner together, and the kids told Professor Oak what they did during the day. “Mr. Austin, where do you come from?” Gary asked me. I snapped out of my trance and responded, “I come from a region very far away, where things are very different than they are here.” Gary and Daisy looked at me with curiosity, and then Daisy spoke up, “Mr. Austin, do you know as much as Grandpa does about Pokèmon?” Before I could say anything, Professor Oak answered, “Mr. Austin knows even more than I do about Pokèmon, and he’s actually helping teach me right now.” Both of the kids looked shocked with their mouths hanging open. “Your Grandpa is too kind. I know a lot about Pokèmon, but I am sure there is a lot I still have to learn. Your Grandpa is helping me even more by giving me a job” I said with an awkward smile on my face. Receiving praise has never been easy for me, and I don’t know how to just accept it. My response is to be defensive and just say way too much.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “If you kids have any questions about Pokèmon, I will do my best to give you a good answer” I said nodding at both of the kids. “Mr. Austin, what’s your favorite Pokèmon?” Gary asked me. “Well I have a lot of favorite Pokèmon, but if I had to pick one right now it would be Pinsir” I said. Everyone at the table looked at me confused. “Mr. Austin why would you like a giant bug Pokèmon?” Asked Daisy. “Well Daisy, I like Pinsir because of some of the cool things it can do. It can lift double it’s weight using just the pincers on its head. It can also use Rock, Ground, Fighting, and Flying moves. When it Mega Evolves, it even gains the flying type” I said pushing up my imaginary glasses. “What is Mega Evolution?!?!?” Professor Oak exclaimed standing up and nearly slamming the table. “Some Pokèmon can evolve a step further temporarily using mega stones. When they mega evolve they can change appearance, gain new typing, and grow more powerful” I said while trying to recall everything I knew. “We have to hurry and clean up! We have much to do! We need to send out this information and have our field teams and trainers begin looking for these Mega Stones!!!” Professor Oak said as he ran towards the sink with his dishes.

  After cleaning up and saying goodnight to the kids, we headed back to the lab to send out some more emails. “Professor, is it all right if I stay at the lab this evening like you mentioned?” I asked while walking down the hill. “Of course! While you conduct your research on diets and social hierarchy you are welcome to stay at the lab and use the facilities as needed. If you need me to purchase any supplies just write down what you need and I’ll get it for you” Professor Oak said with confidence. “Professor, are you sure? I know I am new to this world, but aren’t you being too trusting?” I asked. “Austin, in one day you have single handedly changed the entire trajectory of my research and lab and given us so much knowledge for free. Helping you, help Pokèmon and advance our research is nothing in comparison. Any Pokèmon researcher would be a fool to let you and your knowledge slip through their fingers” Professor Oak said sounding confused and defeated.

  When we arrived at the lab, Professor Oak immediately began shooting off emails again with the descriptions I told him. Once he finished, he showed me to where the extra rooms were. The room was simple with a bed, small closet, and some extra pillows. Next door was a small Japanese style bathroom with a tiny shower and other basic necessities. Professor Oak gave me a set of basic keys to get around the lab and headed out to be with his grandkids. Once he was gone I undressed, showered, got cleaned up, and headed to bed. As I closed my eyes, my final thoughts were (I can’t wait to get started.)