The machine sparked, giving Roy a light shock as he reached in to swap out the blown fuse. “Ow! Fuck!” He yanked his hand back, dropping the new fuse to the floor. Why was he the one doing this? Roy was no electrician.

    “Everything all right there, Roy?” the professor called from across the room.

    “Fine.” Roy picked up the fuse, swapped it out with the bad one, then popped it back in the circuit. “Distorted piece of junk,” he mumbled. The machine roared and lit up, causing Roy to take a step back to avoid any further shocks. Or worse. “Ok,” he called out. “Try it now.”

    On the other side of the laboratory room, Professor Oak sat in a swivel chair in front of a computer. He spun back to face Professor Utsugi on the monitor, who spoke through video chat from Johto, the neighboring country to the west.

    “Ok, professor,” Oak said. “Looks like we got the transporter working again. Try sending it one more time.”

    “Coming right up. Just give me a sec to reset everything, and I’ll have it sent right over.”

    Roy walked back over to Professor Oak, rubbing his hand. His fingertips still stinging from the earlier shock. “So, is it coming or not?”

    “We’ll find out momentarily.” Professor Oak turned toward a circular platform on the desk. Wires and cords ran from the platform over to the transporter machine Roy had fixed (he hoped). With luck, this would work and he wouldn’t have to go back and tinker with Arceus knew what else.

    They kept patient eyes on the platform until Professor Utsugi’s voice spoke from the monitor. “Ok. Commencing transportation in three… two… one.”

    The transporter roared to life behind them, sounding like an old man having a coughing fit. Gears turned, lights flashed, and electricity surged through the cords strewn across the floor. The receiving platform on the table hummed and glowed a bright white, then a round object materialized in the center.

    Lights died down, and the machine quieted. A lot of work for something so small. It was about the size of a baseball, with a horizontal black line dividing it in half; the top of the ball was red, the bottom, white, a button protruding in the center of the ball’s black line.

    Professor Oak smiled, taking the ball from the platform and turning to hold it up before the monitor. “Poké Ball received.” Oak swiveled around to face the open floor and held the ball out in front of him. He pressed the button, and the Poké Ball opened on a hinge. A flash of white light shot out onto the floor. A sweet aroma filled the air as the light took form and solidified into a small sauropod, standing little under a meter in height, four short legs supporting its plump, pale green body with a stubby tail. A ring of buds grew around where its neck should’ve been. A large head sat atop its stunted body, sporting a single leaf growing out the top of its head. The creature smiled up at Roy with big red eyes and let out a cute cry.

    “Chiko!”

    The Pokémon known as Chikorita pranced around the room with a giddy gait before leaping into Roy’s arms, and he couldn’t help but smile.

    “Well, it seems Chikorita is as energetic and happy as can be,” Professor Utsugi said from the monitor.

    “It does indeed,” Oak said. “Thank you for sending it over.”

    “Thank you for taking it. I know Chikorita will be safe with you.”

    “You’re certain you don’t know who it was that robbed you?”

    “No. Security never got a good look at their face. Though they say it looked like a young man, hair dyed red. The cops are on the lookout though.”

    “Well, don’t worry. I’m sure they’ll find him and get that Pokémon back. Probably just some rebellious teenager wanting to become a Pokémon Trainer a little early.”

    “Perhaps. Or...” Professor Utsugi frowned. “I’ve heard on the news Kanto’s had a rise in Pokémon thievery lately. Some people suspect a new mob group is organizing. And a big one from the sounds of it. Do you think it could’ve been one of them?”

    “It’s possible. I guess only time will tell.” Professor Oak turned his chair to face Roy, the Chikorita still snuggled in his arms, the leaf on its head brushing underneath his nose, giving him a strong scent of the aroma it secreted. “For now, I’ll take good care of it here at my laboratory. And this will be an excellent opportunity to study a rare Pokémon indigenous to Johto.”

    “Excellent. I’m counting on you, professor.” Utsugi’s image blipped off the monitor.

    Professor Oak sighed, leaning back in his chair, and craned his neck back to stare at the ceiling. He reached to massage his eyes, apparently trying to rub the stress out. Roy had always told him he needed to learn to take it easy. The professor was getting on in age, and his hair had grayed early enough without him constantly pushing himself in his work as he did.

    Roy walked up behind Oak’s chair and stood over him. He held Chikorita out, letting the leaf on its head hang over the professor’s face.

    “You know,” Roy said, “they say the Sweet Scent from a Chikorita’s leaf works as a great soother.” This brought the Professor’s smile back. “Everything all right, professor?”

    “Oh, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” The professor sat up, looking down at a family picture sitting on his desk. “Anyway, with Pokémon theft in Kanto at an all-time high, it’s Trainers like my grandson who should be worried.”

    “If the stories I hear about your grandson are true, I’d be more worried for the thieves foolish enough to try stealing from him.”

    The professor laughed in his crackled voice. “Perhaps you’re right.” He pushed himself out of his chair and met Roy’s eyes with a warm smile. “And speaking of Pokémon Trainers, you must be getting excited.”

    Roy had expected the Professor to bring this up at some point. Roy was getting excited. Tomorrow was the first day of spring. As per tradition, the Professor gave out three starter Pokémon to the newest Pokémon Trainers every quarter. And with Roy having recently turned eighteen, he was finally old enough to get a Trainer’s license. His body tensed as he squeezed the Chikorita in his arms trying to contain his excitement. He squeezed a little too hard.

    “Chiko!” The Chikorita slapped him in the face with the leaf on its head, making the professor laugh again.

    “I’ll take that as a definite yes.” The professor held out his arms to take the Grass Pokémon. “How about I take this Chikorita for now. I’m anxious to begin my research.”

    “Anything I can do, professor?”

    Professor Oak walked over to set Chikorita on his desk, and Roy caught a glimpse of a slight smirk on his face. “Well, now that you mention it, Vance dropped off his Venomoth earlier this morning. The Pokémon could probably use a good grooming. You should go say hi. It must’ve been at least a year since you’ve seen each other. I’ll bet he misses you.”

    Roy frowned at the professor’s obvious joke. Vance’s Venomoth probably missed him as much as a Charmander missed a rainstorm. The last time he’d tried tending to the moth Pokémon, he’d been hit with a Stun Spore that left his entire body paralyzed. While it left no lasting damage and was more of a severe pain in the ass than anything else, the rush to the hospital had sent his mother into a panic.

    “As appealing as that sounds,” Roy said. “I think I’ll pass on any tasks that involve me getting burned, poisoned, or fucking paralyzed.”

    “Roy, how many times must I ask you to keep a civil tongue on my residence?”

    “You’ll miss my mouth once it’s gone tomorrow.”

    Oak couldn’t help but smile. “You’re probably right. Only when gone is the Muk, does one realize that to know one was a stroke of luck.”

    Roy had to fight to keep from rolling his eyes into the back of his head. Oak had a cringy habit of delivering his wisdom through poetry. None of which were ever any good as poems and made little sense as words of wisdom. The professor was brilliant, if a little odd at times. Even so, Roy knew, come tomorrow, he would miss the professor dearly, quirks and all. After six years as his assistant… well, their relationship had helped fill a mutual void they’d both been left with that awful day.

    A ping indicating new mail came from the computer, and the professor checked who it was from. By the look on his face, he may have received a spam advertisement suggesting he move into a retirement home.

    “What is it this time?” Oak sulked into his chair to open the email.

    “Professor?”

    “Oh, I’m sorry, m’boy. Why don’t you go help Genny out in the fields? I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about.”

    Roy nodded and made toward the exit. Another ping sounded from Oak’s computer. Then another, followed by a rapid-fire of pings that made Roy think of a machine gun. “My goodness,” Oak exclaimed. “What has got everyone’s Ekans in a knot this morning?”

    Standing at the door, Roy saw Oak’s expression become solemn. “Oh, dear,” he whispered. Roy wanted to ask what was the matter, but thought better of it and, following the professor’s request, went out to find Genny in the fields.

 

***

 

Behind Professor Oak’s research lab, a corral, several acres in size, housed hundreds of Pokémon Oak studied. It was a natural environment divided into regions, each housing different Pokémon depending on the environment that best suited them.

    Roy checked his phone. It was a little after ten. Genny should be finishing up feeding the Pokémon. She usually fed the Water Pokémon last, so Roy made his way across the open fields to the stream and followed it toward the lake. It was a bit of a walk, but she was likely on her way back and he’d run into her eventually. For now, he’d enjoy the pleasant walk through the coral, which he didn’t get often. Genny was normally the one who worked in the fields, while Roy helped the professor with his research in the labs.

    Genny, on the other hand, was the more amiable one who had a knack for interacting with Pokémon, which made her perfect for the fields.

    A couple Butterfree enjoyed the nectar in the blooming flower field across the stream. Their whistling trill pleasant in his ears. Goldeen swam in the stream, and one of them leapt out and dove back in, giving Roy a light splash of water, refreshing in the warm spring air. Sleeping in a distant thicket of trees, Roy spotted Victor’s Venomoth. If he ever came across Victor in his travels, he’d be sure to challenge him so he could kick the crap out of that Bug Pokémon.

    Ten minutes later, he spotted Genny climbing up a tree. No, that was being too generous. She was failing to climb a tree in a manner that was embarrassing to watch. She tried swinging her leg over a branch at an awkward angle, lost her gripping, and fell back down, landing on her ass.

    “Now what’s this,” Roy called out. “The professor sent me to help Genny, but all I see is a Mankey climbing a tree. You won’t find any bananas up there.”

    “Roy. Good. I could use your help,” she said, ignoring his jibe as he helped her up.

    “I thought you’d be busy feeding the Pokémon, not climbing trees… or… whatever that was you were doing.”

    “I finished early.” She pointed up at a Meowth in the high branches. It lay on its back, playing with something shiny in its paws. “I found that Meowth stuck in a thorn bush on my way back. I was trying to help her out when she snatched my bracelet and ran off with it.”

    How typical. Meowth were mischievous creatures. A feline Pokémon with cream-colored fur with brown at the tips of its tail and back paws with black ears and an extra pair of whiskers growing out the top of its head. No surprise it took Genny’s golden bracelet. Meowth had an affinity for shiny objects. So much so that they wore a gold koban coin on their forehead.

    “Roy, I’m so sorry,” Genny said. “I should’ve been more careful. Now I’ve gone and lost your mom’s bracelet.”

    Delilah, had given Genny the bracelet as a birthday gift a couple of years ago. Though Roy’s mother had been humble and explained it was a simple trinket she’d bought, Genny had reacted as though given real gold. This was probably the first time since that day Roy had seen Genny not wearing it.

    “Are you mad,” she asked in her typical soft speaking voice.

    “What? No, of course not.”

    Despite his words, she looked on the verge of tears. Roy smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, don’t worry about it. We’ll get it back.”

    “Really?”

    “Of course. It’s just a Meowth. How hard can it be?” Quite hard, actually. Meowth was a tricky Pokémon. Spry, nimble, and difficult to catch with bare hands. Roy stared up at the tree, hands on hips as he pondered ideas. “I don’t suppose you have its Poké Ball on hand?”

    “No. It’s probably back at the lab.”

    “Well, no point going all the way back for it.”

    Roy put his hands in his pockets and his fingers brushed over the loose change at the bottom. Getting another idea, he smiled. “Hey.” He pulled the change out. “Let me show you how people used to catch these things before Poké Balls.”

    Genny watched, looking doubtful in his obvious plan as he picked out the shiniest coins and held them in his palm, tossing them up and down to create a tantalizing jingle.

    “I don’t know,” Genny said. “You really think that’ll…” Answering her question before she could finish it, the Meowth’s ears twitched, and its head turned toward Roy’s hand, eyes filled with desire. The Meowth leapt down from the tree, sauntering toward Roy on all fours, bracelet hanging from its mouth, eyes never moving from the coins.

    “That’s it.” Roy kept his focus on the Meowth as the coins pulled it toward him like a magnet. “Come one. Just a little closer.” The cat crept ever closer, then slowed to a halt just out of reach. The three of them kept still and silent. Roy jingled the coins again. The Meowth’s ears twitched, though it held its position.

    Genny took a cautious step forward. The Pokémon’s eyes darted toward her, and it backed up. “Easy, girl,” Genny said. The Meowth’s eyes moved back and forth between her and the coins and Roy knew this wasn’t going to work.

    The Meowth made a move to turn. Genny dove forward, and plowed into the ground as the Pokémon leapt aside. The Meowth bolted in the opposite direction.

    “Genny! Are you all right?” Roy helped her to her feet.

    “I’m fine.”

    He turned back to the fleeing Meowth. “Shit. Let’s go.”

 

***

 

As soon as Roy got his hands on that fucking cat, he was going to strangle it. They’d run across the corral and back chasing after it, running around fields, through tree clusters, across sandy terrain, and now climbing up a steep hill of rocks, where the Meowth sat upon a boulder, looking down at them, bracelet hanging in its mouth, waiting for them to catch up so it could run off and continue toying with them.

    Roy checked over his shoulder to make sure Genny was keeping up. She followed a couple of meters back, looking worn out as she struggled over a large rock. Roy was getting exhausted himself. His clothes stuck to his sweaty body, he’d torn his shirt sleeve on a tree earlier, and was pretty sure he had at least five pebbles in each shoe.

    “You all right back there?’

    “I’m fine.” She sounded out of breath. “Just get Meowth. I’m right behind you.”

    Roy looked up at the Meowth, an arm’s length out of reach. He took a quiet step forward and lashed out.

    The Meowth leapt to another rock farther up. Roy gritted his teeth. The Meowth almost seemed to laugh at him. But its laughter subsided when the boulder beneath it trembled. Taking a closer look at the boulder, Roy saw that it was actually the Rock Pokémon, Graveler, that had curled up for a nap and didn’t seem to like being disturbed.

    The Graveler sprung out from its curled-up position, launching the Meowth into the air. The cat cried out as it fell through the air toward Roy. He reached to catch it as it passed over but missed.

    “Genny!” he called. She looked up at the Meowth falling toward her and, with quick reflexes, leapt up and caught it. The Pokémon shrieked in frustration and thrashed around in her arms, trying to escape. Roy climbed back down as she struggled to hold the Meowth. He heard the scraping sound of claws being drawn followed by a yelp from Genny. The Meowth leapt from her arms and ran off.

    “Fuck!” Roy climbed after it, when Genny called for him to stop. He turned and his eyes caught the red running down her arm, which she held high.

    “I got it,” she said, holding the bracelet, her face beaming, despite the flowing blood.

    “You’re hurt.”

    “Oh, this? It’s just a scratch.”

    Roy hurried to her, being careful not to slip on the loose gravel. He took her arm in gentle hands to inspect the wound. A shallow cut, but still deep enough to require attention. “Let’s get back to the lab. The professor can get you taken care of. Be more careful next time.”

    “But I got the bracelet back,” she said with a chipper tone, clamping it on her wrist, careless of her scratched arm, as though it were insignificant compared to retrieving her bracelet. Though it was a cheap trinket, it’s golden shine stood out from the rest of Genny’s thrift store clothing. When Roy’s mother had bought it for Genny’s birthday, he’d told her if she was going to get Genny some jewelry, she could’ve done better than that piece of junk. Regardless, Genny had loved it as though it were the most valuable gift she’d ever received.

    Genny admired her bracelet in the sunlight, and Roy caught the bruise on her upper arm that looked like someone had grabbed her too hard. “Hey,” he said, “How’d you…”

    Genny looked at him with an expression of cheerful innocence. “How’d I what?”

    Roy stared at her for a moment, then held his tongue. He didn’t want to ruin her good mood. Even without asking, he had a sinking feeling he already knew where the bruise came from. Though he hoped he was wrong.

    “Forget about it. Let’s hurry back. Before that gets infected.” Roy helped her to her feet, and the two made their way down the rocky slope, being careful not to slip on the loose rock.

    “That damn Meowth’s lucky we’re leaving tomorrow,” Roy said. “I’m gonna wring its neck next time I see it.

    “Her,” Genny said. “She’s a girl Meowth.”

 

***

 

Roy browsed through the books on the professor’s living room shelves. Research books covering Pokémon topics ranging from evolution, battle tactics, breeding mysteries, and even a book containing everything known about Legendary Pokémon–that book was a thin one. He’d read most of these in the years he’d worked here, but with his Pokémon journey starting tomorrow, it couldn’t hurt to refresh his memory while he waited.

    Behind him, Genny sat on the couch with Professor Oak as he bandaged her arm. “You two worry me sometimes. If this is what results from chasing a Meowth around my corral in an afternoon, I dread what will happen once you begin your journeys.”

    “We’re perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves. We’re stronger than we look.” Roy glanced up from a book he was skimming through and found his eyes drawn to the bruise on Genny’s arm. “Especially her,” he mumbled to himself.

    “Oh, you can’t keep an old man from worrying, Roy.”

    “What Roy means to say,” Genny said, “is that we deeply appreciate how much you care for us.”

    The professor smiled. “At least someone does.”

    Roy closed the book and returned it to the shelf. “Us aside, you have enough stresses yourself. What were all those earlier e-mails about?”

    The professor’s somber look returned as he finished wrapping Genny’s arm. “There was an explosion at the Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island. Everyone inside was killed and several near the blast site were injured.”

    Genny gasped. Roy was equally surprised. The Pokémon Mansion was the home of a famous researcher responsible for many of the greatest inventions to come out of Cinnabar Labs. The researcher and his mansion had a mostly positive reputation, but for the last few years, rumors whispered of shady experiments being performed. “What happened?” Roy asked.

    “They don’t know. Some are speculating it has to do with the rumored shady experiments the mansion was supposedly involved with, but with everyone having died in the explosion, we can’t know for sure. They’re searching the ruins now to see if they can find anything. A few witnesses claim they saw something that looked like a Pokémon fly out of the smoke following the blast.”

    “What kind of Pokémon?” asked Roy.

    “They don’t know. The Police think it was most likely a piece of rubble thrown out of the explosion. Regardless, it really is a tragedy.”

    Roy stepped up to the professor’s side and caught a glimpse of a tear forming in his eyes. “I’d known some of those researchers for years.”

    “I’m so sorry, Professor,” Genny said. “Are you going to be all right?”

    The professor wiped his eyes on his sleeve and his smile returned. “Of course.” He stood, and Genny did as well. “Anyway, now is not the time for sorrow. It is a time to rejoice. You two will receive your first Pokémon tomorrow and be starting your journeys as official Trainers.” He placed a hand on each of their shoulders. “Your journeys will be filled with many hardships, but don’t let that discourage you. I’ve watched the two of you grow for the last several years and I believe you both have what it takes to become excellent Trainers. You are smart, compassionate, and possess far more experience with Pokémon than most Trainers I’ve previously seen off.”

    Roy smirked at the comment. “Weren’t you just criticizing how we got ourselves torn up by a simple Meowth?”

    The professor almost laughed. “You know, what worries me most is the thought that I might actually miss your sarcasm once you’re gone.” Dropping his arms back to his sides, the Professor walked over to a desk in the corner of the room. “Well, I’m sure the two of you have a lot of preparing to do for tomorrow, so why don’t you head home a little early today and get some rest?”

    Roy caught Genny’s smile fading. “Oh,” she said. “You’re sending us home already?”

    “Yes.” The professor opened a drawer in the desk. “You two have a big day tomorrow. But before you leave, I have something for the two of you to take on your journey.”

    “We’re not supposed to get the Pokédex until tomorrow,” Roy said.

    “No, this is something personal from me.” The professor came back, holding something round in each hand. “Hold out your hands.”

    They each did so and he placed the objects in their hands. “These are very rare items. Early prototypes of a new invention. I had them specially ordered–one for each of you. I don’t normally do something like this for new Trainers, but you two have been irreplaceable assistants to me over the years. Consider them thanks for all the hard work you’ve put in.”

    Oak pulled back his hands, and Roy audibly gasped. Poké Balls were tools used for capturing and carrying Pokémon. New Trainers typically received five of the standard Poké Ball. Upgrading from those were Great Balls and then Ultra Balls, and then expanding to include a wide variety, each having varying degrees of effectiveness at capturing different types of Pokémon (such as Dusk or Net Balls). But what Roy now held surpassed all of those. The top half was a bright violet, with pink circles on each side like bug eyes. Engraved between the two eyes was a letter M.

    “A Master Ball?” Roy said with disbelief.

    “It will catch any Pokémon without fail,” the professor said. “No matter how strong it may be. Use them wisely.”

    “This is so generous of you professor,” Genny said. “You didn’t have to do this.”

    “I know. I wanted to.”

    “Thank you so much,” Genny said.

    “It was my pleasure.”

    Roy kept his eyes glued to the Master Ball. These hadn’t been released to the public yet. Their very existence–while not a secret–was still kept on the hush side. Roy only knew about it because he worked for the professor. How much had he paid to get not one, but two? “I don’t know if we can accept these.”

    “You can and you will. My days of catching Pokémon are over, so I have no use for them. Unless you’d rather I give your Master Ball to Brayden?”

    His mind immediately changed, Roy clenched the ball in his fist and held it close, gritting his teeth at the very idea of letting Brayden have his Master Ball. “I’ll take it.”

    The professor smiled. “Good.” He was silent for a moment, then continued. “In addition to these Master Balls, I have taken the liberty of giving each of you a one thousand dollar bonus on your final paychecks.” Roy nearly dropped his Master Ball. Genny did drop hers. She fumbled to pick it back up as it tried rolling away. Roy opened his mouth to say something, but the professor held up a hand. “Don’t argue. I insist. You two work much harder than your wage requires–especially you, Genny, with all the overtime you put in. You’ll both need that money to start you off on your journeys.” He turned to smile at Roy. “After all. You’ll be carrying two legacies on your shoulders, won’t you, Roy?”

    Roy wanted to argue but nodded instead. The professor beamed at them. “Now go be with your families. This will be your last night living together with them after all. It’s been a pleasure having you two. And as proud and excited as I am, I will be sad to lose the greatest assistants a professor could ask for.”

    Genny stuffed the Master Ball in her handbag and hugged the professor. He seemed taken aback at first but then returned it. “Thank you so much,” she said, “for everything you’ve done for us.” She almost seemed on the verge of tears again. Neither Roy nor the professor said anything as she clung to him. The professor just stood and patted her head, and Roy could only think how she must’ve seen the professor as a father figure even more than Roy.

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To be continued...

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Next chapter

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