#084 Doduo

Doduo, the twin bird Pokémon. Doduo's two heads never sleep at the same time. They take turns sleeping, so one head can always keep watch for enemies while the other one sleeps – Nurse Evergreen.

It was a pleasant, summery day. The sun was shining brightly and the slight breath of wind prevented it from feeling too hot. While the grass might be starting to dry out a little, most of nature was still healthy and green. Grateful of the wonderful weather, Nurse Isabelle had returned to one of the places she found most peaceful: Professor Oak's laboratory. There was something about the endless pastures of Pokémon that made Izzy really happy. She was a city girl by heart, but this place made her wish for a rural clinic of her own.

In a pasture near her, a guy around her age was running around with a wide grin on his face. His brown hair shone with a reddish glint in the sunlight. At first, Isabelle was startled, wondering what he was running away from, but then she saw a Doduo chasing him, calling out to the guy in tandem with both heads.

"Excuse me!" Isabelle called out to him. The guy came to a stop in front of her, bending over and panting hard. From the sweat on his brow, Isabelle assumed he'd been running for a while now. The Doduo caught up and pranced around, as if happy to have won.

"Hey there. I remember you!" The guy told her with a smile.

"Do you?" Isabelle tilted her head, looking at the guy pensively. There was something familiar about him…

"You checked out my Blastoise, and also Charmeleon! She was, at that time, new to the team. She's a Charizard now, and still very close to my Blastoise."

"Oh my gosh, of course! Gary Oak!"

Gary grinned. "Yep, that's me. And this is my Doduo. He'd been bored so I'm running with him while I'm here for gramps."

Together, they walked to the laboratory. They talked about how Charmeleon, now Charizard, was doing and generally of other Pokémon. While Gary went inside to get his grandfather, tea, and sandwiches, Isabelle released her Pokémon. Ivysaur went off, to find his old Ivysaur buddy he hadn't seen since leaving on this adventure with Isabelle. Wartortle headed over to one of the lakes, to enjoy herself in a natural pool. Pidgeot hadn't been able to stretch his wings much and he now took full advantage of that. There were loads of Pidgey and Pidgeotto around, so her bird wouldn't be lonely either. Ponyta wasn't so sure. Now that Isabelle had begun to feel a little familiar, the horse with the blue fire stayed rather close to the nurse, seemingly nervous in new environments. Ponyta burned her fewer and fewer times every day, so Isabelle could actually hug the horse now to help her feel at ease.

"That's a magnificent Ponyta you have there. Do you mind if I take a look?" An extremely familiar voice said behind her.

"No problem, professor."

As Oak inspected the horse, Isabelle sat down with Gary to have some tea. The patio furniture had seen better days but the cushions were warmed by the sun and comfy.

"So, how is he?" Izzy asked.

"Frankly? He's exhausted. I fear his age may be catching up with him."

"He needs help?"

"Yeah. Someone full-time to help him with the Pokémon. He'd be fine if he could focus purely on the research part."

"But your grandfather loves Pokémon."

Gary sighed. "I know, but I fear that he'll get injured with no one around, every day. He loves them too much to give them up."

"That is tricky, indeed. Have you talked to him about it? What does he think?"

"Countless of times! He just doesn't listen. Pokémon first, he says."

Isabelle smiled wryly. She kind of was the same. Luckily, she was still young. "I'll talk to him."

Bringing the Professor some tea, Isabelle stroked Ponyta over her tense neck. "How is she?"

"Marvellous! I know I checked your research back when you were still merely a teenager, but to see it work out this well is beyond my imagination. Would copper have this influence on all fire types, you think?" Isabelle felt embarrassed she hadn't expected him to know of her research. He used to read the papers of the top scorers at the academy, after all.

"Why are you asking me? You're the professor! But yes, I do believe so. I've also seen a wild Squirtle on my travels. It was much bigger than the domestic kind we know so well. Oh," Isabelle sighed. "I'd love to be able to study environmental influences on Pokémon. I'm quite sure that river Squirtle and sea Squirtle are different, almost like a subspecies." Oak nodded, but groaned as he rose upright, having been checking Ponyta's hooves.

"Professor! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Isabelle. Don't worry about me. I need to sit down for a moment." Gary cast him a concerned look but was waved away by his grandfather to go train the Doduo. Isabelle poured him a cup of tea and had another one herself. She regarded him thoughtfully as he sipped his tea, noticing a light tremor in his hands. The poor professor was getting old indeed.

"Wouldn't it be easier if you had an assistant? Someone with Pokémon knowledge who could do the findings for you and even take care of all of these Pokémon?"

"…That would be kind of ideal. But where to find such a person?"

"I know someone. Let me give you her email address. You could invite her to meet her and if it doesn't click, then no harm done. Besides, I think your grandson seems willing to help as well." Oak sighed at that, but he did not tell her what was on his mind. She finished her tea and saddled Ponyta again, sensing she wouldn't be able to suggest any more to the old man.

When Isabelle left, riding Ponyta in a light canter, she'd left Oak Wendy Foxglove's address. She was quite sure the girl would love the job, and like herself, she hadn't settled down yet either.