"So where should I get started, Grandpa?" Gary asked once he had finished his plate of chocolate chip cookies.
"Hang on, Gary. Let me finish this last cookie and…Tracey, you haven't even touched yours."
"That's okay, Professor," Tracey replied without enthusiasm. He pushed his plate of cookies in his boss's direction. "You can have them if you want."
"Are you sure, Tracey?" Professor Oak said, picking up another cookie. "They're quite good. Delia outdid herself this time."
"Nahh…I'm not feeling very hungry," Tracey replied listlessly.
"You're not getting sick, are you, Tracey?" Professor Oak said, concerned.
"No. I just don't feel like eating, that's all," the boy replied.
"Speaking of which," Professor Oak said, stuffing the last of Tracey's cookies in his mouth, "I said I was going to take a look at Bayleef. Come on, Gary. Physical examination of Pokémon is an important part of research, and this'll be a good way for you to start learning the physiologic differences of the various types of Pokémon." Professor Oak hopped up from his lab bench and started searching for his medical instruments.
"Are you coming, Tracey?" Gary asked.
"No, I'll just be in the way," Tracey said with a slight tinge of resentment in his voice.
"I'll admit Tracey is much better at drawing blood and giving injections than I am," Professor Oak smiled at his grandson, handing him his medical kit. "All of the Pokémon run when they see me coming at them with a needle. Tracey, you'll have to help Gary learn your technique."
"Oh…sure," Tracey replied unenthusiastically.
"Tracey, are you sure you're feeling all right?" Professor Oak asked once more. "You don't seem like yourself today."
"I'm fine," Tracey replied unconvincingly.
Professor Oak studied the expression on his assistant's face. "You look like you're not feeling well, Tracey. Why don't you go lie down and take it easy for a while? That way, Gary and I can spend the day together, and I can get him acquainted with the workings of the lab. He can start learning how to do your chores."
"Fine," Tracey said sullenly, heading upstairs.
"What's wrong with Tracey, Grandpa?" Gary asked as the two headed outside to the grass Pokémon section of the preserve. "He looked like something was bothering him."
"Perhaps he's coming down with something," Professor Oak replied. "I'll check in on him later. Meanwhile, let's go take a look at Ash's Bayleef."
"Ash's Bayleef?" Gary echoed. "What's wrong with Bayleef?"
"She hasn't been eating since she came here," Professor Oak said, pointing in the direction of the Pokémon that was still curled up in a ball underneath a tree. "I think she's fretting over Ash, but I want to make sure there's not some physical reason for her loss of appetite. And your first duty at the lab is assisting me with Bayleef's examination," Professor Oak smiled at his grandson.
"I've never given a Pokémon a physical before," Gary admitted slightly nervously. "Other than checking to make sure my Pokémon were okay after rough battles."
"Don't worry, I'll teach you," Professor Oak said, opening his medical bag. "I'll teach you everything I know about Pokémon." He grinned and tousled his grandson's hair. "The next Professor Oak."
That gesture wasn't lost on Tracey, who was watching the scene from the window of his room. Frowning, Tracey threw himself on his bed with a frustrated sigh.
I know Professor Oak won't fire me -- he'll keep both of us on as lab assistants, of course. But I know he's going to spend more time with Gary from now on. I don't blame Professor Oak. Gary's part of his family, part of him; he's his heir. It's natural that he'd want to spend more time instructing the next Professor Oak in the workings of the Pokémon research facility that bears both of their names.
The next Professor Oak…Tracey shuddered at the thought.
I was supposed to be Professor Oak's protégé…his successor. And now by coming back here, Gary's ruined everything. He's destroyed my lifelong dream. Thanks a lot, Gary.
"Marill?" squeaked a high-pitched voice from under the bedsheets.
"Hey, Marill," Tracey smiled at his blue mouse Pokémon. "I didn't know you were taking a nap here."
The Pokemon peeped out from under the covers and looked at its trainer worriedly. "Marill?"
"It's okay, Marill," Tracey reassured his Pokémon, scratching its ears. "I just have a headache, that's all."
A headache named Gary Oak, Tracey thought, cuddling his Pokémon to him and shutting his eyes.
To be continued…
