The Oak Research Lab
Current Team: Electivire, Abra, Grovyle, Hitmonlee, Incineroar, ?
-Pallet Town-
A place of pure-white beginnings. Located in the southwest of Kanto, Pallet Town is one of the smallest, most rural towns in the region. With a relatively small population, many young trainers will depart from this town as they begin their Pokemon journeys. Some of the greatest trainers from the Pokemon world called this town home, such as the Oak and Ketchum families.
As Alexa and Bryce walked down the Route One trail, they stared out over the basic town, but marveled at the bright, clean scenery that it presented.
"Man… is it good to be home," Alexa said, breathing in the fresh air. In the distance, nestled on a hill, they saw the windmill of the Oak Research Lab; their destination before their departure to Cinnabar Island.
"I love it here," Bryce said, as the pair began their walk towards the town's main attraction. "It's so much cleaner than Viridian."
"Yeah, but Viridian City is still pretty rad though!" Alexa said to her companion. "They've got some tasty Ramen Shops. We'll have to keep an eye out for more while we're on the road!"
"Let's go to the lab! C'Mon out Bulbasaur!" Bryce excitedly cheered, tossing out his Grass Starter, who had a wide smile on its face as it walked beside the trainers.
"Bulbasaur!" The Pokemon cheered.
"You must be happy to be back home!" Bryce said to his wee Pokemon. "And you too, huh Miss Alexa?"
As the pair walked through town, they found themselves just outside of the Ketchum Household. Currently, no one was residing within it. "It's good to be back, but none of my family is here. Ash has been moved out for a while now, and my mom's currently on the road with her husband, Red, so no one's home. Professor Samuel Oak is stopping by to check on the house."
"So does that mean…THE Professor Oak is at the Research Lab!?"
"Hey! I guess it does!" Alexa cheered, turning to the boy. "Let's get over there!" The girl cheered as she soon entered a sprint. Sharing a grin and a nod with his Bulbasaur, the pair began to run as well, meeting up with the leading trainer. Finding themselves at the base of Oaks Lab, the electric gate swung open allowing them to pass through, allowing them to excitedly dash up the steps to the main facility. Now outside the entrance, Alexa knocked on the wooden door as it clicked open. As the door swung open, a 22 year old with spiky brown hair and a lab coat stood on the other side, with a grin on his face.
"Well, if it isn't Bryce and Alexa!" Professor Gary Oak said, letting the pair enter the Oak Research Facility. "Welcome back to Pallet Town!"
"Thanks Gary," Alexa said, going up to the Professor and giving him a hug.
"You two must know each other, huh?" Bryce said as he watched the two act so casually around one another. To Alexa, Gary Oak was not just a Professor, but one of her brother's friends.
"Yeah." Alexa said. "I met Gary a couple months back during our time with the Ultimate Alliance."
"That's right," Gary said. "Ash needed a hand saving the world, and I figured I'd help him! When a threat to the Multiverse came a-knocking, I knew I had to step up!"
"Well, if it isn't young Alexa!" The voice of Professor Samuel Oak said, standing atop his stairway connected to the main lab. The white haired Professor had a smile on his face, along with some wrinkles he had obtained over the years.
"Hey there Professor!" Alexa said to the man making his way down to the trainers.
'Oh my Arceus! It's the real Professor Oak,' Bryce thought to himself, trying to contain his excitement.
"So," Professor Oak said with a smile, now standing at his Grandson's side. "I take it you're here to see your Pokemon."
"Hey everybody!" Alexa said, running straight into the back of the vast corral, cupping her hands to her mouth. "I'm home!" Her voice echoed out over the expansive back area of the property. From all throughout the range, Alexa's Pokemon perked up their heads, as they all made a dash towards the Lab. Each one was excited to see their trainer. Flying over to the trainer and remaining in the air overhead were her Swellow and Butterfree, followed by an Aegislash locked behind its shield. Making a trot across the ground on four legs was a Vigoroth, followed by a Sandslash curled in on itself rolling behind. Next to enter the area was her massive Scolipede, with a pristine white Sirfetch'd on the back carrying a lance and a shield made out of a Leek. Additional passengers included two young Pokemon: an Impidimp and a Toxel. Bounding out of the forest was a Shaymin, followed by a Sudowoodo and Pinsir. Exiting the woods last was a yawning Ursaring who had been slumbering in the shade, but awoke at the call of its trainer's voice.
"I missed you guys so much!" Alexa cheered as her Pokemon began to surround her, and embrace her, giving their cries of joy. "Man, I wish I could just take you all with me!"
"They sure look glad to see you!" Bryce said, entering the back of the property, with both of the Oak Professors walking behind him. "YOU HAVE SO MANY POKEMON!" The boy cried out in bewilderment, once he honed in on Alexa's teammates. Pulling out his Pokedex, he excitedly bounced back and forth, calling forth on all the Kanto Pokemon Data that he could.
"Pinsir. The Stag Beetle Pokemon…"
"Sandslash. The Mouse Pokemon…"
"Pokedex Data Unavailable."
"Pokedex Data Unavailable. Pokedex Data Unavailable. Pokedex Data Unavailable. Pokedex Data Unavailable."
"Ah man!" The boy exclaimed.
Gary Oak rubbed the back of his head. "Well, since you are here I can update your Pokedex to the National Dex Setting. Figured I'd start you off on beginner's Kanto, but I think it's best that you learn about all the National Species you want! Especially if you're gonna be travelling with Alexa here."
"Thank you Professor!" The boy cheered excited to learn more. Handing his device over, Gary reentered the Lab in order to plug the device into his massive computer, to give it the full National Dex Upgrade.
"Well Bryce," Professor Oak said to the young boy. "How about you take it for a stroll about the property. Perhaps you would enjoy exploring all the Pokemon that call my Research Facility home!"
"I sure will!" He cheered, as he tossed out his Weedle to join him and his starter Pokemon.
"Perhaps you will even spot my Dragonite somewhere!"
"OH MY ARCEUS, A REAL DRAGONITE!? LET'S GO GUYS!" Together, the group ran out into the corral, excited to explore the many Pokemon within the fenced in property.
"So Alexa," Professor Oak said to the girl, now that the boy was preoccupied. "I believe we have a lot to discuss."
"Jasmine Tea. My Grandson's favorite," The older Professor said, setting down a hot cup of the beverage for the girl who sat at his dining room table. "Any progress with your Lucario?"
"I still can't bring myself to do it…" Alexa said, staring directly at her beverage. "And it's awful because I feel like I'm imprisoning him… It's taking a toll on me… so I imagine it's taking a toll on him too."
"I know," The Pokemon Professor said. "I can feel this burden that you carry."
"It's like… I'm not as in tune with the Aura as I used to be… ever since the Battle in Arceus's Realm. It's almost like my connection is damaged. I'm not as quick to pick up on people's intentions and feelings, and manifesting a simple shield is draining. I can't even form an Aura Sphere any more! I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place! I need Lucario to help keep me in tune with my powers… but I'm just too afraid of Lucario getting hurt again!"
"I'm sorry, my dear girl." Professor Oak said, taking a sip of his tea. "The Aura works in mysterious ways. I'm not even certain if I have a straight answer for your disconnect."
"I think it's why I'm taking Bryce on as my student, and letting him travel around the region with me. I felt the strongest when I was learning from Ash and the other Members of the Alliance. So maybe if I can teach someone else about Pokemon the way my friends taught me, then maybe I'll reconnect with the Aura..."
"Well it sounds like an astounding plan to me," Professor Oak said with a grin, leaning back in his wooden chair. "Passing down your knowledge to a new-generation trainer. I like the sound of it. And perhaps you can learn some things from him too."
"Thanks for hearing me out, Professor," Alexa said. "While I'm here, I think it's also worth mentioning that I really miss all my Team Members. I've been on the road for a few weeks now, but it's weird not having them around me 24/7 like I'm used to."
"Well, you can only carry a max of six at a given time," Professor Oak said. "But I would recommend just frequently rotating them out as you please. All you have to do is call one of us from a Pokemon Center and we'll happily send them over! Just know that while they are here, they certainly get a lot of training done. Believe it or not, they're a rowdier bunch than Ash's Pokemon I used to watch back in the day."
"I find that hard to believe," Alexa said with a grin. "Anyways, before we take off I'd like to do a bit of a roster switch before going on to challenge Blaine."
"In that case, I think I ought to go bring you down to your Milotic," Professor Oak said with a smile.
"Woooaah!" Bryce exclaimed while standing on the shore of the vast lakse. Just having shot its head out of the water, the cream-colored serpentine Pokemon stared down at the boy with its blue eyes. As the Pokemon glittered in the golden rays of the sun, Bryce was in awe of the blue hair-like fins on the head of the Pokemon. As it let out a soothing call, the boy pulled out his Pokedex and held it up to the Pokemon.
"Milotic. The Tender Pokemon. It's said that a glimpse of a Milotic and its beauty will calm any hostile emotions you're feeling. Most consider it to be the most beautiful Pokemon in the world.' As a picture of a red-finned Milotic popped up, Bryce glanced back and forth between the Pokedex screen and the Pokemon. "Wait- what!"
Standing just behind the boy was Alexa, beaming up at her Pokemon, with Gary and Samuel Oak positioned behind her. "This my friend, is my Shiny Milotic! And she's gonna be our ride over to Cinnabar Island!"
