"Ah! Mr. Torin, I'm glad to see you've shown up. Bianca told me that she caught you at a… less than opportune time." The professor sat behind an old oak desk, putting assorted folders and binders into its drawers.

"Err… sorry for that, Professor Juniper." He shut the door behind him. "I passed her on my way in, she said you wante-"

"Oh, don't worry about it," she interrupted with her trademark smile. "I'd be out of sorts too if someone woke me up before sunrise. Please, sit," she said calmly.

"Thank you." Vicente took his seat. "What did you want to talk about?"

Juniper's smile became broader. "Yes, of course. I'll cut to the chase. Vicente, I don't mean to be presumptuous," she rose from her desk chair, "but most students of the University come with at least one Pokemon, if only for safety. You did not. Why is that?"

He was taken aback by the question. "It isn't for lack of trying, I'll say that much. I… well, our family used to be with a Magmar, but he passed a while back. I've tried to bond with others, but it's been a rough time."

"Oh, my… I'm so sorry. How did it happen, if I'm able to ask?"

He cleared his throat. "No, it's okay. We - that is, my mother and I - brought Charlie to a kennel in Castelia for a few days. We had to go to my sister's wedding back in Jubilife City, and he was never very good with traveling; whenever we'd try to train him to do otherwise, he'd set the car upholstery on fire. After everything in Sinnoh, we came back to the kennel … aaaand the place was shut down. There was a sign on the door, saying the breeders in charge of the place were in custody."

"Arceus…were they…?"

"Smugglers? Yeah. They sold the eggs of deposited Pokemon on the black market, then… put down the parents when they were finished with them. We never found Charlie"

Professor Juniper let out a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry, Vicente. I didn't mean to be rude."

He shrugged and smiled. "No, it's alright. Charlie's been gone for a long time now, I'm past most of it. Why do you ask?"

"… Vicente, would you consider partnering with another Pokemon?"

He paused. "If I had a chance to? Definitely. I don't know if I could have one in the dorm, though; that's just not enough room for a Pokemon to live in."

The professor smiled. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear."

Three days later, an assistant from Juniper's lab in Nuvema Town came into the Aspertia City University. By then, Vicente had filled out most of the necessary certifications and release forms. Juniper had given him an enticing offer: one that he had decided to take.

In accordance with her research (and Vicente's remaining university career), Vicente would be given a Pokemon as a partner to explore the Unova region, and – if he so desired – fulfill the Unova Gym Challenge with. He would investigate the status of Unova's ecosystem and culture on a personal level, and relay his studies to the Professor through the Pokedex – a highly sophisticated encyclopedia device. In exchange for his service to the professor, Vicente would receive college credit, and be streamlined into the work of a Pokemon Professor.

"Of course, you'll still have to turn in a term paper or two. The other professors were more accepting to all of this than I had anticipated, but they still have their conditions. Rowan will need you to attend his ITV courses, but he'll be fine if you watch the livestreamed version, then turning in your coursework online. You have a working laptop, right?"

Vicente didn't hear her. "In compliance with this agreement, the Unova University – The University of Aspertia City and all encompassed institutions under the Unova University name – is not liable for any loss of life incurred by/involving the interested party, such loss including but not limited to: death, loss of limbs, the crippling of limbs, disease, mental retardation, insanity…"

Professor Juniper smirked. "The University and I may not be liable, per say, but that doesn't mean I can't give you an allowance for such things, in the case that the need arises. I'm not throwing you to the Pyroars, Vicente."

Vicente heard a faint, electronic buzzing. The professor looked down at her wrist, "Ah! Right on schedule. Vicente, paperwork will have to wait!"

A rotund man in a lab coat stood outside the doors of Volcarona Hall. He held a large, metallic capsule in his arms. As he saw the two come through the doors, he grinned. "Aurea! Finally, I've been looking for you everywhere. I assume this is your pupil?"

"One of them, yes. Vicente, meet Alexander Damse; Pokemon Breeder extraordinaire, and a good friend of mine."

"Pleased to meet you, Vicente." Alex finagled the canister so he could shake hands with the student. "I've heard good things! Aurea's taken you under her wing, eh? She knows how to pick 'em."

"Thank you," he said cheerfully. 'I think…'

"Let's get to it, then. Alexander, if you please?"

"Right!"

He pressed a switch on the front of the capsule. A long hiss escaped from its seams, and the hinged lid opened. A chill ran down Vic's spine.

"You have three Pokemon to decide from: Oshawott on the right, Tepig in the middle, and Snivy on the left."

All of a sudden, a wave of doubt overcame him. Days before – months earlier, in fact – he decided on a water type. Now, in the moment, he wondered if it was the right choice. Even more, all of the pre-choice jitters were coming back to him. Would Oshawott like him? Would he be a good enough trainer?

He took the Pokeball. 'Only one way to find out.'

The professor grinned. "Oshawott! And you're positive she's who you want to be with?"

Vicente nodded.

"Well then, congratulations! I think you two will work well together. Would you like to give her a name?"

"…Lyza. I'll name her Lyza."