From the look alone, one could guess that Professor Oak was a man in his fifties. Although old age had weakened him considerably, it hadn't drained the passion for researching from him.

This man has a burning thirst for knowledge in his eyes. But he isn't someone who will do evil for knowledge. I can feel the kindness in his soul, Patchouli thought.

"I come here for some advice–" she asked.

"A ha! So you want my advice to become a good Pokémon trainer! No problem, I am the most knowledgeable person on Pokémon!" the professor said in delight.

"Youth and the thrills of adventures! That is what being Pokémon trainer is!" his eyes were gleaming with enthusiasm. And then he began ranting about the joy and woe of a trainer.

Patchouli sweat dropped. Again with this Pokémon thing… I bet it must be something special about this world…

Xxxxx

"Well, we can talk more in my laboratory. Please follow me." Professor Oak opened the door and walked inside. The laboratory was a spacious but modest room. Aside from some big machines, tables, chairs and bookshelves, there were nothing in it.

"You don't look like a person living in this region. Do you come from a far away land?" having sat down on his office chair, Professor Oak asked.

"I come from another world." Patchouli answered without hesitant.

Silence.

"Ahem... Miss, I know those science fiction films are cool, but don't watch them too much or you will not able to differentiate fiction from reality." he thought Patchouli was suffered from Eighth Grader Syndrome.

Angry vein was popping on Patchouli's forehead. However, she didn't protest. Of course people wouldn't believe anything without proof, so she had to find something that would back her claim. Recalled what the boy named Red had said before, Patchouli knew what she needed to do then.

"Professor, are there any magician or witch in this world?"

"Witch and magician? They became extinct long time ago." Professor Oak shrugged his shoulders. "You must be reading too many fantasy novels."

"Then… Is this qualified as magic?"

The professor gasped as he watched the scene before him. There was a fireball forming on the girl's hand. The heat emanating from it was enough to make him sweat dropped.

"Impossible… A human who can use fire Pokémon power… This is… just like the magic from old fairy tales…"

"Actually, I am not a human in my world. My kind can be compared to spirits or demons."

"So you are a supernatural being?"

"Yes, in technical," Patchouli answered, "and could you explain the term Pokémon for me? Is it something special?"

"Now I can believe you are from another world. There is no one in the world who doesn't know about Pokémon. This could be interesting…"

Noticed that the girl had been standing for a long time, Professor Oak said:

"Well, we will have to discuss a lot of things anyway, so please have a seat. And what was your name again?"

"I am Patchouli Knowledge, the Witch of Seven Luminaries."

Xxxxx

"Pokémon is the term to denoted a special type of living creatures in this world." Professor Oak began his lesson.

"Special living creatures?"

"Yes, different from normal life forms, Pokémon do not need biological structures. For example, there are some Pokémon made entire from rock, or weirder, from magnet."

Made from rock but alive? Must be some very advanced magic...

"But what sets them apart from normal creatures is that Pokémon can use supernatural powers. Like breathing fire, generating lightning, controlling wind or psycho kinesis."

"Humans in general are not capable of supernatural power. Only a few people were born with supernatural powers but most of them cannot be compared with Pokémon's power. What you had done before is very exceptional."

So Pokémon can be compared to youkai and this world is somewhat a hybrid of the Outside World and Gensokyo...

"Then what about Pokémon trainer? When we first met, you had said something about becoming Pokémon trainer." Patchouli asked.

The professor's expression became grave. "That is another story..." he paused a little then continued explaining.

"In the last century, our scientists had discovered the lost technology of an advanced ancient civilization. This technology had enabled us to capture and directly control Pokémon."

From the inside of his coat, Professor Oak took out a small ball. It was same as the one Patchouli had seen in the book. "This is a Poké Ball, a special device that can contain any Pokémon inside it."

"Go, Pikachu!" he threw the ball on the floor.

The Poké Ball opened and there was a light emitting from it. The light took form of a small animal and finally, it materialized into a little yellow rodent. "Pika!" the small rodent cried.

"Pikachu, use Thunder Shock!" the professor shouted.

From Pikachu's cheeks, electrical energy was sparking out. In a little time, it built up into a lightning bolt and struck the floor, leaving a burn mark on it.

"It's quite a powerful attack from a little rodent." Patchouli was impressed.

"That's right. And this Poké Ball enables human to directly command any Pokémon inside it."

"Initially, when Poké Ball was invented, people used Pokémon for economic purposes. For example, this little Pikachu can generate electricity."

"So, those animals working on the fields also are Pokémon too?" she asked.

"Yes, Pokémon appear everywhere in our lives, from farms and factories to every home. Therefore, some scholars even call our era as the era of Pokémon civilization."

"With the children, Poké Balls enabled them to keep Pokémon as pets. And they usually made their Pokémon battle each other to see which one is the strongest. But that innocent child's game had opened a Pandora's Box..." his voice trailed off.

Actually, do they have Pandora's Box in this world?

"At first, humans could only capture docile and weak Pokémon, because the stronger ones were very fierce and capable of fighting against human's weapons."

"But the children discovered that weak Pokémon could become stronger significantly if you let them battle with each other a lot of times. Some even evolved."

"Evolved?" Patchouli was puzzled.

"In scientific term, it would be metamorphosis. It means the Pokémon change itself into the stronger form. However, they still listen to the owner, despite growing much more powerful. Thus, instead of having to catch dangerous Pokémon in the wild, which is near impossible, you can train the weak ones."

"The state quickly realized its application in military. Trained Pokémon could be used as weapons. Every country in the world then encouraged Pokémon battles. They even invested huge amount of money on Pokémon tournaments. From those tournaments, they could collect data on every possible Pokémon and their fighting capability. Some potential participants were also recruited into the army."

"Since then, Pokémon battle has become a cultural aspect of our world and people who raise Pokémon for combat purpose are called Pokémon trainers. From the age of ten, parents often let their children become Pokémon trainer and go on adventure."

"That is the origin of Pokémon trainer." Professor Oak concluded his long lecture.

"I understand that you oppose using Pokémon for waging war, but why you still support Pokémon trainer? Is that a contradiction?" Patchouli asked.

"Ha ha... You have asked me a difficult question, Miss Knowledge." he managed a weak smile.

"Actually, I was an elite Pokémon trainer in my younger days. After having discovered the motives of most governments, I quitted my trainer career to become a Pokémon researcher."

"But to this day, I still do not regret my trainer past. Thanks to them, I had gone on many adventures, met a lot of friends and expanded my horizons. After all, power can be used for both good and evil, so why deny children of their dream to become a powerful hero to help the people?"

Patchouli was impressed with the man's thinking. He could advice against becoming a trainer, however, it will isolate him from the society. Instead, he still encourages children to become trainers and guides them according to his ideal. He was pretty wise after all, she thought.

Xxxxx

"Well, what do you want to do now, Miss Knowledge?" Professor Oak asked.

"I must find a way to go home." Patchouli said definitely.

"I'm afraid that I cannot help you much on this problem. After all, I am just a Pokémon researcher." he gave Patchouli a thoughtful look.

"So... How about becoming a Pokémon trainer?" he asked. "You shouldn't waste your youthful days at all, miss."

"Rejected. I hate going outside and adventures." she replied quickly. "Besides, I forgot to tell you that I am over one hundred years old."

Professor Oak sweat dropped. This young girl– well, old witch was quite a shut-in, he thought.

"I think becoming a Pokémon trainer may help you find way home."

"Why?"

"If you are a Pokémon trainer, you can freely travel the world without anyone questioning you. And you can enter some ancient ruins, which may contain a lost technology that help you go home–"

"How can I become a Pokémon trainer?" she couldn't ignore a chance for going home, not to mention about invaluable knowledge she can get from those ancient ruin.

Professor Oak smiled. He went over his table and took out some Poké Balls and a little device.

"I am authorized by the Pokémon League to give beginner trainer a starter Pokémon but unfortunately, I do not have any spare Pokémon to give you now. Take these empty Poké Balls instead. You can catch wild Pokémon with them."

"And this is Pokédex, an electronic encyclopaedia on Pokémon. The one I give you is my latest experimental model, which integrated phone and computer functions. You can use this Pokédex to contact me at any place which has network coverage."

"To become an official Pokémon trainer, you must have a license. Normally, everyone needs to pass a test to get that license. However, I will write an introduction letter for you because you aren't a citizen of this country."

Professor Oak grabbed a nearby pen and began writing. After finishing the letter, he gave it to Patchouli.

"Here, take this letter and come to the Pokémon League's office at Viridian City, they will give you a Pokémon Trainer's license."

"Thank you very much for your help, professor." she said.

"And remember, if you treat your Pokémon with love, they will help you in your hardest times. Good luck on your journey."

Patchouli nodded and gave her goodbye to the professor. Exiting the laboratory, she thought about what to do then. In the road before her eyes, there would be many hardships and perils waiting ahead.

Her adventure had just begun.

Author's Notes

Chapter 2 is longer than the previous one but it is still very short. Argh! I am infected with the shortness disease!

Anyway, this chapter is mainly about Professor Oak explaining Pokémon world. It is my version of Pokémon world, so don't take it seriously.

Goodbye and see you the next time.