Chapter 10: Discovery

Aeon waited, lying on the cold rocky ground of the titan Pokémon's lair until he heard both of his companions snoring.

He hadn't slept at all. Because he couldn't.

Aeon stood up, removing the covers that Arven had insisted that he'd put on. He turned to look at both of his companions, eyeing them while they slept in their sleeping bags, then closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them, revealing that they were glowing white.

Aeon's vision turned infrared as tiny messages appeared above both Kai and Arven's heads. Both messages said

'Current status: Asleep'

With a sigh of relief, Aeon's vision went back to normal. He quickly stood up, and moved gingerly toward the cave exit. As soon as he reached the exit, he saw the winds swaying the grasslands like ocean waves, and the moon greeted him with near blinding light.

Aeon paid the moon no mind as he kept walking, the wind graciously pushed against him as he did this. He then closed his eyes, and then opened them again. They shined white, and the white light created a spotlight in front of him.

In that spot light spawned a hologram that resembled two adults, one male and one female, both of which were wearing white coats.

The male had a deadpan stare, a full beard and slicked back hair. Under his white coat was a futuristic body suit that that purple lines with various patterns across it.

The green-eyed woman looked to have the complete opposite of the man's more futuristic clothing style. She had a jacket with fur by the collars, a orange shirt that was cut short, and short orange pants. She had various accessories that looked to be like prehistoric bones wrapped around her neck and waist, and had striped orange and brown accessories on her hair, as well as orange earrings.

"Good evening, #0183020201." Both of the lab-coat wearing individuals spoke at the same time.

"Good evening," Aeon replied. "Professor Turo, Professor Sada." He nodded his head.

"How is Arven doing?" The Professor named Sada asked.

"He is well." Aeon replied. "I checked his vitals every so often. He is eating healthy."

"Very good," Professor Turo said. "And you've done well to hide your true identity?"

Aeon lowered his head.

"I have…narrowly avoided detection," Aeon said. "However, to remove a threat, I had to release my restrictions for a moment."

"And you felt pain the moment your restraints re-engaged?" Turo asked.

"Yes. Overwhelmingly so."

"Good, then it is working as intended," Turo continued.

"No one saw you once you released your restraints?" Sada asked.

"No."

"Very well. We will overlook this mistake."

Aeon's eyebrows twitched as the word 'mistake' echoed in his mind.

"What is the matter?" Turo asked.

"I am… it is nothing, Professors. I have been doing well, mingling with the humans that are around Arven, as well as Arven himself. They gave me a name as well: Aeon."

Both professors shook their heads in unison.

"You may refer to yourself as Aeon while mingling with Arven and his friends, but we will not do the same," The professors said at the same time. "We will refer to you to the name you were given since creation. #0183020201.. Is that clear?"

"Yes." Aeon asked.

"Are there any further questions?" Sada asked.

Aeon nodded. "I fear that Arven may be close to discovering what I am. He and his friend, Kai, told me that I am acting as though I am…a robot. What should I do?"

"Do whatever you can to make them doubt that. Act as human as possible. If you have to overwrite your personality, then do so. Your mission is clear: Make Arven happy. Arven finding out about your true identity may jeopardize the mission."

"I understand." Aeon said, nodding. "And what about eating and sleeping? Must I-"

"If you must do it to blend in, then you must eat. You were programed with a system in your body that allows you to hold onto the contents of the food until you must dispel it from your mouth."

Aeon closed his eyes, sighed, and nodded. "I understand." He said.

"Any further questions?" Turo asked.

"Yes. One more. Arven is allowing me to feel emotion and feel as human as possible, but, the one known as Kai is also making me feel emotion. Should this prove to be an issue? I do not think it possible to begin caring for someone other than Arven. I am worried."

Turo and Sada shook their heads.

"There is no need to be worried. You are allowed to have as many friends as you possibly can. You must feel human, and if that means taking care of more than one person, then you may do so. Your mission for the next few days is to learn to become as human as possible. If you must eat, then eat. If you must 'sleep', then shut your eyes and pretend to sleep. But you mustn't turn yourself off."

Arven nodded. "I understand. Thank you."

"You are welcome. You may end the transmission." Both professors spoke at the same time, and Aeon closed his eyes. The spotlight his shining eyes spawned disappeared, and he opened his eyes to reveal they were back to normal.

As soon as Aeon turned around…

He saw Kai with a wide-eyed, mouth-agape expression.

If Aeon wasn't sure that he could feel fear, it was confirmed at this moment. The wind blew against them. They just stared at each other.

"Y-...You're…" Kai blinked. "You're a robot!?"