XxxxxX

It was early in the morning and the sun had just barely topped the trees forcing a certain trainer and his partner awake.

'Oh man… I really hate sleeping on the ground like this.' Sitting up I took notice that Nova had taken it upon himself once again to keep the fire going with his flames all night. "Morning bud, sleep well?" asking as he smiled at me.

"Just a few more hours and we should be in the city again! Hopefully we can fight a couple at least one or two trainers before we get there so I can get some cash…" sweeping my partner into my arms I put him onto my shoulder to sit as I grabbed the last of my gear, throwing the bag over my shoulder when all of a sudden, my Phone started to ring, it had been so long since I heard the ringtone that I had completely forgotten it.

"What the heck? How is my phone ringing… that shouldn't be possible? I mean there aren't even any cell towers in this world…" trailing off as he grabbed the device from his pocket and looked at the screen, tapping the accept call button.

In an instant, the screen lit up with a familiar old face, "Ah perfect! Its good to see my modifications worked splendidly!" rang out of the phone, as Professor Rowan appeared.

Okay now I'm just confused… "professor!? How the heck did you manage to connect to my phone?" Rusk spoke out with a bewildered tone.

Giving off a light chuff, Rowan lightly shook his head, "do you not recall, showing me your phone after you had arrived? You had asked if it was possible to let the device connect with our systems here in Sinnoh. It had taken some time after I had downloaded the data from your device to even begin understanding the differences that I had to enlist from a young man called Bill to help, after he deciphered the language used it didn't take long to make some changes to your phone. I must have forgotten to tell you before you left, hah! Old age is catching up quick I suppose." Coughing into his fist as he changed the subject.

"Now Rusk, I have a job for you. There's a researcher over in Jubilife I'd like for you to meet and help out. Her names Dr. Lena Schwarz, she's the main curator of the fossil museum over in Oreburgh. She alerted me last night to a discovery she thinks will be ground breaking and needs a strong trainer to deliver the notes to the lab as she thinks that someone is out to steal the research as it coincides with the data, I brought back from kanto that was nearly stolen had it not been for your help. So, when she asked, I immediately thought of you. So, are you up for the job?" looking me in the eyes as he finished speaking.

Nodding to his request, "of course Prof! although I'm going to need some more details on where to meet her, and if you could let her know I'll probably take a few more hours to reach there and get my team dropped off at the center before I meet her."

"of course, I'll let her know right away. Oh, and I'll upload the location to your map as well." Typing at his computer for a moment, my phone chimed and the map opened in the corner showing a red dot in the middle of a completely unfamiliar map's city.

"Did you give me an actual map! Oh my god this wouldve been so useful to have known about last week!" crying out as I remembered having to forage for all types of berries in the woods on my way here.

Hearing a small bark of laughter from the device in my hands, only to see rowan facing away from the camera, his fist covering his mouth in an attempt to hide his amusement.

"ha-ha… your so funny Prof, is there anything else I should know about what you did to my phone?" snipping back at Rowan who was really trying to keep a professional image… prick

His shoulders shaking as he calmed himself back down, "ahem… yes just some minor ones, your phone and pokedex are essentially interchangeable now, although anything league or police related will need your pokedex, and a few other things I will leave for you to find out yourself." Nodding to himself with an ever so slight smirk on his face. "Now! I leave you to carry out the task, I have faith you will complete it rather easily, don't misplace it." Speaking out rather sternly as he finished.

"of course, sir, after all I've done it once before!" smirking into the camera, a small chuckle escaped my mouth as I ended the call and looked at my partner.

"Alright bud we got ourselves our first job, lets make sure we earn the trust Prof's given us!" giving him a small head rub, as I watched him give me a mock salute.

"Alright bud lets get going then!" speaking out as put the only connection I had to my old life in my pocket, thankful to once more be able to use it.

XxxxxX

As I entered the city, I couldn't help my jaw from dropping. While I knew from the show how big some of the cities in this world were, experiencing them was not something I was used to… especially after not having the chance to visit any large cities in my previous world, and with a newfound giddy in my step, u hurried along.

"Damn this place is awesome! How about it bud, where should we go first after I get you guys checked up?" excitedly crying out to my teammate, who's stomach sounded out in response causing me to give a small laugh. "Hungry, eh? I'll try and make the meeting with… ah what was her name… Dr… Schwarz! Yea I'll try and make the meeting with her short."

Looking around, I managed to spot a sign with directions to the Pokémon center, and after slowly walking along, taking in the lively view of both people and Pokémon living together in harmony we had arrived, and I sheepishly gave my team over to the nurse joy on duty. Blushing as she giggled at me. sue me alright! If you were thrown into an incredible world like this you would be examining everything as well!

As I walked out, I noticed a familiar trio of heads poking out of the city crowd, and after mentally apologising to Nova, I went to go greet some, friends… acquaintances? Bah I went to go chat with Ash, Dawn and Brock.

Waving above the crowd, I shouted "Dawn! Ash! Brock! How are you guys doing!" chuckling as I watched the trio look around, until a friendly yellow face jumped on the shortest members head to get a better look, spotting me as he did, "Pika!" he called out in excitement, as he pointed at me as I gave him a wave back.

"How's it going Pikachu!" I called out once more, as the small mouse Pokémon started to jump along the crowd in an attempt to say hello, causing a rather entertained smile to grow on my face as he made his way over to my shoulder.

Grinning at him, "nice to see you too Pikachu! It's been a while hasn't it?" asking him as I rubbed his head, right behind his ears as he purred out in response, "chuuu~"

Laughing as I gave him some more scratches, as the rest of his group came into view causing Pikachu to jump back to his trainer. "There you are Pikachu! You had me worried there for a minut- Hey guys! Its Rusk!" jogging into the small clearing outside the center, Ash had caught his partner.

Smiling at them and receiving the same courtesy in response, "its great seeing you guys again! I was wondering if you had made it here before me, though it looks like I managed t beat you~." Teasing them as I spoke, as the three all rubbed their heads confusing me, "alright spill, what happened? The three of you look guilty of something." Questioning them as I gave them a slightly amused deadpan.

…

Kneeling over as I began laughing, I couldn't help myself. "Ho-How on earth did you manage to enter Bewilder Forest on accident!" crying out as I attempted to stop my laughter, "they keep a team of rangers nearby on standby purely to keep trainers from wandering in unprepared! Heck I even chatted with a few on my way here!" cackling once more, I couldn't help but notice their annoyed expressions as I tried to school my laughter once more.

"Its not my fault Ash here has the directional sense of a tree falling in the woods!" Dawn cried out with an embarrassed flush on her face as a vein started to pop on her forehead, leading my laughter to a stop.

If there was one thing I knew about females…. Never piss off an embarrassed one… it never ends well for you, right or wrong…

Finally, my laughter schooled itself as a chill went down my back, sighing as both her and Ash started to argue signalling my time to stop attempting to talk with them, I look over to Brock.

I think out of all of them, Brock and I understand each other the most. we both had some shitty parents his left him to raise his siblings… my dad while not bad wasn't really a dad, more…. Just kinda there? I don't know how else to explain it but he was never really a dad more a coworker? Supervisor? Yea that fits a bit better… and better left unsaid about my mother… yeesh, not even a therapist would want to unpack that baggage…

Smiling, I nod at him and receive it in kind. "So Brock, how goes the Pokémon breeding? Any tips for an Ariados?" smirking as he gains a pleasantly shocked look on his face before rubbing his chin in thought.

"Hmmm… I cant really say I know many tips for bug types… I never really had the chance to try and groom any and its been a while since Ash has caught any… only thing I can think of would be to make sure to keep their exoskeleton in good shape with zinc and Carbos to make sure it has a better time with molts." Nodding to himself as he looked back up at me, or rather looked down… man that dudes tall.

"Thanks man! Aria has been a great help so far so I want to make sure she stays in tip-top shape!" fist bumping him, as the other two finally stopped bickering as Ash heard about my recent tame.

Watching as his head snapped towards me, taken out of his petty argument I couldn't be bothered to listen to, "Woah! You caught an Ariados Rusk? That's awesome, were is she? Actually, where is Nova as well?" he asked giving me a confused frown.

Pausing for a moment, "My teams over in the center getting healed right now, we had battled a bunch throughout the forest so I wanted to make sure they were all in good shape. In fact- "pausing as I checked my phone's clock, "I should probably get going right away here… if you guys want we can meet up tonight for dinner? Its been a while, and this way our Pokémon can hang out as well, I know Nova would love that." getting several agreements from the trio, we decided to meet up later at the center and go to the "le' duCille" which is apparently a fancy buffet here in Jubilife that Dawns been dying to try.

After leaving them, I went back to finding the damn lab as Rowans map was confusing the shit out of me.

Glancing up, my confusion only grew as I looked up at the 'lab', only to find what I remembered from the games to be a more realistic version of the GTS or rather the global trade station.

Scratching my head in thought, I looked down at my map "… it says its supposed to be right here… might as well check out the inside, no harm anyway." Slipping my phone away and entering the large building I was immediately accosted by the verbal abuse of a secretary with much too large of an ego.

"Scram brat! This is the GTS, not a place for ruffians like yourself, so get lost!" my mouth hung open as I stared at the brown-haired woman who started screaming before I could even get a word out. Looking at myself I can see why she would say that, my clothes were dirty and a I could definitely use a shower, but its still rude to point out!

Deciding that I wouldn't take that laying down, I immediately went to shout something I wouldn't dare say in front of a WW2 vet at the lady, but before I could a hand was placed on my shoulder.

Turning to face towards the newcomer, I was greeted by a short raven-haired woman wearing a lab coat and a pair of thin rectangular glasses to frame her face.

"Haah… really Denise? The kid's here on both mine and Professor Rowans orders and your still behaving like this? This was your final chance; I'm bringing this up with HR in the morning." Glaring at her, the dark-haired woman turned towards me and smiled, "sorry about her, ever since she got hired here she started to get a big head. Ah, but before that you must be Rusk! I'm Dr. Schwarz, the one that requested your assistance. If you'll follow me to the lab I can get the documents for you."

Nodding to her, I couldn't help but notice how sway she seems to have around here. She must be one of the higher up researchers here. I wonder what kind of research she does?

Trailing alongside her, we came across a sliding steel door. Pausing I watched as she scanned her hand and typed a passcode into another panel and after a beep, the door slid open with a bright light behind it blocking the view into the room.

Entering behind her, I noticed the door seal but I couldn't help but freeze for a different reason. Fossil Pokémon the likes you could only dream of were flying around in their own private world, Aerodactyl dotted the sky, Omanyte and kabuto flitted along the river stream, a herd of Cranidos were charging across a plain, and a small grouping of Aurorus and Amaura were chowing down on a small forest.

"Incredible isn't it? I've spent the greater part of my life working on this. A world were ancient Pokémon can truly thrive once more so we can study them. Originally I had started my research on fossils themselves, but when the fire gym leader Blaine from kanto released his machinery that allowed us to completely revitalize these incredible beings… I knew then and there that this would be my life's greatest work." Smiling, she looked at me as the several of the Pokémon began trotting over to receive attention from her as she started to pet them and laugh when a Tyrunt hatchling stumbled into her leg.

Realization started to click in as I remembered the size of the building, it was large for sure but not anywhere near this size. Clearly my confusion was showing as the Dr started to chuckle at me, turning to her with a frown she just held her hand up, "he- yes this place shouldn't be able to fit inside the GTS I know, I was confused when they started to explain it to me as well. Let me explain a bit better, as a trainer you clearly use the common PokéBall correct? Well, this room functions incredibly similar to that idea. The door acts as the gateway into the containment device which is why it has to seal in order to not create a giant pressurised blast. Thankfully, this place is made with much tougher stuff than any common PokéBall and lets the Pokémon have full reign over their power. The key difference between this room and a common PokéBall, is that a PokéBall is keyed into a specific signature of a Pokémon and binds it to a trainers ID, this room on the other hand, allows hundreds of signatures to be tied into a specific console allowing us to monitor all of their wellbeing's from a simple tablet!" she finished off with a large smile on her face, clapping as she did so.

My brain attempted to keep up with her explanation but couldn't, I understand it uses the same principle as a PokéBall but that still doesn't explain the process of how it works… no… yes it does! The door acts as the mechanism behind the shrinking/capturing process! That's why it has to close! Otherwise, it would try and suck in the surroundings… damn… this thing has to be like a miniature blackhole if those doors break right?

Freezing once more as I thought over the ramifications of this tech, I decided it wasn't worth freaking out over. Dr Schwarz wasn't terrified at the thought so clearly it had to have been discussed at least once. As I looked back over at her I could see her digging into what looks like the most scientific safe I've ever seen thing looks like its out of a sci-fi movie.

After watching a giant series of complex safety features come to pass, the Dr hands me a small thin board? Puzzled, I look up at her grinning face.

"Ah, yes that's another safety feature, while I trust Professor Rowan's opinion that file is something I barely trust with myself, therefore some more advanced safety features have been implemented. Unfortunately since short-range teleportation can be easily exploited with a dark type Pokémon, its not an option I'm willing to risk when it comes to this data.

Now make sure this gets to the Director of the Oreburgh museum of research. Its imperative that you do not let this fall into someone else's hand. If word got out that this research is being transported- yea it wouldn't end well lets just leave it at that." paling a bit, she claps freeing herself from her slight fear.

"Now, lets talk payment. I know Rowan has you working under him as an assistant but this research is too valuable to not be given payment for transport, so Rowan and I have agreed upon, after completion of course, to give you a choice between an evolutionary stone or device of your choice and one tier-3 TM. Smiling as she finished speaking.

Laughing at the sudden news, I start grinning like a loon! Or would it be linoone? Bah don't matter I'm gonna be one of the youngest people to have a limit increase in history!

"I wholeheartedly accept this mission!" "You already did no?" "Oh, yea kinda slipped my mind for a minute…" laughing sheepishly as I rubbed my head, I slipped the file into my bag and shook hands with the Dr.

"Alrighty mam, don't you worry about a thing! Ol' Rusk here will have this to Oreburgh in a jiffy!"

Smiling as I exit the giant building yet, despite my giddiness, I notice something suspicious. Two men, both sitting in the nearby alley peaking out in the most suspicious manner possible staring at the building I just left, thankfully neither was paying much attention to me and I hurried out of the area routinely checking my surroundings to make sure I wasn't followed, after all there's no way I'm not getting this mission done.

ohhoho, I cant wait to finish this job! I don't know why Rowan didn't mention the reward earlier but in a way I'm glad he didn't. it would feel kinda biased from him to give me such a grand reward so soon after leaving, Tier 3 Tm's have all the ultra powerful moves like hyper beam and an evolutionary item of my choice? Hell yea I'm taking this job! Though I don't even have a full roster as is, I should really start planning out my team… I can't rely on random or chance encounters to fill up slots, I need Pokémon that I know well or know have strong potential. Lets see…

I've got Nova and I can already tell somethings special about him, I've just gotta wait for it to be revealed…

Aster is incredible I don't know what an idiot Paul was being that day but thank Arceus he was. She's an incredible specimen of her species especially with her being a shiny…

And Aria? She's already evolved so she's definitely strong for her species, but I haven't had enough battles to know her full capabilities as of yet… something to look into later with training…

Finishing my mental discussion, I arrived at the center around midday and collected my team, stopping to get a key for a room and set off to do a bit of sightseeing with my team to kill some time before heading over to eat with everyone at the buffet.

XxxxxX

Looking down at my map, I glance back up at the fancy restaurant in front of me, "Man, the Pokéworld doesn't cheap out on their buffets if this place is supposed to be cheap for trainers." The building had a literal red carpet leading inside.

Walking in, I was greeted by a waiter wearing a dapper suit and a monocle! A god damn monocle! What is this? The 60's? who the fuck has a monocle these days? Though in his defense, he wore it well.

"Ah! Over here Rusk!" turning my head, noticing Dawn and Pikachu peaking out of a booth near the back. The prior waving while the latter was chugging a bottle of ketchup like their was no tomorrow getting a small chuckle from myself, I respond in kind with a wave of my own.

Walking over and sitting opposite of Dawn, I notice the other two were not there yet. "Nice to see you both again, though I gotta ask, where are Ash and Brock?" confused, I ask the bluenette in front of me who is grinning at my confusion.

"Nice to see you as well Rusk, and to answer your question, earlier before we got to Jubilife, I made a bet with Ash that I could catch a Pokémon before him and the loser would have to buy the winner's travel supplies for the next route. He failed to capture a Bidoof, but I caught a sweet little Buneary! So right now, he's probably walking over here with my stuff and Brock went with him to make sure he didn't get into any trouble!" she finished her story and getting a good chuckle out of me.

"Ah, you two always bicker so much its actually hilarious! Oh, you caught a Buneary? Are you planning on entering her into the contest tomorrow, or are you going with Piplup?" I ask, watching as Pikachu begins his second bottle of ketchup causing me to cough, I cant imagine even drinking a shot of ketchup straight and he's just guzzling it back… yeesh

Nodding at me, Dawn claps her hands together "Oh Yea! I'm planning on entering with Piplup, we've been working on a routine for the last while and even though Buneary's sure to get a higher cuteness factor, Piplup has a lot more experience! Did you want to hear about our routine?" she finished giving me puppy dog eyes, clearly she wanted me to listen, so I did and she talked for half an hour before Ash and Brock showed up.

"So, Ash, what's your roster looking like now? I know you've got Pikachu, Aipom and Starly, but have you caught anything else since?" I was curious since I'm pretty sure he catches or is given a Turtwig at some point early on in the series…

"OH! That's right! I caught a Turtwig a little while ago! He's really strong and he's already becoming a really great member of my team! I do wish he would stop biting me to show his affection though…" sighing as he finished talking I couldn't help but try to suppress the smile that was growing on my face, choking back my laughter I look over at brock who I could tell was amused by Ash's problem as well if the slight twitch of his lip was any indicator.

After another hour of chatting with them, I was starting to grow tired, so after paying the bill (Rowan pays me a lot apparently, and apparently food prices are actually decent in this world surprisingly as this meal would have easily tripled back in Canada) I gave my thanks for an enjoyable dinner and promised them id be in the crowd tomorrow for Dawns contest, and made it back to the center for the night.

XxxxxX

Chapter 5 revision complete! Don't forget to review folks!