AN: Yea... I am definitely risking my grades by writing instead of memorizing and doing my homework. I mean, I have mostly memorized it but I should be able to recite it clearly tomorrow. Let me cook rahhh

Also Discord: https/discord.gg/vgfADSacam

"Speech/Talk"

"Telepathy"

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokèmon

We had been walking for the past few minutes through dense vegetation, navigating trees and bushes. So far, we'd scanned eight Pokémon and noted their locations in the Pokédex. Last of all, I was starting to understand what Professor Oak had in mind.

He wants us to scan Pokémon and record their locations in the Pokédex to map out the territories of wild Pokémon groups. Not only that, but he also wants us to analyze the relationships between different species, from group dynamics to individual interactions.

There were no Pokémon in this area, just mildly difficult obstacles like bushes and streams. We needed a strategy to quickly traverse the terrain and find any Pokémon to scan. It sucked that neither of us had any partner or starter Pokémon with us.

As we continued walking through the dense forest, the absence of Pokémon and the increasingly tricky obstacles started to frustrate both of us. We knew that aimlessly wandering around wouldn't get us anywhere fast. It was time to come up with a plan.

"We need to rethink our approach," I said, stopping to look at William. "At this rate, we'll waste too much time, and we won't scan nearly enough Pokémon."

William nodded, clearly thinking the same thing. "Yeah, you're right. But how do we cover more ground and actually find these Pokémon?"

I paused, considering the terrain we'd already covered and what I knew about wild Pokémon habits. "We need to be more strategic about where we're looking. There are specific areas where certain Pokémon are more likely to be found—near water sources, clearings, and certain types of trees."

William raised an eyebrow. "You know all that?"

I shrugged. "I've spent a lot of time studying habitats and patterns, plus I've done my fair share of hiking and exploring from... Yesterday... Anyway, I can probably figure out where we're most likely to find Pokémon if we focus on the right areas."

William looked relieved. "That's good to know. So, you handle the navigation, and I'll focus on scanning the Pokémon we find. It'll be faster if I'm ready to scan as soon as we spot something, rather than both of us fumbling around."

"Exactly," I agreed. "I'll lead us through the areas where I think we'll have the best chance of finding Pokémon, and you can stay ready with the Pokédex. If we split our tasks like that, we'll be way more efficient."

William gave a determined nod. "Sounds like a solid plan. Let's do it."

With our roles decided, we started moving with more haste. I took the lead, carefully guiding us through the forest based on what I knew about Pokémon habitats. I focused on finding likely spots—an area near a stream where Water-type Pokémon might gather, or a sunlit clearing where we might find Grass-types soaking up the sun.

William stayed close behind, his Pokédex ready in hand. Whenever I pointed out an area where I thought we'd find Pokémon, he was prepared to scan as soon as they appeared.

And sure enough, after about ten minutes, we found groups of Metapod and Caterpie lying around the tall branches of trees. William immediately scanned them and marked their locations in the Pokédex to achieve our objective and pass this in time.

We found small ponds, but unfortunately, each only had one or two Water-types and a few Pidgey. But it was good enough; we marked a potential territory of a small flock in this forest. Professor Oak and his research assistants would surely appreciate this.

We walked and walked until we found another stream, teeming with not just water types but other species too! Rattata, Doduo, Nidoran, and more! It was a jackpot.

Eventually, two other pairs came in and got their share of the treasure, scanning a total of what I guessed to be 20 to 30 Pokémon. I didn't have the Pokédex with me, but I could safely guess.

As William and I were busy scanning the Pokémon around the stream, we heard rustling from the bushes behind us. Another pair emerged, and they didn't seem too happy about us getting to the jackpot first.

"Looks like you guys found a good spot," one of them, a tall boy, most likely a young teen, with a sneer on his face, remarked. He looked around at the Pokémon we had just scanned, clearly frustrated that we had beaten them to it.

The other kid with him, shorter and stockier, smirked. "Yeah, too bad it won't do you any good if the Pokémon aren't here when the test ends."

I tensed up, immediately catching on to what they were hinting at. William shot me a glance, his grip tightening on the Pokédex. "What are they planning?" he muttered under his breath.

Before I could respond, the duo started stomping their feet on the ground, throwing pebbles, shaking the bushes violently, and making loud noises. They were intentionally trying to scare the Pokémon away.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing? You can still scan them, you morons!" I shouted, stepping forward.

The tall guy just grinned. "You snooze, you lose, we don't care," he said casually, not stopping his disruptive behavior.

The stream, once teeming with Pokémon, was now in chaos. The Doduo screeched in alarm, the Rattata darted into the underbrush, and the Water-types splashed away into the deeper parts of the stream. The Nidoran scattered in all directions. Within seconds, most of the Pokémon were gone, terrified by the commotion.

William looked furious. "That's against the rules! You can't just scare them away like that!" he yelled.

The shorter boy shrugged, clearly unconcerned. "Who cares? It's not like they're going to catch us. As long as we don't get caught red-handed, we're good. Besides, it will be funny to see you two fail."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my cool. "The rules are clear. No interfering with other pairs, and no scaring away the Pokémon. You're gonna get disqualified for this."

The tall boy laughed, but it was forced. "Yeah, sure. And who's gonna believe you? It's your word against ours."

William glanced around, clearly trying to think of a way to salvage the situation. But most of the Pokémon had already fled, and there was no way to bring them back.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my temper in check. "You do realize there are drones and Psychic-type Pokémon monitoring us, right? They'll see what you did, and once the test is over, you're done for."

The troublesome duo hesitated for a moment, the tall one's smirk faltering. But then he shrugged again, trying to play it off. "Whatever. We'll take our chances. You should've moved faster if you didn't want to lose your precious scans."

With that, they turned and started to walk away, leaving the area nearly devoid of Pokémon.

William let out a frustrated sigh, his shoulders slumping. "That's so messed up. We were doing so well."

I put a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, it is. But we can't let them get to us. We've still got time, and we've already got some good scans. Let's find another spot and keep going. They're the ones who'll have to answer for this when it's all over."

William nodded, regaining his focus. "You're right. Let's move."

We quickly gathered our things and set off, determined to find another area before the test ended. It pissed me off that those morons did it, but I smiled knowing they are probably going to be disqualified after this.

Oh, I'm gonna savor their reactions once it happens.

There were only a few minutes left until this scanning challenge ended. The drones used speakers to communicate with us. They were colored and painted in such a way that we wouldn't notice them. Sure, the noise gave them away, but everyone, including me, was too focused on hearing Pokémon noises and getting spooked by voices from the sky, which were actually the drones using speakers.

We had scanned a total of 62 Pokémon. You could scan the same species more than once; the purpose was to mark territories, observe dynamics, and study the interactions of Pokémon. This might be some sort of project Professor Oak is doing, maybe to analyze trainers and soon-to-be trainers too. Who knows?

"Okay, I think we've done enough," I said as I sat down beneath a tree.

"Hmm... But are you sure this is enough?" William sounded doubtful.

"Chillax, Professor Oak didn't say anything about a limit," I reassured him. "Besides, 62 is a big number, so nothing to worry about."

As we sat beneath the tree, catching our breath, William started fidgeting with his Pokédex, clearly deep in thought. The forest around us had grown quiet again, with most of the Pokémon either scanned or scared away by the earlier commotion. The weight of the challenge was starting to sink in, and I could tell William was anxious.

"Do you think we did okay?" William asked, his voice tinged with doubt. "I mean, with all the chaos and those idiots scaring off the Pokémon... What if we didn't do enough?"

I glanced over at him, seeing the worry etched on his face. It was understandable—this challenge was a big deal, and a lot was riding on how well we performed. But I wasn't about to let him spiral into self-doubt. Go big and stay confident, they say.

"We did more than okay," I said confidently. "We scanned 62 Pokémon, William. That's a solid number. The whole point was to mark out territories and observe interactions, and we did exactly that. Professor Oak's not just looking at the quantity; he's interested in the quality of our observations too."

William nodded, but I could see he wasn't entirely convinced. "But what about the physical part? The test of heart? Do you think we did well enough there?"

I leaned back against the tree, thinking it over. "Honestly, I think we did great. We kept our cool, even when those jerks tried to mess with us. We didn't let it rattle us too much, and we stuck to our strategy. That's what counts. Professor Oak's looking for trainers who can think on their feet and stay composed under pressure, and that's exactly what we did."

William let out a small sigh, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I just don't want to screw this up, you know?"

I smiled reassuringly. "You won't. We won't. We've done everything we could, and I'm confident it's enough. Plus, we didn't break any rules, unlike those other guys. That's gonna count for something."

William finally smiled back, the worry in his eyes fading. "Thanks, Genera. I needed that."

"No problem," I said, giving him a light punch on the arm. "We've got this. Now, let's just wait and see what happens. But I'm telling you, we're definitely going to pass."

William nodded, his confidence restored. "Yeah, you're right. Let's do this."

We sat there in silence for a moment, both of us feeling a bit more at ease. Whatever the results of the test might bring, we knew we'd given it our all. And that was enough.

Suddenly, the sky filled with the noise of that annoying alarm clock sound. Just why that, specifically? Surely they could have used something better for dramatic effect.

But I knew it was over. Time was up. I looked at William for a moment and patted his shoulder to assure him further, hoping to boost his confidence and wipe away his uncertainty and self-doubt.

As the last few minutes ticked away, the drones that had been quietly observing us sprang to life, their speakers crackling with static before a clear voice came through. It was Professor Oak.

"Attention, everyone! The scanning challenge is now officially over. Please make your way back to the laboratory."

A loud, repetitive noise began to echo through the forest, like a series of high-pitched beeps, distinct enough to cut through the ambient sounds of the wilderness. The drones started to emit the sound, hovering above the treetops, and from the distance, we could hear more of them joining in, creating a clear path to follow.

Wait, hold on. Isn't this going to terrify the local Pokémon? I thought, but as I looked around, I noticed some Pokémon weren't bothered at all. Maybe Professor Oak is well-known here or something, and they know he won't do any harm.

"That noise is loud enough to wake up a Snorlax," I muttered, standing up and dusting off my pants.

William laughed. "At least we won't get lost."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's get going. The sooner we get back, the sooner we'll know how we did."

We both adjusted our backpack and satchel and with the constant beeping guiding us, we began making our way through the trees. The sound was almost like an invisible trail, leading us back the way we came. The forest, once filled with the rustling of Pokémon and the sounds of nature, now felt strangely empty and calm, save for the beeping drones above us.

As we walked, the noise grew louder, indicating we were getting closer to the entrance. A few other pairs emerged from different parts of the forest, all heading in the same direction. Some looked relieved, others anxious, but everyone was moving.

"There's the entrance," William said, pointing ahead as the trees began to thin out.

I could see the clearing where we'd started, with the lab in the distance. The beeping from the drones continued to guide us, almost like an annoying, persistent alarm that wouldn't stop until we were exactly where we were supposed to be.

We quickened our pace, eager to reach the lab and hear the results. Whatever the outcome, I knew we had given it our best shot. Now, it was time to see if our efforts had paid off.

We arrived along with the rest of the students who had participated. We were eager to see the results. I knew we had passed this—one hundred percent, I was certain. But that wasn't what I was eagerly waiting for. I was waiting for those jerks to be disqualified so I could have the last laugh at those bastards.

"Ah, it seems like everyone has arrived," Professor Oak's voice reached our ears. He walked out of his laboratory, clapping his hands.

Professor Oak stood before us, his usual warm smile in place as he clapped his hands, calling for our attention. The beeping of the drones had finally ceased, and they landed on the ground before being picked up by League officials. The only sounds now were the rustling of leaves and the occasional murmurs from the gathered students. We were all waiting, some with anticipation, others with barely concealed anxiety.

"First off, I want to commend all of you for your efforts in the scanning challenge," Professor Oak began, his voice carrying easily across the clearing. "The data collected was incredibly valuable—the locations and interactions of the Pokémon were well-documented, and many of you demonstrated excellent observational and navigational skills. You've all contributed to something important today, and for that, you should be proud."

There was a collective sigh of relief from the crowd; a few people even exchanged relieved smiles. But then, Professor Oak's expression shifted ever so slightly, a more serious look crossing his face.

"However," he continued, and the tension returned almost immediately, "not everyone followed the rules as expected."

The air seemed to thicken with anxiety, and I could see a few people stiffening, their smiles fading. William and I exchanged a glance, and I could feel his nervousness spike. The tension was crystal clear.

Professor Oak scanned the crowd, his gaze settling on a few unfortunate students. "I regret to inform you that some of you chose to ignore the rules set forth at the beginning of the challenge. This is something we cannot overlook."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "I'd like to call forward the following pairs."

He began to list names, and as he did, you could feel the dread rising among those who were called. Four pairs in total stepped forward eight people, each looking more nervous than the last. And there they were—the pair we had encountered earlier, the ones who had tried to scare off the Pokémon and mess with us. Their faces were pale, their eyes wide with fear.

I couldn't help myself. The moment I saw them, I burst out laughing. "Told you so, idiots!" I shouted, loud enough for everyone to hear.

A few people shot me looks, but then I noticed they were smiling—some even chuckling. It was clear that most of them agreed: those jerks deserved what was coming.

Professor Oak, who had paused at my outburst, chuckled softly before composing himself. His face turned serious again as he addressed the rule-breakers. "Sorry to say, but you are now... disqualified."

The announcement hung in the air like a thunderclap. The disqualified pairs looked like they'd just been hit by a Hyper Beam, their expressions a mix of shock and despair. The rest of us couldn't help but feel a bit of satisfaction at the outcome—especially after everything those guys had pulled.

Professor Oak continued, "I hope this serves as a reminder to all of you that while skill and knowledge are important, integrity and respect for the rules are equally vital, and you should never recklessly scare wild Pokémon. The journey to becoming a Pokémon Trainer is not just about strength; it's about character. To those who were disqualified, I hope you'll take this lesson to heart."

The disqualified pairs hung their heads, slowly walking back into the crowd, their previous arrogance replaced by shame and regret.

Turning back to the rest of us, Professor Oak's smile returned. "To everyone else, well done. You've all passed this part of the test with flying colors. Now, let's wait for the final results."

The tension broke, replaced by a wave of relief and excitement. We'd made it through, and despite the chaotic drama, it felt good to know we'd done things the right way. As we followed Professor Oak back towards the lab, I couldn't help but shoot one last glance at the disqualified pairs. Karma, as they say, is a bitch.

"Everyone, you can take a break for now," Professor Oak said. "The written tests are currently being checked and marked by my assistants who came back for this test, the League officials, and Pokémon."

Amazing, even Pokémon can help in our education. I couldn't remember Pokémon playing such an essential role in human society in the anime. Sure, some helped launch satellites, power entire cities, provide entertainment, and many other things. But actually helping in the education system? That was amazing. I just hoped they weren't forced into it and had actually volunteered. If so, this truly was a world in harmony—a paradise.

I know there are shitty people and organizations like Team Rocket, but things like this make me appreciate just how peaceful this world is compared to my past one. I wish everyone could be this cooperative and kind.

Enough about that. I'll think more about it later.

"Hey, William, where are you going?" I asked as I noticed him walking away.

He stopped suddenly and scratched his head. "Oh, sorry about that. I'm going to tell my parents that I passed the test! They're gonna be so happy!" he replied, his tone excited and happy.

"Well, go ahead."

He then walked away. He couldn't exactly run when it was this crowded. Not too crowded, but enough that running would be... risky.

I decided I needed to find Ash, Lily, Tim, and others I might recognize.

It didn't take much effort to find Lily and Josh talking with each other, sitting in a patch of grass. So I eavesdropped on them because... why not? I was bored, after all so I hid behind a tree.

Josh chuckled. "He's a genius, all right. He finished first during the first part of the test."

"Yeah... He is a prodigy. He even impressed Professor Oak!" Lily exclaimed.

"Oh, of course, he did. Genera far surpasses everyone in school, his intellect is on a whole other level," Josh said, already used to my insane feats.

"True. It didn't take long for everyone to notice he was done. People said weird things about him being some sort of experimental subject," Lily said.

Okay, I hate that shit. Time to end that.

Josh hummed. "Genera wasn't very happy when they said that. I saw how uncomfor—"

"Ahem," I interrupted.

"Genera!" they both exclaimed, surprised.

I stepped out from behind the tree and into the patch of grass where Lily and Josh were sitting. They both looked up at me, surprised by my sudden appearance.

"Hey, Genera," Josh greeted, trying to recover from his initial shock. "Didn't know you were eavesdropping on us."

I shrugged, a small grin on my face. "Couldn't help it. You were talking about me, after all."

Lily rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah, Mister Genius. We were just discussing how you blew through that first part of the test like it was nothing."

"Seriously," Josh added, "you finished so fast that some people started rumors. You know how it is—if someone's too good, they must be up to something."

I shook my head, sighing. "Let them talk. I've got nothing to prove to them anyway."

Lily smiled, a bit of admiration in her eyes. "Well, you definitely showed them up today. Anyway you probably aced the scanning challenge one hundred percent, for sure. You probably scanned like 50 Pokémon. And how did you even finish the written test so quickly?"

I thought back to the challenge, remembering the strategies I'd used. "It's all about knowing where to look and paying attention to the signs. Pokémon leave clues everywhere if you know how to read them."

Josh nodded. "Common sense, yeah. But still, the way you worked it out so fast... I guess that's just you being you, huh?"

"Pretty much," I replied with a smirk. "But enough about me. What about you two? How did you find the test?"

Lily groaned, throwing her hands up. "Honestly, it was tough! We found some Pokémon, but they were either too skittish or too well-hidden. I swear, they knew we were coming."

"Same here," Josh added. "We spent half the time just trying to track down one Pokémon, and by the time we found it, the clock was already ticking down. But we got some good scans in, so fingers crossed it's enough."

"I'm sure you guys did fine," I assured them. "It was a hard challenge for everyone, but the important thing is that you didn't give up. That counts for a lot."

Lily smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Genera. It helps hearing that from someone who's actually good at this stuff."

Just then, Josh's expression shifted, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. "Hey, speaking of the test... did you notice how late that Ash kid was? He probably wrote random answers. No way he can be that lucky to get passing scores, let alone a good mark."

"Well... He's way more special than me, trust me," I said, thinking of all the wild situations Ash had survived thanks to what could only be described as the most ridiculous plot armor in existence. The only one who comes close is that Tanjiro kid from another anime, but even he's got nothing on Ash.

"Really?" Lily said, doubt creeping into her voice. "He's just a reckless kid. Sure, big dreams and all, but what makes him more special than you?" Her curiosity was clearly piqued.

"Oh, you'll see it later on in life," I answered mysteriously.

Josh hummed in thought. "Sure... But I still doubt it. He looks like a regular kid to me."

Oh dear, how wrong they are.

Eventually, I left the two to their own devices. I decided to check on the Pokémon we saved—the Cyndaquil. I really wanted to see him; he's just too cute.

"I wonder how he's doing right now. Hopefully, he'll be transferred back to Professor Elm and taken care of by him," I said to no one in particular.

Professor Elm specializes in Pokémon breeding and knows a lot about Pokémon biology—probably more than Professor Oak himself. They both study in different fields, so there are great differences between them.

I arrived at the laboratory lobby, where students were still sitting and walking around, probably waiting for their parents or guardians to pick them up. They usually stay in rented homes in Pallet Town until they get their results, certifications, and the date when they will receive their Trainer IDs for the ones who are not trainers yet.

I turned left down a hallway that leads to where Professor Oak studies using his machines. Then I arrived.

I knocked.

"Who is it?" Professor Oak's voice sounded muffled due to the door.

"It's Genera, Professor Oak! Just want to see how Cyndaquil is doing," I answered. Oh boy, I can't wait to see his recovery.

"Ah, wait a moment."

Ten seconds later, he opened the door and let me inside. We walked together toward the chamber where Cyndaquil was housed.

"Cyndaquil is doing great, Genera. He recovered really quickly somehow, which intrigued me."

Recovered quickly? That's odd.

"What do you mean, Professor? Don't Pokémon recover faster than us humans?" I questioned.

"That is true; however, Cyndaquil is healing… too fast…" he answered.

"Huh? So does that mean he has fully recovered by now?" I asked further. This is very odd. Yes, Pokémon do heal faster than humans, but at this speed? That's unusual.

Professor Oak didn't answer as we went up the metal stairs of the room. There were many empty incubation tubes, serving as a place for Pokémon eggs to be incubated. I looked around, searching for the fiery little guy.

"Over here."

What the fuck. Most of his wounds are gone now, and his fur has… mostly returned to normal. How is this possible? Something like this is a blessing from a legendary Pokémon!

"What the…" I said, shocked.

"You see, this is why I'm here today. I was trying to figure out the cause of this… miraculous speed of recovery," Professor Oak said.

There were still IV fluids inserted. Does that mean this little fella is sick?

"Professor, is he sick?" I asked, noticing the IV.

"I was about to say that, yes. Though he's healed, his immune system is certainly not included in the healing process. But don't worry; he's feeling better each day!" the professor assured me.

"Oh, okay, Professor, but when will he be brought back to Professor Elm?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Well, I contacted Professor Elm about this, and yes, he'll be returned to him once he has fully recovered. He's not in a state where he should be transported," he answered.

True enough. It's not a good idea to transport him by vehicle, not even in a Pokéball. We don't want this little guy to be hurt even more by accident during the transportation process.

Suddenly, one of Professor Oak's computers started ringing. Is he being called?

"Ah, that must be Professor Elm," Professor Oak said casually.

Professor Oak went downstairs walked over to his computer and tapped a few keys to accept the call. The screen flickered, and soon the familiar face of Professor Elm appeared, looking a bit frazzled as usual.

"Ah, Samuel! Good to see you," Elm greeted, pushing up his glasses. "How's our little Cyndaquil doing?"

Professor Oak smiled warmly. "He's recovering remarkably well, faster than I've ever seen. But there's something peculiar about his recovery speed. It's almost… unnatural."

Elm furrowed his brow, leaning closer to the screen. "Unnatural? How so?"

Oak gestured toward the chamber where Cyndaquil was resting. "His wounds are nearly gone, and his fur has mostly returned to normal in less than two days. It's as if some external force is accelerating his healing."

Elm's eyes widened in surprise. "That's… fascinating. I've never encountered anything like that before. I'd love to study him once he's fully recovered, but of course, we'll need to ensure he's completely stable first."

As the professors continued their conversation, I decided to sit beside the chamber, staring at Cyndaquil. He looked peaceful, his little chest rising and falling steadily. But then, suddenly, his eyes fluttered open, and he startled me by sitting up.

"Are you my dad?" Cyndaquil asked in a childish tone, his voice filled with excitement.

I blinked, completely caught off guard. "Uh… what?"

He stood up, and I immediately held him.

"Calm down, uh, lay down and rest, okay? You're still recovering," I said to Cyndaquil. What the fuck just happened?

Professor Oak seemed to notice the little chaos happening above the stairs.

"Sounds like Cyndaquil woke up," Professor Oak said.

Professor Elm, a bit surprised by the sudden news, said, "Fascinating. Check how things are going over there; I can wait."

I stood there, holding the squirming Cyndaquil in my arms, trying to process what just happened. The little guy was looking up at me with wide, innocent eyes, completely oblivious to the confusion he'd just caused.

"Are you my dad?" he repeated, his tone even more eager.

"I, uh… no, not exactly," I stammered, unsure how to explain this to a Pokémon. "But I did help save you, so… maybe I'm like a big brother?"

Cyndaquil tilted his head, considering this for a moment before nodding enthusiastically. "Big brother! Got it!" He snuggled into my chest, clearly pleased with the new title.

"Wait, slow down, you're still healing!" Trying to slow down his energetic chaos.

At that moment, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I looked over to see Professor Oak, who was clearly trying to suppress a grin as he approached.

"I take it Cyndaquil's awake," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "He seems to have taken quite a liking to you, Genera."

I let out a nervous laugh, still holding the little guy. "Yeah, he… uh… thinks I'm his dad. Or big brother now, I guess."

Professor Oak chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, that's a new one. I've seen Pokémon bond with trainers before, but this is something else."

Cyndaquil looked up at Oak, then back at me. "Is he our grandpa?" he asked innocently.

I couldn't help but burst out laughing at that, while Professor Oak raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the little Pokémon's words. "What did he say?"

"Oh, nothing," I said quickly, still chuckling. "Just… wondering if you're the grandpa now."

Oak let out a hearty laugh. "Well, I suppose I'm old enough for the role! But I think we'll stick with Professor for now."

Cyndaquil seemed satisfied with that answer, and I carefully placed him back in his chamber, making sure he was comfortable. "You rest up, okay? Your 'big brother' will check on you later."

As Cyndaquil settled back down, Oak gave me a curious look. "You really have a way with Pokémon, Genera. It's almost like you understand them."

I shrugged, trying to play it off. "I guess I've just spent enough time around them. You pick up on things, you know?"

Oak nodded, though there was a knowing gleam in his eye. "Indeed. Well, it seems Cyndaquil's in good hands—for now, at least. Let's hope his recovery continues at this remarkable pace."

As Oak turned to head back down the stairs, I could hear Professor Elm's voice through the computer, still waiting patiently on the call. I couldn't help but smile, feeling a strange sense of pride. Maybe being a big brother to a little fire-type wasn't such a bad gig after all, if I get to partner with him, that is.

Professor Oak's POV:

Professor Elm couldn't help giggling on the call. "I think I get the gist of it. Did Cyndaquil think you're his parent?" He turned into a small laugh as he finished the last sentence.

"It was Genera, but he did think I was his grandfather from the sound of it," I replied.

The line went silent as Elm rubbed his chin in deep thought.

"Hm, how about I switch this call to a portable monitor?" I then saw Elm's eager reaction, his eyes sparkling on the screen.

"Oh yes, yes, I'm certainly curious to see what's going on."

I couldn't help but smile at Elm's eagerness. "Alright, give me a moment. I'll bring you up on the tablet."

I reached over to the docking station and grabbed a nearby tablet, quickly connecting the call to the portable device. The screen flickered for a moment, and soon Elm's face appeared, still looking just as eager.

"Here we go, Samuel. I'm ready to see the little guy in action," Elm said, adjusting his glasses.

I carried the tablet with Elm's image and made my way back up the stairs to where Genera was still sitting by Cyndaquil's chamber. As I approached, Genera noticed me and raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Professor Elm wanted to see Cyndaquil," I explained, holding up the tablet for Genera to see.

Genera gave a small nod and looked back at Cyndaquil, who was now wide awake and watching us with those big, innocent eyes.

"Cyndaquil, say hello to Professor Elm," I said, holding the tablet so that Elm could get a clear view.

Cyndaquil looked at the screen and tilted his head. "Cynda?"

Elm's face lit up with excitement on the screen. "Ah, there he is! He looks much better than I expected. That's remarkable, Genera."

Genera smiled, reaching out to gently pat Cyndaquil on the head. "Yeah, he's a tough little guy."

As Elm continued to observe, Cyndaquil suddenly looked up at Genera with wide eyes. "Cyn? Daquil?"

Genera blinked in surprise, clearly trying to process the fact that Cyndaquil was talking to him again. "Uh, that's Professor Elm. He's the one who takes care of Pokémon like you."

Cyndaquil looked at the screen and then back at Genera. "Quil?"

Genera chuckled softly. "Yeah, he's a nice guy. He's been worried about you."

Elm and I, of course, only heard the typical "Cynda, Quil!" noises, but he watched intently as Cyndaquil interacted with Genera. It was quite funny to see him trying to hide the fact that he understands Pokémon, but it was obviously failing. I could see Elm's eyebrows raise in suspicion and curiosity. I guess I should talk to him about this later.

"He seems really attached to you, Genera," Elm commented, his voice filled with curiosity. "It's rare to see a Pokémon bond this quickly."

Genera shrugged, still holding Cyndaquil gently. "I guess he just feels safe here."

Suddenly, Cyndaquil looked up at Elm's image on the screen. "Cyn, Cyndaquil?"

Genera bit his lip, trying his best not to be obvious about the fact that he could understand him. "He's not your grandpa, um, little guy. He's just Professor Elm."

Cyndaquil gave a satisfied nod and then curled up in Genera's arms, clearly content.

Elm watched the scene with a soft smile. "It's really amazing, Samuel. You can see how comfortable Cyndaquil is with Genera."

I nodded, feeling a bit of pride. "Yes, it's quite something. I'm going to monitor him closely, but I think he's on the right track."

Elm's face brightened. "I'm looking forward to seeing how he progresses. Genera, you might just be his favorite person in the world now."

Genera smiled, still holding the sleepy Cyndaquil. "Well, I'll do my best to take care of him until he's ready to go back."

Elm gave a nod of approval. "Actually, you can keep him. You've bonded so closely already!"

Genera's eyes widened. "Re-Really, Professor?"

Professor Elm laughed. "Of course! Separating you two is not a good idea, considering you've already bonded so closely."

Still in a state of shock, Genera finally responded. "Tha-Thank you so much, Professor Elm!"

Elm chuckled lightly at his reaction. "Samuel, could you update me on the progress?"

"Will do," I replied. "We'll keep you updated."

After a bit more conversation, I ended the call, placing the tablet back on its dock. I turned to Genera, who was still cradling Cyndaquil like a parent would a child.

"Well, it seems you've got yourself a little admirer," I said with a chuckle.

Genera rubbed his head, looking down at the now-snoozing Cyndaquil. "Yeah, I guess I do."

As we stood there, watching over Cyndaquil, I couldn't help but think that this little Pokémon had found a special connection here—one that would undoubtedly help him on his road to recovery. Genera might not have realized it yet, but this bond was something rare.

"Hm, how about giving him a tour once he has completely recovered," I sighed and smiled. "With the speed of his recovery, he should be able to come out in two days."

"Two days?!" Genera widened his eyes again.

I couldn't say I blamed the young man—despite knowing how miraculous it was, it even surprised me. I am confident in my guess of his complete recovery, this is truly an interesting day for me, and maybe I will discover something today too.

Information for my memory issues:

Name: Genera Jenson

Age: 10

Birthday: April 13

Money: 7,432

Pokémon: 1/6 (Cyndaquil isn't registered in a Pokeball yet but imma just put it there)

AN: Okay, sorry for the wait, I did actually spend time memorizing though I put more of my efforts and priority into this chapter. Anyway, Avalugg is scary :0

???: Avalugg? What Pokémon is that?

Author: Avalugg deez nuts

???: I want you to kill yourself using acid. Period.