AN: Sorry for the wait, got busy with schoolwork. I have a PowerPoint presentation to make and a module to answer, which is tomorrow after I publish this chapter. I am completely risking my grades fellas rahhhhhh!
Also Discord: https/discord.gg/vgfADSacam
(PM me or give out a review saying the link isn't working, I'll try to fix it.)
Disclaimer: Pokémon is not mine (Tired of reminding)
Journal Entry #6
Time to muse about Cyndaquil :D
Yeah, there are a lot of odd things about Cyndaquil—the way this young mon heals is crazy. Professor Oak said he would completely recover in two days. If his recovery continues at this speed, that would be great.
I'm actually quite excited to give this little guy a tour of Pallet Town. I'm going to show him the popular spots around here and maybe chat with some Pokémon for a bit.
However, once the league season arrives, I'll probably encounter some problems in Pewter because of rocks, bruh. But hey, type advantage ain't everything, right?
Eh, whatever, let's move on. The test.
They announced that our scores and marks will be revealed tomorrow morning! I'm sure I'll pass. The thing I'm most interested in is how everyone else did—especially you, Ash. I need to figure out how you're this successful when you keep getting late and barely know anything when it comes to math. I'll be keeping my eyes on you.
The disqualified ones are still in for the written tests, but the physical ones—the scanning part—are no small thing. It makes up a huge chunk of our performance and accounts for half of our marks. And since those bastards failed by breaking the rules, they're not going to pass. Well, maybe they'll barely pass if they're lucky.
My friends should be fine too. They did well enough in both phases of the test, but their scores and marks probably won't be as good as mine. (Not flexing, by the way, I assure you.)
What matters now is "HOW" I use this knowledge, considering I achieved my objectives. The next step on the road is my journey!
"Yeah, I think that's about it," I said.
Mrs. Gardner smiled widely at my summary of what happened during the test back in Professor Oak's laboratory. It was a big deal in Kanto because, apparently, it brought together the smartest and most promising students from other schools and institutions across the entire region.
When I got home, I was actually exhausted from what happened yesterday. I had to take in all the information and the chaotic mess I got myself into. I ended up crashing hard and sleeping like a rock. Apparently, I slept for more than 15 hours, which got Mrs. Gardner concerned. Talk about a sleeping beauty moment.
Anyway, the test only lasted two and a half hours in total. It may seem short or quick—well, maybe it is—but the difficulty is brutal and extreme, according to those who participated. But, it wasn't for me. Yes, it was very hard, but it wasn't as hellish as I expected. Maybe it was just different for me.
"You are simply amazing, Genera. If you can pass this easily, then you're easily going to sweep through the gyms!" she exclaimed, rich with encouragement.
I sighed. "Again, it was hard," I pouted.
She laughed. "Nonsense, you finished the first phase of the test in less than thirty minutes. No one else could do that."
I sighed again and smiled. Seems like my actions are going to reach the regional headlines if people are reacting like this.
"Anyway," she continued. "You better be prepared and packed up now; everyone must be waiting in Professor Oak's lab."
Yeah, yeah, right. The results are waiting for me in the lab. I wonder how everyone is doing there right now. Ash probably arrived on time because I heard he got scolded big time yesterday. Pft. Funny.
As I finished packing up my things, I couldn't help but think about what Mrs. Gardner said. Sweeping through the gyms? Maybe. But the league wasn't just about brute strength. Strategy, adaptability, and even a bit of luck played huge roles in every battle. I guess I'd find out soon enough.
"Ready to go?" Mrs. Gardner asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah, just about," I replied, slinging my satchel.
We made our way out of the house and into the warm afternoon sunlight. Pallet Town was as peaceful as ever, with a gentle breeze rustling through the trees and the distant sound of a Pidgey chirping filling the air. It was hard to believe that soon I'd be leaving this quiet place behind to take on the world.
As we walked, I caught sight of some of the local Pokémon going about their day. A couple of Rattata were scurrying around near the bushes, while a Butterfree floated lazily in the sky above. They seemed so carefree—no worries about tests, battles, or journeys ahead. For a moment, I envied them.
"Do you think Cyndaquil will like it here?" I asked Mrs. Gardner as we walked.
"Of course," she replied with a smile. "Pallet Town is a wonderful place, and I'm sure Cyndaquil will feel right at home. Besides, with you looking after him, he couldn't be in better hands."
I nodded, feeling a bit of pride at her words. But there was also a hint of nervousness. This wasn't just about taking care of Cyndaquil—this was about forming a bond, a partnership that could last a lifetime. Was I ready for that kind of responsibility? I guess I'd find out soon enough.
As we approached Professor Oak's lab, I could see a small crowd gathered outside. My heart skipped a beat. Everyone must be waiting for the results. I spotted a few familiar faces—some of my classmates, along with Ash and his mom, Delia. Ash looked unusually serious, probably still thinking about that scolding he got yesterday.
"Well, here goes nothing," I muttered to myself as I walked up to the group.
Mrs. Gardner gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder before heading over to talk with some of the other parents. I took a deep breath and made my way to where Professor Oak was standing, holding a clipboard with the results.
"Ah, Genera! Just in time," Professor Oak said with a smile. "We're about to announce the scores."
"Hey, Professor," I greeted him, trying to keep my voice steady. "How's Cyndaquil doing?"
"He's doing great," Oak replied, his smile widening. "Resting up nicely. He'll be back to full health in no time."
I nodded, feeling a bit of relief. At least that was one less thing to worry about. Now, all I had to do was get through this announcement.
"Alright, everyone!" Professor Oak called out, gathering the attention of the group. "I've got the results of the top five right here. After that, your cards, which contain your marks, will be given out. First of all, I want to say how proud I am of each and every one of you. This was no easy test, and you all gave it your best."
I could feel the tension in the air as everyone waited, holding their breath. Even Ash, usually so carefree, looked like he was about to burst from the anticipation.
Professor Oak cleared his throat and began reading out the names, starting from the bottom. With each name, he announced the score and whether or not they had passed. Some of the students let out sighs of relief, while others looked downcast.
Finally, it came down to the top five. My heart was pounding with excitement to see the results. Finally, the massive monitor in the lobby finally gave life.
Professor Oak adjusted the monitor a bit before finally beginning to reveal the top 5.
"In fifth place… Mia Azulean, with 84%."
A small cheer went up from the group as Sarah, a girl from Viridian City, smiled shyly.
"In fourth place… Daniel Chen, with 85%."
Daniel, a quiet kid from Cerulean, gave a modest nod, though I could see the satisfaction in his eyes.
"Third place… Jasmine Turner, with 87%."
Jasmine, a confident girl from Pewter, grinned widely as she accepted her place.
My stomach twisted as I realized there were only two names left. It was down to me and… Ash?
"In second place… Ash Ketchum, with 89%."
…
Taurus shit.
There was a collective gasp from the crowd. Ash's jaw dropped in shock, and honestly, so did mine. 89%? How the fuck did he pull that off?
"And in first place…" Professor Oak continued, "Genera, with 96%."
My jaw dropped even further, and everyone looked at me with even louder gasps of shock. To think I would reach this high is insane.
How? There was no way I got that many correct answers on the written test. There were questions that were incredibly hard, ones that I didn't even know the answer to. This is a new level of shit I just witnessed, and everyone is looking at me like they're seeing a spectacular event.
The crowd erupted into murmurs and whispers, eyes wide as they stared at me. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as the reality of the situation sank in. I'd actually done it. I'd taken first place and such a high margin too.
A few seconds later, the murmurs turned into applause, and I could see a few people giving me nods of approval. Some of my classmates looked impressed, others shocked. Even Ash, who was still processing his second-place finish, gave me a stunned look before breaking into a supportive grin.
"Genera, you really did it!" Ash exclaimed, his shock quickly turning into excitement. "That's amazing!"
Before I could even respond, Mrs. Gardner rushed over, beaming with pride. She practically pulled me into a hug. "Genera, you're incredible! I knew you were smart, but this… this is something else!"
Her enthusiasm only added to the wave of attention that was crashing over me. Parents, students, even some of the lab assistants—all of them were looking at me with admiration. It was overwhelming, to say the least.
"Thanks, Mrs. Gardner," I managed to mumble, trying to keep my cool as she finally released me from her tight embrace. But the compliments kept coming, one after another.
"You must have studied so hard!" one of my classmates said, their voice tinged with awe.
"That's a new record, isn't it?" another added, nodding in respect.
Even Professor Oak joined in, stepping forward with a proud smile and clapping his hands. "Genera, your performance was exceptional. You should be very proud of yourself."
I tried to respond, but my words got lost in the sea of congratulations and praise. It felt like every single person around me had something positive to say. My head was spinning from the sudden attention, and all I wanted was to find a quiet corner to breathe for a moment.
But there was no escaping it. The compliments just kept coming, each one more enthusiastic than the last.
"You're going to be unstoppable in the league!"
"I bet you'll make it all the way to the Indigo Plateau!"
"What's your secret? How did you manage to score that high?"
I forced a smile, doing my best to respond to each comment without coming across as overwhelmed. Inside, though, I was starting to feel a bit claustrophobic. This wasn't exactly what I'd expected when I set out to do my best on the test.
"Thanks, everyone," I said, my voice just loud enough to be heard over the chatter. "I really appreciate it."
Mrs. Gardner beamed even brighter, if that was even possible. "Genera, you've made everyone so proud. Your parents would be over the moon right now!"
Her words hit me hard, and I felt a pang of emotion. I hadn't thought about that—about what my parents would think if they could see me now. They weren't here, but Mrs. Gardner's pride felt like a close second, and for that, I was grateful.
As the crowd slowly began to disperse, Professor Oak handed out the cards with our individual marks. When he gave me mine, he leaned in slightly and said, "Genera, if you ever need advice or help as you start your journey, don't hesitate to ask. You've got a bright future ahead of you."
I nodded, still feeling a bit dazed by everything that had just happened. "Thank you, Professor. That means a lot."
With the cards in hand, everyone began to gather in small groups, discussing their marks and plans for the future. I was finally able to breathe a little easier as the attention shifted away from me, but every now and then, I could still feel eyes on me, and hear people talking about my score.
Mrs. Gardner, still beside me, gave me another warm smile. "You're going to do great things, Genera. I just know it."
"Thanks, Mrs. Gardner," I said, this time with a genuine smile. "I'll do my best."
But even as I said it, I couldn't shake the feeling that the pressure was only just beginning. Being at the top came with expectations, and I was going to have to work harder than ever to live up to them. For now, though, I allowed myself to enjoy the moment, basking in the warmth of everyone's congratulations.
As I glanced around at the familiar faces, I realized that this was just the beginning. My journey was just getting started, and whatever challenges lay ahead, I was ready to face them head-on.
But first… I'd have to get used to the idea of being the center of attention. Because if today was any indication, there was going to be a lot more of that in my future.
"Excuse us, we would like to ask you several questions."
Oh no.
Oh god, not the news reporters.
Before I could even think of a way to escape, a swarm of reporters descended on me, cameras flashing and microphones shoved in my face. My mind raced, trying to process everything at once. I had seen this happen to other people on TV, but experiencing it firsthand was a whole different level of chaos.
"Genera, how do you feel about scoring the highest in the entire test?"
"What's your secret to success?"
"Are you planning to challenge the Pokémon League right away?"
"Can you give us any tips for other aspiring trainers?"
Their questions came at me like rapid fire, one after another. I could barely keep up. My brain was still stuck on the fact that I'd scored 96%, a number that felt unreal even now. How the hell did that happen?
"Uh… I-I don't know," I stammered, trying to back away from the overwhelming crowd. But they just kept closing in, relentless.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mrs. Gardner pushing her way through the mob, her expression a mix of annoyance and concern. She finally reached me, placing a protective arm around my shoulders and giving the reporters a stern look.
"Alright, that's enough," she said firmly. "Give him some space. He just finished the test; he needs a break."
The reporters hesitated for a moment, clearly not wanting to back off, but Mrs. Gardner's no-nonsense attitude finally made them step back a little. I breathed a sigh of relief as the suffocating pressure eased slightly.
"Thanks," I muttered, feeling a bit like a deer caught in the headlights.
"You handled that well," she said with a reassuring smile. "But be prepared, this is just the beginning. You're going to be the talk of the town for a while."
"Great," I mumbled, not sure if that was a good thing or a nightmare waiting to happen.
As the crowd began to disperse a bit, I noticed my classmates and some of the other students still looking at me with wide eyes, murmuring among themselves. I could hear snippets of their conversations.
"96%! Can you believe it?"
"He must be a genius or something."
"Wow, I wish I could get even close to that score."
I felt my face heat up under all the attention. It was one thing to do well, but this… this was beyond anything I had expected. I didn't know whether to feel proud or embarrassed—or both. Probably both.
Mrs. Gardner gave me a gentle nudge. "You should be proud of yourself, Genera. You worked hard for this."
I nodded, though my mind was still reeling. "Yeah, I guess…"
Before I could say anything else, more people started coming up to congratulate me. Some were students I knew, others were complete strangers, but they all had the same wide-eyed look of admiration.
"Congrats, Genera! You're amazing!"
"I knew you were smart, but this… Wow!"
"You're definitely going to make a name for yourself in the Pokémon League!"
The compliments came from all sides, and each one made me feel like I was being pushed further into the spotlight. I tried to smile and thank everyone, but it was overwhelming. Part of me wanted to crawl under a rock and hide until all of this blew over.
Mrs. Gardner must have sensed my discomfort because she gently guided me away from the crowd. "Let's get you somewhere quiet for a bit," she suggested. "You've had enough excitement for one day."
I nodded gratefully, letting her lead me away from the chaos. As we walked, I could still feel eyes on me, but at least the noise was starting to fade. I knew this was just the beginning, and that soon enough, I'd have to face even more attention—especially once the news spread beyond Pallet Town.
But for now, I'm just glad to have a moment to breathe because I was completely overwhelmed.
Now how hard is trying to be normal now?
Damn you, fate, and a good blame for myself.
Jeffrey's POV:
"Oh come on, big bro Joe, show us some cool tricks!" I begged with excitement.
"Now shush, Jeffy kiddo, that will come later," he said with a laugh.
"Aww… That sucks," I murmured.
"Anyway, lil' Jeff, I have something to do, so I'll be right back," he said.
It's been a week now, and our vacation and family reunion have been incredible and fun. It was great getting to know my cousins from other regions too! We shared stories, talked about random things, and apparently, my cousin from Sinnoh met a Suicune there. I thought they only lived here in both Kanto and Johto, but I guess not. Should I believe it, though?
Anyway, we also took part in small minigames and had Pokémon from people to help us win—it was so damn fun.
While I was recounting the events in my head and cherishing them, I was suddenly pulled out of my thoughts.
"Good news, Jeffrey! Professor Elm has officially sponsored you," my mother said with excitement, followed by sounds of congratulations.
I spat out my drink. "Wai—what?!"
She grinned. "Of course, you passed his test! Since we'll be staying in Johto for two months with our families, we can still stay in touch."
Wait, so that means I'll be doing the gym run in Johto? Sure, doing it in Kanto is perfectly fine, but it sucks that I can't do my journey with my friends, especially Genera. Huh, I wonder how he's doing right now.
My father stepped in out of nowhere. "In fact, you scored 90% in performance!"
Wow.
I actually did that well without Genera. All I did back in school was copy his answers and always ask for help… I guess I got better.
My father continued. "Anyway, I think we should check out how your best friend is doing back in Kanto. You know about Professor Oak's test, right?" my father asked.
"Yeah, I do," I replied. Professor Oak is notorious for making his sponsorship test brutally hard. It's so insanely difficult that Professor Elm's test looks easy in comparison. I wonder how Genera is faring with it.
"Right," my mother said. "Professor Oak's test is done, and the news will show us who succeeded and the marks of the top-performing students."
I got curious. I wonder if Genera is in the top five. "Huh, when will the news come out on TV?"
"In a minute or two, I think. It should be right after the ad break," she answered.
"Hmm… Okay then."
We went back into the cabin we had been staying in for a day now. We were in the inner forest, a huge nature park, and on this huge plot of land currently owned by a Unovan billionaire.
Eh, nobody cares about that.
We entered our little cabin, which was quite comfortable actually. It had all the things a regular family house could have: a stove, oven, fridge, and more. Everything you need to relax in this peaceful, natural place.
"Ah, here it is, it's turned on now," my father said as he pressed the button to turn on the TV.
The TV screen flickered to life just as the ad break ended. A professional-looking news anchor, dressed in a sharp suit, smiled warmly at the camera.
"Welcome back, everyone," the anchor began, her voice smooth and polished. "We're excited to bring you the latest updates from the Kanto Region. Today, we're focusing on the incredible, marvelous, and outstanding performance of the students who participated in Professor Oak's annual sponsorship test. This year's results have been nothing short of remarkable, with students pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible."
Another anchor, a middle-aged man with a kind demeanor, chimed in. "That's right, Sarah. The competition was fierce, but five students have truly outdone themselves, securing the top spots with scores that will go down in history."
A chart appeared on the screen, and the male anchor gestured to it. "Without further ado, let's reveal the top five performers of this year's test."
The names and scores began to fill the screen:
1. Genera Jenson - 96%
2. Ash Ketchum - 89%
3. Jasmine Turner - 87%
4. Daniel Chen - 85%
5. Mia Azulean - 84%
"Leading the pack with an astonishing 96% is Genera Jenson," Sarah announced, her tone filled with admiration. "A performance that has left even seasoned trainers in awe."
The screen transitioned to a live feed from Professor Oak's lab, where the renowned professor stood surrounded by League officials. His face was beaming with pride.
"Thank you for joining us, Professor Oak," the male anchor began. "This year's results are truly exceptional. What can you tell us about the students and their performances?"
Professor Oak smiled warmly at the camera. "Thank you for having me. This year, the students really exceeded our expectations. Genera Jenson's performance, in particular, was nothing short of extraordinary. He demonstrated not only remarkable knowledge but also the critical thinking and adaptability that are essential for any successful Pokémon trainer."
One of the League officials, a stern-looking man with silver hair, nodded in agreement. "Genera Jenson is definitely one to watch. We're excited to see how he'll continue to develop as a trainer. The same goes for all the top performers—each of them has the potential to achieve great things in this League Season."
The camera zoomed in on Professor Oak again as he continued. "I'm proud of all the students who participated. This test is designed to challenge them in ways they haven't experienced before, and they've all shown tremendous growth. It's an honor to be part of their journey."
Sarah, the anchor, then addressed the camera with a warm smile. "And there you have it, folks—words of praise from the esteemed Professor Oak and the League officials. We can't wait to see what the future holds for these promising young trainers."
The screen returned to the two anchors in the studio, both of them wearing expressions of genuine excitement.
"We'll be following their journeys closely," the male anchor said, "and we'll keep you updated on all the latest developments. For now, though, congratulations to all the students, and especially to Genera Jenson for his incredible achievement. I'm sure his parents will be proud of his success."
I stopped listening.
Did… Genera absolutely demolish the test? No way… 96 percent? That is incredible. No one has been able to accomplish that for how long? Ten years? Nobody has done that before.
"Oh, my—Genera seems to be at the top here, and look! There's Ash!," my mother said in astonishment.
My eyes widen in realization. "Wait what, how did he-"
How did Ash get that far, not that he was a hundred percent late. He is not that smart academically, especially in math. Did he somehow get so lucky that he got so many questions right? Is he secretly blessed by a legendary?
Back to Genera POV Timeskip:
"So... Professor, how is Cyndaquil?" Ash asked.
The Professor looked at his monitor displaying Cyndaquil's vital signs and other information. It was a high-tech and expensive machine that he had purchased—something not to break or lose, as it took a huge portion of the wallet, even for someone like Professor Oak.
"Well, it seems to be doing quite a bit better! I'd say he should be able to come out right now!" he announced.
"Wait, really, Professor?" I asked in surprise.
The Professor chuckled. "Of course, Genera. Though he is recovering from a fever and has a currently weak immune system, he is recovering nonetheless. So, don't let him overexert himself."
I nodded. "Of course, Professor."
Ash tapped my shoulder. "Hey, let's go visit him," he suggested.
I already had a painful struggle not to let others know I could understand Pokémon. Professor Oak was fine, I guess, but for Ash, I wasn't sure. But... I really wanted to talk with Cyndaquil again.
Damn it, my logical thinking is being overpowered by my excitement.
After a moment of pause, I decided to do it anyway. "Yeah, sure."
"Awesome!"
Before I could follow the uncontrollable Ash, I noticed that Professor Oak looked serious but fascinated, with his arms crossed, gazing at the monitor as if he had discovered something. But I left it aside—I have a Pokémon to talk with.
I followed Ash down the hallway toward the room where Cyndaquil is currently resting. My mind raced with thoughts of what Cyndaquil might say once we talk. I knew it was a bit risky, but I couldn't help the excitement bubbling up inside me.
As we approached the room, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Ash, of course, was completely oblivious to the internal struggle I was facing. He was just eager to see the little Fire-type and make sure it was okay.
We entered the room, and there was Cyndaquil, lying on a soft bed, his eyes half-open. The little Pokémon looked tired but much better than when we'd first found him.
"Hey, Cyndaquil," Ash said softly, crouching down beside the bed. "How are you feeling?"
Cyndaquil blinked a few times before turning his head to Ash. "I'm... better," Cyndaquil said, his tone cautious. "Still a little weak, but... much better than before."
I couldn't help but smile, happiness washing over me. "That's good to hear," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. To Ash, he probably only heard the usual Pokémon cries, but to me, I heard words and entire sentences.
Though he did sound a little down today, I guessed the fever had reached its climax and was now less severe, probably starting to finish the healing process.
"So, are you good enough to go outside?" I asked. His wounds and leftover scratches were gone, and his fur now looked healthy. He might need some cleaning and a good bath, but this wasn't the right time—he was still recovering.
"I think so, big brother," he answered.
I cringed at being called "big bro," but I could live with it. Did he even have a family? He must have been so lonely, or maybe he was just a fresh hatchling, possibly less than a year old, and maybe a smuggler had gotten him and hurt him. Whatever it was, I'd take the role.
I nodded. "Okay... I'm going to show you everything here!" My voice was no longer soft, replaced with excitement.
"Wai—really?" he asked with excitement. Seeing new things must have been great for him.
For a moment, I looked at Ash, who was still oblivious to the ongoing conversation happening in front of him. Maybe he thought I was just comforting him?
Ash tilted his head in curiosity. "Huh, he seems pretty active now."
"Yeah, he seems alright," I chuckled.
I then smiled down at Cyndaquil. "I'm sure you'll find this place awesome. But we'll take it easy, okay? No running around too much."
Cyndaquil nodded eagerly, though I could see his energy was still a bit low. "Okay, big bro! I'll be good, I promise. I just wanna see everything!"
I again glanced at Ash, who still seemed oblivious to the clear conversation between me and Cyndaquil. Just how did he get this far in the anime? Another one of the protagonist's quirks, I guess.
I shook my head. I guess I should get used to it.
His IVs had been removed a couple of hours ago. It seemed Professor Oak was confident that he'd be fine, and I trusted his judgment. He is no ordinary person with ordinary knowledge—he is a world-famous Professor for a reason.
I lowered myself to Cyndaquil's level. "Hey, hop onto my shoulder."
"Okay!" he excitedly replied.
He was quite happy, alright. He was still a little down, but hey, look at him. His excitement was overpowering his weak state. I bet this cute fella and I will crush all the gyms.
As we stepped outside, Cyndaquil perched happily on my shoulder, his tiny flames flickering slightly with excitement. Ash was practically bouncing with energy, eager to show Cyndaquil around and start planning our next adventure.
"This is going to be so cool, Genera! I can't wait to—"
"Ash Ketchum!" A firm voice interrupted him mid-sentence. We both froze and turned to see Delia Ketchum, Ash's mother, standing a few feet away with her hands on her hips. Her stern expression softened quickly, but the damage was done—Ash's enthusiasm deflated like a popped balloon.
"Mom?" Ash blinked, clearly caught off guard.
Delia walked over, her expression shifting from stern to loving in seconds. "Ash, I've been looking for you everywhere! It's time to come home, young man."
Ash's face turned a shade of red I'd never seen before. "B-But Mom, we were just about to—"
"No buts," Delia interrupted, her voice taking on that motherly tone that brooked no argument. "You've been working so hard, and I'm so proud of you. But you need to get some rest. Plus, I made your favorite dinner!"
Ash's blush deepened, and I couldn't help but smirk at how flustered he was. I'd never seen Ash look so embarrassed. Delia, clearly enjoying the effect she was having on her son, continued.
"I've heard all about how well you've been doing, Ash. You will become a strong and responsible trainer! I couldn't be more proud of you."
Ash's eyes widened, and he looked away, trying to hide the blush spreading across his cheeks. "M-Mom... you don't have to say all that..."
Delia reached out and gently patted his head. "But it's true! And I know you'll keep doing amazing things. Now, let's get you home before dinner gets cold."
Ash gave me a helpless look, but I just shrugged, trying to hide my amusement. "Guess you'll have to show Cyndaquil around later, Ash," I said with a grin.
"Yeah, I guess so," Ash muttered, still blushing furiously. He gave Cyndaquil a quick wave. "See you later, Cyndaquil!"
"Bye-bye!" Cyndaquil called out, waving a tiny paw, though I knew Ash couldn't understand him, but he knew what the gesture meant.
With one last embarrassed glance at me, Ash turned to follow his mother, who continued to shower him with praise all the way down the path. I stood there for a moment, watching them go, feeling a bit of secondhand awkwardness.
"Well, that was... something," I muttered to myself.
One step outside the lab, I was hit with the golden rays of the sunset. Huh, how long was I inside the lab? I must have stayed here talking with Ash and doing whatever stuff to pass the time.
Just as I was about to head back home with Cyndaquil, Professor Oak appeared, stepping out from behind the entrance with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Genera, can I have a word with you?" he asked, his tone serious.
I blinked, not expecting to be pulled into anything serious so soon after Ash's awkward departure. "Uh, sure, Professor. What's up?"
The Professor motioned for me to follow him, and we walked a little ways away from the lab entrance. Once we were out of earshot of anyone else, he stopped and turned to face me, his expression still serious.
"I've been reviewing Cyndaquil's recovery data," he began, his voice low. "And there's something unusual I discovered."
I frowned, a sense of unease settling in. "Unusual? What do you mean?"
Professor Oak glanced around as if to ensure no one else was listening, then continued, "I detected traces of a powerful healing aura around Cyndaquil. It's not something that could be attributed to any normal medical treatment. This kind of aura... it's extraordinarily rare."
I stared at him, genuinely shocked. "A healing aura?"
The Professor's gaze sharpened, studying my reaction closely. "That's what I'm trying to figure out. Aura is a life force that flows through both Pokémon and humans. It's a force that's not well understood, even by experts."
My mind raced, trying to process this new information. Cyndaquil's sudden recovery, his strength coming back faster than expected—it all made sense now. But why would a powerful aura like that be involved?
"I... I don't know, Professor," I finally said, my voice tinged with confusion. "I mean, I did my best to take care of him, but I didn't do anything special."
Professor Oak continued to study me for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Perhaps it's something we'll need to keep an eye on. If this aura appears again, it could be an important clue."
I nodded, still trying to wrap my head around it. "Yeah... I guess so."
The Professor's expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Genera. We'll figure this out together. In the meantime, just keep doing what you're doing."
I nodded again, feeling a bit more at ease with his support. "Thanks, Professor."
With that, the Professor headed back into the lab, leaving me standing there with Cyndaquil still on my shoulder, both of us lost in thought.
"Well, buddy," I said quietly, "looks like there's more to this than we thought."
Cyndaquil looked up at me, his small face serious for a moment before he smiled. "It's okay, big bro."
I couldn't help but smile back at him. "Yeah, thanks Cyndaquil."
And with that, we headed back home, planning to introduce Mrs. Gardner and Cyndaquil to each other. However, I wondered if a gardener would like to have a Fire-type around, especially since the house was mostly made out of wood, unlike the previous house I was in, which was made out of bricks and cement.
"Maybe life is not as cruel as I think it is," I muttered to myself.
"Aww, so adorable," Mrs. Gardner said out loud.
"You're not worried that it'll accidentally burn the house and garden?" I asked, concerned.
"Oh, come on, don't worry about that. We've got fire-resistant paint on the walls and roof," Mrs. Gardner assured me.
The introductions went great. It was both humorous and heart-melting to see Cyndaquil getting annoyed as he was absolutely hugged-upon by Mrs. Gardner. It was adorable, to say the least.
I'm going to show Cyndaquil my bedroom and maybe teach him some math if he's interested. I've taught some Pokémon how to do basic math before. It was lovely seeing them use it after learning the concept of money using pebbles as currency.
I'm rambling in my head again.
I shook my head to keep my thoughts straight. "Hey Cyndaquil, wanna see my bedroom?" I asked.
Cyndaquil tilted his head in confusion. "What's a bedroom?" he asked innocently.
Bruh, I did not think this through.
As we approached my bedroom door, I realized that trying to explain what a bedroom is to a Pokémon might be more challenging than I thought.
"Okay, Cyndaquil, this is my bedroom," I said, pushing the door open with a bit of dramatic flair.
Cyndaquil scampered in, looking around curiously. "So... what exactly is a bedroom?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Uh, well, it's... you know, the place where I sleep and keep my stuff," I started, scratching the back of my head. "It's like... my own little space."
Cyndaquil blinked at me, clearly not getting it. "But... can't you sleep anywhere? Why do you need a whole room for that?"
I opened my mouth to respond, then closed it again. "Good point, but... it's more than just sleeping. It's where I relax, do my thinking, maybe read a book or play some games. It's like... a nest! Yeah, a human nest!"
Cyndaquil's eyes lit up. "Oh! So it's like when I curl up in a cozy spot to rest?"
"Exactly!" I said, feeling a little proud that I finally made some progress. "Except, you know, with a bed, and maybe some posters, and, uh, clothes... and books... and other random stuff."
Cyndaquil looked around again, his eyes settling on the bed. "So, that's where you sleep?" he asked, pointing with his nose.
"Yep, that's the bed! Super comfy. Much better than, uh... a pile of leaves or whatever."
Cyndaquil hopped onto the bed and sniffed at the blankets. "This is really soft! So this is where humans sleep, huh? I guess it's not that different from a nest after all."
I grinned, relieved. "See? Not so complicated when you think about it."
Cyndaquil snuggled into the blankets, looking up at me with a contented smile. "I think I like this bedroom thing. It's cozy!"
I chuckled, sitting down beside him. "Glad you like it, buddy. Just try not to set anything on fire, okay?"
"No promises!" Cyndaquil said with a playful wink.
I groaned, half-joking, "Great, I'm gonna need more fire-resistant paint."
Now that I think about it. He looks incredibly energetic now as if his sickness disappeared. More mystery to solving it seems. You could say, 'Adventure awaits us' Heh, how lovely.
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, time for me to answer the modules xdxd. Also, incredibly painful with multiple pages, kept procrastinating and now it bit me back in my ass. It is due tomorrow ;-;
???: Such glorious dialogues
Author: Indeed it is
???: Is that what you're just gonna say?
Author: What do you expect me to do? Write an essay about what I wrote like Shakespeare?
???: Who is Shakespeare?
Author: Ugh, more Earth lessons for you it seems