Chapter 6 – A Big Surprise

Viridian City Pokémon Center, Age 15

While Spearow was being taken care of by Nurse Joy, I was waiting with my two Pokémon and playing with my Pokédex. Just holding it made me remember glimpses of my past life where I was playing with my smartphone. I pointed it towards my partner first.

"Eevee, the Evolution Pokémon. Due to its irregularly configured DNA, it can adapt to its environment by changing its form and abilities. Even Eevee's face starts to resemble its Trainer's."

The AI had a strangely feminine voice. I then pointed it at Bulbasaur.

"Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon. It can go for days without eating a single morsel thanks to the nutrients that are stored in the bulb on its back. That plant seed grows and sprouts with Bulbasaur."

"Mmm, I don't think our faces look alike, what do you think, Eevee?"

"Eeee" he grunted while rolling his eyes. I chuckled; he learned that behaviour from Bulbasaur.

"I'm reading other facts and findings, and no where it says that cheese or coffee are bad for you two, but at the same time, it doesn't say that it's good either" I drawled on teasingly.

Immediately, my two companions started to protest loudly while I was holding my laughter in.

"Chansey" I heard behind me.

The Center's Chansey motioned for me to follow her. Spearow's treatment was probably finished. As I approached the designated ward, I saw Nurse Joy waiting for me.

"So Nurse Joy, how is Spearow?" I inquired.

"It will be alright. It was a simple case of paralysis caused by an electric attack. I am actually surprised that it is able to fly" she said.

"Well, paralysis hinders movement but doesn't immobilise completely. It's not as if it's frozen" I reminded her.

"No, no. That's not what I meant" she shook her head.

"This Spearow is very young. Based on its beak, nails, and feathers, it probably hatched just a few days ago. Most bird Pokémon cannot fly so soon."

I was dumbfounded.

"It's a baby? But…isn't it like…average sized?" I stammered, not understanding the situation. Nurse Joy nodded with a small smile.

"It is indeed close to the size and weight of an average adult Spearow. Which means what you rescued is a recently hatched Pokémon with the Giant gene."

I stood there, dumbfounded.

A giant Spearow. I found a giant baby Spearow. I couldn't believe it. While giant Pokémon were not as rare as shiny ones, they were still uncommon. According to a few studies, that was mostly due to their own group killing them in infancy, usually by its leader to protect its position.

I had to decide whether to capture that Spearow or not. Spearow was not a Pokémon that I had planned to train after all, but if it'll become a giant later…

"Can I keep it?" I asked Nurse Joy.

She nodded with a smile.

"I was hoping you would. When an injured baby Pokémon is brought to the Center, and its parents or trainer are nowhere to be found, our policy mandates that we keep it until it can survive on its own. However, a giant Pokémon, regardless of its circumstances, has its own set of regulations; namely it is imperative to contact the rangers for them to take it in their custody, which usually involves placing it in a reserve to be kept under observation. It is hardly ideal, especially for a baby. At this age, change in environment, without a solid support, could result in a severe amount of stress" she explained with a serious expression.

"Unfortunately, once a giant Pokémon is identified, it cannot be released back to where it was found. Aside from the danger to itself, its presence could damage its environment, unless if the area is already populated with other giants. Medically speaking, you taking Spearow in would be better for it in the long term" she finished.

I took a deep breath, my mind made up.

"Alright, should I catch it now or wait until its fully recovered?" I asked her.

"Now is a good time. It was only mildly injured. It did not receive the electric attack head-on but simply brushed with it. That, combined with it's young age, was enough to cause paralysis. It probably got scared and tried to fly as far as it could from the source of the attack. I confirmed it fainted due to roughly landing on the ground" Nurse Joy reassured me as we went to where Spearow was.

Once we reached the room, I could see the bird trying to fly while crying (crying as in a bird's cry, not shedding tears). Despite looking completely okay, it seemed it couldn't take off the ground. It was probably adrenaline that enabled it to fly all the way to Viridian City.

"Hello Spearow" I said, getting it's attention. It turned and narrowed its eyes at me.

"You look good." I wondered if it understood me, it was a baby after all.

"I'm going to explain something to you, and I need you to listen carefully" I tried to be as serious as possible.

"I'm going on a journey with my two Pokémon here. We're going to challenge many different trainers, and battle against many different Pokémon. We'll continue doing so until we become the strongest" I stated, looking straight in its eyes.

"I want you on my team. Are you interested?"

Spearow didn't reply. It kept looking at me. We stayed quiet for a few minutes, until Eevee and Bulbasaur approached it, and calmly spoke with it.

Spearow's POV

While I did not understand everything that human said, I think I got it. He wanted to become my leader. It was weird. My mother told me and my siblings that humans never asked before making us their slaves. They would attack us without warning, and when we're beaten and in pain, they would capture us with those round objects, and make us obey them forever. We were always told to either run away or fight back with everything we have. We were also told it was easier to do so if we stayed in a group.

"You can trust him" the grey four-legged furry said.

"We understand all this is strange to you, but it is in your best interest to take his offer" the green one told me.

"You don't scare me" I replied to the latter's threat.

"We're not threatening you. We're giving you a piece of advice. The female human told us that if our master does not take you in, she'll send you someplace far away, where you'll never be seen again" he said.

"You said you're not threatening me?"

"We're not the ones who would do it. It's the other humans" the grey one said.

"Why? Why can't I go home?"

"Because you're too big" the green plant bluntly said.

"What?"

"You're too big for your group. You're going to keep growing bigger and bigger until you become a bother to the other Spearows. You'll be lucky if you survive the next few weeks. Your leader won't let you grow up to challenge them, and if they did, you're going to eat so much, other Pokémon might starve because of you. The humans won't let you threaten them with your presence"

I couldn't say anything back. I knew I was bigger than my siblings, but I thought I just grew up faster. Now this plant is telling me that I'm going to become a pest.

"It's a fact of life for us, Pokémon" the grey one said.

"We do not control how or where we are born. We do not live our lives without change, and humans are a big part of that change. It is not fair, but I promise you; you'll be okay with us. You'll be okay with him" the grey one pointed his nose to the male human.

You'll be okay.

That was what that human said when I was alone in the rain, and I could barely move. I remembered how warm he was when he took me in his arms. I looked at him. He hadn't move since he spoke to me.

Normal POV

"Spear…row" it said with a hesitant nod.

"Alright!" I replied happily. I pulled up a PokéBall, and touch Spearow with it. It went inside without a hassle. Immediately after the sound confirming its capture, I brought it out so it could spent as much time as possible with the whole team.

"Welcome Spearow. We're glad to have you with us" I told him.

"Spear" it replied.

I took out my Pokédex to scan my new Pokémon.

"Spearow, the Tiny Bird Pokémon. Its reckless nature leads it to stand up to even large Pokémon. While Spearow cannot fly long distances due to its short wings, it can move around very fast."

Tiny bird, how ironic. Let's see… Spearow is male, the moves he knows are Peck, and Leer, as expected.

"Let us be off, guys" I addressed the group of Pokémon. Bulbasaur used his vines to place Spearow on Eevee's back. My two eldest seemed to have decided to take care of the youngest. I pictured a very-tall-for-his-age young boy with his smaller older brothers.

"Kenta, your Spearow should be able to fly like a regular flying type in about a week or so, I'll send you a detailed plan by email on how best to raise him" Nurse Joy informed me.

It was one of those moments where I internally congratulated myself in maintaining a good relationship my city's Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy often went above her responsibilities for trainers she trusted. My careful attention to my Pokémon's health as well as my regular visit to the Center has earned me her personal stamp of approval.

"Thank you, Nurse Joy, for everything" I told the medical specialist.

"You're welcome, Kenta. Thank you for taking care of Spearow" she smiled warmly at me.

I nodded at her, and left the Center. I looked at the sky; the rain had cleared and it was already late afternoon. I silently walked back to my house while my now three Pokémon were chatting excitedly. I also wanted to talk with Spearow more, and bond with him, but it was more important for my Pokémon to form a strong connection with each other, especially when welcoming a new member.

On the way, I saw Officer Jenny's motorcycle going at crazy speed, and in the sidecar was a certain passenger carrying a Pikachu in his arms. He was so focused on his injured Pokémon that he didn't see me staring at them as they pass by. I didn't stop walking, and instead started thinking of the next steps.

Tonight, Ash would meet Team Rocket, who after failing to steal anything, would result in their unhealthy obsession with Pikachu. I did not envy Ash at all, being stalked by those cartoonish villains.

In any case, I will start my journey very soon. I remembered a few stories I've read about the reincarnated protagonist being terrified of changing the plot and making things worse. Then proceeded to feel all guilty, believing to be the reason for everything that is wrong with the world. I confess these characters were exhausting to read about. When I thought about the possibility of this happening to me, despite Arceus' reassurance, I thought to myself; why don't I just start my journey after Ash? Not too late to miss all the opportunities the anime showed but not too early to cause potential problems.

With Spearow's capture, and the matter of his age, I had the perfect incentive to delay my departure. In about a week, Spearow would be able to fly; that would be my cue to leave. Perhaps my meeting with Spearow was Arceus' sign that he approved of my plan. Perhaps.

When I reached home, I introduced my new Pokémon to my grandparents, and explained his circumstances to them. I also informed them that I will leave home for my journey within the next two weeks. My grandparents listened and acquiesced my decisions. They welcomed Spearow the same way they did with Eevee and Bulbasaur. My grandmother was especially gentle since I informed her of Spearow's age. My grandfather simply stayed quiet, willing to show more patience towards a baby.

We then had dinner together. I gave my Pokémon the food that suited them best, including the soft pellets that I purchased at the Pokémon Center for Spearow. After eating, I went to shower with all three of my Pokémon. While Eevee and Bulbasaur were used to it, Spearow showed a lot of reticence. It took a lot of encouragement from my two eldest to convince him to let me wash him. At first, he was on edge, but then the warm water, alongside the fruity scent of the Pokémon soap, helped him relax, and eventually, he started enjoying splashing in the bathtub. After that, we spent a few hours talking; I explained to Spearow my plans for him and our team. He was attentive to my words, which made me optimistic for our future. We went to bed afterwards. It was a little cramped with all four of us in my futon, but we managed. I wanted Spearow's first night with us to be warm and relaxing. It might have been due to all the events that occurred today, but Spearow went to sleep almost immediately. The rest of us joined him soon after.

I was woken up by the sound of a large explosion. I mentally kicked myself. I had remembered Ash would have his first battle with Team Rocket and emerge victorious, but I had forgotten the details of that skirmish until now. The Pokémon Center, which was a special place to me, had been destroyed. While it was fortunate that there would be no casualties, I could not sleep anymore, not without imagining the state of the Center and feeling frustrated.

Suddenly I felt something warm and fluffy snuggle my neck, I snapped out of my thoughts to find Eevee looking at me with concern in his eyes. Bulbasaur had awoken from the sound as well, and was staring at me, expecting me to give him an instruction. Spearow on the other hand was out like a light, probably too exhausted to be woken up, even by such a loud noise.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I started to think rationally; even if I went there, there would be nothing I could do, except join the inevitable curious mob of Viridian citizens who would gather around the site of the explosion. The police would not let anyone pass their security measures, and would only provide information to the media after everything was over.

I leaned back on my bed and spoke to my Pokémon.

"Alright. We'll deal with this matter in the morning."

"Eee", "Bulba." I heard back and felt them laying on me to resume sleeping. Surprisingly, it didn't take long for me to doze off.