The Pokémon Professor

Loads of high tech machinery fill the room surrounding you. Stepping in through the doorway you exit the bright sunlight of the day into the harsh clinical white lights of the Pokémon lab. Men and women in lab coats are rushing around the room talking and sharing notes, but in the back of the room chatting and facing away from you stands the man you met before, the Professor and his assistant Lucas.

The two are having a chat with Lucas laughing at something the professor said. Feeling awkward standing in the doorway you approach the Pokémon Professor. Your nerves causing fear to renew within you. The clinical atmosphere of the lab is doing nothing to relax you, and the fact that you are going largely unnoticed makes you feel small. As you approach the men, Lucas looks back over his shoulder and notices you.

"What a coincidence! Your friend just left!" Lucas says nodding in your direction his friendly demeanor and casual attitude begin to help you to relax. The professor turns to face you and you feel the same intimidating chill you felt when he looked at you before sweep over you. For a brief moment you question all of your life choices, that is until he smiles and speaks.

"Well hello there! Welcome to my Pokémon Lab. My name is Rowan but most people refer to me as the Pokémon Professor."

"I'm... uh... Dawn." Your response feels weak, but your nerves have yet to calm. "I'm sorry we took your Pokémon!" You shout bowing low in an apologetic manner to the professor. There is a pause before you hear a gentle chuckle.

"Raise your head, it's fine. You were attacked by wild Pokémon, in fact your friend Barry told us all about the situation. Can you release your Turtwig?" You feel your face heating in your embarrassment as you release the Pokémon. When the light from the Poke Ball fades Turtwig lets out a happy cry and moves almost protectively up against your leg. "Excellent! I'm glad to see you're a good trainer! He looks happy." Rowan pauses and nods. "You are welcome to keep him."

His decision fills you with joy. Maybe your first opinion of him was wrong. He seems very nice. "Really! Thank you so much! Do you hear that Turtwig? It looks like we get to be friends longer!" Turtwig smiles.

"Twiiig!" Rowan lets out a deep laugh as he sees you with your Pokémon.

"Actually..." Rowan speaks causing you to pause your moment of joy and look his way. "I do have a request. If you intend to explore the region and travel anyways, would you be willing to take this with you?" Rowan holds out a brand new shiny Pokedex. "It's a Pokedex, a device that automatically records information on the different Pokémon you encounter. With it comes many benefits, staying in Pokémon Centers will be free, and you will have a handy machine filled with useful information."

"But, there are some negatives." Lucas interjects.

"Indeed there are, carrying this means other trainers will recognize you as an official trainer, which means you will have more trainers challenging you. I'm sure you well know the dangers of that." You nod, the Pokémon Center Discount alone would make your travels far easier. "And you would need to fill the Pokedex for me, by seeking out some of the more rare Pokémon. Is that acceptable to you?" You swallow hard. After gifting you your Turtwig you can hardly turn his request down, it would be rude. Not to mention there's the increased threat of loss. But the device would be very useful indeed outside of these factors. You shake your head to clear your thoughts, your hair falling in your face a bit.

You push your hair aside and you make your decision.