EPISODE 3:
THE POKEMON PROFESSOR
Day 1 Afternoon-Evening
Excited by his new prospects as a Pokemon trainer, Roy spent the remainder of the day training at the Express. He and Orville battled and defeated many wild Pokemon, from the Flying Type Churbin to the Bug Type Burcoa to even more Pacin. Roy could feel Orville growing stronger with every single battle. At one point, a nearby trainer, overhearing Roy shouting "ICE ATTACK" at Orville over and over again, came over to clarify that the move was in fact called "Icy Wind". Roy was a little embarrassed but also very grateful for the clarification.
As the heat of the day began to subside, Roy finally felt his and Orville's fatigue. The sun was just beginning to set and they would soon lose the light. Roy decided that it was about time that they returned to town to get some rest.
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Roy arrived back at the professor's lab about an hour after the sun had set. The warm stroll back was the perfect way to end his first day as a trainer. The moon was smiling down on him, proud of what he had accomplished.
As the doors of the lab slid open, Roy felt a rush of cool conditioned air come at him from inside. His skin panged at the movement, and Roy realized that he had a minor sunburn that reddened his face. Roy wore the burn like a badge of honor for a hard day's work.
Professor Blackthorn had offered him and the other immune kids room and board while they were establishing themselves as trainers, which was very generous of her. She was a kind woman, but Roy was intimidated by her. Blackthorn was so well versed in all things Pokemon, and Roy was comparatively clueless. He admired her, and didn't want her to think poorly of him.
Roy began retracing his steps from the tour they had taken earlier to find the bunk.
"Roy?" a voice called out from behind him.
Roy whipped around. He could see somebody standing at the opposite end of the hall. It was the professor!
"H-hello professor!" he responded, stuttering a bit. She made him nervous. "T-thanks again for this opportunity."
She approached him. Her dark hair was tied up behind her head, exposing a warm smile and a soft, glasses wearing face. Her lab coat fluttered behind her.
She crouched down to Roy's eye level.
"This isn't because of me," she said. "This is all because of you. You made this opportunity for yourself."
Roy blushed a bit and chuckled. "It certainly doesn't feel that way."
"Listen," she started. "I believe that you and the others are immune for a very special reason. We're not sure exactly what that reason is, but I am positive that you deserve this gift."
This reassured Roy.
Immune.
The word echoed in Roy's head again.
"Professor," Roy began, timidly. "I have to tell you something. Honest."
Roy sighed.
"I don't know the first thing about Pokemon."
The professor was charmed, then thought for a moment. She seemed to have an idea. "Come with me Roy."
She beckoned for him to follow, and he obeyed. The two started walking back the way that the professor had came, and within a few moments were upon a doorway.
Roy looked at the professor, unsure. She took out a key, and unlocked the door, opening it without entering. The room was pitch black, and Roy couldn't make out a single thing inside.
"After you." she said, gleefully.
Roy entered, and the professor followed. He could feel the ground shift from tiling to carpet, but beyond that, could not identify anything about the room. The professor shut the door behind them, and their room was cast in complete blackness.
Roy was a little scared.
Blackthorn flipped the light switch, illuminating the room.
Vast shelves of books and documents lined the rustically decorated room. Leather chairs and wooden desks filled the empty space. This room, at stark contrast to the rest of the lab, was cozy, warm, and homely.
"This is my private study," the professor said, walking into the center of the room with a little twirl. She sure had showmanship. "This is where I come to think when I'm not working in the lab or in the field."
Roy looked all around him, astounded. He had never seen so many books in one place.
Blackthorn was glad that Roy appreciated it. She walked up to one of the shelves, and traced her fingers along the bindings. With a joyful hop, she removed an old wine colored book and gave it to Roy.
Roy examined it. The cover was worn and a bit dusty, and the pages were yellowed by time and use. It smelt musty. Roy flipped it on its side to look at the binding.
It read,
"Trainer's Field Guide" with the subtext
"Everything A Young Pokemon Trainer Needs To Know".
Roy looked up at the professor, grinning big with appreciation. "Thank you! This is perfect."
Blackthorn smiled. "That was mine when I was a girl. Take good care of it." she paused. "And bring it back when you've saved Veriti."
Roy laughed, tearing up a little bit, and hugged her.
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Roy entered the bunks. He greeted everyone else in there, then claimed an empty bed by throwing his bag on top of it. Roy unzipped the large pocket, and removed a flashlight, Orville's ball, and the Trainer's Field Guide. He placed all of it on the bedstand, right next to where he'd be sleeping.
Roy undressed himself and slipped under the cool, paper light covers. He grabbed the book and the flashlight, and right before he settled in and started reading, Roy leaned over to the Pokeball and whispered,
"Good night Orville. Tomorrow, we take on the Gym Leader."