(OOC: Here we have it, my first post! Hope it's not too long.)
It was another day in Hatchery Town and the thick, pungent smell of fish caked the area. It carried across the fields and through the streets, wafting onto the path of a carriage traveling down the dirt road. It made its way through open windows and into the passenger's area. Robin Finger soon found himself gagging on the sudden change in odor and covered his nose in displeasure.
While doing his best to keep his nostrils closed and breathe through his mouth, he looked over to his elder brother William who didn't seem to mind the terrible smell. He sat there with a pleasant smile on his face that, to Robin, didn't make this situation anything but. He didn't have any idea what was in store for him, and he hated having to guess.
When he had received William's message at the gym, Robin wasn't sure what to make of it. He hadn't seen his brother since their father had passed away and he never wrote him, least of all what he did at that fancy university he attended. All the young prizefighter knew was that is was something about a "job", offering few details as to what it was. When he had then met his brother at the ship they would be traveling on to the Buhar region, he was given no answers then either, leaving him to further stew silently in frustration.
After having traveled by carriage for several days, Robin asked for about the hundredth time, "You mind tellin' me what you're draggin' me into, for once?"
"I thought I told you," William politely answered, "it's about a job."
Robin retorted, "Yeah, but you never told me what's what. You've been stringing me along since you suddenly decide to pop back up after all this time, and I've gone along with it. I think I least deserve to know why you had me leave the ring."
"You never were very patient, were you? Care to engage in some small talk first?" William said, but looked that his brother was not terribly amused. "Fair enough."
William leaned in towards his brother and said, "I had overheard at the university about a professor who lives in this town. He's a man who has done great research into the fields of biology, and a collector of some unique specimens. He had recently announced he would be offering positions to new trainers."
"Trainin', for what, like animals?" Robin responded, "What's this got to do with me?"
"I'd like you take on the position for me," Before his brother could protest, William continued, "I had been very excited when I heard the news, but the work involved would take the trainer across the region. With my work at the university, I cannot afford the time for it."
Robin spoke out, "So you want me to do this for you? That's just bull, Bill. Why should I do anythin' just 'cause you dragged me out here for-"
"I had thought this would be a good opportunity for you, a new focus to direct all your energy into. I've seen how hard you've had to fight back home, to keep yourself stable and make use of what he gave us. I want to help you, Robin; this could be the start of something wonderful for you!"
Robin furrowed his brow, but still he listened to what his brother had to say. He had a passion for fighting but after the time he'd spent in the circuit, he felt like there was something empty about it. In reality, he'd only ever scraped by on a bare minimum of what his managers' paid him, he didn't want to have rely on others for so little. William was offering him way out, from his point of view, and he was family, the only one of his kin. Why would he ever lie to him?
After a brief moment of silence, Robin looked back up, "I'm tellin' ya this right now, I ain't
good with pets."
William smiled again, "I think you'll change your mind when you have to see- right now."
At that the carriage came to a slow stop. The driver stepped down from the front and opened the door for Robin. The young man looked out of the cabin to the top of steep hill and the house that was sat at its very summit. His attention was shifted back towards William, who handed him an envelope and a small journal.
"Here are some funds to help keep you afloat on your journey. It's not much, so spend it wisely. I would like to you keep a log of your travels, so I may look over your progress.
If you ever need to contact me, my address at the university is written on the front cover." William explained, without pause for a breath.
Robin looked back him confused, "What are you talkin' about? And what are we doin' here for?"
"That is the laboratory of Professor Cotton, the man I was telling you about," His brother answered, "he'll be the one you want to see and will prepare you for your journey."
"Journey? What the hell do you mean-"
Before he had a chance to respond, William spoke out again, "It wouldn't be a personal experience if I gave you all the answers, little Robin. I wish you best of the luck, brother."
With that, his brother closed the door to him and the carriage took off down the dusty road, leaving a confused Robin to ponder what had just happened to him.
"… the next time I see him, I'm gonna force-feed'm a knuckle sandwich, extra fist." He muttered to no one but himself.
With nothing better for him to do, the young man started the climb up the hillside, eventually reaching the house at the top. As he prepared to knock upon the door with a padded-wrapped hand, it flung open to reveal a strange old man on the other side. He was nearly eye-level with Robin, staring him right in the face behind a large pair of spectacles and considerable tuft of a moustache.
"Who are you?" The old man demanded, "Are you deaf? I'll say it again; who are you?"
Robin was slightly taken back by his abrupt appearance, but he then answered, "… er, m-my name's Robin."
"What? Speak up? Don't mumble, I can't hear a word you are saying." The old man berated him.
"My name is Robin Finger," Robin said loudly, "are you Professor Cotton? My brother William told me-"
The old man interrupted him, "Oh yes, right, William. You're his brother now, are you? He told me you'd be coming by. I'd thought you'd be taller."
Before Robin had a moment to retort about being 'taller', the old man walked back inside of the house, "Well what you're standing out there for? Come in, come in, there's no time to dawdle."
Robin followed the old man into his home, taking a look around. Having looked small on the outside, it's inside seemed almost miniscule with the amount of clutter and objects that were crammed into it. Huge bookcases towered over the place, filled with hundreds upon thousands of collected tomes. Many others were piled about in large clumps, forcing the young man to carefully sidestep around precarious corners of large texts, not to mention desks of papers, test tubes and other scientific equipment Robin had no knowledge of even existing. Most prominent were the large clouds of steam that seemed to be everywhere, obscuring Robin's vision. He nearly jumped from out of his spats and into a case behind him when the old man had suddenly popped up from when he had disappeared into his mess of a house.
"To answer your question, yes, I am the Professor you've been told of. Your brother had told me about you, believe you'd be capable of being a fine trainer. Here, take this," The professor then took Robin's hands and placed a large, red-and-white ball in his palm. It had a round button in its center and four small holes on its body. "Press the button."
Robin looked at the object he was handed over and could not determine what it was. Following the professor's instructions, he pushed the button in the center. Jets of steam then poured out of the ball as it then opened up and a small object was let out and grew into form. After the vapor had cleared and he could see again, Robin was flabbergasted at what he was then witness to. The thing released from the ball continued forming until it became a small, orange-furred, humanoid creature!
"What? How? When did- what?" Robin stammered, trying to find the right words to express his disbelief. They never came to him.
Professor Cotton sighed, "Your brother's description was rather accurate… because you have no prior knowledge, allow me to explain. This creature is called a Chimchar, a fire ape. Note the flame produced on its rear. There are many creatures like Chimchar, with many different and extraordinary powers. Many men capture these animals and train them, make them do battle with others, in contests of skill. Those like myself perform research to learn about and discover new information about them, for the benefits of society. I am currently giving potential candidates creatures to own like these and become trainers themselves."
After listening to the ramblings of the old man, Robin slowly formed a response, "… and, and that's why you wanted me here? You want me to train this little… monkey? To teach it to fight?"
"Yes, as I had explained before," The professor retorted, "must I repeat myself? Now, you must also take these." He then forced into Robin's hands more of the red-and-white objects and a humongous, leather-bound book.
"Those are devices you will use to capture creatures, which are called Pokeballs. You open them by pressing the round button, which emits the steam from inside and keeps your creature inside." He explained. Before Robin could ask how, he continued on, "The book you are holding is a complete record of all encyclopedic knowledge pertaining to the many different creatures on catalogue. I call it a Pokedex. Now that's all been settled, you may go."
Robin just stood there dumbfounded, completely at loss of what he was doing, with Pokeballs in one hand, Pokedex in the other, journal cradled under his arm, and a flaming chimp at his feet. The professor shouted, "Well what are you waiting for? I cannot give you any other directions, I have important work to do! Now out! Out, out, out, out!"
Professor Cotton quickly pushed Robin and his belongings through the door and out of his laboratory, with Chimchar following close behind him. Slamming the door, the young man was left to pick himself up off of the ground. He sighed heavily and muttered, "Thanks there, Bill, Professor… how'd I'd get involved in this mess, anyway?"
