Pokemon: The Scientist’s Rebirth

----The Next Day----

Ethan was making his way towards Jacob to report in for his today's morning duties when a sudden voice reverberating in his mind.

"Ethan, Professor Oak requests your presence in his office. Please come immediately."

It was Alakazam. The first time it had spoken to him telepathically, Ethan had stumbled, overwhelmed by the alien sensation of a voice bypassing his ears and going straight to his thoughts. Now, though, he barely flinched. Alakazam was more than just another psychic Pokémon—it was the super intelligent personal assistant of Professor Oak. Every task, from security to logistics in Oak Coral, flowed through its meticulous mind.

As Ethan made his way to Oak's office, he witnessed researchers scurrying about, heads bent over tablets and datapads. Assistants hurrying between labs, followed by Pokémon carrying supplies.

Through the glass window he was walking by he saw a quick flicker of a massive shadow flying by. "It's likely either Charizard or Dagonite." Ethan thought. Those two were part of Oak's original team and now served as guardians of the Pallet PokeRanch, patrolling the skies and ensuring peace in the sanctuary.

Ethan also recalled one of the Venusaur he had observed the previous day, peacefully basking in the sunlight. Jacob had mentioned that this Venusaur was also a member of Professor Oak's original team and the mother of the Bulbasaur Ethan had recently befriended.

The door to Oak's office slid open as he approached, revealing the professor sitting behind his desk, fingers steepled in front of him. His expression was thoughtful, almost grim.

"Good morning, Ethan," Oak greeted, gesturing to a chair across from him. "Come in and sit down."

"Is something wrong, Professor?" Ethan asked noticing the unease in Oak's tone.

Oak sighed heavily. "I've received word from the League about the investigation into your friends kidnapping. I'm afraid the news isn't what we hoped."

Ethan's sighed. "They didn't find them, did they?"

"No." Oak shook his head. "We've found no trace of the other children. But based on interrogation of the orphanage staff, we have confirmed that it was Team Rocket behind the kidnapping."

Ethan's clenched his teeth recalling the torment he had to go through because of Team Rocket.

Oak continued, "The children were likely taken to be trained as future operatives. Unfortunately, it's been over a month now. The chances of finding them safe, have greatly diminished. So the League has decided to temporarily suspend the search."

 "So, they're giving up?". Ethan flatly questioned.

"They're not giving up entirely," Oak reassured him. "Thanks to the information you provided—specifically about being taken along the forest in Route 1— the League believes they've narrowed down the possible location of Hell's Crucible—a rumored island where Team Rocket trains its recruits. If another incident like this happens, the League will be ready to catch them before they know what hit them."

Ethan nodded with a stoic face.

"What happens now?" Ethan asked after a long pause. "Do I have to go back to the orphanage?"

Oak leaned back in his chair. "The orphanage is now under new management. The former staff have been arrested and are being brought to justice. The League has personally vetted the new caretakers, who are now looking after the younger children at the orphanage. So, if you'd like to return to the Viridian Orphanage, you can."

Ethan stared at the floor. "I don't want to go back," he said softly. "Even before all this... my life there wasn't great. I can't remember everything clearly—maybe because of the head injury—but I remember enough to know it was dark. Going back would probably bring back the memories my mind is working so hard to suppress."

Oak regarded him thoughtfully. "And what do you want to do instead?"

"I want to stay here, If possible." Ethan said firmly. "I want to be a Pokémon researcher. Like you."

Oak steepled his fingers again, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Ethan, I've been considering your request carefully. Normally, only those who are 18 or older can apply for the scholarship test of Oak coral to secure a place here. It's a rigorous process, and only a few make it. However," Oak paused, meeting Ethan's eyes, "in your case, I'm willing to make an exception."

Ethan's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"

Oak smiled, though his tone remained serious. "Jacob spoke highly of you. He mentioned how you helped that Bulbasaur yesterday—a problem that even he, a Junior Breeder, found challenging. According to him, even if you don't have the potential to be a researcher, you definitely have what it takes to be a good breeder. And Oak Coral needs skilled breeders as much as it needs researchers. So, investing in you wouldn't be a loss."

Ethan exhaled in relief, a smile breaking across his face. "Thank you, Professor. I won't let you down."

Oak nodded but raised a hand to halt Ethan's enthusiasm. "However, there's one issue we need to address—your housing."

Ethan frowned slightly. "Housing?"

"Yes," Oak sighed. "The employee housing at Oak Coral is already full. We're planning to expand, but it will take time. Assigning you a dorm room now would cause dissatisfaction among the staff, especially since many are already on a waiting list and are paying rent to live in Pallet Town. You, on the other hand, are not yet an official recruit of Oak coral."

"I understand," Ethan said, nodding.

"You also can't continue staying in the medical wing," Oak added. "It's meant for those in need of serious care, and long-term residency there isn't viable.".

Ethan thought for a moment before replying confidently, "Professor, don't worry about my housing. I'll find a place in Pallet Town."

Oak's brows furrowed slightly. "Are you sure? Finding affordable housing might not be easy."

"I'll manage," Ethan assured him

Oak considered this, then reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small pouch of Pokécoins. "Take this. It's your wage for the errands you've done around Oak Coral over the past month. It should help with rent."

Ethan accepted the pouch, his smile grateful. "Thank you, Professor. This means a lot."

"You've earned it," Oak said, leaning back in his chair. "Now, tell me—how exactly did you convince that Bulbasaur to start eating?"

Ethan grinned, recalling the encounter. "I noticed that, despite not eating for days, the Bulbasaur's fat remained intact, and it only lost energy. It seemed like whatever energy it had was being used to maintain its fat deposits. Normally, the body burns fat when in a calorie deficit, but this was the opposite. This phenomenon has only been documented in Pokémon with the Thick Fat ability. Based on that, I was over 90% sure the Bulbasaur had the same ability."

Oak's eyes lit up with interest. "Thick Fat? That's an unusual ability for a Bulbasaur."

"I know," Ethan nodded. "So I simply convinced the Bulbasaur that its fat was an advantage—something that would make it stronger. Especially for a Grass-type Pokémon like it. I encouraged it to eat more to grow even stronger."

Oak chuckled. "Impressive deduction. You have a keen eye, Ethan."

He leaned forward, a spark of admiration in his eyes. "You know, now I'm convinced Jacob was wrong—you're more suited for research than breeding."

Ethan smiled, feeling a deep sense of smugness.