Pokemon Scientist

Like being constrained by a ghost, Allen could only hope this was some bizarre nightmare. But no matter how much he willed himself to wake up, the cold reality remained. He couldn't help but stare at the sky in a daze.

There were no reference books, no research papers, no laptop. Even his Nintendo DS and entire Pokémon collection—gone. It was just him and the endless sky above.

The dream felt disturbingly real.

'No wonder they say not to play on your phone while it's charging...'

Allen groaned—or at least, he thought he did. In reality, all that escaped his lips was an unintelligible mumble. That's when it hit him—something was very wrong.

He tried to move, to get up, to assess his surroundings, but to his horror, his body wouldn't respond. He had never felt so small.

So weak.

The only thing he knew for sure? He was wrapped snugly in a white blanket, tucked inside what appeared to be a basket.

Wait a minute...

A creeping sense of dread coiled around his mind. His instincts screamed at him to say something, to yell for help.

Instead—

"WAAAAAHHHH!!!"

A shrill, ear-piercing cry burst out of him.

He froze.

What the hell was that?!

Before he could process the situation, his tiny body betrayed him again. The more he panicked, the louder he cried, wailing uncontrollably like… like a baby.

And that's when it finally, finally sank in.

He was a baby.

It was going to be a very long journey.

Celestic Town was a small, ancient settlement that had preserved the rich history and traditions of Sinnoh for generations.

Known as one of the oldest and smallest towns in the region, it had stood the test of time, maintaining and preserve its old-world charm even as the world around it evolved. Preservation did not mean isolation, though.

While many of the town's residents remained deeply rooted in tradition, others had embraced the advancements of the modern world.

Some homes were built in the traditional style, with thatched roofs and timber walls, while others had been modestly modernized with newer materials, creating a unique blend of past and present.

The cobblestone streets of Celestic Town were cracked and uneven, worn by time, yet they carried the whispers of history.

At the heart of the town stood a small shrine, a relic of legends long past, where stories of ancient events lingered like ghosts in the wind. From this vantage point, the vast eastern continent of Sinnoh stretched endlessly beyond, often obscured by the sullen grey clouds that loomed over the mountaintop.

Celestic Town's devotion to tradition left it sparsely populated, but it also fostered a close-knit community where everyone knew each other—inside and out.

This morning, however, the town's usual tranquility had been shattered.

News had spread quickly: a baby had been found at the village entrance late last night, swaddled in nothing more than a thin blanket.

The older generation was particularly shaken.

They had seen Pokémon abandoned before, but a human baby?

The very thought was unthinkable. Concern rippled through the town, replacing the usual serenity with hushed conversations and anxious glances.

By mid-morning, the commotion had reached Professor Carolina, the esteemed head of the Celestic Town Historical Research Center.

As a woman who had raised a granddaughter of her own, the thought of a defenseless child abandoned in such a way disturbed her deeply. Wasting no time, she set out to investigate.

With the crowd growing too large, the shrine became the natural gathering place.

An elder cradled the baby in her arms while Professor Carolina paced back and forth, making calls to gather information.

"Coochie-coochie-koo! Are you a little superstar? Boo-boo—"

"Drayton! What are you doing? You're scaring him!"

The gathering had turned into an unexpected spectacle as Elder Drayton and Elder Dracelia bickered over who should hold the baby.

The younger generation stifled their laughter, watching the two elders with amusement. In Celestic Town, respect for the elders wasn't just a matter of age—it was earned through wisdom, experience, and the legacy they left behind.

The two, in particular, were well-known not only for their seniority but also for having raised a granddaughter who later became a member of the Kalos Elite Four, specializing in Dragon-type Pokémon.

Meanwhile, Professor Carolina remained focused, her brow furrowed as she spoke into her phone.

"Nothing? Check again. Start by going through the birth records of nearby towns and cities from the last few months. Look for discrepancies—families who may not have registered their child properly. Thank you."

Hanging up, she turned to her subordinates.

"Speak to the locals. Ask if anyone noticed anything unusual last night. Any strange sounds or movements."

Her assistant approached. "Professor, should we contact the Pokémon Center and local authorities?"

"Yes," she nodded. "See if any families have recently visited and reported a missing baby or anything similar."

As they hurried off, Professor Carolina turned back to the baby.

Nestled securely in Grandma Dracelia's arms, the infant was unusually quiet, his wide eyes taking in the world around him.

For Allen, though his vision was still blurry, he seemed to recognize the voices and movements surrounding him. His tiny fingers wiggled, reaching out instinctively, and when Professor Carolina spoke, his gaze shifted toward her.

Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, the baby stretched his tiny hand toward her, his little fingers opening and closing as if reaching for something familiar.

Professor Carolina's heart melted. With a warm smile, she reached out and gently cradled the child in her arms.

Just as she held him close, an unexpected wail pierced the air—loud and demanding, as if someone else was very, very unhappy with this arrangement.

"Oh dear," Grandma Dracelia chuckled, scooping the baby back into her arms. "It seems Cynthia is jealous!"

Sure enough, the moment Allen was returned, a other baby—a baby girl, to be exact, with adorably chubby cheeks and a head of glaringly bright, spiky blonde hair—began to fuss, her tiny face scrunching up in protest.

Professor Carolina let out a soft laugh, brushing a stray golden lock from her granddaughter's forehead. "You really are an impatient little one, aren't you?" she murmured affectionately.

The moment Cynthia felt the gentle touch, her cries softened into quiet hiccups. She blinked up at her grandmother with big, watery eyes before snuggling into her chest, soothed by the familiar warmth.

Allen, now back in Grandma Dracelia's arms, let out a tiny sneeze before yawning, his little body curling up contentedly.

The townspeople exchanged amused smiles. Even at this young age, it seemed the two babies already had strong personalities.

"Professor! Elder!"

A voice rang through the shrine as a young man burst inside, his breath coming in hurried gasps.

All eyes turned to him.

"What is it?" Professor Carolina asked, stepping forward.

"I… I found something! Look at this!" The youth held up a crumpled letter.

Professor Carolina's brow furrowed. Grandma Dracelia instinctively held the baby closer.

"A letter?" she asked.

The young man nodded, catching his breath. "I found it near the village entrance, where the baby was left. It must have been blown into the bushes by the wind. No one noticed it before."

Carefully, Professor Carolina unfolded the paper. The handwriting was neat, but the words carried a heavy weight.

_____________________

Dear Allen,

On behalf of your family, we extend our deepest sympathy for the tragic loss of your parents. They devoted their lives to patriotic service, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to care for you. Please forgive us for leaving you in this way. We pray that whoever finds you will provide the love and care we could not.

To whoever finds this child, we entrust Allen to your care with heavy hearts. Enclosed, you will find the necessary documents and also some belongings left behind by Allen's parents. Please raise him well.

With our deepest regrets and best wishes,Friends of Buffet's family

_____________________

"Allen…" Professor Carolina whispered, letting the name linger in the air.

The mention of "patriotic service" hinted at the child's origins. Whoever had left him here must have done so out of desperation. But if they mentioned documents—especially one left by his parents—then perhaps there were more clues to uncover.

"Check the baby's basket," she instructed. "See if anything else was left behind."

A moment later, someone carefully lifted the soft blanket inside the woven basket, revealing a hidden compartment beneath.

It was fortunate—perhaps even miraculous—that Allen had been found by the townsfolk first, rather than a criminal or a dangerous Pokémon. Yet, it was clear that whoever had abandoned him had done so with careful thought.

They must have known Sinnoh well, choosing Celestic Town specifically—a place known for its safety first. Well, of course no one would gain anything by targeting such an outdated and poor town.

Inside the compartment, neatly folded and carefully tucked away were several documents: a birth certificate, health records, Sinnoh citizenship registration, and—curiously—a single Pokéball.

Professor Carolina frowned. "A Pokéball?"