Pokemon Scientist

It wasn't so different from the baby ceremonies he had known. The child would choose one item from the array in front of them, and the selection would be interpreted to reveal traits or paths the child might follow in the future.

For families that held traditional values close, this moment was deeply significant. It was a way to glimpse the future and imagine the possibilities that lay ahead for their children. People eagerly anticipated the moment.

Professor Carolina gently set Cynthia down before the table, her heart racing with a mix of hope and curiosity. As the baby girl wobbled, the crowd fell silent, their eyes glued to her.

Everyone watched, transfixed, as her tiny fingers hovered above the Pokéball, then moved toward the ribbon, and back again.

She paused, suddenly glancing back over her shoulder, her big, round eyes searching for reassurance from her grandmother. Professor Carolina gave her an encouraging nod, her smile warm and supportive.

Allen, standing just a little behind, noticed something ridiculous. It wasn't just the grandmother's nod that Cynthia responded to.

He swore he saw it—a faint, almost imperceptible nod from Cynthia herself. Allen blinked, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him.

Then, under the watchful eyes of the entire town, Cynthia made her choice. With surprising decisiveness for someone so young, her small hands closed around the Pokéball, and she lifted it triumphantly into the air.

"A future Champion!" a voice rang out from the crowd, filled with excitement.

The words seemed to break the dam of anticipation, and the entire village erupted into cheers. The sound echoed through the open shrine and spilled out into the surrounding fields.

It was as if they could already see it—Cynthia, grown and strong, standing tall with her Pokémon by her side, battling her way through the Sinnoh League.

Cynthia giggled, her face lighting up with pure joy, clearly thrilled by the attention and the energy of the crowd. Her happiness was infectious, and people exchanged proud, knowing smiles.

They were already imagining it: a champion, born from their small but lively town, destined for greatness.

The mood shifted when the second participant was brought forward. Allen could feel the weight of their stares on him.

Some offered encouraging smiles, while others looked at him with heavier expressions—pity, sorrow, and perhaps a hint of unease.

Everyone knew about the tragedy that had befallen him just a year ago. The story had spread like wildfire through the town, and everyone couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the baby who had been abandoned and left alone.

Allen looked at every item laid out before him, his gaze lingering on each one. To be honest, what intrigued him the most was the badge. As a dedicated Pokémon enthusiast, this was something that every die-hard fan would never overlook.

'Become a Trainer? The future of a champion?'

Remembering how his console exploded right before his eyes and how the Mewtwo statue had stomped him to death chilled his heart.

Allen shuddered at the thought of this. The event had been so traumatic for him that it still haunted him.

"Allen, dear, are you okay?"

Seeing Allen stop and suddenly start trembling, Grandma Dracelia asked worriedly.

Allen shook his head before giving his grandma his best smile, trying to reassure her that he was okay. His next focus was on the magnifying glass and the book.

He had always been captivated by the various theories surrounding Pokémon. Countless hours had slipped away as he poured over books, articles, and online forums. It wasn't just Pokémon that fascinated him; he found himself equally intrigued by the diverse flora and fauna, drawing connections between them and the Pokémon world.

He even had some theories of his own about Pokémon behavior and evolution—ideas that sparked lively discussions among fellow enthusiasts. Perhaps if he chose to pursue this path, he could dive into the world of Pokémon research.

There was also the possibility that Professor Carolina might use a bit of nepotism to smooth his path toward becoming a researcher. With his photographic memory, it seemed that becoming a professor wouldn't be too difficult.

Yet, Allen hesitated.

His thoughts were straightforward. If he wanted to study, he would study. If he wanted to play, he would play. Who would be crazy enough to study every day when there were so many Pokémon to play with?

It wasn't that he was arrogant or ungrateful for the life he had been given; he was just confident enough that, with his knowledge and photographic memory, no matter where he went, everything would be fine.

'Becoming a champion?'

He had already seen various public figures like athletes, musicians, actors, and K-pop artists live their lives under constant scrutiny, with little regard for their privacy.

Just look at everyone's reaction when Cynthia chose that Pokéball. Becoming a champion meant being in the spotlight, with moments of joy overshadowed by invasive public interest.

'Becoming a professor?'

He could contribute to the community without sacrificing his privacy, exploring the wonders of the Pokémon world at his own pace. Indeed, he could make a difference without being in the spotlight.

Yet, Allen hesitated once again.

Did he really want to go back to living the life he once had? Wouldn't it just become repetitive?

So, after looking back and forth between the items and the people—especially those he had spent much time with—Allen's gaze finally settled on something unexpected.

It wasn't an item or anything like that; it was a Pokémon resting comfortably on Uncle Haaland's shoulder. His eyes widened in excitement.

A pseudo-legendary Pokémon! Goomy!

"Aiyaaaahh~!"

With a joyful battle cry, Allen crawled forward, his chubby little legs moving with determination as he recognized the small creature. A grin spread across his face, lighting up his features.

As he made his way, the adults around him noticed the baby crawling with purpose and instinctively opened a path for him, smiles brightening their faces. His cuteness was undeniable, and it was hard not to be enchanted by the sight of him.

"Dear, where are you going?" Grandma Dracelia asked, her voice laced with a hint of concern.

She decided to follow Allen from behind, curious to see what had captured his attention. With each tiny movement, he drew closer to uncle Haaland.

When he finally arrived in front of him, he plopped down onto the wooden floor with a joyful thud, sitting on his little butt in one go with a satisfied expression.

He looked up, his eyes sparkling with anticipation as he met Uncle Haaland's gaze.

Crouching down with a gentle smile, Haaland asked, "What do you want, little guy?"

"Ai~aiyaah~ai," Allen mumbled, his excitement palpable as his tiny fingers reached out to touch Goomy's gooey body.

The Pokémon stirred slightly, its eyes barely fluttering open as it registered the new presence in front of it. It seemed to sense the baby's innocent curiosity.

Following Allen's intense gaze, Haaland quickly realized what the little one wanted.

With a soft whisper to Goomy, he carefully lifted it from his shoulder and placed it gently in his palm, extending his hand toward Allen so he could inspect the small Pokémon up close.

"The acidity of Goomy's slime is fairly mild unless it decides to gather enough of it to increase its acidity, so it's fine, Grandma," Haaland explained, assuring Grandma Dracelia and the others that it was safe.

Allen gently ran his fingers over Goomy's slimy exterior, marveling at its texture. It felt cold and slick beneath his touch, and a thrill of excitement coursed through him as he explored the Pokémon's surface.

"Aiyaah~ai~" Allen exclaimed, clapping his hands together in delight. The adults nearby couldn't help but chuckle at his antics, his laughter warm and infectious.

"Ohh, so cute!" Drasna exclaimed, unable to resist the urge to scoop Allen up into her arms.

She showered him with affectionate kisses, but despite her attention, Allen's focus remained unwaveringly on Goomy.

'Goomy, the Dragon and Soft Tissue Pokémon,' Allen began. 'According to the wiki, these Pokémon have no bones, chitin, or other hard tissues within their mostly aquatic bodies. They can contort themselves and squeeze through tight spaces.'

With a determined nod, Allen's tiny hands reached for Goomy once again. As Drasna let go of him, he stroked its gooey body, watching the way the slime shimmered in the light.

'They are the weakest but far from defenseless,' he continued, his thoughts filled with awe. 'Their gooey bodies are covered in slick films of special mucus that cause physical attacks to slide off harmlessly. And it has a moderate paralyzing agent that stuns those who try to grab them.'

No one expected such a complex analysis from a baby who could barely walk, so they assumed he was merely curious and wanted to play with the small Pokémon.

The sight of his joy and curiosity warmed their hearts.

Yes, this was how humans and Pokémon should interact—filled with connection and affection.