Turns out, Professor Oak did forget his promise with Nina. It took a while before Nina gathered up the courage to ask Bill about it. In part, because she did not want to be a nuisance, and also because she wanted to give the old man the benefit of the doubt.
In the end, the younger Professor just laughed at Nina’s anxieties and sent a casual email over to his senior as a reminder.
“My apologies Nina,” began the regretful Professor. “I got too preoccupied with other matters, and well… my mory isn’t what it used to be.”
Nina was currently in the school’s eting room facing a laptop with Professor Oak on the other end of a video call. She had released Tini and Espy to keep her company, with Ms Roxy seated from across her to monitor the proceedings, not that the latter was strictly necessary.
“No worries, Professor, I understand that you’re a busy man. I’m just glad that you rembered
at all.”
Oak chuckled. “Of course I rember you, my dear. You wrote quite a morable essay.”
Nina blushed, not expecting her shoddy writing to be brought up so suddenly. “You’re being too kind, Professor. I’m sure you’ve probably seen better work in your day. And speaking of, I just reread ‘The World of Pokemon’ in anticipation of today and it truly is a tiless classic.
“I wanted to ask — do you still stand by what you wrote about Pokemon battles being the purest expression of a bond between trainer and Pokemon?” She added, in a clumsy attempt to change the subject.
Professor Oak gave the girl a wry smile as he lightly shook his head. “No, as a matter of fact, I do not. We lived in a very different ti back then, an age of great violence and bloodshed. That was rely my immature attempt to divert the people's ire to less destructive ans of competition, by glorifying battles as a sport and denigrating the taking of lives as savagery.”
The Professor carried on to say that there were much more peaceful ans of showcasing the bonds between man and mon these days. “ga Evolution is actually a great example of this. Without a strong bond between a trainer and their Pokemon, the phenonon is simply impossible to achieve.”
“I’ve always wondered actually. Why is there a need for a Pokemon to link with a human to achieve ga Evolution?” Nina asked, grateful that the Professor had so elegantly brought their conversation back on track.
“Ah, a very good question,” said Oak. “Previously you had speculated about the link between ga and Alpha Pokemon. Now, the biggest difference between the two phenona is that one is temporary while the other is permanent.”
The Professor explained that the temporary boost provided by ga Evolution carries an imnse ntal strain on the Pokemon involved, hence why a failed ga Evolution, more often than not, will result in said Pokemon going berserk.
“The link between a ga Stone and their corresponding Key Stone helps to share that burden. But of course, that’s an oversimplification. In truth, we’ve found that there’s more to the connection than simply a ntal one. The ga Evolution process also deeply entwines the very being of the two parties involved.”
Nina tilted her head in confusion. “Do you an it also connects a trainer and a Pokemon’s soul?”
Oak laughed out in amusent at the question. “The soul eh? I suppose that is one way of putting it. Souls are very abstract concepts after all, we know it exists but have no way of proving it. To be more specific, ga Evolution also connects the aura and life force of trainer and Pokemon. To what extent? We do not know. Even Professor Sycamore who is the foremost expert of the field is still diligently conducting studies to unravel such mysteries.”
At this point, Nina chid in with her own thoughts. “So that is to say, because the process of a Pokemon becoming an Alpha occurs gradually and over a much longer period of ti, they can achieve empowernt wholly through their own ans.
“But then what makes an Alpha Pokemon? Are there specific standards that need to be t to apply that label?” She asked.
Nina ca to the realization that the gas were never too specific outside of labeling Alphas as abnormally large Pokemon. Even the scientists of this world seed to use fairly abstract ans of identifying Alphas, mainly relying on the ‘feeling’ that a Pokemon gives off, or their aura.
“Another good question,” praised Oak. “I have a feeling that you’ll make an excellent researcher in the future. Knowing the right questions to ask is half the battle after all. So people are so ignorant that they don’t even know what they’re ignorant about.”
The answer he gave to Nina’s question was less than satisfactory, however. “To be honest this is the biggest hurdle to our research into Alpha Pokemon. We are still unsure about the Alpha-fication process of Pokemon. Is it simply an accumulation of Type Energy? If so, then what makes it different from an Evolution? Or if it is Infinity Energy as you and so many others believe, at what point does that mutation occur?
“This is why you’ll find that most studies pertaining to Alpha Pokemon are simple dissections and observations of active Alphas as opposed to a study into the underlying phenona.”
“But surely your cousin over in Alola would have so insight,” Nina argued. “Professor Samson Oak is the foremost expert on Totem Pokemons. And those are pretty much Alpha Pokemon in all but na.”
Professor Oak laughed boisterously at Nina’s blatant call out. “Truthfully, I agree with your assessnt.” He said with a wink. “Though don’t tell Samson I said that. He’s been out to prove everyone wrong as of late.”
“So it's true then?” Nina asked. “Does that an that the Alolan Trial Captains hold the secret to imbuing Pokemon with Infinity Energy?”
Oak humd in consideration. “I wouldn’t exactly say that. They have specific ans of training their Totem Pokemons, yes. Though I'm unsure if even the Captains understand the workings behind their thods. To my knowledge, it is highly reliant on their respective Island Legendaries.”
“So the secret lies with the Tapus then…” Nina murmured. “That’s very interesting. Thank you for entertaining my questions, Professor. I didn’t an to pry too much into the secret traditions of Alola.”
“No worries,” the old Professor laughed. “It’s not that big of a secret. The Alolans are a very generous people. And the Tapus are so of the most well docunted Legendary Pokemon due to how well integrated they are in human society.”
“Since we’re on the topic of Alola,” Nina continued. “How in Arceus did Alolan Vulpix develop an Ice Typing in a tropical environnt of all places?”
The two continued on with their conversation for quite so ti until Roxy had to step in and remind the two that the sun was setting and that they needed to shut down the school at so point.
“I’ll say. You are the most compelling child I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with, Nina.” Oak said, towards the end of their eting. “If ever you have the chance, please stop by my laboratory in Pallet Town. It is nowhere near as impressive as Bill’s but I’m sure you’ll find it interesting all the sa.”
“Thank you Professor, I’ll make sure to co visit if I’m ever in the area.”
***
“So how have you been, Nina?” Roxy began, as per the usual. anwhile the girl she was addressing was just slumped on the table of the restaurant they were at.
In a weird twist of fate, Nina’s teacher had invited her out for dinner after her call with Professor Oak. And Nina, being the cheapskate that she was, naturally said yes. Especially since the woman offered to pay.
“I’m just tired…” Nina responded languidly.
“Is it really that bad? Can’t the Gym just hire more people?” asked the teacher.
“I’m the only apprentice left. Violet, that miser, decided that we could manage with just two apprentices when Beverly was still around. Not to ntion, there just weren’t any good candidates anyway.”
She also explained that hiring more Gym Trainers wasn't that simple since not every competent trainer was comfortable with showing off their figure. There’s no shortage of divas who aspire to be rmaid superstars of course, but whether or not they’re good with Pokemon is a whole other issue. Especially because these personality types tend to be quite narcissistic.
Roxy humd. “Well, hopefully you find soone suitable among the minors this year. It was your idea, right? To allow more participants in the Little League?”
Nina groaned. “Yeah, but I’m gonna have to pull double duty to handle the logistics of the tests. I'm the one who’s actually setting the test questions, you know? Of course, the Sisters will do a final passthrough but I’ll be doing the bulk of the work.”
Roxy’s mouth gaped at Nina’s ridiculous statent. “You’re eight years old, Nina! I don’t care how smart you are. How could they make a child take on such a huge responsibility?!”
Nina shrugged. “It’s actually not that bad, just tedious. Bev’s mom is a lecturer working in the College. I reached out to her and she sent
so reference material that I just have to modify for the elentary level.”
The end result ended up being a bunch of Water Pokemon trivia and general trainer knowledge that even Beverly knew. In fact, she used her senior apprentice as the baroter for setting the difficulty of the test. aning, the testees will need to possess a fair bit of niche Water Type knowledge to pass.
“Isn’t that a little too advanced for other kids your age?” asked the incredulous Roxy.
Nina was well aware that not every kid secretly had the brain of an adult, but she wanted soone competent, not just so random filler. Incompetent people tend to create more work than they take on and are simply not worth it.
“It’ll be fine,” assured Nina. “What about you Miss Roxy, how are you doing? Did you manage to find a boyfriend?”
The woman nearly spat out her drink at Nina’s brazen question. “That’s… an inappropriate question to ask you teacher, Nina. I think you might be spending too much ti with the Cerulean Sisters.”
Nina giggled at Roxy’s response. “I an we’re out of school right now so it should be fine. You know… if my mom never got better I would have supported your relationship with dad.”
Roxy choked and broke out coughing at Nina’s comnt. But the girl just handed a napkin over to her teacher and continued speaking.
“I’m happy that mom got better. But at the sa ti, I also feel bad for you. Especially after all that you’ve done for . I wouldn’t have been able to attend Professor Oak’s seminar and got to have that call with him earlier if it wasn’t for your nomination. So thank you Miss Roxy, I’ll make sure to pay you back so day.”
Roxy wiped her mouth and stared at the little girl in front of her with mixed emotions. After so deliberation, she decided that she couldn’t lose out in maturity to her own student, and a minor one at that. So she returned Nina’s sentint with a smile and leaned in to stroke her student’s head.
“You’re very welco Nina. I hope you beco a great explorer one day. And when you co ho to visit, don’t forget old Roxy. I’m going to look forward to all the exciting stories you’ll share with
when the ti cos.”
Roxy actually shared the sa childhood dream as Nina. But unlike her student, Roxy was never a genius, nor did she share the sa aptitude with Pokemon as Nina did. So she never made any strides in fulfilling her dreams, ultimately settling for a teaching job. “It’s like they say — if you can’t do, then teach. That’s my whole life’s story right there.” She thought, laughing deprecatingly at herself.
Nina did not know what her teacher was thinking about, but she could recognise the face of regret when she saw one. “You know Miss Roxy, it’s never too late to go on a journey. A stagnant pool needs to be churned to enable life. Don’t just let yourself rot away in discontent.”
Journeys were integral to the culture here in the Pokemon world, and it truly is never too late to go on one, despite the common starting point being in a person’s teenage years. In fact, a lot of the current reigning champions did not achieve any sort of greatness until their twenties, which ant they had been journeying all the while.
It’s also fairly common for a person undergoing a midlife crisis to just abandon everything and go on a journey of self discovery. Pokemon society was pretty accommodating of this fact and it wouldn’t be odd for these journeyn to be welcod back into their old jobs with open arms upon their return. Sothing that would be unthinkable in Nina’s old world.
Roxy held Nina’s gaze, sensing the girl’s sincere concern lurking underneath. Then smiled wryly to herself. “Oh Roxy… To think the day would co where you need to be comforted by a child. What a failure of an adult you are.” She mused.
“Thank you for the encouragent, Nina,” said the teacher. “You’re right, maybe I should venture out again one day. But for now, I’d like to put off any thoughts of journeying until you co of age. Soone has to keep you out of trouble after all.” She chuckled.
Nina bead a bright smile at her teacher. “Yeap! Please don’t leave
yet, cause I won’t know what to do without your guidance, Miss Roxy.”
And with that, Nina and Roxy eventually left the restaurant feeling like they had developed a deeper bond with each other. One that goes beyond their status as teacher and student.
Reviews
All reviews (0)