I don't know if I should be disappointed or not. I wasn't allowed to fly on the giant metal bird Pokémon. Matter of fact, I wasn't even allowed to meet Galahad. Not even to exchange pleasantries. I would assume that meeting the bird would be okay but apparently not. I was not informed as to why but when I was let out of the ball, I was in a rather rural town. The number of buildings was small, and the wide-open plains spread out as wide as I could see. Nora was once again carrying me, although I can tell she's a lot more tense now. I'm unsure as to why that is but it may be because of the new environment. Just because a place looks peaceful doesn't exactly mean it is due to the people that inhabit it so I can understand.

As if the gods were listening to my thoughts, the sound of a commotion up ahead drew both my and Nora's attention due to her hold on me tightening slightly. I'm glad she finds comfort in my presence, but it is a bit uncomfortable with how tightly she is squeezing me.

[...ting words. You got enough guts to back that up?!]

It is far too early in the morning for bravado like this. I snort a bit getting an overview of the situation. It looks like two of the boys are going to fight in the middle of the road. Looking them over more closely it seems that neither of them have the capture balls on their belts, but they are clearly close to Nora in age. Perhaps these two are part of the few coming to the Lab? I'd hope not but it seems like my hopes are not realistic. Thankfully, Nora decided to avoid the two of them and I could only applaud her choice mentally. Those two seem like they will cause no small number of headaches. Is it so bad to wish that there will be a girl that Nora could get along with instead?

Yes, the Gods truly must be listening and laughing at me. There are two girls outside a rather large building that's fenced off with what looks to be rather sturdy walls and a metal bar gate. The two of them are glaring at one another. I hang my head. This doesn't seem like it is going to go well. With my head hanging I spotted a small blue and cream-colored rodent that looked familiar near the legs of one of the girls. I believe the Pokémon is called a Rattata. The Pokémon seemed to notice my gaze because they turned their head to look at me.

"Hey there," The rat's voice seemed a tad feminine, "It's a bit rude to stare, but I understand. It's rare you find a Rattata as beautiful as I am. My name is Sapphire, what's yours?"

"My apologies that was a bit rude of me, my name is Alistar. It is nice to make your acquaintance." I respond keeping eye contact with small rat Pokémon.

"Huh, you sound a bit stuffy, but you seem like an alright guy. Your girl, what is she like? Mine is great!"

"Lady Norielle is a wonderful girl."

Sapphire blinks at me before giving a nod with her eyes closed. "Yup, I know what you mean. My girl Sona is like that too. Super sweet and gives the best ear scratches."

It seemed while I was distracted talking to Sapphire the tension between the girls had broken and one was talking with Nora, and she put their hand in my line of sight. I blinked up at Sapphire's trainer Sona. It seems as if I missed Nora's okay to try and greet me, but it to be the case since Nora hasn't moved.

[Hi there Alistar, my name is Sona it's nice to meet you.]

I move my head forward and sniff Sona's hand, she smells faintly of mint and bitter chocolate. She smells quite a bit different from Nora, who smells of honey and sugar. Pulling my head back I dipped my head in a slight bow before meeting her gaze.

[Can I pet you? You look so soft. Please?]

[He usually doesn't let anyone but me touch him. Not even my Momma and Poppa. If he lets you then it's okay but if he makes any sounds or a mean face, then don't touch him.]

Nora to the rescue, though I don't particularly mind being touched. It is people touching Nora that I'm worried about. Although, it is true that I didn't interact or allow Nora's parents to touch me. It's not that I'd mind if they asked but they never did. I wasn't living there all that long to be honest. Perhaps they were wary of me? I focus myself back to the present moment. I don't mind this girl touching me. She introduced herself and asked for permission. It couldn't hurt to allow it. I enjoyed some light pets and a few ear scratches. It wasn't as good as Nora's, but it was nice. She removed her hand and smiled before bending down, picking up Sapphire to pet her.

The other girl who was sharing a mutual glare with Sona a bit ago didn't seem interested in pleasantries because she was ignoring the fact Nora and Sona exist.

"Say Sapphire, what the other human's deal?"

"Oh her? Yeah, I'm not real sure about that. She's been a real ice cube. I mean Sona tried being nice, introducing herself and ice queen over there just blew her off saying she's not here to make friends. I feel sorry for the poor saps that end up with her as a trainer." The rat Pokémon explains while being showered with affection form her trainer.

How disappointing, three out of the four people we've encountered today are not in the realm of possible friend material. Sona seems to be a good choice as a potential friend for Nora and I suppose that is better than none.

I tilt my head as a figure on the other side of the gate catches my attention. His hair is brown and is sticking up in various directions. He is dressed rather nice clothing a tan dress shirt and black slacks. Accompanied by a white lab coat that nearly brushed the ground in length with some sizable pockets.

[Welcome to Oak Labs.]

As he was talking the gate started to open up. He had stopped halfway down the path. It seemed like he had some flare for dramatics because he opened his arms out wide and several different Pokémon came out from where they were hiding. They either flew out from bushes and trees or scampered around playing with one another before vanishing back into the surrounding area.

[I am Professor Gary Oak, and this is where your journey begins as a Trainer, Breeder, Coordinator, or Professor like me. Each of these path's hinge on the wonderous and exciting beings called Pokémon. You all have been invited into this lab to be interviewed and possibly sponsored by me for the duration of your journey to follow your dreams. Come on inside we got a lot to talk about.]

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

I'm unsure as to why but I am getting a good feeling about this one. Gary Oak is quite the character so far.

I felt Nora adjust her arms shifting me slightly before she moves with Sona and the unnamed girl up the path.

[Huh... Only three of you? There was supposed to be five.]

Gary rolled his eyes and muttering something about someone named Ash before shrugging and collecting the three's envelopes. After a look at what each had inside, he gestured to follow as he headed up towards the Lab.

===========

Gary Oak POV

Every year there seems to be kids that do what my old rival Ash did, arrive late. I shake my head letting a smirk cross my face reminiscing during the walk into the Lab's front doors. This was the only room that the kids would see other than an office for individual interviews. Gramps had been so carefree about letting Ash and I go wherever in the Lab. That changed though after what happened to a past student of Gramps. Prof. Elm got his lab ransacked and one of the starter Pokémon was stolen. They never did catch the thief.

Turning to face my three guests I smile. One of the three seems to be hugging a color variant Vulpix with a sharp intelligence in its gaze. The second girl has a Rattata perched on her shoulder. The third reminds me of a rival Ashy boy told me about named Paul, a real cold guy. If the girl's cold demeanor is anything to go off of, she's going to be the troublesome one of these three.

"Alright, lets ge-" The door opens up and two roughed up looking boys coming in with disgruntled looks on their faces. The sudden entrance was accompanied with plenty of arguing between them. The bickering couples with the sudden entrance seemed to have triggered the Vulpix who squirmed in the arms that held it to look over the girl's shoulder at the sudden noise. It was a trained response if I'd ever saw one. It relaxed once it deemed the boys weren't anything important. Shifting my view back to the boys I clear my throat, catching everyone's attention. "Okay, come over here and hand me your letters."

The two boys hustled over and handed over their letters. Looking over the content in each I held in a sigh. It seems as if I was sent over a kid from Unova and one from Hoenn respectively. Each of the kids here would be getting a Pokémon, that is unless I found anything concerning in the interview. It wasn't like I'd started the interviews yet anyways.

"I will be conducting one on one interviews with each of you." I made sure to reiterate for the two that weren't here on time. Usually, I'd mark it as they weren't serious about this but if Ash was anything to go off of, I should at least hear them out. "Now," I look to the first to arrive at the gates. "Katherine since you arrived first, you'll be the first one interviewed." The girl nodded her head and made her way to the door I gestured to with a way of my hand. "As for the rest, you will be called in one at a time. Use this time to get to know one another peacefully. Any fighting in here and you'll be tossed out." I made sure to give the two boys a narrowed look before going to the room and walking inside.

This was going to be a long few hours and hopefully by the end of it he wasn't going to have a migraine.

======================

Alistar POV

After Nora found a chair to sit in, she finally put me down. She whispered to stay where she could see me was understood and wholly unnecessary. I didn't plan to move from where I was set down. While I was definitely curious about what the Lab as a whole had to offer there wasn't much in this room that attributed to that. There was a TV looking device on a desk in the corner, but it looked older, smaller, and less sleek in its design.

I was musing on what it looked to be connected to before my ears picked up on movement coming in my direction. Swiveling my head to face towards it, I was met with one of the boys from the road standoff coming over.

[That's a cool Vulpix you got there. Can I maybe pet him?]

The boy had some kind of accent that was very difficult to place but I could still understand him although something in his tone definitely rubbed me the wrong way. Plus, the way I was being eyed didn't make me feel any less wary of him.

[I don't mind, but you should ask Alistar first. He doesn't usually let people touch him.]

The boy nodded kneeling down and offering his hand at a respectable distance. I looked from his hand and face a twice before sniffing his hand getting a strong earthy scent mixed with ash and soot. This boy smelled of a volcano. I recognize the smell from an expedition I took part in for the throne. I moved my head away and put my paw into his open hand. Seeming to get the idea the boy smirked a bit closing his hand around paw lightly shaking it before letting go. I placed my paw back down and he got up on his feet likely realizing he wasn't going to be able to pet me.

[Well, I'm glad to meet him, Vulpix are great fire type Pokémon. I saw a few back home in Lavaridge Town at the gym. My name's Hiro by the way. What's yours?]

[Nora.]

I watch their conversation go back and forth for a few minutes before the sound of a door opening got my attention. The ice queen Katherine walked out of the room and pointed at Sona before gesturing for her to go inside. It seemed that Sona was talking to the other boy from the standoff. Sapphire looked to be dozing off in Sona's arms as she walked into the office and closed the door.

Shifting my line of sight to Nora she seemed to be growing nervous her hand gripped together in her lap. Her knuckles were nearly turning white with how hard she was squeezing them together. Hiro had shuffled off towards Katherine probably to introduce himself. It was left to me to save my Lady from descending into a nervous panic.

A sudden feeling that was far too close for my liking made my body move. I lunged forward spinning on a paw to face the feeling, I saw the cause. He was crouched down and caught trying to touch me. He looked surprised that I noticed him and moved. I felt my face turn into a silent snarl and the energy flowing into my paw prepped for Rock Smash. I don't know how the kid managed to nearly get the drop on me, but I didn't like it.

[I was detected?]

He whispered the words, his eyes locked on me as if I were something extremely interesting. His accent as less jarring than some I've heard but it was placeable as easily understood compared to how easily I understand Nora. He started talking in a normal volume though.

[I'm Yami. Next time I will manage to touch you before being detected.]

The boy didn't have a scent, and I didn't hear him either. Alarm bells are ringing in my head to keep myself and Nora away from him. He's far too sneaky for my liking and if he was able to sneak up on me then I clearly need to train my observational skills more. He found a hole in them, and it doesn't sit well with me.

[Don't do that again.]

The ice in Nora's voice caught both my and Yami's attention.

[Alistar isn't a docile Pokémon, and he doesn't like to be touched. Surprising him like that could have got you injured. Trying to touch any Pokémon like that can end up getting you attacked especially when it's a Vulpix.]

Yami simply tilted his head as if thinking about what Nora said before nodding.

[I understand. I will take your warning into consideration Nora.]

After saying that he stood up and walked towards Katherine who I caught looking in our direction. We looked gazes for a moment before her gaze moved to Yami. I tilted my head thinking on what she could have been looking at, but I deem it as unimportant the moment Nora reaches down and scoops me off the floor into her lap.

[The stupidity of some people.]

Nora grumbled softly running her fingers across my back. I could only nod in agreement at her statement. Some people really weren't all that bright. Perhaps Yami didn't go to a Pokémon school and was recommended by someone? I let my thoughts swirl for a bit allowing myself to be a calming tool for Nora. At least she doesn't seem nervous anymore. I suppose I can be happy about that.

The opening of a door and the call of my Lady's name from Sona made Nora shift how she had me positioned. Once she had her arms around my chest she stood and made her way to the room. I'm curious, just what might this interview entail?