For the first time since coming to this world, I didn’t wake up confused or in pain. It was quite the nice change, and was made even better when I learned that one of the Rangers had brewed coffee.

Coffee!

Of all the things that I was glad to have exist in the Pokémon world, coffee had jumped to the top of the list as soon as I saw the mug of the precious black liquid offered by a Ranger. It wasn’t a vanilla frappe, which I wasn’t ashamed to admit was my preferred way to take coffee, and there was no milk or sugar to make the drink less bitter, but I was honestly just happy to have it at all.

The Eevee even tried a little and while it spit the drink out almost immediately, it seemed much happier than it had yesterday. As far as I was concerned, that was the only thing that really mattered at the moment, considering how sad and miserable it had been yesterday in the cage.

I shuddered at the memory, and the Eevee leaned over and bumped it’s head against my head, and I smiled.

“Thanks little one.” I told it, scratching it’s head. “Which reminds, I don’t actually know much about you. Are you a guy? A girl? Neither? Cause that’s cool too.”

The Eevee tapped my arm with its paw twice.

“Uh, what does that mean?”

I could feel it’s exasperation, and it tapped once, then two more times, then three more times. After sitting for a moment, it tapped my arm twice again. I was pretty sure that it was tapping a bit harder than necessary, but decided not to complain about it.

“I… oh! You’re trying to tell me that you’re a girl?”

The Eevee nodded.

“Well, I wanted to make sure I didn’t misgender you since I haven’t really worked with a lot of Pokémon before. And by that, I mean I haven’t worked with any Pokémon at all.”

She cocked her head. “Yeah, Pokémon weren’t really a thing where I’m from. They’re more like stories.”

My heart sank a little bit at the thought of my old home. “Would you mind if we talked about that later? It’s… not exactly the most pleasant of tales.”

Eevee nodded, and batted at my arm until I gave in and started petting her again.

Forcing a smile, I tried to put the memories behind me. “Right, let’s go find Professor Rowan, okay?”

/^\

The professor was in with the other recently-freed Pokémon, who had been relocated to a pop-up tent that had been erected the night before.

“And that should do it.” He said to the Riolu, letting it’s paw go and giving it a stern-face bow. “I thank you for letting me examine you, it’s a rare pleasure that one such as me is allowed to see such an honored guardian so closely.”

The Riolu looked embarrassed of all things as it gave a bow back to Professor Rowan, awkwardly smoothing it’s fur down. The professor saw me looking, bowed again to the Riolu, and made his way over.

“The Riolu and Lucario line can be prideful.” He said in a quiet tone. “It’s always easier to get things done when you appeal to that pride, make them think they are doing you a service. That one in particular is going to be a handful, now that it thinks it can take out much bigger enemies in a fight.”

“To be fair,” I said as we started to move away from the Pokémon enclosure. “It did take out Hawg.”

Rowan chuckled. “Ah yes, a grown man is an impressive enemy for one so small. But humans can’t use moves like Pokémon can, so what do you think will happen if it tries to challenge something like a Golem, or a Machamp?"

"Oh." I said, looking back at the Riolu in worry. “Is it going to be okay?”

“Most likely.” The older man shrugged. “I’m sure it will have a chip on its shoulder when it eventually manages to return to its pack, but a Lucario will most likely knock some sense into it.”

“And that’s… fine?”

“Oh yes. It happens to most Riolu eventually, but this one will most likely learn a little quicker than the others."

"You seem to know a lot about the line."

"That's true. Lucario packs tend to be very reclusive, but as a younger man I helped save a Lucario from a rock slide. They were appreciative enough to let me stay with them for a week, it’s one of my most cherished memories.”

It didn’t look like he was recalling a cherished memory considering his stern face didn’t show any emotion at all, but I decided it was better to let sleeping dogs lie. Sleeping Pokémon? Did regular dogs exist in this world?

“That actually brings up a question that I had professor.”

“Oh? I always have time for questions.”

“It’s about Eevee here.” I gestured at the Pokémon in my arms, and it made a soft noise of interest at my words.

“From what I’m aware of, Eevee aren’t often found in Sinnoh. Not that I’m complaining mind you, but I wonder how this little one got here.”

“Ah, a good question.” Rowan nodded seriously. “While you are correct that the Eevee line originates from Kanto, there has long been a record of Pokémon of various species coming to live in Sinnoh. While Eevee and its many evolutionary lines do maintain a presence here, the population is mostly kept in check by the low rate of eggs being laid, as well as the native Pokémon resisting any expansions.”

“Oh.” I said. “But if they’re so rare, then how did these poachers manage to find her?”

At this, Rowan’s face twitched, and I was amazed to see a slight frown crease his brows. “Yes, another good question but unfortunately this one does not have a pleasant answer. Kane had managed to get his hands on what we call a Poké Radar.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“That’s what it was!” I exclaimed, thinking back to the tablet that I had seen the goons using.

“You’re familiar with it?”

“Er, in a manner of speaking.”

Professor Rowan eyed me for a long moment, and I wondered how he would take the fact that in my world he was nothing more than a video game character. That wasn’t a conversation I was looking forward to.

“Hm. Something for another time I suppose.”

Oh thank god.

“Regardless, the Poké Radar is normally used by elite Rangers or trainers who are work as conservationists, tracking rare Pokémon so we can get a better sense of their distribution. What concerns me however is how Kane managed to get his hands on one, considering we haven’t seen reports of any going missing."

“What were they planning to do with the Pokémon they did catch?”

“Sell them to the highest bidder, most likely. As much as I hate to admit it, there is a certain population who desire to have the rarest Pokémon as status symbols, or perhaps in an attempt to breed them. The Pokémon League cracks down on this kind of business when we can, but many times these individuals have too much money and influence for us to really do anything about them.”

“That’s horrible!”

“Indeed it is. They completely twist the loving and supportive relationship that Pokémon have with humans, all in an attempt to make themselves look better. Of this particular batch of Pokémon that Kane had caught, I would have to admit that the most valuable would be the Riolu and the Eevee. They are both famously reclusive species, and would likely go for a high price on the black market.”

Eevee shuddered in my arms, and I scratched at the skin under its ruff of tan fur to try and calm her down. The fur itself was incredibly thick, and I frowned at the thought of her being used as a trophy piece for some rich man.

“This does actually bring me to my next issue that I wanted to bring up with you.”

“Oh?”

“It has to deal with Eevee here.”

“What about her?” I asked, perhaps a little more defensively than I should have.

“Her future. Do you want to take her on as your partner?”

In retrospect the question shouldn’t have thrown me as much as it did, but I just stared blankly at him. “Huh?”

“The Aether Foundation and the Pokémon Rangers are going to be working to return all the captured Pokémon to their original habitats, or as close as we can. But the Eevee seems to have taken a shine to you, and I believe that the feeling is mutual.”

I eyed the little Eevee, who was staring intensely at the professor.

“It’s something that both of you should work out though. If one party isn’t fully on-board with the idea of working together, of living together, it can cause serious problems down the line.”

My eyes had never left the Eevee, and now she turned her head to look at me.

“I… don’t know what to say. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I would love for you to travel and live with me, but I don’t know if I’ll be the best Trainer. While I have a lot of… theoretical knowledge about Pokémon, my practical knowledge is really quite lacking. You might be better off going back to your home.”

Eevee stared at me, then leaned forwards and bopped her head into my chest.

I was stunned at the movement, but I got the message and started to cry again.

Professor Rowan coughed quietly, and I turned watery eyes to see him hold out a Poké Ball.

Taking it, I held it up to the Eevee. “Will you be my partner?”

Eevee reached her nose out and touched the center of the Poké Ball, disappearing in a flash of light. The Ball didn’t feel any heavier in my hands, and I turned anxious eyes to the professor.

“Press the button twice.”

I did so, and with another flash of white light, the Eevee appeared on the ground in front of me, tilting it’s head up and blinking rapidly.

“Hey there.” I said, a wide smile on my face despite the tears.

Eevee waddled over to me and promptly rubbed herself against my leg like a cat.

“Congratulations.” Professor Rowan said. “Jenny had to leave to take care of her other obligations, but she left me a note saying she’ll have the paperwork for you ready soon. It may not be official yet, but in the eyes of most, you’re a Pokémon Trainer. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not something to take lightly, and you’ll discover many things about not only the world around you, but also yourself. Are you ready?”

I nodded solemnly.

“Good, because you still have a lot to learn. Come now, we’re going to my home and out of this forest.”

He pulled out a Poké Ball of his own, and with a flash his Staraptor I had seen the other day emerged, cawing loudly.

“Yes, yes.” Rowan said, pulling out a treat and letting the Pokémon eat it, ruffling the feather’s on the side of its head at the same time. “Of course, sometimes while your Pokémon may lead you to victory, and some may challenge you, there are always those that are nothing but lazy gluttons.”

The Staraptor glared at the professor and pecked at his hand, but I could tell there was no real malice in it and the skin wasn’t broken. Rowan’s face, normally so passive, cracked into a slight smile.

“Come on then, let’s get you to Sandgem Town.”

/^\

As it turns out, flying on a Pokémon was a lot more terrifying than the games had ever made it to be.

Because the Staraptor wasn’t big enough, it had to make two trips, one for the Professor, and then one for me. Of course, it didn’t have any kind of saddle, or harness, or really anything that could be considered as a safety feature. According to the professor, most people didn’t bother with them, which seemed highly inadvisable to me.

“I’ll go first.” The professor had said. “Because you’re not used to flying on Pokémon, I’ll advise you not to ride Star like I do.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Star?”

Rowan grumbled. “I was just fifteen when I caught him. Believe it or not, most fifteen year-olds aren’t very imaginative when it comes to names. But don’t panic, just let Star do his business. He’s done this before so he knows the drill, you just need to trust him.”

More than a little nervous I nodded that I understood, and Professor Rowan climbed on the back of Star with ease that could only be gained by long years of practice.

“Home.” He said, and with a powerful leap and flap of his wings, the Staraptor disappeared over the trees.

The next hour and a half was quite the stressful wait as I paced back and forth, trying not to watch the horizon for the shape of the bird Pokémon. Eventually Eevee got so fed up with my pacing that she came over and grabbed a hold of my pant leg with her mouth, forcing me to stop walking or drag her across the ground. A few of the Rangers who were still working at the poacher’s campsite chuckled at the sight, and I had a hard time hiding my flush of embarrassment.

After what seemed like an eternity, Star finally returned, settling down with a massive yawn that made my jaw hurt just looking at it.

“Uh, hey Star.”

The Staraptor stared at me, and I coughed nervously.

“So, uh, how do we do this?”

Star jerked his head towards Eevee, who had finally stopped nibbling on my pant leg.

“What about her? Oh, do you want me to put here in her Ball?”

Star nodded.

“Yeah, I can do that. Come on Eevee.” She disappeared into the Poké Ball, and I was left staring at the tennis-ball sized machine.

“Is there somewhere I can put this?”

The Staraptor sighed, then took a couple steps forwards and pressed the center button with its beak. The Poké Ball immediately shrunk down to the size of a ping-pong ball, and I blinked at it in surprise.

“Oh, right. I’ve never actually used one of these before.”

Star rolled his eyes while I slipped the Poké Ball into my pocket.

“So what now?”

Without giving me a response, Star turned and leaped into the air again, taking off in a rush of wind. He disappeared over the tree line again, leaving me blinking in the dust of his wake.

“First time?” One of the Rangers said, nudging his partner.

“Uh, yeah?”

They both chuckled, and his partner pulled out her phone. It was one of the Rotom Phones introduced in the anime, and the smiling face on the back winked at me as the Ranger held it up in a familiar fashion.

“Hey, why are you filming me- augh!”

Star didn’t let me finish my sentence, having turned around and grabbing me by the shoulders with his talons and hauling me into the air.

“Help!” I cried as I flailed around in the clutches of the crazy Pokémon, but my only response was the laughter of the Rangers from behind me.

My crazed flailing must have annoyed Star, since he reached down and very solidly pecked the top of my head.

“Ow!” I screamed over the rush of the air, trying to rub the top of my head.

Star, for his part, simply reached down and pecked at my hands and head again until I got the message, and did my best to remain limp in his talons as the ground sped along below us.

It was perhaps one of the most terrifying experiences in my life, and I had just been imprisoned in a cage for a day by poachers who were going to leave me for dead.