“Here in Rainbow Ranch, all prospective trainers are extensively vetted through a series of strict interviews and tests before being allowed to adopt an Eevee. This is to ensure that our darlings are entrusted to individuals with the right mindset and know-how to aid in reaching their full potential and ensure the happiest of lives.” Said the rotund, matronly looking woman on the TV.

Nina had her eyes glued to the screen, much to her mother’s disapproval. She was currently immersed in a documentary about a specialist Eevee breeder. All the while, her chubby hand held a crayon and was scribbling down notes on a sheet of paper.

Writing with crayons was difficult, especially since her hands have yet to develop their full dexterity at five years old. It didn’t help that Leanette refused to give Nina a pencil for fear that her daughter might accidentally impale herself.

“One of the biggest mistakes that a trainer could make is adopting an Eevee that is not in tune with their ideals. Just because there are eight evolution paths available to an Eevee, doesn’t mean that a trainer could just evolve their Eevee into whatever they want. Pokemon have a right to decide on their evolution too, you know?”

At this point, it was clear to Nina that this was a topic near and dear to the breeder’s heart, because she became increasingly more animated and the volume of her voice went up a notch.

“An Eevee who is unwilling to evolve into a certain form would not do so even if you shove an evolution stone down their throat. They simply would refuse to absorb the Type Energy contained within the stone.”

This was fascinating to Nina because it differed from how evolution stones were depicted in the anime. It was another one of those surprisingly grounded aspects about this new world. Unlike the games or anime where some things were without rhyme or reason, there was actual underlying logic to a lot of the magical phenomena which naturally occur in the world.

A scientist from her old world might have an aneurism from how impossible some of this world’s workings are. But a native born and raised here would find nothing wrong, because they’re already accustomed to the laws which govern this world. Much like how most people in her old world would not think to question the laws of physics.

“Evolution anxiety is very much a real thing. Why else would you think that there are so little Arcanines and Ninetales in the world? Growlithes and Vulpixes are not rare by any means, and if it were as simple as just exposing them to a Fire Stone, then everyone would have done so already,” concluded the breeder, just to really hammer home her point.

“Pika?”

Pikachu poked her head over Nina’s chicken scratchings, trying and failing to make sense of what she’s written down.

Nina giggled at Pikachu’s confusion, pulling the pokemon towards her for cuddles. The electric mouse gladly conceded, cozying up to Nina and rubbing her fur against the child. A tingling sensation of static build-up could be felt from where the two made contact, intensifying Nina’s giggles.

“How long have you been with dad, Pikachu?”

“Pika?” Pikachu tilted her head, as if pondering the question.

“Dad said he got you as a teen, and he’s about thirty years old now.” Nina made some quick calculations in her head. “So close to fourteen, fifteen years maybe?”

“Pika pi…” Pikachu jiggled her head back and forth.

“In all that time, did you not think to evolve? I know dad isn’t a professional trainer or anything, but surely there was a point where you could have?”

Pikachu tilted her head in contemplation, but ultimately gave a resolute shake to indicate denial.

Nina chuckled. “You’re happier as a Pikachu, huh?”

“Pika!”

Nina breathed in Pikachu’s fluff. “Yeah, if you were a Raichu, you’d be too big for us to cuddle like this. Or maybe you can, but I’d be the one being cuddled.”

“Nina, go to sleep. You’ve got school tomorrow,” urged Leanette.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Kay, mom…” responded Nina. Her tone was filled with reluctance to part with the TV, but she recognised that she had an early day tomorrow. It was going to be her first day at school, and truthfully, she was feeling too nervous to sleep. A ridiculous notion given that she had already achieved adulthood in her past life.

Schooling worked very differently in the Pokemon world. Children skipped kindergarten and started to attend elementary school at five years of age. At ten, Nina would have three choices; general schooling, vocational school, or trainer school.

Nina had already made up her mind to attend trainer school. The issue was trying to convince her overbearing mother to let her go. Which was why she was studying at such a young age, in hopes of getting a scholarship from a school or a sponsorship from a Pokemon professor. With those in hand, even if her mother objects to it, her pragmatic father would certainly support her decision.

While her mother wasn’t looking, Nina would often sneakily access her Pokegear. But unlike other children who simply did it to play games, she would browse the internet, looking up educational information on Pokemon and this exciting new world she found herself in.

“Can I sleep with Pikachu tonight?” Asked Nina, as she tried to do her best impression of the move Baby-Doll Eyes. Pikachu also joined in on her pleading, the two combined their efforts in an attempt to persuade Leanette.

The woman in question sighed. “Nina, you know how I feel about that.”

“I know, but I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight. I’m too nervous about school.”

Leanette’s expression softened at Nina’s childish anxieties. “Then how about you come sleep with mommy and daddy tonight?”

Nina shook her head. “Don’t wanna, daddy snores!”

Leanette broke out laughing, a rare sight in the Jones household. “Okay, fine. But if you wet yourself because Pikachu shocked you over the night, then I’m making you clean your own sheets.”

Nina pouted. “Not gonna happen, mom. I haven’t wet myself in ages.”

In truth, as a former adult, Nina was embarrassed that she had wet herself at all. Being back in a child’s body was inconvenient in more ways than one. Though it did have its perks, a mature mindset combined with the boosted learning capacity of a developing brain was a fearsome combination. In addition, the lack of any real responsibilities was also nice, allowing her to really make the most of her childhood years.

“Come on Pikachu, let’s go to bed.”

“Pika!” responded the jovial mouse.

Pikachu loved cuddles, it was the reason why she was so attached to that old beanbag of hers. Ever since Patrick got married, there hadn’t been many opportunities for them to cuddle like they used to.

Nina turned off the lights in her room and jumped into bed with Pikachu. That night she dreamt of soaring the skies on the back of a giant bird pokemon, off on an adventure to explore the greater world.

***

“Do you have your handkerchief with you?”

“Yes, mom…”

“What about your water bottle? Do you have it, is it filled up properly?” Hounded Leanette, as she turned her daughter every which way to check on her.

Nina was about to die of embarrassment. “For the infineth time, mom… Yes, I have my water bottle and yes, it's filled. Even if it isn’t, surely there are water fountains in the school I can use.”

Leanette frowned. “Melina Anabeth Jones, don’t you dare take that tone with me.”

Nina groaned. “Look, mom. I’m fine. Can you please just let me go already? Class is about to start,” she pleaded.

To be fair, Nina’s situation wasn’t unique. There were other helicopter parents hovering around their respective children at the school gates as well. But Nina was indignant all the same.

Leanette never really got over the trauma of nearly losing her daughter a couple years back. And there were times where Nina felt like her mother’s condition was getting worse. It didn’t help that everyone refused to tell her what had happened, so there was nothing she could do about it.

It took some effort, but Leanette finally relented and allowed Nina to enter the confines of her new school.

Nina relaxed, letting loose a tense breath she didn’t even know she was holding. Finally, she was allowed to roam free from the influence of her mother. In the two years since she awoke in this world, there had barely been a moment where she was without Leanette hovering nearby.

While some kids would have been left alone to mingle when their parents brought them to the park, Leanette Jones would watch over her daughter like a Kangaskhan, not even allowing other children to get anywhere close to Nina for fear that they might be carrying nasty diseases or bully her daughter in some way.

It was a good thing that Nina had already developed a full set of social skills in her past life. Otherwise, she could easily see herself growing up as an emotionally stunted individual.

The first thing that Nina did was head towards the school’s supply store. All so that she could buy herself some basic stationary. It sounded ridiculous, but Leanette Jones had forbidden her daughter to even own a ruler for fear that she might harm herself with it. Even Patrick Jones was exasperated with this particular bout of paranoia from his wife.

Nina refused to suffer the indignation of attending class with only a box full of crayons. Something her father wholeheartedly agreed with. Which was why she was extremely thankful that Patrick had sneakily given her a debit card to his own personal account.

There was a monthly limit to how much Nina would be able to spend using the card, which inadvertently served to function as an allowance of sorts. But it was a generous limit to serve as a contingency against whatever delusions her mother might dream up next.

This also meant that Nina was now able to save up some money for whatever future spendings she might have. The account was her father’s after all, and it would be a waste not to withdraw the full amount that she was allotted each month. Nina had already prepared an inconspicuous little container for the express purpose of hiding her excess allowance.

By the time that she reached her assigned class, she was cutting it extremely close, and all the good seats had already been taken. Leaving only the one seat that was front and center, directly facing the teacher’s podium.

Nina groaned and accepted her fate. If she had her way, she would prefer to sit near the middle of the class slightly towards the side. But alas.

Her class was a lot smaller than what she was used to back in her past life. She counted only about twenty students including herself. In hindsight, it sort of made sense. Overpopulation was not really a thing here in the Pokemon world, and the school she was admitted into mainly catered to her specific neighborhood.

In a way, this was unfortunate. Because it meant that most of the kids in her class already knew each other, having previously mingled in the local park or other community events. Nina was unintentionally ostracized as a result of her sheltered upbringing.

It could not be helped, and Nina wasn’t particularly upset. As an adult in a child’s body, she might have even felt a bit weird about mingling with children like this. But she felt a little irked all the same.

“Alright everyone, settle down. Class is about to begin,” called the auburn haired teacher who arrived shortly after Nina.