Nina reverently lifted the compact little red device that was presented to her. The culmination of all of the Pokemon world’s knowledge, a Pokedex, was now in her hands.

The Pokedex wasn’t just some glorified encyclopedia for someone to document their captures with. It also serves as a pass to allow unfiltered access to the Pokemon League’s database. No bureaucratic censorship and no possibility of false and misleading information. Though the actual knowledge one can obtain will be restricted to their access level.

No longer does Nina have to prowl the Pokenet and sift through mountains of shitposts, memes and trolls just to find a single nugget of useful information.

Not to mention some of its other nifty functions, like an automatic transfer system for when a trainer exceeds their carry limit, access to a GPS network exclusive for Pokedex holders, free healthcare for Pokemon, as well as discounts in League owned stores. It also functioned as a phone, a trainer ID and so on.

To own a Pokedex was to be included in the top echelons of trainers in the Pokemon world. Outside of trainers selected by Regional Professors, it was a privilege reserved for Champions, Elites, Gym Trainers, Ace Trainers, Nurse Joys, Officer Jennys, Rangers, and other Pokemon Trainers that are considered essential for the continuation of Pokemon society.

Unlike the Pokedex depicted in the animes. The one in Nina’s hand looked super slick, about the size of a smartphone from her previous life that folds out to reveal a wide screen in the inner part. Despite feeling like a fragile device, Professor Oak assured her that the Pokedex was in fact, quite indestructible. “Not even a full on attack from a Legendary Pokemon will scratch that thing,” as he put it.

Nina thanked the Professor and registered her biometrics to the device. This was to prevent theft and misuse. There was even an EMP built into the Pokedex that can be triggered in the event of loss to scramble the device’s innards as a precaution.

“Now then, usually I would offer special children like you the chance to pick a starter Pokemon as well. But since you already have your Dratini and Eevee, I shall refrain. But if ever you feel ready to expand your team, feel free to seek me out in the future and I’ll see what I can offer you. Consider it as my thanks for all the delightful company you’ve provided this lonely old man.”

Nina shook her head in embarrassment. “Please Professor, I should be the one thanking you. I recognise that you’re a busy person. That you would spend your precious time indulging my inane questions is an honor in itself. I’ll make sure to repay your generosity in the future. So if you ever need me for anything, I’m just a quick phone call or an email away.”

Professor Oak laughed at the polite little girl and reached down to pat her head. “You’re welcome, Nina. But the offer still stands. It is rare to find talent such as yourself as of late, it would bereave me to see all your hard work go unrewarded and such potential left undeveloped. You will go far in your career as a Pokemon Trainer, Nina. Of that, I have no doubt.”

Regardless, Nina still thanked the Professor profusely, until her Uncle Ali put a stop to it by lifting her up and spinning the girl around in celebration.

“My Nina’s a Pokedex holder now! I feel like the proudest uncle in the world. Haha!” Said the boisterous man.

Tini and Espy also joined in with their own cheers, making it hard for Nina to hold back her own laughter as well.

The rest of the day was spent touring Professor Oak’s ranch, marveling at all the wondrous new Pokemon that Nina had never seen in person before. Even her Uncle Ali, despite his wealth of experience, was impressed by the wide array of species on display. “Is that a Darkrai?” He whispered, referring to a fleeting red shadow that peeked out from the forest.

“Look, Uncle Ali! That’s a Hisuian Zoroark!” Pointed the girl excitedly. “That’s so freaking cool!”

After getting a nod from Professor Oak, Nina ran towards a baby Zorua that was poking his head out from behind his mother in curiosity. “Hi there, my name is Nina. I have Berries here to share, would the two of you like some?”

The white variant Zoroark seemed to scrutinize Nina for a time before nodding and pushing her child out to meet Nina, eliciting a giddy excitement from the girl.

Nina held out a handful of berries and waited patiently for the Zorua to come close and sniff at her. The wispy little fluff ball looked back at his mother for assurance before digging into the proffered Berries.

Seeing the scene, even other Pokemon began to congregate, hoping to get some treats as well. And for a time, Nina was surrounded by all sorts of rare and cute Pokemon while Tini went around greeting the newcomers, nuzzling up to those who were willing and offering some Berries from Nina’s Berry Pouch as well. The sneaky Dragon had somehow learned to access Nina’s backpack at some point.

Espy was as impassive as ever, but even she couldn’t help but be enamored by the cute little Zorua and Vulpix that tried to engage with her, ultimately caving and chasing them around in a game of tag.

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Meanwhile, the two adults just watched over the scene with genial smiles on their faces. Ali took the opportunity to snap a few pictures for a scrapbook that he had started compiling recently of all the memorable times he spent with his loved ones. It was a recommendation from his therapist that Nina had encouraged him to go see, after persistently badgering him for the better part of a year.

Nina spent an especially long time doting on a couple of Charmanders that had come up to her, seriously considering if she should redeem Professor Oak’s offer for one of their species. She preferred Bulbasaur, of course. (Team Green FTW) But Charizard was just cool all around.

“I mean it’s a freaking fire dragon!” Well, not actually. Since the entire line was pure Fire Type. But Nina had always just attributed the lack of Dragon and Flying Typing to shortsightedness from the game developers, as evident by the fact that they tried to make up for it with the X and Y variants of Mega Charizard. As for why they didn’t reclassify them in the Pokemon world, the girl had no idea and made a mental note to ask Professor Oak later.

Turns out a Pokemon’s Typing was determined based on the kind of Type Energy that they were capable of storing. For example, Tini could store Dragon Type Energy, but not Water Type Energy. He could harness Water Energy of course, but compared to a Pokemon with Water Typing, there was going to be a noticeable difference in efficiency and power.

In the end, she decided not to be so impulsive. She already had a Dragon in the form of Tini, who will eventually evolve into a Dragonite. And Dragonites can pretty much do all of the things that a Charizard can do but in a slightly different flavor.

“Having two Dragons in the team might be too much for me to handle.” She had read enough articles about Dragon Tamers who died trying to stop a conflict between two of their party members.

It didn’t mean that she wouldn’t redeem Professor Oak’s offer though. Just not in the near future, and likely not for any of the three regional starters. After seeing all the rare Pokemon contained within Oak’s ranch, she was sure that she could probably shoot for something better.

“A lot of these stored Pokemon are interbreeding with each other. So what happens to the eggs? It’d be pretty straightforward if both parents belonged to the same trainer, but if it's different trainers?”

It was the same dilemma that Nina encountered in her grandmother’s daycare. And Nina suspected that being able to get custody of these contentious eggs was one of the reasons why a Pokemon Professor would be willing to sponsor so many trainers at any given time. Not that she was suspecting Professor Oak of any shady dealings, but she doubted that baby Zorua was registered to his mother’s trainer.

“It’s a wonder that poachers haven’t swept this place clean. But then again, the ranch was being guarded by Ace Trainers, and with most of these Pokemon belonging to former Champions, heroes, and Elite trainers, even Giovanni would have to think twice before attempting a heist.” Success was less of a concern than the vindictive ramifications that would follow in its wake.

***

Enrollment into the Vermillion Flame was a piece of cake. Nina had submitted her application near the beginning of the year, and she only had to go through a courtesy video call with the principal, a board member, and a faculty member to be accepted. Unlike Charlie, who was made to go all the way to Vermillion City in person just to test the boy’s ‘dedication’.

Turns out, Professor Oak and the Cerulean Gym had also thrown their names into the ring as nominal sponsors for Nina, that is to say, they provided support outside of financial assistance. Which made Nina a triple-sponsored trainer, a fact that was all the more impressive given the actual caliber of her sponsors. These were some of the highest authorities in Kanto and not some mom and pop shop trying to pad their kid’s resume.

Nina’s ass felt raw from all the brown-nosing that was going on in her meeting with the school. “Bill was right about sycophants and their blind worship of status and prestige.”

With how accommodating the Vermillion Flame people were, Nina couldn’t help but wonder at some point if she was the one interviewing them instead of the other way around. Needless to say, she was given the best suite that their dorms had to offer alongside a full scholarship. “Charlie’s eyes are gonna pop out of his sockets when he finds out.”

Speaking of, she hasn’t heard much from her friend at all. His parents seem to think that he’s fine, but Nina was expecting a call from the boy at least. “I think the last time he called me was… During the first year of his enrollment?” Ever since then, Charlie had been radio silent.

“Maybe he finally realized that his little crush on me was stupid and now he’s embarrassed by it?” It was hard to say, teenage boys were weird and awkward. And this was coming from someone who had been a teenage boy before in her past life.

***

Nina picked up the incoming video call from her brand spanking new Pokedex, feeling quite pleased with herself. “Hey Bev, what’s up?” She greeted.

“Nins…” Nina’s senior apprentice was all teary eyed and disheveled.

“Hey, hey… Are you alright, did something happen? You’re not hurt are you?” Asked Nina, voice full of concern for her friend.

“I’m freaking out, Nins. I don’t have much time left until I gotta challenge Misty’s Star team. I don’t know if I’m ready!”

Nina sighed at the drama queen, but at the same time, she also felt relieved that her friend was unharmed. She had thought that something catastrophic had happened based on how upset Beverly was.

It was a tradition among all Gym Apprentices, no matter which Gym or region they were from, to leave their home Gym as the final badge in the Gym circuit. They were to challenge their mentor at full strength and showcase the results of their journey. Should they lose, which they often do, said Gym Leader will still assess the apprentice’s performance and reward them with a badge if they find them worthy.

Nina thought it was a super cool tradition, and she fully intended to follow suit when it was her turn. She wanted to show Misty that she was right to have taken her in and that she would continue to do the Cerulean Gym proud in the future even if she had no intention of being a full time Gym Trainer.

“You’ll be fine, Bev. Just do your best and Misty will reward you,” assured Nina. “I told you about how my GTQEs went, right? Let me tell you, girl~ compared to those wannabe Gym Trainers, you might as well be a member of the Elite Four.”

Beverly whined, unconvinced by her friend’s assurance. “I told you, Nins. Those were chumps, we can’t compare ourselves to them. Me especially, since I carry the family name,” the older girl gasped, as if she just realized something. “Oh Arceus… They’re not gonna disown me if I lose right? I can’t afford to feed Ryu all by myself. Forget becoming a mermaid, I might have to sell my body to make ends meet.”

Nina laughed at her friend's hysteria. “Relax, Bev… They love you too much to disown you. At most they’ll lock you up in the Gym for intensive training before the conference. Besides, no one is expecting you to win. Misty’s ancient compared to you, and so are her Pokemon. My advice? Aim to take out at least 2-3 of her team. That should impress her enough to at least award you with a standard badge.”

Beverly continued whining at her friend, refusing to let go of her worries, while Nina just patiently listened. The younger girl was well aware that her friend was just venting. When it comes time to perform, Nina has no doubts that Beverly will pull through.