Chapter Text
It was a relaxing day like any other in New Bark Town.
Aki lounged in a vibrant grassy field, dotted with wildflowers and berry trees. The land was part of Professor Elm's lab and was free for her and her Pokémon to use as they pleased. Aki was a trainer and resided with the professor and his family in the small town. She assisted him from time to time with his research.
A looming shadow covered up the sunlight she had been basking in. She opened one eye to see an enormous Typhlosion with a scar over its left eye and a black bandana with printed flames tied to its right arm. It also wore a brown harness with handles on the back, usually meant for Ride Pokémon in the Alolan region. Sitting up and stretching, the trainer addressed her longtime partner.
“Hey Akaido, did Professor Elm send you to find me?” she asked, ruffling her raven black hair to shake loose any foliage that might have stuck to it. Akaido nuzzled against her cheek before lowering himself to all fours. He gestured his head towards his back, indicating he wanted her to hop on.
“I guess he finally finished his tests on you. Depending on what he found, you and I might be going on another adventure together.” She scratched him behind his ear before climbing on his back and grabbing the handles.
“Aren’t you glad we bought this on our last trip to Alola?”
Akaido let out a happy call before he sped off towards the lab.
Upon arriving, Aki jumped off Akaido and took off the harness. She carried it in with her as she entered the building and hung it on the coat hanger by the entrance. The lab was spacious with many windows allowing in lots of natural light. Heading for the back of the lab, she wondered what the professor could have discovered about her long time partner.
Could it be possible there were other Typhlosions like him?
What if there are other Pokémon his size?
She passed a row of large bookshelves bursting with research documents and books about Pokémon. There was a large grey lab table with papers scattered about. That’s where she found the brown-haired professor poring over a thick book.
“Knock, knock. You called?” Aki knocked loudly on the lab table, as Professor Elm had a tendency to get wrapped up in his research. He perked up quickly and smiled at the sight of her.
“There’s my favorite assistant! What brings you into the lab today?” he asked as he stood up from his seat, his white lab coat wrinkled and stained with tea on the right pocket.
“You called me here.”
“I did?” Elm blinked.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Aki deadpanned. “Do you not remember? You were running tests on Akaido all morning. You had him bring me here.”
Elm frowned, tapping a finger against his temple.
“Tests… Akaido… tests…”
Then his eyes lit up.
“Oh! Yes, yes! I did call for you.”
He paused, brow furrowing again.
“Er… what was it that I called you for, though?”
He scratched at the small tuft of spiked hair atop his head, genuinely pondering his own question. His gaze drifted across the lab until it landed on the large Typhlosion sitting in the corner, happily drinking a can of lemonade he’d found in the lab’s refrigerator.
“Ah, Akaido! Yes!” Elm straightened, excitement returning in full force. “I called you here because I might finally know why he is so large and powerful! Have you ever heard of ‘Alpha’ Pokémon?”
“Alpha…Pokémon?” Aki furrowed her brow and shook her head.
The professor went off on a passionate explanation of enormous Pokémon that were first seen in ancient Hisui, known as Alphas. He flipped through the pages to another section of the book he was reading. When he landed on a page with diagrams and drawings he pointed at them excitedly. The book told about fearsome Pokémon that were larger than normal, with a threatening aura, and glowing red eyes. They were said to be very powerful and could learn moves that others of their species could not learn naturally. It is unknown how Alpha Pokémon came to be. They were still able to be caught like any other Pokémon, but only by a trainer strong enough to tame them.
“I think that Akaido might be one of these Alpha Pokémon! It would explain his incredible strength, glowing red eyes when enraged, and why he is so much larger than other Typhlosions.”
A memory of a Cyndaquil with glowing red eyes flashed in Aki's mind. She felt a pang in her chest. Shaking it off quickly, she continued to listen intently to the eager professor’s explanation.
“And it’s not just speculation,” Elm continued, lifting a finger as if lecturing a classroom. “Colleagues of mine have been discussing sightings of Alpha Pokémon in the Kalos region.”
He barely paused before barreling on. “Oh—and listen to this!”
Elm turned sharply, rummaging through a stack of papers before thrusting a newspaper clipping into the air.
“Just last week, Lumiose City aired a special report on the establishment of Wild Zones—little pockets of natural habitats right inside the city!” His eyes shined behind his glasses.
“Pokémon can roam freely, humans can still live their everyday lives. Isn’t that just extraordinary?”
He clasped his hands together, practically vibrating.
“Sweet Celebi, the research I could conduct there would be remarkable! I’m excited just thinking about it!”
Aki was hesitant to agree. It sounded like a recipe for disaster to have wild Pokémon in the city, let alone Pokémon the size of her “Alpha” Typhlosion. How could people feel safe in their homes if they looked out the window and saw wild Pokémon mere inches from their home?
“So!” The cheerful professor adjusted his glasses, eyes bright as they landed on her.
“I was hoping you, my top assistant, would go to Kalos and catch some Alpha Pokémon for me to study.”
He turned back to the cluttered desk, rifling through another stack of papers before producing a glossy pamphlet. Holding it up, he asked, “You’ve never been to Kalos, have you?”
He flipped it open, revealing a vivid image of Lumiose City’s glittering skyline.
“I hear it’s a wonderful tourist city,” he continued, tapping the next page—this one showing a trainer seated at a café, their Pokémon lounging comfortably at their side. “You could even take some time to relax and explore.”
Then he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as though sharing a secret. A playful wink followed.
“Who knows,” he said warmly, “you might come back with more than research this time. What do you think?”
Aki contemplated the idea for a moment.
It has been some time since I took a trip anywhere. The last place I visited was Galar and Akaido didn't come with me. It could be interesting to find other large Pokémon like him to catch and train.
“I’ll go,” she replied, looking over at Akaido in the corner, “but I am taking Akaido with me this time. If there are going to be other Alpha Pokémon, I better come prepared with one of my own.”
Akaido raised his empty can of lemonade to show his agreement.
“Wonderful! I knew I could count on you!" Professor Elm hurried over to his computer, fingers flying across the keyboard with unrestrained enthusiasm.
“Anything for you, Professor Elm,” she replied. “What do I need to prepare—and when do you want me to leave?”
Even as she spoke, she was already forming a mental checklist of supplies she’d need to buy and pack.
“The day after tomorrow,” he said briskly. “I’ve already taken care of all the necessary travel arrangements.”
He stepped away from the desk and crossed the room, placing a small rectangular white box into her hands. Aki looked down to see a brand-new Rotom Phone resting inside.
“Please take this as well,” he continued, beaming. “I hear they’re all the rage in Kalos! There’s a Rotom living inside it! Isn’t that amazing? A Pokémon inside a phone! Simply brilliant!”
He waved a dismissive hand. “It’ll serve you far better than that dated Poké Gear of yours.”
It didn’t come as a surprise to her that the professor was planning on having her leave so soon. If he could help it, he would have had her leave right that instant. Still, her fingers hesitated around the sleek device. It looked expensive, too expensive, she couldn’t accept such a gift from him.
“Professor, I—” she began.
“Ah, ah, ah.” Elm lifted a hand, stopping her gently. “I know exactly what you’re going to say.”
A soft smile spread across his face, “It’s necessary for the journey. You don’t need to pay me back, and you’ve more than earned it after all the assistance you’ve given me over the years.” He tilted his head. “Think of it as a reward for your efforts, not a gift.”
Before she could respond, he reached out and gave her head a fond pat.
“You don’t have to feel like you owe me, Aki. Ever. You’ve been a wonderful help all these years. I think you have earned a reward and a vacation. Don’t you agree?"
Aki hesitated, then nodded reluctantly.
“I’ll do my best, Professor Elm,” she said quietly. “Thank you.”
“I know you will,” he said, ruffling her hair. His eyes flickered briefly toward Akaido.
“Be careful.” His voice became somber, almost parental.
“When am I not?” She flashed him a crooked grin.
He studied her for a moment, then lowered his head slightly before returning the smile—quiet, proud, and just a little worried.
“Come on, Akaido,” she called to her partner. “We’ve got some packing to do. We’re going to Kalos!”
Akaido leapt to his feet, abandoning the empty lemonade can, which clattered to the floor. With an eager cry, he bounded after his trainer, his mane flaring brilliantly as he followed her out of the lab.