"Battle over!"

  My voice cut through the chatter of the field.

  Both kids froze, Hana, with her Poliwag poised proudly, and the boy across from her, his Pidgey looking like it had just survived a war.

  I raised my arm toward Hana.

  "Point goes to Hana. She wins this round!"

  A cheer erupted instantly.

  Hana pumped her fist, her bright grin stretching from ear to ear as Poliwag let out a triumphant cry. The boy groaned loudly enough for half the camp to hear, flopping onto the grass.

  "Aw man… I thought Pidgey had it…"

  Pidgey cooed sympathetically, though even it looked resigned.

  Around us, the other kids started clapping and shouting. Some argued about who would battle next, while others chased their temporary partner Pokémon across the field.

  Over thirty campers were either mock-battling with aides, racing around the yard, or debating which Pokémon was "the coolest."

  I stood back, arms folded, catching my breath. Refereeing all day shouldn't have been tiring, but kids had unlimited energy. I'd spent the last two months wrangling them, teaching them the basics, guiding their practice battles, and trying to avoid stray attacks.

  I'd learned a lot in that time too.

  Fairy types didn't "exist" yet, at least not officially.

  Leafeon, Glaceon, and some regional evolutions… none of those were documented.

  An opportunity for another time.

  The more time I spent around so many Pokémon, the more I realized something else:

  My ability worked… on all of them.

  Not as strongly as with my own team, but I could feel faint impressions, hunger, anxiety, curiosity, fear.

  If I focused too long, some Pokémon even calmed slightly when I approached them with my powers.

  Useful.

  I wiped the sweat from my neck and headed toward the lab's recreation room for a breather.

  Just as I neared the doorway, Professor Oak stepped out, adjusting his lab coat with that easy, grandfatherly smile of his.

  "Ah, Arata," he said warmly, "excellent work today. I heard the children adore you."

  I chuckled, rubbing my neck. "They mostly listen to me. That feels like a win."

  Oak laughed. "Indeed. Are you joining us this evening? The barbecue, I mean."

  He leaned in slightly. "We host one at the end of every camp, for the staff, the helpers… and this time, Delia is taking the lead. You should absolutely attend. We'll also be discussing your and your fellow applicants' futures."

  My brain froze for half a second.

  The Pokédex.

  Then I nodded. "Of course. I'd be happy to."

  "Good lad," he said with a satisfied nod. "It'll be at the main Pallet shore. You'll see the setup."

  We exchanged a small smile before parting ways.

  Parents soon began to arrive, well-dressed, loud, and excited.

  Some were clearly wealthy, sweet-talking Oak with overly bright smiles.

  Others looked like regular families, relieved their kids weren't returning home with injuries.

  I spotted a woman with short dark hair and an elegant posture, Serena's mother, if I remembered correctly. She moved as if she had stepped off a magazine cover, thanked Oak with a polite bow, and left with her daughter's hand in hers.

  This was a significant event for the kids attending OAKS camp; it would open many doors, whether as trainers or academics.

  Before long, the last camper had left.

  Back in my room at the Ketchum Inn, I rummaged through my drawer.

  Swim trunks, towel, sandals.

  I threw on a loose white shirt over them and clipped my RangerNav to my belt, securing my Poké Balls.

  Outside my window, the sun hung overhead, beginning to wane into the late evening.

  Time to go.

  I descended the wooden stairs into the inn's main hall.

  Ash zipped past me in a blur of excitement, shouting, "Mom! I'm going ahead! Gary's waiting!"

  "Meet at the beach, Ash!" Delia called after him.

  Then she stepped into view.

  I paused.

  She wore a dark blue two-piece swimsuit with a tied, sheer cloth wrap around her hips. The fabric clung to her, sheer enough to reveal the shadow of the swimsuit underneath. Her figure was full, and her hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands framing her face.

  She noticed me staring and gave a beaming smile.

  "I'm glad you're joining us, Arata. I could use an extra pair of hands."

  "Of course," I replied quickly, trying not to look flustered. "What do you need help with?"

  "Just moving everything from the kitchen to the backyard."

  We moved together into the kitchen, picking up containers filled with grilled vegetables, marinated meat, skewers, berry desserts, drinks, plates, and cutlery. It was surprisingly heavy work, but she carried it effortlessly with practiced motion.

  Outside in the backyard garden, she set the trays down on a table.

  "Alright, Mimey!" Delia chirped.

  Mr. Mime appeared beside her in an instant, arms already extended dramatically.

  Delia placed her hands on her hips. "And off we go!"

  I reached out to steady a stack of bowls, but before I could blink, a psychic shroud enveloped us.

  Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

  The air crackled faintly as we teleported away.

  In a rush of light, we materialized at the beach.

  The sand crunched beneath my sandals, warm from the day's sun. Waves rolled in steady white lines, reflecting the gold of the setting sun. Lanterns hung from driftwood poles, flickering to life as a soft breeze swept across the shore.

  People were everywhere, lab aides setting up tables, townsfolk carrying coolers, and a group of kids already splashing near the waterline. The air was filled with the scents of sea salt, grilled food, and berry glaze.

  We had arrived right in the middle of the final preparations.

  A couple of people greeted Delia as soon as we appeared.

  "Delia! Need help with the grill?"

  "We've got the firewood ready!"

  She instantly slipped into host mode, smiling warmly and directing the volunteers with practiced ease. I helped unload the last tray from Mimey's psychic grip, then stepped back as she was surrounded by eager helpers.

  That's when I spotted my fellow applicants, Ashley and Clancy.

  They stood stiffly near a stack of folding chairs, like recruits awaiting inspection. Ashley had her arms crossed and wore an annoyed expression, while Clancy fidgeted with his lab coat collar as if it were choking him.

  I walked over.

  "You two good?" I asked.

  Clancy exhaled as if I had asked him to explain quantum theory. "Arata. Thank Arceus. Do you think… do you think we've done enough? For Oak. For the dex. For..."

  Ashley rolled her eyes so hard I heard it. "Clancy, calm down. You're spiraling again."

  "I'm not spiraling," he replied immediately. "I'm simply acknowledging the statistical probability that Oak will..."

  "Spiral," she finished flatly. "You are spiraling."

  They glared at each other.

  Then Clancy blurted, "You don't even need a Pokédex! I want to be a professor one day! This is foundational experience!"

  Ashley instantly snapped back, jabbing a finger at him. "And just because I'm a Pokétuber doesn't mean I don't have goals! I want to do contests in Hoenn! A dex helps with that, genius!"

  "Oh, sure," Clancy muttered. "Very academic."

  "What's that supposed to..."

  "Hey." I stepped between them before they could escalate further. "You're not going to ask me why I need it."

  They stared at me, deadpan.

  Then Ashley said in a monotone voice, "We're not questioning why you need the Pokédex."

  Clancy nodded solemnly. "We've seen your team."

  "…Fair," I admitted.

  That eased the tension a bit.

  Ashley smoothed her hair, and Clancy muttered an apology. They both pretended not to be mildly annoyed with each other.

  Before long, we were all drifting into the party.

  A spread of food lay across wide trays, grilled Tauros meat, sizzling Magikarp steaks, berry skewers, and roasted vegetables. People swarmed the tables, laughing, sharing stories, and exchanging tales of experiments they'd either failed or narrowly survived over the summer.

  Clancy stuck close to me like a lost Growlithe, while Ashley wandered off to capture pictures of the sunset for her Pokégram.

  Just as the last sliver of sun dipped below the horizon, someone lit the fire pit. Flames crackled, and embers glowed a bright red.

  I took a seat nearby, plate in hand, letting the warmth wash over my face.

  It was the kind of moment you couldn't fake.

  Pallet sure is a tight-knit community…

  Then Professor Oak approached.

  All three of us stiffened as if preparing for judgment.

  Oak paused, blinking in amusement.

  "Well," he said, "you three look like I'm here to deliver terrible news."

  Clancy swallowed audibly, Ashley clasped her hands behind her back, and I straightened up without thinking.

  Oak's smile deepened as he looked at each of us.

  "These past two months," he began, "you've done very well. Truly."

  Ashley let out a tiny exhale.

  Clancy looked ready to cry.

  Oak continued, his eyes twinkling. "You've taught the children, handled responsibilities, worked with staff, assisted with Pokémon care. And more importantly…" He paused, letting the silence stretch.

  We all froze.

  "I approve all three of you for the Pokédex Program."

  Ashley gasped.

  Clancy made a sound that might have been a choked sob.

  A warm sense of accomplishment lifted in my chest, a deep, solid certainty that I had earned it.

  Oak chuckled. "We'll discuss the details tomorrow. For tonight, relax."

  He patted my shoulder. "You've earned it, all of you."

  I nodded, smiling. "Thank you, Professor."

  He moved on, greeting other guests as we wandered away from the fire.

  Clancy immediately began excitedly discussing research projects.

  Ashley was already excited for her future, and I just… soaked it all in.

  A Pokédex.

  Another step forward.

  But the warm moment was shattered as Delia approached with eyes wide with worry, breathing hard.

  "Arata!"

  I turned immediately. "Delia? What's wrong?"

  She looked around wildly, voice trembling with panic.

  "Have you seen Ash? I haven't seen him anywhere."

  The bonfire cracked behind us.

  As I looked around

  No I havent…