PMP 5: Got Piplup!

“Hello there!” someone said. Lukas and Mitsumi turned to see Professor Rowan approaching, along with two other people. Professor Rowan was a tall man in his sixties with white hair and a moustache. Mitsumi assumed that the labcoat-clad pair flanking him was Lukas’s parents.

“Lukas, we’re back,” said the Professor, “My fieldwork was a complete success. I will need your help in writing a report to send to my colleagues… oh! Who is this young lady?”

The Professor gave Mitsumi a once-over.

“You don't look like you're a trainer yet,” he said, “Have you gotten your first Pokémon?”

“No,” said Mitsumi.

“She’s Mitsumi,” said Lukas, “She came all the way from Twinleaf town.”

“That’s a way to walk without a Pokémon,” said the professor sternly, “Please, come inside so I can give you your first partner.”

Mitsumi followed the professor inside the lab, with the aides and Lukas bringing up the rear. With the flick of a switch, the lab was illuminated. It was very high-tech, with various machines humming around the room and several screens displaying complicated data. Mitsumi peeked at a few papers on a nearby desk to discover that Professor Rowan had the handwriting of a doctor.

“Now, for two years I have given out three specific Pokémon to new trainers,” said Professor Rowan, “Before that, I caught whatever I could find on the surrounding routes and gave them to new trainers.”

“My first was Starly,” said the woman.

“Mine was Bippa,” said the man.

“Well, anyway,” said Professor Rowan, clearing his throat, “Here are the three starter choices.”

The professor went to a table nearby and took three Pokéballs from it. He allowed them to open in front of Mitsumi.

The first Pokéball contained a small green turtle just like Lukas’s.

“We have the grass type, Naetoru,” said the professor, “They are easy to train, very docile, and grow quickly… but they aren’t the fastest Pokémon in Sinnoh…”

The second Pokéball contained an orange monkey just like Jun’s.

“This is Hikozaru, the fire type,” said the professor, “They are… a handful for new trainers. They are filled with energy and hard for some trainers to control. They lose this immaturity as they evolve, however…”

The third Pokéball contained the Pokémon that Mitsumi was waiting for. It looked like a small blue penguin that was wearing a cape.

“Pocha,” said the Pokémon.

“Last but not least, we have the water-type, Pocchama,” said Rowan, “Pocchama are often very proud. They make good partners but have trouble accepting kindness from strangers.”

“I want that one, professor,” said Mitsumi, pointing to Pocchama, “It’s so cute, and it eventually evolves into Empoleon, right? I think it would be great to have a Pocchama as my partner!”

“Y-yes,” said Rowan, surprised that Mitsumi knew about Pocchama’s evolution line,
“Are you sure that Pocchama is the one you want? You didn’t even think about it…”

“I’m sure,” said Mitsumi, “Grass-types really aren’t for me, and Hikozaru sounds like a lot of work to keep out of trouble. So I choose Pocchama!”

Mitsumi picked up the small penguin Pokémon. It was soft and plushy, and felt warm to the touch. The professor recalled the other two Pokémon.

“Now, here are five Pokéballs to get you started,” said Lukas’s mom, “Uh… which pocket should I put them in?”

Mitsumi put Pocchama on her head before taking the five Pokéballs and stowing them in a side pocket of her already very heavy bag.
“Here’s Pocchama’s Pokéball, and…” said the Professor, “I think you should take one of these as well…”

Instead of recalling Pocchama, Mitsumi put the Pokéball in her minidress’s sole pocket. The professor went to the back of the lab and returned soon after with a small, red, folded-over electronic device.

“This is a Pokédex,” began the professor.

“It’s a machine that has data on all the Pokémon in existence,” interjected Mitsumi, “You can use it as an identifier for Pokémon you are unfamiliar with. If you come across a Pokémon that has never been seen before, it will automatically record that Pokémon’s data.”

“W-wow…” said the Professor, “Uh, yes, that’s right. All of it, actually. I’m surprised you were aware of its functions. Now, I only give a Pokédex to trainers who I think will use it well. Your knowledge of Pokémon may rival even mine in time. From what I have seen, you possess great potential. That is why I want you to have this Pokédex.”

Mitsumi took the shiny, new Pokédex and opened it. It resembled a Nintendo DS, just like in the games. She closed it with a smile before putting it in the same pocket as the map.

“Thank you so much, professor,” she said, “I don’t know what I want to do as a Pokémon trainer yet, but… I’m sure I will put this Pokédex to good use. Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome,” said the Professor, “Now, Lukas, why don’t you walk the lady home?”

“What?” asked Mitsumi, “But I have a Pokémon now, so I should be fine!”

“Please, Mitsumi?” said Lukas, “I want to get to know you better.”

“… Okay…” said Mitsumi.

Mitsumi and Lukas said goodbye to the professor before heading outside. It was around noon by then, and Mitsumi was itching to get home for lunch. She took her Pocchama off her head and held it in her arms instead.

“Pocha,” said Pocchama.