‘This world will test your will, bravery, and courage. I’m starting to see how that’s the case’ Heath sighed.

‘So what does the stats look like for Piplup’

Piplup

Age: 8

Lv. 5 (Copper)

Exp: 0/44

Moves: Pound, Growl

Ability: Torrent

‘That’s weird where’s Hp?’

[It’s hard for the system to calculate Health points or any other stat due to how the world operates.]

“That makes sense, explains some of the power boosting Ash’s pokémon have in the anime. So does this world use the same leveling system as you or is it different?”

“Piplup lup?” Piplup saw Heath zoning out and went to check what’s wrong. This snapped Heath back to reality for a second to comfort Piplup before asking the previous question again.

[This world at the present time uses a cultivation system that starts from Copper to a rank called Ex but pokémon still haven’t fully been explored. More research is required before system can use a conversion matrix.]

[Quest Issued: Learn more information

Details: Learn more information about the world and it’s current pokémon ranking system

Reward: System update, and Skill: Observe]

‘An Observe skill will be op here’

Heath looked up, and saw a Torchic looking at him. The first word that appeared in his mind was ‘cute’, and soon after he heard footsteps coming. Looking at where the footsteps were coming from he saw a girl. She wore a green bandana which hid most of her hair besides two locks that were display in front of her face. This as well as her red sleeveless t-shirt and kakhi shorts make heath immediately recognize her as May.

“Who are you????”

Heath saw that May was on guard and he wondered how he was going to explain this with arising more suspicion.

“I’m just a vagrant that Professor Birch has been so generous to help?”

“Really, and where is my dad?” May had a bothered look. Heath couldn’t possibly tell why so he shrugged his shoulders.

“He said that he w-”

“I was in a meeting with the guild. Sorry for taking so long guys.” Birch smiled at both of them and saw that his daughter still remained suspicion.

“I know it’s weird for me to let someone back here, but I was on a tight morning schedule and I couldn’t let them starve. So, I had Heath here, help. Heath this is my beautiful, and daughter that I love so much May and May this is, Heath.” Birch introduced the both of them which led to Heath standing up, and outreaching his hand for a handshake. May looked at it but no attempt of friendliness was made or even considered by her part. Heath looked at Birch but he just sighed, silently nodding before walking past them. He walked towards Piplup and bent down. This alerted Piplup but seeing Heath relaxed made it feel like it was okay.

“Usually, Piplups aren’t this friendly even if you give them a berry.” Birch cradles Piplup in one hand as he digs in his pocket and brings out a Oran Berry. He gives to Piplup who looked at Heath once more before tasting it.

[Piplup has consumed oran berry. No effect]

“Good boy”

Heath sees Birch rub Piplup’s belly and walks towards them. Heath looks over to May and sees her heart pound out of chest, and her eyes light up in sparkles.

‘I guess she still likes cute pokémon’ Heath thought.

“So, May, if you’re here I’m guessing lunch is ready?”

“Yeah, mom said to get you while she calls Max over. Should I tell her we have a guest?” May questioned, her face turned slightly sour as she said the last part which caught Heath off guard.

‘Not trusting me is one thing, Not liking me and being obvious about it another. Rude’ Heath feign an oblivious smiled.

“It’s fine, I’m not that hungry anyway. I might to try to train Piplup or Research more.”

“Research what?” May asked. Heath looked towards Birch once more and he put down Piplup, who finished the Berry. Birch dug another one up and gave it to the blue bird.

“May, stop being rude. Heath will be coming, we have a couple of things to discuss. I happened to sneak a glance at what you were researching and might be able to help clarify things now that the rest of my day is free” Birch offered. Heath thought about going and honestly. He hasn’t eaten in what felt like days but he wanted to finish the quest.

*Grrrhhhh*

Heath’s stomach growled loud enough for everyone to hear. Heath turned a embarrassing shade of red and Birch placed put a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“Come, my wife makes some good food. May, go and tell your mom that I am bring a guess. please” Birch asked. May snickered but obeyed so she left. Once she was gone, Birch took his hand off of Heath’s shoulder.

“Sorry about May, she’s just a little wary of people. Plus, I don’t typically allow people to feed the pokémon here. She’s been pestering me about for months now.” Birch admitted

“So why did you let me?” Heath probed.

“Because you seem to need help. You have amnesia and kid your parents are most likely dead, or you were abandoned. You have literally nothing, and I’m not saying this to disrespect or hurt your feelings. But… you are old enough in this world for me not to sugar coat my words. I see you and how you take care of your Piplup. You don’t coddle him even though he’s probably your first, you are mature, more mature than my own daughter in that regard so I see potential in you. so until you decide what you want to do. You can work for me and I’ll provide you access to the internet, a recommendation to the research guild if you want it and some basic essentials like food and water. Not only for you but Piplup.”

Heath thought about Birch’s offer and smiled. He honestly hoped that someone would be as kind as Birch. He knew that in Birch’s position many people wouldn’t let him in his door with a million dollar but Birch is offering him a job when he has nothing but the clothes on his back and Piplup.

“I would like that” Heath smiled and outreached his hand. Birch went for the handshake and they both nodded.

“Good, of course I’ll give you the information on what you want to know about the research guild.” Birch tapped Heath’s shoulder and walked to the kitchen inside.

“Piplup, stay here okay”

“Piplup pi” Piplup walked off and went back to his seemingly new friend Mudkip. Seeing this Heath smiled and went inside. He saw birch browsing the computer looking at the window that Heath was previously looking at and after skimming it, he turned around.

“So, you want to know more about the Research Guild.” Birch asked. Heath nodded and spoke.

“Yeah, obviously I know that it probably operates similar to the union despite your words on it being decentralized, and there’s also a thing of having a special class of people, like the union. Why is there no information on the research guild besides the basics I found on that website? Why should I think about joining this guild and not any other minor guild or the other big two?” heath loaded a bunch of questions, and some of them Birch didn’t expect for Heath to ask.

Heath’s question made Birch smile as Heath was displaying qualities far above most. Birch was quiet for a while seemingly thinking about all of the question Heath asked.

“So, first things first, the easiest question. The Research guild is a part of the big three guilds, but unlike the other two guilds the research guild is only a guild in name, and the reason for that is the fact of the special items found in some regions. Depending on what region you are, you will have to go through a decent process to get the professors recommendation, and for that exact reason we are kinda secretive with the public. We are not looking for strength, as most of the strongest trainers are a part of the other 2.” Birch answered.

“So how are you apart of the big three when you can’t match their strength.” Heath countered.

“Simple, our founder Professor Oak was the previous Pokémon master in his heyday. He would ravage all of the regions, and was the founder of the World Master Circuit, that is only available when you reach a high ranking. He retired and went on to apprentice two people. Red, a pokémon trainer who would in record time of the age of 26 would become the Next Pokémon Master, and Blue, his son, who would take over the spot from Lance at the age of 20. Additionally, the one who people said had the least potential from the three of them, Leaf, who married Blue, and in her heyday was said to have the had the strength of a champ. Not only that Professor Oak would become the founder of the Research Guild, who has bridged more professors than the Union.” Birch smiled when he saw Heath’s face turn even more serious.

‘Does that mean there’s no ash? But Gary is Oak’s grandson and Birch said that Blue was his son? Unless Blue and Gary are the same person.’ Heath pondered.

“If you do choose to become a pokémon trainer, you have to look out for the people of your generation. You have all of the VIP members of the other regions and even they were all gone for certain, you still have Red’s Son Ash, and Blue’s son Gary. From what I heard; they seem to have a lot of potential. So why are we so big, simply due to our founder’s legacy, and suddenly growing strength recently” Birch seemed to read Heath’s mind.

‘This got complicated.’ Heath smiled at the thought of competition with all of the game’s protagonist. Who would be the strongest, who would come out on top? Heath felt his heartbeat raced at the thought of meeting one of the greatest trainers in this world, he looked at his hands as he gripped them to make a fist and squeezed hard enough that the whites of hit knuckle appeared. At this moment all Heath could think of is.

‘I will be the best this time around’

“So next answer yes while we are decentralized, we a typically closer than the council, or at least that’s what Professor Magnolia and Oak has told us. We also have a lot of freedom as individuals even though we may give you rewards for merits or stipends. We typically only focus on those who we have recommended unless they are Vip members. To be a vip member is hard, because there’s no real qualifications, but at the same time there is.” Birch chuckled at the last part.

“Sorry it’s just that I know it’s confusing, but that is the truth right now. As far as why you should go register with us rather than the Union, or Genesis it is because of the amount of freedom you receive. As a member I can issue you 1,000 pokédollars, and 5 pokéballs per month. You also get a solid 10% discount on all additional pokéballs. Unfortunately, we can’t give you a discount on Technical Machines and potions, but we do occasionally have tournaments independently from the union and genesis that give rare pokémon, and tm’s.” Birch supplied Heath with a little bit more of the benefits, as far as 30 free board pass coupons on Pokemon Centers, and missions that trainers can take for money.

“I need to do more research, but thank you for the information Professor. I honestly appreciate all of that you’ve done so far.” Heath bowed, and saw Birch scratch his head in shyness.

“I told you before, I would hope someone would do the same for my kid.” Birch smiled.

“I hope you make the decision best for you. I know that the Union give 2,000 pokédollars for beginners, and 10K for Elite. Plus, discounts on boarding and PokeMarts.” Birch admitted.

“That’s way better.” Heath blurted out, he realized what he said and went to apologize but Birch stopped him.

“I know, but’s only in the condition that you do a quota of missions when they ask and follow their orders.” Birch relented. Heath thought about the potential missions that could potentially be asked, and his eyes widened.

‘No wonder they give such rewards.’ Heath thought.

“Well as far as minor guilds compared to us, I don’t know. There’s to many guilds for me to ascertain a proper answer” Birch got up from his chair but not before turning the computer off.

“Let’s go, we’re probably late.” Birch judged. The two of them left the Lab with a note from Birch saying that they’ll be back in a couple of hours. The walked back through town, but luckily Birch’s house wasn’t that far from the Lab. His house was a two-story olive colored house that looked just like Lyra’s house. Birch opened the door, and a wave of deliciousness hit the both of them causing their stomachs to grumble.

“Come inside, you letting the cold air get inside the food” a voice that sounded like May was heard, and Birch immediately looked to Heath.

“Come inside before you get both of us in trouble.” Birch advised. Heath took his advice and hauled ass inside. Birch quickly closed the door behind him.

“Sophie, I brought a guest” Birch shouted, and it resumed through the house. Heath looked around the entrance the first thing was noticeable was a medium sized dinner table. Towards the back there was wall that had a countertop installed and it bridged the kitchen which May was seen eating a carrot stick. Looking towards the left Heath saw the simple living room which at the end of it had stairs that led to the second floor. Footsteps were heard, and lady that looked extremely similar to May, was seen coming down. She looked around looking to find someone, and when she saw Heath, she smiled.

“You must be the guess; my name is Sophie. Will you be joining us for dinner?”

She kept walking and Heath nodded politely. Thanking her for her hospitality, and her families’ generosity. Loud steps were heard, until a voice was heard.

“MOOOOM, where is my oh- who are you?”

Heath immediately recognized the boy coming down the stairs as May’s brother.

“I’m Heath” Heath Introduced himself, Max corrected the position of his glasses before saying.

“Hello there, I’m Max” Max smiled and then went to ask Sophie something while Birch led Heath to a seat. The dinner table was full of sandwiches and even some soup. There were also a bunch of rice, and a light smelling stew.

“Heath, uhh the sandwiches are for throughout the day, while the rice and stew were for lunch. You can have as much food as you want, and when we go back make sure to grab as many sandwiches as you can. For you and me, so don’t be shy” Birch smiled. Max and May started fighting, and Sophie quickly dispelled any further arguments with the promise of no dinner for the night. Sophie told all of them to wash their hands while she set the bowls, and plates.

They did as they were told without complaints, and from what heath observed everything was mostly the same besides the occasional appliance upgrade. They all finished washing their hands and sat down. Heath returned to his original seat, and saw a large helping of white rice, and on the side a stew, with a even smaller bowl of vegetables.

Heath looked around and saw the two siblings eating, so Heath thought it would be ok to tuck in and eat the food. At the first bite of stew covered in rice, Heath immediately shed a tear. It was some of the most tender meat Heath has ever experienced in his life. He soon heard a laugh, and when looking towards the voice he saw Birch who was across from him next to the smiling Sophie.

“I know right but believe me when I tell you. When she started she was t-”

Birch was smacked right in the head with a spoon held by a smiling Sophie.

“Honey dear, you shouldn’t tell them those silly stories of yours. I was trained by world class chefs” Sophies looked towards Birch with a creepy smile, and it scared the hell out of Birch. He remained quiet after that.

“So, Heath, where are you from?” Sophie tried to make conversation. Heath immediately looked towards Birch who understood the glance

“He doesn’t know, that’s really the reason he’s here. He has amnesia and he’s not registered.” Birch coughed at the end, and the mood dipped heavily. Sophie got up, and immediately went to hug Heath. Heath thought the hug was nice, as nice as the food that he was given.

“I’m sorry, I was raised by an orphanage, so I understand a little bit.” Sophie’s voice was soft but sturdy.

“It’s fine, I guess idk. I personally think it is best I don’t know them” Heath said. Sophie let go and went back to her seat like nothing happened. All of them continued eating and when they were finished, they started with a small desert.

“SO, what are you going to do Heath?” Sophie asked?

“He’s actually going to be working me as a temporary Assistant, He has potential and seemingly good connection with pokémon and while I need some muscle, a new opinion. He needs a place to stay, food, money, and time” Birch interjected. Heath looked at Sophie who seemed to be happy with that idea, Birch also seemed to share that settlement while. May looked extremely pissed off and Max nonchalant about the whole thing.

“I appreciate the position Professor.” Heath thanked him once more as he really didn’t have to do anything that he has done so far. Birch just drank his juice and went to the kitchen with his and Heath’s dishes. Birch then came out with some Tupperware, and placed it In front of the sandwiches and Heath to which Heath started to place the sandwiches in. Seeing that Birch smiled,

“You’ll probably be more help to me than I am to you” Birch commented as he went back to the kitchen with his wife. May got up and went to the TV while Max went upstairs. After Heath was done, Birch went to get the door after saying they will be back for dinner. Birch and Heath left the house to go back to the lab, and Birch said.

“I hope the food was good. I enjoyed it” This was further supported by a burp and an apology.

“It was one of the best foods I’ve had, I think.” Heath tried to keep up with the amnesia, but it was honestly annoying.

“Good, for the rest of the day you can use the computer or the Poképad. I already have a picture of you so I’m going to sort out your Trainer ID. We have a peaceful day since it’s the weekend” Birch went to a new computer and immediately got to work, while Heath took the iPad like device to which Birch disturbed the serene quiet.

“If you want to rest, just go up to the second floor, to the right, and any of the rooms. I recommend the last as it’s practically an apartment. I have to program your fingerprints so just leave through the main entrance.” Birch said to which Heath went to the apartment upstairs, opened the door, and sat the bed. He then immediately got to work on the quest.