“Auburn!”

  Damn blue dog.

  Auburn adjusted his lab coat as he stood at the workstation, the hum of machinery filling the research facility. It wasn’t the life he’d imagined—not even close. He’d been here four years, doing all the grunt work while real researchers handled the important stuff. He wasn’t even an official assistant, just some kid who’d stuck around long enough to be useful.

  Felix, the owner of that ever-annoying voice in his head, had been here even longer. Allegedly, the lucario had been at the lab for nearly seven years. He didn’t belong to any trainer—at least, not as far as Auburn knew. He just helped out on his own terms, and the worst part? He was damn good at it. He couldn’t read or write, but his speed, strength, and near-obsessive work ethic made him twice as valuable as any human assistant. And he knew it. Technically, Felix had seniority over Auburn, and he never let him forget it.

  "You're distracted," Felix’s voice echoed in his mind.

  Auburn flinched slightly before scowling. "I’m working."

  "You're thinking about something else."

  Auburn exhaled sharply, placing a sample container on the table a little harder than necessary. “What does it matter? I’m getting the job done.”

  Felix tilted his head, unreadable. "Stubborn."

  Auburn’s jaw tightened. That word again. He'd heard it from teachers, researchers, even his own mother. No one ever said it when he was right—only when he refused to back down.

  Before Auburn could snap back, Felix shifted the topic entirely. "Professor Rowan has important mail. Go tell him."

  Auburn clicked his teeth in annoyance. “Been here four damn years, and I’m still taking orders from a dog.”

  Felix ignored the complaint, already turning away as if the conversation was over.

  Auburn muttered a curse under his breath and pushed up his hexagon-framed glasses. At this hour, Rowan was probably out in the field, studying what he called "above-average" Pokémon.

  As much as Auburn hated being sent on errands, he knew better than to ignore Felix. The lucario wasn’t above dragging him there himself.

  Auburn quickly locked the computer and trudged out toward the field. “Been here four damn years, and I’m still taking orders from a dog.” Auburn’s role at the lab hovered somewhere between intern and tech. He wasn’t qualified to be a proper lab assistant—at only 16, he lacked the necessary training—but like Felix, he’d been around long enough to pick up a thing or two. He’d already stayed much longer than he’d originally planned...

  Damn it! Auburn’s thoughts returned to the source of his frustration. This is the third damn time! Four years of applications, and the old man still can’t give me a break!

  About 50 yards off, the professor could be seen tending to an elite trainer’s Nidoking on one of the hills in the field. Meal times on the ranch were always hectic. In his years of experience, Rowan had learned that feeding the larger Pokémon first was the best way to avoid conflicts.

  As Auburn approached, the Nidoking let out a low growl, alerting the professor to his approach.

  “Auburn, I thought I had you moving the old dex files into storage. What are you doing out here?” the professor asked in his usual tone—both warm and stern at once.

  Auburn walked past the professor, earning a warning growl from the Nidoking. “Relax, Rocky. I’m not going to steal your food. At least, not unless you cook it somehow.” Rocky grumbled and dragged the carcass a few yards away for safety.

  “Auburn?” Rowan pressed.

  “It’s Felix. He says you’ve got some important letter or something? He didn’t specify.”

  “Oh Good! Thank you, son.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Auburn said shortly, swirly on his heel and started back toward the main building. Rowan, detecting the hostility, called out to him.

  “Still angry about the test results, then?”

  Auburn bristled, spun back around, and glared at the professor.

  “You think? I’ve been trying to get a lab sponsorship for four years! Last year, they raised the minimum age to sixteen! Now I’m hearing rumors they’ll raise it again. At this rate, I’ll have to spend all my savings on a private breeder just to have a chance!”

  “You still need a license, too,” Rowan added calmly.

  “Gee, thanks! I almost forgot!” Auburn threw his arms up in exasperation.

  Rowan, for his part, remained perfectly calm, which only fueled Auburn’s irritation.

  “Why?” Auburn asked. “I came here to learn under you because I thought it’d help me get ahead. Why do you keep giving the sponsorships to random kids? What am I doing wrong?”

  Auburn continued glaring at Rowan, hoping his gaze would burn through the professor’s coat or at least set it on fire.

  Rowan met his gaze with practiced patience. With a deep sigh, Rowan adjusted his mustache. “First off, they’re not ‘random kids.’ Every one of the kids who’s been awarded a sponsorship—”

  “—has shown exceptional talent in training and research, yeah, I’ve heard it before.”

  “—and more to the point, the League has raised the standard for prospective trainers, as you well know. The world is a dangerous place. We need to ensure the young trainers are ready.” Rowan finished, ignoring the interruption.

  “And I’m not?”

  “That’s not what I said. I—”

  “Then what?”

  Rowan paused, seemingly considering something. For a moment, Auburn thought he might’ve gotten through to the professor, but then Rowan walked past him.

  “Wha—?”

  “Felix said it was an important matter, yes?”

  “Uh, yeah. That’s what Felix said. But what about—?”

  “Good! I’ve been waiting for a response from Professor Magnolia for quite a while. Come to my office after you finish with the files. We can talk then!” Rowan called back over his shoulder, effectively cutting the conversation short.

  “Huh?” Auburn let out a confused noise, glancing at the Nidoking and then the half-dozen other Pokémon eating nearby. “

  If you’re going to the office, who's going to feed the Pokémon?”

  ...

  “Hey, wait!”

  Later…

  Auburn stood outside the professor’s office, sighing heavily. Thankfully, Rowan had sent one of the other lab techs, a bookish woman named Sandra, to help with the Pokémon. Sandra was introverted, but her calm aura helped keep the Pokémon in line. Auburn still did most of the heavy lifting, but her presence made it easier.

  Afterward, Auburn spent more time entering old files into the system and, for some reason, delivering Felix’s messages every five minutes. When he first arrived, the dog hadn’t spoken to him for months, but now, it felt like Auburn was constantly at his beck and call. It was confusing and annoying. At least Felix had wandered off an hour ago.

  Now, Auburn was back at the professor’s office. He raised his hand to knock.

  “Come in!” The professor’s voice called.

  Auburn furrowed his brow but opened the door anyway.

  “How did you—oh.”

  Rowan sat calmly behind his oak desk, and behind him, Felix leaned against the wall with a smug look. The lucario was notably missing the steel spikes that usually protruded from his paws and chest—something Rowan had explained as a birth defect. Auburn had long accepted the explanation. Asking more about it had only ever earned a defensive response from Felix.

  “What’s he doing here?” Auburn gestured vaguely at Felix.

  “I asked him to be here. What we’re discussing pertains to him as well. Close the door, please.”

  “Sure…”

  Auburn stepped in, closing the door behind him. The room was usually neat, but now it was in disarray. Papers, files, and letters were scattered across Rowan’s desk. It had been a hectic week, but Auburn knew the professor liked his office organized.

  “So… what’s with the mess?”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Rowan chuckled and gestured to the leather chairs.

  “Sit down, Auburn.”

  Auburn did so, watching Rowan with concern.

  “So…” Rowan began, “about the lab sponsorships.”

  “You’re going to give me the sponsorship after all?” Auburn asked, hope rising.

  The professor cleared his throat. “No, I’m afraid the lab has already awarded all available sponsorships this year.”

  Auburn’s heart sank. “Great. Well, not great, but anyway—what’s this about then?” Auburn asked, his mood quickly souring.

  Rowan paused, as if choosing his words carefully. Felix’s expression shifted to something more serious, too.

  “Why are you so intent on becoming a lab-sponsored trainer?”

  Auburn blinked. “Huh? Are you serious? I’ve been here for four years specifically for this! Getting a lab sponsor has always been the goal!”

  Rowan nodded, unbothered. “I know. But I’m trying to understand your motivations.”

  Auburn opened his mouth but hesitated. “My mother…”

  “I know about your strained relationship with her, but I get the feeling there’s more to it than that.”

  Auburn fell silent, uncomfortable at how easily Rowan seemed to read him.

  “I just… I need to prove that I can do this.”

  Rowan raised an eyebrow. “To who?”

  Auburn clenched his jaw. “To myself.”

  Rowan studied him, waiting.

  Auburn exhaled sharply. “Look, I’ve spent years working here, doing everything right, putting in the effort, learning from real researchers. But people still look at me like I’m going to crash and burn the second I step outside.”

  “Because of your father.”

  Auburn’s hands curled into fists. “They think I’m just like him. That I’ll fail like he did. That I’ll give up.” He shook his head. “I won’t.”

  Rowan leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. “So why the insistence on being a lab-sponsored trainer?”

  Auburn shot him a disgruntled look. “Because if I do this on my own, everyone will just say I’m being reckless. That I’m running off without thinking, just like he did. But if I have the lab’s backing? If I go through the proper channels? Then they have to take me seriously.”

  Rowan nodded. “Right. But you’ve saved a decent amount of money. Couldn’t you start as an independent trainer?”

  Auburn’s gut twisted at the thought. Independent meant unproven. Unreliable. Just another kid who thought he could make it big. Just like his father.

  He swallowed hard. “I need this. Besides which, between going to a private breeder and all the supplies, I’d burn through all my savings before I even hit the road.”

  Rowan gave a thoughtful nod. Then, he opened a desk drawer and pulled out an unmarked envelope

  “Indeed, there are quite a few expenses.” He spoke calmly as he opened a desk drawer. “Perhaps this can help.”

  Rowan held out an unmarked envelope.

  Is this?

  The boy snatched the letter from the professor in less than a moment. A second later he was tearing through the paper, sending bits and pieces flying into the air. He turned the envelope over, letting a small plastic card tumble onto the desk. He grabbed it instantly, flipping it over and holding it closely to his face.

  Auburn Monroe – Male – 5'8"

  Official Pokémon Training License

  Issued in Sinnoh

  Expires 06/30

  Auburn’s eyes skimmed over the details of the card. A training license…

  “A training license.” He flopped back into his chair, the weight of the words settling in.

  It wasn’t what he’d hoped for.

  “I took the liberty of submitting your sponsorship application to the Sinnoh Licensing Department,” Rowan said, his voice casual.

  Auburn’s eyes snapped up to meet the professor’s. Right, still mid-conversation.

  “While the tests aren’t directly comparable, the SLD agreed that your application more than met the qualifications for a standard license.”

  “...and the fee?” Auburn asked nervously, half-expecting a catch.

  Rowan waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. Being the nation’s leading professor has its benefits.”

  Auburn exhaled in relief, glancing at the small piece of plastic again. His license. His official trainer license. It wasn’t what he’d planned for, but—

  A smile crept onto his face.

  —he was officially a Trainer!

  “And the Pokédex?” Auburn asked, hoping for more.

  Rowan smirked. “What, don’t you kids all have phones these days?”

  Auburn rolled his eyes. “I haven’t programmed one yet,” Rowan relented. “I’ll have it done by tomorrow morning. More importantly, there’s something else we need to discuss.”

  Auburn sat up, curious. “You have a starter Pokémon for me as well?”

  Rowan paused for a moment, his expression unreadable. “...That’s not the matter I’m referring to, no.” He dodged the question with a small shift of his gaze.

  Auburn blinked. Holy shit, really?

  “W-what is it, then?” he stammered, a sudden nervousness overtaking him.

  Rowan glanced at the room’s oddly silent lucario, whose sharp red eyes glinted in the dim light. The Pokémon gave a subtle nod in return, a quiet acknowledgment that made Rowan sigh.

  “Auburn,” Rowan began stiffly, “in exchange for the help… I want you to take Felix along with you. No, that’s not right. I’m assigning Felix to you, personally.”

  Auburn stared blankly at him. What? His heart lurched uncomfortably in his chest. This conversation was too much of a roller coaster for him to keep up with. Surely, he hadn’t heard that right.

  A barking laugh broke through his thoughts, and Auburn’s gaze snapped up to see Felix—the lucario—laughing. Laughing! Auburn’s face flushed with embarrassment. Of course it was Felix. The dog always jumped at the chance to mess with him.

  Auburn shot the professor a withering look. “Seriously? You let the mutt in here just to mess with me? Is the license at least real?”

  Felix only laughed harder at Auburn’s response, while Rowan wore a tired expression, clearly at his wit’s end.

  “Auburn, I’m being serious. Although I realize Felix’s attitude about the matter is not helping convey that!” Rowan shouted the last part at Felix, causing the lucario to straighten up immediately. Auburn glanced between the two of them, confused. Was this really happening?

  No… Auburn narrowed his eyes on Felix, looking for any sign that the lucario was joking. But Felix’s gaze was serious. Resolute. Unwavering.

  “This is a joke, right?” Auburn asked, more to himself than anyone else.

  Rowan stared back at him, unblinking. “No, Auburn. This is not a joke.”

  Auburn’s mind was spinning. A million thoughts raced through his head, but the words that finally escaped his mouth were far from graceful.

  “Why?!” he shouted.

  “Auburn, calm do—”

  “He’s a noncombatant!” Auburn’s voice cracked with frustration.

  Felix snarled at the insult. His posture tensed, and his hackles raised.

  “Felix, don’t you start either!” Rowan snapped, his voice sharp as he shot a look at his Pokémon.

  “You might as well give me an egg!” Auburn threw his hands up in exasperation.

  “Please, he could give you a legendary and you’d still screw it up!” Felix barked back, his voice full of sarcasm.

  “Enough!” Rowan roared, slamming his fist on the desk. Both Auburn and Felix snapped their mouths shut, the sound of papers fluttering to the floor suddenly very loud in the silence. Rowan’s gaze flicked between the two of them, ensuring he had their attention. He let out a deep, tired sigh, massaging his temple.

  “Auburn. The world is a dangerous place.”

  “I know, that’s why—”

  “Let me finish.” Rowan raised a hand, silencing Auburn before he could interrupt. “I know you think you understand the dangers of being a Trainer, but that’s not what I mean. There’s more out there than you realize.”

  “What do you mean?” Auburn’s voice dropped, suddenly cautious.

  Rowan hesitated. He looked uncomfortable, the words clearly not easy for him to say. “Things are… changing.”

  “...How so?” Auburn pressed, his curiosity piqued.

  Rowan let out another long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck in agitation. “The situation is more… urgent. It’s—ugh, how do I even explain this?” Rowan paused, ruffling his hair, clearly frustrated with himself. Auburn stared at him, baffled. What had happened to the usual Professor Rowan, the man who always had his words ready?

  “I know I’m not explaining this well. There’s a lot I can’t say, but you need to understand: I’m confident that you two need to stick together,” Rowan finally said, looking at Auburn with serious eyes.

  “...So that’s it, then? Either a belligerent dog who won’t listen to a word I say, or no starter at all?” Auburn’s voice was tinged with disbelief.

  “No, not exactly,” Rowan corrected, shaking his head. “Technically speaking, Felix wouldn’t be your starter. In fact, I wasn’t planning on ‘giving’ you Felix at all.”

  Auburn was even more confused. “What? How does that work?”

  Rowan cleared his throat. “I would be assigning Felix to you in a sort of ‘guardianship’ capacity. He’ll travel with you, but he’ll still be under my personal registration.”

  That caught his attention. He didn’t know that Felix was registered to the professor.

  “So… a bodyguard?” Auburn raised an eyebrow, his sarcasm slipping through.

  “Escort,” Felix corrected, eyes glinting with mischief.

  Rowan nodded. “He’ll still be linked to your Pokédex in case of emergencies, but you won’t be able to register him for official League battles. Street-side matches or fighting wild Pokémon, though? That’s still fair game.”

  Auburn hummed thoughtfully. It sounded pretty advantageous. If any official lab sponsors heard about the arrangement, they’d probably be jealous of him, not the other way around. The main complication was their conflicted history. He had little-to-no faith that Felix would listen to him. Hell, he was still struggling to understand why Felix had agreed to this in the first place. And then there was the other matter.

  “So if Felix isn’t going to be my starter, what then? I still need at least one Pokémon registered to me. Are you planning on having him bully Starlys in the forest until I catch one?” Auburn smirked, hoping the levity would calm his nerves.

  Rowan chuckled warmly. “No, no. I wasn’t thinking anything quite that barbaric. You remember the letter you told me about earlier, right?”

  “Yeah, I think Felix said it was from—” Auburn’s eyes widened as realization hit him. “...Professor Magnolia.”

  Rowan nodded. “Yes, and from the looks of it, you’ve got an idea of where this is going.” He grabbed a folded lavender-colored paper from one of the stacks of documents on his desk. He made sure Auburn had his attention before beginning to read aloud:

  Dear Professor Rowan,

  It’s lovely to hear from you again. I know we’ve all been caught up in our own research recently, but I do appreciate the correspondence.

  You were right to reach out to me first. As you’ve heard, the Pokémon League in Galar is, shall we say, “overcorrecting” once again. I agree that keeping the young new trainers safe is the first priority, but limiting training activity to this extent is unheard of! Underground training is going to have a massive resurgence if they keep this up. Suffice it to say, I do have an extra starter in my care that I can let go of, if this young protege of yours is still interested. I will warn you though, she’s a bit of an oddball. She has more energy than you can imagine, even for her line, and she has a habit of getting lost in her own world. Honestly, I had thought about holding her back from her original trainer anyway, but I’m sure she’ll be just fine with Felix around as well.

  Rowan finished reading and tucked the letter into his breast pocket. Auburn’s eyes were wide with disbelief. It was a lot to process, and he could hardly believe it.

  “That’s the situation as it stands,” Rowan said, turning back to Auburn. “It’s already quite late here, so I shan’t be disturbing Professor Magnolia tonight, but if everything goes well, you’ll be able to meet your starter tomorrow.”

  Auburn shook his head, trying to process the words. “Professor, this is—this is… I don’t even know how to—”

  “It’s like you said, Auburn,” Rowan interrupted, smiling slightly. “You’ve been studying here for four years now. I figured that ought to account for something.”

  Auburn felt a lump form in his throat. This was really happening. “Thank you, Professor. I can’t even begin to say how much this means to me.”

  Rowan smiled gently, his eyes softening with a rare warmth. “Well then, now that that’s out of the way, there’s only one thing left for the two of you to decide. When do you start?”