When Luther woke up, the bus was already nearing Twinleaf Town.
He pulled out his Pokégear to check the time, only an hour and a half had passed. Stretching with a contented sigh, he felt refreshed, his energy restored after staying up late the night before.
Mid-stretch, Luther suddenly tensed. He had just noticed that both Marill and Ralts were still fast asleep beside him.
Glancing outside, he saw the Twinleaf Town sign coming into view. Carefully, he took out a Poké Ball and returned the two Pokémon, then quickly checked his pockets to make sure nothing had fallen out while he slept.
"Twinleaf Town, Twinleaf Town! Passengers heading to Twinleaf Town, please prepare to disembark," The driver called out as the bus came to a stop near the sign.
Not many people got off with Luther. When he first boarded, the bus, bound for Oreburgh City, had been about two-thirds full. Most passengers had departed at earlier stops, and now, by the time it reached Twinleaf Town, only a handful remained.
Luther had been wondering how to find Professor Rowan's Research Lab after getting off, but as soon as he stepped onto the roadside, the answer became obvious. Across from the bus stop, perched on a nearby hill, was a large domed building.
As he approached, he realized that although the number of actual buildings was limited, the Research Lab occupied an enormous area. The first security gate alone was nearly a kilometer from the main entrance, and beyond it, a vast stretch of land was home to Pokémon roaming freely.
Luther pressed the video call button at the gate. After a brief wait, the screen flickered to life, revealing a short-haired female researcher in a white lab coat.
"I'm Luther from Twinleaf Town. Director Shiran arranged for me to meet with Professor Rowan today," He said.
The night before, Luther had reached out to Director Shiran, asking for an introduction to the professor. He knew well the value of a strong first impression.
Back in his previous life, his struggle with social anxiety had made interactions difficult, teaching him just how important connections could be. Different circles had different attitudes toward outsiders, but a personal recommendation could make all the difference.
"Luther, huh…" The researcher picked up what looked like a bulletin, scanned it briefly, then adjusted her glasses and leaned closer to the screen, studying him.
After a moment, the electronic lock clicked open.
"Follow the path straight from the gate; Professor Rowan is waiting for you in the main lobby," She instructed. Then, after a pause, she added, "Oh, and one more thing…"
She gave him a curious look. "I heard you have a fear of Pokémon?"
"I used to," Luther replied.
Satisfied with his answer, the researcher nodded, and Luther stepped inside.
His eyes wandered as he walked through the Lab's grounds. Most of the Pokémon he saw were Water-, Grass-, or Flying-type, though he spotted a few Rock- and Steel-types here and there. He wasn't sure if other types were housed in separate areas, but for now, these were the only ones in sight.
As Luther watched a Tropius tending to a group of small Grass-type Pokémon in the distance, a Vileplume led a procession of Gloom and Oddish across the Research Lab's grassy field, momentarily blocking his path.
A thought struck him, and he reached for his Poké Balls, releasing Ralts and Marill.
The moment Ralts settled onto his shoulder, it perked up, eyes gleaming with excitement. Having spent its entire life inside a Pokémon Center until now, this was its first time seeing so many Pokémon gathered in one place.
Marill, meanwhile, opened its tiny mouth in awe, its eyes sparkling with curiosity. According to Director Shiran, it had only hatched recently, making it the perfect age to be fascinated by the world around it.
At the back of the procession, one Oddish suddenly halted, staring up at Ralts, who, from its perspective, loomed over it. The two Pokémon locked eyes, momentarily frozen in a silent standoff.
Luther glanced at Ralts, then at the tiny Oddish. After a brief moment of thought, he turned to his Pokémon and asked, "What do you think about adding an Oddish to our team?"
Oddish's final evolution, Vileplume, was a fairly common Grass/Poison-type, but battle mechanics in this world weren't as rigid as the turn-based system he remembered. While base stats and individual values existed, effort values seemed irrelevant here, it was all about the bond between Trainer and Pokémon.
Just as Luther was considering his options, the leading Vileplume suddenly whipped around, fixing him with a sharp, disapproving glare. Without hesitation, it scooped up Oddish and hurried away, leaving Luther to process what had just happened.
Did… did he just get rejected?
"That Vileplume is something of a leader among the Grass-types here," Came a voice from the entrance.
Luther turned to see the female researcher from before watching the scene unfold.
"She probably thought you were up to something strange with that Oddish," She added, a hint of amusement in her voice.
'No, no, she wasn't wrong… but it still stung a little.'
Shaking off the awkward moment, Luther followed the researcher into the Research Lab.
The building was larger inside than he expected, with bright corridors and multiple branching hallways. After navigating several turns, they finally arrived at a spacious, well-lit room.
Sunlight streamed through a skylight, casting a glow on an elderly man in a white lab coat. His back was turned to them as he carefully examined a Shellos with a measuring device.
"Professor, this is Luther. He has an appointment with you today," The researcher announced.
Professor Rowan paused mid-measurement before slowly turning around. His sharp gaze settled on Luther, sizing him up.
After a moment, he gave Shellos a gentle pat. "That's enough for today. The rest is up to you," He said.
The researcher nodded and carried Shellos away, leaving Luther alone with the professor. Rowan gestured toward a nearby sofa, silently inviting him to sit.
"I heard about you from Shiran," The professor finally said, folding his arms. "You want to travel, become a Trainer, and… you're here for a Pokédex, correct?"
Luther nodded.
"I can't grant you that request," Rowan stated flatly. "You don't meet the qualifications to receive a Pokédex."
Luther froze.
What?
He had barely been in the lab for a minute. They hadn't even spoken properly, and he was already being rejected?
"Professor Rowan, may I ask why?" Luther pressed. He had originally come here because it felt right, to start a journey with a Pokédex, just like Ash.
But now, things were different. Being turned down outright wasn't something he could simply accept.
What was he missing? What had Rowan seen, or not seen, that led him to this judgment?
Luther needed to know.
Professor Rowan picked up a folder from the table beside him. "This is a report Shiran sent me. It details your work at the Pokémon Center, your attitude, and your dedication. It's quite impressive, especially considering your history with Pokémon Phobia."
His tone was flat, his praise measured, but coming from someone as serious as Professor Rowan, it carried weight.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Luther asked.
"It is," Rowan replied, his expression unchanged. "For a therapist."
Luther caught the implication immediately. "Are you saying I can't become a great Trainer?"
Professor Rowan didn't answer right away. Instead, he flipped through the file, scanning its contents before looking directly at Luther.
"Shiran mentioned that you experienced a near-drowning incident just a few days before overcoming your phobia. Afterward, you started confronting the fears that had plagued you for years. It's only been half a week since you decided to set out on this journey."
His sharp gaze didn't waver. "Tell me, Luther… have you truly overcome your fear?"
Luther stiffened.
He had made a mistake. A foolish one.
The original Luther's phobia ran deep, so deep that it had dominated his life for over a decade. But when he took over this life, his perspective had shifted almost overnight. The change was too sudden.
Director Shiran had noticed. He had seen him and thought that his fear hadn't vanished, he was simply forcing himself to endure it. And rather than calling him out on it, he had quietly paved the way for him.
But Professor Rowan had no personal attachment to him. To Rowan, Luther's actions weren't signs of progress, they were reckless and impulsive. He wasn't someone who had conquered his fear; he was someone who had pushed forward blindly, pretending endurance was the same as healing.
There was no way to explain it. The researchers here were experts; they understood deeply ingrained phobias. Psychological data, years of clinical studies, and everything they knew told them that phobias weren't something one simply willed away. Someone like Luther, an outlier, would naturally raise suspicions.
And lying to someone like Rowan? That was a battle he wouldn't win.
"Shiran also mentioned that Ralts saved you when you were drowning." Rowan's voice cut through his thoughts. "It's clear that you've tied your recovery to that moment. Choosing Ralts as your first Pokémon shows that you want it to be part of your journey, to witness your growth firsthand."
Luther almost laughed.
He had chosen Ralts because he thought Kirlia and Gardevoir were stunning. It wasn't some profound, poetic reason, it was just aesthetics.
But he couldn't say that. Instead, he had to follow Rowan's logic and push forward.
"Yes," Luther admitted. "I deceived Director Shiran. I am still afraid. But does that mean I'm not allowed to move forward?"
He tried to sound hesitant, but his words came out strong. "Ralts' kindness showed me how wrong I was. I spent over ten years running, shutting Pokémon out, refusing to understand them. Ralts gave me the courage to change that."
"I'm still afraid," He continued, his voice steady. "But I came here to break through that fear. Is it fair to judge someone's worth just by looking at a file?"
Professor Rowan tossed the report aside with a small flick of his wrist.
"I don't judge people based on paperwork," He said. "But it does provide useful insight."
(End of Chapter)