Chapter 011

Roger was a parent, elder, friend and well-wisher to each child in Cherry Grove. His previous self had fond memories of Roger. With his standing and current Pokemon, he could live a peaceful and stress-free life if he wanted to. He could use his status as an ex-ranger and honourary Sheriff to gain some real power in Hurik Town. But he gave all that up so that he could be the caretaker for children in Cherry Grove. He remembered Roger telling him once that he used to work with his parents.

They soon reached Cherry Grove, a three-storey simple looking building in the middle of a bunch of cherry trees. He heard the old matron say that Roger and his Vileplume planted them when the orphanage was first established

"Alright. I have to get back to the Center to meet the rangers who will be arriving shortly. You can go ahead inside. Remember to tell Jasmine not to let anyone outside until either I or Officer Jenny say it is okay to do so." said Roger.

Alex nodded, and Roger started walking away with a wave. Alex entered the building after Roger was out of sight. As soon as he entered, he saw an old woman surfing on the couch reading a magazine. She looked up and smiled on seeing me "Ah! Alex, you are here. Roger told me he would be bringing you back. I heard you were stuck in the Pokemon Center due to the sudden riot of the Zubat. You can go back upstairs to your room now. Remember, dinner in half an hour and lights out at 9" she said.

"Yes Granny, " replied Alex. "Uncle Roger told me to tell you that the curfew is up all night. None of us should go outside until either he or Officer Jenny confirms it is okay to go out."

"Got it. Now run along. Joseph was very worried about you" she said.

Alex went up two flights of stairs and walked to the last room from the stairs, the room he shared with his roommate and best friend since childhood.

Alex knocked on the door, and entered, to see the yellow-haired kid, Joseph Rodriguez, on the floor staring deeply at a book.

"Hello Jos," greeted Alex, "Looks like I couldn't come back before 6 as I promised. He would have known that those Zubat would riot like that"

'I heard you were stuck in the Pokemon Center. When the raid shelter alarm went off and you weren't there Granny was worried. Someone from the Pokemon Center called us to let us know that you were stuck there shortly after that" said Joseph.

"Yeah, the curfew is on all night" said Alex.

"Do you know what happened?" questioned Joseph.

'Yeah, apparently a Crobat joined the flock, and suddenly the Zubat flock grew the balls to venture out before night" replied Alex.

"Balls? Do you mean poison sacks? How will that relate to them coming out earlier?" questioned Joseph.

"Ah! Never mind, the point is, they became bolder due to the Crobat. Rangers with Psychic Pokemon have been called. The Crowbar will be captured by them when it returns. Hopefully, things will go back to normal after that" said Alex swearing. He has to remember he was a kid among other kids. He has to be conscious not to use expletives in front of them from now on.

"So! Where are you with studying? The PIT is only half a year away and you need to pass at least the second round if you want to get an adventure sponsorship which you want. In fact, the third round is the requirement if you want the truly generous and inclusive sponsorships. We have to work hard for that" said Alex changing the topic.

"You know that I am confident of passing the first two rounds even now. It's the third round that I am not confident about. On the other round, unless you study hard even the second round of the PIT is doubtful for you" said Joseph bluntly.

Joseph was the kid genius of the orphanage. He had an excellent memory, sound reasoning abilities, and a good work ethic. Due to this, he was expected to easily pass the second round and hopeful about passing the third round.

This was because the practical part of the best was about observing and identifying Pokemon and answering questions about them. Joseph had no problem with common Pokemon like Rattata, Pidgey, Caterpie, and Oddish, but due to the lack of experience observing and interacting with rarer Pokemon he would not know much if he was asked about them during the examination.

But now, with the photographic memory his cheat granted him, the 'Number One Genius of Cherry Grove' title belonging to Joseph was up in the air.

Recalling his time in the Pokemon Center's computer, he devised a plan to help Joseph with the third round.