Chapter no.5 Knowledge is Power

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"Wow," Austin murmured, taking in his first real look at Viridian City from a high point on the hill.

It was nothing like he'd imagined from watching the anime. The city sprawled out before him, far larger and more alive than the simple depiction he remembered. Low-rise buildings in soft pastel colors dotted the landscape, blending naturally into the lush green forests that surrounded the city on all sides. The buildings seemed to rise out of the trees themselves, like the city had grown with the forest rather than in place of it.

Far below, winding streets twisted and curved, following the natural shape of the land instead of cutting through it. Towering trees shaded the roads, their roots pushing up from the earth, forming gentle, rolling mounds along the sidewalks. It gave the whole place a layered, organic feel, as if the city had been molded to fit within nature's boundaries rather than bulldozed into it.

Great, my first butterfly—ahem, Butterfree effect, Austin thought as he entered Viridian City. I wasn't stopped by Officer Jenny. He wasn't sure whether to be relieved or nervous. All he wanted right now was a quiet place to let the weight of the day slip off his shoulders.

Still… where was Officer Jenny? In the anime, she'd stopped Ash around here. Maybe it's because I caught that Rattata and Spearow, he mused. Maybe that small change threw off the sequence of events just enough to keep Team Rocket away. He snorted to himself. Fine by me. I'd love to avoid Team Rocket altogether.

But a nagging unease lingered. What if dodging this encounter had changed things in a way he couldn't predict? What if, by avoiding one trap, he'd set himself up for something worse down the line?

Austin shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the present. No point worrying about hypothetical disasters. He needed to take things one step at a time.

He spotted an older man walking by, a kind-looking gentleman with a Pidgey perched on his shoulder.

"Excuse me, sir—could you point me to the Pokémon Center?"

The man smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Of course, son. Just up the road there, then take a left. You can't miss it."

"Thanks."

Fifteen minutes later, he found it. The Pokémon Center stood at the end of the street, a sleek, modern building that looked completely out of place among Viridian's quaint, forest-blended architecture. It was larger than he'd expected, the facade gleaming in the late afternoon light. The place was a fortress of glass and steel, with a distinct red roof and a glowing Pokéball symbol above the entrance.

To quote Ash… it's gigantic.

The moment he stepped inside, a wave of calm washed over him. The air was cool, faintly scented with antiseptic, but something warm and welcoming filled the space. Trainers of all ages milled about, some chatting quietly, others waiting with their Pokémon at their side.

Behind the counter stood Nurse Joy, with her signature pink hair and gentle smile, exactly as he remembered. Just seeing her made his shoulders relax, even if only a little.

"Welcome to the Pokémon Center," she greeted, her voice soft and almost motherly. She looked at him with a slight tilt of her head, as if she could see the weariness he was trying to hide. "How can I help you?"

"I recently caught these two Pokémon." Austin placed the Pokéballs on the counter.

Nurse Joy picked them up, examining the Pokéballs thoughtfully. "How recent are we talking?" she asked, looking up at him with curiosity.

Austin blinked, a little thrown. "Uh… a few hours ago?"

She gave a small nod. "Then they'll need a standard health assessment for newly caught Pokémon. We'll check for any underlying injuries, illnesses, and administer basic vaccines. Wild Pokémon can carry all sorts of things, and we want to make sure they're in good shape before they get too integrated into training."

Austin nodded, absorbing this. "Right. Vaccines. Makes sense that they'd need that."

Next to him, Pikachu shivered at the mention of "vaccines," and Austin had to bite back a smile. He wouldn't have guessed Pikachu would understand that word, but apparently, Pikachu knew enough to look wary.

"Is this… free?" he asked, feeling a little silly. It was a new world for him, in more ways than one.

"Of course," Nurse Joy said with a reassuring smile. "Basic healthcare is provided for all trainers at Pokémon Centers. It's covered by the League."

"Well, that's a relief," Austin said, exhaling. "How long will it take?"

"A few minutes to an hour, depending on their condition," Nurse Joy replied. "Sometimes wild Pokémon need deworming or hydration therapy, or we'll find small injuries that need treatment."

Austin nodded again, slightly overwhelmed by the reminder of just how real all this was. "Well, you're the professional, so I'll leave it in your hands."

Nurse Joy smiled as she turned to Pikachu, still perched tensely on Austin's shoulder. She motioned gently toward him. "And how about you, Pikachu? Would you like a check-up too?"

Pikachu narrowed his eyes suspiciously, glancing from her to Austin like he was considering making a break for it.

Austin sighed, giving Pikachu a patient look. "Come on, buddy. We've been through a lot today—fighting Spearow, running halfway across the forest. Wouldn't it be a good idea to make sure you're healthy?"

Pikachu's expression was clear: Absolutely not.

Austin tried not to laugh. "I'll give you a ketchup packet if you let Nurse Joy check you out."

At that, Pikachu's ears perked up, and he hopped onto the counter, landing right in front of Nurse Joy with a determined squeak. She chuckled, placing him on a rolling examination cart. A Chansey came over, smiling warmly as it began to push the cart toward the examination room.

Nurse Joy chuckled, glancing at Austin. "You've got an interesting relationship with your Pokémon. He seems pretty attached to you… as long as there's ketchup involved."

Austin grinned, scratching his head. "Yeah, it's a work in progress. But we're getting there."

Nurse Joy gave him an approving nod. "Why don't you take a break, maybe grab something to eat? You can come back in an hour or so to check on them."

Austin hesitated, unsure what to do with himself. "Actually… while I'm here, is there, like, a bookstore nearby? Somewhere I could find books on… I don't know, how to make Pokémon food? Or grooming, training techniques… that kind of thing?"

He realized he was rambling a little and scratched the back of his neck, feeling awkward. But then he noticed Nurse Joy's expression—she was smiling at him with a kind of surprised delight, like he'd just asked the best question in the world.

He shifted on his feet, a bit embarrassed. "Uh… did I say something weird?"

"Oh, no!" she said, looking slightly flustered herself. "It's just… most new trainers don't think about things like that until they're a year or two into their journey. Usually, they're more focused on battling than learning how to take care of their Pokémon."

Austin chuckled, his awkwardness melting. "Well, I've got a lot to catch up on. If I'm going to be a decent trainer, I figured I should start with the basics."

Nurse Joy's smile softened, her eyes warm with something like pride. "That's a wonderful mindset to have. Trainers who take the time to understand their Pokémon's needs usually end up building the strongest bonds. There's a bookstore just a few blocks from here—Greenleaf Books. They have a good section on Pokémon care."

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The bell jingled softly as Austin pushed open the door to the bookstore, the chime echoing in the quiet, cozy space. Shelves lined every inch of the walls, stretching up to the ceiling, crammed with books that looked like they'd been there for decades. The air smelled faintly of paper and something herbal—maybe from the dried plants hanging from the shelves.

Austin was about to start browsing when his attention was drawn to the shopkeeper behind the counter. The man was… something else. He had a long white beard that reached down to his chest, a dark green beanie perched on his head, and a black bathrobe draped over cargo shorts. A curved pipe was clenched between his teeth, from which he blew slow, perfect smoke rings, each one rising lazily toward the ceiling before vanishing.

"That's bad for you, you know," Austin muttered, wrinkling his nose at the smell.

The old man chuckled, a raspy sound that rolled out of him like stones tumbling down a hill. "Kid, at my age, I think I've earned the right to a few bad habits."

Austin didn't know how to respond to that, so he just shrugged and started pulling books off the shelves, hoping he wasn't making a fool of himself. Before long, he had a solid stack:

Grooming the Kanto Way: 101 Tips for Pokémon Care by Suzie Yuki

Inside Kanto: A Political Analysis by Martin Greene

Culinary Companions: Over 100 Recipes for Your Pokémon by Emily Turner and James Ford

The Physics of Pokémon: Understanding Their Moves by Professor Magnolia

He brought the pile to the counter, feeling the weight of the books in his arms. The shopkeeper eyed the stack, blowing a smoke ring through it as he raised an eyebrow.

"That'll be 2000 Pokédollars," the old man said, his tone casual.

Austin reached into his pocket, only to come up empty. His heart sank. Right. I'm not on Earth anymore, he reminded himself with a pang of frustration. Of course, I don't have any money here.

Back home, he'd been saving every bit of his pocket money to buy a rare Pokémon card from a friend. He'd nearly had enough, too. But here? None of that mattered. No pocket money, no stash of coins. Just him, empty pockets, and a pile of books he suddenly couldn't afford.

He hesitated, glancing back at the shopkeeper, and a wild idea popped into his head.

"Is… uh, is it possible to barter? I mean, instead of paying with cash?"

The shopkeeper's eyebrow shot up, and he let out another smoke ring, watching Austin with an amused glint in his eye. "Barter, huh? Depends on what you got, kid."

Austin fumbled through his bag and pulled out a Pokéball, placing it on the counter. The shopkeeper's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharpening.

"You know selling Pokémon is illegal, right?" the old man said, his voice suddenly cold.

Austin's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly shook his head. "No, no! I'm not selling a Pokémon—I swear! Look." He popped the Pokéball open to show it was empty, then looked up at the man, cheeks burning. "It's just an extra Pokéball. I thought… I don't know, maybe you could use it?"

The shopkeeper's hard gaze softened a bit, and he studied the empty Pokéball, tapping it thoughtfully with one long, bony finger. After a pause, he gave a slow nod. "Hmm. Pokéballs aren't cheap, y'know. And they're always handy to have around…"

Without another word, the shopkeeper slid a few crisp bills across the counter. Austin blinked, picking them up carefully. Each bill had an intricate design—a mural of Mew, detailed and elegant, almost mystical. The artwork reminded him of the ancient Mew mural from the first Pokémon movie.

The shopkeeper took another drag from his pipe, blowing a perfect ring as he watched Austin count. "That's 3,000 Pokédollars for the Pokéball. Guess that covers your books with a bit of change left over."

Austin stared at the bills, his mind racing. Wait… 3,000 Pokédollars? That means a single Pokéball costs 5,000?! The realization hit him like a Thunder Shock. Holy crap, being a trainer is expensive.

The shopkeeper chuckled, clearly enjoying the shock on Austin's face. "Noticed, did ya?" he said, sounding amused. "Ain't cheap, the trainer life. Food, medicine, Pokéballs… it all adds up."

Austin looked up, feeling a reality check settle in. "How do trainers usually… I mean, how do they make money? How much do they actually earn?"

"Depends." The shopkeeper shrugged. "A simple match might net you 100 to 200 Pokédollars. Gym battles? 500 to 2,000, depending on the place. League's a bit different—there are prizes, but only if you're good enough to make it up the ranks. Most rookies don't make it past the first round, though."

Austin felt like he'd been slapped with reality.

How had Ash even survived? he wondered. If Brock hadn't been there to help him with food and supplies, Ash would've been in serious trouble. No way he could manage without being more careful.

The shopkeeper reached over and placed two more books on Austin's pile:

Pokémon Training for Dummies by Jane Peters

Wealthy Trainer, Wise Trainer: Financial Strategies for Beginners by David Clarkson

Austin swallowed, eyeing the books. They were exactly what he needed. He braced himself, dreading the price. "How much for these two?"

The shopkeeper gave him a long look, then leaned back in his chair, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Free."

"Wait… seriously?"

The old man nodded, his smile deepening as he tapped the books with one finger. "The only good is knowledge, kid. The only evil is ignorance. And you look like you're actually willing to learn—can't say that about most new trainers. So yeah, take 'em. On the house."

Austin stared at him, not sure what to say. "Thank you."

The old man nodded, his eyes twinkling with a wry wisdom. "Don't thank me yet, kid. Just promise me you'll actually read them."

Austin grinned, tucking the books under his arm. "Deal."

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Austin walked out of the convenience store with a small bag of chips, a candy bar, and some other snacks, barely able to contain his excitement. Trying out snacks in another world—it was the kind of thing he'd never even dared to imagine. Who gets to experience something like this? he thought, grinning as he opened the bag of chips and popped one in his mouth. The flavor was unfamiliar, a mix of spicy and sweet he'd never tasted before, and it was surprisingly good.

This is the life, he thought. Here he was, bag of snacks in hand, exploring the world of Pokémon. Sure, there had been a few close calls today, but right now? Right now, he could just enjoy himself, snack on alien junk food, and take in the sights. He took another chip and savored the taste, feeling almost giddy.

And then, just like that, the universe decided to rain on his parade.

A loudspeaker crackled to life nearby, and a repeating announcement echoed through the streets: "Attention, citizens of Viridian City. Attention, citizens of Viridian City. There have been reports of possible Pokémon thieves in the area. Please be on the lookout for suspicious-looking individuals."

Austin froze, chip halfway to his mouth, as the message continued to blare. The voice was familiar—Officer Jenny. His stomach did a flip as he connected the dots.

Wait… I got here before Ash would have. That means…

A cold wave of realization hit him.

Oh no. That means Team Rocket is probably going to hit the Pokémon Center tonight.

His excitement fizzled out in an instant, replaced by a creeping sense of dread. He stuffed the snacks back into his bag, his heart pounding as he sprinted toward the Pokémon Center.

I'm not ready for this, he thought, trying to keep his breathing steady as the Center came into view.

Nurse Joy was at the counter, greeting him with a calm, reassuring smile that felt so out of place compared to the urgency pounding in his chest. He forced himself to take a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Nurse Joy, are my Pokémon ready yet?" he asked, struggling to sound casual, though he could feel his nerves fraying. Please just say they're fine so I can grab them and get out of here.

"Actually, I was just about to update you. We found a few issues with your Rattata."

Austin's heart sank. "Is she… is she going to be okay?"

"She's stable, but… she was in worse shape than we expected. Severe dehydration, signs of malnutrition, and a couple of infected wounds. We're treating her with antibiotics and fluids."

"I… I didn't know. I mean, she looked rough, but…"

Nurse Joy placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her touch gentle. "There's no way you could have known," she said softly. "From what we can tell, this happened long before you caught her. If anything, you saved her by bringing her in when you did. If she'd been left out in the wild…" She paused. "Let's just say she wouldn't have made it through the night."

Austin felt the words hit like a punch to the gut. He'd known this world could be dangerous, but he hadn't really known. Not like this. It was one thing to watch Pokémon battle on a screen, to see them faint and bounce back like it was nothing. But to hear Nurse Joy calmly explain that Rattata might not have survived the night? That was something else entirely. This isn't a game, he reminded himself, the weight of it settling heavily in his mind.

For a split second, the thought flickered through his head: Maybe I should let Rattata go. Maybe I'm in over my head. But the idea made his stomach twist, and he immediately wanted to slap himself. No. Come on, Austin. Get it together.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to think clearly. You caught her. She's yours now, and she's depending on you. Running wasn't an option.

He nodded, trying to keep his voice steady. "Thanks for looking out for her, Nurse Joy. I… I didn't realize how serious it was."

Nurse Joy offered him a warm, understanding smile. "Of course. Rattata just needs some rest and proper care, and she'll be back to her old self. With a little patience, you'll see her personality come out."

Austin managed a small smile, feeling a flicker of relief. But then his mind snapped back to the announcement he'd heard outside. Team Rocket.

"Good, good," Austin mumbled, nodding. "And… is there somewhere I can stay tonight?"

"Certainly," Nurse Joy said, though she tilted her head slightly, as if noticing his distracted air. "We have rooms for trainers—500 Pokédollars per night, which includes access to the cafeteria."

Austin forced a smile, already mentally tallying his expenses. Great. I need to find a way to make money fast. But he filed that thought away for later, knowing he had bigger concerns right now.

"Nurse Joy, uh…" He hesitated, glancing around the Pokémon Center. "Do you… have any kind of security here? I heard that announcement about Pokémon thieves, and, well… I was just wondering."

Nurse Joy's expression turned serious, her warm demeanor shifting to something more professional. "We do. Officer Jenny is patrolling the area, and the Center has a few security protocols in place. But unfortunately, these kinds of thieves are tricky. They often wait for things to quiet down before they make their move."

"Right. And, uh, what does 'quiet' look like around here?"

She looked at him, perhaps sensing his unease. "Usually, most trainers head to bed around ten or eleven. There's a night shift Chansey who stays up front with me, and Officer Jenny checks in periodically." She gave him a reassuring smile. "But don't worry. We haven't had a real incident in quite some time."

"Right," Austin said, nodding too quickly. "Yeah. I'm sure it'll be fine."

Nurse Joy studied him for a moment, her gaze softening. "You're worried about something, aren't you?"

Austin rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit exposed. "Well… yeah. I mean, I'm new to all of this. And hearing about Pokémon thieves… I just don't want anything bad to happen."

Nurse Joy's expression turned gentle. "It's good that you're cautious. Pokémon Centers are safe places, and we take every precaution. But… if it makes you feel better, you're welcome to keep an eye on things too."

Austin managed a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Nurse Joy. I might… stay up a little tonight. Just in case."

She nodded, understanding in her eyes. "And remember, kid—you're doing a good job. It's rare to see a trainer as thoughtful as you so early in their journey. Your Pokémon are lucky to have you."

"Thank you," he said quietly. "That… actually means a lot."

Nurse Joy gave him one last warm smile before turning back to her duties. Austin took a deep breath and started walking down the hallway, his mind already racing. He glanced up at the clock on the wall: seven hours until things would likely go down.

Alright, Jessie and James, he thought, determination hardening his gaze. You're not getting my Pokémon.