Chapter no.5 Knowledge is Power

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As Austin made his way through Viridian City. The place looked like it had been plucked straight out of the 90s—the low, pastel-colored buildings, the simple streets. It felt like he'd walked into an old photo, the kind with slightly faded colors and a gentle, nostalgic glow. The city was quiet, almost too quiet compared to what he'd expected. There were a few people here and there, a couple of Pokémon wandering beside their trainers, but nothing like the bustling energy he'd imagined. Everything felt laid-back, almost sleepy. Like time moved a little slower here.

Unlike the anime, I wasn't stopped by Officer Jenny, Austin thought, a small wave of relief washing over him. That would've been a headache I wasn't ready to deal with.

But then again, where was Officer Jenny? If Team Rocket was supposed to be causing trouble at the Pokémon Center, why wasn't anyone warning him? Was this some kind of Butterfly Effect? Maybe catching Rattata and Spearow had shifted things, altered the sequence of events just enough to keep Team Rocket away.

I'd love to avoid Team Rocket altogether, he mused. But there was an itch in the back of his mind, a nagging worry. What if this small change led to something worse down the line? What if, by dodging one trap, he was setting himself up for an even bigger one?

Austin shook off the thought, focusing on the here and now. He stopped a passerby, an older man with a gentle smile and a Pidgey perched on his shoulder, and asked for directions to the Pokémon Center.

"Just up the road and to your left, son," the man said, pointing down the street. "You can't miss it."

"Thank you," Austin replied, giving him a nod before continuing on his way.

Fifteen minutes later, the Pokémon Center came into view. It stood out from the rest of Viridian City's architecture like some kind of futuristic fortress. Larger, more modern—it practically screamed importance.

To quote Ash, it's gigantic, Austin thought, taking in the sheer size of the place. The glass doors reflected the fading light, casting an inviting glow as if calling out to trainers in need. It felt strange walking up to it, like he was stepping straight into the anime, except this time, everything was real. And it was him, not Ash.

The moment he stepped inside, a wave of calm washed over him. The place had a warmth to it. There was something about Nurse Joy standing behind the counter, with her pink hair and that signature, soothing smile, that put him a little more at ease.

"Welcome to the Pokémon Center," she greeted, her voice gentle, almost motherly. It was like she could sense the exhaustion weighing him down.

"Can you check if my Pokémon are healthy?" he asked, handing over the Pokéballs containing Spearow and Rattata. He glanced at Pikachu, who was still on his shoulder, looking visibly shaken.

Pikachu stared at him like he'd betrayed him or something.

"Relax, Pikachu, she's just going to check if you're injured," Austin said, trying to sound reassuring. But Pikachu wasn't buying it. His little body was tense, his eyes darting between Austin and Nurse Joy.

"Chu," Pikachu muttered, the unease clear in his voice.

"Um, Pikachu doesn't like Pokéballs," Austin explained to Nurse Joy, feeling a little awkward. "And I haven't really let Spearow and Rattata out since I caught them earlier today. So, uh, please be careful."

Nurse Joy nodded, completely understanding as she placed the Pokéballs on a tray. She motioned for Pikachu to hop onto the examination table, but he didn't budge. His eyes flicked between the table and Austin, a mix of fear and stubbornness written all over his face.

"Don't worry, buddy," Austin said softly. "She's just here to help."

Nurse Joy smiled warmly at Pikachu, and it seemed to ease his nerves—just a little. Slowly, Pikachu jumped down from Austin's shoulder onto the table, still looking a bit uncertain. Austin felt a pang of guilt watching him, like he was forcing Pikachu into something he didn't want. This wasn't just some episode anymore. Pikachu was a living, breathing creature, and he was scared.

As Nurse Joy began her examination, Austin tried to distract himself from the tight knot forming in his chest. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Um, Nurse Joy, is there like… a bookstore or something around here where I can buy books? You know, like, how to make Pokémon food or… other stuff like that?"

He wasn't sure if he was phrasing that right. He was trying not to sound like an idiot. But then he noticed the look on Nurse Joy's face, and it stopped him in his tracks. She looked almost too happy, like he'd just said the best thing she'd heard all week.

He shifted on his feet, feeling a little embarrassed under her intense gaze. "Nurse Joy?"

"Oh, sorry for staring," she quickly apologized, a blush rising to her cheeks. "It's just… normally, new trainers just try to 'wing it.' Most don't start learning about Pokémon food or grooming until they're a year or two into their journey."

Austin chuckled softly, the awkwardness fading slightly. "Guess I'm trying to get a head start then."

"Indeed," Nurse Joy giggled, her laughter light and friendly. She gave him directions to a nearby bookstore, her eyes sparkling like she was proud of him or something.

As she continued her examination, Austin let out a small breath of relief. Everything was going fine, and Pikachu was starting to relax, which made him feel a bit more grounded. The thought of learning how to make Pokémon food and actually caring for them beyond just battling—it wasn't just an idea now. It was something he needed to do. If he was going to make it through this, he had to be more than just some wannabe hero.

"Thank you," he said, the words coming out more genuine than he expected. "For everything."

Nurse Joy smiled warmly, the kind of smile that made you feel like maybe, just maybe, you were doing something right.

"It's what I'm here for," she said, her tone soft but steady. "And it's nice to see a trainer who's so invested in their Pokémon's well-being."

Her words hit Austin deeper than he thought they would. He wasn't just Ash here, and he wasn't just playing a role. These Pokémon were real, and he had to take responsibility for them. He couldn't just go through the motions. This was a real journey, and he had to be all in.

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The bell jingled as Austin pushed open the door to the bookstore, and the soft chime echoed in the cozy space. Shelves lined every inch of the walls, towering to the ceiling, crammed with books of all sorts. The place had a warm, inviting atmosphere, like stepping into an old library where time didn't quite move the same way.

He was just about to start browsing when his attention was drawn to the shopkeeper. He was… something else. Long white beard, green beanie, black bathrobe over shorts, and a curved pipe clenched between his teeth, from which he blew perfect smoke rings. Each one rose lazily toward the ceiling before disappearing. It was like watching an art form, in a weird, grungy way.

"That's bad for you," Austin said, wrinkling his nose at the smell. The comment slipped out before he could stop himself.

The old man chuckled, the sound raspy and deep, like gravel in his throat. "Well, it's not like I expect to live a long life."

Austin couldn't tell if he was joking or just really had no f*cks left to give. Either way, he shrugged it off and started pulling books from the shelves.

Before long, he had a pretty solid pile in his arms:

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 stack over to the counter, and the old man eyed it, blowing another smoke ring as he raised an eyebrow.

"2000 Pokédollars," he said, his voice gravelly but calm.

Austin reached for his wallet, only to come up empty. His heart dropped. Of course. Why would he have money here? He didn't even know what Pokédollars were.

Shit.

His mind scrambled for a solution, and then it hit him. Maybe he could barter. People bartered in RPGs all the time, right? Worth a shot.

"Uh, is it possible to barter for this instead of paying with cash?" he asked, his voice probably a little too desperate.

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, blowing another ring of smoke, his eyes narrowing as he considered. "Depends on the item."

Austin fumbled for something, anything, and then pulled out a Pokéball, placing it on the counter. He winced as soon as he did, realizing what this looked like.

The old man's eyes went dark, and his voice dropped. "Selling Pokémon is illegal."

"No, no, no!" Austin stammered, his heart jumping into his throat. He quickly popped open the Pokéball to show it was empty. "It's just a Pokéball! I'm not selling a Pokémon, I swear."

The old man's expression softened a bit, though his eyes were still sharp as he grabbed the ball, inspecting it like he was judging Austin's entire existence through that one small object. After a moment, he gave a curt nod and slipped a few crisp notes across the counter.

Austin picked them up and blinked. There was a mural of Mew printed on each bill. These were Pokédollars, alright, but they looked almost… ancient. Or maybe just different from what he'd expected.

"Your change for the Pokéball," the shopkeeper said, leaning back in his chair.

Austin quickly counted the money—3000 Pokédollars. His mind raced. Wait, 3000 in change? That meant a Pokéball cost 5000 Pokédollars?

Holy shit!

The realization hit hard. Being a trainer was expensive. Really expensive. Suddenly, he had a whole new level of respect for Ash just getting by on his journey. The logistics of it, the cost of food, potions, grooming… It all started spiraling in his head, a mounting list of expenses he hadn't even thought about.

"How much do trainers usually earn?" Austin asked, hoping the answer would somehow make all this seem less insane.

"100 to 200 Pokédollars during a simple match," the shopkeeper said, his voice matter-of-fact. "500 to 2000 in an official gym battle. 5000 for league participation. 10 to 20,000 if you make it to the top three."

Austin's mind blanked for a second. How had Ash even survived? If Brock wasn't there to help him out with food and supplies, the kid would've been screwed. No way he could manage without thinking things through more carefully.

Just then, the shopkeeper stood up and placed two more books on the counter:

Pokémon Training for Dummies by Jane Peters

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

Austin swallowed hard. These books were exactly what he needed right now.

"How much?" he asked, his throat tight, already dreading the answer.

"Free," the shopkeeper said, his voice suddenly gentle, almost fatherly.

Austin stared at him, confused. Why was he giving them to him? The shopkeeper smiled, tapping the stack of books lightly with one hand. "The only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance."

Austin blinked. What?

"Listen," the shopkeeper continued, his tone soft but firm, "you're young, and yet here you are, eager to learn how to take care of your Pokémon. That's more than most new trainers can say. That's worth something. So I'm willing to help."

Austin stood there, stunned, unsure of what to say. "Thank you," he managed to stammer out. His voice sounded small, even to him.

The shopkeeper just nodded, smiling warmly.

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As Austin made his way back to the Pokémon Center, the air was tense, buzzing with the repeating public announcement echoing through the city: "Attention citizens of Viridian City. Attention citizens of Viridian City. There have been reports of possible Pokémon thieves. Keep on the lookout for suspicious-looking strangers."

The voice was unmistakable—Officer Jenny. Austin's heart skipped a beat as he connected the dots.

I arrived earlier than Ash Ketchum... that's why I didn't run into Officer Jenny earlier.

Then the realization hit him like a brick.

Oh no. That means Jessie and James are going to break into the Pokémon Center.

A cold wave of anxiety washed over him, pushing his body into overdrive. He quickened his pace, nearly breaking into a jog as he rushed toward the Center. He wasn't ready for this—not even close.

When he finally arrived at the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy greeted him with a warm smile, completely unaware of the panic simmering just beneath his skin. Her calmness felt so out of place compared to the urgency he was feeling. Austin forced himself to stay calm, even though his mind was racing.

"Nurse Joy, are my Pokémon done with their check-up?" he asked, his voice tight, trying not to let his nerves show.

Her smile faded, and her expression turned serious. His heart started to pound.

"About that…"

Oh no. No, no, no. Austin braced himself for the worst.

"We found that your Rattata needs to be given antibiotics for her infected wounds. She's also suffering from severe dehydration and starvation. We'll be administering Lactated Ringer's Solution and Dextrose Solution intravenously to stabilize her condition."

Austin's throat went dry. "I-I didn't know…" The words came out weak, almost like an excuse.

"Mr. Ketchum," Nurse Joy interrupted gently, her voice soft but firm. "I'm not blaming you. From our evaluation, it's clear that this condition existed long before you captured her. In fact, if you hadn't caught her when you did, she wouldn't have made it through the night."

Sad deaths have always been a part of Pokémon, but this… this is different. It's more real, more brutal.

Austin looked down at his hands, clenching them into fists.

"Don't worry," Nurse Joy continued, her smile returning, though now tinged with that professional empathy only medical professionals seem to have. "Rattata will be fine by morning."

Austin nodded, but he could barely focus. His mind was spinning. He had bigger problems now. Team Rocket. They were coming. And he couldn't just sit here and pretend everything was fine.

I need a plan.

He glanced around the Pokémon Center, looking for any hint of what was to come. The calm before the storm was always the worst part. He couldn't just ignore this. He had to be ready.

"Is there a room I can stay in?" he asked, his voice quieter now, trying to think ahead.

"Of course," Nurse Joy replied, her tone professional again. "The Pokémon Center provides lodging and a cafeteria. The fee is 500 per night."

500? He sighed inwardly. Of course there was a fee. Not that he had time to care about that right now.

He needed to figure out how to handle Team Rocket.