"Ugh!! Seriously! Why did we have to run into that guy on the very first day of my journey? It's so infuriating!"
Though some time had passed since their encounter with Paul, and they'd resumed their travels, Dawn's mood still hadn't improved. It was clear that Paul's words had indirectly challenged her beliefs as well.
"No need to get so worked up. On a journey, you're bound to meet all sorts of weird people and strange things. Like, we've even met a talking Meowth before."
"Huh? What's that? A Pokémon that can talk? You're not just making up some story to trick me, are you?"
Dawn didn't feel any better after Ash's attempt to console her. If anything, she thought he was just spinning a tale. But Brock's response made her start questioning herself—or maybe the world.
"You mean Team Rocket's Meowth? Why bring it up now… don't tell me those three are…"
"They're in Sinnoh too~ And we've already clashed with them once."
Brock: "…"
It should've been something they were used to by now. After all, those three had chased Ash from Kanto to the Orange Islands, then to Johto and Hoenn.
It didn't seem all that surprising that they'd follow Ash to Sinnoh now.
Still, their persistence was undeniably impressive. Even though Brock had known Ash for so long, if it weren't for a twist of fate, they wouldn't still be traveling together.
Yet Team Rocket's trio had been pursuing Ash for even longer than Brock had been with him.
"If there really is a talking Meowth, I'd love to see it~"
Dawn fantasized.
If she could get Meowth to perform a tongue-twister on the Pokémon Contest stage, it'd probably stun the entire audience, right? Though she wasn't sure if that would even pass the first round of judging.
"It's better if you don't meet them."
Ash said this, then, under Dawn's curious gaze, slowly began recounting stories about Team Rocket.
…
Time slipped away through the gaps in their conversation, and before they knew it, they'd arrived at Professor Rowan's Laboratory in Sandgem Town.
Most Pokémon Laboratories, needing vast spaces, were typically built far from urban areas.
Professor Rowan's Lab was no exception. It stood beside a long, winding road on the northwest side of Sandgem Town, quietly awaiting the arrival of rookie Trainers.
"Phew~" Standing in front of the lab's entrance, Dawn took a deep breath. "What do I do? I'm suddenly so nervous…"
"Don't be nervous. It's just picking up your starter Pokémon. If you're too scared to go in, I'll head in first~"
"Hey—wait!"
Before Dawn could finish, Ash had already pushed open the doors to Professor Rowan's Laboratory. But what awaited them wasn't three neatly lined-up starter Pokémon, nor a tidy and orderly lab, but…
"Ahh!! What do we do?! If this keeps up, we're done for when the Professor gets back!"
"Enough! Stop complaining! Hurry up and sort out these files first! Then we'll go find the escaped Pokémon!"
"Seriously! Why did this have to happen today of all days? When the Trainer coming to pick up their starter Pokémon is about to… huh?"
"?!" ×N
One of the researchers, who was frantically organizing things, suddenly froze. The others, as if sensing something, looked up one by one.
At the doorway stood a few strangers, staring at them with speechless expressions.
"Uh, um…" As if realizing something, one of the researchers stepped forward cautiously and asked, "Is one of you here to pick up a Pokémon as a rookie Trainer today?"
"That's me."
Dawn stepped forward. Today was supposed to be the day she picked up her starter Pokémon, but after overhearing the researchers' conversation, she seemed to have guessed what was going on.
"Um… where's my Pokémon?"
She'd prepared herself to meet three Pokémon, only to be met with this mess. Naturally, Dawn's mood sank.
"Well… uh…"
The researcher looked flustered but, unwilling and unable to deceive Dawn, spoke the truth.
"We're so sorry! There was a small problem in the lab earlier, and it caused our Staraptor, Staravia, and two of the starter Pokémon to escape!"
"…"
Dawn fell silent, then glanced at Ash with a questioning look, as if asking if this counted as one of those journey surprises he'd mentioned.
"Ahem… stuff like this happens sometimes." Ash averted his gaze as he spoke.
Though the lab's mishap had nothing to do with him, he was the one who'd hyped up the journey to Dawn. Being questioned like this naturally made him a bit awkward.
Thankfully, Dawn didn't pin the blame on Ash. She was only half-joking with her teasing tone.
Today was the first day of her journey, a day that should've been full of surprises. Yet not only had she met that infuriating Trainer earlier, but now two of her potential starter Pokémon had escaped.
"So what do we do now?" Dawn asked, seeking the researcher's opinion.
"Well…"
The researcher stammered.
"How about you wait here while we clean up and go retrieve the starter Pokémon? Or, if you'd like, you could choose this one as your starter Pokémon."
The researcher pointed to a Turtwig in the corner, slowly munching on Pokémon food.
When Turtwig noticed the researcher and Dawn staring at it, it nervously lowered its head and continued eating.
"Forget it. Let's think of another way." Dawn sighed.
Though this Turtwig was cute, its personality seemed a bit too timid, not quite matching her own. Turtwig probably wasn't her best choice.
"How about we help you find those missing Pokémon?" Ash interjected at that moment.
"Really?!"
The researchers looked at Ash with hopeful, almost desperate gazes, as if he were their last ray of light.
"It's the most efficient way, right? But before that, I'll need to borrow your phone and Pokémon transfer machine."
"Please, go ahead! It's not just those things—whatever you need, just ask! As long as it's something we can offer, we won't hold back!"
"No need for all that."
Ash smiled and waved them off, then headed toward the lab's phone and Pokémon transfer device.
Dawn and Brock, meanwhile, agreed that Ash's decision was the most sensible, so they had no reason to refuse to help.