Bab 5: Chapter 5: Paldea’s Batman
The next day.
In South Area One, in front of the lighthouse research lab owned by the renowned Pokémon researcher couple of the Paldea region.
Luke, dressed in casual clothing, knocked on the door of the research lab.
Knock, knock, knock.
Luke's series of three soft knocks quickly received a response as a voice came from behind the door.
"Coming!"
Luke had sharp hearing and could tell that the voice belonged to a young boy.
The boy who owned the voice was currently running toward the door.
Soon, the front door of the research lab was opened by a boy of about ten years old with soft, light-brown hair.
Luke raised an eyebrow as information about the ten-year-old boy flashed through his mind.
Batman—the Paldean version (just kidding).
It was Piper, one of the main characters in the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet game storyline!
"Welcome home… Dad?"
Piper's cheerful expression froze the moment he saw Luke.
A flush of red quickly spread from his neck upward, and his ears turned bright red as well.
He had been so excited that he mistook Luke for someone else!
"Uh-uh..."
Embarrassed, Piper let out a nasal hum.
Luke, on the other hand, couldn't believe he had just been mistaken as someone's father.
His calm expression grew a little strange.
Before either of them could recover from the awkward situation, another set of footsteps came running from inside the research lab.
In just a few seconds, a small figure barked and charged straight at Luke.
Luke looked closely and saw a Mabosstiff filled with hostility toward him.
It must have thought Luke had bad intentions toward Piper, which caused it to show aggression.
The situation happened in the blink of an eye.
Piper couldn't stop Mabosstiff's attack on Luke in time.
When Piper tried to call out, he realized Mabosstiff was already only a body-length away from Luke.
Feeling guilty, Piper shut his eyes.
Luke, however, wasn't unfamiliar with sudden attacks.
During a year spent camping outdoors to save money for his Pokémon, he had experienced countless surprise attacks from the shadows.
This time was a little different, though.
Luke didn't even try to dodge, instead softly saying, "Don't hurt it, Mimikyu."
A sinister laugh suddenly sounded at Luke's feet.
A large Shadow Claw, brimming with Ghost-type energy and seemingly rising from the abyss, sprang forth and grabbed the protective Mabosstiff mid-air.
The fierce Mabosstiff froze for a moment.
When did that Pokémon wrapped in tattered cloth appear?
Mabosstiff couldn't figure it out.
But it knew it had to protect its young trainer and began roaring and struggling with all its might.
However, no matter how hard Mabosstiff struggled or used its moves, the Shadow Claw didn't budge.
It was as if the Dark-type Mabosstiff was the one being countered by the Ghost-type.
Mabosstiff's roars made Piper open his eyes.
Seeing what was happening, Piper quickly realized that Luke must be a Pokémon Trainer.
And that Mabosstiff was no match for the mysterious Mimikyu.
Piper pleaded with Luke, "Mister… Could you please not hurt Mabosstiff? It—"
"What's going on out here with all this noise? What are you doing?!"
A commanding woman stepped out of the research lab, noticing the commotion outside.
She had barely finished speaking when she saw Mabosstiff suspended mid-air and a clearly worried Piper.
As a mother, her anger flared instantly.
She pulled out a Poké Ball from the white lab coat she was wearing and gave Luke a threatening glare.
No matter who this man was, Orin would never tolerate anyone bullying her son or Mabosstiff.
Her mind also wandered to the unpleasant rumors she had heard recently.
Seeing the situation escalate, Luke felt the misunderstanding was only growing worse.
And if left unresolved, who knew what unexpected events might follow?
It was better to clear things up quickly.
For the record, he wasn't afraid of this commanding woman, clearly Dr. Orin, or the red-and-white Poké Ball in her hand.
Even if the Poké Ball contained a legendary Pokémon, he wouldn't be afraid.
"I mean no harm. This is all just a misunderstanding," Luke explained.
As he spoke, he instructed Mimikyu to release Mabosstiff as a gesture of goodwill.
Luke then turned his gaze toward Dr. Orin.
Though she wore a lab coat, she had a wild charm, dressed in an unknown animal hide underneath.
Orin lightly touched the beast-tooth necklace on her neck, her eyes softening slightly as her wariness eased.
Like a hen protecting her chicks, she shielded the nervous Piper and the frightened Mabosstiff behind her.
She spoke slowly, "Could this Trainer kindly explain why you're attacking my son and Pokémon at the door of my research lab?"
Luke didn't feel offended by Orin's response.
Everything she did was exactly what a mother should do.
And knowing what this family would go through in a few years, Luke couldn't bring himself to be harsh.
After organizing his thoughts briefly, Luke explained, "Chairman Yechi sent me here."
After listening to Luke's account, Orin mostly believed him but still turned to Piper, who had been trying to say something but hadn't been able to grab her attention.
"Piper, is that true?" she asked.
Finally feeling noticed, Piper nodded vigorously and explained to Orin that the whole situation had been a series of misunderstandings.
"You brat, you scared me to death," Orin said, letting out a sigh of relief.
Her actions became more relaxed and casual.
She ruffled Piper's soft hair as punishment.
Piper squatted to the side, hugging Mabosstiff, sulking.
Having done all that, Orin turned to Luke and apologized, "I'm sorry. The three of us overreacted. Please allow me to apologize."
As she spoke, Orin was about to bow to Luke in apology.
"That's not necessary, really," Luke said, quickly stopping her.
Since Luke had stopped her, Orin didn't push the matter further.
Her style was always straightforward and efficient.
Moving past the subject smoothly, Orin smiled and said, "Chairman Yechi has already told us about this. Rest assured, we'll handle the crafting of the Tera Orb for you!"
"But my husband had to go out on urgent business, so it's just me here. If it's only me working on it, what would normally take seven or eight days might take up to half a month. Do you mind?"
Luke shook his head, indicating that he wasn't in a hurry.
Since he was already here, he figured he might as well take a look around the research lab of the two legendary researchers who were never physically shown in the game's storyline.
"I'd like to take a look around your research lab, if that's okay," Luke said directly.
He was curious about the daily work environment of the researchers who had developed Tera Crystals and would eventually create a time machine.
Orin was momentarily surprised but then agreed happily.
"Please, follow me," she said.
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