Chapter 1:First Day Of Work!

The night was dark and restless, the moon barely peeking through the dense cover of stormy clouds. Headlights cut through the darkness as a jeep sped down a winding dirt road, kicking up dust and leaves. The engine roared, struggling to maintain its speed as two black cars with tinted windows chased it relentlessly.

Inside the pursuing cars, men in black uniforms with a bold red "R" on their chests sat with cold expressions. One of them leaned out of the window, clutching a red and white Pokéball. Without hesitation, he hurled it into the night. The ball snapped open midair, releasing a blur of purple wings. A Crobat materialized with a piercing screech, its four wings flapping violently.

"Use Cross Poison!" the man commanded, his voice cutting through the night like a blade.

Crobat's wings glowed with a menacing purple hue as it shot toward the jeep, fangs bared and ready to strike.

Inside the jeep, the driver's grip on the steering wheel tightened. His eyes flashed toward the rearview mirror, narrowing as he pulled out his own Pokéball. "Dragonair, go!"

From the back of the jeep, a flash of white light revealed a sleek, serpentine form. Dragonair's blue scales shimmered in the moonlight as it floated above the jeep, its eyes sharp and focused.

"Dragon Breath!" the driver barked.

Dragonair inhaled deeply before releasing a powerful stream of draconic energy. The purple and green glow of Dragon Breath collided with Crobat midair, launching it backward with a shriek. The unconscious Crobat smashed into the hood of one of the cars, causing it to swerve violently and collide with the other. The two black cars skidded off the road in a cloud of smoke and screeching metal.

The driver's eyes narrowed. "Good... but it's not over."

Suddenly, the ground ahead of the jeep trembled. From the side of the road, a massive figure emerged. The rugged form of a Rhydon stomped into the path, its horn gleaming in the moonlight. Its trainer's deep voice echoed through the night.

"Stone Edge!"

Jagged stone spikes erupted from the ground. The driver's eyes widened as the jeep was lifted off the ground and sent tumbling through the air. It crashed deep into the nearby forest, branches snapping and metal crunching upon impact.

Smoke rose from the wreckage as the man inside groaned, clutching his side. Blood trickled from his forehead, but his eyes remained sharp despite the pain. He reached into his pocket and pulled out another Pokéball. His hand trembled as he released it.

In a flash of light, a Kadabra appeared, its spoon glowing faintly with psychic energy.

The man reached into his jacket, revealing a small metallic capsule. His breathing was heavy, his voice strained as he held it out toward Kadabra.

"Teleport this... as far as you can. No matter what happens to me, this must not fall into their hands."

Kadabra's eyes narrowed, sensing the urgency in his trainer's voice. Its spoon vibrated as psychic energy gathered around it.

Kadabra hesitated. Its eyes darted toward its injured trainer, then toward the approaching footsteps.

"Do it!" the man shouted.

Kadabra's eyes flashed brightly as it channeled nearly all of its psychic power. A blinding light enveloped the capsule as it vanished into thin air. Kadabra's body sagged, and it collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Footsteps approached through the smoke and wreckage. The man turned his gaze toward the two figures stepping into the clearing. A short man with slick black hair and a cold expression adjusted the lapels of his black suit, while beside him stood a woman with striking red hair in a tailored white suit.

Both bore the unmistakable red "R" emblem on their uniforms.

The woman's smile was sharp as the massive coils of her Arbok slithered behind her, its hood flaring threateningly. Beside the black-haired man, the Rhydon from before stood with its arms crossed, its horn still glowing faintly from the previous attack.

The man in the jeep's eyes darkened as he glared at them, his jaw tightening. His breathing slowed as the tension in the air thickened.

"You've got nowhere left to run," the woman purred.

The man's lips curled into a defiant smile despite the pain. "We'll see about that."

The morning sun shone brightly over Pallet Town, the peaceful rays casting a golden hue over the quaint houses and winding dirt paths. The town was calm, except for the sound of hurried footsteps pounding against the cobblestone street.

A teenager with messy black hair and sharp blue eyes was sprinting down the road, his black T-shirt and red jacket flapping behind him. He wore black pants and sneakers that were barely tied, giving him a slightly disheveled look. His expression was frantic as he raced toward the large white building at the end of the street.

"How can I be late on my first day?!" he shouted, his voice carrying through the quiet town.

This was none other than Rex, a newly graduated student from the Pokémon School who had somehow landed a dream job as a field agent at none other than Professor Oak's lab—the world-famous Professor Oak!

Rex's mind raced as he imagined the horror of being late on his first day. 'People would kill to work under Professor Oak, and I'm about to blow it by showing up late? I'm so dead!'

He skidded to a stop in front of the lab, nearly tripping over his own feet as he shoved the doors open. His breathing was heavy as he stumbled into the large room filled with bookshelves and rows of computers. Sitting at a desk, flipping through a stack of papers, was an elderly man with gray hair, wearing a white lab coat.

Rex's eyes widened. 'Oh crap—he's already working!'

"Professor Oak!" Rex shouted, bending forward at a ninety-degree angle. "I'm so sorry I'm late! Please forgive me!"

Professor Oak, who had been calmly reading through the papers, raised an eyebrow at Rex's dramatic bow. A single drop of sweat rolled down his temple as he sighed.

"Rex…" Oak said slowly, "You're actually two hours early."

Rex's head shot up. "Huh?"

Oak nodded toward the wall. Rex's eyes darted toward the Pikachu-shaped wall clock hanging beside the window. The large hands pointed clearly to 7:00 AM.

"But… my watch…" Rex muttered as he raised his wrist. His cracked and scratched watch blinked back at him uselessly. Realization dawned on his face as his cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"I… I'm early?" he whispered.

Oak chuckled softly. "It appears so."

Rex slumped to the floor in a mixture of relief and depression. "Ugh… I made a fool of myself…"

A soft giggle echoed through the room.

Rex's eyes shot up toward the source of the sound. Leaning against a bookshelf was a girl his age with long honey-colored hair tied back with a green headband. Her light brown eyes sparkled with amusement as she smiled at him.

Daisy Oak—Professor Oak's granddaughter and an aspiring Pokémon researcher in her own right. She was beautiful, no doubt about it, and her giggling at his expense made Rex's face turn an even deeper shade of red.

"Smooth start, Rex," Daisy teased, her lips curling upward.

Rex's mouth opened, but no sound came out. 'Why did it have to be in front of her?!'

Professor Oak's chuckle deepened. "Well, since you're already here, Rex, you and Daisy might as well help me with some field research today."

Rex's head shot up. "Field research?"

Oak nodded. "I've heard reports of new Pokémon making their home near Pallet Town's river. Quite a few trainers have been spotted heading there, so it's possible that Pokémon from another region have migrated here."

Rex's eyes lit up. "New Pokémon? From another region?"

"Precisely." Oak smiled. "Why don't you and Daisy accompany me for some firsthand observation?"

Rex shot to his feet. "Yes, sir!"

Daisy smirked as she adjusted her green headband. "Try not to embarrass yourself this time, okay?"

Rex's cheeks darkened. 'I really hope I don't.'

Oak gestured toward the door. "Shall we?"

Moments later, they were seated in Oak's old green jeep. Daisy sat comfortably in the passenger seat, her long hair tied back. Rex sat behind her, adjusting his seatbelt nervously.

That's when he noticed Daisy putting on a padded vest and strapping on protective gear.

"Uh… Daisy?" Rex asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why are you wearing all that?"

Daisy smirked. "You'll see."

Oak climbed into the driver's seat, adjusting the rearview mirror with a cheerful hum.

Rex's eyes narrowed. "Wait… Professor Oak is driving?"

Oak smiled. "Of course! Field research is always more exciting when you get there quickly!"

Rex's stomach dropped as Oak slammed on the gas.

"AAAAHHHH!"

The jeep tore down the dirt path, bouncing wildly over every bump and rock. Rex's knuckles turned white as he gripped the door handle for dear life.

'If the world's greatest drivers' list was ever made… Professor Oak wouldn't even make it onto the list. He'd rank somewhere behind a group of Aipoms driving blindfolded!'

"Ah, fresh air!" Oak sighed happily, completely unfazed by the chaos.

Rex's face was green as Daisy leaned back and smiled at his suffering.

"I told you," Daisy whispered, her smile widening.

'This… is going to be a long day…'

The jeep screeched to a halt near the river that flowed between Pallet Town and Viridian Forest. The early morning sun reflected off the calm water, giving it a shimmering glow. Birds chirped in the distance, and the sound of the river flowing over smooth rocks filled the air with a calming ambiance.

As soon as the jeep stopped, Professor Oak and Daisy calmly stepped out of the vehicle. Meanwhile, Rex stumbled out of the back seat, staggering toward the nearest tree.

"Hurk—!"

Rex doubled over, clutching his stomach as he emptied what little was left in it. Daisy walked over, patting his back with a knowing smile.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it," Daisy said, her tone laced with amusement. "I went through the same thing when I first started going on field trips with Gramps."

Rex groaned, spitting out the lingering taste in his mouth. "I… I don't think I want to get used to it…"

Daisy chuckled. "Trust me, you don't have a choice. Grampa went through the same thing, and look at him now."

Professor Oak stood a few feet away, laughing heartily. "Once you get the hang of field research, Rex, you'll start to appreciate the importance of driving skills like mine. When you're being chased by wild Pokémon, knowing how to maneuver a jeep could be the difference between escape and becoming lunch!"

Rex wiped his mouth and shot Oak a flat look. 'More like the Pokémon chasing you would probably run the other way if they saw you coming in that death trap of a jeep. Seriously, how did this man even get a license?!'

Professor Oak beckoned for Daisy and Rex to follow as he walked toward the riverbank. Since it was still very early, there wasn't a single trainer in sight. The water was calm, small ripples forming as the gentle breeze swept across the surface.

"When researching aquatic areas like rivers or seas," Oak began, adjusting his glasses, "you need to get an accurate reading of the underwater ecosystem. For that, we use a sonar wave machine to map out the area and locate any Pokémon present."

Oak knelt down and opened a metal suitcase, revealing a small black device with several buttons and a long antenna. He pulled out a laptop and connected it to the device using a cable. Daisy and Rex stood behind him, watching with interest.

Oak carefully placed the sonar device into the water. A faint hum filled the air as the device activated. Soft waves rippled outward from the point of contact as the machine released a series of harmless sound waves.

The laptop screen lit up, showing a live map of the river's layout. Several red and blue blips appeared on the screen, indicating the location of nearby Pokémon. Thermal imaging of the creatures' sizes and movements appeared as well.

Rex's eyes widened. "That's… amazing."

Professor Oak smiled. "Sonar technology allows us to observe Pokémon behavior without disturbing their natural habitat."

Oak turned toward Daisy. "Daisy, send it out."

Daisy nodded and pulled out a Pokéball from her belt. "Alright, Wartortle—come on out!"

She tossed the ball into the air. A white light flashed, and a Wartortle with a confident expression and a curled tail appeared on the bank. Its blue skin glistened under the sunlight as it stretched its arms.

"Wartortle!"

Oak handed Wartortle a small waterproof camera. Daisy leaned down and smiled. "Wartortle, can you swim through the river and record what you see?"

Wartortle gave a sharp nod. "War!"

With a splash, Wartortle dove into the water, disappearing beneath the surface. A live feed from the camera appeared on Oak's laptop, showing the underwater terrain filled with colorful rocks and patches of water plants. A few Magikarp swam lazily by while a pair of Poliwag darted through the reeds.

Rex watched with fascination. "This is incredible… It's like having eyes underwater."

Oak smiled. "That's the goal."

Rex's brows furrowed as a thought struck him. "But… what if the Pokémon that migrated here isn't a Water-type? What if it's a land Pokémon just using the river as a source of water?"

Oak's smile widened. "That's why you and Daisy will be exploring the forest nearby while I handle the water research. You'll have to investigate any signs of new Pokémon activity."

Rex blinked. "Wait… I don't have a Pokémon yet."

Oak's expression turned sheepish. "Ah, yes. Your starter Pokémon was supposed to arrive from the league yesterday, but due to some unforeseen delays, it should be here by tomorrow."

Rex's face fell. "Tomorrow?"

Oak nodded. "Yes. So for today, you'll have to rely on Daisy if anything happens."

Daisy smirked and crossed her arms. "No pressure, right?"

Rex groaned. "Great…"

Oak stood and stretched his back. "Alright, you two, get moving. I'll stay here and monitor the river while you explore the forest along Route 1 and Route 2."

Daisy tugged Rex's arm. "Come on, partner."

"Partner?" Rex raised an eyebrow.

Daisy smiled slyly. "If I'm going to be your backup today, you better not slow me down."

Rex sighed, rubbing the back of his head. 'First day, and I'm already a liability…'

They started walking toward the edge of the forest, the sound of the river fading behind them.

As they disappeared into the treeline, Oak smiled to himself. "Ah… young trainers. They remind me so much of Myself And Agatha…"

Rex and Daisy walked side by side through the tall grass and dense trees, the forest around them alive with the sounds of chirping Pokémon and rustling leaves. The early morning sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting patches of light on the forest floor.

They had encountered several Pokémon along the way—Pidgey, Rattata, and even a pair of Caterpie crawling up a tree—but none of them were unusual for this area.

Rex sighed, brushing his hand through his black hair. "Daisy, how exactly are we supposed to observe a Pokémon once we find it?"

Daisy smiled. "Good question." She tucked a loose strand of honey-blonde hair behind her ear. "First, we observe from a distance. We need to study its habitat, behavior, and how it interacts with the environment. After that, we can try to communicate with it. If it seems friendly and doesn't show signs of aggression, we can approach more closely and study its physical traits—like color, weight, and height—compared to others of its species."

Rex nodded thoughtfully. "So basically… don't scare it away or get eaten."

Daisy chuckled. "Exactly."

They continued forward, the sounds of their footsteps mixing with the rustling of the grass. Suddenly, Rex's gaze sharpened as he glanced over his shoulder. His eyes narrowed as a chill crept down his spine.

Daisy noticed his pause and frowned. "What's wrong?"

Rex hesitated. "I… I thought I felt someone watching us."

Daisy's eyes swept the area, but the forest seemed as calm as before. "See anything?"

Rex shook his head. "No… maybe it's just my imagination."

They resumed walking, but Rex couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. His eyes darted left and right, his body tense.

Suddenly—

WHOOSH!

A stream of blazing fire shot through the air, roaring toward them with intense heat.

"Look out!"

Rex reacted instantly, grabbing Daisy's wrist and tackling her to the ground. The flames roared overhead, singing the tips of his hair as they barely avoided the attack.

Daisy's eyes widened as they hit the dirt. "A Flamethrower?!"

Rex gritted his teeth. "I knew it!"

Daisy quickly pulled out a Pokéball. "Golem, let's go!"

A flash of light burst from the ball, and a massive, rock-like Pokémon with rough gray skin appeared in front of them. Golem growled, its round body rolling into a defensive stance between them and the source of the attack.

Daisy's brow furrowed. "We couldn't have wandered into a Fire-type's territory… There aren't supposed to be any Fire-types in this area."

Rex sat up, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "It wasn't random." He stood up, his gaze hardening as he stared toward the direction of the attack. "That was intentional."

A low growl echoed through the trees. From the shadows, a figure stepped into view—a sleek black dog with curved horns and a bone-like collar. Its crimson eyes glinted with menace.

"A Houndoom…?" Daisy murmured.

Next to Houndoom, a man emerged from the shade of the trees. He was dressed in a black uniform with a bright red R stitched on his chest.

Daisy's eyes widened in recognition. "A Team Rocket member?!"

Rex's expression darkened. "Team Rocket…? You mean the criminal organization in the Kanto region?"

Daisy nodded grimly as Golem stood protectively in front of them, its heavy frame tense. "But why would they attack us?"

The man clicked his tongue in annoyance and pulled out another Pokéball. "Tch… I don't have time for this."

He tossed the ball into the air. A flash of red light burst forth, revealing a Victreebel with a wide, gaping mouth and sharp, glistening leaves.

"Hand it over," the man demanded coldly. "The Poketrix. Now."

Daisy and Rex exchanged confused looks.

"The… Poketrix?" Rex repeated.

The man's eyes narrowed. "Don't play dumb. We detected psychic signals from the teleportation move in this area. Since you two are here, you must have it."

Daisy's brows knitted together. "We have no idea what you're talking about."

Rex's gaze sharpened. "Yeah… what the hell is a Poketrix?"

The man's expression darkened. "If you don't know, then I'll just have to make you remember."

Houndoom growled, flames flickering at the edge of its mouth as Victreebel's sharp leaves began to shimmer menacingly.

Rex's fists clenched. 'This just got a whole lot more complicated…'