Into the Unown (Pokemon Fanfiction OC)
Chapter 171

Author's note:

FYI, there's a bonus chapter 171.5 being released alongside this one.

***

Both Nina and Kerry sighed as they submerged themselves in the inn’s hot spring, not out of content, but out of disappointment as they allowed the soothing spring water to wash away the day’s weariness.

Their journey into the Cinnabar Volcano was quite fruitless. Nina was nowhere close to unravelling the mysteries of Mew’s Gem and she didn’t even get a Gym Badge for her troubles. While Kerry was without a new addition to her team.

The young Joy had opted not to capture any of the Magby. Not because she failed — there were some that were willing, though she would have to best them in battle. But because, after consulting one of the more matronly Magmars, she realized that she wouldn’t be able to provide for the Magby’s comfort during her travels.

The Magmortar line was a very hardy species and didn’t necessarily need to be immersed in heat all the time. But it was ideal, and as an apprentice nurse, Kerry felt an obligation to ensure her Pokemon’s comfort if at all possible.

“Cheer up, Kerr. Maybe we can find a Vulpix for you. You adored Espy when she was an Eevee right? Vulpixes are equally cute and easier to care for as well.”

Kerry nodded and allowed her body to slump back and relax. “Yeah… let’s go ask the Pokemon Rangers to see if there’s any Vulpix I can catch. And I’m sorry you didn’t get your Star Badge, Nina. Blaine sounded like a really big weirdo.”

Nina laughed. “Yeah, can’t be helped. At least I do have a Star Badge lined up, if I can get strong enough to earn it.” She wasn’t too stressed. Nina only needed three Star Badges for the conference, and after beating Forrest who she definitely ranked among the medium tier of Gym Leaders, she was feeling a lot more confident in herself.

The two girls let out another round of sighs and continued to enjoy their bath time with their Pokemon. At some point, Tamako the Meowth even slinked up to them to be pampered, which Nina and Kerry both happily obliged.

***

Unfortunately, due to the winter season, all the Vulpixes were hibernating and extremely vulnerable. So the Pokemon Rangers were unwilling to allow their capture, even for Nina and Kerry with their illustrious background.

Thus, with a heavy heart, the two Pokemon Trainer’s time in Cinnabar Island came to an end. And now, Nina and Kerry were soaring through the air on Nitey’s back, on their way to Pallet Town.

Nina had originally wanted to go with one of the fishing boats, but in consideration of Kerry’s seasickness, she decided to keep her desires in check.

“Hi, Mr Mime! Long time no see!”

The mime Pokemon, who was wearing a very stylish bomber jacket in this chilly weather, perked up and set aside his broom to give Nina a hug.

Nina gestured towards her companion. “This is my friend Kerry that I told the Professor about. I know we’re a bit ahead of schedule, but is the Professor home right now?”

Surprisingly, instead of silently calling out to the house like he usually did, Mr Mime instead pointed towards a path leading to the ranch.

Nina nodded. “So he’s at the ranch then? Gotchu, we’ll go and say hi before going in.” It would be rude to enter someone else’s house without greeting the host first.

“C’mon Kerr, you’re gonna love Professor Oak’s ranch — it’s full of rare and cute Pokemon, even some that the world had thought was extinct.”

As usual, Professor Oak’s ranch remained an anomaly to Nina. The entire area was just surrounded by white picket fences where some parts were even broken from overgrown vegetation. The girl couldn’t help but wonder how the esteemed Professor kept the ranch’s Pokemon contained.

Nina and Kerry gingerly trudged through the snow, following a thin path oft tread by the small number of staff who worked to maintain the place. Along the way, the two girls would excitedly call out some of the interesting Pokemon that they encountered.

“Look, Nina! An Alolan Vulpix! So cuuute!” 

The Alolan Vulpix in question was playing around with a Mime Jr and a Growlithe in the snow. And for her friend’s benefit, Nina lured them over with Berries in her hand for Kerry to cuddle with.

“Oh gosh, Vulpixes have such soft and silky fur…” Kerry giggled as the Ice variant Vulpix licked at her with its Berry stained tongue. Meanwhile Nina was playing patty cake with Mime Jr while occasionally tossing out a stick for Growlithe to fetch back.

“Yeah… Vulpixes are great, but Growlithes are cute too.” Nina remarked as she giggled from puppy slobber. Growlithe was demanding treats in return for fetching Nina’s stick for her.

The two girls spent an inordinate amount of time playing with the Pokemon until they were found by a blonde haired, tanned skin man who was passing by.

“Professor Oak?” Nina called. “Nice tan, and did you dye your hair, sir? You look a lot younger than usual.”

The man smiled and waved in response to Nina’s greeting. “Yes… Indeed, it is I, Samuel Oak. I like tofu, especially the very mature kind,” said the Professor with a wink, eliciting a skeptical look from Nina.

“Are you Professor Samson Oak, perhaps?” asked the suspicious girl, sending the mischievous man into boisterous laughter.

“Haha! Very perceptive! It usually takes people a lot longer to realize. Are you one of Sam’s kiddies?”

Nina nodded and got up to shake the man’s hand. “Yup, my name is Nina and this is my friend, Kerry. We’re here to see Professor Oak — I mean, Professor Samuel Oak.”

Samson Oak nodded with another round of spirited laughter as he shook Nina’s hand up and down, with enough vigour to nearly pull the girl’s arm out of her shoulder.

“Aha! So you’re Nina! Aquarium Girl! Man, do I have a present for you!”

Nina lit up at the man’s words. “So it’s here then? Is that why you came to Kanto? Just to make the delivery?”

Samson gave the girl a hearty slap on her back and beckoned for the pair to follow. “Haha! That’s part of it. Another reason is to make good on a promise with Professor Elm, which I believe is one of the reasons why you’re here, yes?”

Nina nodded and Samson continued with a more somber tone. “But the main reason is because Sam asked me for my help in regards to the incident from last year. I believe the two of you were involved as well?”

“Ahh… that makes sense.” Nina nodded once more, alongside a sad looking Kerry. The young Joy was not present for the confrontation with the Yamaguchi Group, but she was intimately familiar with the aftermath, being that she had to provide emergency aid to the critically injured Nina at the time.

“Professor Samson is an expert on Alpha Pokemon.” Nina said to Kerry.

“Totem Pokemon!” The man exclaimed. “There’s a difference!” He added with a huff, eliciting giggles from the girls.

“Sam! I got some guests here for you!” Samson called out to his cousin, who Nina could see was busy tending to a pair of parent and child Kangaskhan in a barn.

Professor Oak — the elderly one that Nina was familiar with — jolted in surprise and looked over to the newcomers before blooming into a big smile.

“Nina! And that must be Miss Joy. Great timing!” Professor Oak beckoned for Kerry to join him. “Can you come over and give me a hand with this little’un? She’s been having a terrible fever.”

Kerry hardened her gaze with Peppy the Happiny in her arms and immediately shifted into nurse mode before rushing over to the Professor’s side. Meanwhile, Nina and Samson just stood by as assistants. It was always a pleasure to watch Kerry work as a nurse, going from a timid, cutesy little girl to being a cool and confident badass.

At some point, the apprentice nurse even released her Poliwhirl, to produce some ice chips for the baby Kangaskhan to suckle on as she and Professor Oak worked to administer medicine and lower the fever. 

“Good thing I bumped into you girls, saved me the trouble of needing to go get a nurse.” Samson laughed, carefree as ever.

***

“Phew. That should do it.” Professor Oak breathed in a sigh of relief as he stood up with an unsteady gait, gradually and gingerly extending his back as he did. This prompted Nina to rush over to support the elderly Professor to prevent any accidents.

“Thank you, Nina. You’re very kind.” Professor Oak laughed. “I am definitely not as sprightly as I used to be.”

“Haha! This is why I keep telling you, Sam. Gotta go work your body more. Can’t just be holed up in your lab all day long.” Samson chimed, eliciting a groan from his cousin.

“Urgh… It would have been better if you were more helpful, Samson.”

“Haha! Cheer up, why don’t I help you clean up and you can head back with lil’ Nina for a break.”

Professor Oak let out another groan but begrudgingly agreed to the proposal after answering a few questions from Kerry about how to settle the mommy Kangaskhan and her sick baby.

“One sec, Professor. I’ll release Nitey and have him carry you back,” said Nina only to be met with vehement denial from the senior.

“No need, I’m not an invalid just yet. And besides, Samson is right, I do need to exercise more.”

The girl faced her sponsor with a disapproving pout. “Then at least allow Espy to support you with her Psychic aura. The road back to your house is very slippery with snow and ice, and I would hate to see you fall.”

Professor Oak laughed and thanked the girl for her kindness.

“So Nina, are you excited to meet your new Pokemon?” He asked, causing the girl to squeal in barely contained joy.

***

Author's note:

New Pokemon time! Can you guess what it's gonna be? Leave a comment down below.

To be honest, it's fairly obvious at this point and I even hinted at it during Part One as well.