"Of course."
Such was Anthony's answer. Anthony is a man of his word; thus, when he said that he wants to become a trainer or a field researcher, he will see to it that he will do anything in his mortality to fulfill such promises. Being a trainer is expensive, but unlike the fanfic Mcs he have read in that Blue website that starts with W, he have two trainers as parents, one even is active and the other is cherished by the league because of the strength of the Pokemons she's renting them, such backers, plus their superb parenting made it so that Anthony's journey will be riddled with less hurdles, well, relative to the likes of those 'didn't became a trainer because it's too expensive troupe' novels.
_But still, this kind of privilege is just comparable to a 1 step headstart in a marathon, if I'm just reincarnated as Steven's brother or some shit..._
Anthony sighed in his heart, and while doing so, Oak laughed.
"Ha! I see, well, let me test you directly then, let's silently walk away to not disturb their training."
Anthony and Zubat nodded and slowly walked to the right part of the sanctuary, following Professor Oak. They entered a place of seemingly perpetual silence with only the crashing sounds of the water from a medium-sized, about 50 meters or so, falls can be heard, while several pokemons, all of which are Psychic types, can be seen.
Gardeviors sitting on stones, meditating side by side or back to back with Gallades or fellow Gardeviors, Ralts and Kirlias silently soaking in water, Mr. Mime (yes, Mr. Mime) and Mime Jrs. also silently relaxing while doing their mime-like gestures, not meditating, however, evidently enjoying the sound of the waterfall, and many more, all of these pokemons are basically just silently enjoying the waterfall despite their distinct species personalities, even the Slowpokes and Slowbros made their weird sounds in a muffled manner.
"This is the sanctuary zone of Psychic-type Pokémon. At the back of this falls is the mini-rocky mountain range for fighting-type Pokemons. Now, like I said, I will test you openly, and one of the fundamentals of being an Associate Field Researcher is knowing how to train most, if not all, types of Pokemons. This will not only assist you in your journey in challenging the league, but this will also be vital if you need to assist the general condition of wild Pokemons that are being introduced to this region from other regions or vice versa."
Prof. Oak smiled.
"Can you tell me how do these Pokemons shall be treated and trained?"
Anthony, who already knew such facts to become a field researcher, nodded. One should know that Anthony's mother has once introduced him to this job. It's quite lucrative money-wise, though very specialized to the point where she has to practically give up her league challenge mid-way just to study.
In any case, Anthony found this as a good opportunity to show off to his future boss, so he immediately spoke while gulping a little to show nervousness a child should have.
"... In the case of Psychic types, generally speaking, their method of getting stronger is having a clear mind. That's why not-so-smart pokemons like Psyduck and Slowpoke lines are known to be quite capable Psychic types if trained well to meditate. Rude as this may seem, but their not-so-full and space-abundant brains make for a good specimen of Psychic type, the only challenge is to get them to properly meditate and not recklessly release pent-up psychic power or bite their tail, respectively."
Zubat, whom perched in Anthony's head, clapped using its wings, apparently amazed by its master's knowledge, and while the Pokemon was doing such a thing, Anthony continued.
"More mentally active Psychic types like the Ralts, Abra, Mime Jr., Hypno, etc. Lines need more meditative training to forge their mind properly; that's why these Pokemons, alongside fighting types that need physically large objects, are said to be the most time-consuming to train, as you need to find a calm environment, ideally away from noise pollution, to set up a meditation room for your Pokémon. The pay off however, is very tempting; thus, the Psychic types continued to become a popular choice among trainers. Of course, nutrition is essential too."
Anthony paused; he then realized that what he said might still not be enough; however, the Pokémon professor already continued his speech.
"Impressive, as expected of the dynamic duo of their batch of Associate Field researchers' son... and I might add, Psychic types are also hard to train if you're training an emotional or friendship-based psychic like Ralts, as that means you have to meditate with them or else you will make them sad and feel unwanted. For Pokemons without such traits, you can just borrow one of the rooms in the Pokémon Center's apartments and muffle all the edges with thick foams; that way, no noise pollution will come crashing into their meditation when you're in the city."
"As for when you're in a tunnel, a cave, or the recently constructed underground passage, you can make it a point to have an electric-powered lamp and let the Pokémon meditate for a whole day there while you camp..."
Prof. Oak started to babble on, and while Anthony was absorbing the expert opinions of the current Pokémon professor and the rival of Elite 4 Agatha, Professor Oak gave him a mask while walking. Soon, Anthony, Zubat, and Professor Oak arrived at what appeared to be the dumpsite of the lab. It had several wilted trees around, but mostly, Poison-type Pokemons, especially waste-based like Koffing, Wheezing, Grimers, and Muks are abundant, while Trubbish and Garbodors are also present here and there.
The dual types Grass and Poison, as well as Bug and Poison, are, of course, in the forested area. Zubat seem to be comfortable with the methane that it smells, though with how some squirming trash bags can be seen, presumably from the movements of snake-based poison pokemons like Ekans, Arbok, and Sevipers, as well as the Skuntanks, it can be presumed that flesh-based poison types are safe in this space too.
As Anthony observed, Prof. Oak coaxed him once more to explain how poison types are trained on the road, to which he answered.
"Poison types are relatively easier than the Psychic or Fighting types as one just need to constantly feed them protein and expose them to some trash if they're toxic waste-based to help them with synthesizing poisons in their bodies, for Grass-Poison dual types that are mostly relying on their spores to make more concentrated poisons, they also need a lot of precision in administering the spores or else they will easily get tired during battles as poison synthesis is quite taxing. Of course, they can also dump them in landfills, but the protein method is more time-efficient and more long-term."
Prof. Oak nodded again with satisfaction, and like before, he injected some of his knowledge while Anthony absorbed all of them.
In this manner, Anthony and Professor Oak talked about training methods all throughout the day, where they visited all natural and man-made sanctuaries. Most of the time, Anthony is the one who talks while Prof. Oak gives additional knowledge, which Anthony jotted down using his mother's phone.
In its trainer's head, Zubat just clapped every time Professor Oak praised its owner, even though it was obvious that the Pokémon was not able to exactly understand what Anthony was saying. Anthony was quite thankful of his efforts that didn't come to naught, and even though the rarer types are something not understandable to him yet, specially Dark and Ghosts, the fact that he was able to recite and give insights in all the common types' way of care and training is a statement of his potential as a Researcher for Prof. Oak.
After all, to be a capable Associate Field Researcher, one needs strong Pokemons, lest he/she want to get mauled by wilder Pokemons. This is also the reason why the said profession needs a Breeder-I Pokémon breeding license, an official Pokémon training license, and a separate license of their own.
If the Pokémon labs just let a random 10-year-old put a pack of Houndour and Houndooms into an active volcano without at least having these qualifications, then they would be failing the purpose of the whole operation of integrating non-invasive species of other regions into their regions for biodiversity.
Humans are part of this 'bio' after all.
The professor and the little boy, as well as the Zubat, toured all of the sanctuary of all types of Pokemons, though some, like Ghost and dark types, are not fit in the lab, so they failed to do so. After touring the field, Anthony and Professor Oak disposed of the PPE and changed into lab coats, respectively, before going to the tourist experience room of the chemistry lab.
Anthony saw a Vileplume and a Toxicroak, one is controlling lumps of pollen, letting them enter a beaker while Toxicroak, in a lab gown, lets gushes of its poison permeate slowly from the stinger of its right hand, also letting the highly dangerous poison of its species pour into a beaker.
"This is where we let visitors experience one of the fundamental skills of Pokémon research-based analytical chemistry, gravimetry, and titration..."
Prof. Oak's tone when introducing these two concepts is that of excitement that came from introducing his interests to an aspiring young person; however, just when he was about to continue, Anthony saw the Pokémon professor squint his eyes little by little.
"I feel like I forgot something..."
Anthony saw that the professor thought long and hard before suddenly scrambling to exit the show lab. Outside, Anthony can hear him shout.
"Any free assistants!? I have to do something, please entertain our guest in the show lab!"
Anthony and Zubat glanced at each other, wondering what might be something so important that would make such a prestigious person go about in nervous haste.
_Is it Dalia's birthday today?_
Anthony can't help but ask in his mind as he looked at the similarly flabbergasted lab Pokemons that stopped what they were doing to see the spectacle the supposed owner of the lab had caused. Anthony didn't wait for an entertainer for long as another man in a lab gown appeared with an apologetic smile.
_Well, the field tour is already finished anyway._
Anthony decided to enjoy the remainder of the tour.
_____________
In the middle of the sea that divides Cinnabar Island, home of the Fire-type gym of the Kanto side of the Indigo League, a woman in a simple t-shirt and trousers attire can be seen, the said lady is riding a huge blue serpent with a face so intimidating that even Kingdras avoid its path.
Hana made Gyarados surf along the waters slowly, basking in the feeling of her days as a trainer, where she travels using Gyarados through Surfing or Flying alone, saving her and her husband Ben a lot of money.
"...hhhhAAAAAANAAAAAAA!"
As Hana relaxed, basking in the slowly lowering sun, she suddenly heard her name up from the sky. It was her Charizard flying at breakneck speed again, in its back is a man holding a folder of documents. Charizard, upon seeing Hana and Gyarados, immediately stopped its momentum and slowly landed on the back of Gyarados.
"Chaaaaar!"
Charizard roared a greeting towards Hana while reaching its hands towards Oak, also making him get off the Pokémon's back.
"Huff... huff... huff... I thought... I thought I was gonna die..."
Prof. Oak's face is full of fear as he hugs his documents as if they're his prized possessions.
"What's the big idea, Prof.? Why are you looking for me suddenly?"
Hana asked as she stood up from her sitting position to show respect to the professor. She let him catch his breath for a few seconds, and finally, she received a reply.
"I... I want your help with letting Nurse Joys and the Pokémon Day Care Owner in Fuchsia City to sign this waiver..."
Prof. Oak said, giving the documents to Hana, who opened it, it was a petition that needed signatories. Apparently initiated by the united influences of the Pokémon Professors all over the world, and upon hearing what the petition is about, Hana's lips curved into a smile.
"Y'all want to legalize selling Pokémon eggs with Daycare as outlets?"
At Hana's amused inquiry, Oak nodded.
"Yes, we also want to make Nurse Joys and Officer Jennies to be the mediators of Pokémon trades and gifting Pokemons from one person to another. The trainer scene is already centralized and most trainers that emerged are purist who wanted to just become trainers, lowering the chances of these new trainers as double spies of poachers, thus the Pokemon league asked us Pokemon Professors to create joint survey research if the daycares can bear the cost of pokemon eggs and accepting commissions from trainers to raise their Pokemons."
Hana nodded a little at this, accepting the request, though in her mind, she found it regretful that her shape was already past the prime of being a trainer.
_Well, as long as the family stays permanently together._