Unlike Haru, Professor Oak hadn't sent Sonia any sort of invitation.
But before returning to Galar, she had still made a point to visit him in Pallet Town.
For most people, meeting Professor Oak wasn't so simple. After all, he was a titan of the Pokémon world—someone you couldn't just walk up to on a whim.
Especially when he was staying at his family home in Pallet Town.
Normally, only those with an invitation could hope to be received.
Sonia, however, was a slightly different case.
On the surface, she was just a junior researcher, hardly qualified to speak with someone of Oak's stature.
But her grandmother, Professor Magnolia, was the reigning Pokémon Professor of Galar.
And as it happened, Magnolia was an old acquaintance of Professor Sycamore of Kanto… who, in turn, had once been Oak's own student.
String those relationships together, and you quickly realize the entire network of Professors, Elite Four members, and Champions was one big web of interconnection.
The most obvious examples were the Four Elite of Blueberry Academy and Paldea's very own Penny.
Blueberry's Dragon-type Elite, Drayton, was the grandson of Drayden—who happened to be the adoptive father of Iris, the future Unova Champion. Meanwhile, the Fairy-type Elite, Lacey, was the daughter of none other than Clay of Unova.
And Penny? She was a heavyweight among heavyweights—the daughter of Peony, elder brother of Galar's most powerful tycoon, Chairman Rose.
Peony himself wasn't exactly "ordinary" either, considering he had once been Champion of the Galar League.
In short, nearly everyone was a second-generation prodigy.
Sonia's purpose in visiting Oak was simple: she wanted to talk about her research and hopefully gain some inspiration from him.
Technically, she was just Magnolia's assistant. But the focus of her work was entirely different.
Her research concerned the true essence of the legendary Sword and Shield of Galar, and the connection between those relics and the mysterious Darkest Day.
Unfortunately, her progress had come to a complete standstill.
Digging through the past was proving far more difficult than she had imagined.
It wasn't for lack of clues. On the contrary—there were too many, messy and contradictory, with no way to sort fact from fiction.
Why so many bizarre legends had sprouted up over time, Sonia simply couldn't fathom.
Though Oak wasn't an expert in her field, he was a veteran Pokémon Professor, with knowledge broad enough to touch many disciplines.
So when she arrived in Pallet Town, Oak, ever hospitable, took the time to help Sonia sift through her collected clues and piece together a more coherent picture.
Her research didn't make any huge breakthroughs.
But at least they could rule out absurd theories—like "the Sword and Shield were actually ancient Aegislash, which, combined with certain forbidden texts, could transform into an evil armored monstrosity."
As for Hop, who had accompanied her…
The boy had wasted no time befriending a local kid. The two future Trainers, not yet in possession of any Pokémon, were happily daydreaming about the adventures that awaited them.
Sonia? Not their concern.
Just as Oak and Sonia were getting buried under the headaches of Galar's legends, someone knocked on the professor's door.
Finally, it was over.
The old man in the white lab coat rubbed his temples in relief as he rose from his chair.
His age was catching up with him—keeping up with Sonia's research had been mentally exhausting.
Physically, though, he was still holding on.
Years of fieldwork, being knocked around by Pokémon again and again, had ironically toughened his body. In a way, misfortune had turned into a blessing.
Sonia, likewise near her mental limit, let out a long yawn.
"Professor Oak, do you have visitors?"
"Yes. Two people you should recognize."
He moved to the door and opened it.
As expected, standing outside were Haru and Cynthia.
They had brought along several strikingly beautiful young women, companions of Haru, it seemed.
Oak paid them no mind. As long as Haru himself was here, all else was secondary.
After all, Haru was key to a very important study of his.
"Good day, Professor Oak," they greeted him.
"Hello. Please, come in."
He stepped aside and ushered them into his home.
The house's interior matched Oak's scholarly persona perfectly.
The bookshelves in the living room were crammed with hefty tomes. His desk was strewn with notes, drafts, and scattered pencils and pens.
Above the beams, Haru spotted several Pachirisu gnawing on berries.
The little electric squirrels weren't the least bit shy—in fact, the moment strangers entered, they only nibbled harder, as though worried these terrifying bipeds might steal their food.
Still, what caught Haru's attention wasn't the Pokémon, but Sonia, sitting at the desk with her chin propped in her hand, beside a small blackboard covered in strange drawings.
The sketch resembled Galar's ancient murals: a world swallowed by shadow, light blotted out, and a massive vortex swirling in the sky.
Haru recognized it at once—it depicted the Darkest Day.
But he said nothing, didn't even greet Sonia. Instead, he quietly joined Cynthia at Oak's desk to wait.
Once Oak had gestured for everyone to sit, and taken his own seat, Haru finally spoke:
"Professor, what did you call me here for?"
Both Haru and Cynthia had guessed Oak's intent. Surely, it had to do with his Pokémon—perhaps even the Legendaries.
Oak, after all, had a deep passion for completing the Pokédex. No doubt he wanted to record Haru's partners.
And Necrozma was a name they had likely never even heard before.
But Oak's answer veered in another direction.
He took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and said:
"I saw your battle against Blue on television."
"There were some things in that match that caught my attention."
Seeing Haru's expression stiffen, Oak—who was, after all, Blue's grandfather—quickly waved his hands.
"Oh, don't worry. I don't mind that you defeated the boy. His personality does need some… correction. Being humbled is good for him."
"Though… I must admit, that dance of his was rather amusing. Perhaps I'll ask him to perform it again when he returns."
Smiling at his own thought, Oak rummaged in a cabinet and pulled out several thick notebooks.
"Most people don't know this, but my true field of study is the relationship between humans and Pokémon."
"For years, I've sought to observe and record the ways Trainers and Pokémon live together."
"My hope is that Trainers can grow closer to their Pokémon—as close as family."
As Oak spoke, his eyes lit with passion.
For all his quirks, there was no doubting his genuine love for Pokémon.
"I had thought my research could advance no further. But then I saw you, and realized there's still much to explore."
"Your Pokémon are far more bonded to you than those of ordinary Trainers."
"Especially that Mew of yours. The relationship between you two goes beyond even family."
"So I must ask—how do you interact with your Pokémon? This knowledge could greatly aid my research."
Haru froze like a statue.
H-How I interact with my Pokémon?
That… was a hard one.
Transformations, teasing punishments and rewards, black stockings and soy milk, speedy Onix drills and Lilligant awakenings—
If he were honest, those were the only answers he had.
But obviously, those were unutterable. Unless he wanted to socially self-destruct, there was no way he could confess such things to Professor Oak.
Just then, the Mew that was supposed to be resting inside its Poké Ball popped out on her own. With a cheerful lilt in her voice, she announced:
"I know the answer to that! It's because we do—"
She didn't get to finish. Haru's hand clamped over her mouth instantly.
Mew didn't resist. Instead, she licked his palm with her tiny tongue, giving him a mischievous look that screamed, try me.
Haru glared at her in exasperation, then forced a laugh as he turned back to the others.
"Um… well, Mew is just a special case. Mythical Pokémon are always different from the norm. Mew, for instance, can sense human thoughts.
"That's probably why she and I are so close. Ordinary Pokémon could never manage the same."
After racking his brains, Haru finally produced an explanation that, at least, wouldn't make him die of embarrassment on the spot.
"Is that so?" Oak set down his pen, peering at the young man with suspicion.
"Then what about that other Pokémon—the one you called Necrozma? I could see you share an equally strong bond with it. Surely that wasn't just Mew in disguise?
"I noticed it using a new move called 'Prismatic Laser.' According to current records, Mew shouldn't be able to learn anything like that."
Haru's face went stiff. "Well… it's a Legendary too. Different rules apply, right?"
He stammered and dodged, unable to come up with a decent answer.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Mewtwo quietly standing nearby. His mind sparked.
Sorry, my dear daughter. Your old man's in hot water. Time to take one for the team.
Putting on his most serious expression, Haru turned back to Oak.
"Professor, since you're interested in human–Pokémon relationships, then you should take a look at her."
He pointed at the blue-haired girl—Mewtwo.
Oak frowned. "And she is…?"
"She's my daughter. Her mother is Mew. In other words—she's a hybrid of human and Pokémon."
His voice brimmed with pride.
"…"
"…"
Oak and Sonia froze, eyes wide with disbelief.
Oak, in particular, felt as if his earlier suspicions had just been confirmed.
Beyond family, huh… So that's what he meant. But this is…
Mewtwo herself simply said, calmly and coolly:
"I hate him."
She didn't clarify who she meant. But her glare made it obvious enough.
Mew giggled. "Thanks for hating me, but I've already chosen who I hate. I hope you find someone else to hate even more!"
That one jab was enough to send Mewtwo's temper flaring red-hot again. If not for Haru stepping in to stop her, the two would've started brawling on the spot.
The bickering, however, did nothing to lessen Oak and Sonia's shock.
"You… you and Mew?"
Even for someone as seasoned as Oak, this was beyond his experience. He had no idea how to even begin processing it.
Humans and Pokémon were equals, yes. But… to that extent?
Was that really… okay?
"Ah—no, you've misunderstood!"
Seeing their faces twist into horror, Haru hurriedly explained Mewtwo's true origins.
Only then did Sonia and Oak begin to relax, though uneasily.
"I see. So it was my mistake. Apologies." Oak sighed. "For a moment, I thought you were some kind of deviant."
Sonia added under her breath, "I was thinking the same thing…"
Cynthia chuckled. "That was exactly my reaction when I first heard the story."
A little embarrassed, Haru coughed into his fist.
"Ahem. Anyway, if we're talking about unique human–Pokémon bonds, surely nothing tops mine and Mewtwo's. From a genetic standpoint, I'm her father, and she exists as both human and Pokémon at once."
"Indeed."
Oak's eyes shone again.
Of all the Trainers and Pokémon he'd studied, none had a bond as unusual as this.
A Mythical Pokémon and its Trainer together had produced another Pokémon—a Legendary hybrid—who regarded her Trainer as father, yet resented the Mythical "mother."
Whichever way you looked at it, Mewtwo was an extraordinary case.
Extraordinary, and invaluable to research.
So Oak spent the next stretch eagerly questioning Haru about his daily interactions with Mewtwo.
Sadly, Haru hadn't known her for long, so even with Oak's relentless probing, the details he could provide were meager.
At last, Oak closed his notebook with a sigh.
"There is one more request I must make," he said, his gaze intent.
"Please, go ahead."
"I would like you and Mewtwo to remain here in Pallet Town for a time. That way, I could continue my studies."
Haru shook his head apologetically.
"I'd like to help, but I have other matters that need my attention. As for Mewtwo… that's her decision."
He glanced toward her.
"I must stay by his side," Mewtwo replied without hesitation, "to learn how to properly serve my father."
"…"
Oak blinked.
"Er, I think she just has a… peculiar way of speaking," Haru said quickly. "What she means is that she wants to learn human customs, and how to get along with her father."
"…Customs. Yes. Customs." Mewtwo nodded, seizing on the word.
"I see. Forgive me for overstepping." Oak rose to his feet. "By the way, I heard from Cynthia that you've been searching for Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, correct?"
"As a token of thanks…"
"I'd like to take you to meet some of my Pokémon. Perhaps one of them will be a match for you."
"Don't be shy—I'd be delighted if you raised one of them to defeat Blue."
The professor chuckled, recalling the online poll he'd anonymously voted in: "What punishment should Blue face after his next loss?"
Pallet Town was the place where many young Trainers in Kanto received their first partner.
But even the so-called starters weren't given away so casually.
Pokémon chose their Trainers just as much as Trainers chose them. The starter trio was no exception.
And that was precisely what Oak now intended to arrange for Haru.
As a Professor, Oak cared for countless Pokémon of all shapes and sizes. Among them, naturally, were more than a few capable of Mega Evolution.
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