The late morning sunlight bathed Professor Oak's Laboratory in a gentle glow as Leyn and Leaf reached the top of the hill. The white dome structure gleamed like a polished pearl, the small wind turbine atop it turning lazily with the breeze. For Leaf, it felt like stepping into a place straight out of a storybook.
For Leyn, it felt like stepping into his second home.
Leaf slowed, her sandals crunching softly against the gravel path. "It's even prettier up close… I thought it would look more… um, science-y and serious."
Leyn grinned proudly, hands on his hips. "Professor Oak says science can be fun too. He just hides the boring parts behind the bookshelves."
Leaf blinked. "There are boring parts?"
Leyn nodded gravely. "Lots of paperwork."
Before Leaf could say more, the door to the lab slid open with a whoosh. Out stepped Professor Oak, white coat, smile warm, and posture relaxed—the perfect blend of brilliant scientist and friendly grandpa.
"Well, well, what have we here?" Oak greeted, voice rich with playful curiosity. "If it isn't my little part–time assistant—and I assume this lovely young lady must be Leaf!"
Leaf straightened, bowing politely. "G–Good morning, Professor Oak! Thank you for having me!"
"My dear, it is my pleasure," Oak said with a small bow of his own. "Any friend of Leyn is always welcome here—unless he intends to blow up my lab again."
Leaf's eyes widened. "B–Blow up?!"
Leyn flailed his hands. "It was one time! And it was a very tiny explosion!"
"About as tiny as a Rapidash sneezing into a gas pipe," Oak said thoughtfully, tapping his chin.
"Professor!" Leyn groaned, cheeks puffing.
Oak chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Relax, I'm only teasing. Mostly."
Leaf giggled softly, already sensing the warm, lively atmosphere inside the lab. They stepped through the automatic doors, entering a hallway lined with framed pictures—Oak shaking hands with Gym Leaders, standing beside young Trainers, and even one of him chasing a group of running Magnemite with a net.
The interior smelled faintly of polished wood, old books, and that unique scent Leaf could only describe as fresh adventure.
Shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, crammed with books, labeled Poké Balls, notes, and jars of mysterious substances that Leaf decided not to question. Holographic screens displayed maps of various regions—Kanto, Johto, Hoenn—some showing habitats and evolution charts.
"Wow…" Leaf whispered, her voice barely audible. "It's like… a whole world in here."
Oak grinned. "That's what science should be—full of wonder, excitement, and very occasionally… the threat of mild electrocution."
As if summoned by the word electrocution—
BZZT!
A spark zipped across the floor.
"Pika!"
A yellow blur dashed across the tiles, slid like a comet, and skidded to a stop right in front of Leyn.
"Pikachu!" Leaf gasped, eyes shining. "It's really a Pikachu!"
The little electric mouse struck a pose—one hand on hip, lightning–bolt tail twitching, cheeks sparking with playful energy like it wanted applause.
"Yup! This troublemaker is my buddy," Leyn said, crouching down.
Pikachu leapt into Leyn's arms, rubbing its cheek against him while shooting a smug look at Leaf—as if to say: Yes, I am adorable. You may admire me.
Leaf shyly reached out. "Can I… um… pet him?"
Leyn nodded and held Pikachu toward her. "Go ahead—but careful. He sometimes shocks people when he gets too excited."
Pikachu flicked its ear with a mischievous "Pi-ka," clearly planning something.
Leaf gently placed her hand on his head. Pikachu leaned in, letting her pet him… then wiggled its whiskers, eyes gleaming with mischief. Before he could execute whatever prank that expression promised, Leyn tapped his forehead lightly.
"No zapping Leaf on her first day here."
Pikachu froze, cheeks puffed in a tiny pout. "Chu…"
Oak chuckled. "You've already trained him to behave around guests. Impressive. I still can't keep him away from my snack drawer."
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu protested loudly, pointing at himself with an offended gasp.
Leyn coughed. "He may or may not have stolen my mom's apple pies last week too."
Leaf giggled as Pikachu looked away, refusing eye contact, pretending innocence with exaggerated whistling.
Oak stepped closer, folding his arms with a warm yet humorous expression. "You know, Leaf, that Pikachu was quite the independent rascal before Leyn showed up. He didn't listen to anyone—and I mean anyone."
Leaf glanced at Leyn with surprise. "Really? But he seems so close to you."
Leyn scratched Pikachu's ear. "Well… that wasn't always the case."
Pikachu blinked up at Leyn, then looked away with a tiny embarrassed smirk, remembering exactly what he had done.
Leaf leaned in, curious. "How did you two meet?"
Leyn smiled, the memory bubbling up like a warm drink.
"Well… it started with Pikachu shocking me."
---
It was a sunny afternoon. Leyn was sweeping the storage room floor as part of his assistant chores. He hummed while stacking empty Poké Ball capsules when he heard faint rustling.
He turned and—
BZZT!
A sudden jolt of electricity zapped him, making his hair stand straight like spiky Pidgey feathers.
"W–Wahhh!!"
A Pikachu stood on a shelf, cheeks sparking, looking just as startled as Leyn.
For a moment, they stared at each other—
a shocked boy and a panicked Pikachu.
"P–Pika??"
Leyn blinked, smoke puffing from his hair. Then, instead of yelling, crying, or running—
He laughed.
"Ow—haha—t-that tickled!"
Pikachu tilted its head, confused. Humans usually screamed or chased it after being shocked.
Leyn offered a piece of Pecha candy from his pocket. "You're just hungry, right? Here."
Pikachu sniffed, nibbling… and its eyes sparkled.
From that moment on, Pikachu followed Leyn everywhere—through chores, breaks, snack time, and even Oak's lectures.
Back in the present, Leaf giggled. "So Pikachu zapped you, and you… laughed?"
Leyn shrugged. "He looked more scared than I was."
Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder proudly, puffing its chest. "Pika!"
"You two are adorable," Leaf said softly.
Oak nodded. "A peculiar start, but a strong bond nonetheless. Sometimes the best friendships begin with a spark—quite literally. "
Oak clapped his hands. "Now then! Time for the tour. First stop—something not even all my assistants see on their first visit. Follow me."
He led them down a corridor to a secured door with a big sign:
INCUBATION & EARLY CARE ROOM
Leaf gasped, whispering, "Are we allowed in there?"
Oak winked. "With my permission. Besides, you seem trustworthy. You didn't run when I mentioned explosions."
"That was only once," Leyn muttered.
Oak opened the door.
Warm air, gentle lighting, and a faint soft lullaby–like tune greeted them. The room was lined with incubators—some shaped like soft nests, others like temperature–controlled pods. Each held a Pokémon Egg, patterned uniquely with spots, swirls, stripes, or symbols.
Leaf's hands flew to her mouth. "They're… beautiful."
Oak softened his voice, the humor easing into warmth. "Inside each of these eggs is a life waiting to begin—mysterious, unpredictable, and full of potential."
Pikachu quietly hopped down, gazing at one egg with yellow speckles—like tiny lightning marks. He placed his small paws gently on the glass as if saying hello.
Leaf stepped closer to a pale–blue egg with a swirl pattern. "Do you… already know what's inside each one?"
Oak chuckled. "Sometimes. Other times, the world likes to surprise us. Eggs can be incredibly mysterious. Why, once, I cared for an egg I thought was a Chansey—turned out to be a very confused Psyduck."
Leaf giggled.
Pikachu tapped one egg curiously.
Tap. Tap.
Then—
BONK.
He slipped, bonking his head gently on the glass. Leyn quickly scooped him up. "See? Trouble magnet."
"Pikaaa…" Pikachu whined dramatically, demanding a comforting rub.
Oak pointed to one egg in a nest–like incubator. "That one is quite close to hatching. I'd say within a few days."
Leaf's eyes sparkled. "That soon?"
Oak nodded. "Perhaps you can return, Leaf. Witnessing the moment a Pokémon first opens its eyes… is unforgettable."
Leaf turned to Leyn, smiling. "Can we come back together?"
Leyn smiled back. "Of course. Pikachu and I visit a lot."
Pikachu puffed with pride. "Chu!"
Oak added with a sly grin, "And maybe next time, bring a helmet—Pikachu tends to get overly excited around newborns. Last time, he shocked a baby Pichu into its first sneeze."
Leaf laughed so hard she had to hold onto the incubator table.
Pikachu put a paw on his chest, offended. "Pi!"
----------
After the tour, Oak led them back to the main hall. He handed each of them a small snack bar shaped like a Poké Ball.
"A little treat for future Trainers," he said warmly. "Exploring and learning works up an appetite—especially when accompanied by this electrifying fellow."
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed, mouth full already—he had stolen Leyn's snack bar without hesitation.
"Hey! Pikachu!" Leyn chased him in circles as Pikachu darted away, laughing with squeaky "Pika–pi!" giggles.
Oak chuckled as he watched them. "Leaf, my dear… if you stick with Leyn, expect your days to be louder, brighter, and occasionally… shocking."
Leaf smiled as she watched the two.
"That's okay," she said softly. "I think I like that kind of journey."
Oak's eyes twinkled.
"So do I."