Waking up in his own bed in Pallet was surreal. When Gray was traveling around to collect his badges the first time around, he had to make do with camping in the rough. But now, he could collect badges in the day and be home with Grandpa Sammy at night for dinner.

  Honestly, 10/10 experience, would highly recommend again.

  Gray felt his mood remain high as he did his morning ablutions, nearly skipping on his way down for breakfast.

  Unfortunately, he had probably jinxed himself because upon stepping foot into the kitchen, his mood tanked at the chaos that greeted him.

  He was the last one up in his family. Gary and Ash were in the middle of breakfast, chattering to one another and everyone around them.

  Perfectly normal, if not for the storm of scientists all around the dining table, some recording the boys’ Rotoms intently, others nodding their heads repeatedly at whatever the boys were saying.

  Grandpa Sammy was seated on the side furthest from the commotion, calmly eating his breakfast with a bright smile, Blue seated beside him.

  Professor Oak was multitasking, a sausage in one hand while he paced around both Rotoms, occasionally having his words recorded by a frazzled young scientist trailing after him.

  “Excuse me?” said Gray gravely, stopping all activity in the room.

  “Good Morning Uncle Gray!” greeted Ash cheerily, followed up quickly by Gary’s own.

  He nodded at both boys without taking his eyes off of the strangers around the room.

  “What is going on?” he posed a question again.

  A familiar scientist, the same man who had questioned Mimikyu on Gray’s first day, ducked his head out of the way, making sure to not be in Gray's line of sight.

  Professor Oak stepped up with a nervous smile, greeting his grandson cautiously.

  “Good Morning, Gray. We’ve begun some preliminary testing on the Rotoms. We’re looking to glean as much as possible to see how we could adopt advancements on a wider scale. Just think we could catch up to how they’re doing things in the west! Your stories from last night were remarkable, so we wanted to get started as soon as possible!” said the professor. He had begun calmly, but the passion and excitement he felt for the possibilities took over and he was near babbling towards the end.

  Cautious of his own energy, he cleared his throat.

  “That is… If you don’t mind? May we continue?”

  The uncertainty in the normally proud professor took the scientists by surprise. Their boss never had to nearly grovel like this, his accolades and reputation normally ensuring it was the other way around.

  It made for an uncomfortable sight, the elderly professor asking a younger generation, his own grandson, for permission to continue with research.

  Sensing the drop in energy around the room, Gray simply nodded and made his way to Grandpa Sammy’s side of the table.

  Professor Oak smiled in relief, and went back to what he was doing, this time more cautious and subdued.

  With work needed to be done, his employees followed his lead, this time minding their volume and keeping it within acceptable decibels.

  Gray calmly watched from the sidelines, careful to spot any signs of discomfort around the boys and his Rotoms.

  Finding none, he munches on his breakfast while idly conversing with Grandpa Sammy.

  "How long have they been at it?"

  "I'm not certain myself. Blue, any idea?"

  "It's been awhile. Maybe an hour or so?"

  "You woke up so early? Why would you do that to yourself?"

  "Someone had to get both boys up for breakfast. If I didn't come and get them, they'd probably run off to some forgotten corner of the lab with the Rotoms, and we wouldn't see them till tomorrow."

  Gray snorted at Blue's words, knowing for sure it was more than likely. Both boys' excitement with a pokemon companion was too novel, and they had been discussing the idea of running around the corral fields and scanning whatever pokemon they encountered.

  So distracted he was by his observations, Gray didn’t realise that Blue was a part of the conversation, and that he had been replying to both his brother and grandpa with ease.

  It isn’t until he’s trailing after the boys and their observers, about to enter the laboratory proper that he finally notices. This was so far the most pleasant conversation he’s had with his brother, who knew his brother didn’t have to be an ass all the time?

  Deciding to pay it no mind, he keeps up with both the group and conversation, a careful hand around Grandpa Sammy to keep him steady as he hobbles with his cane.

  Entering the laboratory for the first time in years is both nostalgic and intimidating. Since he’d been back, Gray had kept to the family sides of the building, only venturing to the lab’s visitor's area the time he had met Lance.

  When he stepped foot into the areas where scientists conducted their research, he was taken aback by how familiar the layout was, only certain equipment had been swapped for bigger, shinier models that Gray assumed were to keep up with changing tech.

  The area where they conducted physical examinations was the same, a wide space surrounded by various equipment to measure pokemon energy outputs, vitals and other metrics. A large door, leading directly to the corral, was still on the far end, making it easier to shuffle pokemon in and out regardless of size.

  It had been a favorite in Gray’s childhood, watching pokemon repeat moves and having the machines make their calculations on the spot — the science of his past life blending with the fantastical nature of the pokemon world.

  And there, in the far corner, away from most activity, was Professor Oak’s desk. The initial idea had been that since the old man was more fond of fluttering around the lab and participating in experiments, his desk wasn’t as much of a priority, and thus the old man had relegated it to an unobtrusive spot.

  In reality, however, the old man spent considerable time on it filling up lab forms, paperwork and other correspondences. His employed scientists had followed suit, their own desks placed to fan around Professor Oak’s, surrounding the man who started it all.

  Gray walked towards the desk. It had taken quite a bit of courage for Gray to march towards this desk as a child, as doing so would immediately turn him the centre of attention from all the scientists hyperaware of their boss. He remembers how he would pester and beg his grandfather for his time, only to be turned away.

  As a child, Gray had been excited to contribute his own ideas and thoughts, thinking that his past life knowledge could give his grandfather a leg up on his research. He had been a bright child, and he had foolishly thought it would be enough for his grandfather to take him seriously.

  It was a fool’s errand, for all Professor Oak saw in him was an attention seeking grandchild, at least during the rare moments the man did look Gray in the eye. More often than not, he would converse with his youngest grandson without even looking at him directly.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Gray had given up, choosing instead to focus his energy on people who would actually give him time of day like Grandpa Sammy.

  Looking at the old man’s desk now, the intimidating mahogany that had unnerved Gray was nothing special. It had been wide as a child, but standing beside it at the present, it barely reached Gray’s waist.

  The top of it was messy, strewn with papers in organised chaos. What captured Gray’s attention was the newly added shelf, tucked at the wall directly at eye level for the person seated on the desk.

  It held a collection of photographs, Gray managing to make out images of Ash and Gary playing together, one of Professor Oak smiling side by side with the other region's scientists and other precious moments of the old man's career. At the centre of the shelf, however, in the place most obvious, was a familiar worn out photo.

  It was of Gray and his family, taken just before he was about to compete in his first Indigo Conference. Grandpa Sammy and Professor Oak framed Gray, who was smiling widely at the camera. Even Blue and Red were in the photo, both on either side of each old man. Blue was smirking at the camera, arms folded and standing casually. Red’s face was blank, the Pikachu that never left his side on the shoulder leaning as far as possible from Gray, looking at the young Oak in disgust.

  Gray wondered why Professor Oak chose to include the shelf, and why Gray’s photo was right at the centre of it. Even the professor’s late wife’s photo was tucked away at the edge, cleverly hidden behind a photo of Gray and Blue’s parents.

  Before he could theorise the reasons behind the old man’s choices, he turned away from the desk. Whatever it was, it had nothing to do with Gray.

  He focused his attention back to the physical examination area, where the group had congregated around the boys and Rotoms.

  After some time, the doors leading to the corral opened, and some of Gray’s other pokemon marched in. Azumarill led the way, followed by Carbink, Clefable and Mawile.

  The buzz increases in volume, more researchers ungluing themselves from the boys’ side to pay attention to Gray’s team.

  The fairy trainer had readied himself to snap at the over enthusiasm, but had to bite his tongue when everything seemed to be in order. Gray’s pokemon were happy to be the centre attention, performing moves as requested and moving this way and that to make it easier for the scientists to collect data.

  They seemed to be in their element, happy to demonstrate whatever was asked.

  Two scientists around Azumarill began to passionately argue between themselves, volume increasing the more incensed they became.

  “It’s an ability! Azumarill managed to train up a Hidden Ability, resulting in his monstrous strength!”

  “Are you blind? Do you not see the small concentration of pink energy he releases whenever he punches? His strength is obviously a well-practiced manipulation of fairy energy!”

  They argued for their stance, more and more scientists getting into the thick of things and joining in, causing Gray a headache from all the shouting.

  Azumarill, the little shit, adored being the subject of their argument. His eyes ping ponged between each speaker, bright and excited the more passionately they spoke.

  Reaching the end of his patience, Gray snapped. “Why don’t you just ask him? He’s right there, he’ll tell you!”

  The room turns to Gray, considering his words. One of the scientists states meekly. “While they’re capable of replying to us, the answers we need require more depth that’s hard for pokemon to communicate…”

  Gray rolls his eyes. “If you want more complicated answers, ask the Rotoms to translate!”

  “Azu-Azu, rill!”

  “Bzzt. Azumarill commends you for observing him so carefully. He says that you are actually both correct, it is both an ability and a special manipulation of energy.”

  Everyone freezes, finally realising the depth of possibilities having a pokemon around able to reply coherently in human speech.

  “Is he able to do that with every pokemon? Translate whatever the pokemon is saying?” Professor Oak is the first to break the silence.

  “Yes? Have they not been replying to you with words since breakfast?”

  Sheepish looks appear on the scientists faces at the matter of fact tone Gray used. In hindsight, it was definitely obvious. They had just not managed to connect that dot, too caught in the technological implications of a pokemon-possessed device.

  Professor Oak stops breathing, simply staring at both Rotoms in awe and wonder. He marveled at them, caught up in the roads having them around would open.

  As a professor, his focus had always been on the bond between trainer and pokemon. In all his years, it had been a one-sided affair, him getting inputs from the trainer’s perspective. Even in all his experience, instances where they were not able to properly theorise or rationalise the pokemon’s side of things, thus causing complications, was common.

  To suddenly have that barrier removed could truly revolutionise the man’s research. He’s just about to ask young Gary to have his Rotom companion stay in the lab instead of following him around, before he pauses.

  He reigns in his excitement. It was revolutionary, yes, but to deny his great grandson a companion was unfair. Furthermore, this was Gray’s attempt to even things out between both boys. Professor Oak knew there and then that what he was about to ask for would cross a line, and was sure to infuriate his already estranged grandson.

  “Remarkable! We must glean as much as we can while Ash and Gary are still in the lab. They will be leaving soon to accompany Gray, we must obtain as much information as possible while they are present.”

  Blinking in surprise at the professor’s tact, Gray had to pinch himself that that just happened. What character development from the old man!

  He fully expected him to demand from either Ash or Gary, citing how impactful this would be for his research.

  Instead, he demonstrated restraint, something he had rarely shown when Gray had been a child.

  Pleased, he hummed and interrupted the professor tirade again.

  “You want one too?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Take out your phone. You too, Grandpa Sammy, Blue.”

  When all three men from Gray’s family whipped their phones out, Gray leaned downwards and whispered to his shadow. The last of the three Rotoms, zipped out and towards the phones.

  Soon, three identical Rotom phones were buzzing about and floating in midair.

  “Here, they’re all I’ve managed to convince. Treat them well and they’ll continue to help you.”

  Much to Gray’s surprise, he was suddenly glomped on by Professor Oak, whose shoulders were shaking as he hugged his grandson tightly.

  Gray had to awkwardly pat the man’s back in reassurance, stunned by the show of affection. Honestly, Gray couldn’t remember the last time his grandfather had hugged him, so his brain was blue screening.

  The patting he was giving the old man was a mechanical pat-pat-rub. Pat-pat-rub.

  When Gray was finally released, all he could see was Professor Oak’s face, brown eyes, like Gray’s own, suspiciously wet and sheen.

  “Thank you, Gray.” he whispers, reverent and honest.

  “No problem, old man.” Gray whispers back before clearing his throat.

  Professor Oak rubs at his eyes before turning back to the rest of the room. He greets his new Rotom-phone enthusiastically, asking it questions and trying his best to develop a bond. He would be the Professor’s newest, and perhaps most vital, companion. He wanted to start the relationship strong and healthy.

  Gray sighs, his eyes looking to Grandpa Sammy who was beaming from ear to ear.

  “You didn’t have to give me one too. I’m a normal old man, I’m not like Samuel. Rotom might get bored accompanying me around.”

  Choosing to seize the opportunity, Gray generously gives his grandpa what he gives him best: a headache.

  “Precisely. You’re an old man. With Rotom around, you won’t have to struggle navigating around technology. You’re welcome!”

  Gray runs away before the snap of Grandpa Sammy’s cane could strike him.

  When the old man had finally calmed down, he joined Gray on the couch, watching the bustle of the scientists as they conducted their business.

  It was enough for Gray, just sitting around with his grandpa and spending time together. There was no need for deep conversations, a comfortable silence shared between them.

  It was different from the past, where grandpa had a tendency to ramble about this thing and that, trying to impart as much as he could to Gray who would nod his head at everything Grandpa Sammy said.

  Unfortunately, Grandpa Sammy didn’t seem to get the memo.

  “Which gym are you going for next?”

  Gray dared to reply with an annoyed face. “Why’d you have to ask that? Weren’t we having a moment? Tranquility and silence between grandpa and grandson?”

  “You were constantly yapping as a child. I’m not sure you knew the meaning of quiet.”

  Rolling his eyes, Gray took a moment to consider the question.

  “Cerulean,” he replied confidently.

  Unimpressed, Grandpa Sammy informed him plainly. “The Cerulean sisters have been struggling to run their gym properly in recent years. It’ll be like Pewter, but worse.”

  The idea of holding back for yet another match was off putting.

  “Why doesn’t the Indigo League send someone down to help them out, then? If the young gym leaders need a leg up, why not help?”

  “Why would they want to undo what they’ve been striving so hard for?”

  Gray blinked at Grandpa Sammy, his mind racing at the implication of that little sentence. “Why would they do that?”

  “Don’t go to Cerulean. Go to Vermilion City instead. With Surge, you wouldn’t have to hold back foolishly.” the old man replies, leaving Gray’s question unanswered.

  “Ugh, fine. Why do you guys insist on keeping me in the dark? Would you guys have told me about Red if I didn’t demand it?”

  “If you really wanted to know, you’d find out yourself or demand it out of us. As is, do you really care about the league’s reasons?”

  Damn, Gray was caught. Frankly, he didn't care much for the complications within the league. If anything, being among the upper echelons of trainers in Kalos had taught him that bureaucracy was always complicated, and that he would much prefer to be on the outside looking in to the drama.

  Human nature, regardless of what world Gray found himself in, had a tendency to be messy.

  He had just escaped that in Kalos, no need to dive right in immediately after returning home. More than anything, Gray hoped to quietly earn his badges, avoiding everything unnecessary to his goals.

  "Oi Ash. Which one do ya think is a better fighter: Rotom-dex or Rotom-phone?"

  Before the boy could reply his best friend, their Uncle Gray's stern voice interrupted them.

  "We will not be finding out today, boys!"