If Robert remembered correctly, the strange man in front of him—jumping around with excitement—was a researcher from Mt. Moon. In the original timeline, he was also affiliated with the Pewter City Science Museum. However, his name was never introduced in the original story.
Robert studied him for a moment before attempting to speak.
"Um… sir—"
Before he could finish, the researcher abruptly interrupted him.
"What? Sir?! Do I look that old to you?" he huffed, crossing his arms in mock offense. "You know, I'm only in my twenties!"
Robert sighed. This man was clearly dramatic and full of energy—maybe even a little unhinged.
"Pichu, shock him a little so he can focus," Robert instructed casually.
"Pichu~!"
Pichu, who had been lazily resting on Robert's shoulder, perked up with excitement. Without hesitation, he leaped into the air and sent out a small but effective electric shock.
Zzzt!
Sparks crackled, and the researcher yelped as his body stiffened. His hair frizzed, and his face twitched as he slumped backward onto the ground.
"Aghhh… M-My body… feels numb…" the researcher groaned.
Robert crouched beside him, offering a smug smile. "Hehe… So, can you speak properly now, Mr. Researcher?"
The man, still twitching slightly, gave a weak nod. "Y-Yes… Yes, I can…"
"Good. Then tell me everything you know about Mt. Moon," Robert said, folding his arms.
With the electricity still tingling in his body, the researcher quickly composed himself and began explaining. He spoke about the legends surrounding Mt. Moon, the meteorite that had supposedly crashed there long ago, and the presence of Moon Stones. He also mentioned how Clefairy and their evolved forms, Clefable, used to reside there but had recently disappeared.
Robert listened carefully, nodding as he processed the information.
"Just as I thought," he mused.
After gathering all the details he needed, Robert exchanged a few more words with the researcher before bidding him farewell. He then turned toward the entrance of the dark cave leading through Mt. Moon and pulled out a headlamp from his backpack.
The path ahead was shrouded in darkness, with only the sound of dripping water echoing through the cavern. If a less experienced trainer were here, they might have felt a sense of unease. But Robert remained focused as he followed the path laid out by his system map.
---
A Journey Through Mt. Moon
As Robert ventured deeper into the cave, his footsteps echoed softly against the rocky ground. The faint light of his headlamp illuminated the uneven path ahead, casting long shadows on the jagged walls.
Suddenly, a series of sharp, high-pitched screeches filled the air.
"Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!"
Robert instinctively looked up, spotting a swarm of Zubat flitting about. Their dark blue bodies contrasted against the dim cave walls, and their wide, membranous wings flapped rapidly as they navigated the cavern.
"Zubat, huh?" Robert thought, quickly turning off his headlamp to avoid attracting them.
Though he wasn't afraid of a battle, fighting in a tight, enclosed space wasn't ideal. He decided to stay still and wait for the Zubat to move along.
After a few tense moments, the Zubat lost interest and flew toward another part of the cave. Once they were gone, Robert switched his headlamp back on and resumed his journey.
For the next thirty minutes, he navigated the winding tunnels, carefully avoiding loose rocks and occasional wild Pokémon. Then, at last, he spotted a faint light in the distance—the exit.
A few more steps, and Robert finally emerged from the darkness of Mt. Moon into the bright, open landscape beyond.
He had made it to the outskirts of Cerulean City.
---
A Visit to the Pokémon Center
Upon entering Cerulean City, Robert's first destination was the Pokémon Center. His team had traveled a long way, and it was time for them to rest.
Inside the center, Nurse Joy greeted him with her signature warm smile.
"Welcome to the Pokémon Center! How can I help you today?" she asked.
Robert handed over his Poké Balls. "I'd like to heal my Pokémon, please."
"Of course! Please wait a moment," Nurse Joy said as she took the Poké Balls and placed them into the healing machine.
A few minutes later, she returned with a bright smile. "Sorry for the wait, Mr. Robert. Your Pokémon are fully recovered!"
"Thank you, Nurse Joy," Robert said as he retrieved his Poké Balls.
At that moment, Pichu, who had been resting on the tray, immediately jumped back onto Robert's shoulder, rubbing his cheek against his trainer affectionately.
Seeing Pichu's enthusiasm, Robert chuckled before glancing back at Nurse Joy.
As always, she was polite, cheerful, and incredibly kind. Every Nurse Joy across the regions looked nearly identical, which had always been a strange mystery. If Robert hadn't known better, he might have thought they were clones or robots.
Not only were they helpful and intelligent, but they were also beautiful and gentle—practically the perfect girlfriend type.
…That is, if it weren't for their family rules.
Shaking off the thought, Robert gave Nurse Joy a final nod of gratitude before heading toward the Pokémon Center's dormitory area.
---
A Trainer's Meal
Instead of eating in the Pokémon Center's public cafeteria, Robert decided to prepare his own meal.
He wasn't particularly fond of the free food at Pokémon Centers. While it was decent, he preferred the quality and variety of food from the Pokémon Mart, which offered fresh ingredients.
After entering his dormitory room, Robert released his Pokémon one by one.
"Alright, everyone—it's time to eat," he announced.
Charmeleon, Pidgeot, Beedrill, and Pichu perked up instantly at the mention of food.
Robert pulled out a selection of high-quality Pokémon food, including Energy Cubes and premium milk—the very same treats that had convinced Pichu to join his team in the first place.
"Charmeleon, here's yours," Robert said, setting down a portion tailored to Charmeleon's diet.
"Ahh~!" Charmeleon growled in delight as he began eating.
"Pidgeot, I've got something special for you too."
"Bi~!" Pidgeot chirped happily, flapping his wings in excitement.
Beedrill received a blend rich in nutrients beneficial for Bug-type Pokémon, while Pichu excitedly grabbed his food with his tiny hands, eating as fast as he could.
Robert smiled as he watched them enjoy their meal. This was one of the best moments of a trainer's journey—the bond built through shared experiences and simple moments like these.
---
Planning the Next Move
As he ate his own meal, Robert pulled out his system map once more.
"Now that I've arrived in Cerulean City, I need to decide my next step," he thought.
Cerulean City was known for its Water-type Gym, led by Misty, one of the region's toughest early Gym Leaders. Her specialty was Water-type Pokémon, and she often used Starmie and Staryu in battle.
Robert's current team wasn't the best matchup against Water-types. Charmeleon would struggle, and Beedrill wasn't an ideal choice either. Pidgeot might be able to hold his own, but the best option would be…
"Pichu."
If Pichu could learn Thunderbolt, the upcoming battle would be much easier. However, he wasn't sure if Pichu was ready yet.
"I'll need to train him before challenging the Gym," Robert decided.
Tomorrow, he would explore Cerulean City, train Pichu, and prepare for his first major Gym battle.
As he leaned back, satisfied with his meal, Pichu finished his food and curled up beside him, letting out a happy "Pichu~" before dozing off.
Robert chuckled softly.
"A strong team, a clear goal, and a new adventure ahead—this is what being a trainer is all about."
With that thought in mind, Robert turned off the lights and drifted into a well-earned rest, ready for whatever awaited him tomorrow.
---
To be continued…
---
More episodes are available on patreon
https://www.patreon.com/Atoki_29