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Chapter I

Everyone's jaw dropped, as if they seen a ghost from some horrible monster. Their Pokémon couldn't believe it either, their eyes were as big as their trainers. Several more people came around to see what was going on, when they saw it they murmured amongst themselves and made several neutral comments. Several children took notice and wanted to get close, but their parents forced them to keep their distance. Even though there was no threat, it was too bizarre to comprehend.

Not because they were looking at a non-native Pokémon, not because it was a famous Pikachu, but it was because of its impressive feat. The Pikachu readjust its specialized eye goggles and took the last bite of an extra cheese hot pocket. When he was done, he sat back and placed a hand on his belly, letting out a cute belch in the process.

"I can't believe he ate it all." said a man.

"What happened, Bill?" said another man who was just strolling up.

"I saw the whole thing," said Bill, "I just can't believe it, George."

"What thing?"

Bill held up the receipt to the Pikachu's order, George took it and examined it, "What in the," he flabbergasted, "He ate that much?"

"Yeah," said Bill, "He ate it all."

16 hot pockets to be exact, thought Tesla, Wow, what a meal.

Tesla Westinghouse had done it again, and it took 20 pokédollars to do it. These hot pockets were the length of the average index card, so it was quite enjoyable for a Pikachu with a serious appetite. Normally he would hate the crowds, and warn such an audience to back off, but seeing them dumbstruck was quite enjoyable. Though there was a little bit more attention than he bargained for. He didn't feel like getting up and leave just yet, Tesla just sat there and look "cute" for his audience a while showing a soft smile and droopy eyes.

"Is that Tesla?" said a woman.

"He's wearing goggles," said Bill, "And the TV said that he left Faraday Island and came to Unova, so that should be Tesla."

"He has such an appetite, poor thing must be starving."

That made Tesla wanna laugh, but he held it in. He had the humans under his spell and he didn't wanna break it just yet. The woman reached out with her hand to try to pet him, but he just slapped it away. She quickly withdrew her hand before Tesla could touch it, "He doesn't wanna be petted."

"At least he doesn't hiss like he used to," said an older gentlemen, "I remember when he would do an ungodly hiss at anyone who try to pet him, showing his teeth in the process. He must had mellowed with old age, or there was another reason why he doesn't hiss anymore."

Tesla looked at the old man and showed his teeth, revealing tarnish-yellow enamel and missing canines, "Oh, that's why."

The old Pikachu closed his mouth and got down from the chair, "Where you going, Tesla?" said George.

Away from you guys. He thought.

Everyone watched as Tesla walked on his hind legs and crossed the street, on the other side was a small garden where some children were playing. They all stopped and took notice of him as he approached a tree, their parents were on alert, wondering if Tesla was going to make a move on their young ones. But no, the old Pikachu climbed up the tree's trunk and got settled on a sturdy branch, well out of reach of any human who want to pluck him up for their own purposes.

Tesla laid on his back and yawned before falling asleep, his audience soon dispersed soon after.

. . .

"I'm telling you," said Professor McNamara, "The Pokémon mind is quite adaptable, like a human brain."

"You can get a Pokémon to battle and learn a lot of moves," said Ron, his colleague, "But you can't get them to do highly advance complex things that requires heavy-duty thinking, like math."

"But-"

"But nothing, McNamara, but nothing!"

Ron stormed off, leaving the professor dumbstruck. Professor Edward McNamara was a Pokémon Researcher who had a degree in Neuroscience and Psychology. He was well-known for his contributions and attendances to community efforts in helping abused Pokémon and the construction of new Pokémon Centers. However, he was largely put off for his ideas that Pokémon might achieve a level of intellect and understanding around the same level of human intelligence.

Sure, Pokémon can build structures, draw expressed thought, and even do simple chores any human child can perform. But that was all natural, Pokémon can't do anymore than that, says the critics. And the fact that McNamara was in his early-sixties and had slight short-term memory loss didn't actually help him in proving his theories. He sighed and run a hand through his auburn hair, once again another colleague had struck him down. All McNamara can do at the moment was bounce back up and keep on going.

He went strolling through the park, a place where he goes to organize his thoughts after such a beat. Professor McNamara sat down on a bench and thought for a moment. After a few minutes of thinking, he realized what he needed.

I need a test subject, McNamara thought, A Pokémon who was well trained, one that is open-minded on things and old enough to grasp the concept of many things.

"But who?" he thought out loud.

As if on cue, the professor heard a soft snore. He looked to see where it was coming from and centered up at a nearby tree, laying on the bench was a Pikachu, wearing goggles. The mouse Pokémon was napping comfortably well off the ground, though the height seemed a bit dangerous. McNamara felt déjà vu when he saw the Pikachu, and then it hit him like a truck.

Yes, this was Tesla. The famous Pikachu who held the title of winning so many battles, yet not lose a single one. His fame should had landed him in public life, a reality TV show, several movie deals as such. But no, Tesla shunned it all by leaving for life as a wild Pokémon after his trainer, Irvin Westinghouse, passed away from a heart attack. Nobody understood why.

McNamara grew up watching Tesla's famous Pokémon battles on the TV, and on one occasion in person at a Pokémon arena. The famous "Fry him, Tesla!" line still echo madly through his imagination, which got him inspired into being a Pokémon Researcher as a teenager. This unexpected encounter may fulfill that dream, he always wanted to know what Tesla was like personally.

Now he got that chance.

The professor got up and approach the tree, "Hello," he called out from underneath him, "Tesla?"

The mouse Pokémon didn't stir, he just continued to snore, too deep within dream land to respond to anything.

"Tesla, hello?"

Still no response.

"How am I going to wake him?" Professor McNamara asked himself.

Tesla groaned and shift position... And rolled off the branch. The old Pikachu quickly regain consciousness and tried frantically to grasp the branch, but he failed. Just as he start to fall, McNamara was underneath him and caught him in time. Tesla, still in shock, breathed a sigh of relief as McNamara held him up with both hands, "You alright?" Professor McNamara asked.

The mouse Pokémon simply yawned and swished his tongue around his mouth a few times, then just stared at McNamara with sleepy eyes. He was clearly annoyed, but surprisingly didn't shock the professor, "I just happened to catch you in time," said McNamara, "I'm Professor Edward McNamara, I specialized in Pokémon Neurology and Psychology. I'm an avid fan of your trainer, and you especially, during your hay day."

"Look at that," said Tesla in a strong, but slightly hoarse voice, "Another fan from my previous life. My reputation precedes me, again."

McNamara's eyes went big, "You can talk!?"

That was a surprise, he recalled Tesla was a quiet individual. But the fact that he can speak human language means-

"Yes I can talk," said Tesla, sounding irritated, "I'm just not a social creature, is all."

"How?"

"My trainer taught me, who else? Would you please put me down, there's a reason why I was up the tree in the first place."

McNamara sat Tesla down on the bench, "I need to ask you something."

"Name it."

"I have a theory that Pokémon can achieve a level of intelligence that same as a human, but every time I bring it up I get scoffed at by my peers."

"So let me guess, you want me to help you. But since you're a fan of my experience, and the fact that you figured out I can speak my mind, you also want to get to know me from my private life. Is this correct?"

That statement blew McNamara's mind, Tesla figured out what he was trying to do. That made things easier and harder at the same time, "Why yes, every word!"

"Hmph," said Tesla in a passive tone, "You're lucky I mellowed with old age. I'm just tired of throwing a temper as I used to, let alone battle other Pokémon."

"You're quite strong during those old days."

"Still am, I just don't have the energy anymore is all. Normally I would flatly refuse, but I have nothing productive to do. Might as well help you with that theory of yours, I am quite skilled in a lot of things."

McNamara couldn't believe his luck, he had struck real pay-dirt. He would give 15 years of his life just to meet this famous Pikachu, "Why thanks, Tesla."

"Sure thing, Ed."

TO BE CONTINUED...