As I stepped towards Jenny to congratulate her, a sudden wave of pressure washed over me. It felt like I was suddenly 12 feet underwater trying to breathe through a gas mask. “Austin, what’s going on?!?!?” Jenny asked with a grimace on her face. “Zapdos is near” is all I could muster. Looking around the room at the rest of our group, I could see everyone was struggling except for Professor Oak and his Pokémon who looked concerned, but not as affected as the rest of us. “Professor Oak, are you ready to try and film Zapdos?” I asked fighting the pressure. “Yes, but I think we will need to keep a great deal of distance” Professor Oak said in reply. “Kids, why don’t you three come here and stay with Jenny and I. We are going to slowly and quietly move towards the entrance while seeing if we can catch a glimpse of Zapdos. I warn you though, it can attack at any moment if we aggravate it. Everyone has to be quiet and only try to look, but do not raise your voice” I said as my mind was melting under the pressure. All three of the youngsters nodded in reply. I could tell that they were also struggling. In the games, Pressure was just an ability that caused you to lose PP faster, but here in my new home world it was literally Pressure. Zapdos is just one of the legendary birds I thought, but now I was starting to change that thought process. Is this only because of Pressure, or is this because a Legendary Pokémon is the one exerting Pressure?

  All of us quietly began working our way back towards the center of the power plant. None of the Pokémon we had seen before were present, and the ones we did see were doing their best to hide it seemed. We all kept looking to the back left corner of the building where a giant hole in the roof was. “In the game, Zapdos lives in that corner and comes and goes through that hole in the roof” I quietly whispered to Professor Oak who was working on his camera. “I’m going to start filming now and see if I can zoom in on it” Professor Oak said while removing the lense cap. After what felt like 10 minutes, we finally reached the far left wall of the Power Plant and were trying to move towards the back wall now. “GRYAHOO” a loud scream came from where Zapdos should be. The next thing I knew Zapdos stood up and we could just barely see it. I forgot that Zapdos isn’t actually that tall because in the games it doesn’t really do a good job of proportions. Also, I remember it looking a lot bigger in the Lugia movie.

  Professor Oak was able to get some footage and currently was zoomed in on Zapdos preening its feathers. Only Professor Oak and I were currently able to see over the shelves and file cabinets in the way, but Jenny and the kids were all watching through Professor Oak’s camera. Jenny’s Mom was staying back with all the Pokémon and would switch with Jenny or myself in a little bit. We stayed in our hiding spot for about another 20 minutes before Zapdos laid down to go to sleep. Once we were sure it was asleep, I slowly lifted each one of the kids on to my shoulder so they could catch a glimpse of the Legendary bird for themselves. Funnily enough, Jenny and Jenny’s Mom asked for a turn as well. After everyone finally got their turn, we began to slowly back away and head towards our waiting Pokémon. Next, as quietly as we could, we headed for the exit of the Power Plant. Finally outside, everyone let out a huge sigh of relief. “That was absolutely marvelous!!!” Professor Oak exclaimed excitedly. “To think I finally have footage of a Legendary Pokémon in its natural habitat! We must prepare the research and documentation right away when we get back to the lab!” Professor Oak said tapping his feet in excitement. The rest of us just smiled and watched the Professor and his Pokémon celebrate. “Why don’t we go ahead and bring the water Pokémon back out and head to the Pokémon Center by the Rock Tunnel entrance so Electabuzz and Spitz can heal up?” I asked the group. Everyone agreed and we made our way back up the water way to Route 10 and 9.

  Back at the Pokémon Center, we finally had a chance to decompress and plan our route back home. It was just about 3PM at this point and we were planning on heading directly home without stopping this time. Professor Oak and Jenny’s Mom were talking about the Power Plant and Zapdos still, and the kids were playing with both of Daisy’s Pokémon. Jenny had fallen asleep on my shoulder while we were resting on the couches, so I was content to just take some notes in a journal and let her rest. 30 minutes flew by before Nurse Joy came out with Spitz and Electabuzz who looked good as new. “What do you think you are going to name Electabuzz?” I asked Jenny as we headed outside to meet up with Tremor and Bull who were napping under a tree. “I think I want to go with Live Wire” Jenny said looking at Electabuzz. “Do you like the name Live Wire?” Jenny asked her new friend. “BUZZ BUZZ” Electabuzz said flexing. “Okay, so from now on, you are Live Wire!” Jenny said excitedly.

  We all jumped on board our Pokémon and made our way quickly back towards Cerulean City. The newly named Live Wire was really enjoying riding with us on Tremor and had made fast friends with all of mine and Jenny’s Pokémon. Po, Mrs. Mandible and Spitz were sitting towards the front of Tremor, while Live Wire and Rapunzel were sitting in middle talking. Jenny and I were riding towards the back with Queeny and Taco siting with us, and of course Cha had taken the best spot on Tremor’s head. It only took 30 minutes for us to make it back to Mt. Moon since we weren’t planning to stop this time. Instead of asking Bolts to shock all the Zubat this time, Jenny asked Live Wire if he was willing to help. “Buzz!” Live Wire said and quickly climbed up to the top of Tremor’s head. The young Electabuzz got a lot of target practice using Thundershock to hit at least 40 Zubat. “They must be getting more active since Dusk is approaching” I said to Jenny. “Some Pokémon are more active at night you said right?” Jenny asked to confirm. “Yeah, every Pokémon has a preferred time of day that it operates at. Zubat can be active during the day, but usually only in places like a cave. At night, they leave their caves and hunt for insects and Insect Type Pokémon to eat. Some Zubat though might be blood suckers instead depending on what food sources are available. In fact, I bet some are probably fruit eaters where there is more fruit to eat” I said in response. Before anyone could say anything else, Professor Oak immediately jumped in “Add it to the research list!”

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  Once we cleared Mt. Moon, Live Wire came back down and Cha went back up. Everyone else moved around a little and talked to different friends. Just about 5PM we made it to Viridian Forrest, and everyone was looking tired. Some of the bug Pokémon were starting to look more active, but Cha would just swoop them and they would run away. Jenny was stroking Live Wire’s fur with a short hair brush we had brought along, and he looked like he was about to pass out from sheer joy and relaxation. “Even Boy Pokémon love you” I said with a cheeky smile. “Feeling threatened are we?” Jenny responded. “Oh yes, this handsome boy is out for my job!” I said pretending to be angry. Jenny just laughed and continued to brush Live Wire’s hair. “Wait… did you say love?” Jenny said with a sudden realization. “Did I?” I asked with raised eyebrows. “I think you did, but I might need to hear it again later” Jenny said blushing. “Depends on what you plan on saying in return” I said with a cheesy smile. “Uggh boys! Never can just say what you mean” Jenny said shrugging her shoulders. “No, that’s girls I am afraid” I said as a taunt. Jenny tried to elbow me, but I caught it and pulled her in for a super tight hug. “Yuck, are all adults this lovey dovey” Ash said from behind us. “Ash, how long have you been there?” I asked innocently. “Mr. Austin, you know I have been here the whole time right?” Ash asked. “Oh no, Ash disappeared again!” I said pretending I couldn’t see him. “Mr. Austin, I am right here!” Ash said pointing at himself. “Jenny, have you seen Ash lately?” I asked with a wink. “No Austin, I haven’t seen him at all since Mt. Moon. Maybe he is riding with my Mom?” Jenny said in a robotic voice. “Well since no one else is here, I guess we can make out all we want now” I said grabbing Jenny. “Ewwww you guys are gross!” Ash said covering his eyes. “Oh there’s Ash! I guess we can’t be gross anymore Jenny” I said patting Ash on the head. “You guys are weird!” Ash said laughing. Jenny and I started laughing too, much to the annoyance of the sleepy Live Wire.

  At just around 5:30PM we had arrived back in Viridian City, and began to unload all of Jenny’s and Jenny’s Mom’s supplies. “Thank you all for coming with me to get Live Wire today!” Jenny said giving the group a bow of gratitude. “Thank you for letting us tag along on this wonderful expedition!” Professor Oak said in response. “I collected a lot of wonderful field research and documented a lot of great material” Professor Oak said with a smile. While Jenny’s Mom headed inside the Police Station and the Oak family plus Ash got back on the Pokémon, I gave Jenny a hug and kiss goodbye. “I’ll send Cha with a letter tomorrow to check on everything and plan another date” I said still hugging Jenny. “Might need to see you tomorrow to talk about the L word” Jenny said with a blush. “I might be able to move some things around” I said jokingly. “You better” Jenny said pretending to be tough. My Pokémon all said their goodbyes to Jenny and her team, and boarded back on Tremor.

  At 6PM right on the dot, we pulled back into the Lab. “Perfect timing!” I said jumping down from Tremor. “Let’s get you all fed!” I said to my team. “We’re coming too Mr. Austin!” Daisy said following behind me with Gary and Ash. We all got to work feeding the corrals and our Pokémon teams. Daisy’s newest team member named Puff very much enjoyed her berry salad with bird meat. Starshine had to get a double portion, as with evolution she had gained a much bigger appetite. Once everyone had eaten outside, I brought everyone inside to make a quick dinner only to find Delia Ketchum waiting for us at the dining table with a whole table’s worth of food. “Wow that looks great!” I said as I walked over. “Thank you so much Austin for taking Ash with you and for letting him help out with feeding the Pokémon. It’s all he talks about now and I know he loves it so much” Delia said. “Geez Mom you don’t have to tell everyone that” Ash said looking down shyly. “Come on everyone, let’s dig in!” Professor Oak said grabbing his spot at the table.

  “So you really saw Zapdos?!?!?” Delia asked all of us. “Yes, in fact I have footage of it preening and cleaning its nest” Professor Oak said proudly. “Wow, Professor Oak that’s great! It will help show that even Legendary Pokémon like Zapdos exhibit behavior of typical Pokémon like Pidgey. It also shows that Zapdos does have feathers and maintains them not only with Electricity, but also l with its beak” Delia said excitedly. “Delia did you used to be a Pokémon researcher?” I asked her looking shocked. “Yes, I used to help out here at the lab a lot” Delia said with a smile. “We have a lot of work tonight and tomorrow getting all the film and notes organized if you have any extra time? I can work a shift or two at the restaurant and help bring some new recipes if you would like?” I offered. “That sounds wonderful! I’ll come over tomorrow after we close for the day and help, and you can come help at Pallet House once you finish organizing all the research” Delia agreed excitedly.

  After everyone helped clean up dinner, Professor Oak, Delia, and I got to work with editing and organizing. We put in additional information about Clefable, Jigglypuff, and Moon Stones. Next, we put the videos of the Jigglypuff group and StarShine evolving with the appropriate notes. Once we had those two topics completed, we decided to call it a night and would pick it up in the morning. It had been a long day for all of us, and all three of the kids had passed out on the couch. Delia carried Ash out while Professor Oak put both of his grandchildren on the back of Bull to carry home. “Goodnight everyone!” I called out to the group as they headed down from the lab. I went outside to check on my Pokémon and found them all asleep in a pile with Tremor wrapped around them like a steel wall. “Goodnight gang” I whispered quietly to my team of friends. Finally I was able to close my eyes, and I was gone like a candle in the wind.