"May I know his name?"

"Professor Samuel Oak."

Archer stopped eating as he stared at Shane with amazement, hearing the name of one of the most influential persons of the Pokemon World, particularly in Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow Version, Professor Oak. Wow, am I going to meet the Professor? Will I get a Pokemon from him? What should I choose, maybe Charmander? Too generic…Naaah… Wait, if we’ll meet in Pallet Town, then will I see Ash Ketchum, the eternal 10-year old virgin? He laughed giddily as he continued his musings when someone poked at his shoulder and said, “Hey Archer, you’ve gone cuckoo?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, oh...oh no. I’m okay.”

“You don’t look okay,” Shane countered, scowling at Archer as he backed out. “I think you still need to stay here until you feel fine. Maybe while resting, your memories will return.”

“Nah, it does not work that way, trust me, and I’m really fine, Shane,” Archer assured as he gobbled up the apple whole, spitting out the seeds. “See, eating a whole apple with just a bite. Anyway, when will we go to Pallet Town? By ship?”

“Nope, by – “

“Portals, then?”

“No, not by portals. We can use – “

“Oooh, then we’re going to Fly on a Pokemon ride?”

“Can you just let me finish, Mr. Archer Sullivan?” Shane stared at him like a father scowling at his child caught doing mischief.

“Sorry, Shane,” Archer simpered, massaging his forehead. “I was just too excited to, you know, go to Pallet Town and register. So, it is by flying then?”

Shane grinned at Archer. “It’s fine. No, it’s not by Fly, I don’t have any Pokemon that can do it. Instead, we will cross the sea with my faithful Jean.”

“Jean?”

“You’ll see her later,” Shane beamed, then gesturing his hands, he continued, “I guess I’ll ask Nurse Joy if you’ll be allowed to leave today. I will be only staying here until tomorrow since I’ve got some important things to do back in Pallet Town.”

“I’m sure that I can leave today, rest assured. If I have to escape, then I will,” Archer replied smugly, his eyes sparkling. “Hmm, is it not dangerous to navigate the sea using Pokemon?”

“Not really, although sometimes you’ll encounter pirates, wild Pokemons, and those heretics.”

“Heretics?” Archer asked. “Who are they?”

Shane paused for about a minute, as if recollecting his thoughts, and sat down on a chair. “Heretics, how should I start explaining this? Well, I guess I’ll have to go back to the Pokemon International Charter. Do you remember the things I’ve told you about the benefits of being registered?”

“Yes, I do,” Archer raised his hands and counted. “First, free tuition at the Training School. Second, free usage of the amenities like Pokemon Center, PC Booth, and Trading Link. Third, free starter Pokemon. Fourth, free Pokedex, running shoes, town maps, bikes, etcetera. Fifth, free challenges to the Pokemon Gyms and participate in the Pokemon League. Sixth, free tickets to leave Kanto region. Lastly, free pokeballs for the first journey. That’s it, the seven Frees.”

“Wow, you easily remembered all those free things I’ve told you, huh. I guess you’re…intelligent.”

“Thank you for noticing that.”

Shane snickered. “Anyway, you’re correct. But, you’ve omitted the thing which I’ve wanted to emphasize, and that is about legal ownership of Pokemon. Only duly registered citizen can own and buy pokeballs, so they are the only ones who can lawfully capture and own them.”

“So heretics are those who are not registered?”

“Yes.”

“And how do they get their Pokemon?”

“By stealing them from other Pokemon trainers.”

“Ah, I get it, now,” Archer answered. “So, they’re just like the bad guys. How come they’re not registered? For all the benefits that you can receive, any sane guy will choose to register, won’t he?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even understand how their mind works,” Shane stood up. “If you really want to know, then ask one if you meet one, and I know of a group that can tell you the answer.”

“Who?”

“The Team Rocket,” Shane replied. “You’ll know one when you see one, since all of them wear those dumb shirts that have a Capital ‘R’ printed on it.” Looking at the reception area, he tapped his feet, seemingly lost in his thoughts.

“Shane? Is everything alright?”

Shane stopped on his musing. “I’m fine, Archer. Anyway, I'll meet you tomorrow at 10 AM.” Shane open his knapsack and opened it, pulling out male clothings. "These are for you. They're new. I don't want to be with a smelly person, especially when travelling with him for a long time."

"Thanks." Archer saw him walking back to the left room where Nurse Joy went earlier. He felt tired, now lying down on the bed and gazed at the ceiling, and started analyzing all the things that had happened earlier this day.

Now, I really am transported inside the Pokemon world. Pokemons do exist, and so far, I’ve encountered Grimer, Muk, Meowth, Dodrio while pretending to be unconscious, hmm, Chansey. Friends…I guess...like Eric, Drok, Jax, Shiela, Nurse Joy and Ericka. Currently, I am here at Cinnabar Island, and later, I’m gonna join Shane to Pallet Town and meet Professor Oak. But, will they accuse me of being a heretic who lost his memory after finding out I have no record in the National Statistics Office? What will I do if that will happen? Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be…I guess.

Shifting his side on the bed, Archer started reminiscing once again. Loneliness started to creep in his heart.

I wonder what’s happening on the other side, back on Earth. Did I leave physically, or am I just a mental essence and my real body is back there on Earth, unconscious? How are they doing right now? Was my team okay? I guess there were ten of us who volunteered, did they also arrive here, just like me?

Mom, dad, I hope you are doing fine. I pray that every one of you will be okay. Sis, I guess we’ll just have to postpone my promised picnic…sorry that I can’t fulfill it, I’m just a bad brother to you, ain’t I? Big Bro, I can’t be there at your Promotion Party next month, wishing you for more promotions to come. And, Trisha…will I ever see you again?

A tear slid on Archer’s cheek as he closed his eyes.

Will I ever go back on earth? Will I stay here forever? Will I meet everyone once again?

Dear God, if you’re true….for once, help me…

I’m scared…

_____________________________________________________________

…….Archer……..

“Uuungh…stop it, Mom. Today’s my day off.”

...Archer…wake up…you don’t have much time…

“Mom…what are you talking about…it’s Sunday now and I’ve got much time…”

…AAAARCHEEEEERR!!!...

“For the love of God?!” Archer stood up quickly and was about to retort when he noticed his surroundings were quite different from his room. Blinking once, then twice, he finally remembered that he was transported into the Pokemon world and was sleeping inside the Pokemon Center, but there’s no way in hell that this place is the Pokemon Center he had been earlier. “Where the heck am I?”

...Archer...I’m glad you are awake right now…

Searching for the source of the voice, he could see no one, or anything at all, since all his surroundings were blinding white, like the sky. “Is this heaven?”

...Ha, ha, ha. No, it’s not. It’s just a space in your mind…

Hearing the voice like that of a female angel, soothing to the ears, Archer couldn’t help but smile and relax. “Are you God?”

...Some call me that…but I’m just a messenger here to help you, Archer….

“Help me with what?”

...Ent - ...I mean one of the guardians has heard your prayer, and took pity on you since you were not part of the plan...

"Wait, come again?!" Archer glowered, not knowing where to look. "What do you mean, 'not part of the plan'? And who's the fucking guardian, the guardian of what?"

...Wait and I'll ask them if I am permitted to answer your queries?...

"You better do."

...Okay, done...since it was a case of mishandling, the guardians decided to tell you the truth as a form of apology...

"That was fast. Okay, shoot. I'm all ears."

...To answer your question, the guardians of the Pokemon World and the guardians of Earth had a concensus of which, you didn't need to know the details. Originally, you were not included in the chosen nine to visit the Pokemon World and lived among them, but 'someone' sabotaged it, making you the tenth, the sole illegal one...

“Am I just here because of someone’s conspiracy and not because of the success of the experiment?!” Archer couldn't help but clench his fists as veins appeared on his neck. "And, all of you have the nerve to call me the illegal one when it's not my choice to come here 'illegally'?"

….Calm yourself, Archer. I can understand why you are feeling angry right now….

“No, you do not understand! I thought I was transported because the experiment was successful, and that is why I understood my predicament since it was my choice to volunteer, all in the name of science. And here I am, hearing right now that it is because of a damned, willful sabotage?! Now, that’s bullshit!” Archer took a deep breath, and exhaled as long as he could, balling his fists, until he calmed his nerves, before saying, “Sorry, I know you’re just a messenger, coming here to help me. But, I can’t help it. Damn, it’s so frustrating.”

….Yes, I know. And your experiment was successful, someone just sabotaged it. That is why, Ente – I mean one of the guardians sent me to give you the book, which all the visitors should have received as they materialized in the Pokemon World...

“Why can’t you just send me back to Earth, you know?”

….We are not allowed to change the course of the present time and event, but, how the future goes, we can influence, once every century…and you needed this help or you'll be trashed in the World...

“What do I have to do, then?”

...Live and enjoy like a true Pokemon Trainer...and do not worry about your family, friends, and Trisha, since a doppelganger of yours was created to represent you back on Earth...

"And that's supposed to be a good news for me, huh?" Archer paced back and forth as he thought of something. "And why in the hell did I appear in such a dangerous place? Could you just have dropped me beside the Pokemon Center?"

...Everyone did, except you, since you came here 'illegally'...

"Yeah, riiight. I'm just curious, I didn't expect the Pokemon World to be true, I mean you know, since it is a famous game, manga, and anime back on Earth."

...Ha ha ha. Do not be surprised. Don't you know that they also have a T.V. show entitled 'The Earth', and famous personalities back on Earth are the characters?...

"WOW! And do they also have me?"

...Archer, only the 'famous' ones are known, not an ant like you...

"Ouch. Fine, back to the story, did the Pokemon back on Earth depicted the real situation of the Pokemon World?"

...Not all. Many were true, some were just plain off...

"Last Question. What's my purpose here?"

...You'll know when the time is right...

"Yeah, sure. So, where's the book?"

..You'll get it when you wake up...

“Well, uh, can I see you, you know, for research purposes?”

….No, you can’t, or you’ll die….

“Okay, scratch that…uhm, may I know your name, please?”

…Hmmmm...don't bother with it...If the time permits, then you will surely know. Now, go child, remember do not tell anyone you’ve met me or you’ll suffer some consequences…..and peace be with you….

“More like rest in peace for me,” Archer retorted. He saw the swirling mass appeared at his left, and his brows raised, asking, “Do I just have to enter this mass?”

….Yes, my child….

“Okay, here goes nothing.”