South Province (Area One) — The Lighthouse Laboratory
The next day
The sea breeze blew gently along the cliffside, the sound of Wingull cries faint in the background. Morning sun glinted off the lighthouse windows as Akira Hayashi stood before the imposing doors of the research lab.
Wearing a plain navy hoodie and travel-worn cargo pants, he raised a hand and knocked the three light raps.
Knock knock knock.
"Coming!"
The response came almost instantly, the voice was light, energetic, and clearly belonging to a kid. Akira tilted his head, mildly surprised. Did the professors adopt an intern that young?
Seconds later, the door creaked open.
A boy around ten peeked out. Ash-brown hair, neatly combed. Big, hopeful eyes under slightly bushy brows. The kid looked up at Akira's face and instantly lit up.
Akira raised an eyebrow. Instantly, information about this boy floated into his mind.
The Batman of Paldea, maybe not quite (x)
Better known as - Arven, one of the main characters from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet!
"Welcome home, Dad??"
Record scratch.
Both of them froze.
The warm welcome shattered mid-sentence as Arven's smile collapsed into horror. His entire face turned crimson from neck to ears.
"Mmmffff..." he groaned, slapping both hands over his mouth like that could rewind time.
Akira blinked. Then again.
"...Dad?"
What just happened? How did I just get promoted to 'father'?!
His lips twitched as his brain short-circuited. I came here to speak with Professor Sada and maybe borrow a research file, not start a secret family!
Before the awkward air could settle, a thunk-thunk-thunk of heavy footsteps echoed from inside the lab.
"Wait !"
Arven spun around, too late.
A bulky canine burst from the hallway with the momentum of a Quick Attack. Its white-furred mane flowed like a war banner, and its golden eyes locked onto Akira with a single, clear thought:
INTRUDER!!.
"Mabosstiff, no!" Arven cried.
But the loyal dog wasn't hearing it. Barking like a Drill Run on legs, Mabosstiff charged toward Akira with full protective force.
To Arven's horror, the stranger didn't even move. Not a flinch. Not a sidestep.
Was he frozen?
Was he a fool?
Or...
"Don't hurt it, Mimikyu," Akira said, voice calm and nearly inaudible under the wind.
A bone-chilling giggle echoed from directly below his feet.
From beneath the hem of Akira's long hoodie, a jagged Shadow Claw erupted upward in a swirl of spectral energy, thick with dread. It curved like a ghostly guillotine and snatched Mabosstiff mid-leap, stopping the giant dog inches from Akira's chest.
"Wha--?" Arven gasped.
Mabosstiff thrashed and snarled, but the claw held it suspended like a leaf in a spider's web. Mimikyu's shadowy form slowly emerged, its ragged disguise tilting like a curious predator inspecting its prey.
When did that Mimikyu even appear? Arven's thoughts spiraled in panic.
"Hey, easy," Akira said panicked. "It was just doing its job."
Mimikyu let out another haunting giggle but obeyed. The claw softened, unraveling into mist, and Mabosstiff landed safely on all fours, still growling, but confused.
Arven ran up, crouching beside it.
"Mister… please don't hurt Mabosstiff. It's just... He thought you were someone else," Arven said quickly, cheeks still burning.
"Sorry about the scare," Arven said, straightening up. "I just got used to... not a lot of visitors."
Akira nodded. "I get it. Protective partner. Lived through a few of those myself."
Mimikyu silently waddled back to Akira's side, its disguise tilting like a nod of mutual respect to Mabosstiff, who returned it with a cautious huff.
"...So uh," Arven added awkwardly, "You're here to see Mom? I mean, Professor Sada?"
"Yeah. Got an appointment." Akira gave a half-shrug.
Akira's gaze softened. He could see it clearly now, the way Arven stood just a little too straight, the way he shifted his weight when talking about his mom. That distance.
Like a letter stuck halfway in a mailbox. Poor kid.
"I'll wait outside if she's busy," Akira offered. "Not trying to bust in on family stuff."
Arven hesitated, then shook his head. "Nah. She's probably deep in the lab. I'll get her."
As he turned to go inside, Mabosstiff stuck close to his side, still growling softly at Mimikyu.
Mimikyu just tilted its head, completely unfazed.
"What's with all the noise out here?! What are you doing!?"
The voice cut through the air like a Thunderbolt. Before anyone could answer, the front doors slammed open and out stormed a striking woman whose very presence could silence an Alpha Pokémon.
Lab coat flaring like a cape behind her, she looked ready to personally delete whoever dared disturb her domain. But the moment her eyes landed on Arven's guilty face and bruised Mabosstiff, everything changed.
Her expression snapped to ice. Her hand shot under her coat.
Click.
A Poké Ball spun into her grip. Her fingers were steady. Her gaze, lethal.
Nobody, nobody will hurt her son or his partner.
Not on her property. Not while those infuriating rumors were circulating about Area Zero security breaches. Not today.
Akira instinctively raised both hands, with both palms out, voice calm but firm.
He'd seen that kind of fury before. Usually from Scythers. Occasionally from moms.
"I mean no harm. This is all a misunderstanding."
He flicked a subtle signal with two fingers. Mimikyu, hiding in his shadow like a haunted plush.
The tension in the air stayed thick as fog.
Akira exhaled slowly and finally looked at her properly.
Professor Sada.
She looked younger than the average professor, but carried a primal, untamed intensity. Her coat flapped in the breeze, but underneath was a hunter's garb, leather-like fabric made from synthetic hide modeled after ancient Pokémon patterns. Around her neck hung a sharp fang strung on cord, it was clearly not just for show.
Her eyes locked on his. Her fingers absently brushed the fang at her throat. A gesture of habit, or threat, he couldn't tell.
Without looking away, she reached back and gently pulled both Arven and Mabosstiff behind her, like a mother Nidoqueen shielding her cubs.
"Would you care to explain, Trainer, why you were attacking my son and his Pokémon at my lab's doorstep?" she asked, low and cold.
Akira didn't bristle. She wasn't being unreasonable. He'd do the same if someone ambushed his Pokémon or family.
"I wasn't attacking anyone," he said evenly. "Just reacting. Your son's partner lunged, and mine defended. That's all."
He paused.
"It was President Geeta who sent me here. She mentioned to consult you for assistance with the Tera Orb crafting protocols."
Sada narrowed her eyes. That name carried weight, Paldea's league Chairwoman didn't hand out recommendations lightly.
Still, she glanced back at Arven.
"Arven. Is that true?"
Finally. She actually looked at him.
Arven practically leapt to respond, tripping over his words.
"Yes—yes! It was my fault! I got too excited and I kinda, uh...mistook him for Dad and then Mabosstiff thought something was wrong and..." he gasped, then blurted the rest in one breath, "And Mimikyu wasn't even mean it just did the ghosty claw thing like woom! and then I panicked and...."
Sada stared at him.
He wilted under her gaze, hugging Mabosstiff tighter like a security blanket.
She sighed deeply, then marched over and ruffled his carefully combed hair into absolute chaos.
"Ugh, you little brat. You nearly gave me a heart attack."
"Moooom!" Arven whined, trying to push her hand away. "Don't do that in front of guests!"
But she was already grinning, and some of the fire in her eyes had gone out.
She turned back to Akira and gave a quick, professional nod, though this time her voice had a hint of warmth.
"Apologies for the dramatic welcome. The three of us may have overreacted."
She even bent slightly, as if about to bow.
Akira immediately waved his hands, flustered. "Please, don't. Totally understandable. I walked into the middle of a sitcom moment."
Sada smirked. "That's a new one."
She straightened and smoothly shifted gears, voice returning to her usual composed briskness. "Geeta already briefed us. We'll handle the Tera Orb framework from here."
"But..." She glanced over her shoulder toward the lab. "My husband left on a research errand. So it's just me for now. What would've taken one week may stretch to two. Is that going to be a problem?"
Akira nodded, unconcerned. "I've got time to spare."
And truth be told, this was a rare opportunity.
The actual laboratory where the Sada-Turo duo developed the Tera phenomenon, studied paradox Pokémon, and designed the technology for Area Zero? How could he possibly pass that up?
"If possible," he added, eyes practically sparkling behind his neutral expression, "I'd love a look around. Just a tour, if you're open to it."
Sada blinked once. Then gave a toothy grin that carried equal parts mischief and pride.
"Of course. Right this way."
She turned, lab coat flaring again as she walked.
Arven trailed behind them a moment later, still sulking, Mabosstiff beside him, and hair now permanently ruined.
As they stepped into the lab, Akira glanced down. Mimikyu was back in his shadow, its head tilting innocently.
"…You enjoyed that, didn't you?"
The puppet wobbled once.
Of course it did.
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Author's Note:
Hope you all enjoyed the chapter!
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