The morning light in Pallet Town was soft. Leyn stepped out of his home with a spring in his step, still thinking about what his mother told him last night — about how Pokémon eggs were kept warm and carefully monitored in incubators. He couldn't wait to tell Leaf.
He reached the familiar little house with flowerbeds in front. Mrs. Maple, Leaf's grandmother, was tending to the plants again, humming softly. She looked up with a smile when she saw Leyn.
"Oh, good morning, dear. Here for Leaf again?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Leyn said brightly. "Professor Oak said we can help again today."
Before she could answer, the door opened and Leaf came running out with her bag, waving. "Leyn! You're early today!"
He grinned. "I wanted to tell you something! You know that egg in the incubator? Mom said it's really close to hatching!"
Leaf's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That soon? What did your mom say about it?"
Leyn puffed up a little with pride, repeating what Rhea had explained. "She said incubators are like warm nests that keep the egg safe and steady — they even adjust the temperature for each kind of Pokémon!"
Mrs. Maple, listening from the porch, chuckled softly. "You certainly remembered every word, young man."
Leaf laughed, amused. "Wow, Leyn, you sound just like Professor Oak!"
"Eh?" He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I just listened carefully!"
Just then, Rhea walked up the path, smiling knowingly. "So that's why you asked about incubation last night."
Her voice carried gentle amusement. "I had a feeling you were planning something."
Leyn blinked innocently. "Eh? No, I just wanted to know!"
Rhea covered a small laugh. "Mm-hmm, sure you did."
Leaf giggled behind her hand, and even Mrs. Maple chuckled at the exchange. "You two take care on your way to the lab," she said warmly.
"Yes, Grandma!" Leaf called back as they started walking down the dirt path together, Rhea following a few steps behind.
---
The air was fresh with the scent of morning dew. As they neared the lab, Leyn looked ahead and saw Pikachu playing near the entrance, leaping between stones while one of the aides tried to call it back.
"Pika! Pikapi~!" it chirped before spotting Leyn and dashing toward him with a happy squeak.
"Hey, Pikachu!" Leyn laughed as it hopped onto his shoulder. "Looks like you've been busy already."
Professor Oak greeted them at the entrance with his usual cheer. "Ah, good morning, everyone! You're right on time, as always!"
"Good morning, Professor!" the children chorused.
Rhea smiled politely. "I'll go check on the incubator first, Professor."
"Of course, of course," Oak said, waving her off. "You'll find it just as you left it — though that little egg of yours has been quite the topic of conversation."
As Rhea headed toward the incubation room, Leyn and Leaf made their way to the back garden of the lab, where several Pokémon were already stirring. It was feeding time again — the part both of them loved most.
Leaf carefully poured berries into a tray for a small group of Rattata, who scurried forward eagerly. "They're so fast!" she giggled.
Leyn knelt by a sleepy Charmander and placed a bowl beside it. "Here you go. Don't burn the food this time, okay?"
Charmander blinked lazily and gave a soft "Char…" before taking a small bite. Pikachu hopped down and helped by handing out smaller berries, earning a few amused glances from the aides nearby.
After a while, the yard grew quieter as the Pokémon finished eating. Leaf stood up, wiping her hands. "That went faster than yesterday!"
"Yeah," Leyn said, stretching. "Guess we're getting better at this."
They walked back toward the main building, chatting idly — until Leyn's gaze caught something on one of the tables near the entrance. A newspaper lay open, its front page marked with bold letters:
> FEAROW SIGHTINGS RISE – LOCAL CHILDREN ATTACKED NEAR ROUTE 1
Leyn frowned, curiosity instantly piqued. "Huh… what's this?" He picked up the paper and scanned the headline again. The accompanying photo showed a large Fearow in mid-flight, wings flared, eyes sharp as blades.
Leaf leaned closer, whispering, "That's scary… Do you think that's close to here?"
"Let's ask Professor Oak," Leyn said immediately.
They found him by his desk, scribbling notes while a Pidgey perched nearby. Oak looked up as they approached. "Oh? You two look serious. What's the matter?"
Leyn held up the newspaper. "Professor, is this real? Did a Fearow really attack people?"
Oak's smile faded slightly as he adjusted his glasses and nodded. "Yes… unfortunately, it is. That report came from a small town near Route 1, not too far from here."
Leaf's eyes widened. "Why would it do that? Aren't Fearow supposed to just… fly around?"
Oak set down his pen and gestured for them to sit. "Normally, yes. Fearow and their pre-evolved forms, Spearow, are highly territorial — especially during migration season. If they feel their nesting grounds are being invaded, even unintentionally, they can become aggressive."
He paused, his tone turning slightly more serious. "Fearow are proud creatures. Once they see someone as a threat, they'll remember that face for a long time. That's why it's best never to provoke one."
Leyn tilted his head. "So what should we do if we meet one?"
Oak smiled faintly. "Good question. If that ever happens, the key is to stay calm. Don't make sudden movements — that excites them. Keep low, avoid direct eye contact, and back away slowly. Pokémon respond to intent more than anything."
Leaf nodded slowly, absorbing every word. "Wow… you really know a lot about them."
"Comes with the gray hair, my dear," Oak said with a light chuckle, tapping his temple. "And believe me, these gray hairs are all thanks to Pokémon like Fearow."
Leyn laughed softly at that, the tension easing a bit. "So even professors get scared sometimes?"
"Oh, absolutely," Oak said with mock seriousness. "Once, a Fearow chased me halfway across the field because I accidentally stood near its nest. I think it enjoyed watching me run."
Both children burst into laughter, and Oak joined in, the heavy atmosphere fading into light humor again. Pikachu squeaked from Leyn's shoulder, as if laughing too.
But Oak's smile slowly softened as he looked back at the newspaper. "Still… I'll need to send word to the rangers. We can't let this get out of hand."
Before Leyn could ask more, one of the aides suddenly called out from down the hall.
"Professor Oak! Mrs. Rhea says the egg is hatching!"
Leaf gasped, gripping Leyn's sleeve. "It's happening!"
Oak blinked, then smiled warmly at their excitement. "Well, don't just stand there, you two! Go on — you wouldn't want to miss that."
"What about you, Professor?" Leyn asked.
Oak waved a hand. "I'll join later. There's something I need to take care of first."
He turned back toward his desk, glancing once more at the newspaper as the children hurried off. His expression grew thoughtful.
*Aggressive Fearow near Route 1… it's been years since the last report like this.*
He reached for a pen and began jotting down notes, muttering under his breath. "We'll need a plan before someone else gets hurt…"
The sound of the incubator room door opening echoed faintly down the hall, followed by the distant voices of Leyn and Leaf — bright, eager, full of wonder.
Oak smiled faintly to himself, the pen pausing mid-stroke. "At least the next generation still has curiosity," he murmured. "Let's hope they also learn caution."
He leaned back in his chair, the morning sunlight spilling through the window — catching the newspaper headline one last time.
> FEAROW SIGHTINGS RISE – LOCAL CHILDREN ATTACKED NEAR ROUTE 1
The paper fluttered slightly in the breeze from the open window, as if echoing a quiet warning.
And in the distance, faint chirps of baby Pokémon could be heard from the incubation room — a gentle promise that not all beginnings start in fear.