The three would-be trainers waited outside for nearly an hour before finally the door opened and one of Professor Oak’s aides stepped outside. He seemed nervous as he smiled and invited them to come inside.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, but there’s been a situation,” he told the three of them. “The professor isn’t available at the moment, but please come inside and follow me.”
He led the teenagers inside the lab. As they made their way through, they could see several police officers questioning the others aides, dusting for finger prints, and taking pictures.

The aide brought them into a much smaller room adjacent to the lab. Once they were all inside, he shut the door behind him and then turned to address them. “I’m sure that you’re all wondering what is going on here. Unfortunately, I can’t say much. But I do know that as of this morning, Professor Oak is missing. The police are looking into the situation now, but I can’t give anymore details then that. Nonetheless, the three of you are here to start your journey as Pokémon trainers and I will fill in for the professor and provide you with what you need.”
He walked over to a table and then opened up a box. Inside, were three Poké Balls. “You each get to choose one.”