I guess the best place would be with my journey home from university. My new degree as a pokemon professor in my bag, I was travelling from my apprenticeship in Sinnoh, Sandgem Town, but had not gone far when I noticed a Space-Time Distortion forming on the route nearby.

Excited due to my research on the subject and on Professor Laventon, I rushed forward to study the distortion, and found myself getting caught in it.

The feeling was like nothing I had ever felt before. Every molecule in my body was fighting to escape. Every breath was without air. I was being crushed and stretched and pulled and there were stars and galaxies and overwhelming blackness.

Suddenly, I was in a void.

Around me swirled stars, and gravity didn't seem to matter. The air, however, was crisp and clear, invigorating even. And before me, He stood.

Arceus.

The god of all pokemon. The lord of space AND time, who shaped the world.

And then he spoke. "Go. This universe split off from our own and it is shaping itself in unexpected ways. Study. The differences are important. The similarities, even more so. Write." 

At this, a journal, this journal, appeared in the air in front of me, where upon my touching it, Arceus spoke again. 

"I chose you because you are already familiar with space-time distortions and the rules a scientist must follow to preserve the timeline. However, this experience will not be quite like the ones you have researched, as the ripple goes through space itself more than time. Study and learn, and be off!"

And with that, Arceus faded to black, and the world turned into a roaring blackness rushing to engulf me.

When I awoke, I found myself in Sandgem Town, with a very concerned looking young man standing over me. He looked like a younger version of my mentor, Professor Rowan. My head ached so, and I could barely understand what he was saying, with me falling out of the sky and a local Skuntank rushing to catch me. 

I followed his gestures to look at the Skuntank, and almost fainted, for it was quite different from the one I knew! Soon I must research the Skuntank to see the anatomical and physiological differences from the ones I knew back home. The skuntank at home are dark and poison, but this one appears to be fire and ground typing.

But I'm getting distracted.

As I stood up with the help of younger Professor Rowan, I studied my surroundings. The buildings here looked the same as the ones I knew, but like this Professor Rowan, they seemed...younger. Everything seemed younger.

That's when I tuned into what Professor Rowan was saying. ".....I don't know how to explain this to my wife, but if you need a place to stay you're welcome at the lab, uh ma'am?"

I tried to offer a friendly smile. "I sincerely apologize, Professor Rowan. I was still a bit dazed. I'm Professor Dawny Pine, though I request you either call me Professor Pine or D. I would love to take you up on that offer for a day, but I cannot stay more than a day, I'm a space-time researcher, and I must insist on being able to conduct my research."

Professor Rowan rubbed his head thoughtfully. "A space-time researcher, huh? Then you are welcome to use the spare room in my lab as a base of operations, and I will personally pay the locksmith so you can ensure that which needs to be kept secret may."

After this, I thanked him and we went about meeting his wife and some of the pokemon in his care. Tomorrow it seems a couple young trainers are picking up their first pokemon. The office in the lab was a small side office, but it had a couch for me to sleep on, a locking door, locking cabinets, a clock, a calendar (1996....somewhere out there is a little baby me, several regions away). The current scientific magazines. A physical pokedex with rotating cards to place in - the invention by Professor Oak had not reached Sinnoh yet. A locked office I had been curious about when I had been studying here, only to be told by the professor that I would only receive the key at the right time. I suppose that's now.

Taking up a good third of the space is the Skuntank I fell on, who I believe has adopted me as a partner. I don't mind, as it seems none of my original partner pokemon came with me. And he's warm. 

But research and writing about him is for me to do tomorrow. First, I must note some atmospheric and visual differences of the world I am in. And remind myself the things I can and cannot do here, for risk of endangering the timeline.

The world seems younger, which makes sense, this is nearly 30 years ago. I am from the year 2024, and the region Zyshiran. I came to Sinnoh to study under Professor Rowan, with a focus on space-time distortions, and including visits to other professors around the world, my degree had taken me 10 years to complete. 

This world, trees that I know in my own world are still there, but younger. One or two are different species of tree, or they're over a foot in the wrong direction. The beach comes even farther into town, the pokemart and the house south of the pokemart are both on stilts in the sand. And the sand! This sand makes the name Sandgem make sense! It's a pink sand that glitters in the light, like it's made of billions of tiny gemstones. The house I had rented when I was studying here has a different family in it. The man I knew as my landlord is a gap-toothed five year old hiding behind his mom. 

The grass nearby seems browner though, like it is dying. And indeed, most of the pokemon I've seen in the grass appear to different typings. I've seen a Barboach that appears to be land-dwelling and what I think was some relative of infernape, rushing past, awash in flame. Though other than looking, I have not encountered these pokemon yet, because I've not yet left town, but I am eager to research them.

That brings me to the most dangerous part of Space-Time Research: the rules.

1.  Never Reveal Information that has yet to be discovered. This goes for inventing Professor Oak's pokedex before he does, or discovering eggs before they're discovered in Johto, or even for bringing up fairy typing before it is officially recognized outside of the Kalos region. Researchers will have to be extremely careful to do pokemon breeding secretly, so they may discover baby pokemon when necessary without revealing the secret of pokemon eggs. 

2. Do not use your knowledge of the future for stock trading or other investments. If you need any aid or assistance in a new time or space, other professors and league professionals including gym leaders will gladly help you. The researcher's bank can be used to make minor investments and withdrawals at any point in time as long as accurate account numbers are kept at every instance of your using the bank.

3. If you encounter any child older than 11 without a pokemon, you must do your best to ensure they receive a starter if desired. This is a rule for all professors and any professor found withholding pokemon is subject to losing their license. Attempt to offer three DIFFERENT pokemon for the child to choose from. (Addition added after the International League Association discovered that Nanu of Alola kept offering only meowth.)

4. Don't commit crime. The law is the law, no matter where you are. Make sure you check local laws and regulations in the places you visit.

5. Never, under any circumctances, start a relationship with someone from another time or dimension. The emotional ties are dangerous if you are ever called to a different dimension, and any children resulting from this union are considered cursed. Do NOT become your own grandparent. 

And what else can I say today? Tomorrow I get to researching, though it may seem overly quick after being torn to this dimension only today. But it is part of my job, and Space-Time researchers need to be ready to work as soon as they fall from the sky - depending on the time and place I land, I may have to set up a camp immediately. Plus, like all researchers, I'm dying with the desire to research all the differences between this world and my own. 

And the heat radiating off of Skuntank is peaceful and warm, all the way to my bones.

Goodnight, Pokedex, and may Arceus watch over us.