Pokémon: Life Finds a Way

Owen POV

Learning about my family's legacy was a revelation—a story of profound impact and immense responsibility. The Hammonds, it seemed, had shaped the very world I now lived in. But as awe-inspiring as this legacy was, it left me with questions I couldn't ignore. Questions that quietly tugged at my mind in the days following Grace's stories.

If the Hammond family had been so influential—integral to shaping the human-Pokémon relationship and creating the infrastructure of the world—why were they never mentioned in the Pokémon stories I grew up with? Not once in the games, anime, or lore was there a whisper of John Hammond, the foundation, or the grand history tied to their name. Could it be that I was living in an alternate version of the Pokémon world? A world where history had diverged from the one I thought I knew?

And then, there was another question, one even harder to reconcile. The Hammond Foundation was still the sole producer of essential goods used by both trainers and Pokémon—potions, antidotes, Poké Balls, and countless other necessities. How had it survived in a world that seemed so inherently competitive? Why were there no rival corporations vying for dominance? How had no one tried to take over or dismantle what my family had built?

These thoughts swirled in my mind for days, their weight growing heavier with each passing hour. The answers, however, came to me in a way I didn't expect.

Before his passing, my father, Adrian Hammond, had been the head of the foundation's science division. His work was far-reaching, delving into the boundaries of what was possible with the human-Pokémon relationship. His team was conducting groundbreaking research into understanding ghost Pokémon energy, helping Pokémon to learn new moves in less stressful environments, and even exploring ways to bridge the communication gap between humans and Pokémon. There was also work being done on John's dream of reviving fossil Pokémon.

But my father's sudden death had brought it all to a halt. His loss had hit John harder than I could have realized as a child. The once-bustling labs had grown quiet. The researchers stopped visiting. The grand projects had been frozen, abandoned in the shadow of grief.

Recently, though, I overheard a conversation between John and Clarice. He was talking about reviving the research division, entrusting its leadership to two of his most senior executives—Joseph Stone and Jacob Silph.

The names sent a jolt through me. Based on my knowledge of the Pokemon series, I recognized them. Stone and Silph. Two names that dominated the Pokémon trainer market, their influence spanning all regions. Devon Corp. was renowned for its innovative trainer technology, while Silph Co. had revolutionized Poké Ball design and production.

I couldn't shake the unease their names stirred in me. The pieces began falling into place, forming a picture I wasn't sure I wanted to see.