The Plight of the Pokémon Scientist

You've discovered a new Pokémon; now you need to name it

The scientists watched their new discovery. The large, lizard-like creature walked around the enclosure, occasionally shooting out lightning from its body while yelling, “Shockasaurus!”

“You’ve done it, Professor Cedar,” said Professor Oak as he adjusted his lab coat. “You’ve discovered a brand new Pokémon in the most remote region of Kanto.”

“In a place normally inaccessible due to a waist-high fence,” Professor Elm added.

“Shockasaurus!” screamed the new Pokémon.

“It was not easy getting by that obstacle,” Professor Cedar admitted. “But it was worth the effort for this discovery.”

“Now, the official number of his new Pokémon will be one thousand forty-three,” Professor Oak said. “But before we can add him to the Pokédex, he’ll need a name.”

“Shockasaurus!” bellowed the new Pokémon, shooting lightning all around it once again.

“You want me to name him?” Professor Cedar asked.

“It’s your honor for discovering him,” Professor Elm stated.

“Shockasaurus?” said the new Pokémon questioningly as it looked out of its enclosure at the Pokémon scientists.

“Well, I hadn’t given it much thought,” Professor Cedar admitted. “The Greek word for lightning is ‘keraunos’ and the word for dragon is ‘drakon,’ so maybe ‘keraunodraco.’”

“That’s an excellent name,” Professor Oak said.

“I like it,” Professor Elm agreed.

“Shockasaurus!” screamed the Pokémon as it jumped around its enclosure.

“Um…,” said Professor Phil, who had not spoken until now, “shouldn’t we name him ‘Shockasuarus’?”

“Shockasaurus!” yelled the Pokémon in a tone that sounded like agreement.

“Why would we name it that?” Professor Oak asked sharply.

“Well… I mean…,” Professor Phil stammered. “It is what it’s saying over and over.”

“So what?” Professor Elm said angrily. “Lots of animals make lots of noises. You don’t have to name them for that.”

“Shockasaurus,” huffed the new Pokémon.

“It’s a stupid suggestion,” Professor Oak told Professor Phil. “So why don’t you make like a tree and be a good Pokémon scientist and help us come with an actual name.”

“Okay,” Phil said, “but it’s just that’s how we named all the other Pokémon.”

“And we’re putting an end to it!” Professor Elm said. “Pokémon aren’t scientists. They don’t have lab coats. They don’t get to decide what a Pokémon should be called. It’s unnatural!”

“Shockasaurus!” the new Pokémon yelled angrily.

Professor Cedar sighed. “Maybe we should just call him ‘Shockasaurus.’”

“I guess,” Professor Oak said. “Not let’s shove him in a ball and have him fight other animals.”