Today was the day that Imari Mizutani officially received her trainer's license, along with her childhood friend. She woke from her sleep still a bit groggy. Imari rushed into the shower to clean herself and changed into travelling clothes after drying off.

She had her heart set on a Bulbasaur, having heard all about Mega Evolution, which originated in Kalos at first. But it was quickly spreading to the other regions and she adored how Venusaur had a taller flower on its back. It took Imari five minutes to run to Professor Oak's laboratory, only just making it in time.

In front of the lab stood one other figure: Red Ketchum, her childhood friend and neighbour. Red greeted Imari with a cheery "Hello" and the ageing researcher smiled warmly at them both.

"You needn't have rushed here, Imari. I wasn't going to start without you." Oak reassured, beckoning them to follow him into the building.

Inside the lab were various boxes full of research papers. Computers with lines of code running down their screens were situated in different locations as well. At the very back, in the middle, was a specialized machine that held the Poké Balls containing the starters.

Professor Oak walked over to the Poké Ball-containing machine and selected two Poké Balls. Bringing them back to his study desk, he looked at the two new trainers. "You may go first, Red." He explained that Red's rival, Blue, had already collected his Squirtle and left. Green had picked up her Bulbasaur as well.

Red stared at the pair of capture devices, blinking in mild disinterest. That meant Charmander was the only one left out of the traditional starters. So which Pokémon was in the second Poké Ball? Shrugging, he took the ball with the flame insignia into his hand.

Red did not call Charmander out, but instead held the ball up close to his face. "You and I will be the best, Charmander. Teach the rest of my Pokémon well."

There was a pause before the red and white Poké Ball wiggled slowly, as if the Fire type did not like his trainer's distant tone. Red ignored the delay in response and clipped the Poké Ball to the belt around his waist.

Imari spoke up at last, concerned about the apparent lack of starters for her. "Um... Professor, if Green took Bulbasaur, have you got a Pokémon for me?"

No sooner had she asked, than a squeal of delight was heard and a small blue serpentine Pokémon slithered out of the back room. "Dra!" The Pokémon cooed at Imari and bounced up and down in one spot, wanting to be picked up.

Oak chuckled and smiled, remembering his mistaken shipment of spare starters. "It seems like you two are bonding well already. She's not like most of her species; she's more inquisitive." He watched Imari happily pick up the female Dratini and stroke her on the head gently.

"She's adorable, I love her," Imari murmured.

Samuel retrieved Dratini's ball.


A/N: Repost from my alt account, which I've since deleted everything off of.