CH 1: First Steps

I woke up to a Pidgey pecking at my window. I looked over at the clock. "Holy shit!" I exclaimed. "I'm gonna be late!" I sped to the shower like a Lucario and rinsed in the gentle stream of water. I grabbed my black-rimmed, dorky looking glasses and then threw on my classic, everyday outfit; Khaki cargo shorts, a Turquoise t-shirt, plain ankle socks, and Hi-Tops designed to look like Ultra Balls. Finally, I rustled my short strawberry-blonde hair so that it wasn't too perfect, or too messy. I could almost see a glimmer in my green eyes.

As I sped down the stairs, my mom gave me a supportive smile. "I won't be able to get you up all the time, Clyfford. My baby boy is all grown up," she whimpered.

"I'm eighteen now mom," I protested. "But if it makes you happy, I will always be your baby boy." Then I gave her a big hug.

"Go get 'em Clyff," she sighed as she watched her baby boy walk out the front door, on his way to become a man.

As I ran out the door, I saw my childhood friend, Seraphine. We grew up doing everything together. It wasn't until 4 years ago that I saw something more in her. The was she smiled at me, laughed at my jokes, and gave me big friendly hugs all made me crazy. Her long blonde hair smelled like a Roselia's Sweet Scent, her hands were as soft as a Skitty's fur, and her body, my Arceus her body, was like a cross between a Lopunny and a Gardevoir. I'd be lying if I said I never thought of her while masterbaiting. She was perfect. I fell for her. Hard. Too bad I was too scared to ever tell her my feelings. I looked down at her and she stood in a sassy pose, trying not to smile. Her beautiful grey eyes said otherwise.

"Dude, hurry up!" Seraphine teased, breaking her poor poker face. "Do you want to get a Rattata?"

"Hey, my Rattata would still be in the top percentage of all Rattata," I retorted, smirking. Seraphine did her kawaii laugh. Damn I love that laugh. I would never have the balls to tell her that, though.

As we approached the lab, I looked around Pallet Town. It had grown quite a bit since Red became champ. Aspiring trainers came here in an attempt to start adventures, but many just settled down, growing the town to almost triple its original size. Sixteen years later, here we are. A lot has changed since Red's time. Not only was he beaten by some Ethan kid, but the rules for trainers have changed too. The age to become an official trainer is now eighteen, where it used to be ten. Even the Professor has changed. Remember hearing about that Blue kid? The one who was a total dick? After he was beaten by Red, he became rather humble and ended up going to Smogon University. He got his PhD and took over for his gramps, who now resides in the Sevii Islands.

Speak of the devil. We just arrived at Professor Blue's Lab. We walked in to see the twenty-six year old genius fiddling with some Pokedexes. He looked up and it took him a second to realize who we were.

"Oh, you're my new recruits, aren't you? I just finished updating these old Dexes. The have National Dex capabilities and some other nice features as well, like a camera and even a GBA emulator," He stated proudly. "Don't tell Officer Jenny about that last one though." He smiled slyly. "Are you ready to pick your partners?"

"Yes sir!" Sera and I chimed.

"Be my guests."

Sera and I both looked at each other. "Ladies first," I joked.

"How about we both chose at the same time," she said calmly. "That way we avoid someone picking the super effective type."

"Fair enough."

"On three. One, two… three!"

"Squirtle!" I yelled.

"Charmander!" Sera exclaimed.

"Sorry Sera," I said sheepishly.

"Its all good," she giggled, in her kawaii way.

We both grabbed our partners and let them out.

"Squir squir!" The little blue turtle cried.

"Char!" The lizard roared (I was a baby roar).

"Excellent choices," Blue remarked. "would you like to give them nicknames?"

I looked down at my little guy. He beamed up at me with pure admiration. It may have seemed rather soon to say, but we were gonna be buddies. "I'll call you Tank," I said. I could tell he liked the name. He pumped a fist in the air and acted like a pure badass. I like this turtle.

I saw Sera giggle a bit and then turn to her Charmander. "I'll call you Sunny," Sera shined. The Charmander jumped up and down a bit, waving around its tail. She seemed just as happy as Sera.

"Well that settles it then," Blue said. " Take these Pokedexes and travel the world! Have adventures! Catch new companions! Be the best you can be!" Blue declared. "I know that you can both do it."

"Thanks Professor," I replied.

"No thanks needed."

And with that, a whole new chapter of my life began to unfold.