Catching the North Wind
"…now, as you know, there are three Pokemon that are traditionally referred to as starter Pokemon. This is because they are the Pokemon young trainers, like yourself, choose as their first companions when they begin their journey. Each Pokemon has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and each requires a special kind of care from its trainer. For example…"
"Professor!" I said, exasperated, "I knooow. You told me all of this yesterday. And the day before. Can I please, please just see them now?" I wasn't usually so rude to Professor Elm, but today was a special day and I couldn't bear to hear his lectures on starter Pokemon morphology and typology again. I wanted to get my Pokemon so that I could start my journey!
"Yes, of course, Elysia, I apologize. Now, let's see, where did I put them?" Professor Elm picked up his walking stick and used it to push himself to his feet. Age had been unkind to him and he often spoke wistfully of his old mentor, Professor Oak, who had spent his final years in excellent health. It did seem unfair that Elm, whose contributions to science had been as phenomenal and groundbreaking, if not more so, than his predecessor's, should suffer so much more for them.
He hobbled over to a cluttered table, muttering to himself, and pushed some papers aside. "Aha, hear they are," he said happily, picking up a thin silver item that looked somewhat like half a headband. "This is your Trainer Band. You'll know all about it, of course."
I nodded eagerly and reached out to take the silver band. I'd seen trainer's wearing them and knew that it was an essential part of their gear. In the old days, trainers would carry a handheld Pokedex, Pokegear, and/or a Pokenav. Now, all three of those devices and more had been compacted into the Trainer Band. I turned it this way and that for a moment, then hooked the curved end over my right ear and pressed the flat end to the side of my head and face. It grew uncomfortably warm for a minute and then cooled. I reached up and felt that it had molded itself perfectly to my head with the edge reaching just to the corner of my right eye. It wasn't at all uncomfortable, in fact I could barely feel it, but it would still take some getting used to.
"Good," said Elm, nodding at me. "You seem to have that under control. Now," he turned back to the table and shifted a few more papers to reveal three red and white Pokeballs. There had been quite a few attempts in the past to upgrade standard Pokeballs, but many trainers had rejected the idea. Of course there were newer, more modern models available, but trainers were forbidden to use them until they had acquired six gym badges. It was part of learning to be proper a trainer and also a way to keep the traditions of the past alive.
I felt my hands shaking as I stepped forward to look at the Pokeballs on the table. One had a leaf sticker on the top, one a flame, and the last a water droplet. I smiled and reached out my hand. There was no question in my mind as to which one I would choose…
A loud crack sounded from somewhere to my left. I jumped and sat bolt upright, staring around at the dark trees and bushes surrounding my campsite. At first I saw nothing then I spotted a gleaming pair of eyes staring at me from the nearest clump of bushes.