It couldn't be over. Everything as it was so far had been a struggle, and now there was nothing. Just peace.

Sure, there were other, lesser Pokemon in the cave, but they didn't count. They knew not to mess with me. Unlike the humans, these creatures knew what was good for them.

But, was this it? No more struggle, no more battles? Just peace? No, something had to happen. I was sure of it. Nothing ever stayed constant for long.

But it did. Days passed. Weeks. No one came in. No Pokemon challenged me. I was bored.

I reached out psychically. Maybe there was someone out there who could be influenced? Someone who was strong enough to challenge me, and really provide a challenge?

No such human nor Pokemon existed, but I noticed there was a very impressionable young boy, about to start a journey. He was ambitious. He had the drive to potentially become the champion. And he had the potential to battle me. And, along the way, I could have a bit of fun. Yes. This was the perfect plan.

I tapped into his mind. Let the journey begin.

"Red! Stop playing video games and come down! Professor Oak has been expecting you for the past hour!" One more level. After all, it was my last chance to play this game before I headed out on my big journey. "RED! COME DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT!" I jumped, pressing the wrong button and causing Mario to jump down into an abyss. Alright, maybe I had been playing too long. I put down the controller and headed downstairs.

"Your backpack is on the table. Please don't mess this up." I hadn't had much luck in my life, ever, in fact. I barely passed school as it was, and reached only the minimum score to gain a trainer's license. Mom had wanted me to become a doctor, but there was no way that was going to happen. I was fine with this, though. After all, my goal had always been to become a Pokemon Champion, not be stuck in a hospital with sick people. Pokemon training suited me fine. I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door.

Immediately when I exited the house, I felt something hit me. Only, it wasn't like someone threw a Pokeball at my head or anything, but it was like my brain had been struck. And just my brain. My skull was fine. Everything was fine. Or so it seemed. My legs suddenly moved on their own. I was walking. Where was I going? Why? I certainly wasn't doing this.

Alright, this is seriously weird. Stop it legs. Stop it right now. So wait, something is happening? What was that? There was a thought that I didn't think. And I was going to crash into Blue's house. Ow. My legs continued marching forward, but I there was, you know, the house in the way.

Sorry about that. Are you still moving? Yes, I was. Ah, I was afraid of that. Can't see what's happening, so you'll have to tell me. There also seems to be a bit of a distance lag. Should clear up when you get closer. I managed to stop moving, but what? You are becoming the champion. I will make sure that happens. As if that was a good explanation.

I was suddenly moving to the north. You know, the direction that is opposite Oak's lab, where I needed to go? Toward the tall grass that I needed a Pokemon-oh, Arceus I was not going to get a Pokemon in time. I was going to get attacked and in this state, that could be very, very bad for me.

Luckily, once I set one foot in the grass, I stopped. Sorry, didn't realize you didn't have a Pokemon yet.

"Wait, don't go out!" Professor Oak shouted, and ran toward me. "Wild Pokemon live in the tall grass, Red, I thought you knew that!" Yes, I did, but he wasn't going to believe me if I told him what was really going on.

"Sorry Professor, I was so excited I forgot to grab my Pokemon," I said instead. At least my mouth was working.

"Well, come follow me. I've got your Pokemon in my lab. But if you were so excited, why did you take so long to come out?" Oak grabbed my arm to lead me into the lab. Whew. Hopefully I could get through here without him noticing.

"I forgot what time you said," I said.

Inside Oak's lab, Blue was waiting.

"So you finally decided to show up, eh Red?" he taunted, "You should have waited longer, then maybe you wouldn't have to go at all!"

"Now, now. He already explained to me," Professor Oak said on my behalf, "He forgot what time he was supposed to show up. Now listen, both of you. When I was a young trainer, I raised many Pokemon, but these three are the only ones I still have left. Red, you may choose first," Blue looked at Oak defiantly.

"But Gramps! Red was late, I should choose first!"

"Now, now. Have patience Blue. You can choose after him." Blue shot daggers at me, but it was my time to move. And I couldn't. Great. It seems that whoever that strange voice guy was, he was in control of my body.

"Choose a Pokemon, Red. I've already been waiting long enough." My body spontaneously started moving, and fortunately in the direction I wanted to go. Interesting. That voice again. It appears that you are operating at the same delay I am. I did not force you to move in that direction. Well, that was something. But who is this strange voice? And why me? Just choose your Pokemon. I'll explain later.

I worked to face the right direction, and looked at the Pokeballs. One of these three capsules would contain my first partner. I had to choose wisely. I reached out and grabbed the nearest one. I sent it out, and it was a Charmander. It looked up at me with those huge, adorable eyes, but I didn't want Charmander. Bulbasaur would make my Gym challenges easier, at least to start out.

"Do you want Charmander?" Professor Oak asked, and I found myself nodding. Wait, no! I didn't want it! "That's a good choice! Look after it well! Do you know how to nickname your Pokemon? Press a button on the Pokeball like this," he came over and pressed a small button, and a holographic screen came up, "and type in the name you want. Be careful, though. You can only nickname a Pokemon once, unless you ask the Name Rater to change it for you."

My arm lifted and went right through the holographic keyboard, hitting random letters and then "save." My Charmander was officially named "ABBBBBBK (."

"Well, you'll get used to it," Professor Oak said.

"Hah, dumb name, Red. I'll choose the better Pokemon, and the better name!" Blue raced over to the table and grabbed the Pokeball containing Squirtle. He entered the nickname "Squirtbro" and turned to me. "Now, lets battle!"

I had no choice but to accept his challenge, although I wanted desperately to get out. His Squirtle and my Charmander faced each other. Let me do this, I know how to battle. Suddenly, a new set of thoughts entered my head.

I sure hope my trainer knows what he's doing. The voice was young, and feminine.

I have connected your Pokemon's thoughts to ours, the first voice stated, this should streamline the battling process. Huh. Interesting.

Charmander, what can you do? I can Scratch and Growl. Okay,

"Scratch!" I shouted, but the deeper voice said Growl. Charmander obeyed the second.

"Hah, your Pokemon doesn't even listen to you! Tackle, Squirtbro!" The Squirtle, in contrast, did exactly as Blue said.

Chamander looked back at me apologetically, saying sorry, I don't know why but I can't disobey the other one. It's okay, I can't either.

Now Scratch! The deeper voice commanded. I took the liberty of saying it out loud again. At least I was going to make it look like I was in control.

The battle went on, but eventually Charmander managed to win.

"What? I must have picked the wrong Pokemon to be beaten by someone like you! Smell ya later!" he ran out of the lab. I looked back at the Professor.

"Thanks for the Pokemon," I said. Alright, move! I walked right into a bookshelf. "I'm just going to read something on this shelf," I said, salvaging the situation and grabbing a random book.

"Open the menu with Start!" it said on the title page. What did that mean? I put it back and managed to get out the door. Now, it was time for my adventure to truly begin.