I DREAMT I WAS A POKÉMON TRAINER

CHAPTER 1

Aztira turned off the light and plopped onto her bed. She was out as soon as her head hit the pillow. She started to dream almost immediately and the first person she noticed was a young woman wearing a lab coat. What the… The woman saw her and sauntered up to her wearing a smile. Aztira also noticed that she had to look up just to see the woman's face. She quickly looked back down and almost squeaked in horror when she saw that she was thirteen, again. O_O OMG!

The woman continued to smile down at her as she said, "Hi there!" She chuckled softly when Aztira looked back up at her in obvious confusion and then continued, "Welcome to the world of Pokémon!"

Pokémon …?

"My name is Professor Juniper, but everyone here just calls me the Pokémon Professor!"

Pokémon Prof… ... Whaaaat?

Aztira noticed a small red and white ball in the (Professor's?) hand and wondered why she was tossing it up and down in what she thought was a threatening manner. The woman then tossed it to the floor and a bright light flashed before vanishing and leaving behind what Aztira uncharacteristically thought was an adorable mouse type creature that she would later discover was called a Minccino.

Aztira hesitantly stepped toward the mouse thing and said in unlike-herself excitement, "Is that a…a…"

Professor Juniper just smiled and nodded while saying, "That's right! This world is widely inhabited by mysterious creatures known as Pokémon! This mouse type is only one of hundreds!"

Aztira was shocked to find that she was quite thrilled to hear there were hundreds of types of these creatures, though she wondered if they were all this cute. Her head snapped back up when the woman started speaking again.

"Pokémon have mysterious powers and come in many shapes and live in many different places."

Mysterious Powers? I should fit in nicely here…

Juniper seemed pleased with the current expression flashing in Aztira's eyes and continued with more than a hint of excitement in her own voice, "We humans live happily with Pokémon! Living and working together, we complement each other greatly."

Aztira smirked slightly at the mention humans and wondered where this woman got off thinking this child before her was human. First of all, she was an elf! The pointy ears should have been a more than obvious give away. And secondly, her eyes practically screamed demon; they were magenta for crying out loud! However, instead of flat out correcting the nice lady on her mistake, Aztira let her smirk melt back into an excited smile and went back to intent listening.

"We help each other out to accomplish difficult tasks. Having Pokémon battle one another is particularly popular, and it deepens the bonds between people and Pokémon."

?

Before she could stop herself, Aztira found herself asking, "Battle…? As in…to the death?"

"O_O" Juniper burst into gentle laughter and shook her head saying, "No. No, of course not." The child gazed at her, obviously wondering if she had just said something really stupid. "I'm sorry," said Professor Juniper more calmly, "Let me explain. People battle their Pokémonand as the Pokémon gain experience they grow in power, strength and endurance. However, during these battles, the Pokémon that suffer the most attacks will be knocked out, otherwise known as KO. But no Pokémon has ever been killed during these duels. Also, some Pokémon after gaining enough experience may learn new skills or even evolve into something else entirely! And that is why I research Pokémon!"

Aztira detensified after hearing this, though she still wasn't sure how she felt about this Professor Juniper lady.

Juniper chuckled once more and then said, "Anyway, that's enough about me… Perhaps you could tell me a little about yourself?"

Aztira really didn't think that would be a wise idea but she quickly found herself doing it anyway.

"Well, my name is Aztira Celsiernae and I'm not actually a-" she was cut off, as though a hand were suddenly placed over her mouth, by the peculiar glint in Juniper's eyes.

"So your name's Aztira." The woman's eyes seem to almost sparkle with sudden interest. "What an exotic name!"

You're one to talk…

"Well then. I'll now introduce you to your two best friends," exclaimed Juniper happily.

But I already have two best friends…

As if on cue a young teenage boy with silvery hair and gentle golden eyes walked into the room. He was wearing black pants, black running shoes, a light blue long-sleeved shirt and a white sleeveless robe over that which was held closed by a silver sash. The robe had odd symbols sewn into the fabric. His features were very easy on the eyes. It only took Aztira but a moment to realize who it was.

Leon…

If this was a cartoon there would be hearts sparkling in her eyes.

Professor Juniper also turned to look at him as she said, "This young man is Leon D'Norae. He can be a little difficult, but he's an overall honest person."

"You're not wrong," said Aztira dreamily.

Leon smiled at her and she couldn't stop the blush onslaught. Juniper chuckled softly as the next person waltzed in. This time it was a young teenage girl with blond hair and vibrant greenish-blue eyes. She was wearing a light purple blouse, dark blue jeans and black shape-up shoes. Her features were also easy on the eyes. Aztira's eyes widened in joy as she also quickly noticed who the girl was.

Catti…!

Professor Juniper smiled as though understanding why Aztira seemed so happy and relieved.

"This young woman is Catti Amber Lanro. She's a little flighty, but she works very hard."

Let's not forget stubborn… thought Aztira.

"You're not wrong," said Leon, looking right at her.

O_O! Did he just read my mind?

Leon smiled at her and then looked back to the Pokémon Professor.

"I think you three have potential," said Juniper, "so I'm going to give you a very, very important Pokémon."

The previous excitement began to build and grow within Aztira's stomach.

"Aztira!" said Juniper with a proud grin. "The moment you choose the Pokémon that will accompany you on your journey, your story will truly begin."

Aztira could barely contain the thrill she was experiencing at the mention of being given her very own of these exotic creatures.

"During your journey, you will meet many Pokémon and people with different personalities and points of view!" Juniper smiled down at all three of them before bringing her gaze back to Aztira and adding, "I really hope you find what is truly important to you in all of these travels…"

"What is really important to me…" repeated Aztira softly.

"That's right!" said Prof. Juniper in a tone filled with glee. "Befriend new people and Pokémon and grow as a person! That is the most important goal for your journey! Now go! The world of Pokémon awaits your arrival…"