Introduction

Pokémon, a world of wonder and excitement. Where creatures roam the land far and wide, living in harmony with people everywhere. There are hundreds upon thousands of these creatures known as Pokémon in our world, and many more have yet to be documented or discovered!

Many people live with their Pokémon as pets, others work together. There are also people who capture them and train with them as friends and partners, known as Pokémon Trainers. Every day more and more new trainers set out on their journeys, dreaming of what they might encounter.

Today, however, we are going to be following the story of a new trainer from the Kalos Region, Astrid, as she begins her own journey that takes many unexpected twists and turns, as she follows her dream…

Chapter One

The Journey Begins

It is early one morning in the Kalos Region, as the sun finally reaches into the sky. This is a very special day for Astrid, as she finally gets to receive her first Pokémon and become an official Pokémon Trainer! But there's a problem, someone forgot to set the alarm!

"Astrid, hurry up honey," said Astrid's mother, "You're going to miss getting your first Pokémon!"

"I'm almost ready!" yelled Astrid from the upstairs bathroom, "I'll be right down!"

Astrid finally comes down the stairs, with long blond hair, and a purple outfit from head to toe.

"I'm so sorry, though," said Astrid's mother, "I just don't know why my alarm didn't go off…"

"It's alright mom," said Astrid, "I still have plenty of time to get there if I leave now."

"You have everything packed, then?" asked Astrid's mother, "You're sure you're not forgetting anything?"

"Everything from my travel guide to my holocaster," said Astrid, "I'll stop by on my way out to show you my Pokémon!"

"Be safe," said Astrid's mother, "And good luck!"

With those last words, Astrid was off to the nearby town Pokémon Center, where she would finally get her first Partner.

"Who should I choose?" said Astrid to herself, "Froakie would be a great fighter… but Fennekin is so cute… and Chespin would be a tank…"

She continued to contemplate this as she walked down the path towards town from her house out in the countryside. There was a sudden break in her concentration when she heard a tree nearby topple over.

"That shocked me for a sec," said Astrid, "Wonder what caused that…"

Then she heard it, a Pokémon's cry, and it sounded distressed. She tried to ignore it, but it finally got the better of her. She figured that she had enough time to check it out and get to the Pokémon Center in time.

She followed the sound to where the tree had fallen, and peaked out from behind a tree, and gasped. Trapped under the tree was a small Absol, obviously in deep pain.

"Oh, poor thing," said Astrid as she ran over, "I have to do something…"

Astrid got up and tried to push the tree off, but saw that moving it like that only caused Absol more pain. Astrid then tried to lift the massive log, but to no avail.

Off in the distance, she heard the clock tower from the town ring. She was late now, but she was determined to help Absol.

"I don't care if I have to wait another month to get a Pokémon," said Astrid, "I can't just leave you."

It was then that she heard footsteps behind her, and turned to see a massive Pokémon emerge from the tree line.

"A Pangoro!" said Astrid in alarm, "Wait, maybe it can help!"

Astrid ran over to the massive Pangoro and nervously began to speak.

"Please, I need your help Pangoro," said Astrid as she pointed towards Absol, "It seems it got caught underneath that falling tree!"

Suddenly it was Pangoro that looked extremely nervous, and that's when she realized…

"Wait, was it you that made that tree fall over?!" said Astrid angrily, "I bet you didn't even notice it there when you did whatever you did…"

Pangoro, seeming extremely apologetic, motioned Astrid to Absol, and then began lifting the massive tree.

"Almost, just a little more!" said Astrid as she watched the log ease off Absol's back, "Okay, hold it for just a minute!"

Astrid carefully pulled Absol free of the deathtrap, and Pangoro threw the log aside.

"It's still hurt very badly," said Astrid, "I can get it to the Pokémon Center, if you'll help me again…"

Pangoro was already ahead of her, and gently picked Absol up. Astrid led the way and Pangoro followed quickly.

Nurse Joy had just finished up the Starter Pickup, and was getting back into normal duties when she saw the behemoth at her door. Then she realized something wasn't right, and that's when Astrid ran inside.

"Nurse Joy, we need help," said Astrid, pointing to the Absol in Pangoro's arms.

"Okay," said Nurse Joy, now focused on the task at hand, "Wigglytuff, bring the stretcher out now!"

Emerging from the back came a Wigglytuff dressed in a nurse's uniform, pushing an emergency stretcher. Pangoro softly laid Absol down on it, and Wigglytuff rushed it back for treatment.

"Pangoro," said Joy, "How many times do I have to tell you to be careful when you train? You know your hearing is bad. This is the first time, however, that you actually had to bring a Pokémon in."

Pangoro seemed to apologize to Nurse Joy, and then quickly took his leave.

"That Pangoro is always getting into trouble out there," said Joy, "I get so many complaints from the townspeople about the noise out there…"

Joy then remembers the task at hand, and heads in the back with Wigglytuff, leaving Astrid alone out in the lobby.

A few hours later, Joy comes back out and sees Astrid sitting at one of the tables.

"Astrid?" said Joy, "I'm happy to say Absol will be making a full recovery."

"Thank goodness," said Astrid, "That poor little thing looked so hurt."

"Oh, I almost forgot," said Joy, "You were one of the new trainers today, weren't you?"

"Yes," said Astrid, "I'm guessing that it's too late to get my starter isn't it?"

"I'm afraid so," said Joy, "Three other trainers came and chose their starters first."

There was a silence for a while, and then Astrid spoke again.

"Could I go and see Absol?" asked Astrid.

"I guess so," said Joy, "Absol is asleep right now though, just so you know."

Joy showed the way and Astrid went in and sat down in one of the chairs in the room. She sat there, looking at Absol, silently thinking to herself.

"It's because of Absol I missed getting a starter," thought Astrid, "Maybe there was something behind this…"

A few hours later, Joy came to check on Absol, and found Astrid fast asleep in the chair. She only smiled, turned out the light, and continued on her way.