Chapter 1
A New Beginning
Welcome to the City of Pallet! Wait, I know exactly what your thinking! City of Pallet? Isn't it a small town in the Kanto region? And yes, your correct. About 20 years ago, Pallet was once a very small town settled near the ocean. Now, It's a large city, but not as big as some others like Saffron city. You see, some really amazing people came from Pallet many years ago, leading to a migration of many people into this place. Eventually the town grew bigger and bigger, until it became what it is today.
I'm so sorry, I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Akira Rahcek! My family moved to Pallet City about 5 years ago because my father got his job relocated. I really didn't care because I was only five years old, but I was told Kanto was a much better place to raise pokemon then where I was living then. So it was all good. Anyways, a lot has changed about pokemon training in the last 2 decades. Someone finally realized that letting ten year olds drop out of school and wander around the country by themselves was bad idea, and now the system works a little differently.
You see, now we have school programs that work together with the pokemon league to ensure our safety and make sure that pokemon training isn't our only career option. It's called Heritage League Elementary School. In our fifth grade year (assuming everyone is at least ten years old) we are given a pokemon after winter break. We are then given an extra class along with the normal stuff (math, reading, science, etc.) to make sure that we are prepared to go out and take care of ourselves. Once summer comes, we have a 3 month break, in which we have the choice to starting being a pokemon trainer and go out and earn badges, but we have check in areas in every city so that they can know if we go missing or something. If we want to continue training after the summer is over, there is a program in the middle school where the school lets you train as curriculum and every weekend there is a way to get to every city with a gym. Then the cycle starts again. So we're a bit limited these days as you can tell. But it's okay I suppose. At least we still get to train.
"Akira, make sure you put that back in the fridge when your done with it." Akira's mom was busy feeding her baby sister, while Akira was rummaging through the fridge for something to eat. "Okay." She finally pulled out an orange from the mass of canned baby food. "And don't get anything on your uniform." Akira's school uniform is black blazer and skirt with white trim and the pokemon league emblem on the lapel. She couldn't really tell when it's dirty anyways. But she gave my normal answer. "Okay." Akira wasn't really worried about anything today. Today was the day that the students finally get back from winter break today. Finally.
"What's up Holly!" Marcia, a dark skinned girl with short corn-rowed hair, pulled Akria over into one of her zealous hugs. "Hi Marc! I guess your excited about getting your pokemon huh?" Akira could barley breath when she was done. "Oh of course! Pokemon are awesome!" Marcia smiled sweetly as she skipped into the class room. Akira patted her caramel colored hair back into place as Marcia's hugs normally ended up in destruction.
Akira was planted at her seat, legs hosted up on the desk in her normal 'calm-but-cool' manner. The other students were staggering around the room, trying to get opinions on this, that and the other, but it was all for show. Everyone had their own intentions for what pokemon they wanted and for whatever reason. "Alright class! Everyone sit down! The pokemon professor will be here shortly so be on your best behavior, and how many times do I have to tell you to keep your feet of the desk Akira!" The teacher walked in, looked more professional than usual, with her dark hair tied back into a neat bun, and her outfit of a navy blazer and sky blue ruffled skirt, made her seem ready to impress. She eyed Akira impatiently as she swung her legs onto the floor.
As the teacher paced, making sure that the class looked suitable, the girl in front of Akira turned around with a bright smile on her face. "Akira! Isn't this exciting?" Her dark brown curls fell lightly on to her shoulders, which nicely complected her light topaz skin. "Oh yeah Risa. I could barley sleep!" Risa laughed lightly. "Sì! Es muy fantastico, ¿verdad?" Akira laughed and nodded. "Yeah!" Many nationalities had poured into the Kanto region in the last ten years, because of the career allure. Heritage League Elementary School was also a large attraction for parents, but the school system is only effective in the Kanto area.
"Everyone, please give a warm welcome to Professor Gary Oak, one of the most esteemed pokemon researcher in the world." The teacher ushered the children as they clapped their hands in excitement. The time drew nearer. Professor Oak was a man in his late forties, his hair slightly grayed but it had a natural spike to it. His eyes were of a azure blue, but his face was aged with experience and knowledge. "Good morning children!" The professor's voice was raspy but with a high pitch to it. "Good morning professor Oak." The class replied with overly practiced unison. "As you know," professor Oak pulled his arms behind him, ruffling his white lab coat. "Today is the day you young ones are given your first pokemon." Oak stopped for a minute to let the kids have their inpatient gasps and excited squeal. "Pokemon can be used for many different reasons, including battling and show casing, but you must always remember to treat your pokemon with love and respect for it is a living being that is your responsibility."
Akira, normally, was very sedate and in control, but even now she was just a regular, excited ten year old. Professor Oak wheeled in a chart of pokemon starter types, but no specific pokemon. "These are the basic types we have. Fir, Water and Grass. For those of you who have done research, you will also know of the two other kinds we may possibly provide." Akira smiled. Pokemon was something she never slacked on, knowing the two other types were normal and electric. Her heart was racing in anticipation as the teacher pulled out a roster for who would be choosing first. Professor Oak headed into a different room to prepare for the children's choices.
"Just so we're clear," the teacher smirked, "The children with the highest grades will go first." Most of the class groaned, while the small percentage jeered to themselves. "Farley will be first, followed by Alexander, and then Marcia. I will tell you the next group as the others pass." Marcia, who sat only two desks away from Akira, shot her and worried but eager look. Akira smiled gave Marcia and thumbs up, as Alexander walked out.
Marcia was next, nervously leaving the class room. The teacher quieted the class, as she read the next names. "Now, Risa will go, and then Akira, and after will be Riley." Akira and Risa turned to each other. "Good luck, niña!" Risa's dark eyes were big as her fists as she stood up to get her pokemon. "You'll choose a great one Risa!" Akira yelled as Risa stumbled out of the door. Akira was next. Her heart was beating as fast as it could go, but her mind was set on only one thing.
"So your Akira Rahcek! I've heard many good things about you. What pokemon type would you like?" Professor Oak said, ready to grab whatever pokeball. Akira just watched him with her head lowered. "Don't be shy, ask me for exactly what you want." Oak seemed puzzled by the green-eyed 10-year-old until she smiled, with a sinister look. "Fine. Give me the rarest pokemon you've got."
To be Continued
Author's note
Hey pokemon fans! I know your wondering about many of the things in my story, such as a pokemon school. I know your thinking about that pokemon technical school from first season of pokemon where grades badges. This is obviously not the case, but I was talking about it with my friends (and yes, high school kids still love pokemon) and we came to the conclusion that a fifth grader shouldn't be able to go travel the world alone. I wanted to make a sensible way the kids to still train, but they wouldn't have as much risk of getting lost, being kidnaped, or other horrific things. So it makes a little more sense now hopefully. Please keep reading!