Touching down in Unova, Leia was taking deep breaths as her bags were packed.
"You sure you wanna do this, Leia?" Jude asked her.
"Of course. I was going to go here before and now is the time." Leia said.
"The Legendary in this region should be able to at least give a hint as to what that burst of power David felt was. We'll be counting on you." Tapu Lele said.
"Do you have an idea as to what starter you'll get?" Ming said.
"Well, Jude got a Fire-type starter, and David got a Water-type." Leia said.
"So, by process of elimination, you'll be getting the Grass-type starter." Mayumi said.
"Right. Lurantis, I'll be counting on you to keep the others safe in case the Elements come by here." Leia said.
Lurantis gave Leia a bow as they departed off the ship. As everyone saw them off, they were unaware of Soursweet dropping of a chute and covered in leftovers.
"Note to self. Next time, don't use the trash chute." Soursweet said. "Now...it's time for me to get started too." she said secretly following Leia from the bushes.
It didn't take long before Leia reached Nuvema Town and approached the Pokemon lab where the female professor, Professor Juniper, stood outside.
"Welcome. You must be a new trainer." she said. "Please, come inside."
Leia followed Professor Juniper inside while Sour Sweet somersaulted through the lab doors. She then snuck behind the desk where the starters were held.
"Hmm. I know the rules say to take one...but I think I'll grab two." Soursweet said grabbing the middle one and the one on the right before sneaking out through the back. "Let's see what I got." she said tossing them out as out came an orange pig and a blue otter with a shell. "Tepig and Oshawott huh? Perfect...Was hoping for Snivy but...this will have to do." she said calling them back into their balls before running off.
With the other two starters taken, Leia was stuck with Snivy, which was what she was hoping for. She made her way to Accumula Town, where she was hearing a speech in progress.
"Citizens of Accumula town. We are Team Plasma! We are here to ask...please release your pokemon from their enslavement! They must be free and not be used as weapons. My name is Ghetsis and this is my decree. Release the pokemon! Allow them to run free." said a man with green hair and a cloak.
"Release our Pokemon? Enslavement? Sure there are those that would use them for evil purposes, but the others never used them for weapons or anything like that, so it couldn't be true...can it?" Leia asked herself.
"I think there is some use to his words." a voice said behind her. Standing there was a young man with light green hair and dressed in white. "Though, the voices of your Lurantis say it enjoys your company. Almost as if the two of you have a close bond."
"Of course Lurantis and I are close. We've been together ever since we were in Rieze Maxia. And what do you mean by voices? Who are you?" Leia asked.
"My name is N. I am someone who believes that the pokemon should be liberated just as that man said." he said.
"But you don't believe everything he says, do you?" Leia asked.
"I do. All of it. These people… they keep their pokemon locked up in pokeballs. And to what end? Use them in battles that will never stop occurring, only to be hurt more and more. It's just sickening. Perhaps you'll understand my thoughts...through a battle with me." N said.
"But, you don't have any pokemon with you…" Leia started.
"Until this world changes, this is my only way of conveying my feelings." N said as a purple cat came out. "And Purrloin feels the same way."
"I can't say I agree with Ghetsis or what you say entirely, but…" Leia said. "Let's go, Snivy!"
Snivy popped out of its ball.
"Purrloin...attack with Scratch." N said as Purrloin ran at Snivy and scratched it with its claws.
"Snivy, Vine Whip!" Leia said as Snivy whipped Purrloin with its vines.
"Why?" N asked.
"Why what?" Leia asked.
"Why do you always yell when you fight with pokemon?" N asked.
"Well, in the heat of a battle, it's best to let your Pokemon hear what you're saying, right?" Leia asked.
"I despise people like you. All humans." N said.
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with us. I mean, look at yourself. You're one of us too. A human." Leia said.
"I know. And it sickens me." he said before Purrloin was defeated by Snivy. "But...I can see it will take time for you to learn that." he said collecting Purrloin and walking away.
"That guy… he seems a bit off, but for some reason, he doesn't seem all that bad. Just...what's his story?" Leia asked.
After some time, Leia arrives in Striaton City where she then approaches the Striaton Gym. "My first gym battle. I'm a little excited." she said.
She entered the gym and found the triplets, Cilan, Cress and Chili, serving people as waiters.
"Oh, welcome! Are you here for the food?" Chili asked.
"Or… did you come to challenge us?" Cress asked.
"Depending on what your first answer is, we can gladly do the second choice afterwards." Cilan said.
"I came for a battle, not for a lunch." Leia said.
"Alright then. Per our rules, you can challenge any one of us to battle. Regardless of who you choose, you'll still get the Gym Badge if you win. Does that sound like a deal?" Chili asked.
"Yeah. And I choose...Cilan." Leia said.
"Is that so? Very well. Just give me a moment." he said.
After waiting for a bit, Leia stepped up onto the battlefield with Cilan following. "Now, as far as rules go, we will each be using two pokemon. The winner will be who knocks out all of the opponents pokemon out first." Cilan said.
"Alright. Go, Snivy!" Leia said.
"Come on out, Lillipup!" Cilan said sending Lillipup out. "Use Work Up and then attack with Bite."
Lillipup let out steam from its body before running at Snivy and biting into it, doing massive damage.
"Hang in there, Snivy! Use Vine Whip!" Leia said as Snivy whipped Lillipup repeatedly. "Then use Tackle!" she said as Snivy ran into Lillipup, sending it flying before it fell defeated.
"Return! Now...I call out Pansage!" Cilan said as out came a green monkey with a bush on its head.
"This is a new one." Leia said as she got out her Pokedex.
"Pansage, the Grass Monkey Pokemon. A grass type. It shares the leaf on its head with weary-looking Pokémon. These leaves are known to relieve stress." it read.
"Now, Pansage, use Fury Swipes!" Cilan said as Pansage scratched at Snivy, damaging it. "And now….finish it with Vine Whip!" he said as Pansage hit Snivy hard, knocking it out.
"Snivy, return! Guess it's time for us to take the stage. Go, Luranis!" Leia said as Lurantis stepped onto the field.
"I've never seen a pokemon like that. Its foreign, isn't it?" Cilan asked.
"She's my friend. That's all that matters." Leia said. "We can finish this battle in one attack."
"A bold claim. Let's put it to the test. Pansage, Work up and then use Fury Swipes." Cilan said as Pansage got worked up and charged at Lurantis.
"Lurantis, gather your energy." Leia said as one of Lurantis's blades glowed as it took in sunlight. "Then unleash it! Use Solar Blade!"
Lurantis then ran at Pansage, swinging its massive blade before standing patiently. After a few minutes, Pansage collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.
"Wow." Cilan said. "An impressive move, if i ever saw one." Cilan said awarding her with the Trio Badge. "This badge is proof of your victory here today. Congratulations."
"Thank you so much, Cilan." Leia said. "I gotta go, but really, thank you."
"Its no trouble at all." Cilan said.
Leia left the gym and stretched. "It's a really great start. Now, i gotta make sure that i find out what's happening with David, and get to the bottom of it!"