Save 1- Shade

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[New Game]

Hello, my name is Professor Flora. Some people call me a Pokemon Professor. My job has been to teach people about the wondrous creatures that inhabit our world. These creatures are called Pokemon.

People and Pokemon live side-by-side as friends, partners, and allies. But there are some who wish to use Pokemon as mere tools with which to accomplish a goal.

But that's enough from me; let's talk about you! For starters: are you a boy or a girl?

[Boy]

So you are a boy?

[Yes]

And what is your name?

[Shade]

So your name is Shade? Well, Shade, it is time for you to step forth. Let your Pokemon journey begin!


The waves lapped up against the side of the porthole. All out in the distance, I could see Wingull and Pelipper gliding through the glistening mists, flocks of wild Pokemon soaring free, untamed.

Over the PA, a voice announced: "We have arrived in Sirius Town, our first stop on our voyage through the islands of the Altes Region."

"Passengers are allowed to leave while the ship refuels; we will be leaving once all passengers have boarded. Enjoy your break from the sea on the lovely Sirius Town Island!"

Beep.

Sirius Town? Already? Oh, how time flies…

I silently grabbed my bag and tidied up my bed. Like most of the passengers, I'd be leaving the S.S. Orion. Unlike the rest, however, I would not be getting back on. I grabbed my Orion Ticket from the bedside table and stalled for several minutes before locking the door and leaving the cabin.

There were few people wandering the halls. Most were Sailors and Gentlemen: Trainers who'd have no interest in conversing with a twelve-year old boy without Pokemon.

I sighed in depression when the Attendant took my ticket after I informed her that I would not be returning. She gave me a cheerful smile and bid me farewell. I smiled back, thanked her for her hospitality, and left the ship. I looked back one last time and made my way through the stream of people, and found myself standing before a small sign welcoming me to Sirius Town.

My first actual look of Sirius town made me question several things: why did this town have its own island? Why did Mom have to move to such a small island? Why was this island on the Altes Voyage, which was reserved for bustling tourist towns and cultural landmarks?

Admittedly, I was a little concerned about this island and its size. According to the Town Map, Sirius Town Island was huge! One of the largest in Altes! And this was the only town on the entire island?!

There were few buildings, that I could see. And if I was judging things correctly, I could see the end of it from here. That's right, from where I was standing, just outside of town, I could see the entire thing, without squinting.

Maybe I was being judgmental. I was born in Mauville in Hoenn, so I was used to large cities. And I had vacationed with Mom and Dad in Lumiose when I was ten, so… It probably wasn't that small, was it?

I was pulled out of my internal rant when I saw a figure waving at me from a large house, near the beachside.

Jogging slightly, I ran up to see Mom standing in the doorway.

"Shade! Honey, how was the trip? Did you enjoy the cruise? The Orion is famous for its cruises and its luxurious cabins. It was built by the-"

"Mom…" I said, hugging her, "You're doing it again."

"Sorry, sorry." she smiled, releasing me from her embrace and allowing me to breathe again. "Well come in! Your room is right upstairs and all your stuff's already unpacked and- oh, sorry."

I went inside and found my room easy enough. Bed. TV. Desk and computer. Wii U. Check, check, check.

Something rubbed against my legs. "Mao."

"Hi, Espurr." I said, petting the small cat-like Pokemon, who was pushing against my legs with its tiny paws.

"Mao?"

"Come here," I said, picking her up and setting her on my desk. I dropped my Bag on the chair and started putting away the few things I'd brought with me on the Orion. I pulled out a small Shiny Mew Doll that had been given to me by a girl named Selenei in Mossdeep before I boarded the Orion.

It had a red bow tied around its neck with a letter in small, neat handwriting:

'Shade,

Thank you for being my friend. I can't wait to see you again! Keep an eye on Mew for me! He's the one Doll I never had and you found him for me!

I'll want him back, so you'd better come and visit me soon, okay?

Thank you,

(for being at

my side

((through

everything)),

Selenei'

I closed my eyes and bit back the urge to cry. I saw Mew down next to my pillow, grabbed a reluctant Espurr, and went downstairs where Mom was reading a book in the kitchen. There was a commercial ad for Super Repel on TV.

"Oh, Shade! So what do you think of your new room? Nice and cozy?"

"It's fine, thanks, Mom." I said, setting Espurr down. I watched her scamper over to the TV where a program was playing about an orphaned Litleo. The Pyroar King. Seen it. Espurr stared at it, transfixed.

"Oh, Shade!" Mom said suddenly, "I totally forgot about this, but someone called earlier and asked about you. Apparently someone from the Orion saw you and wanted to speak with you. You might as well see what it's about. I have the address somewhere, ah! Here it is!"

Sirius Center of Pokemon Research

"A lab?" I asked, confused.

"Yes. A woman named Professor Elaine Flora asked for you. It is quite a hint peculiar." she said. "Oh well. When you're done, you can tell me all about it! You can take Espurr if you want. She could use the exercise."

There was a very disagreeing "MAO!" from the TV.

"Or not."

I walked out and looked at the address printed on the card Mom had given me. Right.

It took me considerably longer than I had thought, but I eventually found the Research Center. The doors slide open and I permitted myself to enter.

Expensive-looking computers and technology were everywhere. Scientists in immaculate white coats were everywhere. I looked around, observing everything as I walked. Essentially, the Center has a large open room with a set of double doors along the back, which must've lead to more equipment.

A young-ish woman in a white lab coat was talking with a girl who looked about my age.

The girl was wearing a pair of faded jeans, with the legs rolled up. She had a colorful T-shirt with a negative of a beautiful mountain on the front. Her eyes were bright green, as was the bandana she had tied above her eyes, holding back her long blonde hair. I recognized the Johtoan symbol for Friendship on the front.

"Ah, here he is!" said the woman whom I assumed was some form of scientist, "Shade is it? I spoke with your mother before you came here. She said you'd just moved here to Sirius Town. Welcome than. Oh! Where are my manners?"

She extended her hand and I shook it. "Professor Elaine G. L. Flora. And this is my brother's daughter, Storm."

"Pleasure to meet you." said Storm. And I died right there: her voice was gorgeous! She had an accent I couldn't quite place: she'd pronounced the word 'pleasure' something like "Pleh-jhiuer", something somewhere between Kalos and Unova or Orre? Somewhere in there? There was a definite Kalos accent there, somewhere. Either way, her voice could out-cute Espurr's anyday, though odds are I'd not live long if I said that to wither one of them. Definitely not if Espurr heard me.

"Nice to meet you." I said, enouncing every word precisely, trying to sound more sophisticated than I was.

"Okay, now that that's settled," said Flora as she clapped her hands together, "I have something I wanted to tell you."

"You see, I'm currently working on research in the field of Delta Transition."

My response was silence with an accompanying look of blank confusion.

"Okay then," she said, interpreting my expression perfectly, "Delta Transition is a term coined by Professor Lorenzo d'Aramos of the Pokemon Research Association. It refers to a phenomenon discovered in the Ransei Region, in which the Trainer was known to experience evolutionary-like physical alteration, in response to friendship. A colleague of mine from Kalos named Sycamore has considered it to be the 'Trainer equivalent of Mega Evolution.'"

"Now," continued Flora, "little is known about this occurrence. Whether the effects are permanent or temporary, like Mega Evolution. What all the Trainer is capable of doing in this Delta state. Whether it is possible to achieve Delta Transition outside of Ransei. The one certain link discovered is that it only occurs when, much like Mega Evolution, the Trainer and the Pokemon have a powerful bond between them."

The Trainer equivalent of Mega Evolution? Powerful bond? None of this made any sense!

"What does this have to do with me, if I might ask, Professor?" I asked, voicing one of my many growing questions,

"Precisely what I was getting to!" said Flora. "I cannot leave the island, due to the scope of my research. Before I continue, however, I want to give you something. Actually, I'll let you choose. Reginald!" she called to one of the other scientists.

"Professor?" asked Reginald.

"Please bring me-" she thought for a moment, "-S447, U 570, and-" she paused again, "-U636."

"Of course, one moment please." Several minutes later, Reginald returned with a small case, about a foot long.

"Thank you. You may return to your work." Flora held out the case and popped the latches.

Inside were three small balls, each about the size of a large marble. They had a very distinctive half-red, half-white pattern. Pokeballs.

"Here I have three Pokemon. Each has very unique strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. I would like to give each of you one, to aid in my research. Shade, please make your selection."

She set the case on a table sitting in front of a large monitor, which flashed, then beeped on.

I looked for a moment at the Professor, then at Storm. I walked somewhat rigidly, trying to contain my excitement. Wow, a Pokemon! I get a Pokemon!

I stared at the the three Pokeballs and tentatively lifted one from the case. An electronic voice came from the monitor, startling me so much that I almost dropped the Pokeball.

"Pokemon S447- Lector emanatio. Riolu- the Emanation Pokemon." The monitor showed a depiction of a blue and black Pokemon with metallic nubs on the back its paws.

I sat the Pokeball containing Riolu down and picked up another. This Pokemon was small with purple-black fur and a red scarf-like pattern.

"Pokemon U570- Fallax vulpes puer. Zorua- the Tricky Fox Pokemon."

The final Pokemon was a cocoon-like creature with a fuzzy white mane and a black face, identified as "U636- Sol puer tinea. Larvesta- the Torch Pokemon."

The options! Who did I want? They all looked so amazing and fun to raise and battle with. Which one? Which one did I want?!

The answer was than, to me, obvious. So obvious that I felt ashamed that I had even taken the time to actually consider the matter.

I put two of the Pokeballs back in the case and closed the lid. I took the Pokeball containing my chosen Pokemon in hand and returned to where Storm and the Professor stood.

"So what Pokemon did you choose?" asked Storm, curiously.

I held the Pokeball so the Professor could see. She looked at it for a brief moment, then nodded, satisfied with my decision.

"Storm," said the Professor, "you may select your Pokemon now."

I watched closely as Storm held out the two remaining Pokeballs in her hands and weighed them carefully, knowing, as I had, that this would be the most important decision of our lives.

She nodded to herself and I could see on her face that she had made her choice. She sat the last Pokeball in the case and quietly returned, she and the Professor unaware of the boy whose face I had seen staring at the Pokeballs seconds ago, from outside the window.

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