Keran stood lazily with his hands in the pockets of his jacket, grinning confidently. Across the battlefield from him stood a figure hidden in shadow, illuminated just enough to make out their general outline, but not their features. Above him, a blinding spotlight encircled him in light. All around him, he could hear the thunderous cheering of the crowd, faint flashes of light dotting here and there. It was hard to believe, but he had made it.
"Challenger!" the announcer boomed over the loudspeaker. "Are you ready?!"
Smirking, Keran reached inside his jacket and withdrew a tiny, marble sized object. Clicking a small button on its surface, the object swelled in his hand, forming into a red and white Pokeball the size of his fist. Tapping his camouflage cap with his fingers in a salute, he spread his legs into a combat stance. "Let's do this!" he shouted.
The shadowed figure standing across from him took up a similar stance, extending their arm in a challenging gesture. In a smooth motion, they hurled their own Pokeball. Narrowing his eyes, Keran watched its trajectory as it soared high into the air, eagerly waiting to see what their first Pokemon would be.
However, the sphere didn't open at the apex of the throw like he had expected. Instead, it began descending, Keran's eyes widening as his legs locked, helpless as the ball came straight at his face.
Shooting awake, Keran slapped at his face, gasping in surprise. A peeping noise made him look up, staring at the grey bird Pokemon that was fluttering before him. Its bright red head cocked at him, the Pokemon turned and flew down the stairs leading into his room.
For a moment, Keran simply sat in bed, his gaze fixed on the stairs. Finally, he blinked. "Thanks, Fletch." he grumbled, pushing the covers aside.
Yawning, he stumbled down stairs, perking up slightly as a most delicious scent billowed against his face. "Mmmmm, what's that smell Mom?"
Standing in the kitchen, Keran's mother smiled as she brushed her brown hair from her face. "Morning Keran. Just making some waffles. Did you sleep well? You were exhausted after we got all the moving done yesterday."
Smiling, Keran rubbed his eyes as he made his way to the table. "Yeah. My arms are still sore after carrying all those boxes." He came to a sudden stop when her hand struck his shoulder. "Hey!"
Giving her lanky son a stern but playful smile, she pointed to the stairs. "Uh-uh. You look like you just rolled out of bed. Back up stairs, Buster." Chuckling, she shook her head as he gazed at her pleadingly. "And don't try the Lillipup eyes with me. It didn't work when you were six, and it's not going to work now that you're sixteen. Up."
Sighing, Keran grinned as he turned and headed back up stairs. Every morning, his mom and him played this game. After the accident, it was one of the things that had kept everything normal at home.
Rooting through his closet, he quickly changed, eager to get a taste of those waffles. Thumping down the stairs in a grey t-shirt and blue jeans, he grinned at his mom, who just shook her head in amusement as she set down a plate in front of him. "Better. Dig in."
Watching her son, Grace sighed as she re-entered the kitchen. It had been a real treat watching her son grow up from an excitable little boy into a proud young man, so much like his father when he had been that age. Despite that, she also saw much of herself in him, the way that he would grin in the face of a challenge, no matter how big or small it might be. Moving to Kalos had been the hardest decision she had ever made, but deep in her heart she knew that it had been the right choice.
A knock at the door startled her from her reverie. "Oh, I wonder who that could be. I wasn't expecting anyone so soon."
Raising his head, Keran watched as she opened the door, and nearly choked. Standing just outside the door was tall girl in a black and red dress and black leggings, her sandy-brown hair done up in a ponytail. The most startling thing about her were her slate-grey eyes, nearly identical to his own. All in all, he could quite honestly say that she was one of the most beautiful people he had ever seen.
"Hi. Welcome to Vaniville Town. My name's Serena Stonheim, I'm one of your new neighbours." she smiled quietly, her hands clasped in front of her.
Smiling, Grace crossed her arms over her chest. "Thank you. I'm Grace Callahan, but you can just call me Grace." Turning, she gestured inside. "And this is my son, Keran." Raising her eyebrow, she grinned sardonically. "Are you going to say hello?"
Swallowing his nervousness, Keran stood and joined the pair of women. "Hey. Nice to meet you." Frowning, he peered past her, where a slightly younger looking girl with the strangest hair style he had ever seen was squatting in front of Rockburn. "Uh, who's that?"
Frowning, Serena turned and sighed in exasperation. "Shauna, come here."
The girl abruptly bounced to her feet, skipping over to join them. "Sorry Serser! This is just so cool, I've never seen a Rhyhorn for real before!" Smiling, she held out her hand. "I'm Shauna Merthan, your new neighbour. Great to meet you."
His eyes flicking up and down, Keran had to grin. Everything about Shauna, from her pink t-shirt with black bow designs on the front, to the matching pink purse, to the shortest pair of jeans shorts he had ever seen in his life, said eclectic. It was impossible to do anything but smile. "Nice to meet you too. Keran Callahan. This is my mom, Grace." Shoving his hands into his pockets, he leaned against the door and jerked his head forward. "And you've met Rockburn."
Nearly bouncing on her feet, Shauna linked her fingers behind her back. "He's really awesome. Is he yours?"
Giggling in amusement, Grace shook her head. "No, he's mine, but he hasn't seen any action in a long time. Now he just lounges around in the sun." Rising up on her tiptoes, she called out. "Isn't that right, Rocky!" She smiled at the Rhyhorn's growled response. "Anyway, what can we do for you?"
"Actually, we've come to get Keran."
Blinking in surprise, Keran pushed away from the doorframe, glancing at his mom. "Me? Uh, why me? I mean, I just moved here, and we just met for the first time, what do you need me for?"
Serena nodded. "Professor Augustus Sycamore, Kalos's leading Pokemon researcher, has asked for five teens to assist him in something, though in truth I'm not sure how he knows about you. As you say, you only just moved here."
Keran frowned as he looked at her, noting her oddly formal tone. What is this girl's deal? he wondered. Looking at his mom, he shrugged. "Might as well see what's what."
Nodding, Grace jerked her head towards the stairs. "Go on. This Professor Sycamore sounds very important, you shouldn't keep him waiting."
Beaming, Shauna jumped on the spot. "We'll wait for you in Aquacorde Town, just down the road. Oooh, this is so exciting! We're gonna get our first Pokemon!" And with that, she turned and dashed away, turning around the corner of the wall that ran along side the house.
"Shauna! Wait….." Sighing in exasperation, Serena turned palmed her face. "I'm so sorry for my friend, Mrs. Callahan. She tends to get ahead of herself."
Giggiling again, Grace shook her head. "It's alright, Serena. It's been a while since I've seen such enthusiasm. And please, call me Grace. I feel old otherwise, and I like to pretend that I've still got some life in this body." she smiled, clapping her arm.
Smiling for the first time, Serena brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. "Of course, Grace." Turning, she nodded to Keran. "It was very nice to meet you Keran. I'll see you in Aquacorde."
Watching her as she left, Keran felt oddly flushed. He stood there for a few seconds, then jerked when his mom bumped his arm. "Huh?"
"Don't you have somewhere to be? You're not going in your socks." she reminded him, smiling as he hurried up stairs. Ah, to be so young. she thought, recalling the expression on her son's face. It was the same expression that she had seen on his father's face when they had first met.
Lacing up his boots, Keran could hardly believe his luck. Man, my first Pokemon. It's only been a day, and already stuff is happening. I wonder what my choices are. Kalos has gotta have different starters than Johto. Pulling on his jacket, he picked up a picture frame from on his desk, bearing a photo of a middle-aged man with black hair and dark grey eyes. Well, whatever happens, I'm gonna make you proud, Dad. You don't gotta worry about me. he thought, pressing the photo to his forehead. Placing it carefully back down on his desk, he pulled his cap over his head and thumped down the stairs.
"Alright, I'm off Mom."
Turning, Grace hugged her son, brushing his cheek with her hand. "Make sure you come back home, okay? I wanna see your first Pokemon. It better be a cute one." she joked.
Grinning, Keran pecked her cheek. "No promises." he chuckled, heading out the door with a wave.
