Why is it so cold?

"Stay with us, stay with us dammit!"

Who, who is that?

"He's not going to make i-"

"Shut up and help me keep pressure here!"

Who are they? Are they talking about me?

"He can't survive a wound like that, we're wasting time"

"Shut up! We can still-"

"Still what, die? We need to move"

Wh...why do we need to…

"We can fix this, we can-"

"To Hell with this."

"What are you- no. Don't do it, we can still save him!"

"I'm sorry."

Sor…sorry? Wh-


Taillow sang as light filtered down through the window into my eyes. The sun shone bright in the early morning sky as young spoink chased each other down the streets. The glory of the morning could only be matched by my irritability as sleep was yanked away from me. "Shut up, people are trying to sleep here!"

"Honey, breakfast time!" Eyes shooting open, I shot out of bed, sending the house mightyena (named Mighty by a seven year-old child whose parents gave him the privilege) yelping. Only my mothers cooking could get me out of the covers, something which my mother learned to abuse on a regular basis. Skidding on tiles into the kitchen, my dad stepped out of my path as I bolted for the table. Eyes rolling, he sat down as my mom set down the pancakes on the table. My mouth watered as I moved four pancakes onto my plate before downing them in syrup. Shaking the bottle empty, I reached for the second plastic bottle of syrup. Strange or not, my parents were used to my morning habits.

"So honey, you know what today is?" Mom asked. Eyes snapping up, I looked from the mess of what were once discs of bread. Racking my brain, I could only shake my head as I began to shovel the syrupy mess into my mouth. Rolling her eyes again, she again prompted me. "You know, Wednesday? The day you've been counting down for since you were six years old?" This finally managed to get through my head. Gagging as pancake caught in my throat, I coughed violently as cooked batter began to dislodge from its new resting place.

"My tenth birthday!" I managed to somehow shout as I caught my breath from the choking fit. Unsurprised, my dad reached down to scratch Mighty's head.

"Yep," Dad chuckled and Mighty rolled over to accept a customary morning tummy-rub "and you know what that means."

I nearly shot out of my chair as he pulled a small red and silver sphere out from his pocket. "Is, is that, is that-" I couldn't finish my question as my head locked up from seeing the item held as an idol in my mind a tangible object. The pokeball, device designed to hold powerful creatures. The marvel of technology, this was what I had been waiting for my whole life.

"That's right, it's you're new partner," Mom answered the unstated question "and you need to finish your breakfast before you can have it." she finished, lightly smacking my hand away as I reached for the pokeball. Eyes widening, I scarfed down the rest of the sugary mess. "You know, You still need to do your chores around the house first."

"I'll do them later mom, this is more important!" I argued, knowing full well I wouldn't win this fight. It didn't hurt to try though.

"You know the rules son. Work first…" my dad left the sentence open.

"...play later. Fine." I stomped out of the kitchen, shoulders hunched. Keeping my most bitter face on, I left the kitchen. As soon as I rounded a corner, a smile spread out on my face as I darted away to do my chores. I can't believe it, my own Pokemon!


Never had I finished my work so quickly.

"Geeze, maybe we should offer you a Pokemon everyday." Dad joked. I merely glared at him as I rest my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath. Cleaning tailow nests off rooftops is not fun, let me tell you.

"Sh-shut up." Laughing, he slapped my back as the pokeball was brought out by my mom.

"Now honey, this is a big responsibility we're trusting you with." She gently reminded me.

"I know Mom," I reassured her, snatching the ball from her hands. "now, let's see who you are!" The ball snapped open in a flash of light, and materializing in front of me, stood, or rather bounced, a small black pig-like creature with a pink gem situated between it's ears and a long curled tail. I recognized this creature as a spoink, a small psychic type from the nearby mountain pass. Eyes widening as it took in the sight of it's new master, it's eyes began to glow as an eerie, feminine voice echoed in my head.

"H-hello," she stammered, "a-are you my new master?"

"That's right girl," I gently cooed, crouching down to pet his orb. "What's your name?"

"I don't have one," she muttered looking down, "If, if it isn't too much to ask, can you give me one please?"

"Sure, how's… um…" I trailed off, drawing a complete blank on names. "Uh, how about, um…" My parents barely held back laughter, something which they earned a glare for. "I've got it, Haru!"

"H-Haru?" she repeated, face moving into what I assumed to be the Spoink version of a grin.

"That's right, Haru." Haru began shaking as she bounced, her small frame trembling in the air. Reaching out with one hand, I began to question if she was alright. "Hey, are yo-"

"I have a name!" She shouted as she sprang high into the air, startling me and knocking me flat onto my rear. Laughing, I grabbed her in a hug as my parents chuckled behind me.

From behind me, Dad spoke up "Alright son, your mother and I still have a few more presents." Mom reached inside, pulling out a red and yellow backpack stuffed to the brim with travelling items.

"Sweet!" I shouted, setting Haru down before diving into the pack. Jeans, gotta put those back in, four new T-Shirts; keep, keep, lose, keep pokeballs, those go in the front pocket, maybe I'll get a bandolier to hold them, a Pokedex, two models old but still usable, not gonna' complain, and sweatshirts, surprisingly not bad, dad must have chosen them, came out before being stuffed back in.

"Nice commentary, master." I flinched at the sudden voice in my head.

Assuming this works both ways, can you at least stay out of my private thoughts? I prayed she would at least give me that much space. I had expected the psychic communication, but had always figured it would be awhile before it formed.

"Fine…" she trailed off "But you have no way of knowing if I don't say anything."

I glared at the innocently-smiling pig. I liked you more when you were cowering.

"Feh, us psychics get over shyness pretty fast once the mental link's been established." she shot back.

This was going to be a long journey.


So, this is the opening to my first story. All reviews/commentary/constructive criticism are welcome. Also, I'm looking for a Beta reader to make sure this doesn't suck too bad in the future.