The day had finally come. For Xanora, it was the true beginning of her life. Finally sixteen, it was time to begin her own Pokémon journey. No more sitting at home with barely any freedom. Now, she would be free to explore the region.

She had done odd jobs around her town to save up money since she turned eleven. It started with only pulling weeds, a tedious chore that almost had her quit the attempt at earning money on her own. Determined to have money for when she could finally begin her Pokémon journey, however, she stubbornly kept at it. As the townsfolk took note of her honest efforts, they offered her one job after the next. It took but a year to have enough money to buy several Pokeballs and potions, but she continued to save what she earned. After all, she didn't need the Pokeballs or potions just then.

Now, sixteen, she had more than enough in her savings to get anything she needed while on her journey. For a while, anyway. She wasn't sure how much she'd end up using, nor how quickly. Thoughts like those could wait for later, though. Grinning brightly in her excitement, the teenage girl looked down to her partner, a black canine-like Pokémon with golden rings on its legs, tail and forehead. "Ready to actually live, buddy?" The umbreon shared in her eagerness, its tail wagging slightly from side to side.

Slipping her arms through the straps of her backpack, she headed from her room to the front door, the dark Pokémon following close behind. Her father was horrible with good-byes, so he had thrown her a small party the night before. She knew he was watching out the window as she headed toward the professors lab and gave a small wave back toward the house, not actually turning to look. She didn't need to see the sad expression she knew he'd have as he watched her leave.

Stepping into the Pokémon lab, she was greeted by the sound of researchers hurrying about. Papers were being shuffled, Pokeballs shifted from place to place and a few of the men either tapping their foot or stomping around. It was odd seeing most of the researchers and assistants agitated. One of the men closer to the back threw his arms up, his voice raised just enough for her to hear what he said to the other guy. "Why in the hell would he leave on his own at a time like this?! I swear the professor's an idiot!"

One brow quirked up at the words. She knew Professor Elm was a bit... strange. But to be called an idiot by his own assistant? Something had happened, that much was obvious, but she hadn't the faintest what it could be. It was then that one of the men stomping around took notice of her. "Xanora! Hey!" His frown shifted to a smile, though it was just a tad bit obvious that it was forced. "Right, it's your birthday today. Ready to run around the world, huh?"

The umbreon by her side shifted slightly, showing its discomfort. It could sense its partners own slight discomfort, as well as confusion. Bending down slightly, the girl pat its head to reassure it. "Yeah, today's the day."

Holding the forced smile, the assistant motioned toward a side room before starting toward it. Xanora followed, her Pokémon staying close to her. "You're already aware that you don't get to choose a starter, right?" He glanced back as he spoke, and she gave him a nod. She had her partner already, so there was no need for a selection. Most sixteen-year-old's avoided befriending a Pokémon that wasn't a family pet just so they could get their choice, but she was more than fine with having her buddy by her side. "Alright. So, here's your Pokedex." He reached the desk inside the room and pulled out the small red handheld computer on Pokémon. Before he held it out to her, however, he spoke again. "Remember to register yourself as a trainer once you reach the Pokémon Center in Cherrygrove City." Taking the offered Pokedex, she could have sworn he mumbled, "if you make it," under his breath. Well that wasn't ominous at all.

Stepping from the office-like room she had been led to, the young girl walked up to one of the assistants that were close to the exit. "Excuse me? Could you tell me something?"

"Hm? Sure, what is it?"

Xanora took a moment to figure out how to word what she wanted to know. "I've heard that it might be dangerous between towns and cities right now. Is that true?" She'd only heard the other guy mumble, "if you make it," so it wasn't so much that she'd heard it as that it was implied. Still, it was an innocent enough question. Especially if Professor Elm was being called an idiot for going out on his own. That added to her new suspicion.

Crossing his arms and leaning to one side, the blond assistant frowned slightly. "Well, being on your own is always dangerous, no matter where you are." That did not answer the question. Thankfully, he went on. "But for some reason, Pokémon have been more aggressive than usual for a while now." He shook his head, apparently relieved to be able to say this to someone, even though she wasn't the person he should probably be telling. "It's bad enough out there that not too many kids are coming by to pick up a starter, anymore." Only after he spoke that last part did he seem to notice that she herself was just starting out, thus not someone he should be telling this to. He smiled brightly, setting his hands on his hips. "Oh, but don't worry! You've already got a Pokémon with you, so unlike the kids coming here on their own, you'll be fine out there!" He laughed and turned, walking away from her.

All the girl could do was stare after the laughing assistant. Everyone wanted to start a journey of their own, so Pokémon being a bit more aggressive than usual wouldn't stop so many people from trying. A chill went down her spine. What was going on that no one was saying? That no one wanted to say. A nudge against her leg brought her attention to her partner, and she offered the Pokémon a small smile. "I'm alright, Shard. Don't worry." Taking a deep breath and letting it out to relax her nerves, she perked up again. Talk of danger wasn't going to stop her from being a trainer. No way no how.

After leaving the lab, she headed toward the path leading to Cherrygrove City. Once she reached the outskirts of New Bark town, her hometown, she stopped and looked down at her partner. Shard the umbreon was by her side, also stopped, and looking up at her. His eyes reflected the same eagerness and determination in her own. "Let's do this, buddy!" A grin spread across her face as she spoke, and the Pokémon gave a sharp nod in response. At once, they both stepped forward into their new lives.


Okay, first off, I know this was short, but I wanted to get at least this much out before I ended up giving up on the idea, which I have done multiple times before. At least now, with the beginning up, I have a reason to continue it.

For this story, I would appreciate any and all input. Even ideas for what could happen later on will be taken into consideration. Of course, I wont use anything that conflicts with the main plot, which I have only given a small hint to in this opening act.

I hope you enjoyed the read, short though it was this time around.