Kirie: the region of beauty and the land where dreams come to fruition. Many different Pokemon had roamed this great continent, though none of them new to foreigners.
They traveled through the great sea that parted the region, through the rocky mountains, and through the stunning green pastures.
Many trainers have failed on the road to the Kirei League, but only a handful have succeeded in the long run.
The Crimson Congregation was the goal of these many trainers. They wanted to reach the Elite Four and utterly decimate them, but no one even came close. Kirei's elite four was even too much for the surrounding regions.
But, this isn't the story of the fearsome might of the Kirei League. This is the story of three young men's treacherous journey throughout the region, learning about it and themselves as they move through it.
Our story takes place in a small town, with houses lying along a dirt road and on top of green fields, with various creatures running through the tall grass. This is Middleleaf Town, the home of one of our heroes, a sixteen year old.
/
As the TV blared a boy's feet dangling off the edge of his bed, his hands on his cheeks as he stares intently at the television set in front of him.
This is Josh, who has the goal of one day becoming the champion of Kirei. His eyes are adjusting to the screen, watching as a slender man with long brown hair and a labcoat discuss the three starter pokemon that they can obtain.
"Tomorrow is the day that three new trainers can pick up their starter pokemon," the professor said, looking at his curious assistant with a gleeful smile, "I bet you're wondering just what they are- hm, do you have a question, uh.. Igor?"
"Yes, um, what are the pokemon they'll be obtaining Professor Maple?" Igor asked, rubbing his hands together nervously.
'Well, I'll show you!" Professor Maple suddenly pulled a curtain to his left, revealing pictures of the starter pokemon.
The first picture showed a baby-sized pokemon standing on two light brown feet which both have two large white toe-like appendages sticking out of them. It has a small body that is colored with a light brown, as well as having three dark brown triangles on the right, left, and top of its head. It has a light green helmet surrounding its head, having four green leave-like appendages on each side. On the top of its helmet, however, have three green leaves connected to the top of its head. Its two arms are oddly colored a very dark brown, as well as being a bit limp. On its backside is a short green tail with an orange tip.
"This is Chespin, a grass type pokemon! Chespin is usually for beginners, as it is very easy to tame! I recommend this one as he is very, uh.. happy and laidback!" Professor Maple said, walking to the next picture.
Standing on four tiny paws was a bright yellow fox the same size of Chespin, having two bright fiery red eyes with black irises that looked like slits rather than a circle. Bright yellow fur covered most of Fennekin's small body, the only exceptions being the tip of its tail which was a bright red, the tufts of red hair sticking out of its ears, and the lower half of its face being white.
"This is Fennekin, a fire type pokemon! Fennekin is usually really wild, and is hard to take control of! Only choose Fennekin if you are confident in your abilities!" Professor Maple instructed, strolling to the last photo.
The third and the very last pokemon had been slightly shorter than Chespin, its body being a bright sky blue color. Around its neck was a cloud of white fluff, covering most of its back. Its nose were two fluffy white balls, with a dark blue stripe between its huge, yellow eyes with black irises. Its arms were very lanky, though its hands resembled gloves.
"Finally, this is Froakie, a water type pokemon! Froakie is a very loyal Pokemon, which will grow attached to most people! It is very persistent in battle!" Professor Maple crossed his arms, smiling towards the camera, "There you have it. I hope so many kids come and take a pokemon of their own in Middleleaf Town! See you then!"
Josh flicked his thumb onto the remote's power button, turning the tv off within an instant. Rolling over, he stretched his legs across the bed while he yawned loudly.
"Froakie.. I'm not a beginner, and I guess I'm not too experienced.. Froakie sounds perfect for me. I don't think I'll even be able to sleep tonight.." Josh slowly closed his eyes, only for a loud knocking to fill his ears.
Picking himself up off from the bed, he parted his curtains that covered the window, attempting to get a good look at what was making the noise.
When the curtains were out of the way, he looked down to see a boy with light brown skin tapping at his window, his innocent hazel eyes looking up at Josh, as if they were pleading.
The boy had been wearing a green cap, having an orange t-shirt and blue jeans that seemed a bit too big for him. He also had a blue backpack on.
With a sigh, Josh opened his window up without a second to spare, pulling the boy inside. "Danny, what are you doing? You should be asleep!"
"I'm sorry, I couldn't sleep. I'm just too excited!" Danny exclaimed, rolling across the floor as he held his arms close to his chest, "I can't wait to get a Chespin of my own!"
Josh only chuckled warmly, extending his hand to Danny and quickly pulled him up to his feet, "Good grief.. well, how did you get out of your house in the first place?"
"I climbed out my window," Danny answered bluntly, laughing nervously as sweat rolled down his cheek, "I left a note for my parents saying I was going to your house though. I just couldn't handle waiting!"
Josh sighed, stepping towards his closet which seemed to be somewhat free of objects, aside from the clothes hanging towards the top. On the bottom was a blanket with a pillow stacked on top.
"Well, you can sleep in here or on the floor, your choice." Josh informed him, sitting back on his bed, running his hands underneath his pillow, "Night, Danny."
"Uh.. night, Josh.." Danny replied, managing to withhold his protests as he brought the blanket and the pillow out, setting them next to Josh's bed, slowly laying his head onto the pillow.
It had only been a few minutes before Danny gripped his friend's shoulders, shaking him excitedly as Josh's eyes peeled open.
"Danny? What are you do-"
"I'm so excited, like, Chespin has that little cute helmet and those little spikes, oh gosh Josh I'm so excited!" Danny shook wildly, thrilled by the thought of just having a partner.
"You know what else is fun? The quiet game." Josh bluntly replied, watching as Danny sort of sank back to the floor, "Ah.. sorry. I just need to sleep, Danny."
"Right.. night, Josh!"
"Night."
/
Josh's eyes slowly peeled themselves open, the sun's light breaching into his room through his curtains, but not before being blocked by something.
On the edge of bed had been Danny, his two eyes being bloodshot as he shook Josh's shoulders violently.
"D-Danny! What are you doing?" Josh asked, a bit irritated and yet freaked out at the same time, all the while staring into Danny's blank expression.
"Let's go, let's go, let's go!" Danny chanted excitedly, pulling Josh out of his bed as he ran towards the door.
"Wait, let me get dressed! DANNY!" Josh practically screamed, smacking Danny's arm to try and bring him back to his senses.
Danny's eyes suddenly closed and opened repeatedly, waking up from his trance, "Oh. R-right.. do that, then." He stuttered, stepping outside without a moment's hesitation.
/
Josh stepped outside of his room, in a newly washed black t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, as well as his somewhat worn out sneakers. He also had a duffel bag around his arm.
"Oh, you're ready! Let's hurry, then! I can't wait any more!" Danny hopped onto his two feet, rushing down the stairs only to meet an older woman's face, her brown hair covering one of her eyes.
"Uh, when did Danny get here?" The woman asked, placing her hand on her hip as she stared at Josh.
"Long story, but," Josh answered, chuckling nervously before glancing at the door, "We want to go and get our pokemon. I didn't think about saying goodbye."
"Ahh, okay.." his mom sighed, planting a quick kiss on his cheek, "I believe in you, Josh! I'll be rooting for you all the way to the Pokemon League! You too, Danny, you'll do great things."
"Thank you, miss Ryota! We'll do our best!" Danny thanked her with a bow, sprinting out the door as Josh followed, waving goodbye before shutting the door.
/
The two young boys had walked along the dirt road that had slowly been leading them to the professor's lab, which was coming into sight as Danny began to shake uncontrollably once more.
"Oh man, I'm so happy, I really hope Chespin isn't taken!" Danny said aloud, rushing forward as if to leave Josh in the dust, but he ran forward as well.
As the two boys ran to the laboratory, the door swung open and they could see the professor, who seemed to be looking at them, but quickly lost his balance on the steps. "Oh no, oh shit-"
Josh and Danny both hurried along, helping him put his foot back onto the top step as he gave each of them a grateful smile.
"Could've broken your nose there, Professor." Josh said, crossing his arms as he looked towards the taller man.
"Y-yeah, sorry," Professor Maple said with a goofy smile, though he took notice of Danny's visible shaking, "You sure look excited. You're welcome to come in!"
Danny only smiled, absolutely speechless as he stepped inside of the professor with his friend following behind. The light through the windows had been lighting up the lab, and it looked rather colorless and dull.
Though, that isn't what intrigued the two, as their eyes followed Professor Maple to a small table, though it only had two pokeballs on it.
"Here we are," Professor Maple said, picking up the two pokeballs, "Fennekin was taken this morning, so I'm sorry if any of you boys were interested in taking him. Froakie and Chespin are still up for grabs, though!"
"Perfect," Josh replied, holding out his hand, "I'd like Froakie, I think he might be the one for me."
"Of course, and that means you get Chespin, Danny. Is that okay?" Professor Maple questioned, handing the two their respective pokeballs.
"It's more than okay! Chespin is the cutest, and he's just so amazing and- sorry, I'll stop, but thank you so much!" Danny thanked him profusely, pressing the button on his pokeball as the small mole pokemon seeped out from the beam of light that shot straight out of it, the same with Josh's, as the blue frog pokemon came out as well.
Chespin's wide eyes stared up at Danny, before giving him a smile which showcased his small set of teeth. "Chespiiin!"
"He's as cute as I thought he would be!" Danny smiled, picking up his new friend and looking at him with pure fire in his eyes, "I'm your new friend, Chespin. I know we'll get along!"
Froakie stared at Josh curiously before hopping up his body, and finally resting on his shoulder as it cried happily. "Froakie!"
"Heh.. I guess we're gonna be best friends from now on, Froakie. You're with the future champion of Kirei right now." Josh said confidently, rubbing his amphibian friend's head encouragingly.
"You boys sure get attached easily," Professor Maple said, smiling warmly at the two, "You should head off, but here's some advice. Between here and Skyheart City is a forest, so it's best that you take the safest route. I heard there's a Joltik infestation, so watch your step. Especially you, Josh, since you have a water type."
"Right! Thank you, Professor." Josh nodded in appreciation, walking towards the door with Froakie still on his shoulder.
"I'm coming! Come on, Chespin!" Danny cheered to his pokemon, walking to the door as well as he set Chespin behind his neck, his tiny feet hanging off his shoulders.
The door shut, leaving the boys to go to their first destination on their journey, as the sun slowly began to rise into the clear blue sky.