Today was the day.The day Elayne had waited her whole life for. She and nine other kids from this small town were being given the opportunity of a lifetime.
Professor Maple and all the professors of Pokémon in the world worked together to come out with the ultimate Pokédex. Every known Pokémon ranging from Kanto to Sinnoh and Hoenn to Unova, Kalos and Alola were in that Pokédex and it was their job to catch them all! In return for their participation and hard studying to prepare they were being gifted their first ever Pokémon. She couldn't wait!
She looked over at her alarm clock, the red numbers glowing, reading 4:23 a.m.
She groaned and flopped back on her bed. Why wasn't it time yet? She hadn't slept all night and stayed up studying. Climbing to the foot of her bed she turned on the tv.
The announcer called out the beginning of a battle between a Nidorino and Gengar. "Nidorino uses Horn Drill but Gengar counters with Shadow Ball!"
A grin spread across her face. She was just thirteen but she had big plans and even bigger dreams. She wanted to be a Pokémon master, and collect all the Pokémon in the world for the professors. And when she grew old she wanted to become a gym leader or a Pokémon breeder.
She rolled on her bed excitedly. She just couldn't wait!
Before she knew it the sun was rising and she raced down the stairs. She hurried past her mother's Purrloin and Glameow asleep on the couch and into her mom's room.
"I'm off!" she yelled.
Her mom sat up catching just the tip of her daughter's ponytail as she ran back down the hall.
Scrambling out of bed she got to the front door just as Elayne raced out of the house. Sighing she smiled. Just like her father, she thought, going back to bed.
Elayne ran the whole mile to the Professor's lab coming up to the front where two kids we're already coming out of the building.
"What Pokémon did you get?" she asked the kids.
"I got Sandshrew!" the girl smiled happily, indicating the Sandshrew walking beside her.
The boy grinned. "My Pokémon is better. Come on out Litleo!" he tossed a Pokéball in the air. Light fled out of it and then broke away to reveal a little lion Pokémon.
Elayne grinned. It was finally happening. She turned and pushed through the doors of the lab. She unsteadily walked to stand before Professors Maple and Oak. "Congratulations, Elayne. Here is your Pokédex."
They handed her a sleek red machine that almost looked like a cellphone but bigger and badder. "Thank you!" she hugged the device to her chest quickly before tucking it safely into her satchel.
Professor Maple spoke. "Come with us and choose a Pokémon. We trust you studied well?"
"Yes ma'am." Elayne said.
"Good." Oak said. "We hope you will take everything you know into balance when choosing your first partner."
"You mean like how Dragon Pokémon hate Ice type Pokémon?" Elayne asked. "Fire is weak to water, water weak to grass and grass weak to fire - that kinda stuff?
"Precisely." Maple chuckled. "I can tell you've done your reading. But do not just think of weaknesses. Think of strengths as well. Think of what kind of trainer you would like to be, what your hopes and dreams are, and think of a Pokémon that can help fulfill those hopes and dreams."
"Mm. I never thought of that," Elayne mumbled.
They came to a big door at the end of the hall.
"It's not all about strengths and weaknesses. It's about a lifelong partner and friend." Maple finished.
Oak nodded. "You can't just pick a Pokémon. A Pokémon must also pick you. Remember that. Now, are you ready?"
Elayne nodded hesitantly. "I-I think."
Together the professors opened the door. It opened into a corral of Pokémon. They were playing and leaping about and rolling in the dirt.
Elayne couldn't speak. She was feeling suddenly overwhelmed.
"Take your time," Professor Maple soothed. "Quality is most valuable. Think about everything when picking your Pokémon."
Elayne nodded and took a hesitant step outside. The door shut behind her so she continued walking, circling the corral.
There were four other trainers in the corral with her. One was looking at an Espurr. As she walked around she saw a girl pick up Aron, the steel type Pokémon. She was grinning and laughing gleefully. She'd found her Pokémon.
As she continued around the corral, a boy lifted Ralts into his arms, selecting her. Then the other boy picked up Litwick, happy as can be.
She pet a Buneary who she considered and held multiple Pokémon including Teddiursa and Budew. She went to sit in a corner, pondering.
Two more girls and two more boys came in and left and she stayed put. Cubchoo, Togepi, Pichu and Rockruff left with them.
That's when she felt soft fur brush against her leg. She looked over. "Huh?"
Big brown eyes stared into hers. It was an Eevee.
"Vee!" She squealed happily. Elayne never felt so warm. She knew then that Eevee was for her.
She lifted up the fox Pokémon who nuzzled up against her. "My first Pokémon is - Eevee!"
Elayne held up a Pokéball to Eevee and she bumped her snout against it. Turning into light Eevee was drawn into the Pokéball. It shifted once, twice then stopped.
"Yay!" Elayne cried out, releasing Eevee out of the ball once more.
Eevee leaped onto Elayne's shoulder, crying gleefully. Elayne smiled happily. It was the start of something great.