Chapter One: Vega

Her mom stood in the doorway, blinding her with the light in the hall.

"Heyy, Erin... Guess what today is?"

"Five more minutes Day?"

"No, silly! It's your birthday! Come on, you're old enough to get a Pokemon!"

Erin's eyes widened. "I forgot! Can you... get out so I can change?"

"I was planning on that. Head to Professor Aspen's lab when you're done. He's waiting for you." She smiled, leaving her be.

…

She rushed downstairs, storming through the door. "Bye mom, see you later!"

"Bye, Erin. Have fun!"

"I will!"

She walked toward the Professor's lab, unable to contain her excitement.

When she arrived, the Professor had just finished setting up the Pokeballs.

There were six, mind you.

Six Pokemon to choose from.

"Ah! You arrived. Come over here."

She walked over, smiling.

"You're sixteen now. You could have your own Pokemon. Now, who will you choose?"

He pointed at each Pokeball, naming which Pokemon was inside.

There were Torchic, the Fire type;

Treecko, the Grass type;

Mudkip, the Water type;

Riolu, the Fighting type;

Espurr, the Psychic type;

And, of course, Pikachu, the Electric type.

He let all of them out.

"They're all so cute!"

"Heheh, well, you can only choose one. These Pokemon are rare in Ryoki."

She eyed all of them. "I want her," she said, pointing at Treecko, beaming.

"Her? I gotta warn you, she's sassy, but new Pokemon shut her down. You sure?"

"Yes!"

"Okay then. Here." He handed her a Pokeball. "Oh wait. Hey, would you mind doing me a favor? You know how I study the way Pokemon act in certain environments? I want you to fill this up with data." He gave her a Pokedex.

"This? Yeah! Yeah, sure! I'd love to go out and explore the region!"

He smiled. "I thought so. Here, give this to your mom. It's an official letter stating that you'll be going out and helping me with my research."

"Okay! I'll do that. Bye now!" She tried to leave, but got bumped into.

The girl seemed apologetic. "Sorry!" She helped her get Treecko's Pokeball, the Pokedex and the letter.

"It's okay. Um, do you mind me asking who you are? I've never seen you before."

"Oh, I'm Vega. I help the Professor with his work. And you?"

"I'm Erin, new Pokemon Trainer. Nice to meet you."

Professor Aspen turned around. "Ah, Vega. You're late. How's the Meteorite coming along?"

"It hatched!" She said, proud.

"Really?! Lemme see the Pokedex! This will be a scientific breakthrough!"

She gave him her Pokedex, watching him insert a chip into his laptop.

"No way!"

"What?"

"That Pokemon... It can't be! It's a Shiny Pokemon!"

Erin seemed confused. "...What's that?"

The Professor looked her way. "A Shiny Pokemon is a Pokemon with a different color variation. There's a one in eight-thousand ninety-two chance of finding one! But this Pokemon hatched and it's a Shiny..."

Vega's face told all. She had no clue. "Really? I couldn't tell. I'm colorblind, remember?"

"Oh. Right." He put the chip back in her Pokedex.

Erin faced her. "Hey, wanna battle? I want to see what kind of Pokemon you have. Besides, it'll be my first battle as a Trainer!"

"Yeah, sure! I'll meet you on the battlefield."

The Professor looked up from his laptop. "Bye, girls! Have fun! And Erin, remember to give that letter to your mom."

"I will!"

With that, the two girls met on the battlefield, Pokeballs in hand.