Author's Note: This story is a pet project of mine. There are two things in writing in which I find I struggle most: first person, and present tense. So I've decided to write myself a story in which I challenge myself by using both. While it DOES have a plot and (hopefully) well-developed characters, the main focus behind this was to improve my ability to write with a strong voice, and in the tense I despise most. So I've chosen the first character that came to mind as my testing dummy. In this case, in honor of the new games, Lyra, our very own female playable char in HGSS. This is also the first story I've written where romance will (most likely) play some part, so tell me in reviews or PMs whether you'd like Soul(Lyra) x Silver or Soul x Gold!

As it is just practice for me, I can't guarantee that I'll finish this. But if I do get positive feedback and there are people who'd like me to keep going, I most definitely would love to do so ^^

Thanks for putting up with that ramble XD And now, for the story :D

The breeze stirs my hair gently, the wide open field echoing with happy cries of young children at play. A mother calls to her son, offering a plate of fresh-baked poffins for him and his Meowth to share. All is peaceful, quiet, perfect.

Jeez, I hate it here.

I lean against the doorway, arms crossed, and huff to get those stupid bangs out of my eyes. In my overalls and enormous hat, I probably look like a pouty two year-old. And the Marill bouncing around by my side doesn't exactly detract from the effect.

A Marill. Really? I can't believe standing here with a blue beachball rolling around at my feet, but Mom was adamant. And I had so wanted that Totodile, too.

"Dear, be reasonable," she'd told me. "Totodile are much too... rowdy. And look at those teeth! I don't want my little girl running around with such a dangerous little creature!"

"But Mom," I'd protested, fearing for the worst- a Chikorita. Not only were they grass types with a ton of weaknesses, but also looked like a jellybean with a leaf staple-gunned to its head. "I have my whole dream team planned out! Not getting a water starter will mess up everything!"

"I figured you'd say that," she replied with a smile that made me feel sick. "So I got this for you."

I remember the moment she proffered the Pokeball and I'd dared to hope. Maybe a Chinchou? With its dual water-and-electric typing, that'd be great for taking down Falkner. I'd even have been happy with a Magikarp, knowing what it evolved into. Of course, I wouldn't have shown my face in the gym until it did...

"Well? Open it!" she urged, clearly pleased with herself. So I did.

A Marill. Really?

"Of course, you may need to wait a little while before you can get started on your journey, I don't want you being caught unprepared! The gym circuit is tricky, sweetheart, but I figured you could work with your Marill and get used to Pokemon so you're ready next year.

I scoff at the memory, still fresh in my mind from the month before. I'm twelve. I'm ready.

And I need to get out of here!

I force a smile and wave off the other trainer, the real trainer, with a Cyndaquil in tow, Marill flouncing around enthusiastically alongside me. Ethan has now come and gone, and he's a year younger than me! His mom has always been the best, though. Sometimes I wish mine could take a lesson or two from her.

I wonder what New Bark Town will be like now that my best friend is gone. Ten seconds in I have my answer.

Quiet.

Huffing indignantly, I decide to pay a visit to Professor Elm's lab. He always has Pokemon running around, and likes to use me as his assistant sometimes. He's almost like a father to me at this point, and anyway, I'm always happy to do anything that means working with Pokemon.

I almost barge right in, but at the last second I notice a boy staring through the window. I've never seen him before- which is weird to say the least in New Bark Town, population 10. Longish red hair, and the kind of pointy, snobbish nose you only ever see on TV. While his dark blue jacket and matching shoes are weird, it's debatably better than running around in overalls and a ribbon-clad puffy hat.

"Hey!" I call out, "What're you doing?"

He jumps at the sound of my voice, then quickly trades his startled expression for a stormy one. I blanch a little at the glare, but stick out my chin and try to look confident anyways.

After a few seconds of staredown, he scoffs and turns away. "Why don't you get out of here? This is none of your business, kid."

My blood boils. I'm twelve, not some dinky seven year-old! "I think I'm about to make it my business," I reply. Lame, I know, but it's the kind of thing they say on that secret agent radio show, so it must be at least semi-effective.

He turns fully to give me a once-over. "You're a girl... With a Marill," he deadpans. I'm just about ready to explode.

"Well I don't see any Pokemon on you, thanks very much," I fire back.

"I'm about to fix that," he replies with a mischievous smirk that almost intrigues me. Maybe some excitement at last in the most boring town on the planet.

"So," I ask casually, "what's your plan?"

He raises his eyebrows, surprised. I enjoy his look of bewilderment until it settles into a hard stare again. "If you want in, think again. You wouldn't be able to handle it, and I don't work with girls anyway," he practically snorts with derision. I'm freakin' furious now.

I turn away and lift my chin haughtily, closing my eyes for added smugness factor. "Maybe you're just not good enough to have a Pokemon, then," I say with emphasis, because that's been my only decent point so far. I turn my head slightly to see if I've got a reaction, and...

He's gone.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! I let the kid get away. My one chance at some fun in this dumb place. I could've been agreeable and actually gotten in on the action, but no, I had to be a snob and get myself-

That's when I hear the noise.

I realize it's coming from the lab and quick dash over to the window the boy had been looking in earlier. And then I see him.

Breaking in.

Taking a Totodile.

My Totodile.

I rush over, operating on instinct, and bar the doorway. He reaches me and his eyebrows go up, that dumb, surprised expression plastered all across his face. Then he settles into his signature smirk and the Totodile comes out in a blaze of red light. My Marill steps between me and the Big Jaw Pokemon, looking determined despite her ridiculous bouncy-ball stature.

The boy looks from my Pokemon to me. Our eyes lock. Chestnut on crimson.

And that's when I realize I'm in for my first trainer battle.