In a world which matured upon the interactions of man and PokeMon, wars were fought, discoveries made, and friendships fostered. Given their nearing human intelligence and empathy, PokeMon has separated themselves from other species and have gained acute presence in the many human lives with which they share the earth. There are theories revolving around this curious relationship. Some have declared that PokeMon serve as a sort of ambassador between man and nature and were in Earth's design in order to quell man's wrath against the world and her resources. Others take a Darwinian perspective, suggesting that PokeMon gravitated towards and evolved in the direction of man as they made such effective survival partners for one another. Almost all minds concede to the fact that PokeMon were inspired by the light of man. PokeMon is like man. Few are willing to humble themselves and question whether, in fact, if man is like PokeMon. Unable to utilize lofty theories that simply sounded good and already appealed to the masses, they were forced to specific case studies.

Despite living in a fairly tidy home, Luiz Sallowing's room was perpetually in messy disarray. He was always kicking books and toys and whatnot out of the way to make room for him and his PokeMon to play together. He tore his gaze from the clearing amongst a sea of his possessions as he made for the front door.

He was eleven this year, meaning that he had spent one entire year with his partner, Lucario. It was custom in this specific town that blooming trainers receive their first PokeMon at ten, and within the next five years they would depart for their own personal journeys. During the potential five years in-between, trainers would attend what can most simply be described as school. Students went through the basic subjects; no PokeBalls out during class! During recess a throng of students would filter out into the playground, and each one would throw a PokeBall into the air with their first step upon the cement and run out into the yard and wait for their PokeMon to find them.

No battling was allowed between students, on or off campus, and parents were expected to reinforce the latter. So students and teachers alike thought it was awfully suspicious that Luiz's PokeMon had already evolved into his adult form, despite still having his puppy ears. Luiz was thought of as a bully because his Lucario would often try to defend his trainer's honor with an intent Mach Punch attack, which also marked him as a troublemaker as he was obliged to spend too many of his recess periods inside the classroom. Teachers would sit down with him and ask him questions such as if his parents raised the Lucario for him. They never got the response they expected so they would go on to say what a terrible thing lying is. Fortunately, today Luiz had managed to avert trouble.

There were certainly social pressures and bullies that spawned from his owning a Lucario, but Luiz also had his fair share of admirers. His PokeMon was young but in an overall good form, and Luiz had never known a person to condone the coolness of any Lucario. The compliments he received, however, tended to be passive. Only one trainer took to being his friend.

"Hi, Alecto," he said. Her appearance set quite the contrast between them. While he had dark hair, she had sunbeam-yellow hair that often sat in a ponytail, supported by a pink ribbon. Her eyes were large, and shadowed any other features of her face, but if Luiz had ever seen eyes that could smile or frown, he had found them in Alecto.

"I really wish they'd stop putting you in detention. I don't understand why they do it," she said.

"Well, neither do I. But if I told them that, I'm afraid that they'd find a way to keep me after school, too." Alecto giggled.

"You can't help it if your Lucario's the strongest thing on this playground and can take out everyone else's PokeMon. I'd love to see him against the teachers', too! I bet he could win!"

"Actually, I bet your Diglett could take him out. I think they call that type advantage. Your Diglett knows Dig, doesn't she?"

"Yes, but she's not evolved yet."

"Lucario is only level 12, last I checked. And someday soon your Diglett will pair up with two others and become a Dugtrio!"

Alecto smiled, "Actually, there's some scientific talk over whether Diglett grows two more heads or if it really does find two others. I hope it's not that one, because mine's kind've shy. And I really do want her to evolve someday…"

Alecto always had a way of changing the subject when battling was brought up. She didn't seem to enjoy the subject much. Luiz was worried about Diglett's ability to grow up at all; it was difficult for Alecto to send it out in the yard given that it left huge trails which caused trouble with the teachers.

"Speaking of being friends," she went on, "Your Lucario proves that you're a very strong person"

"Why's that?" Luiz asked.

"There are PokeMon that grow up over conditions other than battling. You know that. There are a few PokeMon that are extremely… what's the word… empathetic? Riolu and Ralts are the best examples, and you've already evolved your Riolu. Not only that, but I've heard stories… Trainers that have captured legendary PokeMon had to have that empathetic influence on those PokeMon? Isn't it neat? You could become a great legendary PokeMon trainer I bet!"

Luiz's cheeks reddened at this grand statement. "Nah," he replied simply.

"Oh, look!" Alecto started again suddenly, "It's Scraggy!"

Beyond the yard's fence sat a Pichu with wary eyes. Luiz had met him during his first year at this school. Scraggy wasn't as thin as most junkyard PokeMon, as he had many sympathizers at this school who fed him scraps from their personal lunches. Since last year, Scraggy had begun losing some of the black fur on his tail and a pair of brown stripes had begun to surface on his back. He had found a particular friend in Luiz's peer who was training a Minun, but Scraggy and Luiz had never really interacted. Finally, having endured Luiz's long-term gaze, Scraggy's ears perked up in curiosity. Slowly Scraggy made his way to the fence where Luiz and Alecto were standing.

"See, I told you, Luiz! I think PokeMon really like you!" Alecto declared.

"Yes, but this is a first," said Luiz.

Lucario must have seen it as soon as Luiz, because his floppy ears stood up and he let out a subtle cry. Nearby a teacher tensed up, waiting to pounce Luiz for whatever misconduct it would perform. There was a tiny mound perfectly following Scraggy's trail.

"Do you see that? What is it?" said Luiz.

"Oh, maybe it's another Diglett!" Alecto's Diglett made eye contact with her trainer and ducked its head underground, "No! It'll still be able to find you, and I don't want you getting into trouble! Return!" and Diglett disappeared into her PokeBall.

Scraggy looked solemn once he reached the fence, and with the mound behind him now near enough to discern, Luiz could make out no special features that defined it as more than a plain rock. Scraggy jumped onto the fence straight in front of Luiz, and squeaked, "Pi!"

On his tail, which helped to stabilize him on the fence, was a strange clip.

"His tail-," Luiz began.

"Yeah, he's gotten older since last year," said Alecto.

"No, I mean that clip thing."

Suddenly Scraggy jumped onto Luiz's face and clambered to stay on. Through Alecto's protests, he loosed a Thunder Wave and Luiz found that he was no longer able to control his spine, nor any of his joints. He flopped uncontrollably onto the grass and he heard a furious cry come from Lucario. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed, whether it was from his paralysis or his panic Luiz did not know. There were several screams. Then there was the most warped sound Luiz had ever heard in his life. But somehow, it was still sentient.