Fletchlings chirp cheerfully and the sun's light trickles through the curtains, lighting up the large bedroom. A girl who was once absorbed in the soft blankets stirs lightly then opens her eyes, which are a vibrant green, matching well with long, curly golden hair. The girl rubs her eyes and yawns, dragging herself out of the bed with much difficulty onto the big rug that is designed to look like a fluffy Pokémon named Cottonee. It gazes with jolly eyes at the girl who struggles to get back on her feet. She doesn't appear to be very capable when it comes to mornings. Around the room are many other Pokémon dolls like an incredibly realistic-looking Snorlax doll that lays in its eternal nap. Or a Pancham sitting upon the Snorlax's stomach with a mischievous grin stuck to its face.
"Isobel!"
The girl named Isobel almost stumbles down the stairs with half-closed eyes to see her mother is looking more than energetic. Sometimes she wishes that she just as good in the mornings as her.
"Good morning. Oh, look at you, you're still in your pyjamas. Go back upstairs and change." Isobel doesn't find the energy to argue, so she goes back upstairs and changes out of her orange pyjamas and into a plain green long-sleeved shirt and a pair of dark jeans before putting on her bag. Finally, she takes a pair of orange-rimmed glasses from the desk and puts them on. Tying her hair into a ponytail as she goes down the stairs, she hears her mother talking to someone. Definitely not Isobel, but someone. She sees that some handsome, dark-haired man is on the sofa sipping a cup of coffee and he must have been keeping himself quiet when she first came downstairs.
"Who's this?" Isobel asks, her voice whispery, like a mouse.
"This is Professor Sycamore; he's come from Lumiose City." Her mom smiles.
"Professor Sycamore? The Professor Sycamore? It must have been a long journey." Isobel murmurs, her eyes flashing eagerly.
"Well," This Professor Sycamore begins, his voice quite the opposite of Isobel's with a rich French accent, "it didn't take that long to get here at all, actually! So, there's no need to worry about that. See, the thing is, I've come to give you your first Pokémon so you can go on a journey."
Isobel pauses. "A Pokémon? A Journey?"
"That's right. Is that expression on your face supposed to mean something good?"
"I..." Isobel pauses again. "Well, thank you, but I don't know..."
"I understand you're a bit nervous with this! A journey can be a scary thing. But, we all take one. If you feel like you want to start yours, then come and see me at my lab in Lumiose City. Au revo-"
"Wait, wait!" Isobel yells as the professor starts to get up. He hesitates, smiles, then sits back down. "Yes?"
"I want to go. I was just a bit...surprised." Isobel takes a glance towards her mother and changes her expression to that of a slightly confused one.
"Well, then! First we'll have you meet all of the others that are looking to start a journey with Pokémon as well, if that's alright? It'd be nice for you to go with friends, after all." Professor Sycamore says matter-of-factly. Isobel nods, not speaking since she feels like there's a Froakie stuck in her throat. She finds the idea of talking to others scary - she's made many mistakes whenever she tries to make friends, so she finds it easier to avoid people altogether. But, if she's going to start a journey, surely that would mean having to talk to people and getting out instead of staying in her room all the time playing Pokémon battle simulators. On the plus side, a journey means getting her own starter Pokémon and catching all those powerful Pokémon on the simulators, like Salamence and Garchomp and Metagross and-
"So that's a yes?" Sycamore says with a cough to snap Isobel out of her daydream.
"Yes," Isobel replies, "it's a yes."
"Good! Well then, let's go when you're ready. Thanks for that coffee, Anne." He gives Isobel's mother - Anna - a smile. Isobel raises a brow suspiciously but doesn't say anything. She waits patiently as her mother tells her to stay where she is as she fetches some things. She brings a map of the entire Kalos region and a big fancy-looking red and white wooden box.
"Wow, what's this?" Isobel gasps at the box, expecting something really amazing within.
"This is what I used to keep Poké balls in when I started my own journey. It's nothing impressive because, uh, it was actually a box of poffins I bought from Sinnoh when I went on vacation." She chuckles. Just in case there's anything in there, Isobel opens the box but there's nothing to be found. She is told to put the items in her bag so she does.
"Oh, I'm worried about you. Stay safe. You can always come right back home whenever you want." Her mother hands her something. Isobel glances down at it to see many Pokédollars in her hand. "Huh? What's all this for? There's so much, I can't take it all!"
"Don't worry, this was all saved up specifically for your journey so go ahead and take it! Out there you'll need to buy things like Potions, to heal your Pokémon when you get it, and Poké balls so you can catch new additions to your team. Trust me, I didn't bring money on my journey and boy do I regret that." Her mother laughs and Isobel gives her a hug to show how grateful she is. "Thanks, mom."
"No problem, kiddo."
"Well, then! Are we good to go?" Professor Sycamore calls. Isobel quickly pulls away from the hug to give him a nod and they leave the house. Anne gazes tearfully after them. "Well, there she goes." She mutters.
The light is even more dazzling outside than it looks inside. Isobel raises a hand against her forehead as if saluting to stare up at the blue sky, completely clear of clouds. The path to her house is made of cobblestones so she nearly trips on an uneven stone as she is occupied with admiring the blue above. The professor is walking ahead so luckily he didn't notice that - it would have been very embarrassing.
As they walk down the path, a group of other children dash past, but two of them stop to greet the professor. Isobel keeps her distance as they begin to talk, but Professor Sycamore turns and smiles at Isobel. "Come on, come and say hi. These two are starting their journey like you are. They won't bite."
Isobel hesitantly moves closer. "Hello." She says. She catches the attention of the two. The first is a boy, with dark skin, ruffled black hair and hawk-like yellow eyes, wearing a red shirt with a Machop on it and a pair of black trousers. He also has a cap on. He suddenly gives a wide grin but it almost looks forced.
"Hi, I'm Gwaine." He says and holds out his hand. Isobel looks at it and slowly takes it. They shake hands. The second is a girl who looks like she could be a model when she's older. She is tall - slightly taller than Gwaine - she possesses green eyes that are a darker shade than Isobel's own eyes. She wears a long summery dress and a flower hairclip in her fire-coloured, curly hair. She has a shoulder bag and it looks quite expensive. She isn't quite as elegant as her clothing because she gives off an air of ferocity. "Hey, my name is Scarlet. So, what's your name?"
"Um...Isobel." Isobel gives her best smile, but she's worried that it looks funny.
"Well, it's nice to see that you're all getting along now!" Professor Sycamore says. "Gwaine, do you have the Poké balls I gave you?"
"Oh, yeah!" Gwaine pulls off the rucksack on his back and rummages through it. He finds a small basket and takes it out, pausing for a second to decide whether or not he has really got the Poké balls but Sycamore takes it so he assumes that he has.
"These are the Pokémon that will start off your journey. No fighting now, I'll let you all decide for yourselves who has what." Slowly, the professor opens the box and the three all try to get their heads above it at once so they end up bumping them and rubbing their heads.
"Ow." Scarlet mumbles.
"I called dibs on Froakie earlier," Gwaine says quickly, "also I carried the Poké balls so I should get it."
"Yes, you did, Gwaine. Should we all agree that he gets the Water-type Pokémon, Froakie?" Scarlet asks, looking between Isobel and Gwaine. She moves gracefully as she does so. Isobel agrees and of course, so does Gwaine. He takes a Poké ball. Two left.
"Since I'm mature, I naturally allow others to choose before me. So, quiet girl, do you want the Fire-type Pokémon, Fennekin or the Grass-type Pokémon, Chespin?" Now everybody's eyes are focused on Isobel and she feels as if she's under pressure.
"I'm OK with any of them..." she mumbles, her voice quiet as she is desperate to avoid attention. She hasn't got much knowledge on either of those Pokémon so she isn't sure of what she should have.
"Alright, then. I will take Fennekin. Since it's a Fire-type Pokémon you might burn yourself by accident if you have it. Plus, I like Fire-types." Scarlet took a Poké ball and the final, the one in the middle, sits there and Isobel is excited. The battle simulators were good, but this is for real, and finally, she gets a Pokémon of her own. She reaches out a hand and takes the Poké ball. It feels cool to touch and she raises it to her face. "Wow." She mumbles. Holding it makes her feel like she is a real trainer...and she is a real trainer now.
"That was argument-free. Good job!" Professor Sycamore says, as he is genuinely surprised. He must have experienced a lot of new trainers arguing amongst themselves over who gets what. Isobel clicks the button in the middle of the ball, mostly out of curiosity, but it opens and a bright light shoots from it onto the ground and all of a sudden, a little Pokémon is standing there, shaking its head. It's mostly brown and green and it turns its face to look at its new trainer with an interested expression.
"This is Chespin?" Isobel asks, her voice slightly higher in tone than usual.
"Yes. Do you like her?" Professor Sycamore asks.
"She's really sweet." Isobel pets Chespin's head, carefully avoiding the spines. It enjoys the attention, but it's shy as it smiles. Seeing the Pokémon, Gwaine and Scarlet seem very excited to get a glimpse of their own new partners and they send out Froakie and Fennekin. Froakie is very feisty and doesn't seem to be able to keep still; Fennekin is quite calm and lets himself be picked up by his new trainer without much fuss. Scarlet keeps petting the fur, admiring how soft it is. Though Gwaine can't pick up his own Froakie due to his energy, he seems really proud of him and keeps talking about how he is going to train him to be powerful.
At this point, Isobel has forgotten about catching strong Pokémon in the future and stares endearingly at Chespin. "Hmm, I'll name you Nutty." She says, much to the approval of the little Grass-type.
"I'll take you all to my Pokémon Lab in Lumiose City, since you'll need to pass it to get to the other places. While you're there, I'll get you all a Pokédex, which is a device used to obtain information on Pokémon, to expand my research and help you out with understanding Pokémon. I have plenty of Poké balls and Potions and other useful things there for trainers as free items for starters as well." Professor Sycamore says, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his coat. Scarlet nods eagerly. "Sounds good!" She says, rubbing Fennekin's ears.
"I have an idea. How about we have a battle to test these bad boys out, huh?" Gwaine asks. Isobel shakes her head. "No, thanks..." she mumbles. She doesn't want to lose, but Gwaine seems persistent. "Come on, let's battle. Isobel. Please?"
"You're going to lose if you try to battle a Grass-type with a Water-type, you know." Scarlet points out. Gwaine shrugs. "But if Froakie wins, then that means he is special."
"I believe Pokémon are special in different kinds of ways. A Pokémon that is special doesn't always have to mean that it is strong." Scarlet then turns red-faced as she is embarrassed but Professor Sycamore pats her shoulder.
"You are exactly correct! It seems like you're already going to become a good trainer!" He says, making her jump as his voice is bursting with optimism.
"I just don't think a new Pokémon should be battling, because it should warm up to me first." Isobel says. Her words were the result of pulling the nearest excuse out of her head but Gwaine instantly counters them.
"But battling is a good way for it to warm up to you!" He replies.
"Okay. I'll battle." Isobel sighs and slowly puts Nutty down on the floor, her heart beginning to thump. Gwaine finally gets Froakie to calm down so it can focus on its enemy. Professor Sycamore and Scarlet both stand back to watch.
"Okay, how do I do this? Use Pound, Froakie, on the Chespin!" Gwaine points at Nutty and for a moment Isobel is concerned because her new partner looks frightened. It feels very different to a Pokémon battle on the battle simulator. It feels real. Very real. But, the battle simulator training hasn't gone to waste.
"Nutty, defend yourself from the attack!" Isobel calls. The Chespin whips around so that it is facing its trainer and closes its eyes as the spines on its head and back stick up. It braces itself for the impact and the Froakie slams into it. The attack does nothing against Nutty's shell. As it is still close, Isobel sees the opportunity for her Chespin to attack.
"Nutty! Vine Whip!"
Chespin whirls around and two flashes of green is all Froakie can see before it is hit. It is thrown back and groans weakly as it tries to recover from the attack. Isobel feels a little guilty, since this is a real creature rather than one with artificial intelligence, but doesn't let that get in the way. After all, she knows she'd rather the opponent go down than her own Pokémon.
Nutty stands, ready for its trainer's next order. Froakie manages to stand back up and Gwaine looks worried but orders it to use Bubble. Froakie shoots spheres out from its mouth at the Chespin but it doesn't appear to be doing much damage.
"Tackle!" Isobel calls. Nutty charges towards Froakie but due to its natural agility it evades with ease by jumping over it. Nutty turns and Isobel orders it to Vine Whip. This time, Froakie is unable to dodge; the vines are unpredictable as when it attempts to jump again, they strike upwards and the frog Pokémon falls to the ground, unconscious.
"Froakie?!" Gwaine calls, holding his own head.
"Froakie has fainted. It appears as if Isobel has won." Professor Sycamore says. "Good job, Isobel!"
"It wasn't that impressive...I mean, I did have a type advantage." Isobel says as if it is no big deal. Even so, she is exhilarated at her first Pokémon battle, her first win, and her heart won't settle. Gwaine returns his Pokémon to its Poké ball, looking disappointed. "I couldn't do it."
"It just wasn't a good match-up is all. You tried your best." Professor Sycamore said, reassuring him. Gwaine then nods and understands.
Isobel pats Nutty's head and gives her a smile. "Good job. You're very good at battling." She says. Of course, Nutty basks in that compliment proudly.
"Well, then. There's a shop in Aquacorde Town where you can both heal your Pokémon." Professor Sycamore then catches the look on Gwaine's face and chuckles. "Don't worry, it's free, and it's just a short walk through the route up here." The professor then turns and points towards the open gates at a small lane; a town is seen far ahead. The four head towards it, with Isobel walking slower. She's enjoying the scenery, with the grass so green and the trees majestic and beautiful, with the little Pokémon crawling about and watching them but Gwaine is getting impatient. "Come on, Slowpoke, you're holding us back! I need to heal Froakie!"
"Why do you need me?" Isobel snaps. "Just go on ahead; I'm not stopping you."
Gwaine huffs and walks ahead of the others, reaching the town before they do. A sign sitting nearby points him to the shops and he enters one. Scarlet and the professor linger outside of the building and Isobel finally reaches the shop, enters, and sees Gwaine standing there with his back to her, talking to the lady behind the desk. Isobel stands nearby, not saying anything.
"Hello there!" The lady calls to her.
Isobel looks at her blankly.
"Do you want to heal your Pokémon?" The lady asks. Isobel nods quietly and returns Nutty to its Poké ball, then passes it to the woman. Gwaine looks at her oddly as the woman enters a door behind the counter. "Why are you so shy all of a sudden?" He asks.
"I'm just feeling a bit protective," Isobel lies.
"You don't go out much, do you? You're kinda pale...I can tell. There's no need to worry, they aren't going to bite, you know?" Gwaine shrugs and gives a reassuring smile but Isobel can't stop the nagging feeling. It's always there around other people. She avoids eye contact with Gwaine and instead finds herself watching the door where the lady is healing Froakie and Chespin. She returns soon enough and passes their Poké balls back to them. "They're all good to go now!"
"Thanks." Isobel replies with a tone indicating disdain in her voice. The duo leave and they meet the others along with the familiar stunning sunshine. As she says hello once again, Isobel spots the bridge that leads to a very grassy area and heads towards it despite Gwaine asking her where she's going. She stops upon the bridge and gazes over it at the water. Bright blue, beautiful glittering water. It makes her smile and she sees a Goldeen swimming gracefully, with its fins like that of a very frilly dress. She watches it go underneath the bridge and then to the other side, swimming and swimming to wherever its destination may be.
"You like Water-type Pokémon?" A voice asks from behind. Isobel jumps and its Scarlet, staring at her with an unreadable expression.
"They have a lot of freedom," Isobel replies, not properly answering her question.
"Not as much freedom as Flying-type Pokémon. I'd say some of the Water-types are confined to things like ponds and rivers, but the birds can go anywhere they want."
"That's true."
Professor Sycamore reaches them with Gwaine. Isobel turns around. "If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to walk to Lumiose by myself. It's just that I want to enjoy everything here while I can, rather than rush, and I don't want to hold anyone back..." She gazes at Gwaine for a moment and he looks a bit hurt but the professor nods. "Well, that's fine. I was about to demonstrate how to catch a Pokémon, though, if you want to see that before we head off?"
Isobel hesitaties; she's already seen Pokémon caught before...on TV. But only rookie trainer shows demonstrate how to catch things like more common Pokémon and such. Isobel only watched the programs where people caught things like a rare Pokémon. So, she decides that it is a good idea to see how Professor Sycamore catches a Pokémon.
"Alright."
"Good! Then, let's go over here quickly." They scurry over to the patches of tall grass that sway with a faint breeze that carries a fresh scent. The professor leans down and takes a Poké ball from his pocket and observes the grass.
"The best way to spot a Pokémon is to be very quiet." He then releases his Pokémon; a little green quadruped creature with a bulb on its back.
"Bulbasaur, use Tackle." Sycamore orders. The Pokémon launches itself forwards and hits something in the grass. A Fletchling flies out.
"You have to weaken it as much as possible. Then, you throw a Poké ball. Make sure you've got a good aim. If you don't have a good aim, well...I suppose practice is always viable." The professor takes another Poké ball - this time empty - and throws it. It connects with the Fletchling and a blue light emanates from the ball, to the Flying-type Pokémon, and then the ball rocks.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then it clicks.
"You have to make sure you hear that clicking sound after it rocks three times. That means you have caught it. Be careful; the Pokémon can break out. I believe there is a shop that sells Poké balls in this town if you are too impatient to wait until we get to the laboratory. I recommend it, since there are Pokémon here that you might want but won't be able to catch if you have no Poké balls." The professor picks up the ball containing the new addition to his team and the trio of fledgling trainers gaze in fascination at it. Instantly wanting to catch Pokémon as well, they all headed to the shop to buy Poké balls. Gwaine bought about ten of them, and Scarlet bought twenty, since she has a lot of money from her parents. Isobel, though excited to catch Pokémon, uses her money wisely and buys only five Poké balls and keeps them in the box in her bag.
In the next moment Scarlet and Gwaine are both hunting around for creatures to catch. Isobel decides not to join them, as she knows the Pokémon are going to be scared off quickly anyway. She instead sits at a table located near the first route and Professor Sycamore comes to say goodbye as they are leaving.
Isobel waves them off.
She knows that her mother probably would have preferred it if she went with them, but Isobel feels this is most likely the best way to do everything; feeding her new partner, training it, taking on trainers and gym leaders. It's all best done alone, she thinks, and she can take as much time as she wants or do it as quickly as she wants. Besides, she'll surely meet them once or twice at least as they are all going to the same towns and Pokémon gyms in the future.
As Isobel released Nutty from her Poké ball, she decides that training it would be good for now, and especially since there's someone who will heal her Pokémon. What the future holds, she can't exactly see, and who knows what's beyond that bridge? Well, according to her map, it's Santalune City, but the forest to get to it looks quite big. After an hour of vigorous training with her Chespin, Isobel sets off towards the forest and hesitates at the sign that reads:
"Santalune Forest ahead. Bring plenty of Potions and Status-curing items!"
Then she enters.
