We live in fear.

Long abolished is the government that once ruled the nations of our pokemon world. The Elite Council now rules over the main regions spread across our countries. Commanding are the leaders of our planet, and ruthless.

In this current age, most major cities are looked over by an official leader. Not all leaders are bad people, but they are forced to maintain the peace within their respective realms. My hometown, thankfully, isn't ruled by a gym. Our small town has a few houses and a lab that my best friend's grandfather works in.

His grandfather, Professor Oak, is world-renowned for his studies on the pokemon that have been enslaved to fight on this godforsaken soil. He provides the information directly to the Elite Council, or more specifically the Kanto Elite Four. Professor Oak has never truly wanted to study such heinous information. From what me and his grandson, Pine, have snuck into time and again, we've found things that show the experimentation of different species of pokemon. Old research showing weaknesses and strengths, more recent research on the development of pokemon and some other things we couldn't understand when we were younger.

Ever since the Elite Council took over though, mortality in pokemon, as well as trainers, has elevated to new heights. Pokemon were no longer partners but slaves to the ball their master captured them in. It has been this way for longer than Pine and I have been alive. It wasn't until we became trainers that we knew the cruelty first hand.

It was a normal morning, I woke up in front of my TV that had the usual propaganda running on it. The last thing I remember watching was a documentary on how the leaders earned their power throughout in Kanto. Of course, it only painted them in a positive light. I shut off my TV and walked to my computer to check my email. Nothing but usual spam about how some sort of drug can alleviate any pain in a pokemon. I rolled my eyes and closed it out to head downstairs.

There was government inspection today. All child over the age of 10 and under the age of 18 was to be enlisted into the region military training program when your town was called for inspection. Long has the time passed that Pallet Towns small residency provided any suitable children. The last one from Pallet to be released to the Training Program was Daisy, Pine's big sister and supposedly a few years before that was my father who was enlisted while my mother was still pregnant with me. To this day my mother has been adamant about not losing me to the military.

When I made it down the steps my mother's tear-ridden eyes caught mine. My mother shoved 3000 poke into my hand before telling me to meet with the Professor. Apparently, they had a plan for me and Pine. As she rushed me out the house, I barely had enough time to grab my bag and shoes.

Looking to the north of town as I was headed to Oak's lab, I just felt a chill rush past me before I was startled by Oak's voice behind me.

"Blue!" He ran up behind me a bit out of breath. "What are you doing up here? The Inspectors will be here any minute now, come with me."

I followed but I looked behind me. Something wasn't right.

When we made it into Oak's lab he explained to me some basics on training a pokemon. Initially confused, he further explained that myself and Pine were going to have to leave the town before the Inspectors made it into town. We were to pose as shipment crew of an important parcel for Oak's lab until the coast was clear. For now, at least, we needed something to defend ourselves against the wild pokemon that were sure to attack us on the way to Viridian City.

Oak brought in front of us three pokeballs. "Bulbasaur", "Squirtle" and "Charmander" were scrawled on a sign just above each pokeball.

"I used to be a trainer before I got stuck in this cramped lab. These three pokemon, in particular, are some of the rarest I have managed to get my hands on." He stretched his arms out to me. "After you pick one, I'm officially granting you the status of a Pokemon Trainer with your very own Trainer Card. The pokemon you choose is yours to keep. Please, do not treat them like our Elite Council treats pokemon. They are not weapons, they are our partners. It's something that has been forgotten from this land for such a long time."

Pine and I hung on his words before we both looked down at the pokemon. Pine grabbed the squirtle pokeball before I had a chance to think between them. Watching squirtle pop out of the ball was really awesome to witness. I reached out for the Bulbasaur but before I could actually touch the pokeball the charmander ball popped open and the charmander from inside leaped into my arms, causing me to tumble over.

"I think Charmander chose you. I don't think she wanted to be left behind." Oak pointed out. "It's okay though, Bulbasaur has possibly been my closest companion. I'll keep him here for my own protection."

"Right. What should I call you then Charmander?" I stated, tickling under the small lizard's chin.

"Think about that later. For now, I think it's time we had a small sparring match." Oak declared. "Remember pokemon are deadly, and fighting another is no small task. Please, if you see each other's pokemon struggling, show mercy."

Both Pine and I nodded as I got back to my feet.

"Are you ready Charmander?" I said putting her on her feet. When she nodded I pointed out to Pine. "Then let's go!"

Charmander was immediately charged by Pine's squirtle. Before She was tackled down though, there was a good clean scratch going across Squirtle's face.

"Focus on the wound!" I called out

Charmander let out a growl in confirmation and scratched at the small gash in Squirtle's face. It was a critical hit for sure. Squirtle backed away and fell over in pain crying out and holding its face. That was when Oak stepped in.

"No more! That's all that they should be able to take. These two are still new to fighting and they don't have the strongest attacks or defenses known to them yet. It's good to get them some experience but remember, our goal is not to kill."

Charmander looked up at me. I knelt down and opened my arms and she ran into them.

"I think I'll call you Athena. I don't know what we have ahead of us, but I hope together we can take care of Pallet Town."

"Right, for now, head over to Viridian City. Blue, you go ahead, meet Pine at the Pokemart. I have a few things to take care of your squirtle Pine..."

I started off with Athena at my side. I was scared, but I had to be brave for my mother, and for my town.