Title: Out in Wonderland
Rating: T (for slight mature themes and minor course language)
Summary: In the seventy-five years since Ash and his friend's time, the rules of Pokemon have changed. You may no longer travel once you turn ten. In fact, you don't even get to decide if you go. Each region holds a drawing each year, where fifteen kids, ages fifteen to eighteen, from each region are chosen at random to receive a Pokemon chosen for them and travel the region. If you're chosen, you may either battle your way through the region, or compete in the various contests halls in hopes of becoming the next greatest Contester.
Twenty years after the Mistake that put these rules into place, two girls from Sinnoh, who seemingly have no relation what-so-ever, are chosen: Nina, the outspoken, vindictive girl from the Resort Area, and Naomi, the artistic, excitable girl from Canalave City. Everything seems normal for these two girls when they set off to travel. Little do they know the trouble passed down back two generations ago is finally ready to strike, and unless they band together, their futures are not guaranteed.
Hey there everyone, it's TheIllusionest here! Previously known as MyHeartBeatsForLove!
Here, I bring you a new Pokemon story that is a collab between me and my cousin, Lunamon810.
For this story, I would like to first warn you all that some minor course language and some mature themes will be present. This is not your normal Pokemon journey. Times have changed and safety is a big issue. Believe it or not, there are more dangerous people than those who want to steal Pokemon. I rated this T because I believe the themes in here can be handled by those thirteen and up. If you feel like you may not be able to handle some mature themes, then read at your own risk. Honestly, I don't think it'll be a problem, I'm just giving you fair warning.
Now, here is a quick little info for you. Chapters will be updated on Fridays or Saturdays, depending on when we're able to finish fixing them. Note, it is possible that we might have to skip a week if one on us is unable to get the chapter finished in time. Quality is what we are after, not quantity.
Now, for a quick disclaimer, which today, will be read aloud by...Paul! :D
Paul: ...Does this really need a disclaimer?
Me: Of course! Why wouldn't it?
Paul: Cuz all of this is fan made.
Me: Paul. The story and majority of the characters are fan made. I didn't make Pokemon! Or you!
Paul: I know that! Wait-me? Tell me I'm not in this!
Me: I ain't telling you nothing til you give me the disclaimer!
Paul: Fine! Little miss literal here does not own Pokemon, or any of the original characters or Pokemon. Any other little weirdos who pop up, she does own.
Me: Thanks! And some belong to my cousin!
Paul: Yeah Yeah, now am I in this or not?
Me: Eh. You'll have to wait and find out.
Enjoy the first chapter!
Chapter 1: Nina
"Nina, darling, could you come here a moment?" I looked over my shoulder at the blond haired woman standing at the entrance to the Ribbon Syndicate, calling to me.
I sighed and heaved myself up off of my knees, staring down into the empty pool below me. I had gotten up especially early this morning to drain the water, which would take longer than one might imagine. With it now cleared out, I would be able to get a better look into the interior structure of the pool, which would allow me to both find out what pipe or root could be carrying ocean water into the processed mass that is our pool, and to get a better understanding of the architectural development put behind building it all those years ago.
I wiped my hands off on the handkerchief I kept inside my right boot and turned to the woman who called me. I waved my hand twice at her and shut off my flashlight, tucking into my other boot before heading over to the bright colored building. Wrapping my arm around one of the two white support beams, I motioned with my head to the lady before settling on leaning my head against the beam.
"Yeah?" I asked.
She gave me a disapproving shake of her head and a sound of clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "It's 'Yes, Ma'am' honey. Honestly, has your mother taught you no manners?" I just shrugged my shoulders at her accusation.
"Just cause she teaches 'em doesn't mean I abide by 'em." I replied, crossing my arms over my chest.
"If she taught 'em, you could have enough couth or respect to at least attempt to use them." she said with her nose high and her eyes sharp.
Most of the people at the Ribbon Syndicate weren't quite as snobby or classy as she was. It was only the people who handled the ribbons that were like this. The rest of us, those who either volunteered to help out and care for the Pokemon, or those who got to work personally with the trainers and their Pokemon were fairly courteous and down to earth, very accepting of those around us.
"Well Ma'am," I said, "You asked for a moment of my time. That moment is coming to a quick close. I do have work to do, ya know." I inclined my head towards the pool and the array of tools that were scattered around it.
Her lips formed a snarl and she tossed me a nasty look. "Nina. Do you remember the lady who came by Tuesday? The one who asked us to treat her Vileplume in the spa upstairs?"
"Of course." I spat, "Her Vileplume stun spored me every time I tried to do so much as clean or massage her."
"Yes, well, Nina, that lady is a very important official from Jubilife. And her business here is quite. . . quite mandatory for Miss Shinji." she said to me, her eyes sending me a silent warning.
I put both hands up in surrender and rolled my eyes. "Yeah yeah, don't get your panties in a twist ya old lady. I'll take good care of her little poison puff."
"Nina, this attitude of yours is becoming quite a hassle around here!" she said, stepping closer to me, "I am sure that I am not the only one who is getting sick of your little know-it-all attitude. But I will be the one who stops taking your backlashing words! Now you can either swallow your pride and show me some respect, or you will be forcing my hand to report your insubordination to your grandmother."
I looked at her incredulously and scoffed. "My grandmother? You're going to report me to my grandmother?"
"Yes. Yes young lady, I sure am." she said and turned on her heels to go into the Ribbon Syndicate.
I let a huff of air out through my nose and let out a growl, marching up to her. I grabbed a hold of her upper arm and steered her towards the side of the building, shoving her shoulder against the concrete and holding my other arm underneath her chin.
"You listen here, Miss Dayton." I said with sharp words, "My grandmother is old. She doesn't need to be disturbed by your petty little intolerance for a little free thinking."
"Free thinking? You don't simply free think, you free act. You have no regards for anyone but yourself." Miss Dayton rebutted, a choked sound coming from her throat.
"And I survive just fine that way." I replied, "Don't go fixing something that ain't broken. Especially if it ain't yours to fix."
I pulled away hastily and spit in her direction, averting my eyes away from her and back to my previous project. I didn't hear anything from her at first. All that was behind me was silence. Then I heard the scuffle of clothes against the wall and sent a glance over my shoulder, watching her disgusted face as she wiped the dirt and wrinkles away from her clothes. Her eyes looked over at me, but at that moment I turned my eyes forward, stopping at my pile of tools.
Sticking my hand into my left boot, I pulled out my handheld flashlight and hopped down inside the darkness of the emptied pool. I found the Oran Berry sized hole that I had managed to dig out and shone the flashlight in, examining the circular walls. I spotted a small growth forming about four or five inches into the chamber and reached up, grabbing for a pair of scissors and a bag that I could use to collect this whatever-it-was.
"If this is some poisonous mushroom relative, I should grind it into Miss Dayton's lunch tomorrow." I mumbled to myself as I set the bag into the hole, reaching the scissors in as soon as my hand was free.
By the time I got home, my brother was already cleaned up from his day at the Academy and was sitting lazily on the couch, probably watching one of the old tellings of people like our grandparents. Back then, there was no being picked to travel, and you didn't have to be fifteen to be able to go. When children turned ten they were given clearance to travel.
Looking at it now, the new rules were heaven sent. An unlimited amount of little ten year old kids running amuck, fighting against each other, and taking on those creatures was a disaster waiting to happen. Despite the fact that most citizens hated these rules, they never really took into consideration the unstable way everything had been handled.
"Aaron, it's after seven." I said, walking over to our little TV set and switching it off. "You know Dad's rule."
Aaron pouted in his seat, wrinkling his little nose around the black swirls of hair that kept obstructing his vision. "He says that because we're supposed to eat at eight! That's in fifteen minutes and you haven't even started!" he whined, crossing his arms and trying to stomp his feet against the ground, but his legs were a bit too short to reach.
I walked over and leaned over him, flicking him on the nose. "I was working, little dude. I ain't got much say in it if my job ain't done." I stuck my tongue out at him and gave his belly a little poke before straightening out and heading for the kitchen. "Did Dad leave any dinner instructions before heading to the main building?"
Aaron shook his head at me as I glanced behind me, and I nodded. "Did Mom eat before heading to the Center in Hearthome?" I asked and he gave me a small nod. "Did she say when she'd make it back?"
"Hm. Ten at the earliest, and midnight at the latest. Depends on how much damage the trainers and coordinators have done." he answered and I raised my brow at him.
"Nice memory." I said, digging through the cupboards. "What do you want anyway?" I asked.
"I don't know." he said softly. "What do we have?"
I let my foot fall flat on the floor, leaving one of my arms gripping a cupboard, and turned my head to my brother. "I'm looking into that, little dude. Tell me what you want and I'll know where to look for it. It'll save me a lot of pointlessly cramped toes in the morning." Aaron cracked a smile at that, knowing that to reach the food, I generally had to stand on my tiptoes.
"Do we have any spaghetti?" he asked, jumping up from his seat.
I sent him a glare and pointing to the floor. "Feet on floor, now. If Dad sees your knees on the couch, we're both in for a lecture, General Shinji style." he pouted but fell back onto his bottom. "And yes, we have spaghetti." I replied as I pulled the sauce and noodles out of the cupboard. "By the way, when did you stop calling is 'pasghetti'?"
He just shrugged at me and motioned for me to hurry up with his food. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention to the counter. I set the ingredients down and crouched to retrieve the cooking dishes from beneath the sink.
"How hungry are you, anyway?" I asked him as I put everything on the counter in front of me.
He smiled widely at me, rubbing his stomach in a circular motion, smacking his lips. I shook my head and laughed at him.
"Nina, honey? Nina?" the first things I saw were my mother's sea green eyes looking down at me.
I raised a hand to wipe the sleep from my eyes and yawned upon completing this task. Taking a quick look to my left, I noticed Aaron sleeping soundly beside me, tucked carefully into my side. I gave Mom a pleading look and she quietly picked up a pillow from beside me and put it against my side, letting Aaron grab a hold of it long enough to let me go.
I stood up and stretched, all of my muscles screaming with ache. Spending twelve hours out in the pool can really mess with the body's normal daily functions. Especially if double the stress is added to the body as compared to the amount it is used to.
I followed Mom as she walked into the kitchen and I realized that I had failed to do the dishes before passing out on the couch. From the look on my Mother's face though, it wasn't much of an issue with her. As she leaned her back against the counter, I leaned my arm on the back of one of our wooden chairs placed at our dining table. Looking up at the clock, I saw that it was a quarter after eleven.
"How was the Center?" I asked.
"Rather peaceful in a way. There was a batch of kids from the Contest Hall who came to heal their Pokemon, but they were in and out pretty quickly. Probably didn't want to miss the celebration held for the victor." Mother answered, smiling at me.
I smiled back a little, but I couldn't keep the detest off my face. "I don't understand what they find so appealing about swirling around in their fancy get-ups while their Pokemon shower them with attacks."
"You have to admit," my mother laughed, "The way you described it makes it sound pretty glamorous."
"Glamour isn't exactly in my layout, Mother." I said as I pushed away from the table and to the sink, filling it up with water. "When is Dad gonna be home?"
"Actually," she said, leaning her head towards the door, "just about any minute now."
I let my hands soak up the soapy water as a silence stretched on between us. Our conversations never consisted of much more than what we had said tonight. I usually asked about Mom's night, and she would generally ask about mine in return. A very simple procedure. And easy to keep.
As I managed to get the last of the dishes in the strainer, I heard the front door creak open, but I kept myself perched by the sink, finishing the job I had started. My father's footsteps carried from the entrance of the house to the living room, where I assumed he stopped over Aaron to cover him with the blanket that was always placed on the back of the couch. His footsteps got quiet for a minute, and if not for the fact that I could hear his breathing, I would have assumed he had managed to get upstairs.
By the time I heard his footsteps coming towards the kitchen, I had already finished with all the dishes and had begun draining the water. I reached for the white towel hanging from the oven handle and rubbed it against the skin of my hands, which were red due to the intense heat of the water I had used.
When my Dad walked in, I just smiled and gave a half-hearted wave, but other than that made no other attempt to get his attention. I didn't get a whole lot of attention normally, so it wasn't like I need it in the current moment. My father was a very distant person by nature, probably a habit he picked up from my grandfather.
I was just about to head upstairs to my bedroom when a hand on my shoulder stopped me. I turned to see the dark eyes of my father as he motioned for me to follow him to the dining room table. Mom was sitting in one of the two seats facing away from the entrance of the house, and my father pulled up a seat beside her. I stood there undecided for a moment before reluctantly sitting down.
"Nina. Something came for you today." my father said, sliding a white envelope across the table to me.
I picked it up and examined it thoroughly. Unlike a lot of letters and papers that we received in the mail, the envelope for this one was pure white, and it was clean, not a trace of dust on it, which is highly unlikely considering we usually let our mail pile up a day or two. Written in the center I read my name and saw the familiar written words 'Resort Area' labeled carefully.
As easily as I could, I pulled apart the lip of the envelope so that the letter inside became visible. Upon opening it, I realized that there were two sheets of paper. The first sheet had a manila coloring to it, and the texture felt rougher and thicker. I steadily opened up this first letter to see a very familiar set of rules.
The Rules of Sinnoh
Here in the Region of Sinnoh, young adults are given offers of traveling amongst the region to either A) Catch Pokemon & Defeat the regions gym leaders, or to B) Compete in the Pokemon Contests set to display the true beauty of the relationship between Pokemon and Human. Only a select few each year are chosen to fulfill one of these tasks. If you are lucky enough to be one of these, we wish you the best of luck. Below, please carefully read the rules as set by the Main Building of Sinnoh.
1. To be chosen, you must submit an application to the Main Building before your seventeenth birthday. It is recommended for the form to be turned in right after you have turned fifteen as to give you more likely results of being given clearance to travel. If you fail to turn one in before you're seventeenth birthday, you will be unable travel.
2. By age 18 you will no longer be permitted to travel. The only exceptions would be those who need to travel to a specific place for their career of choice. As another side, you will not be permitted to travel before the age of fifteen.
3. You must choose the path of Trainer or Coordinator when submitting your form. Once the form is submitted, you may not change the setting.
4. Out of everyone in the region, only fifteen per year (maximum) will be chosen.
5. Your party may contain six Pokemon and if necessary you may send six into storage.
6. To move on to a new region to train, you must defeat the current Champion
7. To move on to a new Region to compete in new Contests, you must win the Grand Festival.
8. If you are chosen, you will be given a new model Poketch. This will not only serve as your communicator, map, and pokedex for the region, it will also be a tracking device used to locate you in cases of emergency. Your Poketch will be locked securely with a key, so removal without it would be impossible. The key is generally given to a member of your family for safe keeping.
It was true, I recognized the rules. We first learned about the Sinnoh Rules when we were ten years old, a bit of a prequel to learning about the past. They showed us the new rules and then compared them to before where the rules were lacking. They also showed them to us again at the beginning of this school year in an attempt to prepare us for those who might possibly be chosen to travel.
I looked down at the second letter in my lap. The Main Building in Jubilife had sent me an envelope containing the rules and something else. I was absolutely sure they didn't just send this out to people.
I unfolded the second letter steadily, watching the text as though it might try to dance away if I took my eyes off of it.
Dear Nina Shinji,
You have been chosen among the fifteen this year to participate in traveling the Sinnoh Region. It was such a surprise for us to pick out a name from the Resort Area when the population is so low and very few of the children actually sign up for a chance to participate. We are very excited to hear that you signed up and that you were chosen. Your grandparents are a great inspiration to many people in this Region.
We would like to give you a proper congratulation and to say that it is an honor to have you represent us. It is always such a welcome surprise when the grandchildren of such fantastic people get to join us in such amazing adventures. From this point onwards, it is your duty to make your way to Jubilife City to receive everything needed for your journey and to go through a quick scan so we can pick the perfect Pokemon for you to do your traveling with.
Please be sure to make your way here and through the Main Building doors before the midnight the day after you receive this letter or your traveling privileges will be revoked. We hope to see you soon.
Sincerely,
The Staff of Jubilife's Main Building
I set the letter down carefully on the table and sent my eyes up to my parents. My Mother's eyes looked rather hopeful, while my father looked more cautious, as if wondering exactly how I would act. I tapped my fingers against the table for a moment as I mulled over the information I had just been given.
Keeping my eyes trained on the table, I took in a deep breath, "I never sent in an application." I said, matter-of-factly.
Neither of my parents seemed to expect that reaction and they both took a sort of a double take. I watched my Mother's hopeful expression sway between confusion and disappointment, most likely both having to do with my lack of enthusiasm. As for my Dad, he just signed in relief and didn't make much of a big deal out of it what-so-ever.
I cleared my throat and looked at each of them, "I didn't send in that letter." I repeated, and they must have known I was accusing them of something.
My Mother reached her hand over the table, gripping mine. "Oh, we know you didn't sweetheart." she said while she smiled and patted her palm against the back of my hand.
"Mom, tell me you didn't send in an application form." I said, my voice and body rigid.
She continued smiling and patting my hand but remained silent for the next few minutes. "I thought you would want to travel." she said at last, softly.
I instinctively pulled my hand away from hers and took in a deep breath, counting to five before releasing it in slow outtakes. "I don't. . . I don't want to." I said back to her. "I haven't wanted to for years! What could have given you the notion that I wanted to go play Tamer out in Wonderland?" I pushed my seat back and shook my head. "It's ridiculous."
"I just assumed Nina. You use to be so excited about being old enough to travel! And the way you interact with the Pokemon at the Ribbon Syndicate! You just seem like such a wandering spirit. I only wanted you to have the life you want." she said to me, her voice not rising or falling as she spoke.
"I wanna stay here." I said, clenching and unclenching my fists.
My Mother stopped protesting against my arguments and again the house fell silent. Mother just looked at me with eyes of sadness and Father didn't look at me at all. Not wanting to travel wasn't wrong. Most people in Resort Area wanted to do something aside from travel and battle. That was what the city was notorious for, even before everything changed.
"I'm going to bed." I said and walked around them towards the stairs. I made it a few feet up the stairs before a small voice stopped me in my tracks.
"How can you not want to go?" Aaron's voice called to me, and I turned my head. He stood there in his messy clothes, blanket falling half off of his shoulders, and his hair falling and flying in all directions. "Traveling. Seeing all those Pokemon. Getting to meet so many new people. How can you not want to experience that, Nina?" his voice rose slightly.
"Wanting isn't a part of this equation, Aaron." I said, turning around and walking back down the stairs. "Nothing in life should ever be decided on a want." I knew my voice sounded harsh, but I couldn't calm it down. "Mom wanted to become a Pokemon Nurse, not a Helper. But that didn't happen. Dad wanted to work in the Main Building in Jubilife, but that was far from reality. I wanted to win those three ribbons sitting in the Ribbon Syndicate, but there is no way in hell of that happening!" my voice had rose to a loud shout and my cheeks turned red. My eyes felt like they were being stung by Beedrill but I wouldn't stop. I couldn't stop my voice, my body, my mind, none of it.
I wound up with one fist against the wall, the other holding Aaron by the collar of his shirt. "Wanting is a waste. You don't want things, you get them. If you can't get them on your own, then they aren't worth your time." I let go of his shirt, and he fell roughly to the ground. I saw the little sparks of fear playing in his eyes, but they had no effect on me.
I turned once again to ascend the stairs, but the scuffle of feet behind me made me stop.
"Then don't want. Do. I want to travel, but I never will. You have the opportunity right in front of you and you refuse it! I can never live out my want. But you can." Aaron said in the most confident voice I had ever heard from him.
My body relaxed, despite how much fight I still had left in me. No matter how against the whole thing I was, I knew my brother was completely right. The fact that I was even chosen was a miracle all its own. The chances of any other kid in the Resort Area, let alone my brother, being chosen out of all of Sinnoh's population was near impossible. My brother never asked for much, and I knew training Pokemon and traveling was all he'd ever wanted to do. He had to abandon that dream and destroy any delusions about being chosen.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and squeezed my eyes shut. "When does the next train to Jubilife leave?" I asked.
"At midnight." my father replied, standing up and walking to the living room, leaving the rest of us in the kitchen.
"What time is it now?" I turned to my mom, putting my hands on my hips.
"Eleven forty-five." she answered, looking up at the clock on the wall.
"Well shit." I mumbled under my breath, careful not to let Aaron hear me. "Give me ten minutes to get packed." I headed for the stairs again. "I should be able to get on the train right before it departs."
"Why not just take tomorrow's day train, Nina?" Aaron asked, "Instead of hurrying to catch this one."
I clicked my tongue. "It's a ten hour train ride, sweetie. The day train leaves at three. I won't get there til one in the morning, and it'll be too late by then."
I had actually managed to get to the train before it departed. Given that the guard put up quite a fight to keep me off that train. They weren't supposed to let anyone on or off a minute before it left, but with only thirty seconds to spare, I didn't exactly have an option. So, I ducked under his arm and grabbed a seat in an empty compartment.
I sat my backpack down against the railing and reached up to grab a blanket from the compartment above me. Ten hours would make for a long night on an empty train compartment, and I had no intention of spending that time watching the cities pass by. I positioned myself comfortably on the seat of the train, laying my head on the purple backpack. Stretching my legs out, I yawned and closed my eyes, pulling the covers over me. The last thing I saw outside the window was a big oak tree disappearing from view.
I woke up early in the morning, about a quarter after nine. I didn't particularly want to sit there for forty-five minutes with absolutely nothing to do, but I also couldn't go back to sleep. The train was just as empty as it had been when I'd fallen asleep. That wasn't so surprising, considering there were seven other compartments.
When the train finally came to a stop, with the announcement that we had arrived in Jubilife, I quickly slung my bag over my shoulder and folded the blanket to return it to its chamber.
"You can keep it if you want." a woman, who looked to be somewhere in her twenties, said to me.
I gave a swift nod of my head and held the blanket close to my chest, hurrying off of the train that suddenly felt very crowded. They always said three was a crowd, but to me, three wasn't the crowd, two was.
I stepped off of the train and saw just how much more urban this city was compared to the one I lived in. Trees could barely be seen in the distance, beyond the city, but almost none touched the inside. There were concrete pavements, people walking around, and buildings were everywhere. The Resort Area was small, with very few actual houses, and only really one main building: The Ribbon Syndicate. Here, houses loitered about in little clusters, with the buildings taking up the majority of space.
I pulled out the map of Jubilife my father had given to me, one of the few things he cared to help me with. I located the train station on the map and looked directly across from it. The Pokemon Center would be directly to the right upon exiting the train station. So I quickly exited the glass doors, and there it was. According to the map, if I kept going straight on the road in front of me, the building that used to be only known as the "Poketch Company" would appear to my right.
I made my way quickly to the building, being forced to stop when I realized they weren't open yet. The paper posted on the doors said that the building opened at noon, which I was still two hours away from.
Sighing, I backtracked my way to the Pokemon Center; the only place I knew was made for the chosen children. In all honesty, I'd never been in a Pokemon Center before. Considering my town didn't have a gym or really any Pokemon competitions, I assumed they felt no need to have one. Mom never took me to work with her when she traveled to the various Pokemon Centers, mostly because my Father claimed I'd be in the way.
I walked into the Pokemon Center, internally cringing at the intense amount of pink covering the inside. Very few people could be seen from the front. The nurse was behind her desk, chatting with a young trainer, who looked to be a second year traveler. There was a girl sitting on the pink couch to my left, petting and hugging a Piplup. More people could be heard moving around beyond the hallways, but none that I could see.
I felt a soft tug of air against my pigtails, but thought nothing of it. That, of course, was a mistake, as directly after the tug, I felt a warm collision against my back. I staggered forward but kept my balance enough to keep me from crashing on the floor. Swinging my head around, I narrowed my eyes to see just what had knocked me over. Standing in front of me was an oak-brown haired boy, clearly older than the starting age of a trainer, and obviously not from this region, by the slight tanned tone to his skin. He at least had to be a second year trainer.
"'The hell is wrong with you?" I asked, clenching my hands to my side.
His lips formed into a smile before I heard his words, "Sorry ma'am. The sun is just so bright today. I didn't notice anyone inside until I'd already opened the door."
"Ma'am?" I looked him up and down and shook my head, scoffing. He spoke like he was older than he looked. "How old are you?" I asked, venom rising in my voice.
"Seventeen." he said, not missing a beat. "First year?"
I rolled my eyes and sighed. "You just hit me with a door. I don't think you have any rights to be asking me such personal questions."
"You're right." he said, raising his hands slightly. "I apologize. Perhaps I could get your name?"
"Nina." I said, crossing my arms. "Don't bother remembering it. I don't plan to see you again."
I didn't wait for a response and shoved around him to get out of the building. The enormous city loomed over me and I took in a deep breath. It looked like there would be time for some exploring.
I ended up spending my time sitting in basically the only green area in the entire city, a small patch of grass surrounding a sparkling fountain. Several people stopped to look at me as they walked along the street, looking slightly concerned for as why a young girl would be lying in an area that I assumed was just to be observed.
I somehow managed to navigate my way back to the Main Building of Sinnoh. The doors had opened around ten or fifteen minutes ago, and I was ready to get this over with. I wasn't looking forward to undergoing the tests that I'd heard rumors about. Nothing about the process was ever confirmed to people who weren't chosen, but those that were never kept quiet about it.
I walked in and quickly made my way to a desk near the entrance. "Hello?" I asked the lady behind the desk.
"Yes Miss? How may I help you?" she asked me, smiling her plastic smile.
"My name is Nina Shinji." I told her, leaning my elbows on her desk. "I received a letter indicating that I was chosen."
The lady behind the desk gave me a nod of acknowledgment and began digging through a stack of papers to her right. She plucked one out and leaned over her desk to hand it to me. "This is your administration papers. Take them down that middle hallway and into the third door on the left. Do you need me to show you?" she asked as she set herself back down in her seat.
Shaking my head, I took the papers from her and leaned away from her desk. "Naw. I'm sure I can follow basic instructions."
A look of shock crossed her face, but I just turned and walked away from her. There was nothing special about the hallway, pretty plain with gray walls. All the doors looked relatively the same to me, but my counting didn't need to be questioned. Three doors to the left wasn't a hard instruction to follow.
The room wasn't too big, but it wasn't exactly small either, somewhere in the middle. The entire left wall was covered by a set of shelves that held various Pokeballs. A little farther back in the room was a machine that had the words 'Scanner ' written on it. I had to chuckle at that. As if it wouldn't be obvious enough.
"Is there something I can do for you?" I jumped as I noticed a lady come from my right.
"Yeah" I said and handed her the stack of papers.
She looked down and flipped through them quickly. "Nina Shinji." she said and smiled at me. "It is a pleasure to have you here today." her hair curled around her face, blending into her brown eyes as she moved her head.
"How does this work?" I asked, motioning with my hand towards the rest of the room.
She quickly laid the papers down on a desk in the far right corner and stood in front of me, clasping her hands together. "For starters, I'm Professor Mavi." she offered her hand to me, but I just raised my brow and she dropped it. "Secondly, we have a questionnaire for you to fill out. Are you more comfortable answering them on paper or answering verbally?"
"Verbally." I answered without hesitation.
She nodded and walked me to the back of the room, to a blue door. "Just sit in this room, listen for the scenario, then you'll see a visual representation on the screen. Respond with your natural instinct."
After answering the questions for the Professor, she put my hand against the scanner, which I was fine with until it bit me. My index finger had a small amount of blood coming from it and I stuck it in my mouth to keep it from stinging anymore.
While I nursed my finger back to health, Professor Mavi collected a piece of paper from the scanning machine and looked it over. With her free hand, she motioned for me to follow her, and with my finger still in my mouth, I did.
Her fingers traced over the rows of Pokeballs, and upon finding the one she most have been looking for, gave a smug look. She pressed a few buttons on a panel, and the glass that was keeping the Pokeballs from the rest of the room opened. After pulling the Pokeball out, she examined it and closed the glass case. She turned back to me with the biggest grin on her face.
"According to your answers, this little guy is perfect for you." she told me and held it out to me.
I grabbed it in my own hands and rolled it between them. "Do I let it out?" I asked.
"Only if you want to." she answered, "But I do suggest it."
I nodded and aimed my Pokeball to the floor, watching as a white ray of light shone out, forming into a small shape. When the light vanished, the creature before me shifted around quickly, sticking its nose into the air. Its fur was white with a faint bluish tint, light blue stripes going from its forehead to the tip of its tail. Deep gray eyes and yellow pouches on its cheeks stuck out to me. Its tail was almost twice its own size, and had three spikes at the top of the tail's curve.
"She's adorable!" Professor Mavi said, "This wonderful ball of energy is-"
"Pachirisu." I said, cutting her off. "I work at the Ribbon Syndicate, I see different Pokemon every day."
Professor Mavi nodded and I called my partner back into her Pokeball. "Step one complete. We do have a little more for you."
She led me to a room on the other side of the building and led me straight to a desk that read "New Trainers". The lady behind the desk smiled at the professor and took the papers that were offered to her. She typed several lines into her computer before writing something down on the top paper, and then motioned for me to walk over. I did just that and the lady set the paper on the counter along with a pen.
"Sign please." she said to me.
I leaned over the counter and signed my name quickly, handing the paper and pen back to her. Just then, Professor Mavi turned us around and led us to a desk right across from the one we were currently at. The sign above it had the word "Poketch" on it. The Professor leaned over and snatched up an orange one, handing it out to me.
"You prefer orange, don't you?" she asked and I nodded. "Now, this is very important. Your Poketch has several functions. For starters, it is your Pokedex. It is your watch. It is your calendar. It is your map. It is how you will communicate with anyone not in close proximity to you. Do you understand?" Again, I nodded.
She ordered me to hold my arm out, and I did. The Poketch was latched onto my arm, and then a key was inserted into a small slot on the bottom.
"What did you do?" I asked, suddenly becoming wary of the person in front of me.
"It's just a precaution." she answered. "There's a tracker inserted, and we have to make sure you can't remove it."
Hearing that shocked me. I didn't think they really implanted trackers. I didn't know that they were so keen on keeping a constant eye on their chosen. I just had to wonder, what exactly were they worried about?
"Now. This key here will be sent to your father. Only he will be able to remove this watch from you." she told me, handing the key to a young man who walked up to her.
Internally, I cursed. Giving it to my father was a horrible idea. Never in all of my life would he use that key for me. Even if I begged him, he still wouldn't do it.
"Well," Professor Mavi said as the young man scurried away, "You're free to go where you will. I suggest staying in town tonight, since you will not be given clearance to travel until tomorrow."
I let out a huff of hair and nodded to her. "Thanks." I said and gave a small wave of my hand, hurrying to exit the building. The sun outside was still bright in the sky, and people still hung around the various buildings. I couldn't leave the city until at least midnight, which frankly made me anxious. With no real idea of where to go, I made my way back to the Pokemon Center, which was now, thankfully, free of the person who had bumped into me earlier.
I rented a room from the nurse, staying in a room with only one bed, one dresser, one window, and a bathroom. The window had pink curtains, which I cringed at. I allowed my Pachirisu to come out and observe the room, which she was quite grateful for. As she bounced around every corner of the small room, I put my stuff down on the floor and crawled onto the bed. My eyes suddenly felt very heavy and I let my head fall against the pillow, my green eyes soon becoming covered by my eyelids. I felt the soft fur of my Pokemon brush up against my arm before I slipped out of consciousness. Waiting soon became the subject of my dreams.
