It was a short drive, only a couple of hours to reach Professor Oak's Lab and Ranch on the edge of Pallet Town. The fresh spring breeze echoed my own excitement as it danced around me as I exited the car, pausing only to extend my sensory cane. My Mom grasped my arm gently and led me up the steps. Upon opening the door to the Lab, we were greeted by a blast of air conditioned chill, the cool air liberally laced with the scents of disinfectants and the many subtler musks of the various pokemon they studied here. Squawks and snarls, beeps and the soft whirring of machines echoed across the tiled surfaces as we walked up to the receptionist.

A pause in the clickety-clacketing, then a soft feminine voice asked, "Can I help you?"

"Hi, my name is Tabitha Taliesin. I believe Professor Oak is expecting me?"

"Oh yes! Let me take you on back. I hear you're the reason for his latest project? He's been ever so excited about it."

We made small talk as we walked that I only half paid any attention to, distracted by the ever circulating airflow that kept bringing me the most tantalizing hints of intriguing things from the rooms we passed by - and perhaps more distracting still, was the increased blood flow and powerful pulsing produced by my eagerly beating heart.

Then, we were there, and Professor Oak's bouncy tenor was gladfully welcoming, "Tabitha! I'm so glad you made it! You set me the absolutely most delightful challenge! A brand new kind of Pokedex! New features and functions - you'll have to tell me how well it all works out for you!"

I grinned at his enthusiasm, "I'm really grateful Professor for all the effort you've gone to on my behalf. Your helping me to make my seemingly impossible dream possible is an incomparable gift. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to repay you." I bowed deeply to him.

His voice softened, "Ah child, it is such a great joy to me to be able to help out bright youngsters like you on your paths in life. Still," his voice turned teasing, "I'm not completely altruistic. The way I've set up your Pokedex has also turned it into an incalculable research tool for me. So don't you worry, you'll be aiding me just plenty."

I smiled happily in reply as he began rummaging around near him, before stepping close and looping a strap around my neck that let something fall heavily onto my chest. I startled briefly in surprise and brought my hands up to cradle the small box, feeling around it gently. It was hard, plastic, about the size of a paperback book, with a screen taking up the top half facing me, a small protruding circular lense placed near the top and facing outward, a button probably for power along the top edge, and a shift able piece along the bottom that was probably for the batteries.

Now while this Pokedex does have a screen," Professor Oak started explaining, "it is mostly for the use of myself and others, and especially for use as your personal identification. But since otherwise you don't really need it, dear Tabitha, I've reprogrammed your Pokedex to utilize voice commands. So you'll still be able to use it somewhat normally, as well as a few other little goodies I've added. The computer chip has been programmed to be able to constantly filter through the incoming data streaming form the camera and will be cable of alerting you to and identifying the presence of Pokemon and any useful plants in view. After which, you can then pull up the various details and information it has stored on or can analyze from them.

"In addition, I've included a GPS, map, and directional guide functions, so you'll never have to fear getting lost. Oh, and just in case of a true emergency, if you call out, 'Red Alert!' you'll send a signal to the nearest Ranger and/or Emergency Response unit. Now, let's turn it on and see how you do."

I sped through his following lecture, dutifully putting each command and function to memory, but eager for what I knew was coming.

Pausing a second, probably taking in my practically buzzing form, he chuckled, "Oh all right, I guess I'd best not keep you waiting anymore. Now," he stated as he moved elsewhere in the room, "with your particular challenges, and stated desire to focus on nocturnal pokemon, I thought you'd probably not mind having a non-traditional starter, and thus, "he popped a poke ball into my hand, "I give you this."

I held my breath as I pressed the release button, the energy raising the hairs on my hand as it opened. There was a brief whoosh of air followed by a high-pitched squeak and the gentle fluttering of wings.

"Pokedex, identify pokemon."

"Pokemon: Zubat. Number 041 in the Kanto Pokemon Regional database. This pokemon is female. More information?"

My no was absentminded, all my attention on the small pulsing beats of air I could feel in front of me. "Hi Zubat, my name is Tabitha. I'm a new trainer about to go on my journey and I'm wondering if you'd like to come with. There was a pause, then a weight and sharp, prickly claws gently gripping my finger. I raised my other hand tentatively and smiled brightly when I was rewarded with her eagerly butting her head into my hand to be petted. A thought popped in my head, "How would you like to be named Siren?"

She chattered eagerly, and I grinned even more brightly, a peaceful joy ringing through my heart. My first pokemon - I was on my way.