"Alright!" Aster said. "From this day onwards, my partner shall be you!"

His arm was held out, and his finger was pointed at the piggy in the middle.

"Tepig, I choose you!" he said. Tepig's already jolly face seemed to light up even more as it ran up to the redhead and jumped at him. Aster laughed as he caught it in his arms and it licked his face.

"Haha, it's like a dog!" he said.

Snivy crossed its arms and looked away with its eyes closed, almost as if to say "Whatever, I didn't want to be chosen, anyway."

"So, Tepig is the one you want to go with." Cheren said. "Are you certain about this, Aster? Once you choose, you cannot go back on your decision."

"Yeah, I'm sure." Aster said. "As I have been the moment I laid eyes on it."

"I see." Cheren said. "Well, in that case, I choose Sn-"

"Snivy, I choose you!" Bianca said, as she walked up to Snivy. The grass snake opened its eyes and glared at her. Bianca smiled at it.

"Hello, Snivy!" she said. "I'm Bianca, and starting today, we're going to be friends!"

Snivy looked at the girl, before changing its expression to a half-smug, half-sincere smile.

"So, uh, would you like to be friends with me?" she asked.

Snivy looked at her. Ordinarily, it would have turned its nose up, and folded its arms. But something about this blonde haired girl made it comfortable around her. Snivy didn't make any sound, but it nodded, signalling that it indeed accepted her request.

"Yay!" Bianca gushed, as she picked the grass snake up and hugged out tightly. "We're going to be the best of friends!"

Snivy attempted to wriggle its way out, but to no avail. Eventually, it just sighed and gave up.

Cheren looked at Oshawott.

"Well, I guess you're my Starter." he said. Oshawott stared blankly at him. With its large, button-like eyes, this was very unnerving for the boy, and his facial expression changed to accommodate this.

"Cheren? You alright, there?" Bianca asked.

"This... creature... is very creepy." the bespectacled boy replied.

"Come on, Cheren, it'll grow on you." Bianca replied.

"O-ok, I'll try." Cheren said. "I'll just...do what you did."

He walked up to Oshawott and gave it an awkward looking smile.

"Hello... Oshawott..." he said." I'm Cheren, and, uh, I'd like to be your friend."

Oshawott's blank facial expression didn't budge.

"Your new friend is an odd one, Cheren." Aster said.

"I know, I know." Cheren said. "But I've got an idea."

He turned to Oshawott and began staring back at it. It then evolved into a staring contest between the geek and the otter.

Eventually, Oshawott, impressed by Cheren's ability to stare at people, began trying to hug its new trainer's face. Though weirded out at first, Cheren soon accepted his new partner's affection.

"That is one odd critter." Aster said.

"I know." Cheren said. "Well, it's a good thing I wanted Oshawott from the start, anyway."

"What? No you didn't!" Aster said. "You were gonna pick Snivy!"

"No I wasn't." Cheren said calmly.

"Yes, you were!" Aster said, not so calmly.

"Everyone's chosen a Pokemon! ... So, that's that!" Bianca said, trying to change the subject. "Hey, I know! Let's have a Pokemon battle!"

"Well... THAT was an abrupt change of subject." Aster said. "But I'm all for it!"

"What about you, Cheren?" Bianca asked.

"Uh, seriously?" Cheren asked. "Just look at where we are. Shouldn't we head outside?"

Cheren then pointed to the walls, floors and windows, to let them know that they were, indeed, in a house.

"Honestly, Bianca... even though they're still weak Pokemon, you shouldn't have Pokemon battles inside a house." he continued.

"Oh, don't be such a worrywart, Cheren! These little ones are weak, like you said." the blonde girl replied. "We have to let them battle so they can get stronger!"

"Alright, but if you destroy the Wii, I'm not dealing with Aster's rage after." Cheren muttered.

Bianca then turned to Aster.

"Oh dear." the redhead said.

"It's settled, Aster. Get ready for a Pokemon battle!" she said.

"Wait, why me?" he asked.

"Alright, Snivy, I choose you!" Bianca said, letting go of Snivy. The smug snake landed on its feet and crossed its arms.

"I really don't have a say in this matter, do I?" he asked. "Alright, Tepig, I choose you!"

Tepig leapt out of Aster's arms and squealed enthusiastically.

"Alright, Snivy, use Tackle!" Bianca said. Snivy obliged, as it leapt off the ground and came rocketing towards Tepig. The attack hit the fire pig head on, and it was sent flying backwards.

"Alright, Tepig, use, uh, Pound?" Aster said. Tepig looked at him in confusion.

"You don't know that one? OK, we can work with this..." Aster replied. "Alright, use... Tail Whip!"

Tepig turned so it was facing away from Snivy, and wagged its tail in an endearing manner. As it did this, Snivy glowed blue.

"Hey, what does that mean?" Bianca asked. As far as she knew, Pokemon weren't meant to spontaneously glow.

"Why, that's simple." Cheren said. "Aster's move has lowered one of Snivy's stats. In this case, Defense."

"Uh, that's temporary, right?" she asked, slightly worried.

"Of course. It lasts until the battle ends." Cheren said. "That means you have to switch out, have Snivy faint or win the battle."

"Ah, that makes sense!" Bianca said. "Now, Snivy, use Tackle!"

Snivy repeated its previous manoeuvre, and Tepig failed to dodge it again. It was blown into the curtains, and as it fell off onto the carpet, it left trails of dirt behind, which didn't go unnoticed by Cheren.

"Tepig? Hang in there, buddy!" Aster said. Tepig got up and smiled confidently.

"Alright, Tepig." Aster said. "Use Scratch!"

Tepig looked at Aster, very baffled.

"Aster, what would a Tepig even scratch with?" Cheren asked.

"Oh, you're right!" Aster said. "Darn, I'm usually smarter than this. OK, Tepig, use Tail Whip!"

Tepig performed the same tail wag, and Snivy glowed blue again.

"Snivy, use Leer!" Bianca said. Snivy's eyes glowed red as it glared at Tepig, who glowed blue with an intimidated expression.

"Tepig! Use Blast Burn!" Aster yelled. Tepig didn't even need to look back at his trainer this time. He'd clearly already lost it.

"Aster, seriously?" Cheren asked. "Did you do any research before getting this Pokemon?"

"Well, I binge-watched the Watchy Watchog Show." Aster said. "That counts, right?"

"No." Cheren said bluntly.

"Oh. Darn." Aster said. "Alright, use Tail Whip again."

Tepig used Tail Whip one more time, and Snivy glowed again.

"Snivy, use Tackle!" Bianca said, and Snivy obeyed.

"Argh, Tepig! Dodge it!" he said. Tepig attempted to avoid the attack, but to no avail.

"Alright, we'll use Tackle!" Aster said. Tepig oinked a bit, and a weak flame came out from its nostril. It began running towards Snivy and crashed into it, dealing damage.

"Eek! Ouch!" Bianca said. "I won't let you get away with that!"

"Heh. I don't need your permission!" Aster said.

"Alright, Snivy, use Leer!" Bianca said. Snivy obliged, using Leer, its eyes glowing red again as Tepig got scared and glowed blue.

"Tepig, let's finish this! Use Tackle!" Aster said. Tepig looked at Snivy with a confident look on its face as it used Tackle once again, crashing into Snivy, who was sent flying backwards until it hit the wall. It slid off the wall, its eyes now in a strange swirly shape. Cheren looked at Snivy and determined that it couldn't fight any longer.

"Snivy is unable to battle!" he said. "Tepig wins!"

"Aw, yeah!" Aster cheered. He went up to Tepig and hugged it again. He then looked around and froze in terror, his skin going pale and his mouth agape.

Bianca called Snivy back to its Pokeball.

"Wow..." Bianca said. "Aster, you're gonna be an awesome Trainer someday, I can tell! No doubt!"

She saw he wasn't responding. This wasn't like him at all. Normally, Aster would've thanked Bianca for the compliment, and maybe engaged in a little gloating afterwards. What was wrong with him?

"Aster?" she asked. "Is something the matter?"

Cheren, on the other hand, knew exactly what was wrong.

"Uh, Bianca?" he said. "Would you take a look around?"

Bianca looked around and saw that the room was an absolute wreck.

"Wh-whoa! What happened?" she said, incredibly surprised.

"You... are completely hopeless." Cheren sighed. "Here! I'll restore your Pokemon for you. Just hand over the Pokeball."

Bianca obliged and gave him the capsule. Cheren then brought out a yellow object that looked like a six-pointed star and placed it on the ball. It faded away, and Cheren passed the ball to Bianca. He then went to the bin to throw the star away.

"Aster's Pokemon needs to be fixed up, too." Cheren said. He went to Aster and tried to take Tepig out of his arms. It was easier said than done. Aster had a death grip on the fire pig and wouldn't let go.

"Hey, uh, Aster?" Cheren said. "If it's any consolation, the Wii isn't even scratched."

The colour returned to Aster's skin, and he closed his mouth into a smile.

"Well, that's good!" he said, getting up.

"You're just as hopeless." Cheren said. "Now, hand over your Pokemon. It needs healing."

"Alright." Aster nodded, giving Tepig to Cheren. Cheren then brought out a purple, flask-shaped bottle, which Aster recognised as a Potion, a minor healing item for Pokemon, and sprayed it on Tepig, before giving the piglet back to Aster.

"Wow! Pokemon are amaaaaazing! So little, but so strong! I'm so glad that I get to have one!" Bianca gushed. "Oh, um... sorry about your room, Aster."

"Psh, water under the bridge." Aster said.

"What a relief..." Bianca said. "Hey, Cheren! How about you come battle, too? With all you know, I'm sure you can battle without turning the room into a disaster area like I did!"

"I believe you're right." Cheren said. "It'll be no problem for me to keep the room from getting any messier. Besides, it's no fun if you two are the only ones who get to have fun battling."

"So, you're in?" Aster asked.

Cheren nodded.

"It's been decided." he said. "You'll be my opponent... in my first Pokemon battle!"

"Alright, Tepig!" Aster said. "You ready?"

The fire pig squealed excitedly in response.

"Then, let's go!" Aster said, letting Tepig out of his arms and pointing forward.

"Alright, Oshawott, I choose you!" Cheren said. Oshawott jumped in front of him and looked at Tepig.

"Tepig, use Tackle!" Aster yelled. Tepig ran into Oshawott, dealing damage.

"I've finally become a Trainer... Everything starts from here!" Cheren said. "Alright, Oshawott, use Tail Whip."

Oshawott turned around and wagged its tail. Tepig glowed blue in response.

"Tepig, use Tail Whip!" Aster said. Tepig copied Oshawott's tail wag, and Oshawot glowed blue.

"Oshawott, use Tail Whip again." Cheren said. Oshawott obeyed.

"Tepig, Tail Whip!" Aster said. Tepig nodded and used the move.

"Oshawott, Tail Whip." Cheren said. Oshawott stared at Tepig, unnerving it a bit, before turning around to use Tail Whip.

"Tepig, use Tackle!" Aster yelled. Tepig used Tackle again, and Oshawott fell backwards.

"Oshawott, use Tail Whip." Cheren said. Oshawott sighed and repeated the tail wag, making Tepig glow blue

"Hey, how low do you intend on making my Defense?" Aster asked.

"You'll see." was Cheren's calm response.

"Grr, Tepig! Use Tackle!" Aster yelled. Tepig obeyed and used Tackle again. Oshawott took the hit head on and glared at Tepig. The otter had taken enough of a beating. Now, it was payback time.

"Oshawott, use Tackle!" Cheren yelled. Oshawott's eyes seemed to glow as he charged headfirst into Tepig. Tepig was launched backwards, its eyes making the same swirly shape that Snivy had made previously.

"Tepig is unable to battle." Cheren said. "Oshawott wins."

"Aw, darn it." Aster said. "Well, good game, Cheren."

"Alright, Oshawott. Return. You battled well." Cheren said. He held out his Pokeball and Oshawott was turned into a beam of light as the ball opened and the light entered.

"Yeah, you too, Tepig." Aster said, doing the same. Cheren gave Aster another of those yellow diamond-shaped object, which Aster recognised as a Max Revive.

"This feeling..." Cheren said, gripping the Pokeball tightly. "I'm finally a Trainer. But before all else, we'd better apologise to your mother for this messed up room, Aster."

"Agreed." Aster said.

"Oh, I'd better come, too!" Bianca said.

"Good idea!" Aster replied.

The three went downstairs to try to explain the incident to Aster's mother. But what will come of it? And what will happen next to our hero? Find out next time on Pokemon White.