It was a chilly but sunny afternoon, perfect weather for an end-of-winter cruise. Hikari and Haruka found themselves walking through the various tourist shops that lined the boardwalk in Sunnyshore city. Having been years since Hikari last traveled, and given the fact that Haruka wanted a fresh start, they decided to buy everything they would need brand new. Armed with only Haruka's pokedex and Hikaris unusually large first aid kit, the two best friends made their way through the multitude of shops.

Hikari had purchased a plethora of expensive Luxury balls along with an ample amount of potions, revives, candied berries, and pkmn conditioner. She also got a plethora of dehydrated food including dairy, meat, fruit, vegetables, noodles, rice, cereal, and energy bars. After Haruka said something, she also grabbed meal replacement shake powders, flavoring drops for their water, and some candies.

They both also purchased new trainer outfits. Hikari now wore a pair of thigh high black combat boots under a pair of black jean shorts. On top she wore a long pastel purple long sleeved tunic style shirt. The shirt covered most of the shorts so that it looked like she was wearing a very short skirt. Her waist length straight blue hair was pulled to the side in a loose braid, the pink scarf her brother gave her right before her first journey was woven into the braid. She finished the look with a burgandy colored backpack and pokeball belt.

Haruka on the other hand stayed true to her favorite color. Old habits die hard. Adorning a pair of daisy duke jean shorts under a tied up red plad shirt, Haruka decided to change her hair. leaving half of it loose and pulling the other half into a heart shaped bun on the top of her head, she tied her lucky red scarf given to her by her mother before she died, on the top of her head into a cute bow. She grabbed a pair of brown combat boots along with matching belt and backpack and they made their way to the next store.

On the way to the camera store, they ran into (quite literally) someone they hadn't expected to see at all. "Whats got you two in such a rush?"

Eyes wide, both girls bowed deeply in apology. "Professor Rowan," Haruka asked as she stood back up. "What are you doing here?"

"I've just returned from the Kalos region and was fixing to call for a ride back to my lab." The older gentleman hadn't changed much in the years since Haruka last saw him. The biggest difference was his once grey hair and mustache were now white as snow. He held a glimmer of amusement in his eyes but his voice boomed with authority. "Again I ask, why are you in such a rush that you ran into me?"

"Gomennasai professor." Haruka bowed again before pointing to a nearby tech store. "We were just trying to get to the electronics store to get Hikari a new pokedex before our ship leaves."

If he was upset he didn't show it. Instead he granted the girls one of his rare smiles before explaining why they wouldn't need to spend the money. "A new pokedex you say? Well now, I may be able to help with that."

Ignoring the girls obvious confusion, Professor Rowan reached into his ever handy briefcase and began digging for something. "You see I just recieved a new prototype from the Kalos regions new professor Citron and I need someone to test it out for me." Pulling out a deep violet colored tablet, the professor presented it to the bluenette with a soft urgency. "Would you be interested Hikari?"

Feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude, Hikari bowed deeply with her hands out. "Hai! I would be honored professor. Thank you so much."

"Yes." A look of concern flashed across his face as a thought struck his mind. Turning to the young girl he knew to have a tragic life, he questioned her ability to start over all these years later. "Are you sure you're ready to go back out there, after everything that happened?"

Haruka was going to argue with the professor for bringing it up. The last thing she needed was Hikari backing out now because someone put doubt in her head. But the bluenette surprised everyone with her response. "Hai. I need to move on and I can't do that until I put myself back out there."

Seeming pleased with her answer, the professor straightened up and pointed out a crucial part of the journey. "Well then, you should also take a new starter."

"He's right, I didn't even think about that!" Haruka felt ready to punch herself! How could she ask Hikari to go on a pokemon journey with no pokemon?!

"I'd rather not..." Hikari didn't give Haruka the chance to accept on her behalf. Though she loved her best friend, sometimes she could be a bit... aggressive.

"Hmm? " The professor seemed concerned again but Hikari was ready to stand her ground. One thing she learned while traveling with Satoshi was that it wasn't actually necessary to battle a pokemon to capture it.

"If it's all the same to you professor, I'd rather try to get a new starter in Nedlle." She had her own plans for how this journey would play out.

"Oh." Professor Rowan said sounding relieved. "So that's where you are headed?" When they both nodded he chuckled lightly. "A fine region for a fresh start. Well then, allow me to escort you to your ship, I believe the cruise to Nedelle is boarding as we speak."

As the professor began to usher them toward the docs, Haruka checked her watch and started to panic. They could NOT miss this boat. "Oh my Mew, Hikari, we gotta go!"

XxX

Quick note, I know professor Rowan has a different Japanese name but it's stupid long and I always misspell it so we're not going to use it in this fanfiction lol

Another note I should add, there will be a lot of type difference than canon. For instance, Harukas Blazekin is a secondary fighting type and can use fighting type moves.

Lmk what you think so far! I have the first half of the book plotted out and I'm publishing as I'm writing so please let me know what you think!!!