Dexter followed the scent that had sneaked around the corner, gliding away from Santina and the many screens she flitted between. He knew what the new scent heralded, even if he did not recognize this particular signature – the time had finally arrived. Time for all his training of the hatchlings to come to fruition. Time for three new trainers to take over. Time for the choice.
He knew that today was the day from the excited voices and bustle of movement around the lab; every researcher, no matter their field, was all but jumping for joy at the events about to unfold. He sensed that this particular choosing had a special place in their hearts, because (he had gathered from Santina's and others' conversations) one of their own was going to begin her journey.
He had met Jayde many times – she was always dancing around the lab, and, though Santina had never worked closely with her, she had even been present for his evolution a few years ago. She had been barely more than a hatchling, still less than half the size of the others, but she usually composed herself to the point where she simply seemed like a smaller version of them. Not then, though. Her eyes widening, she had dropped to her tiny knees and squealed in glee. She'd then proceeded to play with him for the rest of the day, under Santina's happy supervision, as he grew used to his new form.
He had expected her to arrive already, her thumping footsteps sounding throughout the research areas as she bounced and spun around the room, but he hadn't caught her scent yet. The one that currently filled his nostrils, a surprisingly clean mixture of detergent and earth, was distinctly male, as was the voice echoing down the corridor towards him. He approached the source and, crouching, peered around the corner into the large room.
The entire far wall bubbled eastwards to the fields outside, the glass panes that scattered the morning light throughout the room at times illuminating dim corners and at others sending ribbons of color to splash against the fine pale brick. A row of tables ran along the north wall, with the dangling cords from the computers that rested there providing a dense forest of plastic from which he could supervise the proceedings. Skirting the wall, he quickly slinked behind the mass of wires and settled down at the far side, gazing out at the humans waiting by the windows.
He recognized Gary right away. Having been at the lab longer than Jayde, Gary was well known among all those who worked here. Santina had done several projects with his assistance.
The other, whom Dexter estimated to be roughly the same age as Jayde, was a thin, anxious-looking boy, his unkempt blonde hair swept back from his pale face. He was nervously laughing with Gary, who seemed to be trying to set the boy at ease, and tended to look at the floor rather than make eye contact. His gaze shot suddenly to the southern door, which had opened suddenly with a small click, reacting to it as if it had been blown off of its hinges.
The smooth wood of the entrance streamed open to reveal an aging man – Professor Oak – escorting a tall, confident girl holding by her shoulder a small bag, the pale blue of which contrasted nicely with her dark skin and darker hair. She smiled widely upon seeing the boy, striding over and extending her hand.
"Hi! Hey, I remember you from testing - I think we had the same proctor! Weren't there, like, a hundred people or something? Hard to believe we both made it here, huh?"
The boy took a nervous swallow and shook her hand, trying to smile. "Y-yeah, I remember. Alanna, right?"
She beamed at him and let her hand fall back to her side. "Yep, that's me! And you're… sorry, I'm terrible with names."
"T-Trent."
"Trent! Yeah, you were the only one who managed to get that Diglett to stop freaking out, right?"
"A-as far as I kn-know."
She laughed. "You don't have to be so jumpy, you know. We're rivals now, but that doesn't mean we can't be friends."
Taking a deep breath, he gave her another smile. "Yeah, I kn-know. Just a bit nervous, I guess."
"Me too! I can't believe we're getting starters! This is so exciting! Do you know which you're picking yet?"
Somewhat taken aback, he replied, "U-uh, n-no. Just kinda g-going with the f-flow, I guess."
"Same with me. I mean, I kinda know which type I like best, but I want to factor their personalities in, too, you know?"
At this he seemed to relax a little. "Yeah, me too. I want to like the Pokémon, not just the species."
Smiling, she nodded. She lifted her wrist and looked at the thin watch she seemed to have strapped there. Glancing at Professor Oak, and then at the door, she started to seem a bit worried.
"It's almost nine. Isn't there still another girl coming?"
Professor Oak nodded, and, though Dexter couldn't see his face, a touch of concern colored his tone. "Yes, there is. She should be here soon… and if she's not, then we'll start without her."
The girl – Alanna – bit her lip. "Okay. I hope she gets here soon. I want to make sure we all have each other's numbers so we can keep in touch and let each other know how things are going."
Dexter was growing slightly worried as well. What could be keeping her? He glanced towards the entrance they had used, which he knew led to the front of the building. Though he was aware she wouldn't care about not having a choice of starter – she could befriend almost any Pokémon with ease – it still seemed important to the others.
His attention was drawn back by Professor Oak's sigh.
"Okay, we have to begin. Now-"
"Who gets to choose first?" Alanna asked.
"I'll explain. Now…"
Dexter allowed the explanation of the "choice-before-the-choice" (as Santina referred to it) drift to the background, his thoughts shifting to the hatchlings. They had all progressed well, and he felt that they were amply prepared to begin their journeys with these trainers. The boy – Trent – seemed unsure of himself, but the fact that he was permitted to be here meant that he had proven himself during the testing that all applicants must go through.
According to Santina, Trent, Alanna, and Jayde had scored the highest during these challenges, allowing them the opportunity to choose from among these three. In addition, they were not only permitted to take part in the League, which she described as a competition between the toughest trainers, but also to challenge the "Elite Four". Santina said that these trainers and their Pokémon were so powerful that even the victor of the League wouldn't hold a candle to them – he assumed this meant that they were not to be taken lightly.
But even though those trainers who qualified each year to challenge them (three new trainers and three established trainers) were widely recognized as some of the most talented in the world, or potentially talented, Santina said that there had not been a victory against the Elite Four since she was a child.
Dexter's gaze snapped back to the humans as three beams of light shot towards the ground in the space between them and the glass. The lights formed into the shapes of three small Pokémon before dispersing and leaving the hatchlings in their places. The Pokéballs that had produced them, two held by the Professor and the other by Gary, snapped shut. As the two trainers gazed in anticipation, the hatchlings tried to look as powerful as they could, puffing out their chests and standing tall.
As much as Dexter wanted to see which trainer would choose each, he decided to find Jayde. Though he knew he was likely overreacting, she might be injured somewhere - anything that would keep her this long couldn't be good. Before any of the humans could speak (beyond Alanna's cooing), he slid out from behind the tables and padded towards the door, gazing proudly at the hatchlings as he passed.
"Dexter? What are you doing here?" said Gary, laughing. "Here to see them off?"
By the time Gary had succinctly explained to the trainers who Dexter was, the Raticate had crossed the room. He focused his eyes on the door handle and jumped up, grasping the cool metal and allowing the door to open. Gary looked back at him, eyebrows slightly raised as he began to understand.
"Oh, you're going to look for Jayde, aren't you?" Hearing the Normal-type's affirmative grunt, he snorted. "Well, when you find her, ask her what the hell is taking so long."
Upon cursing, he glanced quickly at his grandfather out of habit, but the elderly man only gave an approving laugh. Gary turned back to the trainers, looking at Alanna.
"Well, you're up first."
Dexter started down the corridor, hearing behind him the farewell cries of the hatchlings and, after a few moments, the girl's decision. Pleased, he continued on, his small nails clicking on the linoleum beneath him.
Yay, Chapter 5! And the return of Dexter. From here on out it should be almost entirely from Jayde's perspective, though it may switch viewpoints on occasion.
What do you think of the pacing so far? I know a lot of stories start off running immediately, but I wanted to build some background in before throwing a journey at you with characters you barely know. Too slow, or is this okay?
Feedback is always appreciated! Next chapter should be up by the middle-ish of next week!