Forrest, his father and Scarlett all stared in shock at the challenge Iris made. She stood tall and confident, waiting for his response. Forrest could see the determination in her eyes. Iris was definitely a girl who lived for the thrill of battle.

He smiled and walked to the other end of the yard to give themselves some space. He reached for his pokeball on his chest, snapping the lock off.

"You're on," he answered.

"Iris, you just met him," Scarlett complained. "Surely a battle can when we all get to know each later."

"If he wants to partake in my family's legacy, he is going to have to prove himself." Blue eyes kept on Forrest's green.

"Legacy?" asked Forrest.

"My name is Iris Oak, great granddaughter of the legendary Professor Samuel Oak. Daughter of Pokemon Master Blue Oak," Iris explained with pride. "My grandfather died just last week. He was one of the greatest Pokemon researchers of our time. And he selected you to help him and our family continue his research. I want to see you are worthy."

A cold pit formed in Forrest's stomach. He didn't know Professor Oak passed away. Even growing in Sinnoh he had heard of the great Professor Oak. It was his research that led him to creating the first pokedex. His lectures were at academies and video libraries.

"So, are you going to prove yourself?" Iris challenged.

"I accept," Forrest answered. He threw his pokeball. "Rio! Let's get started!" A flash of light and smoke revealed his Riolu.

"Yiippp!" it screeched and got into a fighter's stance.

"How cute!" said Scarlett, blushing.

Iris growled in annoyance. "Fine. I won't back down. Eevee, battle ready!" Another bright flash and one of the cutest pokemon in existence appeared on the field.

"Veee!" it yipped.

Forrest could see why Iris was frustrated. With Riolu being a fighting-type, it had the advantage over Eevee, a normal-type.

"Quick attack!" Iris quickly yelled.

"Match it!" Forrest answered.

The two pokemon rushed forward, hoping to gain the advantage first. Eevee's head connected with Riolu's fist. The attack repelled both Pokemon back to their trainers.

"Tackle!" Iris ordered.

Eevee charged forward again, using brute force instead of speed to attack.

Forrest waited a split second before the attack landed. "Rio! Counter!"

Counter was a fighting-move. A faint coat of energy covered Riolu as Eevee's hit landed. Riolu grunted at the sacrificed attack, but quickly spun in a circle and delivered the Counter on Eevee's side. Eevee yelped and rolled back to Iris. It slowly got back up.

"Rio. Force Palm."

Riolu rushed forward, a glow encased one of its' fists.

"Sand Attack," ordered Iris.

Eevee spun in a circle, its' tail on the ground. A small wave of sand hit Riolu in the face, stopping its' attack. Riolu stumbled back, rubbing the eyes.

"Now Bite attack!" smiled Iris.

Forrest grit his teeth. Bite was a Dark-move and super effective against fighting-types. And it was bad that Eevee already learned it since it was a high-level move. Luckily, Rio had just the move to save itself.

"Rio! Endure!"

Riolu placed its' arms in a defensive position and a red glow surrounded his body. Just as Eevee bit on of the arms. Even if bite was effective against Riolu, Endure would allow it to keep fighting.

"Oh no!" Iris gasped. She just saw the trap she was in.

"Now use Focus Palm!"

Even low on energy and partially blinded by sand, Riolu's energy fist connected with Eevee's body. The Pokemon yelped as it flew through the air from the super effective move. It landed hard on the ground near Iris. Eevee softly growled once, then fell. Its eyes were in swirls, a clear indication it fainted.

"Eevee, no," Iris said as she sat beside her Pokemon and softly laid a hand on its back.

"The winner is Forrest," announced Scarlett announced.

Forrest knelt beside Rio and softly brushed any leftover sand from its eyes. "You did a great job, buddy," he said as Rio smiled back at him.

"Here." Forrest looked up to see Scarlett handing him a pink handkerchief. "Use this."

"Thank you," said Forest. He took the cloth and gently wiped his Pokemon's eyes. Then handed it back to her when he finished. "But what about Eevee?"

Forrest looked around Scarlett to see his father feeding a small piece of berry to Eevee, who was being held by Iris. The Pokemon softly chewed the berry piece. A moment later, it opened its' eyes to see Iris smiling.

"You did a good job, Eevee," Iris said softly. "We were just at a disadvantage this time."

Eevee mewled quietly, then ate another berry held by Forrest's father.

While Eevee was chewing, Iris walked towards Forrest and Scarlett.

"Good battle," said Forrest.

"You too," replied Iris. "I guess you are worthy to help my grandfather's cause."

"I'm sorry about your great grandfather. I didn't know he was gone."

Iris lifted Eevee and snuggled it against her cheek. "He gave Eevee to me on my birthday last month. He hoped she would help me on my journey."

So the Eevee was a female. It was very hard to tell at a first glance.

"So can we be friends now?" asked Scarlett.

Iris grinned and held out a free hand. "Will rivals work instead? I do want a rematch."

Forrest grasped her hand with a matching grin. "Looking forward to it."


Later that day, Forrest and his father were having dinner at his new house. Iris and Scarlett left to deliver the rest of the berries to laboratory. All three of them agreed to meet at 8 in the morning to receive their new starter pokemon and pokedexes.

"Ready for tomorrow?" asked Richard. He was clearing the table and putting the dishes into the sink.

"I hope so. I wasn't exactly planning on starting my journey in the Kanto region." Forrest grabbed a kitchen towel and began to dry the dishes his father was cleaning. "I don't know much about the area."

"Maybe it will make the journey more fun," said Richard. "Knowing every place on the map isn't the same as experiencing it. Getting lost sounds like part of the journey."

"It does sound interesting," Forrest agreed.

Suddenly, a ringing filled the house.

"That's the phone. It might be your mom."

Forrest put down the towel and walked into the living room where the video phone was. The screen was flashing 'incoming call'. He pushed the answer button and his mom, Rose, was there smiling at him.

"Hi honey! I see you made it to Pallet town okay."

"Hi mom. I just arrived earlier today."

Rose smiled. "And did you meet those two, cute girls today?"

"Mom!" Forrest flushed. "I just met them. And how did you know about them?"

"Your father told me," she grinned. "He said Oak's laboratory had some helpers that were the same age as you. Ones you might be interested in."

"Dad!" Forrest yelled at the kitchen. "Butt out!"

Both parents snickered.

"I was just teasing, honey."

Forrest rolled his eyes. "So where are you now?"

"I'm in Lumiose City. It's beautiful here. The tower is lighting up the sky in the most spectacular glow. I'll send you and your father pictures."

"Maybe one day I'll see it in person."

"One day. So, are you ready for tomorrow?"

Forrest nodded. "I think so."

"Do you know which starter you are going to pick?"

This was the question that had been burning in Forrest's mind over since he accepted Professor Oak's request. The Professor gave him a choice of picking one of three Pokemon that were selected for trainers helping with research.

The first choice was Bulbasaur, a grass-type. Pokemon 001 in the Pocket Monsters Manuel. An almost perfect balance of offense and defense. Its abilities would be able to help Forrest grow healthier berries as well as becoming a loyal Pokemon.

The second choice was Charmander, the fire-type. As awesome as owning a fire-type Pokemon was, Forrest realized it would take a lot of responsibility in training it. He read Charmanders could be loyal but are quick to rage.

The last choice was Squirtle, the water-type. Forrest heard that Squirtle was a favorite among trainers, especially with how easily it could be friends with the trainer and other Pokemon. However, he read that Squirtles could be mischievous and difficult once a bad interaction occurs.

Forrest still didn't know which one to choose.

"No," he admitted. "I still don't know."

"Well, as long as you show any Pokemon you pick with love and care, I know you will succeed."

"Thanks, mom."

Rose smiled at him. "Ready for your present?"

"Present? My birthday was two months ago."

"Well, we wanted to give you something to help on your journey."

"So Happy late Birthday," cheered Richard as he placed a small present on the coffee table.

Forrest unwrapped the bow around the box and lifted the cover. His jaw dropped when he saw what inside.

"A new Pokegear watch!"

"I saw them in the market when I arrived in the Pallet Town. They are the latest model from the Silph Company."

"So now you can always keep in touch with us," finished his mom. "It includes a Map card for the Kanto region and a Radio card as well."

Forrest pulled the device out of the box. It was an emerald color, with a smaller antenna on the top. The new tech included a hologram emitter with touchscreen technology, which helped remove the problems of small screens and limited button control.

"Mom, dad, thanks a lot," Forrest said as he strapped it on his left wrist.

"Now go and make your dreams come true."


Forrest slept better in his bed than he did on the boat. It was a shame that he would only be using it for one night though. The soft breeze brought the smell of the ocean drifting through his open window. It cooled him and his Riolu, who was sleeping at the foot of the bed. His dreams were filled with cheering spectators, roaring his name as he won the League Championship.

But those dreams were interrupted the cawing of a mechanical Dodrio that perched on his roof. Everybody in Pallet Town had one. Forrest sat up, yawned and stretched. Rio did the same, then rubbed its' eyes cutely.

"Ready for the day, buddy?"

"Rruurff!" it yipped.

He dressed and the duo made their way outside. Ever since he received Riolu, Forrest had taken up stretching in the mornings and even practicing fighting-moves with his Pokemon. He always carried a punching mitt in his bag and a kicking shield in his PC storage. Each item was made by the Devon Corporation, which had special properties to store digitally into PC's.

After stretching, Forrest grabbed the kicking shield and lowered himself on one knee. "Alright, Rio. Let's start off with a Quick Attack."

Riolu growled in agreement and charged forward, slamming into the shield. Forrest braced himself against the shield and absorbed the impact. It protected him, but he felt the force behind it.

"Again."

Rio attacked again. They did this for the next 15 minutes. Forrest would even get up and run around the yard so Rio could chase him. This would help Rio in a real battle since its opponent won't always be standing still.

"Ok. Now, let's try that Low Kick."

Low Kick wasn't a move Rio could learn through level advancement. So Forrest decided to try the old fashion way: training. It wasn't quite perfect, so Forrest didn't use it in the battle yesterday.

Rio quickly stood on one leg and swung the other into the kicking shield. The impact was stronger than Quick Attack, but there wasn't a sign that it was an effective move.

"Again. Low Kick."

And again, nothing happened. But on the third try, Forrest finally saw Rio's leg glow with a white shine.

*THUMP*

The impact knocked Forrest off his feet and onto his butt. Rio immediately rushed to his side with a worried expression on its' face. But Forrest just smiled.

"You did it, buddy. With just a little more training, you will be able to use that in an actual battle."

"Rowrrf!" the Pokemon smiled back.

Forrest got to his knees and held the shield in front of him. "Let's keep going."

They trained for another 10 minutes. Rio was able to use the move correctly the more they trained. By the time training was over, Forrest could barely feel his arm.

"Great job, Rio. Return."

With Rio safely in his Pokeball, Forrest went back inside and got a quick shower. Later, he got dressed, put on his new Pokegear, and rushed outside. His dad was already checking the berry trees that were sprouting.

"On my way!" Forrest called as he started running down the road.

"Good luck!" his dad called back.