Park

It was a brisk morning in Cabo Poco, the sun slowly rose against the windowsill of the guestroom. The calm air swayed the palm tree side to side and the outward horizon was nothing other than a flat, blue sea. From the window side Park could see two yellow Sqwackabillies flying together. Once one of the birds landed on a nearby branch, Park was quick to pull out their sketchbook and jot it down. They had never seen vibrant Pokémon like this back in Unova, it was always dull gray Pidoves.

On a fresh, untouched page, Park began circling a head with their pencil and then went straight to the beak. I wonder if I'll catch one of these, they thought smearing some graphite on their face as they brushed their cheek.

Nemona's voice called out from downstairs, "Park, breakfast!"

Park sighed at their sketch, then looked back at the window to find that the Squawkabilly had flown off. The page would be forever haunted by a drawing that could never be finished. They flipped the sketchbook shut and tucked it away in the lavender backpack. Park got up from their bed, plopping themselves onto the smooth hardwood floor. They then walked towards their reflection in a mirror hung on the faint, orange wall.

This is happening, they thought as they brushed their hair with their fingers. They licked their thumb to clear the graphite smudge, I'm going to be a trainer, for real this time! They tried to smile with pride even though their pastel purple eyes showed regret; they still felt uneasy. Park couldn't understand it, they'd been excited since they found out they got accepted into Uva. Why now? Why did their anxiety have to show up this late?

"Park, you good?!" Nemona hollered.

The soon-to-be trainer snapped out of their trance, "I'm coming!"

Park reached back into their bag and pulled out their favorite beanie. It had been their comfort hat for years, and no one else had another one like it. It was lavender, with an embroidered design of an Elgyem at the center of the folded sleeve. Despite the well-known heat of Paldea, Park just couldn't live without it. They slid the beanie on top of their brown hair, grabbed their backpack, and went straight down to the kitchen.

They felt exhausted as soon as they made it down the three flights of stairs, How does Nemona live like this? Park panted as they walked a mud room, then a living room, then a dining room. How does anyone live like this? Finally, they made it to the kitchen following the tantalizing scent of fresh pancakes and maple syrup. There Nemona's mother cooked at the stove, while her daughter sat at the table. The Torrezs had made Park feel so at home since their arrival in Paldea. Moving to a new region was never easy. But the Torrezs treated the unovian with so much hospitality, that it was like they were already part of the family.

Park noticed that Nemona's Lycanroc, Pierce, sat at her little table. It was furniture made for toddlers albeit a very ornate-looking set. There the maroon wolf chowed a bowl of Pokémon kibble with a pancake on top. Park smiled, their dogs back in Unova would never be pampered like this. They gave Pierce a scratch above its white mane and were thanked in the form of delighted bark.

Park sat down, where Mrs. Torrez set a plate down with a stack of pancakes and some rawst berries on the side. With a knife and fork, they took a good chunk out but they were met with a very crunchy texture.

Nemona turned to Park smiling, "So how is it?"

"Dry…" Park cleared their throat, "almost chalky."

"That's because Mami uses her secret ingredient," Nemona happily explained, "right, Mami?"

Park turned to Mrs. Torrez, who was standing behind the countertop, and nodded while pouring spoons full of protein powder into her coffee. The two women were nearly identical in appearance, nature, and taste. Both were copper-toned in complexion with jet-black hair and bright tangerine eyes. You could only tell them apart by Mrs. Torrez's plump figure and Nemona's few strands of green hair coming out of her hairline.

"First day!" Nemona clapped her hands together, "how do you feel?"

"Honestly a little nervous," Park sheepishly admitted.

"About becoming a trainer?" Nemona furrowed her brow.

Park lowered their chin, "I'm starting my trainer career ten years late. And most people have already caught a Pokémon by the time they were five!"

The young adult was now twenty, they wanted Pokemon of their own for as long as they could remember but something always got in the way. It was always finishing grade school, their parents being too overprotective, or being too young to travel. Most of the kids in Park's town left once they caught their first Pokemon, while the wanna-be trainer stayed behind.

"Pfft," Nemona rolled her lip, "better than to start at this point, younger trainers don't even make it past their third gym."

"Bzzzzzt Btzzzzzt!" A sudden ringing occurred, it came from Nemona's Roto Phone which flew out of her pocket. The backside was flashing a blue light around its bezel.

Nemona's eyes dilated, "Ah! La Prisa! We should get going, the director is going to arrive any minute!"

"Wait? Now like right now?!"

Park thought the director was coming in an hour, did they waste all that time drawing?

"Well…. you finish up," Nemona stood up, "Pierce and I will be outside! Come on, Pierce!"

"Rooowf," the Lycanroc called back to her.

Pierce knocked over her chair and scurried off with her trainer toward the main entrance. While still at the table Park coated their pancake in syrup, sugarcoating the powdery taste. They scarfed down as much as they could and got up to clear their plate. Once their plate was fully rinsed they crept to the fridge and retrieved a leftover sandwich they made for themselves yesterday. They left the kitchen with their backpack leaning on their shoulder and made their way towards the front door. Once again getting lost in an array of extra, unnecessary rooms.

Park finally made it to the front door, recognizing the frame of green-tinted stained glass. They took a moment to admire a painting hung on the side of the wall; a liney, abstract painting of supposed blue Pokemon. They appreciated the Torrezs's sophisticated taste in art and hoped someday they could achieve a similar artistic quality. Park opened the door, the overwhelming gleam of the Paldean sun nearly obscuring their vision. The pathway of the front yard was paved in rich sedimentary stones. The grass was a lush emerald color. The palm trees grew past the rooftops and stalked out stems of ripe Acai berries.

Right off the front yard was a plastic paved court for Pokemon battles. There Nemona and Pierce were already engaged in a training session, with the wolf Pokémon gwawing at a green Pokemon doll. She held the toy in her jaws, swinging it back and forth, then threw it across the yard.

"Alright, Pierce! Stone edge!" Nemona commanded.

Park felt a light tremor by their feet, taking a safe step back. At that moment tall, jagged stones rose from the ground tearing the Pokémon doll by the foot.

"Awoooooo," Pierce howled with pride.

Park looked at Nemona with envy, Won the league at 15, became a teacher at 17, and now she's 2 years older than me and she owns a mansion. Nemona Torrez was not only a well-accomplished trainer, but a champion-ranked trainer of Paldea honor that many could only dream of receiving. Park was starstruck when they found out she would be their host family. She carried herself with such confidence and finesse. Nemona makes it look so easy.

They imagined themselves in an intense gym battle, spouting commands to their imaginary Sableye as they fought off a rampaging Bouffalant. As soon as the Bouffalant charged the Sableye would be dead because of Park's incompetence. As they were lost in their mind, Park draped their beanie over their eyes, maybe I should stick to just studying Pokémon.

"Ah, Nemona!" a man's voice called out.

Park shifted back to reality, where an old man dressed in purple entered Nemona's yard.

He approached Nemona with a delightful tone, "It means so much that you would take in our new exchange student while we prepare their living arrangements. How are they finding Paldea?"

"Oh, they've been loving it," Nemona replied, " I wanted to take them to the seven sights but I guess they'll need to see it for themselves."

"Well then?" The old man turned to the soon-to-be trainer.

Upon a closer look, Park recognized the old man's snowy white hair and color-coordinated glasses. It was Clavell, director of Uva Academy! In a desire to appear professional, Park anxiously straightened their necktie.

"You must be, Mx. Trembly," the director smiled, "how wonderful it is to meet you in person finally!"

"Uh likewise," Park responded, Gotta brush up on my formal words.

Clavell scratched his chin, "I assume you're well-adjusted to our region's climate. Though, might I ask why the hat?"

Fuck, he has a policy against hats! They began to panic but kept trying to keep their composure, "I never leave home without it. It's not a problem for me to wear hats in school is it?"

Park should've known this, Uva was the most prestigious trainer school in Paldea. Of course they would have a strict dress code!

But Clavell only laughed, "Of course not, as long as you wear your uniform on school grounds you're free to accessorize!"

Park sighed, their heart refusing to race. They were safe… for now.

"Onto more important matters…" Clavell adjusted his glasses, "Mx. Trembly, on your student application you checked off that you weren't planning on catching any Pokémon before your arrival."

"Oh yes," Park replied, only because global transport is hella expensive.

"Since you're a newcomer to our region, I want to accommodate you with one of three Pokemon that are suitable for a beginner trainer," Clavell exclaimed.

Park's heartbeats heightened, but this time with intrigue. Accommodate me?

Their purple eyes widened, "Wait, are you-"

"Suprise!" Nemona bounced with glee.

Park struggled to find their words, they thought they were just going to catch a wild Paldean Pokemon to start with.

"Are you giving me a Pokémon?!"

"Of course, it's much safer to have a Pokémon beforehand as I always say!" Clavell reassured them.

Park couldn't hold it in, they began to flap their hands like a Herdier wags its tail. A Pokemon as a gift, just for them!

"Sweet Arceus! When do I get to meet them!?" They shouted.

Clavell took out three common Pokeballs from his pocket, "Right now!"

He threw three Pokeballs toward the sky. Then one by one they admitted streaks of dim, blue light. The lights took strange shapes, one grew four legs while the other two stood on a single pair. Once the Pokemon materialized there stood a green cat with a fluffy tail, a white duck with a blue crest, and a tubby, red reptile with a white face.

"You'll find that the Pokémon selected for you have the same typing as the starter Pokémon offered in Unova," Clavell said, placing his hand on Park.

"Among them are…" Clavell began to announce, "Sprigatito, the grass cat Pokemon!"

"Spur-nya," the cat mewed, clawing at a nearby leaf.

"Quaxly, the duckling Pokémon!"

"Weh," the duck whimpered, shielding its face with its wings.

"And Fuecoco, the fire croc Pokémon!"

"Cro-ko!" the reptile chirped while looking at the sun.

Park was so charmed by the three creatures, "Holy shit they're so cu-"

Park slapped their mouth, regretfully wishing they said something different. Their face became a new shade of red. Their fingers curved like claws as they pressed them against their cheek. They just swore in front of the director!

"Eh!" Park murmured, Nice going jackass!

Clavell's eyes widened with astonishment while Nemona couldn't help but crack up. There was no way Park could ever take that back.

The soon-to-be ex-student remorsefully stammered, "Mr. Director, sir! I didn't mean to I-I slipped my tongue!"

Park was so stuck in their emotional mind, that they didn't realize they were overstepping their vocal volume or physical space.

Clavell took a step back and waved his hands, "Woah- it's perfectly fine!"

"I'm not in trouble?" Park whimpered on the brink of tears.

"Don't worry, I'm cool like that! "Fresh" as you kids call it!" Clavell confidently flipped his hair.

Nemona was at a loss for words, all she could do was still laugh. Park sighed with relief and wiped their tears. They brought their attention back to the three starters, all three of them were off on their own devices.

Clavell stood next to Park, "So, do you know which one you want?"

Right, I can only choose one, they reminded themselves.

"Not yet."

"Of course, I understand this is a sudden choice. Take plenty of time!" the director nodded, "these three have been cooped up in their Pokéballs all morning. Why not take them for a stroll to get to know them better?"

Along the Torrezs garden, mauve anemone flowers filled the air with a gentle sweet aroma. The Sprigatito leaped into the flower bed but was graceful enough to not step on a single stem. The Quaxly and Fuecoco followed Park down the path as the brown-haired human kept thinking to themselves. The surprise was sweet and all, but I wish I didn't have to deal with choosing a Pokémon. Especially my first Pokémon, what if I make the wrong choice? They looked back at the duck and crocodile, overwhelmed by their adorableness.

Park thought back to they're childhood dreams, I always wanted a Snivy back home so maybe Sprigatito?

They turned to the cat who was pressing a white feather against the ground with its claws, he noticed Park and gave a hiss. Somehow it made them feel nervous. Then again cats are so much different than snakes…

Park pondered the idea of choosing Quaxly, Many trainers recommend water types, after all, they are strong against so many other types. Plus, they help you get around oceans and lakes!

The Quaxly's fluffy white down ruffled as the human observed them. Maybe not.

Park felt guilty, it seemed like they were passing down their surprise. But they also knew that the director wouldn't set them up for failure, one of these Pokémon had to be a hidden match. Then there's Fuecoco… The soon-to-be trainer looked around for the little crocodile; it was nowhere in sight.

"Fuck, I lost one of them!" Park blurted aloud. Nice going Park!

They frantically shook, wanting to check the rest of the yard for the missing Pokemon. In an act of impulse, Park attempted to carry the remaining starters. A big mistake, as the two Pokémon didn't take kindly to being held. Out of their emotional distress, Park left the two to their own devices and ran toward the aligned trees making up the border of the open yard.

They scanned them until they found a spot of vermillion popping against the viridity of the grass.

"Thank god," Park sighed.

While Park was winding itself up, the Fuecoco lay on its belly bathing underneath the warmth of the sun.

"Fuecoco!" Park called out to them.

They approached the reptile with caution, under the assumption they could be just as stubborn as the other starters.

"Coco?" the Fuecoco tilted its head.

"Don't just run. off like that!" Park exclaimed already out of breath, "let's… stay close together."

The fuecoco got up with a yawn, its opened jaw revealing two extra fangs. As it hopped closer to Park, they noticed the fire croc's eyes were half open. The sun's rays clearly made Fuecoco comfortable, unlike Park who was melting with sweat. Park took a moment to remove their beanie but accidentally dropped it. At that moment, Fuecoco curiously sniffed at the beanie, nudging it with its snout. I'm not getting that back, am I?

Park carefully reached for the beanie, but couldn't help but notice that the Fuecoco held it close to its chest, hugging it.

"Fuey" the crocodile happily gargled.

Park recognized the Fuecoco's coziness, "You like the feel of my hat too huh?"

The Fuecoco's relaxing vibe began to rub off on the human, and soon slowly they held out their hand towards it. Please don't bite! To their surprise, its snout was pressed up against the Park's palm. Their scales were dry yet soft and a little bumpy. Being a fire type, they felt they were naturally warm. Park admired the crocodile, yep you're the one!

Park got up and lifted their soon-to-be Pokemon, the Fuecoco was a little heavier than the other starters but not too heavy to carry. They ran back to their director with, the other two starters in tow.

"Director Clavell, Director Clavell," they called to out until they properly reached him, "I've chosen, Fuecoco for my partner, sir!"

"Splendid, Park," the director clapped his hands, "do you have a name in mind for him?"

Park looked down at their new Pokémon, cozy with so many ideas and possibilities they could share. His name had to be perfect, but the bright tufts on his head made him look like… a fruit.

They held up the Fuecoco towards them, "What do you think of the name Tamarind?"

"Co," the crocodile smiled, holding out one of his claws in approval.

Clavell handed Park his Pokeball and Nemona approached them, she was just as excited as they were. They placed Tamarind down to mingle with Pierce.

"Feeling nervous now?" Nemona playfully asked.

"Not really," Park replied. There's a good chance I'll feel it later though.

They couldn't help but notice that was looking Nemona away from them, she had her eye caught on the other two starter Pokemon.

"Hey, Clive?" Nemona spoke, "I know that these Pokémon were meant for Park. But since they've already made their choice, do you think I can take one?"

Clavell scratched his beard, "You, Ms. Torrez?"

"Plenty of my Pokémon are high level, I was thinking having a newbie level would help my battle strategy students with some hands-on lessons," the Champion explained.

Park knew that as a Champion, Nemona's Pokemon were jacked. They wouldn't dare challenge her, or any other trainer for that matter.

"That seems like a good reason," Clavell remarked, "which one would you like?"

Nemona crouched, and held her handout to the Sprigatito, "I'll take this little chiqui!"

Park placed their hand on the scratch mark, Nemona are you sure?

To their surprise, the ferocious kitten allowed Nemona to hold him. Park was left confused, it was like his personality had shifted. As the Sprigatito purred in the champion's arms, the novice trainer reached to pet him. Only for the cat to revert to aggressive as the pupils in his magenta eyes drew back into diamond shapes. Park looked at Nemona, how? Clavell gave Nemona a Pokeball and retrieved the unchosen Quaxly.

"Now that that's settled we should be on our way to campus," Clavell stated.

Down by the stairs of the pathway, a fancy black car awaited them. Park began to make their way but felt a heavy hand on their shoulder.

"Could you let me hold on to Park just a little bit longer?" she asked, "I thought I could teach them the ropes of catching wild Pokémon."

Park's purple eyes beamed like stars, they flapped their right hand with excitement. Oh please Clavell, say yes!

He nodded back, "As long as Park makes it back to the academy by sunset, that's fine. Just be mindful of your time!"