It was a normal morning for Kira. Well, as normal as a morning when you're friends with a hyperactive teen named Barry. A few minutes ago, she was waking up from her very much well-deserved sleep. The both of them has just finished their school year, and 2 days ago, winter break has started. A full month of doing anything that they want. And that's where Barry had the stupid idea of starting their Pokémon journey together.
Barry has been wanting to go on a Pokémon journey ever since he was 10, but due to his mom and Kira's persuasion, he's forced to postpone it until they were at least 15 years old. This year, they're both 15, so naturally Barry has been pestering Kira about going on a Pokémon journey. Since the both of them are still in high school, Kira reasoned that they'll do it on either winter or summer break.
She's currently watching TV, something about Professor Rowan, the leading researcher of Pokémon in Sinnoh. Though, she's focusing on combing her silver hair, not really paying attention to the TV. But she caught bits and pieces, like how Professor Rowan just returned from Kanto. Finally finished, she turned off the TV, and puts on her glasses.
Now, finished with changing her clothes, she now wears a white shirt, shorts, and her black round glasses. As she turns off the TV, the door to her room bursts open, and in came her best friend, Barry. He's wearing a jacket with orange and white stripes, with gray pants, a long green scarf, and he also wears an orange Pokétch on his left arm. "There you are! Hey, Kira! Did you just see the TV?" Barry asked, energetically.
Kira loved Barry as her friend, but oh God, is he too hyperactive for his own good. With a sigh, Kira answered. "Hello, Barry. Yeah, I just saw the TV. And no good morning?"
Barry immediately realized his mistake, and composed himself. "Oh sorry! I was just so excited to see you and tell you! But, yeah, good morning, Kira!"
Kira smiles, and Barry gets closer to her, sitting down next to her. Kira turned to him, and asked. "So, what brings you so early this morning?"
Barry gave a big stupid grin. "Well, since you already watched the show, there's no need to tell you much! Professor Rowan's that really important guy who studies Pokémon right? That means he must have lots and lots of Pokémon. So, if we ask him, I bet he'd give us some Pokémon! Then, we can start our journey for real!" Barry excitedly tells his idea. "Besides, this is the perfect opportunity! We're on winter break, no school to stop us, and we can go on a journey!"
Kira thought for a moment, and she nods. "You know what, yeah. For once, I agree with you." She then looked to Barry, who has already walked to her new PC.
"Oh, hey! Is this a new PC?!" Barry excitedly fiddled with it, before Kira stepped in and stopped him before he could turn it on.
"Barry, focus! But, to answer your question, yeah, my mom just bought it a few days ago." Kira sighed, and smiled at him.
"Oh right! Sorry, Kira. You know how I am, hehe…" Barry nervously scratched the back of his head. "Uh… Where was I? Oh, right, right! We're going to go see Professor Rowan and get some Pokémon. I'll be waiting outside. Okay, Kira? If you're late, I'm fining you $10 million!" He immediately runs out of her room, heading downstairs.
Kira sighed, and mused to herself. "Honestly… I don't know how I'm friends with him… Well, someone has to keep him in check." She stands up from the floor, and goes to her wardrobe, changing her clothes.
A few minutes later, and she's done. She now wears a blue overcoat, which she only closed the bottom part, revealing her white shirt. She also wears long black pants. She picks up her light blue scarf, and puts on her white socks. She packs up her bag, which she usually uses to travel.
Taking one final look at her room to make sure nothing is left behind, she goes downstairs, meeting her mom, Johanna. She's currently watching TV, something about Pokémon contests. "Hi Mom." Kira greets her mom. She sometimes wonders if she inherits more from her dad, because she looks nothing like her mom. Kira's mom has dark blue hair that is styled in a bob, with her eyes being the same color, while Kira's hair is silver, and her eyes are a deep blue.
Her mom immediately looked to Kira, and speaks. "Kira! Barry already left. I don't know what it was about, but he sure was in a hurry! You know how impatient Barry is."
"Yeah, Mom, I know." She lightly chuckles.
"He took off before I could even ask what it was about." Her mom silently laughed, before asking Kira. "Oh, where are you going, sweetie?"
Kira sighed, and her mom quickly knows it has something to do with Barry. "Well, I'm going outside to meet up with Barry. Don't worry, mom, I'll be fine."
Kira's mom smiles, and adds something more. "Oh, yes! Kira! Don't go into the tall grass. Wild Pokémon might attack you. It would be ok if you have your own Pokémon, but you don't. So, be careful!"
"Okay, mom! I'll make sure we do that." Kira then puts on her shoes. "I'll see you later!"
"Take care, sweetie!" That was her mom's final words before she exits her house.
Twinleaf Town. A small town, with a small population. But this is the town Kira proudly calls her hometown. It doesn't have much, just a few stores that sells general goods, a small elementary school where she and Barry used to go. Heck, that's where she first met him.
As she walks to his house, a man calls her out. "Hiya, Kira. Barry was looking for you. I think he's home now. Why don't you go check it out?"
She smiles, and nods. "Thanks for the info, Sean! I know, I'm heading there!" She then continues her walk.
She eventually arrives at his house. Just as she was about to open his front door, his door opened, and out came Barry, crashing head first into her. "OW!" They both yelped in pain, and Kira stepped back. "What was that about?! Oh, hey, Kira! Hey! I'm going to see Prof. Rowan! You should come, too! And quickly! Oh, jeez! Forgot something!" He bolts back into his house, leaving Kira standing outside, rubbing her face.
'Oh the things I do to keep calm…' Kira sighed, and stepped into Barry's house.
Barry's mom immediately looked her way, and she smiles. "Oh, hi, Kira. Did you come calling on Barry? He was gone for a second, but them he came running right back home. He just can't sit still, that boy. I wonder who he takes after?"
"Yeah, I wonder who?" She jokingly said. Even Barry's mom chuckled a little. "Anyways, excuse me, ma'am." She went upstairs, heading to Barry's room.
Knocking and opening his door, Kira can see Barry putting some things in his bag, as he talked to himself. "…I'd better take my bag and journal, too…" Barry then hears the door opening, and looked to Kira. "Oh, hey, Kira! I'll be waiting on the road! It's a $10 million fine if you're late!"
Kira nods, and Barry rushes off, heading outside. She sighed, and walked back downstairs. She saw Barry's mom sighing as well as Barry closed the door, and looks to Kira. "That kid rocketed off again like usual. I'd guess he would be out on Route 201 by now. Go and catch up with him, Kira. Make sure my boy is safe, would you?"
"Of course! I'll be heading off now, ma'am." She smiled and waved, heading to Route 201.
Exiting Twinleaf Town, and entering Route 201, Kira can see Barry standing in front of the tall grass, muttering to himself. He then notices Kira, and turned to her. "Too slow! All right! Let's get moving to Prof. Rowan's lab." He excitedly said.
"Barry, do you honestly think? This isn't a good idea, you know." Kira said, both worried about her and Barry's safety.
Barry waved his hand, and looked to the tall grass again. "What? Don't go into the grass, right? No worries! No problem! It doesn't matter that we don't have any Pokémon. Trust me on this one."
Kira sighed. "Okay, what's your idea? I want to hear it before we do it."
Barry grinned, and begins to explain. "Okay, now listen. You know how wild Pokémon jump out when you go into tall grass? So, what you do is, you scoot over to the next patch of grass before any wild Pokémon can appear! If we just keep dashing, we can get to Sandgem Town without running into wild Pokémon!"
Kira face palmed. "Barry… that's one of the stupidest idea I've ever heard! You don't just do that! It'll attract wild Pokémon all the same!"
But Barry didn't seem to listen to her, already preparing to run. "OK, stick with me! OK, here goes! On your marks…"
"Barry, please… Don't!" Kira pleaded, but Barry has already made his mind. But before he can step any further, a voice yelled to him.
"HOLD IT!" A deep and mature voice, probably coming from a middle aged man, yelled to Barry. They both turned around and saw what looks to be a middle aged man with fair skin, blue eyes, white hair, and white mustache, wearing a white and blue shirt. He slowly walks towards them with a stern and serious look on his face. "You two don't seem to have any Pokémon between you? Then, what is the meaning of going into the tall grass?!"
"Hey, Kira. This old guy… It's Professor Rowan, isn't it? What's he doing here..?" Barry whispered to her. Kira is still looking cautiously at the man, Professor Rowan, keeping quiet and not responding to Barry.
The professor started muttering something to himself, probably thinking about something. Kira can make out a few words, but it's not enough to piece together what he's thinking. He then turned to the both of them, and said. "You two. You truly love Pokémon, do you?"
Kira was the first to speak up, as she nods and says. "Yes, we do."
Barry immediately replied with her. "Me, too! I love Pokémon, too!"
The professor thinks again, and repeated the same question. "I will ask you both once again. You two. You truly love Pokémon, do you?"
Barry, with his impatient-ness, quickly answered. "What?! You can ask a hundred times! The answer will never change! We'll both answer a hundred times, we love Pokémon! Right, Kira?" Barry turned to her, and grinned.
Kira just smiled and chuckled back, as she answers. "Of course!"
Professor Rowan sighed, and looked to Barry. "…a pair of reckless kids who foolishly try to enter the tall grass without Pokémon of their own…? It worries me what people like that would do with Pokémon."
For the few times she's friends with Barry, he is currently speechless. "…Uh… Well, I, uh…" Barry was silent for a moment, before he gave the professor a determined look. "Well, then forget about me, but give a Pokémon to my friend here! She's not the one who tried to go through the tall grass, heck, she warned me about it! She's more deserving of it!"
Kira was surprised to hear that. "Barry... You really shouldn't say that. We're starting our journey together, right?"
Barry is still determined. "No, Kira. You were right in that we shouldn't enter the grass. So as I've said, she's the one who's more deserving of a Pokémon!"
Even Professor Rowan seemed shocked. "How big of you, young man…" He paused for a moment, then clapped his hands together, which caused both Barry and Kira to jump in surprise. "Very well, then! I will entrust you two with Pokémon! I apologize for putting you through that exercise, but I had to ensure that you both have a good heart. However! You must promise me that you will never recklessly endanger yourselves again."
The both of them nod their heads, and Professor Rowan seemed pleased. Well, as pleased as he can be. "Now then… Hm? Now, where is that young man…?"
Right on cue, a boy, who appeared around the same age as Kira and Barry, jogged right behind Professor Rowan. He has dark blue eyes and black hair, wearing a dark red beret with a Pokéballs logo on the side of it, and a blue Pokétch on his left arm. He wears dark red shirt with a dark blue jacket over it, a white scarf, black pants, and black running shoes. Stopping behind him and panting, the boy sighs. "Hah… hah… Professor Rowan! You left your briefcase at the lake!" The boy then puts down the briefcase on the ground, and bends down to his knee. As he sees Professor Rowan with Kira and Barry, he immediately stood up straight and asks. "Oh? Is something wrong here?" He asked, looking at the two young teen.
"Ah! There it is! Lucas, nice work." The professor exclaimed, looking at the still panting Lucas. "Are you alright, Lucas?"
"Oh, I'm fine Professor, don't worry! So… what's the deal with them both?" He asked the professor.
"Oh, what I was about to do was to entrust these two with their own Pokémon." The professor said bluntly.
Lucas looked shocked, and confused, and that shows in his words. "Pardon me?! Those Pokémon are hard to replace. Are you sure about giving them away, Professor?" Lucas said.
The professor glanced at Lucas, as he began to speak. "Hm! We exist side by side with Pokémon, Lucas. There comes a time when people should meet Pokémon. There is a world that should be explored together. For these two, today is that time. The place, right here." Professor Rowan then turned back to Barry and Kira. "Go on! Open the briefcase and choose a Pokémon!"
Barry instantly perked up, as he speaks. "Really?! Professor Rowan! I can't believe it! I'm so happy now that I can't keep a straight face!" Barry turned to Kira, and excitedly speaks. "Hey Kira, you can choose first!"
"You sure about that, Barry?" Kira jokingly said, as Barry then grinned at her.
"Of course! I'm practically a grown-up. I have to show some class here." Barry then made a mocking pose of elegance. Technically, Barry is older than her by a few months.
Kira rolled her eyes, as she sighed. "Barry, we're literally the same age. But since you insisted." Kira stepped close to the briefcase. She opened it and inside were three Pokéballs. Lucas grabbed two of the Pokéballs, and sets the Pokémon out, with Kira grabbing the remaining Pokéballs and gently pressed it.
The one on the left is a small green turtle, with a leaf on its head. The one in the middle is a small orange monkey with a fire tail. And the one on the right is a small blue penguin.
Professor Rowan began to explain the three Pokémon. "Now this one," He pointed to the green turtle, "is called Turtwig. He's docile, and very affectionate to people he cares about. This one," He pointed to the orange monkey, "is called Chimchar. He's very energetic and highly mischievous. And finally," He pointed to the blue penguin, "is called Piplup. He's a bit stubborn and very prideful, but once you gain his respect, he'll be friendly. So… who will you pick?" The professor turned to look at Kira, as she thought about her decision.
She gets closer to the Pokémon, and they each reacted in their own way. Turtwig nuzzled her leg, which makes Kira pats his head. Chimchar ran around in circles, trying to impress Kira. Piplup warily walked to her, and puffed up his chest when he's close to her, which caused him to fall backwards. Kira immediately grabs him before he can fell, and smiled to him. "Are you okay, Piplup?" Piplup quickly chimed in with a 'Pip', before Kira lets him go.
"Have you made your decision?" Professor Rowan asked, curious at Kira's decision.
Kira nods, and speaks. "Yeah. I pick Piplup as my starter!" As she said that, Piplup gets closer to her, and she knelt down, giving him a headpat. At first, Piplup seemed reluctant, but eventually accepts the pat. "Your turn, Barry." She chuckles, and steps out of the way.
Barry grinned, and looked at the remaining two. After a while of deciding, he kneels down near Turtwig, and picks him up. "Then, I choose you! I'm picking Turtwig!" Turtwig happily smiles, and nuzzles against Barry. "H-hey, stop it, that tickles!" Barry laughs.
"Oh wow. Barry, did you let me choose first so that you can pick the one that has a type advantage?" Kira jokingly said, as she slowly picks up Piplup, who has already accepted Kira.
"Nope! Definitely not! I always wanted a Turtwig!" Barry smiles.
"Uh-huh, sure." Kira sarcastically said, which made Barry laugh.
Professor Rowan then speaks, gaining the attention of the two 15 year olds. "Very well! Both of you have chosen a good Pokémon, it seems. Now listen well! Both Piplup and Turtwig are unfamiliar with the world. In that regard, they're much like the both of you. As fellow newcomers to the world, I hope you'll do well together. Now, we will both be heading back to my lab in Sandgem Town. I'd appreciate it if the two of you would pay me a visit tomorrow." The professor then turned to Lucas, who has been standing there, watching the whole thing silently while smiling. "Now come along, Lucas."
Professor Rowan began to walk away, heading to Sandgem Town. Lucas immediately packed up the briefcase, with the help of Barry and Kira, and heads off to Professor Rowan. "Well, it's nice to meet the two of you. I hope we'll meet again. Now…" Lucas glanced at Professor Rowan, who's already way up ahead. "Professor! Wait for me, please!" Lucas quickly bolted away, leaving Kira and Barry standing at the edge of the tall grass.
Barry, still watching at Lucas running, speaks. "How do you like that? Professor Rowan's really nice…"
Kira replied, chuckling to herself. "Yeah, on TV, he seems so stern…" She trailed off, seeing the look on Barry's face. "What?" She asked, knowing where this leads to.
Barry turned to her, and began to chuckle. "Heheh, Kira! We've both got Pokémon now. And you know what that means? Let's have a battle!" Barry excitedly gripped her arms.
"Barry! We literally just got them!" Kira said, a look of exasperation on her face.
"Hey, all the more reasons to get familiar with our partners! Now come on, or I'm fining you!" Barry then gets to a reasonable distance for battle, then lets Turtwig off to the ground.
"Ugh, fine, fine." It seemed Piplup shared the same feeling as Kira, but he still gets into battle position.
"Alright Kira! I've always wanted to say this!" Barry excitedly begins. "The time has finally come! Kira! I challenge you to a battle!"
"Oh, it's on!" Kira replied.
Since Piplup is faster, Kira quickly commands him. "Piplup, use pound!" Piplup pounds Turtwig, but Turtwig is still standing.
"Hah! You can't feat me that easy Kira! Turtwig, use Withdraw!" Turtwig withdrew into his shell, which made him harder to knock down.
"Don't worry Piplup! Just keep using Pound!" Piplup nods, and keeps attacking Turtwig.
After a few more hits, Turtwig seemed to get tired, but not enough to faint. "What in the…?! That one hurt, you know! Turtwig, keep Withdraw-ing. Don't let Piplup knock you!" Turtwig is still inside his shell.
This continues on for a while, until Turtwig seemed to get tired. Barry looked concerned, but he still kept a smile. "No way! We can keep going! This is where we hit our stride! Right, Turtwig?" Barry looks at him, hoping he's okay. Turtwig is still in his shell, while Piplup still Pound-ing on Turtwig. "Are you really going to keep Pound-ing, Kira?"
"Mhm." She hummed. "You holding up okay, right Piplup?" Piplup replied with a 'Piplup!', and Kira smiles. "We can still keep this up!"
"Come on Turtwig, we'll finish with our trump card! Use Tackle!" Turtwig tackled into Piplup, catching him by surprise. "Woohoo! Turtwig, keep using Tackle!" Turtwig kept trying to attack.
"Piplup, keep using Pound and try to dodge!" Piplup did just that, but he didn't manage to dodge any of the Tackles. Finally, the two Pokémon were at a stand still. If they get another hit, one of them will faint.
"Piplup, this is the final one! Use Pound!" Piplup, with all his strength, managed to Pound Turtwig, leaving him fainted. Kira sighed, and Piplup limped to her, obviously tired.
"What are you saying?! We ended up losing?!" Barry said in frustration, but quickly went to Turtwig's side. "Oh Turtwig… I'm sorry…" Turtwig just nuzzles himself to Barry's arm, as Barry recalls him back to his Pokéball.
Kira walked up to Barry, already recalling Piplup back to his Pokéball. "Good battle, Barry. Not bad for our first battle." She smiles, and held out her hand. Barry takes it, standing up with her help.
"Yeah, it's a good battle, Kira. Whew! Let's go home. I'm beat after that battle." He quickly lightens the mood, as he puts his arm around her shoulder. "Now let's go! We still need to go to Sandgem Town tomorrow."
Kira nods, as they both walked back to Twinleaf Town. They parted ways, each heading to their homes. Kira knocked on her front door, and as she opens, her mom is standing there to greet her. "Good afternoon, dear." She said, but she then saw the state Kira is in. Sweating and looking as if she had just ran a lot. "Oh my, what's the matter, dear?"
"Hi mom… Yeah, so let me explain." Her mom heads to the kitchen, and began to cook dinner. Kira sat down on the stool, facing her mom. "So… Barry thought that meeting Professor Rowan is a good idea."
Her mom hummed, as she continues. "But isn't Professor Rowan's lab on Sandgem Town? …Kira, don't tell me you two were in the tall grass."
Already prepared for the earful she expected, Kira begins to explain. "No, mom! We didn't get to step foot into the tall grass. At first, Barry wanted to dash through the Route to reach Sandgem Town, but Professor Rowan stopped him before he can do that. The professor then gave us both an earful, and eventually gives us Pokémon!"
"…Wow. That's what happened to you? You and Barry are lucky to have met Prof. Rowan. Imagine if you didn't… I wouldn't like to think what the wild Pokémon might have done to you two." Her mom shook her head, as she sighed. "Kira, you should thank the Professor tomorrow, okay?"
"That's what I was planning to do, Mom. He invited the both of us to his lab in Sandgem to see him tomorrow." Kira explained, while also grabbing her Pokéball.
"That's good, then. Now let's have dinner, okay? And bring your Pokémon out, too! I want to see which one you got." Kira lets out Piplup, which looked around confusedly. Seeing Kira, he perked up, but seeing her mom, he warily gets closer to Kira.
"Piplup!" Piplup cried in alarm. Kira then reassured Piplup by giving him another headpat.
"Piplup, meet my mom. Don't worry, okay?" Kira softly said with a smile. "Now we're going to have dinner."
"Aww, look at them! Such a cutie." Her mom complimented Piplup, and he perked up, puffing up his chest and falling backwards.
Kira sighed, and catched him. "Piplup, you have to be more careful, bud." She then sets Piplup on the table, as Kira and her mom began to plate dinner. A simple rice with some fish-based Pokémon. Piplup happily eats it all. Kira notes that Piplup will eat anything, and isn't really picky. 'This'll be easy for when we have to camp out…' She mused in her mind.
After dinner finished, Kira and Piplup heads up to her room. Piplup awed at her room, and he dropped to her bed. Kira chuckles, and began to change into her pajamas. As she prepares to go to sleep, Piplup curled up to her, and quickly fell asleep. "Hehe, goodnight Piplup… I can't wait for the start of our journey tomorrow." She softly whispered, as she drifted off to sleep.