Starter Pokémon—a crucial element for some trainers, a mere stepping stone for others. Some trainers know their partner from the start, while others wait until they meet the Pokémon to make their decision. Neither choice is inherently wrong. For Mira, the choice was clear from the beginning. She yearned for a Cyndaquil. The champion had a Typhlosion, which she found cool. Consequently, Cyndaquil was the only correct choice.

Mira, on her tenth birthday, stood outside Professor Elm's lab, brimming with excitement. She waited for the other new trainer to arrive, her heart pounding with anticipation. If they weren't as lazy as she thought, she might have already gotten her partner! She bounced from foot to foot, humming a tune and imagining the moment she would meet her new friend.

"Hey! Is this Professor Elm's Lab?"

Mira turned to face the kid who had called out to her. He was short and wore strange, out-of-style clothes. "Depends on who's asking," she replied snarkily. Who did this kid think he was trying to get a Pokémon from Elm?

"Are you a gatekeeper or something?" A third voice joined the conversation.

Mira glared at the defiant kid. While the first kid was out of style this kid was the total opposite. He had his sharp eyes fixed on her as he continued.

"Ignore her. You're in the right place. I assume you two are the other trainers the professor mentioned?"

"I guess? I'm just here to get a Cyndaquil." Mira shrugged "Would have already been on my way if you two hadn't been late."

"I'm also here to get a Pokemon." The first kid nodded timidly, his eyes darting from Mira to the last kid.

Before anyone could utter a word, the door swung open, and Elm gracefully stepped onto the scorching concrete. "It seems like all of you have arrived. Why don't you come inside, and we can get started?"

Mira bounced on her toes, following the professor into a room where three tiny Pokémon eagerly awaited, just as much as the new trainers, them on a long table.

"These are the Pokemon we give to new trainers here. This is the grass type Chikorita." Elm began by pointing to the small green Pokemon "That one there is Cyndaquil, a fire type. The last one is Totodile. It's a water type. Any of them will be an excellent partner. So do you know which Pokemon you want as your partner?" Professor Elm asked as he gestured to the table once more.

"I want-" Mira started but was quickly cut off by the rude kid from before.

"Cyndaquil!"

She stared in disbelief for a moment before exclaiming, "No way! I was supposed to choose Cyndiquil! You have to pick something else!"

"You were too slow. Maybe I was supposed to take Cyndaquil?" He stuck his tongue out at Mira before taking the pokeball offered to him by the professor.

"I…I um…would like Totodile…please." The timid kid raised his hand.

Mira's jaw dropped. The timid kid was taking Totodile? Wait! That only left one Pokemon...no! It can't be! She turned back to Elm as he handed out each Pokemon's pokeball.

"Now then," Elm clapped his hands together happily "I have a Pokedex for each of you. This will record the data of Pokemon that you encounter, but you will have to catch it to get all of the data. It will also act as your trainer identification. I also prepared five pokeballs for each of you. If you want to expand your teams you will need them!"

"Professor?" Mira held her hand up once Elm was finished speaking "Do you think you will be getting another Cyndaquil? I really wanted that one."

"If you are unhappy with Chikorita then I'm sure you would be fine waiting until you are ready to be a trainer." Elm tilted his head to the side.

"No, it's not that!" Mira quickly backtracked. "I just thought I'd train a Cyndaquil." She turned to look at the small, green Pokémon that was now staring up at her sadly. "Chikorita is fine."

"You said 'only choice' before, but I think Chikorita is an awesome Pokemon." The timid boy grumbled.

"Fine! Let's settle this with a battle!" Mira huffed, scooping Chikorita up in her arms. How could anyone possibly believe that little green Pokémon was superior to Cyndaquil?

"I don't feel like battling anyone who won't introduce themselves properly. I think you would be smart to do the same."

Mira turned back to the rude boy. Why Should she bother getting to know them?

"I guess none of us Introduced Ourselves. My name is Toby. I live in Cherrygrove City."

Okay, so the timid one is Toby. Mira made a mental note of the name. She listened as the other boy said his name was Leo.

"Mira. Let's go outside and battle now." Mira looked over to the Pokemon on her shoulder as it cried excitedly.

"You are such a pain. Whatever." Leo sighed as he picked up his partner and followed Mira outside.

"Alright Kiko, are you ready?" Mira asked before calling out "Great! Then use Razor Leaf!"

"Predictable." Leo sighed again "Cyndaquil, dodge it then use tackle!"

Mira watched as Cyndaquil nimbly evaded the sharp leaves before charging in towards Kiko. This was too easy! "Kiko, use Razor Leaf again!" She watched as the little Pokemon attacked fiercely.

"Smokescreen!"

What? Was he trying to blind them? "Ember!" She called out. She flinched when she heard Kiko's pained cry and the smoke cleared. The small Pokemon was lying at her feet now struggling to get up. They had lost.

"You are too predictable with your attacks. You need to find what makes your Pokemon strong and use that to your advantage." Leo explained while recalling his Cyndaquil.

"And what would you know about it, huh?" Mira demanded as she fought off tears "You're a new trainer just like me? What makes you so special?" How dare this kid tell her how to raise her partner! She scooped Kiko up in her arms and took off running. She didn't really know where she was running to. Away. No, she wasn't running away! She just needed to get out of there. Stupid Leo! Stupid Cyndaqui;! Stupid Ember! Stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid! She adjusted Kiko in her arms and scrubbed her face to hide the tears. Her partner squeaked softly with a nuzzle into her shoulder but she ignored it. Stupid Leo! She would show him! He only won because he had a superior Pokemon.

Arahbo: I hope you enjoyed. Let me know in the comments!