The sun rose its gaze, hovering above the clouds and enveloping the earth with its awaited warmth and hope. Ah, indeed, it was time for the lush greenery to gleam with newfound vitality, for the Kricketot to tune the day's ouverture and for the Starly to leap through the clouds with grace and energy!

… Oh, and of course, for our whippersnappers to prepare themselves for the day as well.

Lucas yawned and stretched, reluctantly waking up. His groggy eyes were met by a Starly standing on top of his window. First turning its head and then chirping for a greeting, the boy shone a warm smirk back to welcome the Pokémon as the bird flapped its wings in delight. With such an adorable sight to kickstart the morning, it seemed like the day was right within his reach for the taking!

That was until a certain blonde boy came RACING from downstairs leaving a trail of dust behind him.

"Hey! Wake up, sleepyhead!" His voice echoed all around the room as the Starly hurriedly flew away from terror!

"Aaaaah! The heck 'ddya want, Barry?!" Lucas shrieked, at first with defensive bravado before blushing as he realised he just jumped on top of his bed…

"What do I want?! There's a freakin' RED GYARADOS over the lake 'ere! C'mon, let's go!" Bolting across the room, he almost dared to just drag his friend all the way along before having to stop himself short by his stomp!

"Wha— No, I'm still in my pajamas dude! Gimme some time to change at least!"

"Heh, a red Gyarados and all you're worried about is whether you're in your pajamas or not?! Fine, I'll get my bag ready but if you go late then I'll fine ya a million!" Sticking his tongue out, he vanished just as fast as he came…

"Sigh… A red Gyarados tho?! I mean, he couldn't just be pulling a prank on me… 'Cause I'll be extra pissed for sure!"

And so Lucas dressed in a grumble, jumbling his clothes all across his floor in the process. Frantically climbing downstairs he was met by his mother, who tried her best to giggle off the situation…

"Just why did you let him go in like that?!" But he was clearly a bit too cranky for that.

"Uhhh, you'd be confused darling. I didn't actually let him in. Just look…"

She pointed towards the door, revealing a hole that was suspiciously shaped like his energetic buddy.

"Oh… He…"

The droplets of morning dew flickered like beacons on the blades of grass; a signal for its surrounding life to shine forth and rise from their drowsy state to make their dreams reality! And maybe, just maybe, two leaves will stand tall amongst all and reach the skies while paving the way for the rest to follow…

But unfortunately our hero was a bit too sleepy and grumpy to care about such motifs, staggering on his way hoping that the morning breeze would lift up his senses before anyone noticed… But as he actually took the attention to notice his surroundings though, he realised his friend was not waiting at the doorstep for some reason.

Maybe he calmed down? No way… Maybe he already ran off to the lake?! It'd suck, but it could be plausible. However, as he made his way to check things by himself, he— THUD!

"Oh, Lucas, you're here! I'm off to the lake now, OK?! If you're slow then I'll fine ya TEN million this time, y'hear me?! Oh jeez, I forgot something!"

And just like that Lucas wasn't even able to scramble himself together for an appropriate response (such as a punch to the face), getting up from the impact… Well, at least his doubts were sorted!

Making his way inside his friend's home, he could already hear the chaotic rummaging in his room… But that didn't seem to bother a certain lady; her graceful yet flippant twirls unfazed as she seemed to be cooking something for their comeback. Was that really his mom?

"Hey, what's with the noise he's making? And how come you're so relaxed about it?!"

"Well, you get used to it!" Slamming the door of his oven, she then faced him with a vibrant smirk. "Besides, I don't let him get all speedy around here. If it's his room then he gets to clean it!"

"Heh, I AM used to it. What I'm not used to is him thudding me all the time tho…"

"Really? I'd say it's time to have a word with him then."

Huh? Feeling like he screwed up, Lucas turned to be met by the FIERCE gaze of his buddy who showed up just in time… It was overdramatic, of course, but you could never tell when he was serious or not!

"Hey, Lucas! I'll have ya KNOW very WELL that I can't help it, OK?! With such an amazing friend like you, I can't help being awfully excited alright?!"

Lucas flushed, the initial dread giving way to light-hearted embarrassment…

"Oh, huhuhu… You're always trying to win a new prize for being cheeky, aren'tcha?"

"Yeah, silly me for saying how cool you are!" Barry giggled with glee, doing his absolute best to tread carefully down the stairs. "Well, I'm off for real now! Finders keepers, losers weepers!"

As he scooted off in a flash, Lucas turned to his mother, chuckling and scratching the back of his hair in an attempt to shake off the awkwardness.

"Well, I don't think I need to say anything, hehe…" But Lucas suddenly remembered what his friend told him earlier, about the red Gyarados he was fussing about. "Oh, and uhhhh, is it true there's a red Gyarados in the lake? Where did he even get that?!"

His mother, understanding as always, soothed him off with a warm nod. "Yes, it was in the news. But it's not in Lake Verity here, it's in the Lake of Rage all the way in Johto."

Lucas shot a dumbfounded gaze, his voice stumbling in its way before shrieking: "Then why did you let him go and drag me all the way?!"

But she just chuckled once more, ambling around. "Well, it just doesn't feel right to deny his dreams like that. That red Gyarados is still somewhere, some other kid moving forward because of it… By following the dreams of others, Barry could find his own on the journey."

"Well, I dunno how he'd feel about the disappointment…" He rubbed his arm, feeling a pang of guilt about the idea.

"You're already feeling it, aren't you?" But she stood still, his smile burning with inspiring determination. "So why not take that disappointment and use it as a stepping stone to reinforce your purpose or find a new path?! Every journey will have its disappointments, but the dreams are still there!"

Lucas went agape for a second, his heart wrenching from confusion at first before bursting into a genuine chuckle.

"... Well, I'd be lying if I said that wasn't moodlifting… Perhaps a bit too much for such a silly occasion like this!"

"And that's the thrill of adventure. So why don't you get moving and see for yourself how even the smallest things can have a deep meaning for you?"

His steps brimmed with enthusiasm and excitement… Maybe Lucas already knew the outcome, but whether it was the image of Barry pouting like a child or embracing the serene aura of the lake despite it that made his eyes sparkle, he couldn't wait to get himself into a nice surprise! … But then he frowned as he remembered what he certainly dreaded the most; his rampaging energy!

"Hey, Lucas! Over 'ere!" He waved his hand around, as Lucas sighed internally. "C'mon now, don't be a letdown! Let's rush before the Gyarados goes away!"

"Aaalright Barry, but don't you go crazy! Y'know already how much you— Aaaaah!"

Thus he was launched forward, his beret dangling a bit in the air before he barely got to pick it up!

"Heh, slowing down when the red Gyarados is right on the way?! I should fine you a billion just for suggesting that!"

"You can fine me all you want, just don't break my arm! Aaaaaargh!"

Barry flew through the path in a breeze, the sheer impetus throwing his buddy who did his best to not slip his grip and possibly be thrown off into the horizon…

But then Barry kicked into an oddly placed briefcase, the two joining into one tumultuous fall.

"Hmph! I toldcha!" Lucas bolted up from the grass, looking down at his strangely unmobile friend. "I know it's your thing, but—"

"HEY! WHO THE HECK DROPPED THIS BRIEFCASE HERE?!" But then Barry ROCKETED up from the ground, fuming and kicking so badly that his buddy couldn't help but to almost stumble back down! "... Wait, this looks oddly familiar. Ain't that the Professor's briefcase?"

The sound of a nearby footstep drummed and thundered around the landscape, almost as if it shook the ground below 'em… They couldn't help but to turn in its direction, cowering for the worst!

"Ahem… Yes, it is mine." It was Professor Rowan! Huh, he didn't seem that upset… "Are you two ALRIGHT?!"

"What?!" Everyone jolted back!

"Uh?! Errr, my apologies. I don't know what came over me there… So, are you two alright? It'd seem as if Dawn dropped my equipment."

"What the… I— I mean yeah, I'm sorry guys…" Dawn rubbed her arm, looking down.

"No need to worry about it! I've had worse!" Barry shook a nod, chuckling.

However, Lucas looked mesmerized by the melody of her subtle voice. Turning to her, the starry beauty of her azure eyes bellowed upon his iris as if he was gazing at the twilight, feeling as if he was travelling like a comet through the mystery beneath the cosmic depths of her heart…

"Hey! Quit it, Romeo!" Barry bumped his friend's shoulder.

"Huh?! I— I wasn't thinking of anything, you idiot! It was just this stupid narrator making up stuff!"

Hey, I gotta get people reading this story one way or another!

"What are you two on about?" Rowan stepped forward, nearing his briefcase.

"Uhhh, nothing…" Lucas looked down, unsure how to continue. Breaking the fourth wall ain't no joke after all! "We were ju—"

"We were JUST going our way to see the red Gyarados!" Barry jumped forward, pushing his buddy outta the way. "Were we too late or somethin'?"

"Red Gyarados? You mean the one in the Lake of Rage?" Rowan inquired.

"Uhhh, yeah! I dunno what all the lakes are called, but the one over here's gotta be that, right?!"

Lucas was already grimacing…

"No, Barry! It's in Johto!" Dawn corrected, disappointed but secretly not surprised.

"Whaaaaat?! But… The news…" He sighed, looking down in disappointment.

"All that wisdom for nothin'..." Lucas thought. "In the end, it was a letdown for us two!"

"At least you got to meet your future girlfriend for the story…" Barry snorted, winking.

"HEY! How did you—"

"That's enough!" Rowan snapped, looking genuinely concerned! "Wait… Careful, the tall grass!"

The two turned to the direction of his finger. Leaves rustled and wavered, the ensuing Ominous Wind dominating the awkward silence that loomed… But when the tension was at its thickest, there it came! A single, lonely Starly…

"Huh?" Barry perked up, as he was crouching into a ball just seconds ago. "That's it?"

Rowan sighed out of relief, knowing that the youngsters were safe… "It seems like it. I wonder what that Starly might want, though."

Suddenly, all sorts of Pokémon blasted from the green; Starly, Bidoof, Nidoran, you name it! But as everyone stumbled and backed away for safety, our valiant Lucas stood there silently, unnerved yet full of bravery!

"Hey Lucas, whatchu doin'?!" Barry used Screech, hiding on top of a tree. "Don't go with the Main Character Syndrome now!"

"What? That's because I am, you—"

"Lucas, the briefcase!" Rowan shouted, the boy turning in response. "There are Pokémon inside, use them!"

As Lucas heeded his call, he noticed there was a trio of Pokéballs inside the briefcase. On the side of each, three symbols were engraved: Fire, Water and Grass… Well, what better way to set up the stage but with a blaze?!

"I'll go with this one." And just as the storm of wild Pokémon was about to engage, he faced up at them all with a determined gaze. "GO!"

The Pokéball flashed a blinding beam, the wild Pokémon recoiling on their tracks as everyone was thrilled with the form our saviour was slowly unveiling… And with one bright burst, it was finally revealed. It was a Chimchar!

"Huh?! A monkey? Dang, I was expecting something cooler…" He huffed, before turning back at Barry. "And I know the pun you're gonna make, so shut it aight?! Uh— You! Thing, use Tackle or somethin'!"

But the Chimchar initially kicked and played, prompting one of the Starly to launch its Peck forward. Poor Lucas was gulping in worry! … And then his Pokémon valiantly broke through, the Scratch sending the Starly spinning on the air and crashing into the ground!

"Oh my… That was a clever tactic from Chimchar." Despite that, Rowan didn't seem all that amazed tho. "But it doesn't seem like it's strictly obeying him. Also, does he not know its name?"

"Doesn't look like it." Dawn peeked from behind his back. "But I guess Chimchar doesn't mind it! … And uhhh, where's Barry?"

"Alright, uhhh, let's show 'em what we're worth!" Lucas puffed out his energy, but so did the Proud wild Pokémon who wouldn't be put off by such a setback! "C'mon, use Leer now!"

The Chimchar taunted with a sharp yet witty glare, daring to even stand up on top of its tail to prove just how unfazed it was… And then a Nidoran stepped up from among the bunch. Growling and ready to bring the rage of his fellas swiftly, it made haste with a Poison Sting!

"That's how I like it! Now let's go, use—"

But the Nidoran was swept aside right on the peak of its might! While everyone else was knocked breathless —Professor and Pokémon alike— Lucas couldn't help but to immediately look to his side for the culprit…

"Barry?!"

"Heheh, yeah, it's-a-me! Totally had it all planned!" He giggled sheepishly, as a Piplup landed to his side. "Now, what wasn't in my plans was you yapping like this, so how 'bout we get this done?!"

"Kinda cheesy, bud…" Nonetheless Lucas shrugged the awkwardness off with the same powerful gaze his buddy had. "But you'd be right, let's get this over with!"

Then they both held their Pokéballs right at side of one another as the wild Pokémon braced themselves for the finishing blow…

"ALRIGHT, GO!"

But as their Pokémon flew for the decisive clash, the wild ones broke into a chaotic run! The lucky were able to latch or hop into their partner Starly (against their will) while the others hopped and rushed without avail…

"Yeeeeah! We did it pal! Let's—" Lucas stumbled, realising he highfive'd the air… "Wait, what?!"

"Hey-hey Prof, I did it! You saw it, didn'tcha?! I just sent off these freakin' Pokémon all by myself?! Errr I mean, it wouldn't have been possible with my dear little—" And Barry highfive'd the air too! "What? Lucas, you gotta keep up! You ruined the moment!"

And everyone laughed! Well, except our two runts.

"I swear, you two are a bit of a show sometimes…" Rowan pinched his nose, chuckling. "But you'd be right, you did it! That was impressive. I didn't expect the Pokémon to be so committed under your leadership."

"Perhaps this should be something we gotta study too, Professor?" Dawn looked up, smiling.

"Possibly. But we shouldn't overload ourselves. Perhaps that could be a task for you and Lucas to help inquire upon…"

"Wait… Are you saying we could be assistants?!" Barry glistened an enthusiastic smirk! Until he couldn't keep the act any longer. "But that'd be so bor—"

"No, no…" Rowan laughed, trying to ease off the fuming Dawn… "I'm talking about something more, errr… Risky than that. You see, we always had a shortage of information on the multiple different Pokémon living here in Sinnoh. Perhaps you two could embark on a journey across the region and help us on our research while you're at it? Imagine the possibilities!"

"Imagine the possibilities indeed!" Lucas pumped his fist up, but Barry was skeptical about his excitement…

"C'mon, dude! You didn't even know Chimchar's name! Whatchu talkin' about?!"

"Heeeeey! You— OK, maybe I did lie when I toldcha all those stories about how I really wanted to be a Pokémon Trainer and reading up about it…" And Lucas pumped his fist with even more strength now! "But it's never any late to kick off a journey! So whaddya say?!"

"Heh, no doubt about it! But I guess I'm gonna have an advantage now, buddy…"

"Oh, you—"

"Alright, alright!" Rowan stepped in the space between them. "Your Pokémon are too warmed up for you to get into a fight now. Listen, how about this? You two can get ready and then travel to my laboratory in Sandgem Town! Not only you could enjoy the view, but also get yourselves properly equipped and resolve any doubts you have about your journey."

"Sounds good, Prof!" Both boys nodded.

"Hey Professor, what about the Pokémon?" Dawn asked, as the two suddenly lost their cool… "Do they get to keep them?"

"Of course! They don't seem like they want to leave them." Rowan assured, phew! "Let's go Dawn, there's work to do."

"Yes, Professor!"

As the couple parted, Lucas and Barry were left content yet simply couldn't wait to start their journey!

"C'mon errrr, Chimchar, you did good!" Lucas tried to lift his Pokémon but it suddenly crawled up his arms to his shoulder. "Oh! Hehe!"

"You say that, but unlike you I did my reading!" Barry huffed proudly, his Piplup jumping up his head. "You see, Piplup's a Water type. Your Chimchar ain't got a chance against the two of us!"

"Huh. Just so ya know, type advantages don't mean a thing… It's all about how I get to bond with my mates and let them show their true potential through thick and thin! You wouldn't get it Barry, you just trust those stupid books…" And then Lucas opened his eyes, realising his bud had already sent off for training. "Oh, he—!"