On my third day in my region I sat at my desk, ruffling through a pamphlet about this "Uva Academy" place my mom talked non-stop about. My enrollment papers were to arrive soon, and so I thought it best that I was at least ready for the occasion when it arrived. After I was done looking, I left my desk to greet my mom downstairs, where she was busily running about in the kitchen, and said, "Hey mom? How do I look?" "Oh, look at you! All dressed and ready for your big first day. But, oh, you may have to wait a bit longer here. Your enrollment papers hadn't arrived yet." "It's okay. Just means I get a little while longer with you." I replied, embracing her. The doorbell rung, and my mother's face lit up as she chimed, "Goodness! I wonder if that's the Director now. Spirit, sweetheart? Could you get the door for me?" Hmph! So much for a little WHILE... Butterfree in my stomach again, I went to go see who was there, finding myself face to face with a well dressed elderly chap. "H-Hello? May I help you?" "Yes," the man replied, acting all business like, "does this happen to be the residence of Miss Spirit?" "Yes? Would you like to come in?" I offered, opening the door the rest of the way for the elder to enter. The way he walked gave him an air of importance, and I couldn't help but wonder who the mysterious man was as my mom met him halfway. "Good morning Ma'am," the man began, "I am Director Clavell of Uva Academy. It is very nice to meet you and your child." The man was very punctual, almost as if he was making sure he was precise on everything he was saying! "Oh my! The Director? In my home? Whatever brings you here?" My mom asked, shocked. "I have come with the rest of the application papers that should've been immediately delivered to you on the first day. It is my duty as Director to pick up any of the slack that may have been caused on our end." "Dear... You really needn't have..." "Oh, it's quite alright. As I've stated, it's a folly on my part that it didn't reach you directly as it should've." Director Clavell assured with a smile. He seemed kind given his current demeanor, and his charm seemed to allure anyone who hasn't met him before with mystery, and a sense of wonder; even I found myself wanting to know more about him! "My... Thank you so much!" Was all my mother could say before turning to me. "Spirit, hon, why don't you go finish getting ready upstairs while your Director and I have a little chat?" "O-Oh, I can't really stay. There's another matter of business I've to take care of!" The Director said, seemingly embarrassed by the offer. "Nonsense, you came all this way on your own accord for my daughter's sake! The least you can do is stay for a cuppa. Off you go Spirit, up to your room." I stared at my mom and the Director for a minute before finally forcing my feet to shuffle their way up the stairs. For my first day, I decided to do my hair in spacebuns before getting my backpack on, and making my way back downstairs where my mom and Director Clavell were conversing about the Academy as a whole. Once she caught a glimpse of me, she clasped her hands over her mouth which caused Director Clavell to look over himself before standing up. "Oh, look at you! All spruced up for your first day." My mom fawned, coming over to hug me. "Indeed. The uniform of our fabled Academy suits you quite well, Miss Spirit. Speaking of, I have another little suprise for you." "A suprise?" I asked, finding myself rather intrigued by his offer. Director Clavell chuckled before saying, "Yes, a suprise, but your living room is hardly the place for it. Come meet me outside, then I'll give it to you, alright?" With that, he strode his way out of the door, leaving mom and I standing speechless as she took my shoulders. "Oh my stars. I wonder what this suprise of yours could be?" She said, and my heart pounded with anticipation as the two of us followed behind the Director. Once the three of us settled in the front yard, Director Clavell took three round spheres, Pokéballs to be precise, and announced in a strong tone, "Alright, dear Pokémon, it's time to come out of your balls." He tossed the balls into the air, and with a glowing light, three Pokémon I've never seen before emerged. One of them was a green cat..... The second, a dopy looking, red and yellow crocodile.... And the third being a blue and white duck..... My eyes widened in awe at the sight of them, and I could feel my heart racing with excitement as Director Clavell explained, "These three Pokémon have been hatched and raised at the Academy for first time students. Only one however, will be your starting Pokémon of choice!" "Wow! They all look great!" I breathed, looking about the trio of tiny Pokémon before him. "You like them? This is the first time in a while since they have been out of their Pokéballs; never would leave my side in fact." As soon as he said this, the three approached me slowly, curiosity in their eyes as the Director said, "Oho? What's this? They've seemed to have taken an interest in you, Miss Spirit!" "Awww. Hey there little guys!" I greeted, kneeling down for the green cat as it came to nudge at me. Seeing the cat getting attention, the croc and duck soon followed it's lead, and before I knew it, I had three Pokémon nudging, licking, and observing me. I never really considered being a trainer when I was back in Kalos; too much hassel in my opinion, but seeing these three sparked a connection from within. Too bad I could only have one, though... "Do take your time in considering which one you'd like as your partner Pokémon. After you have decided, come find me at the house across the way; white with a big blue roof." Director Clavell said, turning on his heel, and walking off into the direction of a large mansion about a mile down the street. I turned back to my mom, holding the crocodile in my arms as she said, "Oh, look at them. They're ALL wonderful! But you need to choose only one, right? Not an easy task, that's for sure. Why don't you take a nice little stroll with these cuties, see which one speaks out to you more, hm?" "Okay mom. See you later!" I called as she went back in. "Alright you three, listen up." I said, grabbing the attention of the Pokémon as I set the croc back down onto the ground. The three gathered around my feet as I began again, "Let's take a nice stroll around the place, and down the street okay? I wanna get to know you guys better before I make my choice." The three Pokémon exchanged glances before happily wiggling around, making me giggled as I said, "Alright, come on." We made our way around the house, and as I watched the Pokémon, I made mental notes about each one, like the Croc's interest in the orange trees that dot the yard, and the Cat's interest in the wind blow drying laundry mom had just done. After the tour of the house, we began our journey down the street, and as I continued to observe, I found that the Cat had liked the surrounding flora; a Grass type obviously, the Croc had interest in a red sign; a Fire type for certain, and on the far right, the blue and white duck staring out across the cliff, admiring the veiw of the distan horizon; a Water Type at best. I leaned over the fence beside the duck, admiring the veiw with it on the morning rise as I asked it, "Pretty, huh?" The duck looked up to me, and gave a confirming chirp before settling back down to admire the water. I don't know what it was, but something was drawing me closer to this one.... What was it? After a few minutes of sitting around, we continued the trek up the road until we finally reached the house ahead, and I sighed, "Alright. We're here guys, so you three be on your best-" my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach when I turned to find them gone, and I frantically began to look around for them as I asked myself, "Wh-Where did they-?" "Sprig! Gatito!" I heard, and I looked over in a patch of flowers to see the Cat sniffing about. Pleased, it sort of discharged a strong wind, swirling colorful petals around it, and I began to go collect the Pokémon when I heard, "Quaxly Quax!" and I turned my attention to a grand fountain. There, the duck was taking handfuls of water, and splashing its face before slicking some into it's blue hair, sending some of the sparkling droplets flying. I laughed at the charisma it had, and I decided to go try and gather that one as it was the closest to me when I heard, "Fue Fuecococo!" making my heart drop as I slowly turned to the front of the stairs. There stood the Croc, a single orange before it as it licked it's lips in temptation. That one was the one I held the most concern for if my suspicion was right, and I watched in horror as it's jaws opened up wide to take a bite. Just then, one of the Cat's colorful petals landed on the snout of the Croc, making it's eyes go wide as it took a few deep breaths in. I couldn't watch as I heard the poor thing sneeze, and I slowly opened my eyes to find that the orange it had was a ball of coal now, and I saw a girl twice my age kneel down to pat the thing. I opened my mouth to apologize for the Croc, but before I could, the girl turned to me, her amber eyes glittering like lovely jewels, and her bangs being dyed a peacock green color while the rest of her hair remained black as ink. Her skin was flawless, and her tan made her glow as she began in a friendly, robust voice, "Are you these three's trainer?" I opened my mouth to reply when Director Clavell's voice rung out, "Not quite, Miss Nemona. Spirit here has yet to choose her first Pokémon! With that being said, I can't wait to see who you'll choose, if you're ready of course." "I-I am!" I replied as the three Pokémon gathered back up into a group, with the Croc attempting to eat the charred orange when the duck held up it's wing to stop it. That's it! I KNOW I've made my choice! Giggling, I approached the tiny duck Pokémon, and gave it a gentle rub on it's head as the girl, Nemona as she was addressed, explained quickly, "That's "Quaxly", the duckling Pokémon." "Quaxly?" I asked, and the small thing perked itself up at the sound of it's name being called. It did a happy little charismatic gesture, making my heart melt as I took it into my arms. "Would you like to choose Quaxly?" Director Clavell asked, raising a brow to me. What WAS there to choose? Quaxly had that charisma, and energy that made it the best choice above all others, and so I nodded as I answered confidently, "Yes. Yes, Quaxly will be my partner!" happy, Quaxly began to climb up onto my shoulder, and perched itself there as it happily blipped the watery hair on it's head, causing me to give a lighthearted laugh. I was DEFINITELY fired up about being a Pokémon trainer now! "Do you wish to give him a name?" Director Clavell asked, to which I thought long, and hard about a name that would suit my Quaxly's personality. He was calm, like a trickling river, and gave the same beautiful charisma and energy as one too, as a river can be ready to strike at any moment during a storm.... Yes... That name was perfect for him! "I'll call him, "River". Do you like that name, River?" As if to respond, River happily clapped it's wings together in confirmation, making all of us laugh. "Spirit," Nemona began, making me look up at the tall girl as she continued, "I can't believe you chose Quaxly....." The way it sounded, it made me second guess a bit before quickly changing my mind again as she said, "Like, WAY to make the perfect choice for you!" "Y-Yeah? You really think so?" I asked, petting River again as Nemona replied, "Absolutely!" "Quaxly is, indeed, a fine pick Miss Spirit. I can already sense that the two of you will become the best of friends!" River seemed over the moon by the very idea as he climbed back down, and circled himself excitedly around me. "Hey, Director? Is this who I think this is? The new kid that's supposed to be starting at Uva Academy today?" "Indeed, you are correct Miss Nemona." "So YOU'RE that kid who moved up the road! It's so good to finally meet you in person. As you may know, I'm Nemona!" "A-And I'm Spirit. It's good to meet you too Nemona!" I replied, giving my most courteous introduction. "Say, do you wanna be friends?" Nemona asked, clasping her hands together happily as she gave her brightest beam. It was a sudden question, but I saw no reason to decline her offer since she was nothing but kind and encouraging so far. "S-Sure! I don't see why we can't." I replied, sticking my hand out for her to shake when she excitedly roped me in for a hug. "Miss Nemona here is a champion, she is also president of the student council, and your classmate." Director Clavell explained, making my blood turn to ice as I squeaked, "Ch-Champion?!" Nemona nodded before turning to Director Clavell, and begged, "Please, Director, may I choose one also?" "But didn't you recieve your Pokémon when you first enrolled?" "No! I was busy raising other Pokémon at the time. But I wanna choose one so that I'm on equal terms with Spirit." She reasoned, making my jaw drop in shock. Me? Equal terms with a CHAMPION?! Surely she must've been fooling! Director Clavell gave it some thought before giving a small smirk, and replying, "Very well, if you wish to be on equal terms with Miss Spirit, then you may choose a Pokémon." "YESSS! Since Spirit chose Quaxly, I'll take this lil fella here." Nemona said, carefully picking up the Croc into her arms. "You choose Fuecoco?" Director Clavell asked, raising his brow to her. "Yep, and I'll raise it to it's strongest! Come on Fuecoco, come say hello." The Croc, Fuecoco, trudged it's way up to Nemona, and she quickly scooped it into her arms before saying, "Hey, Spirit! We should test out our new Pokémon. Whaddya say?" I looked down at River, unsure how he would feel, and as if he sensed my concern he ran around happily as if to tell me he was alright. "S-Sure! River seems alright with the idea." I replied, following my dear Quaxly's wishes as Nemona exclaimed, "Let's meet up at the court behind my house, and battle there!" And like a Pikachu using Thunderbolt, she shot off in the direction of some stairs. "We shouldn't keep your good friend waiting. I too await your first battle with anticipation!" Director Clavell said, gesturing me to go first. Taking the lead, River and I followed Nemona to a sand riddled battle court, next to the great briny blue with the salty, cool wind battering us as Nemona called, "Over here!" I ran over to her, River desperately trying to keep up as Nemona asked, "Are you ready for your first ever battle?" "Positive! Are you ready, River?" I asked, looking down at my Quaxly as he replied, "Quax, Quaxl!" Signaling with a single hair blip that he was ready. "Alright. On my mark!" Nemona announced, and she began brightly, "First, I'll send out-" "WAIT!" The Director called, walking up to the court with business in his steps. "Hm?" Nemona asked, our gazes turning to him as he scolded slightly, "I trust you know by now that Miss Spirit is entirely inexperienced when it comes to Pokémon battles, Miss Nemona." "Whoops.... S-Sorry, Director, I got a bit excited there.." Nemona stammered, looking disheartened by the revelation before quickly bouncing back. "Well let's start off light with a one on one. Your Quaxly, versus my Fuecoco Spirit." "Certainly Nemona." I replied, relieved that I didn't have to force River through a world of hurt. "Alright Spirit. Let us have a fruitful battle!" Nemona announced, and she sent out Fuecococo into battle. "Alright, River, time to see what you're capable of!" I called, and River beamed brightly as I commanded, "Use Water Gun!" and River summoned a powerful blast of water that struck the Fire Type heavily, and Nemona huffed, "Oof! I see you've done your homework on Type Matchups. Well done, Spirit!" "Good job, River! You're doing so great!" I cheered, making River bounce happily. "Alright, Fuecoco, show them your stuff! Use Tackle!" Nemona commanded, and the Croc came full force after River, sending him crashing to the ground as I cried, "Oh no! Are you alright?!" Getting off the ground, and dusting himself off, River gave a determined cry, and readied his stance as he awaited my command. "Alright... River, use Bubble Beam, and finish Fuecoco!" I exclaimed, and summoning all of his energy, River shot a stream of bubbles out of his beak at Nemona's Pokémon, and causing it to cry out as it fell to the sand beneath us as she cried, "NO! FUECOCO!" Fuecoco groaned a little bit, but as soon as it had made a noise, it passed out onto the ground, leaving my River the victor. "YAAAAY! YOU DID IT RIVER!" I cheered, sweeping him into my arms carefully as Nemona congratulated me. "You ready for round two?" Nemona asked, and the soul nearly left me as I cried, "A-Already?!" "Now Miss Nemona. Do learn to control yourself while with your new friend! I'm sure herself and Quaxly are weary from their first match. Here, Spirit, I'll heal up your Pokémon for you!" Director Clavell offered, pulling out some spray medicine from his pocket as I held River up to him. River seemed quite happy as the spray was administered, and I rubbed his little belly as Nemona once again apologized for her rash decision. "Hey you've got a phone, right?" Nemona asked, to which I nodded as I replied, "My mom gave me one as a gift before sending me on my way. How come?" "Well if you're going to be a Pokémon trainer, then you're going to meet a lot of new Pokémon right? That's why I'd like to download the Pokédex app onto your phone!" "O-Oh... O-Okay!" I said, taking my phone out to receive Nemona's download for the Pokédex of Paldea, which immediately registered River, and Nemona's Fuecoco, along with the Cat that was called "Sprigatito". "Woooow!" I breathed, reading each of their entries ad Nemona boasted, "The Pokédex app was created by our homeroom teacher, you know?" "That's awesome!" I breathed; River piping up in agreement as all of us laughed. "I'm so glad to have you here with me, Spirit. I look forward to having many battles with you so that we can grow together." Nemona said gratefully, a kind and gentle smile on her face. "Yeah, same here." I replied, forcing a smile onto myself. Nemona, though heavily battle obsessed seemed like a very good person, and I wondered if maybe I had judged too quickly about the people here. Meeting her back in front of her house, a familiar sight greeted my eyes, and I ran over to my mom as she conversed with Nemona. "M-Mom?! Why are you here? Is something the matter?" I asked, worried about her reason when she gave me an assuring smile. "Oh, I'm just talking to your new friend here. Oh, I'm just so happy for you honey! I've read all about the the school you're going to, and the teachers there, and add your new friend Nemona here and your first day is looking to be just grand! Now since you're living in the school dorms, I want you to make sure you get plenty to eat; INCLUDING your veggies, young lady!" "Y-Yes mom, I hear you." I replied, embarrassed as she held out a ceran wrapped sandwich. "A little something for your first day, made with all my love for you." She cooed, caressing my cheek as I took the sandwich from her. "Thanks, mom." I said, putting the sandwich into my bookbag as she pecked me on the forehead. After she left, and Nemona said her goodbyes and promised to keep an eye on me, she turned back to me and said, "Gee, your mom sure is nice, isn't she? Oh but look at the time! We ought to get moving! Here, I'll show you how to catch Pokémon since you're new at it. Come! I know the PERFECT spot!" And as soon as I knew it, I was now off to start my new adventure with a total stranger, and in an uncharted land...