Nothing ever happens in Santalune City. You know, that boring little city next to an even more boring forest in that pitiful region called Kalos? The one where kids aged ten and over are lined up in front of the Santalune Gym, all giddy with their little fingers on their Pokeballs, eager to throw out their little creatures and win a little badge.

That's where I'm stuck. It's not so bad, I guess. I'm always cooped up in my room staring at nothing, and when it's not that I'm downstairs in the living room drinking some iced tea. Milk was even better, but even that had to be ruined by a Pokemon.

I'll say it here. I don't like Pokemon and I never will. Same with the idiot humans that are dumb enough to "love" them. I swear, one day they'll take over the world, making humans obsolete and useless. Then everyone will see.

Anyway, today started out like your typical day. Wait, scratch that. My typical day. Going downstairs to sit on the couch with a bowl of dry cereal I'd later hydrate with tap water, me and my mom having our pathetic version of a passable conversation.

Every so often an annoying little voice makes its way into my head, asking me even more unbearable questions."Don't you wish things were different?"

"You say you don't ever want to meet anyone, but just how true is tat statement?"

"Will you ever give that life a chance?"

I usually end up silencing it with a few defiant munches of my bland breakfast, saying over and over that this is the life I choose. It's entirety normal to me.

My mother sits on the other side of the couch, quietly flipping through channels on our television, passing any one of them that has a Pokemon in it. Since that's all that's really shown, she gives up and turns it off, getting up to make her way to the kitchen on silence.

After finishing my meal, I decide I could go for something sweet. My usual deal used to warm milk with just the right amount of honey in it, but it looks like fate switched my cards when I learned that a Miltank was responsible for my dairy products.

I put the bowl on the coffee table, the crumbs swimming around in a pool of water. I take a quick peek into the fridge, sighing in disappointment to see that there's nothing good.

"Do we have anything that doesn't come from a Pokemon?" I glance over at my mother who's busying herself with some dishes.

"Nothing but water and everything else that's in there."

I reopen the fridge to grab a carton of milk, waving it at her."This doesn't have anything to do with Pokemon at all,"I say sarcastically as I notice the Miltank logo.

"Then go out and pick some berries," She replies simply, not looking back at me. "Fresh air will do you good."

"Fine." I know she wants me to become a Pokemon Trainer, but I can't deal with that junk. Be it people or Pokemon, I can't find a link with either of them. I'm hopeless, but thankfully my mother has long given up on trying to get me to go on a journey.

My other family members, however.... I put the milk back where it belongs and jog up the stairs, grabbing my favorite brush. As I bring it to my long, light orange hair, I notice all the gifts my family got me for my tenth birthday.

Years ago they were all aware that I wanted to be a Coordinator, and when the time came they couldn't wait to send me stuff. Stuff that I absolutely have no use for now. Books on how to get along with your Pokemon, a guide to style, potions and ethers, and even my uncle Joe sent me a ton of Pokeballs from where he works.

"Oh, well." It's a shame, but I have my reasons. Of course, no one even knows those reasons except my mother and I, and I think it's all pretty solid.

The last thing I do before walking out of the house with a basket in my hand is drape my favorite red scarf over my neck. Once my body gets to feel the breeze I'm content with my decision, but when the wind passes and the sun blares right in my eyes I almost go back inside.

But I'm going to get some berries despite that. I won't let a little weather get me under the weather. I'm a gloomy person, and rainstorms happen to be my best friend.

The rain drops always tell their stories when they land on my bedroom window, each racing down the glass surface to surpass the other. As I make my way into the forest like Little Red Riding Hood I begin humming a song I pretend to know.

The sun can't reach me through all the shade the tall trees provide, giving me a much relief. Now I can think without the feeling of someone watching. "Hmph." Pokemon replacing humans. When that day comes I'll be the one watching alone, watching all the stupid people that stood by and let it happen. But I'm not foolish like them, and Pokemon will never be substitutes for anyone I know. ........ I wish I had the guts to say that to my old best friend, who seemed to believe the opposite.

I catch my mind going back to that day, seven years ago. "Aren't they pretty? I want to be a Coordinator!" She had said.

And then there was me, gladly agreeing to anything my best friend Anri said."Me too!"

"Yeah! Let's register together when we're older!" I still remember the way she looked. Short black hair in a pretty bob, her eyes always gleaming( I can't remember their color).

But that dream was over before it began, like I was yanked awake from something too good to be true. When we both began attending the Trainer's School, I didn't know anyone else, so I didn't hesitate to rely on Anri. She was really charismatic, so popular there. Everything was fine until one day, when she came to school with a Marill in her arms, that all ended. She ignored me, and when I went over to her she had this look on her face, like I didn't even exist to her. I grew cold and bitter, pushing away any boy or girl and Pokemon that came near me.

The school didn't kick me out but simply suggested to my mother that it'd be a better idea to have me home schooled. I hardly ever went outside, and I don't think Anri is even in town anymore. I wonder if she's participating in Contests, if she hasn't already reached the great rank of Top Coordinator. Those channels are the ones I always flip over. I don't ever want to see her again. Pokemon replacing people...

I force my mind to bring itself back to where I'm at now, the present where I'm looking for berries. Maybe I'll even be taught how to make crêpes with them...

Just as my mouth starts to drool I come across a Pokemon being held up by one paw with its other deep in its mouth. It's one of those bear Pokemon for sure, but I can't put my finger on it... "That crescent moon on your head, that tan orange body..."

"Teddiursa?" Its face is almost like a child's as it answers my question. A very stupid child's. The darn thing is trapped, for crying out loud!

"Yeah, a Teddiursa. That's the one." For a few seconds I just stare at it, the look it's giving me causing me to feel strange. Concern? Well, since I found it I guess I'll have to do something.

I examine its paw. There's a rope around it, the other end tied to a branch far above my head, holding up the Pokemon. I bet it tried to pick something up and got snagged by the rope. That'd suck.

"Ursa?"

"Stop looking at me like that!" It's not like I can climb the tree, anyway. I don't have a blade, and it looks like Teddiursa has something sharp of its own. Its paws have small claws attached to them, probably good enough to cut the rope to free itself.

"Teddiursa?" Guess I'm obligated now to help it out....

I send a cautious hand forward, taking a step back as my index finger comes in contact with Teddiursa's body. I'm surprised that it doesn't attack me, but I can't guarantee anything just yet.

I come in closer to let its feet rest on my shoulder, my heart beating faster when I feel its nails near my neck. "Cut the rope."

"Ursa?" It looks down on me, eyes wide and innocent. It's kind of...cute. No, I can't let it entice me with its wicked charms!

"Use... Fury Swipes?"

"Ursa!" The Teddiursa gleefully takes its free paw out of its mouth to aim at the rope wrapped around its other one. I'm shocked as it's class are enveloped in a white light, growing to at least a foot long.

With a single swipe the rope is torn, releasing Teddiursa. I quickly take it off my shoulder to put it on the ground."There."

"Teddiursa!" It grins, holding out a paw to me. To shake?

I kneel down to shake its paw until it's suddenly thrusted into my mouth. I yank it out and cough, a tinge of sweetness remaining where it touched my tongue. A sort of sweet honey... But that was gross!"Yuck! Okay, I'm out!"

I pick up my basket and turn away, my legs striding forth to hurry away from the weird thing. Once I'm sure I'm away from it I seek out a tree with several berries nested among its leaves. Now to find a way to get them to me.... "Why didn't I bring a bat or something?"

"Ursa!"

"What the hey?!" I jump, looking back over my shoulder. It followed me!

"Teddiursa!"Teddiursa hops onto my shoulder, then jumping even higher to reach the top of the tree. Its claws get larger as it swings its paws at the leaves at a blinding speed. It lands beside me, the berries somehow falling to the ground without being shredded.

"Whoa." I have to admit, that was pretty impressive. Teddiursa even helps me put the berries in my basket. Guess it's hungry....

"Ursa!" It almost roars the last part of its name like it's starving.

"You don't have to be so loud!"

"Ursa?" Teddiursa tilts its head to the side at me in question, and I stare back at it, confused.

"Waiting won't kill you," I groan as I grab my basket and turn around, dropping it in terror at the sight of a huge bear Pokemon. "But that might," I yelp.

"Ursa! Ursa, Teddiursa." Teddiursa fearlessly runs forward to speak to the tall creature, saying something in its weird Pokemon speak. If I could communicate with just saying my name over and over....

"Ursaring!" I'm unsure whether or not Teddiursa's babbles helped, because that Pokemon is coming straight for me! However, as if it were my own mother who'd grown several feet taller and developed brown hair all over her body, the Ursaring wraps its arms around me, giving me a bear hug.

"Nice to meet you?" I gasp, and when it lets go I struggle to breath, surprised that my ribs are still intact.

"Ursa! Ursa!" Teddiursa is saying something with excitement, waving it's arms around as it speaks to who I assume is it's own mother.

Ursaring looks back at me, then at Teddiursa, and back at me again. "Ursaring!" To my surprise she hugs me again, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

She releases me again, standing back as I step away after picking up my basket. Teddiursa follows me, waving back to it's mother. I wave at it as well, our meeting as quick as an aloha. Hello, and goodbye.

This day has been too weird! I pick up the pace on my way back, but Teddiursa is always a step ahead of me. "Please leave me alone."

"Ursa?"

"I said- Oof!" In the middle of me talking I trip over a rock I didn't even notice, landing on the ground, my basket right in front of my nose.

"Teddiursa?" Teddiursa is standing before me, its eyes round with concern at my fall.

"I'm fine." But as I rise to my feet, grabbing my basket as I brush off my skirt, I notice a sharp pain in my knee. I wince as I look at the scrape, blood pouring out of it. "Ouch!"

"Ursa!" Teddiursa's eyes light up as if it has a first aid kit, bringing its paw over my damaged knee.

"What the?" I see it being as gentle as it can, but the wound hurts being touched. Not to mention the fact that Teddiursa is making my knee a flytrap by smearing it's paw honey all over it!

"Thanks for the help but I need some real medical attention." Each step after that is incredibly painful, but it almost feels as though Teddiursa's treatment is somehow making me feel better. "Argh!" Even more pain! "Guess not...."

Teddiursa follows me all the way home, and as I quickly explain my crazy experience to my mother, I throw myself onto the couch, propping my leg up onto the coffee table.

"I'll just wash that and disinfect it," My mother seems almost happy about the whole thing, and I wonder if she's glad that I fell and got hurt, but I then see that it's because of Teddiursa.

"Ursa!" Before my mom can bring a cold, wet cloth to my kee Teddiursa licks it, giving me shivers.

"Awww." How is this cute?! Actually, it's pretty adorable, but I'm in serious pain here!

"Please help me out. I'm not even hungry anymore."

It's been a week since that day. That crazy, no, INSANE, encounter with Teddiursa. I learned that we aren't that far apart as far as likes and dislikes go. We both love sweets and tea, especially with honey in it. I even caught Teddiursa parading around my room wrapped up in my scarf. It's kind of...nice.

My mom said it was my responsibility to take care of Teddiursa since it didn't seem to have any desire to go back to the forest, but it looks like Teddiursa can take care of itself. Pokemon are a lot less barbaric than I thought. Maybe I was sort of wrong, but one little Pokemon isn't enough. Still, I don't really mind this Pokemon.

We sat by one of the cafés in the city, and I ordered crêpes for both of us. I watched Teddiursa gobble its down as I just nibbled on mine, a passing thought running through my mind.

"What if Teddiursa became your friend? What if you and Teddiursa started something new together?" Maybe I'm just thinking random thoughts, but these are the only ones I didn't silence.