After I had been caught outside, Dad put me on a "lockdown" of sorts. He didn't trust Mom with watching me now, so whenever I wasn't with my tutors he would send one of his employees to our house to see if I was there. I could have still snuck out regardless, but Dad made sure my tutors gave me more than enough work to keep me busy. Two weeks of this transpired, two weeks that felt like months.

One morning I woke up... This in itself was strange. Dad would always be the one to wake me up when he got up so I could get an early start. Not only that, sunlight was peeking through the blinds. What time is it? I rolled over to look at the clock on my nightstand. Eleven forty-three? I bolted upright and jumped out of bed, realizing that I had once again fallen asleep in my clothes. I couldn't believe it. It was almost noon and neither of my parents had woken me up! I was going to be in so much trouble.

As I was searching through a pile of textbooks for my book on Algebra, I noticed that it was oddly quiet. Usually I'd be able to hear Mom downstairs. Out of curiosity, I decided to go check. My parents' room was empty and so was the study, where was everybody?

Next, I looked downstairs. The stairs creaked loudly underfoot, making me wince with each step. I eventually made it to the first floor and entered the dining room, only to be surprised to see my parents sitting at the table.

"Happy Birthday, Steven!" Mom said happily, leaving her seat so she could hug me.

"Yes, Happy Birthday, son," Dad echoed.

For a second, I had no idea what they were talking about. Then it hit me like a Hyper Beam, I had been so wrapped up in my studies that I had actually forgotten that my birthday was today! The shroud of exhaustion lifted from me in an instant. I didn't know whether to feel happy, or utterly embarrassed.

I freed myself from Mom's Ursaring-hug and looked at the table. On it was a small cake with white frosting and a trio of wrapped boxes off to the side. I knew two of the presents were from my parents but who the third was from was a mystery to me.

"To think that it has already been sixteen years," Mom said wistfully. "I almost can't believe it!"

Feeling's mutual, I thought.

After we finished the cake I couldn't help but get excited about opening my gifts. Even though I was sixteen now, that didn't mean I was incapable of appreciating a present.

Mom had given me the latest edition of the PokéNav, except this one was custom-designed. It was dark gray with silver lining the screen and jagged purple lines spreading across the device like cracks left behind by an earthquake. In all honesty, it was really cool looking.

The next box was very small, around the size of a ring box. I opened it and saw a stickpin laying upon the box's velvet lining. The pin itself consisted of a thumbnail-sized, round, multicolored gemstone set inside a circular piece of silver.

"That pin has been passed down through our family for generations," Dad said. "Dating as far back as two-hundred years ago, perhaps even farther. Your grandfather gave me that pin when I was your age, and now it's yours."

"Th-thank you very much, Dad," I stammered. I was astonished he would entrust me with such an important family heirloom. Though it looked like a simple accessory, it was more than priceless. I almost didn't want to touch it, afraid that my fingerprints on the polished silver might tarnish it within an instant. I cautiously closed the box and put it next to my new PokéNav.

The third and final gift was a box a great deal bigger than the last. Slightly larger than the first, it was made of black wood and was held closed by a pair of clasps.

"Since you've been working so hard lately, I thought you deserved something extra," Mom said, a huge smile plastered on her face. Whatever it was, it was probably something special. Without a second thought I opened the box, and when I did my heart skipped a beat.

It was a Poké Ball. A regular old Poké Ball. My eyes widened, entranced by the light reflecting off its metal surface.

"What is it?" Dad asked, raising an eyebrow at my reaction. I removed the red and white capsule and held it up for him to see. Dad gasped, "Carol, why did you get him that?"

Mom ignored him and continued talking. "Press the center button."

I obeyed her and lightly pressed the button. The ball's top half sprung open, a blinding flash of white darting from the ball into the air above the table. The light faded to reveal a Pokémon. It was a blue-green metallic being around the length of my arm, and it was somewhat cylindrical in shape with a perfectly round, nearly featureless head. A large piece of metal was affixed to its back, and it had a set of silver spikes on its flattened bottom-half. Its only facial feature was a single, crimson-colored eye that darted around until it settled on me.

"What is that thing?" Dad cried, jumping out of his chair and flattening himself against the wall.

"It's a Beldum," Mom said calmly. "One of my friends breeds Pokémon, and she happened to have a Beldum. Isn't it cute, Steven?" she laughed.

"Uhh... yes?" I said uncertainly, still in shock that Mom had gotten me an actual Pokémon for a present. She did have a point. The Beldum had a strange charm to it. It looked at me with what I thought was curiosity. It was hard to tell, not having a real face and all.

Hello.

The robotic, almost monotone voice echoed inside my mind. I momentarily freaked, was I hearing things?

Aren't you going to say something?

No, I couldn't have imagined it. It was definitely a voice, distinctly male and from the looks on my parents' faces, they heard it too. I was sure the voice came from the Beldum.

"Are you speaking to me?" I asked, fully aware of the shocked look Dad gave me.

Isn't it obvious? Of course I am. Every Psychic-type Pokémon has the ability to use telepathy. The Beldum trembled in place as he (I decided it was a "he") spoke. If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?

"Steven..." I said.

It's nice to meet you, Steven, Beldum replied, his tone cheering. Since I guess I'm now your Pokémon, I wouldn't mind if you gave me a nickname. It's what most people seem to do when they get a new Pokémon.

I didn't know what to think, everything was happening too fast. Thinking quickly, I said the first name that came to mind. "I'll call you... Meteor," I decided. Beldum looked like a Pokémon belonging to a mineral type, and Meteor Falls was where I found all my stones. It was the best name I was able to come up with at that moment.

"Carol, answer my question! Why did you get my son a Pokémon?" Dad questioned, bordering on the edge of hysterics.

"If you won't let Steven outside, he needs someone to keep him company. That was our compromise," Mom responded.

"I didn't think you really meant it!" Dad said.

Mom made a compromise? I thought back to that night two weeks ago. This must have been the result of that talk. Everything suddenly felt better. I wouldn't be alone now, I had someone else! I was overjoyed, never had I ever felt so happy. Just the thought that Meteor would be with me from now on filled me with unbridled joy. For the first time in weeks, I smiled.

"And now that our son has a Pokémon, I think he should be allowed outside for the rest of the day," Mom said curtly, shooting Dad a stern look.

My heart leapt. I could go outside?

"He cannot! A Pokémon was one thing, and now you say he can go out by himself? He needs to learn that there are consequences for disobeying my orders."

"I think he knows that well enough!" Mom snapped. "It's his birthday, for Arceus' sake! Let him go out and enjoy being a sixteen year-old for a little bit. He has the Beldum with him, he'll be fine!"

Dad opened his mouth to retaliate, but he paused. He glanced from her, to me, then to Meteor, his eyes lingering on the Steel-type. To my surprise, he relented. "Fine. I need to get to work, and I want you back by five. No later," he said.

"Thank you, Dad!" I exclaimed before rushing to the door, Meteor following close behind. I knew where I would go: back to my digging site near Meteor Falls. It was a great place to sit and marvel at nature.

Where are we going? Meteor asked, his single eye taking in the city's sights. No one paid us any mind. After all, it was normal to see a Pokémon with their Trainer. Trainer... it was weird to think that I was technically a Trainer. I shook my head a little. No, I wasn't, I was a business student, Meteor was only a companion.

We soon arrived at the site, the pile of rocks I gathered still tucked away under the ledge where I last left them. The sun shone down on the tan stone around us, baking the rocks in midday heat. Through the patch of woods bordering the plain of rock, the sound of water lapping at the distant shoreline could be heard. Meteor floated aimlessly, eye darting from side to side. This place is nice. Do you come here often?

"I try to," I said. "It's a perfect place to search for stones. Meteor Falls and the areas surrounding it have always had a great mixture of minerals, such as limestone, marble, or any sort of tan stone. But then there are the colored stones. The earth here is so rich with them that just digging anywhere near the falls can reveal any variation of Evolution stone." I realized that I was beginning to ramble, stopping myself to spare Meteor the boredom of listening to one of my rock lectures.

Why'd you stop? I found it pretty interesting, Meteor said, his gaze full of delight. I guess you have an interest in rocks?

"Yes, studying and collecting them is a hobby of mine." I smiled at my Pokémon. "On most occasions my parents are disinterested in what I have learned through my research. Especially my dad."

Oh really? Speaking of who, your father doesn't seem to like me. Why is that?

I shrugged, feeling confident enough to open up to my new friend. "Dad wants me to run the family business when I get older. Because of that he makes me do nothing but study, so when I eventually inherit the company, I can be a better president than he ever was. That was what he told me. He probably thinks you might distract me from my work."

Isn't that stressful? Having all that pressure put on you...

"I've learned to cope with it. Besides, Dad knows what is best for me. I'm sure if he thought I couldn't handle it, he wouldn't make me do so much."

Meteor dipped downwards slightly in an imitation of a nod. I see. You're... an interesting person, Steven. I look forward to getting to know you better. He turned away and looked into the dense forest.

"Thank you Meteor. I'm happy that I have someone new to talk to," I replied, following my Pokémon's gaze. It seemed like he was looking at something off in the distance. "Did something catch your attention?"

There's a Pokémon nearby. I'm sensing hostility from it, and I want to make sure it won't take us by surprise.

"Really? I've never seen any Pokémon near here. Other than a few passing Flying-types, at least." As I said this, the bushes close to us began rustling.

It's almost here! In case it comes to it, my moves are... ugh, what did the breeder lady say? Oh! Zen Headbutt, Iron Defense, Iron Head, and Take Down.

Did Meteor think we were going to battle? I didn't know how to do that, was it as complicated as it looked? Even though there could be real danger here, I felt... excited? Anticipation rose inside me like a rising tide, making my heart beat faster.

Watch out!

"Raurf raurf!"

A gray and black dog like Pokémon sprung from the brush, landing right in front of Meteor. I remembered seeing a picture of this Pokémon in a book once, calling it a Poochyena. Its head whipped back and forth, lips pulled back into a snarl. My excitement faded, being replaced with a sense of dread. There was something... wrong with it. The way it jerkily moved made it seem like it didn't know how to control its own paws. Its pupils were constricted to the size of pinpricks and its irises were purple.

"Rrr..." it growled, its eyes locking onto me. Before I could finish processing what I was seeing, the Poochyena lunged at me, ignoring Meteor entirely. I jumped out of the way, Poochyena's snapping jaws missing my neck by an inch. I was horrified. That Pokémon had tried to kill me!

When the Poochyena landed, its body seized. It fell to the ground, thrashing its appendages and twitching like a crazed marionette. The whole time, it stared up at me with piercing purple eyes. It was a disturbing sight to say the least.

I stared at the creature, horrified. "Wh-what do you think is wrong with it?" I asked. Meteor didn't respond. I looked at him and he was staring at Poochyena intently. That was when I noticed the collar.

The Poochyena had a black collar around its neck. It had several lights on it that faintly flashed different shades of green. No, not flashed. The way the lights came on and off made them seem like they were almost pulsing. I had seen some Pokémon wearing collars given to them by their Trainers, but something about this one in particular wasn't right. It looked sinister.

It's screaming. Meteor's voice was morose. It sent a chill down my spine. What should we do?

I snapped out of my shock, mind already racing to come up with a plan. I took note that the collar had no release latch, meaning it couldn't be removed. Could Meteor break it? No, the collar wasn't made of any material I recognized. The only thing I could think of was knocking out the Poochyena. That way, I could take it to the Pokémon Center. All of these thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant, the answer conjuring itself a second later. Mom had always said I was good at quickly making decisions, and she wasn't wrong in that department.

"We have to make it faint," I said, finalizing my choice. "Meteor, try using Iron Head."

Meteor's top half glowed white, emitting a sound akin to steel being sharpened. He ran into Poochyena, causing the Pokémon to be thrown backwards. It tumbled head over paws until it dug its dull claws into the rock where it pulled itself back upright. It let out a howl and sprung at Meteor, mouth wide open, the sunlight glinting off its fangs. It bit down on the bar on Meteor's back, dragging him to the ground. He struggled for a moment before he was able to free himself from Poochyena's jaws, flinging it away.

I'm fine, it's hard to leave a scratch on me, Meteor said, his eye glancing at me with reassurance. I was glad to see that he wasn't hurt very much. With a quick nod, I gave my next order.

"N-now use Take Down!"

Meteor repeated his previous actions without the white glow, this time the attack slammed Poochyena into a rock. The collar shattered into dozens of fragments upon coming into contact with the stone, wires and other electronic parts scattering the rocks. Poochyena crumpled to the ground and didn't move. For maybe a minute, I stayed where I was. I wanted to make sure it wouldn't get up and rip me to shreds. When it didn't move, I slowly made my way over to it. I didn't dare touch any of the collar fragments out of fear that they might shock me or something.

What are we going to do? Meteor asked. I gathered the fainted ball of fur in my arms, keeping its head positioned away from me in case it woke up and tried to retaliate. While I felt bad for knocking it out, there wasn't really another option.

"We're taking Poochyena to the Pokémon Center, the nurses there can help it." I began speed-walking back towards Rustboro, Meteor at my side.

—~*~—

"Welcome to the Rustboro Pokémon Center, how may I help you?" the cheery nurse behind the counter greeted me with a smile.

   "My Pokémon and I were attacked by this Poochyena." I showed the Dark-type to her. "We were forced to knock it out. If we hadn't, it could have gone on to attack someone else. It was extremely hostile." I wasn't sure if I should have told her about the collar. It had definitely played a part in the Pokemon's strange behavior. Though it didn't feel right, I decided against telling her. It's broken now. Out of sight, out of mind..? "I think it might belong to somebody, as well," I added.

"Oh, really? Thank you for bringing it here, then. We'll make sure it's cared for until it's fully healed." The nurse left the room for a moment, soon returning with a Blissey pushing a gurney. She took the Poochyena, placed it on the gurney, and the Blissey wheeled it into a different room.

"Will it be all right?" I asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, Poochyena is going to be okay. Thank you again for bringing it to us. Good day, young man." The nurse bowed slightly and followed the Blissey.

"You're welcome," I said half-heartedly. I needed to head home. After what happened, I was in no hurry to return to the falls. "Come on, Meteor. Let's go home."

When I arrived home, Mom immediately assaulted me with questions about how my day was. I gave her short, vague responses. Truthfully, I had an amazing time. Minus the whole Poochyena situation, everything else was great.

The rest of the day passed without incident. It mainly consisted of me and Meteor talking while I sorted the dozens of stones I had stashed in my room. The whole time I did this, I kept thinking of that battle. Underneath the worry and fear I had felt, there was another emotion: exhilaration.

I had always tried to be enthusiastic when it came to running the Devon Corporation, but it felt like a chore to do. This was different, battling alongside a Pokémon felt right to me. Like it was what I was meant to do. Stop it! Don't think like that! I hurriedly pushed the thought to the far reaches of my mind. I couldn't be a Trainer, Dad wouldn't let me even if I wanted to.