"I hope mom comes home soon" I smiled, hugging the box while on the bed "is it strange to say that it smells like her?" Not really, since vampires have better senses than humans do. Mom's scent was on the box like she personally gave it to me. Perhaps she sprayed her perfume inside?

I used my sharp fingernail to remove the tape sealing the package, and could smell her perfume slowly entering my nostrils. My mind immediately remembered her gentle smile looking down at me, making me automatically cry a bit.

"I'm so happy I got a gift from you, but what would make this birthday even better is if you gave it to me yourself" I wonder if the Four planned my banishment to last this long. Was it intended, or is... this a test?

I shook my head at the sudden thought and hurried to open the cardboard, already seeing fabric on the very top covering everything. I took it out a black dress with a fluffy red skirt and placed it against my body, astonished at how beautiful it was!

"So pretty!" It seems like my exact size. I'm sure she got the measurements from the messengers. I jumped off the bed to place it down to take a better look at it. I also took out a large black scarf and awesome looking combat boots "no way!" I gasped at the shoes "I always wanted these! They're so cool! How did she know?" I looked around the room, wondering if there was a way she found out I wanted these.

These shoes have been the big talk on tv, and ever since it's been talked about, I wanted a pair to imagine myself being part of the regular crowd. I'm pretty sure my mom already knew these were a thing and wanted to give me a pair to be nice, but either way, they're so cool!

I put them to the side and peaked at the bottom of the box, seeing a book placed on its side and another box beside it. I grabbed the book first and looked at the dull green cover before opening it, seeing a note fall out.

"Huh?" I looked inside the book quick to see something written on the first page "My journal..." I read, then looked at the bottom corner and almost forgot how to breathe. That's... my dad's signature! I remembered seeing it when he tried teaching me how to use a pencil!

I quickly picked up the note to see what's inside "Yannie, I had to write another note just so the Four doesn't know about this" I sat on the bed, reading moms handwriting "Before I get into what this book is, I hope you like the outfit and shoes I got you. They're not anything special, but I'd just thought it would be something you'd like to wear since you've been stuck in your room with nothing but pajamas your entire life. I'm sure you'll have fun wearing this while exploring the castle. Secondly, this journal belonged to your father before he passed away. I know you may not have known him for that long, but I always remembered how you had the same warm eyes like his. You're nothing like my people, and that's what makes you special. You deserve to live life to the fullest. In this journal, I hope you can see everything your father had seen before he left us. This is more valuable than any book you could ever find. He saw the world differently, and by seeing it differently, you'll be able to see through it more in detail than ever. I hope you enjoy everything in this box. Oh, and in the other box..." I looked inside the box and placed it on my lap "there's a small jewelry box with a lock on it. Unfortunately, there's no key right now, but it also belonged to your father."

"This box?" I opened the cardboard and found a silver jewelry box the size of my hand, with a golden lock that needed a tiny key in the keyhole. "There's no key, huh?" I looked back at the note.

"I hope you don't feel like your wait to see me will feel too long. Just between you and me, when we get the chance to see each other, how about I take you out to see Kalos?" I accidentally crunched the paper in disbelief and shock. "I'm not sure if the Four will approve... but I'll make things work! What do you say? When I come back, want to explore?" I cupped my mouth and teared up.

"Is she serious..?" Yes! Yes! "Mom..." I turned to the back of the note to see more text.

"PS: There should be a little surprise inside the pocket of your dress" I curiously dug in the pocket on the side of the dress and took out a small... Pokéball?!

I panicked and threw it up in the air, landing it on my bed. I was quick to make sure my door was locked from the inside and slowly made my way to turn on every lamp in the room just in case my eyes weren't messing with me.

With all the lights on, I looked back to see the Pokéball still there. "M-Mom... What were you thinking..?" I hurried to lean on the edge of my bed, debating whether to open it or shove it back in the box until mom comes home to release it.

No... If I left whatever is inside that ball, in there, it'd die of starvation. I dug in the pocket I got it out from and found another note inside.

"Guess what?" It said, "I got you a Pokémon!" I gulped. After all these years, I thought my mom was the smartest woman alive... I don't believe that anymore. "Now before you think of anything, I am fully aware that Pokémon are terrified of Vampires, but knowing something you may not know, I thought I'd give this a shot. Since you are not a full-fledge vampire, Pokémon may react to you differently, so I hope you two get along. Sometimes I wish I can naturally get alone with my Pokémon like your father could" I folded up the paper and faced the Pokéball, feeling more nervous than I ever had in a long time.

"I guess I know where she's going with this" I bit my lips "she's taking a big risk..." I dropped to my knees and leaned my arms on the bed, pressing my face onto my sheets. How am I going to do this..? This is all happening too fast!

Pokémon of any kind are terrified of vampires, and knowing that I was a half breed, things may happen differently like my mom hopes.

The story between Pokémon and vampires is that Pokémon are nothing to them but tools. Vampires give their Pokémon their blood to boost up their strength and beat any Pokémon the human uses. When I mention the old technique of Pokémon battles, this is what I meant by an unfair scenario, by injecting blood like it were steroids.

There is a thing called Pokémon gyms, which are run by powerful vampires that are underneath the Elite Four in the food chain and above the average vampire. These specific vampires are called The Council, or Leaders, since they are in charge of monitoring what happens in their assigned locations and report to the Elite Four.

Because Leaders are above the average vampire, they are stronger. Half their strength is given to every few groups of regular vampires assigned to a specific leader to bond with them by drinking their blood. This gives the false hope for humans to believe that if they kill a leader, they'll weaken the bonded vampire's powers. That means that those specific vampires will have the same strength as a human.

There are more things into it that I don't want to explain. The moral of the story is that vampires will never let a human win. They don't want to risk losing to a human, so they give their Pokémon their blood to boost all stats, much like steroids or vitamins as I said before, and use them as tools more than companions.

Vampires take and humans fight... This world became a war. There's no such thing as peace anymore. I wish it didn't have to be this way... and I never thought I'd get the chance to have a Pokémon of my own. If I had Pokémon and lived out there, I would use them to stand up and get things to change. The only problem with that is that... Change can be dangerous.

I am nothing like those monsters. I've always wanted a Pokémon of my own. Mom wished her Pokémon could bond with her, but her blood-red eyes keep that from happening. I'm sure she's hoping I can succeed and finally have a friend.

Even if I had the chance to go out there with a friend, there's no way I can make a change. These vampires or even humans won't take me seriously. I'd give anything to just live in a world where fear and violence aren't the most known in this world. I want to live in a different way, a way where no one can judge me for who I was...

I was too caught up in thinking about something that may never happen. I have more things to worry about... like wondering what's going to happen once I release this Pokémon from this chamber. Who knows... It may just be an empty ball and mom was hoping to teach me how to catch one in the wild if I ever get the chance to go with her.

I took a deep breath and prepared myself before leaning in to press the white button in the center of the ball. Once I did, it widened in size, instantly making me freak out and hide on the side of my bed.

When nothing happened, I peeked over the edge again to see the ball just sitting there. I stood up and took another deep breath. I can do this! I can do this!

"Humans have it wonderful..." I frowned. Vampires could never create a bond with a Pokémon. Humans can just catch a Pokémon and instantly bond with them without any requirements. They can be their friend without worrying that they'll be feared. I don't want to be feared, so I'm crossing my fingers on this.

I reached to poke the button one more time before the ball suddenly jolted and snapped open. I squealed and jumped back to lean on the wall, watching the light escape the ball and eventually form into a shape.

Once the light vanished, the shape remained intact and revealed a cute little Pokémon with yellow cheeks, "oh!" I gasped, slowly making my way to get a closer look. I've read about these before... It's a Dedenne!

The cute creature opened its eyes after shaking its body and looked confused before making eye contact with me. I froze, fearing the worse. I don't want this Pokémon to be scared of me... I bring no harm... honestly!

It blinked a few times at me before tilting its head to the side. So far, it hasn't backed away in fright. I carefully sat on the bed and faced its small body never breaking eye contact with me, probably observing my strange colored eyes.

"H-Hello..." I greeted nervously. It just stared. I just remembered I didn't like being stared at, but as curious, excited, and nervous as I was, I overcame that fear for this moment "I-I'm..." I played with my hair and shut my eyes, knowing its eyes were still staring at me, "I'm Yannie!" I forced out. After I did that, I took another deep breath and looked back at the Pokémon still on the same spot with the same big eyes staring at me.

I took my time to say my next words in the hope of not embarrassing myself, "My mom gave you to me as a birthday present... I um.." I was so overwhelmed. I never spoke to anyone in person for this long. This is so strange "I hope we can be friends... I promise I will take care of you and give you anything you want. Does that sound okay? Can we be friends? There's no reason for you to be scared of me" I looked down "Please... don't be scared" I think I'm more scared than it is.

I felt something touch my knee. I jumped and widened my eyes when seeing Dedenne touching my knee. At that moment, I cried into my hands, never expecting to be this happy.

It smiled for me. For the first time in vampire history, a Pokémon isn't scared of my kind. I'm still human, but this is a big deal!

I carefully lifted its body and hugged it closely. Someone else who accepts me... for me... this little one doesn't know I'm a half breed, it just sees me... I couldn't be happier!

"Thank you... You have no idea how this makes me feel..." Dedenne squealed and rubbed its cheeks on mine, accidentally shocking me. It rubbed the side of its head, ashamed. I just smiled.

"That's okay" It scurried onto my shoulder and rubbed its head on me instead. I sniffled, feeling like my lonely heart was warming up with every stroke. I really wanted this... Thank you, mom... Thank you for taking the risk.

"Thank you for not fearing me" I sniffled.

"Dene?" I shook my head and stared at my door. I'm free to go out and roam around... This may be too risky to do with a Pokémon on my side. I don't want to go out there alone.

"It's still really early. The Four may be active around the castle. I better stay here until it's a safe time to go and start exploring" Dedenne looked at me confused "I never been out this room before... so this will be a first" I turned off all my lamps and prepared the bed so I could sleep through the early mornings until I know it's safe out there.

I laid down next to Dedenne and petted its head. I could see it was blind from the darkness around us. I was able to see it just fine "We're going to sleep now. In the morning, we can find our breakfast" Since I'm free from my room, I wonder if the maids will still come to bring me food or offer themselves to me. I'll have to see in the morning "I'm nervous about exploring this place. Around the morning, I'm sure the Four won't find out I have a Pokémon, so you'll be okay."

"Dene" it just nodded, not knowing what I was talking about. I smiled and put the covers over us.

"Goodnight, Dedenne... Sweet dreams" I smiled to myself, loving how this birthday just started. I'm hoping nothing can ruin it. Maybe, just maybe, as I explore the castle far enough, I might find my mom's room and see what she has inside.

"I'm so grateful..." I teared up a little "please don't let anything ruin it" I slowly closed my eyes to fall asleep before opening them again to glance at dad's journal still on my bed and reached out for it. I looked at Dedenne, slowly falling asleep. I opened the book and begun to read a few pages before passing out.

Just by reading the first few pages, I've learned so much already. Dad's life as a prince exploring Kalos had so much detail in it. It made me happy to learn more information about the world 50 years ago instead of the little information I could read from my shelves of books or the tv. Because it was only the first few pages, I couldn't wait to see what else the journal had in store once I get up in the morning. 

this chapter made me really happy, but there are more chapters up ahead. Yannie won't stay in the castle forever, and that part is my most favorite. thank you for reading! Chapter may be ready to edit and publish by 4/18/20 tonight!