I can feel the world move around me, though it could be just me getting car sick. The boxes moved with every bump the truck hit, making me regret my decision to sit in the trunk. I sat in my little ‘room’, reading the note my classmates gave me before I left. Good luck. I was moving to a new home, a new continent and all they said is good luck. I was not close to any of them, yet they still gave me a good luck card.

My name is Innes. I used to live in a city on another continent, but one day my parents told me we had to move and to pack my things. They refuse to tell me why, no matter how many times I ask they refuse to answer my question. It might have been about my condition or it might be because they got a new job, but the end result is we had to move.

The place we are moving to is a place in Hoenn. I had heard Pokemon live there, which was different from where we used to live. Pokemon did live there, but not wild ones. I never had an interest in them really. While all the people around me talked about their favorite types, I just kept my head down.

I felt the truck stop and seconds later the doors open. The Machoke gestured me to get out which I did willingly. After sitting in the dark for the entire ride, the sunlight was harsh on my eyes. “Damn” I cursed. When my eyes adjusted I notice the area. There was no large buildings close by, just houses. The place looked rural, just short of boondocks level.

“Innes,” my mother called, “what do you think about this place?”

“It is located in the middle of nowhere.” It was cruel, but she did ask what I thought about it.

“Innes, I know you are upset about leaving your friends, but this is for your own good.”

“How is this for my own good?” was she going to tell me why we moved.

“it just is,” and I continue being in the dark, “this is going to be great I promise you.” She tried to hug me like when I was a child, but I had already out grown her. “Oh Machoke, that goes to the second floor, second door on the left hand side.” The Machoke just grunted and continued carrying boxes. “I forgot, I wanted to show you your new room.” Mom grabbed me by the hand and led me upstairs.

The room had most of my stuff; my TV, bed, and desk were already here. There were some boxes holding my stuff in a pile. I got to work getting them unpacked. My mom left me alone after that. I could hear the Machoke carrying boxes and other stuff past my room. After unpacking most of my stuff I laid on my bed letting the sunlight blanket me in warm light.

“Honey,” I heard mom call, “can you come down for a second?” when I got down I saw my father with mom.

“Hey Innes, how was the trip?” he had a stupid grin on his face.

“It was fine.” Whenever someone ask my opinion my answer is usually ‘fine’.  It was neutral, nether like or dislike, it was perfect to use if I had to strong felling towards something.

“That’s great son. Now go out and explore.”

“What?”

“I said to explore. We just moved here, you should go out and meet people. It is not healthy for you to be indoors all the time.”

“You do remember why I am indoors all the time, right?” my condition made it difficult to be outside for long periods of time. Sure I had no attacks lately, but just going outside is risky.

“I know, but this time it would be different I promise.”

“How can you promise something you can’t control?”

“Look I want you to be happy. This place is much healthier to you then the old place.” Dad placed a hand on my shoulder, “all I am asking is for you to give this place a chance.” He then made sad Growlithe eyes at me.

“Fine,” I said. He wasn’t going to stop till I left anyway, so I did it to make him stop.

I went outside and wondered the area. I was right to consider this place in the boondocks.  The houses where far apart from each other, none of them had a car close by ether. I had heard cars are not allowed in areas wild pokemon live, guess it was true. It was hard to see where the town ends and nature begins.

I got to the edge of the forest. From this point forward, wild pokemon live. I turned back but something stopped me. “Help!” a voice said “someone help me!” I should have headed back to my parents or got someone else. Instead I went charging in, no thought to my safety or might have caused the scream. I just ran in without a thought.

I followed the screams as best as I could, it seemed like the person was also moving as well. As I got closer I notice some things about the voice. It was male and sounded like he was old. I found the source of the voice soon after.

“Help, someone help.” it was a man stuck in a tree. His outfit was…odd. He wore a t-shirt, khaki shorts, flip-flops, and a lab coat. Hoenn has some weird fashion statements. “Hey you,” the man in the tree called, “can you help me?”

“How,” I asked.

There was a sound close to barking close by. “By defeating that,” the man in the tree pointed down. At the base of the tree, there was a small black coated pokemon with sharp teeth glaring at me. It was a Poochyena. I knew what to do in case of running into wild pokemon. Try to move away real slowly, wild pokemon rarely directly attack a human unless provoked, if this Poochyena is attacking this man, it was his own fault.

The Poochyena charged at me, I tried to move but I tripped on something. It was some bag.

“Yes use that,” the man in the tree yelled, “grab one of my pokeballs, hurry.”  I reached in and grabbed something round and smooth. Without looking I tossed it at the Poochyena. The ball opened and some light came out of it. The light hit a spot and started to change into a green lizard.

“Treecko” it said.

“What is that?”

“That’s Treecko,” the man in the tree called, “you have to battle using him.”

“Battle? I don’t know how to,” the Poochyena charged again this time it’s target was Treecko. It landed a hit on him and Treekco went back a bit. “Treecko!”

“You have to give him commands”

“Like what?”

“Pound.”

“Pound,” will that work? I had nothing to lose if it didn’t, “Treecko use Pound.” Treecko swung his tail at the Poochyena, landing a blow on the pokemon. “it worked?”

“You have Treecko’s pokeball, he would do as you say. Quick command something else.”

“Okay, use Pound again, Treecko.” Treecko again used Pound, sending the Poochyena flying into a tree. “All right,” however the celebration had to wait.

The Poochyena rose up again, looking even madder. It bared its teeth at us, with white smoke coming from its mouth. Flames started to come from its mouth and it charged again. That move…it is Fire Fang! But before I can order Treecko to move, Poochyena bite Treecko and flames spread over his body. Treecko cried in pain when the flames covered his body and a Tackle shortly after. “Treecko!” I called out.

“That was Fire Fang, this was not good.” Thanks for the commentary tree man. My mind was racing; if I don’t do something Treecko was doomed. I knew I should have gotten someone else, why did I come out here pretending I was some hero to save the day.

I looked at Treecko, he was exhausted, but he was smiling. His eyes were focused, like he had a plan. Then I thought about it, there was a plan. A last ditch effort to turn this around. No more hesitating, if I screw up now it really is all over. I was calm and collected; my thoughts were focused solely on making sure this plan worked.

Poochyena charged its Fire Fang again. The tree man was saying something but I didn’t listen. For some reason, I felt excited. This next attack will decide the victor. When Poochyena lunged at us, a clock seemed to visually appear in my head. “Dodge it now” I yelled. Treecko moved out of the way of Fire Fang, making Poochyena miss and pass him. “Now, Treecko use Absorb.” Treecko was surrounded by a green light. He stuck his paws towards Poochyena, who got covered by a green light as well.

Poochyena collapsed when a green ball come from him to Treecko. Treecko looked stronger again. Combining Treecko’s Absorb attack with his Abillity, Overgrow, I was able to reverse the odds. The Poochyena got back up, looking weaker than ever. “Grab another pokeball,” I turned to the man in the tree, “reach into my bag for another pokeball now!”

“Got it,” I reached in a grabbed another pokeball and threw it at Poochyena. The ball connected and Poochyena was changed into light and entered it. The Pokeball move a few times before a locking sound was heard.  I approached and picked the ball up. I felt like I was in a daze. Did this really happen?

“You did it.” the tree man climbed down the tree, “that was an excellent battle there.” Treecko jumped on me and climbed up onto my shoulders. “I was worried when Poochyena used Fire Fang but you seemed to pull through in the end.”

I felt embarrassed with all his praise, it was my first battle and he said it was good. “Oh are you alright?” I tried to steer this conversation away.

“Yes I am alright, but that was amazing, I don’t think my son can pull of that kind of victory.” His enthusiasm was starting to make me uncomfortable. “Come with me, you need a reward for that work you did.” He grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me along, “I am Professor Birch, what is your name?”

“I am Innes.” On that day, I started something that would change my life forever.