EPISODE 4: The Trainers!*

And so, a new day arrives at the Hoenn Region. The people and Pokemon are awakened from their slumber because of the light of the sun. They stretch their arms, accepting the invitation to a new morning. For others, this morning is quite special and unique, especially for the people of Littleroot.

On a small wooden house, an alarm clock blares on top of a table, awakening a spirited seventeen-year-old boy with the determination of a passionate trainer. He goes by the name of Brendan. He wears a black headband with a red Poké Ball pattern. He sports a long-sleeved red and black sweater and black shorts over baggy black trousers with yellow cuffs at the bottom. His sneakers are also red and black, matching his outfit. Around his neck, he sports a gold band with a round white circle in the center, and on his hands, he wears yellow and blue fingerless gloves.

Just like me, Brendan is not the disciplined type of trainer who wakes up according to the sound of the clock. Instead, he spanks the clock down to the table, crashing it into broken pieces. He falls back to sleep but was quickly awakened by the sound of his Rotom-Phone.

Because of being irked, he decides to answer the phone call. In a drowsy voice, he utters, "M-May. It's early in the morning."

"Early in the morning?! This is the tenth time I've been trying to call you! It's ten o clock already. Sigh, did you forget what day it is today? Remember, father will be distributing starter Pokemon to us. Oh, and by the way, Wally is already here."

"Wally?! I guess his parents finally allowed him. He lives in Verdanturf town, how was he able to get there so quickly?"

"He left early of course. Now hurry! Father will be arriving back from his fieldwork any second now."

"Right." Brendan declines the call. As quickly as possible, he stands from his bed, rushing to the bathroom to cleanse himself. After preparing his apparel, his bags, and his necessities, he proceeds to the dining room wherein he was met by his mother.

"Sigh, you woke up late again Brendan?"

"Sorry mother, I overslept."

"I thought you said when you turn seventeen you'll be able to wake up early? Anyway, breakfast is ready." His mother sighs once more as she lowers a plate of omelet from her palm to the table. Brendan could already taste the delicious meal his mother cooked for him just by smelling its aroma. His mouth craves desperately to dig in.

"Don't eat too fast or else you will have a hiccup." his mother reminds and opens the television.

[And here we have it again! Norman has defeated another trainer today...] The commentator proclaims as the cheers of a galore of people could be heard from the background.

"Looks like dad is having another streak today." Brendan tilts his head over to the television while eating his omelet. His eyes sparkle and his confidence is boosted just by looking at his father Norman, a gym leader who always inspires his son. Brendan wishes to be like him one day, a profound gym leader who would soon take his father's place.

After having a mouthwatering meal, he dashes off to his mother and kisses her forehead. "I'll be going now."

"Good luck with your journey Brendan! Make me and your father proud. Oh, once you receive your starter, don't forget to show me before setting out on your official journey." His mother directs while watching his son leave.

Bubbles start to form on her eyes, clouding her sight as she whispers to herself, "Kids will always leave someday. Sigh, why do they grow so fast?" She tucks her lips while watching her fully grown son leaving the house just like how she left the house when she started her first journey. Later, tears fell off her eyes. It has been merely a minute and she dearly misses Brendan.

Littleroot Town, the "Town that can't be shaded with any hue". It is very serene, shrouded with trees and fields, flowers, and Pokemon. It may be small with a mere amount of civilians, but here lives the famous professor, Professor Birch.

Professor Birch is a very outgoing and friendly person. Although he's fat, he's very active and often researches outside, as he doesn't like being in cramped spaces. Additionally, he is also kind and generous and doesn't hesitate to help others. However, despite his positive traits, Professor Birch is also a goofy, cowardly man that often gets into severe trouble. He commonly needs rescuing from others due to being jumped and chased by wild Pokémon so often. As a professor, it is his duty to hand out starter Pokemon to amateur trainers like Brendan and his childhood friend, May, and Wally.

May is Brendan's best friend and rival. As a rival, May is a sweet, cheerful, kind-hearted, friendly, and humble person. She is kind and respectful to Brendan, and is more passive than most people. She is an aspiring young coordinator.

Wally is also a friend of Brendan and May but not usually close since he lives in Verdanturf Town. He is always scolded by his parents and would always come into a fight against them every time he persists to allow him to go on his very own journey. His parents are over-protective thus they don't allow him. Wally has a kind, calm, gentle, shy, and passive personality. He is frail and sickly, but despite this, he tries to be brave.

The three of them were able to meet at Professor Birch's house instead of his laboratory. He is also May's father and will be the man who will distribute the starter Pokemon to the three of them.

"What took you so long?!" May scolds.

"Sorry, I tried to eat my omelet as fast as possible." replies, Brendan sarcastically.

"Oh, and Wally. Did your parents allow you to go on your journey? Were you able to persuade them?" Brendan asks out of curiosity.

"U-um... Not quite. I barely escaped only to do this. Once I receive my starter Pokemon, I will return to Vendaturf to persuade my parents again." responds, Wally in a timid manner. Professor Birch interrupts then their conversation, approaching all of them with a brown bag wrapped around him.

"Good morning! Looks like the three of you made it just in time to receive your starter Pokemon. Luckily, I have three left so? Let's get right into it!" From his bag, he grabs three Pokeballs and tosses them out, revealing the starter Pokemon of the region.

"First up, we have Treecko. A grass type.

Second, we have Mudkip. A water type.

And lastly, we have Torchic. A fire type.

Who among the three of you will be choosing their Pokemon first?" Professor Birch utters his words in a way it boosts the excitement of the near-young-adults.

"You can go first, Brendan." May offers, smiling pleasantly towards him.

Brendan was filled with ecstasy as he stares unto the three Pokemon, examining each and every one of them, trying to find the perfect one. A fire type like Torchic does not fit his personality, while a water type like Mudkip is too playful. This leaves him to the serious and adamant Treecko.

"I choose you!" Brendan points at Treecko.

"If you're choosing Treecko then I'm going to choose something against it. Torchic will be my choice father!"

"I-I guess that means I am left with no choice but to pick Mudkip." says, Wally in a timid manner.

The Pokeball of the starters have been distributed alongside a bundle of first aids and berries for their first week as an official trainer. This will help them in case of emergencies in which the trainer has no absolute idea on how to respond to it or not used to since it is their first time to encounter such a thing.

"Also! Here is your Pokedex. It will automatically record any data and information once it scans a wild Pokemon. I am also going to give you five Pokeballs each as your starter kit. Each trainer can hold a maximum amount of six Pokemon only so use them wisely and assemble the best team.

Once you travel through eight cities and have acquired at least eight gym badges, you can register for the Pokemon League." Professor Birch adds further reminders.

"Me, I'll stick to Pokemon Contests. It suites my passion. About you Wally? Are you going to participate in the Pokemon League?"

"N-not quite. You see, I need full permission from my parents first and perhaps if I show this Mudkip, they will finally allow me to participate. Hopefully." Wally says as he wears a worried expression.

"You can do this Wally! With enough persuasion, your parents will definitely say yes." Brendan encourages.

"As for you Treecko, we're going to be the best!"

<Tree? Tree!> Treecko takes a glimpse of Brendan. It tilts away afterward, showing no interest or whatsoever towards him.

"Hehe, in order to be the best, then you must make sure that your bond with your Pokemon is strong. Now, I officially proclaim this moment the start of your journey! Good luck to the three of you and best wishes." declares, the professor.

"Great! I'll race you to Oldale Town Brendan!"

"You go ahead, I still have to meet my mother."

"Meanwhile, I, Wally, will return to Verdanturf for now."

After receiving their starters, the three friends finally left the professor's house to proceed to their own agendas. This is where their path to become a fulfilled Pokemon Trainer starts! Who knows what problems or trials may appear during their path to the Pokemon League? One thing's for sure, those trials ain't going to be easy.

An hour later, somebody violently knocks unto the professor's door. It piques Birch's interest so he decides to open it only to be greeted by an unexpected surprise. It was a trainer all along with white hair (similar to Steven), fair complexion, and brilliant eyes. Beside him is his partner Pokemon, a Gallade.

"Sorry professor! Me and my Gallade overslept. We came here to receive my starter Pokemon." Logan Schneider, the name of the man, says as he grasps desperately for oxygen.

"Logan Schneider? Give me a moment to recall... Oh! You're the trainer from Oldale Town. Now I get it."

"Please tell me I can still receive a starter. Me and Gallade rushed as fast as possible. You see, I met Gallade as a Ralts when I was five years old. And of course, as an aspiring trainer, I trained Ralts to Kirlia and gave him a stone in order to evolve him."

"I see. I'm sorry but the three starters have been given away recently. If you had come much earlier then perhaps you could've received one. But! Don't feel down, I can still give you a spare Pokedex and starter kit. You have a Gallade with you, and I was thinking, he could be your starter Pokemon instead. Hehe."

"I guess I have no choice," Logan says in a disappointed voice.

"As they say, the early bird gets the worm!" The professor winks.

<Gallade>The Pokemon cheers his trainer by smiling and rubbing his hair.