Journey Start

I woke up on warm morning in Gravel Town with a single thought on my mind. Today was the day my Pokemon adventure began. I've waited for this day since I first started learning about Pokemon, and today I finally got to set out on my own and catch my very first Pokemon.

I walk downstairs to meet the old scent of my empty house. As I entered the kitchen I quickly fix some hot milk for to drink. "Ahh... What a warm morning,"

As I began cooking some breakfast, I started to think about my first Pokemon. Which one would I choose?

I wanted to have a strong start to my Pokemon journey, but first I need to think about what kind of Pokemon would fit best in my team.

Suddenly, the front door opened. I looked up to see my cheerful friend Ella walk in.

"Hi Max!" She said excitedly, clearly very excited about our journey starting today.

"Hi, Ella." I responded shortly, sipping my hot milk. "So, it's finally time to choose our first Pokemon."

Ella smiled and nodded with excitement. Ella's enthusiasm was contagious, but I couldn't help but feel a bit more cautious about my decision. I hadn't completely made up my mind. The starter Pokemon choices will be great in their own ways, and I wanted to pick one that matched my style.

"Which one are you going to choose?"

"I don't know, my dad still haven't said anything to me."

Ah, right. I nodded, remembering how lucky Ella was to have Professor Gabriel as her dad. Growing up with a former champion meant she had all the inside knowledge and resources to be an incredible trainer.

"Your dad's probably got something special for you, then,"

"Yeah, he keeps hinting at it, but I have no idea what it is! I just hope it's something really cool."

We chatted a bit more as I finished breakfast, excitement building with every passing moment. The thought of finally stepping outside of Gravel Town, Pokeball in hand, ready to catch wild Pokemon, filled me with anticipation.

"Come on," Ella said, standing up suddenly. "Let's head over to the lab. My dad's waiting for us."

I grabbed my backpack and followed Ella outside. The sun was shining brightly over Gravel Town, and I felt a warm breeze on my face. As we walked down the cobblestone path, I couldn't help but look around at the familiar sights, the small houses, the marketplace, the fields where we'd played when we were younger.

The Pokemon Lab was perched on a small hill at the edge of town, overlooking the forests and mountains that lay beyond. As we approached, the doors to the lab slid open automatically, and inside, we were greeted by Professor Gabriel himself.

"Ah, Max, Ella! I've been expecting you," Professor Gabriel said with a warm smile. "Are you two ready to begin your Pokemon journey?"

"Yes, Professor!" We say in unison.

"Good, good," He said, gesturing for us to follow him. "Come inside, I have something special prepared for the both of you."

We followed him into the lab, where three different style Pokeballs sat neatly on a table. Professor Gabriel motioned toward them. "Max, Ella, these three Pokemon are available for you to choose from. Each one represents a different type and will shape your journey in different ways."

As I stared at the three Pokeballs on the table, the gravity of my decision started to sink in. This was it, my first Pokemon. Ella seemed just as excited, bouncing on her heels beside me.

"Max," Professor Gabriel said, his tone warm but firm, "Choosing your first Pokemon is an important step. It's not just about strength. It's about finding a partner, someone you can rely on through thick and thin."

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. He was right, this Pokemon wouldn't just be my first, it would be my companion on a journey that could take me all over the region, maybe even further.

"Go ahead," Professor Gabriel continued, "Take a look."

I stepped forward and reached for the first Pokeball. As I pressed the button on the front, it clicked open, and a bright flash of light materialized into a small, determined-looking Houndour.

The small Houndour stood in front of me, its dark fur and sharp red eyes giving it an air of quiet strength. It let out a low growl, but there was no aggression in it.

Professor Gabriel smiled. "This is Houndour, a Dark/Fire-type Pokemon. It's known for its loyalty and strong bond with its trainer. It's also very strategic in battles, combining firepower with cunning."

I knelt down, locking eyes with Houndour. There was something about it, its intensity, its quiet confidence. I knew it would be a great partner, especially in tough battles ahead. But I had two more choices to see.

"Alright, let's see the next one," I said, returning Houndour to its Pokeball.

Next, I picked up the second Pokeball and pressed the button. A flash of light revealed a small, eager Piplup, its blue feathers shining under the lab's lights. It chirped excitedly, waddling around as if already brimming with energy.

"That's Piplup, a Water-type Pokemon," Professor Gabriel explained. "It's strong against Fire-types and becomes very powerful as it evolves."

Piplup looked up at me with bright eyes, seemingly full of ambition. It was hard not to smile at its enthusiasm, but I had one more Pokemon to meet.

I returned Piplup to its Pokeball and reached for the third and final one. A quick flash, and there stood Shinx, an Electric-type Pokemon with gleaming blue fur and sharp, alert eyes. It let out a playful spark of electricity, clearly ready to show off its power.

"And this is Shinx, an Electric-type," Professor Gabriel said, his tone filled with admiration. "Fast, adaptable, and able to learn powerful Electric attacks early on. It's a great choice for trainers who want an edge in speed and strategy."

I looked between the three Pokemon, Houndour, Piplup, and Shinx. Each one had something incredible to offer. Houndour with its fierce loyalty and power, Piplup with its resilience and growth potential, and Shinx with its speed and electric attacks.

I stood there for a moment, weighing my options. This wasn't just about strength or type advantages, it was about finding a Pokemon that matched my personality and goals as a trainer.

With a deep breath, I made my choice.

"I choose Houndour," I said confidently, picking up its Pokeball. It felt right, Houndour's intensity matched the kind of trainer I wanted to be. Strong, and always ready for the challenges ahead.

Professor Gabriel nodded approvingly. "A fine choice, Max. Houndour will be a powerful ally on your journey. Take good care of it."

"What about me, Dad? What's mine?" Ella says, the excitement in her voice is noticeable.

Professor Gabriel smiled warmly at his daughter. "Ah, Ella, I have something a little special for you. Since you've grown up around Pokemon and already know so much, I wanted to give you a challenge." He reached under the table and pulled out a unique-looking Pokeball with intricate engravings on it.

"This," He said, holding it up for both of us to see, "Is a very special Pokemon. It's not one of the usual starters, but I think you'll find it suits you perfectly."

Ella's eyes widened as she took the Pokeball from her father's hand. "What is it?"

"Why don't you find out?" Professor Gabriel winked, clearly enjoying the moment.

With trembling excitement, Ella pressed the button on the Pokeball, and a flash of light revealed her new partner, a sleek, gray Eevee, its fur shining in the sunlight that streamed through the lab windows. Its large ears twitched, and it blinked up at Ella with curious eyes.

"A shiny Eevee!" Ella gasped. "Dad, this is incredible!"

Professor Gabriel chuckled softly. "I thought you'd like it. Eevee has a lot of potential, and it can evolve into many different forms depending on the path you choose. Just like you, Ella."

Ella knelt down to pet the Eevee, and it nuzzled her hand affectionately. "I already love it," She said, her voice soft with admiration.

This was the beginning of our journey, not just for me, but for both of us. I couldn't wait to explore the world with my Houndour and see where our adventures would lead.

"Alright, you two," Professor Gabriel said, clapping his hands to get our attention. "Before you head out, there are a few things you need to know. Remember to keep your Rotom Dex handy, it will help you identify and learn about Pokemon you encounter. Also, don't forget to train with your Pokemon to strengthen it and bond. The journey is as much about friendship as it is about battling."

"Got it, Professor!"

Ella stood up, cradling her Eevee in her arms. "What's our first stop, Max?"

I thought for a moment. "Well, there's the Gravel Forest that leads to another town, maybe we can go there and see what pokemon can we catch."

Ella grinned, adjusting her bag. "Gravel Forest sounds perfect. I heard there are some rare Pokemon deep inside. It'll be a great place for us to get some real experience."

With our new Pokemon by our side, we said our goodbyes to Professor Gabriel, who reminded us one last time to be careful and take our time to learn from each challenge.

As we left the lab, the sense of adventure washed over me. The road ahead seemed full of possibilities, and with Houndour's Pokeball clipped to my belt, I felt ready for anything.

The path leading toward Gravel Forest was lined with tall trees, their leaves rustling gently in the wind. The sun was beginning to rise higher, casting a warm glow over everything. Ella walked beside me, her shiny Eevee trotting happily at her feet. The excitement between us was electric.

"Have you thought about what you'll evolve Eevee into?" I asked, curious about her plans.

Ella looked thoughtful for a moment, glancing down at her Eevee. "I'm not sure yet. I want to see what feels right. Maybe I'll let Eevee decide when the time comes."

"Good idea. Evolution stones are pretty rare, so choosing wisely is smart."

We continued our walk, chatting about potential strategies and what kind of Pokemon we hoped to catch in the forest. Gravel Forest was known for its Bug-type Pokemon, but there were rumors of rare types appearing in the deeper areas. As a first stop, it felt like the perfect place to get our feet wet as new trainers.

After about an hour, the towering trees of Gravel Forest loomed before us. The atmosphere shifted slightly, cooler and more shaded beneath the dense canopy. A trail led into the forest, winding through the undergrowth.

Ella and I exchanged excited glances. "Ready?" I asked, gripping Houndour's Pokeball.

"More than ready," Ella said, her Eevee looking just as eager.

With that, we stepped into the forest, our Pokemon journey truly beginning. The sounds of rustling leaves, distant bird Pokemon chirping, and the occasional buzzing of Bug-types filled the air. I felt Houndour's Pokeball twitch slightly at my side, as if sensing the excitement.

It wasn't long before we heard movement in the bushes nearby. I paused, motioning for Ella to stop. "I think there's something up ahead," I whispered.

Ella nodded, crouching low as her Eevee's ears perked up.

We approached quietly, peering through the thick foliage. Suddenly, a small, bug-like Pokemon scuttled out from behind a tree. It was a Caterpie, its green body wriggling as it moved across the path in front of us.

"A Caterpie!" Ella whispered, her voice filled with excitement. "This is perfect for your first battle."

I nodded in agreement, reaching for Houndour's Pokeball. "Alright, let's do this."

I stepped forward, releasing Houndour in a flash of light. The dark, fire-type Pokemon landed gracefully on the forest floor, its sharp red eyes locked onto the Caterpie.

"Houndour, use Ember!" I commanded.

Houndour let out a low growl, summoning small flames from its mouth and launching them toward Caterpie. The Ember attack hit its mark, and Caterpie recoiled, clearly weakened but still standing.

"That's it! Now's my chance." I grabbed an empty Pokeball from my belt and threw it toward the Caterpie. The Pokeball hit the Pokemon and snapped shut, falling to the ground with a soft thud. It wiggled once, twice, and then… click! The ball stopped moving.

"I caught it!" I exclaimed, picking up the Pokeball and holding it up triumphantly.

"Nice catch!" Ella cheered, clapping her hands. "That was awesome, Max."

I grinned, clipping the Pokeball with my new Caterpie onto my belt. "Thanks! Let's keep exploring. There are probably even more interesting Pokemon deeper in the forest."