Chapter 009

There was the tapping of derby shoes and a man marched out in front of them. He has white hair and a white mustache. He has dark brown pants. Under his coat, he wears a blue suit with yellow bottons on it. He carries a brownish orange suitcase. He appeared with a serious demeanor. A clipboard was tucked on his arms. "My name is Rowan, you may have heard of me as Professor Rowan. Now, when you hear your name, please step forward - all others are allowed to spectate from the back or leave."

Parents and friends said their goodlucks before moving back as instructed, leaving over a dozen of youths including Clan and the girl, Bell, in a group.

The professor began to read off names, the first group of people he called were over half of the present new trainers. Clan, Bell, and a dude with purple-hair were the only one left standing on the front. An assistant had respectfully gave the first group their respective Pokemon Trainer IDs and led them to a room located at the far east of the room, where a transparent glass from outside could show you the interior, where there contained pokeballs and a list below them to signify what species of pokemon was held inside them.

Clan saw the familiar breed of the pokemons he saw the list posted by the person named, Harisson: Geodude, Spheal, Lotad, Aron. Including additional pokeballs containing different pokemons - Whismur, Trapinch, Shinx, Rhyhorn, Nidoran and Pichu.

When the first group entered the room to begin their pokemon selection process. Professor Rowan led Clan and the others to a round table. He placed his briefcase and opened it momentarily. Clan and all the others in the room couldn't see what was contained in that case since the cover obscured their view.

The older man produced a smile behind his beard and spoke to them with his stern voice. "The three of you are this season's new trainers who had placed within the top three in the Pokemon Regional Licensing Examination. You may had already recieved tons of praises for your achievement. Nevertheless, I would like to personally congratulate you three as the Regional Professor from our respected region."

With that said he opened up a small bag in the table on the corner and withdraw three small red devices. He handed one to each of them, and Clan wondered what these was before he suddenly remembered a photo he saw from the international pokemon web regarding this devices. So this was it...

"This are called, the Pokedex. An invention by my friend, Samuel Oak. If you have known, is the leading Pokemon Researcher in the Kanto Region. The league tasked us to give these to promising trainers, since you three are at the top of this season, you deserve to be given these devices. Once you activated the pokedex and put your information in it will serve as your identity. Now, the main function of the pokedex gives you information on any pokemon you come across. For example, it will show you what breed it is, what type it is, what it prefered to eat, and will tell you what moves it currently knows."

Clan's eyes widened as he heard just how much the pokedex could do. Professor Rowan continued to lists its features, which revealed that it had information about pokemon's habitat, gender, and the detailed information abou the species. When he scanned something with it the pokedex, it would give a basic summary of the pokemon, but to learn more about it he had to actually open it up and read.

The professor walked back to the round where his briefcase was left open. He moved it to a angle enough for Clan and his fellow trainers can witness what was inside.

Resting on it, three pokeballs with uniquely colored themes layed. "These pokemons are this season's distributed regional starters for Sinnoh's new trainers." Rowan informed and continued his explaination. "This three are very rare, not because of it's breed, and not because it is the regional starters of Hoenn. But, because of their parents. The three pokemons you may potentially obtain here, are offsprings of unnaturally strong pokemons. I, with the leading Researchers from Hoenn, Kanto and Kalos made it up to our trainers by giving this to them for not giving them the original regional trio of their respective region."

Clan was now beginning to be overly excited, his face was so red it looked as if he was a tomato. Seeing native pokemons in his view, coupled with the current moment made him overly stirred. The purpled-hair dude and Bella also wore such expressions on their faces.

Rowan strongly chuckled at their excitement, but he understood them. So, without anymore delay he began introducing the pokemons. "Now then, it's time for you to pick. By the order of your ranks. Paul, if you may."

The purple-haired teenager stepped forward. He wears a purple jacket with navy blue sleeves, a blue undershirt, dark purple pants and purple and navy sneakers with white soles. He had small dark-eyes and a grumpy like expression.

'He's the guy who came first in the examination.' Clan studied the youngster with preserving eyes, he thought it would be someone older than him but it seems likely not, he seems to be at his age. 'He must have studied hard.' Clan thought. Clan was impressed but he would become better than him. What he did not notice was he was staring at Paul so intently, an aura of rivalry began to spiral in the hall which made Professor Rowan surprise and Bell, the one standing beside him astonished at the suddeness of his deamenor.

Paul turned to look back when he felt someone staring at the back of his neck. He smirked and produced a small chuckle when he noticed what was going on with a quick deduction.

Spark flew when their gazes interacted.

Paul ended the staring contest with a shook of his head, unbothered anymore by this childish thing, according to him.

Clan immediately realizes what he had started, but his eyes harden all the more at how Paul disregarded that. 'Is he underestimating me?' His raised his eyebrow at that thought.

Paul scanned the pokeballs layed on the briefcase, after a quick thinking, he grabbed the water droplet design pokeball. Seeing Paul grabbed Mudkip's ball and not Torchic cause Clan's mouth to stretch into a huge smile.

"You choose Mudkip, eh? That's a pokemon with lots of potential and a strong partner to have as a starter. Good choice, Paul." Professor Rowan smiled and nodded his head.

Paul released the small blue mud-fish pokemon from his pokeball and sized it up. For a Mudkip it was larger and bulkier than average. Upon release, Mudkip looked around, upon seeing the group of kids and adults, it smirked and rested his gaze on Paul seeing its pokeball in his arm. "Mudkip."

Paul answered the professor with a grunt. "Thanks." He nodded at his water-type starter. Apparently, he was satisfied by this pokemon. But, he had not shown it outside, other than the visible faint smile on his face.

"Very well, as placed second. Clan, it's your turn." Rowan gestured for Clan to pick his starter.

Say less. Clan practically teleported in front of the table. The professor blinked his eyes in surprise.

Clan ignored that, his eyes were scarily shining. With shaking hands, Clan held the flame symboled pokeball and pressed the white-circle button in the center of the ball and It had enlarged.

This was it. This would be the pokemon that would be his first. his best friend for life. The leader and constant presence in his team. This pokemon would always be by his side come hell or high water.

A flash of sharp blinding red light appeared as quickly as it disappeared, leaving a knee-height chick pokemon with stubby, downy, yellow wings. Its body is covered with soft, and fluffy plumage. There is an orange and yellow crest on its head that resembles a flame.

The torchic glanced, resting on the professor questioningly when it was released from the pokeball. Rowan gestured to Clan. "Your trainer has arrived, Torchic. Go on, say hello."

Torchic whipped its head at Clan when it heard the professor.

"Tor?" It thrilled cutely, tilting its head at the left while looking up at Clan.

"Torchic." Clan whispered under his breath in astonishment. it's what he expected but seeing it right in front of him was still a thrill.

"Tor." Torchic answered nodding, taking a few step towards Clan.

"Torchic." Clan said again, kneeling down, getting face to face with the rare pokemon. "I'm on a journey to be the best that I can be, I still am not sure exactly what my aim is. I only know, that I wish to become strong, stronger than anyone else. But, I need a partner to help me get there. A best friend. Could I gain the pleasure to have your trust and friendship?"

"Torchiccc." Torchic said, rubbing its head on Clan's leg affectionately as an answer.

"Great! I won't let you down!" Clan rubbed Torchic's head, then he fearlessly held the pokemon in his arms. Rubbing his forehead on Torchic's, he felt soothing warmth from the fire-type pokemon which made Clan very comfortable.

"How pathetic." Paul, who was silent this entire time except when spoken to, suddenly remarked at them as he had seen how Clan acted so disgustingly in his eyes.

"Huh? What was that!?" After hearing what was said, Clan was provoked, his face contorted to anger as he scowled at Paul.

"Tor! Torchic!" Torchic seemed to have understood what Paul said and felt its trainer's anger. It glared at Paul along with Clan while in his embrace.

"Hmph! You heard what I said." Paul crossed his arms as he stood still. He roughly smirked and coldy looked at Clan and his Torchic. "Pokemons are mere tools for combat, you use them so you could achieve your goals. What trust and friendship? That's bullshit, I disdain soft and stupid people like you."

"Why that's an awful thing to say, Paul." Belle Moonthief who was standing beside Clan couldn't help but had to chime in. She knew people have different opinions on their views of pokemons, but she couldn't stand still when she heard such harsh words from Paul on his outlook. "From what I can tell, you wanted to become a pokemon trainer who'll focuse on pokemon battling, correct?"

"Yeah. What about it?" Paul glanced her way and questioned back.

"Then you're the one who is naive, we humans live alongside pokemons as friends. Trainers who fought together with pokemons to battle should develop and strengthen their bonds, with your current outlook you will never reach the top."

Clan was stunned when he heard her. He began ignoring what was transpiring. He looked at the starter pokemon in his arms. 'Strengthen the bonds between pokemon and it's trainer, or you will never reach the top...'

"Torchic?" Torchic nuzzled its head on Clan when it saw him blanking out.

He shook his head. He have no idea what she meant by that, but he got the feeling within his guts that he would find out about it soon.

"Whatever. How could a nosy person like you even know about pokemon battles? We just started recieving our first pokemon, in case you forgot." Paul smirked at both Clan and Bell which made them want to bash that silly grin off his dumb face. He turned around and began walking to the door of the hall's exit. "Anyway, I already got the reason why I came hear in the first place, thanks for the pokemon and gear, Professor Rowan."

Professor Rowan knew this was a scene of a beginning between rivals. He witnessed many different people going through this phase of rivalry each year he handed out pokemons, so he wasn't particularlly bothered by this, on the contrary he was expecting much for this season's trainers. They seemed to have so much potential. Especially this girl, Bell Moonthief, who his former student, Professor Sycamore talked about her being an outstanding student of his. "Send my regards to your brother, Paul."

Paul waved without looking back. The doors authomatically opened when the sensors detected his approach. With that, he exited the building, leaving a heavy impression on both Clan and Belle.