The morning sun shone bright on the rooftops of Twinleaf Town. It made the small houses look warm and cozy. A gentle breeze blew through the trees at the edge of Route 201. It carried the smell of grass and something exciting.
Eli Rowan had been waiting for this day his life.
Today he would finally get his Pokémon.
He ran down the stairs fast. He almost fell on the way. "Mom! I'm going to be late!"
His mom laughed from the kitchen. "Professor Rowan isn't going anywhere Eli. Eat something "
Professor Rowan. Just hearing the name made Eli excited. He was a Pokémon researcher from the Sinnoh region. He even worked with Professor Oak.
Eli quickly grabbed a piece of toast. Rushed outside. He almost bumped into his friend Mara.
"You're late " Mara said with a smile. Her dark hair was tied back. Her backpack looked really heavy.
"I'm not late " Eli said back. "I'm on time."
They both. Hurried toward the tall grass at the edge of town. They heard that Professor Rowan was studying Starly there early that morning.
The grass shone in the sunlight. Eli stepped closer. He was really excited.
"You know " Mara said quietly "we're not supposed to go there without Pokémon."
Before Eli could answer something moved in the grass.
A small gray bird flew out. It flapped its wings wildly. Eli stumbled backward.
"Starly!" Mara said in surprise.
Then there was another sound. It was heavier this time.
The grass moved.
A wild Shinx came out. Its blue fur shone. Its golden eyes were sharp. Sparks came from its tail.
Eli froze. He had dreamed of moments like this.. Without a Pokémon of his own he couldn't do anything.
The Shinx crouched. Electricity danced brighter.
"Don't move " Mara whispered.
Suddenly a strong voice stopped the tension.
"Empoleon use Bubble Beam."
A flash of light happened beside them. A tall blue figure appeared in a burst of energy. Bubbles moved forward in a wave. They harmlessly pushed the Shinx back into the grass.
The figure stood tall and proud. It was an Empoleon.
Behind it stood a man with serious eyes and wind-swept gray hair.
"You two have timing " he said dryly. ". Very bad judgment."
Eli's breath stopped.
"Professor Rowan " he whispered.
The professor studied them for a moment. Then he looked at Empoleon.
"It's good to be curious " he said. ". Without a partner Pokémon it can be dangerous."
Eli clenched his fists. "That's why we're here sir."
For the time Professor Rowan smiled.
"Good " he said. "Because I have three Pokémon who need partners as much."
He took out three Poké Balls. They opened in bursts of light.
A small turtle with a sprout, on its head.
A fiery monkey bouncing in place.
A shy penguin blinking up at them.
"Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup " Rowan said. "The future of Sinnoh is here."
Eli felt the world focus on the grass-type Pokémon at his feet. Turtwig looked up at him. Its eyes were bright and trusting.
In that moment Eli knew.
This was where his journey would start.