One Step After the Other

[Nemesis]

Wow... I'm here. After all that time, all that traveling, I'm finally here. New Foreston, right in front of the lab. All I have to do now is... talk to the man.

It was difficult for Kage. He was about to meet a man he never knew, and also happened to be the professor of this very region. What should he say, what should he do? So many thoughts were buzzing through the young man's head, he couldn't think straight.

After a few minutes of simply breathing, he felt more focused. Kage took a step forward. Then another. Then, like before, another step. He was closer, but not there yet. It would take Kage a few minutes of that slow, forced walk until he was in reach of the door.

The young man stood there, unsure of what was next. Kage sighed, remembering why he came. He was here to complete his task; to begin the journey of a pokemon trainer. Maybe not the best, but still a good one. Kage also remembered other reasons he came, but right now, this was probably the most important one at the moment. Another sigh, and the young man brought his hand upward, making a loose fist, and...

*knock*-*knock*-*knock

[Pokemaster]

" I'm coming." A voice sounded out from the inside of the lab, sounding like it came from a teenager. The door would suddenly open up as a guy looking to be not much older than Kage, wearing a lab coat and glasses would be standing in the doorway. " Hello, you must be a new trainer. Come on in." He would then move out of the doorway, motioning for Kage to come in.

[Nemesis]

As the door opened, Kage had a sickening feeling coursing through him. The kind when one is nervous. That feeling turned into surprise as he saw a young man with a lab coat on. As he greeted Kage, the young trainer-to-be said quietly, "Hi" while running his hand through his hair sheepishly. Kage didn't think the professor -what was his name?- was this young.

He stepped in quietly, not making a sound in the room of such knowledge. The young man wondered what it would be like, spending so much time in a place like this. He came to the conclusion that it would be interesting, but not exactly fun.

"Umm...," he began, still quietly, but with a bit more determination, "I, uh, am a new trainer, and was told to come here, pr-... umm, sir." He was about to go with a name, but he didn't exactly remember the name. Kage hoped he wasn't being rude by saying something off the bat.

[Pokemaster]

" Oh I'm sorry, where are my manners? My name is Professor Evergreen and I'm the person in charge of the New Foreston pokemon lab" Professor Evergreen responds kindly. " Since you're here as a new trainer, I'll show you to the pokemon, follow me." Professor Evergreen would then motion for Kage to follow him as he would start towards the back of the lab.

Arriving at the back of the lab, Professor Evergreen would motion to 4 tables, each one with a map at the top of them. " These are the pokemon available to new trainers, each hailing from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh. You may choose one of these pokemon." Professor Evergreen says

[Nemesis]

While following Professor Evergreen, Kage thought of his thoughts on the road, which consisted of pokemon. Which would he be choosing? He knew the selectional types: Grass, Fire, and Water. Kage found all types useful and interesting, he was particularly fond of fire. But his secondary selection would be water. All in all, this would be a tough decision.

Once at the four tables, the young man listened to the professor speak. As he finished, Kage looked over the tables in deep thought. He was thankful there were labeled names and pictures by each pokeball. After a moment of scanning the pokemon in front of him, one did stand out; Cyndaquil.

As Kage stood over the pokeball containing the Cyndaquil, he asked, "Umm, can you tell me about this one, Cyndaquil, please?"

[Pokemaster]

" Ah Cyndaquil, is a pokemon native to the Johto region. They are usually timid, but its actual behavior depends on its personality. Since they're young, they don't have full control of their strengths and weaknesses. Upon evolving, Cyndaquil tend to lose the timidity and become more aggressive and mastering of their power." Professor Evergreen says explaining about Cyndaquil to Kage

[Nemesis]

For a few seconds, the young man looked down at the pokeball, just thinking of that pokemon. Then, Kage nodded once, and said in a calm and quiet voice, "Yeah; this is the one I want. Cyndaquil is definitely the pokemon for me."

Kage looked up at Professor Evergreen. Looking him in the eye, the young man asked, "May I... may I see Cyndaquil?" Suddenly, there was an urgent need to see his pokemon. Kage was amazed at how excited he was becoming. Usually he was a calm, mellow, and quiet guy. Now, Kage was anxious for what was to come. The young man waited for a response.

[Pokemaster]

In response to Kage's question, Professor Evergreen would smile. " Well you chose Cyndaquil as your pokemon, thus it's yours. Of course you may see it." Professor Evergreen responds as he picks up the pokeball and presses the center button. This causes the pokeball to open, sending Cyndaquil out of the pokeball onto the table in a flash of white light.

[Nemesis]

Kage simply stared at the pokemon before him. Never had he seen a wondrous pokemon. Yes, the young man did read of them, but until now he never knew what it was like to bare witness to such a sight. As Kage stared at Cyndaquil, the fire mouse pokemon seemed to stare right back at him. It was a moment that seemed to stretch for an eternity for the young trainer.

Then, the pokemon took a step forward, tilting it's head to the side. It seemed to be examining the human facing it. In response, Kage put out his hand slowly towards Cyndaquil on the table. Now focusing on the hand, the fire mouse pokemon took a few more steps. Likewise, the darkly-dressed man stepped forward. It was almost poetic how the two were reacting towards each other. Two timid creatures in the world now reaching out to each other.

Then; it happened. Physical contact was made between the hand of the man, and the nuzzle of the pokemon. Kage kept his hand in place, now being rubbed sweetly by Cyndaquil. Happiness was flowing from the new trainer. An immediate connection was being made. For Kage, it was the most wonderful thing in the world.

Looking back at the professor, Kage smiles a rare smile while speaking. "Thank you, professor. This means so much to me. I will take care of this pokemon, I promise." In the young man's eyes there is a light that has not been seen by all in a long time.

[Pokemaster]

" Not to break up this moment, but there's more. Now that you've gotten your pokemon you'll receive a few items. As a new trainer here you'll also need these as well." Professor Evergreen says as he walks over to a table with a series of items, returning with a group of different ones. " Along with your starter pokemon, you also receive a pokedex, pokegear, 5 pokeballs, 2 potions and $2000. All of these will be of help for you on your journey."

[Nemesis]

Still rubbing the head of his new companion, Kage listened to Professor Evergreen intently. It was amazing for the trainer, now that he was given the proper equipment for his journey. Kage never experienced so much gratitude for one person. He suddenly had a slight flashback of Haruki. How he would be so understanding to him, how nice he was.

You have helped me such much, my mentor. So much...

Kage began to respond, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Professor Evergreen, for this. All of this: the items, Cyndaquil... Thank you." Like the heat emanating from the fire mouse pokemon, Kage's face was filled with warmth.

[Pokemaster]

" You're very welcome." Professor Evergreen would respond kindly. " And now that you have your starter pokemon and your equipment, you're free to now begin your journey. If you have any questions during the course of your journey, you may contact me via your pokegear or the PC in the Pokemon Center."

[Nemesis]

Kage nodded in response. He lifted his hand from the pokemon's head, and began to gather the items on the table. The pokegear fit nicely with his other belongings, as did the pokeballs and potions. Kage unzipped the jacket that he wore, and slipped the pokedex into his inside pocket.

The new trainer turned around to face Cyndaquil. It, or as it turned out 'he', was looking at his new trainer. Kage then picked the pokeball specified for the fire mouse pokemon, and waited. Slowly, he brought the front of the ball up, facing Cyndaquil. He then smiled and said warmly, "Don't worry; we will see each other later, okay?" Cyndaquil replied, seeming to understand, "Cindi-queel." Kage then pressed the button on the round device, letting forth the red light that brought the pokemon back into the pokeball safely.

Finally, putting the pokeball in a special pocket fitted for his team, Kage began his farewell to Professor Evergreen. "Well, I better be going then. And don't worry; I'll contact you if there are any questions that come up. Take care professor, and thanks for being so kind to me." With that, Kage began to walk away, out the door, and into his journey.

When outside, Kage looked back at the lab. It wasn't as intimidating as it was before. He was alone when the young trainer first came. Now, that was all about to change. One step after the other.