I sigh, staring into the mirror. My red hair, pulled back into a ponytail, my emerald eyes, still fogged with sleep. My freckled skin still damp from my shower, the warmth of the morning sun outside already drying my hair. Mom was right; moving here was the right idea.

  “Carminaaaa! Breakfast’s ready!”

  I hear her calling from downstairs, but I know I still have a few minutes. I look down at my ptop, where a video is paused. Tapping the space-bar, I set it pying.

  Onscreen, a building which sorta looks like a castle, with two distinct wings, surround a main building with three spires atop it, the towers cradling a giant Master Ball. Words appear.

  “NARANJA ACADEMY.

  TAKING LESSONS FROM TRADITION- GROWING STRONGER AND GREATER.”

  Images and clips of students and teachers, all having what looks like a great time, fill the screen behind the overid text.

  “IT’S TIME FOR YOU, TOO… TO DIVE INTO THE WORLD OF POKéMON!”

  A girl, about three or four years my senior, with caramel skin, long, dark hair, with a green-dyed lock of it over her eye, in a ponytail simir to mine, and some sort of brace or glove on her right arm up to the elbow, throws a pokéball, releasing the creature inside in a burst of light. The video cuts away before I can see what it is, though, switching to an office with a distinguished-looking gentleman with silver hair and spectacles, wearing a red and white suit.

  “DIRECTOR CLAVELL- HEAD OF NARANJA ACADEMY.”

  He looks up, and starts speaking as a map appears in the lower right corner.

  “Paldea is a sprawling region bursting with lush nature and magnificent ndscapes.”

  The Director produces a pokéball of his own. “It is also, of course, home to the mysterious creatures known to us as pokémon. They reside here in great numbers, in fact.”

  He tosses the ball gently, and it erupts with light, releasing a creature that looks like a small, chubby yellow rodent. It speaks, and then leaps up, climbing onto the Director’s shoulder and looking curiously into the camera. He smiles at it fondly, his gsses glinting, and then faces the camera himself.

  “Pokémon can be found living all over: in the seas, in the skies- even in our cities and towns. We humans coexist with Pokémon, as we both help each other to live and thrive. Naranja Academy is here to help you learn even more about these precious partners. Within our halls, people from all regions gather to study together. And, as Pokémon Trainers, they have their Pokémon do battle, growing alongside them…”

  The screen cuts back to the girl from before, a pitch-bck bull-like creature with two tails battling a creature that looks like an animated mound of purple sludge. It takes barely a second, but the girl wins, giving an enthusiastic thumbs-up to her opponent.

  “While our robust curriculum of coursework helps our students draw forth their fullest potential. It is within these halls that you will find your friends, your Pokémon, and your true self. We, the faculty and staff at Naranja Academy, can’t wait to welcome you with open arms…”

  The screen goes bck as the video ends, and I smile, turning as mom calls again. “Carmina, come on, you don’t want to make me come and get you!”

  I head out of my room and down the stairs towards the main room of our new house. The st unpacking happened yesterday, and I’d been waiting to try my new uniform properly for the first time. A white blouse with the school’s emblem on the left bicep, a red tie, and, after a fair amount of effort, I’d managed to persuade the let me wear a skirt instead of shorts. Thankfully, they’d had some in the right colour. Bck pumps and white kneesocks complete my uniform.

  As I reach the bottom of the stairs, mom’s Skwovet, a pudgy bck-and-brown squirrel Pokémon, chitters at me and scampers towards the kitchen. I follow, heading into the combined living-room and kitchen. At the sink, mom is finishing the washing-up. I get myself a gss of water and take my pills.

  She turns her head.

  “Good morning, Carmina! It’s about time!”

  She turns off the tap and dries her hands, smiling.

  “Oh! Already in your uniform and everything! Well, it IS your first day at your new school, after all. I’m so excited for you! Still, you might want to cool your jets before you go racing out the door. The school contacted me and said you’re supposed to wait here a little longer. Their words, not mine! Apparently, there’s something very important for your first day that still hasn’t arrived.”

  The doorbell rings, and I turn. Mom smiles.

  “Maybe that’s the very thing we’re waiting for! Carmina, get the door, will you?”

  I hurry towards the door, almost tripping over Skwovet as it scampers around in excitement.

  I open the door, and step back, as the gentleman from the video steps inside.

  “Do forgive the intrusion.”

  His voice is clear and confident, showing his experience in life.

  He turns to me and his lips curve up in a small smile.

  “You are… Miss Carmina, yes?”

  I nod, and he nods his head, as if expecting nothing less than being proven right.

  “On behalf of the academy, I must apologize for the te arrival of your enrolment documents. Ah. And also for my dey in introducing myself.”

  He straightens, csping his hands behind his back. “I am the director of Naranja Academy. You may call me Mr Cvell.”

  My mom joins us. “The director?! And you came in person to help my daughter with her first day?”

  Mr Cvell nods. “Well, I am responsible for the entire academy- including any failures on its part… so here at st are the enrolment documents that should have already been delivered to you.”

  He hands over a rge tan envelope that looks thickly-stuffed with paperwork.

  Mom smiles. “Goodness, you really needn’t have… since you’ve come all this way, can I at least offer you a cup of tea?”

  The director smiles elegantly. “Ah, no need to trouble yourself…”

  Mom turns to me. “Carmina, I have a thing or two to discuss with the director here. Why don’t you head back up to your room and finish getting ready for school? You’ll need your bag-and your hat, as well!”

  I nod, and mom turns her gaze back to the director. “Now, Mr Cvell, you simply must join me for a cuppa. This way…”

  He nods. “Well, how can I refuse such a kind offer?” He follows my mom, as I head up the stairs.

  About ten minutes ter, I’d finished collecting the st things I’d need and stowing them away in my new rucksack, before tucking my hat into my bag. I don’t really feel like wearing it now, but I should bring it along just in case. Heading back downstairs, I make sure to tuck my headphones into my pocket. “Hooray for skirts with pockets!”

  When I make my way back to the living room, mom and Mr Cvell are just finishing up. Mom stands, smiling. “Oh, just look at you! All ready for your big first day!”

  Mr Cvell gets up from his seat on the couch facing mom.

  “Yes, the uniform of our storied academy suits you quite well indeed. Your mother has also expined the situation, and we’ll be happy to accommodate your needs as much as possible- oh, gracious. How very careless of me. I had entirely forgotten that I’ve something else for you, Miss Carmina. A very important thing. But your living room is hardly the pce for it. Would you care to follow me outside?”

  He marches for the front door, and mom tilts her head curiously. “I wonder what this important thing might be… Let’s follow the director out and see, shall we?”

  I follow the director, mom in tow, as I pull the door open. Outside, the warm morning sun shines down, as Mr Cvell stands in the path.

  “Alright, then, dear Pokémon. Time to come out of your Pokéballs.”

  He tosses a trio of gleaming red-and-white spheres, each releasing a single beast. The leftmost one is a cat, with pale green fur, darker green on its ruff, ears, and face. The central one is a small reptile, maybe a crocodile, with hoof like feet and an expression that screams ‘no thoughts, head empty’. The st is a very pompous looking duck with light blue and white feathers.

  The director continues. “We provide each student entering the academy with a Pokémon of their own. I’ll ask you to choose which among these three you’d like to have as your partner. Sprigatito, the Grass Cat Pokémon.”

  Sprigatito lets out a “sprrr,” licking its paw.

  “Fuecoco, the Fire Croc Pokémon.”

  Fuecoco blinks dopily. “Craaaw?”

  “And Quaxly, the Duckling Pokémon.”

  Quaxly chirps, “Pomp!” and swishes its plumage into a slightly different position.

  “They’re all very good company. Why, they usually refuse to even leave my side.”

  All three approach me, looking up at me curiously. Mr Cvell’s eyebrows lift.

  “What’s this? Hmm… so it turns out they’re more interested in you, Miss Carmina, than in familiar old me. I do wish I could stay and see which one you’ll choose, but I must be off to my next home visit… I’ll be at the house just that way. Take your time with your decision, and then come find me once your mind is made up. Now, if you’ll excuse me. Until next we meet.”

  Mom smiles. “What a mannerly fellow that director of yours is! These three are all lovely, too- but you need to choose just one, right? Not an easy task! Why not take this opportunity to walk about with these little ones and get to know them? I’m sure they have lots to teach you!”

  I smile, nodding. “I think I’ll do that. Thanks, mom! I’ll be back soon!”

  I turn, heading down the path. The tiny cape where my house is located is belled as Cabo Poco on my Rotom Phone’s map. Tucking the device back into my pocket, I start heading down the path.

  To my right, the cliff is fenced off, with lush flowers growing on both sides of the cobblestone path. The three Pokémon scamper and bound around me as they follow and get distracted by scents and sights. I smile. Each of them is sooo cute! But I’m already starting to lean towards one in particur…

  The house just down the way is huge! A pure white wall and steps lead up to a font yard with curving beds of flowers and fruit trees. The gates are open, and I step in, looking for the director. When I turn to check on my little companions… they’re already gone. Quaxly’s spshing in one of the small ponds of crystal-clear water, while Sprigatito sniffs at a flower, letting out a meow of amusement.

  Fuecoco, on the other hand, has found an orange, and seems to be looking forwards to a snack, but, as it prepares to dig in, it sneezes, burning the fruit into a charcoal blob. A hand comes to rest on the little reptile’s head, and it blinks in confusion, fpping its stubby arms.

  The owner of the hand straightens, long bck hair in a ponytail, before turning. It’s the girl from the video! The one with the bull Pokémon! She’s got a couple of green highlights in her hair, and a warm, cheerful smile.

  “Are you these three’s Trainer?”

  The director emerges from the front door, and the girl approaches in tandem with him. He announces, “Not quite. Miss Carmina has yet to make her choice, you see. I do wonder which will be her first Pokémon…”

  The three line up, and I smile. The girl smiles at me. “Buenas! We haven’t met, have we?”

  Mr Cvell adjusts his goatee. “I must say, I wasn’t expecting to see you here quite so soon.”

  The girl starts, turning to him. “Hang on, Director… Is this who I think it is?”

  He nods to her. “Yes, this is our academy’s newest student, Miss Carmina. She will be attending as of today.”

  The girl cps her hands. “So you’re that kid who moved in up the road!” I feel a sting of irritation. “I’m nineteen, actually. Not a kid.”

  She waves her hand apologetically. “My bad, sorry. Anyway, I’ve been dying to find out more about you! I’m Nemona! Normally I live in the school dorms, but home is here. Whaddya say, new neighbour- wanna be friends?”

  I blink, a little taken aback by how cheerfully forward she is. I blurt, “Uh, okay!?” out of sheer habit, and she grins.

  “Love that enthusiasm! We’re gonna get along just fine!”

  Mr Cvell crifies. “Miss Nemona is president of our student council, and a Champion-ranked Trainer in her own right.”

  Nemona csps her hands in front of her chest. “I absolutely LOVE Pokémon battling! In fact, we should battle right now- you and me!”

  Mr Cvell lets out a dry chuckle. “Easy, now. You two will be in the same css, so you’ll have plenty of time to battle ter! And to get to know one another better, of course.”

  Nemona squeals. “We’re gonna be neighbours AND cssmates? Nice! We’ll be able to battle all we want!”

  The director clears his throat. “On that note, Miss Carmina… Have you decided which of these three Pokémon you would like to be your first partner?”

  I smile. “I have. I know exactly which one I’m picking.” I approach Fuecoco. “This little one is my choice!”

  I scoop the little red and yellow ball of warm scales up.

  “Fuecoco seems to have taken quite a liking to you, Miss Carmina this is your first Pokémon, yes? Please raise it with love and care. And, of course, be sure to keep it tucked safely inside a Pokéball.”

  He hands me the capture sphere belonging to the little dinosaurid, and I take it, pressing the button to return Fuecoco to its home.

  Nemona looks seriously at me. “Carmina… I can’t believe you actually chose Fuecoco… I mean like, way to make the perfect choice for you! You two make such a good combo!”

  She turns to the school’s director.

  “Can I choose one of these Pokémon too, Mr Cvell?”

  He frowns. “Oh, but… did you not receive a Pokémon when you entered the academy, Miss Nemona?”

  She shakes her head. “Not back then, no! I had other Pokémon I was raising at the time. But now I want to raise a new Pokémon alongside Carmina while she raises her own new partner!”

  The director nods, contemptively. “Indeed, a rather splendid idea. If you wish to raise one of these Pokémon on equal footing with Miss Carmina here, I shall be more than happy to allow it.”

  “Yesss!” Nemona hisses. “Since Carmina chose Fuecoco, I’ll go for this little one!” Sprigatito purrs and winds around her ankles.

  “Nice to meet you, Sprigatito! Welcome to the team!”

  She turns to me. “Alright, then! Now that we’ve chosen our Pokémon, we HAVE to battle! I’ll be waiting for you down at the beach! Come join me when you’re ready!” she sprints off, Sprigatito in hot pursuit.

  The director sighs, “As you may have noticed, Miss Nemona is a tad overly fond of battling. But I do hope you’ll join her for a battle. It will help you to get to know your own Pokémon, as well.”

  I nod, and follow Nemona’s path, descending a flight of stairs toward a strand of golden sand, with a ft blue arena set up. Nemona is waiting there, jigging up and down in her excitement. She waves as she sees me. “Over here!”

  I jog over to join her on the battlefield. She smiles, putting her braced hand on her hip. “Anyone can be a Pokémon Trainer as long as they have Pokémon by their side! And it’s our job as Trainers to help our Pokémon grow stronger through battle! So, you ready to battle me, Carmina?!”

  I nod, flexing my fingers. She whoops, “Perfecto! I’m so excited! For this battle, I think I’ll use-!”

  Mr Cvell’s voice intervenes. “Miss Nemona. I trust you remember that Miss Carmina is wholly inexperienced in Pokémon battling?”

  She blushes a little. “Heh, whoops… good call, Director. I was about to send out one of my usual partners right off the bat… I guess I’ll take this chance to try out my new buddy instead!”

  We both move apart, and Nemona looks back at me. “C’mon, Carmina! Let’s have us a fruitful battle!”

  Nemona throws out her Pokéball, and the little green cat appears. I send out my own Pokémon, and the battle begins.

  I command my Fuecoco to attack with fire. “Use Ember!”

  However, Sprigatito has the speed advantage, attacking first with a bst of green energy. Fuecoco’s Ember strikes next, and Sprigatito takes a whole bunch of damage, even suffering a burn. The next attack is delivered, with Sprigatito scratching at my Pokémon. Fuecoco Tackles, dealing no damage as Sprigatito dodges. With another Ember in retaliation for Sprigatito’s Leafage, Fuecoco downs Nemona’s Pokémon. She smiles, resting her hand on her cheek.

  “Wow! Not bad, neighbour!”

  She comes closer, a wide grin on her tanned face. “Look at you, winning your first battle ever! You’ve got even more potential than I thought! You’re gonna be a strong Trainer for sure! But now I want to try a different strategy! Let’s go again- just one more battle!”

  Before I can get a word in edgewise, Mr Cvell approaches, Quaxly in tow. “Miss Carmina and her Fuecoco are surely weary from that st battle.”

  Nemona winces. “Ah, sorry! I got kinda caught up in all the excitement...” She turns to me, a woeful expression on her pretty face. “I’m really sorry, Carmina. Same to your Fuecoco, too.”

  I smile. “Let’s battle again soon, Nemona!”

  The miserable look on her face instantly switches to a pleased, happy one. “Oh, definitely! We’ll definitely battle more!”

  Cvell smiles slightly. “You two seem to be becoming fast friends, even though you’ve just met. Can I count on you to take your new schoolmate here under your wing, Miss Nemona? I’m sure she can learn a great deal from a Champion-ranked Trainer, such as yourself.”

  The older girl nods. “You bet, sir! Oh, that reminds me, since you’re new to training Pokémon, there’s an app you definitely need! Where’s your phone? Lemme see it for a sec!”

  My Rotom Phone flies out, and Nemona sends an app to me. The Pokédex app is now installed, and I check it out as Nemona expins, “The Pokédex will automatically register any Pokémon you catch! It’s a must-have for Pokémon Trainers! It’s a super-handy app! Our homeroom teacher, Mr Jacq, actually developed it himself!”

  Mr Cvell closes his eyes. “Back in MY day, we used ordinary paper and handwritten notes to compile our Pokédexes. It’s quite the age we live in now.”

  Nemona shakes her head. “Oof! Filling out a Pokédex by hand? I can’t even imagine how much work that would take!”

  The director chuckles. “Ohohoho… No, I suppose you can’t. Yet, no matter how much the times may change, the wonder of meeting new Pokémon never does. That is a truly timeless pleasure. And the more Pokémon that you encounter, the more you’ll find yourself growing and changing. I hope you will both work hard toward the goal of completing your own Pokédex.”

  The director turns. “Now, Miss Nemona, I do still have a few matters to discuss with your parents. Could I depend on you to see Miss Carmina to the academy? You would be doing me quite the favour."

  Nemona nods. “Of course! Leave it to me!”

  “Then I leave her in your capable hands.” Cvell looks down at Quaxly. “Alright, little one. It’s time you and I were on our way.” The pair makes their way back up to Nemona’s house. The senior girl folds her arms.

  “Maybe I oughta make a little more time to work on my Pokédex along with all my battling… Oh! Right! Speaking of Pokédexes, Carmina, you’ve probably never caught a wild Pokémon, right? I’ll show you the ropes before I take you to the academy. Come with me!”

  She sprints off, and I can’t help but be infected with the same passion. Nemona’s quite the handful, with a real rger-than-life personality. I follow after making sure that my new partner is okay. As I make my way to the steps down from Nemona’s front gate, I see another figure. Mom smiles.

  “Oh, Carmina! I hear that Nemona here will be taking you to school?”

  The sophomore girl nods. “That’s right, ma’am. Leave it to me!”

  Mom’s smile widens. “So you’ve already managed to make a friend!”

  I nod, finding myself drawn to the energetic girl. Mom cps her hands happily.

  “And, I read about all the wonderful teachers you’ll have looking after you at the school. Plus so many handy facilities you can use as much as you like! Add in your new friend Nemona, and it sounds like your school life is shaping up to be fantastic!”

  I smile. Mom sighs. “Now, you’ll be staying in the school dorms, so I want you to promise me you’ll eat proper meals. Here’s a bit of spending money to start off with. I also packed a lunch for your first day!”

  She hands me a wrapped sandwich, which I tuck into my rucksack. Giving her a warm hug, I say goodbye to my mom, with Nemona standing by to escort me. Once my mom’s headed back home, the other girl turns to me. “Your mother’s so nice, Carmina! Oh, but I was gonna teach you how to catch wild Pokémon! C’mon, vamos!”

  She sprints off again, slow enough that I can keep up. Turning onto Poco Path, I follow the athletic senior, as she beckons me over. “Alright, this here is a good spot for you to find some new partners! It’s the path that leads to adventure for you and me!”

  Nemona hands me a few Pokéballs. “Here, I’ve got tons! Now, let’s poke around and find some new friends for your Fuecoco, yah? There should be plenty of cool and cute Pokémon for whatever suits your tastes!”

  Nemona points at a structure in the near distance. “When you’re done, let’s meet back up at the top of that lighthouse! You can see our school from there!” she starts jogging off, a Pokéball in her own hand.

  I spend about an hour working on training my Fuecoco, growing a little more confident at issuing commands in battle, even feeling like I’ve made my partner slightly stronger. Finally, I make my way towards the lighthouse, only to run into Nemona. As she starts to ask if I’d tried catching any Pokémon, we’re interrupted by a deafening cry.

  “Guh-GYAAOOHH!”

  Nemona jumps. “Whoa! What was that?!”

  The pair of us look around, searching for the source.

  The cry comes again, weaker this time.

  “Go-ohhhh…”

  Nemona gasps, “I’ve never heard that kind of cry before! Could be some strong Pokémon or something! I say we find whatever made that cry! Let’s take a look around, Carmina! Just be careful- there’s a kinda unsafe cave not far from here, so steer clear! And I know your Rotom Phone can help keep you safe, but watch your step by these cliffs anyway!”

  I nod, and Nemona moves ahead, scanning the path before us. I spot a gap in the wood-and-rope fencing, and step over the broken section of barrier. As I look around, I hear the cry again, even weaker than st time! I run toward the edge of the cliff, leaning out a little and looking down. Down on a small, secluded beach, there’s a creature lying at the edge of the sea. It’s red and bck, with some form of plumage or crests, striped purple, then pink, then white. It’s gasping for breath, a pair of small bck doglike beasts snarling and barking at it. With evident difficulty, the creature uses one foreleg to raise its upper body, before bellowing.

  “Ai-ai-AI-GYAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!”

  The shock causes me to stumble, and I tip too far forwards, tipping off the cliff!