Starting Over

[Catilena1890]

Yawning and stretching her arms over her head, Carina walked through the small settlement that was Dust Town. Her eyes glazed over as she walked, threatening to close completely. Her brow twitched as she fought off sleep.

"Meh, that serpent was right, no more late nights for you Carina. Come on, stay awake and get to the lab." She said to herself, wishing she could pull out her sash to act as a facemask to protect her from the dusty wind. She knew better though and braved through it, finally making it to the lab door. Rather than going in right away she decided to lean against the door frame and take a nap, waiting for other new trainers to see what they got.

[Bayhound]

Great Arceus. This place was so... so small. A pair of brownish eyes narrowed themselves at the entire, which wasn't much to look at. But... he guessed it was better than the slum he grew up in, especially for pokemon. He managed to glance up and see a flock of Pidgey fly overhead, growling and muttering under his breath before a smile could form.

Lab... Pokemon Lab... where-- oh, right. That big silvery building, obviously. Sighing, the late teen adjusted his bandanna and turned his cap around, stuffing his hands in his pockets before grumping his way towards the door. Did he really have to talk to the Professor? Couldn't she smile, wave, show him the assorted items and pokeballs and send him on his way? The first breeding center was in Gustella - everyone knew that. There was a small sliver of hope within him that he wouldn't have to see more than one person today other than himself, but there just so happened to be a girl propped against the door.

"Tch... being half asleep in front of a lab won't get you any pokemon" he grunted, pooching his lower lip out a bit before speeding past Carina and into the lab with a grimace. If the Professor wasn't in, he would wait inside, where there were fewer people to interact with.

[Basile]

A few yards back, another boy, this one in his mid teens, simply blinked as he watched his fellow specimen of the male persuasion push past a lady waiting patiently. Azel shook his head, ashamed for his kind. Honestly, that was the type who made a bad name for all men. Well, he certainly wasn't going to allow the lady to think all boys were so... abrasive. Sure he was dusty and dirty from the long trip here, but it had been a rather uneventful trip, so he did not look too much worse for the wear, and so doubted the lady would mind much. Taking a breath to steel himself for the encounter to come, after all he had to go in there with that other boy, Azel stepped forward, offering Carina a slight smile. "Mind if I join you?" he asked conversationally, as if this was a casual acquaintance of his, rather than a first time meeting.

Still, the other boy did afford him a modicum of comfort, as did the lady lounging in the door that he now stood next to. He had been almost tangibly afraid that the professor would subtly mock him for his age. After all, didn't most start out on their journeys young, barely out of single digit age? Still, these two seemed to be older than even he, and that made him relax quite a bit. Maybe the accounts of youngsters starting out their adventures was overly exaggerated, and rather he was on the young side...

Well, one could hope, no?

Ah, well. Whether he was young or just had the grace to arrive in a flurry of older than average folk, it put him in a good mood that his fears were not realized. So Azel simply could not keep the smile off his face; actually he could barely keep his energy contained, and instead settled for bouncing lightly on his toes as he waited. Somewhere along the line he'd heard that the professor's name here was Conifer. So he called for said professor. "Professor Conifer? I'm not quite sure how many more people your building can hold. You'll have a line at this rate." That thought made him chuckle.

Okay so maybe he was a little hyper! That wasn't a crime!

[Catilena1890]

Carina simply smirked at the eagerness of Gauge as he strode on in. Oh how it was nice to be treated like a normal person again, sort of. She simply grunted when he walked past and she stretched her arms over her head just as Azel approached. She returned his smile with one of her own and put her hand on the door.

"Sure. I just wanted to wait for my fellow newbies and catch up on some sleep. Now that you are here, let's go in." She said warmly with her hand firmly on the door. She pushed it open and stepped inside, seeing a passed-out Professor Conifer laying on one of her keyboards. Carina looked over at the monitor and saw she was working on a triple-battle simulation. CGI Serperior, Samurott and Emboar stood on one side of the battle field while Zoroark, Mienshao and Reuniclus stood on the other. Carina chuckled as she gently shook the professor awake.

"Professor, time to wake up. We're here for our pokemon." She said. Professor Conifer shook her head as she awoke, and she looked at the new trainers behind her. Upon seeing Carina, she opened her mouth to say something, only to be silenced by a stern look from the green-clad girl. She nodded understandingly at her and smile, leading them to the pokemon podium.

"Welcome! I`m Professor Conifer. I`ll assume you know why you are here so we can skip to the fun part, ok?" She asked. Carina nodded as Professor Conifer took out 9 pokeballs, opening 6 of them and having the pokemon line up. She put the other three in the center part of the podium and stepped back.

"Breeders and Coordinators take two this year. Please choose your starter." She said. Carina lifted a brow wryly at the Professor and raised a hand.

"Why did you only open 6 Professor?" She asked. Professor Conifer chuckled and shook her head.

"Well, I get my pokemon from a personal friend of mine who happens to be a breeder. She has a warped sense of humor and sends me these Mystery Pokemon. I cannot open the pokeballs to find out what they are because they are trained to impress to the first person who opens their pokeball, meaning the choice is permanent. I've seen people walk away with legendary pokemon like Mewtwo, but also common pokemon like magikarp. It's rather silly of her to do, I must admit." She said, earning a snort from Carina. Satisfied with her answer, Carina stepped back and smiled at the boys.

"You take the first pick." She told them. The 6 revealed pokemon stood in line, trying their best to impress a trainer enough to take them. On the podium, 3 purple pokeballs waited to be opened.

[Bayhound]

Great. Just great. From the inside, Gauge could hear another, younger voice, adding one more person to the already plentiful population. Rolling his eyes, the breeder focused on the various machinery inside the lab, wondering what they were used for. Hopefully not for experimentation. His face flushed at the thought, but before that train could roll onward, the other two entered, the female walking over and jostling a lumpy form. ...Oh. He hadn't even noticed that was the Professor.

Casually Gauge leaned against a bare wall, pretending to not pay attention and look away when the woman talked. Blah blah.. ah, finally. The good part. Only his eyes veered over to the pokeballs as their inhabitants were released, the rest of his body following his gaze as the light settled.

"Oh?" He muttered, watching one pokemon in particular. All of them were taken care of, as was obvious by their shiny hides and eagerness to do nothing but impress the three of them, but... the little dark one on the end looked a little scraggly. Giving a mental tilt of the head, Gauge inclined his focus towards the Zorua. Maybe that was the way its fur layed, but he had to be sure. Stepping forward, the breeder scooped up the foxish pokemon and carefully turned him over, the poor pokemon stunned as Gauge went over the examination. Yeah, it was just its scraggly fur, nothing more.

Setting the Zorua down, Gauge gave a firm nod towards it, then looked at the Professor. Well, that was an answer enough, no? Remembering what he was supposed to do when choosing his partners, he glanced over the remaining choices and huffed. No.. none of them would work with this Zorua, would they? The only thing left was one of the unopened pokeballs, and if that didn't give him a better match, then... he wasn't going to think about that. Stiffening his jaw, the lad leaned forward, gently pressing the button on the far left purple capsule.

"C'mon... I need to pass this test." Gauge willed the beam to transform into something that would allow him to 'legally' move forward.

[Basile]

Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy~

Oh, lookit all the pretties! Pokemon, pokemon, so many lovely pokemon! Still, he listened intently to the professor, or as intently as one could when the woman really didn't say all that much. He had caught the remark about coordinators and breeders being able to choose two pokemon this season. Well, that was news to him! He could take two of these darlings with him? How marvelous! He'd only thought that a journey was started with one pokemon. More's the better, everything about this day just kept going up, and up, and up!

Only one small blotch...

Oh, that boy! How could he even think of calling himself a man? He was rude, ungrateful... Look at the way he snatched up that zorua and simply flipped it over, as if he had every right in the world? What, did he actually dare to think that a pokemon professor wouldn't take care of the pokemon under their charge? The nerve! Azel felt fury boiling up inside him for the injustice done on behalf of Professor Conifer, but it was leewayed by the adorable creatures in front of him. Still! He was no rude child! He would not go the way of the one before him, and instead stepped back, inclining his head towards Carina. "After you, Miss," the boy said with a dip of his head.


.....[Time Skip, dodododo~]

After the lady had made her choices, Azel stepped forward and studied what was left. The zorua and the bedew had been claimed, that was fine by him. It was the chikorita that caught and held his attention fast. So he smiled at the little one. "I would like to take you with me." For an instant he hesitated, then glanced at the Professor. "I wish to be a coordinator," he promised, before reaching for the remaining mysteriously unopened ball.

[Catilena1890]

The pokeball Gauge had opened unleashed the creature within. So much red! From her tails to her soft ears, this pokemon was truly beauty incarnate. The pokemon sat as she looked up at her new trainer, narrowing her eyes at his request. She growled at him and turned her nose up.

"Of course my pokeball was opened by a snot nosed brat like you. I guess I`ll make do with what I've got. I am Vulpix. If you would like to name me you may do so, but you will treat me with respect at all times." She said, strutting over to sit next to Gauge's Zorua. He would have a heck of a time with these two. In the meanwhile, Carina went ahead and picked up Budew, hugging it tightly and whispering something that made it smile. Holding it with one hand, she used the other to reach out for the mystery pokeballs. Her hand hovered over a pokeball for a few minutes, as if debating whether or not to take it. After deliberating, she grabbed the pokeball next to it and threw it.

"Come to me my friend!" She called as it opened. From the bright light, a small pokemon emerged. It was small and white, and covered in multi-colored triangles. Carina smiled at the Togepi as she kneeled down to it.

"I shall call you Roc. Roc, meet Grace." She said, putting her Budew down to meet its new friend. Roc and Grace chirped to one another in greeting as Carina stood in the background, waiting to see the look on Azel's face when he chose his pokemon. Azel reached for the last Mystery Pokemon. He swallowed as he picked it up, studying it carefully. What kind of pokemon was inside? Would it like him? Would it obey him? Would it overwhelm him? Well, as the old saying goes, there is only one way to find out. With a look to his Chikorita, he smiled, knowing he would be accepted as a trainer by at least one of his pokemon. Azel threw the pokeball and his eyes widened at the sight of the creature that formed in front of him.

Curled up in a sort of fetal position was a great white form. Everyone watched with baited breath as it stayed still, and for a moment no one was sure if it was even alive. However it began to move and it lifted it's large, dragonlike head and opened it's eyes, uncurling its body and stretching out.

"Giiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" It cried. It's big white body, covered in purple markings, faced a wide-eyed Azel. It assessed him with it's black and purple eyes, walking up to him and sniffing. It snorted as sniffed his hair and licked him from the bottom of his chin to the top of his forehead, retracting it's head and smiling.

"Lugiaaaa!" It cried. Vulpix cleared her throat from her place by Gauge.

"She says she is happy to claim you as her trainer." Said the Vulpix, turning her head to show how bored she was. Azel paid little mind to her as he reached out, touching the Lugia's, no, HIS Lugia's beak. Azel smiled at her as Lugia stared adoringly at him. Professor Conifer seemed to smile as well as she looked at Carina and Gauge, keeping silent so the trainers could spend a little more time with their pokemon.

Pokemon Obtained

Gauge:


Pokemon: Zorua
Gender: Male
Pokemon Personality: Quiet, mischievous, obedient.
Pokemon Level: 5
Move Roster: Scratch, Leer
Post Count at Obtaining: 14


Pokemon: Vulpix
Gender: Female
Pokemon Personality: Vain, independent, loyal
Pokemon Level: 5
Move Roster: Ember, Tail-Whip
Post Count at Obtaining: 14

Carina:


Pokemon: Budew
Gender: Female
Pokemon Personality: Cheerful, shy, loyal.
Pokemon Level: 5
Move Roster: Absorb, Growth
Post Count at Obtaining: 40


Pokemon: Togepi
Gender: Male
Pokemon Personality: Quiet, affectionate, sheepish.
Pokemon Level: 5
Move Roster: Growl, Charm, Metronome.
Post Count at Obtaining: 40

Azel:


Pokemon: Chikorita
Gender: Male
Pokemon Personality: Confident, affectionate, determined.
Pokemon Level: 5
Move Roster: Tackle, Growl
Post Count at Obtaining: 8


Pokemon: Lugia
Gender: Female
Pokemon Personality: Affectionate, wise, loyal.
Pokemon Level: 5
Move Roster: Whirlwind, Weatherball
Post Count at Obtaining: 8

[Bayhound]

Right out of the pokeball, and his newest partner was growling at him. Gauge simply stared on in silent contemplation and would have tried to figure out exactly why she the Vulpix was growling at him, but before he could formulate any ideas, she simply told him what the problem was. Snot nosed...? Frowning, the breeder folded his arms, actually not noticing that a pokemon had talked to him. Just because he was snappy and came off as a rather snide individual didn't mean he was a brat.

"Of course I would treat you with respect. Why would you think otherwise?" Pausing, Gauge scratched his head, adjusting his hat again. "Actually, don't answer that." Zorua snickered to himself and whispered something to the Vulpix, who replied with a sly grin of her own. Yes, he would definitely have his hands full. He remained silent for a little while, somewhat melting into the background as the others bubbled about and Carina was presented with her pokemon. As he glanced back and forth between his two and hers, hearing their given names, he supposed he might as well begin thinking of titles for the Zorua and Vulpix.

"Kalkaska" he said, nodding down to the black fox, "and Chinook. Are those acceptable?" He tried to come up with names reflective of their personalities; Kalkaska seemed like a quiet and unknown name, and Chinook bold and to the point. Zorua somewhat ignored him. Well, at least it wasn't negative. Chinook on the other hand stopped her wrestling with the dark type and looked up, gaze full of scrutiny. "That will do, I suppose." Gauge nodded, and after sitting down Meditite-style on the floor to play with the two, he found himself watching Azel.

The younger coordinator had chosen Chikorita and had already opened his mystery ball, which... had revealed a giant white mass that nearly took up the whole room. Blinking in shock, both he and his pokemon watched in awe as a massive dragon's head lifted, cried out, and leaned in to its new trainer. There was no doubt in his mind that was was a Lugia - and the fact was proven when it cried out its entire name. Gauge's jaw dropped, Kalkaska sniffed toward the dragon, and Chinook plopped her rear down and began translation. Attentive, in charge little thing, wasn't she?

Although he actually wanted to remain in the lab for a while - it was rather peaceful, after all - he knew he and his band would have to move on soon. Looking to the Professor, the teen sighed and opened his mouth. However, Chinook quickly cut in, her six tails flicking higher into the air. "Isn't there something else that you should be giving Gauge here, Professor?" she barked, Kal padding up beside her.

[Basile]

Azel couldn't help but smile as he watched the contents unfold, one after another. What a cute little vulpix! Maybe she could teach her trainer some manners. She seemed strong willed and vocal enough to do it. His attention turned to Carina, whom he had graciously allowed to go before himself. It was the saying 'ladies first', after all, and he fully intended to sow that not all me were like the other boy in the room. The boy smiled when she chose the bedew, feeling an affinity for the little grass type, coming from the Grass Gym city. This was why he chose his own chikorita, and was pleased when the little one seemed eager to go with him. Perhaps it was just a starter pokemon's trait, but still. It made him feel good.

Finally, his attention turned to the last of the pokemon to be revealed, his own 'mystery' pokemon. He wondered what it would be. Hopefully not a bug type, he had a natural enimity with those, but even if it was he could deal with.... Wow, that was a big pokemon! His mind searched in the few seconds that it took the beam of light to form into a body. An ursuring maybe? Or a mamoswine? Maybe a ryhd---- HOLY MAGIKARP THAT WAS NOT A RYHDON!

Azel did a very good impression of the pokemon he had just been swearing by, his mouth opening and shutting in shameless disbelief as the creature before him roared it's entrance. And as if that wasn't enough of a shock, the lugia fixed it's eyes on him. Him! There had to be some mistake! He was just some backwater guppy. What would a legendary pokemon want with him? Somewhere in his mind his subconscious told him that the professor had warned she'd seen such rare creatures come out of those mystery balls. Of course, the thought had never even occurred that it might happen in his presence, let alone to him!

So when it, no she, reached out to sniff him, the boy stood perfectly still, every inch of his body trembling, though with what emotion he wasn't quite sure. And when she licked him... Well! Azel squeaked. Actually squeaked. Of course, then the lugia let out another fierce cry and the little vulpix translated. She was happy to call him her trainer? Well, that was.... He didn't know what that was.

"I'm glad y-you think so!" he answered simply, stammering slightly from the shock of it all. "Not sure what I did to g-get your praise but I'm happy we'll g-get along! Wouldn't want to b-be on your bad side." He gently reached out to stroke the big white ball of love in front of him, offering up a tentative smile that just seemed to make the lugia hum with happiness. Shaking his head to get himself back under control, he glanced back towards the professor. "Thank you. Really, thank you. I... I don't even know what to say. And your breeder friend, too. They must be amazing to breed such amazing, beautiful, loving pokemon." His voice trailed off as he looked back at the two who would be his companions for likely the rest of his days, and a goofy, sickeningly happy smile plastered itself all over his face.

"I think I shall call you Solstice" he said to the lugia. She wiggled at that, evidently liking the name quite a bit. "And you, I'll call you Tye." The chikorita paid him no mind, having already climbed up the back of the lugia and perched himself on her head, chattering curiously.

[Catilena1890]

Carina seemed to glow in light of Azel's compliments to the breeder who raised his new Lugia. Professor Conifer held a hand up to her mouth and giggled, beaming at the very lucky trainer.

"I`ll be sure she gets the message. She is quite the talented breeder, being able to breed Legends and all. Now then, let's get our bags and pokedexes shall we?" She said, gesturing to the corner where all the bags and the contents for them were.

"Choose any pokedex and bag style you want. Breeders, I am sorry but you will not be allowed to take any pokeballs, you will have to earn more pokemon by finding the breeding centers and hatching the eggs they give you when you impress them."

Pokedex Styles:



Bag Styles:

Or

Box Contents:

X5
X5
x3
x2
x3
x5

[Bayhound]

...Impress the breeders? How meticulous. That only meant more interaction - MUCH more than he'd originally thought. Although... it did make sense. How else was he going to prove himself as a breeder and get his license if he didn't show he had what it took to the resident centers? Each town had one from what he recalled. That was at least eleven places to find, all of varying difficulty aside from Gustella, yet he only needed four eggs. Maybe the majority of them were harder to find than what he thought. Azel's uber appreciation was sort of a nice thing to see, but it did nothing more than make him shudder and look away. Too nice... too outgoing. Too friendly!

So he was more than ready to pack up and go when Professor Conifer directed them to their choices in gear. Wasting no time the boy stood, walked over to the assorted items, grabbing the side-strapped bag and a red Pokedex, quickly organizing a box of items into the pack and throwing it on his back afterward. Minus the pokeballs, of course. "Alright, alright. Anything else...?"

Chinook scoffed and slapped her tails against the right ankle of her new partner, glancing up towards Gauge, and then to the Professor. "Must you be so ungrateful? Pft. I believe it would be best for him to travel in a group with this sort of personality, don't you agree tree hugge-- Conifer?" Gauge groaned and picked the Vulpix up, tucking her under his arm and ready to split right then and there.