Third Person's POV

Life is full of balance.

A good deed for every evil one.

A little luck after a bad day.

A new relationship for every lost one.

There's an old legend in the Galar region. It's about a decade long duel between the Pokémon of the sword and the Pokémon of the shield.

Two legendaries of immense power.

But equal power.

Neither can overpower the other, perfect opposites. In a way they represent thus balance of life. Many power hungry humans have tried to team up with either of the Pokémon, a move which would throw off this balance.

Thankfully the legendary Pokémon can sense one's ideals and therefore know not to form such a team. For now at least.

So where am I going with this?

A little bit of a setup I guess but more importantly a message.

It's hard to trust that everything will work out, and quite honestly sometimes it doesn't, but it's important to know that pushing the issue can make things worse. Doesn't mean you shouldn't give it everything you got though.

Isn't that the slogan of a certain someone?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"A new region. Just me and you Pikachu," The teenage boy says to his yellow pal. That's his other slogan.

Go to the next region and leave the past one behind. The memories are there of course but that's about it. The Pokémon trainer leaves all his other creatures at his hometown lab, including the ones caught in Alola, the past region he visited.

Ash is an average height with raven-like hair covered by a red and white hat. He has blue jeans and a black jacket on, similar to his usual outfit with an extra twist. On his shoulder is the yellow rodent Pokémon with bright red cheeks, Pikachu.

The two examine the unknown region around them through the train window. At least it's huge unlike the airplane windows they usually deal with.

They are on their way to Wedgehurst. The clickety clackety sound of the rails getting them there under the midday sun. Awaiting them there is hopefully someone who knows where they're going.

Because Ash's sense of direction is less than ideal.

The train continues on until the first town of his adventure comes into view. Rolling hills surround the area, the gentle yellows and greens adding to the calming atmosphere. A few rustic red barns dot the fields until houses take their place.

"Reminds me of that Mareep farm in Johto," Ash says nostalgically while pointing to the Wooloo rolling around the fields. 

They really just look like big fluffy snowballs while they roll, stopping occasionally to point out their little black legs, cute face, and long grey tuffs of hair. Wooloo is cute period.

Wedgehurst is a pretty simple town. The houses traditional with their brick faces and slanted roofs, all far apart to allow for flower beds and a place to play. A train station rises above them all, its clock face visible from anywhere in town.

Land starts to pass by slower as the train rolls into the station. The chugging of the train gets quieter until one last screeching of the brakes.

Ash practically jumps out of his seat with Pikachu clutching onto his shoulder. He joins the very few others on the train, not the busiest route apparently.

"Galar here we come!" Ash shouts before deciding to skip the steps and jumping directly onto the station platform. Journey official begun.

"Pika!" The electric type shouts as the two attract a few smiles.

"I'm going to guess you're Ash Ketchum," A young woman around Ash's age walks up.

She has thick and wavy orange hair, with small unique silver hearts keeping it somewhat contained. Her green blouse matches her eyes while a beige coat covers most of it up. Pale blue leggings stay tight to her legs.

Ash stops his burst of excitement in confusion.

She giggles and fixes the big glasses sitting in here hair. "I'm Sonia," She holds out her hand. "My grandma is a friend of Professor Oak. I was sent here to pick up the 'kid' as my grandma likes to say."

 "Kid?" He frowns. "I'm eighteen."

"Don't worry she calls everyone a kid," Sonia laughs and leads them through the small station. There's a small shop but nothing important in there. "I'm nineteen and to her I'm still five."

"I can't wait to meet her," Ash laughs. "Have you been on a journey then?"

"Not exactly, Sonia answers while they step out into the sun.

Cobblestone makes up the streets, giving almost a mystical feel to the town. Even though that's just traditional Galar architecture forgotten by modern road building. A slight breeze carries leaves by their feet, the first signs of autumn approaching.

The lab sticks out a bit since the walls are white between dark wooden beams. It's not overpowering like some white building, but gentle and inviting.

"What happened to the sign?" Ash stops and Sonia chuckles.

It's a decent sized oak sign with "Pokémon Professor" etched into it... except the professor part is etched out and replaced in messy black paint with "researcher". And to top it off underneath is a nice message of, "we do not profess anything, read with your own damn eyes".

"My grandma is a little..." 

"You may not want to finish that girl," The door swings open before they get there.

Professor Magnolia steps out with her thick Galarian accent, one that is barely present in the younger generations. Her fancy gemstone earrings and necklace stand out, along with her light brownish hair that is kept above her ears with a purple band. Like any professor, I mean researcher, she has a long lab coat but also a yellow dress underneath.

"Much," Sonia tilts her head trying to be cute to get away with it.

"You're not three and cute anymore," Magnolia waves her away. "Ash it is pleasant seeing you here after the way Ol' Oak talks about you. I hope Sonia hasn't ruined Galar for you yet."

"Grandma!" The girl protests but the eldest could not care less.

"Thanks for having me," Ash nervously laughs. "Professor Oak said you can help with the next part of my journey."

"Next part?" Sonia questions. "But shouldn't it just be starting."

"In Kanto they begin at ten because all they care about over there are battles," Magnolia waves her cane in the air. "Animals. Here in Galar it's eighteen except in Sonia's case where it's never."

"I don't need to travel to become a Pokémon researcher," She argues.

"Pokémon reader you mean," Magnolia shuts her down. "We're going to have a talk later."

Ash watches the two bicker, kind of wondering if it ever ends.

"Let's show you around shall we," The researcher walks around to the best of her abilities, the wooden came tapping against the tile floor.

It looks more like a library than a lab. Very homey with lots of couches and big windows, walls out books in between. No modern equipment, just the basics of Pokémon research that supports the rest.

"All those books are written by me," She points to a bookshelf with at least a hundred spines packed tightly together. "I have done field research my whole life, and will until the day I die."

"Even if you aren't fit to," Sonia puts her hands on her hips.

"You worry too much," The researcher shakes her head. "Now I know you're antsy and want to get out there but here in Galar we do our own thing."

"The gym challenge here is more than just a battle," Magnolia begins. "But that's for you to find out later."

Ash's interest peaks.

The door of the lab opens before he can ask any questions.

"Professor?" A boy peeks his head inside. His short but thick purple hair leading the way. You can see his light blue coat with a fluffy inside on the hood.

"Ah perfect timing the less important brother," Professor Magnolia smiles and waves him in.

Sonia puts her hand on her forehead and gives her head a shake.

"Hi Professor," He sighs but manages to smile at the group. "I'm Hop."

"Ash," The two exchange a handshake.

Today is the day they meet, and also the day Professor Magnolia accidentally helps with their inner duels.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember that whole duel thing with the sword and shield Pokémon. Well even though neither can win, it doesn't mean they don't try. After all it's only fitting that a region filled of competition has legendary Pokémon that are just as competitive.

Their battle is also more than just physical.

It uses the region.

Energy pulses through the land because of this. While it's generally harmless and unknown, at the same time it has a potential for harm or good. It just depends who finds a way to harness it first.

Professor Magnolia sits at her desk, a small lamp lighting the book she's reading through. It's almost midnight and three kids are all sleeping at the Pokémon Centre. But she knows there's no time for rest.

Why?

Because there's three other individuals reading the same thing.

_____________________

I tried to give a mix of suspense and intros, but I always find the beginnings of books hard to write.

Now I haven't seen any of the anime so characters could be completely different than canon (like Sonia's age). I hope this makes it interesting for you guys if anything.

Hopefully you guys like it and please give me criticism so I can be better, it's been awhile lol.

Cya guys later.

Happy splashing

Actually not done yet. I am putting next to zero planning into this so your comments can be very influential. So if there's a Pokémon you want Ash to get or something like that, let me know because there's a high chance I'll listen.