Serena's POV

The Slateport City airport is pretty big due to its tourist demand. There's many huge shiny white airplanes, scheduled to fly all across the world. But only one of them is going to Elemente.

From the windows of the busy airport, a sleek silver jet sticks out. It's a smaller plane with bright purple streaks across the side. Triton is written in elegant yellow writing across the side.

The silver gives it an ominous look on the tarmac. Maybe if it was bright pink I'd feel better about this.  I just can't convince myself going into a region on lockdown is a good idea. We don't even know what goes on there.

We just found out about this place yesterday and here we are the next morning.

It doesn't help that trouble finds Ash.

I feel like we're walking straight into this one.

We wait in the charter section of the airport until a dressed up lady finds us. She's wearing a formal dark blue business pantsuit. Her dress shirt underneath is a bright purple, matching the streaks in her black hair.

Very high on the Elemente spirit I guess.

"You must be Ash and Serena," She greets us and shakes Ash's hand. "I'm Amanda, it's so nice to meet you."

"You as well," I smile.

"I can't wait to get there!" Ash cheers with his usual excitement.

"Well then," Amanda turns around, her black ponytail facing us. "President Triton is waiting for our arrival."

We follow her onto the tarmac.

"Here we go," I mumble.

Gold's POV

"It's too early," I mutter as I finish packing my bag. 

Sunlight is just starting to come through the windows of the lab. The Professor figured I better get out of here before Green. I'm sure it'll be a lot bigger deal when she leaves.

"Here," Professor Cedar walks over and hands me my black Pokedex. I slip the handheld device into my pocket. "You're all set."

"Thanks," I nod and take a seat. A plate of food sits in front of me but I don't have a huge appetite. "Who knows what's waiting for me out there."

"You're going to be maybe the first in a long time to truly see all of Elemente," Cedar says in his usual serious tone. "The districts have been in isolation so long. Each one could be like a different world."

"Great," I sigh. "I better get out of here."

The Professor walks over and puts his hands on my shoulders. "Arceus chose you Gold, whether he had a choice or not."

"That's comforting."

"What I mean is Arceus will be there to guide you," He releases my shoulders. "You can do this and then go back to your normal life in Sinnoh."

I almost forgot about my normal life.

Wonder if it's as exciting as this one?

Wonder if anyone's looking for me there?

"Let's go Eevee," I let the fox Pokemon hop on my shoulder. Her beige tuff of fur keeping my neck warm. "We have God's work to do."

"Stay in contact," Cedar waves as I leave the lab. "I'll continue researching the legendaries."

I nod and look towards the cobblestone path of Maple Village.

Our first District to conquer.

I walk through the quiet town, still not awake. The morning sunlight sparkles off windows and dewy lawns.

I leave the village behind me as I enter a ravine. Tall cliffs line the edge of the path, trees and soil threatening to fall down. The sun is lined up perfectly with the town's exit.

The fresh air enters my lungs as I walk across the old plank bridges through the ravine. Soon enough the ravine spits me out into a forest.

Tall pine trees shade the sun, adding a sweet scent to the cool breeze. Dirt crunches as we pass through, tall grass hiding any Pokemon. "How about we find some friends?"

Eevee cheers and jumps ahead of me. 

We scan the area, looking for any sign of Pokemon. Soon enough a small white and grey blob steps out. One that I actually recognize from Sinnoh.

The Starly hops around, its two big eyes looking for food. White and grey feathers form its short and stocky form. It picks up our gaze and faces us daringly.

"Okay it's interested," I smirk. "I will need a flying type to get us around."

Before I can think, the Pokemon flies towards Eevee with glowing wings. Probably a wing attack. Grass blows in Starly's wake since it's so close to the ground.

"Eevee defend with quick attack."

The Pokemon doesn't have a lot of time to build momentum before the two collide. Eevee gets the worst of it and somersaults backwards before crashing into a tree. Starly loops back into the air, preparing for round two.

"Eevee try to dodge!"

But Starly had too much speed in its own quick attack.

"Eevee!" I run up and pick her up.

The Starly flies away, chirping a happy song.

I lay Eevee down and rummage through my bag for some healing items. I think there's some potions but berries would be better.

"That wasn't the finest battle I've witnessed," An old scraggly fan approaches me from behind.

He has long frizzy grey hair, a thick beard, a brown leather coat, and grey cargo pants.

"I was never good at battling," I mumble.

That I can remember. There's a reason I was a researcher.

"You must be just starting out," The man leaves his hand out. "I'm Al, the gatekeeper of Maple Village."

"Maple Village has a gatekeeper?" I question as he brings out a tablet.

"Oh yes, well President Triton's right-hand man resides here," He studies the device, glancing up and down from my face. "As you know there is very little travel allowed through Elemente so gatekeepers like myself are situated around."

I notice a nearby blue tent. Something to look out for.

"Come with me," He leads me to the tent. "It also takes a couple hours for the new recruits to be entered into the system."

It's filled with camping supplies and other various things. There is a computer though that stands out. The man must live out here permanently.

We sit in the eerie forest silence while he stares at the tablet. At least the folding lawn chair is comfy. Eevee rests on my lap, recovering from the battle.

"Oh there we go," His shaky fingers tap some buttons on the screen. "You must be Logan Cedar?"

"That's me," I nod, hoping that's the only question.

"Never heard of you before."

"Well I didn't uh get out much."

"Yea I get it," Al laughs. "I can't remember the last time I went into town anyways. I do remember Professor Cedar having a boy but I thought that was decades ago."

Wait Cedar has a son? Or maybe had if I was able to take his identity...

"Time is weird like that," I try to explain.

"Indeed it is boy," He sighs. "Looks like you are a confirmed military recruit. Hopefully your battle skills improve."

"Me too," I try to laugh but it's painfully true. 

After a quick goodbye, I get back on the road. The sun has already reached its peak in the sky so it looks like I'll be camping tonight. I guess I can probably camp anywhere without any guests.

Wouldn't be nice to have some privacy though.

"Woah," I catch myself at the end of a pit. I really need to stop daydreaming so much.

It almost looks like there's ruins inside the pit. A set of destroyed stone stairs lead to a cavern.

I consult the map in my backpack because this spot seems awfully legendary. The folded and crinkled piece of paper has a big red X at my location. "Regigigas," I read. "Requires flying access."

Kind of relieved, I don't think I'm ready to face a legendary on Day 1.

I'll leave that to Day 2.

Green's POV

"Professor I'm here!" I yell nice and loud as I barge through the front door of the lab. Hopefully Gold is gone but I figured a warning wouldn't hurt.

"Green come out here!" I hear the Professor's distant voice.

I lead the way through the lab and to the back door. My entire family insisted on coming so I have quite the crowd behind me.

Out in the grassy corral, Cedar waits there in his usual lab coat attire. His grey hair is nicely combed and his glasses perfectly square on his face.

"Cedar," My Dad smiles and shakes his hand. "Thanks for handling all this."

"Of course," He smiles. "It's been awhile since I've got to do this."

Except for this morning with Gold of course.

"Green is going to lead the way for many more," My Mom smiles, her smooth brown hair blowing in the breeze.

"So I hear," Cedar winks at me. "And this has President Triton's blessing?"

"Of course," My Dad answers quickly. "As soon as he heard Green was planning on doing some research he was more than happy to give the okay. You know how Alex gets with research."

The three adults share a laugh.

"He may even send me some stuff to do for him," I add. 

"Woah that's so cool," My sister marvels, her black hair all messy from just waking up. 

"Yea," I laugh at her.

"Very well," Cedar gestures to the corral. "Your starter Pokemon is somewhere out here."

I tilt my head. What does he mean by that?

"I let the Pokemon know a new trainer was coming today," He explains further. "Feel free to approach them and see if any magic happens."

"Let's go!" Winter cheers and drags me towards the spruce trees.

"I hope there's some nice ice types," My Dad calls out.

"Or some fire ones!" I yell while running away. 

As funny as it would be to pick a Pokemon just because my Dad's favourite type is weak against it, a fire type would be nice for surviving in the wilderness. It would keep me from having to carry around a bunch of fire starters.

"You're going to start with the cutest Pokemon ever," My younger sister exclaims.

That's if we find one.

All I see is trees and bushes. The steady breeze causes pine needles to fall around us as we walk through the corral.

"What happens if no Pokemon wants to be my partner?" I sigh.

"Come on out Pokemon!" Winter continues the loud search. 

Maybe that's the problem. 

"Winter how about we lay down?" I ask expecting more questions but she does it immediately.

I follow, trying to get comfy in the grass. A few pine needles poke me through my black and turquoise outfit. It's cool today so good thing I threw on a white sweater over the slim athletic wear meant for summer.

Winter snuggles up beside me so I wrap an arm around her and bring her close. "I'm going to miss you Green," She sniffles.

"I'll miss you too," I kiss her forehead. "I'll bring back lots of Pokemon for you to meet."

"Okay," She whimpers into my side.

It'll probably be the first time we've been apart because I stopped travelling around with my Dad when she was born. And the first time I've gone anywhere alone.

Great now I'm freaked out.

"Hehe stop it Green," My sister giggles and I snap out of my thoughts.

I sit up and look over to see a Pokemon licking her face.

It has smooth brown fur, beige paws, and cute round ears. I pull out my newly acquired turquoise Pokedex. "Litleo," I read. "The lion cub Pokemon. A fire and normal type."

"It's so cute," Winter hugs it while it continues to lick her face and be playful.

"Dad's not going to like this," I laugh and get Litleo to face me. "Litleo would you like to come on an adventure?"

It stops playing to nod eagerly at me.

I smile and catch Litleo with a pokeball the Professor gave me. "Let's head back."

While walking back I decide to read some more about my first Pokemon.

"The more a Litleo trains its body and spirit by battling mighty enemies, the hotter its mane will grow."

We're going to have to find some mighty enemies.