The Journey of a Lifetime

How We Met

I remember the day vividly.

It was a crisp fall day with golden leaves falling from the trees as I left my house in New Bark Town. The nearby lake was sparkling as the sunlight reflected off of it. With a great big grin on my face, I hurried to Professor Elm's lab to receive my brand new pokemon! My neighbors, River and Olivia, were already there.

"I don't know which one I should choose, River." Olivia said with a high-pitched yet gentle voice. The three pokemon were sitting on a metal table. "They're all so cuuuuute!"

"I think Chikorita would fit you. It looks just like you after all!" River teased.

Olivia puffed her cheeks, "That's not funny! I don't look anything like a pokemon!"

I smiled then walked right up to the table, brushing past the two of them as I looked between the three. I was about to make my choice when River pulled me back.

"Let her go first, okay?" River ruffled my hair as he said it.

"I'll choose this cutie pie!" Olivia announced as she reached towards Cyndaquil, taking it into her arms and coddling it like a child. "His name shall be Sir Smoke." She giggled excitedly as Professor Elm handed her the Cyndaquil's pokeball.

I had been ready to let River go next, but when he offered for me to go next, I didn't hesitate to take that chance. I walked right up to the two remaining pokemon, incredibly relieved that Olivia didn't take my choice. I picked up the Totodile in the center and held it out in front of me. We stared at each other for a moment, almost bonding, before I said,

"I think I'll call you Kirishima! I'm Eli, your new trainer!" to which my new best bud happily cried out. I was given Kirishima's pokeball then I stepped aside for River to take his Chikorita whom he so lovingly named "Mapleberry."

I didn't listen to much of what the Professor had to say as I was too focused on my new pokemon that I now held in my arms. He wiggled excitedly as I held him. Immediately, once the Professor was done talking and we left, I took Kirishima over to the city's lake and let him splash around for a bit. This was only the beginning.

I remember those days fondly. Every time I see my Kirishima now, I am reminded of the days of our youth when we were just starting out and I can't help but to smile.