Welcome to my new Pokemon fanfic. This is a rewrite of previous fic, New Horizons. I changed a lot about it, and am taking it in a new direction. This story will be a blend of the games and anime, with a hint of manga and a bit of my own personal flair.

Please check out 'Hawkosa' on deviantart to see some character art of this story!

I've also written a huge portion of the story already. This means I will be able to update fairly regularly, as I edit new chapters. I have a posting schedule worked out, and I will be building up to posting either weekly or bi-weekly.

The lovely cover logo is courtesy of convesence (check him out on instagram!), and there will soon be character art and story art to follow.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to leave a comment or review. I'll try my best to answer them. That said, enjoy!

Just one week left. Koa crossed off today's date on his wall calendar. He flipped to next month's page, June. The 3rd was circled in red, along with a message from his cousin that read "Don't slack little K." Koa rolled his eyes at the nickname. In just one week he turned 14, which was the minimum age to apply for a trainers license in Sinnoh.

He glanced down at his watch. 6:05. Time to get dressed. He pulled on green cargo pants, boots and a black t-shirt. Then he grabbed a jacket off a chair. The sturdy material had served him well, but the wear had begun to show. It was worn in many places, and sported its fair share of patches. He gave his room a final cursory glance, then grabbed his backpack off a chair and jogged downstairs.

The faint murmur of the tv echoed through the living room. His cousin was sprawled on the couch in front of it, fast asleep. He walked over and shook him awake. "Hey Blake, I'm going out."

Blake grunted and sat up, yawning. "Good morning to you too, Koa. You can take Absol with you. He needs the exercise." Putting his fingers to his lips, he whistled. Toenails clicking on wood floors echoed through the quiet room and an Absol emerged from a hallway. When he spotted Koa, he trotted over and nuzzled his hand. Koa rubbed the pokemon's head affectionately.
"Nice to see you too. Ready for a little exercise?"

Absol barked eagerly.

"You're never that happy to see me..." Blake muttered to the Absol, his tone playfully bitter. Absol sniffed and turned his back on Blake before walking towards the door. Koa grinned and followed. Blake sat up. "Oh! I nearly forgot. Be back by 8:30."

"Why?"

"Because I said so." Blake replied, smirking. The smirk changed to a friendly smile. "It's a surprise."

Koa nodded in acknowledgment and hurried out the door. There was little point in trying to pry any more information out of Blake. He was too stubborn to give out anything.

"Hey!" His cousin called sharply. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Koa paused, his hand on the door handle, and cringed. "What?"

Blake left the room a moment and came back holding a great ball in one hand and a baton in the other. "Tsk tsk. You should always carry your pokemon's pokeball with you. And something to defend yourself."

Koa rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah." His cousin tended to be over paranoid, in his opinion. Most pokemon wouldn't attack humans or seriously harm them. Only the angriest or most territorial pokemon would. And even then, humans were tough. He tucked Absol's pokeball into his pocket.

A rush of salty air greeted him as he stepped outside. Closing the door behind him, he drew in a deep breath of familiar ocean air. The tall buildings of his hometown, Canalave, rose all around him. A sense of familiarity flowed through him as he began his usual routine, starting with a few basic warm-ups.

As he did, a flock of Pidgey and Starly landed not far away and watched him expectantly. He grinned and waved, then pulled out the pack of seeds he always kept with him, tossing them a few. The birds descended upon them, eagerly pecking them up. They shrieked a thank you before flying off.

Once he finished stretching, he broke into a jog, heading north. Absol bounded alongside him, keeping pace easily. He took a route through the city taking time to take in the sights of his home. It wouldn't be long before he had his trainers license and he could start his journey. There was a good chance he might not return to Canalave for a long time.

In between houses, he could catch glimpses of the two large wooden bridges that spanned the town, dividing its two main districts. The west half was primarily housing, while the eastern was composed mostly of businesses. The only things of note on the west half was the library and the gym.

Eventually he broke away from the houses, following a path through a small wooded area. The trees gave way to sand and then to beach. The waves crashed on the shore and a strong breeze whipped through his hair. Ahead, far in the distance, bright ships of different sizes and colors dotted the port.

As he jogged east across the beach, Absol sprinted forwards, scaring a flock of Wingull. They squawked and flew inland, over the town. He watched as they settled on a two story building at the edge of the beach. Its gray stone walls stood in contrast to the firm, light colored wooden buildings surrounding it. Arched windows lined its walls, offering a glimpse at what lay inside-rows and rows of books. Even the mere sight of it made Koa's heart soar. The library was his favorite place in the entire city. He'd spent countless hours inside its walls, reading everything he could about his favorite topic. Legendaries.

Koa headed back inland, continuing his route. He left the city through the west gate and followed a worn dirt path into the woods. The sparse trees quickly thickened until the path was nearly invisible, and his surroundings darkened, the faint dawn light barely penetrating the leafy canopy. Absol darted in and out of the trees, moving like a shadow.

Despite the lack of distinct markers, he jogged swiftly through the brush navigating with an ease born of familiarity. Finally, he stopped in front of a tree that was taller than the others. Root like vines wrapped around its trunk and spiraled upwards, forming a web-like tangle near the crown of the tree. Absol stopped at the tree's base, then stretched and yawned, curling up for a quick nap.

"Don't get too comfy," he declared with a grin. Dropping his backpack onto the ground, he held up his watch and switched it to the stopwatch mode, then pressed the start button. Taking a half step back, he lunged forwards and grabbed hold of the tree, securing his feet against one of the vines. Then he began to climb. He moved swiftly as he could, taking care to secure his hold before moving upwards. No need for a repeat of last month's accident. If he got injured now, he might have to postpone getting his trainer's license.

As he climbed, he recited his Plan. Luxray, Gyrados. He scrambled over a branch, pulling himself higher. Staraptor, Nidoking. He lunged to the next handhold. Tyrogue. With a final heave he pulled himself into a spot at the crown of the tree. out his stopwatch, he hit pause. 1:47.

"Woohoo!"

A startled Hoot Hoot glared reproachfully at him before flying away. The Trainer's License exam featured a rock wall that he had to climb in 3:00 or under. It wasn't hard at all, but he wanted to push himself. While a lot of trainers he spoke to dreamed of challenging the League, he had an entirely different goal. He dreamed of becoming an explorer. If he could climb a tree in less time, he was sure to pass that part. Sighing, he leaned back in the tree and closed his eyes, giving his aching limbs a rest. He could picture his team in his head already. His perfect team.

Any trainers beginning their journey had a few options available to them. There were training courses in the various schools in the area, and if one completed the course, they would be awarded a Pokemon. The other option was receiving one of the traditional starters from Professor Rowan. But the usual three starters didn't interest him, not really. He wanted the third option - taking a few pokeballs into the wild, and catching something weak, and raising it. His thoughts traveled back to his Perfect Team.

Excellent coverage for most types, as well as checks and balances. Luxray would be first of course. Shinx weren't too hard to find, and even though he wouldn't have an immediate type advantage, they were powerful pokemon, and excellent in battle. Then he would catch a Tyrogue. They weren't common, but with some searching, he was sure he could get one. They would also give him an early advantage. Then he could get Starly to help with grass types. From there, he would eventually get a Nidoking, a Gyarados, and finally, a Garchomp. They would be perfect. And perhaps, if he was lucky, he could find a fossil pokemon. With a strong team backing him, he would be able to explore anywhere.

Beyond that, he hadn't considered catching more Pokemon. Trainers who caught more than six Pokemon could have their Pokemon sent to one of many Pokemon Ranches, or to a Professor. Otherwise, a trainer would be registered to a PC system. Science wasn't one of his interests, so he had no idea how it worked, but he knew the gist. PC's served as a 'digital space' in which Pokemon could roam about and relax freely until they were recalled. Much like a Pokeball, he knew it acted as a sort of stasis as well, so injured Pokemon would be just fine. Regardless, he wasn't really interested yet in trying to train more than six Pokemon.

After several minutes, he sat up, then shimmied down the tree. If he wanted to make it home in time for whatever Blake had planned, he had to leave now.

By the time he reached Canalave's west gate, the sun had risen well above the horizon. He glanced down at his watch. 8:19. Not bad.

As he approached his house, he spotted his cousin standing outside, waiting. Absol trotted to Blake's side and sat down.

Blake waved. "How'd the training go?"

Koa grinned, the memory of his earlier triumph still fresh in his mind. "Great! I beat my time. I think I'm ready."

Blake grinned proudly. "Good job. I hope you're not too tired though."

"Why? What did you need me to do?"

"I have a few books and some research notes I want you to take to Professor Rowan. I was going to just mail it, but I figured you'd like the chance to see him again. He's going to be in Jubilife City this week for a special teaching session at the Trainer's School." He gestured to his bike, which leaned against the side of the house. "You can borrow my bike to get there. It'll cut down your travel time."

Koa's grin grew as his cousin spoke. "Sick!" he exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air. Professor Rowan was a close friend of his cousin, who was a Pokemon researcher. He'd met the Professor a few years back and immediately grew close to him. It seemed as if Rowan had a never-ending wealth of knowledge, and with his help, he'd learned a great deal about pokemon.

"Thanks, cousin!"

"Be careful with that bike. They aren't cheap you know," Blake said. "Take route 218 straight there. I'm guessing you already have enough basic supplies in your backpack?"

Koa nodded impatiently. Ever since he started training for the trainer's exam, he got in the habit of keeping a backpack of necessities- first aid kit, map, a knife, clothing, a sleeping bag, and rope. Not to mention the baton he always kept at his side, although he abhorred the thought of having to use it. "Of course. Besides, this is a quick three-day trip, not a wilderness excursion."

"Good. You should be able to make it there by the morning after tomorrow if you keep a steady pace. I recommended resting at the Ranger's Lodge before you cross the bridge. It's not a good idea to cross the bridge after dark. You can get supplies there too. There's another lodge on the west side that-"

"Yeah yeah yeah. I know how to travel dude." Koa swung his leg over the bike.

Blake handed Koa a paper bag. "I packed you lunch."

Koa took the bag, stuffing it into his backpack. "Anything else, mom?" he said teasingly

Blake rolled his eyes and returned Absol. He handed the ball to Koa. "You can take Absol, but no battles! He's there for protection only, got it? Last thing I need is a call from Officer Jenny about an unlicensed trainer using my pokemon in an illegal battle."

"Okay already. I get it," he took the ball and clipped it to his belt. "Are you done? Can I go now?"

Blake sighed. "Yes, that's all I guess. Please at least try not to be too reckless."

Koa rolled his eyes and nodded, then pushed off and started pedaling.

He zoomed out of Canalave, exiting the city in less than an hour, taking the east gate.

Once he left the city, he slowed down to a more steady, even pace. Jubilife was close compared to the distance between other towns, but even by bike it would take a little less than three days. Thankfully Route 218 was fairly straightforward.

The first leg of the journey consisted of a packed dirt road that ran through a massive field. In the distance, patches of trees rose all around. The Verity ocean stretched out to his left. Beautifly danced about through the tall grass and Pidgey and Taillow flew high overhead, along with other bird pokemon. To his right, and south of Canalave, he could see the untamed wilds of the Ore mountains. He hadn't told his cousin yet, but they were first on his list of places to go once he was officially a trainer. Many explorers delved into those mountains and found fossils of rare and powerful pokemon. He fully intended to join their ranks. A fossil pokemon would be an excellent addition to his team, eventually. Although he still hadn't decided how he wanted to fit one into his plan.

As the sun neared its midpoint in the sky, he stopped for a bit to let Absol out and get a quick snack. There wasn't time for a proper meal, plus it was hot and he didn't want to stay still for too long. Within five minutes, Absol was back in his ball, and Koa was back on the road. There was a lot of ground to cover still.

By the time the sun began to set, he had nearly reached the West Inlet Ranger Outpost, a small outpost manned by Pokemon Rangers. The outposts were a common sight in the wilderness and on routes. They acted as a rest stop for weary travelers and as an emergency healing center. This one was just west of a large inlet, which was spanned by a series of bridges and boardwalks. He paused outside the ranger outpost, a plain log cabin looking building surrounded by a tall fence. A Ranger guard stood outside, a Mightyena curled at his feet.

A sigh of relief escaped him. The Outpost meant the first leg of his journey was over. As he approached the gate, the ranger held out his hand, barring him. "ID please."

Koa pulled out his ID. The Ranger examined it closely, then handed it back with a nod. "Be careful. There have been reports of people getting mugged at night."

Koa nodded in acknowledgment and headed inside. A short time later, he settled into a room, eating dinner with Absol.

The next morning, Koa awoke early. He purchased some food from the Ranger cafe, then set out. The next part of the journey would be slightly more challenging. It consisted of several bridges spanning the inlet and a marshy area. Unlike yesterday, time seemed to crawl by. He passed by several trainers, and a few even challenged him, but he was forced to refuse. If he was caught, he would be prohibited from getting his trainer's license. Last time, the police hadn't pressed charges but he doubted he would be so lucky if he did it again. Even though anyone was allowed to carry a pokemon, only licensed trainers could participate in battles, or try for the gym circuit.

Bridge after bridge he crossed, until he zoned out, gazing at the horizon, his eyes unfocused. The sun inched across the sky. 1:00. 2:19. 3:41. 5:56. 7:03.

"Move!"

Koa snapped back to reality. A black and white blur hurtled towards him. His hair stood on end and the air crackled. He swerved sharply to the right, skidding on the wooden bridge. His bike spun out of control and tipped, sending him sprawling onto the bridge, rolling to the edge. The blur passed by, accompanied by hoofbeats on wood.

"Hey watch it you moron!" Koa screamed. He scrambled to his feet, but he only managed to catch a glimpse of the person. They wore a dark hooded cloak and rode upon a Zebstrika, which explained the speed and electricity.

Koa sprang onto his bike and started pedaling, but his legs were no match for a Zebstrika. Within seconds they had disappeared over a rise in the road Still, he kept going for several minutes, fueled by anger. Eventually, he stopped, breathing heavily. His heart hammered and his damp shirt clung to his body.

"Argh! Stupid idiot almost killed me!" he shouted. He slammed his fist into the handlebars clenching his jaw. For a few minutes he didn't move, still fuming with indignation. Finally. He turned around and started pedaling south again. This time, his pace was slower. By the time he reached the Southern Inlet Ranger outpost, he was a good hour behind schedule.

Dinner was a quick affair. After, he released Absol and turned in for the night. His thoughts turned on the stranger on the Zebstrika for some time. The rider had been dressed strangely compared to people in this area. Where had he been going in such a hurry? Perhaps he was one of those muggers the ranger had mentioned? Or just a foolish trainer. Eventually, he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, he skipped a large breakfast in favor of getting on the road sooner. The final leg of the journey would be easy. A straight, hard-packed dirt road through a small forest, and at its end, the gates to Jubilife. The sun had just begun to rise as he started biking down the road. Ahead, he could see a small forest stretching out before him. On the other side, Jubilife awaited him. He hastened his pace, eager to reach the town and rest and get a proper meal.

As he entered the woods, a loud shriek sounded from somewhere ahead and to his right. Koa paused. The sound came again. It sounded like a pokemon in distress. Curious, Koa dropped his bike and hurried into the woods.

A faint trail wound through the woods a short distance, leading to a tiny clearing with a single tree. Unlike the rest of the trees in the area, this one's leaves were a golden yellow, and a sticky coating covered the trunk. A honey tree. He knew there was one near Jubilife, and he wasn't exactly surprised to find another.

At the edge of the clearing, a small Zubat lay, stunned. A wave of pity washed over him at the sight of the poor creature. He knelt next to it and pulled out a potion from his bag and sprayed the Zubat. After a few moments, it fluttered to life, emitting a happy shriek. Judging by the size of its fangs, it was male. He wondered what he was doing all the way out here. Zubat and Golbat tended to stick to colonies. Usually, they lived in caves, although some lived in forests or in cities. This one also didn't seem as bothered by sunlight as other members of its species.

The Zubat started to flutter towards the honey tree, but a warning cry from its branches made him pause. The purple head of an Aipom poked out and glared at the Zubat. He guessed the Aipom had claimed the tree as its own. He knew the monkey pokemon were fairly fond of honey. Judging by the condition Zubat had been in, he guessed it tried to get some and got attacked for it.

"Huh, I guess you wanted some honey?" Koa mused out loud. He'd never known Zubat to be lovers of honey, but there were always exceptions, he supposed. The Zubat chittered and nodded its head. Koa turned back towards the tree.

"How about it, Aipom? I'm sure Zubat doesn't want the whole tree, right Zubat?" The Zubat nodded emphatically. The Aipom eyed Koa and the Zubat for a moment, then nodded. With a grateful squeak, Zubat landed on the tree, gratefully licking the honey off.

Koa shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips at the comical sight. After watching for another moment, he returned to the road. He still had a fair way to go until Jubilife, and he wanted to reach it before nightfall.

Before long, he could see the highrises of Jubilife City on the horizon. A little while later, he made his way through the gate and into the city. Once he was there, he stopped at the local police station to report the man on the Zebstrika, then he headed for the school. Much to his disappointment, he didn't get to spend much time with professor Rowan. After finishing his teaching, he had to leave almost immediately for his lab in Sandgem. Koa only got a minute to speak with him before he left.

"So how is the training going?" Rowan asked.

"Great!" Koa replied enthusiastically. "I'm ready for the exam, I think. And I even have my whole team planned out," he added proudly.

Rowan frowned. Or at least his normally stern face got slightly more stern. "Planning ahead is good, but remember not to limit yourself. Unexpected occurrences always happen during a trainer's journey."

"I know," Koa said, trying to hide the impatience in his voice. He didn't really mind surprises, but he didn't want his team to be one.

Rowan nodded and stroked his beard briefly. "I have to get back to my lab, but keep your phone with you once you start your journey. I may need your help with a project of mine soon."

Koa's eyes lit up. "What project?" he asked eagerly.

"You'll have to have some patience, my boy." Rowan said. Koa knew that tone of voice all too well. Try as he might, he wouldn't get any more information from him. Rowan was more stubborn than a rock.

"One more thing, young man."

"Yes?"

"Make sure you stop by the lab once you get your license. Your cousin and I have something for you that we've been working on."

Koa's eyes widened. He longed to know what it was, but he felt certain neither Rowan or his cousin would spill a word of whatever his surprises were.

He bid the professor goodbye. He ended up spending the night in Jubilife, even though it was only early evening.

The next day, he started on his return journey. The trip back proved mostly uneventful. At least until the final leg of the journey. Thanks to oversleeping at one point, he found himself on the final stretch of Route 218 in the very late evening. The last colors of dusk were fading from the sky, and he could just barely make out stars. He figured he had about an hour's worth of biking to get back to Canalave. Normally, traveling after dark was dangerous, but he had Absol for protection, so he wasn't very worried. Plus, 218 was usually a fairly safe route.

His thoughts drifted as he biked down the final stretch. The sky gradually darkened more and the moon began to rise. He didn't see the dark shape in front of him until it was too late. Koa cried out in shock as he crashed into something, the impact sending him flying off his bike. Behind him, a low growl arose. He rolled to his feet just in time to see a very angry Mightyena glaring at him. Slowly, he raised his hand in a pacifying gesture.

"Easy boy. I'm sorry, it was an accident. I didn't mean to run into you."

Apparently, the Mightyena didn't care for his apology. It snarled in anger and took a step towards him. Koa reached for Absol's pokeball.

The rogue Mightyena lunged forwards, knocking the ball out of his hand. It rolled several yards away. The Mightyena snarled, prowling in between him and the ball. Koa gulped. His heart beat a little faster and he stared anxiously at the pokeball.

"Easy buddy. I don't want to hurt you," he spoke in as calm a voice as he could muster, and held his hands out. The Mightyena growled louder and took a step towards him. Koa hesitantly reached for the baton clipped at his side. The Mightyena lunged for him. Koa dove to the ground, rolling away from it. He scrambled to his feet, still eyeing Absol's pokeball. Mightyena remained between him and the pokeball, much to Koa's annoyance.

Suddenly, a loud, high-pitched screech from above assaulted his ears. The Mightyena whimpered and folded its ears. Koa looked up, towards the source of the sound. Several feet above, a small Zubat hovered in the air. It screeched again, then dived at the Mightyena. The Mightyena leaped away, then glared at the Zubat, as if contemplating attacking. Apparently it decided it wasn't worth the trouble and gave a single bark, then darted back into the woods.

Not wanting to lose his opportunity, Koa grabbed Absol's pokeball and picked up his bike. He glanced up again, but the Zubat had disappeared. He frowned in thought. That was odd. Singular Zubat didn't tend to be aggressive. Why would one attack a Mightyena out of the blue? As he got back on his bike and continued his trip home, he contemplated the Zubat. Could it have been the one from the honey tree? He quickly dismissed the thought. There were hundreds of Zubat in the world. Perhaps this was just the Pokemon gods smiling upon him. Either way, he was grateful not to have to use his baton, even for defense.

The next several days alternated between dragging by and flying by, which was aggravating. He distracted himself with his job at the local pokemart, saving as much extra cash before he began his training journey. Finally, the day of the trainer's exam arrived. Much to his annoyance, he woke up a half-hour later than he preferred. So much for a morning warm-up.

Thankfully, he didn't plan on leaving until after the exam. He'd have a chance to stop back by Canalave before he left. His cousin was awake and waiting for him already. The closest exam center was in Jubilife, which meant they would have to take a special bus there. The bus let them out at the gates to Jubilife, and his cousin walked with him the rest of the way. They stopped in front of a large, squarish building with a massive domed roof. Bold letters above the doors spelled out 'DTL' and in smaller letters beneath it read "Department of Trainer Licensing.' Koa started for the double doors.

"Good luck little K," his cousin called.

"Oh please. I got this. Luck is for losers!" Koa replied, smirking.

"That's why I offered it."

Koa's smirk disappeared and he shot Blake a scathing glare. After a moment, he smiled. "Not bad, I'll give you that." Koa turned and headed inside. Several soon-to-be trainers milled about inside, most around his age or a little older. Some were chatting, while others showed off pokemon they had gotten. He brushed by them, heading straight for the front desk. A young lady with straight black hair, pale skin and a serious face sat behind the counter, staring blankly ahead.

"I'd like to register for the Trainer's License exam," he said.

The lady looked at him, then down at her computer. "Name?"

"Koamaru Averon."

"Age?"

"14," he replied. It felt good to finally say it.

She took another look at him then typed in some more information, murmuring to herself as she did. "Eyes, brown... skin, light. Hair dark navy." She looked back up at him.

"Height?"

"Five foot six."

"Hometown?"

"Canalave City."

She finished typing, then looked up at him. "You're all set." She slid a slip of paper over the counter towards him. "Here's your exam pass. The first part will begin in five minutes. Please wait in the lobby."

Koa stood off to the side, looking at his prospective competition. Although he wasn't directly competing against them, any one of them might be the next gym leader or perhaps even champion, further along the line. One boy stood out from the rest. He wore a dark purple cape over a black vest. He had neatly trimmed black hair and dark green eyes. What kind of outfit is that? He thought. Sure, a lot of trainers tended to like weird outfits, but a cape? That seemed pretty extra.

He let his attention drift as he mentally prepared himself for what lay ahead. The exam consisted of three parts. A test of physical prowess, tests of knowledge about the pokemon world, and finally, a simulated battle. The physical test and knowledge test he knew well, but he was slightly less certain about the battle test. You never knew what pokemon you would get, or what opponent you would face. On the bright side, they weren't required to win, merely demonstrate their skills.

A door beside the registration desk slid open and a man with graying brown hair and a clipboard stepped out. "My name is Fyren, and I'll be your head instructor today. The Trainer's License Exam will begin now. Please follow me."

Koa hurried after him, the rest of the potential trainers following suit. They were led first into a large gym area with a running course, a rock wall, and hurdles. One by one, each trainer ran a lap around the course, jumped the hurdles, and climbed the rock wall as fast as they could. After each trainer completed the course, the man wrote something on his clipboard and motioned for the next trainer. Soon, it was Koa's turn. He sprinted through the course with ease, scaling the wall in well under two minutes. The caped boy went after him and practically seemed to glide up the rock wall. A twinge of jealousy flowed through him. A few of the other trainers struggled, either knocking down hurdles or falling off the wall.

After everyone had completed the physical, they followed Fyren to a large classroom. Everyone took a seat and he handed out test papers. The test consisted of a mix of questions, ranging from pokemon types, to species names, and item knowledge. Koa flew through the quiz, though he couldn't help but note that a few other trainers handed theirs in first. The caped trainer from earlier handed in his test a few minutes before he did.

Finally, the battle test came. They were led into a huge room with three battlefields outlined in the dirt. "Three of you will be tested at once. You will each receive a random pokemon, as will the instructors. You will battle against the instructor until one of your pokemon faints. Remember, this is a test of battle competency. Victory is not required."

Fyren divided everyone into three lines. Koa ended up second in a group of four, while the caped boy ended up in a different group. He soon forgot about him, however, as the battles began. The girl in front of him, who had teal curls and yellow blouse and skirt, received a Vaporeon, and the instructor an Ekans. The girl won without too much difficulty, although Koa noted that the instructor was fairly skilled. He had a knack for understanding the Ekans movements and working with it.

Finally, his turn arrived. As the instructor called his name, he stepped onto the battlefield. There was a faint flicker as the invisible barrier around the field was turned on. An attendant selected a pokeball from a case and handed it to him, then handed one to the instructor.

The instructor sent out his pokemon first. A dark greenish-blue eel pokemon with a light underbelly and two flowing arms hovered, ready to attack. It took a moment before he recognized it as an Eelektross.

He tossed out his own pokeball, revealing a Hippopotas. "Aw yeah, I got this! We're gonna own this, Hippopotas!" Hippopotas gave an enthusiastic grunt. The attendant gave him a card with Hippopotas' moveset. Earthquake, Sand Attack, Crunch, Sand tomb. Perfect. Eelektross was an electric type, that much he remembered. This should be a cinch.

"Battle, begin!" The announcer called.

"Hippopotas, use Sand Attack!" Hippopotas jumped forwards and shot a stream of sand from its mouth. It struck Eelektross full on, causing it to stumble back and hiss.

"Crush Claw," the instructor called.

"Wait til it's close and use Sand Attack again!"

Eelektross's claws glowed bright blue and it sprang into the air, arcing straight down. A moment later, Hippopotas launched Sand Attack. Eelektross reeled back, Crush Claw missing entirely. It backed away a short distance and growled.

"Let's finish this! Earthquake!" Hippopotas eyes glowed blue, and waves of energy rippled through the earth, straight towards Eelektross. The instructor said nothing and gave no commands. The waves reached Eelektross and passed right under, fading away. Eelektross didn't even flinch.

"What!?" Koa shouted. Hippopotas gave a matching cry of shock.

"Now Eelektross, Grass Knot!" Eelektross's eyes glowed green, and tendrils of grass sprouted from the earth, yanking Hippopotas feet from underneath him and knocking him onto his side.

"No, get up!" Koa cried. Hippopotas squirmed and struggled.

"Aqua Tail!"

"Dodge!" Koa shouted in panic.

Eelektross sprang high into the air, a vortex of water swirling around its tail. Then it brought its tail down on top of Hippopotas. A burst of energy kicked up a cloud of dust. It settled moments later, showing Hippopotas fainted. Eelektross raised its claws in the air and growled happily.

Koa's shoulders drooped and he hung his head. He returned Hippopotas to his pokeball, thanked him, then returned the ball to the attendant. The instructor walked over to him. "Never assume, young man. Eelektross has a special ability known as Levitate, which causes ground attacks like Earthquake to miss. And although type advantages can win a battle, don't forget that a skilled trainer must also account for his partner's weaknesses."

Koa nodded. "Thanks," he mumbled. He turned away and joined the rest of the trainers who completed their battle. To his disappointment, he'd missed the caped boy's battle. He couldn't find the heart to get interested in the other battles. What if they failed him on his exam? He'd have to wait another month to try again. Just the thought made him anxious.

After all the battles had been completed, the instructor led them to a large assembly hall with a seating area and a stage. Koa sat with the other trainers in the reserved seating row, his hands clenched into tight fists. This would be it. They would call up the trainers who had passed, and present them with their license. Fyren stepped onto the stage, holding his clipboard. "I will now announce the trainers who will receive their license."

"Edgar Fennel." A stocky blond boy bounded onto the stage. Fyren handed him a card, then posed for a picture before leaving the stage.

One by one, more trainers were called out.

"Hilgar."

"Lyra."

"Geoff."

"Cade." The caped boy strode confidently on stage and received his license. A moment later, he left the stage and hurried out of the hall. With each name that wasn't his, Koa became more worried, jittering his leg and tapping his fingers.

"Koamaru Averon."

Koa literally leaped out of his chair, barely holding back his exclamation. He ran onto stage, grinning widely as Fyren handed him his license, along with a simple Pokeball belt. Finally. He could be a proper trainer. As soon as he was able, he raced out of the building. As soon as he stepped outside, he jumped in the air and shouted. He spotted Blake a few feet away, smiling proudly.

"Good job little K. Keep this up and maybe I'll have to start calling you big K," Blake said, chuckling. Koa rolled his eyes.

"I have a gift for you, by the way." Blake reached into his jacket and pulled out a small box.

Koa's eyes widened when he saw the picture on the front. "A Poketch?" he stammered. "Thank you!" he hugged his cousin, then stepped back to examine his new prize. He tore it out of the box and put it on. It booted up flawlessly. He'd wanted a Poketch for months now, and planned to buy one after he started his journey. Now he could save his money for something else.

"So what now? Are you going to head straight for Professor Rowan's lab? I know he mentioned having you stop by once you got your license."

Blake's eyes looked far away, and despite his upbeat tone, Koa knew better. He shook his head. "I'll take the bus back to Canalave with you. I have a few supplies to pick up, and I'd love to visit the library one last time." Technically, it was true. He did want to see the library before he left, and he could always stock up before he left. Of course, he didn't bother mentioning that he had everything he needed to set out on his journey now. He knew Blake would miss him, and even though he wouldn't admit it to him, Koa knew he would miss Blake.

The sky had begun to darken by the time they reached Canalave. Koa visited the library before it closed that evening, then purchased a few extra potions and pokeballs from the Pokemart. He bid farewell to his coworkers at the shop, then returned home for the evening. As he lay in bed that night, he silently marveled at the fact that his pokemon journey would begin tomorrow, for real. He would travel to Sandgem, and soon, catch his first pokemon. Thoughts of his perfect team floated through his mind as he finally drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Koa awoke bright and early. He checked his bag again, making sure it had all his supplies - plenty of pokeballs from the shop, as well as a few potions and his usual supplies of clothes, a sleeping bag, and a small pocket knife. Once his backpack was ready, he logged onto his computer for what might be his last time. With a few clicks, he logged into his favorite website, a forum for legendary sightings. Skimming the list, he scrolled until he found the listing for Sinnoh pokemon. He didn't expect to see anything - Sinnoh didn't feature many roaming legendaries like Kanto or Johto did, but it was always worth a check. To his surprise, there was one new addition to the forum.

Potential Regirock sighting at Ore Caverns?!

Koa eagerly clicked it. He skimmed the information. A trainer had posted a blurred photo of what appeared to be a Regirock. The silhouette definitely looked like a Regi, although the trainer also admitted she only caught a glimpse and was uncertain if it really had been the legendary titan.

Koa sat back for a moment, contemplating. The Ore Caverns lay within a small mountain range directly south of Canalave. If he left now, he could be there by the afternoon. Of course, it would mean getting to Sandgem much later. Although he could always trek straight through the wilderness and get to Sandgem. He grinned and nodded to himself. It was decided. He would take a quick detour to the caverns, then head Southeast and cut through the wilderness to Sandgem.

Grabbing his backpack, Koa sprinted downstairs, taking the steps two at a time. Blake was waiting downstairs for him, his hands behind his back. "I was wondering when you were going to come down. I have something for you. Two somethings, actually." Taking his hands from behind his back, he held up a brand new leather jacket. It was red and dark navy blue, with white highlights. The elbows were reinforced and it sported multiple pockets.

"Sick!" Koa quickly took it, eagerly discarding his worn jacket and putting on the new one. It fit perfectly, snug, but still flexible. The inside material was pleasantly soft yet breathable, and the outside felt surprisingly tough. It would serve him well on his travels.

Blake then pulled an object out of his pocket. It was a pokeball, but unlike a regular pokeball, this one was black with red and gold striping.

"Wow, a Luxury ball!" He took it almost reverently. While not as expensive as an Ultra ball, they weren't exactly cheap either. He slipped it into his pocket. "Thanks, Blake." He gave his cousin a quick hug. His cousin gripped him tightly, and for a moment, Koa couldn't escape the embrace. After a long second, Blake released him.

"You better be careful out there, Little K."

Koa nodded. "I will."

Blake ruffled his hair, but Koa didn't pull away. This was the last time his cousin would ruffle his hair for a long time. "And check in once you get to Sandgem."

Koa nodded again. He didn't bother to mention his little detour. If his cousin found he went exploring in a cave without any pokemon, he would probably be furious.

"Sorry, no one is allowed past this point without a Trainers License and at least two badges." Two guards blocked the cave entrance, barring the path forwards.

"What?" Koa cried out. This was his first time hiking all the way to Ore caverns, but he'd assumed he could just go right in. Although granted, he'd never been far from Canalave. The farthest he'd ever gone was Twinleaf town, to visit his cousin's friend. And even then, he always traveled on official routes.

"Why not?" he demanded.

The guard looked down at him and frowned. "This is not a cave that is on an official route. It's not safe for inexperienced trainers, plus there have been sightings of a dangerous Golbat colony."

"You should know better than to goof off in an unexplored cave," the second guard added, giving Koa a look of disdain.

Koa gave him a dirty look and grit his teeth. Yes, he knew that, but he assumed the frontier lands around Canalave were safer. Still, how bad could the cave be? He eyed the two guards. They wore matching frowns. Not the type who would give in to convincing... "Alright. Guess I'll have to come back later." He put on his sincerest disappointed face and walked away. As soon as he walked around a bend, and was hidden from sight, he began scanning the landscape. Most cave systems had multiple entrances. There was no way he was passing up the chance to go inside now that he was here. Plus, the Zubat line was not that dangerous. As long as he kept quiet, he should be fine.

Another several minutes of searching led him to a small opening partway up the slope, half-covered by brush.

"Nice!" Koa got on his hands and knees, crawling through the small opening. It appeared to be a long tunnel, perhaps made by a pokemon of some kind. For a long time, the tunnel remained fairly narrow, and Koa wondered if perhaps it led nowhere. After a good several minutes, however, the tunnel slowly widened, until he was able to stand up straight. The tunnel continued forwards for another few feet, before dropping off a few feet into a chamber. He hopped down, landing with a small thump. Koa dusted himself off and took a look around. Pulling out his flashlight, he shined it all around.

The cavern he stood in was medium-sized, perhaps as big as an average house. One large tunnel on the opposite side stretched away into the darkness. Koa decided to head for that one first. Keeping his flashlight trained ahead, he started towards the tunnel. He hardly took a step before a bluish shape darted in front of his flashlight beam. He gave a sharp yelp of surprise as a strange weight landed on his head. Dropping his flashlight, he batted the object off his head. It landed on the ground with a shriek of surprise. Koa grabbed his flashlight and aimed it at the shape. The beam revealed the small bluish body of a Zubat. He frowned and peered closer. The Zubat's fangs indicated it was male, and the fur on its body was sticky and matted. With honey. Koa groaned. Something told him this wasn't just a random Zubat. It was the same Zubat from the honey tree a few weeks ago.

Zubat fluttered into the air and shrieked happily, then settled on his head again. Koa growled and shook his head, displacing it. "Oh no you don't. Scram," he hissed.

Either the Zubat didn't understand, or didn't care, and immediately dived for his head again. He ducked out of the way and made a shooing motion. "No!" He could guess this Zubat was trying to join him, and he had no intention of allowing it. There definitely was not room in the Plan for a Zubat. Unfortunately, the Zubat didn't seem to get the memo. It squeaked again and dived for his head. He dodged it again and tried to keep walking. It kept squeaking happily and fluttered after him.

Koa stopped and turned around, glaring at the Zubat. "You can't come with me," he said firmly. Zubat chirped and did a little loop. Growling, he smacked his head with his hand. Clearly, the Zubat had no intention of leaving. If it kept following him, it could alert every wild pokemon in the area to him. And more importantly, it could scare off any legendaries.

With a long sigh, Koa withdrew a pokeball from his pocket and tossed it at the Zubat. It arced through the air, striking the Zubat on the head and encapsulating it in red light. The ball landed on the ground, rolled once, then dinged. Koa immediately cursed. He'd accidentally grabbed the luxury ball his brother gave him, instead of a regular pokeball. With a sigh, he picked up the ball and attached it to his belt. Later he could have it transferred to a regular ball, he supposed. Then he could release it. There was absolutely no way in Arceus' name he was keeping a Zubat. No. Way.

And there it is. Chapter 1. First, thank you for reading! I hope you will give chapter 2 a shot! This chapter serves as a set up for the rest of the story. The following chapters will be a tad shorter, but they are all of a consistent length. Once again, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Also, review and comment. I love hearing my reader's thoughts. And if you feel like, give a well-thought critique! Thanks!