Pokémon Lightblue

Prologue

That fateful day, the sun shone brighter than usual. The last rays of the summer still lingered in the air, and the hot wind was starting to turn into a pleasant breeze. Alma inhaled happily, watching as the Pidoves flew by her hometown, Nuvema. She had recently turned sixteen, and she would've gotten her first Pokémon soon. She couldn't wait.

It wasn't like she didn't want to start off her adventure sooner, but she had preferred to help out her mother at home instead of going on adventures and leaving her to take care of the house and her little brother alone.

Now that Haruki was all grown up and her mother had accumulated enough money to hire someone to help her out with chores, though, she had finally decided to embark on a journey. She tied up her dark brown hair, picked up a sporty outfit and rushed down the stairs.

Her mother and little brother were both waiting for her. "Sweetie! You look gorgeous." her mother beamed, kissing her with pride. "Look at you, all grown up and ready to take on the world." Alma chuckled embarassingly. "Stop, mom. You're gonna make me blush. I'm not a little kid anymore."

"As far as I'm concerned, you still are" Haruki remarked, earning an annoyed look from Alma. "Shush, darling. Alma's going on her first journey. It's her big day." her mother said. "I know. I'm happy for you, sis." he finally admitted. "And a little jealous." "You'll get your first Pokémon soon too, Haruki." Alma smiled, ruffling her brother's hair. "Yeah. And it's gonna be big and strong!"

"Uh, I don't know if starters are meant to be big and strong right from the get go. You're gonna have to work for it first."
Haruki pouted. "Well, it is going to become big and strong eventually." "Can't argue with that."
Alma kissed her mom's and brother's cheeks. "I'm heading out. I'll be back soon!" "Sure thing, darling! See ya!"

The door sprung open as Alma headed out, watching her hometown Nuvema with a tinge of nostalgia and pride. "I'm gonna miss this place." she sighed.
"It's not like you're going to leave it behind forever, come on."

Alma turned around, slightly startled, and her face lightened up. "Angie! I'm so happy to see you here!" She rushed to hug her best friend. She immediately returned the gesture. Angela had started her journey three years before Alma, and she was already an experienced trainer even though they were the same age.

She was everything Alma hoped to become as a trainer: strong-willed, mature for her age and always ready to do her best for her team and her friends.
"What brings you here to Nuvema again, dear?" "Well, you told me you were starting off your adventure, and I couldn't miss your big day, so I flew here with Sigilyph to see you!" Alma's eyes brightened. "Oh, you can't imagine how happy that makes me!" "I'm glad you are! Let's go meet professor Leon!" "Of course!"

The professor's laboratory was a short walk from home, so the two of them got there in no time. An assistant was waiting for them outside of the building. "Welcome, Alma! Oh, and you came too, Angela!" he greeted them cheerfully. "Well, I came to see Alma's starter choice and report on my Pokédex." Angela replied, nudging her friend with a smile.

"As diligent as usual, aren't you?" the assistant chuckled. "The professor's waiting for you inside." "Alright. Thanks!" Alma waved at him before entering the lab.

Leon's laboratory was a weird mix of organized and disorganized at the same time. While the books and equipments were in pristine condition, Leon's desk was full of discarded coffee, random notes and occasional scans and pictures all bundled together. Alma wondered how Leon could work in these conditions. Then again, he was always scurrying along research papers and big projects, so he probably didn't have time to breathe.

His assistants helped him keep the lab clean and in optimal conditions, but they knew Leon's desk was a lost case. They could turn it squeaky clean, and the next day it would look as if a hurricane just casually passed by and decided to mess up that spot in particular. Eventually, they just gave up.