The Light Of A Flare

Chapter 1 - Focus on the Important Things

Eleven years, three hundred and sixty-five days old. One to go before I got my Pokémon. (Leap year, I reminded myself. Also, why did they raise the age limit? Younger kids aren't "too irresponsible"! Why am I talking to myself?)

I was so hyped! I looked around at my surroundings: my clock, shaped like a pokéball; my old TV, with a stack of battle DVDs next to it; my Slurpuff pillows; my rug, in the shape of a Gengar; my moneybox, modelled after a Meowth, that contained all the money that I had saved for Pokéballs on my journey, but didn't yet have quite enough for a single Pokéball; and my wallpaper. The Pokémon had been my favourite for a while, and it featured on my wall for that reason. Luck would have it, however, that it was a starter Pokémon in my home region! And one would become my friend from tomorrow to the end of time.

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"Happy Birthday, Rose!" my mum called from downstairs as I shot out of bed and sprinted to the bathroom.
"I've got presents for you, honey! Do you want to open them before or after brea-"

She was cut off by the sight of her now twelve-year-old daughter dashing down the stairs, grabbing a slice of toast and opening the door.
"Excited?" she laughed, before realising: "And - how are you already ready to go?"

"Slept in clothes, just used mouthwash, brush properly when I get home, eat on the way." I mumbled.

My mum chuckled and picked the car keys up from the table. "You know it's only -"

"7am, I know. Can we go yet?" I yelled, ushering her out the door. She sighed, thinking I didn't notice, and I smirked to myself.

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"Faster!" I urged my mum for only the twelfth time that minute - a record low.

"Sweetie, if I went faster every time you'd said, we'd have broken the sound barrier."

"Why haven't we? Faster!"

"I know you're excited, but -"

"Faster!"

"Anyway, there's the -"

"Fast- oh, there's the lab." I unbuckled my seatbelt while the car was still moving and bolted out as it drew to a halt. My mum arrived in the reception a full half a minute after I had explained what I was there for - or rather, who - to the receptionist, who had called Professor Sycamore on her PA system.

"He'll be one minute. He's in there, if you want to-" I took off toward that direction to see something that I hadn't anticipated, even in my worst nightmares.

Three other trainers were picking their Pokémon.

"Froakie! Can I be your trainer please?" a blue-haired boy asked.

"Then I'll have Chespin!" A boy with green hair replied as it ran to him. That left -

"Fennekin! Hey!" a red-haired girl giggled as the Pokémon I wanted most in the world was taken from me, sixty seconds from victory.

The professor spotted me.

"Ah! Rose! Here for your Pokémon? I'm sorry, but there's none ready right now. We had a double-booking. You'll have to wait."

"How long?" My spirit was holding on to a shred of hope, but my heart knew it was gone.

The last of my hope shattered as Sycamore said, "Only a few months. You'll live."

I stormed out, not holding back any tears, as my mum entered the doorway. "You okay, honey?"

"Of course I'm not okay! That's why I'm crying!" were my parting words as I sprinted out.

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I kept going, past the streets full of people, gradually becoming sparser and muddier, until - this wasn't a city. I looked around and realised I'd been here before. Santalune Forest. When my dad came to the city and took me out for the day. We'd played, and we even ate blackberries from a bush, and I nearly ate one with a maggot in. But for where I was? No idea. And I hadn't brushed my teeth yet. Way to focus on the important things, rambling brain! I sat down on a log nearby and thought.

A few months. That was fine, right? I'd be fine. I could wait, and then it'd become longer, and longer, and longer, and I'd be an old lady when I finally got Fennekin. I growled, but it soon turned distraught, and I laid my head in my hands and sobbed, not even bothering to brush my long brown hair away from my face so I could see, until I heard a rustling behind me. I mentally slapped myself for being an idiot. Strong wild Pokémon live here. I could die. I began to run the other way but tripped over the log I'd been sitting on. I prayed for the first time in my life then, that Xerneas would allow me to live. I curled up and looked out from a gap between my fingers at my attacker -

It was an Eevee.

"Don't hurt me," I barely whispered. It walked up to me, unreadable, filling me with pure, undiluted terror, until it brushed my face with its tail.

It had brushed a tear away.

I looked down into its soft brown eyes and seeing the worry and innocence in them, I couldn't help but smile sadly; but that bittersweet smile soon turned into a dry laugh at my own stupidity. Why did I assume it wanted to attack? I tentatively approached it.

"Hey Eevee, you okay?"

"Eievui!" came the indignant reply. It seemed to be indicating me? Oh. Was I okay was the real question, I guess.

"Yeah, thanks Eevee. Ya know, you're really nice. Could you show me the way out?"

"Eevee, eievui!" It leapt in front of me, laughing, and pointed to a gap in the trees. I saw the faint orange of the Pokémon Centre gleaming at me invitingly, but I was reluctant to leave Eevee. I forced myself to say goodbye for now.

"That's it? Really? Wow, I'm silly." I hit myself softly in the head and crossed my eyes, causing Eevee to giggle. I bent down and it inclined its head, allowing me to stroke it, which I did. When I stood up, Eevee pointed to me, then to itself.

"You want me to come back? I'll try, okay?" I smiled. "Bye for now!" I kept waving until it left my vision, and I thought - though I could have been wrong - that it waved back.

Hey guys! I've been writing this for ages, and I'm finally publishing! Also, I'm doing short chapters (~1k words each) but if you'd prefer them longer, I can always edit. It's just that there's nothing I hate more than a story almost loading and then not quite finishing, so that's why, but I can change it if you want.

On the advice of roleplayisinsideme, I'm publishing the first three chapters for now - they'll be going up (hopefully) twice a week - I'll aim for Mondays and Thursdays, but that's probably gonna change. Also, I have important exams this year, so I'm gonna end up not sticking to my schedule, but.. Oh well, I guess.

Love y'all, stay safe!