Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. Nintendo does. I just really like it, and I am expressing my interest in Pokémon by writing this work of fiction based on the world of Pokémon. This story generates no money for me whatsoever. In fact, it was fan-fics that helped spark my interest in the series, and prompted me to spend money on several games and a Nintendo DS Lite.

Phelim glared at Nasier. "We've been chasing you for years," he hissed as he felt pain course through his veins. "You've taken away my family, my sister, my Pokemon, and even my life. But I can assure you that if I'm going down, you're going down with me."

"Phelim!" Kali shouted from across the arena. "What in the world do you think you're doing?"

Nasier gave a toothy grin. "Don't you get it, kid? Every step along the way I've beaten you. Hoenn, Kanto, Metone, right through to Reiatha, I've always been several steps ahead. You never played chess, did you?"

"Never had to," Phelim said calmly. "Kali?"

"Phelim, get out of there! There's still time for you to get the antidote!"

"No, Kali. I'm going to do this. This ends here."

Phelim Reed yawned as he sat down on the edge of his bed. He had turned fifteen years old yesterday, and a new chapter in his life was about to start. He had just finished High School, graduating seventh place in his class. Now he was finally free to roam the world, to collect Badges from each of the regions – Hoenn, Kanto, Sinnoh, Johto, and all the others – and eventually emerge at the top as the World Champion.

He looked around the world, looking with a small smile at the junk he had collected ever since he had become nine years old, and become obsessed with becoming a Pokémon Master one day. Posters of the legendaries were stuck up on his wall with sticky tape – an artist's depiction of Latias and Latios hung beside his door, a Lugia plush sat on his desk, and above his bed hung a photograph that a daring photographer had taken last year at Sootopolis City, when Teams Aqua and Magma had awoken two fierce legendaries. The photograph showed the fear on the face of a white-haired trainer, a tuff of hair sticking up on the back-left quarter of his head and a green bandanna wrapped around to keep the hair in place. In the background, Phelim could see the mighty Groudon and Kyogre fleeing as a giant dragon, Rayquaza, hovered above, casting the city into darkness.

Now, a year later, Phelim was ready to embark on his own journey as a Pokémon Trainer. He looked at the backpack that sat beside him on the bed. It was also green, which contrasted with Phelim's dark-blue hair, which was kept very short in length. Phelim zipped open the backpack and checked inside it, making sure that he hadn't forgotten anything.

Six empty Pokéballs. A Pokédex. A PokéNav – a gift from his father. Several changes of clothing – a gift from his mother. And a special Lugia-themed wallet - a gift from his classmates, who were thrilled with the idea that somebody from their class was going to be a Pokémon Champion, and knew that Lugia was one of his favourites. He flipped the white and blue wallet open, seeing his Trainer Card inside. Trainer IDNo. 34319. He checked the cash in the wallet. 3000 Poképounds. That should be good enough to get me started.

He stood up and, flipping the wallet closed, stored it away in one of his trouser pockets. He straightened his shirt, making sure that the buttons were all done up (even the one at the top) and was tucked in at the belt, and then grabbed his jacket. It was a light jacket, which made it comfortable to wear, but was made of a tough material that resisted water and light damage. It was an invention from the Devon Corporation, released only recently. He slipped the jacket on and left the buttons undone, so that the material flapped around his waist.

Phelim walked over to his desk and quickly packed up his laptop PC, pushing it into his bag until he needed it for later.

Phelim grabbed a small, weather-beaten, leather pouch and clipped it to his belt. The material hung loosely, empty of items. Phelim had owned that pouch since he was twelve and used it to store berries that he came across on the path. He used to feed the berries to the Pokémon at the Pokémon Research Center here in Fortree City, but now he would be using it to feed his own Pokémon.

Speaking of which...

Taking a last, long look around his bedroom, he silently said goodbye to the memories and proceeded downstairs.

Next chapter: Phelim gets his Starter. Kali appears in a couple of chapters from now, so don't worry if you were thinking that her role has been greatly diminished.