I was to be someone special. At least that’s what everyone says. Back then, at Trainer School, I was looked at with a certain splendor, a boy to be in awe of. My fellow students would look at me with envy and respect, my teachers would gaze at me with recognition, and my family would shout their praises and how I was to make them proud. And I was beyond happy to live up to their expectations.

  Until I wasn’t. The handful of years in Trainer School had taught me that the world was unforgiving. The numerous dangerous terrains that one would explore on their journey accounted for plenty of accidents, injuries, and, in most cases, passing of life. And that was before even mentioning Pokémon, the creatures we as trainers were meant to tame. A fair few small enough to keep as house pets, but a silent majority of which could topple cities at a whim. The more I learned about these monsters, the deeper the sense of dread gnawed at me. Eventually, all my aspirations of being champion vanished. I had given up, and my family had no choice but to respect my wishes. They couldn’t exactly force me to embark on a journey I did not want to take. This is where my story ends. Before it ever truly started.

  I was a comet, swift, relentless, bracing for impact. But, like countless shooting stars before me, I faded into stardust.

  Now, here I lie, beneath the canopy of a sturdy tree, watching from atop a hill as the sun begins to set. A golden hue bathing a gentle glow onto the quiet Twinleaf Town. “How could anyone leave this behind?” I murmur, closing my eyes as I take in the cool breeze.

  “There’r places far more beautiful out there.”

  I snap my eyes open at the lady-like voice that interrupted my thoughts. A girl was walking towards me, her dirty brown hair danced with the wind, her emerald eyes twinkled with delight. Her overalls and the white shirt underneath were muddied, but she looked like she hardly minded. Behind her, a Panpour hopped to keep pace with her. The little water monkey looked just as dirty as she did.

  A dismissive snort escapes me. “So? Not like I’ll ever see’em. ” My smart-ass response elicits a chuckle from her.

  “Haha~! Loosen up, Gloom.” Her comparing me to the depressive plant Pokémon had done the opposite effect, but before I could throw out a rebuttal, she gestured for a handshake. “The name’s Morgan, and this here is Pan, ain’t she just the cutest.” She points to her Panpour, who introduces herself with a ‘Panpour!’ I stand up, and shake her hand firmly. Even if she was a nuisance, I was taught to be polite and introduce myself. Before I could even get a word in, she stops me. “I know who you are, Tristan.”

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  That completely threw me off track. “H-how? What?” Was my intelligent response.

  Morgan giggles. “We went to Trainer School together.” She explains. “You’s wasn't exactly keepin' a low profile back then.”

  I nod oddly. The wave of unwanted nostalgia had me regretfully reminiscing for a moment. “So, what’ve you come here for?” I ask as I watch the last of the sunset slip below the horizon. She stands beside me, humming a jolly tune for Pan to dance to.

  “You, of course.” The way she had nonchalantly blurted that out had me reeling in my head. Her childish giggling breaks me out of my flustered stupor.

  “Can you be any more of a nuisance?” I jokingly asked, it was more of a statement than a question. And If she were offended in any way, she hid it well.

  Her hearty laugh bellows out. “I just can’t wrap my head around why you, of all people, would give up.” Morgan admitted. Her demeanor had changed. She was downcast, a far cry from her assumedly cheery self.

  “I don’t owe you an explanation, Morgan.” I tried not to sound rude, the numerous times I had to defend myself from friends and family had put me on my last nerve. But the way she had shifted in surprise had me flinch in regret immediately. “But-” I began, Morgan shifting her body in order to get closer, to listen to what I had to say. I had to fight myself from uncomfortably shifting away.

  “You could say I was- am a coward.” Morgan looked a bit put off about that. But I went on about statistics, stories, and old articles I had read about the dangers and death of a trainer’s travels. And lastly- “Our time in Trainer School had taught me one very important thing. That there are far too many unknowns in a journey, and there’s something about not knowing that twists my stomach into knots. I was afraid about leaving my family behind. What if I died out there? A slow, agonizing death, or a quick, and easy one? What would happen if my parents found out? Or, what’s worse, them not knowing at all? ” At some point in my ramblings, I had begun to tear up, and Morgan had been gently running her hand on my back in an act of comforting me, as she listened. Pan, who was busying herself with dancing earlier, had come to hug my leg. Just like her trainer, she was murmuring comforting words, but all I could understand was ‘Pan.’ and the occasional ‘Pour.’

  “I’m sorry… I-” I apologized for being too dramatic. The reassuring smile the both of them gave me showed that Morgan had understood, and Pan was just following along.

  “You’re alright, silly.” She hit my arm playfully. “Hey, Tristan. Mind if I show you somethin’?”

  A/N: A brief introduction to Tristan, and his motivations (or lack thereof). As well as Morgan, someone of his past (and future, perhaps?). Hopefully you enjoyed this short start. I have no cover art yet, but will work on that soon. I want to take this story slow, and steady, so please bear with the pace, I will continue to work to give the best of what I have to offer. Comments/Suggestions/Feedback is much appreciated. Thank you!