For those of you who have followed me from A New Hope, I want yout o know that it's on hold for the time being. I don't know how long it is but, just know, I'll update it sometime. If you're wondering why, it's on my profile why. As for this story! The idea came to me in a dream I had so I figured, why not write it? I hope you enjoy! Chapters will be longer next chapter as my intro chapters are never long.

No Text Decoration - Normal Text\Speech

Italics - Thoughts\Pokemon Speech

Psychic Speech\Telepathy

Volunteer work was something I had come to enjoy. Some like to work at a PokeMart for training in shops, others like to work at a daycare with children. Some like to do odd jobs around a town or business in hopes of one day becoming a full employee. Then there's those who work with Pokemon in some way. That's what I do.

I'm a full time volunteer at the Pokemon Lab in Kanto. My job is to make sure that the Pokemon are fed, groomed, and are enjoying their time at the lab. These Pokemon are not those who are given to trainers and some Pokemon are not native to the region so they can't be given due to the possibility of being released or breeding a new species into the region. We don't have many of these species but there are a few.

Well, when I say I'm a full time volunteer, today is my first day. I had asked about the possibility of working with Pokemon and Professor Oak said that at the age of 18 I would be allowed to work as a volunteer to see if this is truly the job I would want to do. Being a trainer never really appealed to me but I truly loved the Pokemon species. All of them.

Oak had told me a few weeks prior that today would be the day I started. I could hardly sleep due to the anticipation but it had finally came. I was so excited to work with him and meet all kinds of new Pokemon and people. Even though I was excited, I was also very nervous. I always have a feeling of that I'll screw up some how and I'll lose my oppurtunity so I had to make sure everything would go good.

I had woken up an hour earlier than I planned to. I didn't need to be to the lab until 10 and it was just under 8. The sun was still rising so I just laid there in bed, hoping to catch a little more sleep but that didn't happen. My mind was racing with the thoughts of what today would hold. It could either make my future or it could open a new path I'd never thought of before.

Around 45 minutes later, I got out of bed and took my shower. I wanted a quick one so I could have time to make sure I looked presentable and also get a quick breakfast. Taking a shower wasn't a long thing for me since my hair was a little longer than a full on buzzcut but it was also very short. I brushed my teeth and proceeded to my bedroom again to get dressed.

Clothing that was recommended to wear were shorts and a tanktop that you didn't mind getting dirty as you'd be working outside and inside with the Pokemon. I slipped on my clothes and put on my favorite necklace which was just a little bit short of restrictive around my neck. It was snug but not too snug to where I couldn't breath and it had a small fragment from a Fire Stone hanging off it. It was pretty much my signature item that held me together.

Satisfied with my looks, I ran downstairs and was greeted by my mom who was already cooking breakfast that consisted of waffles and bacon. "Good morning, dear," She said, "Sleep well?"

I nodded and said, "Didn't sleep too much due to excitement but I did sleep a bit. How about you?"

"Also slept good," She answered, "Hope you're hungry!" I nodded enthusiastically as she brought me a plate of the food and a glass of Miltank Milk. My mom is the best mom you could ever ask for. She was the sweetest lady in existance and loved to be silly. She was pretty much the only person in the house I didn't fight with or argue with. I was exactly like her and she was, for the most part, my closest friend.

Both my brother and sister had walked into the dining room as my mother had set their plates out. My brother, Braiden, was 4 years older than me. We don't necessarily not get along but we're not that close. We used to argue nonstop and say very hateful things towards eachother but things have been somewhat better. We joke every once in a while which is good, I suppose. He had been a trainer before but some things had happened that led to his license being revoked for the time being and his Pokemon were sent to the labs until his license was reinstated. And, to clarify, nothing about them was involved so they weren't in danger in anyway.

Then there's my sister Olyvia. She was two years younger than me. She was extremely serious when it comes to joking. Say one wrong thing and she'll get majorly pissed off. Sure, she has her good moments, but, for the most part, we don't get along too well. But she's my sister and I'll always have her back and she'll always have mine. Her Pokemon journey was to start in a year and this job would allow me to help her get a certain Pokemon she wants to start her journey rather than the traditional starters of Squirtle, Charmander, and Bulbasaur. But that's not guarenteed so promises weren't made but I'd still try my darndest to try and help her out with that.

Breakfast was ate in silence minus the sounds of the silverware on plates and the crunching of bacon. My father had left for work earlier so I don't see him until he gets home at night. After we all finished eating, we picked up the food and did the dishes rather quickly. When I say we, I mean only me and my mom. Olyvia and Braiden don't like to and I don't mind doing it myself.

"I guess it's time for you to get going," My mom said, "Do you want me to drive you or do you want to walk?"

"I'll walk," I answered and she nodded, "You're going to bring lunch, aren't you?" I asked.

"But ofcourse, dear! I'll talk with Oak later and see what all is good," She smiled. I smiled back and hugged her then made my way out the door. I lived about a mile from the lab so the little excersize wouldn't be bad and, in all honesty, it would help me out quite a bit to help build up endurance that I'd most likely need since I'll be working with Pokemon.

Around 20 minutes later, I like to walk very slowly, I had arrived at the building where my career would start. The nervousness had set in again and I hated it but with all the courage I could muster, I walked in.

There was a front desk was a receptionist and, beyond the desk, were several hallways I'd assume I'd be learning to travel and where they go. I looked around and observed the walls and its' decorations of bland artwork and, what I thought to be, fossils of some type. There were a few chairs on the sides of the walls where trainers sat until they were called in for their Pokemon and PokeDex.

Scientists and Pokemon were all walking about. A few Pokemon had looked over to me and gave a cheery smile which I happily did as well. Some Pokemon were carrying small folders while others were just lounging around, out of the way of the scientists.

"May I help you?" The receptionist asked.

"Hi, my name's Ely Triston," I said, "Professor Oak had talked to me about volunteer work with the Pokemon and he scheduled me to start today," I informed her. She nodded and told me to follow her. She led me down a hall on the left side of the building where there was a room on the end which I presumed was a waiting room.

"The Professor is in a meeting at the moment," She said, "He should be out sometime soon," I nodded and she walked off. I looked around the room and noticed that there was a couch, 2 recliner chairs, a bookshelf stocked up on science things and folklore, as well as a T.V., and there was also a little table on the far left side of the room.

Curious of what was on that little table, I got closer for a better glance. Upon further inspection, the top of the table was covered in a thin sheet of glass so you could see what's inside but not touch. Inside were five different stones: a Sun Stone, Moon Stone, Water Stone, Fire Stone, and Leaf Stone. Each one had a very distinct characteristic about it that just made me love it even more.

Having my curiousity finally extinguished, I decided I'd just sit and wait. I wasn't much into television, nor was I into reading unless I had to, so I just sat there and, quite literally, did nothing other than watch the few Pokemon and people walk passed.

After about 10 minutes of waiting, a small sound became heard in the room. It sounded like clawed footsteps hurriedly moving on the floor and I saw something circular moving towards my room. As the footsteps got louder, and the circular object I'd come to identify as a ball, got closer, I picked it up and waited.

Just as I sat up, a red, bipedal lizard was standing in the door way, "Oh," It said in a very feminine voice, "Hello there," It said. She had one, long horn protruding from the top of her pointing backwards and deep, crimson red skin. Her stomach had a patch of tan colored skin and she had some sharp looking claws. Her eyes were mezmurizing with how red they also were. Her tail also had a very noticable flame on it which is what supported her life. If that flame were to die, she would also. If you hadn't guessed, she's a Charmeleon.

"Hi," I waved, "I assume this is yours?" I said as I tossed her the ball. She smiled and nodded,

"Yeah, it is. Sorry about that, I'm a bit clumsy," She giggled. I smiled and waved it off,

"Don't worry about it."

"I've never seen you around here. What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I never wanted to become a trainer so I never did. However, I've always wanted to work with Pokemon and Professor Oak had said I'd be able to volunteer and see what it's like to work with them. But I wasn't old enough at the time. However, now I am so I'm able to volunteer. If everything goes good, I'll be feeding, taking care of, cleaning, and playing with the Pokemon here," I explained with a smile, "Basically anything needed with a Pokemon, I'll be there to help,"

"Ah, I see. Well, I guess I should introduce myself if you're going to be here often. The name's Amber," She said,

"Nice to meet you Amber. My name's Ely," I informed her.

"Nice name," She said with a giggle. I couldn't help but smile and blush a little, "Aww, someone I little shy," She teased as she threw the ball she had over to me.

I chuckled, "I don't usually get compliments and, when I do, I get nervous or shy or whatever. I just don't take them well," I threw the back to her.

"Makes sense. That's like most people," I nodded. We kept throwing the ball back and forth to eachother for a good 20 minutes while we just talked. We dropped it a few times but quickly got back to our subject and our conversations until Oak had come in.

"Ah dear boy," He began, "I hope I'm not disturbing anything," He chuckled.

"Not at all," I said, "Just making a friend," He nodded.

"Glad to hear. Now you'll have someone to help you out and show you the ropes!" He laughed. I chuckled and he continued, "If you'll follow me, both of you, I'll lead you to my office and we can talk about everything," He said. I nodded and we all went off.

Oak took a seat behind his desk and Amber and I had taken seats in front. "So, Ely, how much have you worked with Pokemon before?" Oak asked.

"Well," I began, "Not too much but I have a little bit. My brother used to be a trainer and I'd watch his Pokemon when he went out and didn't want them going. Same with a few friends." He nodded,

"That's good to hear you do have some experience. What Pokemon were they?" He asked.

"A Golduck, Dragonair, Meowth, and Vileplume," I answered.

"Ah, some variety," He chuckled, "Good to hear. Tell me, boy, what's your favorite type of Pokemon?" Before I could answer, he cut in, "No wait! Let me guess! Is it Fire Types?" I nodded,

"Yes, they are. Fire Types have always been my favorite. Sure, I love all types, but Fire Types just hold a special place in my heart, as you can tell by my necklace," I smiled.

"That's where I got the guess from! Bahahaha!" He laughed. I smiled as did Amber and he continued, "Well, Ely, I hope you're a good and fast learner! You have a lot of information coming your way!"

I nodded in anticipation as my first day of my dream was coming to a start!