Zenith blinked, his striking blue eyes staring into nothing. He reached up, as if something was waiting for him above him.

...

"Zenith!" My mom called, startling me awake. "I thought you were going to get your starter today!"

(Zenith Calloway:)

I bolted up and raced down the stairs, jumping the last few, and landing on the floor with a 'thump'.

"My starter?! Today?!" I signed quickly. Excitement coursing through my veins.

She laughed. "Yes. Now get dressed." She winked. "You can't keep Professor Oak waiting."

She ruffled my hair, the white locks falling into my eyes. I passed by my step-father as I raced to get my jacket. Lily, my little sister by 2 years, sat on his lap. She reached out for me, green eyes sparkling mischievously.

(Lily Coveter:)

"Stop it Lily." I signed rapidly. "I really need to go." She gave me a hurt look and I sighed. "I'll be back. With a new Pokémon friend."

She smiled. "Okay!" She chirped, getting up and shoving me out the door. Her dad laughed as she pushed me outside and slammed the door behind me.

I sighed again as I followed the long trail to Professor Oak's.

Time skip...

"Hey there Zenith." Marshall came up on my right. "You here to see Ma?"

(Marshall Oak:)

"Yeah." I motioned to the house on the hill behind the brick wall. "She in?"

He nodded. "Yeah." He perked up. "Actually, she said that I had to wait for you before I could get my starter."

I zoned out as he blabbered on for the next few meters.

"Pix?" A small voice called out.

"Was that you? I just heard something." Marshall shook his head, stopping in his rant.

"Maybe you imagined it."

"Pix... Vul-vulpix..."

"There's definitely something there." I pushed the bushes aside.

Whitefur backed away, as if fearful of my presence despite its call for help.  Noticing a rock, I picked it up and threw it behind the creature.

At the sound, the fur stumbled forwards, right into my arms.

The creature was indistinguishable, but the long gash of blood wasn't.

I barreled through the small fringe of trees and dashed up the hill to Professor Oak's lab. I pounded on the door. When no one answered, I slammed harder. 

The door opened and at the sight of the bloodied mass of fur in my arms Professor Oak ushered me in, snatching up her son as she did so.

She spewed out orders as she took the ball of fur from my arms. "I'll be back boys, you can get your starters the moment I heal this little one."

All thoughts of a starter were forgotten the moment the little creature whimpered. "Just... Save them..."

She nodded and scampered away. "Jeela! Do I see a lazy little rump over there? Should I give it a smack to get it in order or no? Michael, I told you that the Pokémon's food goes over there! Duero that better not be you I see kissing Sara! Jerra, keep up the good work!"

"Geez. Your mom can be absolutely terrifying."

Marshall chucked. "You're telling me."

"Where is she going anyways?"

He shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me. Some lab or other."

I stood. "I'm going to follow her." I signed before taking off.

"W-what?" He stuttered. "Hey! Wait for me!"

I stared through the glass as a man brushed back the fur of the creature.

A door opening snapped me out my thoughts. "How are they?"

Professor Oak looked away. "It was human inflicted. The wound." She wrung her hand together. "Despite this, I'm amazed." She stared at me. "It's an Alolan Vulpix."

"Alola? Alola is ACROSS. THE. WORLD!" Marshall interrupted. "Did it SWIM or something?"

"May I see it?"

She winched. "Normally I would say no, but you saved it, so knock yourself out."

I pushed open the door, beeping and clicking piercing my ears.

The Vulpix opened its - I mean her- eyes and upon seeing me, tried to stand up.

"Hey. Hey, lay back down. You're still hurt." I motioned frantically. I reached out a hand to calm her. She yelped.

Hissing, I drew back my bleeding hand. She snarled and got into a defensive position. I shook my head at the standing Professor Oak. "She needs to calm down. More people will just freak her out."

She signed and resigned back to her chair. Marshall stared at me. "You'll be okay right?" He signed.

"Yes." I responded. I held out my hand, palm forwards, to her muzzle. Then turned my head. *

*(Guess the reference)