"Now we have it down to four trainers, including myself," said Mallory.

Ashley glanced at Amy. It had dwindled down to the two of them, Mallory, and April.

Aqua had chosen a male Squirtle. Kyle had chosen a male Treecko. Paul had gotten a male Piplup and nicknamed it Pippy; Sammy picked a female Tepig, and Harry had asked for a male Totodile and hadn't given it a nickname.

"Now Mallory had her birthday four days ago," said the Professor. "Amy, Ashley, what day were you two born on?"

"We were both had the same birthday, which was yesterday," said Amy. "I was born at 2 in the morning..."

"...and I was born at 11 at night," added Ashley.

"So you two and April all have the same birthday," said Professor Zuglen. She had a thoughtful look on her face. "So first will be Amy, then April, and finally Ashley." The Professor turned to Mallory. "I'm afraid this means that I can't let you pick out a starter Pokémon Mallory. You'll have to make do with one of the alternatives."

Mallory looked crestfallen. "But aunt Diane, I wanted a regular starter."

"I'm sorry Mal," Professor Zuglen apologized. "I told you that if we ran out of regular starters, then you would have to have one of the alternates."

Ashley looked at Mallory. She seemed so sad. Ashley then made up her mind in a huge way.

"Um professor, I'd be willing to pick one of the alternates," Ashley announced.

The other trainers, Professor Zuglen, and Amy all stared at Ashley. "But Ash, you want a regular starter Pokémon more than anything," Amy said.

"I know." 

"Are you completely sure, Ashley?" asked the professor. "It's all up to you."

Ashley nodded. "I'm sure."

"All right. Mallory, which one do you want?"

Mallory smiled. "Like you need to ask aunt Diane," she said. "Mudkip of course. And no, I don't need a nickname for it."

Professor Zuglen smiled. "Okay then, here's your female Mudkip." She took another Poké Ball from the 'Hoenn' machine and gave it to Mallory. Mallory smiled. "Well Amy, you're up next," said the professor.

"Torchic!" Amy yelled out immediately.

"This one's a female as well."

"I'm naming her Blazie." Amy said smiling, as the professor handed over the Poké Ball.

Professor Zuglen then handed the last Poké Ball from the 'Johto' machine over to April. "And here's Chikorita for you, April."

"Male or female?"

"Female."

April smiled. "Then her nickname's Bailey," she said. "The most beautiful nickname for a Pokémon who's final evolution is one of the most beautiful of all Pokémon."

Ashley rolled her eyes. Bailey wasn't that beautiful a name. It was a good name, just not a completely beautiful one.

Professor Zuglen reached into her lab coat pocket and pulled out a Poke Ball. She turned to Ashley, putting the Poké Ball in Ashley's hand. "Here you go, Ashley. This is the alternative Pokémon that you are to have."

"What Pokémon is it?" Ashley asked.

"Open the ball up and see," the professor responded, smiling mysteriously.

Ashley pushed the release button on the Poké Ball. White light filled the room. Ashley blinked twice and stared at her brand new Pokémon. 

__________________________________________________________

Ashley's first Pokémon is a mystery.

Which one of you, my readers, can guess what Pokémon it is?