7th of January, Castle Windon Barracks

I woke up late that morning. I had trouble sleeping the night before, as the request from the prince had me perturbed.

"Find the leader of Team Skuta and make sure he can do no harm no more". The mission was seemingly simple. I would be given a Pokémon, as Duke Rosso had told me, and enough Pokéballs* to create a great team, so I would have more than enough might to defeat any enemies. Still, I had a weird feeling. I felt there was something wrong with this quest... Still, it didn't matter. I had to do what was needed for Galar. I looked on the mirror to focus, and my reflection showed a green haired, red eyed young man ready to go. Perfect.

I put on my chainmail and took my sword - A weapon I planned to not use, as I wanted to rely on my Pokémon's less dangerous attacks if possible. That thought made me wonder, what pokémon will I get? I found myself smiling, and quickly went to the training area, where I knew she waited for me. From a young age, I had been curious about these strange females, that are not quite human yet have a soul all the same... At least, that's what my local priest told me, that despite most people believing them to be monsters, Pokémon had a soul, a brain, and feelings all the same. Not only that, but given how their bodies change drastically, almost as if by miracle, he thought that they were closer to Arceus themself than even we humans were. I silently thanked the priest for his wise words from so long ago, and I went outside.

To my surprise, the captain of the guard had not one, but three Pokémon at his side. There was also a damsel I had seen around the castle, but had not talked to. She was nobility, me but a commoner. Still, she gave me a soft, kind smile.

"Bout time ye came here, lad" Said the captain. "Been waiting for you an hour or so... Bah. No matter, Trainer. Yer a good lad, and a good soldier too. You surely had yer reasons to take so long." I didn't tell him I overslept, of course, just nodded and smiled. "Now, then. Them three... Things... Ye need to take one of them. Choose fast, Lady Mary wants one, too." He looked at the noblewoman. So she was called Mary**, then... A fine name for a fine woman.

I had to choose a Pokémon. The first one was short, with green hair tied in a knot. She had a placid expression on her face and wore light armor, with a mace and shield for offence. A long tail sprouted from her back. She seemed to be attuned to the powers of the plants, or as the scholars would call her, a "grass-type". The second one was a bit taller, and looked far more agile. She had a big smile on her face and rabbit ears sprouting from her head, between her red and white hair. She had no weapons and cloth armor, so I assumed she had trained in the arts of the monk... Or maybe being a fire-type, as seen by the small fires she sometimes made when tapping her feet on the grass, was enough to protect her. The third girl was the tallest, with a long tail on her back and a small fin on her head. She had a bow and arrows, and very few armour to speak of. Worriedly, she showered with water the fires her friend created. Water-type, no doubt.

I needed but a moment to think on who to choose. "Alright, captain. I would like to go with..."

*(Note of the Editor: At this time, Pokéballs were extremely rudimentary, and far more expensive to make than the later balls the first Sinnoh settlers used. Thus, it was a sign of nobility to have any, and years of practise to use them correctly were needed.)

**(Note of the Editor: A portrait of Lady Mary has been found recently. She had a particular likeliness to Spikemuth's new Gym Leader, Marnie. It is believed that former leader Piers and her may descend from one of Lady Mary's siblings.)