Chapter Text
The northern wind carried the scent of pine and frost across the valley.
It swept over endless forests, glimmering lakes, and towering mountan ranges capped in snow. The region was wild — untammed in a way few places in the world still were.
This was the Aurelia Region.
A land known for three things:
Its brutal winters.
Its breathtaking auroras.
And the incredible bonds between trainers and Pokemon who survived here.
From the icy tundras of the north to the sprawling maple forests of the south, Aurelia was a region that demanded strength, patience, and heart.
Because in Aurelia…
Only those who respected nature truly thrived.
Nestled between a frozen lake and towering evergreen forests sat a small town called Frostveil.
It wasn't much more than a cluster of cozy wooden houses, a Pokemon Center, and a small research lab belonging to Professor Tamarack, Aurelia's leading Pokemon researcher.
But today, the quiet town buzzed with excitement.
Today was Trainer Day.
Every year, new trainers from around the region would receive their first Pokemon and begin their journey.
Kids ran through the snowy streets bundled in scarves and jackets while Pokemon played around them.
A Bidoof waddled across the road dragging a branch nearly twich its size.
A pair of Starly flapped between rooftops.
And near the lake, a massive Lapras surfaced briefly before disappearing beneath the icy water.
But inside one house at the edge of town…
Someone was already awake.
"Come on, buddy! One more!"
Inside the small house, a teenage boy stood in the living room.
His name was Ryo.
He had messy black hair that fades into a crimson red at the tips, with sharp blue eyes, and a black jaket with fluff on the inside with red accents that travel through the inside and outside of the jacket.
Across from him stood a small Pokemon.
A Riolu.
The blue jackal Pokemon bounced lightly on its feet, eyes glowing with determination.
"Ri!"
"Alright!" Ryo said excitedly. "Force Palm practice again!"
Riolu focused.
A faint blue glow began to gather around its paws.
The energy flickered…
Wobbled…
Then—
Pop.
The blue glow explodes like a bubble outward.
Riolu blinked.
Then drooped.
"Riii…"
Ryo burst out laughing.
"Hey, hey, that was way better than yesterday!"
Riolu crossed its arms.
"Riolu!"
"Oh come on," Ryo grinned. "Yesterday it exploded before it even formed."
Riolu looked away dramatically.
"Ri…"
Ryo crouched down, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Alright, fair point."
He leaned forward and gently tapped Riolu's forehead.
"But you're getting stronger every day, Pulse."
That was the nickname he'd given Riolu.
Pulse.
Because when Riolu had first hatched from its egg years ago, Ryo remembered feeling something strange.
A faint rhythm.
Like a heartbeat.
Like an aura pulse connecting the two of them.
And the name stuck.
Pulse puffed his chest proudly.
"Ri!"
Ryo stood up, streching.
"Alright! That's enough training for now."
Pulse tilted his head.
"Ri?"
Ryo grinned.
"Today's the day, remember?"
Pulse blinked.
Then his eyes widened.
"Riolu?!"
"Yep"
Ryo pointed dramatically toward the window.
"Today… we start our Pokemon journey."
Pulse jumped into the air.
'RIOOO!"
Ryo walked outside, snow crunching beneath his boots.
Pulse trotted beside him, occasionally slipping on the ice.
Frostveil Town looked even more lively now.
Kids gathered outside Professor Tamarack's Lab, talking excitedly.
Some trainers already had Pokemon.
Others waited nervously.
But Ryo's mind drifted elsewhere.
Back to the moment everything started.
Five years ago.
When he'd found the egg.
It had been winter then, too.
A blizzard had swept through the forest just outside town.
Ryo had gone exploring—against everyone's advice.
That's when he found it.
A single egg, half-buried in snow.
It glowed faintly blue.
And despite the freezing storm…
It was warm.
Ryo had brought it home.
Protected it.
Waited.
Then one morning…
Crack.
The egg hatched.
And Riolu looked up at him for the very first time.
From that moment on…
They were inseperable.
Ryo approached the lab.
Pulse rode on his shoulder now, ears twitching.
The building itself looked more like a cabin than a laboratory.
Smoke curled from the chimney.
Icicles hung from the roof.
But inside was one of the most advanced Pokemon research centers in the region.
As Ryo pushed open the door—
"RYO!"
A voice shouted.
Before he could react—
WHAM.
He was tackled.
"OOF —!"
A girl hugged him tightly.
She had long dark hair tied into a braid and wore a thick blue winter coat.
"YOU'RE LATE!"
Ryo groaned.
"Kaiho… i got here five minutes early."
"THAT'S LATE!"
This was Kaiho.
Ryo's childhood friend.
And the most energetic person in Frostveil.
Pulse waved happily.
"Ri!"
Kaiho grinned.
"Well look who's here too!"
Pulse puffed up proudly.
"Riolu!"
Ryo dusted himself off.
"So you're starting your journey too?"
Kaiho blinked.
"…Of course?"
She gestured behind her.
And Ryo froze.
Standing near the door was a Pokemon.
White fur.
Curved horn.
Medium size.
An Absol.
But something about it felt different.
Its fur showed streaks of grey with age.
Its eyes were calm.
Ancient.
And it looked at Ryo like it had seen thousands of trainers before him.
Kaiho smiled softly.
"This is Yuki."
Absol inclined its head slightly.
"Ab…sol."
Ryo's eyes widened.
"Wait… THAT'S the Absol you told me about."
Kaiho nodded.
"She's been with my family longer than i've been alive."
Ryo stared.
"That thing's ancient."
Kaiho crossed her arms.
"Excuse you."
Absol flicked its tail lazily.
Clearly unbotherd.
Pulse hopped down and approached cautiosly.
"Ri…?"
Absol looked at him.
The room suddently felt…
Heavy.
Pulse froze.
His fur stood up.
Aura.
The absol's aura was massive.
But strangly gentle.
Then Absol sighed.
"…Sol."
And layed down.
Like fighting was the last thing it wanted.
Kiaho laughed.
"Yeah… Yuki doesn't really like battling."
Ryo blinked.
"Wait… seriously?"
Kaiho scratched her cheek.
"She's really powerfull."
Absol opened one eye briefly.
"…Sol."
"But she only fights when it's absolutely necessary."
Ryo tilted his head.
"That's… unusual."
Kaiho shrugged.
"Yuki thinks battles should mean something."
Pulse nodded seriously.
"Ri."
Suddently—
"Ah! There you two are!"
An older man walked into the room.
long coat.
Snow boots.
Messy beard.
"Professor Tamarack!" Kaiho said.
The professor smiled warmly.
"Well now… Ryo, Kaiho…"
His eyes moved to Pulse and Yuki.
"…And your partners."
He clasped his hands together.
"Are you ready?"
Ryo grinned.
"Ready for what?"
The professor laughed.
"For the greatest journey of your lives."
He turned toward a massive map hanging on the wall.
The Aurelia Region streched across it.
Forests.
Mountains.
Frozen seas.
Glittering cities.
"And for the challenges that await."
Ryo and Kaiho exchanged looks.
Pulse climbed onto Ryo's shoulder.
Absol stood slowly behind Kaiho.
Outside the window…
Snow began to fall again.
Soft.
Quiet.
Like the world itself was holding its breath.
Professor Tamarack smiled.
"Tell me."
"Do you know what lies at the heart of Aurelia?"
Ryo shook his head.
Kaiho shrugged.
The professor pointed north.
Toward the distant mountains.
"Legends."
Pulse's ears twitched.
"Ri… ?"
"Pokemon older than history."
The professor's voice grew quieter.
"And a power tied to the auroras themselves."
Kaiho's eyes sparkled.
Ryo grinned.
Adventure.
Mystery.
Battles.
Friends.
Everything a trainer could dream of.
The professor stepped forward.
"Well then."
He extended his hand.
"Trainers of Aurelia…"
"Your journey begins today."
Outside the lab…
The northern lights slowly began to appear in the sky.
Even though it was still daytime.
Green and Violet ribbons of light shimmered faintly above the mountains.
And somewhere deep within the forests…
Something ancient stirred.