I yawned and sat up. I looked at the clock and gasped. I was going to be late! I got up and dressed quickly. As soon as my shoes were on, I bolted down the stairs, almost knocking over my moms Mr. Mime. My mom was at the door with Professor Rowan. She turned as she heard me thud into the wall. “You just missed them sweetie. The pokémon are gone.”

I wanted to cry. I had wanted Chimchar, because my father had an Infernape. But I had missed getting my favorite pokémon.

Professor Rowan turned to me. “I was hoping you wouldn’t be late, but you were. I do have one pokémon left, but I’m not sure if you will take her.”

I looked at him. “Her? Aren’t starter’s males?”

Rowan nodded. “Normal starters are. But she’s special. A trainer abandoned her two days ago at my lab, saying he couldn’t take her with him. Would you be willing to take a pokémon that is young, inexperienced, and not a fire type?”

How did he know I only want fire types? I nodded, unsure that I was saying yes to a pokémon I may not know. “What is she?”

He took out a dusk ball and it opened. White light streamed out and took the form of the pokémon in the ball. When the light faded, a blue pokémon, who stood as tall as my elbow, was standing there. She looked at me.

I reached out my hand and she took it, just like a human would do. “Is this a Riolu?”

Rowan nodded. “Her name is Aura. She just hatched before her trainer left her apparently. She needs a new trainer as I cannot take care of her. I do not have the time to train such a rare pokémon.”

I smiled and Aura smiled back. Then she did something that shocked us all. “I hope I can evolve into Lucario.”

I stared at her. My mom was the first to speak. “How can you speak?”

Aura shrugged. “I don’t know. I think my father could speak human but Luke was never around when I wanted to talk to him.”