Gray Pov.

It was the last day of Trainer school. Gray was in a classroom with 4 other students with determined looks.

In front of Gray was a test to qualify him to have pokemon for the purpose of battling. If you couldn't pass this test you were unqualified to take on the gym challenge.

After years of study and preparing with an actual pokemon provided by the school Gray was ready for this test.

The league proctor and his teacher finally called for the testing to begin.

Taking his time Gray answered every question with confidence without a doubt in his mind. It wasn't till an hour later that the proctor finally called an end to the test.

“Great job everyone. It is now time to move onto the practical side of this test while Mr. Trace grades the tests.”

Without any complaint the five students taking the test stood and followed their teacher onto the training ground.

Standing there another League proctor stood with a grin.

“For this second test you will be going over basic aspects for camping out in the wild. You shall be putting up a tent, then starting a fire. These are skills that are needed to survive out on the routes and in the wild if you ever get lost, which isn't out of the question especially out in Petalburg Woods. The tents will hide you at night from pokemon and knowing how to make a fire will allow you to cook and have warmth when it gets cold as well as scaring away pokemon in the wild. Now let us begin.” The proctor said seriously.

Everyone was taken to a separate area for the test. The area had a table with a tent made for a single person, flint and steel. Beside the table firewood sat stacked enough for a small fire and finally a bucket of water.

Gray started to put together the tent. It was quite a bit harder than he thought it would be to set up. Flattening the tent, setting the stakes, and setting up the poles was the easy part. It was the next step where the problems started. Setting the poles up to lift the tent was hard. It took me twenty minutes to set up fully.

The proctor then came to check the results of my tent then nodded. “You may move on to starting a fire.”

Gray nodded then grabbed the firewood and brought it to the firepit. He struck the flint for nothing to happen.

“It seems I'm missing something.” Gray took a moment to think “I need something to kindle my fire. This must be a test.”

Gray then walked toward the tall grass at the side of the clear field then looked around for dry grass. The grass itself was green but on the ground there was dry grass perfect for what he needed.

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Gray looked around for signs of wild pokemon like he was taught to do in any situation with tall grass. After looking around seeing no signs he took enough grass to start a fire then snuck out of the grass backing out quietly.

Gray then returned to the campsite then back to the firepit then set the dry grass down then started striking the flint finally starting the fire.

The proctor finally looked and gave a thumbs up.

In the end everyone succeeded.

Everyone was then led inside. Then took our seats before the teacher spoke

“Congrats to all who took the trainer exam as you have all passed. The top scorer will gain a sponsorship and a starter. Emily is the lucky student who scored on top.” The teacher and the other students clapped for Emily.”Professor Birch will be here soon Emily so please wait. As for everyone else you are all dismissed for the day.”

Gray and the other student walked out of the school into the town of Oldale.

Oldale was a quaint town with little to offer but a way into Petalburg Woods and into Littleroot town as well as the occasional pokemon contest for rookies.

Gray walked toward the pokemon center to see his mother who was one of the Nurse Joy who worked in the center in Oldale.

A man in a lab coat ran in a few moments before Gray made it to the door

Gray continued towards the Pokemon Center walking up to the automatic door waiting for it to open before stepping in then hearing a conversation.

“Welcome to the Center, how may I help you, do your pokemon need healing?”The nurse at the desk asked.

“No pokemon healing today but I do need to be checked out as I was attacked by a zigzagoon on my way here.”

“Professor, what brings you to Oldale today.” The nurse asked curiously then begins to check over Professor Birch

“I came here for two reasons actually.” Professor Birch Pulled out a pokeball.”Here this is for Gray, it seems his grandfather wanted me to hand this off to him. The other reason is for a lucky student to get a starter and sponsorship and I'll be headed to the school next to meet the lucky student.”

Gray then approached

“Hello Professor it seems you're here to see me sorry for eavesdropping.”

Professor Birch jumped then looked at Gray.

“Yes then you will want this.” he shows the red and white pokeball. “Though before you take this I must warn you this starter will be troublesome when it evolves.”

“How so.”

“You’ll find out eventually.”

“Looks like everything is fine Professor, just take it easy.”

Professor Birch handed the ball to Gray then got up to leave.

“Gray you should go out to meet your starter out in the training field out back.”

Gray just nodded then began to walk to the door.

“Take an oran berry with you to feed them.”

Gray then turned around and walked to the kitchen that the center had and grabbed an oran berry.

Gray then left and headed out back to the training field.

On that spot he finally tossed the pokeball and finally in a flash of red light stood before him an orange pokemon with a chitinous carapace with black eyes with white stars and finally a jagged mouth.

It clacked its jaw then opened its mouth saying “Trapinch”