Pokémon Park Chapter 1: Welcome to Pokémon Park

"Pokémon (known as Pocket Monsters in Japan) first released in February of 1996. Since then it has evolved into manga, anime, cards and more. And now, we are proud to present: Pokémon Park!"

My name is Alex. I'm ten years old and right now I am witnessing the greatest announced all time. A theme park based off of the famous Pokémon series. The broadcast continues, "In Pokémon Park, guests will be able to wear Augmented Reality glasses that allow them to see the various creatures known as Pokémon, as well as the Pokéballs and items found in the games. There will also be stores where people can buy merchandise from the park. We hope to see you there when it opens within the coming month!"

The broadcast stops, but my heart still keeps flowing with excitement. I can't wait for the park to open, and the best part is it opens in my birth month. In just one month, I'll experience the best time of my life.

And in one month it finally happens. Opening day. I'm with my mom and we're waiting for the grand opening. As I look around I see the faces of excitement of everyone else. Some people are wearing clothes based on various Pokémon types, and someone that sticks out to me the most is a girl wearing Fairy-type clothes. I feel like I've seen her around at my school but I don't know why.

My mom whispers to me, " Look, it's starting." I look at the entrance to the park and see the man from the broadcast stand at a podium. "Ladies and gentlemen, before the park opens I'd like to touch more on the park itself.

"Firstly, there are two areas: the City Area and the Wild Area. The City Area is where you can find merchandise and augmented reality items that you can see with your glasses. The Wild Area is where wild Pokémon roam and also where you can catch said Pokémon. If I could have the park employees give all guests their glasses."

As the man says this, people in uniforms start passing out the glasses that were showcased in the broadcast. I put mine on and start seeing data involving my team (which I obviously don't have yet), a Pokédex icon, and words that show data about me: a picture of me, my age, my gender, and an empty slot that says "Pokémon caught: 0. Pokémon seen: 0."

Someone in the crowd raises their hand, "Sir, what's all this data about? And what's with the Pokédex?"

The man at the podium answers, "I was hoping to get to that. The reason there is a Pokédex and data about what Pokémon you may have seen or caught is because we wanted to give the park guests a challenge: to catch all 150 Pokémon from the original games. And who knows, you may even find Mew."

The whole crowd clamors in excitement. " THE Mew?" "But who would be able to find that? It's too rare."

"It may be true that it's rare," a boy in Fire-type clothing steps up, "but if anyone is gonna catch it, it's gonna be me."

The crowd murmurs with excitement again. "And how would someone like you be able to catch THE Mew?" someone from the crowd asks. I turn to the voice and see the Fairy-type girl. "Especially since you're a low-life wannabe who picks on kids at school."

I start to recognize both the boy and the girl. The boy's name is Blake, and he's basically the bully of the school. The girl's name is Chole, and she's the most popular girl in our school. I'm surprised I didn't recognize her earlier.

Chole continues, "Besides, if anyone is going to catch it, it'll be me!"

"What makes you think that?" Blake asks.

"Because she believes in herself!" I butt in. I walk towards Blake and stare him in the face. "And if she does, then so do I. I'll be the one to catch Mew."

Blake stares at me, and I stare back. "Whatever," he says, "I don't wanna get into a fight who can't even beat me in a battle." And it's true. Everytime we battle in the games, he always beats me.

Blake walks away and so do I. The man at the podium continues, "Now that I have everyone's attention, I'd like to declare that Pokémon Park is now open!"

The gates to the entrance open and everyone rushes in, trying to get to the stores and the Wild Area. Then, I think to myself, I'm about to have the best adventure of my life.

A hooded figure watches Alex, Blake and Chloe. "Finally, just the people I've been looking for."