Today was normal.
Koda spent the majority of the day helping around the small town he called home. While he was old enough for a full time job, Koda was dead set on starting a journey as a Pokemon trainer, as a result, he had spent the last few years working part time as a handyman around town.
The Kalos region, where Kodas' home Origo Town is located, has an international tradition of newly turned 18 years old being able to embark upon a journey after they've gotten their first Pokemon. At the age of 18, youngsters are regarded as separate from their parents, making it the perfect time to head out on their own.
This looked different for everyone, some would head to Professor Sycamore to get their first Pokemon, while others will have acquired it during their childhood.
Koda was the former. While he had made many connections with the surrounding Pokemon, his parents had been far too overprotective to let him bring a Pokemon he had met home. As a result, his encounters usually ended up being one offs.
"A week to go and I will be leaving this place, I should probably teach Old Lady Henrietta how to connect to her wifi... I don't really want to get a call mid-battle about her Portable tablet being 'broken'"
He smiled to himself as he opened the picket fence gate, heading towards his front door.
Unlocking the door, Kodas demeanour changed. His expression turned serious as his eyes squinted. He hurriedly took his shoes off and sprinted down the hallway.
His destination: the Toilet.
Nature calls.
After finishing his business, Koda headed for the living room with a bright smile, as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Mum, I'm back!"
Koda called as he entered the room. The sound of kitchen clanging stopped briefly as a cheerful voice called back to him.
"Welcome home honey, could you give me a hand really quick, the table needs setting!"
Koda sighed slightly before heading to the kitchen and grabbing the plates and cutlery, before proceeding to lay the table.
It wasn't long before the sound of the front door declared the arrival of his father and younger brother.
Much like the days before, the two strolled in after dropping off their shoes and coats, before swiftly joining Koda and his mother Celia in the living room, serving the food.
This was a family tradition of theirs, no food would be eaten until everyone was home and at the table.
Koda smiled as he took his seat, looking around at his family.
'Still, it really is weird, for black haired parents to have a blonde haired son... I mean even my features are slightly sharper...'
His smile sunk slightly as he was once more reminded of the differences between himself and his family.
When he was younger, kids had often teased him about it, but thankfully, the testament of the adults around him gave him reassurance, he truly belonged with his family.
'Being different isn't so bad to be honest, I won't say it out loud but I am quite confident in my looks compared to Dad'
A smirk appeared on his lips as he looked over at the slightly balding older man. While his father, Hubert, was aging, he was the picture of a friendly father. All of the neighbourhood turned to him for help, it was a source of pride for both Koda and his brother Ant.
Of course, his loving family had its flaws...
"Koda, how was your day?"
His father struck a conversation as he continued eating his pasta dish.
"It was a day, honestly, there were so many different packages to deliver today, it seems everyone is having a spend up!"
He followed through with an exhausted smile as his Dad chuckled back.
"What do you expect, the town festival is coming up, everyone is getting ready for the founding festival"
His Dad laughed before turning to Koda once more, his face adorning a serious expression once more.
"Oh right, Koda, I heard you went to the outer fence today."
His voice was stable as he spoke, however, Koda who had suffered this conversation many times before dropped his head slightly.
"Well, I had to, you know, to pick up one of the deliveries"
His voice was apologetic as he spoke.
"Do you not learn Koda? How many times have I told you to stay away from the fence? How many times does this make it?!"
His father raised his voice slightly as the remaining members of his family sat awkwardly, keeping their presence small.
Koda in response let his face turn downcast as agitation built beneath his formerly smiling expression.
'The fence again?! Why is he so caught up on the edge of town? Everyone else seems to be fine to go into the woods outside of town!'
His thoughts raged before Koda looked up, his eyes meeting his fathers.
"Dad! If I can't go out to the edge of town, what do you expect me to do for my journey in just over a week?"
Normally, Koda tried to argue with others as little as possible, but this was the major flaw with his loving family life. They were far too overprotective.
In response, his Dad sat down his knife and fork as his eyes turned sharp.
"About that Koda. Your Mother and I have decided that it is not the right time, we won't be allowing this journey of yours."
Kodas mind went blank, his cutlery dropped to the floor as his fathers words slowly processed.
To the side, his younger brother Ant stared on with shock, clearly unaware of the big decision too.
As if he was turning to his last lifeline, Koda frantically turned his head to his Mum, only to be met by a pained expression.
"I know it's hard Honey but please, this is for the best..."
Kodas heart shattered as his Mum spoke the words he least wanted to hear. Tears pooled in the corner of his eyes as his bottom lip started to tremble.
"But-But! What about my Pokemon journey? You know its something I have always wanted!"
Pain flashed across the two parents faces before a stern expression appeared on his fathers face.
"Koda. That is enough, this is our decision. Do not worry, we have asked Professor Sycamore to come to town next year for your starter Pokemon. You can train in the village. That is final!"
Koda went to argue before his Mother slammed the table, causing the three men to jump.
"It is time to wash the dishes. Koda, go ahead and shower. We are all very tired today."
His Mums voice was shaky and emotional, weakening any form of retort Koda had.
'If this keeps up, I will blow up, a shower is probably for the best...'
Listening to his Mum, Koda took his plate to the kitchen before going straight to the shower, with no further exchanges.
The rest of the night was a mix of awkward silence and avoidance.
Bitter feelings continued on into the next day. The morning routine was interrupted by the awkward atmosphere.
The family went to their respective daily duties without a single exchange of words.
'I can't let it go...'
Koda thought as he steered the wheel barrow filled with wheat.
Eventually he found himself outside a familiar barn house.
"Ah Koda, thank you for grabbing that, its a bit cheeky but could you take that wheat up to the far barn I am just finishing up with the Miltanks"
Nodding with understanding, Koda smiled at the elderly man before taking the wheel barrow and heading along the trodden dirt path.
His mind drifted as he looked at the surrounding scenery. In fact, one place in particular would not leave his mind. The towns boundary.
The barn he was heading towards, used the towns outer fencing as its back fencing, thus Koda found himself near to the fence once more.
"This is stupid! Even a daily job like this leads me to the fence! Why are they being so stubborn!"
From as far back as he could recall, his parents had been adamant about him avoiding the edge of town. Despite this, he had not had any bad experiences when he snuck out before. As a child does, he often disobeyed their teachings, heading outside to the forest for a few hours.
It often led to him being dragged back home but it was harmless fun.
"Ah fuck it, if they want to be overbearing, let them."
With his mind made up, Koda dropped off the wheel barrow filled with wheat before sprinting across the field and jumping the fence.
"No doubt the old geezer will rat on me, but honestly, after last nights fiasco, I just can't take such a stupid decision!"
A smile crept upon Kodas face as he traversed through the wooded forest. It wasn't his first time, but as this was a taboo area for himself, it felt exciting no matter how many times he went through.
"Since I am out here already, I may as well head a bit deeper."
With his mind made up, Koda traversed the scenic forest.
From what he had learned in school and his own expeditions, the Pokemon in the surrounding forests and prairies were relatively docile and weaker so his attention was more focused on retaining his bearings rather than wild Pokemon attacks.
Time went by, but Koda had no way of knowing how long as the sun was obscured by the thick forest treetops.
"A bit more and I will head back, maybe next time I should actually plan a bit of a route rather than blindly jumping into a forest..."
He berated himself as he climbed over the tree roots protruding from the ground. Koda no longer found himself on any form of trail, his exploration had taken into the deep thickets of the forest.
Eventually, the forest foliage started to clear as bright daylight seeped between the branches.
A smile rose upon Kodas face.
"A clearing!"
Th clearing came into full view, causing Koda to squint from the brightness of the sun.
As his eyes quickly adjusted, a strange building came into view.
"A building? Maybe?"
His initial thoughts were filled with scepticism since no map he had ever studied, past and current showed a building in the forest. Additionally, the building was now more forest as opposed to stone construction.
"Its decently big and looks like a church or something..."
The more Koda stared at the building, the more familiar it felt.
'I haven't been out this far before and I had no clue there was a building like this... yet why does it feel so familiar...'
Suddenly a loud squawk from above shattered Kodas trance-like state.
The flying Staravia above drew his attention before he noticed one other glaring detail.
"Fuck! The sun! Who took the sun!"
Koda turned his back to the building and ran back the way he came.
Unfortunately, Koda was too late.
He was grounded.