Once a player has chosen to play as a male or female Trainer, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y begins in Vaniville Town. Step outside the house you just moved to and soon meet four new friends that will embark on a journey around the Kalos region with you. These four friends— Shauna, Tierno, Trevor, and Serena (if you play as a boy) or Calem (if you play as a girl)—are unique individuals:

• Shauna is an incredibly energetic girl who is coming along on the journey to find a dream of her own. She’s friendly and outgoing, and seems to genuinely enjoy all the curiosities you’ll come across on your journey.
• Tierno is the dancer of the group and wants more than anything to create a dance team with his Pokémon. Strong, kind, and light on his feet, Tierno gets easily distracted by watching opposing Pokémon during battles because he’s too busy trying to incorporate Pokémon moves into his dances.
• Trevor bursts with curiosity about the world around him. He’s an excellent student, and very competitive, wanting to be the first of the group to complete his Pokédex.
• Serena or Calem lives next door to you in Vaniville Town. This character has a passion to become a powerful Pokémon Trainer and sets out on the journey to accomplish that dream.

The first Gym Leader players will encounter on their adventure is Viola, the Gym Leader of Santalune City, a pleasant city that is known for its large fountain and park benches. Players will learn about Viola by first meeting her older sister, Alexa, a journalist working for a publishing house in Lumiose City. Alexa insists that her sister will be happy to meet players visiting Santalune City. A professional photographer who specializes in Pokémon photography, Viola presides over the Santalune City Gym, whose interior is constructed from threads like spiderwebs, strung together tightly above the darkness. Players will need to find a safe path through these threads, and will receive useful advice from Viola when they battle her.