A/N: Hello everyone I am back with my next Pokemon fanfic. This story will serve as a prequel to my last story "To be a Master" and takes it's name from the same soundtrack as it's predecessor. This will focus on Molly traveling through Kanto but, unlike my Origins series which are based on the games, this will be based on the anime. A bunch of old faces will appear and there may be a cameo or two featuring characters from other Pokemon media. Without further ado, let's begin the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon
It was a dark, star filled night in the Johto region. Outside the town of Greenville, the Hale family were seated down for family dinner. However, this was no ordinary night as this was the last time for a long time the three would sit together.
"I'm going to miss this." sighed Mrs. Hale.
"It's fine honey. Molly has reached that age when it is time to go off and compete in the Indigo League." said Professor Hale.
"I already traveled through the Johto League." noted Molly.
"I know it's just not the same without our darling daughter around." said Mrs. Hale.
"I'll miss you too mom." said Molly.
"Promise to keep in touch as much as possible." said Mrs. Hale.
"I will mom." vowed Molly.
"Our little girls has really grown up." said Professor Hale.
"It's been a long time since the Unown." replied Molly.
"Indeed it has." agreed Professor Hale, as the entire family remembered that event.
"I was such an immature little girl back then." said Molly.
"You were just lonely honey." replied Professor Hale.
"And young." said Mrs. Hale.
"But, I let the Unown feed on that and did a ton of really bad things." said Molly.
"I brought the Unown here. It's my fault." said Professor.
"I think it's best to change the subject." said Mrs. Hale.
"Do you mind if I finish eating now. I want to talk to my Pokemon before tomorrow." requested Molly.
"That's fine dear." replied Professor Hale.
"I agree." added Mrs. Hale.
"Thanks papa. Thanks mama." replied Molly.
Molly headed upstairs and went to her bedroom. There she found all seven of her Pokemon hanging out together. Lickitung, Ponyta, Phanpy and Cloyster were on the floor. Meanwhile, Teddiursa, Flaafy and Bellossom were seated on the bed. The seven Pokemon were pleased to see their trainer.
"Hello Molly." said Teddiursa.
"Are you guys ready for tomorrow?" asked Molly.
"Yes." answered all the Pokemon.
"So Molly, have you decided how you're taking?" asked Lickitung.
"Teddiursa, Phanpy, Cloyster, Ponyta and Flaafy for sure." answered Molly.
"What about Lickitung or I?" asked Bellossom.
"I'm...not sure." answered Molly.
"Take Bellossom. I understand." said Lickitung.
"That means a lot." said Molly.
"It's nothing." said Lickitung.
"If I find a place for you then I will." said Molly.
"I'm okay with that." said Bellossom.
"Then it's a deal." said Molly.
"Are you ready Molly?" asked Teddiursa.
"As ready as I'll ever be." answered Molly.
"Then all there's left to do is wait for tomorrow." replied Phanpy.
"We're leaving in the morning then heading to Goldenrod City. From there we're being taking a ferry to Cinnabar Island for our battle against Blaine." explained Molly.
"He specializes in Fire type." noted Flaafy.
"Phanpy, you'll be really important here." said Molly.
"I'll do my best." offered Phanpy.
"That's all I can ask." replied Molly.
"Well, there all we can do is wait." said Teddiursa.
"Yes. All I ask is that everyone tries there hardest and we'll do great." said Molly.
"Right." said the seven Pokemon.
Molly put her Pokemon in their Pokeballs and went to bed. As she slept, Molly couldn't help but dream of her journey through Kanto. When the next morning came, Molly awoke to the sound of chirping Pidgey and headed downstairs.
"Good morning honey." said Mrs. Hale.
"Good morning." replied Molly.
"Are you ready honey?" asked Professor Hale.
"Yes papa. I'm leaving Lickitung and taking the others." said Molly.
"Why are you leaving Lickitung?" asked Mrs. Hale.
"Lickitung voulenteered and if I find a spot to use Lickitung I will." answered Molly.
"That's quite mature." said Schuyler.
"Hello Mr. Schuyler." said Molly.
"I just came to see you off." noted Schuyler.
"Thanks." said Molly.
"You've grown up a lot Molly." said Schuyler.
"Honey, have you got everything you need?" asked Mrs. Hale.
"Yes mom." answered Molly.
"Have you got clean clothes?" asked Mrs. Hale.
"Yes mom." answered Molly.
"Do you have food?" asked Mrs. Hale.
"Yes mom." answered Molly.
"Do you have water?" asked Mrs. Hale.
"Yes mom." answered Molly.
"Do you have a map?" asked Mrs. Hale.
"Yes mom." answered Molly.
"Honey, she can handler herself." said Professor Hale, "Good luck honey. Please keep in touch."
"You're right. I love you Molly. Be safe." said Mrs. Hale.
"Thanks." replied Molly.
"Madame Hale, your adventure begins." said the butler David as he held the door open.
Molly walked out the door and began walking off. She turned around and waved goodbye than departed into the nearby woods. As she made her way toward to Goldenrod City, Molly heard a noise and decided to investigate. She parted two bushes and found a Beedrill which was clearly not pleased to see her.
"Why are you invading my personal space?" asked Beedrill angrily.
"I'm sorry." said Molly backing up.
"You will be." replied Beedrill.
Beedrill attacked and began chasing Molly.
"Go Teddiursa!" cried Molly, releasing her Pokemon.
"I'm here." said Teddiursa.
Bedrill moved in and began attack with Twineedle.
"Use Swift!" ordered Molly.
Teddiursa obeyed and attacked. Beedrill tried to dodge but, Swift connected.
"You're going to pay!" declared Beedrill.
Beedrill moved in and attacked. It used Poison Sting.
"Quick dodge!" ordered Molly.
Teddirusa jumped back than began to bob and weave. Teddiursa managed to dodge.
"Why you!" cried Beedrill.
"Use Fury Swipes!" ordered Molly.
Teddiursa obeyed and attacked. However, Beedrill connected with Pin Missile and sent Teddiursa crashing to the ground.
"Teddiursa!" cried Molly in concern.
Beedrill saw it's opportunity and attacked.
"Use Dynamic Punch!" ordered Molly.
Teddiursa obeyed and attacked. Beedrill connected with another Poison Sting while Teddiursa connected with Dynamic Punch but, was poisoned by Beedrill.
"Use Hyper Beam!" ordered Molly.
Teddiursa obeyed and attacked. The Hyper Beam hit Beedrill and sent it crashing to the ground. However, this summoned a swarm of Beedrill who pursued Molly. Molly quickly grabbed Teddiursa and ran with the Beedrill hot on her tail.
Luckily, she managed to reach the outskirts of the forest where the Beedrill gave up the chase. Molly ran to Goldenrod City and quickly made her way to the Pokemon Center.
"Please... help." panted Molly, holding Teddiursa in her arms.
"What happened?" asked Nurse Joy.
"A wild Beedril poisoned Teddiursa." explained Molly.
"Don't worry. We deal with these types of injuries all the time." said Nurse Joy, "Please give your Pokemon to Chansey."
"Here." said Molly, handing Teddiursa to Chansey.
"Don't worry, you're Teddiursa will be okay." said Chansey.
The two headed off with Teddiursa and Molly had to wait. As she did, Flaafy exited her Pokeball.
"Molly, are you okay?" asked Flaafy.
"No." answered Molly sadly.
"Tell me what's wrong." requested Flaafy.
"Teddiursa got poisoned by a Beedrill. I can't even go a few minutes without one of my Pokemon getting hurt." explained Molly.
"Will Teddiursa be okay?" asked Flaafy worried.
"Right now Nurse Joy and Chansey are treating Teddiursa." answered Molly.
"That's good." sighed Flaafy.
"I haven't even had a battle yet and I've already let a Pokemon get hurt." said Molly.
"It's not your fault. Beedrill is Bug and Poison Type so it can learn Poison type moves." said Flaafy, when suddenly another Pokemon left it's Pokeball.
"Exactly. Beedrill are well known for having Poison type moves and in battle of course it will use them." added Bellossom.
"That is true." said Molly.
"It's not your fault Molly. Teddiursa was trying to protect you against Beedrill." said Phanpy, emerging from it's Pokeball.
"I sent out Teddiursa." said Molly.
"And Teddiursa was just trying to protect you. Any of use would have done the same." said Bellossom.
"Miss Hale, I've got good news for you." said Nurse Joy emerging.
"What is it?" asked Molly.
"I'm fine." answered Teddiursa, emerging fine.
"Flaafy!" cried Molly jubilant.
"I heard what you said, it's not your fault I was poisoned." said Teddiursa.
"You're my Pokemon and I couldn't even protect you. I'm the one who put you in harm's way." replied Molly.
"Molly, I am a Pokemon. When I gain a trainer it's my duty to protect and fight for them." explained Teddiursa.
"There's nothing wrong with a Pokemon fighting for it's trainer." agreed Chansey.
"I seem to recall another trainer whose Pokemon got injured on his first day as a trainer." mused Flaafy.
"Who?" asked Molly curious.
"Ash. Remember, his Pikachu was badly injured protecting him from a flock of Spearow." answered Flaafy.
"I assume you're referring to Ash Ketchum." said Nurse Joy.
"You know him?" asked Molly.
"The retired Virdian City Pokemon Center Nurse Joy is my second cousin." answered this Nurse Joy.
"Did Ash ever come here?" asked Teddiursa.
"Indeed he did. I treated his Pokemon after his lose to Goldenrod City Gym Leader Whitney." answered Nurse Joy.
"That's a good point: if you recall Ash has his fair share of troubles. He lost his first battles against Brock, Lt. Surge and Blaine." said Flaafy.
"He also lost twice to Sabrina." noted Bellossom.
"And had to cross dress just to battle Erika." added Teddiursa.
"My point is; Ash has faced a lot of difficulty through his career but, he always finds a way to bounce back." explained Flaafy.
"I understand." said Molly.
"You can't let yourself." said Teddiursa.
"You're right. I've just begun my journey. There's no way I can quit now." said Molly.
"That's the spirit." replied Teddiursa.
"Of course. We did miss our ferry to Cinnabar Island." noted Phanpy.
"We could ride Cloyster." said Molly.
"Actually, there should be another ferry headed to the Seafoam Islands. If you hurry you can catch that." said Nurse Joy.
"Thanks." replied Molly.
Molly recalled all of her Pokemon and quickly ran off to the port. However, when Molly got there she was disheartened to see only fishing vessels and no ferries. Desperate, Molly tried to find any ship to take her. She went to the nearest ship she could where a fisherman was untangling nets.
"Excuse me, are you going to Kanto?" asked Molly hopeful.
"Afraid not. We fished off the Whirl Islands for a few days and just got into town with a nice catch." answered Fisherman.
"Than, do you know when the next ferry will be?" asked Molly.
"Tomorrow." answered the man.
"Okay than. Thanks." said Molly.
Molly accepted this and began walking away. However, a woman suddenly caught her attention.
"Excuse me miss, did you say you need a ship?" asked the woman, from aboard her ship.
"Um...yes." answered Molly.
"I'll be happy to take you." said the woman.
"Thanks so much." replied a jubilant Molly.
"Hope aboard." said the woman.
"I really appreciate it." said Molly, getting on the ship.
"No problem." replied the woman.
"I'm Molly." said Molly introducing herself.
"My name's Luka." said the woman, "So, what brings you to Kanto?"
"I'm competing in the Indigo League." answered Molly.
"I hope you do well." said Luka, as the the ship left port.
"I like your necklace." said Molly.
"But, you haven't seen what's inside." noted Luka, opening the necklace.
"That's beautiful." marveled Molly.
"It's called a Silver Wing and it was a gift from my great-grandfather." explained Luka.
"It's amazing." said Molly.
"I later found out this was a Luigia wing." added Luka.
"How did you find that out?" asked Molly curious.
"A group of kids your age helped rescue Luigia. There names were Brock, Misty and Ash." answered Luka, to which Molly chuckled.
"I've know them for a while, in fact Ash has know me since we were children." explained Molly.
"Than maybe this is fate." suggested Luka.
"Maybe." said Molly, thinking about her upcoming adventure.
A/N: There's chapter one and I hoped you liked it. In case you don't recall, Luka appeared during the Whirl Islands mini-arc in Johto: first in "Mantine Overboard!" than when Team Rocket tried to capture Luigia. Next time, Molly reaches Kanto and goes to challenge Blaine.