AN: Hello! welcome to my Story The Altered Future. This is my first fic. Please, enjoy and review! Thanks!

JSM4ster

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. I want to though.

"Wake up Jaret, wake up!" my little brother shouted at me, while jumping up and down on my bed.

Seriously Ty? I thought as his actions continued, though I wouldn't say that too his face. "So today's the big day, eh? Your tenth birthday!"

I smiled at him as he got down from my bed, a huge grin plastered across his face. "Yeah!" He exclaimed, "Today, my journey as a Pokemon trainer begins! Well, our journey begins." he says with a remorseful glance in my direction.

I can't help but ruffle his untidy hair. "Now, go down stairs and make yourself somethin' to eat."

After he leaves my room, I stretch and hop out of bed, heading towards my bathroom to take a shower. I take my sleep pants off and turn the shower on, letting it warm up a bit. I finally decide its warm enough and step into the shower. The warm water running down my body wakes me up, and I finally realize what today really means.

I'm eighteen, and just about to start my journey. I've waited for the past eight years, watching my little brother grow up. I didn't leave for my journey when I was ten because my mom was a single mom at the time, raising two kids. I promised her I would start my journey at the same time as Ty did, not only to please her, but so I could keep him safe as well.

While I'm thinking, a sharp, rasping sound draws me out of my stupor. "Jaret? You need to hurry son. Ty's waiting down stairs already. He says he'll leave without you." my mom shouts through the door.

"Ok mom! I'll be out in a second!" I call back to her. After she leaves, I turn the shower off and grab the towel off the rack and wrap it around myself.

I dress simply, a plain white t-shirt, faded blue jeans, and my dark gray sneakers. I comb my medium length, dark brown hair as I head down stairs where my impatient little brother is sitting at the table, tapping his fingers on its polished wood surface. When he sees me, he leaps out of his chair, nearly knocking it over in the process.

"Are we ready to go yet?" he asks, to which I just smile and calmly shake my head. "Awwww..."

"Sorry Ty." I tell him, putting my hand on his shoulder. "I've gotta eat though. Why don't ya' go make sure everything's in our packs; wouldn't want to leave anything here now, would we?" A smile spreads across his face.

"Okay Jaret."

I grab my black jacket off the back of my chair and tie it around my waist, then I turn to face my mom. "Well, I guess this is-" I'm cut off as she wraps her arms around me in a loving embrace, laying her head against my chest. I hold her as she quietly sobs into my chest. "Hey," I tell her. "What's wrong mom? I've never seen you like this."

"I-It's so h-h-hard to b-believe that you're f-finally l-leaving." My mom said in between sobs. "My two b-boys, going to s-see t-t-the world toge-gether. Oh I'm so p-proud! P-promise me this. Keep Ty safe, please?" She looks up at me, a pleading look in her eyes.

"Mom you didn't even need to ask," I tell her, tears forming in the corners of my eyes. "Why do you think I waited until Ty was ten? I wanted to start with him so that I could keep him safe." The start of a small smile appears on her tear stained face. "I promise I'll call you every night before we go to bed so we can tell you what happened. Besides, if someone does try to hurt us, in any way shape or form, I have my 9mm tucked under my belt," I calm her as I pat the handgun hidden by my shirt. Her eyes widen in horror at what I'm referring to.

"Y-you would kill someone!?" she says in horror, her eyes wide.

"No!" I almost shout at her. "I would never kill someone! If they attack me and Ty, I would shoot them only if I have to, and never somewhere it could kill! I would also never shoot a Pokemon!" I didn't realize but my voice had risen, drawing unwanted attention, mainly from my little brother.

"What's going on?" he asked.

I open my mouth to respond but stop when my mom starts to speak. "Nothing, Ty. Everything's fine. Go make sure everything's ready to go."

Ty's hesitant at first, but eventually nods and heads back into the living room, leaving me and mom alone.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye." I tell her, tears starting to fall from my eyes. "You take care. Hell, who knows? Maybe you'll see us on TV!" That gets a small grin out of her. "Ty! All set?" I call to my little brother.

"Yeah bro! All set and ready to go!" his little voice calls back to me.

"Alrighty then. Grab your pack! We're headin' out!" I exclaim, getting him to jump and shout "ALRIGHT!" getting a chuckle out of me.