My journey in the Shinnoh region began on Christmas 2008: however, when I found Platinum in 2009 it bridged the gap between Diamond and Pearl. That is when the true journey began!

Around 9:00 AM I wake up (that never happens in real life) and find myself in a room with a flat screen TV on broadcasting a Pokémon battle, a Wii, and other things surrounding me. I knew this was not my room!

"Where am I?" I asked myself checking my surroundings.

I muster up the strength to get out of bed and down stairs. That's when I see a girl with blue hair preparing breakfast. It was my mom! Well, not my biological mom but the one in the game.

"Rebekah, about time you got up." Mom said with a smile.

"Yeah, what's cooking?" I asked half awake.

"Waffles, you better chow down: your friend Barry will be showing up soon."

"My friend?"

That's when he busts our front door open. Barry appeared to be very hyper pacing about the house.

"You better show up at Professor Rowan's Lab before me or you'll owe me a 1,000,000 Poke Dollar fine!" the boy yelled.

"What!?" I screamed.

Without another word, Barry rushes out the door. I stand in panic for a moment and rush out the door. The hyper little punk was running to his house because he forgot something. I head to Rowan's Lab and no one appears to be there. A note says he will be at Lake Verity.

"Where's that?" I wondered.

"Lake Verity!?" Barry screamed.

Again, the boy darts to his destination. I follow him to the lake and see Professor Rowan with a metal case containing three Pokémon: Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup.

"Hello there. I've been expecting you two." Rowan said.

"Can I have my Pokémon now!?" Barry leaped.

"Now, now hold your horses."

Rowan sets the suitcase down in the grass and that's when wild Starly appear attacking us from nowhere. I panic when I see fast moving creatures so I stay about 5 or 6 feet away from them.

"Quick! Choose your Pokémon!" Rowan instructed.

"Which one's Piplup?" I asked.

"The ball on the right." Barry said grabbing the middle ball.

I grab Piplup and he immediately pops out. The blue penguin stands all proud and bold. Without a word he tackles a Starly and knocks it out.

"Look! They're flying away." Barry said feeling proud.

"Good work you two." Rowan praised.

"Thanks sir." I said feeling timid.

I'm about 14 at this time so I'm rather shy. That's why I have no friends: my social anxiety gets the best of me and I cower in fear. Also I'm facing another trial and that is an ever growing sorrow.

"Let's head back to the lab: I've got something for you." Rowan said leaving the lake.

"Wait for me!" Barry yelled darting after him.

When the two leave, I'm interrupted by an encounter with one of the Lake Pokémon: Mesprit. It tries to communicate using its mind. In mine, I see Mesprit trying to warn me about something.

"What is it?" I asked.

The Pokémon flies towards me and pokes the left center of my chest. That is when I feel an ache slowly growing inside there. Mesprit is the Emotional Pokémon: perhaps it sees my emotional state.

"What is this feeling?" I asked.

"Hey! Wake up!" Barry yelled.

"What?"

Barry realized I was just gazing at the lake unaware of my surroundings. When I come to, we head to Rowan's lab. An excitement fills me wondering what a waits in the world of Pokémon.

"I'm glad you're okay, Rebekah isn't it?" Rowan asked.

"Yes." I said answering.

"Here is your Pokedex."

The old man hands me a Pokedex to record data of various Pokémon I encounter. There are about 151, but when you get the National Pokedex then it's 493.

"Wow so cool!" Barry said gleaming with excitement.

"Don't forget your badge cases. There are eight gyms and once you beat a Gym Leader you collect a badge." Rowan explained. "And once you have all eight: you get to compete in the Sinnoh League!"

"Sinnoh League?" I asked.

"It's where you challenge the Elite Four and then the Champion!"

"Cool." I said trying to sound excited.

I am, but the ache is eating up all emotions that make me feel good. Little do I know, however, that what awaits me will change my life forever.