Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, the Pokéball, or any of the characters associated with Pokémon other than my own.

Right here, I used to have something that said no flames please! Then someone pointed out that was stupid. I'd still like reviews though, please.

The man was not unusual in any way. If you met him on the street several days beforehand, you may have believed him to be a used car salesman, with his cheap gray suit and fake toupee. Few would give him any more than a passing glance.

Yet as he headed out that morning, that fateful morning, he had the air of one who would change the world.

--

"Please don't, Reggie," his wife had cried, despite his best attempts to reassure her. "So many things could go wrong."

"There's no need to worry, Carolyn," he consoled her. "This new thing--this Pokémon Ball--will capture them with ease. I've already tried it out, and it hasn't failed yet." Carolyn's anxious face upset him, and he paused a moment before continuing.

"Just think, Carolyn--when this is over, we'll be famous. Famous! People will feel honored in my presence, and we'll never be short on money again. All those times when we've had to beg and scrape--that's all behind us now!" With some effort, he pried her off of him. "I'm going to go say good-bye to the children, and I'll see you this evening. I promise." With that, he walked past her into the house.

As soon as he came in, the youngest, Rocky, bombarded him with questions. "Where are you going? Why can't we come? Why--"

Reggie cut him short. "I can't tell you now, but when I come home tonight, I'll tell you all about it." He looked around. "Where's Aquis and Magmai?"

"In your car."

Reggie laughed. "And Galacta?"

"Talking to Pete again."

Reggie frowned. "Well, I'll have to go put a stop to that. I'll see you later, Rocky!"

"Bye, Dad!"

Without another word, Reggie headed off to deal with his oldest daughter and her "boyfriend".

--

"Come on, Dad, it's not fair!"

"You're twelve, and you don't need a boyfriend."

"It's not--"

"Quiet!" Reggie cut her off. "You have enough to deal with with that pesky beautifly friend of yours. I'll see you later. Aquis, Magmai, out of the car."

They obediently stepped out of the car, and he hugged them both.

"I'll see you later, OK?"

Both children nodded, with slightly nervous looks on their faces. Dismissing this, Reggie stepped into the car and drove away.