The clock on the right side of the bed ticked softly, not disturbing the person sleeping on the bed. Outside the room Pidgeys were tweeting, Rattatas were scurrying, Dittos were – dittoing, I guess. The sunlight had slowly crept through the curtains, and was shining peacefully on the girl's sleeping features. The long-haired, blond girl sighed happily as she turned over. Everything was perfect.

But, predictable as this can be, the perfectness didn't last very long.

A short-haired girl came bouncing into the room, breaking the silence with yelling into the other girl's ear:

"RANI!!! WAKE UP!!! Why are you still asleep? It's seven o'clock in the morning already!"

Rani groaned and slowly opened her eyes. "SEVEN O'CLOCK??? Sjuutje, do you have ANY idea how early that is? It's still five hours till noon!"

Obviously, Sjuutje didn't mind that at all, and started jumping around dangerously on Rani's bed.

"Come on, you slowPoké!" she screamed while pulling off the blankets off her friend. "We're off on our BIG ADVENTURE today!!!"

Rani looked as if she was seriously doubting if she really wanted to go on a 'big adventure' with this girl, but then seemed to really snap out of her sleepiness.

"You're right! Off we go! No time is too early to shake Professor Cactus out of his bed!"

She quickly put on some easy-to-wear clothes, then allowed Sjuutje to drag her to Professor Cactus' laboratory.

But, unfortunately for the two 16-year old girls, the professor knew Rani and Sjuutje better than they'd like to, because he was already up. When the girls were about to sneak in through the window, he was able to intercept them.

"Shall we skip the waking-up scene and go straight to the you-two-get-your- Pokémon-and-then-get-the-hell-out-of-the-village scene?" Professor Cactus suggested. He knew most of the village wouldn't be too sad to see them go.

Sjuutje and Rani, hyper as they were, agreed enthusiastically. Professor Cactus led them to the center of the laboratory, where a large computer was stationed. Professor Cactus pointed to one of the screens.

"Look. There, you can see several Pokémon. You'll get one of those each. Go on, choose one. The sooner I'll be rid of you two," he added with a wink.

Sjuutje nudged Rani. "Hey, you go first."

Rani didn't know this gesture was out of loyalty or safety, because the computer looked quite dangerous. She stepped closer and examined the screen. There was a great variety of Pokémon on the screen, but she's already put a great deal of thoughts into this, so she knew exactly what she was going to choose.

She pointed at one of the Pokémon on the screen with a determined expression on her face.

"THAT one!!!"

Professor Cactus nodded, and pushed a few buttons on the control pad. The computer immediately started buzzing and beeping, and seconds later, a Pokéball appeared on a special platform.

Rani snatched the Pokéball away and started shaking it. Sjuutje hesitantly watched her.

"Ehm. . . Rani? Are you trying to do something?"

"I. Just. Want. To. See. My. New. Pokémon," Rani said while she kept shaking the Pokéball violently.

Professor Cactus coughed. "Ehm. . . Rani? Please think back at your Pokémon- handbook."

Rani blushed at muttered: "Ehm. . . Squirtle! I choose you!" She felt ever so slightly embarrassed to say this ridiculous line.

But it worked, because her brand-new Squirtle came out of his Pokéball, and smiled broadly at his new owner. Rani squealed and threw her arms around it. "It's so CUUUTE!"

"I think you're killing it," said Professor Cactus, looking nervous. Rani obligingly loosened her hug slightly, and the Squirtle looked relieved.

Sjuutje lost her patience and jumped towards the computer. "Alright. . . Let's see. . . I think I want THIS Pokémon!"

Professor Cactus obediently pushed the buttons he was supposed to, and soon the Pokéball appeared at the platform.

Sjuutje got it, and happily threw it in the air, shouting: "I choose YOOOUUU!!!"

"Drama queen," muttered Rani. Sjuutje's Pokémon appeared where Rani's Squirtle had previously been before being swept into Rani's hug.

Rani looked down at the newcomer. "A Vulpix? I didn't know you were planning on one of those!"

Sjuutje shrugged. "Who cares. It looked cute on the screen. Well, are we off on the adventure?"

Rani completely agreed on that, and high-fived her friend.

"Come on, let's get our bags, and go!"