Rowan woke up earlier than usual that morning. The morning light filtered through the blinds casting strange shadows around his room. He yawned and stretched before his brain kicked into gear and he jumped out of bed, momentarily dizzy from standing up too quickly. He got showered and dressed in record time and was downstairs pouring his first cup of coffee when his mother walked into the kitchen.

"Morning Mum" He said passing her his cup and fixing himself a new one before following her onto the front porch of their house. They sat there in silence slowly sipping their drinks watching the day begin. Rowan was feeling fidgety. His mum looked over and smiled at him.

"Are you ready for your journey?"

"I think so I packed everything last night." Rowan picked up his mug and took another sip, thinking the caffeine probably wasn't a good idea in his state of mind but he was a coffee fiend and couldn't function without his morning fix.

He had been dreaming about this day for so long. He had always wanted to challenge the gyms like his mother had when she was a young girl and take on the Pokemon league.

"I'm so glad that they changed the age to travel to 16." His mother said. "I know its getting safer to travel now but after the war 15 years ago" She trailed off a distant look in her eye. Kanto had been ravaged by a huge war and only now had it started to return to something resembling normal. Rowan had been born a year before the war was over. His mother just 17 at the time was all he had left. His father and his Pokémon had been killed in battle.

His mother was a veteran of the war. She had been on the front line until she found out she was pregnant and even then she worked in the hospitals helping nurse the wounded soldiers and Pokemon, until she was due.

Rowan thought she looked beautiful, she had chestnut hair that was tied back in a pony tail, bright blue eyes, but there was a sadness too her face that she had seen too much too young, not to mention the long thick scar that ran down her arm from her elbow to her didn't talk much about the war, but whenever he mentioned it she would get a far off look in her eyes as if she was relieving the whole thing all over again. It was between team rocket and the people of Kanto. Their scientists had managed to create bombs that would paralyze and poison whole towns of people and pokemon.

His mother was 14 when she was enlisted, too young she would say for anyone to go to war, but was there really a right age to go to war. The region had managed to defeat team rocket, but it had been a close call, and both people and pokemon had suffered for it.

The cities and towns had been rebuilt and slowly over time the lands had started to repair themselves. But the population of pokemon had all but been decimated. That was another reason why the age had gone up to travel, there were strict laws on which pokemon you could catch. Lapras, Chansey and Dratini were all still classed as endangered pokemon and anyone caught trying to steal one were given the maximum penalty.

Children were something of a rarity as well. Whatever had been in the bombs had affected humans and so many people found they were unable to have children. Rowan was the only one in Pallet Town. His mother had been one of the lucky ones.

She had received money from the pokemon league in return for her service and loss of Rowans father, and she had chosen to settle down in pallet town near her old mentor Professor Oak.

A loud yip made them both look up and his mother smiled as she got up and walked towards the large black orange and cream pokemon. Her Arcanine closed his eyes as she scratched behind his ears. She walked through the house to grab his breakfast and her other pokemon an Electabuzz walked out.

"Morning Elly" Rowan called to her. She merely grunted and walked towards the small generator powered by the wind turbine above it for her breakfast. She was grumpy in the mornings. His eyes scanned the garden and focused on the tree at the very end shading a pond. Under the tree was a glass dome with a pokeball in it. It was his mothers first pokemon. She had never gone into detail but her first pokemon, a Wartortle at that stage, had died protecting her. As soon as she had moved here she had planted the tree and built the small pond underneath it in memory of him.

His mother brought him some toast and another coffee, although he was feeling restless he tried to enjoy the time he was spending with his family. He knew this would be the last time in a while that he would be spending any time with them.

The clock chimed quarter to 9 and his mother looked over at him. "You should be heading off now you still have to get to professor Oaks lab. The corral was just up the hill from his house. He gave her a wave, he knew he would be back to pick up his gear any way and to show his mum his new pokemon and wandered up the hill excitement growing in his stomach.

Spencer let him in and directed him to the living room. Professor oak was waiting for him already. "Rowan come and take" He said smiling. The professor was in his 70's now and although he moved a little slower his mind was still as brilliant as ever. Rowan sat down and the professor pulled a pokeball and a pokedex from his lap coat and placed them on the table. Rowan had to mentally restrain himself from snatching up the pokeball. Oak looked at him fondly.

Years ago trainers had a choice between Bulbasaur Squirtle and Charmander, However since the war things had changed. They were rare pokemon and were still in breeding programmes and only one or two were given to trainers every year.

"I have a rather special pokemon for you, He was sent to me by my cousin" Oak said smiling. "I'm sure you will be pleased I remember you playing with mine when you were a child"

Rowan smiled. This was his first chance to meet his new partner. He would be happy even if it was a Rattata, the most common pokemon in Kanto. "You've already filled in your information on your pokedex and I thought you would like to know you passed your other exams with flying colours.

Oak laughed at Rowans barely concealed impatience. "Go ahead and open it Rowan. He picked the plain pokeball up and tapped the middle button. A bright white light shot out and a small brown and white pokemon appeared.

Rowan smile nearly hurt his Jaw. He took his pokedex and scanned his new friend.

"Cubone, the bone pokemon. This pokemon is very loyal to its family. It uses its bone club to attack and defend from foes" He read Cubone's move set and was impressed, it knew tackle, bone club, headbutt and Dig." He double checked to make sure Cubone was in fact a he then knelt in front of the small pokemon.

"Hey little guy, are you ready to go on an adventure?" Cubone looked up curiously at him his eyes locked onto Rowan's before making a happy grumble in his throat and jumping onto Rowans knee. He was surprisingly heavy. Rowan rubbed his white skull, and Cubone growled happily.

"Go and enjoy your adventures Rowan and remember to call every now and then" Rowan nodded "Thank you professor" he replied.

Oak smiled again "If you excuse me I need to go and check on a few of the pokemon in the corral, A Golduck is up to its old tricks again. Rowan placed Cubone on the floor and together they walked out of the lab and down the hill to his house.

Cubone ran ahead of him sniffing at the flowers along the roadside before his attention was captured by a Butterfree in the field next to them. It flew off and Cubone chased after it happily. Rowan smiled happily. He chatted to Cubone explaining who lived in which houses and what the different plants and pokemon were called that they passed. Cubone made small grunts of pleasure every now and again. He had just tuned the corner to his house when Arcanine came bounding across excitedly. Cubone jumped then ran in front of Rowan emitting a low growl. Arcanine just bowled him over and licked Rowan across the face.

"Arcanine be nice!" Rowan scolded. Arcanine immediately dipped his head and sniffed Cubone before giving him a long slobbering lick across the face before turning tail and trotting happily into the house. His mother appeared at the doorway and came out to meet him. She smiled brightly as he picked Cubone up.

"A Cubone, how wonderful Rowan" she tickled Cubone under his chin and he wriggled in Rowan's arms. They walked into the house and Rowan went up the stairs and grabbed his pack and jacket. Cubone following him loyally around. He was a sweet pokemon with a happy disposition but already Rowan could see potential within him. How he had stood up to a pokemon 20 times bigger than himself just showed that. His mother had just finished making some sandwiches for him and placed them on the side. He put them in the first compartment that he stored his essentials, water some money and a few pokeballs and potions. The rest of his things were in the other compartments. He wasn't sure how the bag managed to fit so much but he didn't need to know the logistics of it. As long as it worked for him he was happy.

Elly had come into the kitchen and Cubone was trying to grab her tail. Although she could be grumpy she seemed quite happy playing with the small pokemon. His mother turned to look at him and handed him a box.

"This is for you on your journey" He opened the box and took out what looked like a watch.

"It's a pokenav" She explained "I have already programmed Viridian city into it for you and added mine and the professors contact details, so there's no reason to not let me know how you are getting on" She said sternly before smiling. "Just have fun out there a

nd make new friends and work as hard as you can."

"Thanks Mum" He pulled her into a tight hug before shouldering his pack and looking over at Cubone. "Ready Cubone?"

Cubone jumped up and saluted him with his bone club. His mother laughed "You two make quite the pair"

Arcanine, Elly and his mother walked him too the door and with Cubone who had decided to climb up his back and rest his head on Rowans they turned to wave. "Look after her for me" He said to the two pokemon, they yipped and grunted their agreement and before he turned away and walked towards the entrance to Pallet town.

Cubone jumped down next to him using his bone club to march along. Rowan was on his first step to achieving his dream. They passed through arch with pallet town written above them and headed into the wilderness.

Rowan sat down that night aching. Cubone was sat close to the fire watching the flames dance into the night sky.

He had called Cubone back into his pokeball after an hour as he was struggling to keep up with the walking on his short legs. Ash went to the stream that was close by and refilled his water bottles and his pot for the fire to make tea. He looked at his reflection in the water. His grey eyes looked back at his buzz cut that his mum had given him the week before. He took the water back and added some peppermint to the water and left it to boil.

He checked the tea, it hadn't started boiling yet. Plenty of time to do a little training before it was ready. "Cubone fancy showing me some of your moves?" Cubone jumped up and saluted with his club.

Rowan looked around. To his left there was a boulder that would work. He wanted to get an idea of Cubone's strengths and weaknesses. "Use bone club on that rock over there" Cubone looked at the rock, then with a speed that surprised Rowan, ran towards it and lifted it's club. A bright light shone from its bone. Cubone smashed the bone with all he had on the rock and a deep crack appeared.

Pokemon attacks were powerful. Even a tackle could cause a bruised rib for a few days. Pokemon were made of stronger stuff than humans.

"That's awesome Cubone!" Cubone preened at the compliment. "Try using headbutt"

Cubone ran back to Rowan and took aim before charging at the rock. A glowing light surrounded his head and when he hit the boulder it shattered into pieces.

"Great job Cubone" Rowan said pleased. Cubone came and sat by him as Rowan pulled his book out. Cubone looked at it curiously.

"It's a book" Rowan explained showing him the front cover. "Do you want me to read it to you?" Cubone looked thoughtful for a moment and then jumped onto Rowan's legs emitting a huff from the teen. He rested his back against the tree and began to read aloud.

Later on that night after Cubone had had his allotted pokemon food, and he had finished his stew, Rowan sat by the fire gazing into its glowing embers. Cubone was already curled up fast asleep in his tent he had pitched earlier. He had sent his mum a message, letting her know he was ok and was reading up on Cubone's file in the pokedex. Cubone was a lot slimmer than the pokedex image, but judging on his speed today he seemed a lot quicker too. Rowan knew this would give him an edge to the first gym challenge. Pewter was well known as a rock gym. Although Cubone was a ground type and that would give him the type advantage he still needed to train to perfect his moves. He also wanted to teach him some moves he had read about on the pokedex that would increase his speed and defence. He'd saved them under a file on the pokedex before turning in for the night. He lay down next to the sleeping Cubone listening to the rustle of branches above him from the wind. He knew Cubone would wake him if any wild pokemon came near.

The next morning Rowan broke camp early eager to make Viridian city before nightfall. Cubone walked beside him happily. When it reached midday, they stopped to take a break by the river that ran along side the road. Rowan pulled his shoes and socks off and groaned happily as he let his feet dangle into the water. He really needed to improve his fitness if he was going to be walking the whole of Kanto. Cubone was next to him staring up into the branches of a tree. Rowan looked up just in time to get hit in the face with a rock.

The pain brought tears to his eyes and he jumped up trying to see what had happened. Cubone growled menacingly and began twirling his bone club. A high-pitched screech came from a small brown and cream bird pokemon sat above them. Rowan recognised it as a Pidgey. Pidgey puffed up its feathers impressively. It was smaller than some of the Pidgey he had seen round pallet town. Pidgey launched into the air and sent a gust towards them. Rowan remembered all too late that they were very territorial.

Cubone weathered the gust attack and struck a battle pose its club held high. Rowan thought back to his lessons. Pidgey was a flying type. Ground moves weren't effective against it. Pidgey's beak began to glow as it dived towards Cubone.

"Use headbutt" Rowan called out. Cubone took a few steps back before charging at the Pidgey meeting it head on. Thanks to Cubone's skull it seemed to barely feel Pidgey's peck attack. Pidgey on the other hand hit the ground hard and lay their dazed.

"Don't let it get away Cubone" He shouted excitedly. He quickly unzipped his bag and pulled out a pokeball from the top compartment. Cubone was stood over Pidgey his club pointing at it with the blunt end. Rowan tossed the pokeball at the Pidgey and it hit it square on the top of its head before being sucked inside with a glowing red light. Rowan and Cubone waited, Rowan holding his breath as the pokeball wriggled on the ground. And a few moments the pokeball clicked and lay still. Rowan froze. He had caught his first pokemon. He let out a whoop and Cubone caught onto the excitement Rowan was feeling danced around his feet.

Grabbing a potion and some pokemon food from his bag he walked over to the pokeball. "Get ready just in case" he warned Cubone. Cubone nodded and took a fighting stance next to him. He released Pidgey in a flash of white light then knelt down to the small bird pokemon. Pidgey looked at him cautiously. It seemed to have lost its anger for the moment. Rowan held out his hand with the pokemon food in it. Pidgey coked its head still looking unsure. Cubone grunted encouragingly and after a moment, it hopped closer and took a few pellets from his hand. He sprayed Pidgey with the potion a few times whilst it was eating. It squawked for a moment before moving its wings up and down experimentally. Rowan was worried it had damaged its wings after it had landed so heavily on the floor., but it seemed fine.

"I've caught you now, I'd like to be your friend if you let me" Pidgey although highly territorial in the wild, were known for being very loyal to their trainers. Pidgey bobbed its head and took another few pellets of food from his hand. Rowan pulled out his pokedex and scanned Pidgey. She was a girl and knew the moves gust, peck quick attack and unusually swift. He petted her crest gently and she cooed with enjoyment. Not to be out done Cubone butted his head against Rowans leg slightly harder than usual. Rowan winced but placed a hand on Cubone's back.

"Are you guys ready to carry on?" Both pokemon nodded an affirmative. Rowan quickly pulled on his socks and shoes and refilled his water bottle whilst Cubone ate some poke food. Pidgey flew up to his shoulder and Cubone fell into step next to him as they carried on to Viridian city.

Rowan got to the pokemon centre just as dusk was falling. He walked up to the counter and spoke to the nurse Joy. "Can I help you?" She asked smiling. "I'd like a room for the night, and would you be able to check over my pokemon for me" She smiled brightly at him. "Of course, here's your key, I'll ring through to your room when your pokemon are ready."

Rowan went to his room and showered washing the grime off him. He grabbed his dirty laundry and took them to the laundry room. Whilst he waited, he read through the pokedex looking at Pidgey's stats. She had high stats in speed and attach but her defence was quite low. Although she was young she was at quite a high level for the Pidgey around Pallet town. He knew the next gym was Pewter. She would have a hard time with the rock type gym. Although he was going to use Cubone, he wanted to see if she could learn any moves that would help her in the battle. He found the move steel wing. It was a hard move for a Pidgey to learn but he thought with some practice she would be able to master it. He saved the video for later use hen the timer beeped and collected his washing going back to his room.

An hour later the bell went off and he went to retrieve his pokemon from Nurse Joy. She gave them both a clean bill of health. He thanked her and made his way to the canteen. He grabbed a bowel of stew and a heel of bread and went to sit at a table by the window. Cubone and Pidgey both had pokemon food as well as some berries. Pidgey picked up an oran berry and flew up to his shoulder to eat it. He noticed she liked to be as high as possible and he head constantly bobbed. She was energetic. A shadow fell across the table as he was mopping up the last of his stew with his bread.

"Mind if I sit here?" The boy asked. He had bright red hair and grey eyes, the colour of rain clouds. "Sure" Rowan said. The boy sat down opposite him. "My names Jake" He said smiling. "Rowan" He replied.

"Your Cubone looks healthy, no cracks on his skull, slightly slimmer than the usual Cubone's I've seen" "Thanks"

He wasn't very good at talking to people he didn't know. "Sorry" Jake blushed. I'm training to become a pokemon doctor, but I've taken a year out to do research."

Rowan was impressed. It was very had to become a pokemon doctor, you had to learn all the different anatomies of the pokemon and what sort of medicines each type of pokemon could have. It took years to become one. "That's awesome" Rowan smiled. "Are you going into a particular branch of medicine?" He asked thinking of his mother telling him to be polite. "I want to go into the herbal side of medicine, plants, berries that sort of thing, one day id like to have my own land so I can grow my own plants and create my own herbal remedies." "That sounds like a Nobel goal" Rowan replied.

"What are you doing?" Jake asked taking a mouthful of stew." "I want to challenge the pokemon league, I want to become a pokemon master" He said quietly. Becoming a pokemon master took decades of training. Most people scoffed at his idea, but it had been his dream ever since he was little. Jake didn't laugh at him. "Takes a lot of dedication" He said with a small smile. Rowan smiled back "Yer"

"I'm guessing you are heading to Pewter then to challenge Brock" Rowan nodded an affirmative. "Do you want to travel together? I'm traveling to Pewter myself I'm looking for the plant Daysium that grows on the mountains by there." Rowan hadn't thought of traveling with anyone but his pokemon but Jake smiled hopefully at him. "Of course sounds good" Cubone let out a grunt and jumped on Rowan's knee making him hough at the unexpected weight. "Looks like Cubone is happy" Jake put his hand out and tickled Cubone under the chin.

"Shall we say to meet outside the front of the pokemon centre at 9?" Jake asked. "Sounds good" Rowan replied they said their farewells and Rowan went to his room to call his mum. She was delighted to hear that he had already made it to Viridian city and even more so when he introduced her to Pidgey. She filled him in on the comings and going's of Pallet town. He signed off and headed to bed. Pidgey flew to the perch on the side of the wall and tucker her head under her wing. Cubone sat on the bed next to him and started to pull at his rucksack. Rowan frowned. He opened the bag and Cubone stuck his head and arms into the bag emerging moments later with the book. Rowan laughed. "Alright but only one chapter." Cubone Jumped excitedly which woke Pidgey up. She glared at him ruffling her feathers. Rowan started to read and Cubone settled down next to him. Pidgey cocked her head and then flew to his shoulder. He read aloud to them changing his voice for the different characters. It wasn't long before Cubone was fast asleep next to him and he felt Pidgey wobble on his shoulder. "Go get some sleep" He told her. She cooed gently nipped his hear and then flew back to the perch. He turned of his lamp and fell asleep almost immediately.