The moment I opened my eyes, I jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes and ran into the living room. Today was September twenty-eighth. My birthday. And it was the day I was going to Professor Oaks lab to get my first Pokemon.

I had been thinking about which one to pick since I was ten. Bulbasaur, the grass type, Charmander, the fire type, or Squrtle, the water type. I loved all three so much, I had the toughest time making the choice, but at last, I decided.

My mom was sitting on the couch when I ran in. She looked up at me and could see the excitement radiating off of me. "I see that you're up." She said.

"I've been waiting for this for years." I replied, grabbing an apple off the counter. I took a bite twice as big as I should have, but I didn't care. I was in a hurry.

"So, have you decided which one to get?"

"Yep. You'll see it when I get back."

"Do you have your bag ready?"

"Almost. Can you finish packing for me? I can't wait any longer."

"Sure. Just be careful." She stood up and walked over to me.

"Thanks mom." I hugged her then ran out the door.

Pallet Town was fairly small. Just a few houses and Professor Oak's lab. I ran as fast as I could to get to the lab, passing Ash and Gary's houses.

Ash and Gary were also from Pallet Town. They had left for their journey years before me and had already made names for themselves. They both defeated the Gym Leaders of Kanto, and the Indigo League. They ended up battling each other for the title of Champion. Ash won. They would occasionally return home from their journeys to visit with friends, family and the Professor. Gary left for Sinnoh, to help Professor Rowan with his evolution research. No one has heard from Ash since he left for Unova.

When I got to the lab, I took the steps two at a time, only slowing down when I reached the door. I knocked and one of his assistants opened the door.

"Welcome." She said.

"Thank you." I replied, stepping inside.

"The Professor is right over there." She pointed.

I nodded in thanks, then set forward.

He had his back towards me when I walked up, but turned as my approach stopped.

He was a tall man, with grey hair and dark eyes. He wore a white lab coat over a red polo and tan slacks.

"Hello, Professor." I said.

"Hello, Christopher. Happy birthday." He congratulated.

"Thank you."

"Are you ready for your first Pokemon?"

"Yes!" I said, not even trying to hold back my excitement.

"Great. Follow me."

We walked over to a large machine. Through the glass, I could see three Pokeballs. One had a leaf on the front; another a small flame; the third, a water droplet. He pressed a button and the glass lifted.

"Choose your Pokemon." He said, smiling.

I knew exactly which one I wanted. I reached out and picked up the Pokeball with the flame.

"I choose Charmander."

"Excellent choice. I have just a few more things for you. Wait right here." He walked away.

I looked at my Pokeball and examined it. It was a perfect sphere; red on the top hemisphere, white on the bottom, with a small button in between. This was the first time I'd ever held one. I pressed the button and it opened. There was a flash of light and my Charmander appeared beside me.

He was small, about two feet tall with orange skin, a yellow belly, green eyes, and a small flame at the end of his tail. He looked like a little, wingless dragon.

"Hello." I said to him.

"Char." He replied in a high voice.

Pokemon can speak in many different way. Some growl and make animal-like noises, others speak by saying their name. There are even a select few that can speak English.

I smiled and he smiled back.

"I see the two of you are getting acquainted." Professor Oak said, walking back.

"Yeah." I replied.

"Char." Charmander agreed.

"Excellent. Here are your things. Five Pokeballs and your very own Pokedex."

"Thanks." He handed me a small box with my Pokeballs.

"Let me show you how to use your Pokedex. You simply point it at the Pokemon and press the button. Like this."

He pointed it at Charmander and and pressed the button. A picture of Charmander appeared on the screen and an electronic voice spoke.

Chamander. The lizard Pokemon. The fire on the tip of its tail is a measure of its life. If healthy, its tail burns intensely. Fire type.

"Wow." I said amazed.

"Indeed it is. Well, I suppose you should be getting back home to finish getting ready." He handed my Pokedex to me.

"Thanks again."

I walked out the door with Charmander by my side. I decided to keep him outside his Pokeball.

My mom was outside when I got home, working on her garden.

"You're back so soon. Is this the Pokemon you chose?" She greeted.

"Yeah. This is Charmander." I told her.

"He's so cute."

"Char." Charmander thanked.

"Your bag is on the counter. Your Xtransceiver and map are sitting next to it. My number is in it and so is Professor Oak's."

"Thanks, Mom."

I ran inside, grabbed my bag, then ran back out.

"This is it. Are you sure you want to go?" She asked.

"Yes, Mom. I've been waiting years for this."

"My little boy is all grown up." She started tearing up.

"Don't cry. I'll be back."

"I know. I'll still miss you."

"I'll miss you too. I'll call you from Viridian City once I get to the Pokemon Center. Okay?"

"Oh, alright." She threw her arms around my neck.

"I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Sweety." She let go.

"Bye." I started walking away, toward Viridian City.

"Bye." She called.

I looked down at Charmander. "Are you ready?"

"Char."

We smiled.

We'd been walking for a little over an hour before we sat down to rest. We were on Route 1, between Pallet Town and Viridian City. There were very few trainers, but a lot of wild Pokemon.

"Char char." Charmander complained.

"I know. I'm tired too. It wont be too long before we get there, then we can sit down, get something to eat, and rest." I told him.

Just then, a Pokemon walked out from the grass. It was small and blue with what looked like grass growing out of its head. I pulled out my Pokedex and scanned it.

Oddish. The weed Pokemon. It often plants its roots in the ground during the day and sows seeds as it walks about at night. Grass and poison type.

"A grass type. That should be easy to take care of. What do you think? Up for a battle?"

"Char." He chimed.

We walked up to the Oddish, and it stopped.

"Charmander use," I realized I didn't know what moves he knew. "What can you do?" I asked.

"Char." He took a step forward and opened his mouth. A small ember flew out and hit the Oddish. It fell backwards, unconscious.

"Wow, what was that?"

I pointed my Pokedex at Charmander and pressed the button.

Charmander's moves. The electronic voice began. Scratch, Growl and Ember.

"Sweet. Lets keep moving. We're not far from Viridian City."

"Char."