"Piggy, come back here!"

I jumped forward, trying to catch my Tepig. She got away; I hit the ground and got a mouth full of dirt and grass. I put my weight on my hands, pressing against the dirt. A pair of arms wrapped around me, helping me to my feet. I looked up at who had helped me, and found Professor Oak smiling down at me.

"Why are you trying to catch her?"

"She needs a bath, that's why." I smiled. "You're acting as if it's a sin to chase your Pokémon."

"Let her run around a bit, Sammie. She's still a Tepig, and nowhere near as obedient as a Pignite or an Emboar. Because you've kept her a Tepig, she's going to continue acting this way."

I kissed his cheek. "I know that, Daddy. I still like chasing her."

"Don't chase her too much, either. We don't want your asthma acting up, do we?"

I nodded, finally scooping Piggy into my arms. "She's too cute for words. Do I really have to make her evolve?"

"Sooner or later, you'll have to let her evolve. She's eight years old and you'll be visiting other regions with very powerful Gym Leaders and Trainers." He opened the door to the house and went inside.

"Other regions?" I asked, raising my eyebrow and following him into the house.

"Delia Ketchum will be watching our Pokémon and house while we're gone." He sat at the table, opening his Pokédex.

I let Piggy go on the floor, and she ran over to play with my father's Vulpix and my mother's Chansey. "Daddy, what are you saying? I'm not leaving you here alone."

He laughed. "I'm not staying, Sammie. Sit down." I sat down. "You and I are going on vacation!"

I stared at him. For as long as I could remember, I had always been rudely turned down whenever I brought up a vacation. My mother had died following my third birthday, and I had never had the pleasure to meet her. My older sisters had left by my tenth birthday; the only exception was my sister Emilia, who took care of me for three years while my father was visiting other regions. When he returned, he gave me a Tepig from Unova to symbolize that he was ready for me to become a trainer.

I had defeated every Gym Leader, Elite Four member and Trainer in Kanto and Johto with my Tepig.

"I have some business to do in Sinnoh, so while I'm there, you'll be going to Unova."

I was still surprised. "But, Daddy, I can't just leave you alone. I mean, you can't cook—"

He laughed, putting his hand on mine. "I'll be staying with Professor Rowan, sweetheart."

I raised my eyebrow for a second time. "Who will I be staying with, then?"

He winked, standing up. "Stay here. I'll be right back."

I leaned back in my chair, and Piggy ran over to me. I picked her up, and watched my father come back with a large photo album. He came around, standing behind me and placing the book on the table in front of me. He opened it to the last few pages, and I saw several pictures of my sisters, my mother, my father, other Pokémon professors, and old friends of the family. He stopped on the very last page.

The little boy from my childhood stood there. He was holding a Sewdaddle; I wasn't holding a Pokémon. His name came into my mind.

"I'll be staying with Burgh Artemisio?" I asked.

"I thought you would enjoy seeing him again after all these years. I had forgotten about him; luckily Professor Juniper recommended when I had called her." He smiled. "You and Burgh were closer than a Doduo's two heads."

I laughed at the comparison. "Daddy, I'm not sure if me and Burgh will be friendly towards each other." I glanced up at him. "He was a trainer at the time, wasn't he? I'm a trainer now. We'll be battling the entire time I'm with him."

He gave me a smile that always made me feel good about myself. "That's a plus for you and your Pokémon."