Disclaimer: I only own my OCs.

AN: Okay, so I am getting this out of the way right now. I did not remove the original story to get rid of the reviews. I actually appreciated the ones that were actual reviews. It is actually because of those reviews that this is going to be reposted without the prologue. It would have made the reviews I already had look strange if the chapter that they were supposed to be reviewing was gone for someone else. The prologue was doing nothing for my story and, after that was pointed out to me, I completely agreed with that.

Now that I think that I've cleared that up, I hope you enjoy this!

Ch. 1: The First Steps of a Journey

Lizzie's 1st P.O.V.

"Lizzie. Lizzie. Lizzie." I groaned as the familiar male voice shot through the dark of my sleep. No. I wanted to keep on sleeping.

So, I buried my face deeper into my pillow. "Meh. Five more minutes." My voice came out as a grumble. I really wasn't ready to get out of bed.

"Lizzie get up." The same voice spoke again. I flinched as the lights came on. Even though my face was in my pillow, the lights still somewhat hit my eyes and caused me to flinch.

This was way too early. I had a big day tomorrow and I didn't want to get up so early. It had been five years since I had met the voice waking me up and we were close friends. But, according to Professor Birch, I still had to wait until I was ten and receive my first pokemon and I had to receive an official starter. It was strange but I could live with it. Tomorrow would be that day. But, I needed sleep and the owner of that voice was not helping. "No." I objected.

At first, it was quiet and I thought I was going to be able to go back to sleep. But, then, his voice broke through. "Fine, if you want to be late in getting your starter pokemon from Professor Birch, then, by all means, sleep the day away."

…Crap!

I was awake now! Quickly, I bolted up out of my bed and I glanced out of the window. The sun was already starting to come up! "I'm going to be late!" I yelped as I quickly grabbed my clothes and ran into my bathroom. Once I was showered, I raced to get into my favorite outfit. I had my black t-shirt with lime green stripes, faded blue jeans that had a black belt with lime green loops and hold spots for my pokeballs, and lime green tennis shoes with two black stripes going across the top. After I got all that on, I pulled my long golden-brown hair into its usual ponytail. Then, I put on the black and lime green watch that my parents got me for my ninth birthday.

"You ready yet?" Ralts asked me, the voice that had woke me up.

See, after I had met Ralts, both he and the alpha mightyena, who used to live here at the ranch, had taught me to understand the pokemon language. They said that it would help me out while I was on my journey and I wasn't going to question them. While the lessons were difficult…really difficult, I had finally gotten their language learned when I turned seven. Now, I helped around the farm by asking the pokemon if there were any problems and helping them fix it. It helped that I didn't have to guess at what they were saying.

Nodding in response to Ralts' question, I said, "Let's get downstairs." Then, I picked up Ralts and ran down the stairs. Today was a day that I couldn't be late in getting to the Professor's lab. I wanted to have my pick out of all three starters instead of fate choosing. It was an important decision and I wasn't going to let chance get its hands in my choice.

When I got downstairs, I saw that mom was standing in the hall and she smiled when she saw me. I know that I wasn't smiling since I was panicking. "Lizzie, I'm glad to see that you are finally up." Mom greeted me with her normal smile.

I, however, was still in panic mode. "I am so sorry! I slept-in thinking about today! I'm not late…am I?"

Mom laughed at my panic…which wasn't funny at all, before she said, "No dear, but I sent Ralts up so you wouldn't be late. Now," She then motioned to my bag, which was laying on the table, before saying, "I prepared your go bag for you. You have all of the basic essentials that you will need. Potions, berries, basic human food, poke food, an extra set of clothes, camping gear, money, a badge case, and a map of the region just in case you get lost."

Smiling, I hugged mom. "Thanks, mom. You too Ralts." When I glanced around, I was surprised that I didn't see dad. Did he have to go off to work again? He had just gotten back from covering for Sidney a few days ago. "Where's dad?"

Almost as soon as I asked that, though, dad came out of the kitchen with his slurpuff next to him. In his hands, I saw the most beautiful thing; one of his packed lunch bags. He was the cook of the family. Mom was best at baking and, sometimes, breakfast. But, dad was the actual chef and, when he was home, he did the cooking. "We figured that you would need something to eat on the way. And I also made a little thing for you too Ralts." He answered me as he handed me the bag that had mine and Ralts' snacks in it. Also, Slurpuff handed Ralts a couple of poffins. I couldn't wait to eat them but, at the same time, I couldn't wait to get to the lab to meet my starter.

"Well, how do you feel about going off on your own?" Mom asked me.

I smiled at her and said, "I can't wait to start!"

Dad and mom both laughed at me before dad said, "Ok then dear, but before we send you off, we have one last thing to give to you."

Wait…what?

I watched as he brought out a medium-small present that was wrapped with lime green paper and had a black bow on top. They had gotten me a going away present! Smiling like an idiot, I took the box from dad and ripped the paper off. I could feel the excitement as it flowed through me. I loved getting gifts, no matter how small, and I treasured each one! It had turned me into an unofficial hoarder but I didn't mind.

"Wow, this is awesome!" I exclaimed as I saw what was in the package. Nestled inside was a black hat with a lime green pokeball on the front of it. I had always dreamed about getting one but I knew that it had to be special ordered to get because the company normally didn't work with black and lime green together. After pulling my ponytail through the hole in the back and setting the hat on my head, I gave mom and dad a big hug. "Thank you so much!" I then sighed and backed up. "Well, we had better head off to Professor Birch's so we won't be late. I love you guys."

The two of them nodded before mom said, "Good luck dear and be careful. We love you too."

I smiled and took them into a hug one more time before picking up Ralts, who had just put a poffin in his mouth and was hanging onto another one like his life depended on it, and running out of the door. I was now officially starting my very own adventure. So many new experiences were just waiting for me to get to them and I couldn't wait! Ralts and I were going to see the world and make plenty of new friends! I couldn't wait any longer than I had to! It was almost like I didn't need to breathe.

"I could use some air!" Ralts gasped that out and it was only then that I realized that I was squeezing him in my excitement. I guess he had to breathe.

Releasing the pressure that I had put on him, I smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Ralts. I'm just so excited to meet our new friend. I can't wait!" I then jumped in a circle before continuing to jog down the path to the lab. If I jogged the whole way, which I probably wouldn't, then the trip to the professor's lab was about five minutes. Not too bad. Walking put it at around ten minutes. Since I would be doing both, I figured that I would get there in about seven.

Ralts nodded his head before saying, "I'm excited too. I'll finally have someone around that can help me watch you."

"Very funny Ralts," I muttered before continuing to walk down the path, which now had trees on both sides. I was a little bit of a trouble magnet and Ralts, along with the other pokemon on the ranch, had helped pull me out of a few…mishaps.

"So, you know what starter you are going to choose?" Ralts asked.

I shook my head and answered my best friend. "I'm going to wait until we get there and then both of us will pick out one." I didn't want to have a set starter in mind. I wanted to see what each one acted like when I met them.

"Wait, why am I helping you choose?" Ralts questioned me further.

Letting out a laugh, I answered him. "Because you are my best friend and you are going to have to travel with whoever I choose. So, I figured that you would want some say in it."

He shrugged in an agreeing way before he spoke. "I guess you are right about that. I really don't want to travel with someone who doesn't like either one of us…or one that has a bad personality."

Raising an eyebrow at Ralts, I now had the question. "What would you do if they all had bad personalities?"

He seemed to think about that for a minute before saying, "I guess that we would take the one that didn't show them as much as the others." That made sense. I was glad that I had met Ralts those five years ago. If I hadn't, I would have no idea what I would be doing today.

The two of us then walked forward in silence. It was a nice silence and I really didn't want this moment to end. It was like a beautiful clip from a movie. Well, it all ended when I glanced down at my watch to check the time. I had a panic attack! "Uh-oh Ralts, we're going to be late!" I yelped out before sprinting forward.

Running to the professor's lab took half the time that it normally did with me sprinting to get there before the others who were choosing. Besides myself, there were two boys that were going to be choosing their starter pokemon today. Both of them were friends of mine and I couldn't ask for better. One of those boys was even Professor Birch's son and he has been my best friend since we were little. The other boy had moved to Littleroot…right next to the Birch's actually, about one year after I had met Ralts. We had become fast friends and the three of us were inseparable.

Thankfully, when I ran through the doors of the lab, I mentally sighed in relief when I saw that Professor Birch was the only one in the room…and he was standing by a table that had three pokeballs resting on it. Phew! That meant that I made it. "Ah, Lizzie. Seems you ran a marathon to get here on time." The prof joked.

Once I got my breath and stopped squeezing Ralts, I smiled and said, "I didn't want to be late, Professor." I really didn't. My new family member was in one of those three pokeballs and I wanted to meet them. I was not going to be stopped in that effort.

Professor Birch nodded at that. "Yes, I can understand that given that today is your big day. Seeing as how the boys are not here yet, how about we start you on the process? Are you ready to choose your first pokemon?" Really? He was going to let me start ahead of time!?

But…he had said something wrong and I knew that I needed to correct him on that. "Technically my second pokemon, Professor. I already have Ralts." I then held up Ralts for him to see better.

The professor must have just realized that I was holding Ralts because surprise filled his face before he said, "Sorry Ralts, didn't see you there. Yes, your second pokemon and your official starter."

Smiling, I nodded before I asked, "So, who do we have to choose from?" I was ready for my starter pokemon and I felt like I was bouncing back and forth in excitement.

"We?" Professor Birch asked me right back.

Letting out a small laugh, I motioned to Ralts before saying, "Yes we. Ralts and I are both going to choose. He is my best friend after all." I then grew thoughtful at that as I remembered a promise that I had made to Ralts. It had been made right after I finished my lessons in learning to understand the pokemon language.

Flashback

"Lizzie, can you understand what I am saying?" Ralts asked me as he sat in front of me. Since Mightyena had to move his pack back to their home territory, Ralts was finishing up my final training in learning their language.

I was so excited that I could and nodded quickly. "Yes! I can Ralts! This is awesome!" I then stood up before picking him and spinning around with them in a circle. I was so excited that I could fully understand my friend that nothing could ruin today.

Ralts let out a laugh at my excitement. "I'm glad that you can understand me as well. Now I might get my poffins when I want them."

Laughter was my response to him as I slowly walked back to the house, Ralts still in my arms. "Ralts, I'm not sure how much that will change."

He, in return, gave me a head slap. Both he and Mightyena had started to give me those during my training and I had a feeling that they were just the beginning of a tradition. So far, I was right. "I meant when you are old enough to start your journey."

My smile faltered slightly when he mentioned my journey. It was less than three years away now and I wasn't sure what would happen with Ralts. "Ralts…I haven't caught you in a pokeball yet. What are we going to do when it comes time to pick my starter? I really want you to be the first pokemon I catch but I'm not sure if I'll be allowed."

In my arms, Ralts seemed to hesitate before he answered. "Lizzie, Professor Birch seems like he is really nice. Plus, he has met both of us and we are friends with his son. I'm sure that, when the time comes for you to choose your starter, that he will let you catch me first."

The two of us then got back to the ranch and so I set Ralts down on the porch railing in front of me before speaking. "Then Ralts, I promise to you that, when I turn ten and go to Professor Birch to get my first pokemon, that I will make sure that I can catch you before I choose my first pokemon.

End of Flashback.

With that memory in my head, I turned to the professor. "Hey Professor, I know that you usually give five pokeballs to new trainers when they choose their starter pokemon, but I was wondering if I could get mine before I choose?"

"Why?" The professor asked me right back. He seemed to be in a questioning mood. Of course, my case was a little confusing. Also, I was sure he didn't realize that I had never caught Ralts before today…hopefully.

"Because," I started with a smile, "I haven't technically 'caught' Ralts and we both decided that when I was ten but before we chose my first pokemon, I would officially catch him. So…can I?" I was hoping that my explanation would be enough. But, just in case it wasn't, I added my very best baby poochyena eyes. They made mom melt all the time, so, they should work on the professor.

Professor Birch seemed to think about that before he let out a laugh and said, "I normally wouldn't let you but, since you are so close with your ralts, I'll let you. But, you can't get anything else until after you pick your starter." He then smiled. "I have to have some fun. Deal?" He then held out his hands.

Nodding, I held out my hand and shook his. "Deal." Professor Birch then gave me five empty pokeballs. While I placed four of them in my bag so I could have easy access to them, I placed Ralts on the table next to the pokeballs that held my future partner. Then I activated the fifth pokeball in my hand. Holding the activated pokeball suddenly made me feel nervous about all of this. "Are you sure you want to travel with me Ralts?" I had to make sure. With all these nerves, I wanted to double check this. Once he accepted, there was no going back.

Of course, Ralts glanced at me like I was insane before he slapped the pokeball with his hand and, in a flash of red light, he was drawn into the pokeball. It was so strange to watch but, I knew that I was going to have to get used to it if I wanted to add more members to our family. After a few wiggles, the ball sealed and Ralts was officially captured.

"Congratulations Lizzie on your first successful capture." The professor congratulated me.

"Thanks, Professor!" A smile almost broke my face when I heard the click of the pokeball sealing because I was so happy. Ralts was now, officially, my first pokemon. I was able to keep my promise to him! But, I had a feeling that he was going to want out. So, putting a large grin on my face, I threw the ball into the air before saying, "Come on out and help Ralts!"

In a flash of red light, Ralts came out of his pokeball and gave me a small hug, a smile plastered on his face. I knew that he was just as happy about this as I was. "That feels better." Ralts finally spoke.

Letting out a laugh, I picked up Ralts before turning to the professor. "Okay…so can we pick our starter now?"

"Yes." Professor Birch started with a smile on his own face. "Now, you have a choice between three pokemon. The first is the grass type; treecko." The professor then activated the ball on the far left and released the grass pokemon. "Then we have the fire type; torchic." He then activated the middle ball and released the orange chick pokemon. "And finally, we have the water type; mudkip." He finally activated the last ball and out came the blue pokemon that my dad had started with.

"Are you ready?" I asked Ralts.

He turned to me and nodded in response before saying, "Yep. Let's see who our new family member is going to be."

I waved at the three starters and knelt down to their level. While the mudkip looked nice, it didn't make a move to come up to me. So, it didn't seem like I was going to be picking mudkip. The treecko, while it did walk up to me, I looked like it was distracted by something else. It probably wasn't the right pokemon to be my starter.

However, there was one more pokemon that we had to choose from. So, I went to look at the torchic. However, the torchic…well…I saw it for maybe three seconds before it tackled me to the ground. "Ow…that hurt," I mumbled as I sat up, the torchic in my lap. Ralts looked worried at first.

But, that worry disappeared when the torchic spoke. "Hey, you okay?" The torchic asked in a female voice.

"You know she can't understand us…right?" The treecko asked. He didn't sound rude but it was like this torchic had asked the question before. He seemed like an older brother to the torchic and it was kinda cute.

The mudkip let out a snort of laughter, causing me to look at it curiously before it said in a male voice. "Come on Treecko! That looked like fun. If I wanted her to be my trainer, I would have done the same thing…if I was Torchic." He seemed like a fun best friend and, with how the torchic laughed in response, I had a feeling that they were good friends.

It took all my willpower not to laugh with them. Of course, just because I couldn't answer, that didn't mean that Ralts couldn't. "So, I'm guessing you all are friends?"

In response, the treecko nodded. "Yeah, you're right. The three of us have been friends for years. But, we're ready to split up to have our adventures."

Well, that sounded like it was time for me to cut in. If I let that continue, we might still be sitting here when the boys eventually showed up. So, I shook my head and glanced up at the professor. "Could you please put the pokemon back into their pokeballs while we decide?"

The professor nodded and, as he returned each one, I heard the torchic mutter, "I hope she picks me." Before she disappeared into her pokeball. That torchic was adorable and she seemed really hopeful about being picked by me. It caused me to smile.

However, now Ralts and I had to compare notes and see just who we were going to pick. Setting Ralts on the table next to me, I asked, "So, what do you think of them Ralts?"

Ralts, to my surprise, was quick to answer. "Well, Mudkip and Treecko seemed nice enough…but they weren't really enthusiastic about being your partner."

"Yeah, I know that Ralts." I sighed as I debated. Honestly, it really shouldn't have been much of a debate by this point but I wanted to think through everything.

However, Professor Birch was not through with his questions for the day. "You can understand what pokemon are saying?" He asked me that like it was a shock. But, with his hyper nature, the professor always seemed to forget that little detail about me. He had known since I was seven that I could understand pokemon. I had even helped translate what his blaziken was yelling at him for. Seemed he had forgotten that it was his anniversary and his blaziken had been spending the day trying to remind him.

…anyways…

Refusing to laugh, I nodded and answered him. "Of course, Professor. You know that. Remember your anniversary,"

"Ah, that's right. I'm sorry for forgetting Lizzie." Professor Birch interrupted me. His interruption caused me to smirk. Yeah, it was still a funny story for all of us but him.

But, that was something for later. "What do you think about the torchic?" I questioned Ralts. I really wanted to have her as our teammate, since she had practically asked to be on our team, but I wanted to make sure that Ralts was on the same page.

"Well, compared to the other two, Torchic was bouncing around at the prospect of being a part of our family. I think you should go with Torchic." I was glad that the two of us were on the same page about this. It meant that this was going to be a very smooth day…hopefully.

"I think you're right Ralts." I agreed before I glanced at the professor.

He had returned to looking professional…well, as professional as he normally got, before he asked, "So, have you two decided who is going to be traveling with you?"

Nodding, I walked over to the pokeballs and picked up the torchic's before saying, "We choose Torchic." Then, I tossed the pokeball into the air. "Come on out Torchic!"

In a flash of light, Torchic came out of its pokeball. She was now standing on the table by Ralts, in a daze, before she looked up at me and chirped in excitement. "Yeah! You picked me!" She then started to run around the table in circles. My reaction was to smile and watch as she ran around the table, so full of energy. I already knew that we were going to be great friends.

Now, however, it was time to surprise her. "You bet I did," I stated with a laugh.

Ralts joined me when Torchic reacted by grinding to a halt and staring at me in shock. She stayed in that position for a few minutes, her beak moving silently open and closed before she seemed to gain the ability to speak. "You…you can understand me?"

Beaming a smile, I nodded before saying, "Yep. Ralts and another friend taught me when I was little."

Torchic smiled and said, "I'm so happy to be traveling with you!"

I smiled and was about to say something when the doors opened. When I turned to the doors, I smiled at the two boys who walked in. First, was Brendan Birch. He stood at five feet eight inches and he was really nice. The two of us have been friends for ages and I was glad that we were going to be starting our journey on the same day. When we were little, he would come to the ranch at times when he wanted to hang out and the two of us would help mom and dad with the pokemon on the ranch.

Then, I looked at the other boy who walked in. John Roberts. He was about six feet four inches…he got an early growth spurt. Brendan and I were jealous. Anyways, he had light skin, blue eyes, and had dirty blonde hair. Of course, you couldn't see much of his hair because he was wearing a black baseball cap. He also had on a short-sleeved tee shirt with a graphic design. Of course, I could never tell what it was but it looked cool. John was wearing his normal blue jeans.

Both boys looked like they were out of breath and it was only then that I remember that they were staying together to make sure that they both made it on time today. Seeing as it was ten minutes after we were supposed to get here, then that plan didn't work as well. But, I was glad that they did make it.

"Good morning Professor." They both stated before moving closer. I nodded toward both of them in greeting and both of them nodded back to me. This was going to be a good day. I knew that much.

"You two are up late." I teased them when they stopped by me, Ralts, and Torchic.

"How early did you wake up?" John teased me right back. He knew as well as Brendan and Ralts that I was usually a late sleeper. That just showed how important today was for me.

So, I crossed my arms and looked away. "Well…I was earlier than you two so that is the main point."

"Only because I woke your snoring butt up," Ralts muttered in a comment, causing Torchic to laugh. I frowned at them but didn't say a word. If I did, then everyone was going to want a translation and I wasn't ready for that battle quite yet.

"Good morning boys. As you've both noticed, you are a little late in getting here. Since Lizzie was here first, she has already picked her first pokemon; Torchic. Brendan, since you came in second, you get to choose next."

Brendan nodded and waited until the professor brought out Treecko and Mudkip. From when Brendan and I talked, I knew who he wanted. "I already know who I want." Brendan started before walking forward. He then picked up the treecko before saying, "I choose Treecko."

We all smiled as Treecko and Brendan smiled at each other. They were the perfect match. I was now really glad that I had chosen Torchic. The two of us were perfect for each other just like Brendan and Treecko were perfect for each other.

John didn't waste any time in walking up to the mudkip and smiling. "That's good because I was wanting Mudkip all along." Really? We had all been trying to guess what he was going to pick but he had been really secretive about it. "I was worried that Lizzie might choose him because…well, your dad did start with one. I didn't want to make you feel guilty for picking him if you did."

So that was it. We were really curious as to why he wouldn't tell us. I told them that I was going to wait until today to choose. He didn't want to influence my choice by telling me who he wanted. John really was a good friend and I was glad that he was with Brendan and me today.

But, I knew that pokemon had their own unique personalities that I had wanted to know for myself before choosing my starter. It made my choice that much better.

"Okay then," Birch started, "Brendan and John, here are five pokeballs. I have already given Lizzie hers, and here is a pokedex for each of you that you can fill on your journey." I took my pokedex that the professor gave us gratefully and put it in my bag as he continued to talk. "I hope you three meet many new pokemon and have exciting adventures. The world of pokemon is a vast place and I am sure that you three will find adventure wherever you go."

I nodded at the professor and smiled before saying, "Thanks Professor!" Then I picked up Torchic and Ralts before running out of the building. I couldn't wait! Now I was officially on my own adventure and I knew that this was the beginning of an amazing journey, and amazing friendships with the pokemon that I would meet. I know I didn't say goodbye to the boys, but I would see them again.

"So, where are we going?" Torchic asked, drawing me out of my thoughts.

I smiled and said, "Well, I was hoping that we could go and battle at a gym. The closest one to here is Petalburg and so I figured we could head there." I wanted to defeat eight gyms here in the Hoenn region so I could challenge the Elite Four and see how we would do against them. While it was going to be hard training, I knew that my pokemon and I would be able to overcome anything.

"Sounds like a plan Lizzie." Ralts smiled.

I laughed at that before the three of us ran down the hill. This was it. Our adventure was now starting and there was no turning back now. For now, our goal was very clear and I knew that we were all going to be ready for it.

Next stop…the Petalburg Gym!

Ralts: Well, looks like we are getting this started!

Torchic: *glances around* Do we have any food? I'm hungry.

Lizzie: Well, I think Authoress had some cookies somewhere...

Authoress: *panicked* *shoves cookies in mouth*

Lizzie: *gives Authoress a look* Nevermind.

AN2: And here is the next chapter! I hope you have all enjoyed this! Not a lot of action, but Lizzie has her starter pokemon (and Ralts is officially caught)! Next chapter we go into a bit of training, meeting up with one of the guys, and maybe some excitement if we are lucky.

I don't have a lot to say down here, so I'll end with asking for a review, even to say hi, so I know you are there. Until next time though, TTYL! *thinking about finding some instant noodles*