It was so many years ago, but i'm happy it happened. Right now it's the middle of the night. I just woke up. My wife is still asleep. She's sleeping like an angel. I'm stroking her hair. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me. Well, i'll recount the story of how I met her. Maybe it'll help pass the time.
I was born and raised in Twinleaf Town all my life. Twinleaf Town is in the south-western part of the Sinnoh region just by Lake Verity. The town is so small that it's basically only four houses in an isolated area. It has a population of only about ten people. There's me and my family, two boys named Kenny and Berry, but they've been gone on their Pokemon journey. There's also Izzy and Cara, an elderly couple and the town's festival coordinator, Sayer. Yeah, despite being the smallest town in Sinnoh, Twinleaf Town holds the biggest festival anywhere. In fact, it's usually the reason people across Sinnoh know about it.
Oh yeah, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Ryan. I'm one of the people who lived in Twinleaf Town. I also lived with my mother Johanna and my sister Dawn. I never knew my father though. Mom told me he was a kind man but he didn't know what he really wanted. The only thing I knew about him is that he must have had dark brown hair because I have the same hair color; I didn't inherit my mom's blue hair that was passed on to Dawn. Half of the people in me and Dawn's lives have usually said we look nothing alike because of the hair problem. On the other hand, the other half says we look sooooo alike. I guess our faces do add up a little more than body hair.
It all began on my sister's birthday. Her biggest dream was to become a Pokemon coordinator, which used different abilities from different Pokemon to create something beautiful to the eyes. But to do this, she had to become a Pokemon Trainer. When people reach the age of 10, they can get their starter Pokemon from Professor Rowan in the next town over. Her dream came from our mom who when she was our age became a huge name Coordinator. Now she teaches a class on coordination in the town. Students pretty much from Kalos to Hoenn and Johto and Unova and so on come here to learn how to become coordinators. However the town is so small that our backyard is where they can hold meetings. Dawn had always wanted to be a coordinator but on her tenth birthday she didn't feel ready to begin her journey. Now that she's had plenty of time to think, I think she's more prepared than ever.
As for myself, I have no interest of becoming a Pokemon Trainer. It's not that I don't like Pokemon, I love them. My first pet was an Eevee which evolved into an Umbreon, but we ended up having to sell it. We have had a Glameow now for a few years. But it's just that I see too many negative effects with being a trainer. For example, Trainers are so devoted to winning that they'll try to make anybody they meet there rival, and in my experience with people, rivals are almost like enemies, and I don't want to make enemies. I really just want good friends. What I really like is photography. In the town festival they always had a booth with pictures of different kinds of Pokemon and scenery that really fascinated me as a kid and reallywanted to do that. I've been taking photography classes in Sandgem Town, which is only a bike ride down the road. My biggest dream is to travel the world and create my own scrapbook of photos I took.
It was 10 in the morning. I was on my Computer browsing through some ideas for the photos I want to take on my journey. Today is the day that Dawn goes on her Pokemon journey, and it's also an opportunity for me to begin my own journey. I could hear the door open behind me. I knew it was Dawn. She was trying to sneak up on me but I knew what she was doing. Her excitement betrayed her intention. She wrapped her arms around me.
"Hi, Ryan. What'cha doing?" I turn my head and smile at her.
"Just trying to get some ideas." There was a picture of an Onyx at sunset and a Wailord breaching out of the water. I don't always look at pictures of Pokemon. I really like scenery, too. I really think this is a beautiful planet. She pointed at the Wailord.
"I like that one. It's so big but it's trying to accomplish something that tests it's limits. I think that's cool." Dawn really supports me in my own dream, and even points out themes in pictures that I myself have never thought about before.
"Yeah, I think so too. Happy birthday, by the way." She drew me closer.
"Thank you. I'm so glad you'll be coming with me. Well, up to Sandgem Town anyway, to get my first Pokemon. What do you think I should get?" I really wasn't expecting her to ask me that. I thought she would have decided that by now.
"You mean you haven't decided yet?" She looked up.
"Mmm, no. I mean they're all really cute. Any one of them could do really well in a Coordinator presentation." She let me go and I turned my chair around facing her.
"Okay, let's see. There's Chimchar, a fire type Pokemon. Then there's Piplup, a water type Pokemon. And then there's Turtwig, a grass type Pokemon. They all have really great final evolutions and each has it's own special ability."
"Ugh, Ryan this isn't helping. It's just making me want all of them at the same time." She started pacing back and forth.
"Well, sorry. In case you forgot you have to pick only one." She bit her nails.
"I know. But it's so hard to choose."
"Well I can't choose for you. I just know you have to pick one that's gonna make you happy." She sat down on my bed, tired of the pacing.
"Yeah, I know. I just have so little time left and we'll be leaving at any moment." I watched her and I smiled. I got up and sat down next to her on the bed and wrapped my arm around her.
"Hey. You're going to be a great Trainer/Coordinator. You know i'll always support you. But this part is something you have to do for yourself." I gave her a back rup to try to drive the stress away. It worked. She leaned on my shoulder and smiled.
You've got a way with siblings, huh? Well you're right. Don't worry, i'll make my decision before we go. Sorry to talk to you about nothing but my problems. It wasn't why I came up here." I rolled my eyes in a friendly way.
"Oh, you've been doing it for years. I'm used to it." She laughed. When she was a kid she always ran up to my room and complained about something that went wrong. I have never figured out why its my room she run to and not her own. Sometimes she had no excuse. When I began taking photographs I would upload them into the computer and she would barge in and try talking about the most random things ever imaginable. Mostly girl stuff though. She poked my cheek.
"Well, be grateful it's me that comes to you with a problem. Because if it was mom, she would go on about how you could work around the house more and then would make you do it."
"Hey now. If she did that, she would try to get you to help too."
"Maybe. Maybe not. Well, i'm gonna go get breakfast. Ya coming?" I looked at the closet. I had her present waiting inside. I then looked back at her.
"Yeah, just a bit. By the way, before we head out, I should buy you some jeans." I'm not sure if that was a mistake or not. Dawn loves shopping. She even packed a whole sack of cloths for the trip. I don't understand that girl's "need".
"Yay, great idea. I already know some cute sweaters on sale now." I was prepared for this. She gets carried away about this subject.
"Nope, just jeans." She slumped. She looked so cute.
"Aww, how come?"
"Because I don't know if you've noticed are not, but your legs are visible. Some perverted Trainer's gonna stare at them the whole battle." She cocked her head and smiled.
"Aw, don't worry. It'll make it easier for me to win. Besides, your the only boy love I need. Do you really think a cute Trainer really will like 'em? I mean, I kinda do..." I flushed red. I wasn't trying to bring this up.
"Uh,okay, don't go into it. I was just trying to protect you, that's all." She walked up to me and kissed me.
"I really appreciate it. Well, come on now. I'm starving. Let's eat." She walked out the door. I exited everything off the computer and followed her.
Before we got to the bottom of the stairs I just realized something. Mom and I spent the whole morning setting up decorations for her party. So I quickly covered her eyes. She wasn't expecting it but played along. When we got to the bottom I stopped and waited for mom. She came rushing in the kitchen trying to be as quiet as possible. I moved my hands and we shouted happy birthday to her. It was pretty much what a normal party would look like: a banner that read "HAPPY BIRTHDAY", a nicely decorated table, and a blue cake to go with it. I don't really remember what we talked about or what happened when we started serving it, but after the cake was half gone I ran upstairs to get her present. I came back down to give it to her. It was a small box with yellow wrapping and blue ribbons but it got her excited. I gave her six Poke Balls for her trip. They were actually the balls Professor Rowan had prepared for her but I had permission to give it to her myself. Mom gave her the first ribbon she had ever won. She usually kept it as a good luck charm. She wanted Dawn to have it for her own trip.
We were all packed and ready to go. Mom was giving some encouragement to Dawn who seemed pale. Or maybe it was from that cake. After they hugged I was prepared to leave when she called out to me.
"Ryan. Come here. I want to talk to you, too." I wasn't expecting that. But I figured she hadn't forgot her other child. I walked up to her.
"Yes, mom? What is it?" She gave me a serious look.
"Dawn is your sister. I know you won't be traveling together, but... she needs you. Make sure you meet her some time and do things together when she's around. She won't see me for a long time, so you'll be the only family she can have access to."
"Don't worry, mom. We'll work something out. I'll make sure of it." It calmed her down, but not by much.
"Good. I'm glad to hear that. Hey, I haven't forgotten you. You're gonna be ready to live your own life. All my babies are growing up. Come here, both of you." She gave both of us deep hugs. I don't blame her for wanting to be with us a little longer. I've spent my whole life with these ladies. And now we're gonna be separated for a long time. We finally went on our way.
We had made it to Sandgem Town. It's much bigger than Twinleaf Town but it's still small enough to just be a Town. We began looking for the Laboratory. Dawn looked on a little map.
"Is it around here? It should be." She started looking around. Then I noticed something.
"Hey Dawn..." She was still distracting herself.
"I mean I know it's a small Town but i'm not very familiar with it. Well, not as much as I should be. I wonder if..." I tapped on her shoulder. That got her attention. I pointed at a building sign.
"That sign says "Sandgem Town Lab." Dawn stared at it. "I knew that."
We stepped inside. A man turned around and faced us. I decided to speak up. "Uh hey, Professor Rowan. We're here." He just stared at us. He was pretty intimidating. Me and Dawn were on alert.
"Uh, hello, Professor Rowan? I'm Ryan and this is Dawn." He still didn't say anything. But he did eventually break it.
"Let me guess, Johanna's kids?" Well at least he knew who we were. "Um, yeah, that's us." Then he gave us the scariest old man death stare we've ever seen. I thought he wanted us gone. But then, out of nowhere... he busted up laughing.
"Ha, ha, ha! How did you like that? Been practicing my Hitmonlee death stare for quite some time. It works on the assistants when I catch them slacking off. I've been expecting you guys. Come, follow me. I will lead you to our Pokemon." We didn't know what to do at first. But then we decided to go along with it and follow him. He took us to a room with three small Pokemon on a table. As I expected Chimchar, Piplup, and Turtwig. Professor Rowen gave her a small device.
"Here's your Pokedex. I think you'll be needing it." Dawn smiled.
"Wow, thanks." Then he offered me one. "And here's yours, sir." I guess he doesn't know. I let out a chuckle.
"Oh, I'm not here for a Pokemon." He seemed confused. It seems most people who come into his lab don't turn down a Pokedex. "Excuse me, but I don't understand." Dawn stepped in.
"My brother's here to support me. He's going to be a Photographer." Then he looked like confidence filled up in him. "Well, I can help you become one." I tried to turn down the offer the best I could.
"No thanks. I made the decision long ago." Dawn looked through the Pokedex and pointed it at each Pokemon. She started with Turtwig. The Pokedex started up.
"Turtwig, the Tiny Leaf Pokémon. Its shell is made of earth and when it absorbs water, it becomes harder."
She moved on to the next Pokemon, Piplup.
"Piplup, the Penguin Pokémon. Although not the most sure-footed, it is proud nonetheless, getting right back up after a fall with head held high."
Then she went to the last Pokemon, Chimchar.
"Chimchar, the Chimp Pokémon. Chimchar easily climbs the sheerest of walls and lives on mountain tops. When it sleeps, its flames go out."
This was it. It was time for my sister to choose her beginner Pokemon. I was expecting her to be even more stressed out than before. But... she wasn't. She knew exactly what she wanted.
"Hi Piplup. I'm Dawn. Nice to meet 'cha." The Piplup was surprised at first. But then it happily jumped into her arms. It looked pretty cute. It looked as though they were meant for each other. However, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the other two. They did look very upset. I wonder what that would be like, to see things through their eyes. To a beginner Trainer, they're excited and spoiled with choice. He or she gets to pick whatever they want and these Pokemon must really want to be that choice. So it can leave the lab and grow with their human companion. But if they weren't then they wouldn't feel loved. To sit and hope for a positive outcome from a decision that wasn't there's. They won't choose who they travel with, and they'll be expected to take orders from people who are trying to win a Pokemon League just for a silver cup. It's times like this when it makes me think how much they're treated like slaves. Oh well, I guess this is why I don't want to be a Trainer.
"Thank you, Professor Rowen." She pulled out a Pokeball , but then she stopped and put it back. "Hey, I know. Why don't you be my traveling partner? You will never see the inside of a ball." The Piplup seemed okay with it. I smiled. I could tell she cared about her new Piplup immediately. But it's not enough to... oh never mind.
We headed out again. The sun was already starting to set. This was the part when we had to say our goodbyes. "Well, sis, it was a great birthday for you. I hope you're happy with the things you got. And remember, if you need me just... just..." I noticed Dawn wasn't listening. I could tell she was feeling sad about this. I gave her a gentle hug. But then she squeezed me as hard as she could.
"Please don't leave me. You're my brother, I need you." I had an explanation ready, but I wanted to cry, too. I tried letting out any tears and just waited for a right time to say something. But she had more to say still. "I'm not ready to do this on my own yet. Come with me, please. I love you, Ryan." I just really wanted to hold her longer. Even past things like the hair color difference she still loves me like family. And I feel the same way for her.
"I love you too, Dawn. I really do. But becoming a Coordinator is your dream. You have to accomplish it on your own. But i'll stay in touch. I know! How about we call each other whenever one of us reaches a city? You can use the Pokemon Center phone and call me on my cell, and we'll meet up. That way we'll have enough time to be on our own fulfilling our own dreams, but still staying in close contact. How does that sound?" Her face brightened.
"Thank you, Ryan. I'd like that. You're right. I can't act like a kid anymore. I want you around me all the time but I won't learn if you baby me. I'll try this on my own. And I think that's a very good plan."
"I'm glad. As long as you're happy, I'm content." I looked down at Piplup. "Take care of her, Piplup. She's got you to look after her." Piplup nodded, guaranteeing a promise. We shook hands. She stared at me again.
"Can we at least have one last goodbye hug?" Well, it wouldn't hurt. And it'll make her feel satisfied. "Come here, sis." We entered the hug again. She gave me a kiss on the cheek. "I'll miss you." I smiled. "I'll miss you, too." Not what I was expecting, but she was the first to head out. She and her Piplup called out waving. "Good luck with your photos!" I waved back at her. Then... I couldn't see them anymore.
I wished them luck with all my heart, but now it was my turn. I wasn't going to take the same road. I was planning on something a little different. I got off the road and headed towards the forest. I was going to look for my photos in the wild.
To Be Continued...