Ch. 1
Luna awoke in her bed to the sound of loud beeping in her ears. She sighed as she sat up, and sleepily looked at the clock. It was 6:30 in the morning. Had she really set it that early? The Poochyena lying at her feet whined in protest. Luna ran a hand through her curly brown hair as she turned off the screaming clock.
Climbing out of bed, she walked to the calendar hanging on her wall. Why had she woken early again? Her eyes searched the paper until she found today's date. When they did, she groaned. Written in her tiny, messy handwriting said: leave for him. She remembered that she had decided that today was the day she searched for her missing brother.
Eight years ago, her older brother left home to become a Pokémon master. While he was away, Luna and her mother had moved to New Bark Town in the Johto Region. He would send them a letter every week, and he even visited twice, but then he mysteriously disappeared. Their mother became sullen, and always worried about Luna. As for Luna herself, she became secluded, avoiding other people. Only Poochyena and the other Pokémon were her friends.
She brushed her long hair as best she could, her side-bangs naturally falling into place over her brown eye. Her red eye shone brightly at her Pokémon. Poochyena yawned as he assisted her in cleaning the messy room. "Today is the day, isn't it?" he asked. Luna nodded. "I'm afraid we'll have to tell her…." She replied. They groaned simultaneously as they imagined the reaction they'd get. No doubt they would be forbidden from leaving.
Luna opened the door and bounded down the stairs after Poochyena. Her mother was sipping some coffee at the kitchen table. She looked up when the pair came down.
"Oh, Luna, your Pokégear has come back from the shop!" she said cheerfully as she returned the tiny device to her daughter. "Mother-" Luna started, but was interrupted. "Oh, by the way, our acquaintance, Professor Elm, asked to see you. So go take care of that first, okay, Honey?"
Luna sighed. There was no getting to her right now. She was cheerful, which meant something was up. "Let's get over to the Professor's house. We can talk to her later." Said Poochyena. Luna nodded at them both, then headed next door to her neighbor's laboratory.
"I really want to leave as soon as possible…." Muttered Luna as she closed the door. "Yes, that would be nice…." Poochyena agreed.
As they started towards the Lab, a young Marill ran up and bumped into Luna. "Oh! Sorry Luna! Ethan and I were just playing tag!" exclaimed the round Pokémon. Luna smiled at her. "That's okay, it was an accident!" she said.
"Oh! There you are Marill! Hello Luna, Poochyena." A boy exclaimed as he ran up to the group. It was Ethan, Marill's trainer. Despite living next to him for six years, Luna didn't really know him that well. He was a nice boy though, and seemed to think they were friends.
Luna smiled at him as she walked past into the lab. Walking to the back, she located the professor talking to a man she didn't recognize. He was an old man, with light grey hair that may have been a lovely chestnut, once upon a time. The two men turned to her as she entered.
"Hello Luna! See, professor, this is the girl I told you about!" exclaimed Professor Elm. "Luna, this is Professor Oak, from the Kanto Region! Professor Oak, this is Luna, and her Poochyena." He introduced the two strangers. They shook hands.
"Pleased to meet you, sir." Luna said shyly. "He smells very nice. Almost like a Pokémon." Said Poochyena, smiling. Luna gave him a look.
Professor Oak shook Luna's hand, and rubbed Poochyena's head. "It's nice to meet you too."
Professor Elm cleared his throat as he turned to Luna. "We've called you here to ask a favor of you. You see, this is a Pokédex," he started, handing Luna a small, flat device. "It records information on any Pokémon you see. Try it. Just hold it up to Poochyena."
Luna obeyed, and started when the tiny device started to speak. "Poochyena, the bite Pokémon. It chases its prey until the victim becomes exhausted. However, it turns tail if the prey strikes back." Poochyena growled at it. "What is that thing?!" He cried nervously. "Hush, Poochyena, Its okay." Comforted Luna. She started to hand it back to the professor, but he wouldn't take it.
"Oh no, Luna. That Pokédex belongs to you now. See, we were hoping you would fill it for us, by going on an adventure all over the region!" Luna thought for a moment. "So…we'd get to leave the town?" she asked. An idea was forming in her head.
"Of course, we'll have to tell your mother…" the Professor trailed off. "Let me talk to her. It's been awhile since I last saw her anyway. Your mother and I go way back." Smiled Professor Oak. Luna stared at him. How come her mother had never mentioned him? She continued to stare at him as he exited the building.
"Now, normally, we would allow you to choose a Pokémon to start your journey with, however, it seems as if you already have your partner." Said Professor Elm, gesturing to Poochyena. Poochyena nodded slightly. "That's right. You are mine, and I am yours. We are partners forever." He said. Luna scratched his ears.
"If that's the case, then I'll go talk to mother…Thank you professor!" Luna called as she hurried out of the building, Poochyena at her heels.
"Excuse me professor, Mother! I'm home, and I have something to tell you." called Luna as she squeezed past Professor Oak into her house. The old man chuckled as he began to walk back to the lab. "Just like her brother…." He murmured.
Luna's mother was sitting at the table still, her head in her hands. She looked tired, more stressed than that morning. Luna sat across from her, and Poochyena sat at her feet.
"So I guess the professor told you, huh?" she said quietly. Her mother only nodded. "Please let me go. I want to see the world, and…" she paused for a few seconds. "…I want to find him." Her mother looked up into her daughter's visible eye. "Luna, it's been eight years. You were only four when he left. There's no way you'll be able to find him…" she said quietly. "Mother, please. I know he's still out there. I want to find him. I'll bring him home, I promise."
Her mother sighed deeply. "There's no stopping you anyway, is there?" she asked with a sad smile on her face. Luna nodded. "I was also hoping to leave as soon as possible." She stated, standing up. Poochyena rose with her.
Luna's mother smiled. "That's why I already packed your bag. Go on upstairs, it's on your bed."
Luna hugged her mother and ran up the stairs. Poochyena licked her hand and she rubbed his ears. "Promise you'll take care of her?" she asked the Pokémon quietly. He nodded. "With my life." He said, although she didn't understand him.
A few minutes later, Luna ran back down the stairs, her shoulder bag slung over her arm. She held a dusty Pokéball. "Poochyena, do you want to walk or ride in here?" she asked him. He growled. "You know perfectly well I hate that thing!" he replied. She shrugged. "Okay, just thought I'd ask…"
She turned to her mother and hugged her warmly. "I promise I'll call. And I will bring him home." Her mother smiled. "I know you will. Be safe, and work hard to complete that Pokédex!"
Luna ran outside, pat the lab, to the edge of town with Poochyena at her heels. "Well, this is it. Let's go!" she cried as they ran down the path together.
Meanwhile, A red-haired boy, roughly the same age ran out of the lab with a Pokéball in his hand. "Finally! I've got my own Pokémon!" He ran down the same path while cries of "Stop! Thief!" could be heard from the lab.