Disclaimer: I do not own the pokemon franchise

Author's Note: And here it is, the much unawaited (and completely unanounced) prequel to one of more popular fics Pokemon: Training Regime

David broke camp early. Another hard day of traveling should see him all the way to Prof. Rowan's lab. It took him just an hour to pack away the tent before addressing his current problem – his supplies. Being almost the youngest by a year in the group that was traveling to Rowan's for a starter pokemon, he had been falling further and further behind the group until last night he had been two hours behind everyone else, due to this he was now running low on repels and with less pokemon attacking in the day he had decided to set out early and hope not to be attacked.

With a quick meal of a few of his remaining cereal bars he set off at a brisk pace with high hopes of reaching the lab by late afternoon.

The nine year old child plunged blindly through the undergrowth, a loud barking coming from behind him as almost literally on his heels a pack of Poochyena gave chase.

Screaming out loud in blind panic the boy tripped on a root, without enough time to get back up he hurried to open his pack, fear made his fingers numb and inefficient as he fumbled with the straps. The howls of the hunting pack got louder as they neared.

Finally with a loud tear the strap broke and the boy reached in and pulled out his last can of repel and sprayed copious amounts in the air, holding the small can in the direction of the Poochyena as though it were an actual weapon.

With a mutual yelp of surprise and fear the pack ran off in the other direction. The child got up leaving his now empty and broken back pack behind him as he continued to run blindly into the woods.

The adrenaline of fleeing for his life now long gone, the boy trudged slowly on, slowly pushing his way through the long grass which had replaced the woods he'd left behind about an hour ago, his arms and legs bled profusely through his ragged clothes from thin cuts inflicted by the long blades of grass, as though if not only the pokemon had it in for him but the very land itself.

Slipping over on a dew-drenched patch of earth the child found himself looking once more at the moon which was now high in the sky, the stars seemed to wink at him. How nice it would be to finally take a rest he thought. Knowing that he couldn't afford to indulge such thoughts he forced himself on and marched through the grass once more, now grateful for the cuts being inflicted upon his fatigued body, it was all that was keeping him awake.

The boy continued to stagger onwards, running on just will alone now and with the fog of sleep descending upon his mind, confusing his thoughts and weakening his limbs, he knew he was hallucinating for around him the stars had replaced themselves with street lights and the grass - which he knew was still cutting him despite being unable to see or feel it – had replaced itself with streets and pavements.

Staggering onwards through his hallucination he caught a glimpse of the sky, the sun was on the verge of dragging itself from behind a hill, he had been going for almost a whole day, arm swinging aimlessly he sprayed the last of his can of repel wildly in the hopes it would see off the pokemon which would surely be circling him already, waiting, and waiting and waiting for the moment when he would drop, completely defenceless.

In his mind he had finally reached Professor Rowan's labs, but he couldn't carry on any more, the fatigue was finally claiming his mind and body in an unstoppable wave. Exhausted, bleeding, hungry, thirsty and for all he knew dying; the boy finally succumbed to the fog in his mind. An hour later as the sun finally surfaced a very surprised Professor Rowan fell over the unconscious body on his doorstep. Despite everything David had made it.

David woke, much to his own surprise, even more to his surprise he was in a hospital bed. Slowly and also painfully he sat up. Looking around and seeing noone he even more slowly got out of the bed and headed for the door.

One of the nurses found him ten minutes later where he'd collapsed halfway to the door. Protesting constantly David was led back to the hospital bed.

"Let me go." He mumbled weakly, "Got to get to Professor Rowan. Starter... pokemon... missed it. How long out?"

"Ah you're one of the newbies." The Nurse Joy said thoughtfully. " I probably should have guessed, few other people are stupid enough to try and get through the long grass alone. As for how long you've been out, just a day and a half"

"Wasn't alone. Fell behind" David mumbled. "Starters gone. Wasted journey."

Realising she was having to supply most of the conversation Nurse Joy tried to fill the silence.

"Don't worry the starter pokemon aren't being given out till tomorrow and Rowan has insisted you are at the front of the cue, he believes that someone that determined to get a pokemon will go far."

"Nearly died. Rubbish trainer." David carried on his nearly incoherent half sentences.

"You'll be fine in a week or two, you didn't break anything. And you will make a brilliant trainer I'm sure of it."

David sat up straighter and seemed more attentive at that. "How do you know?" He said, finally remembering how to use a full sentence.

"Let's see, you're determined, stubborn and borderline suicidal, all the hallmarks of a top trainer."

David smiled weakly. "Thanks. I think."

"Good now rest." And with that Nurse Joy left.

David slept soundly as his body began the process of healing.

Author's Note: Please I'm begging here, just one review. Pleeeeeeeaaaassssse!!!!