"All right, Haruka! Make a wish!"

Haruka grinned and moved to blow out the candles, but her new Mudkip beat her to the punch, shooting a Water Gun at them. "Hey!"

"Mud! Kip, kip!" The Mudkip looked up at her, as if to say, "I regret nothing." And she couldn't stay mad at him. After all, a Pokemon had to have some fun with its new Trainer. Although she was turning 15, it was just today that she would be starting her Pokemon journey. Her brother, Yuki, had started when they turned 10, as was the case with most trainers, and often taunted her about starting late, but it was all just fun and games. She hadn't seen much of a big fuss until now, and surprisingly Professor Birch still had a Mudkip. The original Treecko had been given to Yuki, but they hadn't seen who had gotten the Torchic.

So they headed off together, Yuki serving as a guide for his sister through Oldale Town, and to Petalburg. She was raring to head into her first Gym battle. even though and especially since it would be against their father. Of course, what kind of good brother would he be if he didn't battle her for some training first?

"Ready, sis?" Yuki asked. Haruka nodded. "All right, Taillow, let's get this show on the road!"

"I think we can do this, Mudkip!" The Mudkip cried in agreement.

"Taillow, start it off with a Peck!" The Taillow swooped in and pecked Mudkip on the head. He fell back, but hopped right back up.

"Hit it with Tackle!" He dashed in and knocked into the Taillow as hard as his little body could, but it didn't look to do an awful lot of damage.

"Retaliate with Quick Attack!" The bird Pokemon flew forward swiftly at Mudkip.

"Dodge it!" But the mud fish Pokemon wasn't quite fast enough, and took the hit hard.

"Okay, okay. I think the poor fella has taken enough damage." Yuki returned his Taillow and knelt beside the tired Mudkip, offering an Oran Berry. "You'll make a great Trainer."

Haruka grinned. "Thanks." She picked up the Mudkip, petting its head behind the fin.

"Shall we keep going then?"

She nodded and off they went, encountering plenty of Zigzagoon and Wurmple along the way. It was a long walk, about 3 or 4 hours, so by the time they had arrived, it was sunset.

Haruka yawned. "Think we can stay with Dad the night?"

"Of course." He knocked on their father's door in the west of the town, next door to the Gym.

Norman opened the door, a look of surprise on his face as he hugged his children. "Hey there, kids! What brings you here from Littleroot?"

"Haruka's finally started her journey," Yuki replied, grinning.

Norman looked at his daughter's Mudkip proudly. "That's great! I take it that you've come to battle me, then? Could it wait for tomorrow?"

"Duh, it can," Haruka giggled. "I know I'm not the only one who's tired." As if on cue, Mudkip yawned, or mimicked one as well as Pokemon could. She decided she'd call him Kip from now on.

"If you'd like, you could stay the night, but that's probably what you came to ask your old man, isn't it?"

Yuki nodded, and the two of them were invited in. They talked, and it wasn't long after nightfall that they all fell asleep.

AN: So I know that Norman is the father of the player, and that the rival character gets to be Birch's kid, but whatever, right? I think this works just as well. But all of you can give me your criticism and input. This is my first Pokemon fic; I've thought of ideas, but they all sucked, and I hope this one doesn't. Reviews are much appreciated! ^u^