The Trainer's Truths
Chapter 1
Way back when I was 10 years old, I started my journey as a to become a Pokémon master. The only problem with that was….. I didn't own any Pokémon yet. You really can't become a Pokémon master without a Pokémon. But hey, I was 10, and I was ready to receive the Pokémon I wasn't sure I was going to get. But after that, things went downhill. People were attacked. And then, the unthinkable happened...
There are a couple ways you get your first Pokémon. You can receive one from a nearby professor, but I didn't live by any. You can have your mom or dad buy you one, but, hey, we weren't exactly rich. Sure, they could've bought me like a Bellsprout or something, but I wanted something a bit more EXCITING. The last way to get a starter is to have one of your siblings catch a Pokémon for you. However, we lived in Slateport City. The only Pokémon around here are Oddish and Tentecruel. I did have an older brother, but he had left a couple years ago on his journey. He was travelling around Johto right about now. I was pretty depressed. I was sure I was going to receive a Magicarp from one of the friendly fishermen nearby…..
"Jake! Get down here! You have to go to school!" my mother shouted. I groggily lifted my head. "Moooommmm….. It's soooo early though…." I complained. "JACOB! GET UP NOW!" I flopped out of bed, dragged on my clothes, and brushed my teeth. As I stumbled down the stairs, I noticed my dad in his study, looking more excited than usual. "Hey Dad," I said. "Had one too many cups of coffee?" "No, Son, it's just that your b-""JAKE! GET IN HERE NOW! THE BUS IS GOING TO LEAVE!" My mother screamed, cutting off my dad. "Well, better go, Son. Happy Birthday!"
Well, I had completely forgotten about my birthday. As I picked up my backpack, I remembered my single present for today with a start. Today is the day I'm gonna get my first Pokémon! I thought, suddenly happier. But as I bordered the bus, a wave of anxiety crashed over me. WHAT IF IT'S A TENTECRUEL? Or worse….. A FEEBAS! At least Feebas evolved into something cool. I went through the rest of my school day, thanking people for the "Happy Birthday's" they said to me. The classes dragged on, my school day was really boring. Aside from that, it was all going well until the end of the day, when my anxiety returned. Sadly, it was in the form of my best friend, Zach. "Well, where is it?" He asked, looking around. "What?" "Your Pokémon, obviously! Where the hell is it?" He asked his blue eyes wide with excitement. "I… I…. don't have it yet…." I managed to get out, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "WHAT?" He exclaimed, and then ducked his head as a teacher shushed him. "Why not?" He asked, his voice quiet and serious. "You are getting one, right?" "Yes, but…." I trailed off. "Really, I don't know. My older brother got one, his was pretty cool. It was an Absol that a friend of the family caught for him. I… I can only hope that I will get something that good, because that friend moved to Johto to start a breeding company. His name was Jim, and we just called him Uncle. So, yeah, Uncle Jim caught him one. I honestly don't know, Zach." The bell rang, signaling the end of school. "I'll text you, ok? Because I might start on my journey tomorrow, I'm already packed and everything… So I don't know if I'll see you again… Bye Zach!" "Goodbye…." He whispered, his voice lost against the hubbub of the crowd….
I was sitting on my bed, eyes closed and fingers crossed. Now was the time. I was going to get a Pokémon! But which one... I didn't know. My heart gave a jolt as my parents walked into my room. "Son," my dad started," You are a very great young man, and we would love to give you a Pokémon. Most ten-year-olds start their journey to become a man on their birthday, and, well, so should you. The only thing is….. Well, we don't have a Pokémon for you. But we managed to get you this." My heart shattered. I reached out to take the neatly wrapped gift, contemplating my future. I'm going to get made fun of, teased, taunted….. My life… I can't believe it…. They didn't get me a Pokémon…. I slowly opened my present with shaking fingers. Out of the box dropped a neat little dark blue Pokèdex. My favorite color. I held it up, tears shining in my eyes. Well, I thought bitterly, At least I'll have a memento to remind me of my shattered dreams. "Son," My father slowly said. "There is still one more present left, but not from us". If possible, my heart broke a little bit more. Suddenly, the door to my room banged open. "Hey, Little Bro. Happy Birthday." I looked up, startled, as my older brother tossed a Pokèball onto my lap.