I felt the sudden burst of clear water soak my clothes as the sun blinded my eyes. I screamed out in pain and surprise, then rolled right off the bed onto the floor. As I groaned and lifted my head, my mother loomed over me, her hands holding the family pet.
"Squirt-Squirtle!" It cried out. It leaped from my mother's arms and onto my stomach.
"Hey there little guy!" I exclaimed. I hugged the little baby. I looked back up at my mother, who had a deadly glare on her face. My eyes widened as I set down Squirtle. I slowly stood up, then said, "Hello to you too, Mother. May I ask just why on Earth did you have Squirtle use water gun on me this morning?"
My mom's eyes got colder as she walked towards me. "Don't you remember what today is?" she asked harshly. I cocked my head, trying to remember. "Uhh, Monday?" I said hopefully. My mom pulled out her frying pan and smacked me over the head."It's the day you go on your Pokemon adventure, Cloud!"
I rubbed my head, then as I realized what she said, I looked up at her with wide eyes. "Oh my goodness, I forgot! Professor Juniper is going to kill me!" I grabbed my backpack and quickly ran out of my room and down the stairs. I hastily slid into the kitchen, ate a biscuit and downed some water, then bolted out of the door. I looked around at the town of Nuvema. It was a small town with only 3 houses and a Pokemon Research Lab. Professor Juniper ran the Research Lab along with her assistant, Fennel. Our family has known Juniper and Fennel for a while now, and Juniper likes us so much she even gave us our Squirtle!
As I ran from my house and turned around, I could see it over in the distance. I hurried over to the lab, remembering the starter pokemon I wanted.
When I entered through the doors, I heard my two friends, Kiwi and Gary, talking to Professor Juniper. She was explaining to Gary why we had to wait for the Pokemon. I hesitantly walked near her, until she finally looked over and noticed me. She ushered me over to her and then backed up into the room behind her. I tried to see in but she closed the curtain that divided that room from the lab.
"It's about time you got here," snickered Gary. "I was thinking you were never going to show up."
"So you haven't forgotten anything before in your life?" I questioned. I turned to him, doubtful. He still stared straight ahead at the curtain Juniper was hidden behind. I looked over at Kiwi, who was playing with a pokeball over at a table. I strode over to her. Suddenly, she screamed as the ball fell to the ground and opened up.
"Kip-Kip! Mudkip!" something screamed as the mysterious Pokemon landed on the ground.
"Oh my gosh! That little baby is so cute!" Kiwi kneeled down to the Pokemon. "You are going to be a great Swampert one day." She pet the little thing.
"Kiwi, what Pokemon even is that?" I asked. She looked up at me.
"You don't know? It's a Mudkip! This little cutie evolves into a Swampert!" She exclaimed. The Mudkip jumped up and down around Kiwi. Kiwi kept petting it and making it squeal even more.
"It seems to really like you," Gary piped in. He was still staring at the curtain leading to Juniper's little area.
"I hope it does! I love all Pokemon and hope they love me too," Kiwi stood back up as Juniper walked through the curtain. Gary rushed over to her.
"Do you have the pokemon? May I take mine now? When will I get it?" He peppered her with questions.
"Calm down Gary, you'll get yours shortly, just right after Kiwi and Cloud." She rushed over to the table Kiwi was at earlier.
"WHAT?! But I deserve it more than them! I work harder than them! IT'S NOT FAIR!" Gary yelled.
Juniper turned around to face him. "Now you can see exactly why you are last." She said coldly. Gary opened his mouth as to say something, but shut it and lowered his head. I walked over to the table Juniper was at. She had a fancy tray holding out 3 pokeballs. You could see the label on each one, reading out: Snivy, Oshawott, and Tepig. Kiwi stepped up to the tray, uncertain on her decision.
"Mud-Mudkip!" The Pokemon at her feet cried out. Kiwi looked down at it sadly, knowing she couldn't take it as a starter. Professor Juniper looked at Kiwi and Mudkip. She thought for a moment before proposing this option.
"Kiwi. I have known you for a long time and know you are a responsible young lady. This Mudkip was originally for an experiment at this lab, but seeing the bond between you and this Pokemon is one I have not seen in a long time. Would you prefer to have this Mudkip as your starter instead?" she asked. Kiwi looked up with hopeful eyes.
"I could? Really?" She exclaimed. She picked up the Mudkip as it happily cried out its name in her arms. Kiwi looked very excited to be with it. "I'll be sure to raise it right, Juniper! It will be an amazing Swampert someday. Speaking of which, I have a great nickname for this baby! Swampito, welcome to the team!" Kiwi said, beaming. Gary chuckled.
"With your Pokemon raising skills, it's hilarious to think it'll even get to being a Swampert!" Gary laughed. Juniper glared at him. She briskly walked over to him and was within inches of tackling him over when she stopped.
"Don't you ever say that to another trainer. I don't care if she is your friend for many years and if she doesn't take it offensively at all." She was getting louder with each word. "You certainly aren't the best Pokemon trainer, so clean up your act before you disrespect others." She stormed into the room behind the curtain. Gary was dumbfounded, just standing there with his mouth open wide. Kiwi was cuddling her Swampito, petting its head, trying to be as quiet as possible.
"Juniper!" I called out after an awkward silence. "I never got my starter Pokemon!"
"Just take one out of the tray I laid out or the Pokemon in the bucket it you want." I walked over to the bucket to see what was in there. I saw Torchik, Squirtle, Totodile, Turtwig, Charmander, Chikorita, and more! I was scanning through the labeled Pokeballs, looking for one that popped out to me. Suddenly, I came across one labeled "Piplup." I remembered some information I had read about this Pokemon. I picked up the pokeball, feeling the weight of it in my hand.
"Go, Piplup!" I threw the ball at the ground. When it hit the tile, it popped open in a flash of white and red light. I saw this figure emerging from the pokeball until it was about the correct size. It came into the blue color all piplups are and morphed into a defined image. It then stopped glowing and came into focus.
"Piplup! Pip-pip-piplup!" The Pokemon screamed out as it jumped up and down. It ran over to me and jumped. "Piplup! Piplup-pip! Piplup!" It called out repeatedly. It seemed desperate for me to pick it up. I pulled it up to me and pet his little bird head.
"Finally! It's my turn to pick a Pokemon!" Gary said exasperated. I walked next to Kiwi and let our Pokemon interact with each other. They seemed to like playing with each other. Fifteen minutes later, Gary was still looking through the Pokemon when finally Kiwi called out, "Can't you go faster you nincompoop?"
Gary turned to her. "This is a crucial decision in my Pokemon career. I have to be right in my decision."
"Ok, fine, but I'm leaving right now. I have to pack and get ready for my adventure!" She exclaimed as she briskly walked out the door. I turned to Gary.
"I'll leave too. I want to have Piplup help me pack and everything so we can bond. See you later Gary! I wish you well on your Pokemon journey." I said. I turned to walk out the door.
"Best wishes, Cloud." He said over my shoulder.
I picked up my backpack. I just finished packing everything I need. "Piplup, I need you to be in this Pokeball for this part of the journey. I want to keep you safe," I told it. Piplup looked up at me and nodded. "Piplup, return!" I commanded it. A red light shot out from the center of the Pokeball and hit it. It spread over its body until it covered it completely, then sucked it into the Pokeball. I put it on the first slot in my belt. I looked and noticed I only had six of them.
"Cloud! Professor Juniper is here for you!" My mother called from downstairs, interrupting my thoughts. I quickly hurried down the stairs and met Juniper at the front door.
"What brings you here, Professor?" I asked her.
"Sorry for not doing this earlier, I forgot with the whole Gary incident. Here is your Pokedex. It automatically records data on wild pokemon when you scan them. It also can give you moves learned by a specific Pokemon, what region it comes from, and more! If you ever need help just press this little white button," She explained, pointing to a button on the bottom of the Pokedex.
"Sounds great! I was just getting ready to go out on Route One now!" I said. Juniper looked pleased.
"That's great to see you starting on your journey! It reminds me of when I first started mine," she said, lost in thought. I cleared my throat.
"Well, it's time Piplup and I went on our way!" I said, trying to get around Juniper. She stepped out of the doorway and let me through. I started walking towards Route One when she called out, "Good luck and don't forget to have fun!"
I walked for about ten minutes when I heard, "Cloud! I have a Pokemon now and you have a Pokemon now. I have been waiting so long to say this. I challenge you to a Pokemon battle!" exclaimed the person behind me. I turned around to find who I expected to say that: Gary.
"Let's do this! Even though we already know who is going to win here!" I called out. Suddenly, I felt the Earth shake underneath me. I looked at the trees and saw bird Pokemon flying from every direction. I tried to scan them with my dex until I heard a loud CRRRAAACKKK and watch as the largest tree in the surrounding area come crashing down at me. I dove and just barely dodged it, but I heard Gary cry out.
"Gary! Are you ok?" I screamed. I could hear some muffled words but I couldn't understand what he was saying. I tried to climb over the tree but it was just too large. I looked back to where the other tree had been rooted only to find another one fly and smack me right upside the head. I was thrown to the ground, hitting hard earth. I looked up, feeling blood trickle from my mouth. I tried to call out to Gary, but nothing would escape my lips. All sound was overtaken by the screaming of people in Nuvema Town. The last thing I saw was a Helicopter with the letter "Y" printed on the side before I slipped into unconsciousness.