Title: Tricanon (Placeholder)

Chapter 1: Wake Up

"Wake up, Milli. Don't you know what today is?"

Milli sat up, her eyes red with exhaustion. "Of course. It's my eleventh birthday, the day I get to finally start my adventure since the government decided to increase the age restriction to 11."

"All right, then. Come on, get up. Time to go to the Gym to get your starter from your father."

Milli rubbed her eyes. "I am excited, Mom, but did you really have to wake me up at 4:30 in the morning?"

"Oops," said her mother, "guess not. The Gym doesn't open 'til 8 anyway, though your dads always gets there around 5:30 for some morning training. Go back to sleep for a little while. I'll get you back up later."

And with that, Milli drifted quietly back to sleep.

***s***

The sound of a phone ringing woke Marie. She listened through her bedroom door to what her mother was saying.

"What? You won't be home? But you promised her. … I know, I know, you're filling in for my father. When will you be back? … That long, huh? … No, I will not tell her for you, you'll have to tell her yourself."

"Marie, honey. It's time to wake… oh, you're already up. Anyway, your father has something to say to you."

Marie took the phone. "Hey, sweetie, happy 12th birthday! I'm really sorry I couldn't make it home, but your grandfather isn't in very good health. I'll be home as soon as possible. Grandpa is pretty old, we might have to shut down the Gym. Love you, see ya soon! Bye."

"Marie? I know you're disappointed. After all, you do start your journey today. But I think I have something that will cheer you up."

Marie walked into the kitchen. A package was on the table. "To: Marie" she read. She opened the package. Inside was PokéGear.

"I know you were hoping for a Pokétch, but we just couldn't afford one. I hope the PokéGear makes up for it."

"Of course it does, Mom. Can I….".

The sound of the PokéGear ringing interrupted Marie. She picked it up.

"Hello? Marie? Did you get my present to you yet?"

"Yes, Aunt Whitney. I got it. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Are you going to visit anytime soon?"

"I wish I could, but Rocket's started back up again, causing trouble all over the place. Why don't you visit me?"

"My parents don't exactly want me wandering around a faraway region on my own. But if I can beat the Elite Four here, they might let me."

"I see. After what happened on your parent's journeys, I can understand their worries."

There was a loud noise in the background.

"Gotta go, kiddo. Someone just broke in. I'll show them to mess with me! Talk to you later, okay? Bye."

"Okay," said Marie, "bye."

***s***

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Do you know what day it is?!"

"Yes, we know," said her mother. "It's your 8th birthday! Excited for the party this weekend?"

"Of course! All my friends will be jealous when I get my first Pokémon."

"You are pretty young to be getting one, but we think you can handle it. After all, your father and I weren't much older when we got our first Pokémon. Sure you can wait 'til the weekend to get your Pokémon?"

"No! I'm way too excited! Why can't I meet my Pokémon now?" asked Mia.

"Because it's not one of the usual starters since you're only 8. Your dad hasn't even gotten the Egg back from the Day-Care man yet."

"Awww, man. I really wanted to meet my Pokémon today."

"It's only two days. And, they're school days. That ought to keep you sidetracked until the weekend. All right, it's time to get ready for the day. Let's go."

***s***

I can't believe it, thought Milli. I finally get my very own Pokémon.

They arrived at the Mauville Gym around7:30, before the crowd of challengers got there for the day.

"All right, sweetheart, I'll see you later," said her mother. "I've got to get to Lavaridge Town before they run out of Lava Cookies for the week. Don't forget to stop by before you leave."

"I won't. Bye, Mom."

Milli entered the Gym. The old building never ceased to amaze her. All the Tesla-coil-like devices were as shiny as ever. She spotted her father across the Gym.

"Hey, Dad! Over here! Would it kill you to turn off the electric fences for one minute?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm turning them off. Get over here."

Milli walked across the gym floor, now free of electric fences. Her father appeared to be excited, but as she got closer, she saw a twinge of sadness in his eyes.

"Milli, my daughter, my beautiful daughter. You've grown up so fast. Already ready to set off on your own journey."

"Come on, Dad! Just get to the point already! I want to meet my starter."

"I know, I know. It's not everyone that gets a non-traditional starter, you know."

"I know, I know. I should be a little more grateful, since you're letting me go on a journey and all. But I'm way too excited!"

"All right, all right. Here you go your very own first Pokémon."

***s***

"Bye, Mom," said Marie as she walked out the door. "I'm off to the Professor's lab to get my Pokedex."

"Okay, sweetie, have a good time. Your father and I are both very excited that you're finally going on your journey. We're so proud of you."

"Thanks, Mom. Oh, before I forget, should I bring my starter with me?"

"Only if you don't plan on coming back home for dinner."

"Ok, then. See you later."

A few minutes later, Marie arrived at the professor's lab. The doors slid open as she walked inside.

"Marie!" exclaimed the professor. "I was starting to worry you'd never come!"

"Well, my parents had bad experiences on their journeys, so they figured that I should probably wait an extra couple of years."

"Oh, yes, I quite say they did. But all of that's over now. I presume you came to pick up your starter Pokémon?"

"Actually, I only came to get a Pokedex. I already have my first Pokémon waiting for me at home."

"Ok then. Here's your Pokedex. It's the latest model. It has detailed information on all the Pokémon in this region, as well as Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn. We haven't gotten Unova on it yet, but you shouldn't have to worry about that for now. Would you like me to show you how it works?"

"No thanks. I have a pretty good idea from my father's old Pokedex."

"All right. Now that that's settled, you should get going. I bet you're just dying to start your way on journey."

"Yeah, kinda, but I don't leave 'til tomorrow anyway."

"You're a smart girl, you are, waiting for tomorrow. It'll give you that feeling of truly beginning a new chapter in your life."

"I'll be leaving now. I have a feeling there are other children you still have to get to."

"Yes, there are a few more today. It'll be a while until I see you again, Marie, so good luck on your journey."

"Thank you, Professor Rowan, for everything."

And with that, Marie left the lab and headed back home, the place from where her journey would begin.

***s***

The bell rang. Mia dashed out of her seat and ran to the parking lot. Her mother was already waiting.

"So, Mia, what did you learn on your last day of school?"

"It was so exciting! We learned about Pokémon and their different types and weaknesses and strengths."

"Sounds like an interesting day. And tomorrow will be even more fun. But I do have a special surprise for you. It's on the kitchen table at home."

"Stop it, Mom! You're gonna make be burst with excitement."

"I know, I know. We're almost home."

As the car pulled into the driveway, Mia wondered what the surprise could be. After all, what could be more exciting than the Pokémon she was getting tomorrow? Mia got out of the car and walked through the entryway straight into the kitchen. On the table sat a paper-wrapped cylindrical tube. On it was written, "To: Mia From: Mom & Dad."

"I wonder what it could be," said her mother.

"I thought you knew, Mom!" exclaimed Mia.

"Well, I have an idea, but your father is the one who actually got it. Speaking of whom, where is he?"

"Right behind you," said Mia's father, lifting her up into the air.

"Eek! Daddy! Don't scare me like that!" laughed Mia.

"What is it, dear? What did you get her?"

"Oh, um, …." Mia's father whispered something into her mother's ear.

"Really? But how do you know when…?"

"Relax, just trust me on this. Mia, go ahead and open it. Be gentle with it"

"Ok, Daddy."

Mia carefully tore off the wrapping paper. The cylindrical tube slowly revealed itself to be hollow and glass. Inside was a Pokémon Egg. Mia lit up with excitement.

"I thought you weren't giving me this until tomorrow!"

"Well, it does have to hatch still, so you might be walking around with just the Egg until then. Why don't you try picking it up?"

Mia cautiously lifted the tube.

"It's warmer than I thought, and not as heavy as I expected it to be."

"Yep. I would've hatched the Egg myself otherwise, just to be safe."

Mia took a step forward. The Egg began to glow. Mia inhaled sharply.

"It's hatching! It's hatching! Did you plan this, Daddy?"

"Yeah, I figured you'd wear yourself out running around with it otherwise."

"It's so pretty," said her mother.

The glow began to fade. In the place of the Egg, there was a Pokémon.