I wake up on the day of my tenth birthday. I'm so excited! Today's the day I finally get my first Pokémon! I crawl out of my sleeping bag, roll it up, and put it in my backpack, along with everything else I own- my jacket, water bottle, rope, and folded up tarp. I walk to professor oak's laboratory. I am so happy to finally get a second chance at life after what happened 4 months ago… I walk faster as I feel a swift breeze. Fall is coming quickly. I exit the town and walk through green fields. I think of which Pokémon to pick. I've thought about this a lot, considering this could be the one thing that changes my life for better- or for worse. When it came to the choice of whether to go on this journey, it was a no-brainer. I needed to take the risk. I have no other career, no other options. I see I have passed into professor oak's refuge, by the Pokémon romping in the fields nearby. I pass a field with some Growlithes in it. They look happy. Why wouldn't they be? They are under the care of the best Pokémon professor in the world. I sigh and shove my hands in my pocket as the wind picks up again. I had narrowed my choice down to Charmander or Squirtle. Bulbasaur is amazing, but I liked the others better. I can't decide between those two, though! I turn the corner and see professor oak's laboratory, with the windmill behind it. I trudge up the path to his house/lab, and knock on the door. I wait. Then wait some more. Finally, the door opens and Oak looks out, looking distraught. "I'm sorry," he says, "but all of the starters have been stolen!" "What!" I say, surprised. Then, as I finally begin to realize what this means for me, I start to hyperventilate uncontrollably. Professer Oak guises me inside, and sits me down on a comfortable chair. I begin to cry. I can't help it. I don't know what I can do now. I try to breathe. In, out. In, out. I start to calm down. "What… (In, out) ...happened? Who (hiccup) stole them?" "I don't know," Oak says. "But I know what we can do. I have a friend on the Orange Islands who has been raising some. Tell me what you want, and I can get it to you." I stay silent. "What starter did you choose? Speak up!" the professor says sharply. "I- I haven't decided yet." His face softens. "I'd forgotten how hard the decision is. Maybe it would help you to see them." he suggests. I nod. "I'll take you there. It's only an hour away by boat."