All my life, I've wanted adventure. I couldn't wait for my tenth birthday to come so that I would finally receive my first Pokemon and set out on my own journey. All I wanted was to be independent, with only my trusted Pokemon besides me. I dreamt of becoming the greatest trainer in all of Sinnoh, maybe even the world. I could never do this by staying in Sandgem! I needed to go out and explore with Pokemon! But my parents wanted me to do no such thing.

All they wanted for me and my brother, Drew, was for us to stay with them and finish school. I had always defied this, but my brother had seemed to go along with it. At least at first.

When his tenth birthday came around, even as most of his friends were receiving their trainer cards and setting out to train their newly acquired Pokemon, he was fine with staying at home and in school. He always studied hard and got good grades for it, something I never did. My parents were obviously pleased by his satisfaction, and ignorantly assumed that I would be fine with it as well. Wrong.

The next year, when I turned ten, I threw a fit because my parents had failed to get me the trainer card I so desperately wanted. I even tried running away from home, although I only got to the edge of the town before a flock of Starly attacked me and I ran right back.

The following month, Drew turned eleven and remained a student. He seemed fine with not becoming a trainer around our parents, but I could tell that he was disappointed.

After that, I begged and pleaded with my parents to let me become a trainer. They came up with lots of reasons why I shouldn't go, but there main reason was, "We just don't want you to be alone!"

"Mom, you know I'll be with my Pokemon!"

"Sarah, you know what I mean! I don't want you to be without other people or with strangers."

We had had this conversation many times before, but this time, something changed.

"I'll go with her." It was my brother. In that moment, I saw all the reasons my mom had against me becoming a trainer vanish. "Fine. What Pokemon would you want anyway?"

What Pokemon? I suddenly realized I had never even thought about what type! How could I choose just one? "Just... get me something strong."

My mother groaned. "Not too strong..."

The month after that, on my eleventh birthday, I got my trainer license and a promise that I would receive my first Pokemon on my brother's birthday. And so, 28 days later, we both got just that.

After my mom gave Drew his trainer card, she brought us into the living room and sat us down on the couch. She then explained that the Pokemon they had gotten us were from a well known breeder that had been recommended by another parent.

My dad came downstairs holding two red pokeballs. He carefully handed us each one of them. I held mine gingerly in my hands and, after a moment of pause, we both released our new Pokemon.

Mine was a grey wolf-like creature with shiny red eyes that looked curiously at me. I knelt down and let it sniff my hand. At first it was wary of me, backing away and baring its teeth. Then it stopped and came closer. After sniffing me it even let me scratch it behind the ear.

"Sarah, yours is a female Poochyena. It's a Dark type. Andrew, yours is a male-"

"Houndour, right? It's a Dark and Fire type... These are pretty good Pokemon, thanks!"

"Know it all... But this is perfect! We can finally set out together on an adventure! But hey, we need to name them. Hmm, I think I'll call you Karina, Rina for short. That sound ok?" My new Poochyena gave a happy bark as a reply.

"Glad to know you approve. What are you gonna name yours?"

"I think that I'll name him Daemon." The Houndour nodded and thumped its stubby tail against the carpet.

"Alright, you kids can take off after you pack your things. I have some food for you to bring and a few potions for if your Pokemon get tired. Remember to head to Pokemon Centers for lodging and health care, too!"

This was how Drew and I set out on our Pokemon journey.