Raven folded back her deep purple silk colours slowly and gracefully unfolded herself until she stood on her soft pale carpet. A sheet of black hair hung down to her hips and ice blue eyes glowed against her white skin.

"Raven, come on breakfast is ready!" called the sweet voice of her mother from downstairs.

"Coming!" Raven replied in a high, ringing voice.

The quiet girl slipped out of her green nightdress and pulled on a pair of black jeans, a black blouse, a black leather jacket, tight white gloves and knee high black boots. Her hair was left free.

Raven padded silently down the stairs and accepted a plate of toast from her plump, bustling mother with only a single word of thanks. She ate her food neatly and quickly, and then stood up.

"Off to the laboratory already?" asked her mother.

Raven nodded.

"Here take this and I will meet you outside after the great decision, hmm?" the plump woman twittered.

The ten year old girl accepted the small backpack and swept out the door. She walked calmly up the hill towards the white building, a bustle of adults ignored her as they trotted after a brown haired boy as he made his way up the path too.

A red haired girl galloped up the hill behind her, a larger crowd barging after her. Raven stepped to the side and let them pass. At the top of the hill, the two groups had stopped. The two kids stood at the top of the stairs waiting.

Raven joined them, standing slightly to the side. Professor Oak then nodded at each child in turn and motioned for them to come inside. Three little Pokémon stood, three feet apart in a line. Raven examined each one and then stepped forward.

Everyone's eyes widened in surprise as she scooped up the little orange fire Pokémon, the Charmander was very runty compared to others of its kind. The brown haired boy rushed to snatch up the larger then average Bulbasaur, the girl took the last Pokémon, a normal sized Squirtle.

"Well, you seem happy with your choice, Bret," commented Professor Oak.

"Yup, my Bulbasaur is already big and tough, you can tell, I'll have him whipped into shape in no time!" the boy boasted.

Oak nodded, looking concerned.

"You seem pleased too, Tania," He continued.

The girl cuddled her water Pokémon and nodded happily.

"You may leave now then," commanded Oak.

Raven turned to leave, but Oak put his heavy hand on her shoulder, she stopped and watched the others leave. The door slammed behind Bret and the cheering cut off.

"Why did you choose the runty one?" the Professor asked, "you did have first choice."

"This Charmander has the strongest will and heart I have ever seen," Raven replied evenly, holding the Pokémon close.

Oak looked confused, but let her leave. Raven stalked to the door and vanished outside. Her mother was waiting, alone, on the road. Raven gave her a hug, dodged questions and waved a final goodbye as she walked down the road, towards the forest, after the others and into an adventure.