Hello, everyone! I love Pokémon Emerald. I hope you do too because this story is based on it. A little twist on what would happen if our game-journeys became more real.

Enjoy!

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Nadine squeaked when the truck hit another bump on the road. The boxes around her shuffled about, but nothing fell and hit her. If any of them did though, Nadine wouldn't admit it. Caroline, her mother, and the movers warned her about the boxes, but she insisted on staying in the cargo. Caroline, sold most of the stuff in their old house, so most of the stuff in the boxes were just clothes, books, and other sentimental things. There wasn't anything that can damage her or be damaged by her; and if there was, she'd still be there. It was fun being in the cargo, and it was the only thing cheering her up about the move.

Her father, Norman, got the job as the gym leader of Petalburg City. There weren't any houses for sale there, so Norman bought a house in Littleroot, a town not far from Petalburg.

Nadine huffed and leaned against the truck's walls. Her long brown hair laid loosely on her shoulders, and her ocean-blue eyes looked up in discontent. She wore nothing special that day, just a light green t-shirt, orange shorts, and pink sneakers. She was happy for her dad, she really was, but she wasn't happy to find out Petalburg was in another region.

Nadine felt like everything had been taken away from her. One day she was watching action movies with her neighbors, and the next day, she was deciding which stuff was worth keeping, worth selling, or worth throwing out. Sure she was going to get more stuff and meet new kids, but she had a life back in Kanto. People knew and loved her, and she knew and loved them too. Her relatives were staying there with her friends, so she and her parents would be the only ones in Hoenn, the region they were moving to. At least she knew every corner of the places she had been in Kanto. Hoenn was unknown territory, and Nadine hated asking for directions.

"You'll get used to it, Nadine," Caroline told her when they were still at Kanto. "Before you know it, Hoenn will be your new home, and you'll never want to leave!"

Nadine scoffed at that. She was a Kanto girl. Going to Hoenn was like going to a different planet. What exactly was she supposed to get used to there? Being alienated from everyone else?

When the truck stopped moving, Nadine stood up and watched the truck doors open. She flinched when sunlight hit her eyes, and yelped when two machokes jumped into the truck. The machokes wore navy shirts that represented the moving company they worked for. Nadine smirked at how silly they looked. She stepped out of the truck and watched them carry away the boxes.

"You okay there, girly?"

Nadine turned to see a mover giving the pokémon directions. When she followed his finger, she saw a two-story house with beige walls and brown roofs. A walkway led to the door and separated a lawn into two different sections. White walls guarded the premises, and brown gates attached to them were open for entry.

"Yeah," Nadine said without looking at him. "I'm good."

Nadine saw similar houses beside the building, and the same across the street. She wasn't sure if being surrounded by so many neighbors was a good thing or a bad thing, but it worried her either way.

"Yeah, I know moving can be scary," the mover told her, making her wonder if he read her mind. "But don't worry, kid, you'll get used to it."

Nadine hid a scoff. That was what Caroline said. And she wasn't scared! She was just…culture-shocked. Yeah, that's it. Culture-shocked.

"Nadine, isn't this place great!"

Nadine turned around to see Caroline jogging towards her. Her short brown hair bounced on her shoulders, and her brown eyes flashed with excitement. Nadine felt out of place with her sour mood as Caroline took her hands.

"How was the truck, dear?" Caroline asked. "Did any boxes hit you? Did you have a hard time breathing?"

"I'm fine, Mom," Nadine assured. "And the doors have holes, remember?"

Caroline gave her a small smile.

"Well that's good," she said. "Are you hungry? We can eat as the movers put the boxes in our house!"

Nadine frowned. It was too soon to be calling that building their house, but Caroline pulled her into the walkway before Nadine could correct her.

"Well it looks like I've got my work cut out for me."

Nadine looked around the establishment and shared her mother's disappointment. The living room only consisted of a TV, couch, coffee table, and lamp. When they went to the kitchen, they only saw basic kitchen appliances and a dinner table with four brown chairs.

"Well at least this will give me an excuse to go to town," Caroline shook her head. "This place is in dire need of a woman's touch."

"When's Dad coming?" Nadine turned to her mother.

"He'll be home around 7," Caroline walked to the refrigerator. "In the meantime, let's eat!"

When she opened the fridge, disappointment sunk in again. The only thing the fridge was good for, as it turned out, was storing bottles of water. Caroline sighed.

"Your father must be so busy at the gym, he barely eats at home," she hummed dejectedly. She turned to Nadine. "Want to go to town now?"

"We just got here," Nadine told her. "We don't even know where town is. And if we do leave, who's gonna watch the movers?"

Caroline opened the kitchen door to see machokes putting in the last boxes. The mover from earlier searched for them until he saw them by the door.

"We're all done, ma'am!" he told Caroline. "Need anything else?"

"No, that's fine, thank you!" Caroline responded. She waved the man goodbye and waited till he closed the door. "Well, that solves our movers problem," she returned to the kitchen. "Let's head to town."

"We don't know the place, Mom," Nadine reminded.

"Which is why we should explore!" Caroline retorted. "Come on, Nadine, where's your sense of adventure?"

Back in Kanto, Nadine thought glumly to herself. But her mother was persistent, so she followed her out of the house.

Nadine sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter. She and Caroline finally came home from town, and they were exhausted. The only upside to their trip was that they brought home food. Nadine helped her mother put away the groceries and headed for the living room. She barely touched the kitchen door when her mother's voice stopped her.

"Nadine," Caroline extended a garbage bag to her, "could you throw the trash please?"

Nadine gave her a weird look, but took the garbage from Caroline's hands. "Sure," she said. How they were able to fill up trash before the day ended was beyond her.

"Thanks, dear," Caroline thanked before returning to the dishes. "You know where the dumpster is, right?"

"Yup," Nadine answered before exiting the house. She opened the gate and dumped the garbage in the dumpster. When she turned to go back inside, she was stopped by another voice.

"Hey!"

Nadine turned around to see a boy walking towards her. He had light brown eyes and shaggy brown hair. He wore a black t-shirt, navy shorts, and slippers.

"Do you live in this house?" he asked.

Nadine eyed him warily. "Why do you want to know?"

The boy snorted. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna rob you or anything," he said. "I just heard Norman's family was going to be our neighbors. I live in that house over there," he pointed to the beige house beside her own.

"Norman, as in the gym leader?" Nadine guessed.

"Yeah!" the boy confirmed. "I heard he has a kid too. You the kid?"

Nadine shrugged. "Maybe."

"That's so cool!" the boy stuck out his hand. "I'm Brendan."

Nadine shook his hand. "Nadine."

"Nice to meet you, Nadine," Brendan grinned. "I gotta admit, when I heard Norman's got a kid, I thought you'd be a guy."

"Yeah," Nadine sighed. "I get that a lot."

"There's nothing wrong with being a girl though!" Brendan waved his hands defensively. "You can still be an awesome trainer like your dad. Hey!"

Nadine jumped. "What?"

"You wanna battle?" Brendan asked. "If Norman's your dad, you probably got his battling genes!"

"Eh?" Nadine jumped again. "I don't think battling skills are hereditary."

"Well," Brendan took out a Poké Ball. "There's only one way to find out!"

"Brendan!"

Brendan groaned and turned to his house. "What?"

"Come back inside, it's late!" a woman's voice demanded.

Nadine held her breath as Brendan put away his Poké Ball. "Ugh, fine!" he said. He then turned back to Nadine. "Sorry, that was my mom. I gotta go."

"Okay," Nadine nodded stiffly.

"I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Brendan said before running to his house. "Prepare for the most intense battle of your life!"

When Brendan finally disappeared, Nadine sunk in place. She wondered what would be more annoying: constantly being called out as the gym leader's kid, or the gym leader's kid without a pokémon.

"Caroline? Nadine?"

"Dad!" Nadine ran and enveloped him into a hug. She was sitting in the living room watching TV when Norman walked through the front door.

"Norman!" Caroline followed and kissed him on the lips. "We missed you."

"I've missed you girls too," Norman told them. "Did you move in well?"

"Yes we did," Caroline nodded. "We went to town and did some shopping too. A couple of men even helped us put our bags in the car!"

"Good to hear," Norman approved and looked around the living room. "I see you started putting in the finishing touches."

Indeed, the living room was now decorated with family pictures, potted plants, and decorative mats. There were also decorative candles and figurines, giving the room a classier appeal.

Norman kissed Caroline on the cheek. "Thanks, dear," he said. "The place looks amazing."

"That's what I'm here for," Caroline winked. "Now c'mon in to the kitchen! I made a special dinner specifically made for this day."

"This is delicious, Mom!"

"Indeed, Caroline, this is the best meal I've had in a while."

"Well I'm glad you guys like it," Caroline beamed. "It's been a while since we've eaten as a family."

Their meal that night consisted of seasoned mashed potatoes, organic macaroni and cheese, and guacamole grilled cheese sandwiches. Their beverage was mint-flavored iced water served in a pitcher Caroline bought at the market.

Norman listened attentively as Caroline told him the events of the day. Nadine, who was in brighter spirits, wasn't as bothered when Caroline told him the details of the move. A certain boy she recently met probably helped distract her too.

So he lives next door, huh, Nadine chewed on her sandwich, and he wants to battle. Hmm, that could be a problem.

"How about you, Nadine?" Norman called to her. "How was the move for you?"

Nadine snapped out of her thoughts and repeated his question in her head. She shrugged.

"It was okay."

"I know you weren't excited about moving," Norman gave her a small smile. "Did today brighten your spirits?"

Nadine thought about his question for a moment and returned his smile. "Of course," she said. "Mom and I get to live with you again."

Norman looked pleased. "Well I'm glad to hear that."

The three ate in silence until Caroline offered dessert. When she stepped out, Norman remembered something.

"I missed your 10th birthday, didn't I?"

Nadine blinked at this and sighed.

"It's okay, Dad," she assured. "You were busy about the gym, and Mom and I were busy about the move. How's the gym, by the way?"

"It's doing well," Norman told her. "I'll bring you and your mother there sometime."

"That's a great idea!" Caroline brought in a platter of blueberry red velvet cake. "Seeing your pokémon may give Nadine ideas about which pokémon she should get!"

"Yes, that's right," Norman nodded. "Now that you're 10, you can own your very first pokémon."

Nadine knew this day would come, but they had this conversation before. She loved her dad's pokémon, but not enough to want her own. She saw the responsibility having one had and shuddered every time she thought about it. Her dad struggled providing for his pokémon and family at the same time, and he was a gym leader! If Norman, a responsible adult, could barely handle it, how could she, a ten year-old kid, handle it herself?

Norman noticed her sudden silence and frowned. "Is something wrong, Nadine?"

"Well," Nadine shifted in her seat. "I'm still not sure if I want a pokémon or not."

Norman widened his eyes. He looked down for a while, deep in thought.

"I see," he said. "I won't force you to have a pokémon if you don't want one, but I strongly encourage it. Pokémon are great companions."

"I know," Nadine sighed. "I just…don't think I can handle it is all…"

"Well it's a good thing your father's a gym leader now!" Caroline handed her a slice of cake. "Your father's a pokémon expert! He'll show you how to be a great trainer!"

"Thanks, Caroline," Norman chuckled. "I'll be glad to help you, Nadine," he told his daughter, "and I know someone who'll be glad to help you too."

"Really?" Nadine blinked. "Who?"

"Professor Birch," Norman told her. "He's Littleroot Town's executive professor. He not only goes around the region studying Pokémon, he also helps potential trainers like you. I think he's back in town for a few weeks. I could give him a call and see if he can meet with you. His lab isn't far from here."

"That's a great idea!" Caroline turned to Nadine. "How about it, Nadine? A gym leader and a pokémon professor to help you out? Even if you haven't decided what you want yet, surely you can't miss an opportunity like this!"

Nadine looked down. "No," she sighed. "I guess not..."

"Then it's settled!" Norman declared as he took a bite of his cake. "I'll call Birch. In the meantime, try this cake, Nadine. It's delicious!"

Nadine slowly took her fork and cut a piece of cake. When she took a bite, her spirits quickly lifted.

"Yum!"

"Sorry, you just missed him."

"Oh," Nadine frowned. "When will he be back?"

"He'll probably return in a couple of hours," the receptionist replied. "I apologize on Professor Birch's behalf. Sometimes he gets so caught up in his research, he misses appointments."

"I understand," Nadine sighed. "I'll just come back another time."

"Alright then," the receptionist nodded apologetically, "I'll tell Professor Birch you came."

Nadine nodded again and exited the building. She was disappointed she didn't meet the professor, but relieved at the same time. The professor would no doubt try to persuade her into getting a pokémon, and Nadine still wasn't sure if she wanted one.

"Hey, miss! MISS!"

Nadine snapped out of her thoughts and turned around. A little boy, looking to be seven or eight-years old, ran up to her.

"Something's going on in Route 101," he told her. "Can you help us?"

"Umm," Nadine hummed, but the boy started dragging her. When they stopped, Nadine saw a bearded man running around in a lab coat.

Nadine gasped. He wasn't alone. Something was chasing him, something brown and spiky.

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Ooo, what's going to happen next? Tune in and find out!