Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, though if I did, I'd be filthy stinkin' rich!

"For the last time, Ashley, get up!" I groaned, rolled over, and threw the pillow in my father's general direction. "Don't you know what day it is?"

I groaned again, mentally speeding through dates in my brain. Dad's birthday? Nah, that was last week. Mom's birthday? Nope, that's three months from now. Richard's birthday? That's not for… Okay, I did not just think that. What is it?

I heard an excited voice from outside my window. Well, more like an annoying voice drilled itself into my brain and insisted on giving me as large a headache as possible. "Whoopee! C'mon, mommy, hurry! I don't want to miss it!"

"Relax, Jimmy. I'm sure there'll be plenty of Pokémon left when we get there," another voice said.

I almost fell back to sleep when that the woman had said entered my brain. "I'M GETTING A POKEMON TODAY!"

"Not if you don't get ready, young lady," my mother said, passing by my door.

I growled, shot out of bed, and slammed my door shut. I took off into the bathroom, getting ready as fast as I could. After ten minutes of showering, forcing my bed-head to fall around my shoulders again, and picking out the clothes I wanted to wear, I nearly took the front door off its hinges before my mother insisted that I eat breakfast before I go. I proceeded to trample my little brother halfway to death in my rush to eat and run. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and his lip began to quiver. I rolled my eyes and rushed past him into the kitchen, knowing what was coming next. "MOMMY! ASHLEY KNOCKED ME OVER!"

I groaned, wolfing down my breakfast as quickly as possible. "Sorry, squirt. Maybe if you were a few inches taller, I'd be able to see you."

As I had predicted, my jibe instantly turned his wails into childish anger. "Just you wait, I'm gonna be taller than you, mommy, even daddy!"

"Uh-huh," I said around a mouthful of eggs. "You just keep telling yourself that."

He growled and drew his tiny fist back to hit me. Just at that moment, my father walked into the room, adjusting his tie around his neck. His eyes narrowed when he saw Karl's fist, an amused glint in his eyes. Karl sighed and took his seat at the table. I slammed my fork down and leapt up. I breezed by my parents, giving them each a kiss on the cheek. "Gotta go now, bye!"

Dad shouted something after me, but I completely ignored it in my rush to get to Professor Oak's lab. "I hope all the good Pokémon aren't- ow!"

I rubbed my head, glaring frustrated at the person I had run into. Richard was standing over me, awkwardly rubbing his back. As usual, he never spoke a word, choosing instead to raise an eyebrow over one of his green eyes. I shoved myself to my feet, brushing dust off of my sore butt. "Thanks for helping me up," I growled ill-temperedly.

He continued to stare at me, one eyebrow raised. "Don't give me that look." He sighed and started back down the road toward the professor's lab. I started after him, still dusting myself off. He was walking resolutely ahead, eyes fixed on the white building we were approaching. My eyes were drawn to the crowd around the massive double-doors. We walked up to the mob and stood at the back, waiting for the prof to come out and let us start our lifelong journey or something like that.

After a long wait, the white doors slowly opened just enough for an elderly man to walk outside. Professor Samuel Oak looked as strong as he had ever been, despite being older than some of the buildings around Pallet Town. His white hair stood up in spikes and his eyes crinkled as he opened his mouth. "Quiet!" There was quiet. "Now I know you all are excited to be getting your Pokémon. However, I must tell you all something first. These pokémon…"

What went into my ears may have made sense to the rest of the world, but what made it into my brain was "Blah blah blah Pokémon blah blah." I knew most of the rules of battling, that your Pokémon were your friends, not tools, and all that jazz. I looked around, growing more and more impatient. I looked at Richard, knowing that he would be paying attention. Sure enough, he was staring unblinkingly at the old man as if trying to use psychic powers on him.

Professor Oak held up his hands. "I'm sure you all are excited to get your Pokémon." Wild cheers erupted form the crowd. He waved his hands for silence. "Now, seeing as how Pallet Town has… expanded over the past year quite dramatically, we've decided to do things a little differently. Three of my aides and I will be handing out your soon-to-be-lifelong friends. Due to the influx of Pokémon from different continents, we have caught a large variety of different Pokémon for you to choose from. You will form four lines and PATIENTLY wait your turn. Once it is your turn, you will tell the person which Pokémon you want. You will be given that Pokémon, if we have any left, and a Pokédex. Then, you will be free to begin your lifelong journey and achieve your dreams!"

Another wave of loud cheers met his last words. "Geez, is everything lifelong for him?" I muttered to myself. "How long has his lifelong journey gone? A million years?"

I looked up and realized that people had almost finished forming lines. Trying to ignore Richard's reproachful look, I slipped in behind him, glaring at some of the protesting people behind me. After what seemed like forever, it was the person in front of Richard's turn. He chose some crappy Pokémon, a Wingull I think, and then it was Richard's turn. He pointed at a Poké Ball, a determined look in his eyes. The aide looked at him curiously, but handed him the Poké Ball and a Pokédex. He immediately released the Pokémon, a short orangish-red chick. I almost cooed at its cuteness but was cut short by the aide clearing her throat.

"Can I have a Squirtle?" I asked, thinking about how cute Squirtles were and how its water would beat that Torchic's fire any day. The aide smiled at me and handed me a Poké Ball and a Pokédex. I thanked her and ran after Richard, hoping to catch him. He was just about to leave the gates when I caught up to him. I panted heavily, putting my hands on my knees. I looked up slightly and directly into the black eyes of Richard's Torchic. I nearly cooed again but remembered why I chased him down.

"I challenge you to a Pokémon battle!" I shouted between gasps. He regarded me patiently, waiting for my gasps for air to subside. Once I had caught my breath, I grinned and sent out my Pokémon. "Go, Seashell!" A Squirtle popped out. It looked at me incredulously. "What's the matter?"

"Squirtle squirt!"

"What, you don't like your nickname?"

The Pokémon nodded.

"How about Shelly?"

"Squirt!" he said, shaking his head.

"Shellshock?" I asked, trying to find more words containing 'shell'.

The Squirtle grinned and turned back to the Torchic in front of him. Richard was sqatting down, whispering quietly with his Torchic. It was looking up at him, nodding occasionally.

"C'mon!" I shouted. "Let's get this show on the road!"

Richard looked at me critically, but shrugged and stared at Shellshock. Shellshock stared at Torchic, who gazed right back at it. I looked at them all and sighed impatiently. "Shellshock, Tackle now!"

Shellshock gave a grin and hurtled towards the fire Pokémon. Torchic looked up at Richard, fear dancing in its eyes. He nodded at it and it looked back at the turtle hurtling towards it. I watched as the Torchic didn't move as Shellshock drew closer and closer. Then, at the last second, it jumped aside and raked the blue turtle with its sharp claws. Shellshock looked at the Torchic in irritation and looked back at me.

"Tackle again!" He hurtled towards the Torchic again, who, just like the time before, jumped aside and scratched at the turtle. Shellshock was looking even more irritated, but he was also injured.

I sighed, knowing that this was going nowhere. "Tail Whip, now!" Shellshock swung his thick tail at Torchic. Torchic darted forward and scratched Shellshock again and again.

"Tackle!" I cried out in desperation, Shellshock managed to slam its head into Torchic, knocking it backwards. Torchic shook its head and delivered one final scratch. Shellshock looked apologetically at me and passed out. Dispirited, I recalled him into his Poké Ball and walked over to Richard. He gave his Torchic a warm hug, causing the small bird to chirp happily.

"Here's your money," I said bitterly, handing over the forfeit. I looked down, feeling thoroughly disheartened. I felt Richard's fingers close over my own, gently pushing my hand into a fist. I looked up at him, shocked, as he smiled at me and patted my shoulder. He turned around and strode off, his Torchic hopping alongside him.

I looked back at the money in my hand. He had taken none of it. I was surprised, but I gave a small grin nevertheless. "Hey Richard!" He paused and turned halfway towards me. "You better train hard, 'cause next time will be different!"

He smiled and, shaking his head, walked away.

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