Ryo grew up in Blackthorn City, Johto. His father was a Monk in the Dragon's Den and his mother was a star in the Pokeathalon. Their marriage wasn't great and the two ended up divorcing when Ryo was 6. He ended up blaming himself and becoming a bit of a recluse due to his depression. This lead him to become friends with a Dratini in the Dragon's Den who was smaller then the others. It was also an outcast among it's kind and the two became bonded. After Ryo got to High School age he dropped out with his only other friend, San, and together they started a pokemon journey through the Johto League…

San and Ryo ditched school for the last time a few days ago to begin their journey as Pokemon Trainers. They packed all their stuff while their parents were at work and made their way to New Bark Town to see Professor Elm. Once there San told the Professor what they wanted to do and he gave them both pokedexes he was keeping for the famous Professor Oak.

"Ok. now before you both go you may chose a pokemon from these I have here." Elm said. he motioned to the large machine with three pokemon within. The three pokemon were Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. San jumped at the chance to get Totodile since she liked water pokiemon. Professor Elm looked at Ryo assuming a pattern. Every pair of kids that he has seen the one who choses second picks the type advantage over the other. "Go on, son. I know you want Chikorita."

Ryo looked away and rubbed his arm and mumbled something to the professor. "What was that?" Elm asked.

"Actually I kind of what the other one…" Ryo answered in a shakey voice. Elm was taken aback for a minute but laughed a bit as he gave Ryo the Cyndaquil. Ryo looked down at the pokeball and smiled.

"Your name is….Fireball"

San and Ryo are outside of the lab with San vibrating with excitement. "We are gonna have so much fun! We are gonna get all the gym badges and win the league and show those butt faces in Blackthorn we can be good trainers! Me and Toto and you and Fireball are gonna do this…thing…hey. You still thinking about that Dratini back home?"

Ryo looks down and rubs his arm. "Y-yeah….I mean I like Fireball and all but I just feel like I shouldn't have just left her without a word like that…."

"She is in the Dragon's Den and not many people are allowed in there without Clair's or your dad's express permission. She should be fine!" San waves her hand and turns to the path in front of them. "Now we just head to Cherrygrove to get information on what to do first!"

Ryo looks up at San a bit worried. "You mean you don't know where we are going?"

"Well…I know there are 8 badges in the region and Blackthorn has one but I don't think we are ready for that yet…..and…iunno about the other 7 sooooo no?" San shrugs and starts to walk out of New Bark. "We will be fine! Everyone's gottta start somewhere!"

Ryo sighs and follows her. Once on Route 29 San notices Ryo is still a bit down. "Hey Ryo. I think I know how to cheer you up." She pulls out a pokeball from her bag and gives it to Ryo. "You are gonna catch your first pokemon!"

"You…you sure San?"
"Yes. Here." San points to a Pidgey in the distance. "Go get the Pidgey. Good Luck!"

She pushes Ryo to towards the bird pokemon. Ryo nervously stumbles toward the Pidgey and looks back to Sans, who gives hima thumbs up, and turns back and sends out Fireball to help him. After a short battle he manages to catch the Pidgey. "I…..I did it! I'm going to call you Ace."

San cheers "You did it Ryo! I told you it would make you feel better! Now you have more fri-" Sans stops mid-sentence when she eyes a Wild Sentret "Se-SENTRET!" She yells startling Ryo. "Wha-" Ryo barely manages to get out a sentence before Sans pulls out at least 50 pokeballs and rushes the wild pokemon.

"H-how many pokeballs do you have on you?" Ryo asked.
"DOESN'T MATTER! LETS JUST SAY A LOT!" San yells back as she is throwing all the pokeballs at the Sentret missing most of them."GET. IN. THE. BALL!" After about 15 minutes and 65 pokeballs she finally catches the pokemon. "F-finally…I"m naming her Sen and Now I could use a Nap." San says panting.

"Let's just rest here a bit before Cherrygrove then…." Ryo suggests.
"Th-thanks. S-sorry. I just really wanted that Sentert."
"I know." Ryo pats her on the back a few times. "I know….."

After San recovered from catching her new Sentret, Sen, both her and Ryo moved on to Cherrygrove. "OK! Now we must get information on where to go next." San said

"You mean you don't know were we are going?" Ryo questioned.
"Well….no. I knew how to get to Cherrygrove….annnnnnnd that's it to be honest."San replied shrugging. "But hey! I heard that this is the place to get information on taking on the league so lets do that! You take the area near the lake and I will get the residential area. Meet back in the town square!"
"But San shouldn't we-"
"TOO LATE I'M GONE!" San yells running off. Ryo just sighs and slinks off towards the lake on the other side of town.

A few hours later Ryo is just about to give up. "Why did I let San get me into this crazy idea? I mean I wanted to leave home but…i just don't know if I can handle this…."

Just as Ryo starts to head towards the square an older man shows up. "HEY YOU! YOUNGUN!"
"M-me?" Ryo said confused.
"Who else? You look lost. ALLOW ME TO SHOW YOU AROUND TOWN!"
"N-no that's okay I have to meet my fri-AHHH!" Before he could finish Ryo gets dragged off all around Cherrygrove being taught about Pokemon Centers and Pokemarts. They finally get to his house and Ryo is in a bit of a daze.

"AND HERE, is my home. Thanks youngun. As a Gift I will give you these Town Maps. Why am I giving you two you may wonder. I am not at liberty to tell you for legal reasons. BUT THEY ARE YOURS! Also because you looked actually lost, go north to Violet City and there is your first Gym Leader."
"Thanks?"
"You are Welcome! Now do your grandfather proud."
"But you're not-"
"DO YOUR GRANDFATHER PROUD"
"O…..okay." The odd old man walks into his house and Ryo heads to the square like he planned still confused as to what exactly just happened to him. At the square he meets up with San.

"What took you? I didn't get anything…"
"Long story…I got us maps though. Also I heard we should head north to Violet City for the first Gym Leader."
"That is awesome! Good Job Ryo! Let's rest at the pokemon center tonight and head out in the morning to really start our adventure!"

The duo make their way to the pokemon center for the night. In the morning they really start their adventure.