Chapter 1: The Journey Begins
I wake up to the sound of the alarm clock. I yawn as I turn it off. I smile and look at the Pokémon License lying on the table. I pick it up and put it in my backpack. I open my closet and grab my clothes and throw them on. I slide the backpack's straps around my shoulders and stretch. I run downstairs to see my mom watching TV. "Oh, Chris. Are you going somewhere?" she asks.
"I'm going to meet Barry."
She thinks. "Alright, but remember…"
"Don't go in the tall grass," we both say.
I nod and step outside into the sunlight. I see pokémon of all different types with, or without, trainers strolling around. I see my best friend Barry running towards his house. He waves as he passes by. I wave back as he runs into his door. He rubs his head and opens it. I chuckle. I knock on his door. "Who is it?" Barry's mother asks.
"It's Chris."
"Oh, come in!"
I open the door and walk into the house. "Barry went upstairs to grab some things. Why don't you go check on him?"
I walk upstairs into Barry's room. He's going through his desk and talking to himself. "Chris! Meet me on Route 201. If you don't get there in time, you owe me 1 million pokédollars!"
He pushes past me and runs outside. I chase after him and wave goodbye to his mom. I run as fast as I can to Route 201, but stop, exhausted. I look up and see Barry. "Too slow!"
He puts his arm out to show that he wants me to pay him. I chuckle. "As if I have that much pokédollars."
He sighs. "Well, you can always pay later."
I hear rustling grass. Barry turns around and walks to the tall grass. "I wonder what that was."
He looks back. "You wanna find out?"
I shrug. "I don't know Barry. We don't even have a pokémon to defend ourselves let alone a pokéball to catch one."
He chuckles. "You're such a party pooper. I mean we both have our Pokémon Licenses. How much harm could we cause by walking into some grass."
I think. "What if it's a Scyther?"
I laughs. "Trust me. There are no Scythers around here."
He inches closer to the grass. I sigh. "Alright, but if we're caught, don't expect me to explain why we did it."
Barry smiles and gets ready to run. "Okay."
He stands next to me. "One, two, three!"
We take off. We are almost in the grass when, "What is going on with kids nowadays?"
We both freeze and turn around. It's an old man, but he seems familiar. He steps forward. "Tell me, why would you just decide to run into tall grass without pokémon to help you?"
I look at Barry. "I was just tired of not being able to leave Twinleaf Town. We're both 14 and we haven't left town. I want to see the world and experience everything there is to do in Sinnoh. Contests, Gyms, the Pokémon League. I want to be the Champion," Barry says.
My mouth opens a little at my shock. I've never seen Barry so serious before about anything. He sounds like he's denouncing everyone who thinks there's nothing in the world. I know that one day I hoped to go on a journey. I smile. "I agree with Barry. I want to experience Sinnoh as well."
I look closely at the old man and gasp. "I know you!"
He smiles. "I hoped you would figure it out eventually. It is me, Professor Rowan, the Sinnoh region's Pokémon Professor."
Barry and I light up. "I want you two to listen very closely. I want you to go to Sandgem Town after we talk. Be sure to tell your parents before you leave."
I nod. The professor turns around. "Dawn, bring me my briefcase!"
A girl comes running to Rowan with a brief case. She has shiny, black hair and is wear a red coat with four large, pink buttons, a white beanie with an image of a pink pokéball on it, and large, pink boots. She has a white bag around her right shoulder. She catches her breath as she hands the briefcase over. She looks at us and looks back at the professor. "Are you sure you want to give these pokémon away? They are very rare."
"I'm very sure Dawn."
Rowan turns to us. "Now, in these pokéballs are three different pokémon. "One is Piplup, one is Chimchar, and one is Turtwig."
Barry looks at me. "You can pick first, Chris."
I look at the three pokeballs. I think about what they can each do. Piplup is water type, Chimchar is a fire type, and Turtwig is a grass type. If I'm going to be a trainer, I'm going to try to get to the pokémon league. The closest gym is in Oreburgh City. It's a rock type gym, so I'm not picking Chimchar. I reach for a pokéball and throw it into the air. The pokéball opens and a white light forms into the shape of a small bird. Piplup opens it's eyes and looks around. "Piplup?" it asks in a questioning tone.
I look at Piplup and wave. "Hi, Piplup. I'm going to be your new trainer."
It cocks its head to the side and looks me in the eyes. After a couple minutes, Piplup smiles and runs to me. It jumps into my arms. "Piplup!" it says happily.
Rowan smiles. "Your Piplup is a female. It knows Pound and Growl at the moment, but she will learn as time goes on."
I look at Piplup and smile. "Alright Piplup, we're going to be best friends."
I see Dawn and Barry smiling at us. "There's always something about people and pokémon becoming friends that moves others," Rowan says.
I look at Barry as I set Piplup down. "Which one are you picking Barry?"
He smiles. "Since you chose water, I'm going to choose grass."
He grabs Turtwig's pokeball and throws it into the air. The light from the pokéball forms into Turtwig. Turtwig looks at Barry and smiles as Barry greets himself. Turtwig runs around Barry excitedly. I smile. "A match made in heaven. An energetic pokémon for an energetic person."
He sends Turtwig back into his pokéball. I look at Piplup and pick it up. I open the main part of my backpack and sent Piplup in there. Piplup exclaims happily. I wave to the professor and Dawn. "See you in Sandgem Town."
Barry takes off to his house, eager to start his journey. I walk back to my house as kids play in the plaza. I see my mom look at me when the door opens. I take off my backpack and set it down. Before we came in, I told Piplup to hide so we could mess with Mom. Mom smiles as I walk over to her. "You'll never guess what happened just now."
She seems eager to know. "What happened?"
"Barry and I saw Professor Rowan!"
My mom gasps. "Wow! What an honor. Did you talk to him?"
"He was the one who talked to us."
Her eyes widen. "Wow."
I smile. "He even gave us something."
"What did he give you?"
Piplup jumps out of the bag. "Pip Piplup!"
My mom jumps back, startled, as Piplup lands. She starts laughing when she notices. "Wow. You really scared me."
She steps to Piplup and picks her up. "She's so cute!"
I smile. "I know, right? Barry picked Turtwig."
Mom hands Piplup to me, who I set down. "The professor said to go to Sandgem Town to his lab."
Mom smiles. "I knew this day would come eventually."
She walks to the kitchen and comes back with a camping set and supplies for a long trip. She puts the food into my bag and lies the camping equipment into the main compartment. I'm amazed it fit in the bag. Mom hugs me and Piplup. "I hope you have a great time on your journey. Don't forget to call me at the Pokémon Centers, alright."
I nod. "Got it."
"Goodbye. Hope to see you soon."
I hug Mom and put on my backpack, which Piplup crawls into. I wave to her as I walk out the door. "Goodbye, Mom." "Piplup Pip!"
Mom waves back as a tear rolls down her cheek. I see Barry waiting for me on Route 201. I look at Twinleaf Town and take a deep breath. I look at Piplup who smiles. I run to Barry, ready for our journey.
