When my sister was younger, she used to watch a television program that focused on a ten year old boy called Ash Ketchum and his adventures in the world of Pokemon. Of course, I knew that it was fake and over exaggerated. In reality, becoming a Pokemon Trainer was difficult, and even dangerous at times.
When my older sister reached the age of ten, she ran away from home. My parents hadn't approved of becoming a Pokemon Trainer, but that wasn't going to stop her.
"Mey, where are you going?" I asked as I watched my sister stuff clothing into her backpack.
"I'm going to become the greatest Pokemon Master! Just wait here and see, okay?" my sister said.
At first, my parents thought she would only be gone for a few days. But then it turned to weeks.
"Sweetie, did she tell you where she was going?" my mom asked.
"No, she only told me that when she returned, she would be the greatest!" I replied cheerfully.
Then it turned to months.
"Excuse me, Miss, are you sure you don't remember?" Officer Jenny asked me. A group of Growlithe had been sniffing my house, hoping to find a lead. They never did.
The more time passed, the more frantic everyone became. My mother began to go to a therapist, while my father continued to work with the police to find my sister. Then one day, she returned.
"Um, excuse me? Is this the Myuu residence?" asked a pink haired girl. I stared at her, as if I was missing something. She looked familiar, but at the same time different.
"Yes! What is your business here?" I said in the most formal way a ten year-old could talk.
"Diana? Is that you?" she asked. How did she know me?
"It's me, Mey!" she said, pulling me into a hug.
"Mey!" I repeated.
"Could you go get mommy and daddy for me?" she asked. I nodded my head before dashing inside.
"MOM! DAD! MEY IS AT THE DOOR!" I yelled. My parents came storming down the stairs, my mother with tears streaming down her face. My dad moved me aside and gasps.
After that, my sister would come home occasionally, usually for holidays or for my birthday. For my eleventh birthday, she got me a Pokemon.
"Mey, what is the meaning of this?" asked my father.
"Oh, you know, just a Riolu. No need to tha-"
"You are taking that wild Pokemon back!"
"It's not wild. I bred it! In case you didn't know, I'm also a Pokemon breeder!" Mey yelled before storming off.
"Daddy, is Riolu sick?" I asked, lifting Riolu up to show my father the odd colour.
"Oh my, how did Mey think she could get away with this?" my mother said angrily.
As time passed on, I began to stray from the idea of becoming a Pokemon trainer like my older sister. First of all, I was terrible at navigating, so I would get lost easily if I ever traveled. I also can't talk to Pokemon, so it's really frustrating when you can't understand what they're saying. The only Pokemon I've ever been able to have a conversation with is Riolu, but for some reason nobody believes me.
And then in 6th grade, we were allowed to bring our Pokemon to school. That was not a good idea.
"Hey, look at that ridiculous looking Riolu!" said Mike.
"No way! It matches Diana perfectly!" sang Liz as she pulled on my hair.
"Yellow is not ridiculous! He's strong, and better than everyone else here!" I yelled angrily, trying to defend my friend.
"Shut up, loser!" Liz yelled and punched my nose. I felt blood trickling down my face.
Don't worry, Master. I'll protect you! Yellow said. I suddenly saw fire surround Riolu's leg before he kicked Liz. Her clothes caught fire and it spread across her body in a matter of seconds.
"Help! Somebody help me! I'm going to die!" screamed Liz as she began crying. She dropped to the ground and tried to stop the fire, only to make the wooden furniture catch fire too.
"Does anyone have a water Pokemon?!" yelled the teacher as she walked in.
Mike let out a Squirtle. "Squirtle, use Water Gun on the fire!"
After that incident, my parents confiscated Riolu's Pokeball and I never saw him again.
"Riolu was only trying to protect her!" argued Mey.
"That's a dangerous Pokemon! From now on, you are not allowed to give Mey anything Pokemon related." my mother yelled.
"But-" My mother quickly hanged up the phone.
Every time my sister came home, she would show me her badges. At first, she only had three. Then she had five, and when I turned thirteen, she had gotten all eight.
"Diana, turn on the tv!" Mey squealed excitedly on the phone.
"Alright, alright!" I said as I grabbed the remote control.
"Gotta go, bye!"
"Geez…" I mumbled as I turned on the tv.
"We're live today to announce that the now former Unova Champion, Iris, has been beaten by Mey Myuu." the announcer said as Mey walked on stage, waving sheepishly at the crowd of people.
After that, my sister visited more often. I always saw her on tv, talking about politics and all those fancy schmancy things. Then one day, there was a report that made my heart stop.
"Champion Mey is Missing In Action. The last time she was seen, she was protecting the Pokemon League from an invading organi-"
"What was that?" I blurt out as mother turned off the tv.
"Nothing! Just go back to your room and finish your homework. You have school tomorrow, remember?" she said quickly. Her tears gave it away though.
If she wasn't going to give me answers, then I'd have to get them myself. I opened my cellphone and instantly found '#FindMeyMyuu' trending.