REVISED VERSION!

whaddup, readers? Welcome to the region of Casdem! This story is, as aforementioned, the revised version of Casdem: A Pokemon Journey and if you want to compare the two you're welcome to but, let me just say, I'm very much happy with this version than I am with that one but, do as you please!

Hope you enjoy! :D

I woke up to my alarm going off on my nightstand. I slapped the snorlax shaped alarm on the head and effectively stopped the mechanical snoring that was blaring through its mini-speakers. If it wasn't so good at waking me up I would've thrown it out of my window by now.

Sunlight streamed through my window as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I blinked against the light and slipped out of bed, stretching all the while.

Today was the day.

It was my tenth birthday and I could finally go on my own pokémon journey. It was the only thing on my mind for the past month, not to mention the only thing I talked about, well known to my parents.

With a final stretch of my arms I shuffled towards my closet. I was reminded that I still had to finish my packing when I saw my bag lying on the floor.

"Ugh, I really need to do that," I murmured as I looked over the hangers of shirts and jackets. The same went for my outfit; I hadn't quite decided on what to wear yet. Finally, after a back and forth between three outfits, I decided to go with the simple one and grabbed a plain black v-neck from its hanger along with a purple sweater. A matching pair of black and purple shoes sat at the bottom of my closet for later.

I grabbed a pair of blue jeans from my dresser and changed out of my pajamas and into the stack of clothes tucked under my arm. I zipped up my sweater, decided against it and unzipped it, then stood in front of my mirror on the back of my door.

I wasn't quite sure that I felt any older than a few weeks ago, but I must've looked a little older at least. My mom was always saying how sophisticated I appeared for my age.

"You know, I think I do look older," I said proudly to myself. My smile broadened, but as I turned to the side I cocked my head with an annoyed pout.

"Still as flat as a board though," I muttered to my mirror-self. It's not that I was complaining and I was still young, but it sure would've made me look much older if I had something. With a sigh I grabbed my brush and ran it through my long brown hair, staring at my face. Naturally thin eyebrows were stroked above my round eyes, a small nose adorned the middle of my face, and my light skin was often free of any blemishes. I could smile a little again. "Well, at least I got most of mom's feminine genes." Adults would often gush gleefully about how much I looked like my mother. I considered it the best compliment there is because my mom is the most beautiful woman I know. Don't get me wrong, I love my dad, but his square-ish head and larger-than-normal nose wouldn't quite fit my small frame. Although, one thing I am glad I got from him are his deep blue eyes.

With a final stroke of my brush I pulled my hair into a high ponytail with my long bangs framing my face. I inhaled deeply and let out a long breath. Today, a new story of my life was going to unfold and I couldn't wait. I nodded affirmatively to my reflection and turned the door knob.

Opening the door, a warm wave of breakfast smells wafted from the kitchen downstairs. My mouth watered at the smell of blueberry pancakes and maple syrup. My mom was always the first up and never failed to make breakfast every Sunday. The scraping of pans moving on the stove could be heard from the kitchen.

I walked down the stairs and could see her working at the stove. Her hair was up in a messy bun and a faded pink apron was tied around her waist over a summery yellow dress. Her back was turned to me as she finished her cleaning at the stove and moved to the sink to wash the dishes.

When I entered the kitchen, she looked over her shoulder and smiled warmly.

"Happy birthday, sweetie," she greeted.

"Thanks, mom," I said with a smile. She moved in for a hug and I took in her smell of fresh blueberries and batter. After a moment she pulled back and held me at arm's length, looking me over with a motherly eye. "Ten years old! Do you feel any different?"

"I feel like me," I laughed. "I don't know. I'm hoping this feeling older thing will kick in later." I waved away the subject and she nodded.

"Well, if it makes you feel better, I think you look very sophisticated, sweetie."

She had already made some pancakes and slid the plate my way before turning back to the sink. I grabbed a pancake from the plate and opened my mouth wide.

"Oh, and use a fork please," she added without turning around. "That's why it's on a plate."

The pancake flopped over inches from my opened mouth. I shut it and dropped the pancake back on my plate. There really was no getting past my mom for anything, especially bad table manners. I grabbed the fork beside me and cut the pancakes with the side of the fork, too hungry to get a knife.

"Did you sleep okay?" she asked glancing back over her shoulder briefly.

Between bites I answered, "Yeah, I slept all right."

"Melanie, do you have to talk with your mouth full?" she asked in that motherly tone.

"Oops," I mumbled as bits of pancake flew out of my mouth. "Oops," I muttered again as even more flew out. I decided it best to shut my mouth and I stood up to get a napkin.

"So," she continued. "Are you excited about leaving for your journey?"

"Yeah, it's all I can think about," I answered with a laugh. I wiped my mouth clean and swiped the table with a swift motion. I threw out the napkins as she nodded.

"That's good," she said to herself. There was a short pause and then she put down her wash towel and turned around to face me, her hands resting on the edge of the sink. She gave me a stern yet gentle look as I sat back down. "Now, of course, a pokémon journey is a very exciting thing. But you have to be smart out there. Your father and I can't be there next to you but, we support you every step of the way. I know you wouldn't go and do reckless things or make bad decisions, but if you do you can learn from mistakes and do better next time. We won't love you any less if you make a mistake, I hope you know that." I smiled and nodded as I chewed another bite. As touching and inspiring as her speech was she'd been giving it to me the past few days now.

"Now, the most important thing," she continued barely pausing, "is that you stay safe." She was so caught up in her speech she was now pacing back and forth, talking to herself more than anything. I chuckled and swallowed my last bite of pancake. "I know you're a smart girl and you can handle yourself out there. But, remember that you always have to—"

"Be careful," I finished for her. She stopped and blinked as if coming out of a trance. Then she chuckled, realizing she was rambling just moments ago.

"Yes, careful. I know you know about pokémon through your dad, but that doesn't mean you don't have to be careful."

"Mom, trust me. I'll be careful, I promise," I assured her confidently.

A faint smile crossed her face, although it conflicted with her slightly saddened eyes. It only lasted for a second though before her face lit up with a grin and she nodded.

"I know you will, dear," she said slowly turning back to the dishes.

It must be hard for her to let her only daughter go but, dad had his full confidence in me. In the end, he helped balance out the concerns she had. I was gazing out of the kitchen window when I suddenly realized something.

"Hey, where's dad anyway?"

"Oh, he said he had to help out at the Park really quick."

I frowned. "He went to the Park? He'll be back before I leave, right?"

"Yes. He promised he would be," she said with a reassuring smile. I returned the smile.

My dad was the manager at our local Pokémon Park down the road. It was his job to handle the care of the pokémon and, well, manage everything. His favorite thing to do was tend to the pokémon there. He loved watching them and could often lose track of time when he was working but, if there was one thing I knew about my dad it was that he never broke a promise.

"Are you all set for tonight?" mom asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I scratched the back of my neck. "Um, yeah," I answered uneasily. She nodded and I added quickly, "As soon as I finish packing my bag."

"Oh, Melanie," she started. She turned from the sink and I shrank in my seat, poking my empty plate with my fork. "Why didn't you finish before today?"

"Um, I was too excited?" I offered.

"Nice try." She pointed upstairs and said, "Go finish your packing. I'll clean up down here."

"Okay." I pushed my dirtied plate away from me and stood up.

I jogged up the stairs and into my room. I grabbed my bag from my closet and set it on my bed. The task was already half done since I already packed everything besides my clothing. My mom had bought me my jacket and, no matter what I said, insisted I take money from her for emergencies. I had really wanted to use my own money, but she had insisted that I take it. That was tucked inside my bag that my dad had gotten me along with the other supplies he provided; some matches, a collapsible cooking pot, and a new sleeping bag. I had bought myself a pair of black sneakers, a water bottle, granola bars, and a few pokéballs that sat at the bottom of my bag. I laced my sneakers up and put my own extra money in my pocket. I didn't have much to begin with so I was surprised that I still had some left over.

I rummaged through my closet again and grabbed another v-neck, jeans, and everything else I needed before folding them and setting them in the bag. So, taking into account everything I bought and adding on my extra clothes, my over-sized green camping bag was just half full. It was square, big, and really meant for rough camping. Not to mention it wasn't the prettiest thing to wear on a girl's back.

The bag I really wanted was the newest trainer's bag from Santeal City's Derek Marquee, youngest designer and millionaire in the history of our region. He's almost always featured in Trainer Talk Weekly for his trainer apparel and accessories. The issues with him in it usually sold fast considering he was one of the top teen heart-throbs in Casdem. I know most girl's my age just buy his merchandise because it's from him, but I think his line of trainer gear is actually very practical. But, it was because of the fact that so many girls drooled over him that the Marquee line of trainer's apparel was so high on demand and "extremely and irrationally expensive" in my dad's words. So that's how I ended up with a monster of a bag that "could hold food to last me a year", again in my dad's words.

I attached my sleeping bag to the top of my bag and set it on the floor. I sat on my bed and sighed as I looked around my room. It hadn't dawned on me until that moment how much I was going to miss sleeping in my own room in my own house, waking up every Sunday to the smell of breakfast, and visiting my dad down at the Pokémon Park. There were no kids my age in Lontree and the next town was a long walk to make friends over there. My parents were really all I had and I was leaving them just like that.

My vision became blurry and a tear rolled down my cheek.

"Pull yourself together, Melanie," I said to myself. I wiped at my cheek with my sleeve and inhaled deeply. From downstairs I heard the front door open and close.

"Where's my birthday girl?" my dad asks, his bright voice carried throughout the house. I let out my breath in a laugh and headed for the stairs.

"Dad!" I said cheerfully. He was standing, still in the green ranger uniform, at the doorway with my mom, his blonde hair hidden beneath his ranger cap and his glasses crooked as always. He looked to the stairs with his signature wide smile.

"Manilla! Happy birthday, honey!" I ran over to him and he pulled me up into a hug. He swung me back and forth before setting me back on the floor.

"Thanks, dad."

"So, are you ready to go?" he asked adjusting his glasses.

"Yep, I'm all set."

"Well, than what are we waiting for?" he asked jovially. "You want to get to the next town before nightfall, right? Go get your stuff, honey. We got to get you on the road!" He emphasized a few of his last words with claps, animated as usual.

"'Kay!" I ran to the stairs and took them two at a time. When I got to my room I quickly shouldered my bag and opened the door to leave, stopping just before I stepped out.

'This is my last time seeing this room for awhile,' I thought to myself. I glanced wistfully around the room and then chuckled at my own childishness.

"Come on, it's just a room," I said before I shut the door with a click. I stood in the hallway for a second before opening the door and walking back into the room to my bed. My nightstand stood beside the far side of my bed and I crawled over it to grab the snorlax alarm clock.

"Doesn't hurt to have a few keepsakes," I said to myself, tucking the clock safely into my bag.

I ran back down the stairs with my bag clonking against my back with each step. I pulled tighter on the straps before I jumped the last two steps and turned the corner into the front room.

"Okay, I'm ready," I announced walking in. I stopped a few steps away from my parents who were standing in front of the door. It wasn't them I was staring at, though. I was staring at the large cardboard box sitting in front of them with air holes poked all around it. A bright red bow was stuck at the top of the lid with a tag that had my name neatly scribbled on it, the work of my mom.

I was literally speechless.

"Happy birthday, Melanie!" they said at the same time. Then I grinned from ear to ear and looked at my parents in surprise.

"Are you serious?"

"Melanie, it's your birthday! You didn't think we didn't get you a present, did you?"

Honestly, that was exactly what I thought. We always weren't that set money-wise and besides, my journey was gift enough. I never would've thought they would get me a pokémon!

"Wow, I just—I mean—Oh, my gosh, thank you!" I stammered out before collapsing onto my knees in front of the box.

"You're very welcome," my mom laughed.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Let's see what's inside while it's still your birthday," my dad teased. He pulled my mother into a side hug and they both smiled down on me.

What type was it? Was it a male or female? I couldn't hold back my curiosity any longer. I scooted over to the box and carefully lifted the lid an inch.

From inside a tiny little nose nudged through the opening, sniffing the air. I lifted the lid the whole way and gasped. No way.

Inside sat a little brown fox pokémon who was staring up at me with big brown eyes.

"Uee?" it purred.

"It's an eevee," I said softly, lifting it out of the box. I placed it in my lap as it tilted its head to the side and purred out its name. I tilted my head with it much to the little fox's amusement. It righted its head and purred cheerfully.

"Glad you like him!" my mom said with a wide smile.

"He's so cute! Where did you get him?"

"The other rangers and I found this little one wandering in one of the back fields," my dad explained. "Eevee are hard to come by as it is and the Park doesn't have pokémon like him. It's hard to believe someone would just leave one out on its own." He paused and shook his head like he still couldn't believe it. He took off his hat and scratched the top of his head. "So, the other rangers and I put up a notice and waited for someone to call in. I was surprised but, no one ever called. That was about four weeks ago and who knew how long he was walking around in the park before then."

I looked down at the eevee who was licking his front paw like a kitten. How could anyone abandon this little guy?

"So," he continued. "Everyone agreed we had waited long enough and something had to be done with the eevee. Being the manager, it was my responsibility to decide." He smiled warmly and pushed his glasses farther up his nose. "I told them that this young pokémon needed a kind young trainer who we know will take excellent care of him." He smiled down at me and I beamed with pride.

I looked back down at the little brown fox and he looked up at me and purred happily.

"Uee!"

"He seems to like you already," my mom pointed out with a smile.

"Of course he does. It's a perfect match! I knew that right from the start!" My dad added throwing his hands in the air. He smiled brightly and clapped his hands together before asking, "So, are you going to name him?"

Should I name him? I stared into his brown eyes while I mulled the thought over. Then it hit me.

"I think I'll name him Fen," I decided with a nod.

"Uee!"

"That's wonderful, sweetie."

"It fits him well," my dad added. He glanced at his watch and pulled his arm back from around my mom's shoulders to rub his hands together. "Well, it looks like you and Fen should take off soon."

"Yeah," I agreed standing up. Fen hopped off of my lap and stretched.

My dad smiled sadly and opened his arms for a hug. I wrapped my arms around him and he lifted me up again rocking me one more time. He set me down and I turned to my mom and hugged her swaying gently back and forth. Fen looked at our little hugging circle with a tilt of his head. When we were done I stepped back and smiled sadly.

"We love you, Melanie," my dad said. He draped his arm around my mom's shoulders again.

"I love you both, too."

"Remember that you can come back anytime you need to, sweetie." She fixed my bangs and went to straightening my shirt and sweater. "And be sure to call us when you reach Calden," my mom added with a slightly concerned look.

"Oh, that reminds me!" my dad said slapping a hand to his forehead. He reached in his back pocket and pulled out a folded pamphlet, handing it to me.

"What is it?"

"One of the other rangers heard about this professor who lives in Calden. He specializes in the study of pokémon." He shrugged his shoulders as if saying 'why not?' "It could be a good place to start."

"Oh, cool! Thanks. I'll check it out when I get there," I said tucking the folded white pamphlet into my pocket.

"But don't forget to call when you do get there," my mom reminded again.

"Oh, let her be," my dad said waving the subject away. He placed a hand on my shoulder and ruffled my hair with the other. "Don't worry about us, Manilla. We'll be fine."

My mom looked at my dad with furrowed eyebrows. "Yes, but I'd still like to hear from her."

"She'll be fine! There's nothing to worry about!"

"I know, but—"

"Guys," I said before either of them could say anything else. They both looked at me. "I'll call you when I get to Calden. After that, I'll get in touch with you every now and then, okay?"

"That's fine," my dad said with a smile. My mom looked less agreeable.

"Mom?"

"Well… okay, but don't forget to call when you reach Calden, okay?" she said in a rush. My dad and I chuckled.

"I won't."

"Well, now that that's settled," my dad said with a laugh. "You've got to get going!"

"Right!" I said. I pulled my bag straps downward and turned to open the front door. "Bye," I said over my shoulder heading outside. Fen was right at my heels as I walked down our front steps. My parents followed me to the steps and watched as I walked down the pathway to the dirt road.

"Bye, Manilla! Have fun!" my dad called excitedly, waving his hand high in the air.

"Safe fun!" my mom quickly added.

"There's no other way to do it!" I joked. My dad laughed and my mom couldn't help but chuckle. "Bye!" I called out again. I waved until I turned a corner and couldn't see them anymore. I stuck my hand in my jeans pocket and looked around at the open scenery of Lontree; the tress dotted here and there, the surrounding green hills, the meadows and fields that seemed to roll on forever.

I sure was going to miss this place.

Fen walked alongside me and looked up at me expectantly, for what I didn't know.

"I have to admit. I'm a little nervous," I said glancing down at him. "From this point on, we're on our own. I mean, what do you think will happen from here?"

He blinked up at me than turned his head forward. His face lit up as he saw a little patch of flowers up ahead. "Uee! Ueevee!" He yipped cheerfully and trotted ahead to smell the wildflowers growing alongside the road.

I smiled and shook my head. Maybe I should act more like him. We'll never know what lies ahead.

We should just enjoy it while it comes.

Next chapter is just a click away! :D