Prelude:
"Daddy, will I ever get a Pokémon of my own?" she asked her father as she sat down at the table.
"Yes Mary" her father laughed, "the day you turn fourteen I promise you more than just Pokémon, but for know you will have to wait."
"But daddy," she stood in her seat, "I want to help you and-"
"Mary, you will have to wait" her mother said from across the table, "If you keep asking we'll make sure you won't get a Pokémon, and plus you're father has been gone for three weeks, and will leave again in five days, could you please-"
Marigold ignored her mother and looked into her dad's coal black eyes, "But daddy I-"
"ENOUGH" He slammed his fist on the table, "we've been over this a billion times Marigold, you have to wait."
Marigold slowly sank down in her seat and her eyes started to water, "I'm sorry daddy."
Her father took in a deep breath, "Well maybe we can get you one sooner, if that's alright with your mother."
"Giovanni!" her mother exclaimed, "We've been through this she isn't-"
"I'm sure she could handle it, even a Caterpie would work fine"
"Are you positive Geo?" he mother's face filled with concern.
"She could even start her training early, she could be the best of the whole team, but for now I don't think one Pokémon would hurt her."
Her mother sighed, "Okay fine, but no battling or anything!"
Marigold grinned from check to check, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she stood up hugged her mother, then ran across to the other side to hug her father.
He looked down at his daughter, "tomorrow, I promise you a Pokémon."
And Marigold couldn't stop smiling.
The next day she woke up with her father knocking at her door, "I have a surprise for you"
He held out his hands, which were holding a pokeball.
"Woah" Marigold said excitedly. "what's in it?"
The pokeball opened and an orange and black dog like thing appeared. It sat on the ground, with its fluffy tail wagging slightly.
"This is a Growlithe" he said
"Hello Growlithe" she said, and it jumped up and licked her face, she couldn't help but giggle.
"Is he like your Pokémon?" she asked
"Oh no, he's a fire type, not a ground like Nidoking and Rhydon, or fighting like Machamp."
"Oh, that's so cool! Do you think he could spit fire from its mouth?"
He laughed, "So, are you going to name him?"
"I can name him?" She asked excitedly. And her father nodded.
"ummm…." She thought for a minute, "Ignis"
Her father chuckled, "hahaha, what?"
"Ignis, I read it in a book, it means 'fire' and well he is a fire type, I can call him Iggy"
"You and your books" he picked up his daughter and started tickling her. Iggy sat there and barked.
"And also, I'm so sorry but I have to leave for work" he said, slowly getting up.
"But you're gone so much Daddy I miss you a lot" She started to tear up.
"Oh don't cry honey," He sat down on her bed.
"I just love you so much, and I really hate crying because it makes me feel week but I'm not"
"It's okay sweetie" he picked her up and sat her on his lap. "In five years you will be part of the business, and I promise you will be strong, and you'll be able to see me all the time. But for now I will have to see you every so often. But don't worry, I'll be back in a week this time."
"Promise?" Marigold looked up at her dad.
"Promise" and she hugged him.
"Now I have to go for now, but you have Growlithe, or Iggy, I'm sure you guys will play together a lot"
She nodded, "and will I be able to battle?"
"One day," he said, "one day."