Chapter One.

In Pallet town, our heroine Delia Ketchum is discussing her approaching tenth birthday with her mother while helping her out in their water gym.

"What pokemon should I chose to start with? A water type like Squirtle or a fire type like Charmander or Cyndaquil! Or maybe…", Misty interrupted her daughter before she got into one of spins.

"Honey, I'm glad that you're taking getting your pokemon licence seriously but I think we should sit down and talk about this as a family.", she said, throwing some food to some Gyarados in the water tank. She sighed as she said this, getting Ash to agree to letting Delia go out on her own and becoming a pokemon trainer was as likely as her hitching a ride on the Gyarados.

"Where is your father by the way?", she asked, ruffling Delia's orange locks of hair which stuck out in bangs.

"He's in the other gym finishing off some poor guy.", beamed Delia, who hero-worshipped her father.

"Great - another ego trip.", said her mother with fake enthusiasm.

Delia ran straight ahead of her into the gym that was built behind their house and was owned by her father, who is one of the top pokemon masters in the world . They both stood at the sidelines watching Ash Ketchum claim another victory.

"PIKACHU! THUNDERBOLT!", ordered Ash and the electric mouse jumped up and shocked the opponent's Ekans.

"PIKA-CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

"Ash Ketchum wins!", boomed a computerised voice. The opponent fell to his knees beside his injured Ekans,

"But how? I trained so hard. I have some of the most powerful pokemon."

"Don't worry about it man, just keep training and you'll get better.", said Ash, helping the man up. The stranger straightened up,

"You're right! I will train harder, defeat you and then everyone will know the name Yugi Moto!", he declared and the sprinted out of the gym, laughing manically as he did.

"That's the spirit!", Ash called after him.

"Pika pi!", agreed Pikachu, who then ran over to Delia and licked her face.

"Oh hi you two, I didn't realise you were here.", said Ash, sitting in between them on the bench.

"So Dee, how good was I?, he asked, putting his arm around Misty.

"Well, as usual Dad, you socked it to him real good.", she answered, punching the air,

"And just think just think in a few days I will be the one creaming guys!", she continued. Ash froze,

"What are you talking about Honey?"

"My birthday is in a few days, remember? Since I'll be turning ten, I can get my licence and become a pokemon trainer.", she chimed. Misty watched in despair as her husband's facial expression slowly went from a smile to a deep frown.

"Well I don't know about that.", he finally said, folding his arms across his chest.

"Ash, can we talk about this?", Misty pleaded but to no effect.

"I've made up my mind Misty. She is too young to go out there by herself.", he shook his head. Misty sighed,

"But you left home when you were ten and you turned out alright. Kind of. And anyway, Delia won't be on her own - she will have Brock's little brother Sonny by her side."

"Oh well, that's a relief." muttered Ash, sarcastically.

"Ash!"

"The world has changed since I was ten and we both have enemies out there. I just don't want to see her get hurt."

"The world's not the only thing has changed since then.", Misty said under her breath.

"Look, we can talk about this later. Brock is coming for a visit and I wanna get ready. I'm sure Delia won't mind waiting another eight years or so to get her licence. Right Dee?", he turned to his daughter but she wasn't there.

"Delia?"

Delia sat by the water tank in Misty's gym and dangled her bare feet at the water. Pikachu ran up to her and gave her a little nudge,

"Pika.", it said gently.

"I thought Dad would be happy that I want to follow in his footsteps.", she sobbed, "But he doesn't and I just don't get it? - Why won't he let me have the chance to prove myself as a trainer?", the creature just shrugged and left her alone, she sighed heavily.

"Dee, you in here?", came a voice which she thought was her father's but when she turned around she saw her beat friend sonny. Sonny looked an awful lot like his brother, he had dark skin, spiky hair (which he styled into a fauxhawk and eyes which never seemed to open.

"Have you been crying?", he asked as he took off his shoes and sat beside her.

"No! It's just allergies!", she said as she wiped away her tears furiously.

"Uh-huuuuh."

"Anyway, when did you get here?", she said, quickly trying to change the subject.

"We just arrived a few minutes ago. Brock is talking to your folks right now, he says I can stay for your birthday.", Delia tensed up at the mention of her birthday as Sonny waved to some Magic carp swimming by.

"I heard your Dad tell Brock that you're not allowed to go out training pokemon - bummer."

"Well you heard wrong!", she huffed, crossing her arms. Sonny looked at her in puzzlement and she shrugged,

"Okay, you heard right! But just because my Dad told me not to get my licence doesn't mean I can't."

"Wait - What are you saying ?"

"I'm saying I'm gonna get my licence, I'm saying I will get my starter pokemon, I'm saying I will be the greatest pokemon master of them all - even better than my Mom and Dad!", she declared, passionately with fire in her eyes.

"You're going to run away and become a pokemon trainer anyway, aren't you?", Sonny asked, warily.

"You catch on fast, Sonnyboy!"

"And I suppose you want me to partake in this adventure with you?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way! Come on Sonny, it's like my Dad always says : "To become a pokemon master you have to take risks." Will you take the risk and run away with me?", Delia chimed.

Sonny smiled,

Alright, I'm in. When do we leave?"

"On the night o my birthday."

"Makes sense."