Chapter one: The first step

Note: i don't own pokemon in any way shape or form all rights go to them

The day was like any other, boring. I was sitting on my couch watching a few pokemon battles while I waited for my mom and dad to get home. My parents were gone shopping and I knew they wouldn't be home anytime soon, so I grabbed a Little Debbie snack that my mom hid in the pantry. I knew I would get an earful later but I didn't really care. I was the average teenager, 17 years old, short dark brown hair above light green eyes, skinny but I have some muscle, I tend to be a bit of a loner at times, but nothing that really bothered me because I was never too dependant on friendship, but that was just a lie I told people anyway. Just as I finished up my little treat to myself, I heard my front door unlock. My parents came in with a few grocery bags, but I could tell something was different this time. They seemed more excited than normal, which meant I was most likely going to be let off the hook for my petty cupboard raid because I had yet to dispose of the evidence. My mom stepped in front of my pokemon tournament I was watching on tv and my dad follows soon after.

My mom finally says "Cody, dear would you mind putting these groceries away? Your father and I have something for you and we would prefer it to be a surprise."

I figured Ehh what the hell, it's probably a new game or something. When I finally finished my task I was given, I called my mom to figure out what this "surprise" was.

"In here" I hear from my parents bedroom in her cheery tone.

Jeez this must be more than a game… they only call me to their room when they want to talk to me about something serious, I thought to myself. As I walked my way through our house which isn't anything special, a three bedroom house, white walls, a picture here and there of family vacations, again it's a normal house, I pushed my way through my parent's larger than normal door and saw them on their bed with a weird cardboard box with holes all along the top in a line with my parents on each side of it.

My dad was the first to say something, "Son, I know being an only child can get dull at times and your mother and I have thought this over for a while now." That certainly picked up my curiosity. "I can tell you are also getting a little lonely, whether you want to admit it yourself or not." They had a point. I was getting slightly depressed doing the same thing over and over again without anyone to do it with me. "We also know how you have been dreaming of being a trainer since you were little."

"Dad… I told you those were childish dreams and I didn't want to be a trainer anymore… it sounds kinda boring." It was sort of a lie because the actual thought of exploring unknown placed gave me a thrill at being able to experience the unknown.

"Yes I know but your mother and I thought even if you didnt want to be a trainer you could atleast have a nice friend that can be there for you. So we went to the local pokemon adoption center to find you the perfect friend. So here you are, go ahead and see what little creature we have decided to get you."

I gave a drawn out sigh. "Alright" I admit… I was a little reluctant to do so in fear that this new pokemon might not like me, but soon that fear was laid to rest. I popped open the lid of the box and for a second I was dumbstruck. Out popped the cutest little Riolu, and as she looked around our gaze locked… almost like making a pact of friendship right then and there.

Then I had heard a tiny voice in my head "Hi there." I sat there dumbstruck at the fact that I was actually given a pokemon, my favorite pokemon, AND it could talk. After recovering I looked up at my parents and tried speaking but I was lost for words.

I was finally able to speak again and my parents were barraged with "Thank you"s and "You guys are amazing" sounding like a little kid getting his first phone. I finally looked down at my little Riolu again and my dad asked with a laugh "So son, you have your first pokemon, you gonna name her, or stare at her all night?"

I thought long and hard about what to name her...I toiled around with Abby and Aurora, but they didn't seem to fit. I finally settled on Azure, due to the coloration of her eyes, which was a beep blue, which is odd for a Riolu. I picked up my new little friend. "What do you think of the name Azure?"

I heard her little voice in my head happily cheer "Azure, Azure" with a slight giggle as she began wagging her tail. I gave my parents one final thank you and went back to tv. As I walked out of their room I set Azure down on the couch beside me and turned on our tv to watch some more pokemon tournaments. When the tv came on I heard a gasp of surprise as Azure started to watch all the battles. "Wow… I want to be strong like them one day. Do you think we can do that?" She asked excitedly.

I said unsurely "I don't know, getting that strong takes months of training and a lot of travelling."

"That sounds fun can we pleeaase do it?" She said as she made the biggest puppy eyes.

Not being able to resist such a cute face from my new best friend, I folded like a house of cards. "Alright I guess I can talk to my parents about it...This isn't something that we can just decide on."

"Yay!" Cheered the little puppy as she jumped on the couch, tail wagging vigorously. When she finished her little celebration she sat down and yawned. "I am getting really sleepy-..." She paused, looking at me expectantly.

Just then I realized I haven't told her my name "Call me Cody" I said. After that, I carried my sleepy little puppy into my room.. Azure curling up near my feet and I could hear her softly purring which confused me because normally dogs don't purr, but I didn't think on it too much.

The next day I woke up to the sun shining brightly on my face. Damn… my curtains fell again last night, I really need to fix them. my train of thought was interrupted when I noticed a warm furry face curled up on my chest sleeping soundly. I suddenly remembered the life changing event that happened last night. I tried to pick her up and move her on the bed without waking her. Success, I thought to myself. I got up and looked around my room, not much to see, fading blue painted walls (my favorite color) a desk sitting in the corner next to my bookshelf filled with various fiction novels, my bed was put in the opposite corner of my room in front of my tv and many game consoles. I got up and threw on a shirt and went downstairs to find my mom making breakfast as usual on a Saturday.

"Good morning sweetie, breakfast is almost ready, this morning is eggs, bacon, and biscuits covered in gravy." My stomach instantly started growling and my mouth began watering as I reluctantly waited to chow down. As she finished saying that, Azure came running in smelling food. My dad came down as well and we all started to eat breakfast when it was ready and the topic of my departure inevitably was brought up by the energetic pokemon sitting next to me.

"I planned on going on a journey and maybe even taking the gym challenge." I said

"Whatever happened to not wanting to be a trainer?" Tased my dad.

"Well I thought about it and I figured it might be a good idea to grow a little and have fun seeing the world"

"What is the gym challenge?" Azure asked, cocking her head and tilting an ear.

"Its a series of gyms that we can to battle through to get strong. Its a good way to make you strong like you wanted." I said.

"Ohh. I wanna do it." She exclaimed eagerly as she munched on some bacon.

"When do you plan on leaving?" Mom asked.

"I dont know… I have to get supplies and a bag and pokedex and the list goes on." I said, counting on my fingers.

"We can help! We will take you shopping today and you can get whatever you need for your trip to get you started."

"Wow really?" At this point I really couldn't believe my ears… They were actually letting me go through with it.

"Of course. Its your dream and your father and I want to help you get there."

"And i finally get some quality time alone with your mother" My dad said as he winked slyly in my mom's direction.

"OH GOD DAD!" I yelled as I nearly lost my appetite.

"What does he mean by that?" Azure asked, with the same confused look.

"You REALLY don't want to know" I replied slightly disturbed.

So later that day we went to the pokemart and left with our arms piled high with goods, and i spent the rest of the day sorting them out with a little help from Azure. The very next day we decided that i would leave the next weekend after school lets out on friday. the week went by rather smooth with Azure always there to greet me when i get home. That friday was kinda hard for me. i had to say goodbye to the friends i had and saw my parents outside the school with my little riolu puppy. I said goodbye to my parents and walked down the route with the first step on my long journey in the region of Hoenn.

My first fanfic... No flames please.

-UPDATE Hello everyone again, i know it has been a while since i touched this story, but i figured it was time to do some spring cleaning and clean it up a bit XD I have also read through the story and realized how human like Azure is, so i will be running through here and Family Life to make her more like a lucario