Chapter 1: What a Surprise!

There she was- steel grey eyes looking out past her brunette hair with hints of mahogany framed her face simply; thrown up haphazardly with a black bow. She pulled one leg up onto the seat; she was wearing adorable grey flats, faded jeans and a pink college hoodie, her duffle bag next to her as she rode the Goldenrod Train. If only it would go even faster, she thought!

Soon enough, the train had arrived at Goldenrod and she somehow made it to where she was supposed to be- Cherrygrove!

Bridget grinned wide when she saw the old wooden sign that stood embedded in thick vegetation at the edge of town. It read, "Cherrygrove: A city where you can smell small flowers and a sea breeze." This small Johto town was where she was going to be for a while- living with her grandfather for reasons currently unknown.

Eyes looked out to the town- a PokeCenter, a PokeMart and a few homes are all that stood between her and the coast. She tilted her head upward towards the sky; a flock of Pidgey flapping across the cloudless expanse; a Spearow mobbing one of the lagging Pidgey. As she began to walk in the direction of her grandfather's house, she couldn't help but giggle- there he was, yet again, happily showing a young new trainer the different buildings and areas of the town. Her grandfather was always so delighted to do so; Bridget only hoped she had inherited his light-hearted and upbeat spirit!

As her grandfather sent the new trainer on his way with a smile, he turned and saw Bridget. His warm eyes lit up even more; an arm thrust up into the air as he waved her way and greeted her. "Bridget! My wonderful little granddaughter! You're early!"

And when he reached her, he hugged her tightly with all of the love a grandfather could give.

"Oh, the Goldenrod Train was on-time, haha! Come on Grandpa, I'm not so little anymore!" She smiled happily, patting his back as she embraced him and returned the hug in full measure; she was in fact growing very quickly into an intelligent and beautiful young woman.

"This is true!" Grandpa said, slowly releasing the hug. "You are growing up... very fast. I remember when you were no bigger than a jug of MooMoo Milk!" He chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Which means I think it's time. Come on, follow me!"

Bridget tilted her head, somewhat confused, but followed Grandpa up to his house, shifting her only bag- a large duffle bag full of clothes, items, and so on- on her shoulder. When they arrived, he opened the front door and showed her around the various parts of the house, and lastly, her own bedroom that had a gorgeous window facing the sea. She dropped her duffle bag down upon the bed as her grandpa turned to glance out the open window towards the sea. She sat down upon the bed, eyes turning up towards Grandpa. He cleared his throat, his worn eyes following the ripples of the ocean.

"Bridget, you know I find delight and happiness in every new trainer I meet. You also know that I am an old man- I won't always be here." His voice was serious and sincere. "There's a big ol' world out there waiting to be explored, y'know. So many new people and Pokemon. I'm too old to explore it myself- that's why I help the new trainers who come through this town.. so they can explore the world I never did." He then turned to her. "You have so much potential; so much going for you. I don't want you to miss the opportunities I did when I was younger." One hand dug into his pocket as he continued, "Now, I've discussed it quite heavily with your parents, and I do believe it's time we give you this." He stopped momentarily, "that is, if you want it."

His fingers pulled out a shiny new orange Trainer Card, from which he read, "Bridget, Trainer Number 502942."

He then handed to Bridget. She handled it carefully, like a thin piece of delicate glass. She was literally at a loss for words! For years she tried her darnedest to convince her parents that she was fully capable to become a trainer- and now, she had that opportunity.