Pokemon Master: Ryan Parslough Chapter 1: A New Beginning, a pokémon fanfic

AN: This is the first chapter, and lays the groundwork for all of the next chapters. It is a little slow, but the next chapters will pick up and have more battles in them.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.

Today was his 11th birthday, and he was going to finally get a Pokemon. It was a beautiful summer morning, and he knew when he set off today, that it was finally going to be the day where he would find his own Pokemon egg, and would take it home and raise whatever hatched from it.

Ryan had thought long and hard about what kind of Pokemon the egg would be, and he was hoping that it would be one of three Pokemon.

First of all, and most unlikely, he wanted a larvitar. To raise something that would ultimately grow into the beast known as Tyranitar, would be worth anything to him.

Unfortunately for him, Larvitar were not found around Oldale, and none of the older trainers around had a Pupitar or Tyranitar that would be able to lay eggs.

His second choice was almost as unlikely, because only a few trainers had machokes, and most of them were males, which didn't leave enough eggs for one to get casually left behind. He wanted a machop, a Pokemon perfect sized for a kid that could train with Ryan in all aspects. Ryan and his machop would both get stronger and more fierce, which is exactly why Ryan wanted one.

His final dream of a Pokemon was a Torchic. He knew that the professor in Littleroot had eggs for torchic, and he was really hoping that the professor had left some in the wild for determined kids such as himself.

That was actually why he headed south this morning with his best friend, Jordan, onto route 101 and into the tall grass that grew over the road. The wild Pokemon on the route were calm for the most part, and the ones that weren't were very territorial, so as long as Ryan and Jordan ran away fast enough and far enough away they would be fine.

" Hey Ryan, I found one!" Jordan called. I don't have time for this, Ryan thought to himself. "I'll be right there!" He said grudgingly, as he headed off to where Jordan's voice had come from.

Jordan was his best friend, but he didn't know how to look for the right eggs. Sure, he found plenty of eggs, but they were all obviously cared for.

Jordan and Ryan had three rules when out looking for eggs. The first was that you don't take an egg that belongs to a Pokemon. That would not only cause them to be attacked, but it could also cause the wild Pokemon to attack the people in both Oldale and Littleroot. It was also a law, so it wasn't hard to follow.

The second rule was finders keepers. This was a rule simply so they wouldn't argue and fight with each other if they ever actually got an egg.

The third rule was probably the most important, and the one Ryan knew he would have the hardest time with. It was that if one of them found an egg, he would still go out on egg hunts with the other, and if he found another egg it would go to his friend.

Ryan knew he would be the first to get an actual egg, so this rule only really applied to him.

"See it?" Jordan asked as Ryan drew closer.

"Yes," Ryan stated, as he looked upon an egg that had a reddish hue to it, that was dropped at the base of a giant tree. It was hidden well, buried under some dirt so that only one side of it was showing. If it weren't for the wind Ryan figured it would be completely covered.

" It doesn't have the same markings as a wurmple egg, there aren't any flying types common in this area, and I don't think that's a Poochyena egg." Jordan said with a flare in his eye.

"You're right," Ryan said in awe. "It isn't a zigzagoon egg either, as those are mainly brown, not red like this."

"You gonna wait it out with me?" Jordan asked with glee in his tone.

"Sure." Ryan stated.

"It's been three hours, and nothing has came up. Time for phase two." Jordan said, excitement bubbling throughout his voice.

They had only ever made it to phase two once before this, and had been chased off by a pack of angry

Silcoon and Beautifly. This time however, it seemed like they might actually get the egg.

"Alright go ahead! I'm staying here and I'll make sure nothing gets ya!" Ryan exclaimed. He was happy for his friend, although dissapointed that he wasn't getting an egg. It was a weird combination of feelings.

Jordan casually strode forward, walking directly to the egg where it was buried in dirt 30 yards away. Ryan looked from side to side, making sure nothing wouuld surprise Jordan and hurt his friend, while Jordan's gaze was directly on the egg.

As Jordan got closer and closer, Ryan suddenly had a bad feeling in his stomach. The wind stopped, and an eerie silence went throughout the road. Ryan looked around, sensing something but seeing nothing. This is a trap he thought, as he felt something on the back of his neck. He shrieked, turned around, and clawed at his mysterious attacker.

It was just a leaf that had fallen behind him. But something wasn't right. How do leaves fall if the wind isn't blowing, Ryan asked himself. He wouldn't be the target of a mysterious attack though, Jordan would be. He quickly turned back around and saw Jordan walking to the egg, a few yards away. The wind picked up again, as Jordan bent over to pick up the egg, and...

Nothing. Jordan picked up the egg and held it up, exasperated shouts coming from his mouth.

"We did it! I got one! YESS!" Jordan screamed as he held the egg above his head and spun in circles. Ryan just looked at it with awe, dumbfounded by his friend's luck.

"That's great..." Ryan said, a hint of depression behind his voice.

"Ya, I know!" Jordan said, oblivious to his friend's saddened state. "This is so cool! Let's go take it home. Oh my gosh this is great! I'm going to be a Pokemon master!"

And with that, the two left route 101.

Maybe our luck is turning around, Ryan thought. Jordan has his own egg now, and I'm sure we can get me one soon enough. Then we will both have Pokemon and be able to train and grow strong and become the best.

"So are we going back tomorrow to find me an egg?" Ryan questioned as they reached Jordan's house. The house was two-stories tall, painted white, with black trim. It was the most luxurious house in all of oldale.

"Not tomorrow, I wanna spend some time with my egg."

"Oh. Ok"

"Ya I'll see you later," Jordan said, as he closed the door in Ryan's face.

He's just excited, Ryan thought. He will be back out with me searching for eggs in no time.

"Hey Tom, is Jordan around?" Ryan asked Jordan's father, Tom.

"He isn't available right now actually. Sorry Ryan." Tom said in a high voice. Ryan always thought it was weird, how a man who was 6'3'' and weighed 260 pounds could have such a high voice.

"Alright" Ryan said, wondering why Jordan was still unavailable. It had been five days since they found the egg, and Jordan hadn't said a word to him since.

We used to go out every day, Ryan thought. He must be sick or grounded. I'll just go around to his window and see what's up. Ryan headed around Jordan's tall house, and almost knocked on the window when he heard Jordan's mom.

"You can't keep putting him off like this honey! You have to say something to him. You can't just hide forever!"

"I don't want to mom! He is annoying, weird, ugly, dresses funny, and nobody else likes him!"

"That never stopped you before! You guys were so cute together! You had such a great friendship, going out doing who knows what everyday, but never getting into any trouble. That's the kind of friendship that lasts throughout your life!"

"Oh my gosh mom! He was never my friend! I was just using him to get a Pokemon! Now that I have one I don't need him any more! Just keep sending him away he will get the idea soon enough. He isn't dumb mom."

"Jordan! HOW DARE YOU! You were that poor boy's only friend! You can't just use people like that! It isn't -

Ryan had heard enough. He ran out of Jordan's yard, tearing his shirt on the way. So I'm just a tool eh? Ryan thought. The only reason he ever hung out with me was to get his own Pokemon? He doesn't care about me? I'm just some weirdo? Is that how it is? Really? Whatever. I don't need him. I don't need anyone!

Ryan rushed out of town, intent on finding an egg of his own.

Was he after an egg the whole time? We have been friends for two years. Two years! Ryan mused. The reality of the situation setting in on him. The only time Jordan wanted to be around him was when he was going egg hunting. There were no sleepovers, no dinners together, they hardly hung out at school.

But it's all over now. He isn't your friend, Ryan.

Quit talking to yourself. That's why people don't like you.

No, it's not. People don't like you because you don't act like them. People don't like you because you are different. You're smarter, you're more talented, and you have a plan. That's why people don't like you.

Quit talking to yourself. It doesn't matter what other people think. You're only friend was just using you. Get over it and look for an egg.

With that, Ryan renewed his search for an egg.

However, by the time that night came around, he had not found an egg. When he was forced to turn around and head home, he knew he would keep looking for an egg until he got one.

"Honey, we need to talk." Ryan's mom said.

"Not now mom, I have to go find an egg!" Ryan shouted, barely caring how loud he was. It had been three days since he overheard Jordan's conversation with his mom, and he had been in a bad mood since then.

"That's what we should talk about," Sarah said. "You have been out in the woods a lot lately and your father and I don't want you getting hurt."

"I won't get hurt mom, the Pokemon around are all docile and young. Nothing harmful." Ryan said, ready to leave and find his egg.

"We just want you to be safe honey! We've talked it over, and we want you to take Arcanine with you."

"Wait, what?" Ryan said, sure that he heard wrong.

"We want you to take Arcanine with you so that way you won't get hurt."

" You... Huh? Arcanine? Really? I don't want dad upset..." Ryan said, unsure of the situation.

Arcanine was his dad's only Pokemon, and it was his duty to protect the house.

"He agreed. We just want you safe when you're out there all alone." Sarah said. "Arcanine! Come here. You're going to be going out with Ryan. Don't scare off the wild Pokemon ok?"

Arcanine grunted and nodded his understanding.

"Thanks mom! That's great! Ok boy, Let's go!" Ryan said, eager to get out of his house and go find an egg. Now that he had Arcanine with him, he could travel to route 102. He would be able to normally, but there was an older boy stopping anyone from going west of Oldale without a Pokemon.

Ryan was out of his house, having already waved goodbye to his mom, and was walking alongside of Arcanine. It was a beautiful day, and it would be the day he got himself an egg.

I still haven't gotten an egg, Ryan thought.

It had been two months since Ryan had first taken Arcanine out with him on egg hunts, and summer was drawing to an end.

"Well bud, if we don't find one by the weekend we are going to try finding something on route 103." Ryan said to Arcanine.

Arcanine grunted his acknowledgment,

"The last boy that went up there got stuck for days. But I've got you, and you'll protect me from anything bad, wontcha?" Ryan said, as he rubbed Arcanine under the chin.

Arcanine looked up at him, and gave him a grunt that sounded more like a purr than anything else.

"Let's go boy, I'm ready for some lunch."

"Honey, I don't think you should be going out in this weather." Sarah said as Ryan tried leaving the house.

Today was the first day of the weekend, and Ryan was going to try his luck on route 103. Unfortunately, today was also the first day of a large thunderstorm, which was why it still looked dark outside even though it was after noon.

"Mom, I promised Arcanine that we would go out. He loves our explorations, and being able to get out with me is the most fun he has had in years. He told me so." Ryan said, making up excuses to get his mom to leave him alone.

"Really." Sarah said, mockery in her voice. "Arcanine told you he had fun? And you're trying to tell me that he wants to go out in the rain? Arcanine. The fire dog. Wants to be in the rain?"

"Mom look, you can't argue with a Pokemon using logic. Arcanine wants to be outside in the rain. Right boy?"

Arcanine cocked his head and looked at Ryan, obviously confused.

"It's either you come out in the rain with me, or I give you a bath. So you wanna come boy?"

Arcanine nodded eagerly.

"See ma, he wants to go!" Ryan said, knowing he won the argument.

"Fine, just don't hurt yourself. Keep care of him Arcanine."

"Bye mom!" Ryan said, as he hurriedly left the house, arcanine right by his side.

"Ok boy, I won't bring you out unless I need you or it stops raining. You can stay in your pokeball so you don't get wet."

Arcanine barked his agreement, before being whisked away in a red aura.

This is it, Ryan thought. Although he thought that every time he went out searching for eggs, he knew this time was different. He was going to a place he hadn't been before, a place where as far as he knew hadn't been searched for eggs in a long time.

The wind picked up behind him as he walked past the town's boundaries and onto route 103. Although it was only a ten minute walk from his house to the northern edge of town, he was already soaked because of the harsh rain. Luckily for him, it was still summer, so the air was warm, leaving a unique mixture of cold rain and warm air. Unpleasant, definitely, but at least he wouldn't freeze to death.

As Ryan walked into the tall grass that was route 103, he noticed something strange. There were no Pokemon running around. No Poochyena watching from the bushes. No zigzagoon looking for nuts in the trees. No wurmple or cascoon. The place was utterly silent, except for the raging wind and the occasional wave of thunder.

Alright Ryan thought, this isn't weird. It's just that there are no Pokemon out. Of course not, they have to go hide from all this. They wouldn't want there fur wet, or whatever it is that wurmple have. Skin? Scale?

Ryan contemplated as he was walking down the route, looking for eggs.

That's weird, I haven't even seen one yet. Normally the eggs are out with their paren-

A light when off in Ryan's brain.

If the Pokemon are inside, their eggs will be too! That means any eggs out are free game! Ryan thought, ecstatic about his discovery.

I wonder what Pokemon it'll be. Maybe I could get a torchic- BOOM

Gosh that thunder is annoying. It probably won't be a torchic this far away from the professor though. So hopefully I'm looking at a larvi- BOOM

But I'm going to have to be realistic. It will probably be a wurmple. I don't really want to be a bug cat- BOOM

I wonder how long it will take to find an egg. I'm looking around but I just can't see- BOOM

Maybe I should let Arcanine out. He could he- BOOM

Hey, what's that? It looks li- BOOM

It's an egg! I see it! BOOM

Wow that's bri- BOOM

I must- BOOM

Get that-BOOM

Egg! BOOM

As Ryan saw the egg that he had been searching for his whole life, the sky light up a bright white, the flash of lightning too close to stay. But Ryan was transfixed by the egg, and no matter how close the lightning was he knew he had to get that egg now or else he would never find it.

So, as soon as he saw the egg, he took off at a dead sprint, headed straight for the lightning.

As he got closer the lightning struck, leaving him blinded, and he fell over onto the ground. He saw the egg 50 meters away, felt something on his belt wiggle. He quickly looked down, and found that Arcanine's ball was moving, the Pokemon inside trying his hardest to get out and run to cover.

"Hush hush" Ryan said, as he looked back up at the egg.

At that same instance, A bolt of lightning came down and struck the egg.

"Nooooo!" Ryan cried, as he saw his dreams flash before his eyes.

It can't be dead, he thought, as he got up to run for the egg.

Another bolt of lightning came down, thirty meters to his right, forcing him back to the ground and blinded.

My whole life I've been searching for an egg, Ryan thought, defeat on his face. Now that I find one, it gets struck by lightning. How ironic is that?

As Ryan finally gave up his mad search for the egg, something inside of him cracked. He stood up, and starting laughing hysterically.

"So this is it?" Ryan screamed into the air, not caring who heard. "I finally find the egg, but now I can't have it? Really? This is all I've ever wanted. Why did you let me get so close, and then rip it away from me? Why? I hope you aren't real Mew, because if you are this is a horrible representation of yourself. Your supposed to be the guardian! You shouldn't let Pokemon who haven't even had a chance to live yet die!"

Ryan stopped to wipe the rain out of his eyes. Or maybe they were tears.

"And what about you, Ho-Oh, great 'Bird of Life'? Is this really how you let the Pokemon who worship you die? It was bad enough you had to leave this little guy parentless, but now you have to go and kill him? Honestly, I'm disgusted. Some legendaries you are, letting baby Pokemon eggs die without even a chance to fight. No parents to protect them. I'm disgu-"

A flash of light enveloped the area Ryan was in. It was not the white light of lightning though, but a softer, more golden light.

Ryan looked up, and felt everything around him go still, as if the rain and the wind just stopped.

"Hush Hush little one. All is well, all is well." A voice said. It was a female voice, one that was soft and old. It was the voice of someone who had witnessed many atrocities, but also seen the good in the living.

"You do wrong to curse us, but you do not know better. We are not just fantasies. The future has been seen, and this baby Pokemon was destined to have a life not worth living, one filled with deceit and hatred" The voice said.

The area around Ryan grew brighter and brighter, until he could not tell the difference from the golden light outside from when he closed his eyes.

"But the future is unclear now. You are destined to be something, and this Pokemon can live happily with you. Is that what you wish for?"

Ryan was unable to talk. Was the voice talking to him? Did it just ask him a question? Who was the voice?

"Young one, answer me. Do you wish to keep the Pokemon that comes from this egg?" The voice said, a tone of finality creeping into it's voice.

"Ye... Yes." Ryan said, even though his throat was sore and he felt like he could barely stand. Or was he already on the ground?

"Alright young one. So it shall be. I will leave a mark on you, warm and tinder, that any physic will be able to notice, but otherwise it will be unnoticable. The Pokemon's mark however, will be much more noticeable. I do not give my mark to many Pokemon."

Ryan could barely take in all of what the voice was saying. He seemed tired all of a sudden, and he had to fight to stay conscious.

"Hush Hush young one, you need to rest. I do not give my mark out freely, and you will do well to remember that. Do not fall down a bad path. Do not become complacent. The great and might Bird Of Life has marked you and your Pokemon, young one, and you better become something. Do not put my mark to shame. Become the best that you can become. I will call on you when the time is right."

And with that, Ryan felt an overwhelming presence take control of his body, and as he fell asleep, a deep happiness swelled inside of him.

Ryan woke up in a calm meadow, a gentle breeze stirring the grass.

wh- where am I? Ryan thought, as he tried standing up on shaky legs.

What happened? He wondered. Last I remember was a storm... and then... "OH" Ryan exclaimed, as memory came flooding back over him.

Ryan dropped to one knee, suddenly light headed, and unsure what to do next. The great Bird of Life... marked me? Ryan wondered, confused at the saying. And the egg... "The Egg!" Ryan shouted, looking around eagerly for any sign of it.

Ryan spotted it, 50 meters away, and rushed over to it. As he got closer, he saw that the ground around it was charred, and yet there was already new grass growing. He also saw two sets of large ruts, seemingly made by a large bird Pokemon taking off.

But Ryan was really focused on the egg.

Unlike most eggs, which were white and then had designs with certain colors, the egg Ryan was looking at was golden, with a light brown pattern on the design. It wasn't a dark or rich gold, but it definitely wasn't white.

That's weird, Ryan thought, but as he examined the egg, things got even weirder.

"That's the pattern for a Poochyena egg." Ryan muttered to himself. "But Poochyena eggs have grey markings. This color is closer to that of a Zigzagoon egg. But the pattern is of a Poochyena. ..." Ryan kept stammering along, mesmerized by the strange egg.

Ryan looked up at the sky, and saw that the sun was almost out of sight.

Holy crap, He thought, how long have I been here? If I left at noon, It has to be at least 7... Crap! Ma's probably worried sick!

The thought of his mom being angry shocked him out of his reverie over the egg.

I have to get home! But where am I? Ryan wondered.

"Arcanine will know!" Ryan said, as he released Arcanine from his pokeball.

Arcanine looked around, sniffed the air, then focused in on Ryan.

"Ok buddy, take us home! We made a new friend!" Ryan said, as he showed Arcanine the egg.

Arcanine looked at the egg, and upon seeing its golden color, bowed his head down.

"Come on boy, we gotta get home fast!" Ryan told Arcanine, as he jumped on his back with a smooth ease that only comes from years of practice.

Arcanine grunted, then raced off, too fast for Ryan to keep his eyes open and not get dizzy, but slow enough so that Ryan wouldn't fall off.

And with that, the trio set off towards home.

"Where have you been? What took you so long? There was Thunder and Lightning! Tell me you weren't out in the middle of it! It's been over 7 hours! Why didn't you come back earlier?!" Ryan's mom screamed as he approached the door step.

"Mom, at least wait until we are inside," Ryan said, as he put Arcanine back in his pokeball.

Sarah stepped to the side of the door, let her son pass her, and then shut and locked the door.

"You have some explaining to do Mister!" She yelled. "You're grounded for one week! No, two weeks! You're not going anywhere until school starts! And then it's only to and from school. No more looking for eggs!"

Ryan moved his hands from behind his back and showed her the egg.

"List- Is that what I think it is?" Sarah asked, all anger leaving her voice. "Oh my gosh it's so pretty! It's way prettier than any of the ones in your books. Can I hold it?"

Figuring she would be less mad if he said yes, Ryan let his mom hold the egg.

"Woah, this is so cool." She said, in awe of the egg.

" Sorry for being late mom." Ryan said, hoping he was off the hook.

"You're still grounded," she said, although without any anger in her voice.

"Ok," Ryan said, trying to sound disappointed. "Just let me have the egg so I can put it away..."

"Hmmm... I don't know about that..." Ryan's mom said, with a wink in her eye.

"Mom come on!" Ryan pleaded.

"Alright! But no sneaking out!"

Sarah handed the egg back to Ryan, and he hurriedly went to his room.

Ryan wasn't actually disappointed. He didn't care if he was grounded. He had nothing to do now that he had an egg, anyways.

So when Ryan went to his room, he set the egg on his shelf, sat down on his bed, and just looked at it.

This is so cool, Ryan thought. My egg is way cooler that Jordan's. My Pokemon will be way better too. I'm going to be the very best.

I wonder what it is though? It has the markings of a Poochyena, but it isn't the right color... Hm... Maybe I can ask the professor from Littleroot... what was his name again? …. Bark? No... Birch!

I'll email him. Tell him to come down here to see it. But I better hurry, I doubt mom will let me use the internet, Ryan finished.

With that, he stopped staring at the egg, and went over to his computer. He hurriedly turned it on, and went to the Pokemon League website. They had information on all of the professors.

Hoenn Region- Professor Birch. Ryan clicked on the link, eager to have the professor come see him.

Ryan found Professor Birch's email address, and sent him a short email.

"Hello, My name is Ryan Parslough, I live in Oldale town, and I recently found an egg that has the markings of a Poochyena, but is not the right color. I would appreciate if you could come down, my address is 101 Oldale Ln. Thanks" The email said.

Ryan powered down the computer, and went back to staring at the egg.

After awhile, Ryan got tired of staring at the egg, and picked it up.

Something wiggled inside.

Oh my gosh! It's hatching! Ryan thought. Eager to see his new Pokemon.

He waited for five minutes.

10 minutes.

15 minutes.

Oh, Ryan thought. That's right. Sometimes they just wiggle. Dang. Ryan finished, disappointed in both the egg and himself for being dumb enough to think it was hatching.

He went back to exploring the egg with his hands, going over every little bit of the egg, over and over, dedicated to memorizing every bit of the egg.

A few days passed like this, Ryan only coming out of his room to go to the bathroom or eat. The latter he would bring the egg out with him, and would let his mom hold it.

His dad stared intently at it, but would never hold it, saying something like only one trainer should hold an egg. Ryan assumed his mom didn't count since she never had any Pokemon.

Ryan didn't think too much about anything besides the egg, and what he would do when it hatched. He had a few books on raising a baby Pokemon, and he knew he shouldn't put it in any actual battles until it was at least 3 months old.

Well, Ryan thought, I guess I will have to get in shape with this Pokemon too. Ryan started making a workout schedule for him and his unknown Pokemon.

The first week, they would only do some running. Nothing too much, but enough for whatever hatched from the egg to get used to being outside of the egg.

The second week they would step up the running, and throw in some jumping exercises as well.

My Pokemon is going to have more stamina than most, Ryan mused. By it's third week it will probably be faster than me in running. I'll have to make sure it doesn't leave me though, I don't want someone else trying to catch it.

Ryan thought about all the different ways he would train his new Pokemon, and passed his time by doing that, writing down workouts, studying raising young Pokemon, and holding the egg intently.

Needless to say, Ryan's room was a mess by the end of the first week of being grounded.

Ryan didn't care, as he was an eleven year old boy, and he also hadn't showered in a week. He was to mesmerized by the egg and his future life to care about anything besides it hatching.

"Breakfast time Ryan!" Sarah called from the kitchen.

Ryan got out of bed, delicately grabbed the egg that he had been staring at since he woke up, and left his room to go eat.

"Alright honey, we need to talk," Sarah said, as Ryan sat down and picked up the fork. He set the egg down in the middle of the table, which has mom picked up.

"Ya?" Ryan asked, his voice coming out hard from disuse.

"I know you just got this guy and can't wait until it hatches, but you have to take care of yourself." His mom said.

"I am!" Ryan exclaimed, mouth full of food. "See? I'm eating," Ryan pointed at his food, "and I get plenty of sleep. I'm doing good Ma!"

"When was the last time you showered?"

"um..." Ryan thought. Why was it so hard to answer that?

"It was before you got the egg. You went through that rain storm and haven't showered since then. You've been laying in your own stink, and to be honest it's disgusting." Sarah said.

"Ok, I'll shower." Ryan said, a little grossed out by himself.

"That's not all. I'm keeping this egg until you shower, and clean your room. I'll wash your sheets while your in the shower, but you have to clean the rest of your room."

"But mom! That's no fair! It's just my room!"

"That's the rules. The sooner you get done the sooner you get the egg back."

"Mom..." Ryan pleaded, the thought of being away from the egg for that long terrifying.

"You're too addicted to this egg anyways, It'll be good for you to do something else. Once you finish your room, then come talk to me. But you have to shower first." Sarah said with a tone of finality.

"Fine..." Ryan said, knowing there was no use arguing with his mom.

Ryan went to his room, grabbed some clothes, and went into the bathroom.

I should probably shower, Ryan thought, as he saw his reflection in the mirror.

It took Ryan three hours to clean his room. After the first hour, he realized he actually wanted his room clean, and had to re-organize most of what he had already cleaned, the perfectionist inside getting the best of him.

"I'm finished mom," Ryan called, as he headed into the living room.

"I'm in here!" Sarah called from the kitchen.

"I finished." Ryan said as he walked into the kitchen.

"Great! Lunch is almost ready." Ryan's mom said, as she turned around to look at her son.

"Oh, you need a haircut. You look nice though. I'm glad to see you took your time in the shower."

"Ya, I didn't like feeling that dirty and greasy once I realized it." Ryan said, still a little embarrassed about how he looked.

"Well that's good, because we are having someone over for lunch." Ryan's mom said.

"Who?" Ryan asked.

"Oh, you'll see."

"Fine, I'll set the table. Will dad be coming home from work?"

"Nope, it will just be me you and our mystery guest."

"Alright" Ryan said, interested in who might be coming over.

There was a knock on the door.

"I'll get it!" Ryan said, as he rushed to the door.

Come in-" Ryan started, as he opened the door and saw who it was.

A stocky man stood in the doorway, a little hunched over and with a lab coat on.

"Hi, I'm professor Birch. You must be Ryan?" The man said.

"Yes, that's me!" Ryan said gleefully.

"Nice to meet you." The professor said, as he shook Ryan's hand.

"Come on guys, Lunch is getting cold!" Ryan's mom called from the dining room.

"We better go," professor Birch said, as he headed towards the voice.

Ryan just stood there for a second, as he watched the professor go through his house.

As Ryan sat down to eat, he couldn't help but wonder why the professor was at his house.

"You're probably wondering why I'm here." The professor said, breaking the silence.

"Yes," Ryan said uneasily.

"Well there are a couple reasons. First off, I had to come up to Oldale anyways, as some other boy had a Torchic egg that just hatched. I also received your email, and wanted to see your egg. I also know your mom, and when you put your last name on the email I figured I could visit with her. She used to work for me, and I could use a smart woman like her back under my employment."

Ryan's head was swirling. "Someone has a Torchic?" Ryan asked, instantly jealous.

"Yes, a young boy named Jordan. I believe he is close to your age." Birch said.

Ryan's jealousy turned immediately into anger. "Well then, looks like me and my Pokemon will have someone to practice on." Ryan stated, frustration flat in his tone.

"Um... I guess so.." Birch said, unsure of what he got himself into.

"Ryan honey, why don't you go get your egg? It's in my room." Sarah said, providing a scapegoat for Birch.

"Ok," Ryan said, his mood changing from upset to excited.

"This is a very unique egg." Birch said, as he examined it. "I can tell you a few things about it, and perhaps you can fill me in on why they are so."

"Alright," Ryan said, ready to learn more.

"Finish lunch first." Sarah said.

"Fine," Ryan said, and hurriedly gobbled down his food.

"First off, It is a Poochyena." Birch said after the table had been cleaned. "The reason it is different colored is because it is something that has become known as shiny. It won't have the same color fur as most Poochyena. However, I do not personally know what color it's fur will be, as I have only ever seen one other shiny Pokemon, and that was a Rattata." Birch said.

"...Cool." Ryan said, at a loss for any better words.

"Now perhaps you could tell me how it became shiny?" Birch said, hope in his voice.

" I can tell you, but you won't believe me." Ryan said.

"Try me."

"This egg got struck by lightning and died, but then Ho-Oh came and gave it life and marked it." Ryan said, expecting laughter.

"Hm... that's interesting... Did Ho-Oh speak to you?" Birch asked.

"Yes, she said she marked me too. She said a psychic could identify the mark."

"Alright! I will have to find myself a psychic to validate your claims. Perhaps I'll have Sabrina herself come..." Birch said as he started muttering.

"You have given me a lot to think about Ryan, and I have to be getting back to my lab. Sarah, at least think about my offer. Ryan, I will keep in touch with you. Once your Pokemon hatches, keep it on a low profile. A lot of people will want it, and without a pokeball it will be very susceptible to thieves."

"Yes sir!" Ryan said, still in shock that he had lunch with Professor Birch. The Professor of Hoenn. The one who all real trainers from Hoenn visited before becoming Pokemon masters.

As Birch was walking out the door, he turned around.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Hey Ryan?"

"Ya?"

"That egg will hatch within the next three days" The professor said, as he walked out the door.

It only took the egg two days to hatch.

It started shaking in the middle of the night, and Ryan woke up since the egg was in his arms.

He put the egg on the ground, and turned his bedroom light on.

This wasn't the first time it had started shaking in the middle of the night, and he didn't want to wake his family up for no reason.

And then something new happened. A crack appeared on the egg, as it continued to shake viciously.

"Oooh..." Ryan said, barely able to keep his excitement in.

Another crack split through the egg.

And then... nothing.

Ryan watched as the egg stopped shaking, apparently done for the night.

He waited 5 minutes.

10 minutes..

As he was getting ready to turn the light off and head back to bed, the egg starting shaking again.

This time a bunch a cracks split through the egg, leaving the egg sectioned off, but still whole.

And then one of the sections fell off.

Ryan watched with glee as a little brown paw stuck out of the egg.

Another section popped off, showing another brown paw.

Ryan couldn't believe what he was seeing. He was actually watching a Pokemon hatch! Not only that, but whatever this Pokemon was had brown paws!

Ryan's head swirled as he tried to think what had brown paws. He knew the professor had made a mistake and it wasn't a Poochyena. Maybe it was a zigzagoon? Or perhaps a Vulpix?

The top part of the egg broke off and went flying acrossed the room. With that, the egg seemed to have lost enough vital pieces that it just fell apart.

Ryan saw the most magnificient Pokemon he had ever seen before.

It had four dark brown paws, that tapered off into a lighter brown, more of a tanish color. The dark brown returned on it's belly, and also on the crest of it's chest. It's face was also dark brown, but the dark brown came to a point above it's eyes, and changed into the light tannish color that covered most of it's body and it's tail.

"Woah," Ryan said, as he saw the prettiest Poochyena he could have ever dreamed off right in front of his eyes.

"Wuuf!" The Poochyena barked, in a high pitched voice.

Ryan knew what to do from all the books he read about raising a baby Pokemon. He grabbed the bowl of food he had already prepared, and brought it down to the Poochyena.

"Here you go," Ryan said in a soothing voice, putting the bowl down by the Poochyena.

The Pokemon backed up, afraid of Ryan.

"It's ok, I'm a friend. It's ok boy." Ryan said.

"Or girl." Ryan added after some thought.

"It doens't really matter if you are a boy or a girl. I'm here for you. Everything will be ok." Ryan said, as he bent down and stuck his hand out for the Pokemon to sniff.

Poochyena warily advanced forward and sniffed the hand.

"That's good, I'm not going to hurt you." Ryan said. "Here, try some food, I'm sure you're hungry." Ryan added as he slid the food over to Poochyena with the other hand.

Poochyena jumped back at the noise, but returned and sniffed the food. It took one bite, gave a little bark, and started shoveling in food.

Ryan pulled his hand back and sat down cross legged, happy to finally have his Pokemon.

Ryan looked at the clock. It was 2:30 in the morning.

Should I wake them and tell them? Ryan wondered. No, I want some time alone with it. Dad will be up at 5:30, so that will leave me three hours alone with it. I need to figure out if it is a boy or girl.

"Hey buddy," Ryan said as Poochyena finished eating. "You still hungry?"

Poochyena shook it's head.

Ryan was amazed by how Pokemon automatically understood what he was saying. Baby humans took years before they could speak and understand, while Pokemon were born with the same vocabulary as the average 11 year old.

"Are you a boy or girl?" Ryan asked.

Poochyena cocked his head to the side, obviously confused.

I guess they aren't that smart, Ryan thought to himself.

"Come here," Ryan said, as he held his hands out for the Poochyena.

Poochyena warily advanced, but let Ryan pet it.

"That's a good Poochyena." Ryan said, as he scratched under its ear.

"You know, you and I are going to be best buds. I'm going to help you grow up and be as strong as you can be. I will never let anything bad happen to you. You just have to listen to me and do what I tell you to. Does that sound fair?" Ryan asked.

Poochyena nodded intentively.

"Good, good. Now lay down." Ryan said, testing his new friend.

Poochyena laid down.

Ryan went to rubbing it's belly.

Poochyena gave a small groan, as it got comfortable.

"Well, you're a boy," Ryan said with a smile on his face.

Poochyena just looked at him.

Ryan just kept petting him, happy to have his own Pokemon.

"Ryan, why is your light on?" Ryan's dad asked, as he opened Ryan's bedroom door.

He looked in, and saw his son laying down on the ground, next to a small bundle of light brown hair.

Poochyena made a small growl, which woke Ryan up.

"It's okay boy," Ryan said, as he patted the dog type Pokemon on the belly.

"I see it hatched?"

Ryan jumped a little bit.

"Ya, it did dad! It's a Poochyena!" Ryan exclaimed.

His dad looked at the ball of fur.

"It doesn't look like a Poochyena Son."

"Hey Poochyena, stand up!" Ryan said.

The Poochyena stood up, and arched its back as it stretched.

"Well, I'll be..." Ryan's dad said. "That's really special son. I have to get going though. Make sure you show your mother."

"I will I will." Ryan said, as he started petting the Poochyena.

With that, his dad left his room, and Ryan laid back down on the ground, as Poochyena snuggled up next to him.

"We're going to be best buds." Ryan said, as he dozed back off to sleep.