Chapter I:
After my mother and Austin left, I sprang to my feet excitedly, and ran to my bathroom. I fixed my unruly raven hair to let it fall down my back, and combed my bangs to the side of my face. Splashing my face with water, I picked up my purple toothbrush and brushed my teeth in a rapid, impatient motion. Once I brushed my teeth, I began to pack for the journey. The day before, my mother had bought me a purple and white backpack, so I carefully wrapped up my toothbrush, a comb and a hairbrush in my backpack, as well as throwing in my pyjamas as well.
I placed my backpack on my bed and turned to my closet, looking for the new outfit my mother had bought for my journey. Setting my emerald eyes on it, I grinned.
I put on the simple white t-shirt, and black leggings, and grabbed the purple and white long sleeved jacket with a pokeball crest above the heart. Then I dug around until I found the black and purple pokeball belt my father said I would need to put my pokeball's in. Changing into the outfit, I glanced in the mirror, admiring the new clothes for a moment. I look pretty professional.
Deciding I was ready to head downstairs, I grabbed my new backpack and flew down the stairs in a rush, coming into the kitchen and plopping down in the hair across from Austin, whose pout from earlier was still visible.
"Here you go Scarlet!" My mom smiled, handing me a plate of bacon and eggs.
"Thanks Mom!" I responded in excitement, quickly devouring the food.
"Hey slow down Scarlet!" My mom exclaimed throwing up her hands. "You are just like you're father!"
I looked up sheepishly at her, "Sorry, I'm just starved."
My mom laughed, and even Austin let out a little giggle.
Once we had all finished our breakfast, I rose from my chair. "Can we go now? It's a long walk to Pallet town."
My mom shook her head smiling. "Just like Ash." she mumbled, but nevertheless mom grabbed her bag and put on her shoes. "Let's get going then. Your father is already out at the lab helping Professor Oak with a troublesome Pokemon. We can meet him there."
I beamed and raced over to but on my new shoes, black combat boots with a purple streak down the side. When I looked over I saw my mom helping my brother get into his running shoes. When she helped him stand, she opened the door for me.
"Let's get going future pokemon master!" She grinned, and I let out a not-so-mature squeak of excitement and raced out the door.
The walk to Pallet Town seemed to take forever. It paid off however, when I saw my father's hometown in the distance and the large windmill of the laboratory just above the horizon, I knew I would want no other way to begin my journey.
"Umm, Scarlet dear." My mom began from behind me. I turned to look at her questionably, and when I saw her face look hesitant I smiled. "Yeah Mom? Is something wrong?"
My mom shuffled nervously. "Remember when I told you that it was hard starting a journey alone? And how you would meet many friends along the way?"
I frowned, wondering where my mom was going with this. "Uhh, yeah?"
My mom looked up at me, biting her lip, and Austin squeezed my moms hand tightly with a tiny fist and giggled. "Nathan is going on his journey with you!" He squealed in delight, running towards me and hugging my legs in enthusiasm.
I froze, an unreadable expression crossing my face. "W-what?"
Misty caught my look and struggled to explain. "You know how May and Drew moved to Vermillion last year, and Nathan turned ten just a few day's before you but they wanted to get him a Pokemon from Professor Birch's lab. Well there back now, and Nathan need's a friend to journey with him so I said you were going on yours-"
"NATHAN!" I roared in anger. "Of ALL PEOPLE you pick that stuck up, arrogant, pretty boy-"
"Scarlet's angry!" Austin wailed, and I shut up instantly, leaning down to pick up my little brother.
"Oh Austin, I'm sorry. I'm just surprised." I cooed, ruffling his hair.
Misty sighed. "I should have expected that. It's not like Nathan is going to compete with you anyway. He want's to become a coordinator remember?"
I groaned. Nathan is my mother's friend May's eldest son, and one of the cockiest, most arrogant boy's one will ever meet. The last time I saw him, he went on for hours about how much he loved contests and how good at them he would be.
Making a decision in my head, I came up with a solution. "Alright fine. But the second that obnoxious twit starts insulting me I'm pushing him off a waterfall."
My mom laughed heartily and nudged me forward. "Alright I can roll with that. Let's get to the lab. Who knows? Maybe Grace and Mikey will have come with Nathan Austin!"
My brother perked up instantly at the thought of Nathan's six year old sister and three year old brother. "Let's GO already!" Austin whined, running ahead of us.
I laughed and followed my impatient brother, shaking my head as we ran.
There is only one word fit to describe the lab, and that would be BIG. Upon entering the lab, though not my first time, I was instantly breathless as I looked around the huge white room.
"Ahh! Scarlet! Welcome!" The pleasant voice of Professor Oak filled my ears when we entered, and I looked around until my eyes set on a group of people in the far corner.
First was Professor Oak himself, a warm smile set on his face. The next was my father, who looked a little more weary then usual, but still grinned broadly at me, and Pikachu gave a delighted "PikaPi!". The next group was in fact May and Drew, along with their children. Austin squealed in delight and ran to greet their green haired daughter Grace, and their brown haired son Mikey, who looked delighted to see my brother.
May and Drew smiled at me when I entered the room, but their other son, Nathan just scoffed and flicked hair away from his eyes and looked away. I felt annoyance flash through me, and I opened my mouth to make a sharp comment, but my mom shoved me from behind, and my mouth snapped shut. I rolled my eyes instead and turned to the last two people in the room.
One was a tall man with spiky brown hair and dark eyes, who gave me a smug smile, and the other was a peculiar boy with ruffled brown hair and murky blue eyes hidden beneath glasses, wearing a long sleeved white collared shirt under a blue pull over sweater and black jeans and black sneakers. He was staring at me with interest clear on his face, and my face grew hot when he kept staring.
"Umm. Hi!" I replied to the Professor, my blush fading and my eyes alert again. This was it! I am going to get a pokemon today!
"As you can see, were very busy today, with my great grandson Elyan getting his first pokemon as well." Oak smiled, putting a hand on the weird boy's shoulder and his other on a machine holing three pokeballs.
"Please sir, it's just Ean." The boy strange boy mumbled, his face heating up.
"Hey Ashy-boy, looked like your little girl is finally all grown up eh?" The tall man with the spiky hair grinned, punching my Dad on the shoulder Pikachu wasn't on. I raised my eyebrows at my mother and she just smiled. My Dad looked a bit miffed, "Yeah sure Gary. Your son has as well." He growled rubbing his shoulder.
Ean, Nathan and I snickered, and May and Misty laughed.
Chuckling, the Professor turned to Ean. "So anyway young one, did you pick you're pokemon?"
Ean's face turned serious, and he nodded, picking up one of the pokeballs and sticking it onto his belt. "Thanks sir."
Oak smiled, "No problem Elyan." Before Ean could correct him, he had already turned to me. "So are you ready to pick your pokemon?"
When he spoke however, something in the corner of my eyes caught my attention. A small dog-like pokemon was leaning against the wall, growling slightly. I turned to it, and cocked my head to the left, smiling at it. "Hello there. Who are you?"
The pokemon stiffened, and I got a better look. It was a orange pokemon with black stripes and cream coloured fur on his neck, head and tail. His eyes were an onyx colour, and they were flashing with fear.
"Oh, that's Growlithe." My dad said softly. "He was the pokemon I came here to settle. He is a little unpredictable." He rubbed his forearm, where I could see a bite."
"Growlithe huh?" I smiled. "Hey there little guy." I took a step closer, and the pokemon growled furiously, standing in a defensive position.
"Careful Scarlet!" Drew spoke up for the first time. "He may bite."
I blinked and leaned closer, ignoring the growling emitting from the pokemon. "Hey it's okay little guy. I wont hurt you. My name is Scarlet. You're a very handsome pokemon." I cooed at him, crouching beside him and smiling.
The Growlithe stopped snarling for a moment and looked up at me confused. I smiled reassuringly and we locked eyes. His black one met with my green, and after a moment or to, the pokemon relaxed.
I grinned and reached over to touch him, and he stiffened slightly, but I didn't waver, gently stroking his mane. The pokemon let out a happy "Growl!" and leaned against my side.
"Well what do we have here! I'm very impressed Scarlet! I didn't think Growlithe here would warm up to anybody!" Oak stated, his face holding an expression of shock.
"Well Scar? How did you do it?" Nathan spoke for the first time, in an almost accusing tone.
I glared at him. "Call me Scar again and I'll leave one on your face."
Everyone laughed, but Misty elbowed me and Nathan glared at me in fury.
"Be nice!" Misty growled.
May giggled. "Don't worry Misty."
"Yeah, someone has to put Nathan in his place." Drew finished shooting me a knowing look.
Nathan scoffed angrily. "Whatever."
Ean seemed angry at Nathan, and he turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "You were the one that insulted her first."
Nathan stiffened and balled his fists at the brown haired boy. "What's it to you?"
I don't have time for this but since the adults just seemed confused at the outburst between the the boy's I'll have to finish the argument.
When Ean glowered at Nathan, I snapped. "Cut it out both of you!" I yelled. Growlithe nodded with me and nuzzled my leg as I stood up. Everyone went silent and turned towards me in shock and I sighed.
"Nathan, stop being a conceited jerk. Ean, I appreciate it, but it's not necessary. That's just the way Nathan is. We make fun of each other."
When Nathan snarled and turned away Ean looked down. "Sorry Scarlet."
I turned back to the Professor. "I decided on what pokemon I want Professor."
He looked surprised. "Oh? And which one would that be?"
I grinned. "Growlithe. If I'm allowed."
Growlithe yipped happily from beside me and I leaned down, picking up the pokemon. He licked my cheek in response and I smiled.
Oak looked put off for a moment, but then smiled brightly. "Of course! You can leave in just a moment now, but I have a few things for you."
The Professor leaned over to his desk and pulled out a purple device the exact shade as my jacket.
"This is you're pokedex. Use it to learn about new pokemon you find. And here are you're pokeballs, including Growlithe's."
I held the purple device in awe. "How did you know I liked purple?"
My Dad grinned, and put his hand on my shoulder. "That was my doing."
I smiled appreciatively at him. "You're the best!"
I held up the pokeball that belonged to Growlithe and turned to my new pokemon. I was about to call for him to return, when I saw him whimper. Raising my eyebrow I crouched beside my new friend.
"What's wrong Growlithe?" I asked in confusion.
May beamed. "I think Growlithe want's to walk instead of rest in his pokeball. Similar to Pikachu I guess."
Turning to Growlithe, I nodded. "You want to walk with me Growlithe?"
Growlithe yipped happily and let out an excited "Growl!"
Laughing I nodded. "Okay then!"
"Hey Scarlet?" I turned to my father in question and smiled. "Yeah Dad?"
My father's hands were behind his back and he grinned. "I have a gift for you. When I was ten years old just like you, I came to this very same lab to get my first pokemon. I wore a very special hat my whole journey, and it's still one of my most prized possessions. Now I want to give it to you."
My eyes widened as he pulled out the same pokemon hat that he had worn journeying Kanto. The red and black hat with the green pokeball. I gingerly took the hat and started at it for a few moments.
"Are you sure?"
My Dad beamed. "Positive. Try it on!"
Instead of putting the hat on forwards, like Ash always did, I turned the cap around and wore it backwards, beaming at the look of confusion on my Dad's face.
"I like it." I smiled.
"Umm... Scarlet?" I turned again to see Ean, shuffling his feet nervously.
"Would you have a battle with me?"
Welcome to "We Can Form Our Own Destiny"! I am super excited for this story, so I just dove right in! Please consider leaving a Review!
