Yes, this actually begins the story. I was thinking that the fic might have to be changed to a T rating, depending on how much Beth decides to swear and how many things I should edit out. Beth is, in fact, the protagonist in the story. It will only be told in her perspective, no one else's. And remember, reads and reviews are always welcome.

Chapter Summary: Beth prepares to head out on her journey, but it doesn't all go as planned...

The world was still silent when I woke up. The sun hadn't poked its face above the horizon yet, though the sky was slowly changing from that almost black to the lighter blue of dawn.

It was about six in the morning. Of course, I didn't wake up and think "Here I go, today's the day!" No... More like, "My breath smells kinda bad," or "I wish I had slept about an hour more..." But finally, when I looked out the window towards that lightening sky and saw old Professor Oak's laboratory, I remembered.

"I'm a Pokémon trainer today."

I scurried over to my computer. Today would be the last day in a long time that I could play video games, IM, announce to the world that I was leaving. But I just stared at the screen, like a writer waiting for their block to pass. While most things hadn't changed in Pokémon journeying since before I was born, I did remember that Professor Oak told me that there was a new privilege: email.

It wasn't the best, but at least it was faster than sending a Spearow or worse – delivering it in person.

So, I left my computer on and plodded downstairs. Neither of my parents seemed to be awake yet, so I didn't bother pouring cereal. I picked up an apple from the basket and ate it as quietly as I could.

That was another thing about setting out for the first time. For one, you probably couldn't just eat whenever you were hungry. Second, you had to start worrying about money. When you're growing up, you're always supported by your parents and your home. Setting out would be a whole new world, literally speaking, of course.

And, of course, you couldn't keep on thinking about whether that boy next door liked you or not.

That's right: I, Beth, have a crush on my next door neighbor, Michael.

He's older than me too. Well, not years older, but he turned fifteen about eight months ago. For some reason, he decided to wait for me. Probably because I suck at camping and he thought that he should help me out a little.

Isn't that so sweet? (That was sarcasm, if you couldn't tell.)

He's normally very kind and funny. We've been best friends since, like, we were born. Our parents were best friends when they grew up. We rarely have been separated for more than a week, and even then I missed him... Whether he actually missed me or not, I don't know. He always said he did, but...

I don't know what I'll do when we have to leave our separate ways for this journey.

"Beth, sweetie?" I heard from the doorway. I quickly pretended to wipe my lips to hide a tear that had fallen down my cheek, and then turned to see Mom there, half awake.

"Sorry. Did I wake you up?" I asked, giving a stern look to my apple. Silly thing must have made a crunch when I was eating it.

Mom shook her head and dragged her feet over to the fridge. "No, you're okay. I couldn't really sleep." She took out some orange juice and poured it into a cup, then went to sit by me at the table. "I'm just so worried about you and Michael. You seem too young to be leaving on such a dangerous journey."

"Mom," I said, a tiny bit of exasperation leaking into my voice, "we'll be fine. Besides, it's not like they didn't trust ten-year-olds back in your day. I'm four years older than that, and Michael's even older than me."

"Does that mean I can't worry?" She kissed my forehead and gave a tired smile. "You're so brave. I'm proud of you. I hope you know that you can come back at any time."

"Yeah, I know."

She looked at my face for a moment. Oh, no... Had she recognized my telltale red eyes and flushed cheeks? But took a drink and turned away.

"When are you planning on leaving?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. Probably after Dad wakes up so I can say goodbye to him." I blinked and looked up at Mom.

Mom gave me a sympathetic look. "Oh, Beth, he had a late night. I don't know when he'll wake up... He wouldn't want you to be late. You're supposed to be there at nine."

I took a bite of my apple and didn't say anything. Every day that had passed since I turned fourteen, my father had grown more distant with me. Granted, it was only a few days ago, but now he barely spoke to me at all. Was he ashamed of me? Maybe he didn't want me to have anything to do with Pokémon, just like he'd been raised. Or did he just hate me? I couldn't swallow my bite, so I just kept chewing it, slowly.

I finally stood up and threw the rest of the apple away, half-eaten. I managed to choke down that pesky bite, too, at least without too much struggle.

"I'm going out for a little while, maybe see if Michael's awake," I announced, but not too loudly. I didn't want to wake up Dad, too, even if he was upset with me for some reason. I shouldered my empty bag and left before I could hear Mom's halfhearted protests.

I walked to the edge of our small town, and stopped literally a step away from the tall grass. The few bug Pokémon awake chirped sweetly in the grayish air. I stared north, making sure not to look at the pink side of the sky. If I crossed that line of tall grass, the beautiful strands that whispered in the breeze, then I would officially be out of town.

For some reason, I was afraid of the wild Pokémon. I couldn't take that step.

"Morning, Beth," came a familiar voice.

I turned to see Michael there, his dark hair glistening. (From a recent shower, most likely. All those years had taught me that he always showered in the morning, and perhaps later again in the day if he needed it.) The morning was a bit chilly, and while I was comfortable in my jean shorts and tee-shirt, Michael wore long jeans and a sweatshirt. I frowned for hardly a moment before looking back at his face.

"What are you doing up so early?" he asked quietly. Yes, I adored the way he could make his voice so gentle and caring. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I always melted when I heard that tone.

I flushed, smiling involuntarily, and rolled my eyes. "Not sleeping."

"Me neither." He looked up at the sky. "I'm going to miss you a lot, Beth."

My breath caught, and I self-consciously kept it quiet. Michael, probably the best person in the world, missing me: flawed, imperfect, ugly, ME? I momentarily wondered if he was on, I don't know, crack or something.

"I don't even know how much we'll see each other... Or if we'll see each other at all." I stared at him, into his slim eyes. How could he say that?

I turned my back on him and faced the grass again. "Of course we'll see each other," I assured him. What was I saying? I had just been thinking of how I was almost afraid of stepping out of the town. How stupid could I get?

But he rubbed my arm with his warm, large hand and I felt warm Butterfree in my stomach. "I hope you're right," he whispered.

And then he was gone. I went back to look at him and he was gone. I blinked, but it was mentally shrugged off in a moment. Michael was a bit mysterious like that. Although, recently he'd been getting quiet. Not as silent treatment-like as my dad, but he seemed to be becoming the more "strong and silent" type.

It was probably a guy thing.

I stood there for what seemed like a while. But when I finally trudged back home, only about a quarter of an hour had passed. It was barely past six thirty, which made me feel impatient.

I took a long shower. I knew it might be the last free one for a while, depending on how many times I ran across a city with a hotel or something. I'd heard Pokémon Centers not only provided healing for Pokémon companions but room and board, all for free. There couldn't be that many out there, then...

By the time I was out, it was seven and the sun was peeking above the line of trees.

Mom intercepted me on my way to my bedroom. I was going to check my emails one last time. Who knew how many PCs were available out there?

"Do you know what Pokémon you're going to choose?" She still spoke in a whisper, so I assumed Dad was still asleep.

"Yes," I said coolly. My tone was a bit too brisk and harsh. Then again, I was a bit upset that she brought up the subject of Dad and depressed me on such an important day in the first place.

"Well... Which one?"

The truth was, I'd hardly given it any thought. I figured that as soon as I saw the Pokéball I would know. But I also figured she would call my next bluff. "Isn't it how the Pokémon's raised, not what kind of Pokémon it is?" It was an old quote she'd been telling me over the last week, and it was driving me crazy.

I shut my door in her face.

Relieved that she didn't come barging in, I swiveled on my computer chair one last time. From the list of Item Storage and Inbox, I chose the latter.

Surprisingly, I had one email. It said it came in exactly 7:07 AM. I checked the clock, and it read 7:10. Seven-oh-seven must have been about when I was getting out of the shower and drying off.

Creepy. And what was really scary was that the subject was "Beth" and I didn't recognize the return address.

I opened it anyways and the message was really weird.

"Choose fire for a challenge, water for a small boost, and grass for an advantage." And that was it.

Weird, right? For some reason, the message made my brain itch, like I was trying to remember something and couldn't. I unconsciously scratched my head slowly, memorizing the cryptic email. What the hell did that stuff mean?

I closed the Inbox and checked my Item Storage System. Yep, just as I thought: there was a Potion left, so I withdrew it. Potions were spray medication for Pokémon, though I guess it would work on people, too. Just... not as well.

I waited in my room, brushing and blow-drying my hair until it was nice and silky. My hair's a kind of light brown, and mostly straight except at the tips. My Mom says I should wear it up in a ponytail, since she always wears her hair in a bun, but I don't like wearing my hair up. My hair is the one thing I like about myself, and, darn it, I'm going to show it off if I want!

No really. I'm not kidding.

I let my eyes close. For some reason, that email kept buzzing in my brain. Did it have to do with Pokémon? Or real life? Was it just some random stalker email? I spun myself in the computer chair, hairbrush limply dangling from one hand. I felt suddenly tired, overwhelmed.

I woke up at a firm, but quiet knocking. I immediately recognized it as my dad's. Even in my semi-groggy state, I felt a flame of resentment flare up towards him. I glanced at the clock: 8:43. I needed to get moving.

"Beth?"

The sound of my dad's voice made me jump. So now you're talking to me? I thought sarcastically, but forced it down. I was actually very relieved that he was talking to me, deep in my heart. I had just been upset that he didn't seem happy with me...

"May I come in?"

I cleared my throat quietly. "Uh, yeah..." He walked in and I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I ran my brush through my hair to unsnag the rest of my tangles and then lifted up my bag. I put in every necessity that wasn't electronically-powered. My hairbrush, at least three pairs of extra clothing, stuff like that. I'd put in my toothbrush in a minute.

My dad noticed me packing. "So... Today's the day." Wasn't that nice? He had saved that corny sentence just for me? I was flattered.

And... that was more sarcasm, just so you know.

"Yep," I said coolly. "I'm leaving today."

"I want you to know I'm very proud of you. I'm glad you're choosing this journey... And I'm sorry I've been rude to you these past few days."

I looked up at him. My mind wanted me to roll my eyes, this was so clichéd. (He'd probably practiced that in front of a mirror five times.) But my heart appreciated his words.

"Thanks, Dad. I have to leave now, though."

He hesitated, and then nodded. "Yeah... Okay." He cautiously held out his arms, and I returned his hug, thankful that he didn't actually hate me or anything. "Be careful, Beth."

"I will," I said, and then slipped on my bag. I waved as I left my room, and my last picture of my father was him smiling at me faintly.

"I'm leaving, Mo..." I was cut off by a rather violent hug, considering it came from my mom.

"I know, I know... I already miss you so much, Beth!"

"I'll be fine, Mom. Trust me." I was already sick of this mushy stuff. I just wanted to get to see Michael at least one last time before I left.

When I went out the door, I was surprised that he wasn't waiting there for me. He usually waited for me whenever we did anything important together... Where was he? Maybe he'd fallen asleep again like me. Unnerved, I made my way to Oak's Laboratory, the halfway risen sun beside me.

Finally, I was there, at the Lab. I swallowed. What Pokémon would I choose? What if it hated me? Could I choose another one? What if my parents fought while I was away and it was way serious? What if somebody got hurt? Where was Michael? Would I see him? I swallowed again, trying to force away that scared choking sensation and the Butterfree in my stomach.

I opened the door.