Thankies to all reviewers last chapter, and Happy New Year. I must be spoiling you people, putting up the second chapter only a few days after putting up the first one^_^

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  Kat breathed in a deep breath of morning air, the day couldn't have been more perfect. There were only a few clouds in the sky and a light breeze cooled the air. She couldn't have wished for a better day to start her Pokemon journey.

  Last night could have been better though. Her mother had shouted, cursed, even threatened her if she planned to carry out this "fool's dream," but nothing she had said deterred Kat, she was done taking orders from her mother. She was even wearing her favorite outfit, which coincidently her mother despised. It consisted of a pair of denim jeans and sneakers, a black t-shirt with a white jacket, and all that topped off with a band of red colored cloth holding her hair back.

  Kat shouldered her pack and began walking toward the Pokemon Center. Passing by a bookstore she stopped and got a few books detailing wilderness survival and wild foods both Pokemon and humans could eat, she knew they were bound to come in handy one day.

  "Odd books you're buying today Miss Bowing," the elderly shopkeeper said as she placed the books in her pack.

  "Well they're bound to be useful with what I'm doing from now on Mrs. Luefen," Kat replied cheerfully, "starting today I'm a trainer."

  Mrs. Luefen clasped her hands to her chest, "oh that's wonderful dear! I remember when my son started his journey, he's quite the respectable trainer now too." She smiled, "make sure you take care of your Pokemon, they'll be the best friends you'll ever have."

  Kat smiled and waved as she left the shop, "don't worry, I will."

  It wasn't long before Kat reached the Pokemon Center. Just as she had said, Clair was waiting in front of the Pokemon Center with Nurse Joy.

  "Morning!" Kat called out as she neared, waving energetically to the pair.

  "Good morning Katherine, I trust you're well rested?" Clair asked, smiling at her enthusiasm.

  "More like I'm hyped up on excitement."

  Clair chuckled, "I see, well, we brought you a few things to help start your journey." Clair reached into the bag she was carrying, "this is a Pokegear, you can use it as a cell phone or a radio, and it already has a detailed map programmed into it."

  "And this is a gift from all of us at the Pokemon Center," Nurse Joy said, handing Kat a large envelope and a bag containing a few bottles of potions and various medicines, "just think of it as a thank you gift for all the help you've given us at the Pokemon Center."

  Kat just stared, struck speechless at the gifts. "You guys, this is too much, you didn't have to give me this," she finally managed.

  Nurse Joy waved a hand dismissively, "nonsense, it was the least we could do after what you've been through to become a trainer."

  Kat smiled and gave Nurse Joy a hug. "Thank you," she whispered in her ear.

  "Ah, and before I forget," Clair suddenly spoke up, "the Dragon Master wishes you the best of luck, and sends you this," she pulled a small pouch from her pocket and open it up, fishing out a silver necklace with a fang attached. "It's customary to present fledgling trainers from Blackthorn with a dragon fang necklace, it's our way of saying good luck." With Kat's permission she put around her neck, where the white fang contrasted sharply against her black t-shirt, "it'll take you at most two days to reach New Bark if you start out now." That being said Clair stuck out her hand, which Kat gladly shook. "I wish you the best of luck, and I hope I will see you again someday."

  Kat nodded, "thank you both again for so much." With that Kat turned and started for the city limits, turned slightly so she could wave goodbye.

*****

  At the beginning of Route 45 Kat stopped and took in a long breath of air. Turning she took one last look at the city that had been her home for the last fourteen years.

  "Well Blackthorn, it's been good, but now I'm leaving, see ya again someday." With that Kat turned and started down the path.

  "Kat! Wait!"

  Surprised, Kat turned and found Mrs. Luefen hurrying toward her, her hands clutching a case.

  Wheezing slightly she stood in front of Kat. "Good thing I caught you before you left," she held out the case, "this is a Pokemon egg my son sent me, he thought I'd be lonely now that my husband's gone, but I'm so busy with the bookstore I wouldn't have time to take care of the little dear, that's why I want you to have it."

  "But- but-" Kat managed to sputter out.

  "I won't take no for an answer dear, just take it."

  Kat accepted the case with shaking hands. "Mrs. Luefen, I don't know what to say, I mean, wow, thank you."

  Mrs. Luefen smiled, "your happiness is all I need, just take care of the little one when it hatches. My son didn't tell me what it is, so it'll be a surprise for the both of us."

  Kat gave a quick little bow, "don't worry, next time you see me this egg will be a happy, healthy Pokemon."

  "Glad to hear it dear."

  Kat smiled again and started down the path, her step a little unsteady from joyful shock she had just received.

*****

  *Why? Why did this have to happen now? It was sunny just five minutes ago, now rain is threatening to start pouring any minute now.*

  Kat hurried along the path, keeping her eyes pealed for any sort of cave or outcropping of rock she could stay under till the storm passed.

  Another crack of thunder sounded in the distance and Kat picked up her pace.

  *Ah ha! There's one!*

  Kat started to jog toward the large ledge, a jog which quickly turned into a run as she heard the rain start to pelt the ground behind her. She managed to dive under the ledge just as the rain reached her.

  "Whew, that was close."

  Leaning against the wall she set down her pack and breathed a sigh of relief. It was nearing twilight and it didn't look like the rain was going to let up any time soon, looks like she was spending the night here. Kat was just about to grab some of the dried fruit slices from her pack when she heard something. It was a patter of feet on the ground, something was coming toward her and coming fast.

  A small shape suddenly burst through the curtain of rain and right into her lap, knocking the air from her lungs. "Oof! Boy, for a little guy you sure do pack a punch."

  The tiny Pokemon squealed in fear and backed up toward the curtain of rain. Now that it was in the light Kat could see what it was.

  It was a Phanpy, or more accurately, a soaking wet Phanpy. The tiny Pokemon started to back away from her, drawing closer to the curtain of falling water.

  "Hey, don't worry, I won't hurt you." Kat slowly extended a hand, allowing the Phanpy to sniff it. Keeping its eyes on Kat it slowly reached out with its trunk and curled it around Kat's hand.

  "See? I'm nice, no need to be afraid."

  "Phanpy, phan phan." It seemed to smile and flapped its ears in carefree manner, it was then she noticed the scar running below his left eye. *Poor guy must have cut himself* she thought.

  "You hungry little guy? I've got some dried fruit if you want to try it." Reaching into her pack Kat retrieved a few of the slices, her hand brushing against the envelope Nurse Joy had given her in the process. Grabbing it too she placed a few slices in front of the Phanpy who readily gobbled them up and turned her attention to the envelope.

  Kat frowned as she examined it. "Weird, I don't remember it being this heavy." Slitting open the back she open it up to take a look inside, only to have her jaw don't in total disbelief. The envelope was full of money.

  "Jeez, there must be $5000 in here, I can't believe Nurse Joy would give me that much."

  "Phanpy," the Pokemon suddenly whined.

  Kat looked over at it to find Phanpy looking expectantly over at her. "Oh, you want some more?"

  She placed the envelope back in her pack and brought out more of the dried fruit. Having several herself she suddenly noticed how dark it had gotten, and she started to hear Hoothoot calling to each other through the rain.

  "Wow, time sure does fly," she looked over at Phanpy, "we might as well get to sleep, shouldn't we?"

  After changing into a pair of soft pajama pants and a night shirt Kat unrolled her sleeping bag with the aid of a small flashlight she had brought and had started to crawl in when she suddenly remembered something.

  "That's right, the egg, Nurse Joy always said that eggs need to be kept warm." She crawled over to the case, and, holding the flashlight between her teeth, brought out the egg. Finally getting a good look at it she noticed it was lovely shade of light periwinkle blue. She held up the egg to her ear, staining to hear any signs of life emanating from it, even though in her mind she knew it was too soon.

  Kat crawled back to the sleeping bag and slipped in, holding the egg next to stomach. She felt Phanpy curl up near her feet and gave a contented sigh. Within minutes she was asleep.

*****

  The next morning the entire area smelled like rain, one could tell it was going to be a hot day though. Kat walked outside in her red with white flowers board shorts and a white tank top, stretching as the sun hit her face.

  "Phanpy phan?"

  Kat smiled as she looked down at the Pokemon, who was looking rather sad at her departure. "It was nice meeting you Phanpy, but I really have to be going now. You take care of yourself, maybe we'll meet again someday." Kat started walking away, waving as she did. Phanpy waved its trunk in the air in response.

  "Phannpy!"

  It was nearing noon and the sun was high in the sky as Kat started to see the roofs of buildings in the distance. Smiling, she gave a whoop of joy, she had made it to New Bark, now all that was left was to go the Professor Elm's lab and she could get her first Pokemon.

  Telling her weary feet that it would only be a little while longer Kat quickened her pace and headed straight for the heart of town.

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R&R! Well, I guess it's more like R, because hopefully you would read before reviewing^_^

I'm open to suggestions and ideas, feel free to ask any questions, till next chapter.