It was a warm day at New Bark town. The pidgey were chirping happily as they foraged for food, and sentrets could be heard, giving their yells of 'alls-well'. Most of the houses in this small town were painted a uniform white with light red roofs, with a few exceptions. One of these was a light blue house with darker blue roof. This was the Winters' home. The only inhabitants were Mrs. Amy Winters, Mary the Aipom, and Mrs. Winters Daughter, Melanie L. Winters. Melanie was 12 years old, and today was the day she was to start her pokemon journey. Suprises await Melanie as she delves further and further into her journey.

"Mel? Hey, Mel." A sunny voice chorused. A beautiful almond skinned woman with crimson colored hair and bright green eyes. Amy Winters wasn't tall by many peoples standards, but was still quite well built, despite her 30 years of age. A purple colored Aimpom hung upside down by its tail on the door as Amy leaned against the same door. Both pokemon and mother watched Melanie 'Mel' Winters as she continued her deep slumber. Amy looked down upon her daughter and smiled warmly.

Melanie had tousled jet black hair, messed up from her night of sleep. Amy's head tilted when she remembered some childhood moments and her eyes watered a bit. She shook her head and her warm smile turned slightly malicious. She turned to Mary, the Aipom, and gave her a thumbs up. The aipom brought its small paws up to its mouth and stiffled its little giggle. She used her tail to bring herself up onto the top of the door and positioned herself. Three small taps in sequence was the countdown for Mary.

The next few minutes was chaos in that room. Eventually it all calmed down, it seemed to be a daily occurance in the Winters' Residence. Amy was still standing at the door with Mary stitting on her shoulders. Both had a cheerful expression and Mary had its small paws up over its mouth. Mel was standing there with her tousled hair, glaring emerald green eyes, a white spaghetti strap and loose black boxers.

"What was that for!" Mel yelled at them and glared. Her glare though, was reduced in intesity because of a yawn that took over her. She blinked her eyes furiously trying to get rid of the excess tears that formed with a yawn. Her mother and Mary broke into a fit of giggles that soon burst out into laughter as Mel stomped over to the rest room and slammed the door closed.

Amy finally regained some control over herself before she knocked on Mel's restroom door and said, "Hurry up chika! I'll have breakfast done in a few minutes. Remember you're suppose to go meet Professor Elm in half an hour." Amy said before she gave a small chuckle at Mel's muffled reply and walked out into the kitchen.

Melanie Winters stared at herself in the mirror. She wrinkled her nose in disgust at her appearace, thinking herself ugly. While she was not a gorgeous beauty, she was still pretty, something she couldn't see in herself. Sighing she looked down and turned the cold water faucet on. Quickly she brushed her teeth and after rinsing her mouth out she washed her face. Blindly looking for a towel she knocked over a couple of papers and after drying her face she picked them up. Before putting them back she looked them over. She smiled slightly when she saw they were some of her old notes about the three starter pokemon.

Still smiling, she put those papers back down and walked out to her room, looking in her closet for some suitable clothes to wear. She finally decided on a casual grey tank top and black shorts. She rummaged though many worn out shoes before deciding on a pair of black shoes with white designs. Lastly, Mel brushed her shoulder length hair before grabbing a bag that she had packed the night before and ran out towards the kitchen.

Amy set down Mary before she went to the stove and began to prepare some food. Every once in a while she would ask Mary to bring her something, some salt, eggs, etc. Mary loved being helpful and did it all with glee.

15 years ago, Amy Sumner (AN: Her maiden name) was a pokemon trainer, the pride of New Bark town. She had made it all the way to the Johto league with only 4 pokemon. Her Meganium, Roza, Poliwrath, Fighter, Pidgeot, Gold, and Aipom, Mary. With these four she lost to Jakob Winters in the Finals, a boy she continued her travels with and eventually married.

Amy smiled as she finished breakfast and set down three plates on the table, for Mel, herself and Mary. Mary sat down in front of her plate and started to happily munch on the grapes placed there while Amy whent outside to feed Roza, Fighter, and Gold.

Melanie entered the kitchen to see only Mary there and figured her mother went to feed her other pokemon. Mel sat down and began to eat her own breakfast while she thought over which pokemon to begin with.

Her mother came and started eating also. For a while there was only the click of forks hitting the plates and the sound of the glasses being put back down on the table.

Full, Mel put her fork down and waited for her mother. Not long after her mother was also done and Amy stood up to pick up the plates. She deposited them in the sink and Mary jumped onto her shoulders. Amy sat down across from Mel and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Well now. You're 13 years old and starting your pokemon journey." Amy started and Mel looked up, nervously.

"Don't worry chika! Now, do you know what pokemon you're going to start with?" Amy said tilting her head slightly and Mary wrapped her tail around her neck for better balance.

Mel shrugged, "I don't know. I've looked at all the possiblities, but I still can't decide!" Frustrated, Mel crossed her arms and frowned. Amy gave a small laugh.

"I didn't know who to pick either, until I saw her. Roza was my perfect match. I'm sure you'll--" She was interupted by an alarm going off. Both of them looked over to the clock and their expressions were different. Amy's was estatic! Her little girl was starting her journey! Mel's was scared. She didn't know what to do.

The next thing she knew, her mother was walking with her towards the door and kissed her cheek. Mel stared blankly at her mother before a belt was all but shoved in her face. On it were four pokeballs, and one great ball. Her eyes widened and she hugged her mom.

"Thank you!" She said and put the belt on her waist were it shifted and seemed to hang more off her left side. Her mother gave her one more peck on the cheek before Melanie Winters left in the derection of New Bark town's Pokemon Lab. Today, she was going to start her quest to become a Pokemon Master.

Runa: I'm having a hard time choosing a starter for Mel, so I'm gonna let you, the readers, decide who it should be. Aren't I nice? Of course the choices are Cyndaquil, Chikorita, and Totodile. Please leave a review, questions or comments! Flame all you want, it usually helps to improve the story. So...Runa-out!