I do not own anything from the Pokemon franchise aside from my own Original Characters and any Original Plots I make.

The magnificent spring sun beat down upon the town of Sandgem in the south of the Sinnoh Region. Only a few wispy clouds could be seen as the early birds among the town's population started appearing outside their houses. A large flock of Starly and Staravia soared overhead in the direction of the imposing mountain to the west. The mountain itself still bore some snow, the remnants of the winter, on its highest slopes. The town was mostly a deep green colour thanks to abundance of trees and flower gardens. There was a slight chill in the air, however - a reminder that it was not yet summer. The peace and quiet of the town was interrupted briefly as a ferry leaving Sandgem's small port in the south sounded its whistle loudly as it set off to sea.

Far in the north eastern suburbs of the town, in a small, two-story yellow house, a 12 year-old boy was busily getting ready. He scratched his short, spiky, light blond hair as he stared at himself in the mirror. He was wearing a blue-white hoodie with a white Poke Ball symbol on the bottom left corner over a plain white tee and black and dark gray slim fit pants. On his feet, he had slipped on a pair of grey and white sneakers.

"Marcus! Are you ready for breakfast yet?" Came his mother's voice from the living room downstairs. "You're going to get late!"

"Just a minute!" Marcus Rowan called back as he continued to observe himself in the mirror. He couldn't rush his appearance. Today was a really special day for him after all. A day he had been waiting for for a long time. The day he would start his Pokemon journey. He was of the eligible age and with the teachings of both the Pokemon Trainer School and passing the Trainer License Exam with flying colors, he felt that he was more than ready.

Ever since Marcus was a child, he had been infatuated with Pokemon. Whether it was seeing them in the wild or in the hands of Pokemon Trainers, he had always felt a connection with them. When he had first seen a Garchomp - the fiercest and most dangerous of the Dragon-Types - in the hands of a world renowned Trainer, his mind had been made up in seconds. He wanted to become a Pokemon Trainer too. He wanted to travel throughout the Sinnoh Region and if possible, beyond. He wanted to participate in the Gym Challenge and battle in the Sinnoh League.

He even wanted to challenge the current Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia Drake.

Many children his age had started their Pokemon journeys when they were ten. He, on the other hand, decided to wait a bit longer. He had spent these past two years learning everything he could about Pokemon. He had learnt all about their typings, strengths, weaknesses, battle strategies and other things that would help him. He wanted to be best equipped before starting his journey and hopefully it would pay off.

"Marcus!" His mother called again, pulling him free from the confine of his thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm coming!" Marcus yelled. His outfit wasn't yet complete. The final touch was a black bandanna with a red Poke Ball symbol on it which he tied around his neck. He quickly put them on and grabbed his green backpack from the foot of his bed. Now that he was ready and set to go, he hurried out of the room and dashed down the stairs.

"Hey, squirt! Looking good!" Marcus smiled happily when he laid his eyes upon his brother who was seated at the dining table.

"I didn't know that you would be stopping by, Luthor." Marcus said as he sat down on a chair. A plate of eggs and bacon was placed in front of him.

"I took a couple of days off from the Pokemon League. Like I'd miss my little brother's big day!" Luthor guffawed. The elder boy was in his early twenties. He had a muscular build which was currently hidden his black and white hoodie and baggie pants coupled with a pair of black shoes. Marcus never really understood his big brother's sense of fashion. He was a quirky and odd individual that was for sure.

"You need to be at Dad's lab at nine o'clock, right?" Layla Rowan, his mother, asked as Marcus took a bite out of his bacon. He quickly swallowed the mouthful and then turned to his surrogate mother.

"That's right." He nodded. "What time is it now?"

"Eight." Layla replied as she too took a seat next to Luthor. "It's better to get there earlier rather than later, so I think you should set off as soon as you're done eating."

"How are you feeling, kiddo?" Luthor asked and Marcus glanced at him.

"I'm feeling fine. A little nervous about getting my new Pokemon but otherwise, I'm good."

"That's to be expected!" His elder brother laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "I remember getting my first Pokemon! Have you decided on what starter you want to pick?"

"Not yet. I've done the research but I guess I'll only be able to make a choice once I actually see them." Marcus replied. He stood up as he finished his breakfast and took his plate over to the dishwasher. "I'll be back as soon as I'm done at the lab!" he called to Layla.

"Alright!" The woman replied cheerfully and placed a chaste kiss on her son's cheek. "Good luck!"

It took around five minutes for Marcus to reach Professor Rowan's Pokemon Laboratory. He had ran the entire way from his house and slowed down his pace once he got reached the entrance. His grandfather, Professor Rowan, was stood in front of the lab doors and once he arrived, the normally grouchy man grinned at him. This was his favorite part of the job, he had once told Marcus. Setting new trainers off onto their journeys with their Pokemon partners.

"Well, well, it seems you are here on time!" Professor Rowan exclaimed, patting his grandson on the shoulder. He had sent many trainers off on their journeys but this particular one was special. It was his grandson after all. "I can tell you are very excited, Marcus, and you have every right to be. A new adventure awaits you! This is your first real step into the incredible world of Pokemon! Your journey with your Pokemon will have many fun times, but also there may be dangerous times as well. If it ever comes to you must use your Pokemon to protect you. Always remember this, though. Your Pokemon are not just there to protect you from danger, they are also your friends and partners. Do you understand?"

Marcus nodded his head. "Yes, grandpa!"

'This is it. I can hardly wait! I'm going to be the very best trainer there is!' Marcus thought excitedly.

"Very well. In that case, please follow me to the other room to meet your first Pokemon," Professor Rowan said.

He then turned around and began walking into the main part of the lab, the soon-to-be trainer following him. Professor Rowan led him into a large room with a large computer on one side. In the center of the room was a circular table with four Poke Balls sitting on top of it. Numerous other equipment was also set up all around the room; expensive equipment. Marcus had been in this room many times before and he knew his way around. He also knew not to touch anything lest he face his grandfather's wrath.

"Here they are! One of these will become your very first Pokemon," Professor Rowan stated, gesturing to the Poke Balls on the table. "One of the Poke Balls contains Turtwig, the Grass-Type Pokemon. One contains Chimchar, the Fire-Type Pokemon, and the other contains Piplup, the Water-Type Pokemon. The last one is special though; it contains a rare Pokemon called Riolu. Choose your Pokemon wisely."

Marcus blinked. "I thought there were only three available Starters?"

Professor Rowan cleared his throat and gave his grandson a nod. "Normally, yes. But I captured this Pokemon when I was doing research in Mount Coronet last month."

Marcus mentally went over everything he knew about each species the four creatures belonged to. Turtwig was a Grass-Type with good defense that could make up for it's mediocre speed. Chimchar, the Chimp Pokemon was a swift one with a lean towards attacking more than defending. Then there was Piplup. While their species wasn't very fast, it could tank quite a few hits and deliver powerful ones in return. Finally, there was Riolu. Marcus knew that Riolu were a species of Pokemon that could sense emotions hence their species being known as the Emanation Pokemon. Other than that, he didn't know much. After a couple more minutes of mulling over the decision in his head, he finally made up his mind. Marcus walked over to the table and picked up the Pokeball on the far right. He pressed the center button and opened the spherical red and white device.

In a burst of white light, a small bipedal blue and black jackal-like Pokemon with sharp and intelligent crimson eyes appeared on the floor in front of him. It was absolutely adorable. Despite its immense cuteness though, the Pokemon gave off an aura of fierceness, regality, pride and most importantly confidence. Riolu, the extra Starter glanced around with its sharp red eyes before they settled down on him. Marcus knelt down in front of his partner - hopefully - and grinned brightly, pumping out a fist. "Hello, Riolu. My name is Marcus and I'm going to be your new trainer. I hope you and I can make a good team!"

Riolu stared up at him for a short moment, judging his worth, before it gave a sharp bark and hit its small fist with Marcus' own. Marcus had been told by his grandfather that it was the Pokemon that chose the trainer not the other way around. Clearly, Riolu had chosen him. Marcus grinned with satisfaction and picked the little bipedal jackal up, holding it high.

"We're gonna become the best of friends, buddy! Together, we'll conquer the Sinnoh League! What do you say?"

"RIOOLUUU!" The little Pokemon barked gleefully and Marcus laughed.

On the sidelines, Professor Rowan smiled and nodded with approval glinting in his hard eyes before he cleared his throat. Marcus, while still holding Riolu, turned to look at his grandfather. "Now that you have your Pokemon, I would like to go ahead and give you your PokeDex now."

The Professor punched a button and the platform that had the Pokeballs of the starters on it lowered back into the table and was soon replaced by a different platform rose out. On it was a single black portable rectangular device with a large screen. Professor Rowan grabbed the device and pulled out five small marble-sized Pokeballs from his coats pocket before handing the objects over to his grandson.

"This device is your PokeDexes. They will be used to record and give you any information about the Pokemon you may encounter on your journey. As soon as you see one you haven't come across yet, make sure to open up the PokeDex to get its information. I have spent almost my whole adult life studying Pokemon, but I'm getting on in years and can't do field research like I used to. I've given you five Pokeballs to get you started but you should buy more regularly."

Marcus gratefully took the device and the five Pokeballs before rushing forwards and embracing his grandfather tightly. "Thank you, grandpa!"

Rowan chuckled and awkwardly patted his grandson on the back. "Alright, now, you may take your leave now. Take care of yourself and be sure to stay in touch!"

"I will, Gramps!" Marcus exclaimed once he pulled away from his grandfather and after a quick goodbye, he recalled Chimchar and rushed out of the lab to show his Pokemon to his mother and brother.

Marcus stood hesitantly for at least five minutes with his clothes fluttering in the wind. He had just got done showing Riolu to his brother and mother and gathering all the travelling equipment he would need on his journey which included a tent, potions, antidotes and paralyze heals. Then, after a tearful and emotional goodbye, he had left. Now, he was standing on the side of Route 002. The sound of birds chirping, the cool wind across his face, the serenity of the grassy field, and the knowledge that he had just started his journey felt surreal. When he finally concluded that he was not dreaming, he unclasped his starter's Poke Ball from his waist belt and pressed the center button.

In a burst of light, Riolu appeared in front of him. The little jackal's intelligent eyes glanced left and right before they landed on his new Trainer. Marcus pulled out his new PokeDex and brought up Riolu's information.

PokeDex Entry: Riolu

"The Emanation Pokemon. Riolu has the ability to feel the emotions of other creatures. It can walk for days and nights without stopping for rest."

Gender:

- Male

Moves Known:

- Quick Attack

- Howl

- Brick Break

- Hidden Power

Marcus whistled. Brick Break was quite a powerful attack. Whomever Riolu's parent was must have passed it down to Riolu. The Emanation Pokemon's other moves were also quite decent. He closed Riolu's information and brought out the Map App. He looked over it for a few seconds before closing it and putting the PokeDex away and kneeling down in front of Riolu. "Like I told you, my goal is to compete in the Sinnoh League and to do that I need to acquire eight Gym Badges. The nearest Pokemon Gym is in Oreburgh City and it will take around four to five days to get there by foot. We'll have to stop by in Jubilife City for a bit. I'm also hoping to get some training in before our battle. We're also going to eventually have to catch ourselves some new Pokemon."

"Rio-lu!"

"I'm assuming that's a cry of understanding." Marcus said as he picked Riolu up and placed him on his beanie-covered head. "Now, come on. Let's get going. "

"Rio!" The little jackal barked in agreement. Marcus smiled a small smile and nodded with satisfaction before the two continued down the beaten path to Jubilife City, officially starting his Pokemon Journey.

And so the journey begins! This is a rewrite of Shining in Sinnoh as I wasn't happy with the previous story. I'll definitely be changing some things in the story. One of my biggest problems with Shining in Sinnoh was that i had my character catch too many Pokemon and didn't know how to juggle it all.

I've changed some things such as have Marcus' starter Pokemon be a Riolu instead of Chimchar. The other Pokemon he catches will also differ from the Original Story.

Current PokeDex Update

Pokemon Trainer: Marcus Albert Rowan, PokeDex Number: SI519VI976

Badges: 0

Pokemon in Possession: 1

Riolu