I worked with Ponyta every day. When she was finally bridle-trained, I went on rides with my father and sister. It was only a few months after this Ponyta evolved into a Rapidash. And not just any Rapidash...the strongest and most beautiful Rapidash in the whole world! My Rapidash! Jessee's ponyta evolved soon after mine did, and we two took over the majority of the ranch chores...as well as having daily races across the hundreds of wooded acres our family owned. But in the back of my head, I always had it determined that one of these days, I would apply for my Trainer's license.

It was three years after I got my first Pokemon that my fate was changed for me. I was 12. My parents had started fighting...Neither of my siblings nor I knew what they were fighting about, just that they were doing it a lot. During these rampages, Jessee, James and I went out for a ride on the Rapidash; just to get out of the way. James still didn't have a equestrian pokemon of his own, but he always would ride one of our dad's; he was quite a good rider too. Anyway, we all went for one of these rides around the acreage. When we got back, our father was gone. Mom was sitting at the table, her head in her hands, looking rather exhausted, defeated and frustrated about it. When we came in, she looked up.

"Ah, there you are...Did you go for a ride or something?" She asked us.

"Yes...where's dad?" James asked innocently.

My mother's face darkened. Jessee, James, please leave the room.

"But...Mom? What's going on?" My sister asked.

"Not now, Jessee, I need to talk to Jess right now. Please go to your rooms." My mother repeated, more firmly now.

When my siblings left, I looked back to my mother. "Am...I in trouble or something?" I asked.

My mother shook her head. "No. If anyone's in trouble, it's your father." She growled/groaned into her hands.

"Why did Jessee and James have to leave the room?" I went on. "If it has nothing to do with any of us..."

"I didn't want them to have to know yet...they are too young...too naive; honestly, I don't even know how I feel about telling you."

I raised one of my eyebrows. "So...then...are you going to tell me what's going on or not?"

After a long pause, my mother continued. "I caught you father cheating with another woman."

Shocked by her sudden bluntness, I sat down at the table across from her, as she continued. "I don't know why, but it was one of the rich young women from the other side of town. From what I've gathered, he's grown tired of our meek little life here on the Rapidash Ranch...he wishes for something more higher class."

The house was silent for a very long time. Finally I opened my mouth. "So...what's going to happen now?"

"I don't know. That's for the courts to decide. Until then, don't expect your father to be home for a while." I nodded solemnly and my mother continued. "Also, I must apologize beforehand if I become distant over the course of these next few days. I will have a lot on my mind...planning the divorce and things like that. If so, I'm sorry. And always remember that I love all of you very much. But from now on, Jess, you have to take care of Jessee and James."

I locked eyes with my mother, nodding again to show I understood, then rose and left the table without another word. I ascended the stairs only to find Jessee and James right in front of me.

"Dad's not coming home, is he." Jessee asked.

"You were listening the entire time, weren't you..." I sighed. "No. He's not coming back. He and mom are getting a divorce. I don't know anything else."

"Jess," James piped up. "What's going to happen to us?"

"Nothing." I replied, probably more harshly than I should have. I recoiled and tried again. "Nothing bad is going to happen. I promise you that. The three of us are going to stick together...Always. We're Newkens; NOTHING can separate us." I hugged both my siblings.

But once again, that dream too shattered before my eyes.