(A/N: Hey guys! I'm back with another chapter! At around 1,000, this is the longest chapter I have ever written. Kudos to Siris Guardian of Aura, Congratulations on your new Eevee! A special thanks to Veronica17, Who encourage me to keep writing. Enjoy!)

Chapter Two: Pick of the Litter

Rebekah examined all three of the starters. Bulbasaur looked strong, but seemed almost too arrogant, sort of like Ian. Rebekah noted that this Pokémon was probably not for her, and fit Ian better. Charmander looked like a good choice; overall he was pretty average, but seemed dependant on the professor. He also lacked….something. Rebekah wasn't sure what it was, but this Pokémon was also not for her. She dispared a little, turning to the very last Pokémon; the Squirtle. The blue turtle Pokémon had crimson eyes, and held a spark of intelligence that the other two seemed to lack. She looked at Rebekah, and Rebekah felt something. Kind of like a spark. This was the one. Her lifelong partner, and her first Pokémon. Rebekah reached out and plucked the red and white pokeball from its rest. As soon as she picked it up, the Squirtle waddled over.

"Squirt! Squirtle!" The Squirtle nudged Rebekah's hand, trying to get a head scratch. Closer examination revealed that it was a female. Rebekah complied, mentally noting to call her Squirtle Crim, for her crimson eyes.

"Good choice, Rebekah." Professor Oak nodded at her. The old professor almost knew that both Pokémon and Trainer had a connection. It was quite rare this early, but the quiet thinkers of both groups had always been peculiar. It wasn't a surprise, really. Oak had been watching Rebekah very discreetly, and knew that she would be a good Pokedex bearer. He also was pretty sure that Rebekah had no idea that he had watched her.

His Grandson, Ian, was the one he was concerned about. When Ian was young, Rebekah and he had been the best of friends. Ian had always defended the selective mutistic girl. However, with Middle School, Ian had begun to hang out with the wrong crowd. Hopefully, this journey would be good for the both of them. Oak's goals were certain. For Ian, Oak hoped that the journey would turn back the clock, and Ian would become the valiant boy of ten again. Oak knew that he could never quite be the same again, his parents had died after all, leaving him and Daisy, Ian's sister, under Oak's care. But hopefully Ian would gain some of his old honor. Oak hoped that Rebekah as well would overcome her mute nature, and find courage. Staying isolated from socialization was not healthy for a young girl, and hopefully this journey would give Rebekah some backbone. Oak was snapped out of his musings when he heard Ian.

"Than this one is mine!" Ian crowed, snatching the Bulbasaur's pokeball. He crouched down, checking out his new Bulbasaur's strength. Rebekah turned back to professor. (A/N: To make the transition smoother, I am completely foregoing the parcel retrieval, as well as the old man's tutorial.)

"Now that you have chosen your partner," continued professor Oak. "I have another gift for you."

He walked over to another desk, stationed between a laptop and another desk piled with stray papers. He picked up two red box-like things and handed them to the two teenagers. First to Rebekah, then to Ian.

"Those are Pokedexes. They automatically collect data on Pokémon. However, data will not be fully complete until capture." Oak warned. "Please try to complete the Pokedex. It is my lifelong dream. But now I'm too old! I'm counting on you both! But please, don't worry yourself over an old man like me. Please enjoy your journey! Here are some pokeballs to get you started." Professor pulled miniature pokeballs out of his pocket and handed five each to the teenagers. He held the one extra. "Simply press the center button once, and it will grow." Demonstrating this action by pressing the center of his own ball. "Then throw! It's fairly easy game. But remember, it's not always easy! Try to weaken the Pokémon beforehand. Poison and paralysis works well." With that, professor Oak bid them a farewell, and turned to the Charmander, leading it away. Charmander almost seemed happy with Oak, tail waving happily as he trotted after the old man.

Ian snorted and turned to Rebekah.

"Sorry Rebekah, but you and your lousy Pokémon won't be needed." He turned and followed his Grandfather. Probably to wheedle some more goods out of the professor. Rebekah turned and picked up Crim. The Pokémon offered some small comfort, and its skin was cool to the touch. She managed four steps before Ian stopped her.

"Let's test out our Pokémon!" He practically shouted as he gestured for Bulbasaur to get into a battle stance. Rebekah nodded, and Crim leapt from her arms. Their Pokedexes activated, each showing the move sets, stats, and Hp of each Pokémon.

"I'll start the show! Bulbasaur Tackle!" Ian crowed, confident in his abilities for a beginner trainer.

A small tendril of fear wormed through Rebekah's belly as Crim was slammed by the seed Pokémon. Crim's health was quartered. The fear grew bigger as she realized that she needed to direct her Pokémon with a verbal command. Pokémon could be taught hand signals, but that took time. Rebekah tried to bring herself to speak, but she couldn't. Wouldn't. Her Pokémon needed her to command her, but all Rebekah could choke out was a small squeak. Ian laughed, and commanded another tackle.

"D-doge, then t-tackle!" Rebekah said in a choked whisper. Luckily, Crim heard her, and leapt out of the way. Bulbasaur skidded to a halt before he hit a bookcase. Crim than hurled herself at her foe. A critical hit! The hologram on Ian's Pokedex displayed that Bulbasaur's Hp was in the orange zone, at about half of what it usually was. Rebekah couldn't see the small numbers indicating what exactly the damage ratio was.

"WHAT?!" Ian howled. "No way! We are not losing to some village idiot and her dumb Pokémon! Bulbasaur, Tackle!" Ian sneered. Crim was hit, and skidded next to Rebekah. Her HP now mirrored the rival Bulbasaur's in the orange, except that Rebekah could see the damage ratio on her Pokedex, 11/20.

Crim looked at Rebekah expectantly, waiting for another command, verbal or silent. Rebekah nodded, and Crim tackled again, launching the Bulbasaur to Ian's feet. The holograph showed Bulbasaur's HP in the red. Bulbasaur tackled again, causing Crim's Hp to reach 4/20, and her to slam into a bookshelf, causing the heavy thing to shudder. Both Pokémon were very weak. One hit could decide the outcome, so it came down to this final attack. Rebekah threw out her arm, pointing at the Bulbasaur. Crim got the message and tackled. The hit connected, and Bulbasaur was launched again to Ian's feet. It had fainted, and Rebekah had won!

"Impossible!" Ian sputtered "I picked the wrong Pokémon!" He returned Bulbasaur to its pokeball and threw the prize money at Rebekah, stomping out of the lab angrily. Rebekah swooped down and cradled the tiny water turtle Pokémon in her arms. The Pokedex displayed that Crim had grown to level six. Rebekah stowed it away in her pack. Crim looked exhausted. To be honest, she was exhausted too. She headed to the old foster home, intent on healing Crim with some medicinal supplies in the closet, and informing her foster mother of this new development; that she was going on a Pokémon journey, as an 'errand' to the professor.

(A/N: As of now, I will begin posting Rebekah and Crim's stats. I hope you enjoyed this Chapter, and please review!)

REBEKAH:

BADGES:0

MONEY: 3080

CRIM: LEVEL 6

MOVE SET: TACKLE, TAIL WHIP