I want to thank all everyone who gave me ideas for Shinji's last name, and the winner is... reddevil47! Shinji's full name is now Shinji Mackenzie Nakamura! The Mackenzie part will come up later in the story... Also since reddevil47 won, please visit Josh Dunlop's website, he's making an interactive website called the world of pokemon that try's to correspond pokemon into real life standards like a national geographic style. Here are the links:

Video: watch?v-1iIQ2gI_18

Website: projects/1981517474/the-world-of-pokemon

I don't own Pokemon, now let's get started! Thank you reddevil47!

Chapter 3: The Start Of A New Journey

I was fuming. The Professor and Lucas had forced me to sit, trying to get me to calm down. JerkyMcStinks a-lot was leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed, acting all cool guy.

"Hikari, please, just let Professor Rowan explain, pleeeeease?!" Lucas begged. I crossed my own arms and sighed.

"FINE, but this had better be good..." The Prof. made his way over towards us and motioned for plum haired guy to follow. He made that 'tch' noise and obeyed.

"Well... I'm assuming you two know each other, so I'll skip the introductions-"

"Actually Professor..." I stood up with my arms still crossed, looking the man who'd doused me in a strange liquid and thrown a god awful stink bomb at me straight in the eye. "He refused to tell me his name."

"Hn." Was JerkyMcStinks a-lot only reply. I got a sour look on my face and continued to glare at him.

"Hm, well, uh, ha ha!" The Professor laughed nervously, obviously feeling the tension and awkwardness. "I suppose I will introduce you two then. Shinji, this is Hikari. She's a trainer starting out, similar to you. Hikari, this is Shinji." After that we all just stared at each other in another awkward silence. I, once again, didn't notice it, being too busy glaring at the boy who I finally knew the name of. He was doing the same.

"Well then, shall we get started?" No one answered. "Hikari, Shinji. May I see your Pokemon?" For a moment we ignored Professor Rowan, then reluctantly broke eye contact to hand him our Pokeballs. Both of them were released, and I saw that Shinji had also chosen Chimchar. But he kind of worried me, the Chimchar I mean. He looked too tough and even a tad unhappy for such a young Pokemon... "Hm... Shinji, I see you have already started training Chimchar. He has become stronger already, though you should embrace the emotional connection you and Chimchar will have as well."

"Hn.." Shinji nodded, but was clearly annoyed that Professor Rowan was criticizing him like that.

"And Hikari..." The Prof. smiled. "This Pokemon seems to be rather happy!" He grinned at me and I returned the favor. Shinji and I were both handed back our Pokemon and Pokeballs, he returned his Chimchar while I held Turtwig in my arms. "Entrusting you with that Turtwig was no mistake it seems Hikari!" I smiled even more than before.

"Thank you Professor!"

"Now, would you like to give her a nickname?" I looked down at the small grass type Pokemon who was smiling at me. I hadn't thought about a nickname. But, the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of nicknaming my Pokemon! I cocked my head looking at Turtwig, trying to think of a good name. Suddenly my eyes lit up when something came to mind.

"Mazey! Her name is Mazey."

"Wig!" It was easy to tell that Mazey loved her new name.

"Tch." I looked up to see an even more annoyed JerkyMcStinks-a lot. "What a waste of time. Naming your Pokemon? Please, give me a break."

"What's wrong with naming your partners for life!?" My voice was rising.

"Well, Troublesome-" Shinji emphasized Troublesome, just to bug me.

"Children, children, please! Arguing will get you nowhere!"

"Hmph!" That was me.

"Hm." And that was Shinji. Professor Rowan sighed.

"Anyways, you have both astounded me by your abilities with Pokemon so far. Hikari, you so quickly have formed a heartwarming bond with your Pokemon, and I cannot stress enough how fast you accomplished this. Shinji, you easily and fleetly brought out your Pokemon's strength. I'm sure you will both do great things as trainers! I feel privileged to have met both of you. That is why I ask you both to cherish your Pokemon and any others you might meet." I looked over at Lucas who gave me a thumbs up, suggesting that Professor Rowan was genuinely very impressed by me, but unfortunately he felt the same way about Shinji...

"Er-hem, now shall we move on to the main topic? There is something I want you both to do for me!" Intrigued, I continued to listen. "As you know, my name is Rowan. I study Pokemon. First of all, I want to know what kinds of Pokemon live in the Sinnoh region. To do so, it is necessary to collect data using the Pokedex." The grin on my face grew as I realized what he was getting at. "This is what I wish to ask of the both of you. I want to entrust you with a Pokedex, fit for Sinnoh. Will you use it to record data on all the Pokemon in Sinnoh for me?"

"Yes, of course Professor!" I was way too excited for this, I know. Shinji only nodded. The Professor didn't talk for a few minutes, making me anxious.

"I can stand here without speaking for hours. I am a very patient man. Let me ask again, I wish to entrust you both with a Pokedex. Will you use it to collect data on all the Pokemon in Sinnoh?"

"YES!" Shinji broke his patience, and we both shouted yes at the same time, causing us to glance at each other for a moment.

"Hm," He nodded. "Good answers." Shinji was handed a red Pokedex. Then, Professor Rowan handed me a shiny, brand new pink Pokedex! I shrieked in joy, then tightly embraced the Professor.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" At first he was surprised, then hugged me back.

"You are very welcome Hikari." After releasing the Professor he continued his lesson on the device. "Those Pokedex are very high tech devices. It will record information on any Pokemon you encounter. I ask that the both of you go everywhere and meet every Pokemon, even if it means you leave the region to complete your individual quests."

"Hikari." I looked to my right to see Lucas grinning at me and holding up his own red Pokedex. "I've got one too!"

"You know children, I've lived with Pokemon for 60 long years, and even now I get a thrill when I'm with a Pokemon. You should both know that there are countless Pokemon in this world, that means that there are just as much thrills out there for you! Hikari, Shinji, your grand adventure begins right now!" Both of us nodded at the Professor.

"I'm helping with the Pokedex too, so in a sense I'm just like you. I just got a little head start is all! I'll be happy to teach you anything you need to know! See you around Hikari!" And with that Lucas left the lab, motioning for me to follow.

"Hn." That was Shinji (obviously), and he left the lab as well.

"Thank you again Professor, I can't wait to see you again!"

"As can't I Hikari." I had started to walk out when I remembered the cookies.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" I handed over the box. "My mom and I made these for you Professor!"

"Ah, nothing beats classic homemade chocolate chip cookies. Thank you Hikari. Also, I almost forgot as well! I have something just for you!" I was handed a slightly familiar device that I see ads for on television everyday. "It's TM27, that technical machine contains Return. Return becomes more powerful the more powerful your bond is with your Pokemon. Keep in mind, TMs are single use only."

"Thank you Professor! Take care!"

"You too Hikari!" I left the lab, eager to have my first battle with Mazey. Lucas was outside waiting for me.

"So you ready for me to show you the ropes?"

"I think so! One second though." I got out my new Pokedex and used it on Mazey.

"Turtwig, the tiny leaf Pokemon. The shell on its back is made of soil. On a very healthy Turtwig, the shell should feel moist."

"All done!" Lucas nodded and led me around town, showing me the Poke Mart and Pokemon Center. Even though I pretty much already knew everything he was teaching me, I had fun. Lucas even treated me to lunch, though I insisted on paying half he refused.

"So that's about it Hikari!" Lucas clapped his hands together outside of the small town restaurant. "You should probably go home and tell your family before you just head out on your journey."

"Yeah, you're probably right. Oh, and Lucas?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you maybe have a battle with me?" I gave him my best pretty please look, but he didn't look so sure about it...

"Uhh,"

"Come on Lucas! Pleeeaaase!"

"Hikari you know that Piplup doesn't listen to me, and I'm not even sure that I'm entering the Pokemon League or anything like that..."

"It'll be quick, I promise!" Lucas looked at me with that priceless look that told me he was about to give in.

"Fine, but only a quick battle." We left the actual town for the empty beach, shards of ice floating on the water. Lucas and I got into positions and Lucas released his Piplup, Mazey was already out. I took out my Pokedex to get information on Piplup.

"Piplup, the penguin Pokemon. A poor walker, it often falls down. However, its strong pride makes it puff up its chest without a care." The device finished.

"Luucaas, since you were so nice to have a battle with me, you can have the first move." He nervously nodded.

"Okay Piplup, use Pound!" I was expecting to have the clumsy blue Pokemon run at Mazey, but he just crossed his flippers and stuck his beak up at his trainer. "Not again..." Lucas mumbled.

"Piplup."

"Well, I guess it's our turn then Mazey. Use Withdraw and then tackle!" Mazey curled herself up into a tight little ball and began to glow blue, raising her defense. After that she rushed at the prideful Piplup who was too busy ignoring the dodge commands from Lucas to realize that the grass type Pokemon was about to hit him.

"PIP!" Piplup cried when it was hit, and tried to use Pound, still ignoring Lucas. I ordered Mazey to use Withdraw though, so Pound was rendered useless.

"Piplup, back off! Come on!" Lucas yelled.

"Mazey, use tackle again!" The small grass type Pokemon came out of it's shell hitting Piplup again.

"Piplup, quick, use Bubble!" The blue Pokemon turned around and stuck it's tongue out at Lucas. Then, to my surprise it actually used Bubble. The attack hit Mazey, but it didn't do much damage.

"Mazey, can you try to use another move?" I asked her.

"Wig!" Mazey replied, I assumed telling me that she would try. Mazey started to glow red, and a red beam started to emerge from her as well. Eventually, the red beam hit Piplup, and Mazey was able to absorb energy from him.

"You learned Absorb Mazey!" I smiled at her.

"Tur!" I looked up and realized that Piplup had fainted, Lucas was leaning over the penguin Pokemon, returning him to his Pokeball.

"You're pretty good Hikari."

"Thanks!" I replied, standing up holding Mazey.

"So you're gonna' head home now?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah, my mom might get worried."

"Alright Hikari, well, see you later!"

"You too Lucas." I left Sandgem Town and headed back towards Twinleaf. I entered my house and saw my mom on the couch watching TV with Glameow sitting on her lap.

"Hi mom!" She stood up causing Glameow to have to get up annoyed.

"Moow."

"You're home, good to see you Hikari."

"You too mom." I kissed her on the cheek taking my coat and hat off. I plopped down on the couch letting Mazey walk around the house, Glameow took this opportunity to sit in my lap and get pet.

"So how'd it go? I can see that you finally picked out your partner." Mom bent down to pet the quiet grass type's head.

"Yeah, her name is Mazey. And it went well, well, sort of." My mom laughed.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"We-el, on the way there Mazey and I were attacked by this huge flock of Starly, Staravia, and one Staraptor who nearly killed us."

"Oh my..."

"Yeah. And then the most annoying and rude guy saved us by throwing a stink bomb at me."

"But it worked, so you should thank him."

"Don't you think I tried? But he refused to tell me his name! Then after that he doused me in some kind of weird liquid to get rid of the smell. It worked, but I nearly froze to death. Thankfully Lucas, who is Professor Rowan's assistant and a really nice guy, unlike Shinji, helped me out with that."

"I thought you didn't know his name."

"I didn't, but apparently he's a trainer starting out too, so I saw him again at the Professor's lab and Rowan told me. Anyways, Professor Rowan gave me, you won't believe this mom, he gave me a Pokedex!" I grinned, showing it to her. I expected her to be just as happy as I was, but she wasn't. Mom tried to act happy, but I could tell that she was faking.

"That's great honey! I'm so happy for you."

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"What's wrong?"

"What do you mean sweetie? I'm fine!" She managed a nervous laugh.

"Mom. Come on, I can tell you're lying." She sighed, sitting down at the kitchen table and looking away.

"It's just that..."

"What mom?"

"You're my little girl Hikari, and I've taken care of you and protected you from the rest of the world for so long..."

"Mom..." I stood up and walked over to her, hugging her. "I can't stay cooped up here forever."

"I know sweetie, it's just that no one else understands you, the way that you are." I stood up straight, smiling.

"It's okay mom, I might be different, but the rest of the world is just gonna' have to deal with it!" My mom smiled back.

"That's my girl. So strong and independant. I know you'll do good things someday, be a great person, for yourself, the world, and your Pokemon. I love you Hikari." She stood up, pushing back my blue tresses and kissing my forehead like she would when I was a little girl. The expression always comforted both myself and my mother.

"Love you too mom."

"Dinner will be in a few hours. Do you want to watch a movie honey?"

"Sure!" Both of us and the Pokemon snuggled up on the couch to watch the original Karate Kid together. Afterwards we ate quesadillas for dinner and I went back up to my room to pack, playing the music on my iPod as I went. Mazey sat on my bed watching me.

"Say cheese Mazey!" We both smiled as I took a picture of the two of us with my camera, and let me tell you, it's a good one. I love taking pictures, so I was sure to pack my camera as well. After I was done, I turned on the TV and watched the Solaceon Town Contest. I'd almost forgotten about them and my mom's legendary Contest legacy.

"You know Mazey, I do want to enter the Pokemon League, but-" I smiled to myself. "I think I want to do Contests too." I stood up immediately from my bean bag, fist up. "That settles it! I'm going to beat the Pokemon League and become a top coordinator!"

Sorry if this chapter is a little short. Oh well.