Welcome back! This story is kind of split in two in multiple ways. The chapters will be alternating between Giovanni (odd numbered chapters) and Wren (even numbered chapters), and it will be both an exploration into the deeper machinations of the world like I mentioned in the last chapter, while also being two companioned stories of two kids (Giovanni and Wren) growing up and beginning their journeys. Hopefully I don't fuck it up and you actually like it. So, here's Wren's first chapter. Enjoy!

Present Day, 9 years after events of Red/Blue

"Are you ready?" Wren's father asked, holding her hand as they walked closer to the waterfront.

Wren looked around her, taking in the sights of her home one last time. It might be months, maybe even years, before she saw them again. She let out a soft sigh. "I guess so."

Wren was twelve years old, and beginning her Pokémon journey, like many had before her. She was short for her age, and was also rather thin, altogether being really small. She had brown hair that reached just past chin length. She had pale blue eyes, and a quant face, and was often described as pixyish and sprite like by people that did not know her. But by those who did know her, the words scrappy, stubborn and fiery often appeared.

Her parents were owners of one of the companies in Lilycove City that built the ships that traveled around the Hoenn Region and beyond. From a very young age, Wren had been helping with the work her parents did, being a dedicated worker in spite of her small size. For years she had been able to hold her own with the sailors she worked alongside.

But like most kids, Wren wanted to go on a Pokémon adventure. Since she had been little, she had seen countless people travel through the city, and they always had tales of gripping battles, incredible places, and mysterious wonders. Wren had been enamored, and was determined to go on an adventure of her own.

Her mother had dismissed the idea immediately, intending for Wren to take over the business after her parents retired. But her father was a different story. Wren had always been super close with her father, and had even given her the Pokémon that she was now using to begin her journey. He had gone on a journey himself back when he had been a kid, and understood her need to go on one herself.

They had decided that she would go, even if Wren's mother forbid it. "You should begin where I did." He said to her one night a few years back. "In Kanto. There you will meet Professor Oak. Will all respect to Birch, Oak is the absolute best there is. That's where you need to begin."

"Then I want to go to Kanto, Dad." She had said back then.

"You will, eventually." He chuckled. "Maybe you can be the one to finally unseat Red for that Champion seat, right?" She laughed with him. Everyone knew that Red was unbeatable. But it was still fun to dream about it.

It hadn't come easy. Most kids began at age ten, but Wren was twelve now and still hadn't started. It had been difficult to raise the money for the trip, since travel from region to region was incredibly expensive, and she had been forced to raise the money all on her own. If Dad had helped, Mom would have questioned the missing money and their plan would have been discovered. So it had been up to Wren.

And now the day had finally come.

Wingulls squawked overhead as they walked past the beach, headed to the docks. The massive St. Anne II blocked out the sun, the epitome of open ocean travel. Many people scattered around and on the ship, mostly sailors and passengers getting things set before they departed.

"You have everything, right?" Wren's father asked. "Clothes? Money? All the supplies you will need? Shade?"

"I have it all right here." She replied, hoisting up her bag. "And Shade is right here." She set the bag down and reached into her pocket, pulling out a Pokeball. "He is excited for the journey, too!"

"Good." Her father said. "Stay safe, ok?"

Wren gave him a hug. "I will. I'll make you proud, Dad."

He chuckled. "You already have."

They reluctantly pulled apart. "Go, Wren." Dad said softly. "Your time has come."

"I'll be back, Dad. You'll get to hear all of my stories of what happens, and meet all of my new Pokémon."

"I can't wait, my little Skitty." He said teasingly.

She groaned. "Dad, stop! I'm not six anymore!"

"But you are still my little girl." He answered.

A siren wailed, and a man in a long coat yelled out, "Ten minutes! Get on now before it's too late!"

"Bye, Dad." Wren said, waving as she headed towards the boat.

"Bye!" he said, waving back.

Wren jogged up the gangplank. She looked around, taking in the beautiful sight of the extravagant deck of the St. Anne II. People bustled around, everyone busy doing something or another. She breathed in a deep mouthful of salty sea air. This was home.

When it was time to leave, Wren was at the railing of the boat, where her father and many others were waving from the dock. She waved back, knowing that these would be her last moments seeing her father. It was hard to tell but so far away, but she thought he might be crying. She had to force down the well of emotions that were threatening to overtake her. Wren knew she would miss him a lot on this journey. The ship sailed farther and farther away from the city of Lilycove, until she could no longer make out her father among the crowd of people, and eventually could barely see the city itself.

Wren's journey had officially begun.

First things first, she had to go find her bunk. She held up her ticket. Room Twenty-Two, floor C. Wren walked over to one of the ship maps posted on the wall. After a minute of searching, she found out how to get to her room. She walked down into the ship, and quickly found her bunkroom. Inside were two bunkbeds, a single table, a dresser, and very little space. Sitting on the top bunk was a middle aged woman with curly blond hair. The woman was reading a magazine about Pokémon fashion, and barely glanced Wren's way when she entered.

"Hello." Wren said to her new bunkmate. The woman rolled her eyes and did not answer. Wren didn't think she would be getting a new friend this early, it seemed. Oh well, plenty of journey left for that. But until then, she had five days until they reached Cinnabar Island in Kanto.

Wren set her bed and put her stuff away, and found herself with nothing to do. She realized that among all of the planning that she and her father had done, they had never thought about what she could do to pass the time. Maybe she could bring out Shade, but she didn't know how the woman would react. Many people found Pokémon to be nuisances and wild animals, and Shade wasn't the kind that even the most open minded of people was likely to be happy to see. Couldn't hurt to ask, though.

"Hey, uh, ma'am? Do you mind if I bring out a Pokémon?"

She heard a loud sigh, then a reedy voice said, "Whatever, as long as it's not a big one."

Wren pulled out her lone used Pokeball, and said, "Come on out Shade." There was a beam of red light and Shade, her Duskull, materialized. The Ghost type Pokémon whirled around in midair, gathering its surroundings, before settling down on Wren's bed.

Wren laid back onto her pillow, and Shade floated a bit closer. She whispered to it, like she had on many nights, about what had happened that day.

She had been nine when her father had first caught Shade. On the outskirts of Mt. Pyre, he had caught the Duskull for her, telling her about how one day they would travel the world. She had grown attached to the little guy instantly. Most kids, hell even most trainers would have been against raising a creepy Ghost type like Shade, but she had never minded. She had felt that he wasn't evil like many people thought, just lonely.

It had taken months of getting used to each other before they really clicked as friends, but Shade was just about the best one that Wren could ever have asked for. He couldn't speak, yet they had a way of understanding each other, and he had shown over time to be clever and caring. Wren knew that he would be there for all of her adventures, and they would be friends long after they were over.

After she ran out of things to say, Wren and Shade left the room to explore the ship further. It had gotten dark, but she didn't mind. Shade always seemed to like night better, and she had grown to appreciate it over time. You weren't visible like you were under the sun, and you could open up a bit more, be yourself. It was freeing.

That was how they spent much of the rest of the trip. Just wandering together from their room to other parts of the ship, reexploring places they had already seen several times. The crew didn't seem to mind, and the other passengers mostly kept to themselves, even if most were friendlier than Wren's bunkmate. It was lonelier than Wren had thought it would be when she left, but she still had Shade with her and that was all she really needed.

Finally, they reached Cinnabar Island. From there, Wren had to switch ships to one that was leaving in a couple of hours for Pallet Town. This new ship turned out to be much smaller, only holding about ten people total, and 6 were passengers like Wren. This group turned out to be much friendlier than the people aboard the St. Anne II, and Wren quickly made friends with several of them. But their trip was much shorter, and she was unable to get to know them for long. Soon enough they reached their destination, Pallet Town.

"Okay, Shade." She said to her companion as she stared at the small town awaiting her as the boat gently came to a halt. "We made it. Now we just have to meet this Professor Oak."

Thank you guys so much for reading! This first chapter wasn't quite as exciting as I had hoped it would be, but it will pick up with time. This was mostly just meeting Wren and the story finding its footing, so please forgive me. If you did enjoy it, please fave and follow to get updates when the next chapter comes, and be sure to leave your thoughts in the reviews. Again, thanks for reading! See you next time!