Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon

April 8, 2032

It was the last day of the Cherryblossom Festival. Michio had just arrived at the Viridian City airport a few hours ago. He took a cab to the festival grounds because that is where he was supposed to meet up with Professor Gary Oak and his friends. He didn't know much about what was going on. He understood though that two people named Jessie and James were going to give him a ride to Pallet Town, where he was going to pick up his starter, stay the night at their hotel, and then start his forced journey. He had almost nothing on him. His parents not only took away all of his Pokémon, but also his credit card, cash allowance, expensive clothing, accessories, laptop, iPad, and phone. All he had was a hundred-dollar bill, some cheap clothing, basic camping supplies, and a map of the Kanto region.

'Where is this guy?' Michio thought to himself as he looked around the festival. There were hundreds of little kids, parents, teenagers, and Pokémon, but no one who looked like a Pokémon researcher. "He said he would meet me here. This is so annoying. Who does he think he is, making me wait?"

"Excuse me," a young man said as he tapped Michio on the shoulder. He looked like he was in his early to mid-thirties. "Are you by any chance Michio Kapule?"

"You're Oak?" he asked the strange man.

"Professor Oak. Nice to meet you."

He held his hand out to Michio. Michio stared at him for a moment, nodded, then scoffed and looked away.

"Anyway," Gary mumbled as he retracted his hand. "I'm here with friends and family. I would like to introduce you."

"Why would I want to meet them?" Michio retorted.

Gary was starting to get irritated with this teen's attitude, but he decided that he wasn't going to let it get to him.

"I'm close with them. We're all highly ranked members of Team Rocket, the organization that runs all of Kanto, Johto, the Orange islands, Toka, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola and the Servil Isles, and many of our youngest members will be starting their journey through Kanto alongside you. One of whom is my very own daughter. And since you will be staying with my friends the Morgans for a day, you should at least introduce yourself."

"Fine. It's not like I have anything better to do."

'This is going to be interesting…' Gary mused as he led Michio to the spot where his family and friends were sitting. 'He's acting just as his parents said he would.'

It was a large group, so instead of trying to find a spot inside a restaurant or in one of the festival's food tents, they decided to order food and sit on a blanket atop the grassy field right outside the festival. As usual, all of their Pokémon were of their balls. Most of them were running around and playing, but a few were eating and resting beside their trainers.

"I would like you to meet Michio," Gary announced as they approached the group.

"That is Michio?" asked Soledad. "I thought you said he was coming to you for a starter Pokémon, but he's old."

"Anyone can come to me for a starter as long as they qualify, and he qualifies."

"Nice to meet ya," Ash said as he stood to greet Michio. "I'm Ash Ketchum from Cerulean City. This is Misty and Amber."

Misty and Amber waved, seemingly unfazed by Michio's rude glare and refusal to shake Ash's hand.

"Anyway, we heard you're from Alola," Ash continued. He pulled his hand away and used it to rub the back of his neck instead. "I lived there for a little while when I was a kid. That's sooo far away."

"Nice to meet you," said Cilan and Iris together. They stood and Cilan offered to shake his hand, but Michio once again denied.

"Iris and I go to Alola all the time," said Cilan. "They have a lot of unique Pokémon there that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. These are our kids, June, Luna, and Ines. June is ten and starting her journey. Luna and Ines are three and two years old, respectively."

"Nice to meet you," June smiled.

"I was born in the Village of Dragons and Cilan was a gym leader at the Striaton City Gym in Unova. We first came to Kanto a long time ago and decided to stay here after we got jobs in Saffron City. I hope you come to love it as much as we have."

"Okay," Michio mumbled.

Annastasia watched as everyone introduced themselves. She noticed how he rolled his eyes, refused to shake their hands, and avoided making eye contact with them. This irritated and intrigued her.

"Listen up, you ungrateful, stuck up, dumbass brat," Jessie spat after Michio insulted Pallet Town. "I know who you are, and I'm not the kind of person who just sits around and lets some loser insult my family and friends. If you're going to stay with us, then you better show some respect or you will be sleeping outside with the wild Zubat and Beedril. Got it?"

Jessie spat a few more curse words before sitting down and finishing up her bowl of ramen. Everyone was silent for a few minutes.

"Ha, ha," said Lily, breaking the silence. "That's Jessie for you. And she's totally right."

Most of the group burst into laughter. Michio cursed and stomped away.

"Should we go after him?" Serena asked worriedly.

"Nah, his parents said to expect this," said Gary.

"Jessie, you really know how to burn a bitch," said May. "I'm sorta impressed."

"Bitch burning is one of Jessie's many talents," James said proudly.

"Mommy, can you teach me how to burn a bitch?" Jocelyn asked.

"Sure sweetie," Jessie responded, stroking her hair lovingly, earning her a 'what-the-fuck' look from over half of the group. "Later, before you leave with Annastasia."

"Thanks."

"Flaaa."

"I hope that kid isn't a problem," said Giovanni. "I still don't trust the Kapule Klan. I caution you all to stay alert."

"Kapule Klan?" Mondo inquired.

"They're a very wealthy family in Alola," said Delia. "It's vital to maintain good relationships with families with that kind of money."

"I see." Mondo turned to Rumika. "Did you know?"

"I spent several years watching them. Domino, Lucy, Viper and I were keeping tabs. We concluded that they were a non-threat, even though their son is a mega-douche," Rumika replied.

"Mom, what's a mega douche?" Jocelyn asked.

"A really big asshole," Jessie responded.

"Jess!" James exclaimed. "Maybe try a little censorship in front of the children?"

Jessie shrugged. "She's going to have to learn eventually. Better from me than some dumb kid she meets on the streets."

"Perhaps…"

"So, this means we don't have to worry about this Michio kid, right?" asked Brock. "He's not going to hurt our kids or anything like that?"

"I wouldn't worry at all," said Lucy. "Besides, Annastasia will be there. Michio's parents want him to stick with the group, whether he likes it or not. Annastasia plans on training him along with the others, and that includes whooping his ass into shape."

"What she says is true," Annastasia confirmed.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"Lexi and Nolan will be with me as well," Annastasia added. "Even though they are not working for Team Rocket, they are really loyal friends of mine and highly skilled Pokémon trainers. They've been through several regions already."

"I can't believe you all are leaving on journeys," said Brock. "It feels like not that long ago that I was traveling through the Kanto region for the first time."

"I feel the same way. And one day baby Camille will be going on a journey too," Serena said as she looked down at her child.

"I'm going to find Michio," Annastasia announced.

"Good luck," a few of her friends said as she, Lil-G, and Bleu stood.

After about fifteen minutes of searching, she and her Pokémon found Michio sulking under a cherry blossom tree on the other side of the festival ground periphery.

"What do you want?" Michio asked as she approached.

"I figured you would at least want to know my name," she responded. "I'm the only one who didn't get to introduce myself."

"I don't care who you are or what your name is."

Annastasia was unfazed, having dealt with much bigger assholes in her lifetime. That's just what happened when you spent seven years working with new TR recruits.

"My mother isn't as mean as she sounds," Annastasia said as she sat beside him.

Michio inched away from her. Annastasia responded by moving closer. Several cherry blossom petals fell from the tree branches above them. She brushed them off of her face and hair.

"She's just defensive," Annastasia continued. "We look after our own."

"Why are you talking to me?" Michio replied.

"I happen to be a compassionate person. It doesn't matter to me whether or not you deserve it. Come hang with us; there's an entire festival out there waiting to be enjoyed."

"I don't want to."

"Sure?"

"Positive."

"Fine. See ya."

XO

Several hours later, everyone flew back to Pallet Town via Jessie and James' private jet, including Michio, who was even grumpier now than he had been a few hours prior.

"Why does everyone have their Pokémon out?" Michio asked as he sat down in his plane seat across the aisle from Jay.

"We never really put our MVP Pokémon in their balls," Jay responded. "My Togetic has never even been inside a Pokéball before. Some Pokémon, such as my mother's Wobbuffet and our twin Mew, haven't been in their Pokéballs since Annastasia was a baby."

"What is the point in having them out all the time?"

"Our Pokémon are part of our family," said Jocelyn.

"Flaaaafy."

"It's true," said Ash. "Pikachu never liked his Pokéball. Some Pokémon like theirs, but others hate it, like Misty's Azumarill, Iris' Axew, Amber's Pichu, Cilan's Pansage, Annastasia's Lillipup and Altaria, Jessie's Wobbuffet, James' Inkay, Mime Jr. and Chimecho, Acorn and Aliyah, Jay's Togetic, Jocelyn's Flaafy, Takeshi's Cyndaquil, Bonnie's Dedenne, Julip, and Squishy, Max's Munchlax, my mother's Mr. Mime, my father's Persian, Brock's Blissey, Autumn's Miltank, Domino's Volbeat, Mondo and Duplica's Ditto, and Rumika's Ditto. The rest of our Pokémon are out most of the time too, and only go in their balls when we are traveling, mainly because they are too big to be out all the time."

"Yeah. Poor Growly would love to be out all the time, but he is too big and too hot to stand too close to in the spring," said James as he stared sadly at the Pokeball in his hand.

"Growly is Papa's Arcanine," Jocelyn explained.

"I'd love to have Gourgeist always by my side, but she is supersized and doesn't fit in the seats, even in these seats, which are first class," said Jessie. "And Bewear's too…everything."

"Pokémon are supposed to serve their masters, not hang out like they're people," said Michio. "What's the deal with the talking Purrloin and Meowth?"

"Hey! Yous got a lotta disrespect. And to dink dat we're openin up our home to de likes of you," Meowth scolded. "My family and I are smarter den most humans, includin yous!"

"Yeah, you can't talk to us like that," said Lily. "Or you'll be sorry."

"You're mean," said Logan.

Michio just shrugged and looked out the window.

"This is going to be an uncomfortable flight," May whispered to Drew, who just nodded in agreement.

"And an uncomfortable weekend," said Tracey.

"And an uncomfortable journey," said Misty.

After an hour-long flight, which was mostly silent, except for a few small arguments between Michio and his traveling companions, everyone got their room keys from Jessie and James. They were all staying at the Pallet House overnight, and the next day were going to walk over to the Oak lab down the street for an important meet. Soledad, Michio, June, and some other kid from Fuchsia city were coming to pick up their starter Pokémon. Jay and Amber were sticking with Pip and Togetic as their official starters, and Takeshi had a Cyndaquil he planned on taking with him.

"Why don't you get a starter Pokémon too?" Jocelyn asked Amber as they walked to their rooms. "Professor Gary said it's allowed."

"Pip and I already make one heck of a team," Amber responded.

"Pi Pi Pichu!" Pip squealed happily.

"Is Pip gonna evolve?" Jocelyn asked.

"Maybe. It doesn't matter to me though."

"Piiiiii."

"Jay told me that he isn't going to get a starter because he thinks it is unfair to other people starting out on their journeys," said Jocelyn. "If he picks out a starter, he is taking it away from someone else."

"Typical Jay," Amber sighed.

Jay heard them mention his name from the hallway. He stopped into their room.

"Are you talking about me?" he asked.

Jay's typically spiky purple hair was down, wet from the shower. He was wearing a plain black t-shirt and plaid boxers. On his feet were his mother's Wobbufet slippers.

"Going to bed so soon?" Amber asked. "Don't ya wanna hang out?"

"I want to get a good night's sleep. After today we are going to be doing a lot of camping. This is my last night in my nice soft bed for a while."

"K, see ya in the morning."

"Goodnight."

Amber yawned. "I should probably get to sleep too."

"Can I sleep with you?" Jocelyn asked. "Please?"

"Flaaaaf?"

"You heard Jay; this is our last night to sleep in our own warm bed. After this it sleeping on the ground with no heat, air conditioning, running water, or electricity, and we have to share rooms/tents," Amber replied.

"Then when we get on the road can we sleep together?"

"Flaafy?"

"Sure," Amber agreed. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight!"

"Flaaaafy!"

XO

Meanwhile, Annastasia was lying in bed awake. Bleu and Lil-G were curled up together, both fast asleep. She envied them. Tomorrow was going to the start of a whole new life for her. For the past seven and a half years, she had been working and training as a Team Rocket agent. She possessed many skills and had captured dozens of rare Pokémon for the boss. Her job now was to watch over these kids, and Michio, and prepare them to lead lives as Rockets as they traveled throughout Kanto, earning their gym badges.

'I'm not technically be preparing Michio to become a Rocket, but he is kidding himself if he thinks that I'll give him any special treatment just because he is the same age as me and has money,' she thought to herself.

Her mind went to a completely different place as she thought about her condition. The kids already noticed some signs, like how she would get up and leave in the middle of things and never explain to them why, or how she would become dizzy and sometimes call for Bleu to help her. It would be harder for her to hide this once she started traveling with them, and she knew there may very well be a time when she would become too unstable and have to rely on the others to help her. Then everyone would know the secret.

She heard her father's voice in her head:

'There's nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. No one thinks any less of you because of this. In fact, you are a stronger person because you are dealing with these issues and still accomplishing so much.'

Then she heard her own voice:

'I used to be so…. indestructible…now, I'm weak.'

"No Anna-chan, you're not weak…you're the strongest person we know. This is just a bump in the road, please don't let it get to you, you are so much more than this one thing, and we love you so much.'

Annastasia recalled her mother standing in the corner in silence. She had been silent for a while now. Annastasia saw tears falling from her face too. Her mother walked over to her and wrapped her arms around them both.

"He's right, Annastasia. You are bigger than this. You can do anything in the world. Now go out there and show the world just how powerful you truly are.'

In her voice was that familiar tone of fiery confidence and determination that her mother always carried at times like these.

'I will, promise,' she recalled herself saying.

The vision faded. Annastasia turned and faced the ceiling.

"I will," she repeated.

AN: Next chapter they will finally leave and the story will start to move on from there. Below are some more profiles.

Character Profiles for Takeshi and June.

Full Name: Takeshi Harrison

Nicknames: N/A

Birth Date: July 20, 2021

Age: 11

Current Home: Viridian City

Parents: Autumn and Brock Harrison.

Career: Junior Rocket in Primary Training, currently going on his first Pokémon journey.

Siblings: None

Other Relatives: Misty (aunt), Ash (uncle), Tracey (uncle), Bianca (aunt), Gary (uncle), Dawn(aunt) Serena (aunt), Clement (uncle), May (aunt), Drew (uncle), Iris (aunt), and Cilan (uncle).

Friends: Jay, Annastasia. Jocelyn, Soledad, June, and Amber.

Pokémon: Cyndaquil (MVP)

Appearance: 4'6", brown eyes, tan skin, and short, tousled brown hair. He usually wears a custom-made Team Rocket uniform. If not, he's usually in jeans and a t-shirt.

Personality: "ISFJ" (Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging). At his best, Takeshi is soft-spoken, calm, gentle, and agreeable. At his worst, he is naïve, distractible, and easily taken advantage of.

Relationships: He has a crush on Annastasia, who often ignores/or deters this behavior. His closest friend is Jay. He also left behind a lot of friends when he left for his Pokémon journey, but he is not upset because he knows he is bound to meet more people.

Other interests: Pokémon breeding, videogames, battling.

XO

Full Name: June Gaulle

Nicknames: none

Birth Date: March 20, 2022

Age: 10

Current Home: Saffron City

Parents: Iris and Cilan Gaulle

Career: Junior Rocket in Primary Training, currently going on her first Pokémon journey.

Siblings: Ines (little sister, age 2), Luna (little sister, age 3).

Other Relatives: Misty (aunt), Ash (uncle), Tracey (uncle), Bianca (aunt), Gary (uncle), Dawn(aunt) Serena (aunt), Clement (uncle), May (aunt), Drew (uncle), Autumn (aunt), and Brock (uncle).

Friends: Jay, Annastasia, Jocelyn, Soledad, Takeshi, and Amber.

Pokémon: Bulbasaur (MVP)

Appearance: 4'3", apple-green eyes, chestnut skin, long dirty blond hair. June usually wears her custom-made Team Rocket uniform, if not, she wears a variety of styles, most commonly in the color scheme of purple and yellow.

Personality: "INFJ" (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging). At her best, June is positive, compassionate, humble, and polite. At her worst, she is naïve, sensitive, and tends to carry more than she can hold.

Relationships: She is closest to Soledad, who is the most similar to her, but she is truly friends with everyone. She has a big crush on Takeshi, and as a result, she normally acts very nervous around him.

Interests: Riding/interacting with dragon-type Pokémon, taking care of Pokémon, and collecting Pokémon cards.

That's all for now. Please review if you can:)