AN: Long time reader, first time writer. Quick rundown of what to expect, to save the time of anyone not interested:

This is a story about becoming a Pokémon trainer in a more realistic setting. It explores the daily struggles and hardships a trainer might face in a world with dangerous creatures, criminals, and a domineering Pokémon League.

It will contain mature themes such as swearing, politics, poverty, ethics, crime, violence, death, and whatever else the story calls for. I promise it won't get TOO edgy (SA, self-harm, racism, homophobia, etc.), but consider this your only warning that things WILL get dark at times, and there will be NO trigger warnings.

Sacrifice & Subjugation, Borne of Caution, Pedestal, and IJWTTTW are good examples of what I'm hoping to achieve, and I thank their respective authors for their inspiration.

If you're still interested, thanks for giving the story a chance and I hope you enjoy.

"Miss Augustine! Daniel won't share the computer!"

I groaned in annoyance, trying to quickly scribble down notes from the research I was doing on the shared computer in the common area of Petalburg's orphanage. On the screen was a labeled map of Mauville City, and I was currently noting its various points of interest as well as the commonly seen Pokémon in the surrounding area.

I only had a few moments before I'd be kicked off for the night, so I was furiously scratching down notes while staring at the screen, something I'd had plenty of practice doing for the past two years. This was a common occurrence; there was only one computer available for the nineteen kids living here, and it was considered a valuable commodity. The internet was absolutely terrible and the computer was extremely dated, but for the purposes of flipping through wiki pages and forum threads it got the job done as long as you had patience, but videos were simply a no-go.

A shrill voice rang out from the other room. "Daniel! Wrap it up now! You're always on that damned thing, give Freddy his turn!"

I closed my notebook and all my open browser tabs, shooting a glare at the much younger boy who was now staring at me with his arms crossed and a smug grin on his face. I couldn't help but blow a raspberry in spite as I stood up and walked to my bunk bed before placing the notebook down alongside the others I had long since completely filled out.

Laying down in my bottom bunk, I kicked back and stared up into nothingness, letting myself get lost in my own thoughts to drown the obnoxiously loud laughing, playing and arguing. I couldn't wait to leave, and although I was so close it still couldn't come soon enough.

It wasn't just this orphanage; I was completely over this whole city. I'd been in Petalburg my entire life, and there were few places that wouldn't remind me of my late mother. She was a kind and gentle woman; a single parent who always did her best to care for me despite her meager earnings providing cleaning services for various local businesses. My father was supposedly around when I was much younger, but I had no memories of him and couldn't rightfully credit him for anything in my upbringing. He'd died long ago, leaving my mother the only one able to care for me.

Unfortunately, my mother suddenly passed away from an aneurysm just over two years ago, and I'd had the misfortune of being the one to find her after getting home from school. With no other known family in the region, I was placed in this orphanage.

I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm ungrateful; I could have easily ended up a homeless beggar and never finished school. But in a very real sense, I felt like a prisoner.

I'd finished school last year as a product of skipping a grade, something that had happened the year before my mother's untimely death, and had been stuck waiting around in this orphanage ever since. Standardized tests had always come easy to me; even if you didn't remember the specific answer you guess correctly using process of elimination. Although my grades definitely took a hit after my mom died, I was still more than capable of graduating without much trouble.

That meant that for the last year I'd been stuck here, waiting until I was a legal adult and released from Miss Augustine's care. Sure, I could have run away, but I had absolutely no money or supplies and didn't want to risk resorting to crime, possibly losing eligibility for my trainer's license. I also could have possibly been adopted, but I was generally too old for what people were looking for, and truthfully the idea of having strangers try to take the role of my parents put me off so much that I completely shut down whenever given the opportunity to impress would-be foster parents.

Although the accommodations of the orphanage weren't great by any means, the presence of a computer helped keep me sane. I'd been using my time to prepare as much as possible for my impending journey, the only thing that truly gave me hope for my future. Traditional schooling didn't go too deep into the topic of Pokémon other than some surface-level things everybody should know, and since trainer schools weren't cheap I was forced to teach myself. Since I no longer needed to go to school, I was able to spend a lot of time on the computer researching things while the other orphans were in class. It wasn't the same as a formal education at a trainer school, and I likely had some gaps in my knowledge, but I felt confident I could make it work. I would even wager that there were quite a few areas where I was more knowledgeable than many of those who graduated from a trainer school.

Still, I felt depressingly behind other would-be trainers my age. Even unlicensed minors in Hoenn were allowed to possess a non-restricted species, so long as they didn't use it in anything involving money such as tournaments, battles with bets, contests, and the like. By my age, many interested in becoming a trainer would have their starter Pokémon and had plenty of time to bond, train and battle with them, whereas I was completely forbidden and inexperienced. The orphanage had a strict no Pokémon rule, and it wasn't as though I could afford to buy one or get a Pokéball anyway.

Perhaps if I had been able to jobs around town I could have gotten one in secrecy. Once again though, the orphanage had rules against that.

Miss Augustine didn't allow any under her care to work; she didn't even allow anybody to leave the property unless it was strictly for school or some other reason she personally approved, which was a rarity. She claimed that this was because of liability reasons, and because criminal organizations were known to coerce and recruit orphans in particular. She was extremely firm on the rules of the orphanage, and although I found them completely unfair and detrimental to my plans I didn't see any choice but to follow them.

All of this resulted in my last year feeling like house arrest, and I couldn't help but feel some resentment. I tried my best to stay positive and look towards the future, but some days it was hard to be optimistic.

Sometimes, I wondered if Arceus above was throwing all these curveballs at me as a sign that I simply wasn't meant to be a trainer, but it was the only thing that kept me going.

I was absolutely determined to overcome my circumstances. When I was young I had dreamed of someday becoming Champion, and although I had since grown out of that childish ambition I still found the idea of being a free and self-sufficient trainer to be extremely appealing.

I wanted to find my place in the world. I wanted to build a team of Pokémon I could call family, to conquer the gym circuit, and to someday participate in the Ever Grande Conference.

I was now a week away from being 16, the current legal standard for being an adult in Hoenn. Being an adult would not only release me from the orphanage, but also allow me to acquire my trainer license. I often dreamed of being born a decade or two ago, when the age of adulthood was as low as 10, and although there were reasons it had been raised over the years I couldn't help but feel a bit cheated. Years of public scandals, freak accidents, and new trainers being recruited into criminal groups had caused the public to demand the age be raised again and again, but the simple fact was that the region was now much safer than it had been a decade ago.

The world was currently in its longest period of peace in recorded history, and although crime and danger were still present they weren't nearly as prominent as in the past. The routes were much more developed and well-maintained, and with ever-increasing Ranger patrols you no longer needed multiple trained Pokémon with you at all times for protection.

In the past becoming a trainer and going on your journey was considered not only a rite of passage into adulthood, but also your duty as a citizen. It was seen as a way to build lifelong connections with Pokémon and people alike that would lay the groundwork for the rest of your life. It used to be that those who didn't undergo a journey were considered by most to be a rare and undesirable oddity, often seen as unpatriotic and lacking the attributes necessary to thrive in the world.

These days, public opinion was much more evenly split, perhaps even leaning the other way. Less than half of Hoenn's new adults felt the need to get their license, and even less believed in the tradition of going on a journey or attempting to complete the gym circuit. Many saw it as antiquated and dangerous, and argued that modern society no longer necessitated the average person go through such hardships. There was an increasing segment of people who felt no need to train or battle Pokémon, and those who did often did so as a hobby. Many were content to simply have a species they deemed as 'cute' for a companion, or for self-defense reasons if they happened to live in one of the particularly crime-ridden cities or found themselves needing to travel the routes. Plenty of people saw no reason to have a Pokémon at all.

The simple fact was, most trainers who got their license only did so to be able to have more than one Pokémon, or so they could do things such as Pokémon breeding, performing in contests, or challenge their local gym for bragging rights to their friends and family. Every year the number of trainers journeying was slowly dwindling, and more people saw training Pokémon as a fun hobby rather than a lifestyle.

Although I could respect how somebody may not wish to live a life dedicated to Pokémon, I knew which side I firmly landed on. I found them fascinating, and the lifestyle that came with training them and journeying was enticing.

Truthfully, becoming a traveling trainer ticked all the boxes of what interested me in life. It would help fulfill my endless curiosity of the many places and things in the world, I would be completely free and independent, and I'd have a chance at finding something I could call family.

As things stood I had no family, friends, meaningful possessions, or purpose; only hopes and dreams. Being a Pokémon trainer was my ticket to a new life, and I only had a week left until I could finally become one.

"SUPPER TIME!"

Miss Augustine's voice rang through the building, causing a near-immediate stampede as children raced into the dining room to get in line for dinner.

I groaned, slowly swinging my legs off the side of my bed and getting up, preparing myself for what was sure to be another bland meal.

"Mr. Ingram, so lovely to see you doing something other than staring into a screen or notepad." Miss Augustine commented with a bit of snark, giving me a variation of the same greeting she usually gave me. I gave a small bow in greeting, opting to keep my mouth shut. Although she was stern and blunt, she was also an overall good person. Holding out my tray, she eyed me critically before plopping a scoop of brown rice, another scoop of beans, and a slice of wheat bread onto the tray. Definitely not her best dish, but also far from her worst.

I nodded in thanks and turned to head for my usual seat in the corner, however I'd been a bit too slow getting in line and was the last one waiting to be served, which was a well-known mistake around here. I'd hoped that today I might be spared, but once again Arceus saw fit to make my life as difficult as possible.

"Your birthday is a week away if I'm not mistaken. Tell me Daniel, are you still obsessing over that barbaric tradition, or have you begun to make plans for meaningful employment and accommodations for when you are soon released from my custody?" Miss Augustine asked, one of her thick eyebrows arched in skepticism and judgment.

Stay calm Daniel. Be nice. Only a week left.

I gulped, stiffening my posture as I turned back to face her. "Yeah, on the 12th. Still doing some last-minute research, but I'm ready for my journey."

Although I had learned to avoid confrontation with Miss Augustine, this was one topic I had always remained resolute and firm on. While she was by no means supportive, she never got particularly hostile other than a few slight jabs such as her occasional usage of words like barbaric and childish. I'd learned that as long as you didn't take personal offense and lash out, the conversation was never too bad.

She crossed her arms, leveling me with a look that bordered on a glare. "I'd hoped that you would grow up and put your mind to use on something more productive, but it seems it can't be helped."

I shrugged my shoulders a bit, careful not to spill anything on the tray I was still holding. "Won't forgive myself if I don't try. Worst case it doesn't work out, but at least I'll know I gave it my all."

That was a lie; I had no intention of giving up or pivoting if things got difficult. I knew what I wanted to do, and I was sticking to it even if I lost a hundred battles back-to-back and couldn't beat the first gym. Still, I saw no reason to provoke her; even that simple shrug had the potential to incur her wrath on one of her more moody days, but it seemed today wasn't one of those.

She maintained her critical gaze and asked with what surprisingly seemed like a hint of genuine curiosity. "I see, and what of your starter, or your traveling supplies?"

"Hopefully the inheritance from my mom can get me going; get me a backpack, some basic supplies and a Pokéball or two. We'll see though… I'll figure it out one way or another. Worst case I stay in the Pokécenter for a bit and do some work around town." I responded truthfully.

She huffed and rolled her eyes, and my suspicion that she was done interrogating me was confirmed by a hand waving me away to dismiss me. I didn't complain; I went to my seat and began shoveling dinner into my mouth, feeling absolutely no desire to savor it.

As usual, dinner was a lonely affair. Though the room was packed and lively, others had long since learned not to try talking to me. While always true to a certain extent, after my mother's death and arriving here I had become withdrawn and decidedly antisocial. I'd gotten into a few fights with some of the other kids, mainly over the computer, but occasionally because they simply wouldn't leave me alone. Needless to say, I didn't have any friends here, and the few friends I could have previously claimed to have at school were long gone.

As strange as it may sound, having no friends never really bother me. I was an introvert at heart, and although I wouldn't have minded it if I found somebody I clicked with it just never happened. I had a couple of people I might have been able to loosely call friends when going to school, but I never got particularly close with anyone. I could probably blame it on being younger due to skipping a year, or the fact that I didn't have a father or brother to get me into things most other boys often did like sports, but those would just be excuses. The truth was, I wasn't much of a people person, and I often found socializing to be exhausting. I much preferred learning and exploring my interests, and was perfectly content to do that alone.

I suddenly ducked as a small ball went flying right above my head, sending a glare over to the group it had come from.

"Damn it! So close!" A younger boy groaned at the other table, handing over his slice of bread as apparent winnings in some sort of bet while others in the group snickered in amusement.

"Thomas! Language!" Miss Augustine bellowed, causing the group to instantly settle down.

Just ignore it Daniel. One more week and you're free.

I promptly finished dinner and went to my bunk bed, flipping through my notes until Miss Augustine declared it bedtime. Kids shuffled into the room and went to their respective bunks, and a few minutes later Miss Augustine turned off the lights.

One day closer to being free, yet it still felt so distant.

"Mr. Ingram, you have a visitor."

I looked up from the monitor to see Miss Augustine standing just behind me with her arms crossed, looking at me with an expression I couldn't quite place.

I tilted my head in confusion, "Visitor? Are you sure it's for me?"

She rolled her eyes, "Don't be obtuse Daniel; he's waiting for you in my office. Hurry up, don't keep him waiting." She said impatiently, waving her hand dismissively as she walked away, leaving me greatly confused and a suddenly bit nervous.

"He?" I attempted to ask, but she ignored me and kept going.

I had genuinely no idea who could possibly be visiting me, but I closed the browser and grabbed my notebook before heading to her office. Typically, being called into the office was not a good thing; it was where Miss Augustine usually had some sort of criticism or reprimand to dish out. Rarely did she allow others to use it without her, and when she did it was usually some sort of government official or professional meeting with one of the kids.

As I entered the room with trepidation, my heart skipped a beat as I immediately recognized Petalburg's Gym Leader, Norman. He was sitting in Miss Augustine's chair, seemingly flipping through a folder of information I could only assume was my file. He glanced up at me as I stood in the doorway, my mouth slightly ajar and eyes wide as I tried to process the situation.

"Daniel Ingram, right? It's nice to meet you young man. Please, take a seat." He said with a warm smile, which snapped me out of my stupor. This was my first time meeting a trainer of a high caliber, and he was one of the top gym leaders in the region. I really wasn't one for idolizing famous trainers, but I can confidently say that this was my first time feeling star-struck. This was a man renowned for his strength and steadfast confidence, something that I greatly admired and one day hoped I could emulate in some small way.

"L-Leader Norman, it's an honor." I said shakily, offering the deepest and most respectful bow of my life before promptly taking a seat across the desk from him. Sitting here gave me flashbacks to verbal lashings I had received in the past, so a small part of me began to worry that he was here to try talking me out of my plans to embark on a journey. I didn't know if he would do that, but I definitely wouldn't put it past Miss Augustine to recruit him in an attempt to change my mind, likely claiming I was unprepared and setting myself up for certain failure or death.

"Please, Norman is fine. I've never been one for formalities." He said with a smile and dismissive wave of the hand. I nodded furiously, still a bit overwhelmed by the situation I'd found myself in but determined to be respectful.

"Miss Augustine informs me that you are preparing to begin your journey soon, is that correct?" He asked, causing me to gulp and nod cautiously as my fears began to be confirmed. I was about to be told I shouldn't be a trainer by a gym leader, and I didn't know if I had it in me to defend myself.

He must have picked up on my train of thought, because he seemed to come to a realization before letting out a hearty laugh before continuing.

"Don't worry Daniel, I wasn't recruited to talk you out of it. I'm mostly here to make sure you know what you are getting into, and to ensure you are properly prepared."

I nodded slowly; was he going to quiz me or something? I knew that there wasn't anything that he or Miss Augustine could do to stop me; at least nothing that I was aware of. Once I was considered an adult I was free to make my own decisions, even if others might see them as a mistake. Still, I couldn't help but feel a bit anxious; if anybody could somehow stop me from getting my license it would be a gym leader.

I took a deep breath, composing myself before answering. "I've been preparing for it for years now, I'm as ready as I can be."

"Yet you have no Pokémon or supplies, even though you leave in less than a week." He pointed out very matter-of-factly, and I reluctantly nodded in confirmation.

"Tell me Daniel, what is it you hope to achieve?" He asked with genuine curiosity, seemingly tabling the topic for now.

I got the sense he wasn't against me, so I started to feel a bit more comfortable. I shrugged, "It just sounds fulfilling. Building a team, seeing the world, learning all sorts of things, pushing yourself to be better while overcoming strong trainers and gym leaders. I can't say I have any concrete goals, other than maybe participating in the Ever Grande Conference someday. I'm not so childish that I want to be Champion or anything like that."

Norman seemed to consider my words for a moment before nodding seriously. "That's a good attitude to have, but there's nothing wrong with setting your aims high."

"True, but nothing wrong with being realistic either. Someone once said that if you set your goals low, you'll never be disappointed. " I supplied, eliciting a chuckle from Norman.

"Fair enough. Can you walk me through what you're thinking for your first few days? How you'll get a starter and what you plan to do after?"

I hummed to myself, considering how to word the answer. For all the research I had been doing, I didn't have too many specific plans, although I definitely had some things I wanted to try and places that would be interesting to visit. I had spent most of my time reading about Pokémon that interested me, learning about what all was in Hoenn, and tips or first-hand accounts on life as a trainer.

"Truthfully, it depends on how much I get from my mother's inheritance. I don't expect much; she was a single mother and we were by no means well-off, but I suspect I should be able to buy essential supplies and a Pokéball or two, and if not I'll work until I can afford it. Once I have a starter I'll be on my way to Rustboro."

"Ah, so you plan on skipping my gym huh?" He said a bit teasingly, and I couldn't help but flush in embarrassment even if it was a bit off the mark. Gym leaders were all at the elite level, but would adjust their Pokémon and strategies based on how many badges a trainer had. I could just stay in the area and train up to beat his gym, but it wasn't what I wanted.

"I've been here my whole life; I don't really want to stick around longer than needed. I'll come back someday, but for now I just want to begin traveling." I answered honestly, and he nodded in understanding.

"As for a starter?"

I shrugged. "I'll just capture one of the local Pokémon; they are docile and weak enough I shouldn't have much issue."

Norman adopted a serious expression, and I worried I'd said something wrong. "Although the Pokémon in this area are about as beginner-friendly as you could hope to find, you should never underestimate a wild Pokémon. If you fail to capture it you could be attacked, and although I highly doubt you'd be left with any serious injuries you still need to be prepared for that possibility. I would definitely recommend trying to befriend a Pokémon to capture it willingly, but sneaking up on one could work as well. Just know that if you do that, you need to be prepared to run if it fails, and if it succeeds you'll have to work to earn its trust and loyalty, something that isn't always easy to do."

I nodded in understanding, although none of this was news to me. One of the few things that I did plan for was capturing a starter, but if I was honest with Norman about my idea it would complicate the discussion quite a bit, so I was going to keep it to myself.

Suddenly, I realized the implication of what he'd just said to me. Norman was giving me tips on capturing my first Pokémon, which meant he was definitely being supportive of my plans to journey. My eyes widened and I looked at him in a new light, my heart rate picking up as I eagerly waited for him to continue.

Norman seemed to notice that I'd caught on and grinned. "I've spoken to Miss Augustine about the importance of you having a reliable starter before entering Petalburg Woods, and she's agreed to loosen your restrictions. You'll still be expected to come back before sunset every evening, but you'll be allowed to leave the city during the day to begin your search for a starter, and to train it once you've gotten one. That being said, you need to understand that Miss Augustine is still legally responsible for your health and well-being, so do your absolute best to stay safe."

That caused my mouth to drop in shock; I had not been expecting anything like this. It seemed that although Miss Augustine wasn't necessarily supportive of my journey, she was at least trying to set me up for success. I was endlessly curious about how that conversation between Norman and Miss Augustine had gone, but decided not to push the issue.

"T-Thank you! That'll be a huge help." I stammered, nearly at a loss for words as my mind raced at the implications of just how big this was for me.

Norman gave a light chuckle, clearly pleased with my excitement. "Won't do you much good unless you're able to actually capture a starter, so you can have this."

He reached into his pocket and placed a minimized Pokéball onto the table, and I couldn't help but stare at it in reverence. It was brand new, with none of the slight indications of wear that balls that housed Pokémon inevitably began to show over time. I'm not sure what my face looked like, or how long I stared at it, but I daydreamed about what it might look like a year from now. It was honestly a bit overwhelming, and I felt the beginnings of a tear form in the corner of my eye that I quickly wiped away. Nobody had ever really given me anything like this, and to me this was an absolutely massive gift, although I knew that for somebody like Norman it was nothing.

"I… I don't know what to say. Thank you so much…" I slowly forced myself to say after realizing that I might have been lost in my thoughts a bit too long.

Norman grinned widely before nodding. "Think nothing of it. I'd actually brought along a starter to give you if I thought you needed it, but based on what I've gathered from you so far I feel like you'll do just fine capturing your own. Just remember; once you do catch something, make sure you only train outside of the city. Miss Augustine is very insistent on not allowing Pokémon on the property, and I suspect that if you push your luck or break her rules you may find your privileges revoked." He informed me, to which I fully agreed with an enthusiastic and serious nod as I grabbed the Pokéball and stowed it into my pocket, not wanting to be distracted by holding or looking at it.

"Drop by the gym before you leave if you find yourself woefully unprepared for Petalburg Woods; you need to have a good handful of potions and a few antidotes before you try making it through. I can also supply you with another Pokéball if your capture fails, but I'd be surprised if that was necessary." He offered, to which I agreed. I didn't plan on bothering him or asking for handouts if I could help it, but the gesture was kind.

"Well then, I've got a gym to run. Any questions before I go?" He stood with a stretch, seemingly done with what he considered to be a break from his duties as gym leader, and I took that as my cue to stand as well.

My mind raced; I was being given the opportunity to ask Norman any question I wanted, and I had no idea what to ask. I went with the first thing that came to mind. "Any tips for journeying? I assume you went on one?" I asked, feeling a bit lame at asking a question I was sure he'd gotten thousands of times but still genuinely curious. I'd read countless threads and 'top tips' online, but hearing it from a gym leader was another matter entirely, especially one who had some insight as to my situation.

He chuckled lightly before humming to himself in thought, "Hmmm... I did go on a journey, but it was long ago and in Johto. Best advice I could give is to be cautious, keep your eyes open, and go with your gut." He opened the office door and ushered me out.

"Oh! And find a travel partner or two if you can manage it. Traveling can get lonely, you'll be safer, and it's useful to have someone to train and spar with." He added as an afterthought as he closed the office door behind us.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for everything Norman, I really owe you one." I said with a deep bow and the most sincerity I could give.

"It's really no problem; helping new trainers is one of the more enjoyable parts of my job. Just remember me if you ever make it big, and try to pay it forward sometime." He said with a nonchalant shrug. "It was a pleasure meeting you Daniel, don't forget to visit before you go. I'd love to meet your starter." He waved goodbye before moving to leave the orphanage, and I was suddenly immensely grateful that the other kids were at school and hadn't seen Norman here for me.

"I will! Promise!" I yelled behind me as the door was closing.

My heart pounded and my mind was in overdrive as I tried to think of what to do next; I apparently had permission to leave, and a Pokéball in my pocket to capture my first Pokémon. I sprinted to my bunk and put on my shoes before racing for the door, eager to take full advantage of the remaining sunlight. It was still early in the afternoon so I had a few hours of daylight left, but suddenly every moment felt precious.

"No running! Be back before sundown!" I heard Miss Augustine bellow from the other room as I closed the door and took off east.

This was it; the start of my new life. Although I still couldn't officially become a trainer or leave on my journey, I knew that this moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I'd dreamed about this for over two years, and it was time to start setting things in motion.

Now, I just needed to find a starter... Luckily I had a very good idea of where to start.

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