The Pokemon encyclopedia, the newest edition so have fun dear." I mocked the old man as I slammed the door behind me. The old man may have been the Professor of the Kanto region but by god he can talk. I'm not usually this ungrateful but... When someone gives you something that will constantly remind you where you've failed... You don't want it. I can already tell that this device will do me diddly squat! I'm staying in New Bark town until the day I die so why have this? I bet my mother is rolling in her grave thinking about me ever leaving... I wish I could. I envy Soul... She actually gets to leave New Bark. Her parents trust her... They let her make her own decisions. I sighed as I played with the ref device in my hand... Do all trainers have these? I know Gold had one and my mom carried a device like this but a wand came out. My Mom was a ranger so she knew the dangers of the world. I clicked a button on the side of the device watching the screen light up. A tiny chibi person that looked familiar danced upon the screen.

"Welcome to the newest version of the Pokedex before we get started do you have any questions?" The device chirped pointing down at a variety of questions. Oak already answered all of them so I clicked the final answer, No.

"Okay please set up your personal info." The chibi person chirped as another screen popped up. Okay, I won't bore you with the gruesome details of setting up my Pokedex... But it took a few really impatient minutes of me almost breaking the damn thing. Finally, I set it up only to show it was blank... I hate people. I looked up to see Mai watching a Pokemon battle closely. It was a novice battle with the Pokemon only knowing moves like tackle and scratch. Those were the battles that every child looked forward too as soon as they received their Pokemon. I was like that when Gold and I first battled, but he left and I didn't.

"Hey move!" A kid screamed as a Pidgey almost hit Mai. A deep growl came from her as the Pidgey squawked at her.

"Mai." I snapped as she bared her teeth. When I called her name her head snapped up and she completely forgot about the bird. The other trainer was calling back his Pidgey as I felt a buzzing sensation on my hip. I looked down at my belt to see that my Pokegear was ringing. What you don't remember me bringing it. Well, that was after I got home my father insisted that I take it. I guess that was a good idea. I snapped the blue phone off of my hip and raised it to my ear.

"Della speaking," I said.

"DELLA HEAD BACK TO THE LAB NOW!" A person who I presume was the professor screamed and then hung up. I blinked a few times as I snapped the device shut. Well, that was... Interesting. I looked down at Mai and frowned. There goes our day.

"Let's go." I sighed at Mai. For a moment she looked disappointed then she just barked happily. I started to walk the little ways toward Cherry Grove when I thought... THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!! So what happened is I ran towards the salty smelling town. Missing every place I wanted to stop and check out but NO I CAN'T DO THAT. I can't do diddley squat.  I guess Mai felt the same way since she whined every time we passed something I said we'd do.

"Sorry Mai... But something happened at the lab." I grumbled as we finally got to the town. The peacefulness was nothing compared to New Bark, the sounds of the ocean always killed the silence that took over this town. The occasional buzzing sound of the Pokecenter and shop took the place of the waves. No matter what there was always some kind of sound that eased the silence. That's what I like about this town... There's always something that keeps you from going crazy. I listened to the waves as I walked across the town. It was a small town so you could always hear it. As I got to the white fence I smiled... Mom took me here once and only once. It was a beautiful day, probably the prettiest, but those were the days before she retired from her Ranger job. Yea it's hard to think my mother was a ranger but she was. A pretty happy ranger if you ask me.

"Hey?!" A voice snapped me out of my own imagination. I looked up to see a girl glaring at me. She held a Pokeball in her hand tightly.

"Erm sorry, I'll move," I said snapping my fingers for Mai. The girl rolled her silver eyes and frowned.

"No dummy battle me." She said. Was she joking? Or is she just rude?

"Erm okay," I said looking down at Mai. We haven't battled another trainer for awhile so this should be fun. I looked up at the girl and studied her. She was too... How should I say it... Twig like to be a girl. And she has a deeper voice. Oh my gosh, he's a guy!! Well jeez, I'm such an airhead. I backed up a few feet and stood upright.

"Okay let's go." He murmured something else but I couldn't hear. Who knows with people.

"Totodile use scratch." He said as he threw up his Pokeball. The long blue light hit the ground silently making a small shape. After about a second a blue carnivores Pokemon stood in front of its trainer. I knew this Pokemon, a Totodile, the starter Soul had a choice of choosing. Did the Prof. just give away this Pokemon?  When the blue Pokemon finally processed its trainers commands it started to run at Mai with its claws out.

"Mai use sand attack," I said as the Totodile came closer. Mai turned around and kicked dirt at the other Pokemon. The Totodile swiped the air as the sand got in its eyes.

"Mai use swift," I said smirking as the other Pokemon recovered from the attack it just took. The boy looked angry as the bright white stars formed in the air above Mai's head. In an instant, the bright stars hit Totodile knocking it down. The Redheaded trainer's face turned red as his Pokemon jumped back up brushing off the attack.

"Scratch again!" He snapped at the Pokemon. Ignoring the tone used Totodile ran at Mai and scratched her chest leaving small cuts on the cream colored fur.

"Tackle," I said trying to stay calm. I didn't want to lose my composer in front of this person. Mai jumped in the air and threw all of her weight on the other Pokemon. Totodile looked shocked as his trainer did nothing but glare at the Pokemon. Totodile against its trainers orders clawed at Mai's face trying to blind her. I sighed it was a simple tactic that could be easily countered.

"Swift," I said staring at the small fox Pokemon. Mai without hesitation shot the stars at Totodile knocking him back a few feet. It looked helpless as it's trainer did nothing. Bruises on its pale blue skin were visible, I kind of pitied it.

"Scratch." The trainer said ignoring his Pokemon's pain. Totodile ran at Mai trying to ignore the pain, it raised its tiny arm and scratched Mai yet again. The amount of effort it put in the attack was enough to drain the small Pokemon. Its labored breathing was the only sound in the small area.

"Tackle," I said. This was the attack that would definitely end the battle. Mai backed up a few paces and charged at Totodile. It knew it was coming because it closed its eyes. I felt a spark of guilt as Mai ended the battle with the weakest tackle I've seen in years. When Totodile went down she jumped back not wanting to hurt the Pokemon even more.

"Mai," I called my Pokemon back as the boy returned his, the blue light taking it in the ball.

"Weak Pokemon." He muttered putting the ball on his belt. That set me off I didn't care about my "cool" any longer.

"Your Pokemon isn't weak not at all! Maybe you're the weak trainer that should train his Pokemon and love it maybe then your Pokemon can take another that is several levels ahead." I spat at him stomping closer. My heart was pounding against my chest. What was this?! I've never wanted to kick a person so bad before. The trainers face turned a bright red as he spun around but dropping something in the process. I looked down and picked up the small card-like object. It was just a trainer card with his name. Silver. That's his name. As I tried to read more the card was snatched from my grip. Silver's face was a bright red as he stuffed the card in his pocket.

"Baka." He murmured running off, his red hair blowing in the wind. Baka? Am I the idiot? I sighed remembering that I needed to get back to the lab.

After about 10 minutes of running, I got back to the lab. Breathing heavily I opened the glass door. The lab was in a state of chaos. Papers were scattered, a window was broken, the machine that held the Pokeballs was empty... What happened? I jogged to where the Professor was, being interviewed by a cop. Noticing my presence the cop spun around.

"YOU ARE THE CULPRIT!" He yelled pointing a finger in my face. I blinked a few times. Culprit? I'm confused...

"What?" I asked as the cop grabbed a pair of cuffs off of his belt. ARRESTED??? My eyes widened as the cop tried putting the metal cuffs on my wrists.

"SHE ISN'T THE THEIF!" A voice yelled behind the "incident" that was going on. I looked over my shoulder to see a familiar pair of gold eyes. I wanted to jump in excitement Gold!! You must be asking 'Gold like the famous trainer from the Hevah Academy?' YES! The same one! You know that he grew up in New Bark right?

"What?" The cop asked snatching the cuffs back. I let go air that I didn't know I was holding in. Gold stepped beside me, he grew a few inches in the past few years. I blinked a few times as he glared at the cop.

"Della couldn't have stolen the Pokemon since she wasn't heard." He said proudly. Wait how did he know that? That's well Erm... Stalkerish.

"I saw this boy in the window earlier with red hair." Gold said. Oh god... Silver did not... Please god... I wanted to say I knew this guy but as my Dad always said 'Snitches get stitches' a common saying in New Bark. As the cop scribbled some things down he nodded as Gold described Silver missing a few details.

"Thank you." The cop said running out of the building like a madman. That guy sure is stupid.

"Oh, Professor!" I said grabbing the incubator from my bag that held the egg. I handed the warm case to the wide-eyed Professor as Gold watched it like a child watches candy.

"Thank you!" He said grinning taking the case in his hands. This man sure was serious about his work... He spun around and set the incubator on a high-tech holder thingy. Knowing he would ignore me I spun around and started to walk out of the lab.

"Hi, Del." Gold said walking behind me. I totally forgot about him! As I opened the doors he poked my shoulder.

"Yes, Gold?" I asked shutting the door behind me. He looked down at me and smiled brightly.

"I got you a present." He said wiggling his eyebrows. I felt a smile go across my face as he grabbed a ball from his belt.

"Ooooh gimme gimme," I said jumping up and down... Arceus I feel like Soul. He set the Pokeball in my hand. Did I get a Pokemon? I already have enough of these...

"Open it." He said impatiently. A Pokemon? I turned away from him and pressed the silver button in the middle. The bright blue light shot out and hit the ground forming quickly. After a few moments, a small dark blue Pokemon was on the ground sniffing.

"A POKEMON!" I yelled practically tackling the small Pokemon. As I picked up the small furry Pokemon it sniffed my face. It's soo cute. It wasn't as soft as Mai but it was still soft.

"He just hatched yesterday morning." He said petting the Pokemon's back. Wait I know this Pokemon its the fire type starter Cyndaquil! Gold had this Pokemon before he left... But it probably evolved.

"I'll call him... Kasai." I said smiling down at the newly named Pokemon. He looked up at me with his squinted eyes and chirped happily. I wanted to show my dad this!

"I gotta show my dad!" I said jogging to my house. I haven't been this excited since I received Mai from my Mom. Do people always feel like this when they get a Pokemon? As I stepped onto our porch I heard that my Dad was talking to someone. The conversation was kind of hard to hear, but you could pick up snippets here and there. Was a woman talking? Rage filled my body, My FATHER WAS SPEAKING TO A WOMAN! That slut!

"Dad!" I yelled slamming open the screen door. He was sitting at the table next to Soul... Soul and my father? Those sluts! Soul looked up and blinked a few times before the biggest grin stretched across her face... Wait am I even right about the situation? Probably not...

"Della I have something to tell you, sit." My father said pointing to the chair closest to me. I hugged Kasai tighter as I waited what my father was going to tell me. Was he mad? Did I do something? Did he find out about Silver?

"You know ever since the incident  that I've tried to let your mothers rules expand." He said his dark eyes meeting mine. "I've always wanted you to start your own journey... leave New Bark. Since your mother didn't want this, I never allowed it. Since it's been 5 years since she passed I wanted you to try going on a journey." He said reaching under the table. I felt like my heart stopped... A journey of my own? I wanted to jump up and scream! This is amazing! The creak of the dog door sounded as Mai trotted into the kitchen flopping onto the floor.  My father sat up and set a big black box on the brown table. It was about three feet long and about a foot and a half wide. 

"I want you to wear this though." He said pushing the box closer to me. I have to wear it? Sighing I set Kasai on my lap and opened the box carefully. I set the lid next to it and took out the top layer of tissue paper that sat on the item. It was... An outfit. From what I could tell it was all black.

"I picked it out!" Soul chirped. I'm surprised that it isn't pink and frilly...I easily picked up the outfit out of the box and admired it. It wasn't half bad! A dark pair of leggings (the only downfall) a white T-shirt with a black Pikachu, a spiky Pokebelt, and a black sweater with a red Pokeball on the bottom. I really have to give it to Soul, she actually did well this time!

"Thanks!" I said admiring the thing that was my ticket out of here. I had to simply put on an outfit and I was allowed to run through Johto.

"Oh, there is another condition... Soul has to go with you." My father said bringing his white coffee cup to his lips. I had to bring Soul? That isn't that bad I mean it kind of is better than going alone. I would rather have the rambunctious Soul go with me than go insane and have actual conversations with the trees. I looked over at the new trainer, she had a bright smile on her face... It looks like she set up the deal with my father.

"Of course," I said trying to keep my excitement down. My father grinned as he looked at the door. I turned around and narrowed my eyes when I saw Gold standing there.

"I have to change." I blankly said and snatched the box

•••    •••••     •••

"You look adorable." Soul said fixing her marshmallow hat as I stepped outside. I frowned at the comment I was not 'adorable'. I stretched as Mai and Kasai were sniffing each other yet again... Is that like some weird Pokemon thing?

"I have an idea!" Soul beamed jumping up. I rolled my eyes, the last time she had an idea we were both jumping in the snow half naked I still get cold thinking of it.

"What?" I asked fixing the two Pokeballs on my new belt. We both came to a consensus when I first tried on the outfit that I wasn't wearing the leggings, so I got stuck with some stretchy jeans.

"Let's have a Pokemon battle!" She yelled jumping up and down... I guess that this was bound to happen since she had just received her Pokemon.

"Okay." I shrugged looking down at my two Pokemon. What Pokemon should I use? I guess Mai would be a bad choice since she was a higher level than Chikorita. I looked over at Kasai, I guess he would need to Battle.

"Kasai," I said the Pokemon looked up at me with squinted eyes and squeaked. "Come on!" I said running off the porch and into the small yard. The Pokemon trotted after me and looked around like he didn't know where he was.

"Okay, Chikorita let's go!" Soul squealed throwing her Pokeball up as she ran down the porch steps. About 3 feet in front of Kasai, Chikorita formed and made a few happy noises.

"You can start," I said as Chikorita's usually happy expression turned into a fierce one. Kasai snorted as he looked at the opposing Pokemon.

"Chikorita use tackle!" Soul ordered pointing towards my own Pokemon. The grass type nodded before charging at Kasai. I chewed my lip as I thought of a simple move he would know.

"Growl." I said calmly. Kasai blinked a few times and used the stat lowering move. Soul's eyebrows knitted together as she bit her lip... Did she not know what growl did? My attention snapped back to the battle as Chikorita tackled Kasai, the dark blue Pokemon squeaked as tried to yank away but the green Pokemon kept him pinned.

"Get up and then use growl again," I said fixing a piece of brown hair that fell in my face. I sighed as Kasai wiggled from Chikorita's grasp and then growled again. Her attack was quickly going down... And I'm not sure if Soul knew it.

"Della you're not doing anything," She yelled stomping her feet, how naive. I smirked as Chikorita looked back at its trainer. "Tackle again." Soul  said, her fingers were fiddling with the bottom of her overalls. Chikorita started to run at Kasai again but I already had a plan.

"Tackle," I commanded, Kasai was a little unsure for a second then he ran at Chikorita full force and they smashed into each other. You could tell Kasai had much more power in his attack.

"Again." I said, "But try to add more force." I  said, he nodded and back up... It took him a second but he charged at Chikorita again.

"Dodge it!" Soul yelled, her face was twisted with an indescribable expression. Chikorita nodded wide eyed and tried to skid out of the way but failed. Kasai bashed into her again but added a little more force this time. The grass type squeaked as Kasai crunched his feet into her body. Chikorita was losing health faster than I expected....

"Chikorita get him off!" Soul yelled he voice was cracking. She was going to cry. I sighed as Kasai held her down.

"Kasai let's end this," I said as my friend stood their unsure of what to do. Kasai jumped off of her and simply jumped into the air landing on her gracefully. Chikorita's eyes rolled to the back of her head as she passed out.

"HOW DID YOU WIN?!" Soul screamed returning her Pokemon. I shrugged as Kasai made his way towards me. I squatted down and patted the top of his head

"Good job." I cooed as he smiled... Not an actual one but the one's Pokemon gave you.

"Wow, that was an amazing battle!" I heard someone yell. I looked up to see Gold jumping up and down. I blinked a few times... It was just a battle. And one of those tackle and scratch kind of ones to top it off.

"I guess," I said shrugging. Gold ran over to me and picked up Kasai.

"Ya know he knows a few more moves?" He said cocking his head. I stood up and sighed. Of course, he did... But I'd rather learn the "Natural" way.

"No," I stated blankly as Gold kept looking over my Pokemon. He started to laugh softly as he rolled his eyes. What was that look for?!

"Well, I bred him so he learned a few extra moves at birth." He said finally looking down at me, his bright eyes meeting my darker ones.

"And those are?" I asked tapping my foot a little impatiently. How could he not tell me? Did he really want me to ask myself? Arceus, where's he been? Wait..... the Hevah region...

"Quick attack and Double-edge." He stated. Hmmm I guess he used a special breeding program. I bit my lip trying to remember what Dad taught me about breeding Pokemon... I think he said if you get two good Pokemon to breed the resulting Pokemon can have some advanced moves.

"Wow!" Soul yelled I yanked my head away as she looked down at Kasai "He's so cool!" She said as pthe small Pokemon yawn. 

"I guess we should get ready... it's late enough as it is." I huffed looking down at my watch, 2:16. We should at least get half way to Violet City if we leave in 10 minutes...

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