Professor Birch dragged me to a large building. It was noticeable different from the others in this town. While the other buildings had a nostalgic or rural exterior to them, this one stood out for it more urban look to it. “Here we are,” he pulled some keys out and unlocked the door. He ran ahead, turned to me and in a theatrical voice said, “Welcome to my lab, Young Trainer.” Is this guy really a professor?

The lab was not a complete mess, but it was sloppy papers covering tables in piles, stacks of books everywhere. Again I ask if this guy is really a professor. Treecko jumped of my shoulder and ran to some tree thing in the corner. “Over here,” Birch called me. He was standing in front of some weird machine; it looked like something I saw at the pokemon center one time. “Now place Poochyena’s Ball here, please,” I inserted the pokeball into some mark on the machine.

The machine started to make some sound and the monitor turned on. On the monitor was Poochyena with some graphs surrounding appearing around the image. “Outstanding,” was all the professor said before typing away like mad.

“So what does all that mean?” the professor didn’t respond. “Umm, hello,” still the professor ignored me. “Well if that is all you need, then I guess I would be leaving then,” I walked out Putting Treecko’s ball on top of some papers. I looked back before crossing the threshold to still see the professor still typing away like mad on his computer, and then closed the door behind me.

If I was asked if I was sad to leave Treecko behind, I would try to find some way to explain what I was feeling. Treecko belonged to Birch, so I couldn’t take him with me. On the other hand I couldn’t just keep him as a pet, pokemon get rowdy quiet easily. I heard plenty of stories of pokemon left alone for a period of time and they just destroyed the place they live with their energy. Let’s also add my parents into the mix and it was for the best to leave Treecko behind.

The truck was gone when I returned home. “I’m home.” I said. Both of my parents were unpacking the boxes in the living room.

“Welcome back, how was the town?”

“It was fine.” Why tell my parents I got into a pokemon battle within an hour of being here.

“That is great. I am going to make lunch in a bit, I want to unpack the dishes first okay.” With everything that happen I forgot it was around lunch time.

“Need any help?” I asked

“Nope, I’m good. Why not play one of your games till I call you?” I went to my room to play games like mom asked. She just didn’t want me to break anything in case of another attack.

I was born with a condition. I would have violet coughing fits and chest pains, sometimes for days. These attacks are random they come with no warning. I once asked my parents what it was, but they refuse to tell me. Because of these attacks, I rarely went outside or played with other people my age. I just sat in the background, listing to people talk about being trainers or something else, and just staying quiet all the time. Most of my knowledge about pokemon came from groups of people talking around me, there moves, abilities, what the latest addition of pokemon monthly said about anything that happened, all I knew about pokemon came from me being lonely to outright talk to people and just stalking the background.

“Innes, Lunch is ready.” I heard my mom downstairs. I must have been self loathing longer then I thought. As I head downstairs, the doorbell rung, “Innes can you get that?”

“Sure,” but who would be here, our new neighbors? I opened the door, but before I saw who, I felt something tackle me. “w-what,” it was climbing all over me, a small green…”Treecko!?”

There was no mistaking it. This was the same Treecko from earlier, the one I returned to Professor Birch. “That was sure rude, just leaving Treecko behind like that.” Professor Birch was in the doorway.

“Who is that dear,” my mom came up and saw Treeko and the Professor, “oh, hello are you our new neighbor?”

“Yes, for you see,” Birch took a deep breath, “for I am the one and only Professor Birch.” All three of us just look at him dumfounded at Professor Birch. What was him and theatrics?

“Are you really a professor?” Let it be said all blunt qualities I have comes from my mom.

“I am. What part of me doesn’t look like I am a professor?”

“The t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops.”

“You’re judging me based on my clothing?!”

My dad came in, “hello professor Birch it nice to see you again.”

“Fredrin it is nice to see you too.”

“Dad you know this guy?”

“Yeah he is the one who offered me the job.”

“Yes I did,” Professor Birch said, “I came over to visit and talk about what your job entitles.”

“Cleaning up your lab for one,” I said.

“Innes!”

“I’ve seen the lab, it’s a mess.”

“However that was not the only reason I came by,” Birch looked at me, “I also come to return them to Innes.”

“Them, you mean Treecko?”

“Yes and Poochyena as well,” almost like a signal, Poochyena came out of nowhere and bit me.

“Get him off, get him off.” Poochyena had a strong bite on my arm and was biting harder.

“Don’t worry about it, Poochyena is just showing his affection.” Birch was just laughing at this.

“Poochyenas gives nips, not bites.” I had no proof, but if they were like other canine pokemon that was the case.

“Okay, okay, I would get him off.” My dad got Poochyena off of me, leaving behind bite marks and pierced skin. “All right, let’s give you something to eat, little Poochy.” He bit my arm and you want to give him a treat!

“Yeah lunch is ready, little Poocy is probity hungry.” Mom what part of trying to chew my arm off gives you the impression it was hungry.

While everyone else went to the dining room, I went to the bathroom to get a first aid kit. “Treecko tree” Treecko said.

“Don’t worry Treecko, it doesn’t hurt that much.” Even when I was washing and wrapping the bandages, Treecko never lost that concerned look in his eyes. Was he showing concern for me, he was hurt much more in that battle then I was.

When I got back, everyone was already eating lunch.

(Dear readers, since I do not know what might count as a meal in the pokemon world, you would just have to imagine it. I know they may have some of the same food we eat, but for the sake of avoiding possible issues down the road, I am just refuse to give the lunch a name at this moment. This may change later in the series. Now back to the story)

“So professor,” my dad said, “you said ‘return’ correct?”

“Yes, Treecko and Poochyena are Innes’ pokemon, so I came to return them.”

“Mine,” I exclaimed,” how are they mine?”

“You battled with Treecko, quite well I must add, and caught Poochyena, so they are yours.”

“You were in a battle?!” My mom yelled.

“Yes I was, but we can get back that later.”

“No, you had your first real battle and I wasn’t there to witness it, do you know how upset I am.”

“Mom, priorities, get them in order.” I looked at dad, “Dad, help me here.”

“Sorry, I am staying out of this.” He then gave an apple slice to Poochyena.

“Now since we got that out of the way, there is something I would like to ask Innes to do.” Professor Birch pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to me. It looked like an old game console I have. “That is a pokedex and I would like you to have it.”

“What?”

“I said I want you to keep it. a pokedex is”

“I know what a pokedex is what I am asking is why give it to me?”

“For your journey of course.”

“What journey?”

“The one you would be going on.”

“Where the hell is this coming from?”

“Look, let me explain.” The person that spoke was not professor birch, but my own dad. “For some time, Ashley and I have been thinking about it and we think a journey is probably good for you.” Mom and Dad thought that. “I don’t want you to think we are kicking you out, we honestly think that you should go on a journey.”

“But why, there is no point to go on one!”

“Innes, there doesn’t have to be a point of one.”

“That makes no sense.” I could feel my voice start to rise, “you dump all of this on me and you say I don’t even need to know why. What is the real reason? Are you finally tired of a sick 14 year-old kid leaving in your house? Are you so tired of me you put me on a journey just to get rid of me? If that’s the case just say it outright then this roundabout shit!”

My father slammed his fist into the table. He wasn’t what a person considered violent person, but every moment he was scared me. aThe way he looked at you froze the body in place, paralyzing you with basic the instinct, fear. He continued to speck in a low voice, “You are going on the journey Innes, no question about it. This is also not up to debate or arguing.” I wanted to say something but the words kept getting stuck in my throat. “You would be leaving later today. I’ll go get your things ready. Until stay in your room till we get you.” When he said those words I ran to my room, slammed the door, and broke down crying.

The journey was to get rid of me, I knew it. They were sick and tired of me. So why like this? Why hide what you really wanted? Why not just tell me the truth? The move was just so they can move away from any people who could help me.

 I laid on the bed and curled into a ball, wishing an attack would come and kill me. I didn’t know how long has passed before the door opened again. “Innes, you got a visitor.” I didn’t look back, I didn’t want to see anyone.

“Treecko.”

“Hey Treecko, I am not in the mood at the moment. Just go away okay.” I was fighting every urge to blame Treecko for what happen. Everything that happened was someone else’s fault but my own. Poochyena for attacking Birch, Birch for being attacked, my parents for moving here and having me, my grandparents for having my parents, and Arceus for making the whole world.

Even when I asked him to go away, Treecko stayed with me. I didn’t watch what Treecko was doing, and then I felt something land on my head. “Treecko I said I wasn’t in the mood.” Treecko scrambled behind the boxes when I screamed that. I looked at what Treecko threw at me. It was my Pokemon Rangers Sceptile doll.

I always watched the pokemon rangers growing up, Pokemon who defended the innocent from bad pokemon every episode. With Sceptile as their leader, the rangers won many victories over the invaders. When I learned that they were stunt pokemon and voice actors, I didn’t care. I still loved Sceptile, even years after the season ended.

I got up from the bed and walked to where Treecko was cowering, in a fake voice I said,” do not fear little Treecko, as long as I, Ranger Sceptile, is here, no harm should come to you.” Treecko peeked out and saw the doll in my hand. “You don’t need to worry about any dangers, since I always got them under control.” Treecko stared at me with curiousness, “for that what it means to be a pokemon ranger, to protect the people around you and to never give up.”

Treecko came out of his hiding spot and approached Sceptile, “I really am sorry I snapped at you Treecko, it wasn’t your fault.” Treccko grabbed Sceptile and making noises at me, “were you trying to imitate ranger Sceptile? You’re too small to do that.” Treecko look sad as I said that.

Wait…Sceptile is treecko’s last form so,” hold on a second.” I went through my drawers searching for it. When I found it I return to Treecko and tied it around his neck. “Perfect, now you are one step closer to being like ranger Sceptile.” It was a small bandana I had as a kid; it was the same as ranger Sceptile wore in the show so I got it. I have gotten too big to wear it, but it was the perfect size for Treecko. From his reaction Treecko liked it too.

That happy moment ended with a knock on the door, “Innes, it is time.” what happiness I felt turn to sadness in an instant. My parents were kicking me out; the harsh reality slowly sank back into me. I felt Treecko place his hand on me, “don’t worry, I feel better now.”

I went downstairs and saw everyone at the front door. My father was holding a bag, “Innes, it is time for you to go on the journey. I wish it would have started out differently but,” I took the bag from him. “Inside should be everything you will need for your journey along with food for you and your pokemon. We are also giving you a card you can use to get money from us for any other supplies you need.”

Professor Birch stepped up next, “like your father said, I wish this happened some other way. Here are Poochyena’s and Treecko’s pokeballs. I am also handing you four other balls as well, use them to catch the other pokemon alright.” He handed me the six balls and the pokedex.

My mother was the last to come up, “Innes, I am sorry this happen but please believe me. Please take this,” she handed me a small laptop, “it called a pokenav. It has a map function so you don’t get lost, and a phone function for when you want to call.” My mother tried to hug me but I moved away.

“Innes north of here is Olddale town, if you leave now you can get there before it gets too dark. When you get there try to find my son, Brendan. He will teach you about some basics of being a trainer.”

I went out the door in silence, I didn’t thank them for their advice, I didn’t cuss at them for making me leave, I just left in silence. I didn’t look back I didn’t return there waves, I just went forward. I didn’t know how longed I walked before I looked back, but when I did the town seemed so far away.

I felt Treecko on my shoulder, “yeah lets go.” Maybe when we get to Olddale, this pain I feel in my heart would stop.