Co-Written by Joanie Rich and Sheila Coe
In the distance, over a bright green meadow, brimming with dew, was the rising spring sun; the last one until summer. It's rays beamed down on a small white cottage making the windows flash like diamonds. It's brightness slipped through its windows. In one window that the light shined lay a sleepy child.
Feeling it enter her room, she slowly opened her eyes. She rubbed the deep sleep from them and clumsily sat up. She quickly fell back onto her pillows. Finally deciding that she was awake she pulled herself up with all her strength. She gazed about her room.
Then it hit her. Today was the day! The day she had waited for her whole young life. She energetically leaped off her bed, in such excitement she didn't notice Buddy, her bulbasaur, sleeping peacefully by her bed. Luckily for Buddy, Krystal was still not totally awake and she slipped on her rug, crashing to the floor, pulling the bed covers down with her.
Two of her pillows landed on Buddy. He woke up and tried to shake them off. Krystal looked to her left and quickly removed them. He greeted her and sat on her lap. She gave him a quick hug, and placed him gently on her mattress. Holding the bedpost for support, she stood up and hurried to her closet. She flipped on her TV and proceeded to rummage through the depths of her closet. She pulled out her purple backpack, full of gear, and heaved it onto her bed as if it were full of bricks. Buddy dodged and began to inspect it. The morning news blared on the TV.
She turned back to her clothes and pulled out a shirt, pants and threw them on her chair. Then she sped to the dresser and frantically searched it. In a minute she was dressed and sprinted in the bathroom. Buddy snatched the remote with his long vines and watched the TV. The Pallet Town area was supposed to have a record sunny day. Another reporter appeared and talked on about more mysterious Pokémon disappearances reported in downtown Viridian City. Buddy sighed and looked for something more interesting to watch. He soon found the Saturday Morning cartoons.
Krystal came racing out and snatched up her backpack. She stared at her alarm clock. She woke up an hour late! Freaking out, she dashed out her door and flew down the stairs faster than a pidegot. Buddy calmly turned off the TV and switched off the lights as he left.
The smell of fresh bacon and eggs hung in the air like a heavy fog. Krystal quickly took a seat by her dad, who was engrossed in the Pallet Post newspaper.
"Morning Daddy!"
Ash adjusted his glasses and looked up to see her smiling face, "Honey! I thought I heard you!" he sat down his paper and gave her a big bear hug, "How's my favorite birthday girl? Being 10 is a big event! You know, when I was 10 I-"
"Ash! Don't get carried away dear," came a reprimanding, yet sweet voice from the kitchen.
"Ah, Misty, I was just-"
"Yes, I know you Ash Ketchum," Misty entered carrying a tray of 3 plates piled with steaming food. She turned to her daughter, "Don't let him bore you with his 'stories.'" She returned to the kitchen.
"I love your stories Daddy!" she whispered.
He chuckled, "Just don't let your mother hear that," he whispered back.
"Too late," Misty called from behind the swinging saloon-like kitchen doors. Ash cringed and Krystal giggled.
He turned his head toward the table by the window. On it sat an old, framed photograph. In it, Pikachu was atop his head, laughing with a bright smile. Ash was waving at the camera, and laughing right along with him. He sighed and turned from the picture. Buddy had entered and hopped onto the table and scooted in his booster seat by Krystal. Ash looked at the two and remembered what it had been like with his best friend.
"Now, take good care of Buddy..."
"Don't worry Daddy, I will! He's my best friend! Aren't you Buddy?"
"Bulb-A-SAUR!" Buddy replied, sitting tall in his chair.
Suddenly Misty reappeared with a dish of Pokémon chow for Buddy, and some drinks. As the family dug into breakfast, Krystal's mind was on that of her Pokémon Journey that was to begin today, on her 10th birthday. Throughout breakfast, much advice was given to her. She let it all sink in, but at the same time let her mind wander for miles. Soon breakfast ended. She helped her mom clear the table and handed the dishes to Mr. Mime, who proceeded to wash them. She went to the porch and sat quietly on the porch swing, daydreaming.
The swing was swaying back and forth as she pushed it gently with her feet. The Pokémon door flapped open and Buddy scampered out. Seeing Krystal, he lunged onto the swing and settled by her. They watched together as soft clouds rolled silently by.
The front door opened. Ash and Misty stepped out, Ash carrying two small gifts. He sat down next to Krystal and Misty took a seat on the white wicker chair beside them.
"Happy Birthday Krystal," he handed her the first present, "Remember," he added, "These presents aren't only for your birthday, but they will be useful on your journey as well."
"Go ahead, open one!" Misty encouraged her, shoving the small present at her.
Krystal grabbed it and carefully tore it off, revealing a small, metallic red... "CALCULATOR!?!?"
Ash fell off the bench. "NO! I mean, no. It's a Pokedex3000! It used to be mine, but I made some modifications and I want you to have it! His name is Dexter. He has all sorts of Pokémon info. Just point it at a Pokémon and he'll scan it and give you the information you need. It also acts as identification and has a map of all the places I've traveled in my journeys around the world. Its database can access any information on gym leaders, Pokémon centers, and the Pokémon League. One more thing, it also has a radio, and has a digital phone feature on it. Just don't use it too often. I maybe the Pokémon Professor, but I'm not RICH! Okay?"
Krystal was staring intently into the Pokédex. Never before had she seen something so interesting. It had so many shiny buttons in all the colors of the rainbow, and she couldn't wait to try them all!
"But there's one small glitch, I haven't been able to fix. Every time it's used, the voice grows higher in pitch, and eventually it will be unbearable. Just send to me and by then I should have figured out something."
She broke out of the trance she was in and reached for another present. The next one was in the shape of a hat. Her dad must have wrapped it, she thought. Misty stared curiously at the present, and then gave a threatening glance towards Ash.
"Ash Ketchum, you didn't..."
Krystal tore open the present and found it to be an Official Pokémon League Hat!!! A little old, and worn-in, but it was a COLLECTOR'S ITEM!!! She placed it on her head and it fit perfectly.
"Cool Dad, Thanks a lot! Look Mom!" she turned to Misty, whose face had turned a shade of crimson.
"I thought I got RID of that STUPID HAT!" she stood by Ash and shook him!
"I... couldn't...(pant-pant) let... you... do... it!" she stopped and sat back down in her chair, still emotionally damaged.
"It's a family heirloom, dear! Just think how much it will be worth in the future!"
"Is that all you think about... MONEY!" she sobbed. Her pager beeped loudly. Her eyes widened.
"I'M LATE!!" she started to run, but then stopped and gave her daughter a quick hug and kiss, "Take care sweety! Mommy has to go to the Pokémon center. Be careful and don't talk to strangers!!!!" She sprinted to her small blue car, started it up, backed out, and peeled away down the road, waving good-bye.
They waved away the dust, "Well, Krystal. (Sob-sob) you better go before it gets too dark out!(sob-cry)" he tried to contain his feelings, and then gave her one more hug.
"Daddy, it's not even lunchtime yet!"
"Oh, (sniffle) I guess you're right!" he cried.
"Don't worry, I'll make you proud!" she strapped on her purple backpack, called Buddy, and started down the beaten path beside her house, heading towards the edge of Pallet Town. She waved and he waved back and returned to the empty house. He ran upstairs and out onto the deck and watched his little girl disappear over the horizon.
End of Chapter One