Chapter One

I was lying in mud, dying. I groaned as blood pooled around me.

Well, that wasn’t what really happened. It was a pretty good way to describe the wait during the time between me posting the letter and the answer getting back to me.

I waited two weeks after I posted the letter. After that, I couldn’t stand it anymore. You would always find me standing at the letterbox at 6:00 in the morning waiting for the postman. I actually considered pitching up a tent next to the letterbox. My mother talked me out of though.

Once I had collected the mail, I always spent the rest of the day studying. Thank Mew it was the holidays.

I usually went to bed at 9:30, but now I went at 11:30, only when Mum cut the power off because I refused to get of the Poke’Net.

And finally, on the Sixth of the month Ho oh, I got it. Technically Josh got it. I was (unfortunately) shopping with my Grandmother. When I came home, I found Josh bawling his eyes out and waving a blue letter around.

I stared at him, and then my attention was drawn to the letter. My eyes widened, and then I lunged.

Josh wasn’t upset enough to let me have the letter without a fight. After I had wrestled the letter from his grasp (Using a hold that my Dad’s Machamp had taught me), I ran to my room and flipped the lock again.

Ignoring the pounding of Josh, I sat down on my big Wailmer doll and finally read my prize.

[i] Dear Mr Sapphire,

Professors Rowan, Elder and I, Willow, read your essay and were deeply impressed.

We were impressed by the descriptions and the facts. Why, I didn’t even know some of the facts that you knew about Articuno!

This is why we have decided to give you third place of the lucky Ten! Congratulations!

Enclosed with this letter is a plane ticket to Comed Town in the Dictioy Region and your Trainer Card.

Your Trainer Card will only activate when the International League has recognised you as an Official Trainer.

Again congratulations and we hope you will be able to attend the ceremony.

Professor .H. Willow [/i]

I stared at the piece of paper in my hand. Excitement was building up. A second later, it exploded.

“YES! YES! YES!” I yelled.

I quickly unbolted the door and dashed towards the kitchen where my mother and Grandmother were probably having tea. In the process of dashing, my mother’s favourite lamp was suddenly in danger. As I turned the corner around the kitchen I yelled, “LOOK! LOOK!” I was too excited to explain.

“Sam, what’s wrong? Josh came to me crying. He was too upset to tell me what. And now you’re yelling. What happened?” My mother asked, her scowl appearing slowly on her face. Josh was huddled up, sulking in the chair next to her.

I quickly passed her the letter, and then proceeded to dance a victory dance around the room.

When I had collapsed onto a chair and passed a glance at my mother, I noticed that she was pale. She then went several different colours. Some of which were probably undiscovered. When her face had finally settled on a deep crimson, my heart sank.

She was either gonna start crying or forbid me to go.

[i] Please start crying. Let me go! Let me go! PLEASE! [/i] I thought. I know it was heartless, but I really wanted to go. I let out a small.” Well?” And braced myself.

To my amazement, my mother drew a deep breathe and passed the letter to my grandmother. She stared at me for a moment. I spared a glance at Josh and he had a huge grin on his face. I made a face at him, and then turned back to my mother. Even more to my surprise, her eyes were glistening. She let out a croak. “Do you want to go?”

I nodded violently. Josh was losing his smirk. My mother sighed again, and then said. “I guess I can’t stop you then. You won this fair and square, just like your sister.” She looked up and gave me a wry grin. “I guess my children are TOO creative. Why don’t you go pack? That way I can sort through it before you leave and remember the stuff you forgot.”

I nodded again, and then caught sight of Josh. His lip was s-l-o-w-l-y coming out, and then. “MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMM!!!!!!” He yelled. I dashed out of the kitchen. I had sensitive hearing. I don’t particularly want my hearing gone.

“Ready to go?” My mum asked. It had been to weeks since I had received the letter. During those three weeks, several things had happened.

Seven people I didn’t even know came up to me and asked me to swap with them so they could go.

My friends had asked to swap so that they could go.

Josh asked to swap so he could go.

My MOTHER asked to swap so she could go! (She had gotten sick of me and Josh bickering)

And my Mum threw a huge party for me.

The party was great. My whole family came, and I received very useful presents.

From my Aunts (Father’s side): Upgrade Card for my Poke-Nav so it could show pokemon from all over the world.

From my Aunt (Mother’s side): Upgrade Card for my Poke-Nav so that it had Pokenet access. (Trust me, those things aren’t cheap)

From my Mum and Dad: A series of Books which showed pokemon from the twelve regions of the world:

Metone, Johto, Kanto, Oore, Forenzis, Janera, Hoenn, Werntio, Poligem, Quatra, Dictoy and Zelbimare.

From my Grandma (Father’s side): Several fantasy books for me to read.

From my Grandparents (Mother’s side): More books.

But the best came from my sister, Ani: An Ultraball, a pokemon journal and a POKEMON EGG!

“This is a pokemon egg,” She said, as she held it out to me. “In it is a Polienix, a rare pokemon from Janera.”

“Wow.” I replied, as I gently took the egg. “How did you get it?”

“Simple. I bred it from my own Anticairon. And trust me, she loves you and everything, but she was extremely reluctant to give you one of her eggs. She seemed to think that you weren’t responsible enough. Imagine that.” Ani finished with a wide grin.

I gave her a playful glare, and then shook my head. “Thank you. And I can’t imagine why she would think I wasn’t responsible. But then, she never knew YOU when we were kids.”

I gave her another grin, and then stepped to the ducked to avoid her swipe at my head.

“Quiet you. She might hear you.” Ani hissed, but her eyes were dancing with amusement.

“Anyone, who do you think you are to criticize me? Mum?” She asked with fake indignation.

“No, I don’t. I think I’m your little brother that’s bigger than you, MUM!” I laughed as I took off. I ran straight to my bedroom, and then placed the egg careful next to my heater.

“I’ll call you Hera or Zeus, depending on what gender you are. Either way, we’ve got work to do.” I whispered to it.

I thought about the egg after I had gotten onto the plane. It had to go through security first. They checked what species, what stage of hatching it was at, etc.

The only useful thing they told me was that it would hatch in the next few days.

I sighed and sat down to read one of the pokemon books I was given. I started with the encyclopaedia of the pokemon in Kanto.

I read it, pumping it of facts. I learnt that, of the 1056 pokemon that inhabited the earth, 151 of them were first discovered in Kanto. Kanto was also the place where the current International Champion, Ash Ketchum, had first started his Pokemon Journey.

I read some of his major accomplishments, and then started on the Pokemon.

#0001: Bulbasaur

Type: Seed

Element: Grass

Attacks: Grass, Normal and Poison

Born with: Tackle, Growl

Lv 7: Leach Seed

Lv 14: Vine Whip-

The next thing I knew, was a voice calling over the loudspeaker (Trust me; they aren’t called LOUD speakers for nothing.)

“We have landed in Comed Town. Thank you for flying Dragon-Air!” Said the altogether, too cheerful Pilot.

“Yeah, yeah.” I moaned. I grabbed by bag from the overhead rack, and then grabbed the egg at my side. As I (Somehow) stumbled off the plane, I looked around for familiar signs of life.

I spotted a man waving a sign that said ‘Sapphire’ and stumbled over to him.

“Sam Sapphire, so glad you could join me.” Said the man. I looked at him, and then grinned.

“Right. Thank you for agreeing to pick me up, Mr Anderson.” I said in a sarcastic tone.

This was getting a bit too much like a movie for my taste.

The man stopped dead. “My name is Joe and I would advise you to keep any sarcastic remarks to yourself while I am ferrying you around.” He said. Then he leaned closer to me. “Do I make myself clear, Mr Sapphire?”

“Yes. Transparently. In fact, even more clearly than that.” I said quickly. Here was guy that I didn’t want to mess with. At least, not while I was half asleep.

I can’t remember the trip to the hotel I was staying at, but I do remember the room.

“Wow.” I said as I stepped through the door. It was a suite. Actually it was a small dingy room, brown walls, brown bed and a brown light.

I wrinkled my nose at the bath as I looked into the bathroom. “Brown bath too.” I muttered. I got out of there quickly. “And to think, Mum said no place could get worse than my room. On second thoughts, she was right.” I grimaced. I HATED being wrong!

I knew I wasn’t going to get to sleep with Mew knows what on my bed. So I grabbed the ‘Pokemon Encyclopaedia of Kanto’ again and started reading again. The only time I stopped was when I went down to grab five cans of coke from the Drink Machine in the lobby. When I returned, I went back to my book.

One book, five cans of coke and a painful backside later, the sun finally came over the horizon. I sighed with relief, put down my book (‘The Pokemon Encyclopaedia of Johto”) and started to gather my stuff.

I set off towards the Birch Pokemon Lab, complaining about disgusting beds in disgusting motels with disgusting bathtubs. By the time I had finished complaining, I had walked half-way towards the Lab. I have an extremely short boredom tolerance, so I took out the ‘Johto’ book again.

I was just up to Blissey, when a shadow fell across my page. I looked up. I was at the lab, but a young girl stood in my way.

“Hey, looky here. I’ve got a book-worm, probably one of Willow’s assistants.” She sneered to herself.

I delivered one of my best death glares. It didn’t faze the girl at all. “As a matter of fact, I’m one of the ten children who won a pokemon.” I retorted coldly. “Don’t mess with me. I haven’t had any sleep and I’ve got powers you probably don’t.”

When I was sleep and irritated, I generally throw my psychic powers around. So namely, that’s every morning.

The girl smirked again. “Ooooh. I’m so scared. Whatcha going to do? Throw your book at me? I’m so scared.” I heard a gaggle of scared laughter from behind the girl. I looked over her and saw three other kids huddled by a corner of the building.

I stared at her, and then felt the rush that showed I was using my psychic powers. The first sign I was using my psychic powers was happening. My eyes started glowing.

The girl took a step back, and then laughed, not as hearty as it was before.

“Ooh. That’s a neat trick. Let me guess, your mother was a Mightyena that used Intimidate once too often.” She said and started laughing again.

Now she had me peeved. With a quick dart of my hand and a psychic push, I sent her across the street.

I smiled sweetly at her. “Are you gonna leave me alone now?” I yelled at her.

She gave me a scared, venomous look. Without another word, she scuttled across the road, past me and into the building. I shook my head and glanced at the others hiding in the corner.

I smiled. The looked ridiculous, huddled out of sight. “Don’t worry,” I said. “I won’t bite.”

Then, I said under, my breathe, “Much.”

“I heard that.” A voice came from behind me. I turned and looked up, and up, and up.

A [i] REALLY [/i] tall guy was there.

He smiled. “Hi, I’m Nick. I was about to come out and tell her,” With his thumb, he indicated the girl who had been bullying people. “To quit it.

“Sure you did.” I said. I rolled my eyes. “Anyway, I’m Sam, Sam Sapphire. “

I tried to get past, but he stepped in front of me. I looked up at him through my coppery fringe. I tried to beat him in a staring contest, but his blue eyes just wouldn’t shut.

He suddenly laughed a sound that was like a foghorn. “What do you know? We’ve both got names related to rock then. My last name is Boulder. I’m the son of Bruno.” When he saw my blank face, he tried again. “You know Bruno? The Elite Fight Master? The Bruno of the Elite Four?”

“No. I don’t pay much attention to fighting pokemon. Or Fighting Pokemon Masters.” I said. I tried stepping past him again, but he blocked me again. I sighed. With a grunt of effort, I teleported to the other side of him and walked into the building. I looked back over my shoulder to see him staring at me, stunned.

I smiled, then staggered to the nearest seat. A sleepless night, then teleporting really takes the strength out of you. I sat for a while, catching my breath. For the third time that day, a shadow fell across me. I looked up, squinting. When they moved out of the light, I could finally see who it was.

“Sam. Glad to see you made it. How are you?” Asked Professor Rowan. He was grinning.

“I’m tired. I didn’t sleep last night and I just had to teleport to get past a road-block. With a nod of my head, I indicated Nick. “You know how much teleporting tires me.”

Professor Rowan was the man who had helped me discover the extent of my powers, which weren’t much.

“I see. The ceremony is about to begin. Why don’t you sneak in with me? You can have two chances to see the pokemon then.” He asked, his eyes twinkling with mirth. He and I had had several, heated debates about what pokemon were best in the Legendary Circles. Not to mention, I had helped him set up pokemon cages for any wounded pokemon brought in. I was basically a walking pokedex.

I grinned. “That would be cool.” I admitted. I had thought about each of the ten pokemon available constantly. I had narrowed my choices down to Mudkip, Torchic or a Frezint.

I got up and followed Professor Rowan into the room. It was dark, and then he flicked the lights on.

I gasped. The room was huge! But what caught my attention was the four, glass enclosures at the side of the room.

I rushed over to the one nearest, and found a Qizret, a Senvar and a Treecko looking at me through bleary eyes. They had obviously been sleeping.

The Treecko glared at me with wrath, I backed away slowly. It probably thought I was responsible for waking it up.

I went to the next inclosure. In it was a Mudkip, a Frezint and a Yoryu staring at me.

I smiled at Yoryu’s bright red fur, and then turned to inspect Mudkip and Frezint.

Frezint stood up on the tips of its feet to get a closer look at me. When it realised it couldn’t get high enough to see me clearly, it flapped its pathetic blue wings to hover a metre and a half from the ground. I stepped back, and then stood stock-still. Frezint flew over the glass to float in front of me. It started to inspect me slowly, flying in circles around me. When it was finally satisfied, it flew back into its enclosure and curled up.

I looked at Mudkip. It looked back. We stood, staring at each other. I wanted to look away, but I didn’t. My eyes started to tear up, but I still didn’t blink. Mudkip still stood and stared. After a few minutes, it opened its mouth.

“Mud? Kip?” And with out another word, it sprayed me in the face with water.

I got the water out of my eyes, and then I heard laughing from behind me.

I looked around and found the other nine kids laughing at me. I sneered, and then went to the third enclosure.

I heard a startle, “Oh!” from behind me and looked back again. The Frezint had flown out of its enclosure again and was now inspecting the others. I chuckled, and then turned to the enclosure’s occupants.

A Liktretch, a Hekark and a Pichu, were curled up. I wondered at the Pichu, and then I remembered, the current symbol of the International Pokemon League was the Pikachu family, mainly because of its current Champion, Ash Ketchum.

I snuck past these pokemon. If they were woken, I probably wouldn’t like the consequences. In the final enclosure was a Torchic. I look at it quizzically for a moment.

Then, with a sudden hiccup, it belched a large fireball.

“Oh. That’s always a good reason. The Professor’s didn’t want Yoryu, well-done.” I murmured. I thought for a moment, and then walked back to the group.

The Frezint had finished inspecting and had lodged itself firmly onto the head of a girl half my size. I imagined Frezint taking off into the air with the girl attached to it. I grinned, and then turned as I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“Are we ready to begin?” Asked Professor Elder. He was a thin man, but looked very red.

He mustn’t have been used to the temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius. It must have been quite hot for him. He had a bald patch.

When he turned away, I made spitting noises, then rubbing motions. A cacophony of laughter erupted. Nick’s laughter could be heard above all of them.

We found our way to the ten seats nearby. There was a short squabble between the others as to who would sit in the two seats nearest to the pokemon. Nick and the short girl won.

I shook my head and studied the professors.

Willow was a blond, huge woman. She wore glasses, perched on a sharp beak-like nose.

She was famous for Pokemon Stats, as she discovers what pokemon had the highest attack, the lowest defence, etc. She was also a famous Gymnast. She, like her name, was as flexible and as tough to break as willow branches. At least, that was how the Judges who saw her described her.

Rowan was young, for a Professor. Of the thirteen renowned Professors of the world, he was the youngest. With chestnut hair, brown eyes and a friendly nature, he was also the most popular. He was famous for his studies into the Pokemon Legendaries. He studied pokemon like Articuno and writes most of all known info about them.

Elder was old, the oldest of the thirteen Professors, he was also the most famous. With his recognition in the field of Pokemon Breeding. He discovers what moves Pokemon are able to learn through breeding and so forth. He was thin and wiry, with a very fair complexion. What hair he did have was blue. A nice, sky blue.

Suddenly Professor Rowan stepped forward.

“Thank You for being here in Comed Town. We are very happy that you were able to come here. You are the Ten Trainers that won the Pokemon Contest, hosted by the International League. We will allow half an hour for you to examine the pokemon here, but no longer. A siren will sound when it is time to return to your seats. Please get into a line and we will let you see each pokemon. A small siren will blast every three minutes, so that you may spend equal time looking at each pokemon.”

With that he turned away. I got up slowly, wanting to be last. Everyone else was squabbling as to who would be first in the line. The only one not fighting was the small girl. She looked smug, because instead of her choosing the pokemon, it chose her. It was most likely the one she wanted too.

I turned back to the fighting. I rolled my eyes, and marched forward to the first enclosure. The fighting stopped as everyone stared at me. Without another word, they got into a line. Three computers were on the glass enclosure. I posted myself at the nearest one and looked at the computer screen.

[i] Qizret, the Quiz Pokemon. This pokemon is rare, in its ability to talk. Instead it talks in riddles. If you manage to decipher the riddle, Qizret will spout out another one. It is able to keep up its large head with the use of its Psychic powers.

Type: Psychic

Weight: 21 lbs.

Height: 1’3.

Personality: It will stick with a trainer that is able to answer its riddles. If its riddles are not answered, this pokemon becomes frustrated, sometimes leaving its trainer.

Attacks: Calm Mind, Growl and Teleport.

Next attack: Psywave at level 8. [/i]

I looked at its computer image closely. Qizret had several question marks all over its short, squat body. It was a dull grey colour. It had a large, squarish head and a thin, straw-like body that looked much too frail to hold up its head.

A siren sounded. I moved onto the next computer. On the screen was the Senvar. I grinned; there was a pokemon my mother would like.

[i] Senvar, the Teddy pokemon. This pokemon is omnivorous. It is also a scavenger. But, if disturb while eating, it will move away. It is an affectionate pokemon, though if threatened, it will run.

Type: Dark/ Normal

Weight: 15.7 lbs.

Height: 0’7

Personality: Affectionate and lovable, this pokemon is a favourite of high-born women.

If it is faced with danger, this pokemon will not hesitate in running.

Attacks: Scratch, Leer and Tackle.

Next Attack: Bite at level 7. [/i]

Senvar was a very teddy like pokemon. I could have taken it into my sister’s bedroom and placed it among her stuffed toys and no-one would know the difference! It was a dark, chocolatey brown, but it had a sun emblem on its head.

But still, no-one would probably choose it because of its cowardly nature.

The siren went again, I moved onto Treecko’s screen. The Treecko in the enclosure sat in front of me, pulling faces and glaring. I pulled a face at it, gave it a death glare and started to read about it.

[i] Treecko, the Wood Gecko Pokemon. This pokemon has a tough nature, if confronted by an enemy; it will stand its ground and glare at it. If it succeeds in intimidating the enemy, it will either attack or try to intimidate the enemy again.

Type: Grass

Weight: 11 lbs.

Height: 1’8

Personality: It has an intimidating nature. It will continue to fight even when there is no hope. It is also extremely fast and has a high attack power, resulting in almost one hit K.O’s!

Attacks: Pound and Leer.

Next Attack: Absorb at level 6. [/i]

Treecko was still glaring at me. Its red eyes, penetrating my own. Its green fingers twitched irritably. I noticed they had suction cups on the end of them. Treecko was almost fully green, with a dark green, large tail.

The siren went again and I glared at it irritably. I moved onto the next enclosure with the Mudkip and Yoryu in it. The Frezint must have decided to make its permanent home in the small girl’s hair.

[i] Mudkip, the Mud Fish Pokemon. This pokemon is a rare type, found only in Hoenn and on Southern Island. This pokemon is much sought after, because of its ability to increase its attack power when its HP is low.

Type: Water

Weight: 16.8 lbs

Height: 1’4

Personality: This is a fun-loving pokemon. If it wants to show affection or trust for something, it squirts it with water. Many trainers have misinterpreted this and left the Mudkip feeling sad and confused.

Attacks: Tackle and Growl.

Next Attack: Mud Slap at level 6. [/i]

I blinked in confusion, and then looked up at the Mudkip again. What greeted me was another faceful of water. I grimaced and wiped the water out of my eyes again. The Mudkip grinned at me, opened its mouth and prepared to shoot water at me again, when the siren went off. I moved and the water went past me and hit the wall next to the siren.

I smirked at the Mudkip, and then proceeded to the next screen. Mudkip followed me around the enclosure until I stopped. It stopped too, right in front of the Yoryu.

[i] Yoryu, the Yak Pokemon. This pokemon has been known to herd with Tauros and Miltank. It has been an object of interest for centuries, because of its bright, red fur. Though slow to anger, its retaliation will be swift and painful.

Type: Normal

Weight: 50 lbs.

Height: 2’6.

Personality: It has a slow, stupid nature. But when angered, its blood rushes and somehow makes this pokemon incredibly smart. It has powerful attacks, but has very slow speed.

Attacks: Fury Swipes, Growl and Take Down.

Next Attack: Fury Cutter at level 9. [/i]

I discovered how slow Yoryu was, when I looked up. My eyes widened and I put out my hands just in time to catch Mudkip who had learnt to fly. I looked over Mudkip to see Yoryu puffing. It has just finished using its Take Down.

I shook my head and placed Mudkip back in the enclosure.

Yoryu looked like a Miltank, Piloswine and Tauros crossed. It had long, red fur, horns and three tails. It ran around on all fours but it could stand if it needed to. It had the bands of silver that was trademark to Piloswine too.

The Siren went off and I moved to the next screen. Since Frezint had chosen its trainer already, there wasn’t much use reading its stats, but I love reading. And I love reading about pokemon. There also might be useful information too.

[i] Frezint, the Frozen Dragon type. It has very few weaknesses due to it being a dual Ice and Dragon. It has a very curious nature. If it shows a liking for something, it will perch a top it to guard it.

Type: Ice/ Dragon.

Weight: 35 lbs.

Height: 2’1.

Personality: A curious, fun loving creature, it lives in the Arctic Region of Forenzis. Once angered, it will unleash and ice or dragon type move. It has the special ability to freeze anything near it for three metres, but won’t freeze it if it trusts it, or is curious about it.

Attacks: Powder Snow, Dragon Rage and Rest.

Next Attack: Gust at level 10. [/i]

The siren went just as I finished. I looked over at Mudkip. It was struggling to get out of the enclosure to get to me. I raised an eyebrow at it. It cocked its head and raised an eyebrow back at me.

I moved on to the third enclosure. The Pichu, Liktretch and Hekark were awake now. The boy in front of me had all of his hair sticking up. He had gotten too close to the Pichu.

I sighed and looked at the computer screen in front of me.

[i] Pichu, the tiny mouse pokemon. It is the pre-evolution of Pikachu and isn’t very skilled at holding electricity. As a result of that, it will send out an electrical current if upset or amused.

Type: Electric

Weight: 4 lbs.

Height: 1’0

Personality: It is a bay type, thus its inability to retain electricity for very long, Easily amused or upset; it is usually humorous to see the result of the person make the Pichu upset or happy.

Attacks: Thundershock and Charm.

Next Attack: Tail Whip at level 6. [/i]

I studied the Pichu. It was inching closer to me. I put my hand in to pat it on the head, and then scratched it beneath the chin. It squeaked happily, and then skipped off.

The siren went and I moved on. Now I was looking at the info of Liktretch.

[i] Liktretch, the Licking Pokemon. This pokemon is mainly tongue, as its evolved form is Likitung, this can be explained. What can’t be explained is where its brain, stomach and other, vital organs are.

Type: Normal

Weight: 15 lbs.

Height: 0’4

Personality: As this pokemon usually stays still, licking anything that passes, it is hard to tell. When it does move, it has a mischievous nature, tripping people up, then rolling off, laughing.

Attacks: Lick, Growl and Roll Out.

Next Attack: Sweet Kiss at level 6. [/i]

I watch Liktretch, wondering if it would move. I kinda hoped it would, it might be entertaining. As I watched, the Pichu skipped over to the Liktretch, and then gave it a slight shock. The Liktretch then rolled after the giggling Pichu, trying to score a hit with Roll Out. I smiled as the siren went.

The next pokemon was much more interesting. Hekark sat in a corner. As I watched, it made a pot plant near to the cage explode into growth. Now I was interested, so I looked at its info.

[i] Hekark, the Shrub Pokemon. This Pokemon can often be found, hiding near to paths. When a Pokemon (Or an unsuspecting Trainer) comes along, it will leap out and ambush them.

Type: Grass/ Ice

Weight: 29 lbs

Height: 1’8

Personality: It has an unmerciful nature, because of its need for food. It will attack if provoked, but will run at the first chance.

Attacks: Magical Leaf, Powdered Snow and Mean Look.

Next Attack: Perish Song at level 9. [/i]

I shivered. I sincerely hoped I wouldn’t meet this pokemon out in the wild. It looked like a normal bush, apart from the fact that two, small, red eyes glared out at me.

The siren went again. I moved onto the tenth and final pokemon.

[i] Torchic, the Chick Pokemon, this pokemon hasn’t got very good balance. But it still has very good attacks. If provoked, it will spit out a massive fireball.

Weight: 6 lbs.

Height: 1’4

Personality: This pokemon is loyal. Even if a lake is between it and its Trainer, it will try to swim across the lake to get to its trainer. It is very powerful, mainly due to its fire type abilities.

Attacks: Scratch and Growl.

Next Attack: Focus Energy at level 7. [/i]

I stared at the Torchic. For something very small, it seemed very powerful.

The siren sounded, more loudly then the last time. I glared at it irritably, then walked over to my seat and sat down.

The other ten sat down around me. I looked around again. The small girl still hadn’t moved, but Frezint definitely had. It had now curled up, ‘Meowth-like’ on her head. I heard a slight snoring noise from that way too.

Professor Rowan stepped up to the podium on the stage in front of us.

“And now for the moment you’ve been waiting for. The moment where we announce the winners of the competion.

In first place, we have Brandon Joyce, from Dictioy’s own Scine Town!”

Brandon came forward. He stood in front of all the enclosures, and then moved towards the third one. He stopped before it, and then lifted out the Liktretch.

“I choose this one.” He announced, as the Liktretch tried licking him. Brandon let it as he went to collect his bag. He only stopped it when it tried to lick up his nose.

By the wall were ten bags, one for each of the trainers. Each trainer got a bag corresponding to the element of the pokemon they took. Brandon walked up to the stage and had received a white one.

“And now, in Second place, “Announced Professor Rowan. “We have Katrina Churchill!” He held up an Orange bag. I stared blankly, then realised that the international colour for Dragon types was orange.

Katrina A.K.A The Small Girl stepped up onto the stage. She took the orange bag and slung it around her back with a small grin. She jumped off the stage, and then went back to her seat. The Frezint on her head was looking pretty irritable by then.

“In third place is Sam Sapphire.” I smiled and stood up. Now was the hard part. What pokemon should I choose?

Mudkip was still trying to get to me. Pichu was giggling as it sent a few jolts everywhere.

Torchic stared at me, then hiccuped another, huge fireball. And Qizret just stood there, sprouting babble.