For the next few weeks, on my way to school, I would visit that sweet little Budew every morning, then I would rush to school, but sadly, that Budew was all I could focus on. Eventually, my grades started to slip, but I didn’t care. On my way home, I would once again visit that sweet little Budew.

  When my report card came, my grandmother beat me twice as hard, and I had to be hospitalized. When the doctor asked me what was wrong, I finally confessed I couldn’t take it anymore.

  The doctor called the authorities, and they were able to find evidence of my grandmother’s abuse, and they locked her away. While I was staying in the hospital, I was visited by some businessmen; they were a part of my mother’s company. They told me that they were sorry for how my grandmother treated me.

  And though they couldn’t make up for it, they agreed to financially support me for the rest of my life. I was completely blown away by such generosity.

  Needless to say, when I left the hospital, I quickly sold off my grandmother’s house and bought a smaller two-story house in town.

  After making sure everything was properly set up—furniture, utilities, and so on—I rushed over to Oldale Town, and I spoke with the nurse, and she smiled, allowing me to take Budew home.

  I carried him all the way home, and the bonding was so real. We watched movies, went for long walks, and so much more. I eventually thought of a name for my new friend; I decided on the name Romeo.

  Upon receiving his name, Romeo was happily jumping up and down with glee.

  Rose: I’m glad you love your name, my little prince.

  With my newfound freedom, my grades shot through the sky, and I was able to graduate early at the top of my class.

  When school was finished, I devoted more time to Romeo, and he was a delightful handful. He was a spoiled little guy who loved me dearly. Whenever we would go for walks to the store, Romeo demanded to be carried for the walk back.

  He always had to sleep cuddled up next to me, or he would cry and scream all night.

  And I did learn that this needy behavior was common with baby Pokémon, and Romeo had that in spades. One day we were watching a Pokémon stage show from Unova, and Romeo was so entranced by it that he started to dance along with the actress. I thought this was incredibly cute, but this got me thinking.

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  The next day I showed Romeo an old Pokémon contest rerun, and Romeo was all for it. He actively tried imitating what he saw, and I thought it was adorable.

  This did get me thinking, what if I became a Pokémon Coordinator like my parents? I soon went into researching what I would need to do.

  Being a Pokémon Coordinator is incredibly similar to being a trainer; it just requires a different type of style of training.

  After two months of research, I knew this was something I wanted to do, but I wanted to speak with Romeo about it too.

  I soon brought Romeo with me to the living room, and I held him on the couch and said,

  Rose: Ok, little one, I have something I want to ask you.

  Romeo: Dew??

  Rose: I saw the way you reacted to the Pokémon contest a while ago, and I was wondering if you wanted to do that.

  Romeo would gasp and start nodding and wiggling around excitedly. I took that as confirmation that he agreed to join me on my journey.

  So we began to get prepared for what was to come. I grabbed a travel tent, a traveling cooking set, a berry pouch, and a new set of clothes for the journey ahead. I soon ran into Professor Birch. He was a kind man, and we started talking. I eventually told him about how I was becoming a Pokémon Coordinator, and he excitedly gave me a pastel pink Pokédex, and he gave me some Heal Balls.

  He then said

  Prof. Birch: Listen here, kiddo. I’ve seen many young trainers off, and I can tell you’re going to do great things.

  That made me feel so very special hearing that, and it only confirmed that my decision was right.

  Before I left for my journey with Romeo by my side, I visited a move tutor because I wanted to know what moves he had. Tuter was a kind man who took one look at Romeo and said

  Move Tuter: Yep, this little guy was specially bred.

  Rose: Excuse me??

  Move Tutor: I’m saying your Budew was especially bred; he has an egg move.

  Rose: Oh, so I’m guessing he had one extra move than what he was born with.

  Move Tuter: Exactly, your Budew is still new; I’d say around level 3, but let me do a quick checkup to be sure.

  Rose: Ok.

  Romeo then looked to me nervously; he hated checkups. I soon moved him to my lap, and he began to calm down. The move tutor then came back, and he had with him a special Polaroid camera. He soon snapped a photo of Budew, and a slip of paper came out.

  The Move Tuter would wave the paper in the air, and some details would appear. He read the details carefully and said,

  Move Tuter: Ok, then your little Budew knows the moves Life Dew, Growth, and Poison Sting, and that’s about it, surprisingly.

  Rose: What do you mean by surprisingly?

  Move Tuter: I mean, Budews usually have four set moves that they use and rely on, but your little guy seems special.

  Romeo would hear that distinct word and let out a satisfied cry.

  Romeo: Dewwww~

  I would roll my eyes because Romeo already had a budding ego, and he didn’t need any more fuel on that fire. Either way, I thanked the Move Tutor and went home to finish preparations for our journey.

  Romeo and I then put the final preparations on everything, and with my bags packed, I locked up my house with Romeo by my side and started traveling down Route 101.

  Our journey starts here.

  End of Episode