[i]'Come on, mum, quit being such a helicopter! Jeez!'[/i]
[i]'I just want to make sure my little girl is...ready...for this... Going out on an adventure of a lifetime to become a Pokémon trainer and, well, becoming a woman...'[/i]
[i]'You don't have to cry over me, mum... Nothing bad will happen... I promise...'[/i]
[i]'Come back home safe...for the both of us...[/i]

Somehow, Amy couldn't get those final memories of her parents out of her mind. They just kept echoing in her head, dragging her down every time it replayed in her mind. It was saddening to leave, to go without them, but it was their decision and both Amy and her parents needed to embrace it. And it wasn't like she wouldn't visit, either, since Floaroma Town was along the road, so she'd need to re-visit eventually. Still, it felt like it had been forever since she left the house...

Jumping down yet another small stone cliff, Amy finds herself on the final straight towards Sandgem Town, where she hoped to acquire her first Pokemon. All things considered, she was slightly nervous as to what Pokemon she would choose. She was even more nervous as the thought that she wouldn't even get a choice in the matter crossed her mind. However, she represses these negative emotions and pushes forward with a smile. She'd been around Pokemon for a lot of her life -- some of which were dead Pokemon -- which meant she had no reason to fear. Now, only determination stood in its place.

Striding through the northern entrance of Sandgem Town, she couldn't help but be amazed by the feeling of peace that washed over her and the elemental factors that contributed: the warm sun, crystal sand, shimmering blue water and friendly folk around town instantly gave her the impression that this place, for whatever reason, was an isolated haven. [i]'No wonder the professor has his lab here...'[/i] thought Amy as she began to search the small town for the lab, a relatively easy feat.

As she neared, she spotted a boy standing just outside, seemingly about her own age. He appeared to be talking to himself, or at least deep in thought, and she thought it best not to disturb him, in case he was doing...something. Amy leans against the side of the lab, staring silently at the front door...