[colour=darkblue][centre][h1]Rory O'Dowd[/h1][/centre][/colour]

It was another sunny day just outside of Highhill Town, and Rory O'Dowd was sleeping soundly in his bed, later than his parents would have liked, yet again. Yet again, however, one of the ranch's Shelloses came into Rory's bedroom, nudging him gently, "Shell," it said, trying to wake him up, "Shellos!"

Rory opened his eyes slowly, before yawning and stretching his arms. "Morning, Shellos," he said, before rubbing Shellos's head.

"Shell!" it responded.

"What time is it?" Rory asked to nobody before checking his clock. "Hmm, I should probably get going," he said to himself, "I wonder if I have time for a quick swim,"

As if trying to tell Rory that he didn't have time, a Wingull flew in with a map its beak, before dropping it on Rory's bedisde table. "Gull! Wingull!"

Rory chuckled to himself, "Yeah, I probably don't have time. I'm sure I'll have a chance to swim soon, though," he said before starting to get dressed

"Rory! Are you awake?" Rory's father boomed out from downstairs.

"Yeah, just getting dressed!" Rory called back, pulling his shirt on. Just as he finished getting dressed, he heard a knock on his door. "You can come in," he said. His father walked in, with a Tyrogue sitting on his shoulders. "Ready to become a pokemon trainer?" he asked Rory.

"Yeah!" Rory smiled, "I've been waiting ages for this chance,"

"So now you can go and beat all of the gym leaders in Isson," his father replied,

"Or..." his mother said, walking into the room, "You can go and win all of the Pokémon Contests in Isson"

"That's true," his father agreed, "but I'm sure you'd prefer fighting with your pokémon, wouldn't you?"

"I'm not really sure," Rory admitted, "I'll have to see how I feel a bit further down the line,"

"That's perfectly fine," his mother told him, before lifting up his rucksack, "I've already packed this for you, there's food, drink, and some changes of clothes. And some swimming trunks and a towel, I know how you love to swim."

"Thanks, Mum," Rory grinned before hugging his mum, before hugging his dad, "Thanks Dad."

"Now, don't go getting yourself into any trouble," Rory's dad told him.

"I'll try not to, thanks," Rory said, before walking downstairs and opening the front door.

"And don't forget to call us when you get your first pokémon! We want to know what it is!" Rory's mum called out.

"Okay, I won't" Rory called back before shutting the door, and started the walk to Pureplain City.

The journey along Route 1 to Pureplain City wasn't particularly eventful. He had gone this way a few times before, although he had been in a car with one or both of his parents those times. Walking the route, however, allowed him to appreciate the beauty of the nature, and it also meant that he would be able to see the pokémon better. He had even managed to stroke one or two of them.

After the fairly uneventful walk to Pureplain City, Rory had arrived in Pureplain City. After going to a shop to stock up on some food and drink, he found directions to Professor Kalmia's laboratory. He made his way over there, before ringing the doorbell, and waiting for the professor.

[@PlatinumSkink]