Pokemon: Modest Love - Prologue

It was one faithful day; we took a trip to SnowPoint City in Sinnoh. I was young, probably around five or six. I still recall that I was wearing my green knit cap, PokéGloves, and a dark green jacket. My parents were in the SnowPoint Lodge, at the top of the big hill. I tried to pull them outside to sled, to no avail. With a groan, I pulled out the Pokéball-shaped, navy blue sled and set it up. With my small, blurry eyes, I could see nothing but powdery white snow. Plopping myself down onto it, I set course for enjoyment!

Pushing myself down the hill, I felt the crispy, cool air as it repetitively hit my face. As a child you only live in the moment, so I kept my eyes closed and continued my contentment. To this day, I don't know what my small body went over when I slammed off of the sled. Not much pain was felt though, with all of my jacket padding and piles of new snow. I grabbed the sled, and squinted through the area. I immediately saw a gray area, an opening to a cave. I ran over, to protect myself from the now heavy-falling snow.

Getting to the opening was a sense of relief, with my shivering, cold body to agree. As I sat down, I put my head between my legs and started crying a helpless, child cry. When I quieted, I heard the snow outside settle a bit. As I lifted my head, I heard a tiny "plop!" from the darkness a bit deeper in the cave. Quickly getting over the sadness and fear, I got up and walked to the mute-like sound.

As I walked through, there were a few Golbats and Zubats on the walls and ceilings. As I stared in horror, I heard the sound again. As the "plop!" happened, a few Zubats screeched and flew off in a flock deeper into the cave. I kept walking, and the sound happened two more times, at my feet. I felt excited, yet tears ran down my cheeks at the same time. I bent down, to feel for the sound. As I moved my hands, I only heard the snowfall pick back up. I then touched the object, which was smooth and spherical. I slowly tried lifting it, which I did pretty easily. I picked the object up, stood up, and jet out of there faster than a Jolteon.

As I walked from the cave and into the light, I silently gasped as I saw the cream and green-colored Pokémon Egg. I then held it against my small chest, knowing that something inside of me instantly changed. Warming it up the best I could, I started up the huge hill, heading for the lodge. Walking carefully, I secured it with my feeble, mitten-covered hands.

Finally making it to the lodge, I showed my parents what I found. "Look, look!!" I recall. After a little examining, I took off my jacket and other things, and sat in front of the first, holding the egg. It was not long after when we took the S.S. Anne back to Hoenn, to our home in Slateport City.

Smelling the morning seawater, I took the egg out to the beach with me. Rubbing sand over it, I thought it would help the Pokémon inside learn what the world around it would be like. I then took the egg to Mauville with my father, to pick a cake out for my birthday the next day. We decided to have small family party, because we thought a big party would disrupt the egg. After picking out a big chocolate cake, we headed back home, to get to bed for the party tomorrow. I put the egg next to me, waiting and wondering for when it would hatch. And more importantly, what's in it?

"Daryl, get down here! It's morning!" I hear my mother howl from downstairs. I woke up with a groan, but then immediately smiled remembering the day it was. I grabbed the rustling egg and sped downstairs.

"Good morning!!" I yelled. I saw a cake sat down in front of dad's chair, which I only got to sit in once every year.

"Your father and I thought we'd have the cake for breakfast, so we can go out and have fun later!" my mother said. My father stood behind, nodding happily. I sat down, as the egg in my arms started shaking more and more. It makes my arms shake, so I was nervous. Just as my dad lit a match for the cake, I jumped out of my chair and to the floor, sitting on a partly flatted fluffy rug. I held the egg in my arms, as my parents stood in awe. The egg then started cracking from the top and down the sides, falling into my hands and the rug.

The Pokémon slowly opened its pure red eyes, and blinked. It looked up at me, with a tired smile on its face.

"…Riiiiiolu…." It softly cried, smiling at me. I then openly smiled, with tears starting to run down my face. I looked up to my parents where my father was smiling and hugging my crying mother. Looking back down at Riolu, I took his body and lifted him.
"Good morning, Riolu. I'm Daryl. I am your father. Welcome to the family…" I whispered to the child, as I felt my cheek muscles tightening from tears. I then held him to my chest, felt his tiny heartbeat.  I knew at this point, this would be the start of a loving, wonderful friendship.