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Description
Tea's Sinnoh Story
A Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Story

Sandgem Town

A brief stop in Canalave and then the boat pulled in Sandgem a few hours later. Standing on the deck, I felt the breezes grow warmer and I pulled off my parka. Resisting the temptation to throw it overboard, I stuffed it into my bag.

With a new sound, the ferry announced our arrival. A breath of warm salty air filled my lungs. Reminding myself to change into my Clampearl digger shorts, I smoothed the fabric of my jeans as I walked down the steps and onto the dock.

"Route 219," The attendant announced to the passenger's departing. "Head north for Sandgem."

The sand under my sneakers reminded me of the snow drifts up north. But I certainly wasn't dressed for snow in my sleeveless top. It was one I'd designed with my mom. The collar was high and a little stiff. The fabric was my signature orange and it fastened at the right shoulder since my left one was covered by my ponytail.

The sun was high in the afternoon sky as I made the walk up the beach to Sandgem town. Small quaint signs directed me through the red and blue roofed houses to Professor Rowan's lab. I couldn't wait to see what was waiting for me inside.

"Hello?" I pushed open the door. "Professor Rowan?"

"About time," The mustachioed man walking around the corner paused when he saw me shutting the door. "Oh. I wasn't expecting you until later. You're Tea, right?"

"Yes," I held out my hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Tea you're in luck," Professor Rowan shook my hand briefly before beckoning me towards a shiny machine. "I was expecting some trainers much earlier, but they seem to be lagging on the long journey all the way from Twinleaf."

"Isn't Twinleaf one Route south?" I asked.

"Very good," Professor Rowan looked pleased. "How did you know that?"

"My dad really likes maps," I tapped my temple. "Name a Route and I could probably name what region and cities surround it."

"Well that should come in handy," Professor Rowan waved his hand at the three shiny white and red Pokeballs sitting in the machine. "Since you are the first one here, you get first choice of your starter."

"Really?" I squeaked.

He nodded and grabbed one of the Pokeballs. Pressing the button on the front, a red light shone and a shape materialized in front of me. "I think you'll like this one."

"Chimchar!" Sang a nearly two foot tall monkey Pokemon with orange flame for a tail.

I squealed. "Orange!"

"Would you like to see the others?" Professor Rowan chuckled. "There's a Water and Grass type to consider as well."

"Look we match," I pointed to my shirt and then fanned out my nails to show the Pokemon. "What's your name?"

"This is Chimchar," Professor Rowan said. "She's a fire type."

"Chimchar, huh?" I crouched in front of her. "My name is Tea."

She cocked her head, her gaze was drawn to my nails when they caught the sunlight and sparkled.

"Would you like to be my team mate?" I asked. She sniffed my hand before taking it in her own and turning it back and forth. We watched the gold glitter emerge from the orange. With a sudden squeal, Chimchar climbed up my arm and perched on my left shoulder.

"I think that's a yes," Professor Rowan laughed. "I normally don't receive female starter Pokemon. You two are in luck."

"I think I'll call you Chai," I told Chimchar. "That's my favorite kind of tea."

With a noise of agreement, she set to work grooming my ponytail. It was actually kind of soothing although I hoped she wasn't finding any bugs or something equally gross.

"She's so warm," I said. "After fifteen years in the snow, Chai you are perfect for me."

"Ah that's right you're from Snowpoint," Professor Rowan smiled. "Now I have one more gift for you before you go."

"I bet it's not better than Chai," I smiled at my new Pokemon. She beamed back before resuming untangling my hair.

"Probably not," Professor Rowan laughed again. "This device here is a PokeDex. It would really help my research if you use it to record all of your Pokemon encounters. It has some other interesting features that will let you access your team's stats, their moves, and other useful information like their favorite sorts of foods."

"Wow," I pointed the pink device at Chimchar and listened to the description. I then flipped through the screens to see her information. "So you like dry food?"

"Make sure you stop by the PokeMart and they will set you up with a Pokemon food kit," Professor Rowan said. "You can also buy health items like Potions and Pokeballs to catch new team members. Stop by the Pokemon Center as well. You can call your parents and let them know you arrived safely. Each town has a Pokemon Center that you can rest at instead of sleeping int the field if you so choose."

"Thanks Professor," I said. "But before we go, may I use your restroom? I want to change into some shorts."

"Sure thing," Professor Rowan pointed down the hallway. "First door on the right."

Grabbing my bag from the floor, I was careful to make sure Chai didn't topple off my shoulder as I moved. It took a little getting used to since Coconut and Mango had been way too big to ever sit on my shoulder. But Chai couldn't have weighed more than fourteen pounds at the most. I'd just have to make sure I switched shoulders frequently so I didn't get sore carrying her around.

With my shorts on and my jeans stuffed in my bag, Chai clung to my shoulder as we walked back down the hallway. I thought about just heading for the door, but voices stopped me. Professor Rowan and someone new. Plus I had to grab Chai's Pokeball from Professor Rowan.

"Sorry to interrupt," I bowed my head in apology as I walked into the room. "But I forgot Chai's Pokeball, Professor."

"No need to apologize," Professor Rowan said. "Here you are."

The ball came at me and I fumbled. But Chai managed to grab it and with an adorable laugh she handed it to me. Beaming at my clever Pokemon, I tucked the ball into the first slot on my belt. Only when I looked up did I realize how crowded the room had become.

I'd been worried about being the oldest person getting my starter, but the guys who'd suddenly appeared were definitely older than me by a year or two. The taller of the two had dark red hair that was buzzed on both side of his head. His eyes were a earthy brown and his smile was one that screamed trouble. His clothes carried a similar rock star vibe with a black tank top, leather boots, and a sparkly chain hanging from the belt of his black cargo pants. The other one was only shorter than the first by a few inches. His hair was a shaggy mess of rich mahogany and his eyes were a brilliant cobalt blue. His clothes were more casual with sage green cargo pants and a short sleeved black button down shirt. He was holding a royal blue hat in his hand.

"These two trainers are from Twinleaf town," Professor Rowan began the introductions. "I was expecting them much earlier in the day but they decided to keep me waiting."

"We said we were sorry," Red buzz cut came dangerously close to whining. "We're here now."

"Well since Tea was here first she got first pick of her starter," Professor Rowan pointed to the Pokemon on my shoulder. "Though I'm not sure if she chose Chimchar or if it was the other way around."

"Tea?" Blue eyes looked amused. "Your name is Tea?"

"And this is Chai," I pointed to my Pokemon. The boys shared a look. "Something funny about my name?"

"Tea, this is Coffee," Professor Rowan pointed to blue eyes. "And Cola." Red buzz cut. "They're brothers."

"Are you kidding me?" Now I was starting to giggle. "This is a joke right?"

"No joke," Coffee pulled his hat over his messy brown hair. "Weird coincidence, huh?"

He turned to his brother and noticed Cola was pointing a sleek black Pokedex at Chai. Coffee pulled out a deep blue Pokedex and mirrored the movement.

"These two have to pick their starters," Professor Rowan said. "But Tea you're free to head to the Pokemon Center and PokeMart. It's pretty late in the day so you may want to stick to the nearby Routes for training before you bunk down for the night. I wouldn't try for Jubilife City until the morning."

"Thank you for the advice," I said. "And for the Pokemon."

"Good luck, Tea."

"See ya, beverage brothers!" I waved over my shoulder as I headed for the door. I laughed when Chai echoed the cadence of my voice and my wave.

Description
Tea's Sinnoh Story
A Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Story

Sandgem Town

A brief stop in Canalave and then the boat pulled in Sandgem a few hours later. Standing on the deck, I felt the breezes grow warmer and I pulled off my parka. Resisting the temptation to throw it overboard, I stuffed it into my bag.

With a new sound, the ferry announced our arrival. A breath of warm salty air filled my lungs. Reminding myself to change into my Clampearl digger shorts, I smoothed the fabric of my jeans as I walked down the steps and onto the dock.

"Route 219," The attendant announced to the passenger's departing. "Head north for Sandgem."

The sand under my sneakers reminded me of the snow drifts up north. But I certainly wasn't dressed for snow in my sleeveless top. It was one I'd designed with my mom. The collar was high and a little stiff. The fabric was my signature orange and it fastened at the right shoulder since my left one was covered by my ponytail.

The sun was high in the afternoon sky as I made the walk up the beach to Sandgem town. Small quaint signs directed me through the red and blue roofed houses to Professor Rowan's lab. I couldn't wait to see what was waiting for me inside.

"Hello?" I pushed open the door. "Professor Rowan?"

"About time," The mustachioed man walking around the corner paused when he saw me shutting the door. "Oh. I wasn't expecting you until later. You're Tea, right?"

"Yes," I held out my hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Tea you're in luck," Professor Rowan shook my hand briefly before beckoning me towards a shiny machine. "I was expecting some trainers much earlier, but they seem to be lagging on the long journey all the way from Twinleaf."

"Isn't Twinleaf one Route south?" I asked.

"Very good," Professor Rowan looked pleased. "How did you know that?"

"My dad really likes maps," I tapped my temple. "Name a Route and I could probably name what region and cities surround it."

"Well that should come in handy," Professor Rowan waved his hand at the three shiny white and red Pokeballs sitting in the machine. "Since you are the first one here, you get first choice of your starter."

"Really?" I squeaked.

He nodded and grabbed one of the Pokeballs. Pressing the button on the front, a red light shone and a shape materialized in front of me. "I think you'll like this one."

"Chimchar!" Sang a nearly two foot tall monkey Pokemon with orange flame for a tail.

I squealed. "Orange!"

"Would you like to see the others?" Professor Rowan chuckled. "There's a Water and Grass type to consider as well."

"Look we match," I pointed to my shirt and then fanned out my nails to show the Pokemon. "What's your name?"

"This is Chimchar," Professor Rowan said. "She's a fire type."

"Chimchar, huh?" I crouched in front of her. "My name is Tea."

She cocked her head, her gaze was drawn to my nails when they caught the sunlight and sparkled.

"Would you like to be my team mate?" I asked. She sniffed my hand before taking it in her own and turning it back and forth. We watched the gold glitter emerge from the orange. With a sudden squeal, Chimchar climbed up my arm and perched on my left shoulder.

"I think that's a yes," Professor Rowan laughed. "I normally don't receive female starter Pokemon. You two are in luck."

"I think I'll call you Chai," I told Chimchar. "That's my favorite kind of tea."

With a noise of agreement, she set to work grooming my ponytail. It was actually kind of soothing although I hoped she wasn't finding any bugs or something equally gross.

"She's so warm," I said. "After fifteen years in the snow, Chai you are perfect for me."

"Ah that's right you're from Snowpoint," Professor Rowan smiled. "Now I have one more gift for you before you go."

"I bet it's not better than Chai," I smiled at my new Pokemon. She beamed back before resuming untangling my hair.

"Probably not," Professor Rowan laughed again. "This device here is a PokeDex. It would really help my research if you use it to record all of your Pokemon encounters. It has some other interesting features that will let you access your team's stats, their moves, and other useful information like their favorite sorts of foods."

"Wow," I pointed the pink device at Chimchar and listened to the description. I then flipped through the screens to see her information. "So you like dry food?"

"Make sure you stop by the PokeMart and they will set you up with a Pokemon food kit," Professor Rowan said. "You can also buy health items like Potions and Pokeballs to catch new team members. Stop by the Pokemon Center as well. You can call your parents and let them know you arrived safely. Each town has a Pokemon Center that you can rest at instead of sleeping int the field if you so choose."

"Thanks Professor," I said. "But before we go, may I use your restroom? I want to change into some shorts."

"Sure thing," Professor Rowan pointed down the hallway. "First door on the right."

Grabbing my bag from the floor, I was careful to make sure Chai didn't topple off my shoulder as I moved. It took a little getting used to since Coconut and Mango had been way too big to ever sit on my shoulder. But Chai couldn't have weighed more than fourteen pounds at the most. I'd just have to make sure I switched shoulders frequently so I didn't get sore carrying her around.

With my shorts on and my jeans stuffed in my bag, Chai clung to my shoulder as we walked back down the hallway. I thought about just heading for the door, but voices stopped me. Professor Rowan and someone new. Plus I had to grab Chai's Pokeball from Professor Rowan.

"Sorry to interrupt," I bowed my head in apology as I walked into the room. "But I forgot Chai's Pokeball, Professor."

"No need to apologize," Professor Rowan said. "Here you are."

The ball came at me and I fumbled. But Chai managed to grab it and with an adorable laugh she handed it to me. Beaming at my clever Pokemon, I tucked the ball into the first slot on my belt. Only when I looked up did I realize how crowded the room had become.

I'd been worried about being the oldest person getting my starter, but the guys who'd suddenly appeared were definitely older than me by a year or two. The taller of the two had dark red hair that was buzzed on both side of his head. His eyes were a earthy brown and his smile was one that screamed trouble. His clothes carried a similar rock star vibe with a black tank top, leather boots, and a sparkly chain hanging from the belt of his black cargo pants. The other one was only shorter than the first by a few inches. His hair was a shaggy mess of rich mahogany and his eyes were a brilliant cobalt blue. His clothes were more casual with sage green cargo pants and a short sleeved black button down shirt. He was holding a royal blue hat in his hand.

"These two trainers are from Twinleaf town," Professor Rowan began the introductions. "I was expecting them much earlier in the day but they decided to keep me waiting."

"We said we were sorry," Red buzz cut came dangerously close to whining. "We're here now."

"Well since Tea was here first she got first pick of her starter," Professor Rowan pointed to the Pokemon on my shoulder. "Though I'm not sure if she chose Chimchar or if it was the other way around."

"Tea?" Blue eyes looked amused. "Your name is Tea?"

"And this is Chai," I pointed to my Pokemon. The boys shared a look. "Something funny about my name?"

"Tea, this is Coffee," Professor Rowan pointed to blue eyes. "And Cola." Red buzz cut. "They're brothers."

"Are you kidding me?" Now I was starting to giggle. "This is a joke right?"

"No joke," Coffee pulled his hat over his messy brown hair. "Weird coincidence, huh?"

He turned to his brother and noticed Cola was pointing a sleek black Pokedex at Chai. Coffee pulled out a deep blue Pokedex and mirrored the movement.

"These two have to pick their starters," Professor Rowan said. "But Tea you're free to head to the Pokemon Center and PokeMart. It's pretty late in the day so you may want to stick to the nearby Routes for training before you bunk down for the night. I wouldn't try for Jubilife City until the morning."

"Thank you for the advice," I said. "And for the Pokemon."

"Good luck, Tea."

"See ya, beverage brothers!" I waved over my shoulder as I headed for the door. I laughed when Chai echoed the cadence of my voice and my wave.