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I was in my last week of being 8 years of age. To many children around that age, it would be a year later that they grow anxious and excited; for when a child turns 10, he or she begins his journey as a Pokémon trainer. However, it was a different story for my special case.

I never really wanted to be a pokémon trainer, traveling the regions and lands, trying to capture a bunch of creatures to make them battle and in turn make a name for myself. Everyone did it, and I've never been one to 'hop on bandwagons'. Instead, I wanted to study them, like my father, and my grandfather had done.

The Wrynn family, my family, have been and continue to be very respected names in the field of pokémon research, more specifically in the area of Aura. While all living creatures contain within them Aura, the life essence, some can actually control it, harness it and use it. Although the family business is on its face simply behavioral research, everyone who knows us knows that Aura is what really comes of interest.

Returning to the aforementioned time setting, upcoming my 9th birthday, I had been visiting my grandfather, Archie Wrynn at his manor in Lilycove City. I had been there for a little over a week, enjoying the Autumn festivities with my grandparents and getting to meet several new pokémon for the first time. There were several pokémon around the manor (obviously), many of which had slight or well developed auramatic control. I had already known a little about aura, but I learned much, much more from watching and taking care of Archie's pokémon. I found it fascinating how his espeon and umbreon could run so fast through forests and crowded streets with their eyelids shut and never hit a thing. Same with his scarmory, Icarus, which was seemingly un-hittable by pokémon attacks in battles, even ones coming from the behind. Archie said it was their aura, letting them see things they wouldn't otherwise be able to.

I decided to explore some neighboring forests with Icarus, and stopped in a small clearing to look around. As I was picking some interesting looking flowers, rustling in a nearby bush startled me. I looked to Icarus, who either didn't hear it, or simply didn't care.
"Does he know something I don't...?" I remember asking to myself. As I approached the bush, I noticed a shiny black blade-like thing. I went to touch it, when it leaped out of the bush, attached to an absol who was now running out of the forest and toward town. Icarus still seemed like he had no idea what was going on. "What happened to the all-knowing bird from yesterday?"

The next day was my birthday. I was indeed excited, about as much as any child that age would be. I was awakened by Archie's ever charming espeon, who led me downstairs to a chorus of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
My family had been waiting for me, and I was greeted with a delectable feast, many desserts and dozens of presents. This was the norm for a birthday in my family; there was always a celebration and money was never an factor. The well-funded business helped in that.

After opening many large packages (a new bike, some pokégear that I had no idea what it did at the time, a new gaming console and a large and comfy poképillow), I noticed a very small and round present. Not used to seeing such small gifts, I was intrigued. "To Arc, Love Grandpa Archie" was scribbled on the tag. This puzzled me even more, as Grandpa was undoubtedly the one who would always give the biggest gifts. I tore off the paper to find inside, a pokéball. It was just your average pokéball, white and red, nothing special.
I was now even more confused, because everyone knows all children begin trainer journeys when they turn 10, so how was I supposed to catch a pokémon with this ball if I have no pokémon to begin with?

"Haha, call out the pokémon inside, Arc!" Archie said. I looked back to the pokéball, and kind of tossed it onto the ground; not really knowing how to 'call out' a pokémon at the time. It opened, and after a flash of white, an absol stood looking up at me.
I didn't really know what to think at that point. So much was running through my head; Where did Grandpa get this absol? Was it his all along? Am I supposed to go travel the world now? I don't want to leave my parents yet!

Archie seemed to sense this, and came over and smiled at me, resting his hand on my shoulder and said, "Arc, I'm not sending you away, if you want to become a trainer, that's your own choice. I'm simply giving you this absol to watch over you, and keep you company. She's been around here far too long, and any town other than here will make her happy I'm sure. And whatever choice you decide to make, I'm sure she'll be more than happy to accompany you." He smiled his old smile and gave me a pat on the head, and I was the happiest I had been in as long as I could remember.

However, all good things must come to an end. As much as I wanted it to, the party didn't last all week, and soon it was time to head home. I bid my farewells, and left with my Mom and Dad to head back home. Archie waved us off at the gate, he was smiling, and I could just make out tears sparkling in the corners of his eyes.

When we arrived home, I gave my parents the usual "I wish we could have stayed longer..." speech. They simply smiled to themselves and nodded it off. Besides, I wasn't really too upset; I was so excited about having my very own pokémon! I immediately started to think of a name for it, and came up with a lot of wonderfully terrible ideas. I decided I'd wait until I thought of the perfect one.

The next day, I was awoken early by the telephone. Knowing I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, I got up and started to get changed. I was interrupted half way however, by my mother rushing into my room. "Arc, dear, we need to head back to Lilycove. Please get your things". Her words were short-breathed, and she seemed like she might cry. I was a slight excited to head back to Grandpa's, but I didn't like how Mom was talking.

When we arrived, I learned the mind-striking news that Grandpa Archie had just passed away, during his sleep. Being 9 years old, I had already grasped the concept of death, but never thought it'd be so close to home, so soon. I was almost in denial; how could Grandpa die...? He was, he was Grandpa. Who was I supposed to go visit in the Fall now? Who would go on hikes with me in the forests around Lilycove? It was too much for my mind to handle.

Once I had calmed down some, my father found me sitting at the water's edge, throwing rocks into the ocean. He sat next to me, and for a while we didn't say anything. Just sat there, staring out to sea.
After what felt like half an hour, I broke the silence and asked, "...So did that absol Grandpa gave me have a name...?"

"..Omen. Her...her name is Omen."

The name just seemed to fit. So that's what I kept it.