* Just Go Along With It *

At the words "Pokémon Raffle" your heart skips a beat. This must be how you would get your first Pokémon and start your journey towards being Kanto League Champion!

You put on your cap and gown as fast as you can and follow the man, who is apparently your roommate, across a small college campus to sit in the back of a crowd of other graduating students. Shortly Professor Oak appears, and gives a short speech about going out into the world and finding gainful employment in a tough jobs market and always remembering the lessons and friendships formed while you attended "University of Kanto at Pallet Town".

The students are then called up to receive their diplomas, graduation ribbons, and raffle cards. You're close to the front of the line, it seems in this world your name really IS "Yolanda Saffron Bridges" and then you wait through over a thousand other people while cameras flash and strobe constantly.

Finally, the raffle happens, you wait anxiously as they go through over 1000 numbers, handing out Lots of Pokémon, most of them the common things like Spearow, Pidgy and Ratata, but growing more unusual as things go on. Some people get nothing, like you, while others, the ones who graduated with honors, often get two, three, or even four Pokémon. Then it is announced that it's time for the grand prize drawing: nine lucky students will be able to pick from the "special starter" Pokemon: Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander!

You cross not only all your fingers but toes too, and pray!