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A '''Pokémon journey''' is a quest undertaken by a {{pkmn|Trainer}} to learn to live and work with Pokémon. Pokémon journeys have many different possibilities, with some Trainers choosing to gather a [[region]]'s [[Badge]]s from its [[Pokémon Gym]]s, their ultimate goal being the [[Pokémon League]]. For these Trainers, strategy is key, and they must learn to work in all sorts of circumstances to become the very best. Other Trainers instead choose to become {{pkmn|Coordinator}}s, competing in [[Pokémon Contest]]s with the goal of winning the [[Grand Festival]], gathering [[Ribbons]] by competing in contests all over.

A person's Pokémon journey can begin as early as the age of 10, when they can first legally apply for a [[Pokémon Trainer's license]]. It is at this point that a [[Pokémon Professor]] or other League-sanctioned official can give them a [[starter Pokémon]] native to their own region, though many people befriend other Pokémon prior to being legally able to be Trainers.

Pokémon Trainers may choose to journey alone or with friends and people they meet along the way. On their journey, Trainers can stay at a [[Pokémon Center]] free of charge, where their Pokémon can be healed by the resident [[Nurse Joy|nurse]].

==In the games==
The [[main series]] games chronicle the Pokémon journey of an individual Trainer, the {{player}}, across a region that is dependent on the game being played. This journey is typically focused on defeating the region's eight Pokémon Gyms, defeating the [[Elite Four]], and becoming the {{pkmn|Champion}}, though there are often sidequests along the way. A [[villainous team]] will always show up during the journey to impede the player's progress, and often, after the Pokémon League has been conquered, several post-League areas are available to continue the journey.

While sending ten-year-old children alone on a Pokémon journey is a normal part of life in the [[Pokémon world]], many [[mom|mothers]] remain understandably hesitant at letting their children grow up.

==In the anime==
[[File:Ash Journey Beginning.png|thumb|240px|right|Ash, ready to go on a new journey]]
The {{pkmn|anime}} follows the Pokémon journey of [[Ash Ketchum]], who started off with his first Pokémon, a {{AP|Pikachu}}, in [[EP001|the first episode]], and as of this point has journeyed across several regions, competing in each of their Pokémon Leagues. His ultimate goal is to become a [[Pokémon Master]], while he is joined by several {{ashfr|friends}} along the way, each with their own goals.

A Pokémon journey in the anime is considered to be a rite of passage. [[Delia Ketchum|Ash's mother]] has little misgivings about letting him go; her own husband, Ash's father, is in fact still on his own Pokémon journey. Other adults, such as {{an|Silver}}, are also still traveling with their Pokémon, and several adult Trainers, such as [[Cynthia]], have attained a status that allows them to remain in one place rather than traveling. Other adults, however, such as {{an|Mandy}}, see an adult on a Pokémon journey to be somewhat immature, preferring that they settle down instead.

==In the manga==
Each of the various [[Pokémon manga]] describe the Pokémon journey of their protagonists.

===Pokémon Adventures===
Pokémon Adventures follows the journeys of its protagonists in each of their self-named chapters: {{adv|Red}}, {{adv|Blue}}, and {{adv|Green}} star in the {{chap|Red, Green & Blue}}, {{adv|Yellow}} stars in the {{chap|Yellow}}, {{Adv|Gold}}, {{Adv|Silver}}, and {{Adv|Crystal}} star in the {{chap|Gold, Silver & Crystal}}, {{Adv|Ruby}} and {{Adv|Sapphire}} star in the {{chap|Ruby & Sapphire}}, and are joined by {{adv|Emerald}} in the {{chap|Emerald}} with Gold and Crystal also join in later on, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Silver return to the forefront in the {{chap|FireRed & LeafGreen}}, {{Adv|Diamond}}, {{Adv|Pearl}}, and {{Adv|Platinum}} star in the {{chap|Diamond & Pearl}}, while Platinum goes it alone in the {{chap|Platinum}}, Gold, Silver, and Crystal star again in the {{chap|HeartGold & SoulSilver}}, and {{Adv|Black}} and {{Adv|White}} star in the {{chap|Black & White}}.

[[Category:Terminology]]