So before we get the ball rolling, I just want to say that if anyone wants to send in any OC's to be added to the story, that would be awesome! The OC form is on the bottom of the page, along with a few guidelines.
Note: I do not own Pokemon inc., Nintendo, Game Freak, etc etc.
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Prologue
The Days that have Past
Once upon a time, I lived in a land, known as Kanto. A place that did not seem much like any other place, except that there were these amazing creatures that lived there, called Pokemon. Humans, we were fascinated by the phenomenon known as Pokemon. Some dedicated their lives to unravelling the secrets behind them, others came to view Pokemon as friends or companions. There were others who wanted to capture the Pokemon for themselves, and when they did, wanted to prove that their Pokemon were the strongest of them all. These Pokemon were trained, by people referred to as 'Trainers' or 'Coordinators', to be put into contests and show off their moves, or to do battle against one another to the death. Soon, battling and contests became popular events, and before we knew it, the lives of all began to revolve around the world of Pokemon. Hospital Centers were put up to heal a trainers injured Pokemon, and markets established to buy things to strengthen the abilities of said pokemon. Tournaments were put into place all around the world, and in some places, a supreme Pokemon League was established in order to prove who were the region's strongest trainers, known as the Elite Four.
Before I go on, I will admit to you that I too, was once a Pokemon Trainer. Like all the foolish children my age, I had begged my parents to let me start my journey, to forge a path, to prove to the world that I could be great. We all did. Once I had convinced my parents to let me leave, I travelled all the way to Pallet Town, with the other soon to be trainers, and then pleaded that Professor Oak, who was the head authority of Pokemon research at the time, to give me a pokemon. However, it was me, out of all my peers, who woke up at the crack of dawn, and then proceeded and knocked persistently on the door to the lab, in order to awaken the Professor (Who apparently fell asleep in his Lab) and explain to him my quest. However, I was not alone- two other children, boys from my hometown, had awoken just as early in order to receive their pokemon from the Professor. One had tried to sneak into the lab, but failed, and the other was waiting to ambush the professor once he awoke. I knew them vaguely at the time, but not enough to call them friends. So along with the two of them, I earned one of the few pokemon that he had that day. After much consideration I chose a Bulbasaur, the one who called himself Red picked a Charmander, and the last one, Blue, chose the Squirtle. After thanking the Professor, the three of us made a promise to one another; that we would meet again, all of us being Champions. We shook hands as equals, parted our separate ways, and so began my quest.
I travelled the land, battling trainers wherever I met them, captured all the pokemon that I could, and trained with them vigourously. Throughout my journies I again encountered my would-be rivals, Red and Blue. Sometimes I would hear of how one had challenged a gym leader, or how they had had a match against one another. While the two of them always battled whenever they met, rarely did I battle with either of them. For a while this befuddled me, until I came to the conclusion that they did not consider me to be a proper rival, just another trainer, and that drove me to work even harder. We, my Pokemon and I, became incredibly close, and it was that bond that made us so strong. I conquered all the Gym Leaders, passed every challenge put in front of me, and when I finally was able to battle with the famous Kanto Elite Four, I defeated them. I had achieved what so many had dreamed of- I was a Champion.
It was after I had accomplished my goal, that my passion for battles began to wane. My Pokemon and I had gotten so close, that it pained me too greatly when they suffered in a match, to the point where I was unwilling to battle the challenging trainers who so wished to earn my title. To see my Pokemon, my friends, get injured, and to see my opponents Pokemon get injured, all for the sake of a foolish title such as Champion? The notion quickly started to disgust me. Eventually I abandoned my title, and left the Pokemon League. I refused to battle any trainer who encountered me, and tried to find a way to live a more peaceful life. Often I met up with Red and Blue during their travels, both of them still bent on their paths to become the greatest trainers ever, yet did not pressure me to take up battling again, for which they had my gratitude. I encouraged them as best I could, and eventually they too became Champions- Red had conquered the Johto League, and Blue took over my title as the Kanto Champion. One day, we met in Vermillion City, the three of us- it had been the first time we were all together since that day we received our Pokemon. We shook hands with each other, and congratulated one another, happy for each others victories. Despite the fact that we had rarely seen each other on our journies, we had all grown close, and I considered them to be like family to me. That day we parted ways once again- Red off to take on new challenges in the faraway Sevii Isles, Blue to defend his title, and me to find peace.
Yet how could I find any peace when the world was consumed by ruthless Pokemon Battles? And everywhere I looked, that was what was happening. People battled in tournaments, in the streets of the cities, and the battles were televised in such a way that it was unavoidable. Even my parents, both who had once followed the Pokemon dream, could not understand my aversion to Pokemon battles. When I tried to explain it to them, or to anyone else I had encountered, they were unwilling to listen to my reasons. Once, I had tried to lobby that the battles be banned, that things change. But my words fell on deaf ears- no one cared to hear my voice when there were so many other shouting for another match to continue. And so since society would not heed my pleading, I left society. I sent word to Professor Oak that he should release all of my Pokemon that I had left in his care, unless they chose to stay with him. When he replied and confirmed that my wishes had been carried out, I released my beloved teammates, and told them that if they wished to leave, they could do so. It broke my heart to even consider that one of them would not be with me- Quirky, Michievous Electrabuzz, the ever calm Moltres, Gloom and doom Mr. Mime, the impish, playful Haunter, Jolly (yet sometimes moody) Lapras, and even my cynical, clever Venusaur, my oldest friend. Yet they chose to stay with me, one reason or another, and so our new journey began.
We trudged through the wilderness, over mountains, along rivers, and through the woods, farther away from the world I had always known. It was here we made a new life, on a small field of land by the glacial streams. Together, we built a house from the trees, big enough for all of us. Venusaur and Mr. Mime helped in clearing a plot of land so that we could garden, and Lapras ensured that there was enough rain for the crops to grow. Moltres often would explore the land with Electrabuzz and Haunter (Haunter wouldn't go anywhere without Electrabuzz or Mr. Mime around), and at times I accompanied them. The few times I visited civilsation were to buy supplies, pipes for a water system in the house, a sink, a small fridge, as well as staples such as flour, butter, and seasonings. I also bought tools for the garden, and sometimes I would indulge myself and buy a book. But otherwise, I was rather content to stay within the forests, and the cabin where we lived. There, I could read, cook, study things in nature that you couldn't see anywhere else- I often sent any new findings to Professor Oak, one of my few remaining contacts. And I wrote letters, countless letters, to Red and Blue, asking them how they were, the progress on their adventures, so that when I came to town, I could give it to the local Delibird, which was in charge of the mail. And whenever I received a letter, Delibird would waddle all the way to my cabin and deliver it in person.
We were happy, in this tranquil world of ours.
But as time passed, I noted that when I came to town, things began to change. I would hear hushed snippets of conversation, something about an underground crime syndicate that had arisen from Celadon City. One that had begun using pokemon as tools to commit their crimes. At first, I paid little heed to the rumours that spiralled around, yet the news of this group continued to increase. Like an infectious tumour, this organisation spread out of Celadon into all the major cities, such as Cerulean, Vermillion, and Saffron, and even into smaller towns such as Lavender and Pewter. With the increase in crime, and the Police seeming to make no headway in stopping them, the people in town soon were worrying about it constantly, complaining that something should be done. I understood their plight, but it was only when the activities of the criminals began to seep into the letters of my close friends, that I started to feel concern. Professor Oak sent me letter after letter, furious at the plight of Pokemon being stolen from their own trainers, to be used as weapons, by this nefarious group known as 'Team Rocket'. Blue also mailed me, keeping me updated on what was happening, warning me of their crimes, and that the Elite Four would have to get involved in order to put an end to their schemes. And as for Red, well, after discovering their presence in Johto, he wrote to me that he would not rest until he found the leader and knocked him down once and for all.
Then the most devastating news of all came one day shortly after Red's letter, while I was in town for the day, to grab some rice and soap. The doors to all the houses were locked, most shops saying that they were closed, and only a few people wandering about. I tried to speak to some of them, but they walked right past me, as if I was a phantom. I didn't understand, until I looked at the day old newspapers lying at an abandoned stand. President of Silph. Co Assassinated: Team Rocket takes over Saffron City was the front headline. At the sight of those bold letters, I froze up, and then hastily read the rest of the article. It happened a few days ago, out of the blue, Team Rocket ambushed Saffron City, disabling the Police forces and closing the barriers and gates to the outside world. Any citizens caught on the streets were kidnapped or killed, and once the coast was clear, they went for the head office. In one night, they trapped all the employees, stormed the building, with rumours that the lead of the crime group himself killed Mr. Tajiri, the owner and founder of Silph. Co, as well as his secretary/ wife, Mrs. Tajiri.
Now to someone like me, who lived off the grid, this originally would not have been a problem to me. However, I had once lived in that world, and I knew, as everyone knew, that Silph. Co did not only sell products for pokemon trainers (Potions, Pokeballs, Stat enhancements, etc.)- Silph. Co was Kanto's largest, and most successful, import/ export business. It was through the Silph Company that the whole continent received exports from the neighbouring regions, sold our products to areas such as Hoenn and Johto, and that, on an intercontinental level, merchandise was transported from one city to the next. It was a monopoly, a vast and powerful empire, and essentially controlled the commerce of all of Kanto. Control the commerce, and you control the economy, and as a result, the whole region. Needless to say, this was dire. Before the press was taken over, all that you would hear about for the following weeks was how the city police were trying to keep Team Rocket from further expansion, how the neighbouring regions were unable to provide assistance- Johto was also under invasion from Team Rocket, and its sister organisations, Team Aqua and Magma, were starting a turf war in Hoenn to take advantage of the global state of panic. There were distant lands, such as Sinnoh, Orre, and Unova, but we had no means to contact them, and so our plight continued without their awareness.
There were those who fought valiantly against the Team Rocket takeover, as I heard from the underground radio station which was set up shortly after the media fell under the criminal's control. Pokemon trainers, gym leaders, citizens, all tried to defend themselves and their homes from the intrusion. There were victories, such as when Lt. Surge of Vermillion led an uprising and eliminated all prescence of Team Rocket from the port city. But instead of assisting the surrouding towns, the tunnels and roadways connected to the city were shut down, and Vermillion became a military fort, a safe haven, that refused to further fight back. So while Vermillion was safe, the rest of Kanto was under siege. Celadon City had little hope of rebelling after Erika, their Gym Leader, was kidnapped, and just as quickly, Lavendar Town was also under control. Fuschia City supposedly put up a fight, and at this point, the fighting there has reached a stalemate. Cinnabar Town was left alone for a long time, but when Team Rocket came to attack, they found a well fortified battalion, consisting of rebel trainers and locals, all lead by the genius Blaine himself. It has been said that the criminals have given up that battle for the time being, and that Blaine is attempting to regroup in order to conquer the Seafoam Islands, and then aid Fuschia City in their fight. What has happened to Sabrina, the previous Gym Leader of Saffron, is unknown- when Team Rocket invaded, they found the gym empty, although they instead had quite a time dealing with the Karate Masters from the Dojo.
Quickly Cerulean and Pewter City were captured, and seemingly Viridian feel into the Rockets grasp without any struggle. Which left Pallet Town perfect for the taking- no gym leaders or strong enough trainers to battle against the looming forces. Yet the few, novice trainers that were there made a stand, waiting with their brand new pokemon for a fight, although many of them had not had a proper pokemon battle before. The morning Team Rocket came to Pallet Town, there was a massacre, a slaughtering of the lambs. No one was spared, according to the news reports. And what of the fate of Professor Oak, and his Pokemon Lab? No one was sure. And it was then that I packed my bags, planned a course, and left for my old home. I walked along old trails in the woods, avoiding the towns, and the chaos that was ensuing there, as long as possible. My time in the woods came of more use to me at that time than all my years living there, my movements having grown silent from treading the forest floors, and undetected, a skill that was necessary back then for my survival- I could not always rely on my pokemon to come rescue me, after all.
When I arrived there, I found a prison where Pallet Town, and the neighbouring towns once were. Tall, concrete walls had been erected around the town, with spiked wires all around the place and guards at every entrance. The woods that once surrounded the town had been burnt down, in room to make buildings perhaps, judging by the construction equipment. I managed to sneak past the security, thanks to Mr. Mime levitating us above the wall- the flames from Moltres's wings would have been too noticable for a stealthy entrance. The interior of the prison was a wreck- the houses and buildings were blocked shut, and the streets were being patrolled constantly. We were quiet enough, and watched carefully for camera's and watchmen. I walked right passed my house, and almost contemplated checking on my parents, but as I stared at the dark, empty looking house, as I remembered the arguments I had had with my parents about their indifference to my internal conflict, the feeling that it would do no good to return washed over me, and I kept on going.
By the time I arrived at the lab, it was the earliest hour in the morning, the world still dark save for the few twinkling stars and the smoky city lights. But it was more than enough to see the damage that had been done there- the burnt, decrepit ruins of where the building once was standing, the sign grimy with dirt and ashes. It appears as though no one has bothered to clean it up, or else Team Rocket is leaving it here to instill fear into the populace. However, while no one has cleaned it up, I could easily note that many people had come to visit. Near the tarnished entranceway, an endless supply of flowers had been left there, from elaborate bouquets, to withering daisies that might have been picked in the fields nearby. And not only flowers- all manner of gifts were left at this spot, like offerings at a temple. Money, small, wrapped boxes, Berries, plates of food, beverages, dolls, and clothes were only the beginning. And erected at the front of this giant offering, was a chair, with a picture of Professor Oak on it. In this picture he is holding a pokeball in one hand, and an oddish in the crook of his arm. Though his attention is on the Oddish, the camera captured his profile so that we could see his smiling face.
It is then that I notice all the messages around the picture, on the presents, in fact, everywhere around the site. 'Thank You, Professor!', 'You will be missed', 'The greatest pokemon researcher ever.', and 'Rest in Peace, Professor Oak.' were the more common phrases. Some were written with almost perfect calligraphy writing with multicoloured ink on card paper, others with chicken scratch pencil and looseleaf. A couple of the phrases were spray painted on the signs, and even etched into the few remaining trees. I had nothing with me but a pen, but it was better than nothing. So after carefully avoiding all the gifts left behind, I lean down to the chair where the photo lies, and dig the tip into the wood. It takes a few moments for the ink to start flowing, but once it gets going, it only takes me a minute to scribble down my final words to the Professor. I thought about talking about what an innovator he was, how he was dedicated to his research, how he cared so much for all the people and pokemon around him. But the Professor had seen and heard all of that before, and I needed to get something off my chest to him.
When I had sufficiently vandalised the chair, I scoured my pockets for something to leave behind, and pulled out the Pokedex. Not the National Pokedex that he had only given me a year or two ago, but the first one he ever gave to me. It had dents in it, a minute crack in the glass screen, but all in all, it was in decent condition. I wipe it with my jacket sleeve, trying to bring some shine to it, and then lay it down, next to the leg of his chair. I promised him that I would complete the National Pokedex, and so I shall keep that. But I feel that he would understand my meaning when I left him my original Pokedex. I took one last look at the place where my adventure started, where I received my first pokemon, where I made a promise which turned three complete strangers into the closest of friends. And with that, I left the memorial, and was out of the remains of Pallet Town before the sun could rise.
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Why did I not act sooner? Why is it that I waited, as if indifferent to the consequences of what was occuring around me? It is a question I still ask myself to this day. I was once a trainer, a formidable one at that. I could have fought like the others did, those who knew next to nothing but were brave enough to fight. Red and Blue...they never would have just stand aside and watch this happen. They fought, they tried noblely to stop the madness, and would never give up. And as a result... they are gone. Captured, killed, or hiding, I do not know. And maybe, had I been there to help them, instead of cowering in my seclusive domain like a hermit, they would still be here.
I will not let their sacrifice be in vain. I will find where they both are, somehow. Even if I have to search every nook and cranny, every tree and bush or cave in Kanto, I shall find them. And I will avenge Professor Oak, The President, and all that these criminals have harmed. I will find their leader, and do to him the same courtesy as he had done to Mr. Tajiri. I will make them suffer, for the pain they have caused, and then, I shall crush their Tyranny if it is the last thing I do. Even if I have to do it by myself, I will do it. No matter what happens...
I will not fail.
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Yea, so that is the prologue. Just a note, I am writing this from Leaf's perspective mostly, but as more characters get involved in the storyline, I shall likely incorporate their perspectives as well.
Please Read and Review, Thanks!
Oh, and the OC form is right here!
Guidelines
You can create up to two character profiles to submit as OCs.
No Mary or Gary Sues... well, at least not too many of them please.
If you are a Pokemon Trainer, no more than six Pokemon please. They can have more than four moves though, as long as those moves are naturally learned by said pokemon.
Can we avoid having Trainers with super duper rare pokemon (Ex. Mewtwo, Mew, Kyogre, Groudon, Ho-oh, Lugia, Deoxys, Celebi, etc.)? The Rare Bird and Dog pokemon are permitted though.
Make your characters creative! Good guys, bad guys, the folks in between the two, anything goes. Just have fun with it.
OC Form
Name (First, Last):
Age (8-30):
Gender:
Hometown:
Appearence (4-6 sentences):
Personality (4-8 sentences):
History (4-8 sentences):
Occupation (Pokemon Trainer, Citizen, Pokemon Breeder, Criminal, Coordinator, Grocery Store Clerk, etc etc.):
If you have Pokemon (Up to 6); Names, Nicknames, Personality (Optional), Moves (Optional), etc.
Affiliation (Team Rocket, The Rebels, Bystander, Undecided, No clue? etc.):
Other information:
Thanks!
clarinetti