Pokémon: Delta Emerald

Chapter 1: A Journey's Beginning

…Seven years ago…

On an island just south of the Hoenn region, in a tall tower that stood in its center, scientists were up late filing away some of their recent studies, unaware of a shadow lurking just outside the door to their lab. "Well, that should just about wrap up the Dusclops study," a young scientist said, wiping off his glasses. "Sir?"

An older scientist gave a nod, rising from his seat and locking the computer system for the night. "I would agree. Go home – get some rest. You young people need your sleep." The younger scientist smiled and went for the door. "Umm, Jim, why don't you go out the west exit? I need you to stop by and make sure that the side door is locked down."

Jim turned with a puzzled expression. "Sir? Doesn't the cleaning crew…"

"They took off early tonight," the older scientist interrupted. "I want to make sure they didn't make any mistakes in their haste. Go on now."

"…" The younger scientist didn't argue, going to the other door and heading downstairs and home for the night.

"…You can come in, if you like," the older scientist called toward the main doors once Jim was gone. "I imagine it gets tiresome, waiting out there so long like that." After a moment's hesitation the main doors slowly opened and a young man came in. He was dressed in a seafoam green tight-waisted coat with four, dark green circles on it, over a dark green shirt that covered his neck, and wore a dark green headband with short, light green hair. He also wore dark green pants and light green shoes.

The man smirked and pulled a pokeball from his belt. "Well, you've got some good instincts for an old-timer," he complimented, tossing the pokeball up and down in his hand.

The older scientist smirked. "Yeah, and I'm not a bad battler, either," he replied, pulling open a side of his coat to reveal six ultra balls.

"Impressive," the intruder complimented with a hint of surprise.

"I've had my share of battles," the scientist said. "Helps to be able to protect your work when you have a project as secret as this one."

"So then, you know why I'm here?" the man asked. The scientist gave a nod and the man's smile fell. "Then you know I'm not leaving without those research files. Go, Salamence!" he called as he tossed the pokeball, releasing a powerful Salamence.

"Mawile, now!" the scientists shouted, releasing a Mawile. "Use rough play!" Mawile rushed Salamence and a pink cloud shrouded the two pokemon as battling sounds could be heard. The scientist smirked but when the cloud vanished Salamence was barely damaged. "What!?" the scientist shouted in shock. "But, Salamence is a dragon-type pokemon! Fairy-type attacks should do a severe amount of damage to it!"

"Thanks for the lesson, old man," the intrude mocked. "But I think I just disproved you. Salamence, flamethrower!" Salamence reared back and breathed flame onto Mawile, who slammed into the wall, unconcious.

"Mawile, return!" the scientist called, returning his pokemon and pulling out another pokeball.

"Go, Ampharos!" a pokeball popped open behind the man and a powerful Ampharos stood before the Salamence. Jim had come back.

"Jim!" the older scientist scolded. "I told you to leave!"

"I couldn't live with myself if I had left you to fend for yourself," Jim replied.

The intruder chuckled. "As stupid as you are inexperienced," he mocked. "You really don't know who you're dealing with, do you?"

"I don't need to," Jim replied. "You threatened this lab and our research," he said, reaching toward a shining pendant on his coat. "And if that wasn't enough, you threatened my father! Ampharos, dragon pulse!"

...Today...

A young girl of 14 walked along the beach as the breeze blew through her long, forest green hair. Her deep green eyes looked out over the water as she stood and waited for the sun to rise. "...Just one more," she mumbled as she waited impatiently, feeling the sand between her toes. "One more sunrise, to start me off right." A small pokemon came out of her backpack and nuzzled her. "Tini," it cooed as she pet its head. "Thanks, Dratini," she said as she awaited the sun. As she stood on the beach there were faint traces of light, signaling the coming sunrise. She smiled as the sun peeked over the ocean's waves and a gentle breeze brushed her hair aside.

After the sun was shining fully above the sea she turned and walked back up to Slateport City. "Today, my journey begins," she said to herself.

Pokemon: Delta Emerald!

A flock of Wingull flew through the salty air as Wailmer and Luvdisc swam beside the shoreline. The young girl with long, green hair walked up the beach, and she wore a smirk that would impress a Gengar. This young girl's name is Jessica Squall. She's fourteen years-old and has lived in the seaside trade port known as Slateport since she was 7. She wore a sleeveless, green turtleneck and white pants that stopped just below her knees, along with green-and-white converse and a green, zigzag-themed backpack. She was built agilely and fit, and her face showed her excitement for the upcoming journey; because today was the day she was to head out on her pokemon journey.

"Morning, Sal," she called as people began setting up their stalls in the Slateport market.

"Jess!" Sal, an older man who worked the pokemon food stall called back. "I was hoping I'd see you this morning! I have a going-away present for you!" He reached into one of his boxes and pulled out a small box. "I call it the 'travel package'!" Sal said, handing it to Jessica. Jessica opened it and her eyes widened at the dozen-or-so berries and medicinal herbs within.

"Sal, that's really nice, but-" Jessica tried to argue.

"Not another word!" Sal stopped her, stocking his stall for the day. "I owe the idea to you, after all!"

"Me?" Jessica asked in confusion.

"Of course! Why, if it wasn't for you heading out today and my wanting to give you something for the trip, I'd never have thought of it!" Jessica smiled as another person hollered over, "Is that Jessica? JESSY!" The young greenette sighed as she went over to another stall. "Hey, Delia," she greeted to a woman working pokeball stall. "How's it going?"

"What? Me?" Delia asked, tying her brown hair into a messy bun. "I'm fine, but what about you? Are you all ready for your trip?" Jessica opened her mouth but Delia had already pulled up a bag and threw it into her hands before she could say a word. "Well, now you are!"

"...Thank you?" Jessica replied, somewhat confused at all of the gifts she was receiving. Jessica walked away and put the gifts into her bag as she saw her favorite stall being set up. "Morning, Ben," she called to a young man, about twenty-something.

Ben turned to her as he was setting up the "secret stall." "Good morning, Jessica," Ben replied, placing strange boxes and a laptop onto his table. "About to head out, huh?"

"Yep," Jessica replied as she noted that he wasn't giving her any gifts. "...Hey, Ben?" she asked.

"Yes, Jessica?" he replied, staying focused on getting his odd, and still closed boxes out. "You know how you told me that, when I was a full-flashed trainer, you'd tell me what your stall is for?"

"I recall that conversation," Ben acknowledged. "I believe it was about the fifth time you had come to my stall that I said that."

"The sixth," Jessica corrected as Ben smirked. "Well, I was thinking, as long as everyone's decided it's 'Jessica's early Birthday' you could..."

"...Nope," Ben replied, finishing setting up his stall.

"Oh, come on!" Jessica whined. "Why no-ot!?"

"Because, you don't have what it takes yet," Ben replied simply, sitting in front of his laptop and logging in. No one knew how he did though, since Slateport didn't have wi-fi unlike most of the bigger cities of Hoenn.

"...Fine," Jessica muttered, moping away as she was probably stopped by three more people to be given presents of clothing, potions, and a special belt clip to hold pokeballs on her belt.

"Thanks, everybody!" She called back as she left the market and headed for Slateport's museum. She walked in and saw her adoptive father, Geo, hard-at-work. "Hey, Geo," she greeted, setting most of the stuff she got on one of the unused desks as Geo swiveled his chair to face her.

"…Okay, how much was it?" he asked, already reaching for his wallet.

"No!" Jessica laughed, still a little surprised at the multitude of gifts, herself. "They were gifts!"

"…All of them?" Geo asked incredulously.

"Yes," Jessica stressed as she stuffed the gifts into her backpack. "…Why didn't anyone get me a bigger backpack?" she complained as Geo shook his head.

"I told everyone not to make a big fuss today," he said, going back to his work.

"Wat'cha workin' on?" Jessica asked, peering over Geo's shoulder.

"Well, do you remember that big incident a while back with those Team Aqua characters?"

Jessica thought back for a moment. "Pirate people? Stole a sub? Kinda coo-coo?" she asked, swirling a finger in a circle beside her head in the international symbol for crazy.

"That's the ones," Geo confirmed. "Well, I actually should thank them – because they stole the submarine we were able to confirm a few flaws it had upon departure."

"…Meaning?" Jessica pushed.

"Meaning we can now make an even better one!" Geo replied, showing her the blueprints he was designing. "So, Jess," Geo said as Jessica went back to packing her bag to the brim. "When are you thinking about leaving?"

"Right after lunch!" Jessica replied. "Can't start a pokemon adventure on an empty stomach, can I?" "Ti-NI!" Dratini agreed as Geo chuckled.

"Alright, go get something," he said, holding up 1000 poke.

"…Seriously?" Jessica asked as Geo gave a nod. "…Thankyou-thankyou- thankyou- thankyou- thankyou!" she shouted while hugging him uncontrollably. She then took the poke and ran out the door to get some food.

"Oh, Jessica!" Geo called, stopping her.

"Yeah?" she called back, turning to see that Geo had a present in his hands. "…What's that?" she asked, walking back over to him.

"Just something small," he said, handing her the box as she undid the ribbon and opened the lid. Inside was a hat. It was a pretty simple thing – red-and-white in design mainly, with a small, green insignia on the front. "From me and our family."

"…Are you kidding me?" she asked, eyeing the hat with gleaming eyes. "This is, like, the hat I always wanted since I was little!" she cheered, holding it up before her and turning it to see every angle. "How did you-"

"Well, we were able to get it a little while ago, so we've been saving it for a special day," he answered. "So, you like it?"

She grabbed Geo in a big hug. "I love it," she replied, giving him a kiss on the cheek. She proudly placed the cap on her head, adjusting it to fit snugly over her long hair. "See you after lunch!" she called, still excited from her latest gift.

After lunch, she and Dratini were just about ready to go. "All set, Dratini?" Jessica asked her pokemon partner. "Ti!" Dratini replied with a nod. "Then let's GO!" she cheered, ready to race onto Route-

"Hold it!" Jessica stopped in her tracks. "What!?" she complained turning to find the whole town with noisemakers, and banners, and signs to wish her well as she left. "Oh, you guys!" she exclaimed with tears in her eyes.

"Well, we couldn't very well send you off without a proper goodbye, could we?" Sal said as they all cheered for Jessica.

"And the best trainer in Slateport needs to have the biggest send-off Slateport can give!" Geo added. "All together!"

"For she's a jolly good fellow! For she's a jolly good fellow! For she's a jolly good fellooow! And she's going to beat the Champ-ion!" they all cheered as Jessica couldn't help but blush. "You guys," she said quietly as Dratini nuzzled her.

"Jess," Geo said, stepping forward. "We all wish you the best of luck in challenging the Gyms and becoming the new Champion." The Slateportians cheered again. "Just remember everything we've taught you, okay?"

Jessica gave a nod, holding back tears. "I will," she said. "I promise."

As she walked away Geo's face became sad. "Be safe," he whispered as she walked off.

And with that, Jessica's pokemon journey began with her first step onto Route 110.

She strolled north up the route and- "You!" Jessica turned to find a youngster walking toward Slateport. "It's a known rule – when two trainers lock eyes, they battle!" Jessica looked away from him. "Too late!" he said as she sighed.

"Fine," Jessica relented. "You up for our first battle on the path to the Champ, Dratini?"

"Dra-Ti!" Dratini replied, jumping down from Jessica's shoulder and preparing to battle.

"Go, Electrike!" the kid shouted, releasing an Electrike that growled at Dratini. "I'll go first! My name's Timmy and I'm gonna use you as practice for the Slateport Gym Leader!"

"…Say what now?" Jessica asked, although Timmy ignored her.

"Electrike, use quick attack!" Timmy shouted. Electrike ran at Dratini.

"Whatever. Dratini, use dragon breath!" Jessica countered. Dratini breathed a blue-ish fire at the Electrike, stopping it and launching it backwards.

"Electrike!" Timmy shouted in panic. "No, no, no! We can't win at the Slateport Gym if we battle like this!"

"Uh, if I could say something?" Jessica tried to interject, but she was ignored again.

"Electrike, use thunderbolt!" Timmy shouted. Electrike's body coated itself with electricity that shot at Dratini.

"Absorb it!" Jessica called. Dratini took the attack, taking almost no damage.

"What!?" Timmy shouted, again in a panic.

"Dragon-types resist electric-type moves! Now, use dragon breath one more time!" Jessica called out. Dratini breathed a blue fire again, KO-ing Electrike. "Yes! Over-and-out!" Jessica called out.

"No!" Timmy whined as he returned Electrike. "How are we gonna beat the Slateport Gym like this!?"

"Kid, if you would listen-" Jessica tried again, in vain.

"We'll win with this guy!" Timmy cheered. "Go, now!" he called, releasing a shiny-armored, rock/steel-type pokemon with a round head and four stubby legs, almost resembling a turtle: Aron.

Jessica's eye twitched as she messaged her forehead. "Okay, fine, if you aren't going to listen any other way… Dratini, use shock wave!" Dratini's body coated itself with electricity and it shot out in front of it, hitting Aron hard!

"Aha!" Timmy shouted as Jessica began to get a headache. "But dragon-type moves… oh, wait…" Timmy muttered, realizing that Dratini had used an electric-type move. "…Well, poo. Aron, use metal claw!" he decided. Aron raised a forepaw which grew long, silver claws and slashed Dratini, again doing little damage. "WHAT!?" Timmy shouted. "But that doesn't even make sense!"

"I'm getting tired of this kid," Jessica said as she shook her head. "Dratini, use shock wave and finish it off!" Dratini covered itself with electricity again and shocked the Aron. It fell on its side, KO-ed and slightly crispy.

"NNGGGHHAAAAA!" Timmy cried out as he fell to his knees. "Now what'll I do? I'll never beat the Slateport Gym like-"

"There is no Gym in Slateport!" Jessica shouted, unable to handle this annoying kid's whining any longer.

"…What?" Timmy asked.

"Slateport City doesn't have a Gym," Jessica repeated. "It has a contest hall, and it has a battle tent, but there isn't a Gym there."

"…Oh," Timmy said, getting up and returning Aron. "Do they have a Pokemon Center?"

"…Yes," Jessica answered hesitantly.

"Good. My pokemon are out." And with that Timmy left, never to be seen again in this story… or is he?

"I sure hope so," Jessica commented to the air as she picked up Dratini and continued up Route 110, arriving at the split in the road. "Bike Path," she read off of one sign. "Well, seeing as I have no bike, with which to take the path…" She went down the walking path, or 'scenic route.'

Ten minutes later… "Why do they call it the scenic path!?" Jessica hollered annoyed. "All I've 'seen' is about fifty Electrike and twenty trainers! I'm already almost out of potions!" Being now closer to the far end of the route than she was to Slateport, she wasn't going to run back to the Pokemon Center now.

"…But I do need to catch some pokemon," she said, noting Dratini's low energy. Even giving a pokemon an endless supply of potions (which she did not have), no pokemon could keep fighting that long without tiring. She had caught an Electrike and a Minun, but they didn't listen to any of her commands and she wasn't going to be able to keep going for much longer. "But what am I-"

"Trainer!" As Jessica froze, hoping to avoid any more trainer battles on this route, another youngster approached her. "Do you happen to have a Minun?"

"…What?" Jessica asked. "A Minun?" he asked again. "Do you have one?"

"Actually… yes," she said as the boy did not call out a pokemon for a battle… yet. "I caught one earlier… Why?"

"Well, I've been out here trying to catch a Minun to pair with my Plusle!" he said, releasing a Plusle. "Plu-Plu!" it cried as Jessica smiled at it. "But I haven't exactly had much luck, so I was – you know – kinda wondering…"

"If we could trade pokemon?" Jessica questioned. She had never traded pokemon before, but since it wouldn't listen to her commands anyways…

"Yes!" the boy replied. "Tell you what – you're pokemon looks tired, so I'll heal it up and help you fight your way to Mauville City – whaddaya say?"

Jessica's eyes flew open. "Deal!" she agreed, shaking the boy's hand. "By the way, I'm Jessica," she said as the boy grabbed a sitrus berry from his bag and offered it to Dratini.

"Kaleb," he replied as Dratini ate the berry. "So, shall we?"

Alright, here's the deal – I had a thought while the early news about Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire first came out Omega? Alpha? They reminded me of something from pokemon's past, so I began work on this story! (Mega Rayquaza isn't the first instance that the words 'Pokemon' and 'Delta' have come together). Then, Mega Rayquaza and his ability 'Delta Stream' came out, so… Well, it's never gonna look like I had the idea first.

BUT! Do not be mistaken – this story is not the average run-of-the-mill Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald story! The story is completely original and, if you know the reference I made a moment ago, then you may have an idea of where this story is headed (even though you will never guess how it goes down).

So, without further ado, and with this first chapter, let Pokemon: Delta Emerald begin! Oh, and I don't own the pokemon name or critters or region. (Though I do own this storyline!)