Chapter 1: Twinleaf Town – Begin
(I do not own Pokemon)
Twinleaf Town, a small community nestled in the southwestern portion of the Sinnoh region. This was the town that all young men and women who aspired to become Pokemon trainers look forward to visiting. This is where they would begin their journey. Even the very air of the town smelled of beginnings and fresh starts.
This is where our story begins.
1
"Infernape, use Flamethrower!"
The Fire-type puffed out its chest and spilled a stream of fire forward, embers escaping from its jaw. The flames barreled forward towards the opposing Torterra on the other side of the battlefield.
"Torterra, use Frenzy Plant to intercept!" the opponent screamed.
The Grass-type slammed its feet on the ground and numerous stalks of lush plants sprang from the dirt. The flames collided with the plants and caused a large explosion.
"This league final is certainly heating up!" the announcer's voice spilled out from the stadium box. "Let's see if Sebastion Emerson has any more tricks up his sleeve!"
"Alright Infernape, let's go with a Flare Blitz!" Bastion commanded.
Infernape raised its arms as its body erupted in flames. It sprang forward, heading straight for Torterra.
1
Bastion opened his eyes.
The sun shone through his second story window, the light spilling across the hardwood floorboards. Bastion had been having this recurring dream for quite some time. It always ended the same, with his hypothetical Infernape preparing to attack with Flare Blitz. He usually woke up feeling terrible, knowing that he was going to have to wait for his dream of conquering the Sinnoh League, but today was different. Today was the day when he was going to finally get his first Pokemon.
After changing into is usual outfit, Bastion pulled on his shoes, and grabbed his jacket off the coat rack beside his bedroom door. He threw it over his shoulders and started out. He made his way through the upstairs hallway and down the small flight of stairs quickly. He passed his mother, who was tidying up the living room.
"Bastion, honey, are you going out to play with that Pokemon again?" she asked as soon as she noticed him.
"Not today Mom." He answered. "I've got to meet up with Professor Rowan. I need to see if I can get myself a Pokemon. Today is my day."
"You do know that a lot of other kids will be there?"
"I do, but I have a good feeling about this." He opened the door. "I'll see you when I get home."
With a nod from his mother, Bastion was gone, on his way toward becoming a Pokemon trainer.
1
As he made his way onto Route 1 along with a group of other kids, Bastion could tell that this was the day he had been waiting for since he could remember. All around him, other kids his age from across the Sinnoh region were happily talking about which Pokemon they wanted to train and take with them as they challenged the eight gyms of Sinnoh. All Bastion wanted was to get that experience. Every year, only three kids get a Starter Pokemon and a Pokedex from Professor Rowan. This was his year. Chimchar would be his.
1
After what seemed like forever, they reached Sandgem Town. This small, beach town held a few older buildings, and the lab of Professor Rowan. A sign just in front of them showcased which door to enter.
After shuffling inside, the group of 30-some children saw Professor Rowan standing at the back next to two of his assistants.
"Please children, right this way."
They made their way to him quickly.
Professor Rowan gestured to the table that was placed between his two assistants. On that table sat three Pokemon. One was a small, blue penguin. Another was a green turtle with a leaf sprouting from atop its head. The last was an orange monkey with a small flame for a tail.
"As you all know, these are the Sinnoh region's three starter pokemon."
The kids ooohed, and aaaahed as he spoke. Bastion would look at each of the Pokemon, one after another. Piplup was a stubborn Pokemon naturally, so he would have a tough time getting along with one, but the accomplishment of training one and evolving it would be worth it. Turtwig were much more mellow. They tended to be much easier to raise than Piplup. And Chimchar were usually the middle Pokemon. One wrong training method and they could go either way.
"Now, three of you lucky children will receive one of these starter Pokemon today." Professor Rowan continued. "But, that will be up to me."
1
The battlefield behind Professor Rowan's house was minuscule, especially considering the amount of hopeful Pokemon trainers that were huddled around it.
Professor Rowan stood before the children. "Before I make my decision on which three of you children get to pick between the three starter Pokemon, we must hold a small tournament of sorts."
There were several gasps and awes from the hopefuls.
"Each of you will get a pokeball. Inside said pokeball will be a Bidoof. You will then be paired off against each other and battle. I will be looking for natural talent, as well as passion. The three of you that best exhibit these qualities will be chosen to receive either Piplup, Turtwig, or Chimchar."
Bastion had practiced many times with his wild friend from Lake Verity. This was going to be cake.
1
The Bidoof tackled the other Bidoof into the ground. Seeing that the attacked Bidoof had fainted, Professor Rowan called the battle in favor of the girl with the Bidoof that still stood by her side. After recalling both Normal-types, Professor Rowan called the next two potential trainers to the battlefield.
"Sebastion Emerson, Alex Levitt, you're up next."
Of course he would be paired against Alex! Alex Levitt had tormented Bastion for most of his life. The two boys had practically grown up together, Alex almost always beating Bastion to the punch. Whether it was a race to Lake Verity, or a competition to see who could climb a tree the fastest, Alex had to be the winner. To top it all off, Alex happened to be one of the nastiest kids personality-wise.
"This should take no time at all." The shaggy-haired blonde spat as he took his place on the battlefield.
Bastion didn't say a word. He simply walked out slowly and took his place too. Professor Rowan tossed each of them a pokeball.
"Begin!"
"Bidoof, let's go!" Alex called, throwing the pokeball onto the battlefield.
The ball split open and the small beaver-esque Pokemon appeared. It blinked a couple times and looked around, dubmfounded.
"Come on out Bidoof!" Bastion cried, throwing his pokeball as well.
The second Bidoof did just as the first had, checking its surroundings.
"Let's not waste time here, use Tackle!" Alex called, pointing towards Bastion's Bidoof.
His Bidoof kicked up dust in its wake as it sprinted towards Bastion's as fast as it could.
"Try and dodge!" Bastion cried.
His Bidoof jumped just as the opposing Normal-type neared it.
"Now use Tackle also!" Bastion continued.
Just as Bidoof was landing, it pushed off the ground and collided with Alex's. The target Pokemon slammed into the dirt, sliding a few feet before coming to a halt.
"Bidoof, get up and use Sand Attack!" Alex commanded.
His Bidoof rose and roughly kicked the dirt, sending small dirt particles into Bastion's Bidoof's eyes. The Bidoof kicked around, panicking that it could not see anything.
"Don't let it recover! Use another Tackle attack!" Alex continued, fists pumping.
"Doof!" his Bidoof cried as it smashed into Bastion's.
Both Pokemon fell to the dirt, already exhausted from the brief battle. Panting, only Alex's Bidoof stood.
"That's right!" Alex scoffed, raising his hands in the air. "I knew this would happen, you can't handle this Bastion. Just stay home and try next year. Of course, by then, I'll already be the Sinnoh League Champion."
"That's enough young man." Professor Rowan started, but he was too late.
Bastion had already dropped Bidoof's pokeball and had run off, too embarrassed from Alex's words.
1
The surface of Lake Verity was very calm; calmer than Bastion had ever seen it. He picked up a rock and skipped it. The water surface broke and rippled as the thin rock skipped four times and went beneath the surface.
How could he have let Alex talk to him like that? It's wasn't like the battle had been one sided. It had ended abruptly; it could have gone either way. The worst part was that he had run away. He couldn't even face Alex.
Bastion picked up another rock and pulled his hand back to throw it. However, something wrapped around his arm and pulled him backwards, taking the rock from his grasp.
"What the…?"
Bastion whirled around to see the small purple Pokemon he had sat in this very spot with a hundred times.
"Aipom, what are you doing?"
"Pom." Aipom seemed to answer as it pulled its tail back and threw the rock.
Skidding three times farther than Bastion's, the rock sank to the bottom of the lake as well. Bastion sighed as Aipom jumped onto his shoulder.
"At least I know you are here for me."
Bastion and Aipom had been friends for about a year now. One day, Bastion had come to Lake Verity after a particular fight with Alex, and had found the baby Aipom curled up in a tree, seemingly abandoned. After helping it, Bastion and Aipom had become best friends. Bastion tried his hardest to come out and meet Aipom daily.
"I chocked today." Bastion admitted to his friend. "I had my shot at becoming a trainer and I blew it."
"If you ask me, you didn't choke at all today."
For the second time in as many minutes, Bastion whirled around quickly, Aipom falling from his shoulder with a screech. Standing just a few feet away was Professor Rowan. The old man held a small bag.
"Wait, what are you doing here Professor?"
"Naturally, after that potential-filled battle, I had to come find you." The Professor answered.
"What do you mean? I lost."
The Professor approached Bastion. "Losing is not everything. I know you know that. You did so well today."
Bastion looked away.
"You might just want to accept my offer before I take it back young man." Professor Rowan suddenly became very intimidating, his demeanor becoming intense.
"Sorry, what offer?" Bastion asked, confused.
The Professor reached into his bag and pulled out a PokeDex and six pokeballs.
"This is my offer: You and your friend there," he motioned towards Aipom. "go on a journey together. I know that you have what it takes, and I need another strong trainer to help me get the most information on the Pokemon of the Sinnoh region."
"Are you serious?" Bastion said, aghast.
"Young man, I've never been more serious in my life."
Bastion turned to Aipom. "Does that sound like a plan to you?"
"Aipa!" cried the Normal-type as it leaped into the air.
"I'll take that as a yes." Professor Rowan said. "In that case, here you go."
Bastion caught the pokeball tossed by the Professor and held it up to Aipom. The monkey pressed the button on the ball and was enveloped in a red light. Bastion held the ball for a few seconds until it stopped shaking.
1
And there we have it! It's not the most action-packed, nor the best written or most interesting chapter, but I am much more proud of this than I am of my other Pokemon journey fics opening chapter.
Don't forget to read and review and check back soon for Chapter 2!
Check my profile page for the OC guidelines!