Chapter 1 - Pokémon Trainers and the Temple of the Sea
Clouds drifted lazily across the sky, occasionally covering the sun. Whenever the sun was not being hidden from sight, it beamed down on to the world below, covering it in intense heat. A small breeze attempted to bring a little comfort to the people on the ground, but it was no match for the power of the sun.
On a beach, a male trainer with red hair was having a training session with his Pokémon. The trainer wore black jeans and trainers and a red t-shirt. A black jumper with a red stripe across the chest was tied around his waist. He pulled out a red and white sphere from his bag and threw it into the air.
"Go, Tyranitar!" the trainer exclaimed, as the Poké Ball opened and unleashed the Pokémon within. A huge green Pokémon appeared. The Pokémon appeared to have rock like skin and emanated power. Around Tyranitar, the sand from the beach rose into the air and became a vicious sandstorm.
"At least your Sand Stream ability is still working..." the trainer said as he covered his eyes, "OK, Tyranitar, let's see how far your Earthquake has progressed!"
In response to the trainer, Tyranitar slammed its tail down onto the ground. The ground trembled violently, almost knocking the trainer of his feet.
A few metres along the beach, another trainer was strolling along. She had brown hair and was wearing a green bandanna. She was also wearing an orange-red vest with a black collar, black bike shorts, black socks and red and white trainers. When the sudden sandstorm had occurred, she threw one of her Poké Balls and released a Pokémon to protect her.
"Snorlax, a little cover, please!" she said as the giant sleeping Pokémon materialized from its Poké Ball, "I want to know where this came from!"
The tremors from Tyranitar's Earthquake knocked the female trainer to the ground with a lot of force. She recalled Snorlax to its Poké Ball and lay still for a few moments whilst she recovered.
"Hey! You OK?" Sorry about that, my Tyranitar is awfully powerful!" the male trainer exclaimed, running over the female trainer and offering her a hand up.
"Ow... thanks," the female trainer said as she took the male trainer's hand and pulled herself up to her feet, "I see what you mean about Tyranitar's power. I guess Tyranitar is also responsible for the sandstorm."
"I didn't think anyone else was around... anyway, my name is Red. What's yours?"
"I'm May, a co-ordinator from Petalburg City," she responded, "Wait, I've heard that name before... The Kanto Champion who disappeared from Mt. Silver..."
"No, same name, different guy. I'm more deserving of the name, anyway, with the red hair and all."
"Oh," May replied, "Hey, can I see your other Pokémon?"
Red nodded, and threw five Poké Balls into the air, each one releasing a different Pokémon.
"So, there's Empoleon, Gallade, Honchkrow, Abomasnow and Manaphy," Red said as the Pokémon appeared.
May stood still, staring at Manaphy in almost disbelief, "Wh... when did you get Manaphy?"
Recalling all the Pokémon except the small blue Manaphy, Red explained to May about receiving an egg from Pokémon Rangers whom hailed from the Fiore region. May listened to Red's tale, whilst Manaphy decided to become acquainted with May. After Red had finished his story, he stood up to leave when Manaphy pointed out to sea.
"Manaphy!" Manaphy exclaimed as if it was begging to go out to sea.
"Err... well I can't refuse you, although I'm not going to enjoy this journey much," Red said.
"I have a feeling Manaphy will want us to go swimming," May said, "Lucky I have swimming gear!"
May disappeared from sight for a few moments, and then returned wearing a red bikini. Red had got changed into a pair of swimming shorts and acquired a boat. Upon seeing May returning, Red suddenly felt happy about going out to sea.
"Heh, looks like this is going to be an enjoyable journey after all," Red muttered under his breath, before jumping into the boat. Manaphy followed suit, with May placing their bags in the boat then stepping in herself. With all their preparations complete, they set off onto the vast sea.
A few hours later, the sun set on the horizon. Red and May sat back and admired the sight, with Manaphy keeping a careful eye on the sea.
"That's beautiful," May said, in awe of the setting sun.
Red, who had gotten lost in the moment replied, "Not as beautiful as y..."
"Manaphy!" Manaphy exclaimed, diving into the sea.
Red swiftly grabbed a couple of devices designed to help humans breathe underwater and handed one to May. Both trainers grabbed one of their own Poké Balls each and released a water Pokémon into the sea.
"Ready for a swim, Empoleon?" Red said, diving into the sea and grabbing Empoleon's back.
"Let's go Blastoise," May said, following Red.
Manaphy surfaced whilst Red and May put the breathing devices into their mouths, then dived back into the sea. Blastoise and Empoleon followed suit, dragging their owners into the murky depths. Manaphy led the group down and down, deeper into the sea. Wild water Pokémon continued to swim through the sea, ignoring the newcomers and continued with their lives as if nothing was going on. Eventually, after what seemed like an age, the group came upon an amazing sight.
What seemed to be a giant air bubble lay at the bottom of the sea. Inside the bubble was what looked like an ancient castle. Although it may have been ancient, the way it had been conserved made it appear as if it had just been built. Spires of every size rose up from the building.
Manaphy led the group into the air bubble and to the front entrance of the castle.
"This is the Temple of the Sea," May explained, "This is interesting, I last saw Manaphy here."
"Umm... Manaphy's over there," Red replied pointing at his Manaphy, "with another Manaphy, it seems."
May looked in the direction Red was pointing, and tears of joy filled her eyes. She ran over to the other Manaphy, whom jumped into her arms.
"May!" the Manaphy exclaimed.
"Whoa, it can talk!" Red observed.
"Happy! Happy! Love you!" Manaphy said.
"Although it appears its vocabulary is limited..." Red trailed off.
Before May could say anything, both Manaphys were urging them to go back to the surface. Without any hesitation, both Manaphys, Red, Empoleon, May and Blastoise swam back to their boat.
Once they had reached the boat, the new Manaphy watched as Red returned Empoleon and his Manaphy to their Poké Balls. Having seen this, Manaphy used its Heart Swap technique to switch bodies with May.
"Huh? Did you suddenly have a growth spurt, Red?" May said from Manaphy's body.
"That trip underwater doesn't seem to have affected my mental health in a positive way," Red replied, bewildered. He watched as May, or Manaphy in May's body, took an empty Poké Ball out of her bag and used it to capture Manaphy. A split second before the Poké Ball hit Manaphy, May and Manaphy returned to their original bodies.
"What happened?" May said, "Oh, I know! I caught Manaphy!"
"Oh, er... yeah, OK," Red responded still confused by the event.