Author's notes: Hiya! Name's Oni! I like writing fanfictions and this one's one of my best. I fyou know me, you might think it's a short fanfic...but...no...This one's a long trainer fanfiction! Note that this takes 15 years after the Gold/Silver/Crystal chapters of the manga Pokémon Special/Adventures. I've edited them from the original draft and combined some chapters. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Disclaimer: Pokémon Special/Adventures is written by Hidenori Kusaka and drawn by MATO and later, Satoshi Yamamoto. Pokémon is owned by Nintendo, Gamfreak/The Pokémon Company, Creatures, etc...etc.
Ties of Love and Friendship
Prologue:
When I was a kid, I used to ask my mom about my dad before I go to sleep. Every night, she would tell me about a trainer with my eyes. The same eyes that saw many battles and endured many hardships. I'd ask my mom what happened to him. But then, she just sang me to sleep. In my dreams, I'd see my father, smiling. I only saw his face once—in a photograph, with my mother, which was taken when they were young. That same face loomed in my dreams every night. The same sharp green eyes and messy dark brown hair...just like mine.
My name is Gary and I'm eleven years old. The day I woke up and became a trainer, my whole life has changed. Everything I knew ever since I was young turned out to be very different that I thought.
This long journey, which I started, was something that I didn't expect. Along the way, I met friends, enemies, and answers to the very question about my father. Now begins my journey tied by love and friendship.
Chapter 1: New Beginnings
"Wake up, honey," My mother's voice rang inside my head "You know what day it is today, huh, Gary?"
I stood up my bed and rubbed my eyes. I tried to remember what day it is. Yesterday was my eleventh birthday. Every trainer in town either stays home or leaves home to start their training.
"Mom, I think I want to start my training," I said sleepily.
"Gary," My mother said as she hugged me. "I'm so proud of you."
I rubbed my eyes as she released me from her embrace.
"Now, if you're ready, I'll be downstairs." She said as she turned. Her long yellow hair flowed behind her.
I quickly stood up and dressed quickly. I went to my bathroom, washed my face and brushed my teeth. Today, I'm going to start my Pokémon training. Soon, I was dressed with my favorite pair of jeans and boots. I wore my long sleeved purple sweater and I combed my hair in my own style; like my dad's messy, matted hair. I quickly came down the stairs to meet my mom in the kitchen.
As soon I was there, my mother looked at me once and hugged me.
"Mom," I said in an annoyed voice. "Don't worry, I'll just be fine." I then noticed tears coming out of her eyes. "Mom?"
She suddenly released me and wiped her tears off with her apron. "Sorry," she said with small sobs. "You just remind me of your father." Her voice was cracked and chocked.
"Mom," I began but she quickly interrupted me.
"No, It's ok." She replied in her own voice. "Breakfast's ready."
I looked at her face again, to see her dried tears from her sparkling eyes. I felt very stupid inside denying her love.
"Now, be nice to the professor," My mom said as she straightened my shirt.
"I know mom," I replied in a very frustrated voice. "That's the third time you said me."
I glanced behind her to see Chuchu, Mom's Pikachu sleeping lazily in front of the porch. She yawned once then continued sleeping.
"Now, if the Pokémon looks cool or cute doesn't mean it's strong, ok?" She said in her lecture voice. She then led me to the door. "Now, are you sure you have everything?"
"Yes, mom, everything's here." I was already outside of the doorstep when she stopped me.
"Gary," She came running to me. "I want you to have this." She then handed me some sort of medallion. It was faded and cracked around the edges. I couldn't make up the colors of the medallion. "Your father used to wear this when I met him. I'm sure it will help you someday,"
I took the pendant from her hands. "Thanks, mom." I said as I hugged her. This was the only part of my father that was close to me.
"It's okay," she whispered. "I know this is hard for me, but I know your father will be proud." Tears began to flow from her eyes once again.
"Mom, I promise I'll make you proud." I said within her tight embrace. She kissed me one last time and waved me goodbye. Deep inside me, I was going to cry. I'm going to miss my mom. I know how she feels every night; I slip away from her grasp.
We live in Pallet town, the town where my dad and great-grandfather used to live. Everyone told me that my father used to be the gym leader of Viridian city and my great-grandfather was a well-known scientist. I never remembered seeing my great-grandfather. I guess I was too young.
I walked tirelessly to my great-grandfather's lab in the outskirts of Pallet town. My aunt and my grandfather's aid replaced him and continued on his research. I used to go there many times when I was a kid. My mom and me held hands together as we looked at different Pokémon in the fields and their habitats. Now, I'm going here one last time to begin my journey.
I knocked at the wooden door twice and waited patiently. Finally, the door opened and there stood my aunt. She was quite tall and beautiful with her long dark brown hair. After all, she did take care of my dad when they were young.
"Come on in, Gary," she said as she led me into the laboratory.
The walls were filled with many books and graphs. Almost all of the heavy books and graphs were written and made by my great-grandfather. I noticed portraits of my great-grandfather, aunt and my father in one desk.
"My, Gary, is that you?" The professor was behind a stack of papers when he noticed me. He stood up and approached us. "Look how tall you have grown."
"Thanks," I said, a bit blushing.
"Now," he began. "So you went here to choose your first Pokémon eh?" he said.
"Yes, professor." I replied in a firm voice.
"Ok, follow me."
My aunt left us as the professor led me to a room where machines were quiet and the wall was painted white. Three Pokéballs are sitting at a table.
"Now," The Professor began. "These Pokéballs contain three different Pokémon. If you choose very wisely, your Pokémon may win you many battles." He then let out the three Pokémon all at once.
A Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle came out growling their names and looked around curious about their surroundings. My eyes caught attention of the Charmander that stared me with utmost curiosity. I patted the Charmander and it seemed to like me since it cheered and jumped as I did.
"You seem to like Charmander eh?" said the professor.
"Yeah," I said as I laughed while picking up the Charmander.
"Gary," The Professor began. "Has your mother told you what was your father's first Pokémon?"
"No professor," I responded "Why?"
The professor laughed. "It's quite a coincidence since that Pokémon was your father's first pick."
"Gary, this is a Pokédex," The professor then handed me a red, rectangular, plastic book. I pressed a button and it opened. Buttons filled up most of the space alongside with a small monitor screen in the center.
"Your father and his friends had one of these." He said smiling. "They used one of the old versions of the Pokédex to record all the Pokémon in the world. I know you know a lot of Pokémon but...I think it's best that you always have this incase, okay?"
When I was a kid, my mom gave me a picture of her and my dad. Both of them at that time were young. Whenever I look at the picture, I look into the sharp eyes of my father with his messy dark brown hair. I then notice my mother, her long flowing yellow hair with her sparkling eyes. I know my father loved my mother very much, but I question that same face every night: Why? Why did he leave her with me in this home...there were nights where I could hear my mother crying...she wanted him most to be near him...and every night she cried, I always crept near her and hugged her. I was comfort in her life...
I waved goodbye to my aunt and the professor. I may return here someday laughing and watching the Pokémon roam freely. But now, I'm already walking to the next city. Long grass covered my path. As well as trees that gave me shade for every step I take. After a few minutes' walk, I saw a glimpse of houses in the horizon. Then, there came tall skyscrapers next. I came running down the meadows to go to my first destination, Viridian City. I didn't care if my feet hurt, all I just want to know if my father was there, waiting for me. I was too stupid to notice a trainer walking by.
"Hey!" I crashed into a girl with short dark hair and dark brown eyes. She looked quite older than me. "Watch where you're going, kid!" She yelled.
"Sorry, but I have to go," I said as I stood up.
"You're not going anywhere," She said dragging me by my shirt.
"Hey," I said trying to resist. "Stop it!"
"What you need to know is to learn some manners." She said as she kept dragging me.
After a few minutes of resistance, I know it's very foolish to fight back since it's obvious she's a lot stronger. She stopped by a large building with big bold letters that said: "GYM."
"Why are you taking me here?" I yelled as she pushed me inside.
"Keep walking," She said, now in a much cooler voice. "Hallway to the left."
I followed her instructions, as I turned left. What met me are pictures of people with their names and years under them.
"Where are we?" I said as she released her grasp.
"Hall of Gym Leaders," She said "You look very familiar so I have to drag you here to see for yourself."
"Huh?" Bewilderment pervaded me.
"Look!" She said pointing to a picture of my father. "You look a lot like Green."
I stared at the picture. There was something different to this picture than the picture I kept inside me. What seems to be a few seconds are like years to me.
"H—he's my father," I stammered.
"Really?" Yelled the girl in an almost hysterical way. "I can't believe it! No wonder!" she then shook my hand.
"The name's Lynn, current gym leader of Viridian City." She said with a toothy smile.
"Um...Gary," I said, lost in words. "Nice to meet you."
"Seven years after your father became Gym leader, he resigned." Lyn said as we walked across the empty corridor. "Making him the youngest Gym Leader and Gym Leader with the shortest term in Viridian city's history"
"Lyn," I said impatiently. "What can you tell me of my dad?"
She looked at me bewildered. "Well, first of all, he doesn't like going to this Gym and he likes to go around a lot."
For me, that was a dead end. I know my father was much more than that.
"So," She began. "You said that you're starting your training?"
"Yeah," I replied with eagerness.
"How about a practice battle?"
I was lead into the stadium. Lights glared brightly at me as I nervously took out my Pokéball.
"So you're a beginner eh?" Lyn began. "I'll use this Pokémon then. Go, Houndour!"
I trembled, as she sent out a dog Pokémon with what seems to be a miniature skull imbedded in its forehead. Bones seem to surround its black body. Its piercing glare sent shivers through my spine.
I gathered all of my courage and threw my Pokéball.
"Go, Charmander!" I yelled.
"Nice choice," Lyn said with an irritating voice. "I'll let you go for the first move."
I nodded once. I tried to remember Charmander's attacks.
"Charmander, use scratch!" I commanded.
My Charmander growled and ran towards the Houndour. It swung its claws attempting to graze the Houndour. The hit connected and Houndour jumped backward once.
"Houndour, Mean Look!"
Houndour glared at my Charmander. Unexpectedly, everything turned dark. I saw nothing except the Houndour's eyes. Pairs of eyes appeared around me. Different sets of eyes that stared at me. I couldn't breathe; I fell to my knees grasping my throat. I felt a cold chill surround me. Cold sweat trickled down my face.
"Is this dying?" I asked my self.
"Gary!" A voice echoed around me. I tried to respond but my breath held me back.
"Gary!" This time, the voice was louder. The darkness disappeared and I was back in the gym. I was breathing hard. As I raised my head, I saw Lyn with a concerned look. Charmander and Houndour were staring at me.
"I'm so sorry!" she said. "I didn't know Mean Look could affect humans."
I tried to catch my breath. Every vain in my head throbbed rapidly. My heart pounded uncontrollably. Before I can speak, doors of the gym slammed open.
"Ok," shouted a female voice. "Who's the Gym Leader here?" her arrogant voice resounded through the whole gym. I looked over to the entrance and saw a sandy blond haired girl. Her face, filled with freckles, showed a smiling face with glaring eyes. She wore a dark red jacket and an untidy white shirt under it. She had faded jeans that seem to be too big for her.
"Michelle," Said a voice behind her. "I don't think this is the first gym." The other voice came from a boy. He looked a lot like the girl; they must be twins.
"Who cares," She said with her arrogant voice. "I want a challenge instead of walking around with you!"
"We still have a lot to go," argued the boy.
"I'll be back," Lyn said as she moved swiftly towards the girl.
"I'm here for a challenge!" yelled Michelle.
"Let me see your badges." Lyn said with her arms folded.
"Badges?" Michelle said with a bewildered look.
"Yeah, you need seven to challenge me officially."
"I told you!" said the boy.
"Shut up Nick!" Michelle retorted.
"But you can have a practice battle if you want." Lyn continued.
"Awesome!" Michelle yelled.
I sat down with Nick on a bench near Lyn during the battle.
"Are you sure you can sit up Gary?" She said reassuringly.
"I'm just fine." I replied with a smile.
"Hey!" Michelle yelled, pointing at Lyn. "Are we going to battle or what?"
"I'm sorry, but she's a bit impatient." Nick said to Lyn.
"It's all fine by me," Lyn replied with a smile. "You go for the first move!"
"Awesome!" Michelle said as she gripped her fist. "Go, Squirtle!"
"Good choice," Lyn sighed. "Go, Houndour!"
Michelle's smile widened. "Fire's weak against water you know. Some Gym Leader you are."
"Just attack." Lyn said irritably.
"Squirtle, water gun!" Michelle yelled suddenly.
Houndour evaded the attack by a blink of an eye. Its agility is pretty impressive in comparison to its level.
"Squirtle, keep firing!" Squirtle sent out many blasts of water to Houndour but each attack missed. Then I noticed a pattern. Houndour circled Squirtle with every attack. As it circled, it closed it one step at a time.
"C'mon Squirtle!" Yelled Michelle. My heart throbbed with excitement as Houndour closed in. Doesn't Michelle notice? I felt a very strong urge to attack. But patience overwhelmed me.
Michelle's Squirtle was now very exhausted. I noticed its water weakening.
"Houndour, finish it of with Take Down!" Lyn commanded.
A rush of satisfaction went through me as Houndour lunged at Squirtle knocking it out. Michelle was appalled.
"How did that happen?" She yelled. "Squirtle, return!" Squirtle was immediately retuned and the Pokéball bounced back into Michelle's hand. She stormed towards Lyn with a very irritated face.
"You said your Houndour's weaker." Michelle yelled as she tried to match Lyn's height.
"Look, you had your practice battle, so scram!" Lyn said.
"Ok, you heard her Michelle," Nick said as she dragged her sister out of the gym.
"Listen you," She said pointing to Lyn. "I'll be stronger, just you wait!" She screamed as she was dragged away from the Gym.
"Hey Gary, I want you to be strong so that you don't have bore me like that girl, okay?" Lyn said as she waved.
"Don't worry, I will!" I yelled back.
I walked down the road to the outskirts of the city. Much of the outskirts are mountains and trees. A vast forest seems to loom ahead in the horizon. As I walked, something caught my eye. I looked to my right and atop of a tall hill, two dark hooded figures looked down at me. I sensed something dark within the dark figures. Something evil. With a blink of an eye, they disappeared. I tried to ignore the eerie sight as I walked. Do these people know my father?
To be continued...
So, how's the first chapter? Hope you guys liked it! I'll be updating pretty soon!
About the author: Oni Flygon is the author of many Feelingshipping stories. His fanfiction, "Ties of Love and Friendship" is one of his best known since he still continued it until today. He is the moderator of the manga and fanfiction forums of Pokecommunity. He is also the co-webmaster of Pokespecial.tk.