Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon
Author's Note: This story encompass Generations 1-5. That means no Kalos. This is based on the video games and not the manga or anime. All characters exist in the games (NPCs included) the events of the protagonists of generations 2-5 exist but the characters do not. they are not in game characters(whereas red is). A few minor things may change but it should be nearly unrecognizable to keep the story in-line with the games. Enjoy!
Chapter 1: Son of the Drake
It had been nearly a year since Aaron had left on his Pokemon adventure. Nicolas still had to wait until his eighteenth birthday, a frustrating ten months away. Thirteen days had passed and Drake still had not returned from the Pokemon League. This was not a problem for the self-sufficient young man. With his father working, brother travelling, and mother passed away, he had learned to survive on his own. Still, Drake would not let him leave.
Nico stepped outside the small cottage that was his home. Fallarbor, where he was born and raised, was before him as dreary and beautiful as ever. Hoenn-Blackthorn he had nicknamed the small town, though never having actually been to Blackthorn City in the Johto region to the north.
Nico ran his hand over the two pokeballs on his belt. He loved his Altaria and Skarmory, but felt cheated by his father for not being allowed to go after the big three Hoenn dragons: Flygon, Kingdra, and the mighty Salamence.
A large creature was seen flying toward the cottage, Drake's Salamence. Drake would often say the wisest of the Dragon Clan would use Altaria for their superior utility, but Nico wouldn't listen. He wanted the ones revered by all. That and to be recognized as part of the Clan.
"Hello son." said Drake.
"Father." responded Nicolas still brooding over being stuck at home.
Drake had chosen Fallarbor as his place of residence due to its proximity to dragon pokemon. The Salamence pre-evolution Bagon lived in Meteor Falls, the Hoenn training ground for Dragon Tamers, Altaria was in the Falls' shadow, and Flygon were across the ash fields and in the desert. Only Kingdra was not near Fallarbor.
Drake sensed his son's mood, "Not now Nicolas. Give me time to get settled."
"But Father."
"I said no, boy!"
Nico had not expected his father's mind to have changed, that is why his bags were already packed. Seeing that following the rules wasn't going to work for him he decided to to go an alternate route. Nico closed the door behind him.
"Where to?" He thought to himself, "I would seek out Lance, but I wouldn't be allowed into the Indigo League. I can't just wander around Hoenn, father would find me. If only I could go to Blackthorn, but I'd have to sail to Olivine or Goldenrod first, cross half of Johto, and wander through the Ice Path. Well….I guess it's Uncle Epic Beard." Nico trekked south to Meteor Falls, "You know? The heroes of truth and ideals reappeared along with some third dragon. And Unova has the most dragons too! This is definitely the best route."
Nico had Meteor Falls behind him by the break of dawn. Living his whole life there had taught him the fastest way through the crag. Drake would be waking soon wondering where his youngest son had gone. Nico had ventured this far from the Falls only once before. Nico hid in a cave he had found the previous time. Over the falls a large beast was flying just minutes later, undoubtedly Salamence.
When Nico was sure the coast was clear he sent out Altaria to scout the road ahead to Rustboro City. Come nightfall the lights of the metropolis could be seen in the distance, but Nico needed to rest. Skarmory stood watch as Nico slept on Altaria's downy wings.
Nico continued his journey the following day with no sign of Drake on the horizon. He was most likely around Mt. Chimney or the desert by now. Nico entered the city at noon. Rustboro's name fit it well, the city was rust-colored, factories were common, and the huge Devon Corp. was headquartered here. Despite all this and being on the coast Rustboro was still not a large port. All its ships were used for trade, namely Devon Corp. and Rustboro Steel. Still, there should be a few ships going around to Slateport.
"Should I challenge Roxanne?" Nico asked himself, "Her rock type will take out Altaria easy but Skarmory can do some serious damage." In the end he decided against it. The chance of him being reported was too high and Drake's wrath would be fierce. Eventually Nico found a ride on the Briner captained by Brian Briney Jr. Captain Briney stopped at his lodge near Petalburg before continuing on to Dewford.
"My father," boasted Captain Briney, "is a great sailor. He captains the luxury liner between Lilycove and Slateport. He is even friends with some of the most powerful trainers in Hoenn."
Briney continued at length about he and his father. Nico listened politely before going to his cabin. They would arrive at Dewford in the morning he was told.
Captain Briney had apparently been too optimistic, but it did not matter. They arrived in Dewford a little before noon. In two and a half days Nicolas had travelled from the northernmost town in Hoenn to the southernmost.
Drake was likely north of Mauville leaving Nico free from a chance encounter. With that in mind Nico thought there would be no problem in challenging Brawly.
"Altaria and Skarmory will destroy him." Nico assured himself, but when he entered the gym, he was told Brawly was out training in Granite Cave. So Nico travelled northwest on the island until he arrived at what was undoubtedly Granite Cave. He entered and almost immediately was attacked by a Makuhita. Altaria made short work of it. Not long after an Aron appeared. Altaria did not do much damage nor did Skarmory. Then it came to Nico that Aron's final evolution was Aggron, a coveted threw a pokeball at the Aron to no avail. Nico remembered that Skarmory was truly the only pokemon he had caught. Swablu (now Altaria) had been a gift from Drake.
Nico reached into his bag and found only one more pokeball. He had forgotten to buy more. He threw it at the still fairly healthy Aron. It nudged to the left, rocked to the right, and fell to the left again… sparks shot from the crease.
"Yes!" yelled Nico. He snatched up the pokeball victoriously and saw a light around the corner. Around the turn he found Brawly smashing rocks. A Medicham was using Flash.
"Brawly!" shouted the young dragon tamer.
The Dewford Gym Leader looked up. "You want a fight? Of course you do. This is no place though, let's go to the gym."
"So how long have you been a gym leader?" Nico asked Brawly as the made their way toward the exit.
"About ten years." Brawly responded. He must have been about thirty, "What's your name?"
"Nicolas… of the Dragon Clan."
"That sounds familiar. You're Drake's son aren't you? He talked about you at the last Hoenn Conference, the few times he talked."
"What did he say?"
"That's for him to tell you, but I will say that I expect you to make a splash. You might just be the next big wave." Nico smiled to himself. He had never heard of his father talking highly of him. Before long they were at the gym.
"Tell you what, let's give the town a show. We will battle outside." said Brawly.
An hour later most the town had gathered at the back of the gym.
"Three on three!" announced Brawly to the crowd. He sent out his Machoke. Nico sent out his Altaria.
Brawly's Machoke drew back but Altaria's quick Aerial Ace stopped the Focus Punch. Machoke grabbed some nearby rocks and started to Rock Blast Altaria. It only hit twice but the damage was bad.
"Close the distance and Karate Chop, Machoke!" commanded Brawly.
"Again, Aerial Ace!"
Machoke was downed by Altaria's second ace. Brawly sent out Medicham.
"Dragon Dance." Medicham finished what Machoke started with a Hi Jump Kick. "Utility my ass." muttered Nico.
"Go, Skarmory." yelled Nicolas. Skarmory used Air Slash. Luckily for Nico, Medicham flinched. Again Skarmory used Air Slash before Medicham could Hi Jump Kick.
Brawly was on his last pokemon, his anchor, Hariyama.
Hariyama used Belly Drum maximizing his attack. Skarmory's Air Slash nearly knocked out the massive brute but just wasn't enough.
"Skarmory has more speed, we have it won!" Thought Nico, but the badgeless rookie was in for a surprise.
"Hariyama, catch!" Brawly threw a hyper potion to his prized pokemon. Hariyama caught it and drank to its health.
"Again, Skarmory!" demanded Nico. Skarmory landed a critical hit on Hariyama negating the effect or the hyper potion. Except for an extra move on Hariyama's part.
"Hammer Arm!" Skarmory was defeated. Aron was sent in as Nico's last hope.
"Alright, Aron knows Iron Defense, Endure, and Metal Claw….Fuck!" "Metal Claw!"
Hariyama's death arm descended again. Aron's Sturdy kept it conscious. The Metal Claw did next to nothing, and Hariyama was barely standing after Skarmory's Air Slashes.
"Endure." squeaked Nico in helplessness. Again the young Iron Armor Pokemon took the brutal Hammer Arm. The small new addition to Nicolas' party looked back at its helpless master.
"End it, Hariyama!" demanded Brawly. Hariyama raised its trunk-sized arm, but Aron dug into the ground before it descended. The fighting type pokemon looked around confused and desperately trying to find its adversary. Aron shot out of the ground like a bullet and nailed the Arm Thrust Pokemon in the back. Hariyama toppled over to the ground. Aron landed on top of his fallen victim.
"We win!" exclaimed a jubilant Nicolas. He ran over and lifted his heavy and battered little friend.
"In accordance with the official Pokemon League Rules," said Brawly, "I award you the Knuckle Badge." Nico took the badge gingerly, "Nic, do you intend to take the Pokemon League Challenge?"
"Eventually, but right now I have to go see my uncle, Drayden, in Unova."
Brawly smiled, "Drake is probably over central Hoenn right now. If you go to Slateport now, you may be caught."
"How do you kn-"
"Drake called me. Don't worry, I didn't tell him anything."
"Thank you…but I need to go to Slateport now. It's worth the risk.
"Best of luck to you then."
Nico reboarded the Briney heading westward. Brawly watched a big wave head to Slateport, and had the pleasure of witnessing the beginning of an adventure that would come to change the world.