OK, this is a pokemon fan fic, i hope there are people out there who read this kind of thing. Anyway, its set six years after Gold, Silver and Crystal in Johto. I take a little creative license giving the Dragon masters psychic like abilities but i thought it works in this concept. Anyway enjoy.
Chapter one: The Ceremony.
Blackthorn City shuddered as the moon rose, nothing stirred in the mountain retreat whilst the elders stood round the four pokeballs before them. History was going to be made when the morning came, as for the first time since the dragon master village had been made, the trainers that start the next day would be quizzed as usual, however they might not receive a Dratini. Each of the four balls held something different and unique in every right of itself.
One of the elders stepped forward and inspected each ball with a critical eye. The balls themselves had been hand crafted and designed by the great Kurt himself, shaping and styling the ball to suit only the pokemon they contained peacefully, the four most powerful pokemon that can be tamed. The elder twisted the dark blue ball in his hand, stroking the shark fin with his thumb like he would the creature itself.
Seemingly satisfied he put the ball down and picked up a yellow ball and before he examined it whispered sweet talk into the ball, he knew the creature inside this one well as it was he who bread its parents for the mornings trainer. With a silent moan from inside he knew it heard, reassured by the sound of his voice. The elder smiled before picking up another blue ball, this bearing red wings, shaped not to jut out the ball but slightly elevate the surface of the sphere. A sharp snapping sound could be heard with in ball as the creature with in made it known that it was still hungry. Smiling a dark smile he placed the ball down once more, only to glare at the last, green ball sitting in the cluster.
The elder did not believe it was worthy of recognition from the council of Blackthorn. Indeed he believed the fourth trainer should have simply waited till next year, as this one just seemed a disgrace to the dragon type. Even its final form was to week for him to recognise it. But the other council members out voted him on this matter, as there was four starting trainers and it was a dragon whether he liked it or not.
He stepped down from the alter, feeling his robes waver as he took his place in a corner, in turn the other elders took his place and checked each ball in turn, looking for any impurity within and out as they listened to the pokemon sing to each other…
In the light of the dawning sun Kerry flung himself out of bed. The day had finally come, the day he gets his first pokemon from the elders. He rushed to the wardrobe and as he started to rip the pajamas of his flesh there was a sharp knock at the door when his mothers voice drifted through the doors "Before you dress in your usual clothes remember, oh please remember, that you have to wear the kimono to the ceremony."
Kerry slapped himself on the forehead as he had just plucked out one of his shirts. With a heavy sigh he put the shirt back in before pulling out the long black silk robes. The nature of the fabric making it cling to him as he tied the sash round his mid rift.
As he went for the door he noticed his reflection in the mirror. His long dark red hair flowed down past his shoulders whilst his hair on the back went most of the way down to his thighs. Turning his amber eyes to the door Kerry exited the room and padded down the stairs. His dad greeted him from the table pointing at a selection of Rice balls, "You better eat up, and you have a big day ahead of you."
Can you at least show a little concern over you're son leaving the house for the rest of his life? he thought as he began to eat into the cake, slowly eating his way through to its core. As he swallowed he looked to the pile on the right. To the tent in his bag and the bag, which would soon be filled with food and supplies for his journey, with a heavy sigh he stood up and walked to the door. Having finished all he could eat on this day he said, "Are you and mum coming to the Ceremony?"
"Nah, your mother has work to do and I have to start packing your bag." His dad said, not even raising his head from behind his newspaper.
"I see." Kerry said before he opened the door and headed towards the fortress in the distance. Inside the house his dad folded down the newspaper, tears streaming from his eyes.
Kerry knelt in the cold chamber with three other teenagers. He knew the other three well and new one in particular shouldn't be there that day. Luke turned his violet eyes towards him in a vicious leer. The guy had always been a bully, using his large size as a weapon whilst the other two seemed more obsessed with there own personal goals for them to ever notice Kerry being attacked.
As time dragged on with no one speaking or moving, Kerry began to wonder what was keeping the Elders when the door creaked open and the four dragon masters entered the room.
They stood around them all before Master Lance said. "One of us shall now take you into a side room and sense your aura. You shall then be taken into another room whilst we then work out who deserves which pokemon."
The four starting trainers said nothing as the masters stood before a trainer and escorted them into other rooms. Kerry looked round to see he had been given Lance. Who smiled warmly, patting his shoulder saying "Don't look so sad, it's a special day today."
"I guess…" Kerry said, not feeling cheered up in the least as he and Lance entered a candle lit room and knelt opposite each other.
"Just relax now." Lance said as he raised two hands to either side of Kerry. His hands glowed lightly as Kerry felt a soft push in his mind. Hot sweat rolled down his neck while Kerry felt his soul being violated. Again and again he felt a piece being ripped off him when finally the master lowered his arm. "I hate doing that." Lance sighed looking round "Always feel like I am invading someone else's personal place."
Kerry couldn't move. He felt himself shaking but he couldn't stop it as he felt a soft pat on his back. "Its over now." Lance said. "And I have a strong idea which you get."
With that, the once pokemon champion, left the room…
"There is no question who Luke gets." Master Kelborn said. "A personality like that belongs to the Land shark, no question."
"Shouldn't we wait for the other masters?" Lance asked, "For all we know Sally or Samantha are more worthy of the Shark."
"Trust me, this guy is all about brute force, it's a match made in heaven!" Kelborn said then he raised an eyebrow, "You haven't said whom Kerry should get. Are you unsure or…"
"Oh I know who he should get." Lance said darkly. Glancing at the green ball. Its red spots seemed to look back at him. "I don't think Liloch would approve though, he seems to have a personal vendetta against the poor thing."
"Oh," Kelburn said, also looking down at the ball hesitantly. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely." Lance said, "He is an underdog, a beaten and abused underdog, much like our little friend here. Not that it's been abused, its reputation has been though."
"I see." Kelburn said. Stepping away from the four balls. As he turned his head back to lance to ask him another question the third Master Clair entered the room. She looked cagily at her rival Lance before saying "Well she was complex. Not sure what she should get exactly…"
She took a couple of steps towards the balls before continuing, "She seemed like she has been through a lot over the last twelve years. So she should get one that would be a good friend to her."
"That bad huh," Lance said. Thinking over what that should be, "Well maybe Dratini then. You and I both know how much of a friend that can be. What do you think Master Kelburn?"
"It would certainly be better for her than either Bagon or Gible." Kelburn agreed. "What with Bagon's habit of jumping of cliffs and Gible is more self absorbed in getting power. Specially when it becomes a Garchomp."
He is only saying that because he wants Luke to get Gible. Lance thought looking at the alter. Though he is right, Bagon might make an OK friend but like Gible only really cares about power.
The three discussed the events some more when Master Liloch enters, his grey kimono wavering as the old man stepped forward. He looked at them all behind stern grey eyes before saying "Bagon." Was all he said. Not even delving into why he thought she should get it or why it should be that way.
"Well," Lance said, glancing at each Master "I guess we each get to take the one we wanted."
"It seems that way." Kelburn said happily as he scouped up the blue ball with a fin. Clair reached out and slowly picked up the yellow. Feeling the shape of the carefully carved out wings beneath her hand she turned and went back to the room she had emerged from slowly, her stride unsure if she was doing the right thing.
Lance continued to lean on the pillar as Liloch stepped forward and picked up the blue ball with red wings. Still glaring at the green. "Have you advised the pupil that it would be better…" he began but Lance cut across him
"Just cos you have an unhealthy hatred of the poor thing doesn't mean its worthless. Besides they are a perfect match for each other."
Liloch looked like he would argue but Lance stared him down "Remember your place Liloch, I was chosen as head Dragon Master of Blackthorn, NOT you."
Liloch growled before turning and stomping out the room. Sighing Lance bent low and picked up the green ball. "You my little friend," he whispered inside "Are going to learn peace at last."
With that he headed back to the room where Kerry was, now recovered, sitting in wait, eager to find out what his first pokemon would be.