The dragon sleeps in ice and snow
The destiny hidden far below.
Here we wait for her to come
The undiscovered depths to plumb.
We shall protect the whole world o'er
Before Lokrye raises again his dark tower.
Revenge we seek, and in due course
We shall have it in the land of Horse.
Through dark and cold, we watch the skies
Until we see again Allnian the Wise.
--A collection of the phrases (translated from Titan) found on the Allnian Shrines
Alto is the royal eyrie of Allnian. All who live there know of the majestic legendary, and all that she had done for them. In the Titan Wars, millennia back, she had led the charge against Lokrye, the Penumbral Titan. Then, even later, when Lokrye's supporters tried to defeat the victorious human allies of the Titan Council, Allnian protected Alto from wave after wave of Neragoshans. Allnian was hailed as a hero, and promptly disappeared from the world for centuries.
Alto, in celebration of Allnian's victory, dedicated themselves to Avian Pokémon, and bird lovers and bird Pokémon flocked to Alto. Soon, Alto was home to Pokémon that could be found nowhere else.
Neragosh never forgave Alto, and frequently launched invasions of the country. At first, the Altans expected Allnian to come flying back and save them, but after being looted and sacked by Neragoshans, the Altans formed their own military force, dominated by the Flying-type Pokémon. Alto and Neragosh still squabble at least twice a century, on average, but neither has a significant advantage. But it is difficult to realize how far the difference goes unless you understand their history.
Legends and stories tell of the Titan Wars, when the mighty Titans themselves fought amongst themselves, and the mere mortals of this world chose sides and fought alongside. Allnian's role in the war is disputed, as some accounts say she fought for Lokrye, the evil Titan who sought dominion over all. Others say she fought for the villainous Titan Council, who betrayed Lokrye and sought his death above all.
But one thing that cannot be denied is her rivalry with fellow legendary Geomantz of Neragosh. Geomantz, a name that was given to it only recently in history, was a ground-type Legendary Pokémon. Geomantz was one of the highest-ranking Legendaries in Lokrye's employ, and was a bitter enemy of Allnian. Geomantz and Allnian, as well as their forces, fought bitterly whenever they came across one another. Until Allnian finally succeeded in striking down Geomantz.
The people of Neragosh, never forgave Allnian, and swore that one day, they would destroy all traces of Allnian's memory. These humans formed the Order of Terra Firma, an organization that even today is talked about only in hushed whispers. When it was reported that Allnan had finally taken a roost, and in the warpath that they had already chosen, no less, the entire country was up in arms.
Millions of people were killed by Allnian. Hundreds of thousands made widows. Untold numbers of children were made orphans. But after the last armada was finally on the ocean floor, tucked in between the gentle currents of Tyfoner, the animosity of a generation bereft of their men was kindled, and Alto would forever have a mortal enemy.
Alto, meanwhile, built into the successful country that it was destined to become. The great Devon Company was founded on Altan soil, and quickly expanded into Hoenn, the Orange Islands, and many other countries, only to face stiff competition against Silph Corporation.
In honor of Allnian, Alto developed their Air Force—at first only Pokémon, but soon they developed the first working aeroplane, and soon humans were flying in the sky along with Pokémon. Alto has always been the leader in aeroplanes, and consistently fields the strongest air force in the world. But Allnian's influence didn't stop there.
The Allnian National Tournament began shortly after Allnian's victory, where the best competitors from around the world could come together to show their strength. At first, it was human against human, but eventually the Allnian national Tournament (or ANT for short) would become synonymous with the first Pokémon Tournament League.
As time passed, more and more people became active in Pokémon training, and eventually there became too many people to participate in the Tournament. So other Leagues began popping up around the world, and only the best trainers were allowed to enter the Pokémon League, and enter the Allnian Pokémon Tournament. This was when the first Gym Leaders appeared.
Yet still there were too many trainers to participate in the Allnian Pokémon Tournament, so the other Pokémon League Countries began to put on their own Pokémon Tournaments, and only the top competitors from those tournaments were allowed to participate in the Allnian Pokémon Tournament.
Then the decision was made that there would be two different Altan Tournaments—the Allnian National Tournament, for the Altan Nationals, and then the International Pokémon League Tournament was formed as a place for the top Pokémon League Competitors to test their strength.
The International Tournament is a goal for many, and the different Pokémon League countries have different rules and regulations, some allowing children as young as ten to begin Pokémon Training Journeys, but most countries have a minimum requirement of thirteen years of age.
Lorelei glared up at the spherical object held high out of her reach. "Let me have it!" she screamed. "I want it, I want it, I want it!" Lorelei jumped as high as she could, but no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't reach the Pokéball. Lorelei leaped up once more time, but couldn't reach. On her way down, she lost her footing and fell to the ground. Lorelei's wail burst out of her, sounding her displeasure to anyone within hearing distance.
"Brandon!" a voice called out sharply. "Stop teasing your sister!"
Brandon grinned down at his little sister, his new Pokéball held just out of her reach. Brandon shoved his hair back over his head and tossed the Pokéball into the air. He reached down and ruffled his little sister's hair. "It's empty!" he shouted over his shoulder. "It's not my fault Lorelei isn't old enough to have a Pokémon!" he grinned down at his little sister.
Lorelei stuck her tongue out at her brother, and snatched the Pokéball out of his hand. "Hey!" he shouted. "That's mine! Give it back!" he grabbed at the Pokéball, but Lorelei kept it just out of reach.
"Too slow!" Lorelei snapped at her brother. "It's mine, now. Finder's Keepers!"
Brandon glared at her. "You didn't find it, you stole it from me!"
Lorelei glared back. "I found it, and it's mine!"
Brandon rolled his eyes. "Fine, it's yours. Have fun with it. You're not going to be getting a Pokémon for years."
Lorelei glared at her brother. She knew it was true. But what if she caught her own Pokémon? Then she'd have her own Pokémon. She could do it. She'd show her brother.
Lorelei giggled to herself as she ran out the front door of the house. Her brother hadn't been paying attention enough, and she had swiped his Pokéball. It was coming up on night, and everyone was getting a little bit tired and careless. Plus Brandon was giving all of his attention to his girlfriend.
She would use Scyther and Flamethrower to take down whatever stood in her path. Or maybe Surf. Or Razor Leaf. Those were all pretty good attacks. Suddenly, Lorelei spotted movement. Lorelei grinned. Finally. A chance to get a Pokémon. She'd been waiting all the years of her life. And now she'd be able to get a Pokémon. She'd show Brandon. She'd show everyone.
"Pokéball go!" Lorelei shouted, throwing Scyther's Pokéball forward. The brief flash of red light illuminated a shadowy figure lurking in the shadows. The dark fur seemed to Lorelei to be indistinguishable from the darkness behind it. The Pokémon's teeth flashed in a snarl as it moved closer. Lorelei stepped back involuntarily, her eyes wide even as the flash of light from the Pokéball Release disappeared.
She remembered the Pokémon, from what she had seen of it. It was a Sneasel, an Ice-type Pokémon, one of the most despised types in all of Alto. Because Alto was a primarily Flying-type Pokémon country, Ice-types were not all that welcome. While the degree of acceptance of Ice-type Trainers varied from grudging respect to outright rejection. She didn't know a whole lot about it, but she had been raised from birth to not like Ice types. So Lorelei did the only thing she could do. She turned and she ran for the safety of the light. She had somehow forgotten to grab a flashlight on her way out, and now she was running as fast as her short little legs could carry her.
Lorelei heard sharp cracking sounds, and knew the Sneasel was following her. The cracking sounds had gone above her, and Lorelei instantly knew that the sounds she was hearing was of the Sneasel climing the trees around the estate.
Suddenly, Lorelei burst into the light, and Lorelei fell to her knees, gasping for breath. She hadn't expected to make it this far. She was safe. It was a dark type. It wouldn't come into the light.
Suddenly, the Sneasel appeared in front of her, and for the first time, she could see it clearly. The creature was a dark blue and gray, with white, two-fingered paws. Its short, triangular ears were of two different colors. Its right ear was shorter, while its left was considerably longer, and a deep crimson, the same color as the Sneasel's three tails. The golden gem-like growths that appeared on its head and its chest seemed to gleam brilliant in the light.
The Sneasel was down on all fours, its head down, its tails thrashing furiously, its lip curled back in a snarl. Lorelei tried to take a step backwards, but tripped and fell down. The Sneasel stood up on its hind feet, and extended its forelegs towards her. Lorelei swallowed, then screamed as two sharp claws extended from each of the Ice-type's fingers.
The Sneasel lunged forward, its small mouth opened as far as it would go, its fore and rear paws both had their claws extended, all four paws extended towards her in a bestial pounce.
Suddenly, the Sneasel was knocked aside by a green blur. The Sneasel rolled, and came to its feet in a fighting stance, its eyes watching the green blur dissolve into Brandon's Scyther.
Lorelei drank in the Scyther, glaring against the Sneasel, one foot set forward, the other foot held back, waiting for the Sneasel's next move. One of the Bug-type's scythes was held up in front of its face in a salute, the other held out perpendicular to its body, ready to swing it into action. The mantis Pokémon's wings were rattling as they buffeted the air.
For a moment, nothing happened, and Lorelei just sat in awe. She had seen Pokémon battles on the television before, but she had never seen a battle from this close before, and she had never ever seen one where her very life was riding on the outcome. Mesmerized, it didn't even occur to her to do anything but sit and watch.
The Scyther made the first move, transforming once more into the green blur as it moved faster than the human eye could keep up with, moving towards the Sneasel. But the Ice-type was faster still than the Scyther, and the next time Lorelei caught sight of the pair, Sneasel's rear paws were holding onto Scyther's arms before they turns into blades, its left claws were embedded into the Scyher's chest.
For a split second, nothing happened, and Sneasel was suspended upside down. But then there was a quick flash of light, and the two shot apart as if catapulted. Sneasel landed on its feet, and immediately leapt for Lorelei, its claws once more extended. But Scyther once again intercepted by Brandon's Pokémon. Unfortunately, Scyther wasn't quite as fast as before, and the Sneasel was able to bring its forepaws around and slashed through the Bug-type's arm, before bringing its body around and catapulting itself back on its original course.
It was only then that Lorelei realized the very real danger she was in, and she tried to get out of the way, but one of the Sneasel's claws raked her left cheek. She rolled over and over to her left, and looked up to see the Sneasel preparing to lunge once more.
Yet again, the Scyther came in, trying to protect Lorelei, but this time Sneasel was fully prepared for it. As the Flying-type charged the Ice-type, the Sneasel was leaping backwards. And with its weight on its forepaws, twin beams of ice shot out of its rear paws, and slammed into the Scyther point-blank.
The momentum carried the Scyther forward, and when its rear paws connected with the ground, it leaped once more, this time into the air once more towards Lorelei. But this time, there was nothing standing in its way. The Sneasel's teeth clamped onto Lorelei's right shoulder, and its claws ripped the little girl's dress and skin to shreds. Once more, Lorelei's scream rang through the night. Lorelei tried to shove the Sneasel off of her, but the Sneasel merely tossed aside her arms, and continued to maul her.
Then, suddenly, the Sneasel was lifted up and off of her by a strong force. But it did not go willingly. Lorelei continued to scream as a large chunk of her flesh was carried off along with the Sneasel, and stared up at her brother's Scyther. This time the Scyther placed itself directly over Lorelei, and Lorelei sobbed as she looked up to see the Sneasel coming for her.
The Bug-type lunged towards the wild Pokémon. Through the grunts and snarls of the Pokémon, Lorelei's wail rose. She watched as the Sneasel frantically tried to get past the Scyther, but the Scyther would not give up an inch. But after several seconds of frantic battling, it was clear that the Sneasel had more energy left. Scyther fell back on top of Lorelei, exhausted and unconscious, covered in scrapes, blood, and bruises.
The Sneasel advanced slowly, its features torn and ripped, its mouth and claws covered in blood. This time it knew there was nothing between it and its prey. It loomed over Lorelei, and she screamed again, holding her hands up to defend herself. The Sneasel lunged.
Suddenly, through Lorelei's closed eyes, she saw a red flash, and suddenly she could no longer hear, feel, or smell the Sneasel. Then she felt something land on her chest and begin to thrash around furiously. Lorelei cautiously opened one eye just in time to see the Pokéball stop shaking. A soft ping was heard, and Lorelei felt a tingle of excitement run through her. She had captured her first Pokémon!
Lorelei grinned and tried to push Scyther off of her, but he was too heavy. It was then that she heard the worried voices calling out her name anxiously. "Over here!" she yelled. There was a slight pause, then muffled yells from all around her rang out and she could hear people crashing through the underbrush.
Her father was the first to break through the treeline and into the light. He stopped short, his face turned pale, and he hurried to Lorelei's side. "Dear God," he whispered as he shoved Scyther off of her and wrapped her in his arms. Lorelei grinned into her father's shoulder. She had done it. She opened her mouth to tell her dad about her capture when the elation wore off and suddenly the pain hit her.
Lorelei's small body convulsed, and Lorelei's mouth opened to scream, but no sound came out. "Hello?" she dimly heard her father say into his phone. "This is Archibald Winters, I need an ambulance. Now."
Lorelei smiled up at her brother. He was standing next to her hospital bed, shaking his head. "You were lucky, Lorelei," he said softly. "You have no idea how lucky." He closed his eyes and pushed himself off from the hospital bed. He closed his eyes and turned away from her. "You have no idea how scared I was when I saw you like that," he said quietly.
Lorelei grinned lopsidedly. She had never had painkillers before, and she was really enjoying them. "Hey, I'm fine. I'm fiine. I've never been better." Lorelei's eyes were half-closed, and she wasn't paying attention to her casts and bandages. "How's my Sneasel?" she asked, grinning.
Brandon shook his head. "I don't know if it's the drugs or what, but that shouldn't be the question that you should be asking," He sighed.
Lorelei sighed back at him. "I've been in this bed for three whole days. THREE," she groused. "What am I supposed to do with all this time? Don't say school. I'm NOT going to do school."
Brandon shook his head. "you're never going to change, Lorelei," he murmured. He turned around and looked at Lorelei. "well, I'm not ure how, but we've decided to keep the Sneasel. When you're old enough, he'll go on your license. Until then, you'll have to settle for the Junior division training."
Lorelei's eyes closed as Brandon continued talking about rules and things she wouldn't be able to do. Why should she pay attention to him now if he wasn't going to follow them later? Suddenly she had something more to think about. How she would train her brand new Sneasel.
She'd train him all right.
And when she was all grown, she would be stronger than everybody. Nobody would be able to beat her when she battled them.
Nobody.