Hey there Pokémon fans! This is Fanficwriter45. The idea for this fic came to me awhile ago, but I never had the chance to post it. Now that I'm a poor college student (a very bored one at that), I finally have a chance. Though this is not my first fic, it is my first Pokémon. This first chapter is one big flashback. It was the best way, in my opinion, to introduce the main character and begin the story.
Well, without further ado, I present The Next Ketchum.
Disclaimer: I own only my ideas. Pokémon belongs to Nintendo.
Chapter 0: Flashback
*Flashback*
"Mommy can I go play at the playground?" a child around the age of five asked. He had brown hair and chocolate eyes.
"Of course, sweetie; just remember to take all your friends with," she answered.
"And be careful," added the father.
"I promise!" the boy yelled to them, already running toward the playground; his pals in the backpack on his back.
Once he was out of his parents' sight, he felt someone grab him and a cloth forced over his was unconscious before he could shout for help. He woke up later, seeing that he was surrounded by his friends, before blacking out again.
*End Flashback*
"Pika?"
"I'm just thinking. Go back to sleep, Pikachu, we've got a big day tomorrow."
*Flashback*
"Good morning," the little boy heard a voice say as he woke up.
"Who's there?" he asked, surveying his surroundings. Then he recalled what his father had told him: When you don't know where you are or hear strange things, your friends are there to protect you. He then reached for his backpack, but it wasn't there.
"Where's my friends?" he asked, now scared.
"You mean your Pokémon?" a blue-haired woman asked me.
"Yeah," he answered, feeling better since he knew who the woman was. "They were in my backpack, Officer Jenny."
"Here you go then," she said as she handed him his bag.
"Thank you," he said as he took out a few pokeballs. "I choose you: Pichu, Eevee, Treecko, Totodile, Torchic, and Charmander."
"Pichu pi."
"Vee vee."
"Treecko."
"Totodile."
"Chic torchic."
"Char char."
"You have quite the collection there. Where did you get them all?" Officer Jenny asked.
"From Mommy and Daddy, and Uncle Brock too," the boy said proudly.
"What are your Mommy's and Daddy's names?" Jenny asked, surprised he had parents since she had found him in an abandoned warehouse.
He stood there for a little while thinking, and got scared. "I can't remember," the boy said, starting to cry.
"Well, what's your name?" Officer Jenny asked in an attempt to calm me down.
"My name's Jack, um... I can't remember my last name!" Jack yelled as he began to cry harder.
"It'll be fine. Can you tell me where you live?"
"I... d-don't... know!" he managed to get out between sobs.
"Every thing's going to be fine, Jack. You just have to stay here until you remember something, ok?" Officer Jenny stated.
"Ok," Jack whimpered, rubbing his eyes. "Can I keep my friends with me?" he asked, thinking that she might take them away.
"Of course you can," she answered with a smile, "now why don't you let the rest of them out; you might just remember something."
"Okay," he said, releasing the rest of his Pokémon, "go Turtwig, Taillow, Gible, Torkoal, Vulpix, Ralts, Corphish, Zubat, Wurmple, Buizel, and Riolu."
"What about this one?" Jenny asked, picking up a lone pokeball.
"That's Onix. He's too big to fit in the room, even though his daddy's way huger!" Jack answered. "Yay, I remembered something!"
"Can you remember anything else?"
"I remember that Pichu and Eevee are brothers, and that Treecko and Torchic are brother and sister. Oh, and Uncle Brock gave me Onix, Zubat and Vulpix," Jack said, still trying to remember stuff.
"How are they brother and sister?" the officer asked.
"Daddy's Sceptile married Mommy's Blaziken," Jack answered.
"What about the other two?"
"Daddy's Pikachu married Mommy's Glaceon."
"So, we know that your father has a Pikachu and a Sceptile, and your mother has a Blaziken and a Glaceon. Can you remember any of their other Pokémon?" Officer Jenny asked.
"Um, Charmander's daddy is my daddy's Charizard. Totodile's daddy is my daddy's Feraligator. Turtwig's daddy is my daddy's Torterra. Torkoal used to be Daddy's. Taillow's mommy is my daddy's Swellow. Gible's daddy is my daddy's Garchomp. Corphish's daddy is my daddy's Crawdaunt. Wurmple's mommy is my mommy's Beautifly and his daddy is my daddy's Butterfree. Buizel's daddy is my daddy's Floatzel. And Riolu's daddy is my daddy's Lucario." Jack said, counting them off on his fingers.
"What about your Ralts?" Officer Jenny asked.
"I think Uncle Max gave her to me."
"So, we know that your dad has a Pikachu, Sceptile, Charizard, Feraligator, Torterra, Swellow, Garchomp, Crawdaunt, Butterfree, Floatzel, and Lucario. We also know that your mom has a Glaceon, Blaziken, and Beautifly. Can you recall any of their other Pokémon?"
"I think Mommy has a Skitty and an Ivysaur that married Daddy's Venusaur. Oh, Mommy's Wartortle married Daddy's Blastoise. Daddy has a Megnium too," Jack answered.
"Do you remember what they look like, or something about them?" Jenny asked.
"Daddy always wears a hat, and Mommy likes the color red."
"Ok. I'm going to go see if I can find out who your parents are. Until then, you are free to explore the building. Oh, and this is your room until I tell you other wise."
"Okey dokey," Jack answered. When she was gone, Jack asked, "Who wants to go explore?"
"Char!" Charmander raised his claw, along with Buizel, Turtwig, Totodile, Gible, and Wurmple.
"Then let's go!"
As soon as the door opened, the two water types bolted down the hall. The others waited for Jack.
"Hey! Wait up!" Jack shouted, running after the two Pokémon. Wurmple, who was sitting on Jack's head, looked like a flag in the wind as the child ran, the other three right behind their trainer.
When they managed to catch up with Buizel and Totodile, the alligator bumped into a boy who was a few years older than Jack.
"Watch it, you stupid Pokémon!" he shouted.
"Don't yell at my friend!" Jack yelled back.
"You mean that this worthless thing belongs to you?"
"Totodile doesn't belong to me; he's my friend."
"Sorry to tell you, but Pokémon aren't meant to be friends, they're meant for battle. Any good trainer knows that," the boy mocked.
"Well all my Pokémon are my friends!" Jack exclaimed.
"Then let's see whose Pokémon are stronger, my fighters or your friends."
"Fine."
"Char," Charmander agreed.
"Meet me in the gym in an hour, loser," he said, turning his back to Jack.
"Come on guys, let's go get the others," Jack said to his Pokémon. "Um, does anyone remember which way we came from?"
"Buizel," the otter groaned, smacking himself in the face.
"Look who showed up," the bully mocked as Jack entered the gym, his Pokémon following.
"Onix, there's room in here for you," Jack said, letting the rock snake out of its pokeball.
"This will be a six-vs-six battle, got it?"
Jack nodded his head, surveying the room. He was shocked to see all the kids in the bleachers, who were expecting a quick victory. "Officer Jenny, what are you doing here?" he asked, spotting the blue-haired woman.
She smiled, "I'm reffing the battle. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Huh?"
"He has really powerful Pokémon," she explained.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. And he called Totodile stupid. I don't like it when people call my friends names. Mommy told me to fight for what you believe in, and I believe that it's not nice to call people names."
"Okay. It seems like you're remembering things. Do you remember anything else?"
"No," Jack whispered, hanging his head.
"What's taking so long; you scared?" the other boy mocked.
"I'm not scared of a bully," Jack stated, glaring at his foe.
"Go out there and fight for your friends," Officer Jenny encouraged Jack.
"Okay."
"This match is between Jack and Paul. Send out your first Pokémon."
"Rattata, let's kick some butt!"
"Charmander, let's show everyone that we're not losers," Jack said as Charmander ran out onto the field.
"Char char."
Officer Jenny announced, "You may begin."
"Rattata, Tackle that stupid lizard," ordered Paul.
"Charmander, use Growl."
"Char," he growled, stopping the charging purple rat in its tracks.
"Now use Scratch!"
Charmander nodded. His claws gleamed as he charged Rattata.
"Tail Whip, Rattata" ordered Paul.
Rattata turned its back to glare at its trainer, giving Charmander an opening. The rat flinched in pain as Charmander's claws dug into its skin.
"You stupid rat! Listen to me!"
"Quick, Charmander, hit it with Ember!"
"Char!" the lizard shouted, a small ball of fire forming in his mouth. Charmander then launched it, managing to hit his opponent's tail. Rattata wailed in agony as it ran in a circle, trying to put out the flame. All it accomplished was to make itself dizzy. Rattata fell to the ground, swirls in its eyes.
"Rattata is unable to battle; Charmander wins," Officer Jenny announced.
"Stupid thing," Paul said as he recalled his Pokémon.
"Good job, Charmander," Jack praised, wrapping his arms around the lizard.
"Char, charmander," he said, doing a victory pose.
"Choose your next pokemon," Jenny said.
"Mankey, kick some butt."
"Totodile, it's your turn."
"Totodile!" the blue, bi-pedaled alligator cheered as he ran onto the field.
"Mankey, start with Scratch."
"Totodile, use Rage." The alligator nodded; a red aura surrounding him.
"Ha! Your Pokemon's too scared to do anything," Paul mocked.
"Just wait," Jack smirked. When Mankey scratched Totodile, the red aura grew larger. "Now Totodile, Scratch!"
"Dile!" he exclaimed, charging the pig-monkey. The monkey attempted to dodge Totodile's lightning fast claw, but was sent flying into the bleachers instead, creating a cloud of dust. As the dust cleared, it was clear that Mankey had fainted.
"How can that thing move so fast?" Paul asked, his mouth wide open.
"Totodile got his speed from his daddy," Jack beamed.
"Mankey is unable to continue; Totodile wins."
"Good job, buddy," Jack acknowledged as the hyperactive alligator tackled him.
"Send out your next Pokémon," the officer announced.
"Machop, you better not lose!" A grey, body-builder Pokémon appeared in a red flash of light.
"Treecko, time to shine!" Jack announced as he got off the ground.
"Cko," the green, wood gecko said, nodding to his trainer.
"Machop, Low Kick!"
"Treecko, dodge it and use Leer!"
As Machop tried to kick Treecko, the gecko leaped into the air and landed behind it. He then leered at it, making Machop back away in fear.
"Machop, Focus Energy then use Karate Chop!"
"Treecko, use Pound!"
Treecko nodded, rushing towards Machop, his fist glowing with energy. Machop just stood there, focusing his thoughts. Just as Treecko was about to strike his foe, the other Pokémon smacked him in the face, sending the gecko flying.
"Take that loser," Paul laughed.
"Treecko, are you okay?" Jack asked his friend.
"Tree...cko," the pokemon answered in pain.
"Try to use Absorb, Treecko."
The wood gecko pushed himself into a standing position. He began to focus on his enemy's life force, imagining it being transferred to him. As green energy left Machop's body, Treecko's wounds began to heal. No one had noticed the green aura that had surrounded Treecko, powering up his attack.
"Machop is unable to battle; Treecko is the victor," Officer Jenny announced, seeing the body-builder laying on the ground unconscious.
"You piece of crap," Paul muttered, recalling Machop.
"Way to go Treecko!" Jack shouted, high-fiveing his Pokémon.
"Torchic, chic," his sister said.
"Cko," the gecko blushed at his sister's praise.
"Trainers, choose you next Pokémon."
"Geodude, don't you dare loose!" A rock with arms appeared on the field.
"Onix, your turn."
"Onix!" the rock snake roared, slithering into place.
"Geodude, Defense Curl!" The rock curled up into a ball.
"Onix, start with Screech."
"Onix!" he roared, sending the ball of rock rolling.
As Geodude uncurled, Paul shouted, "Geodude, Tackle that snake!"
"Onix, use your own Tackle!"
The two rock beings collided, sending a cloud of dust into the air. Seconds later, the smaller of the two flew out and landed at its trainer's feet.
"Geodude is unable to battle; Onix wins."
"How am I losing to this kid?" Paul questioned.
"Go Onix!" Jack praised, patting the snake on the tail.
"Send out your next Pokémon."
"Nidoran Male, your turn!" Paul shouted, throwing a pokeball. A light purple rabbit with a horn came out of the pokeball.
"Wurmple, show them what we're made of!"
"Wurmple," the red caterpillar squeaked as he jumped off Jack's head.
"You're using that thing? You're stupid," Paul chuckled. "I'll let you send out another one since I'm so nice."
"Nope, we're good," Jack answered.
"Your funeral," Paul said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Trainers, you may begin."
"Nidoran, Peck the bug!" The rabbit's horn gleamed as it charged.
"Wurmple, use String Shot!" The bug nodded, shooting a silky thread out of its mouth. The thread wrapped around Nidoran, encasing it in a silk cocoon. "Now use Tackle," Jack ordered.
"Wurmple, wurm," he chanted, rushing towards his foe. The force of his attack sent Nidoran flying into a random kid in the bleachers.
"Nidoran is unable to battle; Wurmple wins."
"How did a little bug beat me?" Paul asked, the shock plain on his face.
"Yay, Wurmple!" Jack shouted, giving the caterpillar a hug.
"Choose your last Pokémon," Jenny stated.
"Squirtle, it's up to you," Paul said, sending out his final Pokémon.
"Squirtle," a tiny, blue turtle said.
"Pichu, do your best."
"Pi, pichu," the tiny, yellow mouse squeaked.
Paul laughed, "What a weak Pokémon."
"Don't make fun of Pichu! He's not weak! He always protected me when I got in trouble or got lost. He's my bestest friend!" Jack shouted at the top of his lungs.
"That little thing?" he said, sizing up Pichu, "I doubt that."
"Shut up! You can make fun of me all you want, but don't make fun of my friends!"
"Pichu," the tiny mouse squeaked. Suddenly, he was surrounded by a blinding light that made everyone turn away. After it died down, a yellow mouse with red cheeks stood where Pichu once stood.
"Pichu, is that you?" Jack asked.
"Pi," the mouse answered, nodding its head.
"Jack, your Pichu evolved into Pikachu," Officer Jenny explained.
"Really?"
"Pi, pikachu," the evolved mouse said.
"Yay, Pichu evolved!"
"It won't help you," Paul sighed, twiddling his thumbs.
"Sure it won't," Jack replied.
"Squirtle, Bubble!" The turtle nodded, launching dozens of bubbles from its mouth.
"Pikachu, use Thundershock."
"Pikachu!" the mouse shouted, sending a minuscule bolt of lightning towards his opponent. Several explosions were heard when the lightning made contact with the bubbles.
"Squirtle, dodge it now!" Paul shouted, but it was too late. The turtle experienced a treatment of shock therapy.
"Squirtle is unable to continue; Pikachu wins. Jack is the victor."
"Squirtle, you failed," Paul muttered, sulking into the shadows.
"Go Pikachu! You won!" Jack exclaimed, squeezing the life out of the poor mouse. After Pikachu began to breathe again, the young boy asked, "How did you evolve?"
"Pi pikachu, pika pikachu."
"Huh?"
"Cha," the mouse sighed in defeat.
"Jack, these people would like to take care of you for a little while, okay?" Officer Jenny stated as she approached the boy.
"Why?"
Officer Jenny sighed, "Jack, since you have a mommy and a daddy, we can't take care of you here."
"Will I be with them forever?" the boy asked, tears welling up in his chocolate eyes.
"Of course not," Jenny said. "It's only until we find your mom and dad."
"Okay."
"Good. This is Rick and Amy Landaris. You'll have their last name until we find out what yours is," the officer explained.
"Hi," Jack greeted his foster parents.
"Hello," the woman replied.
The boy turned to Officer Jenny. "Can I still keep my Pokémon?" he asked.
"Of course you can," she answered. "Now can you return your Pokémon back into their pokeballs? They all can't fit in the car."
"Ok," Jack sighed. His face lit up as if it was Christmas. "I remember that Mommy and Daddy would always let Pikachu, Eevee, and Wurmple stay out of their pokeballs," he said.
"Okay," Rick said, "then they can stay out."
"Yay!" Jack exclaimed. He turned to his Pokémon, "Everyone return."
"Pika?" The electric mouse questioned.
""We have a new home," Jack told him, Eevee and Wurmple. The fox and the caterpillar were jumping for joy, while Pikachu looked doubtful. "Let's go guys." Wurmple climbed onto Jack's head as Eevee and Pikachu climbed aboard his shoulders.
Well, that's the first chapter. You can probably figure out who Jack's parents are. If not, then... well you're out of luck until they make their entrance in a few chapters. Since I already have several chapters written, expect the next one by Tuesday. I just have to read through it and fix anything I don't like.
This is FFW signing out...