Pokémon:
A Trainers Tale
By Johnny Gu-Wop
Prologue
As far as most people are concerned, certain truths told throughout the ages are nothing more than simple folklore. Stories, designed to appeal to the young and simple minded. However, there is always more to a legend than mere opinions, and in the case of mine, it couldn't be more the case.
Let me tell you, that just because you have never seen one, does not at all indicate that they may have never existed. This world, at one time, was simply infested with magnificent creatures that are commonly referred to as Pokémon. Pokémon, are…excuse me, were, nothing short of fascinating. In the elder days, hundreds of them riddled the air, land and water. All different species, all unique. In that time, everyone had one, or more. Now I'm sure you are wondering, what exactly is a Pokémon?
If you are concerned about their exact origin and were they came from, nobody knows. Some believe they came from space, others will tell another tale, that they existed long before us. Either way, we were lucky to have them at our side. Some Pokémon, such as Porygon, or Magnezone, were not born. No, these and some others like it…were built. Why? Well human beings have always been ambitious. We want to create and control.
Well…at any rate, Pokémon are so strange and so diverse that it seems each species was created in their own ways. Regardless of how they got here, they did. Since the discover of these magnificent beasts, entire groups and cults and even religions followed. Yes, it is rather strange, that people could develop a strange mania about themselves, but regardless, for centuries humans had lived alongside Pokémon. relying on one another for companionship, and above all else, power.
Now, Pokémon and humans had a wide range of relationships. Scientists for example sought to understand these magnificent organisms, looking for clues to unlock the secrets of the universe. Some people used them for help. Chansey, for example were notorious for helping doctors in hospitals and Pokémon centers.
Of course, everyone else on the planet, had one goal in mind…to be a Pokémon Master. Children and adults alike dreamed of catching and managing the most powerful Pokémon they could find. Working hard from dawn until dusk to reach their full potential, to be the best that no one ever was. Back in those days, gyms, and contests and leagues would beef up a Pokémon. I myself had tried that some time ago. However, that is another tale for another day.
All around the world from the tip of the Orange Islands to the shores of Johto, contest would be held to determine the best of the best, and boy, were they a sight to see. Never have I seen a contest that did not give me a rush.
Considering that each region had at one time participated, it should come as nothing less than overwhelming the number of people who engaged in such activities, but to me, the most amazing region of all was Santem. Nowhere else in the world will you find such an amazing and beautiful place. Anywhere you look will see something spectacular. From the awe-inspiring scale of the Dalshtek Mountains in the north, to the great Ferrich River. Of course the cities spoke for themselves.
In all honesty, each region has their own big city, Johto for example has Goldenrod, and Sinnoh has Jubilife, but Santem…has Palendome, the regions capital. By far the most beautiful city in not only Santem, but the world. Palendome is simply overflowing with happy merchants and streets filled with music during the day, and shines brighter than the tail of an Ampharos at night, which many often complain about.
All of the citizens in that amazing place must have been taking drugs to be that happy all the time. No one could have ever expected to see people celebrating, even when there was nothing to celebrate. This behavior of course gave them a bit of a reputation according to the neighboring towns and cities. Not once however did Palendome pay any mind to it. Always happy, always focused on themselves.
Not to a selfish point mind you, but just enough so that the people were not bothered by the rumors and speculations surrounding their lovely home. Now as you can imagine their store of good will never ran thin. However, I regret to inform you that the years of peace and plenty were not to last.
Slowly the lights ran dim, the days grew short and the quiet nights came in. Eventually, the celebrating people became bitter, depressed, and afraid. For they knew something was coming, but did not know why…or when. The first they felt was a gust of wind coming through from the west. All the people walking down the dark streets looked up in terror, they let out a great shriek. Swiftly a bright light filled the sky, and the screaming ceased. The apocalypse was upon them. Rayquaza, had come.
Swiftly moving through the sky, the skyscrapers were set ablaze as screaming citizens ran for their lives. However, they were not forsaken. For trainers around the world had answered their cry for help, or at least those who did not fall victim to Rayquaza's wrath. One such trainer… was a legend himself. His name…was Red.
Red had been traveling through Santem at that point, and had gone to do what he could. Or so they thought. As fate would have it, Red would not risk the lives of his Pokémon against the behemoth. No help came from any trainers that day nor any day since. That day, changed the course of the future. For because of one bad situation, governments across the globe were afraid. This of course, marked Pokémon, as the enemy.
Now, Pokémon are all but extinct, and we must ask ourselves what could have been, had one coward stood and fought. Sometimes, I lay awake at night wishing I could go back and change those events myself. Alas, I cannot, and it should seem that Pokémon are no longer a part of our lives. Of course, I realize that this tale is far too complicated for your young ones to understand, and seeing how I have some time before your parents come to pick you up, perhaps I have time to tell you another tale.
Seeing how these events were in one way or another, set by some unseen force, you may like to hear of my own grandfather. His name was Frost. Now, this boy, was no ordinary child. No, he went on his own journey to become a Pokémon Master, which became a legend in time. Perhaps if you hear of these events, you may better understand the world we used to live in.
"Tell us then Grandpa, tell us!"
"Alright, alright, hold your horses,"
CHAPTER 1
Now, let us begin. Back in the elder days, when Pokémon still thrived, down in the South-West of the Santem region, lay the Eribek Mountains. For these mountains were the home of a group of people. Monks to be clear. They were the wisest and most intelligent individuals you could meet. Always guarding over the region. Very good thing to do on their part to be sure, for evil always looks to find a way into the world.
These monks were also very kind, even going as far as to take in the sick and abandoned. That, my dear children, is were Frost comes in. For quite by chance, and the will of the monks, fate had decided that their lives would intertwine. On a calm summer night, near the witching hour, two monks; Sage Quon, and Sage Jirajh, were traveling along one of the trails near the base of the mountains.
These two young monks, neither very old, only in their mid-thirties actually, heard something on the wind... a light breathing. Monks, being very in tune with nature, and having impeccable hearing on top of it, can in fact hear anything out of the ordinary, when anything out of the ordinary is able to be heard.
Any way, they followed the breathing towards the gates, and found a basket with a child inside. Puzzled, but not quite surprised, this was common. Every so often, parents who are unable, or even more likely, unwilling to raise a child, would leave them for the monks to raise. However, being Sages, both Quon and Jirajh, were still uncomfortable with the idea of unwanted infants. As a monk, it is custom to be sympathetic to all living things.
Quickly, they picked up the child. His cobalt eyes glistened in the moonlight. Together, they brought the child to the temple towards the middle of the settlement. This temple, is where the great Monks of old, would gather for council. Now, the monks, who seek council there, are those who are the wisest, bravest, and most tranquil, would watch over the land, not letting unsavory events undergo operation under their shadows. Violence is not the monk way, but when they are provoked, leaving would be the best thing to do.
Assuming that such a situation should occur, the monks are ready to defend the land, with the help of the legendary Pokémon. Passed down from generation to generation over the course of a thousand years. Ever since the sedition that split the Order of the Monks in two, legendary Pokémon were found and captured. Now they stay and watch, not willing to let such an event ever happen again.
When the Great Council were approached by Quon and Jirajh, the leader of the order, Master Qui-Lei, sat upon his silver chair, his snow white beard stood out against his light brown robes. Sage Jirajh's eyes met his. Still and concerned, the great monk looked at them, pondering.
"Have you another infant you wish upon us to care for?" He asked in his deep and commanding voice.
"We simply found him alone, and we can only assume that regardless of how he got there, the parents obviously do not want him," Sage Quon set down the child at Master Lei's feet.
"Of course, how silly of me, however, we do not have any quarters to spare in these halls. Perhaps it would be best if he was roomed in the North West peak,"
Now keep in mind, that Master Lei, as head of the order, was an old fashioned monk. He never felt that the full potential of the monks had been addressed, but never complained, remembering why he was head of the order in the first place. "Now that he is to be moved in, all that remains now is to determine who will raise the boy,"
"Perhaps Master Wharse could raise him," Master Goune suggested.
"Impossible, I am a guardian to several children already," Master Wharse noted, though monks were guardians to children, no monk was ever capable of raising more than a handful. This rule was made by Master Kiril, who was one of the first monks to inhabit the Eribek Mountains, he had a startling eleven children under his care, due to the stress of such a feat, he became depressed and left the order.
"I will raise the boy," Said one humble voice. This voice belonged to Master Hu. Hu was one of the younger in the order, at a notable sixtey three, this was a feat to be sure, as Master Lei for example was an astonishing ninety-one. Everyone looked at him in a strange way. Not that they were upset or offended in any way, but their voice did show some concern in their tones.
"You? Are you sure you wish to take such a responsibility?" Mater Lei asked, not wanting to offend him, but simply wishing to reassure himself that Hu was capable.
"I have confidence in my ability to raise a child master," Mater Hu reassured him. He was a bit stubborn, which was frowned upon. However, Master Lei saw this as a strength, not a weakness. Those who are set on one goal and are determined to see it through may be natural born leaders. One of the qualities that made it possible for Hu to join the council to begin with.
"Perhaps, then very well. You will raise the boy, and be sure to send him down the right path, for he is a sign. This must be the child we were supposed to keep an eye out for," This news got the council into a flurry of talking and discussing. Master Hu sat there, taking this with a grain of salt, seeing how this prophecy has no real reliable source. Still, he swore to raise the boy and that's what he did.
Master Hu took the child to an empty bedroom through corridors dug in through the mountain, forming passageways and caves leading to different areas. Each room consisted of a bed, a mirror and a window looking out to the sea. Master Hu gave him the name of Frost, on account that the room he was housed in was rather chilly, being near the snowy mist of the mountain and all.
Over the years, the boy grew up among his peers of all ages. He, like his master was humble to most and all, yet seemed to be a bit stubborn on the topics of arguments. He was also very mysterious. Keeping his skin and face hidden behind a black mask and robes. Only his baby blue eyes were visible. Regardless, he was seen as having an unimpeachable reputation among the other children his age. Despite this, Frost was seen as a humble and dedicated individual. Often he would find himself in the Great Temple towards the peak of the lowest mountain. Inside, was nothing more than a cobblestone floor, and statues of great Monks from the past.
Inside, he would sit in the middle of the floor, and meditate for what seemed like hours. Meditating, sitting perfectly still. However, something happened, while in his zone, he was interrupted. He did not know why, but he had this great urge to leave. So he did. He stood right up and left the room.
Without even thinking twice, he made his way through the winding tunnels and stairways carved into the mountain. While approaching the Western Pass, he stood, and gazed out towards the forests and fields below the mountains. Wondering what life was like, beyond the hard rock that ay beneath his feet. Still, he had no idea of what was in store for him.
While looking out past the horizon, he heard a sound. Breathing was his first guess, he followed it through the winding path until he saw it. There, laying on the ground and chained to the wall no less, was a Cyndaquil.
It lay there, quietly, sleeping, but its breath echoed through the tunnels. Frost stepped closer to it, and sat down, hoping to not startle it. He was very knowledgeable of Pokémon, and recognized it right away. Reading the all of the books he could get his hands on certainly was a good idea. As he lay there, Cyndaquil opened his eyes, and looked at Frost suspiciously.
They exchanged looks, and Cyndaquil moved over, and placed himself in Frosts lap. When a Pokémon sees someone, a bond is made. Not just anybody, but something in them made sure that they would be good friends. It cannot be put clearly in to words, but the relationship between a Pokémon and a human being, is something that even the wisest can't explain.
Frost stayed there for what seemed like hours, and wondered who had left this Cyndaquil chained to a wall, and why? Monks of all ages are raised to care for all living things, he could see that Cyndaquil was a relatively calm and affectionate creature, so he was not chained to keep away from people, he couldn't have wandered in here, he couldn't have chained himself. Frost was angry and confused, but regardless of how he got here, he was here.
So Frost left him there for a moment, and returned with some bread and water, he was careful not to be seen, he wanted this to be s secret, at least for a while. There they lay enjoying each other's company, until a great shadow overcast the both of them. The shadow, Frost quickly realized belonged to Master Hu.
He said nothing, but Frost knew he was in trouble, and followed him. He took Frost to the main temple where the great monks held council. Frost stood in the middle of the room with eight monks surrounding and looking in on him. Master Qui-Lei stood up. "Young Frost, it would seem you found our Cyndaquil,"
"Yes, I was quite puzzled by his presence in the cave," Frost replied, realizing that the monks had put him there. In his mind, Frost felt quite foolish for not guessing the obvious answer to this riddle.
"Do you know why? Why we placed him in the cave for you to find?"
"No master, I don't," By now, Frost was not only confused, but he could not help but feel angry.
"We, myself included, have come to be aware of ancient texts from the elder days, describing a sort of modulation. They speak of a boy. A boy who will change everything. Through hours of discussion and years of waiting, we have concluded that the boy the scriptures speak of…is you,"
This of course, left Frost in a state of absolute bewilderment. In his mind, a rush of theories and questions sped through his brain. Who wrote this prophecy? What makes the Monks think that he is some sort of messiah? Why would they expect him to be so accepting of this news? "Master," He sighed, "I am confident that some sort of mistake has been made,"
"Why, whatever do you mean?" Master Hu stood up, not so much angry as confused. "Do you not want to be the one who changes the world? How could any child turn down such an opportunity?'
"I meant no offense Master, I only wish to understand what you ask of me,"
"My dear Frost, we have known each other for twelve years, trust me as you always have. This path way has been placed before you. As such, this is your decision to make, not ours," Master Hu, being a humble and caring person, knew that this was too great a task for anybody, but customs, and his faith in the boy's ability to succeed, pushed him forward.
"Master, I am a monk, and a child at that, I will most certainly fail,"
"Dear Frost, you are destined for this, you will not achieve anything, cooped up in these halls, the Pokémon Tournament is calling your name, you are destined to compete,"
"You mean to say that I will be competing in the Pokémon League?" As soon as Frost heard this, a flurry of sugar coated thoughts filled his mind. His name up in lights, greeted by thunderous applause from adoring fans! He would not only be a hero, but he would be famous as well. "I suppose if that's the way it has to be," He shrugged
"Well, that's good, I suppose, you had better get ready, for your destiny lies in Palendome city to the North-East," Master Hu could not have been more pleased to hear his response
"What must I do, I do not know the way to Palendome," Frost asked, hoping to get a map of some kind.
"Down the road, about seven miles East, lies Aliroude Town. That town is the home to George Maillak, a Pokémon professor, he will ensure that you are ready for the long journey ahead of you, you will pack tonight, and go to him in the morning…after breakfast of course," With each passing moment, Frost became more and more excited, he would be the first monk, to ever become a Pokémon Master.
"Then that is where I will go, I will not fail you Master," Frost bowed
"I have faith in you, my young friend,"
"Tell me, Master, what is to become of Cyndaquil?" In all this excitement, Frost had almost forgotten about his new friend.
"Do not worry, Cyndaquil will accompany you," Master Hu reassured him, much to Frosts relief. "Now go pack, you have a long road ahead of you,"
With that, he paid his respects to the elders, and he and Cyndaquil both, returned to his quarters. By the time the sun had set, Frost had a single pack filled with clothes and food. He could resupply at Aliroude Town when he arrived. Still, despite the excitement and joy, he could not help but feel sad. He knew he would be far from home, and would not see his master for a good long while, if ever again.
Not knowing what laid ahead of him, he simply put it out of his mind, remembering that he was destined to succeed. Victory and fame were knocking at the door, and he was determined to let them in. Whatever made thee monks believe he could do this, he knew he must not disappoint them. His fate, and the future of all they stood for, depended on it.
So there he lay, on his bed for the last time. Slowly he drifted into a deep sleep. He dreamed he was on a stage, with bright lights shining upon him. Cheering fans threw flowers and gold at his feet. Music played over the sound speakers, and he had a nice tuxedo on. This is what may lie ahead of him. However, something was wrong, the music slowly faded, as did the cheering.
In mere moments the lights dimmed out, and he was standing alone in complete darkness. All alone, in a black and silent extent. All he could here, was his own breathing, and then it was silenced, by a deep and raspy voice, he could not make out what the voice was saying, but he really did not want to know. He ran from it, wherever it was coming from, faster and faster he went.
There was nothing he could do, he was out of breath and the voice was coming in clear as day. "Failure is at hand. I can see you," Before Frost were bright, lidless bright orange eyes. By now Frost was very afraid. All he saw in the eyes, was hatred and abysmal malignance. It was then that he woke up. Breathing heavily, he saw Cyndaquil next to him, still asleep.
He got up and got dressed, ready for his journey. By ten o clock, he was eating breakfast in the dining hall with the other children and monks, he knew most of the kids, but never became good friends with them. On his left several of them, were discussing Pokémon legends, such as the fall of the first dragon Pokémon, Gorma. Whom had laid waste to the Santem region, some tens of thousands of years ago.
He was slain by a mysterious warrior, and from his bones, came the birth of all dragons. Charizard, Dragonite, Kingdra and so forth owe their very existence to this dreaded beast. Frost of course was wise enough to know that this was a fable. However, he was also wise enough to not correct those who have different views. So he stayed quiet and kept to himself. After breakfast, he went to the base of the mountain where Master Hu and Master Qui-Lei were waiting.
"Well Frost, are you ready to go? Your very own Pokémon legend is about to unfold, together with Cyndaquil at your side, you will face fun times and tough challenges, are you ready to begin?" Qui-Lei stepped forward,
"Yes Master, I am," Frost bowed, he almost stuttered on his response as he held back his tears.
"My dear Frost, you have matured and grown so much since we found you twelve years ago, and now, you are going to be the first monk to become a Pokémon Trainer, do not be afraid, for one day you will tell this tale to children of your own," Master Hu smiled, he was trying to hide his sadness as well.
"Maybe, Master, I will remember you all very fondly, and I shall remember to return once I am a Pokémon Master," Frost replied glumly.
"We await your arrival," Master Hu grinned, and he knelt down and they hugged for the last time.
"I best be off then, if I am to arrive at the Pokémon Lab in Aliroude by noon," Frost signaled to Cyndaquil who jumped up onto his shoulder.
With that, they exchanged looks, and Frost headed outside, past the gates, and began walking, after a few yards, he turned around to get one last glimpse at his home, and noticed that the gates had closed behind him. Now, he was officially free, and ready for the long and dangerous road that lie ahead of him.
