Hello everyone, welcome to my story! This is the first book in a series I'm writing. Hopefully, it'll be finished the way I want it to be. I have a lot of plans to manipulate known facts and add my own into the fray as well.
Without further ado, I hope you enjoy it!
Pokémon Adventures: Turquoise, Jasper, & Ammolite
Chapter 1: VS Venonat – Legends Part 1
Location: Twinleaf Town
Date: August 4th, 3000
Time: 8:45am
Legends. Tales of mystery and wonder. In ancient times, people created these tales to explain the world about them. From the creation of the universe down to the birth emotions. There was a tale for it all. And they were recorded for all to read. The people of Sinnoh took great pleasure in their mythos. Many even claimed legends began in Sinnoh!
The region of legends. No better title than that, one trainer decided. A sentiment he's heard from many his age. Many loved Sinnoh for its history. The rich culture matched only by Johto but surpassed by Alola. But never tell a Sinnohian that.
No, they refused to accept that defeat.
This trainer knew the legends well. The tales of mountains that scarped the heavens and punched holes to the other side. Of the great lakes brimmed with human essence. Of times where humans and pokémon dined together as equals and forged bonds of everlasting friendship and love. Of titans of grand power who sculpted the world from raw strength. Or the renegade man who was finally conquered by an extraordinary presence.
Everyone oughta know 'em, he scoffed, folding his arms behind his head. He took to this quiet trail with ease, eying the wild pokémon who scampered by him. No challengers, he sighed. A quick battle wouldn't hurt, but he had a mission. Afterwards, he could train to his heart's content.
Training in Sinnoh became part of the legend itself. Although, there was no legendary town like Kanto's Pallet Town. That very town spawned the genius, Professor Oak and the first three Pokédex Holders! There was no competition. But Sinnoh had legends for each of its towns and cities.
Many of which he learned in school. The trainer sighed with a smile. Those were the days. He tapped a heal ball on his belt, releasing his partner in a burst of light and small. A small, green and pink creature with leafy scythes for hands. The creature thrilled, soaking in the sunlight before settling into a yawn.
"C'mon, Kiri—we're almost there," he proclaimed with a smile.
Back home, the elders talked a lot about these legends. Taught him and others at young for the lessons to blossom into paths of greatness. Legends in the making, his teacher called his class, especially when their eyes shined with wholesome hope and pleasure. Or when their adrenaline pumped through their veins. Words of encouragement never fail to sprout from their lips in times of dread.
He was certain the residents of Twinleaf Town were no different. Especially when they lived so close to one of the three great lakes. He entered the small town with a smile. People moved about their business early this morning with pokémon by their side. All he needed was for one of them to point him in the right direction—
"I tell you it's true," a youngster wailed to a crowd. The trainer groaned and rubbed his ears. Leave it to a brat to overuse his squeaky voice. Though it should be for good reason. The boy's clothes were tattered and ripped—probably from thorns, the trainer reasoned—with mud caked on his bare skin. His youthful tan marred with bruises and, if the trainer's eyes were correct, a burn across his forearm.
"There's a monster in the lake! It attacked me and my nidoran!"
A monster in Lake Verity? The trainer frowned. Too farfetched for his taste. Powerful pokémon never lingered along the lakefront, so the merchants told him. The most dangerous any trainer encountered was a choleric gyarados!
There's no such thing as monsters, he scoffed by opened his ears regardless. The kid had a story, no doubt about it. Perhaps it would prove to be a challenge for him.
Though his hopes weren't high. In recent years, Twinleaf Town failed to produce capable trainers—
"The boy speaks truth, if only misguided," the trainer blinked. An elderly man took the boy's side with a pleasant smile. Eyes narrowed with wisdom as leaned against his cane. "There's always been a force protecting the lakefront. A guardian blessed by Lady Mesprit herself. It serves to protect the grounds from intruders."
A guardian, the trainer scoffed. What importance lied within Lake Verity to deserve such a being? A being blessed by the lake guardian herself? Completely unnecessary if you asked him. And the crowd around him shared his thoughts if their whispers were any indication.
Something soft brushed against his leg and he smiled. Kiri stood at his feet, pleading to him with those big, beautiful eyes of hers. How could he resist? He gathered her into his arms and turned back to scene,
Clearly, the elder saw no reason to stop. He only adjusted his kimono and tapped his cane against the lush grass. It amazed him how the soft, melodic sound managed to quiet the confused herd of people. He knew teachers killed to have that superpower, especially on that last day of classes.
"Now, now," The elder smiled, gingerly tapping the pokéball on his cane. "We all knew of the legend."
The ball snapped open and released a pokémon before them all. A beautiful one with glowing, white fur. It became the perfect contrast with its pitch-black skin exposed only by its paws, it's feline face and oval-shaped crest on its forehead. Not to mention the scythe-like tail and crescent horn jutted out from its forehead.
But all its featured paled in comparison to its eyes. Sharp, red orbs that pierced through his soul. He saw glimpses of the wisdom they held, but something them froze him to his core. Those cold eyes demanded something from the trainer that he wasn't prepared give.
Something he could never regain.
He flinched. Not his proudest moment, but it happened. And the pokémon reacted with a snarl as it tensed its lithe form.
"You feel it, Absol?" The man said in a graveled whisper. At once, the strange pokémon—absol, he heard about the species, but never encountered one in person—eased off but kept those eyes fixated on him. The elder stroked its forehead and locked eyes with the trainer. "Young man, what is your name."
Part of him wanted nothing more than to flip the old geezer off. If there was one thing, he hated was unwanted attention. But he shrunk under the questioning gaze of the crowd. Of course, they were wrapped up in his every word—baring down him with their millions of eyes.
"Paxton," he spoke softly, holding Kiri closer for comfort. He was thankful his partner glared at the absol and waved its arms for battle. Kiri was always ready to defend him. "Paxton Lotus of Floaroma Town. This is my partner pokémon, Kiri the formantis."
The geezer nodded with a strange smile. But Paxton couldn't place why it disturbed him. "You all remember the legend," the geezer spoke again. "A child blessed with verity. Discovered by the peaceful flower." Paxton groaned. Of course, this had something to do with him. No wonder he didn't trust the geezer. "Tell me, young one. What has brought you to his town?"
This had to be a trick question. No trainers came to this town without one goal in mind. A common decision amongst trainers to explore supposed mystical hotspots.
A rite of passage.
"To see the lake guardian with my own eyes," So why did the words leave his mouth? What compelled him to answer such an obvious question? "And start my journey with an adventure."
"An adventure," The man smiled. A knowing smile Paxton saw plentifully on his father's face. "An adventure intertwined with the red strings. Yes, you certainly shall receive one. Follow me, please youngling."
Something tells me I shoulda stayed in Floaroma Town
Suddenly, staying in Floaroma Town felt like the right move. Paxton sighed and ran a hand through his curly green hair. But he had to admit. He never guessed Lake Verity was like this. Granted, those legends formed his perception. Most of the western Sinnohian legends seemed so farfetched. From the ghosts who spirited away young children to his town being desolate by blessed by a powerful being.
Though he supposed there was some truth to them.
Paxton heard all the legends of Lake Verity. Stories of a grand lake filled with playful pokémon. The young bounded with joyful abundance in search of playmates. The old always observed from a distance. Sometimes rare and foreign pokémon even migrated for solitude and protection under the lake's grand authority. All made possible by the beautiful being who blessed the land with tranquility.
Legends, Paxton grumbled, constructed for the public.
The exterior failed to marvel him. Instead…it possessed an eerie aura. Haunting even as the chilly breeze rustled the trees. He wrinkled his nose. He could almost taste it. Thick and heavy as it weighed down on the towering trees. Silencing the young starlies as their chirps echoed sporadically.
Yet I don't hear a single wing beat.
The interior disappointed him even more. A fog darkened his view just as the geezer told him. Though he hoped he was wrong. For a legendary lake, this place was…dull! Where were the pokémon? He'd even take a random trainer!
Guess the Beast of Lake Verity scared 'em off, Paxton frowned and folded his arms. To think they really roped him into this. If you asked him, the brat lied, and the geezer just played it up. Twinleaf Town might not have powerful trainers, but he doubted none of them could handle whatever lived in this lake.
Thought it didn't explain the silence. He couldn't even hear his footsteps! Or his breath even as it crystalized in front of him.
Wait, what? He froze and exhaled. Sure enough, his breath crystalized before it faded into the fog. But that's impossible! It's still summer!
"Kiri, I don't like this," he shivered and looked down at his partner. Kiri gazed up him and smiled. She nodded and pointed to a path. "Yeah…let's get moving."
He never thought silence rattled him like this. But perhaps it was lake? Lake Verity. The Lake of Emotions. This place almost drained it all from him. And the silence? That was the real kicker.
Lake Verity, the lake of truth, was silent. And with each step, Paxton dreaded he'd discover why.
This is the life of a trainer, right? He gulped, taking the right path like the geezer said.
His father recited tales of adventure and mystery numerous times before bed. As a child, he longed to explore forbidden areas and encounter strange pokémon.
Just like his father.
Shape up, Paxton! You got this!
Confidence. The greatest task of all was its development. Paxton never considered himself timid, but confident was a stretch. He conjured the nerve to set out to this lake, but its aura slaughtered his strength. How did the townsfolk live near this toxic place?
"Kiri, do you feel this?" The young mantis was his only source of comfort as he held her to his chest. She, however, didn't share his sentiment. If Paxton wasn't mistaken, she appeared calm. "Kiri?"
Kiri glanced at him. Her sparkling red eyes gleamed with purpose and clarity. She nodded to him and rubbed his arms.
That he heard.
"Do you see something?"
(Fomantis.) Kiri nodded and pointed her arm. A leftward path, he noted. Distinctly different from the elder's advice. "Keep to the right," he droned with that absol nodding in agreement. "Keep to the right and you will find your adventure."
Keep right, Paxton frowned. The rightward path was clearer. Masked in a thin fog but parted perfectly by the trees. But Kiri says go left, a darker path with a heavy fog.
(Fo! Fomantis!)
Sharp pains blossomed from his arms and he bit his lip. His father warned him well of loud sounds. "Nngh, Kiri? What was that for?"
(Fo!) Kiri wretched herself free from his hold and waved her arms. Her features were tensed as though battle was imminent, but he saw no enemies. (Fo—tis! F—a—s! F—!)
"Kiri," Paxton flinched. His voice—it grew raspy. A hand shot to his throat, but he flinched. Cold and numb. His fingertips especially as he stroked his throat harder to gain sensation. "Wha—ening?"
My voice! Paxton stumbled back and gripped his throat. Only seconds had passed, but the cold deepened. His arms numbed as he fought to keep them in use. His legs trembled as he leaned against something smooth. Paxton hoped it was a tree. What's happening? I-I can't breathe!
Spots dotted his vision and his blinks didn't deter their growth. Thoughts raged in a wildfire as his eyes darted back and forth. Everything blurred. But he felt so cold. So numb. So distant from himself.
The world stopped moving. Kiri vanished.
And Paxton saw darkness.
I should've stayed in Floaroma Town, Paxton groaned. Never had this pain wrecked through his body. The aches reached passed his muscles and rattled his bones as his chest heaved. Lead eyelids struggled to open. Only seconds did he manage before they snapped shut. He had a feeling it wasn't from the sunlight either.
Is this really what being a trainer's about? Paxton hoped not. He lifted his back up from the soft grass but didn't get far. His body couldn't do it just yet. Damn this sucks.
(Fomantis!)
Paxton finally managed to sit up and when a green blur tackled his chest. A flare of pain burned through his veins and he groaned. The feeling, however, didn't last long. Not when the bundle of joy bounded onto his shoulder and nuzzled his cheek. The soft bulb caressed his skin as those sickle-arms hugged his skin.
"Kiri," His raspy voice sounded through the air. "What happened? Where—huh? It's not cold anymore."
That odd chill. Paxton frowned and flexed his fingers. Their reaction was sluggish, but without those painful needles digging into his skin. A start, he supposed.
(Fo…Fomantis.)
"I'm sorry I worried you, Kiri," Paxton smiled and pulled his partner into his chest. Warmth blossomed through his skin and he tightened his hold. The remnants of that deathly chill burned away from Kiri's presence. And his heartbeat filled his ears. "I'm sorry I dragged us here. I just wanted to prove myself. I didn't mean to scare you like that."
Paxton blinked away fresh tears. Crying solved nary a problem. His father taught him that years ago. However, it felt right once his emotions whirled free from his control. Despite his best efforts, those hot tears streaked down his sienna skin.
He sobbed loud and hard as his body shock and quivered. The strange fear clasped at his heart as dark thoughts ran rampant. All he saw was his body collapsing against that tree, sliding down as his muscles gave in to the cold. The chills snatching at his throat as he fought for air to fill his lungs. The darkness as it swallowed his mind whole and refused to let go.
"I-I'm sorry, Kiri! I'm so-so sorry!"
(Starly!)
Paxton blinked his watery eyes as another chirp echoed through the air. He followed the sound and found the source perched at his side. A starly if he remembered right. An odd bird with timid mannerisms. He never knew one to approach humans without the comfort of its flock.
(Shinx!)
Now, this was odd. A starly was expected. The young birds claimed the lake as their own for numerous reasons. Shinx, on the other hand, rarely strayed this far from their home. Nor did they accept the company of bird pokémon so freely. Yet, here this shinx was, sitting beside the starly with a smirk. A smug one that challenged anyone to test its might in battle.
The abnormal pair recited speeches comprised of chirps and growls before they took off. Paxton frowned. Bizarre, but he supposed it was for the best. He still had to discover this so-called Beast of Lake Verity.
And, Paxton gulped and wiped his eyes, defeat it.
That meant—despite the aches, Paxton climbed to his feet with Kiri in his arms—he had ways to travel if he wanted to make it to the lakefront. No more setbacks, he decided with a grin. He took a step forward and paused once the breeze whisked passed. Fresh with the scent of life and—
Huh? Paxton's hazel eyes widened. He was here. Lake Verity. It looked just like the pictures. However, there was the strange aura from the exterior. This time, it was subdued. Chirps and splashing water echoed through his ears. He could see it now. The starlies claimed the skies with their chirps and the goldeens danced through the clear waters with elegance. Paxton always loved how their tails billowed like a ballroom dance when they leapt free of the water.
How did I get here? Paxton frowned and glanced down at his partner. Kiri couldn't have dragged me. So, what—
(Veno-NAT!)
Paxton thanked Arceus his father trained his battle reflexes. He barely saw the comets of green light slice through the sky before he moved. His sluggish muscles, however, floundered to his commands. A graceful leap disfigured into a stumbling tumble and roll. It was better than nothing, even as his forehead throbbed.
Though, he counted himself lucky his body reacted at all. Whatever that attack was, it scorched where he stood, launching soil and dead grass into the skies.
Th-That coulda been me, Paxton tensed and scrambled to his feet. Kiri needed no commands. She squirmed out of his arms and tensed for battle. Was that the beast?
(Fo!) Kiri's shout came just in time. Paxton dove again as those comets barreled passed him. Kiri was on the move, launching a barrage of glowing, spiraling leaves at the mystery attacker. Just like they practiced, he realized, she kept moving. (Fomantis!)
Kiri's on the offense, but where's the beast? There weren't many places to hide in this clearing. The tall grass was the closest, but— what was that?
It was fast, but Paxton knew he saw it. A purple mass sped passed and those lime comets followed soon after.
"Kiri, the beast is using the grass to hide! Trim it with Razor Leaf!"
(Fo! Fo!) Kiri wasted no time. Before he knew it, the grass shortened, and sharped leaves ripped through the air. In the epicenter stood Kiri with her scythe arms posed for combat. And that beast circled her. This time, he clearly saw the creature. It moved quite fast with those clodhopper feet.
(Venonat!) The beast paused, but Paxton wished it hadn't. The title of beast suited it perfectly by his qualifications. Giant red, dotted-eyes, stubby paws, a pincer mouth, and twin antennas stuck out of its unsightly purple fur. Paxton almost felt sorry such a hideous creature existed. No sane trainer would ever raise it.
Hideous or not, this creature attacked him and terrorized the residents of Twinleaf. It was his mission to defeat it. "Kiri, get in close with Leaf Blade!" Kiri rushed forward with his scythes glowing a vibrant green. The beast posed itself to dodge, but it never did. Kiri scored a direct slash across its chest. "Yes! Now, batter it with Fury Cutter!"
Paxton knew not what kind of pokémon this beast was. However, it mattered not once fury cutter came into play. With each slash, Kiri's attack power increased. And the beast's buzzes evolved into cries of pain as Kiri continued her onslaught.
"Yes! That's the way! Kiri, it's time to kill this atrocious aroma! Leaf—"
(Fo!) Paxton froze. A mangled cry rung through his ears. Nothing like the beast's vibrating tones. Kiri? Before his eyes, his partner pokémon collapsed, using her arms for support. (F-Fo…)
But how?!
(Veno!) Paxton watched in horror as the air rippled around Kiri before she was smacked away by an invisible force. (Venonat!)
Reeee!
No, Paxton watched in horror as the beast's giant eyes shined in a lime green light. It shook its mangy purple fur and orbs of a familiar light wiggled free. That's the move!
"Kiri!" Paxton screamed, but it fell on deaf ears. The orbs streaked at speeds beyond his comprehension until they moved into comets of lime energy. And pelted Kiri with reckless abandon. "No!"
Paxton didn't feel himself scramble to his feet and force his tired legs to run and dive for his partner. He scoped her into his arms and pressed her against his chest. Like the fighter she was, Kiri wiggled and slapped his arms. She wanted to fight, but Paxton refused to let her. Not when she sustained—
Poisoned? Sure enough, her brilliant green hair was diluted with streaks of purple. But when?
(Venonat!) Paxton glared at the beast, but his edge melted away. The beast stared at them with those unmoving eyes with those orbs hovering around them. Paxton lost count of how many loomed over them, but the dread weighed heavy on his shoulders. (Veno—!)
"Motha," A calm, melodious voice washed over the field. And the beast paused. Those orbs dissipated in spark of lime light and the creature settled down. It hobbled passed Paxton with a certain bounce that Paxton didn't appreciate. "That's enough."
Paxton turned around. That beast—Motha, the voice dubbed it—stood at the foot of the lake. Something floated down beside it. Another hideous monstrosity. Light green with beady eyes and red mouth. All concealed within a weird, translucent green sphere. The new creature thrilled and…spoke?
Yeah, Paxton groaned, they're speaking to each other. Great.
The last thing he needed was a team-up. Though—his heavy hand lingered at his belt—he supposed his team could handle them.
"That's enough fighting, please," the same voice spoke and again. Paxton followed it to the source and gasped.
A trainer climbed out of the crystal blue waters. His curly black hair clung to his beautiful, hazelnut skin as the water dripped down his toned body. Clothed only in a pair of black, square leg briefs decorated with bugs and bubbles. He brushed back a lock from his face and revealed sparkling sky-blue eyes. As light as the heavens above, but something about them appeared shattered to Paxton.
Almost like pain marred his soul.
He'd seen that look before. His father wore it plenty when his anniversary came around.
"Who are you?" He spoke again with that same melodious quality. Only this time, there was a noticeable edge like a cliff blocking a powerful wave. "What are you doing in Lake Verity?"
Paxton didn't know how to respond. His lip quivered as he tightened his grip on his injured partner. This trainer must have raised that beast for it to respond to him. He caused that boy and Kiri to gain such injuries. He was the enemy.
So why was his heart pounding through his chest?
"M-My name is Paxton, Paxton Lotus of Floaroma Town," he gulped and dipped a hand to his belt. "I'm here to defeat the Beast of Lake Verity."
The trainer paused at that. It was strange. Paxton felt the heated anger raise through the teen's body. His features, however, never changed. It was his eyes that gave him way. The shattered look solidified and his eyes darkened with flecks of gray. Like a hurricane ravaged the land and Paxton was powerless to stop it.
"I am the guardian of Lake Verity," He spoke with harsh gravel. Guardian? So that legend is real? "My name is Turquoise. Turquoise Yukule."
