The War Begins

It was simply brutal. Ice beam, after ice beam and Thunderbolts in return, the battle just continued to waiver onwards towards the inevitable defeat of another challenger at the Viridian Gym. Rod watched on as his father dealt another finishing blow on a challenger that had seemed so confident beforehand. No mercy. His father's Rhyhorn spat another Ice beam, with almost a hint of laziness, at the opposing Raichu. Success was obvious, and the Raichu was buckling down steadily. Its electrical bolts useless, and bruises starting to show up. Rhyhorn went in for a tackle and it was over in a mixture of relief and almost joy. The challenger returned his Pokemon and left with his head down and cap lopsided. His Raichu would not be battling for a foreseeable future. Rod's father turned away muttering words of disgust at the lack of challenge. Rhyhorn had barely been wounded, and its rock hard skin layer was still shining and gleaming in the sunlight. It too looked disappointed with the battle.

Rod was watching from the nearby window. It was a late summer day, and the sun was beginning to set. He continued to stare at the battlefield covered with dark burns and bumps, and he began to wonder how such a brutal beating was even legal. The referee of the match began to clean the mess up steadily, he too just stayed quiet. Nobody wanted the beating that was just handed out. Rod glanced down at the grass below him and began to wonder how his journey into the world will begin. How will he fair in the battling department, would he finish his challenges brutally or with a tinge of sympathy. Too many influences was around him.

An old newspaper flickered past him on the side street as he walked to the markets for late night trading. Potions, poke balls and magical stones were objects worth for a trainers journey. His started very soon, and he needed supplies. Rod wanted to be ready. The wind picked up and the newspaper soared into the air. Rod caught it, opened to the first page to read the announcement:

THEFT IN PEWTER, ROCKET STRIKES AGAIN

It was the third act of terror this week in the Kanto region. Escalating slowly, Team Rocket had returned from an unknown source. A group of poachers, hunters and dictators that wished to used Pokemon to take over regions and even the world. The article once again spoke about a boy who had stopped their plans many years ago. Many thought they were gone, but yet here they were again causing terror.

Rod continued to walk with the newspaper, flipping through the pages of the beginning of the new war on terror. A Pokemon war to start right here in the Kanto region. It was not supported by anyone Rod knew, war was never an answer to problems. Team Rocket had been stopped before by a single individual, Rod couldn't see how it couldn't be done again.

He had lived in the Kanto region for his whole life, taking occasional trips to the Orange Islands and to main cities such as Goldenrod with his family. Of course that had stopped happening after the accident. An event that had haunted him since. The sight of his mother being crushed in a car by a moving truck unaware of her driving. The event happened many years ago, and it was something he wouldn't forget.

Rod threw the newspaper in the bin, where immediately Ratata and Spearow appeared in hope for a speck of food. The market was up ahead and the lights and voices were heard. Excitement wellowed up within him. His journey began tomorrow, and he had to get ready. He ran forward and began buying supplies.

…

Giovanni had returned, and so had Team Rocket. Coming out of hiding was no easy manner. Many thought he was dead, but he had travelled like a normal trainer. Avoiding the attention of roads and choosing the scenic routes. Mt. Silver was his home for many years, where he found time for him to think. Did he regret his past? Being foiled by an individual who seemed like just a child. His career was ruined, but a new direction came to his mind. Not legendary Pokemon, not money or any other financial gain of objects. Terror. Pure spite violence and terror will bring people down. Pokemon will begin to realise a change in the world's power levels, and who the true leader is. No mercy. Team Rocket had returned and he was in charge again, and there was no way anything was going to change that.

Giovanni sat down as his desk. The slight chill that struck him slightly was familiar. Was there something else out there to foil him again? But who was it? Is this the paranoia the therapist spoke about, or was their really another plot to ruin him again? He sat down, picked up his phone and called Headquarters in Saffron City, Kanto. If there was a threat, he needed to know right away.

"Contact Viridian's agents," he spoke softly, "I need to meet with the gym leader. It has been a long time since we've spoken."

…

The stage was set, Rod was changed and his journey about to begin. Sun battered down from around the trees in the nearing Viridian Forest. Bag was packed with clothes, money, food and the supplies from the market. His pockets contain Pokeballs decreased in size for transport. His father stood behind him, dark hair that matched Rod's and also the same hazel brown eyes. They had never spoken much since the accident, and his father would leave home randomly at times. Rod would have to fend for himself, but this morning a more serious look laid on his father's face. Rod nodded, and turned to begin. But then he spoke, the voice breaking the intensity of the moment.

"Rod. There are challenges out there for all of us. Goals that bring us to reach new places we would never have imagined. I began my journey at the same age as you. 14 years old, and prepared for anything. We may not be as close as other families are, but I still have dreams for you. Become the best man you can possibly be."

Rod stopped, and turned around. "I'll do my best. Father." He continued walking, such words of apparent wisdom were random at the most especially from a trainer who had spent his career brutally destroying opponents. Rod knew what his personal goal was. To defeat him, and send his brutality down to the grave. The sun reappeared through the crowd, and Rod began his journey to Pallet Town. Professor Oak was the next destination. His head was clear, and he raised one last parting hand to the Viridian gym before running off into the blurring wilderness. It had begun.

…

The Prime Minister of Kanto thumped his desk in disgust. Rain pattered steadily onto the window pain as dark clouds rolled over the Celadon City skyline. "Daniel," he said angrily, "this war starts now, Team Rocket is not going to take over this region. I will prove how much stronger we are."

Daniel was the leader of the Pokemon Military, his duty was to protect not to engage in a full-fledged attack against an invisible enemy. "Prime Minister, it just seems foolish. Team Rocket is not anywhere near the level they were six or seven years ago. Times have changed, many people have moved on from them."

"They are back, and they are going to commit crime. Theft has already begun; this is their call for war. They want to attack, and well we will attack back." The Prime Minister, stopped and glared at Daniel before continuing. "Don't let the media hear of this, lets wait until our plot of their destruction is fully in our control. Then many will join us. Many will let us reign over the region again."

Daniel nodded and left the room. The man is corrupt, he thought silently whilst walking out of the building into the sodden cobbled streets of Celadon City. What choice should he make though? Ignore the commands of the most powerful man in Kanto and risk his own safety? Or was he to continue an onslaught attack to destroy an organisation nowhere near its capacity, and risk the harm of Pokemon and people alike. The decision was just too hard to make.

…

The sun disappeared from the sky, and the rain began. Rod sat under a large tree, rain belting down around him. He reached into his bag and pulled out a notebook, and steadily he began to write about his dreams and goals, adventures he hoped to have. He would reach Pallet Town by tomorrow, for his true journey to begin.

This is my first ever Fan Fict Story, and I have a lot of chapters written after this one. Please review I don't mind criticism as long as its constructive. I am a large Pokemon Fan, and I hope to bring my imagination of journey into a legible story format. Please enjoy, there is a lot more to come.

The style of this story is Episodal, meaning each new Chapter could indicate a new episode in Cartoon-terms. This is the first Part of the story, out of a possible 4 or 5 I have planned to write.