Hello guys and welcome to the first chapter of Emerald Skies. This is a collaboration fic between me, Hotrod198, and Animaster21. We will be taking in turns of writing chapters and such so make sure you find out who's writing whose. Anyways, this one is by me, Hotrod198 so read on!
Chapter 1
The Journey Begins!
"And we're back to the Champion Battle!" the announcer on TV said. "The Champion Battle between the Challenger, Brendan, and the Champion, Steven, is coming to an end. Each trainer has only one Pokémon left! Steven's strongest Pokémon, Metagross still remains on the field, having taken down two of Brendan's Pokémon already! However, can Brendan's Swampert, still weary from its battle with Aggron, take down Steven's trump card? Let's find out!"
A teenager watched the screen intently, rubbing his brown hair. This is Trip, one of the heroes of our story. Trip loves Pokémon battles and one day, he wants to be the new champion. However, the championship battle looked hard to him. After winning the League, by collecting 8 Gym badges and competing in a tournament, you then get to take on the Elite Four and then finally, the champion.
"Hey Trip!" a voice shouted out. "Are you home?" Trip shifted slightly, still trying to watch the TV as Swampert delivered a powerful Hydro Pump attack.
"If you're watching TV again dude, I'm dragging you out of the house!" the voice shouted again.
Trip groaned. As he began to get up, Brendan's Swampert dived underground and then hit Metagross with a Dig attack, followed by a Mud Shot. The Metagross was really weak as was Swampert. However, Brendan smiled. Swampert then charged forward, turning his attack into an Aqua Jet. The move knocks out the Metagross, Brendan celebrating almost instantly. Trip shouted out in excitement as well, when his bedroom door burst open. Standing in the doorframe was a boy, about ten centimetres taller than Trip. He wore a Hawaiian shirt and black board shorts, with broad shoulders and hairy legs. He stood there, grinning and shaking his head. This is Clayton, otherwise known as Clay. He is the other hero of our story.
"Dude, you were watching TV again…" Clay said. "You need to get out more and start socialising a bit."
"Oh come on Clay!" Trip exclaimed. "It was the Championship Battle! I couldn't miss that!"
"Well, I guess," Clay replied. "Did Brendan end up winning or did he lose?"
"Yeah, he managed to win in the end," Trip said. "His Swampert managed to pull through at the last second." Trip turned the TV off, before getting up and stretching. He was wearing a blue shirt over a white long sleeve shirt, as well as denim jeans.
"So you know Professor Birch, right?" Clay asked. "Well, he asked us to come by his lab today! For what I'm not sure, but hopefully we'll get to see the Pokémon!"
"Sweet!" Trip said. "Let's go check it out." Trip and Clay ran downstairs. In the lounge room, Trip's mother was busy reading a book while his little sister, Casey played with a Torchic doll.
"Hey mum, I'm just going out with Clay!" Trip said to his mum. "I'll be back later!"
"Okay, but don't be any later than nightfall!" she said. "Dinner should be ready by then."
"Okay see ya," Trip said.
"Peace out, Mrs Harding," Clay added afterwards, following his friend.
"Goodbye, boys…" Trip's mum said, smiling, and turned back to her book.
"Sir," a man said to a screen in a dark room, the screen being the only source of light. The man wore a green outfit with a cape. "We have reports that the information we need regarding the plan can be found at Professor Birch's Lab."
"Interesting…" the voice on the other end said, being distorted by some machine. "I do hope you know what to do."
"Sir, I have sent two Grunts to the location already. They are probably there right now. As soon as the information is retrieved, I shall inform you of the news."
"Make sure you do," the voice said. "I cannot fail in my plan like my brothers before me…"
"Hey Professor!" Clay shouted. "We're here!" A door slammed shut from somewhere and footsteps could be heard. Appearing from a door towards the back of the lab was a man, probably in his late thirties, early forties, with a scruffy brown beard.
"Ah!" the man said. "You're here! About time."
"Sorry about that," Clay said. "Mr TV craze over here wanted to watch the Championship Battle."
"Not my fault it was on today…" Trip muttered, shaking his head. "Anyways, what do you want us for, Prof?"
The Professor smiled. "If you'll follow me, I'll explain." Trip and Clay looked at each other curiously then followed the Professor through the lab.
"As you both know," Birch said. "I am the leading expert of Pokemon in the Hoenn Region. You may also know that I give out Pokemon to beginning trainers so that they may start their journey to be pokemon trainers. I've talked to both your parents and we've come to an agreement." Professor Birch opened a door, revealing a white room with a table in the centre, three Pokeballs on top of it.
"We have decided to let you start your journey," declared the Professor.
Trip's eyes widened, and he punched the air triumphantly, turning to Clay, who was standing with his arms folded, a brilliant grin on his large face. "Wow," exclaimed Trip, overwhelmed. "We actually get to go on a Pokemon journey, can you believe it?"
"Now, now," Professor Birch said. "You get to pick one of these three Pokemon." Birch walked over to the first Pokeball, pushing the button in the centre. Emerging from it was a green like lizard with a red stomach, standing on its hind legs with a bushy tail behind it.
"This is Treecko, the Wood Gecko Pokemon and the grass type starter of this region." Professor Birch then opened up the middle Pokeball, revealing a four legged blue creature with a fin on its head and two orange spikes on both of its cheeks.
"This is Mudkip, the Mud Fish Pokemon and the water type starter of this region." Professor Birch then opened up the final Pokéball, revealing an orange chick like Pokémon.
"And this is Torchic, the Chick Pokémon and the fire type starter of this region." Professor Birch moved to the side as the two boys approached the Pokémon. Clay first looked at Torchic, the small bird Pokémon, which turned its head away in what seemed disgust.
Meanwhile, Trip looked at Treecko, who playfully jumped onto his head. It then jumped back onto the table, a smug grin on its face. Beside him, Clay gazed at Mudkip, the small blue Pokémon looking up to him, smiling happily. Clay smiled back as he walked past Trip to look at Treecko, as his friend examined the Mudkip, which continued to smile hopefully. Trip smiled as well and patted the Pokémon on the head. Finally, Clay looked at Treecko. The gecko jumped onto Clay's head as well, but unlike what the gecko Pokémon did to Trip, it crawled around to sit on the boy's shoulder, not wanting to get off.
Lastly, Trip looked at the Torchic. The fire Pokémon gave Trip the exact same reaction it did to Clay, refusing to look at him.
"So boys," Professor Birch said. "Any idea on what one you wish to choose?"
"Well I think Treecko has pretty much chosen me," Clay said. "Isn't that right?" Clay patted the Treecko on the head, the Pokémon smiling.
"How about you Trip?" Professor Birch asked him. Trip stared intently at both Pokémon, his face full of seriousness. Suddenly, it turned into the smiling normal face it was before.
"I pick Mudkip!" Trip said, just a bit louder than normal, causing Professor Birch to flinch.
"Excellent choice…" Professor Birch said, rubbing the inside of his ear with his finger. "Now, regarding-"
Birch was cut off as the wall erupted inwards, creating a pile of dust and throwing the professor to the ground. He coughed violently.
"What the…?" Trip wondered out loud. Emerging from the large hole filled with smoke were two people, both wearing a green outfit and a cape.
"Professor Birch," one of them said, holding a Pokéball up. "We've come for the information you have perfected on Dragon types." Professor Birch struggled to get up, Clay and Trip looking on helplessly from behind him.
"What on Earth would you need that for?" Birch asked angrily.
"Our motives do not concern you, you fool. It would be wise to just hand them over to us now and get them over and done with." The two people then opened their Pokéballs, revealing two Pokémon, looking similar to small wolves. They bared their teeth and growled. "Otherwise our Poochyena here will get to have a midday snack!"
"Clay…" Trip whispered. "Let's use Treecko and Mudkip to battle them."
"But they're both still weak!" Clay murmured, looking nervously at the Treecko still perched on his shoulder.
"So?" Trip replied. "At least Birch can go get help in the meantime!" Clay groaned, biting his lip, but then sighed and then turned to his Treecko.
"Okay Treecko, let's do it. Pound!"
"Mudkip, Tackle it!"
The two starter Pokémon charged at the Poochyena, Treecko hitting one with its tail while Mudkip charged straight into the other one, forcing it to slam into the wall.
"What in Arceus' name...?" one of the intruders muttered, looking at the boys, annoyed. "Poochyena, finish off the runts first." The Poochyena bared their teeth, barking at the two Pokémon before running at them. Professor Birch, noticing the distraction, grabbed Torchic, who had been knocked out from the explosion, and ran into another room.
"Poochyena, use Howl to finish this off. We can't be foiled by two runts who aren't even experienced," the leader of the two men said.
"Treecko, use Pound again!" Clay said. Treecko ran at the Poochyena using Howl. However, the other Poochyena intercepted, slamming into the grass gecko Pokémon and sending it skidding across the ground.
"Mudkip, what other moves do you know?" Trip asked. The Mudkip shook its head. "Well, use Tackle again!" Mudkip charged at the Poochyena but the one using Howl tackled Mudkip as well, sending the mudfish Pokémon flying back straight into Trip, who tumbled to the ground, Mudkip on top of him.
"Good work Poochyena," the people said together. Suddenly, two words split the silence.
"Leaf Blade."
To Trip and Clay's surprise, a green blur came out of nowhere and struck both Poochyena, knocking them both out instantly. The blur stopped, revealing itself to be a large green Pokémon, very similar to Treecko.
"Who are you?" a voice asked. It was a high pitch, and Clay realised that it belonged to a female. Sure enough, emerging from the door was a girl, about a whole head taller than him. She wore a bandana on her head, a red shirt and mini shorts. The two people groaned in disgust, recalling their Pokémon.
"We are from Team Stratos," the leader of the two said. "And when we have our way, this world will not be able to stop us." The leader grabbed a black ball and threw it at the ground, the ball exploding into a cloud of smoke. When it cleared, the men were gone.
"At least they're gone," the girl said. Professor Birch emerged from the other room as well.
"And they didn't get the rare information I discovered."
"Who are you?" Clay asked the girl who stood there. She was about to reply when Trip butted in.
"Wait a second…" Trip muttered. "Don't tell us yet." Trip held his hand on his forehead, looking like he was in deep thought. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers.
"You're May! The runner up in the Hoenn League Championship! You were battling Brendan for the chance to take on the Elite Four. And you are also… Professor… Birch's… daughter..." The girl smiled as Trip looked on at her, wide eyed.
"That's right!" she said. "I'm May Birch, Runner up of the Hoenn League."
"And she is also my daughter and Lab Assistant." Professor Birch added.
"Well…that's not really what people know me for, dad…" May muttered.
"But anyway, why did they want your papers?" Clay asked. Professor Birch sighed and looked at May, whose face had turned slightly grim.
"A couple of months ago," May said. "There were two crime syndicates, known as Team Magma and Team Aqua. You see, they both wanted to reshape this region to their own design and to do that, they had to acquire the power of the legendary Pokémon, Kyogre and Groudon."
"How come we never heard about this?" Clay asked. "Surely the TV would've reported it."
"Well, we were working for the Champion at the time, Steven Stone, and he told the media that if anything of what happened was leaked to the public, hell would break loose. Anyway, Team Magma and Aqua summoned the two legendaries, but Kyogre and Groudon were old battling rivals, always fighting each other, before they were sealed away long ago. Archie, the leader of Aqua, went mad with power and almost destroyed the entire east side of the Hoenn region. However, Brendan managed to awaken Rayquaza, the master of the two titans. The dragon's power calmed down the two and they returned to their slumber, thus saving the world. But, we had heard some reports that Rayquaza wasn't meant to exist, so my dad and I started our research into it. However, what we discovered isn't what we hoped for. It seems Rayquaza can actually control both Kyogre and Groudon to do whatever it wants. Some form of mind control over them."
"And my theory is," Birch said, interrupting. "Is that this "Team Stratos" plans to do something with Rayquaza. What, exactly...I have no idea."
"Of course, this creates quite a dilemma for us, since we have to contact the police without too much information on them." May said.
"Well now," Birch said. "I don't think we should trouble you two with this Stratos nonsense. But now, I'm going to give you both a gift: a Pokédex and five Pokéballs for your journey."
"Sweet!" Trip shouted, snatching the Pokédex and Pokéballs. He flipped open his Pokédex and scanned Mudkip. Shaking his head, Clay took his own Pokedex and scanned Treecko.
Mudkip, the Mud Fish Pokémon. Mudkip uses the sensitive fin on its head to take radar readings off its surroundings.
Treecko, the Wood Gecko Pokémon. Treecko are able to climb smooth vertical walls and use their thick tail to attack opponents. Since Treecko build their nests in large trees it is said that those trees will live a very long life.
"Interesting…" Clay murmured to himself.
"So we're trainers now, right?" Trip asked. Professor Birch nodded.
"Exactly. And I take it you two will be both taking on the Gym Challenge?"
"Yup!" Trip exclaimed. "I'm gonna beat Brendan and become Champion no matter what!"
"Well don't forget one thing, Trip," Clay said.
"What's that?"
"I'm also going to be Champion."
Trip smiled, almost snickering. "I'd like to see you try."
"Boys, I think you should save any rivalry for later. But first...would you like to give your Pokémon nicknames?" Birch asked.
Trip and Clay both nodded.
"How's about… Root?" Clay asked his Treecko. The Treecko thought for a moment then smiled happily in agreement.
"Hey Mudkip," Trip said. "You could be called… Kipper!" The Mudkip smiled instantly, pleased with its name.
"Excellent," Professor Birch said, smiling. "I can tell everything will work out fine!"
"Sir," the man from before said to the screen. "I'm afraid I have some bad news."
"What is it?" the distorted voice asked.
"Unfortunately our men were stopped by a couple of trainers. They were both forced to retreat as going any further could have resulted in their capture."
"So you and your men failed me…" the voice said. Suddenly, a Pokéball appeared from a teleporter. "Open the Pokéball…" the voice said.
The man obeyed, and with a flash of light a Magnemite appeared.
"Magnemite, use Thundershock."
"No wait! Sir please!" the man shouted, panicked. The Magnemite charged the electric attack and fired it at the man. "ARRGH!" The Magnemite finished as the man slumped to the ground.
"No one ever fails me and gets away with it…"
Next time, on Emerald Skies…
As Clay and Trip leave Littleroot town a mysterious person appears. However, this person wants something to do with Clay and it could result in a battle. Can Clay win the match? Or will he lose in the most embarrassing way possible? Stay tuned to find out!
And thus ends the first chapter of Emerald Skies. Hopefully you guys enjoyed it. Anyways, this is a collaboration fic between me (Hotrod198) and Animaster21. So basically, feel free to check out our profiles to read our other stories, and stay tuned to follow the adventures of Clay and Trip.
Hey, Animaster21 here, wishing you all a good day. As Hotrod said, feel free to check out our actual profiles and read our other stories. This Animasterod2198 is just our combined account for collab's. Well, I'll see you all next chapter! Toodles!