Pokémon: Unraveling
(not so) QUICK WRITER'S NOTE:
This fanfiction takes place in a universe that is basically the events of the GAME universe but with the characters acting more like their MANGA universe counterparts on many levels, as well as Yellow also getting to appear. I wanted to clarify that, to avoid confusion.
They won't be perfectly in tune with their Manga selves due to the differences in the two universes, but keep it in mind. Also note that Red in particular will be particularly out of character due to the nature of the story, and that Blue is more based off the games.
It takes place after the events of all the games' stories, and all the Player characters, whose names are based off the game versions in the manga, or are random in the games are named like this:
Red Ketchum—Gary "Blue" Oak—Leaf Green—Ethan Gold—Brendan Ruby—May "Sapphire" Birch—Dawn Platinum—Barry Pearl—Lucas Diam—Hilda White—Hilbert Black—Nate Ebon—Rosa Ivor—Calem Cross—Serena Yvonne
And, if you happen to be reading this at some point in the distant future, where there are, I dunno, like, thirty generations of Pokémon and 50,000+ total monsters, then please note that this story only includes generations 1-6.
Certain Anime-exclusive characters will make appearances too, but the role in the story they'll have will amount to mere cameos.
And now, with all that said…
"Bottled" (Red's perspective)
Red's Team: Charizard/Vileplume/Lapras/Snorlax/Clefable/(empty)
I was lost in my thoughts on a faceless morning as I stared at the wall of my room again. It was easier to let my mind go blank than to think. After everything that had happened, nearly every thought I had was born of my pain, anger, and agony. Charizard, my first Pokémon, nudged me. He probably hated seeing me like this, but I couldn't face him. It was a reminder that I couldn't protect my Pokémon…my friends. Death…death is one thing. If he had died of natural causes, I would've moved on. If it wasn't to save me, I would've moved on. But this….
FLASHBACK (1 MONTH AGO) -
Nearly five years ago, when I was 11, I began my Pokémon Journey. Two years after that, I beat the Elite Four and became the champion of Kanto. One more year later, I left the league to train and become even stronger atop Mt. Silver, leaving the champion role to Lance. But another year after that, I experienced something I never had before: Defeat. For the very first time, I was beaten by a trainer. His name was Ethan Gold, and he was the Johto Champion. I wasn't angry or bitter; I was happy. It felt incredible to know that I'm not the strongest, and I have room to grow even now.
I walked through Mt. Moon as I looked for new trainers to battle. I heard someone running from behind me, so I turned. It was, to my utter shock, a member of Team Rocket. The uniform was somewhat altered, but it was still very clearly a team rocket grunt. The grunt gasped when he saw me, but then a wicked smile shot over his face.
"You're that trainer who stopped Giovanni!" the grunt exclaimed.
"Which means that if Team Rocket is back, I can stop them again." I retorted.
"Not a chance! Cause of you, Rocket can't hide in the shadows anymore, so we're going full offensive!" the grunt snorted. He reached into his pocket. I expected a Pokémon and sent out Raichu, the first Pokémon I ever captured, but instead he pulled out a gun.
"Huh?!" I yelled, taken aback.
"We don't need to be subtle now! Only reason we didn't kill back then was cause it would bring too much attention! And when I kill you, the new boss will make me a general!" the grunt laughed. He cocked the gun.
"No!" I screamed. I cowered as I heard the gunshot, but as I looked back up, I was unharmed. There was blood on my body and face, but no wound. I didn't even know where the bullet went…until I looked at my partner, Raichu.
"R-R-RAICHU!" I screeched. I kneeled beside his body, but didn't touch him. I was in shock.
Raichu was going to die. Yet, he saved me again. As the grunt prepared another shot, Raichu used thunder on me. I was shot right out of the cave. I laid on the ground and trembled before passing out.
FLASHBACK END-
The memory made me scream automatically. I went into a fit. I consumed me for a time like it always did. I screamed and yelled and thrashed and bit and choked and I couldn't save him couldn't save him couldn't save him couldn't save him cou—
…..
After I snapped back into reality, the clock showed that it had been nearly twenty minutes.
"It's getting worse." I thought. I was prone to screaming fits more and more as time went on. I should probably get help….
I've been living in my room since the incident. I hadn't come out since Leaf broke off the relationship. I knew it wasn't healthy but I felt like I had no other choice. My mom was on vacation when this was all happening, so she wasn't here. I stayed away from my friends; after what happened with Leaf, I figured it'd be best if I didn't burden them with my issues.
They probably don't want to hear it, anyway.
I picked up the remote to turn on the TV. I heard Charizard approach me.
"Chaaar?" he grumbled. I patted his head.
"I'm sorry, buddy. It's not your fault. I'm sorry that I'm not a better trainer. You deserve better than this." I moaned, my voice a bit raspy from the screaming. He looked at me with sad eyes that warranted attention but that it felt painful to gaze into. I hugged him for a bit before glancing at the TV.
As I looked at the channel, it was just depressing news.
"We bring you now to Mike in Ceurlean City—"
I picked up the remote to change the channel.
"—where Team Rocket is staging the equivalent of a full on war."
I stopped and dropped the remote.
"Thanks. As you can see, Tyson, Team Rocket is not playing around. They've brought all kinds of weapons ranging from machine guns to rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and are using them in conjunction with Pokémon to destroy the city."
I started breathing heavily, with an automatic force taking hold.
"The death toll is already estimated to be about 157 people and 113 Pokémon. There is no end in sight."
I whispered words that I can't remember, but were filled with raw anger and fear. My hands shook as my eyes widened.
"All I can hope is that the recently-arrived military can stop this massacre. Tyson, back to—UGH!" A sword was rammed through the reporter's chest. As the sword was drawn and the lifeless body fell, I saw the man who killed him standing. It was the man who murdered my Raichu.
I punched the TV screen with my bare fist.
"ARCEUS! GOD! WHATEVER YOUR DAMN NAME IS!" I screamed.
A pause. "Why…why do you let this happen? They killed my friend…and they're killing everyone else's friends. Why do you let them? What did we do to you?"
"DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS FEELS LIKE?! DO YOU?" I was screaming again, an incomprehensible feeling sweeping over me. I gazed at my hands.
"…I won't let this happen."
"I WON'T LET THIS HAPPEN!"
I had to stop this. Not just for myself, but for the other people who never asked for this out there. Was that a pipe dream?
…No. I already had the skills I needed. I was trained as well. After all, if the trainer was weak, so too were his Pokémon.
FLASHBACK (7 MONTHS AGO) -
Elite Four Koga lunged at me without warning, using a straight kick. I did an evasive flip, and then countered with a heavy chop. Koga weaved out of the way, with the chop barely even grazing him. He used a low sweep kick, but I jump kicked him in the face. He fell backward but did a cartwheel to recover. I sprinted to him and then blocked his jab combo. I retaliated with a quick jab to the face and tried to kick him in the stomach, but he caught my leg and threw me against a wall. I went into a handstand to catch myself, and flipped back up. Koga went with a claw style strike as he lunged at me, but I stopped his hand and got a few powerful punches to his stomach. He used a drop kick, a risky maneuver, which certainly meant he was tiring. I barely twisted out of the way, but it was enough. I pinned him against the floor and held a hand ready to chop to his throat.
"Yield!" I yelled. Koga paused.
"I concede." He said with a smile. I smiled too, and helped him up.
"You have done well and opened to my training. You now possess the speed and skill of a ninja." Koga announced.
"Yeah! I gotta say, training with you was far more interesting than building muscle with Brock, perfecting accuracy with Lieutenant Surge, or even sharpening mental acuity with Sabrina." I said.
"Perhaps, but all are important. You are quite a strong human now, Red, and as strong as your Pokémon are now, this means they can grow ever stronger. Keep your skills sharp, my student." Koga explained. We shook hands and I departed.
FLASHBACK END-
In all honesty, I hadn't kept up with my training since the trauma. Still, I had muscle, skills, wit, and—for the first time since Raichu's death—will. It was a bittersweet joy to feel like I was more than a living corpse again, but it was enough. I had the will….
But it would still take more than me. I can't do this alone. With the guns and more members, Team Rocket was too powerful to defeat as a single trainer. Me and my Pokémon are strong, but just not enough….
"But there's no one more powerful than me—" I muttered before stopping. There are people stronger than—or at least strong as—me. Region champions like Ethan Gold, Brendan Ruby, Dawn Platinum, Hilda White, and Serena Yvonne. I would bring them together. I would stop Team Rocket. I would save everyone's souls.
I gathered what I would need. I put on my backpack, grabbed my wallet, adjusted my hat, and grabbed some Full Restores for the road.
I turned to a gift given to me by Lieutenant Surge, a smaller rifle that could also hold an explosive. I really didn't want to bring it; I felt like it would make me like them. But I wanted to keep my friends safe. Measures had to be taken.
"Let's go, buddy. We have a mission." I announced to Charizard after packing.
"Hrrrrr?" Charizard grumbled, looking at me. He seemed a bit happy that I was trying to do something again. On his back, I flew to a Pokémon Center to withdraw a new Pokémon for my team. After looking through them, I decided on a tough-as-nails fighting type, Hitmonlee.
Team Rocket would pay, and people would be kept safe. That's what I wanted. That's why I was doing this.
….right?
To be continued
Guys, I REALLY need some reviews here. I've wanted to try this kind of story for a while and I really want it to be good! Any and all feedback is sorely desired!
Thanks for reading! I'll see you all next time, and for now I take my leave.