DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything of the Pokemon series, the only thing I own is my characters and this idea.

Author's Note: I know I'm in the process of another story, but until I am ready to post the new chapter to that one, I thought you guys might enjoy taking a look at my new story Im working on to keep yourselves occupied. I thought you might like this one, it's a fun read. Well in my opinion. Enjoy everyone! And I promise to have the other chapters to that KnM fanfic up soon!

Pokemon: Retrogression

Chapter 1: Trainer Days

Have you ever had an experience where you feel you're going back to someone that you formerly were? Like, say, you have taken all these steps to become what you are and then suddenly, you have to start all over again? Could you imagine that happening to you? ….Well, it's what's happening to me, and there's nothing I can do about it.

You see, I always dreamed of being a gym leader one day. Ever since I started my pokemon journeys I wanted to be one, I thought it would be the coolest thing in the world. But, that was when I was 10 and still just a beginner trainer with one starting pokemon and no experience. Now, I'm 13 and I've gained plenty of knowledge and experience since I began this whole thing. I've won all 8 badges from the Kanto region. I've gone to the Indigo Plateau and battled till I won there too. With these accomplishments under my belt, I can finally say, I was eligible to become a gym leader. Finally!

When I first heard the news that I could be a gym leader, I was the happiest person on the planet. There wasn't a force that could stop my enthusiasm. But, then there was the mention of a test. A test to measure you're capability and worth as a trainer and individual, to see if you're ready to become a gym leader. Well, that was understandable. I wouldn't think they would want just anyone walking in and claiming the title of 'gym leader', so a test had to be administered. But, what I didn't know was that the test to certify you as a gym leader or not was different for each candidate eligible….

"What? You've gotta be kiddin' me! This isn't fair!" I exclaimed very animatedly, having just received the test I was to take in order to certify myself as a gym leader.

"I'm sorry, it's the only way. This is the best test we could think of to give you. We always try to spice things up a little more each year and think of new tests to give newer trainers. And in my professional opinion, I think this will give you the perfect opportunity to start fresh again. Who knows? You may even learn more about yourself along the way. Gym leaders are supposed to have experience and some sort of unique wisdom that you can't find anywhere else. This wisdom and experience is shown in the ways that they battle, and distributed through the badges they award. Neither of those things do you have, Mizuki." A professor I'd come to know more personally, spoke quite casually to me. He wasn't even looking me in the eye. He was fixing his lab coat, or playing with his mustache; He was doing anything else to avoid eye contact with me, which I found extremely irritating. That wasn't cool.

"Sir, look. Isn't there something else I could do? I… I could round up a whole herd of Taurus and bring them to you for study, but I could only use one pokemon. Or, or… I could beat a Gyarados underwater! I would just need the scuba equipment. Or… I could… dosomethingelse… anything but this, please professor. I'm begging you, ANYTHING but this." I pleaded, hopefully now he'd reconsider.

Just as the professor was about to speak, my brother showed in the doorway, leaning on the panel of the doorframe that was opposite where the door was. He was chewing gum much like a Miltank; Another thing I found irritating. He interrupted the professor and spoke quite bluntly, "Get over it ya drama queen. Stop being such a crybaby and just go do it already. Get it over and done with." He walked into my room and sat down in one of my comfiest chairs. My teal eyes watched him as he moved, carefully. He was definitely someone I didn't trust in my room. "You've already beaten these guys right? So what's the use in crying over it? Just go do it. It ain't a big deal. Unless you're too chicken."

"I'm not chicken!" I responded.

"Then prove it. Prove it to me. Because right now all I see is weakness and laziness. That isn't what being a pokemon trainer is about. You're just like the water Mizuki… worthless and lazy." He said blowing a bubble and popping it right in my face. He got up and walked right out of the room, not wanting to be around for my explosion, if there was going to be one at all. He always knew how to tap-dance on my last good nerve. So put it this way; There were times when he was right, and there were times where I just hated his guts; This was one of those times where it was both….

"Alright, fine…. I'll do it, professor." I pouted as I accepted the challenge. His smile instantly returned and he looked at me in the eye again, rushing to shake my hand.

"Marvelous! I shall notify everyone at once!" He rushed out of my home and back to his pokemon lab to do some business he had to attend to.

I sighed and then looked at the necklace around my neck. Lifting it up, one would notice it was the Cascade badge made into a necklace charm. I looked at it for a good minute and then at the bag I'd used on all of my adventures. "Looks like I'm going to be using you again my old friend. We have another long journey ahead of us." I smiled and started to pack my things in it.

Professor Morgan, that was his name, had then called me at my house, which wasn't too far away from his lab. Instantly, I picked up.

"Hello?" I answered calmly.

"Ah, you seem to be doing better. Well, I'm just calling to let you know that I've arranged everything and notified all the gym leaders that they shall be receiving a new challenger soon." He hung up cheerfully. I sighed contently and hung up as well.

Yes, so they would be receiving a new challenger soon. That challenger was me. Mizuki Josho, 13 years old and ready to achieve my dreams.

[END OF CHAPTER 1.