Chapter 1, The Discovery
Harry, a 31 year old man from the UK had always thought about discovering the world. He wanted to see sights and live the life of an adventurer. Three months ago he was involved in a car crash which somehow didn't seriously injure him but due to the high profile of the car involved he was given a substantial pay-out essentially to keep him quiet and out of court. Expecting nothing, he accepted the offer.
One morning after a stressful day at work Harry thought enough was enough. He called his boss and told him he could keep his job and resigned there and then.
Harry was your average kind of guy. He loved sports and socialising. He had a passion for Pokémon which had reignited recently when he bought himself a Nintendo DS and Soul Silver from a second hand store in town. Playing this game made him want to go on his own adventure so that afternoon he booked a 1 way flight to North America with the intention of exploring the forests and mountains.
Two days later.
"Please fasten your seatbelts as we are about to descend"
Stretching and yawning, Harry did as the announcement ordered. The plane began to descend into North America.
After a short while the plane touched down and the hundreds of passengers entered the airport to claim their luggage. Harry on the other hand passed the luggage carousel with his one bag which contained a top of the range camera and lens set. He went outside to find a taxi which would take him to a camping store.
A short taxi ride later Harry arrived at an outdoor survival store and purchased a two man tent, sleeping bag, stove and any number of things he'd need for a camping trip. He planned on booking into a rural hotel and spending 3 or 4 days at a time out in the wilderness.
That night Harry slept the best night's sleep in months with visions of wild animals and stunning landscape flying through his thoughts.
The next morning Harry got up early and packed up is bags with supplies and took a taxi out to the edge of the forest. From there his adventure would start.
The sun had been high and bright all day but as evening drew in the clouds began to form and it looked like a storm was about to set in. The wind began to blow the tall pine trees side to side and the first spots of rain dampened Harry's face. He was on a steep hill hoping to get to the summit for a sunset picture but with the arrival of the storm he decided against it and looked for a place to set up camp. Across the hillside was a rugged looking cave entrance sheltered from the wind so he picked up his pace and hurried across to the relative dryness.
Under cover from the storm Harry checked for signs of wildlife, after all bears and mountain lions would want to escape the rain. Happy that he was alone in the cave he found a flat patch or rock and set up his stove and warmed some tinned food. After about an hour of looking out over the forest happy with life he set up his tent and sleeping bag and turned in for the night.
The next morning Harry was woken by the sunlight bright on the side of his tent, nervously he looked out and saw that he was still alone. Standing and stretching he noticed a large number of broad leaved trees. Not too bothered he had a bit of breakfast and brushed his teeth.
Stumbling out of the cave Harry observed his surroundings, a swarm of bats exited the cave above his head, instead of the rugged pine forest he was in the evening before he now appeared to be in a flat, bright, leafy forest full of colour which was at the bottom of a steep mountainside.
Pulling a bottle of water from his bag he made his way through the knee high plants which cover the floor. Where was he? Had he exited the cave on through a different entrance? Impossible he thought as he set up camp in the mouth of the cave.
Stumbling over branches and tripping over rocks he came across as clearing, the sunlight shone down brightly and above his head a flock of birds, silhouetted against the sun flew over. 'P-Gey' he could hear coming from the sky, a noise he hadn't heard during his trip so far.
Harry looked at his phone, no signal what so ever. It was 9:10am and already the temperature was high. He is lost, he remembered that he came north so the logical thing is to go south, standing up he puts his bag back on and set off. The scenery was awesome, the weather was nice so he didn't mind so much being lost as he was only half a day's walk away from the hotel. Leaving the clearing he picked a route that looked passable and marched on. In the trees above his head he could see insects moving around, large by any standards and very odd looking. He got the camera out of his bag and begun to take pictures.
After 45 minutes Harry stopped as he could hear a faint squeak in the distance. Obviously coming to see the sights and explore he set off in the direction of the noise with camera in hand. Obviously being in North America he was very aware of mountain lions and the threat they pose. The noise was getting louder now and over by a tree lay a ball of white fluff.
The noise of a dry twig snapping under foot caused two ears to pop up from the ball of fur.
'Hush, shh, shh' whispered Harry trying to calm the fluffy creature ahead of him. As he got closer he could see a few scattered egg shells which was strange considering the animal was clearly a mammal. He moved to within a couple of feet and the animal laid trembling, it was petrified and dirty. He got a bottle of water and an empty container out of his bag. He laid the container on the floor by the animals, filled it with water and stepped back. The animal lifted its nose and sniffed the water. The animal had short ears and big bright eyes. A collar of white fluffy fur crowned the animals head and the tail was unbelievably fluffy but dirty. This animal which resembled an arctic fox had clearly been there for some time.
After a few sips of water the animal curled and fell asleep with an ear still sticking up, wary of Harry's presence. Thinking to himself, 'Surely animals this young should have the mother close by' Harry retreated about 100 meters. And waited. He could just make out the base of the tree where the animal was and would be able to see if any parent turned up. Minutes turned to hours and nothing. By now it was 16:00. He went back to the animal and decided to take them with him and to his surprise it seemed more than happy to be handled. Putting his jacket on and zipping it halfway up the ball of fur fit perfectly against his stomach where it once again dozed off with ears still listening out.
Twenty minutes of hard walking later and Harry stumbled across a track which ran off down the hillside. With his passenger on board he set off, still trying to work out what animal it was and why it was alone. The trees either side of him began to thin out and in the distance a small town came into view. 'Food' he thought, not only for himself but for the animal. Picking up the pace he could see windows shimmering in the light and the smell of food began to enter his nose.
Without warning Harry was hit in the face by a huge web, sticky and strong it knocked him off balance and nearly fell. In the trees he could see a swarm of huge green and red spiders. Each one looking directly at him and getting closer. One by one they fired web at him. Managing to avoid most of it he turned to run but the road was now blocked. The commotion had woken up the animal who was now looking out of his top at the spiders. Frozen in fear Harry didn't have a clue what to do. Hundreds of the spiders bared down on him when all of a sudden the animal leapt from the warmth of his jacket and began to stand off against the angry arachnids. Without warning the ball of fur jumped high in the air and in the process covered the spiders in a thick layer of sand. Disorientated the spiders began to wonder around confused. Next it charge at the spider's which were blocking the way, knocking them over like bowling pins. With that, the rest of the spiders began to turn and flee as fast as they'd appeared.
Standing their shocked, Harry looked at the animal and suddenly recognised what it was. Sounding stupid in his head he murmured 'Vulpix?' It turned and sat by his feet. How can this be? Vulpix is a Pokémon and Pokémon aren't real. Confused, he picked up Vulpix and walked towards the town.
'Azalea Town' read the sign on the outskirts of town. This to his knowledge was a fictional town in Pokémon Gold and Silver. One of the games he used to play when he was younger and Soul Silver which he plays to this day. The streets were quiet, just a few people going about the daily tasks.
"Excuse me, Where am I" he asks a delivery driver unloading his lorry.
"Azalea Town mate" replied the delivery man, "you look knackered, there's a centre up the street. You should visit it"
At the end of the road stood a cosy looking building. A sign outside read 'Perfect place for a rest, with or without your Pokémon'. Upon entering Harry's mouth fell open. Squirtle, Eevee, Seedot. Pokémon everywhere. And people sat around without care in the world.
"May I help you?"
Turning round Harry is approached by a lady in her 30's with a friendly face.
"Do you need a room" She asks.
"Err yes" He replies, still confused.
Vulpix climbed out of his top and onto his shoulders. It can smell food.
"Yes we'd love a room please but I only have dollars"
"That's ok, we accept those. My name is Ruth by the way" smiles the lady. "I'll go and get you and your lovely Pokémon a meal"
Harry took a seat and the Vulpix sit on his lap and waited patiently.
"You've just arrived haven't you? To the region, the world" Leaning over, a red haired man about 21 years old goes on to tell him that he'd arrived 2 months ago from the 'real world' has he called it.
"Here take this" He hands Harry a leaflet.
Yes the world of Pokémon is real and you've found it. You can stay or you can leave it's up to you. The world of Pokémon is a parallel world with a few entrances around the globe. Pokémon cannot leave and we would like to keep this place secret.
The Pokémon world has been populated for over 100 years and has become a vibrant world where animals and people live in harmony.
Whether you battle with your Pokémon or keep them as friends, everybody is welcome.
Stay safe and have fun.
"Hey! I must be dreaming right?" Harry asks leaning across the bench.
"Nope, its real, I was the same when I arrived. I entered a cave in the French Alps and woke up here. I'm now fully at home here"
"Harry by the way, that's my name"
"Lewis, nice to meet you. When did you arrive?"
"This morning"
"Wow and you have a white Vulpix? They're rare. Especially here in Johto"
"Yeah I found it up at the base of the mountain"
"Ah, its mother was probably captured which left it vulnerable. But it seem to like you so it looks like you have you very own Pokémon. Right on that note I best be going, I've got a lot to do" On that, Lewis left with 6 poke balls visible on his belt.
The food for Harry and his Vulpix arrived. They ate up and went to bed.
The next morning, sitting on a bench looking at the magnificent fountain Harry and Vulpix were joined by a young woman. Long chestnut coloured hair framed a delicate face.
"English?" she asked.
"Yeah" Harry nervously replied.
"My names Poppy. Your Vulpix is so cute. How long have you had," she hesitated and examined Vulpix, "her"
"Harry. Nice to meet you. About a day, do you have any Pokémon?" he enquired.
"I sure do,"
Pulling 3 Poke balls from her bag.
"Come out guys"
Suddenly and just like the anime, a Growlith, Dalcatty and a Chikorita appeared in front of his eyes. Immediately Vulpix hopped off Harry's knee and began to play with the girls Pokémon.
"A day?" She asked. "I don't suppose you have any balls?"
"No, not had chance. Where do I get them?"
"Over there. There is a store." Poppy pointed to a small shop with an 'M' above the door. "You can have these"
She handed Harry 2 empty Poke balls and went on to explain the Vulpix may not want to be his. He lay the Poke balls on the floor by her and asked if she would like to stay with him. Without hesitation Vulpix pushed her nose against the button on the side of the ball and disappeared inside.
"Congratulations" said Poppy with great excitement on her face.
"That was easy?" Harry quizzed.
"Yeah, she must already love you. How did you find them?"
Harry goes on to tell poppy how he stumbled across them in the forest. Poppy then explains that some trainers who have Pokémon don't care for raising eggs and after the eggs are laid they dispose of them. Often trained Pokémon lay eggs and have nothing more to do with them.
"Out you come!" Vulpix reappeared.
"We should trade numbers!"
"I would but my phone doesn't work" explains Harry.
"The shop sells special sim cards for people here. Get one of those and you'll be fine"
Both of them swap numbers and Poppy leaves with her Pokémon. Harry looks down and sees his Vulpix wide eyed and staring up.
"Should I stay?" he asks.
'VULPIX' she responds and begins to leap about the place. So that's a yes then thought Harry.
"Come on. Let's explore"
A week had passed since Harry found himself in the Pokémon universe and he couldn't be happier. He missed his family and was sure his mum especially worried about him. Luckily, there was a way to contact home. An internet service was available to send and receive emails with the 'real' world. Using this matt could explain how he was safe and that he was unable to call.
Vulpix was now back to full health and her dirty coat was now a brilliant white colour. She was little over two weeks old but growing fast. Harry and Vulpix had a very close bond already and would often go for a jog around the town.
After dinner one Saturday Harry and Vulpix had just finished shopping. He bought 15 empty Pokeballs and the latest Pokedex which he had delivered to the Poke centre he was staying. He had decided that exploring Johto and other regions would be interesting and wanted to see how similar each one was to the game. Packing the balls into his bag Harry's phone began to ring.
"Hello?"
"Harry hi, it's Poppy!" said an excited voice, "How are you?"
"I'm good thanks, and you? How are the Pokemon doing?"
"Amazing thank you, I managed to catch a Goldeen this morning so I'm going to train with her. What are you up to?"
"Nothing much, I'm planning on exploring. Going to take Vulpix around the regions"
"Tell you what, I'll meet you later and I can tell you more about the world, sound ok?"
"Yeah great" replied Harry hoping to know as much about the Pokemon world as possible.
"Brill, I'll meet you at Bella's restaurant at 6" Poppy hung up.
Harry put his phone away and picked up Vulpix. "What shall we do today?" he asked her.
"Kadabra go!" A voice shouted from beyond the trees.
"Aipom fight!" another voice shouted.
Harry and Vulpix hurried to the trees where there was a small battle arena. He watched and Aipom and Kadabra battled.
"Now, Psychic" shouted a tall man stood to the left. Kadabra raised its hands and sent out a shockwave which hit Aipom knocking it off its feet.
"Kadabra is the winner" exclaimed a judge stood halfway down the field.
"Anybody fancy taking me on?" said the man arrogantly, "My Pokemon are the strongest in town"
The observing crowd all seemed to look at the floor trying their hardest to avoid being singled out. Harry looked down at Vulpix and she seemed eager.
"Yes?" Harry asked the excited Pokemon. She jumped a few times showing she was up for a battle.
Nervously Harry shouted, "Go on then! One on one!"
Applause echoed around the field, Vulpix and Harry walked over to the far side where a small area was marked out for the trainer to stand.
"Get ready to lose." Exclaimed the man, "I am Jared, the best Pokemon trainer in Azalea. Go Weezing"
Out popped a smelly purple Weezing.
"Vulpix, you know what to do."
Vulpix leaped out to the middle of the field, eager to show its strength.
Weezing opened with a tackle attack, initially missing it partially connected on its way back. The impact knocked Vulpix over but she jumped up immediately.
"Quick attack" shouted Harry. Vulpix began to sprint and side swiped Weezing twice not appearing to cause much damage. Weezing was then ordered to use sludge attack. Half of Vulpix's delicate face was now covered by a thick black ooze. Trying to shake it off she was hit by another tackle.
"Vulpix!" Harry cried.
"Finish this Weezing, Psybeam!" A bright pink light fired out of Weezings mouths.
"Dodge it!" Vulpix, on the brink of defeat leaped high in the air. "IceShard now!" Vulpix, unleased a violent barrage of ice which connected with Weezing, pushing it back and knocking it to the floor. "Freeze-dry." Vulpix blasted Weezing with a torrent of cold air. Knocking the helpless Weezing out cold so to speak.
"Weezing is unable to continue, Vulpix is the winner."
Vulpix turned and leapt towards Harry. Catching her and giving her a big hug the crowd around them cheered and whistled.
"You did well." Jared approached. "You and Vulpix make a good team"
"Thanks" Harry replied with a grin on his face that could have been seen from space.
Jared shook Harry's hand and walked off. The crowd circled Harry and Vulpix. Out of the crowd poppy appeared.
"That was awesome" she cheered "Was that your first battle?"
"Yes it was" Replied Harry, still smiling. "So much fun!"
"Tell you what, fancy that meal now?"
Harry agreed and the two of them left the field and went for food.
During the meal, Poppy explained the concept of badges, having six Pokémon on your person at any one time and the Pokemon storage place, a dedicated Pokemon preserve where they are transferred to if you catch something after having six already.
Harry told poppy how he planned on seeing the world with Vulpix and getting stronger and competing for badges. He wanted to create a formidable team of Pokemon that would be strong and loyal. He wanted to build a friendship with his Pokemon much like Ash in the anime as well as making a home here.
Poppy explained how she'd love to come on the adventure with him but she had to care for her Grandma. She would stay in touch and come and find Harry when she could.
The meal ended and both went home. Harry went straight to bed and dreamt about the weeks that lay ahead. Vulpix curled up with Harry and both slept soundly.