A/N- New story, yay! I've been out for a long time, huh? Well, planning this took surprisingly long but I've done it! The First Pokémon Game ever, after the past events revealed in Utopia. For any new viewers/readers, I would highly HIGHLY recommend reading at least The Ninety-Ninth Pokémon Games first, Utopia if you'd like more in depth information on how this story begins, but that's up to you. This is set in the same universe and is thus the third installment of the Pokémon Games universe that I created.
Also, note to new readers, this is in reality a crossover work, as stated in my Ninety-Ninth Games story, between Pokémon and the Hunger Games. I do not use the crossover tag due to less readers chancing upon this story if I did.
I've actually been getting a lot more busy with summer, surprisingly. I thought I'd have a lot more free time than I do, but I AM going into Junior year and have to prepare for standardized testing as well as all the AP courses that I will be taking, so please understand that I may update extremely slowly from now on, as well as possible hiatus. However, I DO intend on finishing this story. Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER FOR THE WHOLE STORY: I do not own Pokémon nor the Hunger Games
Chapter 1
Mysterious Summons
Rebuilding the world failed to erase the memories of destruction and chaos that had ensued several months prior, when their god abandoned them all. It would take a long time to forget as drastic a memory as that one.
Roselia watched her new neighbors milling about on the newly paved streets of the city, their silence almost unbearable.
No, not city. Region. She was no longer a proud Pokémon training under her trainer, mowing down gym after gym. A burst of pain flared in her chest. Her trainer was gone. To speak of her—to speak of any traditional Pokémon trainer was taboo. To speak of the old ways, with nicknames and poffins, contests and Pokémon shows…
No matter. They were all gone.
This place used to be Fortree… or was it Sootopolis?
Groudon had forced the previous "old" regions of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and every other region together, so there only existed one powerful continent where eighteen regions were supposed to coexist, run completely by the authoritative power of the Center, set fittingly in the middle of the continent with the regions surrounding it in a rough circle. The cities had been ravaged almost beyond repair, and recreating a home had taken a long time.
The regions had separated friends and family. Roselia knew that all too well. She had seen a crying Espeon be forced from her daughter, an Eevee, as well as her mate, a Jolteon. Roselia herself was split from her teammates after the slaughter of the Pokémon trainers and supposedly "excessive" species of Pokémon. She had been good friends with Blaziken in particular. Now, she had no idea what had become of her old friends. Were they alive as she was, mulling about how much the world had changed in a few months?
A messenger had come to the Grass Region several days back, speaking of how they were all now united under the new rule of "Leader." When some asked who this "Leader" was, he was at a loss for words.
He spoke with Roselia personally after that. She remembered the details clearly.
"Leader has made a personal request… well you don't really have a choice in this. They would like for you to come to the Center. You won't be alone of course. We'll be picking up others along the way, and you'll have a friend from the Grass Region with you."
"What for?" she asked, confused. She hadn't broken any of the new laws as far as she was concerned.
"I'm afraid I don't know too much myself. Do be assured, however. You have not done anything wrong."
"When would I need to go?" She had nothing to lose now anyway.
"Tomorrow. There will be a train. You and one other from your Region have been given instructions to board it and wait until everyone has come on."
It was now tomorrow. She sighed, standing and walking towards where the single train stood, waiting, towering over them all.
There used to be a lot more of these, she thought wistfully, and stepped into the train.
XXX
Shipments came in that afternoon.
Television screens of some sort were being set up in several homes in the Fire Region, though for what, Charizard couldn't tell.
"You were summoned to the Center too?"
He turned to see a pretty Ponyta standing a little off to the side. Her eyes were wide, alert, and haunted. He recognized that look. It was the same one that every Pokémon who'd lost a loved trainer wore.
The new class system of trainers was already coming through, two in each region, according to that messenger a while back. Charizard didn't particularly care really. He'd survived the massacres, and that was all that mattered. Losing his trainer was a pity, but it was done now. There was no going back.
He nodded to her. "Yeah. I'm guessing you have no clue what's coming either."
"Nope."
They were silent for a moment.
"Maybe a fighting tournament?" Ponyta asked, trying to think.
Charizard grinned lazily. "Oh come on, I could break you in half easily."
"Yeah?" she asked, sounding bored.
"I have excellent stats," he boasted. "Five IVs, two hundred fifty-two EVs in my speed and—"
"No one cares," Ponyta interrupted.
"But—"
"Competitive… only people in the older days cared that much about those kinds of things."
"Yeah? But what's your—?"
"I used to be called perfect."
"Dude!" Charizard gawked at the fire pony.
"I am a lady."
"But seriously, that's—"
Ponyta sighed. "Doesn't matter. Not anymore." Her eyes focused on something in the distance that wasn't quite there.
"What level—?"
"You're being annoying."
His ire spiked. "Hey!"
"Oh look, the train."
As she spoke, the large black train pulled into view and slid to a creaking stop before them on the rails.
The door slid open, and Ponyta slipped elegantly into the cart. Shrugging, Charizard followed.
There was already a Roselia and Sceptile in there.
"Oh goodie, more," Sceptile said, turning away to mind his own business immediately after saying that.
"Hello," Roselia said quietly.
Charizard walked over to her as the door slid shut and gave her a flattering grin. "Has anyone ever told you—?"
The Thorn Pokémon looked uncomfortable but cut him off. "Sorry but I'm not… into relationships."
He stood there looking like an idiot for a moment.
"Sit down, you look ridiculous," Ponyta said scathingly.
He huffed, but sat down, looking glum.
XXX
"I refuse to accept this."
"Too late ninja boy, you kinda have no choice."
Greninja scowled, being forced to carry Sharpedo due to the shark being unable to traverse well on land. "I didn't sign up for babysitting."
"WHO'RE YOU CALLING A BABY?"
Greninja only dropped the shark and stepped back, watching him flail around helplessly on land in satisfaction.
"You should sign up for comedy shows, really. I think you'd be great."
"ARE YOU MOCKING ME?"
"Oh no, of course not."
Several other Water Region Pokémon stopped to watch Sharpedo flail, some hiding grins and laughter.
That was good. After Arceus's abandonment, they all needed as much moral support as they would possibly get from each other.
"PICK ME BACK UP."
Well, that, and watching the hopeless fish flounder around was amusing.
A low whirring sound came from some distance away, and a large train pulled into view. It was massive, with six large compartments for whatever reason, and was beautiful, oh so beautiful.
As it pulled to a slow stop, a door to the side slid open, and Greninja regrettably picked up Sharpedo.
"Ha!" Sharpedo sneered.
The other Water type stared at him for a moment, then dropkicked him through the open door, gloating at the screams of fury from the fish.
"GOAL!" a Charizard cheered, pumping his fist into the air.
"I WILL MURDER YOU ALL," Sharpedo yelled back.
Greninja rolled his eyes and sauntered into the compartment, fist bumping Charizard on the way in and taking a look around, laughing at the look of pure distaste on Ponyta's face.
"Little pony, cat got your tongue?" he said, stepping toward her.
"Vulgar," she muttered, but turned away, pointedly making it known that he was not to approach her any further.
He took another few steps, ignoring Roselia's warning glare, shrugging. "Jeez, don't be so rude, I'm just—"
Immediately, she lashed out, kicking him in the groin with one perfectly aimed hoof. Greninja whimpered, doubling over in pain.
"Please do not come near me," she said.
"Yes, miss," he whispered, hearing Sceptile and Charizard laughing in the background.
XXX
With all the separation of friends and family that was happening all over the world at this time, Delcatty was relieved that at least her friend, Lopunny, would stay with her. They'd shared the same trainer, and they were all close.
She'd had a nickname. A simple one, yet endearing. Then that nickname, like all nicknames, had been stripped from every Pokémon. That sense of individuality was gone.
Delcatty felt another rush of aching relief when she remembered that their trainer was one of the very few, possibly one in a million or so, who was spared in the slaughter. She and Lopunny had cried when their old trainer came to them, whispering that everything would be okay.
Then their trainer boarded the train to head to her new assigned home, in another region, never to see her Pokémon ever again.
Delcatty missed her.
So much.
"You got called on too?"
Delcatty turned to see Lopunny. "Oh, we're both going I guess. Any ideas on what it is?"
"Probably nothing lethal," Lopunny offered. She thought for a moment. "They wouldn't just send innocent Pokémon out there to die for no reason."
"Probably not," Delcatty mused. "That's illegal."
Lopunny nodded in agreement. "Well, at least we'll be able to stay together."
They watched as the train pulled in.
XXX
Luxio and her brother Luxray both waited, bored, for the train that was supposedly going to take them to the Center. She was younger, yes, but whatever happened, she'd protect her brother. She was always the better one, the smarter and more levelheaded one. Of course her weakling brother needed her.
She snuck a glance at him. Of course, he wouldn't agree with her views.
Ah, well. Their mother had been one of the slaughtered in the last few weeks. That had been a heavy blow to both of them, especially Luxray.
Deep guilt and resentment flowed through her. She'd done what she'd had to.
No one could know.
"Are you okay?"
Luxio turned to see her brother's concerned look.
"You had a dark look in your eyes," he said. Luxray sighed. "Well, I guess this world is new so…"
She let out a sigh of her own. "Yeah," she lied. "I miss everything, everyone."
XXX
"DEAR GOD DO YOU EVER STOP PREENING?"
Talonflame shot the steel bird next to him with a glare. "My trainer believed in the utmost fabulosity of our coats. Who am I to deny that my feathers are indeed the best of the best?" he boasted.
Skarmory tried to smack him with her wing but he dodged smoothly. "Fabulosity isn't even a word," she said, sweatdropping. "And…" she lowered her voice. "That kind of speak is taboo."
He shrugged. "My feathers are still the finest feathers ever to be seen on a beautiful creature as I," he sang.
"I will strangle you."
"Tough luck Steel Wings."
She proceeded to beat him down with one wing amidst his cries of lost perfection.
XXX
Wooper and Cubone were playing Ring around the Rosie with a few other Pokémon. Well, Cubone had been reluctant, but the happy Wooper dragged him into it.
Cubone had fun, admittedly. But the lighthearted melody of the song hauntingly reminded him of the deaths of the people and the destruction of the cities and old regions. He was probably just paranoid.
As Wooper led them all into another verse of the song, he sighed.
He missed his mother.
A Celebi approached them suddenly, and the singing died away, turning into whispers of awe.
"Wooper and Cubone?" she asked gently. "You two have been summoned to the Center if you haven't forgotten.
"OH I FORGOT," Wooper yelled, then jumped up and made a wild dash for the train. Cubone quickly followed.
XXX
He was a god. He was almighty.
He was more powerful than the petty Center Pokémon who sought for total control. Already he and his troops were prepared for a comeback, to bring back the old world… He began to break into maniacal laughter.
"Omanyte, what are you doing," Dwebble, who was next to him, deadpanned.
"SILENCE YOU FOOL," he shot back. "FOR IT IS I, THE ALMIGHTY HELIX FOSSIL."
Dwebble gave him a weirded-out look. "You are one foot tall."
"AND YOU ARE A MERE PEASANT IN MY PRESENCE. BEHOLD MY MAGNIFICENT SHELL."
"We both have shells," Dwebble pointed out.
"OHO, BUT MINE IS GODLY."
Dwebble sighed.
XXX
Mawile watched as Bisharp struck a multitude of poses.
"You see, dear Mawile, I used to be quite the actor," he was saying proudly. Performed up there with Brycen, see?"
"Taboo," she warned, to which he only shrugged.
"No one has to heart to turn anyone in for it," he said.
"I could turn you in," she retorted.
Bisharp paused then shot her with a glare. "Careful, sweetheart. That kind of threat doesn't sit well with me. Especially not my blades." His blade arms glinted maliciously on cue and she shuddered.
"Heh… I'd rather not die today," she laughed.
"Smart girl," Bisharp said, then continued to strike a multitude of poses.
XXX
Nincada giggled as she rocked back and forth on her legs. She had lost a trainer as well as many others, but had it affected her? None in the slightest.
She began to hum. Deep into her back was a large hole, and in it was a Pokéball that her trainer had forced her to carry. He was a bad man. And she and all the others owned by him were bad Pokémon.
She'd been unable to remove the Pokéball when her trainer died. It had stopped hurting years ago but she'd wanted the last thing that reminded her of him to be gone. No one else had ever caught it either, because of the shell on her back that covered the hole.
She remembered the knife. The bad man struck her back many times, carving out and hacking out that hole. Her shell had healed but not without scars. But still, no one detected that one little secret she carried around.
It could be a vantage point, of course. Her little secret…
Shuckle, who'd been immediately freaked out by Nincada's demeanor, was standing at least twenty feet away, not daring to go nearer but not wanting to be further from the train pickup area. How dull.
XXX
Zubat was playing target for Seviper.
Unwillingly, but still.
"DUDE STOP," Zubat shrieked as he was smacked by Seviper's tail once again.
"Thiss iss fun tho, wouldn't you ssay?"
Zubat screamed as he tried and failed to dodge the next blow and the tail began to beat him down.
XXX
"You're not really in a box, are you?"
Meowstic watched in fascination as Mr. Mime began to climb up the wall and then in a matter of seconds was standing upside down on the ceiling of his box.
"I stand corrected," she said.
The fall of the world was deadly. She had to find any amount of happiness that was offered or the dread of all that had happened would kill her.
"Excuse me miss," an Inkay said quietly. He wordlessly slipped a neatly folded letter to her then drifted away.
Meowstic immediately slipped it into her fur collar, hiding it. She would read it later. No doubt it was from her correspondents in other regions. Namely those of Kalos Pokémon. Some of them were closer than most, and were already few in number due to the massive population cuts that had taken place.
She'd had a twin once… Another Meowstic like her but so much different in appearance. He'd been popular, especially among trainers, who would praise his skill in battle even as they both lived in the wild.
Sylveon must have sent that letter, Meowstic figured. Impeccable timing as always.
XXX
"Oh my, such strength," Zoroark mused sarcastically, watching Pancham throw mock punches into the air.
Pancham beamed. "Really?" he asked eagerly, not quite catching her tone.
She twirled a claw in her glossy mane of hair, bored. "Your enemies will quiver before you," she assured.
XXX
Sableye grinned as his jeweled eyes landed on his next prey—a very small Phantump who kept glancing around fearfully. His teeth glistened and his mouth gaped open hungrily in a grotesque smile of sharpened teeth. Ah yes, his hunger had not been satisfied in a long while. Too long. Jewels were much more difficult to come by now but a bit of weak prey would be satisfactory.
He began to sneak up on the Phantump, his shadow alone menacing. He had been one of the most feared hunters in his old home, known for killing many who would dare to set foot upon his territory brutally, as well as for being surprisingly unconcerned about the mysterious death of his former lover, a Gothorita.
Reaching a sheltered area just behind the Phantump, he prepared to attack.
"Sableye you really must stop your old ways," a voice spoke. He shuddered but turned to face Mismagius, who had been tasked with organizing the new Region.
Which included keeping… wilder Pokémon such as himself in line, much to his dismay.
"Phantump dear, do be careful wherever you're going with Sableye," Mismagius called out, and Sableye swore as his target noticed them.
Ah, sweet prey. His hunger—his desire, would have to wait.
XXX
The Dragon Region MUST have been much more magnificent than others. Grand arches had been constructed in a matter of seconds only the day before, and using the new human work force that enslaved nearly three-fourths of the already dwindling human race, they had constructed cobblestone streets and much more.
Well, most Regions still didn't know the new work force existed. Shame. Tyrantrum liked this change. All too often in the past had he seen Pokémon suffer doing the dirty work of humans for them. It was about time their roles were reversed.
He grinned, remembering how just the other day he had been personally allowed to oversee the working people, and had reveled in brutally punishing and torturing any who would attempt to slack off.
"Oh great, you're here too."
Tyrantrum grinned. "Noivern, you too I see."
Noivern threw him a disgusted look. "You sadist. Don't come near me."
Noivern had also overseen the work force with Tyrantrum on the same day, and had been exposed to the ancient Pokémon's sadistic personality, already deciding he didn't like Tyrantrum due to what he had seen.
Tyrantrum let out a bark of laughter. "I was simply putting pathetic humans in their place."
"That's not really an excuse," Noivern hissed.
"Oh boo hoo, you feel sorry for them?"
"Well—"
"The reign of humans," Tyrantrum hissed, cutting him off, "is over. We are the supreme dictators of the world now."
"The Center is, actually."
"HA! Them? They have the nerve to decide they can rule just because Arceus left us to die." Tyrantrum sneered. "They're no better than humans."
"You have some serious issues," Noivern said, shuddering.
XXX
Gallade attempted to speak to Hawlucha once more, which only resulted in the angry macho bird spitting out more Spanish curses at him for some reason.
Usually he didn't mind the language barrier but when this Hawlucha insisted on saying the most blasphemous things, he did get a bit annoyed. At this point in time, Hawlucha seemed to be explaining his favorite Mexican wrestler. It was pretty difficult for Gallade to follow what he was saying.
So instead, he thought.
His trainer had been weak in body and strength, a young boy prone to sickness. But in soul and spirit, he was the strongest trainer Gallade ever knew. Gallade knew pain before from all the training and battles he endured, but that was nothing compared to the pain of losing his trainer to the war and slaughter.
They had attempted to fight. Gallade wasn't even sure how the legendaries who had ravaged everything decided to spare him. His trainer however…
"Gallade, keep this. Promise me you'll protect everything and everyone you love with all the strength you have and all the strength you can gain from this…"
His fist clenched over the smooth surface of the item. He knew very well what it was. But without his trainer… How was it even possible?
How?
"I couldn't protect you… I'm sorry…"
No!
Gallade let out a deep breath he hadn't known he had been holding.
He missed the flash of green hair that told him his trainer would always be there to support him and every other one of his Pokémon.
He had to keep on going.
He promised.
XXX
Snorunt was cold.
Which was ironic seeing as she was supposed to be an Ice type.
But gosh dang it would be nice to have a scarf or something.
Lapras had let her sit on her shell, and was humming a soothing song to help Snorunt relax a bit. It helped, she supposed. But not much.
XXX
"Letter has been sent and delivered successfully. Client also boarding train based on witness," Spritzee hummed.
Sylveon bowed her head gratefully. "Thank you. It is hard to keep in touch with fellow Kalos Pokémon lately."
"Anything, Sylveon. You'll be back later right?"
"I hope so."
Spritzee flapped her tiny wings and floated off happily.
Cottonee was beside Sylveon. "We'll be alright?"
"Of course we will, sweetie," she said tenderly. "Nothing bad can happen."
Perhaps if Meowstic was also on the train, she might have some idea of what was going on. They might be able to see each other again. Maybe some of her other friends would also be on the train.
The thought of reuniting with her lost friends elated her. That would be nice.
If only.
The massive train came in and pulled to a stop, and its grand doors opened.
XXX
"They were all so easy to collect this year." A laugh sounded.
"That's because they have no idea, you blithering idiot. Next year, they will know, and they will resist. We need a better system."
There was a sigh, followed by a silence. "We can use trainer tools. Take the mechanisms used in Master Balls, and then design a new look for the balls to tell them apart. Then, assign the new players at birth. Collect them in a year's time then."
"You've really thought this out."
"I'm smart. You're just stupid."
"You wound me."
The first speaker grinned, crooning, "I've waited for this for so long… Punishment and retribution has finally begun.
"Let the Games begin."
A/N- Ahh yes I didn't rush too badly. I think. Let me know what you all think!