Chapter 1: Refresh, Restart, Redo!

New Belsota.

A beautiful region, filled with Pokémon and Humans. Some people have Pokémon as friends and would even consider some family where as others use Pokémon in battles against one another. But where there is light, there is darkness. An evil force has grown and now looks set to take over the region with its regime of destruction and chaos. No one person can change the world, but one person can make a difference…

Our story follows one unlikely trainer who started at the age of 12 and travelled many, many regions having caught and seen a lot of events and Pokémon. Now 22, Tommy has decided to wipe the slate clean having never been good enough to make it past the 1st round of the Championships he entered. While he may not be the best strategist or expert battler, his heart was always in the right place looking after friends and being in situations at the right time.

The story begins in the small seaside town of Foglore, Tommy standing at 5 foot 10 wasn't the biggest guy in the world but a previous life of knocking blocks out of other guys when he played Ice Hockey more than proved he was tough. He was practically crafted into his black and purple t shirt and his dark jeans. His purple bandana was put on sometimes before his underwear some mornings…

…

Tommy stepped onto the stairs connected to the airplane he had just travelled on from his home region of Johto. He descended down and made his way into the terminal building. While others checked over their Pokémon and loved ones, Tommy made his way straight to the exit of the building as all his belongs where packed neatly into the rucksack he carried on his back. Tommy having lost in the Sinnoh Champion Challenge in the first round was about to hang the Pokémon belt up once and for all. His love and luck for Pokémon battles seemed all but expended and he no longer wanted to be recognized in leagues for being "The bridesmaid and never the bride". That was until Professor Elm, managed to talk him into jetting off to a remote region on a job…

"So Tommy, what do you think about it?" Asked Professor Elm as he looked up at Tommy from the laptop screen on his desk.

"I think I understand you now, let me run it past you one more time. The International Police Agency wants me, a nobody from New Bark Town… to go to this land of New Belsota to convey information on a new criminal organisation over there?"

"See what was so difficult about that?"

"You think I'm a nobody too!" Tommy's face of hope dropped into a frown.

"No Tommy, No for goodness sake! The Agency… between you and me alright? The Agency asked for a collective committee of the Pokémon Professors and other known figures of the Pokémon world to put forward a list of trainers who like to travel and would be willing to do the work they need. Tommy, you appeared on 10 of the 12 lists. No one else came close. Let that sink in just a bit." Tommy stood and thought about it. He had been to see many regions far and wide. Won battles, badges and all sorts. He'd seen a lot on the way and must have made a good impression on people.

"So what's the catch then Professor? I get to travel and I get to kick ass. What gives?"

"What gives is nothing. You don't have to do it. But, I think you are more than made out for this. I mean come on, you battle like it's you back in your hockey days and if you're in conflict yourself I've had Chuck tell me he'd be afraid of you on a bad day."

"Chuck said that? I guess I can't argue with that there then Professor. So what now, where do I sign up?" Tommy stood with his arms folded, trying to hide his eagerness.

"Get yourself to the Police HQ in Goldenrod and ask for an Agent by the name of Francine. She will get everything sorted for you…"

Tommy walked out the double doors of the airport and stood looking around him. Beautiful lush fields of green slowly curving on the hills and mountains with a massive snowy peak at the top was right in front of him. They said this was a paradise for people and Pokémon. Easy to see why someone would want to take it all for themselves now. He remembered what Officer Francine had told him what to do when he arrived so he headed off to the left and walked into the main part of Foglore. As he walked down the hills path of stones and dust he looked out onto the small harbour town with a few civilian houses and noticeable buildings like the Pokémon Center and Mart. Out the far side stood a long white building, the Professors Lab! Tommy walked through the town as people and Pokémon went about their daily lives. As much as he longed to battle some of the tough Pokémon that there looked to be in the town, he left without any of his. He wanted a clear head and fresh start for the new region. He could have come all guns blazing but as Francine put it to him he may be best to evolve with the enemy he faced. Tommy approached the front door of the lab and he pushed it open slowly. A small Chimecho bell at the top of the door sounded and Tommy walked on in then. He stood in the reception area. A drop dead gorgeous blonde bombshell in a white lab coat walked through a door and stood behind the reception desk.

"Please be the fucking Professor. Please…" He said to himself.

"Hi there, I'm Lucy. I'm the Professor's right hand woman in the lab!" …Close enough! "You must be Tommy, from Johto right?"

"Yes ma'am that's right. I'm here to see Professor Kelman." Tommy tried to say it with confidence, but no cockiness.

"The professors have said a lot about you, you haven't disappointed so far…" She winked at him as she moved away from the reception desk and through the other door as she went in search of Professor Kelman."

"I love you Professor Elm!" Tommy rubbed his hands together and had a small chuckle to himself. What a nice way to arrive!

The Professor came out the door that Lucy had went in. And unbelievably this Professor was young. And not balding! He had a full head of black hair and had a chiselled face.

"Hi Tommy, I'm Professor Kelman. Josh Kelman between you and me!" Said the professor with great enthusiasm. "Professor Elm told me about what is happening and I have to say, given the resume I was handed over I am in full confidence you are the man for the job!"

"Oh, thank you Professor. I try my best… cheesy but… yeah."

"Please, Just Josh is fine. I know you don't like Thomas so…" The Professor was right, why would his mother give him a 1940's name?

"OK, Josh. I'm still a little in the dark in a few things but I have a general idea of what is needed."

"Follow me a minute will ya?" Josh waved Tommy towards him before turning on his heel and walked through and held the door open for Tommy. He led him down the corridor and stopped at the door with a metal plaque reading "Research Quarters". He went inside and Tommy followed. Lucy was in here as well. What luck he was having! The Professor walked to the far wall as Lucy arranged a few bits and pieces on the desk to his right. On the wall was a map of the New Belsota region.

"OK, so you take a look here right." The professor pointed the harbour town on the map, were they were currently located. "We are here all right. Now the Police force here reckons in the north town of Zelbusa City is where this new Criminal Empire originated from. Where they currently are… your guess is as good as mine."

"There." Tommy walked up and pointed on the map. The Professor stood in shock. Lucy turned to see it for herself and she too wore a face of disbelief.

"Wha… how… are you sure." Questioned the Professor.

"No…"

"… OH HOHOHO! Professor Elm told me you were a howler Tommy boy! Haha, I'll have to remember that one for myself and my super humour right Lucy?"

"Yes Professor." She smiled. The Professor grinned from ear to ear and Tommy tried his best not to burst out laughing.

"But seriously. I don't know your orders, but I know the base is still there. Now, whether or not there is anything inside… I don't know."

"I do…" Tommy winked at the Professor.

"OOOOOH Lucy he is good isn't he, brilliant!" The Professor playfully punched Tommy on the left shoulder and they both laughed.

"Yeah Haha! … No my orders where the same. They wanted eyes inside the building however possible and whatever data gathered sent to them with great urgency but without attention. So hopefully I can find something to go on from there afterwards."

"We always need an errand boy don't we Professor?" Asked Lucy. Anyone as his witness he would do whatever she wanted and whenever she wanted…

"Oh no. You don't train the strongest Pokémon to sit and watch the clouds move! Tommy, you need a partner don't you." The first thing in Tommy's head was the professor handing him an engagement ring and him putting it on Lucy's hand…

"Yeah I do indeed."

"OK, you are welcome to choose from my selection of Pokémon I have ready and waiting or I have a link to Elm's to get whatever you need."

"Hmm, I might take you up on that. But there is one I need with me. He was my right hand warrior in Hoenn. I promised him I'd spend more time with him and this adventure will be perfect." Tommy stroked his goatee with a big smile on his face knowing he was making the right choice.

"OK, well go ahead and use the Computer in the corner. You can chat to the Professor and use the B.C.T. when he is ready." The Professor pointed to the corner of the room behind Tommy. There in the corner was a computer and the Ball Capsule Translocator system used to move Pokémon about inside their Pokeballs. Tommy nodded and moved over to the Computer. He wiggled the mouse and the desktop came alive. He moved to the VideoChatterBox icon on the screen and clicked it until the program opened. He clicked on Professor Elms name and made the phone call. After a few rings, the Professor appeared on screen.

"AK Tommy! You made it safely then yes!?"

"Yes I'm here with Josh now!" Josh stepped closer and stood behind Tommy.

"Hi Professor Elm!"

"Professor Kelman, looking well as always! So Tommy, do you know who you want to take with you?"

"I do Professor I want to bring…" Tommy couldn't finish before a Typhlosion ran into the picture in front of Elm. It was Tommy's. The very Pokémon he raised as his first and his ultimate partner in battle. "Hi Buddy you missing me!"

"Phlosiooon!"

"Listen buddy, I promise I will get you out here some time. But right now I need you to do what we said with Professor Elm right?" Professor Elm and Tommy had agreed that he wouldn't touch his stronger Pokémon. Should he fail and the evil rise and spread to other regions Tommy would leave his best with Elm to try and at least keep New Bark Town liberated. Typhlosion nodded and waved before stepping away.

"He's missed you Tommy, but who do you want to take?"

"Professor, I promised Aron I'd go on an adventure with him and it's time to see that through."

"Aron then… Ok, he's out the back. He's with your Sisters Aggron actually. Give me a minute and I'll give him the news and get him over to you. Professor Kelman, I will call you later. I need to discuss a few research notes with you if you are free?"

"No problem Professor. Speak then!" Professor Elm nodded and smiled before the call ended. Tommy's sister, Cathy, was also a trainer. And she was a good one. She actually made it to the third round in Hoenn and made it to the second in Johto of the Championship. This year she was primed to go far, very far. Hence why she was not offered the trip. She was a skilful flowing battling trainer. Rolled with the punches as they say!

"Why didn't you bring Typhlosion Tommy?" Asked Professor Kelman showing genuine interest.

"He was my original partner, but the problem would be unwanted attention. People know me and him well and if that word got out then this trip may be over before I leave the town!"

"Ahh. I never thought of that. Elm mentioned your sister, what about your cousins Jordie… and Tyler? Are they still kicking about?"

"Yeah they keep themselves to themselves." Jordie was the youngest of the '4'. He gave Tommy a hell of a run in battles. His defining moment was making it to the Kanto final before losing. Tyler was probably the most versatile of the group. He won gym badges, catching contests, even Co-ordinator events. He was a fantastic trainer having made pretty much the 4th round to every championship he entered.

"Ahh good good. Always followed Jordie mind you. He went from Underdog in the first round, to good competitor in the second to 'Oh my word this guy could win this' in the 3rd, 4th and final. Awesome battler!"

"Yeah, I'd like to mention I taught his Charizard the Blast Burn that got him there. Water off my back!" As Tommy said that the B.C.T. kicked into life. After a few seconds the pipe shook as it transported the Pokeball through and it landed into the Catch Coaster and sat on the table. "Sweet!"

Tommy lifted the Pokeball and held it close to his face. "Welcome back old pal!"

"Well go on don't keep Lucy and I waiting! Let him out!" Cried Professor Kelman!

"Alrighty then, Come on out buddy check out paradise!" The bottom half of the Pokeball unhinged from the top and bursting from the red light came Aron who stood close by to Tommy.

"Arrrrron." The little steel Pokémon was well experienced back in Hoenn. And like it's fully evolved forms, showed off the scar on the right side of its back like he won a war single handed.

"Wow, look at the marks and scratches. He's seen his fair share of fights Tommy!" Josh was amazed; he got down onto one knee and looked closely around the Pokémon as Aron stood proud of the attention he was getting.

"I never realised how cute they were!" Said Lucy who too walked over to get a closer look at him.

"Caught him in Granite Cave outside Dewford Town, little dude was about to eat through a water dam support in the cave. Would have flooded and killed them all." Aron was freshly hatched when this incident took place. Tommy was right place right time and was able to get himself in front of the newly formed Pokémon. Tommy instead climbed the dam and was able to find an old Iron bar that the Pokémon feasted on before battling and being caught by Tommy.

"So what's his biggest moment then?" Asked Lucy who looked up to Tommy as she petted Aron.

"Oh let's see. He one hit KO'ed Winona's Tropius in the battle for her badge. One Iron Head and boom, she was down one like that."

"Wow, a real tough guy!" Aron smiled, it was awesome to get attention like this.

"Right Tommy, do you want to check out the other Pokémon I have and see what you think?"

"I will if you don't mind, something to help Aron out should we need to go into a Double Battle or that."

"OK, well then. Follow me!" The Professor got up and walked out the door, Tommy, Aron and Lucy followed out and back down the corridor to the room next to the one they left. It was labelled "Pokémon Storage". They all went inside and to Tommy's amazement he was greeted with every starter Pokémon that the Professors from the other regions have waiting for new trainers. Every, Single, One. Bulbasaur to Froakie. And they were all lined up perfectly like they were numbered in the database.

"WOW." Tommy shook his head in awe, Aron walked on in to take a closer look at some of the Pokémon. He seemed to favour those of Hoenn, Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip. Perhaps because he was so used to seeing them used in battles when he ventured with Tommy back then. Tommy scratched his head as he looked up and down the line. They all had a unique twist to them and the element they brought to a battle. He knew for sure he wouldn't need a Squirtle or a Cyndaquil having already owning one of each and their final evolved forms. Maybe a grass type this time?

"I'm… I'm lost for what to choose Professor."

"If, I was personally in your shoes and know this region like myself. You'd know that grass Pokémon appear in the grass and waters near the water. The fire types, are very rare here. They do exist but you have to know where to look." Who was Tommy kidding? He loved Fire types! Typhlosion was the only fire type starter without a secondary, but what it lacked in another element it more than made up for in sheer power. Half of the fire types became part fighting, with Charmander becoming a Charizard and a Flying type. Fennekin in its final stage gaining a Psychic type. Tommy brought his hand to his chin as he thought.

"You know what, I was picked apart in the Hoenn League by a Blaziken. Yes, Josh, I would like to take Torchic with me." Aron looked up to Tommy and then around to Torchic who was going buck daft at hearing it was going on an adventure.

"Well, looks like it is more than ready for you Tommy. That and Aron will make a great team in my opinion. Whatever is out there be warned!"

"Hell yeah. Tommy and his team are gunning for ya!" Aron and Torchic began communicating with each other as the other Pokémon now dropped their acts of cuteness and began begging for food. Squirtle the master actor already able to point into its open mouth.

"No pulling wool over these guys eyes, Lucy can you see to them? Tommy, you're all set. Here is Torchic's Pokeball." Lucy left the room as the Professor handed Tommy the minimized pokeball. He put it into his pocket along with Aron's. "OK, I'll let you get on your way. So head north of the town from here, it's a long way but you will reach Thunder Bay City. If you want to go after badges, the leader is surprise surprise an Electric specialist by the name of Samuel. Samuel Sparks. Self-christened, FYI."

"Awesome, that's brilliant. OK, if you guys are ready we will go!?" Aron and Torchic looked up and gave a quick cry of readiness. Torchic flapped its tiny wings and had enough to land onto Aron's back who was going to give him a ride for the first while. "Josh, thanks a lot. Professor Elm gave me your number in my phone so I'll call you if anything comes up."

"Likewise Tommy, best of luck buddy. Don't be afraid to visit. I think Lucy has took a shining to you." Oh why oh why did he half to tell him that now?!

"Haha, wouldn't have knew… Anyways. I'll get going. Thanks again!" Tommy extended his hand and Josh shook it. With a quick look to Aron and Torchic the three left the room and headed for the front door. They stopped and looked back to see the Professor and Lucy with a huge bag of Pokémon food now at her feet waving them good bye. Torchic waved its wings and Tommy waved goodbye as well before opening the door and leaving the lab.

"She took a shining to you… how come I couldn't get that back home Aron?"

"Arron… ron…" (Face it, your nothing without me…)

Tommy shook his head in disbelief and walked along with Aron and his new partner Torchic more than ready to face the challenges and adventures ahead of him.