Rise from the ashes

Battle 1! Raphaela vs Riel!

"...A long time ago when mankind was still in its beginning phases, this was the site of many battles. The well known war between Groudon and Kyogre drowned a once giant continent where the present day Unova is. A flood caused most of the continent to sink under the water, except for what is now known as Unova, and a small archipelago. This used to be a mountainous region known for Ho-oh and Victini making their homes here. During an attempt to defeat the rampaging legends, Ho-Oh was defeated and turned to ash. Using it's power, Victini revived the Ho-Oh from it's ashes. The two fire pokemon fought once more, and drove the continent and sea basin pokemon to the Hoenn region. Since then, Victini and Ho-Oh have been considered gods of victory within Unova. Every time an army won a war in this region, they built a statue like this one to Ho-oh and Victini, thanking the legends for their victory."

A large statue of a magnificent phoenix sat, it's beak pointing at the sky as if roaring at the sky itself. A small fairy like creature sat on one of the phoenix's wings, looking up above as well. Even though stone ruins lay everywhere, the statue seemed untouched. It still was a magnificent marble statue, as if it had been built yesterday.

"Is that stuff that Clef read actually true?" A girl asked doubting it. A large bird came down to land just next to her. The bird was covered in grey feathers, with the exception of the tip of it's fringe which was colored red, and it's belly and head which were white. The girl pet the bird, which nuzzled against the human.

"Don't ask me. He is just reading what is written here." A boy responded. He let out a whistle, calling a bird that was hovering above an information sign. The bird, a Chatot, quickly flew back to it's owner's shoulder. "Are you liking the trip so far Clef?" The boy asked his bird, rearranging it's feathers. The bird let out a chirp in agreement.

"Hmmm… If this place really is ancient, they will pay good money for any artifacts we find here!" The girl exclaimed. "What do you say Arly? Let's go find us some rare stuff to sell!" She fist pumped the air, and the Staraptor imitated with it's wing and a cry. "We will need Shin's help for this." The girl said in a thoughtful tone. She threw a poké ball at the air. The ball opened, making a black cat like creature jump down to the floor. "Shin, you use your Luxio eyes to look for things. Arly you fly above and tell us if you see anything!" The girl ordered her pokemon. They nodded and went off to do their tasks.

"Wait Raphaela!" The boy called the girl's name. "We are not allowed to take anything from the site! Don't you know that!" The boy said, a bit annoyed. He took a minute to fix his black hair. The boy's green eyes were fixed on the girl.

"Oh lighten up Riel." She answered. "I am just looking around is all!" Raphaela responded. She then turned around and ran off, making her blonde curly hair flow after her. Like her friend, she had beautiful green eyes.

"Hmph…" The boy sighed. "That girl is going to be the death of us. Come on Clef, we better make sure she doesn't get eaten by a Hydregion or something." He said as he picked up a violin case up off the floor, and followed after the girl.


"Big bro! Look at that!" A little girl pointed at a pokemon. "Big bro look at that!" The little girl exclaimed again pointing at another thing.

"Hey now, you don't need to point at everything. I can see it too." A man said with a chuckle, holding the little girl's hand. "You know this festival is dedicated to Victi-"

"Victini and Ho-oh symbolizing victory to bless the participants in the upcoming tournaments." The little girl interrupted her. "I know big bro you've told me that a billion time!"

"I guess I did… Sometimes I forget we come here every year. It always feels so different." He told her.

"Too bad we won't be coming her anymore after this… you're going to Almia for your ranger training…" The little girl said with a depressed tone as if she was about to cry.

"Hey, hey now!" The man crouched down to be at eye level with his little sister. "I promise I will come back next year to take you to the next Festival of Victory. Besides you will have Halberd, Shelly, Pedey, Sandy and Stripes to keep you company until then. Now don't cry Mai, alright?" He said straightening the girl's hair.

"Do you promise?" The girl asked.

"I promise. I promise that next year I will take you to the next Festival of Victory. Now come on, let's enjoy the one we're at now." He said getting up.

"Yeah, let's!" Mai exclaimed. "Come on big bro, let's go get ice cream!"


The blonde girl kept looking through the ruins for something interesting. Other then rocks, rocks and more rocks, this place had nothing. Oh and moss! But who cared about moss?

"I can't find anything…" She sighed. "I guess someone beat us to all of the cool stuff."

"Can we get out of here? Please?" Riel asked. "This dust is ruining my suit…" He said, dusting off his fancy clothes.

"Ooooooh!" Raphaela said in a mocking tone. "Well excuse me sir! Let's go back, I wouldn't want your clothes to get ruined!"

"Oh shut up Raphy!" Riel shouted at her.

"Hey don't shout at me!" She yelled back. As she glared at Riel, she noticed something of the corner of her eye. Her Luxio seemed to be growling at something. "Hey, what do you have there Shin?" She asked approaching the electric pokemon.

"Oh just go ahead and ignore me." The boy said annoyed.

"Riel hush for a bit. What is this?" She said pointing at a weird creature that Luxio had been glaring at. It looked…. Dragonish. A snake like creature was coming out of a hole in a wall. It's coat was black and it's head blue. It hissed at the humans and the pokemon.

"I…. Have no idea." He said investigating the creature. Suddenly the wall crumbed into pieces, as something on the other side smashed it's head against it. A large blue, black and purple dragon let out a huge roar. It had 3 pairs of wings, and the snake like creature from before, was part of the dragon's arm. The dragon hovered just off the ground, it's tail touching the ground but not it's underdeveloped legs.

"Crap!" Raphaela shouted, stepping back. Quickly the Luxio took position in front of it's owner, ready to defender her. Raphaela's Staraptor flew down as well, prepared to face a challenge.

"How did I guess this was going to happen…" Riel said, not even believing what was in front of his eyes.

The dragon let out another roar, but before it could charge forward to attack a female voice stopped it. "Ishrieka! Come here girl! Now!" The voice ordered. The dragon flew back towards a brown haired woman. "I'm so sorry!" The woman exclaimed as she made her way towards them. "I was training and let Ishrieka wander off. She didn't hurt you right?"

"No… Were fine. I think." Riel responded.

"Good… Thank Arceus." The woman said in relief. "I am Sylvia Bell. And this is my Hydregion, Ishrieka. I am guessing you two are tourists?"

"Yeah! I am Raphaela, and this is my younger brother Riel." Raphy told the woman. "This is Shin, Arly, and that's Clef!" She introduced the pokemon.

"Were here visiting the ruins." He nodded. "It's part of Raphaela's studying to become a historian."

"Oh I am guessing you come Sinnoh then?" Sylvia asked.

"Yes… How did you know?"

"Well from the fact that your both still young, both have Sinnoh pokemon, and your following the weird Sinnoh curriculum, it's kinda obvious." Sylvia said with a giggle.

"Heh… I guess your right." Riel answered.

"You were saying you were training?" Raphaela asked.

"Yep. Me and my team are getting ready for the Reborn tourney. Want to watch?" Sylvia offered.

"Sure!" Raphaela said enthusiastically. One of the few things she was sad about was that she wouldn't be able to watch the local tournament. The Reborn Archipelago was known for a large tournament it held every year. She had come here for the history, sure but she wanted to watch the tournament too.

"Were training jump up here." The woman said leading them through the ruins and to a small clearing filled with green grass. There were 6 or 7 people and their pokemon, battling against each other. Raphaela and Riel stared in awe at all of the different pokemon. It was amazing how many different trainers and pokemon there were.


"Hey big bro! Do you think we will see Ho-oh this time?" Mai asked her big brother.

"Maybe. Ho-oh is said to appear to those who have bright futures. I am sure it will appear for you." The man said petting Mai's head.

Out of nowhere a woman shouting was heard. "Help! He stole my pokemon! Thief!" She shouted.

The man focused his eyes on the thief. "Mai stay here!" He told his little sister, who nodded. He took of running, and grabbed to poke balls from his belt. "Talon, Stripes!" He shouted as he released the pokemon from their poke balls. A Braviary and a Zebstrika emerged from the bring light. Mai's big brother got on the Zebstrika's back, and dashed after the thief. He pointed upwards giving a command to the Braviary. Talon flew fast and ran ahead of the thief. The Valiant pokemon hovered in front of the Thief making him stop in his tracks. Spreading it's wings, the red eagle threatened the thief forcing him to step back and bump into the Zebstrika. "Give those pokemon back." Mai's big brother ordered.

The thief looked around for another exit. He attempted to run to into a building but suddenly fell over. His legs stopped working suddenly, and they were crackling with electricity. "Good job Stripes." Mai's big brother told the Zebstrika, congratulating it for the quick use of thunder wave. The man went over to the thief, and retrieved the poke balls he had stolen. Handing them to their original owner he was bombarded with thank you's and congratulations.

"Thank you! Oh thank you…" The woman stopped not knowing the stranger's name.

"Alexander Cross." He told her. "And no need to thank me. It's my duty as a ranger to be." He said, looking at his little sister who was behind the crowd smiling.


"Alright Ina-Chan! Stealth Rocks!" Sylvia commanded her pokemon. A Infernape was on the clearing, glaring at it's opponent, a Samurott. The fire monkey punched the ground as hard as she could. Sending shock waves through the ground, several rocks and boulders flew of the ground as a result. The Infernape then roared, making the rocks glow with a blue aura and float in place.

"Alright Miju! Use razor shell!" The Samurott's owner ordered. The Samurott charged forward, all of it's shell armor glowing but crashed into a floating rock, stopping it's charge.

"Your going to have to do better then that Oliver." Sylvia said with a smirk. "Ina-Chan! Get good ground and use focus blast!" The Infernape jumped up from the ground onto the floating rocks. The monkey quickly jumped onto a rock that gave it a perfect angle of the water pokemon's back, and started focusing all of it's energy. A red ball of energy started forming on it's hand, and grew larger and larger. When the attack became larger then Ina-Chan herself, the Infernape kicked it forward, sending the blast of energy straight at the Samurott's back.

"Wow!" Raphaela exclaimed watching the battle while sitting on a fallen stone pillar. "Sylvia is amazing!"

"Yeah she is…" Riel nodded, looking at the battle thoughtfully. "She used Stealth Rock to perfection, combining it with Infernape's natural agility."

"Miju counterattack with hydro pump now!" Oliver commanded. The Samurott turned around glaring at it's target. Quickly, the samurai like pokemon started charging all of the water in it's body that it could spare towards it's mouth. Gathering the water into one blast, the water pokemon shot a high pressure blast of water at the Infernape. The fire monkey jumped down from the rock just barely dodging the attack. Ina-Chan sprinted towards the Samurott, running with it's arms and legs. Just before reaching the water pokemon, the fire pokemon charged one of it's fists with electrical current. The Infernape gave a strong uppercut with the electric fist sending the Samurott flying upwards. The Samurott landed quickly, unable to get back up from the pain of the super effective move.

"Good battle Oliver!" Sylvia said with a smile. "But as you know no one can beat me!"

"Heh. We both know that isn't entirely true. But good game." Oliver said smiling back.

"That was awesome!" Raphaela said running towards the battlers. "How did you get so strong?"

"A lot and a lot and a lot and a lot of training." Sylvia answered. "You two should join the Reborn Tournament! It would be good to see a few more young contestants." Raphaela was delighted to hear this. The idea of entering the tournament was actually looking so awesome! Being able to fight and get stronger… It all seemed so great!

"Thank you for the offer, but we can't." Riel said as he caught up to them. "We are leaving tomorrow." Raphaela's mood quickly dropped. That's right, they weren't staying here for much longer.

"Oh… What a shame. Well maybe you can join us next year." Sylvia answered with a smile.

"Actually…" Riel said looking at his clock. "It's getting late. We should get going. Thank you very much for this Sylvia."

"Your right. Goodbye Riel. Seeya Raphaela!" Sylvia said goodbye to them.

"Come on Raphy, let's go." Riel said as he started to walk away.

"But…" Raphaela started but stopped herself. As much as she wanted to stay, she couldn't. Riel wouldn't let her and neither would her mother. She sighed and followed after Riel.


With the moon was high in the sky, and the Zubat were already looking for prey out in the night, Raphy was unable to sleep. All she could do was stare at the ceiling of the hotel room she and her brother were staying at. Her thoughts just kept coming back to the tales of the dex owners. They had all had such amazing adventures. As was customary in Sinnoh, she had school until she was 10. Then she had to choose a career and be tutored under someone. Raphaela chose history but… She was starting to wonder. Was that truly what she wanted?

"Raphy?" Riel asked rubbing his eyes. "Are you still awake?"

"Ahuh…" She answered. "I can't sleep. I keep thinking of Sylvia and this tournament thing…"

"You can't enter the tournament and you know that. Tomorrow we're going back home. Besides, you know mom wouldn't allow it anyway."

"I know…" Raphaela sighed.

"Get the trainer thing out of your mind. You're going to be a historian. It's what you chose after all. I am sure it will be fun for you Raphy!" He said, trying to cheer up his sister.

"You're right bro… Goodnight." She told her brother. Raphaela sighed again. She knew exactly what she was going to do.


"So what is your name?"

"Raphaela Varaojo."

"Pokemon?"

"Staraptor, Luxio, and Roselia."

"You need three more to join the tournament. Do you wish that Reborn lends you three rental pokemon for the tournament?"

"Uuuuhh…." Raphy pondered over the question as she stood in front of the entry desk. "Sure! It's not like I have any poke balls to catch any more pokemon any time soon."

"Alright." The woman said as she typed the answers into a computer. "Alright, here are your three rental pokemon, and your Reborn Dex." The woman handed a tray with the items towards Raphaela. "All contestants have one of these. Once you decide on your team's name and find other members to join, you register both through the RD." The woman in the entry desk looked at Rapaela and smiled. "Welcome to the tournament Raphaela!"

"Thank you!" She answered with a smile. The girl took the poke balls and the RD, and waved to the entry desk woman as she made her way out. She was so happy! No more listening to what others wanted. It was time that Raphaela Varaojo finally did what she wanted for a change!


Riel rubbed his eyes as he awoke from the loud noise of an alarm clock. He looked around, still half asleep. The boy looked out the window. Why was it so sunny out? He was supposed to wake at 6 am to catch the plane back to Sinnoh.

"Wait…" He grabbed the alarm clock to check the time. Riel almost had a heart attack when he realized the time. Running off to get dressed and grab his bags. "I hope she's not doing what I think she's doing…" He muttered over and over as he ran out of the hotel. Dashing through the Festival, and passing by all the orange and yellow stands celebrating the colors of the Festival of Victory, Riel had an idea where Raphaela might be.

"Hey mister!" A girl called for Riel's attention from one of the stands. "Want me to draw a painting of you and your pokemon?" She offered.

"No time!" Riel shouted in response as he passed by her.

"Well at least…" The girl tried to get him to look at some of her drawing, but the boy was already out of sight. She let out a sigh. "Jerk…"

Riel kept running, past the ruins that he had visited the day earlier. Reaching the clearing he had seen Sylvia train at, Riel found just the person he was looking for.

"This is Moon, this is Claw, and this is Kilik" Raphaela showed Sylvia her new pokemon. A Munna, a Mightyena, and a Klink stood behind Raphy. The Munna seemed to be a half asleep, since it started tilting as it floated. The Mightyena stood there glaring at his new trainer as if in disgust. The Klink was looking around the clearing, as if investigating everything. Arly was having fun observing the new members of his team.

"You were lucky in your rental pokemon. Most people don't get good pokemon." Sylvia commented. "So have you decided on a team name? And is your brother going to join it?"

"Name? No. About my brother…" Raphy stopped as the noticed Riel walking towards them. From his look he wasn't happy at all. "We are about to find out!" She said with a smirk.

"Raphy! What the hell!" Riel shouted. Sylvia backed up, not wanting to get caught up in the sibling's fight.

"Hold on Riel. Think about this for a bit." Raphaela said with an evil grin. "It's now exactly… 8. The plane leaves at 8:30. Now if you run reaaaalllyyyyy fast you will be able to catch the plane back to Sinnoh. If you stay here and argue with me you will have no choice but to stay and join my team for the tourney!"

"For the love of Arceus…" Riel muttered. He wanted to explode in rage. He grabbed hold of his sister's arm in a strong grip. "We're going home, now!"

"No!" Raphaela refused. She pulled back, fighting against her brother's pull. She looked at her brother's eyes in a way that scared Riel. He had never seen her so determined to do something.

"Raphy I was-" He was cut off by the cry of a Staraptor. Arly flew over Raphaela protecting his owner. The bird pokemon flapped it's wings powerfully, making a tiny whirlwind crash against Riel. The wind gust forced him to let go of Raphaela's arm, and stumble back. The Staraptor landed in front of it's owner, glaring at the boy. "Raphy… Mom is going to kill you! And my-"

"I don't care!" Raphy cut him off.

"Your hardly know anything about battling!" Riel continued.

"I don't care! This is what I want to do. If you don't want to be part of it then go back home!" She shouted.

Riel was left with his mouth open… He had never seen Raphy like this. "They would kill me anyways for leaving you here…" The boy took a second to think about what he was about to say. "I am going to stay then. You will need help with this team thing…"

"Seriously!" Raphaela didn't think he would submit at all. She hugged her little brother tightly. "Thank you little bro! Oh we have to get your registered right away!"

"We do, don't we?" He sighed as he hugged his sister back. "I feel like I am going to live a very short life…"


First chapter!~ Whoo. Hope you guys liked it. I am an amateur writer so don't be surprised if it kinda sucks…. I did my best XD Anyways, make sure to comment :D It really helps me get better when people comment and stuff!~