Welcome everyone.
This is the second version of the first chapter (or possibly more, actually, but it's the first major revision). It has updated grammar (now with punctuation after people talk), a new scene to hook interest and overall a slight improvement in quality.
A big thanks goes out to Tyhe2476, not only for beta reading chapter 1-4, but also for indirectly making me want to write my own.
Before you start reading the story, I want to inform you of the Forum that is connected to this story. It can be found through my profile, where you can also find various side stories to this story. Currently, those side stories consists of 2 separate stories:
1) GCS: The Diary of a Professor, which is a journal-format story, following Professor Willows starting 40 years prior to chapter 1.
2) The Fruits of Hard Labour - A Berry Study, which is a handy pocket-size guide to all things Berry-related. It is meant to give the illusion of being written as an in-universe app for various devices, and I think it works pretty well.
You can enjoy the main story perfectly fine on its own, but you'll gain a lot more from reading these and any future side stories, as they expand the world I'm building around this story. Finally, there is also a map on deviantart, which shows the region as well as any named location. The map is accessible through the forum.
But I've kept you long enough. I invite you all into the world of Pokémon...
Welcome, to the world of Pokémon. In this world, creatures known as Pokémon live alongside humans and there are currently more than 650 known species. Pokémon comes in all shapes and sizes, forms and types and no two are alike. In this world, there are those humans which share a special bond with Pokémon. Some of them dream of capturing as many different kinds as they can and to become Pokémon Masters. These people are called Trainers. Others find that grooming and raising Pokémon are more to their liking and become excellent Breeders. Others still, dream of stardom and dazzling performances and are known as Coordinators. Though their paths and goals may differ, their love for their partners and friends are the same, and each have their own tale to tell. This story takes it beginning in Nesot Village, one fateful morning...
Chapter 1 – The Journey Begins
Wednesday the 7th of Silversun
01:10, Lasidoet Town Airport
It was in the dead of night, as an airplane landed in the airport, a few kilometers out of Lasidoet Town. The sky was overcast with dark clouds, heavy from the day's rain. When the plane was finally parked and ready for its passengers to disembark, a lone man appeared in the doorway. He was just short of middle-aged, wearing a formal business suit. With confident steps he walked down the stairs, adjusting his tie out of habit with one hand. The other was clutched around a briefcase. The thin man reached the end of the stairs and approached a black car, which stood waiting for him. Its driver, a young man clad in black, opened the door and once the older man was comfortably seated, closed the door and got in the car himself. The engine roared in the silence as it was revved up, then the car drove away, turning north-east.
Wednesday the 7th of Silversun
06:30, Nesot Village
Dawn had barely broken, as the first few rays of light crept across Casey's bed. They slowly made their way over his covers until they shone upon the youth's face. His eyes slowly opened, only to be squeezed tight again by the blinding light. Casey muttered to himself as he sat up in bed. He slowly opened his eyes again and looked over his room. It was a complete mess. His closet had been torn open and half his clothes were lying on the floor; several drawers in his desk looked as if they were about to become unhinged and the floor was covered in books, maps, papers and much more. In fact, the only thing undisturbed in the room seemed to be the shelf with Pokémon Dolls he had had ever since he was a babe. He kept telling himself to call them stuffed Pokémon instead, but to no avail; it was, and would always be, dolls.
For a brief moment he wondered why his room was a mess, until he remembered what day it was. It was the day that he and Tyson were going on their Pokémon journey. That was also why his room was a mess – Tyson had "helped" him pack. Sadly, Tyson's idea of packing was tearing everything out of the closets and drawers and throwing it into a backpack. Even after Tyson had left, Casey had to sit and re-do everything. By the time he was done packing he had been too exhausted to clean up and had fallen asleep.
He looked at his clock on the wall. There was still another half hour until he had to get up. Casey lay down again, but found himself restless. After a few minutes he sighed, got out of bed and got dressed. His clothes had been laid out the night before; a pair of brown jeans, a blue T-shirt and a green jacket. As he got dressed, he looked himself over in the mirror. He wasn't vain in any way, but he couldn't help looking at the youth staring back in the mirror. His brown hair was starting to grow out again, even though he had had it cut only a few weeks ago. The blue eyes in the mirror were filled with apprehension. Guess the eyes really are the windows to the soul Casey thought to himself. He was slightly taller than average, but only just. He was athletic of build, though he had never done much to make his body that way. Stop lingering he told himself and shied away from the mirror.
He found his bag by the end of his bed and looked through it to make sure he had it all: A map, compass, sleeping bag, some canned food for both humans and Pokémon, as well as an assortment of medicines and other items of use. He looked around his room again, then up at the clock. He still had a quarter of an hour before his family would get up. Figuring he had nothing better to do, the boy started cleaning his room.
It took longer than he had thought it would. By the time he was done cleaning and tidying his room, his family was up and about and the sweet smell of bacon and eggs reached his room. He grabbed his bag and went to the door. He turned and cast a last glance at his room; he probably wouldn't be back for quite a while. Saying his silent farewell, he closed the door and walked down the stairs to join his mother and father for breakfast.
Wednesday the 7th of Silversun
08:23, Nesot Village
Breakfast had been a mixed experience. On one hand, Casey could sense that his parents were happy for him going on his journey. But on the other hand, it would leave them alone in the village. After breakfast they had offered to see him off to the professor, but he had declined, preferring to say his goodbyes then and there. It hadn't been easy on any of them and somewhere in his heart, Casey was already regretting going; if only just a little.
"Hey, Casey!" a voice called from ahead. Casey looked up and saw his friend and future travelling companion Tyson further up the road. He was wearing a dark pair of pants and a red jacket, the whole thing topped off by his fiery red hair. He too was wearing a rucksack stuffed to the brim with stuff they needed on their journey. Much like Tyson had helped Casey yesterday, Casey had been at Tyson's the day before yesterday to help him pack. Tyson was of a stronger build than Casey, wherefore they had agreed that Tyson would carry some of their heavier stuff. He was also taller than Casey. The pair had been friends since childhood and Casey had often relied on Tyson's strength when they sat out to do another of their crazy ideas. It struck him suddenly, that not a lot had changed since then; after all, going on a Pokémon journey like this was pretty crazy. Tyson gave an energetic wave and Casey waved back, picking up his pace a little.
"Excited?" Tyson asked as Casey reached him, a gleam in his brown eyes, as they continued through the western outskirts of the village, towards the professor's laboratory. The laboratory itself was situated a little west of the village, so that the professor had peace, as well as space, for his research.
"You bet!" Casey replied. "And you?"
"I couldn't even sleep last night!" Tyson replied. His face did look a little haggard, so Casey was inclined to believe him. "Do you think the professor is ready to see us?"
"I can't imagine him not being ready," Casey replied. Then he immediately added, "Then again, it is Professor Willows, so he's probably engrossed in some secret mystery or other." They both laughed at the thought. The pair small talked as they made their way out of the village and through the lush countryside. Around the path to the professor were green fields and trees, with a few cornfields of to the north and south. The windmill used to grind corn to flour could be seen on the eastern side of the village.
After about 15 minutes, the pair arrived at a mansion. They didn't bother ringing the doorbell – either it was still broken as it had been for years now, or the professor had finally fixed it but was to occupied to hear it anyway. They opened the door and stepped into a fine hall, decorated with paintings and small statues of Pokémon. On the far end hang a portrait of the professor himself, an old man with a full, grey beard and large glasses, surrounded by various Pokémon that had been in his care. The floor was covered by a red carpet.
"Professor Willows!" Tyson called. "We're here to receive our Pokémon!" The two of them waited but there came no reply. Tyson called again but to no avail. Then, a small round, brown Pokémon, with three green spheres on top, came walking out from one of the adjacent rooms.
"Oh, hi Bonsly," Casey said and crouched down to pet the baby Pokémon.
"Bon," it said affectionately as Casey petted it.
"Could you take us to where the professor is?" he asked it.
"Ly Bonsly!" it said and started walking back towards where it had come from. The two youngsters looked at each other. Tyson shrugged and they started to follow Bonsly. The baby led them through room after room, until they finally found the professor in his study. He was sitting with his back turned to them with his brown cape obscuring any of his bodily features, bend over an ancient book.
"…and so ends the tale of the Guardian of the Sanctum of the Sun." The old man was reading out loud from a book. Casey and Tyson both assumed he was talking to himself, as the professor had given no indication of having heard their arrival. "But is it really just a tale?" he continued to ponder. "I know from my field study, that the Sanctum indeed was used to house the legendary guardian of which the tale speaks, but I know not, which one it could be, nor if it still resides there. Hmm…" He was quiet for a moment. "I guess I will have to go on another field trip. I should ask Casey and Tyson if they want to join me on it." The elderly man turned around. "Ah, Casey, Tyson. Remarkable timing," he said, apparently surprised that they were right in front of him. "I need you two to pack your bags and come with me. We're going to the Sanctum again."
"Actually, Professor Willows," Tyson interrupted, "we're here to start our Pokémon journey."
"Oh my, was that today?" the professor asked bewildered. "I thought it wasn't until the 7th."
"It is the 7th today, Professor," Casey said.
The professor stared at him, then checked his watch, where a small field displayed the date. "So it is… I was sure it was only the 5th… How time flies."
"What are you working on now, Professor?" Casey asked and indicated the book on the table.
"Ah yes, I'm currently researching the myths surrounding our very own Sanctum of the Sun," he started explaining. "As you know, the Sanctum is located a little to the north of the village and it has been the focal point of local folklore and worship for as long as any can remember. One of these myths speak of a legendary Guardian of the Sanctum, who would appear when the land was in peril. However, I have only been able to translate fragments of the whole myth and as such I have been unable to pierce together which Pokémon is the Guardian. Maybe the Sanctum holds the key somewhere…" The professor started to trail off and Tyson shot Casey an angry look.
"Professor, our Pokémon!" Tyson interrupted before the old man would be completely lost in thought again.
"Ah, yes, of course," the professor said. "Come with me, please." The old man walked out of the room and the two teenagers followed him. The professor led them to a large room, quite unlike anything in the mansion. Where his study had been filled with bookshelves, this room was stuffed with shelves, containing a myriad of Poké Balls. The boys were led through the room, until Professor Willows sat down on a chair at a desk and took out two folders.
"Here," he said, handing the folders to the boys. "In these you can see all the Pokémon available as starting Pokémon. There are a total of 15 Pokémon, evenly divided between Fire-, Water- and Grass-types." Casey opened his folder. On the first page was a nice overview of all the 15 Pokémon they could choose from. He turned the page and was met with a picture of the Grass-type Pokémon Bulbasaur, as well as a description. He turned page after page until he had gone through the binder. "Have you both chosen your Pokémon?" the professor asked them after a few minutes.
"I have," Tyson said.
"As have I," confirmed Casey.
"Very well then," the professor said and turned towards the computer. "Casey, which one would you like?"
"I'd like this one," Casey replied and put down the folder, opened on a picture of a small, turtle-like Pokémon with a brown shell and a green head.
"Ah, a Turtwig," the professor said and typed something on the computer. "An excellent choice. And you, Tyson?"
"I'll have a Torchic, please," Tyson said, showing the professor an orange-red chick with a larger-than-average head.
"I see, a Torchic," the professor said, as he typed some more on his computer. "Very well, they should be arriving… now." A crackle and a white flash drew the boys' attention to the left. A Pokémon Transfer Device was positioned there. But opposed to the ones normally found at Pokémon Centers, this one had 6 slots, rather than just one. Above two of the slots, white lightning crackled and after a few seconds, the Poké Balls containing their future partners materialized. The professor rose and walked over to the machine to take the two spheres.
"Here you go," he said, as he handed the boys their Pokémon. "They are your new partners. I also have this for you," he said as he turned around again to rummage through a drawer in his desk. When he turned to face the two boys again, he held two flat devices in one hand and a small pouch in the other. "This," he started and handed them the flat devices, "is a Pokédex. It's an interactive encyclopedia that contains data on all known Pokémon species. It also has many other functions, which you can learn more about in its help-menu."
Casey took his Pokédex and studied it. It was rectangular, about three times longer than it was high, with a round dial on the left side and a lens in the middle. It was a soft shade of green, unlike Tysons which was a blazing red. When opened, the "lid" was flipped above the other part, almost forming a perfect square. Both parts had a screen, which Casey assumed would display various amounts of information.
"I also want you to have these," the professor continued on and opened the pouch. "These are Poké Balls, crucial if you are going to catch any more Pokémon. I assume you already know how they work, right?" The boys nodded, as they each took five Poké Balls from the professor and stored in their backpacks.
"Was that it?" Tyson asked.
"I believe so," the professor replied.
"Great!" said Tyson enthusiastically. "I've been waiting a long time to say this! Casey, I challenge you to a Pokémon battle!"
"Heh, I knew you'd say that," Casey replied with a smirk. "Fine, I accept your challenge."
"Mhm," the professor nodded in agreement. "What better way to instantly bond with your new friends… Alright, follow me outside."
Wednesday the 7th of Silversun
09:02, Professor Willows Lab
The sun had climbed further into the sky since the two boys had entered the mansion. Now it shone from a perfectly blue sky, down upon a grassy field, where Casey and Tyson had taken up positions. Between them, and a little off to the side, was the professor, who seemed quite taken aback by the harsh sunlight.
"This will be a practice match between Casey and his Turtwig versus Tyson and his Torchic," the professor said, shielding his eyes from the sun. "Trainers, show your Pokémon."
"Torchic, go!" Tyson yelled as he whipped the Poké Ball into the air. At the top of its arch, it opened and flew back to Tyson, releasing a white energy, which quickly took the form of a small bird with a disproportionately large body and head, but not so much as to be ugly.
"Chic," it said, hopping on one leg, clearly glad to be free of the confines of the Poké Ball.
"My turn. Go, Turtwig!" Casey shouted as he threw his Poké Ball. Like Tyson's it opened and unleashed a white energy, which in turn took the shape of a small turtle with a big jaw. On top of its head was a small sapling with two leafs.
"Twig!" it said, shaking its head and body.
"Trainers, are you ready?" the professor asked. Both of them nodded in turn. "Then start the battle!"
"Alright, let's do this!" Tyson said. "Torchic, use Scratch."
"Chic," the small bird replied and ran across the grassy fields towards Casey and his Turtwig.
"Turtwig, block it with Withdraw!" Casey shouted. The green turtle made a grunt and retracted its four legs into its shell, as well as pulling its neck as far into the shell as possible. No sooner had Turtwig completed the move, before Torchic came soaring and tried to dig its small claws into Turtwig's shell, but the attack didn't seem to do much damage.
"Our turn!" Casey shouted at Turtwig. "Use Tackle!"
"Turt!" the green turtle said and popped back out of its shell, startling Torchic. Before Tyson could give the command to move away, Turtwig launched itself at full power into the defenseless Torchic, knocking it backwards.
"Torchic, are you okay?" Tyson called concerned. The small bird jumped to its feet and shook itself, then nodded and chirped. "Alright, use growl." The orange chicken made a low chirping sound, though it didn't sound all that intimidating.
"How does a bird growl anyway?" Casey asked, scratching his head.
"Twig?" his partner responded, just as confused as its owner.
"Eh, you can stop now, Torchic," Tyson said and the chirping stopped. "Try another Scratch attack." Torchic once more started running towards its opponent.
"Alright, I want to try something, Turtwig," Casey said. "Counter their attack with Tackle." Turtwig started running towards the incoming Torchic. "Now, jump and use Withdraw!"
"What?" Tyson shouted bewildered.
"What is he planning?" Professor Willows mused.
The small green turtle used its running start and jumped, still aiming for Torchic. As Casey had asked it to, it immediately drew in its limbs as before. Torchic was slowing down as it was faced with a hard shell flying towards it.
"Oh no!" Tyson said, then shouted. "Torchic, evade!" But it was too late. The withdrawn Turtwig hit Torchic full on, flinging the little chicken backwards.
"Torchic!" Tyson screamed as his Pokémon sailed through the air. At that moment, Torchic opened its eyes, looked straight at Turtwig. The little chick opened its mouth and let loose a bolt of fire.
"Is that… Ember?" Tyson asked.
"No…" the professor said. "That move is Flame Burst."
"Flame Burst?" Casey and Tyson asked in unison, before they returned their attention to the battle in front of them. "Quick, Turtwig. Try and dodge it!" Casey shouted to his partner. Turtwig tried to jump but was a fraction of a second too late. The powerful attack hit it straight on and spread in every direction, smoldering the field where it landed. The Grass-Type was knocked back as a result of the hit.
"The match ends in a draw," the professor declared. "Neither Trainer is the winner."
"But why, professor?" Tyson asked. "We can still fight." Then to his Torchic, "Right, Torchic?" The small bird was sitting on the ground panting, seemingly not having heard its Trainer. On the other side of the field, Casey's Turtwig seemed in no better shape. "Oh," Tyson said softly. "I guess I understand."
"But it was a great match," Willows said. "You should both be very proud of your Pokémon." The boys smiled. "Now recall your Pokémon. They deserve a nice long rest."
"Turtwig, return!" Casey said while pointing Turtwig's Poké Ball at the turtle. Meanwhile, Tyson recalled his Pokémon as well. Then the two boys turned back to Professor Willows. "We should get going now," Casey said.
"Thanks for being our judge, Professor!" Tyson said.
"You're most welcome boys," the old man replied.
"Goodbye, Professor" they said and turned around, heading back the way they had come, towards the village. They stopped as they reached the western outskirts of the village.
"So?" Tyson asked. "Do we go around or through the village?"
"Around," Casey said. "We have our Pokémon now, we've started on our journey and we won't come back to Nesot until our journey is done."
Tyson smiled. "I like the way you think," he said. "Alright then. Next stop, Barme Town."
And there you have it folks. That was the first chapter of The Gawaro Chronicles. I hope you enjoyed it. If so, what did you enjoy? If you disliked it, why? Let me hear your thoughts and opinions. And for all those who wonder about Tyson's Torchic knowing Flame Burst, this will be addressed in the next chapter.
For those reading the chapter for the second time, what did you think of the first paragraph? I'm sure many of you have already guessed who it is and what his purpose is, but I ask that you don't spoil it in the comments and rather discuss it on the forums (which was why I made them).
Party listing:
Casey:
Turtwig; Male; Nickname: ?; Type: Grass; Ability: Overgrowth; Current Moves: Tackle - Withdraw - ?
Tyson:
Torchic; Female; Nickname: ?; Type: Fire; Ability: Blaze; Current Moves: Scratch - Growl - Flame Burst
