Renaissance in Ruin
By Lena-Ann-Rene
"The world has been in balance ever since it came into existence. Now I worry the balance is fading away, I notice it more and more each time I travel. Not only are the weather Patterns changing, but so is the behavior of wild Pokémon and humans alike. The change is subtle yet certain. The three guardians of the world have been disturbed, which they shouldn't have, but I haven't a clue as to why. I worry now that what my daughter predicted in such a young age that she can't even recall it –is becoming reality. All I can do is hope my suspicions are wrong." –Professor Rowan.
Chapter one: Calm waters
The silent wind swirled Dawn's long raven hair into a mess. Dawn watched as the sun peeked out from the horizon, shedding light upon the island of Twinleaf. How long has it been since she had last considered her childhood dreams? Just a few years ago all she cared about was leaving behind the secluded island to pursue her dreams when she would become of age, yet now that Dawn could follow her dreams, she felt as if it no longer mattered. Research had taken up most of her free time when she wasn't studying for the graduation exam. In every civilized region of the world children took up a specialization at school adhering to their skills and interests after entering the eighth grade level.
Dawn specialized at training Pokémon in battle as well as the study of ancient mythology. Training Pokémon was Dawn's primary objective and a major childhood dream, however thanks to her Dad's influence; she had also developed a keen interest in the mysteries of a world full of Pokémon of all size and shape.
While some Pokémon, such as Pikachu were adorably harmless, and safe even for little children to raise and train; a greater number was the exact opposite, and that's where a Pokémon trainer specialization came to use. There were plenty of children running around on the mainland of Sinnoh who considered themselves Pokémon trainers, fought gym leaders and some even bested the elite four; however that was fun and games in comparison to the degree of danger and skill it would take to be a true learned Pokémon trainer. Dawn wasn't sure if true Pokémon trainers, like the ones in the legends still existed. "Ever since I can remember I wanted to become a true Pokémon trainer." Dawn whispered towards the endless sea stretching beyond the horizon.
The relaxing atmosphere was broken when she heard Leo shout as he ran toward her. "Professor Rowan wants to talk to you Dawn!" Leo shouted breathlessly as he neared Dawn.
As she walked alongside Leo, Dawn took a quick glance in his direction. Leo had his blond hair reaching to his nose and in a curly mess, while his blue eyes shined like the sea had a few moments prior when the early morning sunlight reflect within his eyes. Leo noticed Dawn's quick glance, deciding to break the silence that felt awkward to him. "So Dawn, it seems you've grown taller since the last time I checked." Dawn replied absently. "Not as tall as you Leo." He gave a chuckle. "Come on Dawn, it wouldn't be good if you were past six feet. You are just an inch below I'd say -and already intimidating." The two friends chuckled as they entered professor Rowan's lab, which was the only brick building on an island with a population of slightly over 1,000 living primarily in bamboo huts.
Professor Rowan sat before a PC, calculating data on Sinnoh's Pokémon when Leo walked in with Dawn. A smile spread on his face as he turned to face the two seventeen year old kids. "Dawn, I've been meaning to speak with you." Dawn took a seat at the table across from her father, listening as he continued. "You have always wanted to be a real Pokémon trainer -and don't think I've forgotten. Dawn I have a gift for you." Leo gave Dawn a wink, suspecting he knew what the gift would be. The professor walked over to his pokétransfer PC, typed in his password then in a few more clicks a pokéball appeared.
When Dawn was younger she'd asked how it is possible for a living Pokémon to be digitally transferred, and to that he said. "It isn't safe for Pokémon to be digitally transferred, if there is a power outage think of what could happen, and the transfer itself isn't a perfected art ... however in the last decade the technology greatly improved, so don't worry kiddo." The professor pressed a button on the pokéball, releasing the Pokémon into the room. Leo and Dawn watched as the Pokémon's form became clear. Dawn prided herself on her knowledge of the numerous sorts of Pokémon; however she had no clue about the Pokémon that appeared before her.
A smile showed on Rowan's face as he watched his adoptive daughter trying to recall the name of the Pokémon standing in front of her. After thinking for another minute Dawn gave up, certain she hadn't met this Pokémon before. "Alright Dad –just tell me what this Pokémon is." Rowan gathered a few thin files, sliding them across the desk to Dawn.
"The Pokémon doesn't live in this part of the world. In fact there are few of them; if not less in general and they live in vastly uninhibited regions. This here is an Azelf." A look of fascination appeared on Dawn's features, only to be echoed by Leo.
"I caught it on my trip to mainland Sinnoh; that's rather unusual, however with that aside –it's your Pokémon now Dawn. Take good care of it."
Slowly Dawn stood and reached her hand toward the small levitating Pokémon. The Pokémon had a smooth blue body with inquisitive golden eyes. It appeared as if the Pokémon would float away, yet it didn't.
Leo had noticed that the Professor was holding his breath. "Is everything okay professor?" Rowan paused for a moment, looking in the direction of Dawn and Azelf, then let out his breath with a slight smile of relief as he began to speak. "From the analysis I conducted whilst the Azelf was in its pokéball, I learned little. Even so, from what I did learn this Pokémon has incredible power, and normally is nearly impossible to catch.
The only reason I caught this Pokémon was because I used a master ball issued to top researchers such as myself." Leo felt awe, whilst Dawn ignored the conversation entirely, keeping her focus on her new Azelf instead.
All Leo could utter was, "Why?" The professor gave Leo a quizzical look. "Why I caught it, or why I decided to let Dawn have the Azelf?" Leo replied in a weak voice. "Both." By now, Dawn had joined her Dad and Leo at the table with Azelf floating directly above her shoulder. "I caught it for the obvious reasons in regard to being a researcher of course. Now Dawn, I want you to have this Azelf instead of just some common Pokémon because I know you're meant for greatness –you told me so when you first arrived on Twinleaf." Leo felt excluded from the conversation. "What do you mean Dawn is meant for greatness?" As he stood, the professor hid his eyes behind the glare of his glasses. "If you want to know go ask her yourself." Leo turned to where he knew Dawn sat, however he saw no sign of her. He thought "How did she sneak away so quietly?"