My first pokémon fanfic. I feel people tend to overlook the other parts of the game when they focus on training a ton. Now, without further ado…

This is just a novelization of Pokemon: Diamond/Pearl. Nothing really special; I was just inspired to write it. I'm giving it my own twist here and there, but I'll do my best to stick to the original stuff.

I know, I know. The title kinda sounds crappy, but I honestly couldn't think of anything else. O.o;

This follows the main plot of the games, not the anime, so the main two names that you get to choose were changed for clarity's sake. Sorry I have to stress that, but I'd like it to come across the first time is all. Edit: I'd also like to add that in this fic the gyms either will be of minor importance or will not be stressed very much if at all.

Main Character (Female): Tana
Rival: Skailer

Rating subject to change.

Yes, there will be spoilers! Plenty!

Pokémon: Diamond
A Novelization by Eiyoko

Chapter One: Ambush!

Professor Rowan hardly noticed anything else around him when he got deep enough into his work. He was often called strange because of it, but everyone knew he was the most well-known professor in Shinnoh for his incredible feats.

Strangely enough, the never-distracted professor was about to get a complete change in plans for his studies.

"And now for our latest topic! A mysterious group known as Team Galactic has been showing up in almost every major city in Shinnoh. Reports of them to authorities have included theft, threats, and even violence in some cases. Team Galactic claims to be seeking an energy source from pokémon, and have been questioning people about any strange sightings…"

"Lucas," the old man said idly. "Come take a look at this."

A boy with chestnut-brown hair jogged into the room. "What is it, Professor?" he asked cheerfully.

Rowan motioned to the screen. "Take a look at this," he said shortly.

"…was seen entering the vincity of Lake Valor two weeks ago, but has not contacted his assistants since. Many blame his disappearance on the mirage said to have been spotted at the lake. More details as reports come in…"

The professor turned to face Lucas. "Well? What do you think?"

Lucas looked back at Professor Rowan in anticipation. "Maybe we should check it out."

Rowan nodded. "It'd be a start," he muttered. "Now that I mention it, I remember that there've been rumors about a mirage at Lake Verity. We should start there."

"Do you think it'll be the same one?"

"I'm not sure. There might not even be one." He rubbed his chin in thought. "Though…I'd like to find out the validity of the rumors myself, and there's only one way to do that."

"Eh?"

Tana flipped off the TV and sighed. The news was getting old fast, what with those Team Galactic loonies running about. To add to it, people were reporting sightings of rare pokémon all over Shinnoh, but researchers weren't finding anything. That case with the disappearing researcher had gone on for a while, and was quickly getting old. Any of the topics would have easily interested Tana if they weren't the only thing on the news every day for the past two months.

Oh, well. It could be worse.

Tana headed downstairs from her bedroom to find her mother waiting for her. "What's wrong?" she said, tucking her ebony black hair behind one ear.

"Skailer ran by here just earlier," her mother relied. "He seemed as though he were in a real hurry."

"He's always in a hurry," Tana said. "Where is he?"

"Back at his own house. He said he had to get a few things."

Tana nodded. "Alright. See you later, Mom!" She hurried out the door.

Her mother called after her. "Don't go in the tall grass! That's where pokémon usually are! You'll get hurt!"

Tana hardly heard her mother's warning. She was already rushing toward Skailer's house.

And she literally ran into him.

"OW! Geez, what was that for?!"

Tana groaned and re-adjusted her white cap. "You're the one always getting onto me for being late." She stood up, brushing off her skirt. "What's the issue?"

Skailer suddenly forgot all about the crash; his grass-green eyes were wide with excitement. "Did you see that report on the mirages?"

"How could I not? It's on the news every other day."

"Well, the mirage they were talking about was at a lake…right?"

"Yeah," Tana said slowly. "It was at Lake Valor, I think."

"Well, Lake Verity isn't far from here. Do you think maybe there's one there, too?"

Oh, boy, Tana thought. Here he goes again.

"Come on, I'll meet you near the Lakefront! If you're late, it's a one-million fine!" Skailer took off running, Tana right on his heels.

It didn't take long for Tana to catch up with her hasty friend. They huddled in some thick bushes near the lake, gazing over its surface intently. For what seemed like hours, the two friends patiently waited.

"How much longer?" Tana whispered after a long while had passed. "I still don't see anything."

"Just a few more minutes!" Skailer replied quietly, and the silence continued.

Tana sighed; she'd never understand Skailer. One moment he's running faster than your average Rapidash; next thing you know he's more patient than a Snorlax. Holding back the urge to make a bad remark at him, Tana focused on the surface of the lake.

You are…?

Tana nearly yelped in surprise, but something kept her silent. A voice…? Where had it come from? "Did you hear that, Skai?"

Skailer looked at his friend oddly. "Hear what?"

"Apparently not," Tana said, her voice gradually trailing off until it was on the verge of silence. "Who are you?"

Please help us…

"Huh?"

Please…

"Professor, I don't think anything is here."

Skailer and Tana looked to the side. There stood an old, grey-haired man wearing a lab coat...and a boy about their age. A briefcase lay in the tall grass, unnoticed by the two.

"Strange," the old man said. "Rumors of this sort are usually true." He glanced briefly at the bush that Skailer and Tana were hiding in.

"What do we do now?" asked the boy.

"Well, Lucas, I think I'll head back to Sandgem. Are you coming?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

The two walked off looking rather disappointed. After a few minutes just to be sure, Skailer and Tana exited their hiding place. "Who were those guys?" Tana asked.

"No idea," Skailer said, turning back to face the lake. "Think they were looking for the same thing that we were?"

"Probably…"

Skailer noticed the dazed aura coming from his friend. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Skailer nodded and looked back at where the two were standing. "Hey…isn't that the old guy's briefcase?"

Tana squinted her eyes. Sure enough, there was a briefcase sitting in the grass, right where the two strangers were standing earlier. "Let's go get a closer look," she heard Skailer say.

"Gatta be careful," Tana replied. "Pokémon tend to come out in tall grass."

"Oh, puh-leeze! We shouldn't be in there too long."

The two children rushed into the grass quickly. They knelt beside the briefcase. It looked old and worn, and the latches on the top looked like they were bound to fall off at any given time.

"I wonder what's in it?"

Tana shot the death glare to Skailer. "Are you nuts?!"

"Oh, come on! Finders keepers!"

"I say we return it."

"No way! There might be something cool in it!"

The two began a stereotypical tug-of-war over the parcel.

"Give…it…here!"

"NO WAY!"

"COME ON!"

"SNOOP!"

"GOODY-GOODY!"

SSKKKRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

In an instant, the two lost all concentration on the briefcase, and just in time: there were two wild starlies headed their way.

And they looked very, very angry.

(I'm sorry if it turned out bad; I had to get it out before I lost it entirely! Chappie 2 is on its way for anyone who is interested! Whacha guys think? Feel free to post feedback here!)