Chapter One: Pallet Town Hero
Not long ago, a boy rose from Pallet Town to become a Pokemon Master. That boy's name was Ash Ketchum, well known within the Kanto region. This story isn't about Ash, but instead it is about another hero who also came from Pallet Town. He started his Pokemon quest later than Ash did, little more three years later actually.
Our hero for this story is someone you might not know, but his name is Drill Adel. He had been interested in Pokemon training for some time now, but never felt it was right for him to train then. It took him three years to summon up the courage to start his Pokemon journey. During those three years he studied about Pokemon in school with the other schoolchildren who didn't start their training for Pokemon or where more interested in other things.
When he was thirteen, he had learned that Ash Ketchum had won his eighth badge in the Hoenn region and was now headed to Hoenn league championship, Drill felt it was time to make a name for himself. He asked his father Axe Adel if he could get several Poke balls so he could start his own Pokemon training.
"You have finally decided what you want to do with yourself huh? Well you can have seven of these things, but I won't give you a Pokemon, you'll have to get one yourself. I believe if you want something bad enough you'll get it yourself, you can do it son," said his father.
Drill proudly took the Poke balls from his father and charged out of the house, as he was already packed. He wondered how he could get his first Pokemon, he knew if he wanted to though, Professor Oak would be more than willing to let him choose a Pokemon of his own, but that was a limited choice.
As he ran across town to find a Pokemon habitat, he overheard a conversation, "Did you hear? I heard that an unusual wild Pokemon has been seen near the professor's Pokemon ranch causing Professor Oak some bothersome trouble. He can't even stop it from doing all of that trouble."
"Well I heard that it was a super strong Pokemon, and that's why the professor can't do a thing about it," the other kid replied.
Drill was excited, but first he still needed a Pokemon, otherwise attempting to catch the other wild Pokemon would be trouble.
Drill found himself on the road to Viridian city; he knew then that there probably was wild Pokemon in the vicinity. He pushed his way through the tall grass and had plenty of trouble finding anything.
A loud cry was heard as Drill pushed through the grass, brushing all of the parasitic insects off himself on the way, "Spearow! Spearow!"
"Ah hah! Now that's what I call a Pokemon!" said Drill as he looked up in the trees surrounding him.
When Drill finally did see where the creature was he noticed one of the wings was injured.
"Poor Spearow, I wonder how its wing was broken. Oh Spearow do you need help?" he asked the Pokemon as he slowly walked up to its tree.
"Spear, spear, spearow!" it squawked hoping closer to Drill.
Drill tried climbing the tree while attempting to keep it calm, "Will you let me help you? I do know how to mend a bird Pokemon's wings, and if that doesn't work I know someone who does."
The injured Spearow nodded as it hopped close to him, "Row, row, spear!"
Drill was finally able to reach it as he lifted himself onto the branch the bird was. He then put a makeshift splint onto its broken wing and started to gently massage the wing.
"You know, I think you should be taken to Professor Oak for further inspection, I think he'll know if anything else is wrong with you," said Drill.
As he pulled out a blanket out of his backpack, Spearow saw Drill's Poke balls. Drill was about to wrap the Spearow in the blanket when the Pokemon hopped into the backpack and pecked one of the seven Poke balls. The Poke ball grew in size a bit and then opened up and absorbed Spearow. It shook back and forth a bit showing a red glowing light as it tossed back and forth. It then stopped rocking a short time later and made a 'ding!' sound as it claimed Spearow was caught.
"Why did you do that? Yeah it is nice to have already caught a Pokemon, but you didn't need to get in there," said Drill as he took hold of Spearow's Poke ball.
He climbed back down the tree and ran back into town.
"Professor Oak, a young boy is here claiming that he has a Spearow that needs to be taken care of. What should I do about it?" asked the professor's assistant.
"Tracy, do what we always do about injured Pokemon, take it in. I swear it is should be rather obvious by now what I'd say about it. Bring the boy in to please, I want to speak to him about it," answered the Professor as he turned around to look back outside.
"Yes sir, and good luck finding the Pokemon that is causing us so much trouble," said Tracy as he ran back to bring Drill in.
Professor Oak brought out his Pokedex to help identify the mysterious Pokemon. After inputting what details of the creature he recognized, purple and ghost-like, the Pokedex brought up the possible results. Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, Sableye, and Shuppet were the results that came up.
"Well I think I can safely rule out Gastly and Shuppet, the creature looked nothing like them. Let's see it is too small to be a Haunter or a Gengar, so I guess it must be a Sableye. Sableye live in Hoenn, not Kanto, what is this one doing here?" he asked himself.
A brief moment later Tracy brought Drill in to the professor's laboratory. Drill was holding a Poke ball, using utmost care he handed it to Professor Oak.
"My name is Drill Adel; I need you to take care of this Spearow for me please."
"Is this Spearow yours Drill?" asked the professor as he opened up the Poke ball.
Drill nodded as he stared at the injured Pokemon.
Oak felt the injured wing to see how he could take care of its injury.
"How did she get injured Drill?" asked the professor.
"I don't know sir, I found her injured like this before she claimed me as her trainer. I splinted her wing as you see and tried to bring her here in my blanket, but instead she got inside the Poke ball. I thought you'd know how to take care of her though so I brought her here," Drill explained.
Professor Oak picked Spearow up and had Tracy take her out back, "Hmm, this Spearow was drawn to you, you say? Interesting, do you want me to take care of your other Pokemon too?"
"Spearow is my first sir; I don't have any other Pokemon yet. I was looking for a wild Pokemon to catch before I started my training, but then I saw Spearow crying in pain. However, I hear you have Pokemon troubles yourself. Do you think I could help you with it?"
Professor Oak fell backwards; he fell onto a stool and then knocked it over and hit the table behind it.
"How, how did you know I had problems with a Pokemon?" he asked as he recovered from his trip.
"Professor, I think I can explain for him. You see, when Ritchie called earlier today I let it slip about our Pokemon problems and asked him to send help from other trainers. I'm sorry I didn't expect someone like Drill here to want to help." Tracy replied as he came back from out back, still holding Spearow.
"Oh dear, I didn't actually need another trainer's help, after all Tracy this is a Pokemon ranch. I have plenty of Pokemon to use if I really needed to use Pokemon. By the way Drill, why did you try to catch a wild Pokemon without first help from a trained Pokemon?"
"I didn't think I needed help to catch a wild Pokemon; after all before domesticated Pokemon we caught Pokemon without trained ones. I just figured it couldn't be too hard if they did it way back then," Drill explained.
Professor Oak sighed; he then went to the far window to look outside.
"I think you may be able to stop this Pokemon after all. Your Spearow may be injured but I will let you borrow a Pokemon to assist you. I'll let you use one of my own personal Pokemon. Please follow me Drill," said Professor Oak as he started walking towards a bookcase.
Both Tracy and Drill stood behind the professor as he pulled various books. The professor then turned around and requested they look away. After pulling a few more books the bookcase pulled forward and slide sideways revealing a vault. He rotated the knob several times left and right, then he pulled the big door open, revealing a roomful of Poke balls, both new and old.
"I had this particular vault installed recently Drill, especially considering the problems I've had with Team Rocket and all. Then there is my other vault just for other trainer's Pokemon I promised to take care of. This vault is for my starter Pokemon and my personal Pokemon I've had since I was your age. Ever since Tracy came to help me, I have been able to afford some of this. Now please choose which Pokemon you would feel most comfortable with," said Professor Oak as he showed him all of the Poke balls.
Each Poke ball was labeled, signifying what type the Pokemon was, and whether or not it was a starter Pokemon or not. Drill had no idea the amount of Squirtles, Bulbasaurs, and Charmanders that were needed to fulfill the starter Pokemon status quo for new trainers each day. Drill wanted to use something other than the starter Pokemon so he chose one of the professors's many normal type Pokemon.
As he picked up the Poke ball, Professor Oak then explained what Pokemon he chose, "Marvelous choice Drill, you chose my Smeargle; one of the most adaptable of the Pokemon out there. This particular Smeargle has learned Earthquake, Surf, Twister, and Super Fang. I trained him to be able to defeat any type of Pokemon. Now go out and take care of my little nuisance please, and maybe you may be able to catch yourself another Pokemon."
Tracy then escorted Drill to the door nearest to the ranch and showed him where the Pokemon was causing the most mischief. Drill nodded and went out taking Professor Oak's Smeargle with him.
"Do you really think he can do it? He is a rookie after all professor sir. I couldn't even see it long enough to sketch it, let alone attempt to catch it," Tracy asked doubtfully.
Professor Oak looked at Tracy and smiled, "If he can go out into the wild, without any protection, and bring back an injured Pokemon that claims him as her trainer; I think he can handle battling an unknown Pokemon using one of my best Pokemon. I feel someone of his potential may be able to handle whatever comes his way."
Drill walked out onto the ranch looking around in awe. He had always wanted to see what this place looked like, green grass, luscious trees, and many Pokemon. He released Smeargle from his Poke ball so he could help identify the wild Pokemon.
"Smear! Smear! Gle! Sme!" said the Pokemon as it saw Drill. He charged about and after observing Drill for a short moment calmed down.
"Wow, you already like me, I guess I'm likeable. Okay Smeargle what you suggest we do to find your trainer's mischief maker?" asked Drill as he looked around the suggested area for the mysterious Pokemon.
The Smeargle hopped around and pointed some distance away from the area they were near and started flailing about frantically, "Smear, smear, sme, mear, rgle!"
While Smeargle pointed in the distance, Drill noticed a purplish Pokemon putting all of the other Pokemon to sleep, passing through the trees constantly.
"Whoa, what is that Pokemon? We have to get there if we are going stop it. Smeargle if you can try to avoid its sleep powder I recommend using your twister attack to cause it to flinch," Drill commanded as he started running towards the purple mischief-maker.
Smeargle hopped on past Drill to catch up to the mystery Pokemon; avoiding all of the fallen Pokemon on the way. Drill did all he could to wake up the other Pokemon while catching up to Smeargle.
The purple Pokemon flew in and out of the trees above Smeargle. Smeargle hopped into the tall trees to reach this unusual Pokemon. He tried to pounce onto the Pokemon to weigh it down, but instead he just fell down onto the ground. It continued to flap its wings as if nothing happened, and then cast another burst of sleeping powder. Smeargle dodged it and hopped back into the trees trying to use another tactic to slow it down.
The Smeargle cried out for the Pokemon it was chasing, "Smeargle! Smeargle! Smeargle!"
It ignored him and phased through another tree, casting a psybeam at Smeargle, causing him to fall onto the ground slightly confused.
Smeargle got back up, looked into the trees, and started walking about dizzily. He bumped into several trees before his vision recovered.
"Smea, smear, smeargle!" he cried out in confusion before he hopped back into the trees.
Drill finally caught up to Professor Oak's Pokemon by this time and saw what was causing all of this trouble. The body of the Pokemon itself was small, but its wings made it look much larger. As it passed through several trees Drill noticed that it was a bug type Pokemon.
"Is that, a Venomoth? If so then why can it phase through trees like that, it is a bug-poison type not a ghost type. Professor Oak will be most surprised to hear about this," Drill said aloud.
Smeargle stopped chasing the Pokemon and turned to look at Drill, at that moment Venomoth cast another psybeam at him knocking him off the tree.
Drill saw this and leapt forward, catching Smeargle as he fell down. Smeargle actually landed on top of Drill squashing him flat.
"Ouch! That hurt Smeargle, why did you let it hit you like that! Never mind just get back up and use twister on that Pokemon. Please, do this for the professor at least," Drill ordered while pushing Smeargle off him.
Smeargle groaned and leapt back into the trees again. When it saw Venomoth, he used his twister attack on it, knocking it out of the air and onto the ground.
The Venomoth tried to regain its composure but instead Smeargle used another twister attack upon it, nearly knocking it unconscious. It slowly sank into the ground, as it was temporarily unable to move.
Drill ran up to the ghostly Venomoth, knelt by it, and pulled out a Poke ball from his backpack. Drill first showed the Poke ball to it and put it near its mouth.
"I'll give you a choice Venomoth, if you trust me you can go into the Poke ball so I can take care of you. If you don't trust me or don't wish to be in captivity you can follow me to Professor Oak so he can tend to your injuries, and then we'll release you back into the wild, away from here to no longer be a nuisance to his Pokemon. Finally, you could stay here in a cage unable to phase in or out of it at will until you are able to behave, and I really don't like that option. Please choose wisely my friend," Drill offered as he sat down onto the ground.
While waiting he pulled out a potion his father gave him to use along the way. He sprayed it onto Smeargle to heal any minor injuries caused by the Venomoth. Smeargle then wrapped its tail around Drill's neck, splattering some paint onto his shirt.
"Vee! Moth!" the Venomoth cried out.
Drill looked upon the Venomoth with regret, he hated to cause anything pain, whether it be Pokemon, normal animal, or even human.
He apoligized to Venomoth, "I'm sorry Venomoth, I didn't want to do that to you, but it was the only way to get you to stop without putting me to sleep or Smeargle. I promise I will not harm you further, if you don't cause as much trouble. Please Venomoth forgive me for the pain I caused you."
The Venomoth slowly lifted its head to look directly at Drill. It saw Drill's face and decided that he was being sincere.
"Veno, veno, Venomoth!" said the Venomoth right before it prodded the Poke ball.
In response Drill made to it an oath, "Venomoth whenever you feel you need to be free, just tell me and I'll set you free whenever I feel it is safe to do so."
He picked up Venomoth's Poke ball and attached it to his belt. Smeargle looked at the belt in curiosity and hopped around Drill.
Drill laughed, "Oh Smeargle, please tell me you've seen something like this before. It's called a Poke ball belt; specifically designed to carry the six Pokemon we're allowed to use at one time. I also have your Poke ball attached to it Smeargle."
"Smeargle smear!" he replied touching the Poke ball, which effectively absorbed Smeargle upon his contact.
Drill smiled and started walking back to the Professors laboratory, trying not to step on any of the sleeping Pokemon along the way. He felt good about what he has been able to do so far for Pokemon on his first day alone.
"Look Professor, Drill is coming back, and some of the Pokemon are waking up. I think he did it, I really do," called out Tracy as he watched from the door.
The professor got up from his computer and walked over to Tracy, "I had little doubt that he would succeed Tracy. I think he may have even caught it. Let's get back to the research room so he doesn't realize we've been watching him. He deserves to tell us the results himself."
They proceeded back into Professor Oak's library to wait for Drill to come into the building.
A few moments later Drill opened the back door and called out excitedly for the professor, "Professor Oak, Professor Oak, I did it! I took care of your problem and caught another Pokemon."
"Please Drill come to my research library and tell us how you did it," the professor replied from the distance.
Therefore, Drill walked through the house and looked for the library. This was his second time in the professor's lab, so it was unsurprising he didn't know his way around. Tracy actually had to help Drill find his way to the library.
Drill explained what he went through previously while he was trying to stop the Pokemon from causing all its mischief. He then showed Professor Oak and Tracy the Venomoth.
"My, my, my, what have we here? A ghost-like Venomoth, eh? That would explain things, wouldn't it Tracy?" asked Professor Oak as he observed the Pokemon.
Tracy pulled out his sketch pad and started making an outline of the Pokemon, "It is a fascinating specimen alright sir. How do you think it became a ghost Pokemon?"
The Venomoth flew into one of Professor Oak's bookcases causing the professor to cry out in surprise. It then flew back out of the bookcase to cast stun spore on Tracy.
"Aggh! I cn't mmve. Hlp me prffsr." Muffled Tracy said.
"Sorry Tracy, I don't have any paralysis heal for humans, I guess you are just going to have to wait until the effect wears off. Apparently it doesn't like you much Tracy," apoligized Professor Oak.
Drill extended his right arm towards the Pokemon to help calm it down. Venomoth then landed itself on his head and glared at Tracy.
"Ah ess unt!" Tracy replied.
Professor Oak then reached into his coat and pulled a Pokedex out, the newest model.
"What's that professor, is it a computer?" Drill asked.
"It is a sort of computer Drill, but not a hand held; it is what trainers and Pokemon scientists like myself refer to as a Pokedex. In fact, this particular Pokedex is now yours Drill, as a reward for helping me out with that Venomoth. All trainers new and old should have one of these to help identify Pokemon or to develop strategies against the Pokemon you are researching, in case you ever have the need to battle one," explained the professor.
Drill released Smeargle from his Poke ball. Smeargle hopped out and wrapped his tail around Drill's neck, once again splattering paint over him. Professor Oak saw that it had previously done that to Drill earlier as he noticed the slightly drier paint stains.
The professor continued, "For your first day as a Pokemon trainer I shall let Smeargle stay with you on your journey throughout Kanto to become whatever you desire to become. I think Smeargle won't mind, will you?"
The Pokemon cried out happily, "Smeargle!"
"Smeargle, please keep this young child safe throughout his journey. I will try to keep in touch with you as much as possible, but for now call me when you reach the Viridian city Pokemon Center, hopefully by then I'll have another package for you."
Drill could not understand how all this was working out for him, but he sure was excited. He now already had seven Poke balls, three Pokemon, and his very own Pokedex to assist him on his journey to become a successful Pokemon trainer.
"How is Spearow now Professor? Can I take her with me or does she have to stay here a bit until she's better?" Drill asked worriedly.
In response, the professor replied, "Sorry Drill, she is unable to travel on the road with you but I will send her to Nurse Joy in Viridian City so Spearow will be ready for you when you get there. Your Venomoth might not get along well with Spearow anyhow; she is a bug type after all."
Drill sadly nodded and walked out of the lab, heading out onto his quest to be a Pokemon trainer. He knew how far Viridian City was from Pallet Town and knew it was just a few short miles from home, he also knew it would be an easy ride by bike.
Drill walked back home to stay the night, he felt it would be better for him to be rested up for his long journey tomorrow as he would travel all the way to Pewter City.