Author's Note: Hello, hello! ^^ I have started a fan-fiction of sorts... It revolves around the Johto Region, and well, you might as well just see it for yourself! :)
ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO GAME FREAK except for those that I create myself. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and GameFreak.
Please, enjoy! R&R is much appreciated- that way, I know that people are interested in the story, so it is worth continuing one! Much love, and enjoy the story!
CHAPTER 1- I CHOOSE YOU!
Sunlight filtered through the blinds that hung over the window by Riley's bed. It draped along the floor and her bedside, then over her head and aroused her sleepy eyes into opening. Riley sat up, in a daze, rubbing her clear, fiery eyes of autumn colors and took a stretch. Today would be like any other day, right? She'd fall back asleep for another hour then rise again, lugging herself to that dreaded dungeon that she called hell, but most adults called "school."
Not so.
Today was different. It was not the fact that it was a bright Saturday morning, or that the pidgey chirped with delight on this Spring morning, or even that mom was cooking bacon and eggs downstairs. The difference about today was that it was Riley's 14th birthday. It was also the day in which she hoped to fulfill her life's promise- to leave home. To start her own adventure. To experience the world in which she would meet people who were actually better at her than something instead of her being the lone girl in her town who was the best at art. The best at acting. The best at singing. She'd finally see the world and how it really appears in life.
Today, she would start her own Pokemon adventure.
Instead of disdainfully getting up, dragging herself to her closet, pulling out an ironed school uniform, grabbing her backpack stuffed with text books and unfinished homework, slugging away downstairs and grabbing a mouthful of toast before muttering "See ya." then heading off to hell- I mean, school, Riley jumped up from her bed in excitement. She stood in place, pondering what she was going to do today. She steadied herself, looked at her calendar once more to make sure none of this was a dream, then jumped high in the air. "AAAAAAAAAALRIGHT!" She smirked and leaped in joy before almost diving into her closet to put on her clothes.
Riley ripped a dark green jacket with rolled up sleeves from the closet, examined it, noted that it was too small, shrugged, then tossed it onto her bed anyway. She pulled out an blue tank-top to accompany the jacket, then decided over a pair of knee-length black shorts, or short cut-off shorts. "Hm. Well, you can never be too modest!" she chose the knee-lengths- even in the Pokemon world, who KNOWS what types of creeps would target "pretty" (as her mom always called her) girls with cut off shorts? She then grabbed some blue knee-highs and high, brown hiking boots. Finally, she tied her dark blonde hair into ponytails shaped like razor blades behind her ears, leaving her bangs out, then grabbed her orange-lensed goggles and pulled then over her head. She pulled on some Riolu print gloves she got for her 13th birthday, and she was ready to go!
Quickly grabbing her starter pokemon-brand duffle bag (tripping over some text books she planned on burning in the process) Riley almost fell down the stairs in a very graceful manner (ya right).
"Alright, mom! LATERRR!" Riley exclaimed, reaching for the door before screeching at the pain of her mom's sharp fingernails closing around her ear.
"Now you wait just a minute, young lady!"
"Awwww, don't call me that, mom, I'm anything BUT! What is it what is it what is it?"
Riley froze, waiting for a reply. Instead, her mom let go of her ear and sighed.
"Riley, dear, why not just stay in New Bark Town your whole life? I mean, be rational! Even though I'd never expect YOU to be..."
Riley smirked, but then realized what her mom was saying.
"Stay in NEW BARK TOWN... FOREVER? Come one, mom! That's the most boring idea EVER..."
"Riley, dear... I don't want you dropping out of school for this. Not only that, but that mother-daughter tea thing is next week... Then we have to get you ready for your induction into high school, and..."
Riley just shook her head. "Mom, I've never wanted any of that. It's just a bunch of stuff that YOU like. It's not ME." She reached for the handle again, but her mother slapped her hand away. "Riley! Ugh... You're just so much like your father. I don't know WHERE you got your looks from, but your personality is just that of him..."
Riley's parents were divorced when she was only 2. She'd learned to deal with living alone with her mom and younger sister, but nothing was as exciting... Her father lived in Goldenrod City, where he played piano and did comedy entertainment at the Game Corner and Department Store. He was a man who knew no bounds- he loved to have fun, laugh a lot, and make others laugh as well. Riley was like him in that same way, but added her own twist to it...
She turned sharply. "NO ONE is just like me. I am MYSELF." she smiled again. Riley was always outgoing- not like a lot of girls. She wasn't a brat, and she was the farthest thing from a lady. She wasn't trashy, but she was outgoing, and sometimes it came back to bite her. But Riley was also wise- well, let's just say she had her "moments."
"Mom, I'm going and that's that. I hate school. I hate the people! I hate how I'm so much better at EVERYTHING... I want rivals! I want competition! Excitment! Pokemon, mom! That's why I'm off to Elm-Dog's Lab right now~!" she said, opening the front door. Mom didn't try to stop her, but face-palmed.
"Oh, don't call him that, Riley!" she said walking outside. "His name is Prof. Elm, and many people look up to him!"
"Yea, yea, whatever." Riley said, smirking as she examined the scene around her. A gorgeous day to start an adventure! She smelled the air~ fresh cut grass- the Scyther must have been hard at work that day! Pidgeys chirped and waddled through out New Bark Town while Alice and her Bellosom played by the stream. Riley decided she'd say goodbye- she and Alice had always been good friends as children, and Riley's younger sister Carly had also been good friends with her, since they were around the same age.
"Heyo there, Alice!" Riley called jubilantly, walking with a slight skip in her step. She'd always been somewhat jealous of Alice for getting to own her own Pokemon early in life. "I'm leaving today! To start a Pokemon adventure."
Alice turned her head as her light brown curls danced around her face. "Oh! How wonderful!" Bellosom twirled around in circles, dancing around Riley's feet. "Bellosom wants to wish you luck!" Alice giggled. Riley laughed, then reached in her bag that she had stocked well with PokeSnacks. She pulled out a large green one then tossed it to Bellosom.
"What a cute Pokemon." Riley said with a smile. "Pretty weak, though..." she thought to herself. Riley wasn't one for cute Pokemon- she enjoyed the stronger ones by much more, as they were more worth while to train in her mind. Becoming the best required Pokemon that were up for the challenge- and a Bellosom, in her mind, just wouldn't make the cut unless it was of high enough level.
"Hey, Alice! What do ya say that we have a little Pokemon battle after I get my starter? It'll be loads of awesome fun and, uh, coolness!" She scratched the back of her head, hoping to get a yes. She knew it would be an easy win if she picked the right starter.
Alice gave an innocent smile. "Of course! I'm sure that Bellosom would love some training!" Bellosom skipped back into Alice's pale arms. It laid its cute head down, as though to take a snooze, then dosed off.
Riley waved goodbye as she made her way toward Elm's lab. The crisp grass of Spring crunched under her feet. She'd miss the healthy grass and clear blue skys of New Bark, but they'd be relaced by the fascinating, mile-high buildings of Goldenrod, and the orange sunsets and fall themed trees of Ecruteak. There was so much more for her to see, and she would NOT miss out.
Elm's lab was well within sight. Riley could feel her stomach churning with excitement. What would be in store for her next? Who would she choose? Where would her adventures take her? She clutched a sweating hand over the strap of her bag, took a big gulp then a deep breath, closed her eyes, then bounded off into the directing of the lab. It was a small, boxy place, but it was all that Prof. Elm really needed to get someone started on their very own adventure. Riley pushed through the wide doors to the lab, and suddenly her senses came alive. Pokemon researchers, moving about their business, the sound of commotion, the sight of three lone Pokeballs on the table... One that would soon belong to her. This was too much.
Riley leaped into the air. "Hey, Elm Dawg! I'm here for my first Pokemon!" Everyone else in the room turned their heads and stared. Who was this creep? One scientist narrowed his eyes.
"Please, refrain from addressing the Prof. in that manner."
Riley grunted, then shrugged. She pushed past them, spotting Prof. Elm. He stuttered a bit, as he wasn't the only one that Riley intimidated on a daily basis.
"Oh, it's quite alright! If that's what the kids are saying these days, well, that's quite fine with me!" He lead Riley to the table with the 3 Pokeballs. "Now, Riley, here we have 3 starter Pokemon for you to choose from! All are equally powerful- all that matters is how you utilize their abilities to your will! And, I believe that having your Pokemon walk beside you has something to do with evolution... I'll give you a starter ONLY if you help me with my theory- simply by leaving your Pokemon outside of it's Pokeball almost all the time! Got it?"
Riley nodded in excitement. "Yes, of course! Anything for a starter! Can I choose now?" When Elm nodded, Riley almost bumped the table over out of excitement. "Hm... Who will I choose?" She picked up a Pokeball...
"Chikorita... A grass type, huh? No thanks- I'd rather pick something else." She set the Pokeball down. She shifted to the side and gripped the Pokeball beside Chikorita. "Totodile... Water type. Not my style- looks pretty awesome, though. I'll keep it in mind!" She kept a hold on Totodile's Pokeball and eyed the final ball on the table. She grabbed it with the other hand.
"Cyndaquil, hm? It's a fire type, and it's pretty awesome looking, too. I'm digging the nose." She laughed.
Turning around, she set down Totodile's Pokeball and jumped for joy. "ELM! I CHOOSE CYNDAQUIL!" She danced in circles and then proclaimed, "Cyndaquil, come on out!" Cyndaquil flew from his ball and immediately danced around Riley. The two were already becoming well acquainted. They were perfect for each other- both were outgoing a best pals the minute they saw each other. "I'll name you... Something cool! Like, uh... BurnBlitz? No, too fancy... Flare? Too bland! How about... Smokey? Naww... I'll name you... 'Splosion! Ya! You like that, too!" In the midst of their happy dance, the other scientists and Prof. Elm stared awkwardly...
Riley turned to Elm with a smirk that ran deep, yet had a sense of gratitude. "Elm dog, thanks! You've just given me a reason to be happy for the rest of the day, and possible my life!" Cyndaquil jumped onto Riley's shoulder with no hesitation. "Really, thank you."
Elm gave a friendly smile, put held up a hand. "I'm not done with you yet, Riley! You see, my good friend, Mr. Pokemon, has apparently made a new discovery..." Elm faced the wall, hiding the uncertain look on his face. "But, wellll... I can never really tell with him... Listen, I'd like you to go see what's up for me. He lives directly north of Cherrygrove City. I'm sure this will be a good oppertunity for you to get to know your Pokemon as well! How about it?"
Riley thought for a moment... Elm was right! This would be a good chance for her to see if the trainer's life was the one for her... She'd also get 'Splosion some good training! She gave Elm a quick nod. After the 2 exchanged PokeGear numbers, Riley stepped out of Elm's lab door.
With 'Splosion at her side and an errand to run, Riley wasn't sure how to feel! But she knew for sure that she'd make her mark in the world... No matter what the cost! She'd do it- her, 'Splosion, and all of her future friends... What will the future hold...?
Find out what happens next in Chapter 2 of "Pokemon Heart and Soul"
See ya then!