Welcome to Pokemon Story Chronicles, a tie-into Pokemon: Nova and Antica and the original Pokemon Story. Before I say anything else, there are some things that need to be mentioned:
Setting: This is a collection of short stories and one-shots based off the aforementioned stories. If you haven't read them, or are at least familiar with them, none of this is really going to make much sense to you.
Forewarning: This story does contain OCs (original characters), or at least some of the stories within it will. Again, you would know this if you had read my other works. Thus, there shouldn't be any surprise or outrage for this story having OCs in it. Other warnings include possible minor language, canon-typical violence, and mentions of death and other stuff. But it's nothing graphic or heavily described.
Structure: Each entry will denote where the one-shot or short story takes place, who does it primarily focus on, and what journey during which it takes place and which story canon it is involved in. All of them canon considering they are background to past events for the OCs (and possibly canon characters). This story does not have an 'end' planned. It will be added to again and again, usually because there is something in the story that doesn't match the current flow but needs to be told.
Disclaimer: Pokemon is copyrighted to Satoshi Tajiri and Game Freak (characters, concept, and creatures).
Title: It Begins
Setting: Orre Region
Journey: N/A
Characters(s) of Focus: Aaron Shadow
Summary: Nobody starts his or her Pokemon adventure great. What were the trials and tribulations that one boy named Aaron had to go through?
"I know it isn't as high as you want, Dad, but I'm trying my best…"
This was the rueful voice of an eight-year-old trying to explain his performance after handing his report card over to his father. He was standing in the middle of the living room of their home, his brown eyes looking down in embarrassment, and trying not to peek at his father through his brown bangs until he heard him speak again. He was garbed in a simple but comfortable attire following his day from school: a black shirt and gray shorts.
His father exchanged quizzical glances between his son and his report card from trainer school. Out of seven classes, he earned a marking of two As, three Bs, and two Cs. "Um, Aaron…you do realize these grades are decent, right?" He asked in an incredulous tone. The man wore a long-sleeved, zipped-up, burgundy, zipped-up jacket and dark blue hair. He also was wearing blue jeans.
Aaron blinked, looking up and tilting his head, "They are?"
"Uh… yeah." Mr. Shadow replied, speaking in a tone that suggested it was the most obvious answer ever. "Very few people can get these kinds of grades. Especially in trainer class where they gear you toward Pokémon battling and learning basic travelling skills. Besides, you're just eight. This is great, son! All I ask for is your best. Though, I guess it helps to be meticulous… I never was. "
"O-Oh…" Aaron blushed in embarrassment as he nodded slowly with a smile forming on his young face, "Okay, Dad."
Aaron couldn't help it. It just felt in his blood to be thorough and precise. He would be able to avoid minor mistakes that could potentially affect the entire picture. Though, there was indeed sense in his father's words. Of course someone his age wouldn't be capable of that and get good grades. Would it come with age? He trusted his father's judgment. After all, his dad was an expert at Pokémon training.
Mr. Shadow took on many Pokémon Gyms and won three League Conference Championships because of his effort. He even challenged two Elite Four members but suffered losses in both regards. It was such a shame that he ended his career prematurely at the young age of nineteen, losing in a certain conference and then finding out Aaron was coming along in nine months. Despite that, he was why he wanted to be a Pokémon Trainer.
Other the other hand, there was his mother—a Top Coordinator. She won many contests using captivating and beautiful techniques and won three Grand Festivals. Aunt Catherine, her sister, even said she took on a Contest Master once, but lost unfortunately. Like her father, her budding career was cut tragically short when she got news a child was coming. Nonetheless, coordinating seemed like a profession suitable for Aaron: meticulous, precise, and thorough.
"Now run along. Go see you sister Chandra." Mr. Shadow said, patting the young boy on the head and ruffling up his brown hair. Aaron smiled and ran out to the back, the early afternoon sun greeting him with warm rays of light.
The skies were clear, partly cloudy and magnificently beautiful over Metropolis Town in the Orre Region. The name itself represented an oxymoron that the town built itself upon. A location with semi-tall architecture giving off a captivating light blue sheen with many other establishments available. However, its placement and population betrayed it. A town located in the outskirts of Orre with the vast desert on one side, Metropolis Town would often get overlooked. When travelers did stop by, they were tourists coming here as a sort of rest stop before going into the innermost portions of the region. Many of the buildings were unoccupied, and some were even tore down after awhile in order to make room for things more practical.
Then there was the rural area where very few people actually took residence in. The Shadow Family did not mind, for it meant more land at a conservative price for their ranch and small forest.
Standing on a section of the wooden gate was a young girl around seven years of age. She had bistre-colored hair and dressed in a white T-shirt and silver shorts. She was tending to her Spheal, not paying attention to Aaron as he ran up to her with a slightly envious expression.
"I still can't believe Mom and Dad let you catch a Spheal, Chandra." Aaron remarked, "You're really lucky."
Chandra looked at her older brother and giggled lightly, "I guess so, Aaron, that just leaves you without a Pokemon." Such was another reason why Aaron felt like he was a bit behind. Usually, a group of siblings were supposed to receive Pokémon in order from oldest to youngest. However, with the Shadow Siblings, such a concept was inverted. Aaron, the oldest, would be last to get a lifelong companion—whenever that may be.
"Chandra! Aaron! Come out to the ranch!"
Chandra and Aaron recognized the voice to be that of their youngest sibling, Bruce. "Well, brother calls." Aaron said as the two began walking, heading to the back of their home.
The ranch was wide and spacious, possessing lush and manicured grass for the Pokémon of the Shadow Family to roam about freely as well as a pond for all Water type Pokemon. In the near distance was a small forest for any others who decided to roam into it. Standing near the porch, waiting for Aaron and Chandra, was a young boy with desert brown hair wearing a red shirt and baggy denim shorts.
"So, Bruce, what's up?" Aaron inquired once he and his sister approached Bruce.
"Granddad wants us to check the Pokémon. The usual." Bruce said, gesturing over to the spacious ranch.
This was a usual day for the three siblings. Aaron went to trainer school, Chandra practiced her music and tended to her Spheal, and Bruce stayed at home with the family as he was still too young. The tasks that which the children put themselves in were as followed: Aaron checked his mother's Tauros and polished its horns, Bruce busied himself with feeding his father's Fearow, and Chandra brushed the hair on her grandma's Persian. Of course, this did not come without its expected mundaneness. Thankfully, however, progress was being made in the children's lives, starting when they acquired their Pokemon.
Bruce was the first, receiving an Elekid when he was just five. Chandra recently acquired her Spheal. Now, Aaron was the only one left. All three of them had discussed intentions of going on journeys when they all reached the legal age unless something unforeseen cropped up when they were older.
When Aaron finished attending to his fathers' Tauros, he looked out into the wide pasture and the Pokemon roaming casually. It would be two years before that was possible. At least he had school and family to pass the time. But he wanted to get out and prove his worth and surpass his mother and father. He really wanted an adventure and fast, but he was only eight so he could not qualify for any leagues, not until he was 10.
This thoughts were broken when flashes of lightning appeared in the distance.
"Hey, you see that?" Chandra inquired, catching her brothers' attention.
"I hope that isn't Elekid acting up…" Bruce sighed as he stood up. Curious, Chandra and Aaron decided to go with their youngest brother to investigate the problem. When they came upon the scene, Bruce's Elekid was indeed the culprit, but it wasn't the problem. Elekid's antennae were crackling with electricity, and something inside the bush it was facing was doing the same thing.
Bruce stepped forward and kneeled down beside his Pokemon, "What's going on?" Elekid jabbed a finger in the direction of bush, growling all the while.
"Is something in there?" Aaron took initiative by approaching the bush with Elekid ready to defend him should anything happen. Cautiously, he parted the leaves and branches in the way and beheld a Magnemite, looking somewhat injured and afraid with electricity lacing its magnets.. Elekid let out sounds similar to barks as the static on its body intensified.
"So this is what's causing so much trouble?" Chandra watched the Magnemite from over her older brother's shoulders.
"It looks hurt." Bruce pointed out, noticing how much it was cringing.
"Go get Auntie, Chandra, she'll know what to do." Aaron requested. She nodded and took off, heading back into the household. Aaron looked at Magnemite, unsure of what to do. His first instinct was to pick up Magnemite and take it into the house with Chandra, but he had no idea of how to support such an odd lifeform in his arms. That, and it could potentially shock him. All that might make its wounds worse. So, he settled with just watching it and making sure Bruce's Elekid didn't antagonize it.
Magnemite opened its sole eye and locked gazes with Aaron.
The connection was forged right then and there.
After Magnemite was patched up properly by his aunt, Mr. Shadow had contemplated releasing it back into the wild, but Aaron protested. He took care of Magnemite, making sure it was totally healed and even deigned to research ways to properly take care of a Magnemite. Weeks went by since that fateful day, and Aaron and Magnemite were inseparable. They warmed up to each other with every passing day.
A year later, Aaron's parents allowed their children to have a free-for-all, their first Pokemon battle. Chandra's Spheal was the first to go since it was battling two Electric-types. And, because Bruce and Elekid had a whole two years of bonding under their belt, and Fire Punch, Aaron and Magnemite were dispatched soon after.
"Looks like the old forgies get some learning to do~" Bruce taunted childishly, his Elekid imitating his expression, as Aaron and Chandra looked at him with unimpressed expressions. The rest of family laughed heartily, knowing full well Bruce probably had claimed one of the most permanent instances of bragging rights possible.
"Hey! I'm learning plenty!" Aaron argued back as he picked up his Magnemite properly, "I'm doing good in my strategy classes!" At this point in Pokémon Tech School, Aaron was taking classes pertaining to strategies. Not only did he find them more interesting, but he also showed a natural knack as he procured high marks unlike his previous classes.
Chandra opted for the most mature response ever: sticking her tongue out.
"Now, now, that's over with," Mrs. Shadow reasoned, "We have to prepare for our night out, everyone."
Usually, every month when they weren't busy, the Shadow Family would go out together and explore their fair town. A short excursion. Now that the free-for-all was done, they all began their preparations. Soon enough, the Shadow Family were out and about. They were divided among who wanted to do what and did everything accordingly. It usually consisted of wandering around because they didn't buy much, enjoying the usual scenery that combined rural and urban.
After approximately an hour of roaming, Aaron and his parents exited from the strip mall department of Metropolis Town. Aaron was busy talking to Magnemite as they walked. Mr. Shadow looked at Mrs. Shadow, who nodded her assent.
"Aaron?"
"Yes, Dad?"
Mr. Shadow then reached into the bag he was carrying and pulled out a box. Both Aaron and Magnemite looked at it quizzically. After opening it, he presented a grayish silver hat with a significantly wide brim. "Here, son, a gift for you from your mom and dad." He said as he put the hat on Aaron's head.
It was oversized slightly, purposely so that Aaron could still wear it when he got older. As of now, it covered his eyes.
Aaron chuckled cutely as he lifted it so he could recover his sight.
That hat would be his trademark. His most defining feature.
And his parent's relic.
"M-Mom…? Dad….?"
It was a crosswalk, and they had the green light, so they had every right to walk into the street. They weren't jaywalking at all.
"A-are you guys…. Okay….?"
Aaron was sitting on the cold pavement after being pushed away by his father at the last moment. His nine-year-old innocence was waging war with primordial realization. He was smiling because he knew his parents were tough and strong, but he was trembling because he knew that truck came by at 95 miles-per-hour and landed on them after it flipped.
"(Aaron… Hey! Snap out of it!)" Magnemite nudged the boy, trying to get him to move. However, Aaron's body felt heavy all of a sudden as if his feet were suddenly made of lead. Magnemite knew this was bad. This poor child had a front row seat to an accident that his parents were the victims of. Aaron was in a state of traumatic denial; he couldn't take his eyes off the overturned car, the broken glass, and metallic debris. He was waiting for his parents to emerge from the wreckage like a pair of comic book superheroes. Magnemite contemplated shocking him to his senses but would make things worse.
"(Where the heck is the police already?!)" Magnemite screamed with rage, frantically looking around. It pained it to see Aaron this way and, perhaps, if paramedics acted quickly enough, Mr. and Mrs. Shadow could survive. On that note, the rest of the family seemed to be taking their time getting here as well.
"Magnemite…" Aaron brokenly spoke. He was starting to sway, beginning to have trouble staying balanced even though he was sitting down. He felt lightheaded, everything around him becoming a sort of spiraling blur. His chest ached and pounded with the severity of a drum. Aaron didn't know what was wrong with him. All of these sensations and feelings were an unsolvable mystery to him. "What's… going…?"
He fainted.
That was the beginning of his necrophobia.
In memory of his mother and father, that hat was endlessly treasured. It was never coming off his head unless it was absolutely necessary. Aaron, Chandra, and Bruce usually spent their grieving together and would often sneak out of the house to go to their burial site to go pay their respects.
In a way, the untimely death of their parents jump-charged the siblings' ambitions. Chandra was starting to play her instruments better, Bruce was learning more and more about Pokemon, and Aaron finally managed to pass his classes and complete his studies at Pokémon Tech School. For the time being, Aaron settled being a Pokémon Trainer; however, his admiration toward Pokémon Contests never went away.
Then came Aaron's tenth birthday, leading to now.
"(How long have we been on the road?)" Magnemite inquired, examining its surroundings. It was a bright and sunny day in the Orre Region, nothing new considering that Orre consisted mostly of a dry desert wasteland. That was why the presence of Phenac City, a city of water and stone, was much welcomed. It was much-needed change to the scenery. Not helping matters was that it seemed to be the nearest civilization to Metropolis Town, which wasn't saying much.
The Magnet Pokemon glanced at Aaron, who was busy pouting and twiddling with his fingers. "I don't understand why none of my strategies worked… I'm losing too much… They should be making me win!" He whined.
Magnemite sighed, shaking his head – well, body. Along the way, they had got into a few battles, all of which resulted in losses. Honestly, Magnemite didn't have much of clue what Aaron was trying to do. "(C'mon. Let's sit down.)" Magnemite floated over to the direction of Phenac City's famous fountain. Aaron sighed and followed, sitting on the stone while resting his chin in his hands while the elbows were propped up on his knees. "(Just take some time to think. Relax your mind.)"
Aaron sighed heavily, "I'll do my best…" He was becoming increasingly disillusioned. He paid attention in class and tried to do something cohesive to what he thought was his niche. Aaron's uncle mentioned to him there was no shame in being precise and to always strive for being great and not to make mistakes that will cost him his career. Though, his uncle was probably mad at the blunders his brother, Mr. Shadow, made and was trying to make sure his children wouldn't go down the same path. Well, so far, no results.
"Why the long face, cousin?"
Aaron and Magnemite looked up to see a young lady with long dark green hair, a blue and slate grey, V-neck sleeveless shirt with slits on the sides, and bell-bottom blue pants with heeled boots. "Cousin Veronica?" Aaron blinked. With how busy his cousin was, he, Chandra, and Bruce infrequently saw her.
"The one and only." Veronica said brightly, casting a glance toward Magnemite, "Ohh~ This yours?"
"Yep. First one."
"Aww, my oldest cousin has grown up!" Veronica gushed dramatically, scooping up Aaron into a tight bear-hug and causing him discomfort, "I remember when you, Chandra, and Brucey were only up to my knees! And when you little whippersnappers took baths together! And when you started a family food fight! OH THIS IS SO SAD!"
"(People are staring.)" Magnemite deadpanned. Indeed, some of the passersby were watching Veronica be melodramatic.
"Erm… sorry…" Veronica let go of her cousin and went back to the matter at hand, "Anyway, why are you here looking like a sad sack?"
Aaron sighed heavily as he explained, "I've been losing a lot. I'm trying to apply stuff I've learned, but it's not working."
"What kind of stuff?"
"You know, strategies and lessons I learned in Pokémon Tech School."
Veronica, being more experienced, understood the problem. However, talking about it wouldn't do much good, not for a person like Aaron who learned by vision. "Okay then… show me." She requested, standing up and retrieving a Poke Ball out of her purse.
Aaron looked at her like she was crazy, "W-wha?! In the middle of a city?!"
"Oh, don't worry! The people in Phenac City love a good battle!"
With no more arguments, Aaron and Veronica backed up to give each other space. Magnemite hovered in front of Aaron while Veronica had released a Nidoqueen. "Start off, cousin." She said, crossing her arms over her chest with a smile. While she projected her usual chipper demeanor, she was internally ready to teach Aaron a little something about being a trainer.
"Okay!" Aaron was aware that Nidoqueen was immune to Electric-type attacks, so he had to circumvent that somehow, "Magnemite, attack Nideoqueen with Swift from the front, back, and the side!"
"(Uh, what?)" Magnemite was confused. Was he asking it to attack while performing the motions or attack when it got into those positions?
"Thunderbolt."
With a brief roar, Nidoqueen unleashed a giant bolt of yellow lightning from its horn while Magnemite was trying to comprehend its trainer's orders. The Thunderbolt hit Magnemite right in its face, blasting it backwards in one blow and causing it to smack into Aaron. Both individuals hit the stone with swirls in their eyes.
Aaron and Magnemite tried to gather their bearings and process what happened. It started out like their previous battles, Veronica gave out one command, and it was over. A decisive victory in favor of her and her Nidoqueen. They came back to reality when they heard the approaching clicks of Veronica's boots.
"I think I see the problem." Veronica said, helping her cousin up as Magnemite floated back into the air. "Have you Magnemite actually trained?"
Aaron and Magnemite looked at each other and then to the ground shamefully, "N-no…"
"Aaron, I think you two need to work up your combat skills before implementing the strategies. And, after that, actually practice these strategies. You might be familiar with them, but your Pokemon won't be," Veronica crossed her arms as she cocked her hip to the side, "Plus, I think it's best that you try to come up with your own stuff, not spit out what you were taught in school. It's better that way."
Veronica was the nearest he had to his mother and father, so naturally, Aaron was listening to everything she said. "Okay. We'll try that."
Veronica then started rummaging through her purse, "I recommend you go somewhere that isn't here or the other regions. A place where you'll get some good practice in." She removed a cruise ticket from it and handed it over to Aaron, "Go to Gateon Part. That ticket will take you to the Orange Islands, specifically Ascorbia Island. Don't leave until you're ready. Promise?"
Aaron flashed his cousin a bright smile, "Promise!"
And the rest was history.