Author's note: This story is my first so please don't be too harsh during the reviewing, however I do welcome constructive criticism. This story is set in the Isshu region and has a lot of the same characters however it does not fit into the game, manga, or anime continuity. The hero of our story is Jiyu, a sixteen year old boy who recently lost his parents(originally from the Kanto region). The story begins with Jiyu wandering around the wilderness outside his hometown with Minezumi, his pokemon companion. Anyway, without further ado:

Jiyu's Quest: Isshu syndicate's Resurgence

Chapter One: Jiyu's Dilemma

Jiyu walked through the densely packed forest, his mind not entirely focused on where he was going. By his side Minezumi, who had been his companion since birth, walked in silence. Minezumi kept pace with Jiyu but he tripped occasionally, his mind not entirely on where he was going. He let out a sigh as he tried in vain to think of ways to cheer his friend up but to no avail. After walking for a while Jiyu sat down against the trunk of a tree and opened his lunch bag. He absentmindedly nibbled on a sandwich as Minezumi ate some berries that had been in the bag.

Jiyu sighed. "I wonder if I should just leave," he said to himself as he turned his gaze to the clear blue sky above.

Minezumi stopped what he was doing and stared at Jiyu in astonishment. Jiyu turned his eyes from the sky to his friend. He gave a weak smile before saying, "What, does that upset you?"

Jiyu placed his hand on Minezumi's head. There was a brief pause before he heard a soundless voice reply, Are you sure that's a good idea?

"Why wouldn't it be?" asked Jiyu without taking his hand off Minezumi's head. "The Kruschevs are nice but they're not as great as mom and dad were. Besides Kanoko town is full of too many memories. I can't feel comfortable there anymore. "

Minezumi narrowed its eyes. Jiyu stiffened as a single word popped into his head. Tatianna.

Tatianna Kruschev was the daughter of Yuri and Alina Kruschev, Jiyu's godparents. For the past two weeks they had honored his parents' wishes and looked after Jiyu. While Jiyu and Tatianna were always close friends, having been born roughly the same time, Jiyu's feeling towards her had begun to change over the past few years. His current residence, and the fact that Tatianna's parents left the two of them alone often, sometimes for days at a time, made the situation worse.

"Minezumi, it might be a good idea to leave because of Tatianna," he said. Minezumi started chattering and stamping his feet. His friend was making no sense.

Jiyu was about to answer but he heard a cry that sounded like it had been made by a pokemon. Minezumi instantly turned around and scanned the tree line. Before long a green creature with bright pink flowers and thorns emerged from the underbrush and collapsed in front of them.

"Hey, are you okay?" asked Jiyu as he knelt beside the pokemon. He stared at the injured pokemon for a second before saying, "Wait, you're…a Marakacchi. I thought you lived in the Resort Desert to the north. What are you doing all the way here?" He waited for an answer but quickly noticed that the pokemon had fainted. "Hey little guy, wake up," he said.

Marakacchi opened its eyes before bolting up and stepping back in terror. Jiyu reached his hand out to pat it in an attempt to calm it down. Marakacchi responded by pointing its palm at Jiyu and displayed an array of sharp thorns.

Jiyu backed up and quickly raised his hands above his head. "Calm down! There's no need to use pin missile, I just want to help!"

Minezumi prepared to attack Marakacchi but Jiyu told him to stop. It wasn't a smart idea to attack a pokemon that was already confused and angry. Slowly Marakacchi calmed down as it became clear that Jiyu didn't intend to harm it. Jiyu reached towards it, prepared to pull back if Marakacchi seemed threatened, but the pokemon merely eyed him suspiciously. Jiyu's hand at last made contact with Marakacchi's body. Marakacchi seemed to understand what he was doing and asked him Who are you?

"I'm Jiyu, and this is my friend Minezumi. Are you okay? What happened?"

I tried to run away from my trainer and he responded rather…unkindly, replied Marakacchi after thinking for several moments. He's coming here now, I can sense him.

"Don't worry then," said Jiyu. "I'll protect you."

Marakacchi made a noise that sounded like a laugh. As if to drive the point home it fell backward and started rolling on the ground.

"What's so funny?" asked Jiyu as he placed his hand on Marakacchi's head again.

I don't think you understand boy, replied the pokemon. My trainer is a member of the Isshu syndicate. He'll not be bested by a mere child and his little pet, said Marakacchi as he looked at Minezumi with disdain. Minezumi shook its fist at Marakacchi but he was ignored.

"The Isshu syndicate!" said Jiyu in shock. "That's not possible, my father and his friends forced them to disband when I wasn't even two years old."

"Funny how fourteen years can change things eh?" asked a voice.

Marakacchi spun around and stared in horror at the figure that was emerging from the trees. He had the look of a butler and a green bowtie. His hair was green and had a section in the front shaped like a tuft of grass. Around his waist was an apron with two bulges that were clearly pokeballs.

"Hello there good sir," he said to Jiyu with a bow. Though he behaved with sincerity his calm emotionless voice sent a chill down Jiyu's spine. "My name is Dent, and I was wondering if you would be so kind as to return my Marakacchi to me?"