Author's Note: If this chapter looks a bit different to you, don't worry! It isn't your eyes. I've improved my writing style since this was written back in November, so I'm going back through my early chapters to fix inconsistencies with later chapters, improve on details, cut down on the descriptions that were so disastrous in this first chapter, and all around make these chapters better.
Now then, if you haven't read this story before, there's a few things to be aware of. It isn't touched on all that much in the story, but this story takes place in a different World of Pokemon than in the games. It follows the same mechanics, but the important difference is that in this World of Pokemon, humans don't exist--instead, their roles are taken by a humanoid variety of Pokemon. Throughout the story the characters will interact with both these humanoid Pokemon and the "feral/wild" Pokemon from the games, which are just ordinary non-humanoid Pokemon (unless, of course, they are Mr. Mimes or something). I mention this because the story's world has no word to discern between the two other than the narrator's use of "humanoid," and the occasional mention of the word "feral" or "wild." If I hadn't mentioned this, it may have been a bit confusing. Just remember: assume that if it talks it's a humanoid Pokemon, unless the description states otherwise.
Also, please please please at least read Chapters 1 and 2 before saying you dislike it. Chapter 1 has several lengthy descriptions, but all the later chapters don't include those giant explanations of the Pokemon World.
And finally, (this goes for all chapters) Pokemon is owned by Nintendo, and I don't own Pokemon in any sort of way. Oh, but the characters are mine.
Chapter 1: A Game of Hide-and-Seek
Graham began carefully inching towards the closet. "Cookies are good for your spleen!" his tail nervously whispered.
"Quiet," Graham hushed back.
His tail grudgingly replied, "This will train your prefrontal cortex, foo!" Graham just rolled his eyes and stealthily crept closer to the closet. His light blue cloven hooves tapped lightly on the tiled peach floor. He started sweating underneath his fur from the stress; he could just use his Psychic powers to see the demon that lay behind the closet door, but that would be cheating. Unfortunately for Graham, not only was it a struggle to keep his mind locked away, but he had to keep his tail's mind locked up too.
Graham made it to the closet door. Slowly and silently, he used his yellow, hoofed hand to turn the golden brass knob. Not even a Whismur would have been able to hear him. He opened the door with such silence, such grace, that the result only served to infuriate him. "BOO!" yelled Sophia the Charmeleon as she ran out of the closet and speedily darted away, just barely missing the rigorous snapping of Graham's tail's sharp teeth. Graham could only stand where he was in awe. "Sophia, you're it and you know it!" he called behind him, frustrated with his friend's escape. "Come back here!"
Sophia shook her scaly maroon head and kept running. As she shot around the corner she called back, "This is Hide-and-Go-Seek Tag, not plain old Hide-and-Go-Seek! You have to catch me, even though we all know that's impossible!"
"Well, Tail," Graham frustratedly muttered to himself, "this is what our hooves are made for." With only those words the Girafarig dashed off after his fiery friend. Graham Hopkins was a humanoid Girafarig boy around the age of 16. As was typical of his giraffe-like species, he was tall and thin, with spindly legs and a long, long neck. From half of his stomach up, his body was for the most part covered in a thin, velvety layer of yellow fur. In a line along the sides of his body and neck were large, rectangular brown spots. The bottom half of his head (or what he called his "main head") was yellow like his neck, while his bulbous ossicones and the top of his head starting from just above his ears and running down through his eyes to his snout was a slightly bluish white. His snout and upper jaw were colored the same shade of pink as the triangular spikes running down from the back of his head to just above his rump.
From the middle of his stomach down, Graham was covered in a thin, velvety layer of dark brown fur matching the color of his brown spots. Likewise, from the middle of his stomach down to his thighs he had large, rectangular yellow spots on his sides matching a slightly darker shade of the color of his yellow neck. On each hand his fingers had hard blue hoof-like tips, and similarly on each foot his two toes ended with his cloven hooves. His tail was short, brown, and thin like a cord. At its tip was a large bulbous orb with golden yellow eyes and gleaming razor-sharp teeth. An important characteristic of the Girafarig species, this orb was a second head. Though incapable of speaking in fluent sentences, this snarling dog-like head had a brain of its own. Although most people just referred to Graham and his tail as one in the same, Graham specifically called his tail "Tail," and referred to himself as "we" instead of just "I" (unless, of course, he was only talking about his main head). Tail wasn't very capable of logical conversation, but Graham enjoyed his company all the same.
Like all Pokemon, Graham was capable of fighting. This didn't mean was a streetfighter, but it did mean he had special abilities that could be used for fighting, adventuring, or just daily life. Every species of Pokemon had a different collection of abilities, typically specializing in one or two natural elements. There were eleven elements total; there were everyday ones such as martial fighting skills and the capability of flight, and there were special ones such as the manipulation of fire and water. Girafarigs specialized for the most part in instinctual behavior ("Normal" techniques such as stomping, growling, or headbutting) and in controlling their environments with their minds ("Psychic" techniques such as telekinesis, beams of mental energy, or even reading people's minds). Graham's tail could assist his main head in this aspect as well, providing brutal and savage tricks ("Dark" techniques such as biting) that a Normal or a Psychic Pokemon normally wouldn't have. So Graham was above average amongst his peers when it came to headbutting things or moving objects with his mind, but his tail had a mean bite that could help in pinches.
Sophia Flarison, the girl Graham was chasing after, wasn't a Girafarig. She was a member of the Charmander line. Unlike a few species of Pokemon (such as Girafarigs), many species changed their shape as time progresses. For most of these Pokemon, change ("evolution") could occur as the Pokemon grew older and more experienced. A Pokemon could change once, twice, or even three times, depending on its species (generally called "lines" when referring to evolving Pokemon). Charmanders could evolve twice, and Sophia was at the Stage 1 level (meaning she had evolved once). She and all the other Stage 1 Charmanders were not called "Charmanders," but instead were called "Charmeleons." Later in life, Sophia would change for her second and final time, becoming a Stage 2 "Charizard." Other Pokemon lines didn't evolve from the passage of time but instead from special experiences in their lives. In the Eevee line, for example, an Eevee could easily proceed to be an Eevee for the rest of its life. Alternatively, by finding and touching a Water Stone it could evolve into a Vaporeon. A few Pokemon could evolve by other means, such as by spending time away from home (i.e. Kadabra to Alakazam), traveling abroad while in the possession of a special object (i.e. Seadra to Kingdra), experiencing a state of euphoria (i.e. Eevee to Espeon), learning a special ability (i.e. Lickitung to Lickylicky), or even just from improving their appearances (i.e. Feebas to Milotic). There were so many different ways for Pokemon to evolve, actually, that some Pokemon Professors spent their entire lives researching those methods.
Sophia was about the same age as Graham. She was shorter than him, but compared to most of her peers she was about average in height. Almost her entire body, which resembled something like a cross between a humanoid salamander and a therapod dinosaur, was covered in shiny maroon scales, but her underside was a tannish yellow. At the back of her head she had a small crest. Her eyes were blue-green and full of energy, commonly noted at being "full of intrigue." Each of Sophia's hands had three fingers plus the thumb, all of which ended with long and sharp claws. Her three-toed dinosaur-like feet were clawed similarly. Sophia's tail was long and slender--though slightly heavy--and was coated at the tip with a bright yellow flame, characteristic of the Charmander line. If her tail's flame were ever to go out, Sophia would die. Sophia's special abilities mainly revolved around the manipulation of fire and fire alone; though many Pokemon could master two particular elements, some--such as Sophia--were limited to a single one. Upon evolution, though, Sophia the Charizard would add flight to her roster.
Graham hastily turned the corner, only to find nobody in the quiet office but Sophia's father, Dr. Flarison. Dr. Flarison was the Pokemon Professor of the county they lived in, and he was therefore the local know-it-all when it came to Pokemon. He glanced up at Graham with surprise when the Girafarig came bounding into the room. His thoughtful eyes scanned Graham through crystal-clear spectacles, shiny from having smoke wiped from them so much. Dr. Flarison, like his son Daniel, was covered in vivid orange scales, in contrast with Sophia's maroon scales. A Charizard, Dr. Flarison looked far more like a classic fairy tale dragon than his two children did. His draconian head ended with a crest much longer than Sophia's, and sat at the top of a long neck. Sticking through two holes in the back of Dr. Flarison's classic lab coat was a pair of large, folded up orange wings with blue membranes connecting the fingers. Like his son and daughter, Dr. Flarison also had a long, powerful tail with a flame at the tip. The lab coat he wore had been a clean, pure white when he bought it. Now, just three months since the purchase, it was light grey with random splotches of a darker, smokier grey. Dr. Flarison was a powerful Fire Pokemon, and as such it was difficult to keep the smoke of his fire powers off his clothes and spectacles, not to mention the smoke that rose from his nostrils on a daily basis. It was so difficult that every Saturday a Mr. Mime housecleaner he hired came in to wipe the smoke off of the furniture and walls.
"Is there something I can help you with?" Dr. Flarison calmly asked, setting his pencil down to show he was giving Graham his full attention. As draconian as his appearance was, Dr. Flarison's voice was fatherly and somewhat clear, though there was a certain rumbling tone to it. "You certainly came in here in a hurry."
"Did Sophia happen to go this way?" Graham hurriedly inquired.
Dr. Flarison relaxedly leaned back in his chair and chuckled. It sounded more like a growl, but he was after all a dragon. A calm smile stretched its way across his muzzle; Graham didn't feel this was a time to be so calm and relaxed, and it was beginning to get on his nerves. "No, I haven't seen her all day," he quietly answered. Graham gave a frustrated sigh. He could tell Dr. Flarison was lying. Unfortunately for him, Graham wasn't the kind of Psychic Pokemon that could read minds to see what Dr. Flarison really knew, nor was he the kind that could utilize clairvoyance and just see where Sophia was hiding. And even then, despite his handicaps, when they decided to play this game he and Sophia agreed that they wouldn't use their special abilities. So he could do nothing more but ask another question. "Do you think you know where she might be?"
Dr. Flarison chuckled again. Fully aware of Graham and Sophia's game, he jokingly replied, "I plead the Fifth Amendment."
"Oh come on!" Graham blurted out, angry that no matter how many times they played the game Dr. Flarison always protected Sophia but was always willing to give out Graham's hiding place if he was bribed enough.
"Cheese is a mouse's favorite food!" Tail groaned, equally angry.
"Sorry Graham, I can't tell you," Dr. Flarison said as he leaned forward and picked up his pencil, obviously done with the conversation. "You know I can't rat on my daughter. You'll have to find her on your own, I have work to do." Without a single additional word the Pokemon Professor looked down at his papers and continued from where he left off. Defeated, Graham hurried out of the room.
He turned another corner and stopped to think. He had sworn Sophia had gone in the direction of the office. So where else could she have possibly gone? All of the sudden his tail started barking. Graham's main head jumped a mile high in surprise. "Blistering barnacles!" his tail quickly explained to his main head. Graham spun around and immediately spotted Sophia sneaking out of the office.
"Aha, I have you now!" he cheered with a smile.
"Gotta catch me first, talking butt boy!" Sophia taunted, sticking her blue reptilian tongue out. She darted into the room across from the office, the living room. Graham was right on her tail.
Sophia's younger brother Daniel was in the living room watching television. Daniel Flarison was the youngest Pokemon in the household, and was the only one to have not evolved yet (apart from Graham, whose species never evolved). The Charmander's bald round head shone in the light coming through the windows of the room. He was only 10, six years younger than Sophia. He had begun yelling seconds before Graham had entered the room; Daniel was easy to irritate, especially when the offender was his sister. The two picked on each other often. "Sophia, Graham, you guys are bugging me! Can't you play somewhere else?" he loudly whined.
"Hey Danny," Sophia speedily greeted as she dashed around to the side of the couch opposite of Graham. She and Daniel's friends called Daniel "Danny," though Dr. Flarison and most of the adults still stuck with "Daniel." "What'cha watching?" she panted, slowly edging around the couch to avoid Graham.
What she had glimpsed when she had entered the room was a public service announcement of sorts, asking the public to report a lost Smoochum girl if they saw her; but by the time she asked the commercials had ended. The obnoxious laughter and the cartoon depictions of an overly optimistic Corsola, a dopey Staryu, an emotionless Octillery, and a greedy Kingler should have made it a dead giveaway. Danny told her anyway. "Corsolacarl Pokeypants. And I'd rather you move!" the Charmander added as Sophia began to block his view of the television.
"Sure, Fire Breath," Sophia jokingly teased, "just as soon as I've exhausted this overgrown Stantler." Graham feinted a move to the left and got Sophia darting right; he had meant for this to happen and quickly he hurried after her out into the backyard. "We'll show YOU who's an overgrown Stantler!" he called after her.
"Hotcakes!" added his tail.
Graham easily chased down Sophia; the salamander's stubby legs couldn't carry her faster than the thin ones Graham stood on. He lightly tapped Sophia on the shoulder with his hand and the two stopped in the brown grass, laughing and panting at the same time. "If I'm anything," Sophia huffed, "I'm a Slugma. Jeepers creepers, Graham, you're fast! I didn't know you were that athletic!"
Graham and his tail blushed underneath their fur. He rubbed his hand against the back of his main head. "Well, we kinda, you know..." he mumbled.
Sophia gasped in astonishment. "Graham, you didn't!"
Now Graham hung his head in shame. "...Yes. We used Agility."
Sophia laughed. Her laughter had that same growling rumble as her father's, though not as ferocious. "Well then, in that case, I, Sophia Flarison, am the WINNER!" She made a victory roar into the air, throwing in a few flames for added effect. The Charmeleon tomboy beamed proudly at Graham. She knew he couldn't handle the temptation to use Agility. After all, he was an overgrown Stantler.
Author's Note: If you didn't get it, Stantlers are deer Pokemon. Girafarigs resemble Stantlers slightly (and in the story are related to them), so it was a fitting name for Sophia to tease Graham with. And Stantlers are speedy, so it relates to Agility too.
Please read Chapter 2 before saying the explanations made you hate the story!
Also, if you read this or any other chapter, please review! I love reviews, and I read every single one!