Chapter 1 : Aqua

Atsushi finally comes to his medium-sized home in the picturesque village of Shiromura, far from the noisy big cities. His parents, Satoshi and Yumiko, share the same ideals as him: A Pokémon is not born for fighting. His father, an executive in a famous high-technology company, is helped by his Porygon every day: he is very helpful in order to design the company's products. His mother, an experimented florist, is supported by her Roselia, which is very knowledgeable when it comes to flowers. As a result, her shop is quite renowned throughout the entire region, and a lot of customers come from relatively distant cities in order to see and buy 'Shiromura roses'.

Atsushi opens the door. Then, Aqua directly jumps on Satoshi, just to tell him 'hello'.

"Ah ah!" he says, accustomed to this rather direct way of greeting. "Good evening, Aqua! And good evening, son!"

"Hi, dad!" Atsushi replies. "You came back home early, tonight!"

"Indeed! Today is a special day. It's the company's birthday and everyone at the office could finish working earlier than usual!"

"Sweet! Where's Rob?"

"He's in his computer, as usual."

Rob is Satoshi's Porygon's name. He is fond of software. This very rare Pokémon has been part of the company for years.

Aqua heads to the modern kitchen. She looks at Atsushi with envious eyes.

"Hey! I know what you want!"

The Vaporeon smiles. The young boy heads to the kitchen as well, reaches the cupboard and grabs some fish-shaped biscuits. Aqua suddenly gets agitated and attempts to jump to get his favourite treat.

"Stay calm, Aqua!"

Aqua calms down but has trouble keeping down her excitement. Then, Atsushi gives her the long-awaited little reward. She's overjoyed! Meanwhile, Atsushi's father is preparing some tea.

"Did you have a nice day, son?" he asks in a relaxed manner, taking place on a chair.

""Hmm… Yeah… I went to the park and saw Riku," the young boy answers, sitting as well.

"Oh! Nice! How is he going?"

"He's going well. Always teasing me, of course…"

"Oh, well…"

"And I overreacted when I saw a Pokémon battle between two very young kids… Maybe I scared them…" he continues, a bit ashamed by his reaction, with hindsight.

Satoshi clearly feels his son's concerns. It is not the first time it has happened.

"Dad, it really pains me to see organised Pokémon battles. Maybe we should create a law in order to forbid them or make them illegal!"

"Listen, Atsushi…" Satoshi says, with a concerned tone. "We've already discussed the matter hundreds of times. It's way too complicated. The majority of this continent's people are addicted to or in favor of Pokémon fights. Even in the government. We can't change people's mentalities as if by magic, unfortunately."

"But it's for Pokémon's welfare! Why is the government turning a blind eye to this?"

"I understand your point of view, and I approve it; but that's not other people's case. If you attend a Pokémon battle by chance, don't interfere, or just don't look at it."

Atsushi suddenly stands up, at his father's surprise.

"When I'll be an adult, I'll do all I can to be part of the government and I will make Pokémon battles illegal! Pokémon will no longer be considered as fighting machines! And they'll live peaceful lives…"

Aqua agrees with Atsushi. The energetic boy's father is somehow less enthusiastic, but can't help grinning at his son's determination.

"If this is your career plan, then I let it be. But I'm warning you: you'll have to overcome lots of opposition anywhere you'll go. And that could start with your own friend Riku."

"I'm aware of that," Atsushi replies, not giving up his ideals whatsoever. "But I don't plan on staying here idly, doing nothing! I'll fight for Pokémon rights and welfare!"

"Ah ah… Using the word 'fight' is not very appropriate in that context!" Satoshi laughs.

"Really? So… I'll make everything for Pokémon rights, then!"

Satoshi grins. His son reminds him of himself when he was younger and full of ambition. But instead of fighting for Pokémon rights, he ended up working in an office.

"Very well…" Satoshi continues. "But you'll need a lot of courage and patience."

"Don't worry about that, dad!"

Having said this, Atsushi and Aqua leave the kitchen and head to the young boy's bedroom. Or, more precisely, the young boy AND the Vaporeon's bedroom. In fact, Aqua has her very own bed. Atsushi opens a book named "Eevee and his evolutions". Aqua reads it as well. Every time they come across a Vaporeon picture, she starts to get agitated and pleased, and Atsushi smiles at her. He strokes her head. She smiles. By seeing her, he feels happy. That reminds him of the first day they met.

Four years ago, his father came back from work with a little surprise for his son, for his tenth birthday: it was an Eevee, kindly offered by one of his colleague, whose Flareon gave birth to several youngs. Atsushi remembers how much he was delighted this day! He had always dreamt of having his very own Pokémon. They got along immediately. Now, Aqua and Atsushi are true friends. No need to fight in order to strengthen their link.

Then the day came when Atsushi found a Water Stone at the nearby pond. Aqua seemed particularly interested by this unfamiliar-looking stone. Atsushi put the stone on her back, and she evolved into a magnificent Vaporeon. At first, she had to get used to her new morphology, then she couldn't stop bathing. By the way, she still bathes for approximatively six hours a day. Sometimes, she goes out to see the neighbours' Leafeon, with whom she gets along very well. On the contrary, she can't stand the Houndoom who is owned by the neighbour across the street (after all, he's pretty aggressive). To sum up, Aqua is pretty joyful and kind, as well as playful (her favourite game is playing with a ball in the water). Atsushi is very proud of her. She has her own place in the family, as well as Rob and Rosa.

Atsushi finishes reading the book. Now is the time to go to bed!

"Good night, Aqua!" Atsushi says, peacefully.

She replies with a small contented cry. After that, Atsushi turns the lights off and falls into a deep sleep, as well as his Vaporeon.

The next morning, Atsushi and Aqua are on the way to the pond, because the water-type Pokémon wants to play. This pond, the same in which Aqua evolved, is not that far from their house. Aqua rushes very quickly and outruns his friend, despite his nice running pace. Then, he can hear a big 'splash'. He keeps on running towards the local pond and sees his Vaporeon already swimming at the other side of the water zone.

"How can you go that fast? You're great, Aqua!" the young boy says with difficulty, out of breath.

Aqua looks at Atsushi and smiles. She is playing blissfully in the water, splashing the surrounding reeds. Atsushi doesn't intend to go very far in the pond, as it is quite deep and contains lots of mud, but Aqua splashes him copiously!

"Ah ah! Thanks, Aqua!" he tells, a bit ironically.

Aqua seems to be discussing with a little Poliwag. Maybe he's asking Aqua to make less noise. After that, she calms down a little bit. She's still dabbling in the pond, under Atsushi's supervision. Suddenly, a huge yell is being heard, coming from nowhere:

"TREECKO, USE BULLET SEED!"

The poor Poliwag is being hit by the attack with full force.

"POKÉBALL! GO!"

The Pokéball hits the tadpole-like Pokémon and entraps it. It wriggles a bit, then comes to a halt.

"YEAH! I'VE JUST CAUGHT A POLIWAG!"

This mysterious Pokémon trainer is no other than Riku, who came to catch Pokémon at the pond. Atsushi reaches him, not that pleased.

"Hey! How are you, Atsu?" Riku asks, still delighted by his recent feat.

"How… How dare you?"

"What? I've just caught a wild Pokémon, it's just a routine thing!"

"Don't you feel ashamed? You hurt this poor Poliwag while he was swimming peacefully in the water!" Atsushi says, very angry.

"Oh, you're so annoying, dude… As always… You'll end up all alone if you keep that attitude…"

Atsushi grumbles. Maybe the conversation could have ended up there, but Riku adds fuel to the flames:

"And a Pokémon trainer's aim is to catch Pokémon, after all!"

"You don't feel anything by having hurt him?"

"We'll just go to a Pokémon center, and it'll be all over!"

"What about his family? Have you ever thought about it? What if his parents were waiting for him? They'll never see him again!"

"You say that, but your Vaporeon has been taken from its mother without its permission as well!"

Atsushi stops talking, stunned. He can't find an argument to contradict what his friend has just said. It's true that Aqua was separated from her mother when she was young. Moreover, he was offered her. He turns back to Aqua, who has just got by him. She doesn't seem to understand what is happening. After all, she has joined the conversation only halfway. Atsushi seems lost.

"You always tell bad things about Pokémon trainers," Riku continues, "but those who consider Pokémon as pets are not better."

Atsushi shivers. The only thing he wants is the Pokémon's happiness, but he has never thought about this 'family matter' (despite him having Riku as a close friend).

"Well, so long, dude!" Riku says, telling his friend goodbye and happy to have contradicted his friend.

"Wait!"

Riku, who has started taking his way home, raises a mocking smile. He turns back to his friend:

"What's the matter?"

"You're not wrong when you say we're both guilty when we take Pokémon from their family, but in addition to that, you hurt them and you capture them without asking them!"

"You don't ask their permission either…"

Atsushi tries to change the subject.

"At least, my Pokémon are happy and live peacefully!"

"My Pokémon are happy as well when they're fighting by my side! Plus, your Pokémon don't even know how to defend you!"

"Hum… For sure they know!" Atsushi replies, slightly puzzled.

"Remember yesterday… It's you who defended your Pokémon. It should be the other way."

"I don't see why!"

"Alright, quit talking… I don't recall how many of these conversations we've had so far. If you keep on driving people up the wall and be stubborn as you are, you won't make any friends. And some of your friends could be fed up with you forever, starting by myself… You've got your ideals, but you shouldn't annoy people that much. Alright, seeya, a battle's awaiting me."

Atsushi is more stunned and depressed than ever. He's finally sensing that his friend starts being really fed up with him. Maybe he should be quieter in the future… But he feels like he has to raise his voice in order to be listened by everyone. However, if he can't even succeed in making his own friend change his mind, then what about the public opinion's one? Moreover, he's realising that his ideals have some flaws. As his father told him one day, 'in life, there isn't any one hundred percent favorable decision; you will always have to make compromises'. Now he experiences the meaning of this. He's even starting to wonder if Aqua is really happy with him… He turns back to her. She's trying to consolate him.

"Aqua… Do you miss your parents?" he asks, with a sad tone.

Aqua looks to the ground. She doesn't know her parents much.

"Do you think you'd have been happier if you had lived with your parents?"

Aqua doesn't move.

"Are you happy with us?" Atsushi asks, fearing the answer.

Aqua suddenly smiles and nods. Atsushi is somewhat reassured.

Author's notes : well, this chapter 1 is more like a part 2 of the introduction, sorry if that may feel a bit long-winded and repetitive. Things will get serious from the next chapter, for sure!