AN1: Sapphire is the newest Puppy Pokemon in the series, Rockruff. Sorry for any confusion in the last chapter. I hadn't realized that I hadn't named what Pokemon it was until Jostanos pointed out that I hadn't done so. They also pointed out my typo with the title. So thank you Jostanos!
AN2: So, a bunch of you have been waiting for a very long time for me to continue with Shiny Sage. A lot has changed since then, and I am grateful for everyone's support. I am debating removing Sage's Life and sequels, and strictly rewrite them completely, but I may also leave them up until I finish writing them.
DIFFERENCES:
-Sage will no longer be paired with Steven.
-Ash and Sage are the same age.
-Sage will be older when he goes to Hogwarts.
-All Pokemon up to Alola will be in this story.
-That does not mean that Unova, Kalos, and Alola Pokemon are common in Kanto, they are actually rare.
-Kanto will have Contests before they were originally brought in. For all we know, in the Pokemon Universe, maybe Contests existed there, but because Ash wasn't traveling with people who cared about Contests to begin with, he never noticed them. Many argue that Contests started in Hoenn (Anime Verse not Game Verse) when it is a known fact that Dawn(Hikari)'s mother was a Contestant in Sinnoh during her travels. I think they started in Sinnoh, moved to Hoenn, then slowly took over the rest of them. At least, that's my theory.
-Sterling will not make an appearance. I am still upset about Rollie, and cannot use Sterling any more. Sage will not have an Eevee in the new version. Sapphire will be my newest Muse, based my darling American Pitbull, Lil Mamas.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, that belongs to the lovely J.K Rowling. I don't own Pokemon, for it is own by Game Freak, and created by Mr. Satoshi Tajiri. Any spelling or grammar errors are my own.
Please Enjoy Shiny Sage, and all that I have to offer in my writing. If you notice something wrong, please let me know.
Decision of a Lifetime
Chapter Two
Sage stared incredulously at his brother as he exited the lab, pulling a resisting Pikachu behind him. Their mother was instantly cooing at him, going to pick him up. Sage wisely stepped back, Sapphire the Rockruff safely in his arms. Sage, once the Thunder Attack ended, whacked Ash atop the head.
"You idiot! How would you feel being dragged everywhere?" Ash's eyes widened, before he turned to the Pokemon to untie him.
"Please, please, can't we get along? I think it's awesome that I got you, and not another starter. Think about it, we can have so much fun!" Pikachu yawned, turning his head away. "If...if that's really how you feel, then just help me get one Pokemon, and I'll...I'll release you." Pikachu perked up, eyes wide and agreeing with the statement. Ash turned to his brother, hesitating. "Are you coming with me, or going your own way like Gary?"
"Ash, we've gone over this before. This is our chance to do something by ourselves. Of course I wouldn't mind traveling with you if you want me to go with you. I've already decided against Gym Battles, so rivalry won't be an issue." Ash gave him a searching look.
"You picked out what you want to do?"
"Contests. They just hit our shore. I rather show off what my Pokemon can do, then force them to battle if they don't like it." Ash looked thoughtful for a minute.
"Where is the first contest?"
"Viridian City." Sage hugged Sapphire a bit tighter.
"How about we travel to Pewter City together? I'll stick around for your first Contest, and you stay for my first badge. Deal?"
"Sounds good to me." Sage agreed, smiling. "Because my second contest is in Cerulean City. So I'll continue while you take on the Pewter Gym Leader."
"Great! Lets go then!" Ash cheered, grabbing Sage's hand to drag him along much like he had been doing to Pikachu. Said Electric-Pokemon was being pushed forward by Sapphire.
It was going to be a long couple of days.
Sage's eye twitched as he stalked into Viridian City. Alone aside from Sapphire. His brother had made a flock of Spearow. Thankfully, Sage and Sapphire had gone unnoticed, but the two boys had been separated. After checking into the Pokemon Center, Sage called home to let their mother know that Ash had gotten lost, and that Sage would call as soon as he found his that, he stepped outside once again.
Finding the Contest Hall made it apparent while he could get his Contest Pass, he would need two Pokemon to participate in the Contest, one for the Appeal round, and another for the Battle rounds. So, with only three days before the closing of registration, a week before the Contest itself, Sage set off into the forest to look for another Pokemon.
By the second day, Ash showed up with a heavily injured Pikachu, with a redhead with a temper running after him for destroying her bike. Surprisingly, Sage and Misty hit it off, constantly calling Ash out for the stupid moves that he made getting to Viridian. Sage also ratted his brother out to Delia, who warned Ash that he was to buy Misty a new bike as soon as it was fixed. Ash had also convinced Sage to go to Pewter City with him, as Viridian Gym only allowed those that had seven badges to challenge the leader.
For two days, Sage searched high and low for something that caught his eye. Other than a Caterpie here, and a Weedle there, nothing called to him. He wanted something unique to go with Sapphire. An Alolan Pokemon on top of being a Shiny, in Kanto? Sage still wasn't sure how the Pokemon ended up outside of Pallet Town. He was, however, grateful that Sapphire was with him now.
A flash of yellow, the last day to register for the Contest, had Sage pausing.
Laying, passed out on the ground, was a Shiny Rattata. Swarming around it was a bunch of Beedrill. The poor mouse Pokemon was tiny, even for a Rattata. It looked four inches smaller than normal, and likely a few pound lighter.
"Sapphire, use Roar!" As the sound echoed around the clearing, a few Beedrill retreat, but most stay. Sage managed to dart forward for the small form. "Use Rock Tomb to cage them!" Sage yelled as he passed his Rock-Type Pokemon. The Trainer and Pokemon raced away to the Pokemon Center, where the poor Rattata was seen to by Nurse Joy.
"Will she be okay?" Sage asked sadly, as Chansey set about healing the fainted Pokemon.
"Rattata will be fine, Sage. I promise. There isn't much you can do for her here, and you still need to find another Pokemon if you want to partake in the Contest at the end of the week." Sage nodded morosely as he left the window to return to the woods.
He passed Ash and Misty, who were battling and preparing Ash for his battle against the Pewter Gym Leader. They waved, and he had to smile. Before long he was within the woods again. Looking for another Pokemon to catch. He hoped, that when the Rattata woke up, that she would join Sapphire and him in their journey.
"We might have to choose a Bug-Type as our partner, Sapphire." Sage told his Starter. Said Pokemon jumped into his arms, rubbing her head against his neck, scratching him slightly with the sharp rocks embedded there. Sage just nuzzled back. Hearing a slightly familiar chatter, Sage looked around.
A Venonat was in the distance, readying a Stun Spore attack.
"Sapphire, use Crunch!" The Bug-Type cried out in pain, and Sage threw the Pokeball in his hand.
A grin crossed his face as it finished rocking back and forth. He froze, eyes wide, when just as he reached for it, the Pokeball started rocking again. A breath of relief crossed his lips as it held still, giving a soft ding as the Pokemon was caught. Sage called it out, kneeling to smile at the slightly frightened Pokemon.
"Hi, I'm Sage, and this is Sapphire. Won't you please come with us? I promise you don't need to fight. In fact, I'd like to use you in Appeals for a Contest, where we get to show the world how beautiful you are." The Pokemon's blue eyes brighten some. Sage was excited that he'd caught another Shiny Pokemon.
"Veno!" The Pokemon agreed, smiling.
"Okay, now, time for a name." Sage studied the Pokemon. "Why not Sophi? It's the same pretty purple as your coat." The Insect Pokemon nodded, nearly falling over. Laughing, Sage stood up, looking around. "Well, let's go get registered so that we can start practicing for our Appeal!"
"Welcome to the Viridian City Contest! I'm very excited to be here, as it is Kanto's first Contest ever! I'm your M.C. Lilian Meridian! With me is Raoul Contesta, Mr. Suziko, and Viridian's very own Nurse Joy! Would any of you like to say anything?"
"I cannot wait to see what Pokemon our Coordinators will be showing off!" Nurse Joy smiled kindly.
"Remarkable to be here!" Mr. Suziko chimed happily.
"We have many Contestants and only one Ribbon. I wonder who will win." Mr. Contesta calmly stated.
"Time to begin! Help me in welcoming Pewter City's Solidad, a veteran when it comes to Contests. She's been to both Sinnoh, and Hoenn, and I cannot be happier that she has decided to join us here today!" Lilian squealed as the woman walked out.
Sage nervously brushed Sapphire's fur for the third time since he started waiting for his turn in the appeals. Many older Coordinators were giving kind pointers to all the younger ones. Likely because they could remember how nerve wrecking their first Contest had been. Sage smiled as he remembered that his family was waiting for his turn, ready to watch him wow the crowd.
"Sage Ketchum, you have five minutes!" A stage hand called out. Sage nervously recalled Sapphire before going to wait beside the stage, where a girl with a Meowth was just finishing her performance.
"And with that, Veronica moves on with a score of Eighty-Nine! Up next, we have a Rookie straight out of Pallet Town. Will Sage Ketchum please come out?" Sage took a steadying breath before briskly walking out and relaxing as he caught sight of his mother and brother.
"Sophi, time to dance!" Sage tossed the ball as if he was fist pumping the air. The Venonat came out, spinning in a pirouette gracefully as it landed on the stage. "Stun Spore, Sleeping Powder, and Poison Powder followed by Confusion!" The yellow, green, and purple dust sparkled as Venonat swirled them around with the Psychic move. Flowers, shapes, and even Pokemon danced around the stage. As the story came to an end, human and Pokemon bowed.
"What a pretty picture! What do our judges think?" Lilian asked, smiling.
"Simply remarkable!" Mr. Suziko's screen lit up with an 88.
"To think, you just got your Venonat a few days ago." Nurse Joy smiled, giving her own number, a 90.
"It was a lovely performance." Agreed Mr. Contesta as he gave a score of 85.
"That, folks, gives Sage a score of 87. On the low side of scoring, but there is a chance he just might make it to the next round!" Sage smiled nervously as he left the stage after recalling Sophi. His mother was waiting to pull him into a hug in her excitement. To his surprise, Sage saw Professor Oak also waiting.
"That was well done, Sage! I'm so proud of you!" Delia squealed happily. She turned to Ash, pointing at him. "You better do just as well with your Gym Battle in Pewter City!"
"Yes mom." Ash grinned sheepishly while Misty laughed at him.
"And that, folks, finishes the Appeal Round!" Lilian's voice cut through, causing everyone to turn to the screen. "Now it's time to see who will be continuing on to the next rounds!" Sage held his breath as more and more faces filled the screen.
His face filled the last spot.
"Okay folks, you have twenty minutes to grab a bite to eat before the Battle Stage begins!" Lilian called happily. Sage was snagged away to get something from a vendor outside. They spoke about future plans, trying to put the Contest out of focus, so Sage would calm down.
He was the first battle when they returned.
"Up first we have the Rookie Sage with a girl popular back in Sinnoh, Michelle!" A girl with bouncy blond curls skipped out across from Sage. "Coordinators ready your Pokemon!"
"Sapphire, time to dance!"
"Time to play, Cherubi!" The girl called out her Cherry Pokemon. Sage smirked slightly, relaxing, despite it being a Grass-Type Pokemon.
"Five minutes on the clock, are you ready? Begin!"
"Use Razor Leaf!"
"Dance out of the way, Sapphire! Use Fire Fang!" The crowd murmured to themselves in surprise as the Rock-Type did as asked. The Cherubi cried out in pain as Sapphire darted backwards and out of harm's way.
"Use Sunny Day, Cherubi!" Michelle ordered, still relaxed. "Follow with Solar Beam."
"Keep moving, don't stand still, Sapphire!" The Rock-Type Pokemon let out a happy noise as she continued moving about. Cherubi tried to follow with the Solar Beam, but missed. "Use Rock Tomb like with the Beedrill!" Cherubi couldn't react fast enough, and was caged within the rocks.
"Use Seed Bomb to get out, Cherubi!"
"Be ready to use Sand Attack as soon as Cherubi is freed!" Just as the walls surrounding the Grass-Type exploded, the buzzer went off.
"Time's up! Let's see who won!"
Sage looked up hopefully at the board as it blink black for a moment before revealing the winner.