Sinnoh Region...
Paul Shinji just woke up from a restful night's sleep, mostly from dreaming about his girlfriend Ranee Katina. He wanted to kiss her, hug her, and cuddle her so badly. But so much had changed since they both left Veilstone City about nine years ago. Paul started with Turtwig and went with Reggie during his Kanto Battle Frontier challenge. Of course, Paul saw that Reggie lost and vowed revenge for him. Ranee, however, started with Chimchar. She went to Johto to start her journey to become - not only a Pokémon Master - but Top Coordinator as well. That's why he liked contests mostly was because of her.
Paul rubbed his eyes and stretched, he was actually at the Pokémon Center from his recent battle. He decided that some rest and relaxation were in order. Well, before he headed home to his brother. Paul was praying to Arceus that Ranee was there or on her way. The mauve haired trainer gathered his things and got his Pokémon back from Nurse Joy.
She told him, "You're Pokémon had a restful night's sleep and are ready to go."
"Thanks very much," Paul said, in his usual demur.
Paul took his poke balls and headed out. The minute he got outside, he noticed all of the dark clouds in the sky. 'Looks like rain,' Paul thought as he shoved his hands in his pockets and headed on his way. Going from town-to-town alone was boring but it was much faster. Just then, the mauve haired trainer came across a Pokémon battle. It was Barry (at least that's what Paul thought his name was) and Conway. Barry was using Empoleon and Conway was using Heracross.
Barry commanded, "Empoleon, Drill Peck!"
"Heracross, Aerial Ace," Conway commanded.
Heracross was fast but Empoleon was faster. Drill Peck hit first as Heracross went down first. Paul reasoned that the battle was longer before he got there. Barry was psyched.
"Awesome job Empoleon," Barry stated.
"Empoleon," said the Emperor Pokémon.
Conway merely returned Heracross, said nothing, and left.
Paul went over to Barry and commented, "Either he's pathetic or you are getting stronger."
Barry turned around and saw Paul. Barry replied, "Well, of course I'm getting stronger. I want to become the greatest Pokémon Master."
"You have competition, you know," Paul pointed out.
Barry nodded and responded, "Yeah and that's the best part. You can get stronger by challenging others!"
"That is true," Paul replied, shrugging simply.
"So, wanna battle," the Twinleaf trainer asked.
Paul perked up as he answered, "Sure, why not."
"Awesome," Barry stated, hyper.
"But we'll make this one-on-one, alright," Paul told him.
Barry nodded and replied, "That's fine!" He turned to Empoleon and asked, "You up for another battle?"
"Empol," said the Emperor Pokémon as he stood strong and ready.
Paul took a poke ball and threw it.
He yelled, "Torterra, stand by for battle!"
With a flash of light, the Content Pokémon appeared.
"Terra," said the Grass/Ground type.
Barry was stoked now. He was really looking forward to battling Paul again.
Nine Years Ago...
David Ketchum was still in shock. Lance had just told him that he had become the Pokémon Master. David had messy shoulder length black hair, brown eyes, wearing a blue shirt, black jeans, blue shoes, and a blue hat on top of his head with a black poke ball print on it. His partner and long time friend, Raichu, was perched on his right shoulder. Lance smiled at David, he had only known him for a short time but he knew that he was going to be a great Pokémon Master. Before Lance had a chance to induct David into the Hall of Fame, someone ran into the room. It was Andrew Oak, Professor Oak's son.
Andrew Oak was the spitting image of Gary but a bit older.
"Andrew," Lance asked, "What's the matter?"
"Team Rocket is at it again," Andrew answered, "They are in Vermillion City stealing Pokémon."
"In the middle of the day, doesn't sound right," David stated, "We better go check it out."
Lance started to replied, "I agree but we have to go through the required paperwork..."
"Paperwork can wait Lance," Andrew complained, "We have to stop them now."
"He has a point," David added, "Just let me make a quick phone call."
Andrew tossed him a PokeNav. David opened it, dialed, and the call went through. On the other side, the phone ran at the Ketchum house. Erika answered it, since Delia was in the kitchen.
She asked, "Hello? Ketchum residents, Erika Jones speaking."
"Erika, its Mr. Ketchum," David stated, "May I speak to Mrs. Ketchum?"
"She's in the kitchen is something wrong," Erika replied.
David sighed as he knew that the young Jones girl was mature for her age. He could tell her.
He responded, "Team Rocket is in Vermillion City stealing Pokémon. Mr. Oak and I are going to check it out and stop them."
"Alright, be careful Mr. Ketchum," Erika commented.
"I will and tell my family I love them," David said.
"Of course, Mr. Ketchum," Erika replied, "Good luck."
With that, David hung up as Delia came over.
Delia asked, "Who was that, Erika?"
Erika answered, "That was Mr. Ketchum. He said that Team Rocket is in Vermillion City stealing Pokémon. He and Mr. Oak are going to go check it out and stop them. He said that he loved you all."
Delia softly smiled as she knew that things were going to be okay. She trusted her husband.
Gary pouted and said, "Aw great, that means my dad is gonna be delayed. What a Ketchum."
Ash got mad and hissed, "Take that back, Oak! At least my dad became a Pokémon Master!"
"Yeah, out of luck," Gary stated.
Delia broke them up as Ash vowed, "Just wait, one day I will show that I am just as good as my dad and a Pokémon Master just like him."
With that, he ran upstairs.
Delia sighed and said, "You two better run along while I talk to Ash."
"Just like a Ketchum," Gary stated.
Erika rolled her eyes as she told Mrs. Ketchum, "Tell Ash I'll be back later once he's calmed down."
"Sure," Delia replied. Erika headed out to catch up with Gary.
She caught up to him as he stuck out his tongue at her. Erika rolled her eyes and thought, annoyed, 'Oh real mature, Gary.'
Present Day, Johto Region...
Erika looked upon those memories, still annoyed at the way Gary acted back then. But the way he matured, she was crushing on him badly. Erika blushed for there was absolutely no way she was crushing on her lifelong best friend. She had known Gary as long as Ash and yet she didn't develop any feelings for Ash.
Claire came over to her and asked, "Is something wrong Erika?"
"Just thinking about an old friend of mine, Claire," Erika answered simply.
She finally got the Rising Badge and now qualified to compete in the Silver League Conference, which was three months away.
"An old friend," Claire questioned.
Erika nodded and answered, "Yeah but I don't think I'm gonna impress him looking like this."
Hearing what she said, Erika blushed heavily as she started to say, "I mean..."
Claire perked up and smiled. She asked, "You have a crush on this old friend, don't you?"
"N-no," the female trainer answered.
To this, Claire smiled more as she stated, "Sure you don't..."
"I have to go shopping," Erika replied, running out of there as fast as she could.
There was just NO way in hell that she like Gary Oak as more than a friend. Although, she did have to go shopping. Her outfit was a bit outdated and she needed a change. Grabbing one of her poke balls, she threw it and her Altaria appeared. Altaria landed next to her and softly hummed.
"Altaria, can you fly me to Goldenrod City," Erika asked.
Altaria nodded as it turned around to allow her to get on. Erika hoped on Altaria's back and the two of them took off into the skies. Erika never felt so alive when she flew with Altaria, even though she noticed the rain clouds. She couldn't help but wonder how long it was going to be an overcast or when it was going to rain. She shrugged it off as Altaria arrived at Goldenrod City.
Erika jumped off and said, "Thanks Altaria, return!"
With a flash of light, Altaria was recalled back to its ball.
"Erika," a voice asked.
Erika spun around and saw Whitney, the Goldenrod City Gym Leader.
"Oh hey Whitney," Erika said, waving at her.
Whitney asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to go shopping," Erika answered, "This outfit is a bit outdated."
"Sure is," Whitney agreed, studying her.
"Can you help me get a new outfit," Erika questioned.
Whitney smiled and replied, "Sure, its my day off anyhow!"
"Thank you," Erika gushed.
The Goldenrod Gym Leader laughed as the two girls started to shop around in the Goldenrod Mall. Whitney saw a green blouse with quarter inch sleeves and sky blue sparkles on it...perfect to show off Erika's cleavage.
"This is beautiful," Whitney stated.
Erika smiled as she replied, "Sure is!"
Erika saw a short brown jean skirt and black nylons. Whitney also found white shoes and a sky blue headband and on it was a green poke ball pattern.
"This is perfect," Erika gushed, paying for the outfit. The two headed out as Erika stated, "Thank you, Whitney."
"It was my pleasure and now you can knock Gary Oak off of his feet," Whitney stated, winking.
Erika blushed and hissed, "I don't have a crush on Gary Oak!"
AK1028: Well, that's the end of chapter 2! I hope everyone likes the redesign of my original character Erika (if you were paying attention, kudos). I wanted her to look less like Leaf/Blue/Green, whomever she looks like and become a true original character. I have two other new designs in mind...one for my original character Ranee and one for Misty. I will get into the story more with time and I will also get into the T rated stuff soon. It is gonna be slow at first but please be patient with me. There is going to be multiple pairings in this: Pokeshipping, Contestshipping, Penguinshipping, Locketshipping, Oldrivalshipping (Gary/Erika, in this case), and Tagteamshipping (Brock/Holly). I seriously need to stop ranting! Forgive that guys! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!