Disclaimer
Let me just start out with the standard Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Pokémon, or any of the associated or mentioned franchises/companies, and I am not making a profit on this.
The image I am using was made by BlissfulGold on , and I am using it with their permission. Please check out their DeviantART page sometime.
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Author's Note
Yay, rewrite time! For those of you who are new to this fic, this chapter is a rewrite of my original chapter 1, mostly due to the fact that I wrongly dislike my old chapter, now that I have experience.
Important Notes about the Author's Life (Steptemper 6th, 2014)
I have a very important announcement to make. My Grandmother passed on this August, on the weekend before I restarted collage. While I am saddened by her departing, my whole family knew this day was coming for a long time now, and she was prepared for this; we all were able to say our goodbyes, and Grandmother passed on peacefully in her sleep. I thank you for your sympathy.
On a side note, today is my 25th birthday, so yay for that. I am enjoying collage life, and am happy to report that I am progressing very well in it.
Review Response
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This one's from AtmaterasuIce:
"I Honestly am interested at this development. You should continue. AND i LOVE
Sasusaku and Naruhina. I am a Christian, and I don't like the idea of a God
pokemon. However, Mew sort of is two. Anyway, I like Arcues cause of coolness
and power, but not of pokegod.
I will not say what they should start out with cuz I want it to be a surprise.
However, It should be something not seen much, like Sasuke with a Blitzel."
Thank you for giving me my first Review, AtmaterasuIce. I am glad to meet a fellow Christen on . I'm also glad you are interesting in my story and that you are a fan of the couples I like.
I've never really seen Mew as a 'Godmon,' considering that Mew's only known as the first and thereby eldest Pokémon, not the creator of them. I also dislike how Arcues is made the strongest Pokémon when that place belongs to Mewtwo, with him holding that title for the longest time and earning it with all the media dedicated to establishing it (Mewtwo Strikes Back, Mewtwo Returns, exedra). Then again, I've always hated it if something new outdoes something old just to make the new thing awesome.
Once again, thank you for your review and I will consider your idea of Sasuke owning a Blitzle.
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Pokémon Konoha
Chapter 1
(Rewrite)
Today, the normally quaint (but rarely quiet) Uzumaki home was a place of high spirits; balloons were set all around, streamers were hanging from the ceiling, and a large banner reading, 'Happy 12th Birthday!' was hung proudly over the entrance to the dinning room. Today, young Naruto Uzumaki would be old enough to finally start his Pokémon Journey, and his whole family was here to celebrate. While the boy's parents, Kushina and Minato, got everything ready in the dinning room, Uncle Yahiko decided to entertain everyone with a story of one of his grand adventures.
"The last thing I remember was the great leviathan's crimson tail crashing down on the ship," Uncle Yahiko said dramatically, slamming his fist down on the table for effect. "SMASH! One slap of its tail, and boom, the Dancing Kingdra was nothing more than shattered flotsam, and my crew was dragged down in the depths."
The audience of Yahiko's story consisted of his nephew Naruto Uzumaki, and Naruto's neighborhood friend, Konohamaru Sarutobi. With them sat Jiraiya, Naruto's Grandfather, and Asuma Sarutobi, Konohamaru's Uncle. Nearby, Yahiko's wife Konan watched and listened, though unlike the rest of the group, she didn't seen spellbound by her husband's words. If anything, she looked amused; then again, this wasn't the first time she had heard one of her husband's wild tales.
"Next thing I knew, I was sinking down into the depths of pitch-black water," Yahiko continued. "I couldn't see any of my shipmates, or even tell up from down, and my lungs were burning for air. Taking my chances, I chose a direction and started paddling harder than I ever did. Seems luck was on my side, 'cause eventually, I saw the flash of thunder from the stormy sky peeking through the waves, and I swam so hard when I broke to the surface, I must have flown five feet out. I took in the sweetest breaths of air I've ever breathed in my life, and headed for the biggest piece of my boat that was still floating; as fate would have it, it was the part that had the ship's name newly painted in bright yellow letters. Then, after crawling up on the flotsam and getting my footing, I grabbed a long, thin piece of wood, made it into a makeshift harpoon, and then, I waited, scanning the stormy waters for any sign of the monster from the depths."
Yahiko paused to take a drink of his cider, savoring it and watching his nephews as they waited for him to continue. Finally, Naruto could take it no more.
"Well?!" he asked, "What happened next?"
Uncle Yahiko smiled wryly, looking past the boy and into the dinning room. "Let's hold off that bit for a little; your mom's waving for us to come on in now, birthday boy."
That was all he needed to say to get the two boys moving. Quick as a flash, they were out of the Uzumaki living room and into the dinning room. They couldn't help but smile at what they saw; all of Naruto's favorite homemade dishes were set on a festive orange spread, with his mother's famed chocolate fudge sheet cake at the table's center. The aroma of his mother's home-cooking alone was enough to make Naruto drool.
"Come on and grab a seat," Kushina said happily, walking past them in an apron that said 'Kiss the Cook' with pink hearts all around it. Behind her, Kitsune, her beloved silver Ninetales, followed faithfully. Kushina's most trusted companion and assistant, Kitsune was just as much a part of the Uzumaki household as anyone else, often serving as a babysitter and guardian to Naruto and his friends, and had fished him out of trouble more than a few times.
"So, excited, birthday boy?" Minato asked, coming up from behind his son and ruffling his hair affectionately.
"You bet I am!" Naruto said, giving a big smile as he sat down next to his father. "I can't wait to start my Pokémon Journey! I've been waiting for this day forever!" Everyone else took their own seats and started to pass out the plates and drinks.
Minato chuckled. "I know you have, and you're gonna do great on it. However, how about we enjoy this party, and after that, you can have your first Pokémon?"
"Whoo yeah!" the boy cheered.
Everyone dug in, and there were many compliments were given to Kushina for her cooking. As they ate, of course the adults talked about more serious matters.
"How's everything in Uzushiogakure, Yahiko?" Asuma asked casually; he wasn't really part of the world of politics, but his father had been Konoha's Champion once, so he had a passing interest in current events.
Yahiko made a face. "It hasn't been called that since the time of Hanzo," he pointed out, setting his fork down. "Now, our home is called Amegakure, symbolizing our change from the past. And things are good and bad for us, truth be told."
Naruto listened quietly, knowing what his uncle meant. Amegakure was a region made up of a chain of islands that many would call natural wonders. Whirlpools, unpredictable storms, and other such natural dangers, Amegakure remained largely isolated from the rest of the world, and had given rise to its more commonly known title, the Eternal Danger Islands.
Uncle Yahiko and Aunt Konan were both natives to the Eternal Danger Islands, as was Naruto's mother Kushina. Back when they were still growing up, Amegakure was called Uzushiogakure, and was led by the tyrant Hanzo; he had kept the islands even more isolated than they had been naturally, and ruled with an iron fist. After he had been overthrown by Yahiko with help not only from Konan and Kushina, but also Jiriya and Minato (as well as others not present), the Eternal Islands were renamed Amegakure, a Pokémon League was set up, and routes to the various islands were discovered, allowing them to overcome their natural isolation. Nowadays, Uncle Yahiko was the first legitimate Amegakure Champion, and he did all he could to make the rest of the world accept his homeland as a true country.
"The good news is that the Konoha League sees us as a real region; they even accept our League badges and everything," Uncle Yahiko explained to Asuma. "The only problem is the other region's leagues; most of them say we're too small, and should just count as an extension of Konoha."
"That doesn't make any sense," Asuma retorted, "Don't the Eternal Danger Islands have their lots of unique Pokémon? That alone should qualify them as independent region, shouldn't it?"
"Yeah, but logic rarely works with politicians," Yahiko sighed. He turned toward Minato. "It would be a lot easier if you were still the Konoha Champion, Little Bro," he said accusingly.
Minato raised up his hands defensively. "Hey, I retired from that over a decade ago; can you imagine how hard it would be to raise my boy and juggle responsibilities as Champion? Besides, I think Obito Uchiha is doing a good job."
"No more talk of politics," Kushina cut in, her voice making the matter final. "It's a nasty subject, and there are children here. Do you really wanna subject their innocent ears to such language? Besides," she added, looking at Yahiko, "weren't you in the middle of story?"
"Oh right!" Yahiko cried, cheering up. He thought for a moment. "Now where was- ah right, I remember."
He cleared his throat, and then went back into storytelling mode, motioning and waving with his hands as he spoke. "So, there I stood, in the middle of the black waters, the clouds above me echoing with thunder as they blotted out the moon, and the rain on my back. I scanned the waters, just waiting for the great beast to rise up from the depths and try to finish what he started. I didn't have to wait long; soon, a glowing pair of eyes shone up from the watery depths, looking straight at me. I still remember those eyes, and the fear they filled me with; I remember how they rose up from the depths, getting bigger and bigger as the beast swam at me. Finally, it broke the surface, and in spray of water, I finally saw the whole monster I'd been hunting; the Great Red Death, the legendary Gyarados of the Eternal Danger Islands. The beast was over a hundred feet long, its scales glistening blood red in the storm's flashing light."
His audience (save Konan) gave a collective gasp as Yahiko paused to let his story sink in. Smiling, he went on. "There I was, facing my almost certain death, with only a splinter of my ship as a weapon; the Red Death eyed me, not striking right away. Perhaps it was curious as to what a little human armed with a stick on a raft hoped to accomplish, or maybe it just was feeding on my dread. Either way, it was content to just loom over me while the storm raged and nearly tossed me from my raft. Finally, I could take it no longer; with a defiant scream, I hurled my harpoon at it, what little good that did. Now that got the monster's attention. Rearing back, the Red Death roared in rage, and lunged at me, its great jaws open wide. SNAP! With one bite, my world was darkness, and down the beast's throat I was headed."
"Whoa," Naruto breathed, looking amazed. "It ate you?"
"Did you die!?" Konohamaru asked in horror.
"Sadly, yes," Yahiko admitted, looking down.
The two boys dropped their jaws while Konan rolled her eyes.
"But, I lived!" Uncle Yahiko quickly added, giving a mad smile. "And I tell you, never in my life had I ever felt so alive (not including when Konan and I got hitched, of course) than when I was so close to death in that beastie's throat. Struggling with all my might, I clawed my way up his gullet until I reached that gross dangly-thing at the back of your throat. I grabbed hold of it, and gave it a jolly-good tug. I pulled and tugged on that thing until the Red Death couldn't take it anymore, and finally spat me right out!"
"Cooool!" Naruto said, looking at Yahiko in awe. "What then?"
"Well," his Uncle mused, looking very smug, "I'm not sure if your parents would want me to give you all the gruesome and ultra-violent details, but I can tell you this: I may have lost a ship that night, but I didn't swim back to shore." He pulled out a Pokéball that was completely blood red and had waves carved all over it.
"You caught the Red Death!" Naruto gasped, pointing. "Can you show him to us?"
"Catch him I did," Yahiko nodded. "But, I'm going to have to pass on showing him off. Sorry, Little Buddy, but I don't think he could fit in a small town like this, let along your family's house."
Naruto sighed in disappointment.
Uncle Yahiko laughed. "Ah, don't think too much about it, kid. Most of the time I let this beastie out, he scares the daylights out of anyone who sees him. And I wouldn't wanna do that to you on your birthday, would I?"
"Pssh, that that would happen," Naruto said, rolling his eyes and shrugging. "I'm gonna be Konoha's next Champion someday, after all; no way I'd be scared by some- "
"GGRRRRRRR!"
The deep, powerful growl came from behind Naruto. Taken off guard, the boy jumped out of his seat and whipped around, only to look right in the eyes of a red Gyarados, not 2 feet right from where he was sitting.
"IT'S THE RED DEATH!" Naruto shrieked, stumbling back.
Konohamaru, who was sitting next to Naruto, scrambled back, latching on to his Uncle Asuma and screaming, "It's going to kill us all!"
For a brief while, the room was filled with what the neighbors thought was the shirking of little girls. However, this died out when the Gyarados face started to give a very un-Gyarados sort of laugh.
"Zo-rururururu!" it giggled, fading in size and color as it shook with uncontrollable laughter. Soon, the thing was gone, replaced by a small black fox Pokémon.
"Kurama!" Naruto growled, jumping up. "It was you!"
"Zorua!" the Tricky Fox Pokémon said proudly, wriggling his tail smugly.
"Got ya!" Kushina and Uncle Yahiko shouted in unison.
"Hahaha, you should have seen the look on your faces!" Naruto's mother said, walking over and patting Kurama on the head. "Oh, you did perfectly, little one. Your timing couldn't have been better."
"Zoooor," Kurama purred, giving Naruto a mocking smile.
"Oh, I'm gonna get you!" the boy shouted, lunging at the little fox. However, he didn't get very far.
"NINE!" Kitsune hissed as she darted between the two, her breath flaring with red sparks. She pushed her Zorua pup back and wrapped him up in her tails protectively.
"Hey, no fair!" Naruto cried, trying to move past the Ninetales, "only a coward would hide behind mommy, Kurama!"
"Ru-ru!" Kurama growled back, struggling to get free from his mother's tails.
Kushina decided it was a good idea to step in. "Okay, that's enough out of both of you," she demanded, clapping her hands. "Naruto, come on now, it was just a joke, there's no need to get violent; Kurama, the joke's over, so no more teasing. And Kitsune," she added, giving a wily smile and scratching the Ninetales ear, "thanks for not frying Naruto. Good girl."
"Boy, does this family have some pretty strange standards for good behavior," Asama muttered. He turned to Konohamaru, who was still latched onto him tight. "Hey kid, think you can loosen up, just a little? Any tighter and I'm gonna choke to death."
"Oh, sorry," the boy said quickly, letting go.
Jiraiya moved over and ruffled his grandson's hair. "You know, you gotta admit, Naruto, that was pretty funny."
"Oh, okay, I admit, that was pretty good, Mom," Naruto sighed.
"Zor-zo-rua," Kurama laughed, swishing his backside at the boy.
"Ninetales," Kitsune sighed, grabbing her pup by the scruff of his neck. Ignoring his protests, she plopped her baby down in front of herself and started giving him a bath, muttering something about his fur being messy.
"Okay, okay, quiet down everyone," Minato called, holding up his hands for quiet. "Now it's time for the moment we've all be waiting for, especially you, Naruto." He gave his son a big, broad smile. "It's time we gave you your birthday present."
Smiling, Naruto's parents pulled lifted up a small orange box with a yellow bow on it, handing to their son. "Happy Birthday, do the best son anyone could ask for," his father said, beaming proudly.
Naruto grinned, blushing a little. "Ah Dad, stop it."
"Oh, hurry up and open it already," Kushina urged, edging forward in her seat. Next to her, Kitsune stopped grooming poor Kurama to watch everything unfold.
"I know what it is, I know what it is," Naruto chanted, tearing the wrapping paper away. "It's my Starter Pokémon!"
Sure enough, within the box lay shiny new Pokéball.
"Happy Birthday!" everyone shouted.
"He's from all of us to you," Minato explained as his son picked up the ball with overflowing joy.
Naruto looked at the ball in his hands and then at his parents. "C-Can I open it now?"
"Of course you can, baby," his mother chuckled. "Go on and say hello to your partner!"
"All right, come on out!" Naruto shouted, tossing the ball up high.
The Pokéball opened with a flash of light, and a small Pokémon appeared. He looked like a blue jackal standing on two feet, with a black domino mask marking over his face. "Riolu?" he squeaked, looking up at Naruto with big, red eyes.
"He's a Riolu," Jiraiya explained, "and his name is Kata. He's all yours, boy."
"Oh, you are soooo cool!" Naruto squealed, giving his new Pokémon a hug.
"Rio!" the Pokémon gasped, pushing his owner away in fright.
"Be careful or you'll frighten him," Aunty Konan warned. "And then you'll be sorry. He make look cute and small, but he's a Riolu; they're very strong, even compared to other Fighting-types their size."
"Sorry," Naruto said bashfully, letting his frightened Pokémon go.
Kata stepped looked at him questioningly for a moment, then nodded. "Riolu," he said, accepting Naruto's apology and holding out his fist.
The boy couldn't help but giggle with delight and gave his new friend a fist bump. "We'll be the best of friends!" he declared proudly.
"Rio!" Kata agreed.
Quick as a flash, Naruto whipped around and gave his parents a great, big, hug. "He's awesome! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you soooo much, Mom and Dad!"
"Riolu!" Kata cried, mimicking his trainer and joining the hug.
"Whoa there, boy. Remember, he's from all of us, not just your mother and I," his father reminded him.
Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "Right; got ya!" He turned to the rest of his family and started giving out hugs and thanks.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya smiled smugly, looking over at Minato and Kushina. "See, I told you he was perfect for the boy," he whispered, winking at his daughter-in-law.
"Ah, I still think he and Kurama would have been a good choice," Kushina said, shrugging dramatically.
Next to her, Kitsune hissed hatefully at the very thought of it, pulling her precious baby tightly to her. Giving an outcry of protests, Kurama struggled free, and hopped on over to inspect this new addition to the family.
"Oh, you wanna say hi, Kurama?" Naruto asked, watching as the Tricky Fox Pokémon sniffed Kata down.
The Riolu looked at the fellow Pokémon questioningly. "Riolu?" he asked, holding out his hand.
"Riolu?" the Zorua mimicked. He glowed for a moment, and then turned into an exact mirror image of Kata.
"Lu!" the Fighting-type cried out, stumbling back. Kurama snickered, turning back into his own form.
"Nine, Ninetales," Kitsune sighed, warning her pup to play nice. She extended on of her tails, pushed Kata back to his feet, and then rubbed him clean of any dust.
"Thank you all soooo much!" Naruto cheered again.
"Oh, we're not done quiet yet," Kushina laughed. "There are still a few more things you need to be a real Pokémon Trainer." She pulled out a notebook-sized package wrapped up in orange paper and handed it to her son.
Scarcely able contain himself, Naruto opened the package as quickly as he could. "It's a Pokédex!" he cried out, holding the orange device up for everyone to see.
"Why don't you try it out?" Jiraiya suggested.
Naruto quickly pointed the Pokédex at Kata. With a chime, the device came to life. "Riolu, the Emanation Pokémon. Riolu are sensitive to Aura, or the life-force of all living beings. While unable to fully utilize Aura, Riolu can still emanate it in the form of waves, allowing it to project and feel emotions over a distance. Because of this, Riolu prefers to be around people that project positive emotions."
Both Naruto and Konohamaru "oohed" and "awed" at the Pokédex.
"So this little guy likes being around happy people?" Naruto said. "Well, then you're gonna' love being my Pokémon!"
"Ri-Ri!" Kata replied happily.
"Thank you, Mom," Naruto added, looking loving at his mother.
"And here's our gift to you," Konan said, pushing a plain box toward her nephew. "Here's one your parents didn't plan on," she added mischievously when she noticed their surprised faces.
Lifting the lid, Naruto found an orange device that he didn't recognize. It resembled a Pokédex and a phone slightly. Naruto looked to his parents to explain what it was, but they didn't recognize, but they were perplexed too.
Laughing slightly at the boy's confusion, Uncle Yahiko explained. "It's a Pokénav; the newest model. It's like a GPS map that can pinpoint a person's location. We can use it to keep track of you and you can use it to find your way."
"Wish I had one," Jiraiya muttered. "That would have saved me time and money."
"A Pokénav can also be used as a cell-phone," Yahiko continued, "but its main use is it has a database that stores info on the most notable trainers, and can even record info on trainers you meet."
"Cool," the boy mused. "Thanks."
Jiraiya cleared his throat. "Ahem. Me and Konohamaru got something for the kid you, ya' know." He motioned for Konohamaru, who pulled out five Pokéballs and handed them to his cousin. "You wouldn't get too far on your journey without these."
"Thank you," Naruto said, taking the Pokéballs and putting them away. He looked at his whole family. "Thank you, all."
"Happy Birthday, son," Minato said, smiling wide. "Now, I know your eager to start your journey, but it wouldn't be a Birthday party without some of your mother's famous chocolate sheet cake, would it?"
A choir of cheers was his answer.
After the party, Naruto said a tearful goodbye to his loving family.
"I'm going to miss you sooo much, Naruto," Kushina said, squeezing her son so hard he wasn't sure he could ever get away. "Call home on your Pokénav every day, understand? Remember, don't forget to take baths whenever you can, and be sure to eat right; not just ramen. I've packed everything you'll need, but be sure to double check every time you get into town to make sure you have plenty of supplies, okay? And change and clean your clothes every day, especially your underwear-"
"Mooom!" Naruto shouted, pulling out of her death grip a little. "You're embarrassing me! I'm not a baby anymore!"
"I know," she said, smiling and letting him go. "It's just that you'll always be my little boy."
"I know," Naruto sighed, exasperated and a little embarrassed.
"Good luck, sport," Jiraiya said, ruffling up his hair affectionately.
"I know you'll do great, Naruto," Uncle Yahiko said. "One day, I hope you and I have a battle."
"And I'll win!" Naruto replied confidently.
Yahiko smiled warmly.
"You better watch your back, Brother," Konohamaru told Naruto, pointing his finger at him, "'Cause pretty soon I'm going to be starting my journey, and when I do, we're going to fight in the Pokémon League!"
"One last thing, Naruto," Minato said, fingering his hat. It was a blue and white cap with a symbol of a spiral on top of a leaf on the front, the Konoha League Symbol. Grinning, Minato ripped the cap off his own head and put it on his son's. "I believe in you, son. Now go show the world what you're made of!"
"You bet I will!" Naruto shouted, grinning wide, "Believe it!"