A/N: Hello there, and welcome to my first plot-driven Pokémon fanfiction "Forging My Own Path." This work features my OC Abrielle (commonly referred to as "Brie"), who embarks on a journey that forces her to come to terms with her feelings about herself, others, and pokémon, face her demons, and strive to grow and learn, rising up from the ashes of tragedy. Her story will be broken down into sections, beginning with the Kanto region (Part I) and working her way through the Galar region (Part VIII). There will be several chapters in each "section."

The prologue (see below) is meant to lure you in, but takes place in the Johto region (Part II) of the story.

NOTE: This scene will re-appear in Part II and will be described in further detail.

I will try my best to keep canon characters portrayed correctly, and apologize in advance for any moments of OOC-ness (my canon version of Pokémon is based largely off what I remember and have researched from the video games). Also, Brie's timeline intersects with some major events following the Johto region, but not all, although it could be assumed that she participates in them as a side character (e.g., the Team Aqua/Magma events in Hoenn happen after she has traveled through that region and arrived in Sinnoh).

Her age in each region is as follows (each region is roughly 2 years)

Kanto (13), Johto (15), Hoenn (17), Sinnoh (19), Unova (21), Kalos (23), Alola (26)*, Galar (28)

*she starts Alola 3 years after finishing in Kalos, spending one year developing her new romantic relationship with Steven Stone before resuming her travels.

I hope you enjoy and please feel free to share your thoughts - I would love to hear from you!

Flames suffused the night sky in shades of orange and red, the fire rampaging and scorching the earth where Team Rocket's secret base in Mahogany Town once stood. The smoke obscured any trace of the moon and stars, and it seemed as if heaven itself had turned away from this small corner of the world.

Brie watched as everything was consumed in the blaze that had formed from a combination of her Arcanine's flamethrower and Dragonite's hyper beam. The remnants of the building that still stood were threatening to collapse, and without a second thought Lance snapped his fingers, signaling for his dragon-type pokémon to give a forceful smack with its tail, easily leveling the structure. What had appeared to be a simple shop in the old town had in reality been used as the criminal syndicate's headquarters in the Johto region.

Brie had been surprised, to say the least, to stumble upon the former member of the Kanto region's Elite Four, and current Johto League champion. She wondered what had brought him to Mahogany Town, and Lance had informed her of the rumors regarding disturbances at the Lake of Rage north of town. People had been complaining about unusual behaviors from the local pokémon, including the sudden surge in the population of gyrados found swimming in the lake. While ferocious in appearance, these aquatic dragon-like creatures hardly caused any problems. Lately, however, they had exhibited uncharacteristically aggressive behaviors. Feeling a strong sense of obligation to look into the matter personally, Lance sought out the source of the problem.

He had a feeling that the Team Rocket organization was responsible, though no investigative evidence had come about yet to support that claim. When he encountered Brie heading toward the shop from above as he rode on his Dragonite, he landed and approached her. After a brief exchange, Lance learned that she had been hot on the syndicate's trail since her days in Kanto, and it confirmed his suspicions – it seemed too much of a coincidence that they should meet up in Mahogany Town of all places had smirked knowingly – Team Rocket was most definitely to blame.

"It must have been fate for our paths to cross once more." Lance suggested suddenly, peering over at her with a look of approval. "You've grown much stronger since our battle back in Kanto, Abrielle. I couldn't have asked for a better comrade in arms to team up with. You have my eternal gratitude."

Brie stared at the hand outstretched in front of her a moment before returning the gesture. Although she forced a small smile, she didn't feel deserving of the compliment or appreciation. The complete annihilation of Team Rocket, while perhaps an admirable goal that would go uncontested, was not the work of a hero in a cape (despite the fact that, as Lance stood beside her, he did seem to fit the bill rather nicely). Brie felt she was little more than but a teenager seeking revenge against those who took what was most precious from her. Every day spent tracking down the Rockets was tiring, but necessary for her to feel affirmed of her purpose. She continued to train her pokémon with unwavering diligence, battling the most powerful challengers, including the gym leaders, but cared little – if at all – about obtaining badges. Her initial goal of becoming stronger for her own personal reasons had become little more than a distant memory.

Now, above all else, she yearned to be strong enough to destroy Team Rocket.

"I didn't do all that much." She confessed as her mind replayed the events of the past two hours, the sounds of the electrode crying out in pain as they were forced to power the mysterious machine hidden in the basement of the hideout. Brie could still see the faces of the two executives, Petrel and Ariana, as they had launched a flurry of attacks at her and Lance. "You and your pokémon did most of the work, honestly. I just helped."

The crackling of the flames as it engulfed the remains of the old building filled the silence between them. Brie concealed her nose and mouth behind her arm, the smell of the wood and other materials burning starting to make her stomach feel sick. Or perhaps it was her nerves that refused to abate even after years of struggling to come to terms with her decision.

"Don't underestimate the power of teamwork." The self-proclaimed dragon master offered finally. "And rest assured that, should you ever find yourself in a situation warranting support, you will always have it from Dragonite and myself." Gesturing for her to hand over her Pokégear, he promptly punched in his number and shoved it back in her direction.

"Thank you, Lance." She managed still in shock how he hadn't hesitated to prove his point. Placing the device back into her satchel, she turned away from the Johto champion and climbed atop her Arcanine, which had been sitting beside her patiently.

A flicker of concern flashed through his crimson eyes as he saw Brie get situated onto her fire-type pokémon.

"Take care of yourself." Lance added, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to read her face. Despite her strength, he could sense a undercurrent of unrest in her demeanor.

Brie nodded and forced a quick wave of her hand as if to say 'See you later.' before ordering her Arcanine to take off. Her hands trembled as she clutched onto its thick fur, burying her head against the soft mane as it absorbed her tears. The smell of the Mahogany shop still burning continued to fill her nose and cling to her consciousness like the plague, and she wished to be as far away from the old town as possible.

This was the path she had chosen - Brie knew that she had to press onward, her eyes finally emerging from her Arcanine's fur to gaze out at the winding road that lay ahead.

There was no point in turning back now.

She would put an end to what Team Rocket had started . . . or die trying.