Chapter 1: Home Sweet Hoenn
It had been a long trip from Goldenrod to Oldale, but here I was in the back of a moving van waiting to hesitantly step out into my new home.
"Brendan Seaview! Whatcha waiting in there for? Come and check out the Hoenn region! Oh, and you need to unpack."
It was time. I opened the door to the moving van.
I got a whiff of the air of Hoenn. I took in all the surroundings. The trees, the grass, the sky. It was all here.
"So you finally did come out" said Mum. "I know you liked your home in Johto, but your Dad has a job that pays really well. We can't just leave him over here."
She was right. I remembered to start unpacking, though multiple Machoke were helping.
Brendan Seaview is the name. I was really enjoying my life in Johto until Dad decided "Hey kiddo, how would you like to move to Hoenn?" I just replied I'm fine, but Dad replied back with "Well tough, Mum's going to". Sheesh. Thanks for the options Dad.
Hoenn is a region south of Kanto and Johto. What differentiates Hoenn from the tech and science of Kanto and the history and culture of Johto is simple; nature. Hoenn has many landscapes. Bustling forests, a giant volcano and even a desert. The Pokémon here are the most harmonious with nature in the region, to put it lightly.
We have just moved to Oldale Town after Dad got a job at Petulburg City, which is to the northwest of Oldale Town. I am happy for Dad, but I miss Johto.
After about an hour or two, me and Mum had officially moved in. I set my clock and opened my window. The breeze here was drastically different to Johto's to.
"Brendan honey. I know you are homesick, but why don't you take a look around. You're 12, you should be socializing a lot more." She was right. Might as well meet the residents.
I went next door and knocked on it. A woman greeted me. "You must be our new neighbours! I hear your Dad is the Gym Leader. My Daughter would love to meet you. She's upstairs."
I walked up the stairs and saw a Girl. She was tightening the red bandana on her head. She was wearing all red, topped with black bicycle shorts.
"Brendan Seaview?" I blushed a little. "You're the Gym Leader's Son!" She came up to me and shook my hand. "Nice to meet you! I'm May, May Birch. I am the Daughter of the Professor of this town!"
I introduced myself as we went downstairs. Mrs Birch greeted us. "You two have already caught on!" I gave Mrs Birch Mum's number. "Okay. You two have fun!"
May told me that she was going to go to the Lab to see if Professor Birch had returned. I said that I would check if he was still out in the field, to which she agreed. We went off.
Route 101. The route that connects Littleroot to Oldale. It seemed quite until…
"HEEEEELPPPP!"
I looked to see a slightly chubby man being chased by a wild Pokémon. It was black with sharp teeth and chasing him on all fours. "This Pokémon is going mad!" He spotted me. "Oh, the Gym Leader's Son! In my briefcase, there are three Pokeballs! Use one of the Pokémon! The code is 2002!"
I put in the code and opened the bag and saw three Pokeballs. I went for the one to the far right. It was time to battle.
The Pokémon challenged me. I threw the Pokeball to reveal a small blue Pokémon with orange cheeks.
"There is a description in the briefcase of that Pokémon! Read it!"
I did.
Mudkip
007
Water Type
Mud Fish Pokémon
1'04" (0.4 m)
16.8 lbs (7.8 kg)
The fin on Mudkip's head acts as a highly sensitive radar. Using this fin to sense movements of water and air, this Pokémon can determine what is taking place around it without its eyes.
Mudkip used Tackle, and so did the opposing Pokémon. Mudkip then used Growl, which lowered the opposing Pokémon's Attack stat. The opposing Pokémon used Tackle again, but it didn't do as much. Mudkip then used Tackle. This almost knocked out the opposing Pokémon. The opposing Pokémon then used Howl, raining its Attack stat. Didn't matter that much because one more Tackle from Mudkip knocked it out.
"Thanks" said the man. "I almost got hurt bad. Tell you what, come to my Lab".
It turned out this man was Professor Birch himself. May was already waiting for me. "Almost got hurt again. Unbelievable" she said. Professor Birch gave a small giggle. "Sorry." He then eyed me. "Brendan, you tamed Mudkip very well. How would you like to have it as your own Pokémon?"
That took me by surprise. Only 2 hours in Hoenn and I already had a Pokémon to call my own.
"Another thing" said Professor Birch handing me a small red machine. "This is the latest Pokedex model. I think you will need it if you are going to learn about the Pokémon of Hoenn. I have already loaded Mudkip and Poochyena's Pokedex entry on there for you."
I immediately looked up Poochyena. So that's the name of the Pokémon that attacked Birch.
Poochyena
010
Dark Type
Bite Pokémon
1'08" (0.5 m)
30 lbs (13.6 kg)
Poochyena is an omnivore – it will eat anything. A distinguishing feature is how large its fangs are compared to its body. This Pokémon tries to intimidate its foes by making the hair on its tail bristle out.
"You and your Mum will be coming over to ours for tea tonight to. Great to know you Brendan."
It was a nice tea. Mrs Birch is a wonderful cook. It was a feast meant for a Slowking.
"So, Norman specializes what Type?" asked Mrs Birch. "Normal" Mum said. "He does a lot of work. He moved to Hoenn a year before we did. It was worth it. Being a Gym Leader is a big duty." At that point, Professor Birch looked at me. "Brendan, would you consider challenging him?" That was a big question.
"IT'S STARTING!" May shouted, rushing towards the TV.
"We are with you at the Fallarbor Town Contest Hall. Let's meet the contestants!"
I asked May what that was she was watching. "It's a Pokémon Contest. Rather than showing a Pokémon's battling capabilities, you show off other features. Coolness, Cuteness, Beauty, Smartness and Toughness. They are not very popular outside Hoenn, its part of our culture."
I just watched Pokémon that I had never seen before show off their Beauty on stage. "Brendan. What have I told you about watching TV at the table? It's rude". Professor Birch laughed. "It's fine. Contests are a huge part of Hoenn, let him settle in."
May started getting excited. "I wanna do it!". Professor Birch sighed. "May, you will embarrass yourself. Focus on what you are good at. Battling." May sighed, but then looked at me. "Meet me at Route 102 tomorrow morning. I want to challenge you!"
My room was now ready, but my mind was buzzing. I had my own Pokémon partner. But should I go and challenge Dad? Should I challenge the other Gym's? Hoenn is such a different region to Johto.