Welcome to Rise of Phoenix
This will be a novel length sequel to my story, Heading Home. You may read it as a standalone story because it is fairly OC, but you will miss a few reference. It is complete with 16 parts and an epilogue.
Part 1
A boy, no older than sixteen, sits slouched in a metal folding chair with his arms crossed over his body. The room is brightly lit by LED tube lighting that spans the expanse of the ceiling. There are more metal folding chairs set up in a circle. The boy's demeanor screams apathetic as his eyes wander across the room to peer at all of the other people seated in them; all of whom are much older than himself. The hood of his blue jacket is pulled up around his head in an attempt to hide himself from the world. He lets his head fall back against the rim of the metal chair, and he sighs in frustration.
"My name is Phoenix," says the teen begrudgingly to the ceiling tiles.
"Phoenix, you seem uncomfortable." An older woman, in her fifties, observes aloud. "I know that you haven't been to a meeting like this before, but your gran really thinks it could help you."
The boy slowly pulls his head up and stares at the woman; a scowl taints his face. The little zig zags across his cheeks remind the group who the young man really is.
"What would really help me is if everyone would just leave me alone." Phoenix mumbles as his gaze drops to his fingers that pick at the long sleeve of his jacket. "But since you are so observant. I'm not uncomfortable. I just don't see the point of these meetings."
The woman, who happened to gather and lead the group in their meeting, watches him with a small smile. It isn't the first young man she has met with a fiery rage in his heart.
"It's hard to see what we need until we step outside of ourselves. Until we step outside of our grief." She continues to encourage him with a soft, knowing expression gracing her face.
"Alright then, Harriet." Phoenix shrugs his shoulders, slicking back his hood and his wild auburn hair. His cerulean eyes shoot daggers across the circle at her. "What is it that you think I should do?"
Harriet, who maintains a graceful smile, just watches him writhe under her gaze. He is obviously uncomfortable and fighting to be in control of his own emotions.
"Phoenix," She fearlessly looks straight into his eyes, "you need to share your story."
"Why?" He spits, "everyone knows my story."
"Phoenix, nobody knows your story. Even if everyone knows what happened, it doesn't mean that anyone really knows you or knows how you feel. Allowing yourself to talk about it will help you process what happened." Harriet tells him.
Phoenix stares out towards the group, a glossy film forming over his eyes as memories flood his mind. No words form across his palette.
"Now," Harriet pauses while observing him, "you may choose to share today or simply listen. However, I would encourage you to share even just a little."
The silence among the rest of the group becomes deafening as Phoenix is caught in indecision. To be vulnerable with a group of strangers or to be brave. Bravery runs through his blood.
Phoenix coughs and sits up straighter in his chair. The group members watch with curiosity etched across their faces.
"There was this one time," Phoenix starts to whisper as a memory forms, "my dad woke me up before dawn. It was my ninth birthday."
His eyes flitter from person to person searching for judgement, but he finds only encouragement.
"He held my hand as we walked across the paths of our backyard into the lab reserve. We walked up to the highest hill on the property and sat together as the sun rose. I watched as the Pokemon on the reserve began to wake up and move about their days. Then he told me that one day I would be just like him and have enough Pokemon to fill the reserve." He sighs as the memory fades away, "I wanted to be a Pokemon trainer so badly. I watched my parents train all the time. They trained me to be the very best just like dad. I wasn't even a license age when…"
Phoenix trails off, and a fire ignites behind his irises. He ducks his head to hide his face under his auburn locks. Harriet's stomach churns at the sight of the grief-stricken young man. His pale skin whitens to a ghostly shade. The group members share sympathetic looks with one another as Phoenix's hands clench into fists, and he struggles to control his breathing.
"I wasn't even license age when they all died." Phoenix pulls a fist across his face as he wipes the forming evidence of grief from it.
Then he pulls himself together eerily well.
"When I was nine I was the only human survivor when my family's home caught fire." Phoenix states with no hint of emotion. "They found me in the ashes with my father's Raichu and my newly hatched Charmander. My parents were just in their thirties. My little sister, River, was five."
He stares blankly out across the circle. His deepest truths coming to light.
"And I wonder why I couldn't have just died with them." He states, moving his sight towards the ground in an attempt to hide the torment tearing across his face.
There is a deafening silence that creeps across the still room. There is no truly good response to his words. After a few moments of awkward shifting and sniffling, Harriet moves to speak again.
"What would your gran have if you weren't here still?" Harriet presses gently.
"Less to worry about." Phoenix sneers, but regrets it immediately when he thinks of his grandmother left all alone.
"So why are you here, if you don't want to be here, Phoenix?" Harriet asks, interest pouring from her lips.
Phoenix pauses momentarily and breathes heavily, "my gran told me that I either need to join a grief support group or head out on a Pokemon journey like my parents did."
"And you chose the grief support group, I see?" Harriet assumes.
"I don't know yet." He confesses, looking down at his hands. "I grew up believing I could be a Pokemon Master just like my dad, but every time I think about hitting the open road with my Charmander, I become afraid."
"Afraid of failure?" Harriet questions, "Or afraid you will succeed just like your parents?"
Phoenix's eyes snap up to meet her warm, brown irises. The question rings in his mind and he wonders if that is truly what he is afraid of. He falls into a thoughtful silence. Harriet decides that she has pushed him enough for the night and moves on to the next member sitting to his left.
Throughout the rest of the meeting and afterwards, Phoenix's thoughts mull over his own reasoning behind his decisions. He walks outside the Viridian City Recreation Center, where the meeting was held, in the brisk evening air. His grandmother offered to pick him up, but it is only a short walk back to Pallet so he refused.
Why had he decided to come to the support group? What is it that is holding him back from being a trainer? His parents were once elite trainers known around the world. Wasn't it supposed to be his destiny to be one of the best?
"Stop right there, small fry." A young adult man dressed in black appears in front of him. A red 'R' is plastered across his black hat.
Phoenix's eyes blare at the sight of the Team Rocket member. He is aware of their reputation as well as the fact that his father had considered them enemies. Nearly two decades ago, the gang had nearly been eradicated. Phoenix knows only that his father had been involved in their downfall. However, the criminal organization had regrown under new leadership over the last decade and had become a real problem once again. It is not uncommon to find gang members running rampant in the streets. The local police struggle to keep crime rates down as more trainers choose the darker path.
"I said stop, punk." The rocket member roars at Phoenix.
"Move out of my way." Phoenix growls at the man and grits his teeth.
"Not until you hand over your wimpy Pokemon." The grunt laughs evilly.
Phoenix's hands curl into tight fists as he contemplates his options; run or fight.
"I'll show you how wimpy my Pokemon is!" Phoenix snaps at the grunt. He pulls a ball out of his pocket and enlarges it. "Go, Charvo!"
A small, yellow lizard with a fiery tail emerges from the ball. Its leathery skin glitters, reflecting the light of the streetlamps. It screams its name at the larger man in front of it.
"Alright, kid! A shiny Charmander could get me a promotion." He smirks as he steps closer. "You might as well hand it over now."
"Never." Phoenix spits, his eyes narrowing.
"Suit yourself!" The grunt throws forward two Pokeballs.
A black furred dog with a bony exterior emerges and howls. Next to it, a large blue bat with an incredibly large jaw flaps its wings.
"Flamethrower!" Phoenix orders Charvo and he immediately complies.
"Dodge it!" The grunt screams at his Pokemon. The Houndour is able to jump away, but Charvo's flame follows the Golbat as it tries to dodge.
"Get in close!" Phoenix says.
"Air cutter! Bite!" The grunt orders.
Phoenix watches as Charvo runs head first into the battle, impressed by his natural talent. While Phoenix very rarely battled with Charvo, he has raised it well over the last seven years. He knew exercise and training routines that he often observed his father doing when he was a child. Training was an important part of Phoenix and Charvo's everyday routine and it was how the two came to share such a tight bond.
"Charvo, dragon rush!" Phoenix smirks as the grunt's mouth hangs open at his commands.
As Golbat sends an air cutter towards Charvo, Charvo dodges it, jumping high into the sky, and uses the Golbat as a diving board. The downward momentum positions him perfectly to use dragon rush on the unsuspecting Houndour.
"Metal claw!" Phoenix commands.
Charvo jumps back up at Golbat and slashes the bat to the ground.
The grunt stands in awe over his defeated Pokemon. He grits his teeth together as he returns them.
"Haven't you ever heard of egg moves before?" Phoenix grins at his victory.
"You better watch out, kid. That Charmander is a valuable creature." The grunt spits at Phoenix. "There are stronger Team Rocket members who won't be caught off guard next time."
Phoenix watches as the grunt takes off in a sprint and doesn't look back.
"Char! Char! Char!" The little lizard screeches and swings his claws around. The fire on his tail grows exponentially.
"What's going on, Charvo? Are you hurt?" Phoenix runs to him and kneels in front of him.
Suddenly, Charvo glows a brilliant white and his form expands. Phoenix falls backwards away from the blinding light.
"Char! Charmeleon!" Charvo roars when his evolution is complete.
"Charvo, you? You evolved?" Phoenix watches, baffled, as the pastel orange Pokemon shoots an intense red flame into the air.
"Char, Char, Charmeleon!" Charvo grins and steps toward Phoenix. He wraps his arms around his trainer and nuzzles his face.
"Oh stop it, Charvo!" Phoenix laughs as Charvo's sandpaper-like skin scratches at his face.
"Char, Char, Char!" Charvo laughs with shining glee in his eyes.
As Phoenix sits with Charvo on the sidewalk in Viridian City, the Team Rocket member's words haunt him. If word gets around that there is such a rare shiny Pokemon living in the area, they might come after Charvo. How do I keep him safe?
Phoenix watches as Charvo flexes his strong arms and shows off his new athletic body.
I need to make him as strong as possible, so that no one can ever steal him from me.
"Hey Charvo," Phoenix watches his best pal turn to face him with curiosity, "I think it's time we take to the open road. We can be champions just like our parents."
Charvo's eyes gleam at the idea of going on a journey. Ever since he hatched, Phoenix has been his whole world. Now, together, they would conquer the world.
In the new light of the day, nine-year-old Phoenix walks across the dewy grass after his father. Before them lies the Pokemon Reserve where most of his father's Pokemon are kept. The property backs up to their own, so it is a quick trek to the main area of the reserve.
"Phoenix," he smiles down at the boy, "hurry up, we don't want to keep him waiting."
"Keep who waiting?" Phoenix growls, irritated from being awoken so early in the morning. "You wouldn't tell me anything about why we're up before dawn."
"Oh, really no reason." The man ruffles his son's hair and continues chuckling. "It's really only because Charizard likes to wake up early."
"We're up at dawn to see Charizard?" Phoenix asks, annoyance evidence in his voice.
"Yes," His father just smiles trying to keep his true intentions a secret until the right time.
Phoenix just groans and follows his father while shaking his head.
Ahead of them, they spot a cave in the rocky hillside where Charizard often prefers to roost.
"What if he's not here?" Phoenix asks, ready to give his father hell for waking him up for nothing.
"Phoenix," his father snaps firmly, "you'll see why we're here soon."
Phoenix doesn't dare to respond. When his father drops his goofy act and becomes firm, he knows it is time to straighten up.
Together, they approach the cave slowly.
"Charizard?" his father questions softly while peering around the dark cave.
Phoenix's spine shivers when he hears a low rumble. The huge, dark orange dragon steps forth from the cave causing small rocks to tremble near his feet. It huffs smoke from its nostril and looks down at his master and his master's son.
Between his sharp claws and his scaly stomach rests a small orange egg with reddish tints flaring across the sides.
"Phoenix," his father rests a hand on his shoulder while looking up at Charizard, "Charizard and I have been talking about this for a long time."
His father reaches forward and gently takes the egg from the giant reptile. Charizard hands the egg to him without hesitation. In his father's arms the egg looks much larger.
"Charizard is one of my most trusted allies. I want my son to have a reliable Pokemon he can always trust. My friend, Charizard, has worked hard in his life to be a champion, but he knows that if he had stayed with his first smuck of a trainer he never would have become a champion. He wants his offspring to have a great, caring trainer. So, together we decided that a champion trainer's child should train the offspring of a champion Pokemon."
Phoenix looks between Charizard and his father, trying to piece together their intentions
"This Charmander will be your starter Pokemon." his father reiterates clearly. Charizard grunts and smiles in agreement. "It should hatch in a month or so. Long before your birthday. You'll be all set for your Pokemon Journey."
Phoenix's confusion slowly turns to joy as he realizes what is happening.
"Really?" Phoenix's wide eyes stare at the egg.
"Yes, but it is your responsibility to take care of it." His father peers down at him expectantly.
"Of course!" Phoenix exclaims as his father hands him the egg, "THANK YOU!"
"I knew you were planning to choose a Charmander anyway, so I am happy that this worked out. Now Charizard and I are in this together." His father laughs at his own joke. Charizard rolls his eyes in a joking manner.
"Charizard, don't you worry," Phoenix assures him, "this Charmander is going to be my best friend! I already love him! With him by my side, we will be unstoppable!"
Charizard chirps happily at the idea of his offspring being raised by his master's son whom he has known since his birth.
"Thank you, Charizard," Phoenix hugs the egg firmly, "and you too, dad."
His father pats Charizard on the back and grins at the dad-to-be.
"Come by anytime, buddy," He laughs heartily, "we've fireproofed the deck for you!"
After a few more minutes of chit chat, Phoenix and his father turn back towards their home.
The walk through the early morning is no longer tiring for Phoenix who holds his new Pokemon egg tightly making sure not to drop it. The dew is clearing up as the sun shines slightly higher in the sky. Their home comes into view and soon they approach the door and enter through.
"Ash? Phoenix?" Phoenix's mother asks as she comes around the corner. "Where did you two go off to?"
"Mom!" Phoenix squeals, "I got my first Pokemon!"
She looks at the orange and red egg and then up to Ash with a disapproving look.
"What did you do?" She glares at him.
"Misty," he raises his hands in defense with a grin, "I simply took advantage of a situation. Charizard's mate had and egg and he brought us it for Phoenix."
"Phoenix should have been allowed the chance pick Bulbasaur or Squirtle." Misty argues with a shake of her head.
"Hey!" Ash pokes at her, tickling her side, "you just wanted him to choose Squirtle!"
Misty gasps at the accusation, a small smile forming on her face, "I just want our son to make his own decisions!"
"I was going to pick Charmander anyway." Phoenix states in an attempt to stop his parents' quarrelling. "Dad has so many awesome stories about his Charizard. But the fact that Charizards can fly and carry people takes the cake!"
"Definitely your son." Misty rolls her eyes playfully and smacks Ash against the chest with the back of her hand.
"Damn right, he is." Ash boasts while sticking his tongue out at her.
I know what you're thinking. "How can I read a story where Ash and Misty are DEAD?" Just do it. It's complete and ready to be read! I promise you won't be disappointed.
If you read Heading Home, you know that I am wicked twisty. I LOVE Ash and Misty. They will be in every chapter. Don't let your guard down ;)
Love, Alert, Review!