Chapter 1: Unaware Beginnings
It was a warm, sunny day outside. Mutant Bird Pokemon were chirping in the clear blue skies, with the fresh air lounging around. It was a strange day, since it was peaceful...or too peaceful. The world of Pokemon, living in societies, cities, kingdoms, and systems that would make them superior like humans. This was something that kept the world in balance. But that's for another time.
Somewhere in a forest, there were lakes. Pokemon playing in them and laughing together. However, a particular lake not too far was occupied by a single Pokemon. He was a strange fellow, indeed. A young blue Squirtle with tiny white feather-like wings for ears on his head were noticeable. His tail was white, but his back shell was also the strangest, having a symbol of a shell with clouds on it. He was laughing as he was playing by himself, blowing bubbles with a smile on his face. It was as if he was happy just being on the planet.
?: *laughs* I like bubbles!
The Squirtle swam around in the lake without a care in the world. His whole character was filled with curiosity, as such for a child of his age. He appeared to be happy almost all the time.
?: I like water! I wish I could swim in it forever! *laughs*
As he was about to head out of the lake, a Pokemon appeared from the thick trees. He was a Grovyle with a much darker green coat than a regular one, with some additional long leaves to his head, more leaves on his arms and back, and the most unusual thing, a tail with leaves on it. His appearance drew the Squirtle's curiosity as he got out of the water.
?: Wow! What are you?
Grovyle: Me? I'm Seth.
?: "Seth"? *laughs* That's a funny name!
Seth: Nah. I'm just called that way because of what my parents named me. I'm a Grovyle.
?: A Grovyle? Why's your name Seth if you already have a name like Gro...var...vie…
Seth: It's alright. I'm just a certain Grovyle, so that's why I'm called Seth.
?: Oh. It's a nice name for a strange Pokemon.
Seth: Ohoho! I should say the same thing to you. By the way, what's yours? Shouldn't a Pokemon like you be playing with others?
?: I don't have a name.
Seth: Oh, is that so?
The Grovyle picked him up in his arms, viewing him up close.
Seth: Well, you sure seem to smile a lot. I'll tell you what. I'm going to call you "Happy", how's that?
?: "Happy"? *laughs* That's a funny name!
Seth: At least it makes sense.
He then placed him down, suddenly noticing the symbol on the back of his shell. It appeared to have a water droplet surrounded by a splash resembling wings.
Seth: *points* Hey...What's that on your shell?
Happy: What's "what" on my shell?
He turned around, trying to see the symbol himself. His act was enough to earn a chuckle out of Seth.
Seth: *laughs* Don't worry about it. How about this? That symbol on your shell will be a great reminder of me and our first encounter.
Happy: Okay!
Seth: Well, it was nice meeting you, Happy.
Seth was about to take off, but Happy stopped him as he was curious about where he was going.
Happy: Wait! Where are you going?
Seth kneeled down next to him and wrapped his right arm around him saying...
Seth: I'm going to become an Explorer.
Happy: An Explorer? What's that?
Seth: It's an individual that travels the world for adventures.
Happy: Are they like pirates?
Seth: ...In a way, yes. But we're not as vicious as what some Pokemon think about us.
Happy: Oooh! *beams* Can I come?
Seth: ...Sorry, kid. But being an Explorer is dangerous.
Happy: Danger sounds fun!
Seth pondered for a moment on his comment. It was unusual for anyone to call danger "fun". But he was a child, so…
Seth: *sweat drop* ...Well, you're young. You'll understand what that means one day.
Happy: Okay! Well, when I get older, can I be an Explorer one day?
Seth: *smiles* Certainly!
Happy: Mr. Seth, does being an Explorer mean fighting strong Pokemon?
Seth: Yep! That's exactly part of what being an Explorer is!
Happy: Wow! If so, I wanna be the strongest Pokemon in the world!
Seth: *laughs* I'm sure you will be!
Happy: That means I'll get to fight you too one day!
Seth: *nods* Yes. I look forward to it. But...I noticed something about you. Why are you out here alone? Don't you have someone looking after you?
Happy: My grandpa usually takes care of me. He tells me to avoid strangers. By the way, what's a stranger, Seth?
Seth: ...You're full of questions, aren't you? Well, a stranger is...someone you don't know.
Happy: That would mean you, wouldn't it?
Seth: ...Somewhat, yes. But we know each other now, so we're friends.
Happy: A...friend?
Seth: Someone you know.
Happy: Oh!
Seth: Yep. Well, kid, I've gotta go. I'm supposed to head out to sea to join a crew. When you get older, I'll be looking forward to seeing you again out there on the seas, okay?
Happy: Okay! Bye, Mr. Seth!
Seth walked past the lake and disappeared through the trees as Happy waved goodbye to him. This would be the last time he saw him.
Happy: What a cool Pokemon.
He looked up at the sunny skies, wondering what he would be like in the future.
Happy: …One day, I want to be the strongest Pokemon in the world…!
...
As little Happy made his way through the forest by running, he was excited to tell his grandfather what he experienced today. Not looking where he was going, he bumped into another Pokemon. She was a Bayleef with two longer complete orange leaves from her forehead and neck, blue eyes, and a light brown body. She appeared to be carrying saddlebags, which spilled out fruits from the impact. When she got up, she was not in a pleasant mood.
?: *frustration mark* Hey, watch it, you little punk! That was supposed to be for my dinner, and now they're all dirty! I hope you have the money to pay for it!
Happy: *points* Oh, wow! You have the same leaves as that Seth guy!
?: Are you deaf?! I'm talking to you! My fruits are on the ground! Pick them up! Now!
He still didn't hear what she said and continued eyeing her appearance, which confused her.
?: (...This Pokemon's stupid…! It's like I'm talking to a brick wall…!)
He then noticed the fruits on the ground and picked them up as he was about to place them into her bags.
Happy: I think these are yours. What kind of Pokemon are you?
She got up and extended some orange vines around her neck to pick up the remaining fruits as she tried to maintain her composure. Seeing her using her vines intrigued Happy, wondering about her entire being.
?: Does it matter to you?! My dinner's ruined, thanks to you!
Happy: *smiles* You're welcome.
?: *angrily groans* What a total moron you really are! Have you no sense of self?!
Happy: What's a "moron"?
She bowed her head in disappointment, feeling overwhelmed by his actions.
Happy: Those vines you did just now...Can you do it again?
?: Why? Getting a kick out of it or something? It's just me using them for my daily life.
Happy: It's so cool to see you using them! I wish I could do that!
?: Pfft. Keep dreaming, kid. You'll never be able to do what I can do.
Happy: How come?
?: ...You'll understand it one day.
Happy: Well, if you'd like, I can ask my grandpa to take you in for dinner.
?: Eh? *shakes head* Nonononono. I don't think so.
Happy: Oh, come on. My grandpa won't mind. I promise!
?: *sighs* …Fine. If it'll get you off my hump, then I'll go. Just let me notify my parents first.
Happy: Okay! Can I come too?
?: (...Dammit…! I was gonna leave him here and bail, but he's really eager to come along…! *sighs* I've got no choice…) ...Sure, come along.
Happy: Alright! *laughs*
He jumped on her back, and the two of them ran off through the forest.
?: By the way, you mentioned a "Seth" guy. I don't know who that is, but he must be important to you.
Happy: Well, he's someone I met earlier.
?: Oh. I know we started off wrong, but it's rude of me to not introduce myself. I'm Baye, a Bayleef. What's yours?
Happy: My name's Happy.
Baye: ...Weird name.
Happy: Seth gave it to me.
Baye: *sweat drop* (...Oh great...More weirdness…)
As the two continued, they managed to reach a small town. It was filled with a variety of Pokemon that appeared to be farmers, toting wagons filled with fruits and vegetables. Some of them also had mutant-like Pokemon such as bulls and horses toting the wagons. Baye herself raced through the town in a hurry until she reached her house. It looked like the other houses, only with vines and plants growing on it.
Baye: We're here. Kid, stay right there. I'm going to make it as quick as possible. (...I'll pretend to ask my parents just so that I can lose him…!)
As Happy got off her back, she opened the door and went inside, with Happy standing alone outside. Inside, she shouted…
Baye: Mom! Dad! I'm home!
…To which a voice responded to her, answering back. From the kitchen appeared a female Chikorita who was almost Baye's height. She looked older and had a lighter body color than her daughter's, with the same two orange leaves above her head. The buds around her neck were also orange, but she had more than a regular Chikorita, and her eyes were red.
?: Oh, sweetheart! You're home! Honey! Our daughter's home!
Her father also responded, appearing from the bedroom. He was an older Meganium that had a yellow body color with green eyes, followed by red flower petals around his neck. His stamen-like antennae was longer, although it drooped somewhat in his face. What was interesting was the glasses he wore, signaling trouble with his eyesight, and smoked a cigar in his mouth. He also had a Mutant bird Pokemon perched on his back that appeared to be a cross between a Marowak and a Murkrow.
?: Ah...You're back, dear. What took you so long?
She looked to the window, with Happy dancing in place. She smiled a bit, but felt guilty from her earlier thoughts. She didn't want to disappoint him by ditching his invitation, forcing her to make a choice.
Baye: Well...I was invited to stay somewhere for dinner. Is it alright with you two?
Her father responded, unsure about her words with...
Maga: ...Where, exactly?
Baye: Well...hold on a moment.
She turned around and opened the door again, which drew Happy's attention.
Baye: ...Happy, was it? Come here for a moment.
Happy: Okay!
He happily ran inside as Baye closed the door behind him. Her parents were met with awe at his appearance. Her mother was ecstatic about him, while her father was puzzled about him.
Chibi: *gasps* Oh my goodness! He's so cute! How can you say no to him?
Maga: Hold on a moment, dear. I'm sorry, what was your name again?
Happy: My name's Happy!
Baye's parents had shocked reactions, remaining silent for a moment as they exchanged glances with one another before Maga responded to break the awkward atmosphere.
Maga: ...I-I'm sorry, what was that?
Chibi: I...I think he said his name was...Happy…
Maga: *sweat drop* ...Kids today are getting weirder names...A-Anyway, where do you stay at, and are your parents okay with this?
Happy: My grandpa won't mind. He loves company!
Maga: ...If you say so...I guess you can go, sweetheart...Just get home before darkness arrives.
Baye: Don't worry, Dad. I will.
Chibi: Aww...Well, you two go on and have a nice dinner at his house. We'll be here waiting for you.
Baye: Thanks, Mom. Oh, I forgot. I bought these at the fruit market in another town, but you might want to wash them off before preparing them.
She went into the kitchen and set her saddlebags on the table before heading outside.
Chibi: Thank you, sweetheart. We'll pay you once you get back.
Baye: Okay! See you later, Mom and Dad!
As they headed out the door, her parents waved with their vines as she ran off to the forest with Happy on her back. Like usual, she took the same path as before, although she stopped for a moment to ask Happy something.
Baye: Say...Where does your grandpa live?
Happy: He lives in a cabin with two large flowers.
Baye: *sweat drop* (...That's easier said than done…) Sorry, kid. You'll have to show me where he lives so I'll get a better understanding of it.
Happy: Sure!
He hopped off her back and walked the rest of the way with her following behind. Before they could reach his grandfather's house, a large Onix rose up from the ground, although there was something strange about it. The Onix had moss all over its rocky body and leaves on top of its head, but the strangest thing was its face. It had small, beady red eyes and a flat mouth that resembled an Oddish's. When it talked, its voice sounded like it had two instead of one as it shouted…
?: FOOD…! FOOOOOOOOOD! *roars loudly*
Happy: *laughs* What is that?
Baye was terrified out of her mind upon seeing the giant creature. It towered over them like an Onix would, but with the small red eyes, it only increased its intimidation. Nervously, she answered with…
Baye: I-I d-don't know...B-But...W-Whatever it is...we're on its d-d-dinner menu!
...