(Author's Note: This was a test series I came up with on a whim. It was started April 2000 and actually was thought up before Nintendo started work on their Pokémon Crystal game for the Gameboy Color. It also was written long before Pokémon Advance was a twinkle in someone's eye. The general premise here is a "series" with the titles and such. I was even trying to work out a rough "theme" for it, as you can see below. Since this is my first-ever Pokémon fanfic, please take mercy on it. TG, 25 Nov 2003)

POKÉMON: CRYSTAL
(POCKET MONSTERS: HUNT FOR THE CRYSTAL MONSTERBALL!)

(Episode 1)
"Pokémon, Here We Come!"
(New Masters, New Adventure!)

Written by TiredGamer

-=-=-=-=-

A new grand adventure awaits for us
New horizons just ahead
I will catch Pokemon
Train to be the best.

Never know just what test
We'll face on the journey
Two-Hundred Fifty Pokemon
I'll catch'em all, I will be...

Pokemon
The greatest of them all
Just you and me, we'll beat them all
Pokemon

Face the challenge, win the day
Nothing will stand in our way!

(Pokemon)
Find the right path to take
(Pokemon)
Fight and win every day

Just you and me
We can be
The best..
Oh yeah... (the best)
PO-KE-MON!

New lands and new friends
A whole world just awaits



A brand new journey..
We'll stick together!





POKEMON!
The journey's just begun...
POKEMON!
The more the better...
POKEMON!
Team Rocket's on the run...
POKEMON!
We're friends forever.

You've got the power,
Right in your hands..
They'll evolve before your eyes..
A world of magic,
At your command.
You can be a master if you try..

POKEMON!
Searching every day..
POKEMON!
For the answer..
POKEMON!
No time to delay..
POKEMON!
This grand adventure!

You've got the power..
You've got the power..

A team united..
You'll always win..
Oh, together we stand tall..
Unlock the secrets deep within..
Learn to be the greatest of them all!

The journey's just begun
Team Rocket's on the run..

POKEMON: CRYSTAL!

-=-=-=-=-

It's quickly approaching dusk in Terreth Town, a small patch of wood houses nestled between the forest and low mountains. But not too late for a young boy, playing in the forest's edge.

The young boy has climbed an apple tree, and is picking the shiny red fruit. He marvels at every apple before tossing it to the grass-covered ground. A few more apples fall, and then he slides down the tree's trunk to the ground. As he hits the ground, the shadows pass away. The boy stands a shade over a meter and a half, and is wearing a light-tan cotton shirt and denim shorts. Something hangs around his neck, and he has short dark-brown hair. He appears to be only nine or ten years of age.

The young boy gathers up the apples into a wicket basket and starts running across an open field to a brownish-red wood house. The house has a small garden, and is surrounded by a wood post fence, with a stone walkway. The boy stops a moment to catch his breath before opening the door.

The interior is decorated with a series of warm wallpapers, and wood flooring. Standing in the enterance hallway, the boy quickly slips off his shoes. He races down the hallway, past the stairs leading upwards to a second story, and into a dining room. As he starts into the kitchen, an unseen foot trips him, and he sprawls to the kitchen floor. The basket spills its contents across the room, one bumping into a pair of feet.

The young boy starts to get up, but a sock-covered foot pushings onto his back. The young girl grins like the perverbial cat that's caught a mouse, while the little boy struggles. "MOOOOOM.. SHE WON'T LET ME GET UUUP!!"

A middle-aged woman is standing before a sink filled with water and dishes. She continues to scrub, nary turning her head, "Stop holding down your brother, dear."

The "dear" in question is an older girl, perhaps fifeteen. She has fire-red hair like her mother, and is current adorned in denim jeans and an off-white tee. Her grin disappeared, she removes her foot from her brother's back. He leaps up and tries to look threatening, balling his little hands into fists. The girl looks unimpressed and yawns, then swiftly puts her hand on the boy's head as he starts swinging wildly. "You don't scare me, brat."

The boy reddens and grows fangs, "Brat!?!? I'll show you..."

"That's not how our little Pokemon Master is going to act in battle, is it?" asks a broad-sholdered man with dark-brown hair, as he steps into the kitchen. He quickly steps between the two feuding siblings as they start madly chattering at each other. "Timothy, I expect you to act right when I'm not around." Timothy teardrops and looks at the floor. The girl grins wide and then sticks her tongue out at her brother. "And that goes double for you Elizabeth," he adds, causing her to facefault. "You're the eldest, so you should know better than to fight."

-=-=-=-=-

The father sits both of them down on a couch. They both eye each other, and quickly slide to opposite ends. "Tomorrow, Timmy, you're going to be starting off on your Pokemon quest. Before your mother and I can let you go, we both need to know that you'll be able to handle yourself, and not act shamefully." Timmy shakes his head up and down lightning-fast. "We also need to feel you're safe while you explore the world. That's why Beth is going with you."

-=-=-=-=-

Beth's face sags, her eyes start to water, and then she starts to bawl, "I don't wanna go with him!! I don't wanna play babysitter!!" As soon as she sees the stern look on her father's face, she suddenly softens up and bats her eyelashes. "Maybe one of Timmy's friends can tag along, and then I can stay here-"

"No!" Their father's voice is stern, and the siblings sit upright. "I need you to go with him, Beth. It's the best way to make sure he's safe. I'm also sure that you'll find the travel just as fun." Seeing Beth's mouth begin to open, his face reddens. "I expect you to go, I've already made all the arrangements!"

Both children look at each other wearily, then are snapped back to attention by their father. "When I was little like you, I went on a quest for Pokemon all by myself. I would always wish that I had a brother or sister to travel with, so that I didn't feel so lonely. It was only after I made friends with other Pokemon trainers that traveling wasn't so scary."

Timmy grins, "And that's how you met Mom, while you were searching for Pokemon!"

Beth folds her arms in disgust, "That's because she was a gym leader, so he had to meet, and defeat her to get into the Pokemon League."

Their father sits down between them and wraps his arms around both children. "That's right, you'll meet many different people out in the world. Some will be your friends, some will be your rivals, and maybe.." Both children have a look of "blech." "And the most important thing of all, training Pokemon."

"I wanna Nidoking!" exclaims Timmy. He then leaps up onto the couch and throws an invisible Pokeball, "Nidoking, GO!"

Beth rolls her eyes. Then her face lights up as she thinks about Pokemon, "I want a Vulpix. They're so cuute.." 3 3 3

Their mother walks out of the kitchen, "I'm sure both of you will get an opportunity to catch the Pokemon you want." Her husband leaps up and stands next to her. "But this is your last night, and it's time for both of you to get ready for bed. That means a good, hot bath. You're going to both need your sleep, so no reading past bedtime."

Both whimper, "But Moooom.."

"Go..."

Both children trudge up the stairs, until it's a race to see who gets the bath first. Both parents fall down onto the couch and sigh.

-=-=-=-=-

The sun has arisen on another day in Terreth Town. Pidgey chirp peacefully in the fields, Rattata forage on the forest floor. But at the home of Beth and Timmy, the sounds of chaos erupt.

"It's MY backpack!"

"No, it's MINE. Yours is over there!" Sounds of crashing ensue.

Beth and Timmy are each tugging a tattered, forest-green backpack while they stand in the center of a room that looks wreaked. Just then a thundering voice rings up the stairs, "The green is for Timmy, and the red is Beth's!" Both children stop immediately and teardrop. Then Timmy snatches the backback triumphantly from Beth's hands and cuddles it while sticking out his tongue at her.

-=-=-=-=-

Beth and Timmy both stand in a large room, filled with framed pictures of Pokemon and other related items. On one side of the room, against the wall, are large oak shelves. Each shelf is lined with small red & white balls, about the size of orange. The children's eyes are wide with wonderment and awe. In the center of the room is a large, black marble table butted by a contraption of some type. The machine is cylindrical, with a piece of machinery hanging over it.

Both of their parents are there, looking teary-eyed. Their mother steps forward and hugs them both, "I'm so proud of you two. I know you'll make great Pokemon Trainers, both of you." She backs away, and their father hugs them both. "Just don't be afraid to call us whenever you need to."

That's when he shows them to the table. Laying there are two sets of items: a flat, red book-shaped object, and five Pokeballs that are minimized. Behind them is a small stand, holding two full-sized Pokeballs. "To get you started on your journey, we're both giving you a starting Pokemon, two that used to belong to us."

Timmy starts to reach toward one of the Pokeballs when Beth jets in front of him. In a flash of movement, she picks up one of the full-size balls and a set of five empty Pokeballs & the red tablet. Timmy blinks for a moment, and then snatches the remaining Pokeball and accessories.

Timmy looks at the red tablet in his hands, "What's this-"

As it flips open, it reveals a small screen above several keys, and a selector keypad. The screen lights up. "Hello. I am Dexter, and I am your Pokedex. I am programmed to provide a listing of all currently-known Pokemon and accessories, as well as Pokemon types and known special abilities. I am also programmed to offer ideas and hints about Pokemon Training."

Beth looks at Timmy, "Dummy, didn't you know what a Pokedex is?"

Beth's mother pats her back, "There, there dear, Timmy is younger than you. He hasn't had time to study Pokemon. That's why it's important that you look out for him."

-=-=-=-=-

And as Beth and Timmy walk down the road away from their home, they wave goodbye to their parents and home. Both of their parents wipe away tears as their children leave Terreth Town. Quickly the children are on a roadway into the Terreth forest, walking on opposite sides of the road..

Timmy looks at the Pokeball in his hand, and then over at his bigger sis, "Are you gonna look?"

Beth folds her arms and tilts her head away from him, "I'm not talking to you."

"Why not?"

Beth is quiet. She starts looking into the forest, trying to ignore him.

"If you don't answer me, I'll-"

Beth stops and snorts, "What? Cry, like usual?" She turns to face him down.

Timmy also stops and turns to face her. "I'll... I'll.." He then looks at the Pokeball and grins. "I'll sic my Pokemon on you!"

Beth growls and grabs her Pokeball, "I'll sic my Pokemon on your Pokemon!"

Both stare each other down. Minutes pass, and the forest noises are the only breaks in the silence.

"I'll show you! Pokemon, GO!" Timmy throws his Pokeball.

"Oh yeah!? Pokemon, GO!" Beth throws her Pokeball as well.

Timmy and Beth both facefault.

"Mar-ril?"

"Me-ow?"

Timmy pulls out his Pokedex...

"Marril, the water mouse Pokemon. Marril have extremely good hearing, and can attack using their water gun attack."

Timmy looks near tears. "It's.. it's.."

Beth slowly opens her Pokedex...

"Meowth, the feline Pokemon. Meowth are quite intelligent, and are able to attack with their extremely-sharp claws."

Beth whimpers, "It's.."

Timmy and Beth start bawling, "Worthleessss!!"

Marril looks around questioningly, "Marril Marril?"

Meowth also has a look of puzzlement, "Me-owth?"

Marril suddenly gets a panicked look, "Marril Marril!!"

Just then, a roar sounds through the forest. Beth and Timmy look up to see a shadow fall over them and everything around them. A thunderclap sounds as two massive wings beat, attached to a huge red body. Both the children are knocked to the ground and drop their Pokeballs and Pokedex.

"Charizard, the evolved form of Charmeleon, the fire lizard Pokemon. Charizard are one of the most powerful fire-based Pokemon with their scorching flamethrower attack."

Beth jumps up and grabs her stuff, then grabs Timmy, "We've gotta run!"

Timmy pulls at her, "But we gotta fight it, it's our only chance!"

Just as Beth opens her mouth the Charizard roars and lands on the road, and the direction home. She starts crying, "It's cut off our escape..!"

Timmy looks down at Marril, then points at Charizard, "You're our own chance, you've gotta put out Charizard's flame!"

Marril's face turns blue, "Mar-ril, Mar-.."

"You've _gotta_, or we'll be toast!"

Marril nods and runs towards Charizard, which looks almost amused. Marril shoots several water gun attacks, which Charizard deflects with it's claws.

"Meowth, go! Frenzy swipe!"

Just then, Meowth leaps at Charizard and slashes its face.

Timmy grins at his sister, then turns back to the battle, "Now, Marril, get past Charizard and water gun it's tail!"

Marril bounds past the behemoth and shoots a water gun at Charizard's tale, which simmers and smokes. Charizard leaps into the air with a roar, and flies a few meters up. It looks at Timmy and Beth, who both freeze and start tearing, then it upturns its head and blows a puff of black smoke. Just as soon as it had arrived, Charizard disappears beyond the trees.

Timmy and Beth jump into the air and high-five, whooping in triumph.

Then they realize what's happened.

Immediately they start bickering at each other about whose fault it was, and who REALLY saved the day. As they bicker, they start down the road again.

Marril looks at Meowth, "Marril?"

Meowth shrugs, "Me-owth.."

Both Pokemon start running after their masters who are walking away into the distant sun.


And so begins another fantasic journey. There'll be spills, and chills, and certainly a few surprises along the way. Together, Timmy and Beth will discover that there's a whole world out there waiting for the Pokemon Trainer. And who knows, maybe they'll learn to work together...

"Come back with my Pokedex you BRAT!!"

Well, a big maybe...

-=-=-=-=-

Next Time on POKÉMON: CRYSTAL...

Tim and Beth arrive in Kero City. Once there, they stop at the Pokémon Center, and make a call to their parents. After deciding to stay the night, the children sleep soundly, unaware of the dangers they are. A new threat reveals itself, and the children will intervene to save the Center's Pokémon. It's a troubling moment, on Episode 2 of POKEMON: CRYSTAL...

"Trouble Times Two"

Beth: "Who are they, again?"

-=-=-=-=-

Pokémon and certain characters are , ®, or © Nintendo and are used without permission.
"Pokémon: Crystal" serial fanfiction & concept © 2000 Brightblade Productions