DISCLAIMER: I don't own Pokemon or any characters/locations associated with it. I do own this story and the main character, Thomas.

This is my attempt at a new-trainer fanfic, and it is a prequel to my other Pokemon fanfiction, The Pokemon World Cup. It charts the journey of Thomas Franklin, a 10-year-old boy about to start his Pokemon journey.

Hopefully, you'll join me on this ride as Thomas endures the highs and lows of life as a Pokemon trainer.

Pokemon Hero Tales

Chapter 1: The Beginning

The sun rose high above the New York skyline, signalling the start of another day. But for the Franklin household, this was not just an ordinary day. This was the day that their eldest son, Thomas Franklin, would start a journey. A life-changing journey that would take years to reach its destination. And that destination was none other than the greatest Pokemon tournament in the world, The World Cup. Of course, Thomas had no idea of how long it would take him. But he was willing to face up to anything.

In the house, the Franklins were sitting down to breakfast. Janet, Tom's mother, was speaking to him. 'Whatever you do, whether it's successful or not, don't forget that we'll always be proud of you.' Dan, Janet's husband and Tom's father, continued. 'Now you go on and carry on our legacy son.' Dan started his own journey twenty years previously, but it was stopped by the sudden illness and subsequent death of his own father. Now his son was getting ready to start his journey. 'When do you have to be at Professor Cole's lab?' said Janet. 'By ten o'clock,' replied Thomas. He looked at the clock. 'Aaaah...I gotta go...' It was 9.40. 'OK,' said his father, 'We'll see you soon. Bye!' 'Goodbye!' said Thomas as he dashed through the door. He ran to a car, which was parked outside the house, and got into it. 'Thanks for taking me there, Joe.' Joe, a friend of Toms, replied, 'No probs.'

When they got to the centre, they found a small crowd of people gathered outside the lab. 'I guess these guys are starting their journeys too' he said. 'These are just supporters, waiting to see this years crop of new Pokemon trainers...oh, you better go in, I'll be out here to see which Pokemon you got.' He went inside, to find Professor Cole saying goodbye to the last trainer. 'And you must be Thomas,' he said shaking Tom's hand, 'I'm sure you'll do well. Here's your Pokedex and Pokeballs. The Pokedex will identify any Pokemon you aim it at, giving you a short bio of the species, OK?' 'Yes,' replied Tom. 'OK, now it's time to determine your first Pokemon. Choose a number between one and ten.' He chose number eight. 'Sorry, that one's taken.' said Cole. 'OK, number...4 please' said Thomas. 'OK, number 4 is...' He released the Pokeball, and out came a Charmander. Tom aimed the Pokedex at it. 'Charmander, a fire type Pokemon, it can burn anything to a crisp with its various fireball attacks,' it said. 'Good choice Tom' said Cole. 'Here's a map of the Kanto area. That's the first area you'll fly to.' 'Cool,' said Thomas. 'OK, your plane is due to leave soon, so better get going. If you need any help, just give me a phone call.'

He left the lab. The crowds cheered as Tom went out of the gate. His parents showed up as well. He went to a microphone. 'Thank you all for turning up to give me and the other trainers support as we start our journeys. I know it's going to be a long one, but I can assure you that in a few years time, I'll bring the trophy home. Thank you!' he said. Then he left the stage and boarded a plane bound for Kanto. He chose a seat next to another trainer. 'I'm Thomas, who are you?' he asked. 'My name is Mark' replied Mark. The plane took off. 'Next stop, Kanto!' said Tom. It was a five-hour flight to Pallet Airport, so the trainers on board bided their time by talking about their hopes for their Pokemon journey. 'I hope to become a fire-based Pokemon trainer' said one. 'And I want to become the world's greatest Eevee trainer.' said another. 'I just want to try and get to the World Cup tournament' said Tom.

The plane touched down at Pallet Airport at about 6pm that evening. The trainers all shook hands with each other as they went their seperate ways. They probably wouldn't see each other again, at least until the World Cup tournament. All of the trainers were booked up in hotels for the night, and they would start their journeys the next day. Tom went into his hotel and was given a set of keys to his room. He put his backpack on his bed and decided to go to the cafe to have something to eat. When he got there, he met another Pokemon trainer named Todd Snap, and they started chatting to each other. 'You new here?' asked Todd. 'Yes, I'm trying to become a Pokemon trainer and enter into the World Cup tournament.' said Thomas. 'Well, first of all, to enter the Pokemon World Cup tournament you need to finish within the top two of the League tournaments. There are three Leagues held in the space of about a year and a half, they're called the Kanto League, the Johto League and the Hoenn League. You have to collect badges in order to qualify for the league competitions, in this area you need 8 badges to enter the Kanto League.' said Todd. 'Pretty big challenge ahead then I guess' said Thomas. 'Anyway, I'm a Pokemon photographer, hence the surname, Snap,' said Todd, 'I'll see you whenever OK, Tom, pleasure to meet you.' They shook hands with each other. Tom finished his food and then left the cafe. In the lobby he saw a video phone, so he decided to call his parents. He put some money in the machine and dialed the number. 'Hello?' said his father on the other end. 'Hey, it's Thomas.' replied Tom. 'Thomas! Are you there yet? Where are you?' asked Dan. 'I'm in a hotel in Pallet Town, Kanto. I got here at about half-past six this evening, and I'm gonna start my journey in the morning.' said Tom. 'How's your Pokemon?' said Dan. 'He's fine' said Tom, stroking Charmander, who was by his side. 'So where you heading for tomorrow son?' asked Dan. 'The first gym I guess. I met another Pokemon trainer earlier, well, actually he's a photographer, called Todd Snap.' Dan interrupted him. 'Oh I've heard of him. He's taken some good Pokepics. Carry on...' 'He told me about the League system and how you have to collect badges to enter the leagues and then come in the top two of these leagues to progress through to the World Cup. Anyway, my money's running out now, I've gotta go. Bye!' said Tom. 'Bye son!' said Dan.

He went up into his room, and recalled his Charmander. He lay on the bed, thinking. 'Tomorrow begins my quest for the Pokemon World Cup tournament, via the Kanto, Johto and Hoenn Leagues.' He got up to look at the map that Professor Cole had given him earlier that day. 'Nearest gym from here is Viridian. Looks like I gotta go through the forest to get there. Get ready Mr. Gym Leader, 'cos Thomas is raring to go!' He got into bed and flipped the light off. 'Goodnight everyone' he said, even though he was the only one in the room. He fell asleep.

The next day when Tom woke up, it was still dark, for it was only 5.30. He decided to take a (very) early morning stroll outside. Tom released his Charmander and they set off. He heard a flock of Pidgey singing their dawn chorus, and some Spearow flew overhead. It was only half-light so Tom couldn't see if any other Pokemon were about. 'Brrr...it's freezing, even with a coat on isn't it Charmander?' said Tom. 'Char-char-char' replied Charmander (T: It's alright for me. I got my burning tail.) They went back inside just in time to see that breakfast was being served. Tom recalled his Charmander and went up to the counter. 'What would you like?' asked the waitress. 'Er...um...Bacon and eggs please.' replied Tom. 'OK, take a seat. We'll bring it as soon as we can.' said the waitress. He went to his seat. About 5 minutes later he was given his breakfast. Just then, someone patted him on the back. It was Todd. 'Hey Todd' said Tom. 'You gearing up for your journey?' said Todd. 'Yup' said Tom. 'I guess you'll need these then' said Todd, handing him a basket with food in it, 'You'll need this for the forest leg, it could take a few days to reach the city. 'Thanks Todd' said Tom. 'If ever you need anything, give me a phonecall.' said Todd.

Tom then went back up to his room to collect his stuff. Then he checked out of the hotel and went out, heading towards the Viridian Forest.

And I think that's where I'll leave it for now. What do you think? Review and let me know.