Pokémon – Shades of Greatness
Chapter One – The Adventure Begins
Ezelo. A little-known region in the world of Pokémon. From its bustling cities to its beautiful countryside, Ezelo is an island of peace. An island of tranquillity. An island of opportunity.
And opportunity was just what awaited three young new Pokémon trainers. Living in Caneva town, the three young kids have recently turned 10- which makes them old enough to become Pokémon trainers. They are the most recent batch of "new blood" to begin the journey down the road towards success in the world of Pokémon training.
It will be a long road indeed. And one that won't be particularly easy to travel down. But, with the right attitude and a clear head, these three young trainers can easily come out on top.
For one of the trainers, it will be more difficult than for the others. His name is Jason Montoya. Jason was not raised with a great deal of affection. His parents only ever showed passing interest in him. That isn't to say they didn't love Jason, because they surely did. The problem is, Jason's elder brother, Eric, is clearly the favourite of the family. Eric is a tremendous Pokémon trainer and, in the eyes of his parents, though they love Jason very much, he will only ever be second best.
But our tale centres on the other two new trainers. One is a boy by the name of Matt Davis. Matt has been enamoured with the idea of Pokémon training for years now. His hero is Pokémon trainer Julian Storm, who seems headed towards a Pokémon World Championship victory. It is Matt's dream to become the greatest Pokémon trainer of all time.
Our other young aspiring trainer is Sara Cantrell, Matt's best friend. Sara also has tall ambitions of greatness for her future. She wants to be remembered as one of the all-time greats in the field of Pokémon training.
These two young friends will go far along their journey. But every tale has to begin somewhere. And it is in humble Caneva that our tale begins. It is a bright and early morning and Professor Maple is unlocking the door to his Pokémon Research Facility…
…
Matt awoke to the sound of his alarm clock. 7:30. In around an hour and a half, he was to receive his official Pokémon training licence and his first ever Pokémon. Today was to be the greatest day of his life so far. All that Matt had dreamed for was finally coming true. As he got dressed and ate his breakfast, he wondered how Sara was feeling, though he suspected she was just as excited as he.
At around 8:45, Matt said his goodbyes to his parents and made his way over to Professor Maple's Pokémon Research Facility. Matt had known Maple for a couple of years now. His studies on Pokémon had always fascinated Matt. Maple had recently contributed entries to the Pokédex and had worked with scientists from other regions to compile huge amounts of data on various Pokémon.
As Matt walked through town, he realised that this was probably going to be the last time he saw home for a long time. He would be travelling on the road to be a Pokémon master for weeks, months and years. Would he really have enough time to stop by at home? It was doubtful. But Matt realised that he wouldn't miss his old friends too badly as long as he made plenty of new ones on his adventure.
Matt rounded a corner and was greeted by the sight of Sara and Jason, stood outside the Pokémon Research Facility. He wandered over to them.
"Hey, guys," he started, "What's up?"
"Hey, Matt," said Sara with a smile, "We're waiting for Professor Maple to let us in so we can get our first Pokémon! I can't wait! Can you?"
"No way! I wonder what kind of Pokémon we'll receive?"
"I hope it's a cute Pokémon," Sara answered, "I don't like the scary looking ones"
"Hmph," Jason groaned, "Well, whatever Pokémon you guys get, I know mine's gonna be much cooler! And, what's more, I bet I can defeat both of you easily!"
"Don't be so sure, Jason," Sara replied, "Each Pokémon has its own individual strengths and weaknesses. Not all Pokémon types are stronger than others"
"Say what you will, Sara, but I know I'm going to pick the best Pokémon"
Sara sighed and rolled her eyes. Matt shrugged, not knowing what to say to lighten the mood. Suddenly, the attention of all three young trainers was captured by Professor Maple opening the door to the Pokémon Research Facility and greeting them with a welcoming smile.
"Ah, you're all here, then! All on time, ready and raring to go, I see!"
"Professor Maple!" Matt exclaimed, "Is it okay for us to come in and get our Pokémon now?"
Maple laughed, "Of course it is, Matt. Come on in. I've got your things ready for you"
The three kids followed Maple inside. The Facility was essentially one large room. At the back of the room was a large table and there seemed to be a sheet covering up lots of different objects- a few spherical things and a couple of box-shaped items.
"Congratulations to all three of you!" Maple beamed, "For today is the day you all receive your official Pokémon Trainers Licences!"
Maple pulled three small cards out of his top pocket, "And here they are!" He handed the cards to the new trainers- each with their name, picture and Trainer ID on.
"Wow, thanks, Professor!" Matt cheerfully exclaimed
"Now we're officially Pokémon Trainers…I can't believe it!" Sara said, almost with amazement in her voice.
"And that's not all I have to give you," Professor Maple smiled, "Have a look at these!"
Maple removed the sheet from the table- underneath were three Pokéballs and three Pokédexes- truly a sight that Matt and Sara were glad to see.
"Here are your Pokédexes," Maple said, handing one to each of the kids, "They're specifically programmed to work only for their owner, so you won't have to worry about them being stolen- they're worthless to anyone else. If you see a new Pokémon and you want data on it, point the Pokédex at it and press the SCAN button. Remember, the best way to get new data is to catch lots of Pokémon and study them"
"Why do we have to study them anyway?" Jason asked, a little impatient at being made to wait for his first Pokémon.
"Because that way we can learn about them," Maple replied, "And if we know more about Pokémon, we can improve our relationships with them. Why, it extends even to Pokémon battles- the more knowledge we have on Pokémon, the easier it is to work out new battle tactics"
"Well, whatever…when do we get our Pokémon?"
"Right now. And since you're so eager, why don't you pick first?"
Jason walked over to the table and inspected the Pokéballs. One had a flame on it, one had a drop of water, and the third had a leaf. After some though, Jason picked up the ball with the flame. He pressed the release button…
A bright flash of pure energy filled the area as the Pokémon inside the ball took form…
"Mag…by!"
"It's a Magby!" Sara exclaimed
"Is this the Pokémon you want, Jason?" asked Maple
Jason looked at the tiny fire Pokémon and it looked back at him. Jason realised Magby could be the first true friend he'd ever had.
"Totally. This is the Pokémon I want!"
Maple smiled, "I had a feeling you'd like that one. Now, which of you two wants to go next?"
"Ladies first!" smiled Sara
She walked over to the table and inspected the Pokéballs. She picked up the ball with the leaf. Pressing the release button, Sara was greeted by the sight of a small, weed-like Pokémon…
"Oddish! Oddish!"
"Ohh! It's so cute! This is definitely the Pokémon for me!" beamed Sara
"Well, Matt," Maple said, "I guess that leaves this Pokémon for you!"
"I sure hope it's a good one…" Matt replied, apprehensively.
"Oh, it's a good one alright!"
Matt wandered over to the table and picked up the final Pokéball. Tentatively, he pressed the release button. After the light had faded away, Matt was greeted with the sight of his new Pokémon.
"Wag! Poliwag!"
"Wow, hey, this one looks cool!" Matt decided now would be a good time to try out his Pokédex. He pointed it at Poliwag and pressed SCAN…
"Poliwag: A tadpole Pokémon," the Pokédex began in its tinny yet chirpy voice, "This slippery Pokémon is more capable in the water than on the land. The swirl on its stomach is actually its innards showing through its clear skin"
"Those are its innards!" Sara cried, shocked, "Ew!"
"I wonder what it's like in battle?" Matt queried
"Well, you won't have to wait long to find out!" Jason exclaimed, "I challenge you to a Pokémon battle, Matt!"
"A battle?" Matt was unsure. After all, he'd never been in a battle before, he'd only seen them on TV. But, he reasoned, if he was to become a Pokémon master, he had to start somewhere! "You're on, Jason!"
The two trainers stood at opposing sides of the room, eyes locked on each other.
"Ready, Poliwag?" asked Matt
"Poli, poli!"
Matt aimed his Pokédex at Magby and pressed SCAN.
"Magby: A Live Coal Pokémon. The flame it spits matches its body temperature of 1100 degrees. As it exhales, hot embers dribbles from its nose and mouth"
"Yuck," said Sara, "So it's a battle between a Pokémon with swirly inards and another with fiery snot?"
"I guess so," said Matt, "OK, Jason- your move!"
"Hah, I won't need any more than one! Magby, use your ember attack!"
A blazing fire shot out of Magby's mouth right at Poliwag.
"Poliwag, dodge it!"
Poliwag deftly avoided the fiery attack, leaping out of the way with milliseconds to spare. Landing not too far away from Magby, Poliwag quickly prepared itself to attack back.
"Poliwag, tackle it!"
Poliwag ran at Magby with a tackle attack. However, unable to walk very well, the attack missed and Magby unleashed another barrage of flame- this one connected with Poliwag!
"Poliii!"
"Hang in there, Poliwag!" Matt urged
"You've got no chance, Matt," Jason smirked, "This one's in the bag for me!"
"Oh yeah? Poliwag, bubble attack!"
A stream of bubbles spewed forth from Poliwag's mouth and knocked Magby to the floor! Magby staggered to its feet, but fell over, unable to battle!
"What? No! Magby, get up, you have to win this!" cried Jason
"This is what I was telling you about, Jason," Sara commented, "Every Pokémon has its own individual weakness!"
"No! I can't lose like this!"
"Sorry, Jason," Maple chimed in, "It looks like you already did…"
"Agh…well, forget it. I don't need to win every battle to become the greatest. I can still become the best Pokémon trainer of all time! And that's exactly what I'm going to do! Matt, Sara, see you around- I guess you'll be eating my dust as I rush past you in terms of ability!"
With that, Jason ran from the lab, off on his own personal adventure.
"Matt, Sara, I want to wish you both the best of luck on your journey," Maple smiled, "But before you go, there are a few things I ask of you"
"Sure, Professor, what are they?" asked Matt
"Pokémon training is all about friendship and camaraderie. You must raise your Pokémon to be your friends- there's no force greater in this world than the power of friendship. And, with that in mind, I'm going to recommend the two of you travel together"
"No problem, Professor," Sara smiled, "We'll get along just fine, right, Matt?"
"Uh huh!" Matt nodded
"Glad to hear it," Maple continued, "Also, I want you to keep an eye on Jason. I'm not asking you to follow him everywhere, but just try to watch out for him. I'm worried he may go out and do something that will get him in a lot of trouble; he's a very headstrong individual. Watch his back- you two are the nearest thing to friends he has"
"You got it, Professor. We promise to look out for Jason"
"Glad to hear it, Matt. So, you'll be off on your adventure now?"
"Sure, Professor, I guess. But there's just one question…"
"What's that?"
"Where do we go?" asked Sara
"Follow Route A out of town. That'll lead to to Roho Town. From there, you can take Route B onward to Naranje City. There's a Pokémon Gym there- you need 8 Pokémon Gym badges to enter the Pokémon League Challenge. Do your best, kids. I'm rooting for you!"
"Thanks, Professor. We won't let you down! Come on, Sara, we've got an adventure to go on!"
As Matt and Sara headed towards Route A, with Professor Maple watching them leave, Maple couldn't help but wonder what amazing escapes the duo would have. There would be plenty of Pokémon to catch, many people to meet and an astounding number of battles along the way. But the Professor knew he needn't worry.
After all, Matt and Sara displayed Shades of Greatness.