I do not own anything from the Pokemon franchise aside from my own Original Characters and any Original Plots I make.
It had been four hours after leaving Sandgem Town that Marcus encountered his first obstacle. He had been walking down the path through the forest that would lead him to Jubilife City, where he would make a pit stop, before heading on towards Oreburgh City, the site of his first Gym Badge, when a small, blue-black feline Pokemon resembling a lion cub or perhaps a lynx stepped into his path. It's fur was wild and unkempt and the creature's eyes were ferocious and battle hungry.
"It's a Shinx!" Marcus gasped, recalling the pictures of the cub-like Pokemon he had seen from all the books he had read. Shinx would make a fine addition to his team. He could use it in his Oreburgh City Gym Battle. Sure, it'd be at a disadvantage but there were ways to get around that. He also knew how powerful their final evolved forms were. Marcus quickly pulled out his PokeDex: "Shinx - the Flash Pokemon. This Pokémon generates electricity by contracting its muscles. Excited trembling is a sign that Shinx is generating a tremendous amount of electricity."
Marcus put his PokeDex away then examined the Shinx for a few more seconds before turning to Riolu, who was still perched on his shoulder. "Let's catch this Shinx! What do you think, partner?"
"Rio-lu!" The Emanation Pokemon exclaimed, eager for battle, and jumped off his shoulder. It was then that the Shinx noticed them and almost immediately, arched its back, growling and snarling. Sparks of lightning erupted on its fur; a sign it was ready for battle.
"Riolu, use Quick Attack!" Marcus began and Riolu shot forwards with the speed of a rocket and slammed into the Flash Pokemon with great force. Shinx yelped in pain and stumbled back from the biting blow but regained it's composure quickly before launching it's counterattack. Sparks of lightning exploded around its form before it darted forwards and slammed into the little jackal with a surprising amount of force. The Fighting-Type yelped as he was sent skidding across the ground. "Riolu, are you okay?"
"Riooo..." The Emanation Pokemon growled as he pushed himself to his feet and nodded at his trainer, before turning back to Shinx, awaiting further instructions.
"Alright, Riolu, let's bombard it with Hidden Power!" Glowing orbs of raw energy erupted around Riolu and he thrust his paw forwards, sending them rocketing towards the electric cub who began dodging each of the energy orbs with skill and grace. But Marcus was planning for this. With a smirk on his face, he shouted, "Riolu, hit it with a Quick Attack!"
It certainly turned out to be a surprise for the Shinx. Riolu quickly ceased his Hidden Power and rushed in, slamming his entire body into the Electric-Type. The Flash Pokemon let loose another scream as it was struck again by the same attack. It prepared to ram the Fighting-Type with an electrified tackle again but Marcus wasn't going to let that happen.
"Finish it off with Hidden Power!" A second wave of glowing energy orbs at such a close range was more than the Shinx could handle. The electric cub was sent crashing into one of the many trees that lined the pathway and showed no signs of getting back up. Marcus took his chance then and there and threw a Pokeball at it. Shinx's form vaporized into red light which was then sucked into the red-and-white capturing device. Marcus waited with bated breath as the Pokeball shook once, twice, thrice and then clicked and finally went still.
Marcus whooped loudly before he walked over to the Pokeball and picked it up. He felt a sudden weight on his shoulders and turned his head to see Riolu resting there. Marcus grinned at his Starter Pokemon. "We did it, partner! Well done!"
"RIOO!"
Marcus then pressed the center button on his newly-caught Pokemon's Pokeball and released the Pokemon within. Shinx appeared on the ground in front of him. The small lion cub tilted its head cutely as soon as it saw Marcus. Injuries from the battle it had gone through were still present along with a few other old wounds and scars. This Shinx was clearly born a warrior, no doubt about that.
"Hey there, Shinx! My name is Marcus and I'm your new Trainer. I hope we can get along." Marcus greeted, his voice filled with warmth. Shinx glared at him for a good long moment before turning his head and moving over to a more secluded spot under a tree. It plopped down there and began licking it's wounds. Marcus sighed as he realized that it would take a while longer for Shinx to open up to him.
Marcus pulled out his PokeDex and bought up Shinx's data. From the device, he learned that his newly-caught Shinx was a male and knew the moves Spark, Tackle, Hidden Power, Bite and Thunder Shock.
"A boy, huh?" Marcus said as he put away the PokeDex. "Well, welcome to the team, Shinx." The Flash Pokemon spared him a single glance before turning his attention back to his wounds. Riolu appeared angry at his new teammate's behavior and stepped forwards but came to a halt when Marcus placed a hand on his head, giving him scratches behind his ear. "We can't force him to open up to us. He'll come around whenever he feels comfortable."
"Riolu!" The little jackal barked in agreement and gave Marcus a brilliant smile. Marcus smiled back before he slipped off his backpack from his shoulders. Here was as good a place as any to have lunch. He handed a can of Pokemon Food to Riolu who cheered before pulling out a second can and placing it near Shinx. He was careful not to intrude on the Flash Pokemon's personal space. Then he returned to his pack and took out his own lunch, digging in.
Five minutes later, he noticed that Shinx was eyeing the food. Another five minutes later, he approached the can. Another five and he took the first bite. Ten minutes later, the can was empty and Shinx was now resting under a tree a wee bit closer to him. Marcus hid his smile and continued to eat his sandwich.
It took another several of hours or so for Marcus to reach Jubilife City. He had encountered many wild Pokemon along the way and battled them off with Riolu and Shinx, as it was a good way to keep experience. Riolu had already proved himself a capable fighter while Shinx, while not as strong as Marcus' Starter, could could hold his own and just as easily mow through the wild Pokemon they came across. Marcus had worried that Shinx would not listen to him but his fears were for naught as the Flash Pokemon obeyed his every command, albeit grumpily. It almost seemed that he was listening to Marcus out of a sense of obligation rather than trust.
To say Jubilife City was big would have been the understatement of the century. It was easily the largest city in Sinnoh. All of the biggest industries in the region were here; industries such as the Poketch Company and Jubilife TV. Skyscrapers rose from every corner of the city and the streets were filled with seas of people; citizens and tourists alike.
Marcus managed to make it through the crowd of people and into the Pokemon Center - a large red-roofed building where Trainers often came to heal their Pokemon. The sun had set hours ago and the silvery moon began its watch, casting a silvery glow through the starry night sky. Marcus made his way over to the counter and registered himself in for the night. He grabbed his room key and also handed his Pokemon over to the pink-haired Nurse Joy.
After that, he grabbed some dinner from the mess: a cheeseburger with a side of curly fries and ketchup, before making his way into the room and turning in for the night.
The next morning, Marcus left the Pokemon Center with both Riolu and Shinx in perfect health and after making a pit stop at the Poke-Mart to purchase a few potions, he began to make his way out of the large city. He had only walked for a few minutes however, before he spotted a tall man in a brown trench coat walking towards him. Marcus hesitated for a short moment before continuing to walk. He was hoping that the man would walk around him but that did not happen. Instead, he halted right in front of him with his face filled with surprise and awe.
"WHAT? No, no, no! My disguise was perfect, I blended in so well with the environment! How did you do it?! How did you unmask me as a member of the International Police?"
Marcus blinked in confusion. "Uh...I didn't, sir. I'm just a Trainer and happened to run into you."
The man smirked. "Heh, you claim that you're a meager Trainer, but I sense that you must be something more. You recognized instantly that I was someone extraordinary. That is why you spoke to me. I must say, your observational capacity is fearsome even to me," he said taking a long enough pause for Marcus to wonder if the man was insane. "Now that I have no secure cover, let me introduce myself. I am a globe-trotting elite member of the International Police. My codename is Looker. We've received reports of a potential terrorist organization known as Team Galactic to be stealing Pokemon and scientific items from all over Sinnoh. The Pokemon League requested our aid in executive enforcement and so here I am, conducting visual surveys of the public and trying to catch anyone suspicious. It's in big cities like this that the worst attacks happen. Assuming you truly are a Trainer, may I ask you of a favor?"
"Sure." Marcus replied, still feeling a little nervous around the strange police officer.
"Thank you. I want you to take this." Looker said and handed him a blue device with some sort of tracking mechanism on it. Marcus gingerly took it into his hands and Looker continued. "Use this to stay in contact with me and inform me of any mysterious happenings."
Marcus nodded though inside his head, he was thinking: What did I get myself into?
"Good, now I'll be off. I wish you luck on your journey!" Looker called as he bolted North and out of his view. Marcus blinked once more and stared at the place the police officer had just been standing.
"What just happened?" He said to no one.
"Okay," Marcus began as he looked down at the map in his hands. Riolu was sat on his shoulder, looking down at the map as well though how much he understood, Marcus wasn't entirely sure. "We are still around two days away from Oreburgh City. We might have to camp out tonight and tomorrow night. It'd also be nice to catch some more Pokemon."
"Rio!" The Emanation Pokemon barked, hopefully in agreement.
Marcus put his map away and continued on his merry way. After an hour or so of walking, he came to a sudden stop when he found himself facing a cliff. Taking out his map again, he looked down and his features brightened when he realized that Oreburgh City was just on the other side of the cliff. All he had to do was cross a cave that, according to the map, would lead him right into the city. It would take him a day or two to get through it though, but at least he was on the right track. And so, he made his way over to the cave but on the way, he came across a burly hiker who greeted him rather boisterously.
"Hey kid, the name's Gerald! Wanna battle?"
Marcus sweat dropped. 'Straight to the point, huh? But why not?' "Sure. I'm a little pressed for time but I can do a one-on-one if you're game?"
"You're on!" The man replied in a booming voice as he threw a Pokeball into the air. "Go, Machop!"
From his Pokeball jumped out a small, muscular and grey Pokemon in the vague shape of a human child. Marcus pulled out his PokeDex; something he had made a habit of doing every time he came across a Pokemon: "Machop - the Superpower Pokemon. It's powerful muscles never get sore no matter how much they are used in exercise."
"Riolu, battle position!" Marcus stated and his Starter Pokemon jumped off his shoulder, ready to beat down with the opposing Machop. "You can have the first move, Gerald!"
"Thanks! Machop, use Karate Chop!" Gerald called and the Superpower Pokemon rushed forwards with its hand poised to strike.
"Dodge, Riolu, then use Hidden Power!" Marcus called. The Emanation Pokemon was lighter and more agile than the opposing Fighting-Type so he was easily able to sidestep away from it's attack before unleashing his own. An array of glowing energy orbs smashed into Machop and sent it flying.
"Not bad, kid! Machop, use Submission!" Gerald bellowed. Machop struggled to its feet with a glare before quickly lurching forwards. The Superpower Pokemon grabbed Riolu by the waist, surprising the Fighting-Type, before it sent him hurling into a nearby large rock. Machop then winced as the recoil effect of Submission hit him hard but Gerald didn't seem to worried. With a wide grin, he called: "Machop, let's finish this with Karate Chop!"
"Riolu, use Quick Attack!" Marcus yelled. The little jackal reacted swiftly to his Trainer's command and lunged directly at Machop, slamming into the Superpower Pokemon before it could strike him with Karate Chop. Machop went crashing to the ground just as Riolu landed, waiting for it to get back up. It didn't.
"Well whaddaya know!" Gerald chuckled as he recalled his defeated Pokemon, "the little whippersnapper's stronger than I thought. Guess I shouldn't have ordered Machop to use that Submission., Nevertheless, it was a good battle, kid. Are you heading for the Oreburgh City Gym?"
Marcus gave the burly man a nod as Riolu returned to his place on his shoulder. "Yeah, I am."
Gerald hummed. "If I remember correctly, that Pokemon Gym Battle is a three-on-three. The Gym Leader, Roark, is also one tough cookie." He then shook his head and grinned at him. "Anyways, good luck, kid. I'll see you around."
Marcus nodded with a polite smile in return. "Thanks. You too."
Marcus resumed his journey with thoughts whirling around in his head. 'A three-on-three battle. I'm going to have to catch another Pokemon.'
Marcus was a lucky kid. He was a very lucky kid. He was too lucky of a kid. He feared he had just used up an entire ten year's worth of luck.
On his way to the cave, he heard the sound of something smashing against rock and had decided to check it out. Never in his wildest dreams would he had imagined he'd find a living and breathing Bagon striking his unbreakable skull against a boulder. He remembered the lessons his grandfather had taught him about Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon and knew that he had to have the Dragon-Type. : "Bagon - the Rock Head Pokemon. Bagon harbors a never-ending dream of one day soaring high among the clouds. As if trying to dispel its frustration over its inability to fly, this Pokemon slams its hard head against huge rocks and shatters them into pebbles."
Putting away his PokeDex, he approached the Bagon carefully. However, when his shoe hit a pebble and made a sound, the Dragon-Type instantly turned in his direction and glared at him.
"BAYYY!" The Rock Head Pokemon snarled, it's two small tusks gleaming in the sunlight. On Marcus' shoulder, Riolu seemed to read his Trainer's thoughts and without any command from Marcus, jumped down and settled himself into a stance ready for battle.
"Bagon!" It seemed the Dragon-Type had grown weary of waiting and decided to go on the offense. Opening it's mouth, it fired a stream of pale, white flames which raced towards Riolu.
"That's Dragon Breath! Dodge it, Riolu!" Marcus ordered. The Emanation Pokemon heeded his command and quickly somersaulted into the air, both evading the torrent of white flames and temporarily stunning Bagon with his speed. "Hidden Power!"
"Rio-lu!" The Fighting-Type barked as orbs of energy erupted around his form and with a thrust of a paw, went flying and smashed into the opposing bipedal baby dragon. Bagon cried as the orbs exploded upon impact but managed to stabilize himself. It pawed the ground before lowering its head and thundering ahead with a Headbutt attack. Riolu yelped as the Dragon-Type smashed its head into his stomach, knocking the breath out of his lungs.
"Riolu, are you okay?" Marcus called out in worry and the Fighting-Type nodded as he pushed himself to his feet. The Rock Head Pokemon had retreated and was once again, pawing the ground, ready to charge in with another Headbutt. Before Marcus could give a command, Bagon charged at Riolu once more. The Emanation Pokemon met him in the middle, grabbing the Dragon-Type's rock hard skull with his paws and holding his ground. "Riolu, use Brick Break!"
"Ri-o..." The little jackal growled as he let one arm fall to his side, keeping Bagon in place with only his left paw. Golden energy swirled to life around his right paw and with a fierce cry, the Emanation Pokemon raised his arm before bringing it down hard on the bipedal baby dragon's skull. The force of the Brick Break sent Bagon smashing into the ground. Riolu quickly turned around and barked at Marcus, who was already pulling out an empty Pokeball. He threw it at Bagon and the Rock Head Pokemon's form vaporized into red light which was then sucked into the red and white capturing device. Marcus waited with bated breath as the Pokeball shook once, twice, thrice and then clicked and finally went still.
Marcus whooped loudly before he walked over to the Pokeball and picked it up. He felt a sudden weight on his shoulders and turned his head to see Riolu resting there. Marcus grinned at his Starter Pokemon. "We did it, partner! Well done!"
"RIOO!"
Marcus then pressed the center button on his newly-caught Pokemon's Pokeball and released the Pokemon within. Bagon appeared on the ground in front of him. Marcus looked through his PokeDex and discovered that his Bagon was male and knew the moves: Headbutt, Dragon Breath, Bite and Leer. The bipedal baby dragon looked around for a few seconds before his sharp eyes fell onto Marcus and narrowed into a glare.
Marcus rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as he put his PokeDex away. "Yeah, sorry about battling you Bagon, but I wasn't about to let this opportunity pass me. I'm sure we'll get along great!" Bagon huffed and looked away, still miffed. Marcus recalled something the PokeDex said about the Bagon species and a smirk crept its way up to his face. "I've heard that all Bagon one day dream of being able to fly. That's why, they jump off cliffs so often. I take it, you share that dream?" Bagon glanced at him and then after a while, reluctantly nodded. Marcus' smirk morphed into a grin. "I figured so. Well, I can help you reach that dream, Bagon, if you help me reach mine. The road to becoming a Salamence won't be easy but nothing worth having ever is. So what do you say? Will you accept me as your Trainer?"
Bagon mulled over the thought for a moment longer before giving an affirmative nod. He wanted to become a Salamence as soon as possible and as much as he hated to admit it, it wasn't a feat he could easily accomplish on his own. He just hoped that Marcus was up to the task.
Marcus grinned as he placed a hand on Bagon's skull. It had a weird texture and was cold to touch but it didn't bother him. "Well, that's that then. Welcome to the crew, Bagon!"
This is it! This is it! This is it!'
"Are you the Oreburgh City Gym Leader?"
It had only been a few hours since he had arrived into Oreburgh City and after getting his Pokemon patched up from all the training they had done, he had immediately made a beeline for the Pokemon Gym. It was almost evening time. The sun had sunk so low and it cast an orange glare across the sky. Marcus now stood before the large Oreburgh City Gym - a building made entirely of jagged stones. It was fitting since the Gym Leader was a Rock-Type specialist. Speaking of the Gym Leader, he was standing right in front of his Gym's doors, staring at Marcus with amusement, probably because he was breathing so heavily. Marcus had ran here all the way from the Pokemon Center which was across the city. He had seen posters of said man all around the city so it was kind of stupid of him to ask if he was the Gym Leader.
"That's right, I am." The reddish-brown haired man clad in mining gear and a pair of glasses answered with a warm and welcoming smile. "How can I help you?"
"My name is Marcus," Marcus exclaimed as he held up a fist and smiled eagerly, "and I'd like to challenge you for a Gym Badge!"
The Gym Leader kept his smile as he nodded. "And I'd be more than happy to accept your challenge. My name is Roark, by the way. Come. Follow me."
Marcus kept his nerves cool as he was led inside the Pokemon Gym. A part of him was quite glad that Roark wasn't wasting more time than necessary. They went through the waiting room and then entered a vast room with a battlefield and stands erected for any spectators. The battlefield itself was littered with rocks which again made sense considering what type of gym this was. Roark led him down to the battlefield where he had Marcus stand on one end while he walked over to the other. On the side of the rocky battlefield was a long green haired man - most likely the referee. Roark gave him a nod and he stepped forwards.
"The Gym Battle between..." He trailed off uncertainly, realizing he didn't know who Marcus was.
"Marcus Rowan from Sandgem Town." Marcus supplied helpfully and the referee nodded in thanks. The Gym Leader looked a little surprised at his last name but didn't comment on it which Marcus was grateful for. He was here to win a Gym Badge, not to talk about his grandfather or brother.
"The Gym Battle between Marcus Rowan from Sandgem Town, and Roark, the Oreburgh Gym Leader, will now begin! Each side will have the use of three Pokemon, and the battle will over when all of either sides Pokemon are unable to battle! In addition, only the challenger is allowed to substitute Pokemon!"
"Are you ready to go, Marcus?" Roark asked from his end on the field.
Marcus took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. He was ready for this battle. His Pokemon were ready for this battle. They had all trained hard on the road to Oreburgh and hopefully their training would bear fruit.
"I am!" Marcus called back, his voice firm and resolute.
Roark nodded as he pulled out a Pokeball and tossed it high into the air. "Alright then! Let's go, Geodude!"
"Bagon, battle position!" Marcus called, throwing his own Pokeball into the air. Both devices snapped open and unleashed bursts of light that materialized into their respective Pokemon. Bagon and Geodude both glared at each other as Roark smirked and Marcus clenched his fists.
'It's time to win my first Gym Badge!'
Yahoooo! Bagon and Shinx have joined the team! Those two are some of my favorite Pokemon! I also scrapped the whole Hisuian Pokemon idea as I just wasn't capable of putting it into my story. I'm sorry if I've disappointed anyone.
Current PokeDex Update
Pokemon Trainer: Marcus Albert Rowan, PokeDex Number: SI519VI976
Badges: 0
Pokemon in Possession: 3
Riolu
Shinx
Bagon