Chapter 1:
The Mysterious Pichu
"Another day in the Johto Region" I said as I opened the window to my house in New Bark Town, letting the cool air into my small room. I saw the newly built windmills spin fast in the wind as the fresh air drifted through the atmosphere. I walked about my room, looking at my achievements. My Badges from Johto, Badges from Hoenn and some Symbols I won at Hoenn's Battle Frontier. "Two years since my last big adventure" I thought to myself. I had rested enough, I wanted to look for adventure. That being said though, it's adventure that always finds me.
"Ethan!" Mum shouted. "Breakfast is ready!" I ran downstairs to see the table laid with eggs and toast. "You can't see Kris on an empty stomach can you?"
How very rude of me, I should introduce myself. My name is Ethan G. Schneider. I am 16 years old and my journey to take on the Johto Gyms was 5 years ago now. I am a massive fan of the Trainer Red. Oh, did I mention that I am the Champion of the Indigo Plateau? Because I am. I've held that honour for 5 years.
"I had a call from Professor Elm" Mum said. "His PC isn't working. If you are going to Fly to Goldenrod City on Noctowl, you will need to use the PC in Cherrygrove City's Pokémon Center to retrieve it."
"Did Professor spill coffee on the PC?" I asked.
"How did you know?"
"Mum. This is Professor Elm. I think we expect him to do that, he's so accident prone. But okay then, I'll head off to Cherrygrove first."
After breakfast, I opened the door and started to head out. I think it's about time I introduce my Pokémon. First up is Typhlosion. This is my first Pokémon. Professor Elm gave it to me back when it was a Cyndaquil.
Typhlosion
006
Fire Type
Volcano Pokémon
Region of origin: Johto
5'07" (1.7 m)
175.3 lbs (79.5 kg)
It has a secret, devastating move. It rubs its blazing fur together to cause huge explosions*.
Cyndaquil -Lv 14 Quilava -Lv 36 Typhlosion
*Typhlosion can't actually learn Explosion.
Golem is the next one. Geodude was the 3rd Pokémon I ever caught and has evolved with me through thick and thin (along with a forced trade).
Golem
036
Rock/Ground Type
Megaton Pokémon
Region of origin: Kanto
4'07" (1.4 m)
661.4 lbs (300 kg)
It sheds its skin once a year. The discarded shell immediately hardens and crumbles away.
Geodude -Lv 25 Graveler -Trade Golem
Next is Ampharos. I caught this as a Mareep shortly after my first Gym victory in Violet City.
Ampharos
055
Electric Type
Light Pokémon
Region of origin: Johto
4'07" (1.4 m)
135.6 lbs (61.5 kg)
The tail's tip shines brightly and can be seen from away. It acts as a beacon for lost people.
Mareep -Lv 15 Flaaffy -Lv 30 Ampharos
Now Togetic is a special case. I hatched it from an Egg given to me by a Professor. It hatched as a Togepi and evolved long afterwards.
Togetic
047
Normal/Flying Type
Happiness Pokémon
Region of origin: Johto
2'00" (0.6 m)
7.1 lbs (3.2 kg)
It grows dispirited is it is not with kind people. I can float in midair without moving its wings.
Togepi -Happiness Togetic
Venomoth I caught as a Venonat during the Bug Catching Contest in National Park.
Venomoth
110
Bug/Poison Type
Poison Moth Pokémon
Region of origin: Kanto
4'11" (1.5 m)
27.6 lbs (12.5 kg)
When it attacks, it flaps its large wings violently to scatters its poisonous powder all around.
Venonat -Lv 38- Venomoth
Finally, the rarest member of my team is the Legendary Suicune.
Suicune
245
Water Type
Aurora Pokémon
6'07" (2 m)
412.3 lbs (187 kg)
Said to be the embodiment of north winds, it can instantly purify filthy, murky water. This Pokémon races across the land. It is said that north winds will somehow blow whenever it appears.
Legendary Pokémon
"Okay" I said. "It's time to head out! To the Breeding Centre!"
Route 29. This was where my journey began after I received Cyndaquil. What started out as a delivery chore became the start of my adventuer. No matter how many times I visit here, so many memories flood back. They'll continue to because I will always be making more!
Anyway, I walked into the grass and encountered a Sentret.
Sentret
019
Normal Type
Scout Pokémon
Region of origin: Johto
2'07" (0.8 m)
13.2 lbs (6 kg)
A very cautious Pokémon, it raises itself up using its tail to get a better view of its surroundings.
"Go Venomoth!" I commanded, sending out my Bug Type. "Use Bug Buzz!" Venomoth started making a buzzing sound, firing shock waves at Sentret. Sentret was down in one.
"Nice job Venomoth!" I said. "I mean, it was only a Lv 3 Sentret, but still good job. Okay, onwards to Cherrygrove City!"
I reached Cherrygove shortly. Right by the ocean, friendly people and it's where I met Mr Pokémon. I looked at his now vacant house, which was now for sale. "
I'm gonna miss him.
I went into the Center and immediatly accessed the PC. My Noctowl is my only teammate that knows Fly, but I don't use it on my team.
Noctowl, or a Hoothoot as it was back then, was the first Pokémon I ever caught.
Noctowl
016
Normal/Flying Type
Owl Pokémon
Region of origin: Johto
5'03" (1.6 m)
89.9 lbs (40.8 kg)
Its eyes are specially adapted. They concentrate even faint light and enable it to see in the dark.
Hoothoot -Lv 20 Noctowl
"Nice to see you again Noctowl" I said, as it gave me a friendly peck. "Ouch! Listen Noctowl. I know that's meant to be affectionate, but it still hurts. Use that sharp beak for battle."
Upon exiting the Center, I got onto Noctowl's back. "Okay Noctowl. To Goldenrod City!" Noctowl flapped its wings, bringing it off the ground. We zoomed into the sky and above the clouds, which gave us a good look of the Johto region. "Good girl Noctowl. No time to waste, I have a friend to see!" With this, Noctowl dove down in the direction of Goldenrod.
Upon landing in Goldenrod, I immediately went to the Center and put Noctowl in the PC again.
Now Goldenrod City has developed a lot in the last 5 years. First of all, a GTS has been built. This allows for trading with Trainers all around the world. More buildings have obviously been built and in the Arcade is a new game called Voltorb Flip. I've spent hours in there, but I'm not very good at it.
As I started walking through Johto's metropolis, I saw a news announcement on one of the big screens. The jingle played and the reporters said what they needed. "Hello Pokémon Trainers, and welcome to JBC news. Many big things have been happening in the Johto region. Last month, we saw the opening of Johto's new Pokéathlon Dome outside the National Park, where Pokémon can show off their physical skills as well as their battling skills. Plus, in two days, the Champion Ethan Schneider will be opening the new Safari Zone west of Cianwood City. That's all for your news briefing."
I forgot all about that. I've been so busy training and battling that the Safari Zone opening had completely went over me, even I had agreed to the opening a year ago when construction started. Well, it wasn't for two days, so I can enjoy myself till then!
I ran down Route 34 to find the Daycare that Kris works at. I knocked on the door repeatdidly until she opened it. "Ethan, so nice to see you!" she said. "I had no idea you were coming."
"Hi Kris. Just thought I'd come and check up on you. I hear that you have some new friends."
"Thanks" she said. "Sorry, we have a visitor here as well, not that this is bad timing or anything."
"Really" I asked. "I mean, I'm not doubting you for one second."
"It's fine" Kris replied. "Come on in. Let's just say she's as big a fan of you as you are of Red."
As I tried to comprehend if that was even possible, I was greeted by a girl in the dining room. She had a big white hat, blue dungarees, white tights and brown hair. Her mouth was open in awe. "Oh my goodness" she said. "Are you… Edward?"
"Ethan" I said. "Close though." (You'd think my biggest fan would at least know my name).
"EEEEE!" she shrieked. "I'm meeting the Champion! Marill, come on out and say hi!" Lyra sent out her round, blue, white bellied friend.
Marill
132
Water Type
Aqua Mouse Pokémon
Region of origin: Johto
1'04" (0.4 m)
18.7 lbs (8.5 kg)
The tip of its tail, which contains oil that is lighter than water, lets it swim without drowning.
Azurll (Baby Pokémon) -Happiness Marill
"You see" Kris said. "Lyra is my cousin. She has come to Johto in order to meet a special Pokémon in Illex Forest."
"Celebi?" I asked.
"Not that one" Lyra replied still blushing at the mere sight of me. "I'm talking about a Pichu."
"Pichu?" I asked. "Those things can't be that rare can they?"
"This is a special one" she said. "I want it to play with my Pichu!" Lyra sent out a Pichu, but its colour was slightly different to a regular Pichu. In fact, its colour scheme was like that of a Pikachu.
Pichu
021
Electric Type
Tiny Mouse Pokémon
Region of origin: Johto
1'00" (0.3 m)
4.4 lbs (2 kg)
Despite its small size, it can zap even adult humans. However, if it does so, it also surprises itself.
Baby Pokémon
"Can I come and meet it?" I asked. "I'm very intrigued."
"Sure!" Lyra said cheerfully. "I'm leaving right now, so let's head out!"
"Be back before nightfall!" Kris told us as we headed out the door.
We wandered into the Ilex Forest. As always, very little light shone through the many trees above us. One could even say that the trees were the sky in this forest.
"So, where will we find this Pichu?" I asked.
"Relax Ernie" she told me. "It will be by the Shrine. At least, I hope."
"First of all, it's Ethan. Are we really going to keep doing this? Secondly, don't touch the Shrine. I did that once. We only need to do it if it's very necessary."
"We won't" Lyra replied as we reached the Shrine. Like always, it was silent aside from the wind rustling the leaves .
"So, where will it appear?" I asked.
Lyra started calling out for Pichu, as did her Pichu. "PIIIICHHHUUUU!" she called. "WHERE ARE YOU?!"
Once again, silence. I was starting to wonder why I even came.
"Lyra, it's just a Pichu. There are many in the world."
"It will appear, I know it. PIIICHHUUUU!"
Then, from behind the Shrine appeared a Pichu. "Lyra, that must be it!"
"It is!" she said. "Come on out girl! Come to us!"
However, Pichu's right ear had three spikes on it. "That's the one!" Lyra announced.
"What an interesting one" I said, just as Lyra's Pichu jumped out of her arms. It immediately ran towards what I will call the Spiky-Eared Pichu. The two greeted by sending small sparks to each other through their tails, then laughed and ran off.
"What an amazing Pokémon" Lyra said. "Hey Elias, you should catch it."
"Really?" I asked. "But, this forest is its home. Also, that's not my name."
"You caught all your other Pokémon from their natural homes, right?" Lyra asked. "What's so different about this one?"
"Well, yeah but to be fair, one roamed the world, one was provided to me, one hatched and another I caught as part of a competition. Plus, who am I going to put in the PC for a Pichu? They aren't exactly strong."
Lyra reached into her bag and pulled out what looked like a flat Pokéball. It had an LED screen and some buttons on it. "This is called a Pokéwalker. You put one of your Pokémon inside and they can find items in different locations around Johto."
"Neat!" I said. "Okay. I'll send Venomoth." I entered the data I needed. Venomoth entered the Walker and appeared as a sprite on the screen. "Shall I return this to you once I'm done?" I asked. "These look expensive."
"Nah" she said. "My Dad owns the business that makes these. He won't mind if I give you one. If anything, I'm surprised you don't have one yourself! If people know that the Champion uses one, it'll be great promotion!"
The Pichu returned. The two were laughing their butts off; they clearly had a lot of fun. "Pichu" I asked the Spiky-Eared Pichu, kneeling down to it. "How would you like to come with my and Lyra?"
"Why are you dragging me into this?" she asked.
"Well you want to come on some adventures with me don't you?" I asked her. "Come on, it'll be fun. I have lots of things planned, but first, I have a Pichu to catch!" I threw a Pokéball.
One shake.
Two shakes.
Three shakes.
I caught it!
"Welcome to the team Pichu" I said to the Ball I caught it in. "Come on, back to the Daycare!"
"I've made a decision" Lyra said to Kris when we got back to the Daycare. "I'm going on a journey with Elliott!"
"Ethan!" I corrected.
"Great idea!" said Kris. "After all, Pokémon from Hoenn and Sinnoh have become very popular here in recent years, it would be a great idea to check some of them out. You have Ethan with you after all."
"We will do it together" I told Lyra. "Plus, Pichu will be with us for all of it, won't you girl?" I asked Pichu, who gave a small yelp back when I sent it out.
"So, our first adventure. Where will itbe?" Lyra asked.
"The Pokéathlon Dome!" I said. "We will use our Pokémon for more than just battling, but for sport as well!"
"Sounds fun!" Kris said. "I would join you, but I'm too busy running the Daycare. Plus, I'm not sure if my Pokémon are in the right shape to do it. Their stats are a bit, iffy for this."
"Go and support them" said Kris's Mum. "We'll be fine."
"Thanks mum!" Kris said.
"I'll sit out to" Lyra said. "But I'll be rooting for you!"
So. A bunch of new adventures in the Johto region will be starting. They will be some of my first main adventures in two years, I'm really excited to get this show on the road!