Chapter 1: A New Journey
Our story is one about adventure and excitement, romance and broken hearts. There are bright days and sad days, happy moments and tense moments. There is so much to hear and see, but let us start at the beginning of this journey. We shall start in Nuvema Town.
Three young trainers had just entered the Unova region, and they were now on their way to Professor Juniper's lab. Gabi, the youngest, had just turned 10-years-old, and she was off to receive her first Pokemon! Dani, the oldest, had chosen Cyndaquil as her partner in her home region of Johto two years prior, and he was now perched on her shoulder, his arm around her neck as she walked. Shelly, the middle sister, had started out with Dani two years prior, and her Chikorita starter was tucked away safely in her Pokeball.
"I love the palm trees here," Shelly said, looking around.
"Quil!" said the fire Pokemon.
Dani smiled. "I think Mo does too. Unova is quite a unique region. I'm excited to start exploring."
"I'm excited to get a Pokemon!" Gabri said with a grin. Her sisters exchanged a knowing look.
Soon, they were at the door of the lab. Gabri knocked three times. "Come in!" said a female voice from inside the lab. Gabri opened the door and led her sisters inside. A young woman wearing a lab coat appeared to have just walked into the main room, and she was now making her way towards them with a warm smile on her face. "Good morning. How may I help you?"
"I'm here for my first Pokemon," Gabri said somewhat shyly.
"Of course," said Professor Juniper. Her eyes landed on Mo. "Is that a Cyndaquil?"
"We're from Ecruteak City," said Dani. "This is Mo. I'm Dani, and this is Shelly and Gabri. Shelly and I already started our journey in Johto two years ago, but our sister here wanted to start out in Unova with us."
The professor nodded. "That's great. I'm Professor Juniper. Just give me a moment to get the Pokeballs."
As she walked over to another side of the room, someone else entered from the same room Juniper had appeared from several minutes earlier. "I'm finished," said the boy as he came into view. He had spiky brown hair and wore a black shirt and purple pants. "Thank you, Professor Juniper." He looked in surprise upon the three girls. "Hey, a Cyndaquil." He started for Dani.
"Quil," said Mo. When the boy was close enough, the Pokemon hopped into his arms.
The boy laughed as he rubbed Mo's head. "You must have raised him well. Cyndaquil are usually quite timid."
Dani smiled. "Thanks. His name is Mo. I'm Dani. These are my sisters, Shelly and Gabri."
"Hi," Shelly said, smiling shyly. Gabri simply nodded at him in acknowledgment.
"Nice to meet you all," the boy said. "I'm Gary Oak."
"Gary is the grandson of my good friend, Professor Oak," Juniper said as she returned with three Pokeballs in hand.
"I've heard of him," Dani said. "That's awesome. What are you doing in Unova?"
"I want to become a Pokemon researcher like my Gramps," Gary said. "I don't have anything big going on right now, so I decided to visit Professor Juniper and take a look at her research and Pokemon she is studying."
"Cool," said Gabri. She turned to Juniper. "May I see the Pokemon now?"
Juniper chuckled lightly. "Of course." She opened the Pokeballs one by one. "This is Snivy, a grass type, Tepig, a fire type, and Oshawott, a water type."
Gabri squatted down to look at each one. Snivy appeared to be a snake with legs. Tepig was obviously a pig. Oshawott seemed to be a sea otter. All of them looked like they would make great friends, but the new trainer knew who she would choose. "I want the piggy!" She picked up the Tepig, which grinned at her.
"Tepig!" he said with energy.
"Yes, a fire type!" Dani said. Though she had Pokemon of all types, fire was her specialty.
Juniper smiled. "Excellent choice. I should tell you that this one thinks he is a dragon because he can breathe fire."
Gabri laughed. "Then I'll just have to call him 'Dragon.'" She held him to her chest in a warm hug.
"I remember when I got my first Pokemon," Gary said fondly.
"You were a trainer?" Dani said curiously.
Gary nodded. "I traveled Kanto and Johto collecting badges until I realized what I really wanted to do with my life."
"That's cool. Do you still have Pokemon with you?"
"Of course. They're my friends, and they help me out in thought situations.
Dani smiled. "Would you like to battle me? I want to collect badges in Unova, and I could use the practice."
"Now that I would like to see," Juniper said as she handed Gabri a bag of items.
"I accept," Gary said. "We can battle outside." He handed Mo back to Dani, and the Pokemon soon climbed up onto her head. Then all five of them walked out into the bright sun.
Several minutes later, they were all gathered in the backyard of the lab. Dani and Gary stood opposite of each with plenty of space between them. Dani was not going to use Mo, so the Cyndaquil sat next to Dragon on the sideline to watch. "You should recognize this Pokemon," the girl said as she took out a Pokeball. "Let's go, Luke!" A strong-looking Charmeleon appeared before her.
Gary brightened at the sight of the Pokemon. "A Charmeleon. Wow. That takes me back. I chose a Squirtle as my starter. He's a Blastoise now."
"Cool. Shelly has a Wartortle. We were just in Kanto."
"Nice. Alright." He took out a Pokeball and kissed it before releasing the Pokemon inside. "Come on out, Umbreon!"
Dani grinned at Eevee's dark evolved form. "Awesome! That's one of my favorite Pokemon."
Gary smirked. "Thanks. Mine too."
"Are you going to battle or what?" Shelly called from the sideline.
Gary chuckled while Dani rolled her eyes. "Ladies first," Gary said.
Dani smiled. "Thank you. Luke, let's start off with Ember!"
"Dodge it and use Shadow Ball!"
Luke opened his mouth and spit out fire balls at his opponent. Umbreon jumped in the air to avoid them. While in the air, he formed a dark ball of energy and sent it at the fire type, who was struck by the blow.
Dani could tell that Gary was no pushover. She was going to have to do something about Umbreon's speed. "Use Smokescreen!" Luke breathed out a thick, black smoke that made it hard to see anything on the field. Umbreon's bright yellow marks, however, were slightly visible. "Now Fire Fang!"
A cry was heard a second alter. "Umbreon!" Gary said, his teeth clenched. "Hang in there and use Psychic!" Luke soon hovered up above the smoke, looking around wildly. "Now throw him!"
Umbreon used his powers to throw Luke to the ground. The force of the attack caused most of the smoke to disperse. Luke slowly stood up and took a battle stance once again.
"Good job, Luke. Use Dragon Rage!"
"Shadow Ball!"
The two balls of energy collided in an explosion that sent both Pokemon flying back, tough it seemed to do more damage to Umbreon than Luke. Both Pokemon were still standing.
"Umbreon, use Sand Attack and Shadow Ball!" Gary called.
Before Luke could react, Umbreon skid forward, slinging sand in his face. While Luke tried to shield his face, Umbreon shot a Shadow Ball at him. The Charmeleon panted heavily. It did not seem like he could take much more.
"Now Hidden Power!"
"Ember!" said Dani.
The Ember hit before Umbreon could form his attack. He glared at his opponent, growling lightly.
"Shadow Ball!"
"Fire Fang!"
Umbreon shot a Shadow Ball out of his mouth, but Luke jumped up to dodge like the dark type had at the beginning of the battle. The Charmeleon came crashed down on him with his jaws wide open, creating a cloud of dust. When the dust cleared, Luke was still standing and Umbreon had fainted.
"Umbreon is unable to battle," said Professor Juniper. "Luke and Dani are the winners!"
Dani grinned as she ran forward to hug her Charmeleon. "Great job, Luke. You were amazing."
"Meleon," Luke said proudly.
Gary smiled sadly as he took out a Pokeball. "Thanks for working hard, Umbreon. We'll win next time." After returning him, he nodded at Dani as he walked over to her. "That was a great battle. You two were strong." He held out his hand.
Dani smiled. "Thanks. We're training hard so he will evolve into a Charizard." She shook his hand without breaking eye contact.
"I'm sure you'll get there soon." He paused before turning to our audience. "It's Gabri's turn now."
"What?!" said Gabri in alarm.
"You can battle me and Petals," Shelly said brightly.
"But your Chikorita is so strong."
"You'll have the type advantage, though."
"And battling strong trainers is how you get stronger," Dani added, taking out a Pokeball to return Luke.
"She's right," Gary said. "Even if you lose to a strong opponent, your next battle will seem a whole lot easier. Are you going to collect gym badges?"
"Yes," Gabri said slowly.
"Then why not get it a shot?"
"I'm sure your Tepig would enjoy it," Juniper said.
"Tepig! Tepig!" said Dragon, moving his tail back and forth rapidly.
"Well, ok," Gabri said. "Come on, Dragon." The two of them moved to where Dani had previously stood while Shelly took Gary's spot. Mo climbed onto Dani's shoulder to watch while she stood by Gary.
"Come on, Petals!" Shelly said, throwing a Pokeball in the air. A Chikorita soon stood before her. "This is Gabri's new partner, Dragon. It's their first battle."
"Chika!" Petals greeted her opponent.
"Tepig!" said Dragon.
"You can go first," Shelly said.
Gabri smiled slightly. "Thanks." She took out her Pokedex to see which attacks her Pokemon knew. "Ok, use Tackle."
"Reflect!" Shelly said.
Dragon charged forward, but a clear screen appeared before Petals, causing him to bounce back. The force of the attack pushed Petals back a bit, but she did not seem too affected.
Gabri frowned. "Ember!"
"Reflect!"
Dragon breathed out balls of fire, but these mostly disappeared as they passed through the screen. The Tepig looked back at his trainer in distress.
"How am I supposed to attack if you keep doing that?" Gabri said in frustration.
Shelly smirked. "You have to figure out a way around it. It's part of battling. Petals, use Magical Leaf!" Leaves flew from Petals, twisting around until they slammed into Dragon, causing him to grunt. "Good job. Keep it up." The leaves continued to come.
"Use Ember!" Gabri said suddenly.
Dragon opened his mouth and sot out his fire balls. The fire burned up most of the leaves coming towards him. He smiled happily.
Shelly just shrugged. "Fine. Petals, Solar Beam."
Gabri remembered something about Solar Beam taking a long time. This was her chance. "Tackle!"
Dragon ran forward and finally made contact with the Chikorita. Petals' eyes widened in surprise, and she was forced to end her Solar Beam attack.
"Don't let them distract you," Shelly said. "Focus on Solar Beam."
"Ember!"
A fury of fire came from Dragon's mouth. Petals winced, but she did not move as her leaf began to glow with energy and power.
Shelly held her breath, waiting for the right moment to release her attack. Thankfully, it was a sunny day. "Now!" she cried.
Petals tilted the large leaf on her head, and a bright beam of light poured out from it and hit Dragon straight on. Dragon cried out as he was flown back several yards. He struggled to hit feet, panting heavily.
"Dragon!" Gabri cried. She knew she had to do something quickly, and fire was her best option. "Use Ember!"
"Dodge it and use Magical Leaf."
Petals jumps to the side to avoid the Ember attack spewed at her. While still in motion, she turned and sent her spiraling leaves straight at the fire type. Dragon had no time to dodge this attack, and the damage seemed too much. He fell over on his side, and this time, he did not stand up.
"Dragon is unable to battle," said Juniper. "Petals and Shelly are the winners."
"Dragon!" Gabri rushed forward and picked him. "I'm sorry. Thanks for trying."
Dragon opened his eyes and gave her a small smile. "Tepig."
"Thank you, Petals," Shelly said, smiling at her Chikorita while rubbing her neck. Then she started across the field for her younger sister. "Nice battle. That was impressive for your first try."
Gabri smiled slightly. "Thanks." She shook the hand offered to her.
"It will get easier with practice," Dani said from the sideline.
Gary nodded. "Just keep training."
Gabri nodded back. "Right."
"That battling has made me hungry," Juniper said. "Why don't we all go inside for some lunch?"
"Ok!" said the group of four.
"So, where are you three going from here?" Professor Juniper asked the sisters as they all sat around a kitchen table eating sandwiches. She was on the end near Dani and Gary, who were sitting across from each other. Shelly sat next to Dani and Gabri across from her. Mo, Petals, and Dragon ate from bowls of Pokemon food on the floor.
"We're going to Striaton City for my first Unova Pokemon contest," said Shelly.
"And gym battles for us," Dani added.
"If I'm ready," Gabri added softly.
"You're a coordinator?" Gary said in interest. "You know, I've never actually seen a Pokemon contest."
"They're fun to watch," Juniper said. She smiled at Shelly. "Good luck to you."
Shelly smiled back at her. "Thanks."
Juniper turned to Gary. "And where are you headed off to?"
"I don't know, actually," Gary said. "I don't have anything big going on right now. I was thinking about exploring Unova to see what I can find since it's so unique and I've never seen all of it."
Juniper nodded. "That's not a bad idea. If you haven't been on a journey for awhile, it might help to clear your mind and discover areas where you might be interested in researching in the future. Taking a break can be a good thing."
Shelly nudged Dani and gave her a knowing look. Dani knew what she wanted. She thought Gary was cute and wanted her to invite him to join them, but she was too shy to ask him herself. She put on a smile as she looked across the table at him. "If you want to see a Pokemon contest, you could come with us to Striaton City."
"Oh, I don't want to impose," Gary said.
"You wouldn't," said Shelly.
"Yeah, it would be fun," Gabri said eagerly.
"Have you ever traveled with friends?" Dani asked.
"Well, no, actually," Gary said.
"Then you have to come with us at least to Striaton City!"
Juniper smiled. "She's right. It's an experience you don't want to miss."
Gary chuckled lightly. "Alright then. I'll go with you to Striaton City."
"Great," said Dani while Shelly hid a smirk.
An hour later, everyone was gathered in front of the Pokemon lab. Gabri held Dragon in her arms while mo clung to Dani's head. "Thanks for everything, Professor Juniper," Gary said.
Juniper nodded. "Of course. Go have some fun now."
Gary smiled. "Right." He turned to the girls. "I made a friend in Kalos that can help us out." He took out a Pokeball and released the Pokemon inside. A large goat-like Pokemon with saddlebags now stood before them. "This is Gogoat."
"Aw, he's cute," Shelly said as she rubbed the grass around his neck. "Hello, Gogoat."
"He can help carry some of our stuff so our packs aren't so heavy."
The four of them opened their bags and transferred some of their supplies to the Gogoat. When they were finished, the Pokemon snorted in satisfaction.
"We're all set," said Gary.
"Goodbye, professor Juniper!" Gabri said as she followed the others to the road.
"Goodbye!" Juniper called, waving to them. "Good luck in the contest, Shelly!"
"Thank you!" Shelly yelled back.
Then they were on the round, a determined look in all of their eyes. A new journey had begun.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed that little introduction.
