VulpixTrainer: Okay, here is the battle that I hinted at earlier. So, hope you enjoy it. Also, I have put in the reason why Ethan has an Eevee. I have also added in an explanation for why there is a Professor other then Professor Oak. One more thing, if you say "good job" and "good story," please tell me what is good about the story, I would like to know details. Also Thanks to Negrek for Beta reading this
Matt: VT owns nothing of Pokemon, which belongs to Nintendo and Game Freaks. He just writes for fun and owns this plot.
The Beginnings of a New League
Matt was panting. "Okay team, I say we had a good race. We raced from home to the school and back…I think that is about half a mile…and it took us only five minutes." Matt was in better shape than before all of the transformation and Rocket attacks, mainly because of all the training he was putting himself through to be ready for the next Rocket attack. I really think that something is going down. Something isn't right, I mean, they haven't attacked since New Year Eve…I have a bad feeling about this. Frankly, Matt now trusted his instincts better than ever before. He could even tell when a storm was coming.
"Matt, can you help me for a moment?" Ethan asked from the doorway. He was waiting there the entire time, just waiting for Matt to gain his second wind, something that still happens to him after long runs.
"Sure I can, bro. Just let me feed my troops and I'll be with you shortly." The reason that he called his Pokemon "troops" was that the entire team, except for Flare, who at the moment was just shaking his head, had begun calling Matt "Rouge Leader," as Matt was someone who was on the run from TR.
"You and your inside jokes, Matt, you even have them with your team," Ethan said with laughter in his voice as he followed Matt to the backyard. "If you're not careful, people will think things that are totally opposite of those that you really mean."
Matt was, during the last sentence, pouring Pokechow into eleven bowls of food, one each for Matt, Firestorm, Sir Thief, Flare, Stripes, Eve, Fire Beast, The Queen (Persian,) Flood (Mrs. Vixen's Vaporeon,) Truth (Mr. Vixen's Espeon,) and finally Sonic (Dad's Pidgeot.) "Well, everyone's been feed but us humans…but right now, what was it that you wanted to ask me?" Matt asked as he straightened up from pouring out the PokeChow into the last Bowl.
"Well, what do you think would be a good Pokemon for me to choose? After all, I am going to be receiving one at the awards ceremony," Ethan asked as they both were heading over to the picnic table that they had their afternoon lunches and even dinners on during warmer nights or days like the one they were having right now.
"Now, Ethan, I have told you many times before, I don't give advice on things like this…what may be a good Pokemon to one person may well be a very poor choice to another…of course, I have no real authority to say that. My starter hijacked me," Matt then laughed at the memories of the event that had spiraled into what was now a normal life for Mr. Matthew Vixen Brown, A.K.A The White Shadow. Matt then chuckled at that nickname, which the paper had given him for supposedly being some sort of phantom.
"Uh…Hello, Matt…anyone home? Don't tell me you're still trying to come up with a way to capture The White Shadow," Ethan suddenly asked, breaking into Matt's thoughts and bringing him back to reality.
"Sorry, I was just remembering how Matt and Firestorm came into my life. Also no, I don't think anyone can catch a Pokemon that doesn't want to be captured," Matt said as his eyes slowly lost the faraway look that they had been showing while he was on memory lane.
"Yeah, that was pretty funny, seeing you walk while favoring that left leg that you got stung on, and right behind you, acting like Pokemon that were tame, came these two Vulpix." Ethan then started laughing at the silly memory of a tall man with short black hair, a smooth face, sparkling green eyes that always seemed to put you at ease, and always had a smile on his face. "Don't forget how Professor Wood surprised everyone and worried you for a few minutes as he gave his starter check-up."
"How could I forget? I thought that maybe Matt or Firestorm had some sort of problem that needed medical attention. Turns out, Matt was a runt and Firestorm is a headstrong female Vulpix who criticizes all my camping decisions."
"Vul pix ix vulpix vixlix vul vulpix." (I resent that. In fact, I haven't criticized you at all for three months.)
"Anyway, Matt, I think that what you are trying to say to me by all this is that I should make my own decisions. In fact, I think I have one already," Ethan said, getting even more excited about tomorrow's ceremony and Matt's battle. "I'm rooting for you, Matt. I know Becky is you girlfriend, but I still want you to win."
Matt chuckled at this before politely correcting his brother. "Ethan, Becky is a friend who happens to be a girl, that is all. As for winning, Becky will be a tough trainer, but I will give it my all. Is that good enough for you?" Matt asked as he got up and helped his mom set the picnic table for an early dinner.
"Yes it is, Matt. Also, I have decided to take Eve with me. After all, mom's Vaporeon and dad's Espeon both competed in the Kanto league, so I want her to see the places her parents saw. Mind you, the places have changed greatly. Besides, I think getting the only Eevee in town away may lower the break-ins that happen here."
"I'm afraid it may just cause some problems, Ethan. If other trainers learn that you have an Eevee, they will always offer to trade for her. I don't think Eve would like that," Mrs. Vixen said as she brought out a big pot of stew for tonight's dinner. "Also, Mr. Sparks and Rebecca are coming over for dinner. Mrs. Sparks has a Town Hall meeting that she has to attend and we invited them over for dinner." This was met with a lot of cheers by everyone, including Flare, all looking forward to Richard's jokes along with Mr. Sparks's jokes as well.
"Rai raichu chu…" (Then the Pidgey said…) Unfortunately, Richard couldn't finish his joke, for at that moment two people came up to the gathering of both humans and Pokemon. The man was dressed as a cameraman and the woman as a news reporter.
"Hello, I'm with the PNN and my companion and I are doing a spot on starting trainers. We heard that an Ethan Vixen was starting his journey tomorrow, and we would like to interview him," the lady asked in a light southern accent.
"Yes, I would like to be interviewed, but I'm finishing up my dinner, so could you wait?" Ethan replied to the news people as soon as he was done chewing his food.
"Yes, we can wait….Frank, get a shot of this, it's a small army of rare Pokemon…Who owns all these?" The lady was now getting very excited as her partner swung the camera to point at the Pokemon. As he was filming the Pokemon, Matt spoke up to the two strangers.
"Well, frankly, I think for one thing, why would the PNN send two people out here to film some obscure little ten-yea- old? Secondly, I must say that you are not with the PNN, but are Garth and Violet of Team Rocket," Matt said as he rose slowly and with deliberate movement.
"I say, boy, that you must have had a bad run-in with Team Rocket to accuse us two of being Rockets. In fact, I hate those crooks for stealing my Ninetales when I was just starting in the news networks," the lady said in a hurt voice that also had a hint of anger in it.
"Oh, uh, sorry madam, it's just that two southern-speaking rockets tried taking my starter and, well, I jumped to a conclusion. So, would you care to sit and eat?" Matt asked, beating his mom to inviting them to dinner.
"We'll be glade to join you for your meal, isn't that right, Frank?" the lady asked the male to her side.
At that Franklyn Sparks looked up and said, "What?" This made everyone sweatdrop. A moment later, Frank just started to chuckle before turning to Matt and saying, "Well, I guess now I know how you feel whenever someone says 'Matt' and they have both you and Matt reply."
At this moment the two reporters, having finished their meals, start laughing in an evil way just before the cameraman points his camera at Matt. A net launched out of it and snared Matt and Firestorm. The next set of things happened so fast that it really took only one minute to finish.
First, Tim Vixen teleported in from repairing the transformer that got knocked out from the lightning storm the last night. He ordered his Alakazam to Teleport the two thugs to the local police station but leave the camera with the net hanging from it.
"TIM! For once I'm glade that you're late for dinner. Anyway, your plate is warming in the kitchen, so grab it and joins us," Mrs. Vixen commented as soon as she caught her breath after the sudden appearance of Tim and the quick disappearance of Team Rocket to the police station.
(Local School Stadium, Battle tutorial)
"Okay, will all starting trainers take the front row of the bleachers so the battle can begin?" Professor Wood said as kids from all over the Mount Moon region had come to receive their starter Pokemon. "Okay, Matt and Becky, you two can begin when ready. Remember, this will be a three-on-three, no time limit. Also, this will be a no-item match, meaning you will not be able to use revives and such. This is because we have the awards ceremony to do after the battle. Trainers, begin." Professor Wood then took the referee's position at the side of the field.
The two trainers just nodded to the professor and then they faced each other, having on their faces looks of determination but, at the same time, respect for each other.
"So, Becky, hope you give it your all. Just because we have been friends since childhood doesn't mean you ought to give me special treatment," Matt said as he pulled from his belt a red and white Pokeball. Matt then threw it, while at the same time calling out a command. "Stripes, I need you now, buddy."
When the Pokeball hit the floor, it opened up, letting out a white light that quickly took the form of a Furret, a creature that looked like a ferret except it stood at five foot eleven inches and also the body merged right into the tail. On the tail was a pattern of dark brown, light brown and white, forming stripes around it, thus his name.
"You're on, Matt, and the same goes for you, too," Becky said. She then took a Pokeball off her belt and threw it into the air, also calling out a command. "Flyer, let's do this." The Pokeball released its occupant in the air. This one was a Pideotto, the evolved form of Pidgey which looks like a larger version of a pigeon, except it looked more like it could take something down with its large talons and sharp beak.
"The battle between Flyer and Stripes will commence now," Professor Wood called out, acting as the referee for the battle while at the same time telling the students to pay attention to the battle techniques and the way the two treated their Pokemon.
"Okay, Stripes, let's do a Swift to start things off, shall we?" Matt asked in a tone that said that all he was there for was to provide help when needed, not to control every move that Stripes would make.
"Furret ret." (Sounds good to me.) So, with those words, the biggest battle that either Matt or Becky had been in began.
In the middle of the stands with Matt's parents next to them sat Becky's parents, all rooting for their child. Also, sitting up towards the top, hidden in the shadows was someone who was watching to see the battling spirit of the young man. A lot has gone on in this boy's life and already I am hoping that I get a chance to battle him someday. The shadow person then noticed that in the row in front of him there were a bunch of people whispering about when to strike and get done with this mission. So, he did the only thing he could think of. Taking out handcuffs, he silently cuffed the people's hands together and to the bench.
Across the gym, also sitting in the top row, was the rainbow lady. It's always fun to watch these tutorial battles. They always gives those younger a good example. If only the other towns did these then maybe we would be a lot happier and there would be so many fewer jerks who treat pokemon as slaves.
"Hey, Holly, how are things these days?" a tall, thin man wearing a light blue shirt and blue jeans asked as he sat down next to the lady.
"Not too well, Luke. Just watching Lance finish his trailing of some Rocket grunts so now I can watch the battle and not act as support," Holly muttered just as Matt's first command echoed in the gym, followed by Becky's counter-command.
"Flyer, show him the meaning of your name," Becky shouted out right after Matt said his command. Flyer took to the air but Stripes was expecting this and Flyer flew right into a stream of Swift attacks.
"Flyer, use a Steel Wing. Ha, didn't expect that, did you, Matt?" Becky said as Flyer's wing gained a metallic sheen as he swooped down, only to have Stripes dodge and then hit him from behind with a Quick Attack.
"No I was not, but it looks like Stripes was. Good job, Stripes, now show her your Cut attack." Matt was getting even more involved in the battle but at the same time not getting too involved; I have to make sure no one tries a sneak attack on me.
"Flyer, use your Fly Attack," Becky shouted. Flyer dodged the attack by Stripes and then dive bombed him from above.
"Well, I must say, you did well using that HM that Stripes found in the forest," Matt said as he was rethinking his strategy.
"Stripes, use your Rest move," Matt shouted in a mild-toned voice.
"What? Stripes knows Rest! Well, no matter. Flyer, use Wing Attack. Try and knock out that Furret before he wakes up." Becky was scared. Flyer was now at a level disadvantage, but she knew he could pull off a few good moves.
Matt just smiled. "Okay, Stripes, let's use Snore," Matt said as he just smiled even more.
"Flyer is unable to battle. Stripes is the winner." Professor Wood's voice rang across the stadium as Becky recalled her Pokemon
"GRRR! Matt, I must say that I'm not done yet. I have two more Pokemon left." And with that, Becky she tossed her second Pokeball. "Okay, Ruth, you're up now, so let's avenge Flyer's defeat." The Pokeball hit the ground and the familiar white light released the yellow electric mouse.
"Pika." (Right.) Ruth then shot off using Agility and then followed it up with a Quick Attack.
"Stripes, use Snore until you wake up, then use your Swift attack." Matt ordered as he hoped Ruth and Becky would not use an electric attack.
"Ruth, finish it off with a Thunder attack, and make this one count. Otherwise, Stripes will be awake and more of a challenge."
Ruth just nodded, closed her eyes and concentrated very hard. Soon, black clouds gathered above the two battling Pokemon, and Ruth sent a powerful bolt of lightning into the clouds. Moments later, the bolt came down and hit Stripes.
"Stripes is unable to battle. The match is tied one to one," Professor Wood declared as Matt recalled Stripes into his Pokeball.
"You are doing great, Becky; I must say that Ruth has gotten stronger…But now I choose Matt."
"Vulpix, vul." (Alright, go time.) Matt then shot onto the field from where he was standing by Matt's Right side and took up a battle stance.
"So Luke, Who do you think' going to win this battle?" Holly asked as she watched Stripes take Flyer down and Becky call out Ruth.
"I don't know, but I think that the grunts just found out that they are trapped, Luke replied with a slight chuckle. Sure enough, on the other side of the battlefield the small group of grunts had found themselves cuffed not only to each other but also to the bench.
The two friends then just started to laugh to themselves at the sight of the Rockets in disguise trying to get out of the handcuffs,
"Matt, I choose you." At this Holly and Luke both turned their attention back to the battle, looking even more amused as the score was now one to one.
"Okay, Matt, let's do a Confuse Ray," Matt commanded as he was looking at the Pikachu and trying to size up its strength and stamina.
"Ruth, use Agility to dodge that Confuse Ray, then follow up with a Thunderbolt," Becky ordered, trying her best to keep her voice from showing how worried she had become.
"Matt, Will-O-Wisp now that she's right where we want her," Matt then ordered as the Confuse Ray missed the Pikachu. The Will-O-Wisp hit Ruth and she shuddered from the burn that she received.
"Ruth, Thunder Punch," Becky ordered, smiling at how her dad had given that TM as a training gift. "Use this in that league and you will shake many opposites." Her dad's words rang through her head as she watched Matt try to dodge but get hit.
"Matt, Flame Thrower that Pikachu before that Paralyze takes effect." But Matt's muscles just locked up and he fell to the ground. The moment he did Ruth used a Thunder attack, fainting Matt, but the burn affected her and she, too, fainted. This left Matt and Becky with one Pokemon each.
"Okay, this will be the final round. You may begin," Professor Wood said as he lowered both flags to indicate the beginning of the final match.
"Flare, I choose you. Let's see how she can handle battling with the Flash Fire ability," Matt said, knowing that the last Pokemon that Becky had was Drake, her Growlithe. Becky pulled out her last Pokeball, but Matt saw that there were four Pokeballs attached to her belt. "Flare, she has another Pokemon. Be ready for anything."
"Very observant, Matt, but let's see if you're worried over nothing. Pokeball, go." Becky then tossed it onto the field. It opened to reveal….a fully-grown Arcanine. This caused the entire stands gasp. Her voice then got very excited as she told Matt what happened. "How do you like him? He just evolved last night, I mean, no Fire Stone. It took me seven years to see it happen, but it did. He evolved naturally."
Professor Wood nearly went nuts, but was able to control himself. "Becky, will you bring Drake over after the battle so I can have a look at him?" Becky just nodded, but she then looked right at Matt.
"So, are you ready to see who wins, Matt?" she asked as she raised her hand to issue her first attack to Drake.
"Am I ready? I'm ready for anything. Flare, let's get the show on the road," Matt ordered as he locked eyes with Becky and smiled. This will be one long and hard battle but I will see it through to the end.
"Flare, let's do a Bite attack," Matt ordered in a kind voice. Flare just nodded and looked at the opposing Pokemon and shuddered slightly. "Flare, I know he can be intimidating, but don't let that stand in your way. You can do it."
"Drake, you've got to dodge the Bite attack using Agility, then use your own Bite attack against Flare," Becky ordered.
"Flare, launch yourself in there with a Quick Attack followed by your Bite attack," Matt countered, hoping against hope that he could win against a speedy Arcanine and pull a victory out of his hat.
"Drake, try and shake him off, and then use your Take Down," Becky called to her Pokemon, who was, in fact, doing just that.
"Flareon, flare flare lare." (Drake, I must say that I think we should pull what we planed at dinner yesterday.)
"Arc." (Yes.)
They then separated and went after each other head on, Arcanine using his toned-down Take Down and Flare using a Quick Attack. They then both hit, and both went down in a real faint.
"This match is over, and it is a tie between Matt and Becky," Professor Wood announced. He then turned to the students in the front row and, smiling, started talking to them. "You, my young trainers, have witnessed a very, very rare event. You see, there is almost always a winner in a battle, but sometimes luck comes and gives a trainer a tie. That means that the challenger and defender are both good trainers and have very good understandings of their teams."
Meanwhile, Matt and Becky walked into the middle of the Pokemon field, shaking their heads as they looked at their Pokedexes.
"Well, Matt, it looks like they underestimated their strength and power. They both fainted, but I think they meant to play pretend." Becky was talking to Matt, but, because of the noise that now had erupted from a dull roar to full-blown conversations and people yelling congratulations to the two trainers, he could barely hear her.
"Yes, Becky, I think we'll have to have a long talk about this so they don't pull this at the Indigo League."
Up in the stands, Lance just got up and slipped away through the crowd as an Officer Jenny who was watching from the stands finally noticed the group trying to break free of the bench. She went over to arrest them, thanks to a tip from a person leaving the stadium.
"Well, Holly, I must say I haven't had this much fun for a long time. These two know what are good battling techniques and what would be bad battle techniques," Luke said as he, too, got up to leave.
"So, where are you going now, Luke?" Holly asked as she, too, got up and followed Luke towards the exit.
"I was thinking of seeing the Orange Islands. I haven't been there for about four years now, and I bet a lot of things have changed. What about you?"
"Oh, I'll be here or there. Maybe I'll look for some poor soul who needs to be brightened up, or maybe I'll keep an eye on anyone who is getting bullied. You know, same-old same-old," Holly responded as they exited into the fresh air.
"Well, catch you sometime later." With that Luke headed west towards the end of the day. Holly, after a moment, smiled and turned to go to the east, where the sun rises at the beginning of the day. The time was noon.
"Okay, now, the last of the new trainers to receive their starter is Ethan Red Vixen. Now, the choices are slim. I seem to have only a Charmander, a Geodude, and a Sandshrew. So, what Pokemon will you choose?" Professor Wood was glad. If there is one thing that he disliked, it would have to be kids who get angry when the Pokemon they want were already picked, but he was smiling because he knew That Ethan was one who, like his older brother, could deal with any situation.
"Professor Wood," Ethan said as he stood before the Professor of the entire Mount Moon Region, "I am going to pick Charmander, because I feel that I can make it to the Elite Four with a Charizard."
Professor Wood nodded and walked over to the Charmander. The Pokemon was a stubborn one; in fact, the original Pokeball that Charmander came in was sealed shut by one of his embers. "Charmander, this boy named Ethan is asking to be your trainer; do you accept this trainer to be your companion?" Professor Wood then waited for an answer with bated breath.
"Char charmander char char mander." (Yes, professor, I will go with him.) The Professor then took out the translator that he had placed in his ear so he could hear the replies of each Pokemon. Sighing, he turned to Ethan and motioned for him to come over and, after giving Ethan an Ursaring hug, he handed Ethan his Pokedex, six Pokeballs, and Charmander hopped off the table he was sitting on and walked over to Ethan's right side and posed, saying, "Charmander." (Don't touch my trainer.)
"So, Ethan, what's going to be your name for Charmander?" Professor Wood asked so he could register the name in his files.
"He reminds me of my Cousin Kyle in Celadon City. He has a personality like this," Ethan said as he smiled at the thought of annoying his Cousin with this Charmander.
"He will be called Kyle. Go out and see the world." With that final statement, Professor Wood got up and left, having already looked Drake over while the stage was being set up to present the starter Pokemon to their new trainers.
"So, Ethan, what does it feel like to be ten years old and have your first starting Pokemon?" Matt asked as they started to walk home. Ethan was in the middle with Eve walking on his left and Kyle walking on his right, having the air of some cocky Pokemon. Becky was on Ethan's left with Ruth perched on her left shoulder, and Matt was on Ethan's Right with Matt walking on his right and Fire Storm on his left. They were walking east, towards home away from the setting sun.
"It feels no different then a week ago, except I can legally battle in gyms and compete in the Indigo League." Ethan then pondered for some time and asked a question right out of the blue. "Hey, since we're all are going to Pewter starting tomorrow, why don't we all go together? Safety in numbers, right?"
Everyone but Ethan just face faulted. A second later they recovered and Matt and Becky try to persuade Ethan to reconsider his plans. Both not wanting Ethan to get mixed up with Team Rocket.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't our missing comrades," a voice sounded out from the shadows, "and they're hanging with a human." The way the voice said "human" it was clearly meant to be a slur.
"Who's there?" Matt yelled out into the shadows. "I also don't remember having been a member of anything but the Pokemon League."
"In that case, I'll show you…" And with that, a shadow moved from under a tree, and when the last of the sun hit the figure, Ethan gasped and froze in place along with Matt and Becky. The Pokemon, on the other hand, take up battle positions
VulpixTrainer: And there is another cliffhanger. It seems that Matt can never have a simple beginning of a year, can he?
Kyle: Why did you put me in, any way?
VulpixTrainer: Because you fitted the personality of the Charmander I had in mind for Ethan, that is why.
Kyle: Okay, as long as it is something like that and not something stupid like "I felt like it."