Max's feet pounded out a steady, unchanging beat as he followed the route's beaten dirt road, humming softly to himself as he went along. On his shoulder, a small Goomy was perched, and hummed along with him wordlessly. Eight years ago, when Max was seven, he met an amazing trainer named Ash, and was inspired to someday become a world renowned Pokémon master. He wasn't there yet; to be honest, he only had four badges. But it was a good start, considering he had only left home three months ago. When he turned 10, instead of heading out immediately like he had wanted too, he swallowed his own desires and stayed behind at home, helping his father maintain the gym, and studying battle technique and strategy. May, his older sister, had left a while ago, seeking stardom in further regions as a Pokémon coordinator. When the suffocation of a small town and an overbearing mother finally took its toll, Max left in a hurry, wanting to start out immediately. First, he made his way back towards Sootopolis City, and from there, back tracked into the nearby forest. After a few days of searching, he finally had found what he had been long searching for; and old friend he had once rescued and battled together with.
Goomy had been sent as an egg from Brock, a Pokémon breeder who lived far away now. Max was taking his time to raise and train the baby slowly, and the two of them were steadily growing closer. One day, he hoped to battle his sister and Ash, and show them just how far he had grown from the small, young boy he once was. His mind was on that future battle, his eyes on the ground, when a white streak quickly approached him from behind.
Goomy was the first to notice the coming Ninetales. Hopping off of Max's shoulder, it turned to the coming threat. Max looked down at the tiny blob, confused.
"What is it, Goomy?"
"Goo, Goom!"
"Something coming?" Just then, he raised his gaze, and saw a quickly approaching dust cloud. Confused and frightened, he scooped up his young charge, and braced himself for whatever the coming projectile was. As it drew closer, Max's fear turned to awe. The creature stopped before him, and he felt completely enamored with the beauty of the creature. Its tails swirled around it constantly, reminding Max of seaweed beyond and under the surf. Its white fur shined with a warm brilliance, making its bright, crimson eyes stand out all the more. Its tail tips and paws were all a vibrant blue, an unusual color found on Fire types.
"Whoa.. a Ninetales! Never seen one of that color before…" Quickly, Max pulled out his Pokedex, and aimed it carefully at the canine in front of him.
"Ninetales, the Fox Pokemon. Legend has it that Ninetales came into being when nine wizards possessing sacred powers merged into one. This Pokémon is highly intelligent—it can understand human speech," the electronic, female voice said clearly.
"Whoa! It can understand what I am saying?" As if on cue, the Ninetales tilted its head, and its lips pulled back in a toothy smile; it reminded him of all the times May would smile and pat his head, calling him "cute" when he messed something up. "What a powerful and beautiful Pokemon," Max smiled, staring into its red eyes. After a moment, his gaze changed into a glare of determination. "I'm gonna' capture it, and show it off to May when she comes back home." An angry growl ripped from its throat as its tails began to swirl faster in irritation, a malevolent vortex of fur.
"Go, Gallade!" With a stylish throw of the wrist, Max threw out his oldest and dearest friend. He landed gracefully, eyeing his opponent. "Gallade, let's take this one home!" With a nod of its head, the humanoid Pokemon returned its gaze to its adversary.
"Gallade, go, with Slash!" Rushing forward, his arms sharpening to blades, the Gallade attacked the Ninetales. It dodged easily out of the way, and began barking and growling angrily.
"Ni, Ni Ninetales! Ni, Ni!" The Gallade paused on the offensive, interested in what the fox was saying.
"Gallade, what are you doing? Follow up with a Feint!"
But the Ninetales says she came to get our help, came the Gallade's telepathic voice through Max's brain.
"Quit stalling, go with a Brick Break!" he commanded impatiently. With a irritated growl, the Ninetales shot a tiny Ember attack at his feet. As Max danced about, avoiding burns, the Ninetales chuckled quietly.
Stop it! Don't hurt my master! The Ninetales barked several times quickly, gazing at Max as he finally stopped hopping about; he glared at the wild Pokémon.
She wishes for me to tell you that you deserved it, Gallade said, bemused. With an irritated growl, Max turned his gaze to the Shiny.
"Gallade, Stored Power!" Gallade closed his eyes, and after a nanosecond of focusing, shot a brightly colored orb at the wild Pokemon. Calmly, the Ninetales used an explosive Overheat; it shoved through the Stored Power attack, and continued angrily towards the Gallade, catching him full on the chest and sending him flying backwards. As the wall of flames approached Max quickly, the small Goomy in his arms pulled up a Light Screen, protecting the duo from the blaze. As Max blinked his eyes open again, he saw the Ninetales standing dominantly over his Gallade, its fangs bared viciously in a silent warning not to rise.
She wishes to know if you will listen now, came Gallade's telepathic voice, a hint of fear and admiration ringing in it. Seeing that his strongest Pokemon wasn't going to win the battle, Max angrily crossed his arms.
"What does she want?" Max hissed heatedly. With a relieved sigh, Ember finally removed herself from above her combatant. As he rose wearily, she apologized calmly.
"What is your name?" she said coolly, appraising her translator.
"Gallade," he shrugged. "Max, my master, gave me no other name."
"Haven't you one from prior to your Capture?" Ember inquired.
"Rizio was my old name," he offered slowly.
"Well, Rizio, I am Ember, and I need you and your trainer's help," she said, licking her fur back into perfection. As Rizio translated, he could feel the authority and power wafting off of Ember; clearly, she was the Alpha of her home.
"What sorta' help?" Max asked brusquely, still sore from losing so quickly in battle. As Ember told Rizio her story in full, and the danger her homeland faced, she made no effort to hide her desperation. She was lucky to have found a trainer with a translating Pokémon. She painted the vibrant picture of slavery and destruction, allowing her audience to appreciate the severity of the coming Team Origin. In Max's arms, Yulta, the Goomy, shuddered.
"Without your help," Ember said, "it is very possible that the wild Pokémon of this region and the next could find their Freedom taken." A silence followed, and after a moment, Max sighed.
"I know what you're talking about. We fought this Team Origin a couple days ago. We won easily, but I had no idea that was their name, or that they were doing such heinous things."
"Will you help me protect my people?" Ember asked hopefully. After a moment, Max nodded his head. "Then we have no time to lose. Come quickly, we must return to my forest, where my army awaits my order to march. I hope you are a fast runner."
Max laughed as Rizio translated, then returned the Gallade to its Pokeball. "Don't worry, I think we can keep up." Swapping out the Pokeball's in his hand, he threw a different one into the air; in front of Ember , a Dodrio formed. Max hopped onto the large, three-headed bird's back, settled Goomy in between his legs, and turned to Ember. "Care to race?" he taunted, smiling at the new adventure before him. Without a second thought, Ember tore off ahead of him, leading the way in a Extreme Speed that tore the ground behind her in another cloud of dust. "After her!" Max laughed, and with a spring of its legs, the Dodrio followed closely behind, following the white streak of fur.
Alright, so to help keep count, Max has a Goomy named Yulta, a Gallade named Rizio, and a Dodrio (unnamed). I've decided to leave the last three slots open for fan voting and suggestion. Either PM a Pokemon you want Max to have, and a name if you have one, or submit your suggestion in a review. Please note that I may not take your suggestion if I feel that it won't have a significant part in the plot. (For example, don't even try a Goldeen! The final battle will be on land, so a Goldeen wouldn't be a wise choice!) If I can't get enough decent suggestions, I might just leave some spaces on Max's team open. Also, please don't just try and give him a super, mega, awesome, powerful team; he's a trainer of a few months, he's really just a babe in the world of battles. Thanks. Also, no, I did not make it up that Ninetales can understand human speech; that was sheer luck! Checkout the Pokedex entries for it!