Theme Song
One door has closed, another swings (Owen stares into the camera and fades out along with Brooklyn, Molly, and Charizard)
You must grow accustomed to new things (Gray, Meowth, Chase, and two other Pokemon replace the others)
It might feel strange, there might be hate (A person in black armor looks at Cerulean Cave, followed by a split screen of them wearing a laughing mask and crying mask)
But you do not want to tempt fate (Gray stares at the sky and eight badges pass by)
Fight back(2x)! Let it go! (Durus, Leviculus, and another Pokemon charge towards the camera at the same time)
Be strong(2x), put on a show! (Chase and Audino sprint away from a herd of Tauros)
Keep training, you'll be put to the test (Gray has a flashback of losing to Trentavious)
Now is not the time to rest... Pokemon! (Gray, smiles at the camera with two Pokemon by her side and Meowth resting on her head)
What's goin' on, everybody? So, I know I said I'd be taking a break from writing, but I'm too pumped for this story, so here's the first chapter post-Kalos! Last chapter, Gray received her trainer license and battled Trentavious, her first rival. She lost, however, due to Meowth not listening to a word she said. Now, Gray will be heading towards Viridian City, and I have absolutely no idea what else is going to happen. Seriously, I'm freestyling this one, so let's get going!
MerlockVonBaron: Thank you! The action will start to pick up at the beginning of the Pewter City Arc (so probably chapter 7)
Defender31415: I'm glad to see Owen back, too! And Gray will eventually start getting along with Meowth. She will, however, have another Pokemon later in the story that will be much bigger problem, as she won't listen to Gray for a while
ShadowDragon9000: Lol, her last name is based on the land. I never realized the other reference, haha. And don't worry, Meowth will start listening very soon
Trentavious Phoenix: You can say that again, lol. And sorry if I didn't portray Trent like you wanted me to. It was just so fun having him be an ass XD
MCMXCV: Well said/written :) Gray is definitely a go-getter, similar to how Owen was at the beginning of his travels, but she'll start to go down her own path pretty soon while occasionally showing flashes of Owen's personality. And I'm starting to think Chase might not end up being a love interest (I don't think there will be one in this story, but if I do, you'll know)
Emboar-Man: Poliwag could work, considering Politoed is from Johto. The others, however, are from Kanto, so Gray won't get them. She will be catching one Pokemon from each region, and I won't be following the traditional pattern of catches. Gray isn't going to be getting a fire type, and she won't catch a regional bird, so her team is going to be pretty unusual, if I do say so myself
Elodus: Sorry I haven't posted in a while, lol. And Gray's team will definitely have more female Pokemon, at least ratio-wise, than Owen's, given the fact that she'll only have six, possibly seven throughout her travels. Also, I know I PM'ed you about this review, but I'd just like to say I (obviously) followed your advice, and I feel refreshed!
Shion Rasenka: I love the review (that evil laugh, doe), and appreciate the depth you put into it. I completely understand the disappointment regarding Gray not being Owen's daughter, or his daughter being a main character, let alone the protagonist, but it didn't feel right to make the child of a champion be the main protagonist. If they were bad at training (which is highly unlikely), it would be a pretty typical path to that trainer eventually reaching, or even surpassing their parent's status. Also, I will not make a story where Molly is the main character, but I do have an epilogue chapter in store that will go 15 years past the end of Kalos :)
Gray's team
Meowth, (f), level 5, Scratch, Growl
"Why are you here in Kanto?" Chase inquired as Owen withdrew his Venasaur and cracked his back. The seventeen year old thought for a few seconds, not wanting to divulge any information that could get out to the media.
"I figured it'd be nice to visit the place I grew up. I'm guessing you're all new trainers?" the teen quizzed, making everyone nod in response. "Oh man, I remember when I started my journey. It feels like it was just yesterday I ran down those stairs with my Charizard, who was a Charmander at the time." Owen sighed as he began reminiscing about his past.
"That's so cool!" Sammy exclaimed as she walked towards Owen and began batting her eyes flirtatiously. "So, are you seeing anyone?" the girl asked, making everyone deadpan while Owen sweat dropped.
"Sorry, I have a kid," Owen answered, making Sammy fall over in embarrassment. "Anyways... that was some battle," the champion joked while looking over at Gray, who didn't take kindly to the joke. "Like Red said, you showed a lot of courage by challenging that kid." Owen smiled as he recovered from the rough start, and Gray nodded at the champion's words.
"Thanks, but I don't ever want to lose to that guy again!" Gray announced, fire burning in her eyes. Chase nodded at the girl's proclamation before turning to look at his parents, who were talking with Gray's mom, and the twins' parents.
"Mom, Dad," Chase started as he walked over to the older couple. The parents turned to look at their son, tears in their eyes, and they hugged for a few seconds. Once they pulled apart, Chase walked back to his friends, but they soon followed what he did. Owen smiled as the two other families embraced and the newly licensed trainers broke away, separating the last string that would finally grant them complete independence.
"I'm going to miss you both, so much," Gray said to her little brother and mother with a pained smile. The older woman attempted to fight back her tears, which kept her from speaking, so she nodded. Billy, meanwhile, ran over to Gray and hugged her once again, making the older girl tear up before hugging her brother back. After a few seconds the two separated, and Gray wiped her eyes.
"Well, I guess this is it," Tracy started while she and Sammy looked at their parents. The older couple nodded and waved at their daughters as they started to walk towards the exit of Pallet Town, and they were followed by Gray and Chase. Owen, meanwhile, smiled and walked back into Professor Gary Oak's lab, wanting to see the remaining rookie trainers receive their Pokemon.
"So, I guess we're officially starting our journey right now," Tracey started before taking a deep breath. "I didn't think I'd be this nervous about leaving mom, dad, and Saffron City." The sixteen year old looked over at her twin, who nodded in agreement, and the two put their arms around each other while walking in sync. Gray continued to wipe her eyes as she walked towards Route 1, and Chase looked down at a locket his parents had given him. There wasn't a picture inside the expensive object, but that didn't stop the teen from staring at it.
"What are you guys going to do?" Gray and Chase looked up at the same time to see Sammy looking back at them with a smile on her face. The two teens looked at each other and then back at Sammy before shrugging in response, making the loudmouthed girl roll her eyes. "Oh come on! You both know what you want to be, so you have to know what you're going to do!"
"When you put it like that," Chase started, scratching his chin while thinking of what the first step in his journey would be. "I still don't have an idea." Sammy frowned at the laughing boy, and she turned her attention to Gray, who was laughing at the joke along with Tracey.
"I guess I'm going to challenge the Pewter City Gym, but I have to catch a Pokemon or two before I can do that." Sammy smiled in satisfaction after hearing an answer, and the group walked in silence while they reached the top of the hill overlooking Pallet Town. Once they did, all four turned and looked out at the tiny town, smiling, before they turned and continued their trek towards Viridian City.
"You know, Gray, you could probably find a Pokemon or two on this route," Chase informed the girl he was walking next to. Gray didn't pay any attention to Chase's statement, and she began looking around at the trees full of Pokemon. "Gray? Are you there?" The sixteen year old suddenly snapped out of her daze and nodded emphatically while blushing from embarrassment.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I was just thinking that I'd only catch Pokemon I really feel a connection with." Chase nodded at the deep response, and he decided to take a bottle of water out of his backpack. "What about the rest of you? Are you going to catch any Pokemon you come across?"
"Only if they're cute," Sammy and Tracey replied in unison, making Gray sweat drop before she turned to Chase, waiting for an answer. The tall teen shrugged once again, and he took a swig of water.
"I don't think so. It's kind of hard to come up with an idea of what I'm going to do in a few months, or minutes. I'll just go with the flow, and if I decide I want a Pokemon, I'll catch it." Chase slowly cracked his knuckles as he and the three girls walked through a patch of grass. Suddenly, a wild Rattata leaped forward and mauled Chase, making the boy scream in fear as the normal type attempted to bite him. Gray, Tracey, and Sammy all fell on their backs in shock, and they were too rattled to do anything about the Rattata.
"Audino, help with Pound!" Chase screamed as he released his starter. Suddenly, a large, bipedal Pokemon appeared next to Chase. Without hesitation, the friendly looking Pokemon wound her arm back and delivered a wicked punch to the Rattata's face, launching the normal type off Chase. The Rattata prepared to attack once again, but it cowered in fear when Chase and the three girls stood over it. The rat then darted back into the forest, and Chase started to brush the dirt off his clothes before bending down to pet his Pokemon's head.
"Audino, the Hearing Pokemon. It touches others with the feelers on its ears, using the sound of their heartbeats to tell how they are feeling." Gray looked up from her Pokedex and stared at the normal type, who waved warmly.
"That Pokemon is so cute!" Tracey exclaimed before running over to Audino and pinching her cheeks. The normal type shook its head violently and ran away from the teenage girl in fear, hiding behind Chase. The teenage boy laughed at Audino's actions, and he turned to look at his starter.
"Don't worry, girl. These are my friends, Tracey, Sammy, and Gray," Chase informed the scared Pokemon while pointing at each of the girls. All three waved at Audino, and the scared animal slowly stepped forward and continued to look at the ground in fear. "I think it'd be best if I just withdrew you to you're Pokeball, Audino." The normal type nodded in agreement with her trainer, and she was zapped back inside her Pokeball.
"For being so strong, Audino sure is gentle," Sammy pointed out as the group resumed their trek towards Viridian City. Chase smiled at the observation and looked at the Pokeball in his hand, nodding in agreement. "Once we get to Viridian, we should let our Pokemon out. They could definitely use some fresh air."
"That's a great idea, sis," Tracey told her twin. Sammy beamed at the compliment, and the subject quickly changed to what the teens were going to do now that they had to get their own food. Several laughs were had the entire way to Viridian City, and everyone stopped talking when they reached a tall hill, which overlooked Viridian City. The sun was beginning to set, but all four trainers were prepared for such a scenario, as they all had their tents and sleeping bags.
"We should probably set up camp now. That way we don't have to go look for wood at night," Chase suggested wisely as he began to put the tents together. The three girls agreed with the handy boy, and they started searching for firewood. Instead of looking around the campsite, Gray opted to go check on Route 1 while Sammy and Tracey stayed as close to Chase as possible.
"I should be back in ten minutes. If you hear any screams, that's me," the girl joked while pushing her brown hair out of her eyes. She then walked away while her friends laughed at her joke, and she looked along the ground for any sticks. "Meowth, come on out!" In a blast of light, Gray's Meowth appeared, and she groggily opened her eyes. The trainer simply glanced at her sleeping Pokemon, waiting for the feline to get up. "Come on, Meowth, I need you to help me look for some firewood."
"Meow," Meowth shot back before turning her back to Gray and pretending to snore obnoxiously, irritating the rookie trainer. "Meow-meow." Once she found a stick on the ground, Gray picked it up and thought about throwing it at her starter, but her better judgement cleared her mind.
"Come on, Meowth, we're a team. At some point we'll have to work together," Gray said to her starter, trying to reason with the annoying Pokemon. A shocked smile appeared on Gray's face when Meowth stood on her feet, but the normal type hissed at her, crushing her spirit. "You know, you're a pretty crappy partner! I've been nothing but nice to you, and all you do is hiss and sleep!"
"Meowth!" the normal type shot back angrily before walking towards Gray. The girl braced herself for an attack, but Meowth opened the teen's backpack and grabbed one of the translators. The normal type then put the device around her neck, and it started to flash. "Check." After hearing a feminine voice escape the translator, Meowth locked eyes with Gray and began to hiss. "Nice!? You've been a brat about this the entire time!"
As the two continued to bicker about who was in the wrong, a pair of watchful eyes appeared in a tree. Several other pairs of eyes appeared, and they were fixated on Gray and her starter. They soon disappeared in the blink of an eye, and Gray continued to argue with Meowth.
"Well we lost to Trentavious because of you!" the trainer screamed. Meowth suddenly closed her mouth, and a look of hurt spread across her face. Gray didn't feel any sympathy, however, and she turned her back to Meowth. "But you're going to say it's because of my attacks, right?" There was no response, and Gray turned around to see that Meowth had disappeared. "Meowth? Is that you?" Gray inquired as she saw a pair of eyes staring at her through a bush. The girl slowly walked over to the thing that was watching her, but she fell on the ground when an unfamiliar Pokemon leaped into the air.
"Key!" Before she could do anything, Gray was tackled and an unrecognizable Pokemon began to scratch her viciously, making the teen scream in pain. "Mank-mank!" the Pokemon grunted repeatedly as it continued swiping at Gray.
"Get off of me!" the girl shouted before grabbing the Pokemon's arms. She quickly hurled the hairy animal into a tree, and a loud thud echoed through the air. A flock of disturbed Pidgey suddenly flew off the tree the unnamed Pokemon had hit into, and Gray's attention was diverted, leaving her defenseless.
"Mankey!" Much to her surprise, Gray saw a bunch of figures leap out of the woods, and they attempted to assault her. Before she could even think, Gray threw her arms up in an attempt to shield herself, but nothing happened. The girl then looked around in confusion and saw that the group of Pokemon were lying on the ground, for some odd reason. When they attempted to get up, a flurry of spheres flew into them and sent the aggressive Pokemon rolling away, and Gray looked in the direction the attack was fired from. She saw nothing except a shadowy figure that danced through the trees, and the thing fired another flurry of spheres that sent the attackers retreating.
"Th-thank you!" Gray called to the figure, which had stopped and turned to face her. Because it was so dark out, Gray was unable to identify the Pokemon, and she watched as it seemed to nod at her before the figure jumped onto a tree branch and disappeared. "Wow, that was so weird. I wonder what kind of Pokemon that was? Or was it even a Pokemon?"
"Gray! Gray, are you okay?" Sammy, Tracey, and Chase shouted as they ran over to their friend, who was still staring at the spot where she lost sight of the figure that saved her.
"I'm... fine. Some Pokemon attacked me, but they were stopped by another Pokemon, I think," Gray informed her friends. "Wait, where's Meowth!?" the sixteen year old shouted as she started to look around frantically. Her searching ceased when Chase placed his hand on her shoulder, and she looked into the boy's eyes.
"She's back at camp with the other Pokemon. She actually brought all of the fire wood and told us where to find you." Gray flinched in shock, and she looked at the ground in shame as she thought back to her harsh words. After arriving back at camp, Gray sat down on the grass, and she looked over at Meowth, who was sitting by herself. The feline refused to look at her trainer, and she curled up in a ball while closing her eyes, not wanting to speak.
"Guys, I need to tell you something," Sammy announced while standing. Her Charmander also stood up energetically, and the two smiled before sticking their right arms out and flashing peace signs. "We're going to travel on our own! Me and Charmander want to be the best Pokemon fashion designers and models!" Gray and Chase cheered at Sammy's decision while Tracey looked on in shock.
"I thought we were going to travel together." Sammy looked down at her sister and smiled at her before they hugged. Tracey's Squirtle looked at Sammy's Charmander while their trainers embraced, and they shrugged at the moment. "I get your decision, though. We have to learn to live on our own at some point. Right, Squirtle?"
"Squir-tle!" the water starter exclaimed, making Tracey giggle.
"I guess we'll head out tomorrow, too. Hopefully we get to see each other again." Sammy, Gray, and Chase went silent after Tracey's statement, and the four teens looked at their Pokemon. Audino was already sleeping in Chase's tent, Sammy's Charmander was tending to the fire, Tracey's Squirtle ran around in circles while chasing its tail, and Meowth was fast asleep, still curled up in a ball.
"I guess I'm going to sleep. Good night, everyone," Gray informed her friends as she zapped Meowth back into her Pokeball. The others waved to Gray while she crawled into her tent, and the girl slipped into her sleeping bag. Slowly, she closed her eyes and thought of the strange Pokemon that had saved her, and a smile crept onto her face. "I'm going to find that Pokemon and thank it. Who knows? Maybe it'll even join me!"
Damn, Gray and Meowth really aren't off to a good start. So, Sammy and Tracey won't be traveling with Gray as they try and forge their own paths, and nothing is known about Chase, at the moment. Till next time, peace out.
Next Chapter: "Enter Leviculus": With Meowth still refusing to talk to her, Gray sets out to find another Pokemon. She soon runs into trouble, however, when the attackers from the previous night strike again! Will Gray be able to fend them off?
Coeptum Arc
Chapter 5: When Bonds Prevail!