Hey everyone! Amaxing here!
Those of you who are loyal readers: don't worry. The next chapter is a good bit underway! Those of you who aren't loyal readers, welcome! You got the idea behind this page without actually having read it! I'm glad the message got through.
Those of you who are at all confused, allow me to explain. You see; I have realized that this story… is going to be long. Not necessarily by word count, but by chapter density. Somewhere in my mind I want it to be 151 chapters exactly, but… we'll see. Hopefully less… probably more.
And it's tough to have to read through every single chapter in order to catch up to the story; I get it. When you open up the chapters tab and you actually have to scroll down to get to the next page… it's pretty intimidating. So I've decided that, whenever a major amount of plot has been dealt with, I'll post a catch-up page. A reference document, of sorts, that will hopefully fill you in on the major plot points so far. Wish me luck! And feel free to ask questions in the reviews or by PMing if I miss something.
Story so far
For almost three years, a psychotic trainer, known only as 'Death', has ravaged the countries of Salvout and Ginli. He is an arrogant, merciless woman, and its reasons and methods are as of now incomprehensible. (No one knows its gender/species/anything, is what I'm saying there.)
Amber, a young girl from the small town of Pembrook, sets out on a journey at 18 (now the youngest age a person is allowed to start a Pokémon journey) to determine whether her childhood friend Axel is alive or not, as he has not been seen or heard from for two years.
What she doesn't expect, however, is for Axel to be in Cliffkiln, almost literally the next town over, and just too oblivious/idiotic to contact people and let them know he's ok. Upon arriving, he attempted to save Mr. Munson's grocery store from being robbed. He succeeded, but his Cyndaquil, Qwill, accidentally burnt down the storefront. Axel had been working at the store all this time, paying his debt.
A Pokémon tournament gives Axel the chance to earn enough money to pay off his debts early, but a Dragonite trained by Death interrupts the tournament, laying waste to the town. Axel's Meditite, Medici, flies into a rage and beats the creature senseless, only stopping when Axel and his other Pokémon physically pull him away. Mr. Munson, seeing Axel's full potential, allows him to leave. A young child from the village, Benji, is reported to have run away, and Amber, Axel and company are asked to keep an eye out for him.
After a bit of travelling, the group arrives in Woodale, home of the Salvout-Ginli league's first Pokémon gym. Axel meets Vanna Albright, the gym's leader, by chance in the park, and Vanna (using the false name Lily) asks Axel to run an errand for her. The group attempts to deliver medicine to her critically ill friend Bertrand, but cannot find him.
A search eventually leads the group (with Vanna) to Bertrand's secret basement, where he has been building a bomb to 'get back at those Ginli bastards for setting Death on us'. In a fit of insanity, he ignites the bomb, Medici arriving in just enough time to prevent the group from being hurt, but not Bertrand. Bertrand is rushed to the hospital and stabilizes, but Death, cryptically accusing Bertrand of 'almost ruining everything' sneaks in at night and kills him, placing a Slugma directly on top of his chest to burn him alive.
Axel defeats Vanna and gets the Pulsar Badge. Vanna, because of her ties to Bertrand, is called in to question by the Pokémon league and asked to momentarily step down. She complies, and runs to catch up with Axel, Amber, and company… who were waiting for her anyway. The troupe heads through Oakridge forest.
In Oakridge, a detective named Magnum Jenkins (called Officer Jenny by the new recruits) gets an anonymous tip that Death will be in the forest. Two trees fall on his car, one cut by Axel's Treecko, Inigo, and one by Vanna's Gallade, Gallant (they were having a competition to see who cut the best). Suspicious, Detective Jenkins interrogates Axel, but eventually lets him go… until he finds a trainer's body in the woods. Axel has, at this point, gone missing.
The group splits up, searching for Axel, and eventually both stumble into the same clearing, where Death is waiting. Death summons Deathwing, an enormous Skarmory the size of a dragon, to kill the group, but Axel arrives and, in an enormous team effort, manages to capture the beast using a modified Snag Machine called the BBUTTON.
The BBUTTON is illegal technology, but Detective Jenkins realizes it could be useful in fighting off Death, so he allows Axel to keep it, on the condition that he assist the Severna Police Department in a raid on a laboratory operated by Team Musket, a criminal group that produces illegal products to 'place more power in the hands of trainers'. Around the same time (on arriving in Severna), Amber runs into Skyler Blue, a Team Musket agent who becomes incredibly taken with her at first sight. He convinces her to meet him for dinner, even though she'll be leaving town soon.
Axel is able to flirt his way inside Team Musket's base, but once inside, it is revealed that the entire plan was a set up… Axel was allowed inside so that Team Musket could steal his BBUTTON, and Jenkins had been a 'Musketeer' the whole time. Axel, by a stroke of dumb luck, realizes this before it happens, and works with the real Severna Police Department to actually raid Team Musket's hideout. In the commotion, Detective Jenkins grabs Deathwing's Pokéball and unleashes the beast, causing the room to crumble, with the Musket agents and Axel inside. Medici is able to save Axel and one of the younger agents, Lexi, and an Excadrill working with the Police Department digs a tunnel to get them out.
Skyler, on an errand for the research lab's boss, Aggie, returns to find… all of this. Lexi is able to stop him from getting arrested by the police, and tells him Aggie's last words: that he is ready. Skyler, though it pains him to skip out on Amber, takes these to heart, and begins travelling to Woodale to start his Pokémon League venture.
The Excadrill that digs the tunnel belongs to Goliath Gold, Severna's Gym Leader… and Amber's father. After putting the group up for the night, he tells Amber that it's too dangerous to be out in the world, and orders her to go home. Amber refuses, and eventually a deal is made: if Axel can show that he's strong enough to protect both himself and her, she can continue travelling with him.
To this end, Goliath issues Axel a mandatory challenge: one Pokémon versus three. Qwill, drawing on every ounce of strength he has (as well as every ounce of energy drink), blows away Goliath's Excadrill, Bastiodon, and Rhyperior, literally blowing the last one off the mountain. Goliath, satisfied, awards Axel the Titan Badge, and permits Amber to continue travelling with him.
Cast of Characters
Axel Jackson: A nineteen-year-old boy with a firm resolve, an optimistic outlook, and common sense that would make the vast majority of the population feel good about themselves. It is often said that the only two things he really knows how to do are get people to like him and train Pokémon. He is decently athletic, and has a high tolerance for pain, due to Amber's many reprimands over the years.
Amber Gold: Axel's childhood friend, a strong-willed, sometimes stubborn, but always caring eighteen-year-old redhead. She is primarily a Pokémon breeder, but knows a fair bit of medicine (both Pokémon and human) as well. She keeps Axel in line much like a big sister would, and possesses a forehand that would make Maria Sharapova cry.
Medici: Axel's Meditite, a snarky, food loving, guitar playing amnesiac whose ego is only further stoked by the ridiculous amount of power he possesses. He occasionally loses control when stressed, entering a berserk-like trance that can only be broken with great effort. When under control, however, he can be quite fun to be around. He has a thing for Vanna's Gardevoir, odd as it sounds.
Vanna Albright: Selected for the Gym Leader fast track at a young age due to her innate connection with Pokémon, Vanna reached Gym Leader status at 16. She is shamelessly flirtatious, wielding her femininity as a powerful weapon against any man who stands in her way, or could possibly get her what she wants. She specializes in Psychic-type Pokémon.
Qwill: Axel's first Pokémon, bred for him by Amber. He never leaves Axel's shoulder except to battle, or when Axel's carrying something heavy. He has the Pokémon equivalent of ADHD, constantly jumping from topic to topic and possessing boundless energy. Despite this, he is a technical prodigy, and his Smeargle blood allows him to learn nearly any move he sees.
Shelligan: A Squirtle whose original trainer, Barnum, was killed by Death. Axel, a friend of Barnum's, told Shelligan that he would care for him if he wanted, and the Squirtle accepted. He is a showman first and foremost, and has a tendency to be dramatic and grandiose. Unable to produce water, he relies on trickery and the blunt end of his shell to overcome his opponents… well, that and lightning. He has a great deal of worldly wisdom, and the other Pokémon often come to him for advice.
Inigo: A warrior at heart, this Treecko trains constantly to perfect his Leaf Blade arts. He is monstrously strong, able to stop a rampaging Steelix in its tracks with a single cross cut. Because most of his time is spent training, however, he is somewhat distant from the rest of the group, though he is loyal to Axel without question. Has a bit of a rivalry with Gallant (a fellow swordsman), and quite a bit of contempt for the lazy, unscrupulous Medici.
Toto: Amber's first Pokémon, a Totodile (Toto is a self-given name, everyone else calls her 'Totodile'). Despite Amber's best intentions; she has grown up hostile to her Trainer, and more recently to humans in general. Occasionally, she hears a voice coaxing her to abandon the group of 'useless humans', but as of yet has not done so.
Gardevoir: Almost the complete opposite of Vanna, Gardevoir is a hundred percent uncertain of herself. She shies away from most attempts to contact her, and only communicates by writing notes on a pad. In battle, her opponents will often simply fall to the ground in forfeit, not wanting to hurt such a fragile, beautiful creature. Though Medici's initial attempts at wooing her freaked her out, she's grown used to him as he's backed off, working together with him more than any other Pokémon in the group.
Gallant: Vanna's Gallade, who prides himself a perfect gentleman. In spite of this, he has a quick temper, and becomes indignant at the slightest provocation.
Xatu: Vanna's third Pokémon, who knows exactly how everything's going to turn out, and is very vocal about that fact… after events transpire.
Professor Redwood: A famed Pokémon Professor whose theories about the 'anthromorphization' of Pokémon provoke either immense ridicule or intense respect. Fervently read by both Axel and Vanna.
Bertrand: a friend of Vanna's whose obsessive tendencies never helped cure his sickness. He became obsessed with the idea that Death was an inmate from the Lakeless asylum, sent by Ginli to destroy Salvout in preparation for an invasion, and built a bomb to meet that threat.
Percy Garrison: A young boy from the Cliffkiln area, who funded the tournament there. Convinced that Axel is, in fact, Death, and will stop at nothing to prove it… provided he gets out of the asylum anytime soon.
Benji: A young, ten-year-old boy from Cliffkiln who idolizes Axel. Currently missing.
Skyler Blue: A young, naïve member of Team Musket, who only sees the positive side of the research being done there. He was one of the first test subjects for the Human TM project, and is capable of performing several Flying-type Pokémon moves. His interest in Amber is derailed by Aggie's last wish, for him to take on the Pokémon league. In his free time, he enjoys freestyle rapping.
Aggie: The head researcher of Team Musket's lab in Severna, who was like a mother to many of the team members there. Was always concerned about Skyler, who barely survived the experiments performed on him, and attempted to shield him from as much as possible.
Helen Alexis: Known as 'Lexi', she serves as both Siren and Sniper for Team Musket, luring in unwitting trainers for interrogation or picking enemies off from afar. While she actually fell for Axel the tiniest bit when he infiltrated Team Musket's lab, she is loyal first and foremost to Skyler, and has sworn to protect and accompany him through his journey.
Detective Jenkins: One of the most well respected members of the Severna Police Department, until he was discovered to be a Team Musket agent. Regardless of this, he was always adamant about trying to capture Death, taking this facet of his policing duty incredibly seriously.
Goliath Gold: Severna's gym leader and Amber's father, an enormous bear of a man. He demands greatness from anyone who challenges him; setting his gym atop a mountain for the sole purpose of making Trainers climb it. He does have a small soft spot for his daughter, however, and an almost fatherly pride in Axel's accomplishments.
Quick Facts
Axel's Pokémon: Qwill (Cyndaquil), Shelligan (Squirtle), Inigo (Treecko), Medici (Meditite), Skarmory (formerly Deathwing).
Amber's Pokémon: Totodile
Vanna's Pokémon: Gardevoir, Xatu, Gallant (Gallade)
Skyler's Pokémon: Dino (Deino), Tangela, Magnezone
Percy's Pokémon: Pidgeot, Houndoom, Steelix
Goliath's Pokémon: Drillbit (Excadrill), Bastiodon, Choo-Choo (Rhyperior)
Fun Fact: The Rhyperior's name is Choo-Choo because Axel used to ride on its back when it was a Rhyhorn, and always compared it to being on a train.
Death's Pokémon (so far known): Deathbreath (Dragonite, now euthanized), Deathwing (formerly, now Axel's), Slugma (name unknown).
The Gym-Leader Circuit: Woodale, Severna, Highbank, Jinford, Califrey, Lakeless, Clockton, Nightcastle. Woodale, Severna, Clockton, and Nightcastle are in Salvout, the rest are in Ginli.
The Great War: Refers to the great Salvout-Ginli war, fought over the course of almost thirty years, which ended roughly 85 years ago. The term Antebellum refers to the time before the armistice in this story.
Armistice Island: The site of the signing of the peace treaty between Salvout and Ginli. It is the only piece of land that the two countries share ownership of, and is where the yearly Pokémon League championships are held.
BBUTTON: A modified Snag Machine, developed by Professor Redwood. It is a 'Ball Binder Using The Trainers Own Newtons', and allows a trainer to clamp down on a Pokéball and use physical exertion to keep a Pokémon from escaping. Currently in Axel's possession.
Musket Ball: A Pokéball developed by Team Musket that is equipped with an explosive outer casing that detonates on contact with a Pokémon. Allows for the capture of Pokémon without battling, violating almost every fair-capture law in existence.
Human TM Project: An effort by Team Musket to produce Technical Machines for people that seems to be dangerously successful. Its intent is to give Salvout the weapons it needs to combat Ginli in the war that's 'sure to happen'.
Growlithe Girl: The initial case that sparked the idea for the Human TM project. A young girl who, after accidentally injecting herself with a Flamethrower TM, collapsed into a coma as her body changed, emerging with the physical capability to breathe fire.
In Touch: Also known as 'Throwbacks', this term is used by some scientists to describe people whose genetic makeup is significantly similar to Pokémon's. First mentioned briefly by Aggie, but has not been explained since.
Non-Story Related, But Kind of Important
Reviews are always appreciated.
Seriously. Reviews are awesome.
Questions are welcome, and are always answered, typically at the end of the chapter in the Author's Note section.
Minor character submissions are accepted. Not much is required for this: even just a name is acceptable, as I have a hard time naming things.
At the end of Chapter 26, there's a list of possible Gym Badge names for you to vote on! You can also submit your own ideas if you'd like, or can choose to… not do anything. It's fine either way.
BONUS!
If you've read this far, here's a little something to show my thanks/surprise at your interest! It's a horrifying insight into what I can accomplish when I'm really, really bored.
I'll give you a minute if you want to click over to a page with… actual… entertainment things.
… Still here?
Don't say I didn't warn you:
EPIC RAP BATTLES OF FANFICTIOOOOON!
SKYLER BLUE
VS!
MEDICI THE MEDITITE
BEGIN!
Skyler:
You just learned how to speak; how you gonna rap, man?
Like Magnezone I'll blast you with a verbal Zap Cannon
Forsooth, Sir Medici, you grok my jive?
Slacker, I've been spitting fire since before you were alive
You'll be cursing on my versing cause I never need rehearsing
Not a person on this earth my rhymes can't force into a hearse, bitch
Might not be Death, but I'll straight up maim ya
I AM the very best; so don't make me disclaim ya
Medici:
I can read minds, so I know I'm telling true
I speak for everybody here: who the hell are you?
You fight like a baby; I'm a friggin' berserker
Don't forget you started out as a fake office worker
I'm an artist, a genius, impossible to hate
You're a clueless criminal who can't even keep a date
I'll cook you up, scrape you off like a steak's gristle
Those aren't Muskets: more like broken water pistols
Skyler:
Dude, your flow's so weak a Magikarp could swim through it
I don't need no Techniques to secure this win, stupid
Psychic? Try sidekick. I'm sort of confused:
If you're "so powerful" why don't you ever get used?
I'm tough; I step up to all kinds of harsh strife
You lose one little battle and forget your whole life
Crawl into your Ball, cause I'm this story's best feature
Sky is the limit; don't even think you can reach it
Medici:
You talk a big battle, but I ain't ever see you fight
Catch me if you can, sucker, I'll be here all night
You're whack, you're a hack, a genetic Throwback
I'm Super Effective with every single attack
Fans jump at the chance to hear my star guitar
Your licks couldn't catch a glance from a Gardevoir
You're hopeless and blind; DEINO could see the truth:
You choked on this fight; must be why you're so Blue.
WHO WON?
WHO'S NEXT?
YOU DECIDE! (Maybe?)
EPIC RAP BATTLES OF FANFICTIOOOOON!
One more thing
Every chapter ends like this:
Viva la feminism?
Don't… don't ask why.