The gentle, calm breeze of the peaceful place of New Bark Town was always common for the town's population of people and pokemon. A couple of children were out playing with their young pokemon, as the majority of the townsfolk were either outside or in their homes, performing their daily routines. Even in the calm laboratory, the young Professor Gold was inside, attending to his own matters. As the world turns, the spirits of the world also revolves. At least that's what young Lynn Colthearts believed from her family. Lynn had always believed in the occult, and the undead. While that may of been quite out there to the public eye, it was quite normal for the Colthearts family clan. However, Lynn normally prefers not to talk about her family in a casual matter, but she still holds to her ideals that will unite her broken family once again. However, to her, that was a tale for another time. Right now, it was time for her to press on to important matters: it was the time to meet the good Professor Gold today.
Professor Gold was busy in the laboratory, speaking with his aides about a rising concern. One can easily tell from the concerned look from their faces, of course. That was until the front door knocked exactly eight times. Soon it opened, with the young Lynn Colthearts entering inside.
"Excuse me..." Lynn addressed upon entering. She saw the men grouped together, as they all looked upon her. "Oh, I'm sorry! Am I interrupting? I have heard that this was the laboratory of Professor Gold, but... should I come back later?"
"No trouble at all!" the professor greeted. "Come right in! These are just my aides!"
"
Just his aides he says..." one of the aides repeated in a whisper to the other as he shook his head in disbelief. "Such a wise guy."
"Now you've probably know this by now," the professor continued. "But I am Professor Gold. Who might you be, young lady?"
"My name is Lynn," Lynn addressed with a follow-up bow. "Lynn Colthearts. Professor it's quite an honor to meet you! I knew that from Feng-Shui that the lucky number 8 will be my guide on meeting you today, thus building up plenty of good karma for the both of us!"
"Well, that is quite interesting!" Professor Gold said with a smile. "Although, excuse me if I know next to nothing about... um... what did you call it? Fang-Sushi?"
"
Feng-Shui," Lynn corrected. But her concern rose. "Professor! H-Have you not addressed the proper ritual of calming the spirits of the structured building in years?! The spirits will become restless! A-A curse will be upon everyone here!! But don't worry! I will help you there!"
"O-Oh no!" replied Professor Gold. "Really, you don't have to--"
"
Fei-sha-ko-op-no-tuai-ju-fo-tai-no-feng-qui-o-shi-ko-a-ne!" Lynn chanted, but with her result ended up in intrigued looks from the professor and from his aides. "The ritual is complete! May the spirits rest knowing this building will not become a horrible, and might I add, unholy monster that will tear everyone limb from limb, devouring the precious souls of pokemon and humans alike!"
"Uh... Thank you!" thanked Professor Gold, as his aides exchanged glances. "Now then Lynn, you being here means that you want to become a pokemon trainer, correct?"
"Oh yes, of course!" Lynn smiled. "I have read many books such as
The adventures of Sasha and Pikachu! For while Sasha was a upcoming pokemon trainer as well, she was not the best. However, her belief and love for pokemon has led her to travel to many places and to meet many people! I want to experience that as well! Along with my own partner pokemon... out in the world, battling pokemon trainers, collecting gym badges, and cleansing the souls of tainted spirits as I remove each potential curse for our citizens of Johto! And if all goes well, maybe... just maybe... I can finally..."
"Maybe?" Professor Gold repeated. "Just... maybe what? Do you have another goal in mind?"
Lynn didn't answer. She simply turned away as she looked straight up in the ceiling, and look out of the roof window, toward the light-blue sky.
"Lynn?" said the Professor, trying to get her attention. "Uh... Lynn?"
"Professor, can't you see's having a flashback?" one of his aides pointed out.
"Oh um... yes..." said Professor Gold, after he cleared his throat. "It is as you say... I guess."
It all started upon Lynn's hometown: Ecruteak City. a Taillow was flying back towards its nest, through the clear, crisp sky that commonly hosted flying typed pokemon. This Taillow was oddly colored by other common blue Taillow; it had a sea-green hue, along with patches of orange on their chest and forehead, the patch on their forehead having a triangular upper tip. It had been hunting for its lunch for a while now; but so far, no such luck.
However, it wasn't as though it was completely out of luck. No, the variety of pokemon it normally feasted upon was not generally found in the area in which it housed its nest on. That was because of fear. What was that fear? Well, the wild Taillow would soon find the answer to that question, as before it knew it, it was visited by a strange turquoise gas-like figure, that seemed to have materialized from virtually out of nowhere. The Taillow was surprised, as it flew backward a few feet, flapping its wings at a faster rate. The ghostly figure had its wide eyes fixed on the surprised Taillow with its pearly white and sharp looking white fangs that stuck out from its sinister applying smile.
"Gasssst....ly..." (Hello... Good day...) The figure tried to greet, however, due to its spooky first impressions, the wild Taillow became so frightened that it turned around, flapping its wings as fast and hard as it can, flying away from the figure as fast it could. The ghostly presence was puzzled, as it wondered why an innocent creature would try to escape the simple act of saying hello. However, it was unable to further think of this situation, as it was soon to be called upon.
"Gaaaaastlyyyyy!" a voice, apparently belonging to a female. "Gastly, where are you?"
The figure, also known as a Gastly, recognized that voice, as it soon de-materialized from the sky. An ancient-Japanese looking house could be seen just a few feet away from the wild Taillow's nest. The house, having this old-Japenese feel to it, was primary made out of strong wood and bamboo, while inside, one can gain access to all of the separate rooms just by passing through sliding doors. Also inside the house, the familiar turquoise-colored ghastly soon materialized into the humble home. It surveyed around the house, searching for someone. It soon figured out where that someone was, as the voice called out to it again. Gastly soon levitated through the solid doors, thanks to its ghostly figure, only to be acquainted by a girl. Lynn.
"Gastlyyy...Gas..." (Good day... Master Lynn...) Gastly said, grabbing Lynn's attention.
"Ah, there you are, Gastly!" Lynn said. "Mother already stated: You really shouldn't go off scaring locals anymore. You'll get 7 years of bad karma!"
"Gastly... gassss..." (But I simply wanted to converse what is their favorite color...) Gastly explained.
"Anyway, mother wants you in the training hall," Lynn explained. "You better go, or else the ghosts of Hades will grab you for negligence."
"Gassss...ly... gass..." (I understand... Good day... Master...) Gastly said, bidding adieu. It de-materialized once again, as it was soon not viable to Lynn, a young 17 year old girl, anymore.
Soon Lynn found herself walking around her Japanese-esque home, deep in her own thoughts. The power of the Colthearts had run through the veins of her body like none other before. She was destined to be the master of the Colthearts. However, this was not what she wanted. While her title was prestige and respected, it also meant that many of her family members had perished on the Colthearts family feud. While Lynn, her grandmother, her grandfather, her mother, and her sister were part of the main family, the branch family, hosted by Lynn's Aunt, Uncle, and cousins, as well as other distant relatives, have plotted to take the master title from the main family, hosted by Lynn's mother and her grandmother. So was it really worth keeping her title? When she turned 16, she knew it was not worth the struggle at all. However, she did not tell any of her family members yet. It wasn't as though they would understand her worries anyway.
She looked outside her window, as she saw children playing with their own ghost-type pokemon, for ghost pokemon were quite common around the parts of Ecruteak, where Morty, the ghost-type gym leader, also lived. Seeing the children play outside with their pokemon made Lynn realize, the world outside her home was vast. There were so many things explore, and so many new friends to meet -- human, and pokemon.
"Father..." she then said to her self as she looked up back in the sky. "I know you did not leave out of malice for the clan. You want to know the possible answer to all this endless fighting... I want to know the answer myself. But how can I know? Please father... give me a sign..." It was then that she saw it: what it looked like a star, but, it was broad daylight: how can she have seen? But, upon a closer look, she saw what it looked like was feathers. Feathers from a gigantic bird. The bird was flying through the clouds, with what it seemed like to be rainbow sparkles coming from it. Lynn was amazed from what she saw. Was it a pokemon? Or Origin, the king of all spirits? What ever it was, Lynn knew that it was a sign. And she knew, now it was the time to tell her family her new plans.
Soon it was night time, and dinner time upon Colthearts' dining table, on which, as expected, had its own traditional Japanese-like atmosphere. The room was made entirely made out of wood, and decorated with bamboo plants, ancient paintings, and even calming music. The table was also made out of wood; it was octagon shaped, decorated a red cloth, and a white vase. However, this table was too short to sit and eat on a chair; one had to kneel down on a mat in front of the table to eat from there. Tea cups filled with traditional green tea were placed throughout the table, near where people were going to kneel down towards the table. Lynn and her mother were both near the table, sipping a bit of their green tea. Soon, they were all joined by Lynn's grandmother and grandfather, who slid open the door, and bowed for a greeting as they took their places around the table.
"Ah, dear Lynn," Lynn's grandmother greeted. "You don't feel well. I trust that you have been eating properly?"
"I certainly have!" Lynn's grandfather added. "Well... by eating dumping all day, ehehehe!"
"SO THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF MY DUMPLINGS!" Lynn's grandmother bawled, slapping her husband on the backside of his head. "YOU KNOW I HAVE BEEN SAVING THOSE FOR A RAINY DAY!"
"Sorry...dear..." Lynn's grandfather apologized, soothing the pain from the slap, by rubbing his head.
"Everyone is here except Ringo," Lynn's mother explained, as they all soon heard the door quickly sliding open. Then, came a frustrated-looking girl who had a red kimono, along with pink hair and white socks.
"MOTHER, ALL OF THE BANANAS ARE GONE!" she yelled, gasping for her breath. Lynn's grandmother then glared at her husband, as he whispered, 'it wasn't me!' avoiding to get slapped again. "THAT'S NOT FAIR -- I WANTED TO MAKE BANANA BREAD WITH YOU-- Oh... hi Lynn."
"Hi Ringo," Lynn greeted softly.
"Ringo, take your seat," Lynn's mother told Ringo, as she bowed and quickly yet quietly took her seat beside Lynn's mother.
"Everyone, let us thank the spirits for the proud meal that we are about to eat tonight," Lynn's mother suggested. "The spirits are around us. They are with us. They are within us. They give us life for our world, and the endless hopes that our family has through out the countless days. Thank you spirits. Now, let us begin--"
"Wait, Mother," Lynn interrupted as everyone turned to her. "Before we eat, may I have something to say?"
"But of course Lynn," replied Lynn's mother. "Do you have something to thank for the spirits as well?"
"Not... exactly," replied Lynn. She then took a deep breath. What she was about to say, was not going to be easy. "Mother, I have been thinking. I have spent my entire life here, watching the actions of children and their pokemon going out to see the world. I want that life too. A chance to see the world with my very own pokemon... won't you let me see to it that wish is fulfilled?"
Lynn's mother gave Lynn a not so joyful expression. "Lynn, have you forgotten that you have responsibility here?" she sternly asked. "You are the master of the Colthearts clan. With that title, comes great responsibility and focus."
"Mother, have
you forgotten?" Lynn asked in response. "I have not officially accepted that title yet."
Her mother glared at Lynn. "Lynn, you know you can't shy away from this responsibility," she said. "It'll be unfair to bear this responsibility to any one else in the family. Nor it is unfair to reject the responsibility of calming the spirits."
"It is also unfair that our lives are in danger every second of the day!" Lynn snapped. "Did you forget that our branch family has done whatever necessary to have one of them become master?! Why must I fight bloodshed with my cousins, my aunts, my uncles, just to communicate with the spirits which I do everyday?! Father left the clan for that very reason too! Do you not see the consequences of isolation?!"
"That's enough!" Lynn's mother ordered. "Listen to me Lynn! The behavior of the branch family clan is unjustifiable. I know that, you know that, we all realize this. But our fallen members have gave the main family our first breaths of life, and our connection with the spiritual undead! And further more, this very idea of children venturing the world by themselves is ridiculous, and dangerous! You are not--"
"Ahem. Um, if I may," Lynn's grandmother interrupted. "Dear, perhaps you are overreacting. Perhaps Lynn is grown up enough to make her own decisions, yeah?"
"Let's hope she doesn't get one of those... how they call it, 'tattoos'," Lynn's grandfather hoped, but only to get a slap from his wife. "Whaaaaat? I have that tattoos are quite painful! We don't want our Lynn to experience pain, do we not?"
"Mother, what are you saying?" Lynn's mother asked, turning to Lynn's grandmother. "Lynn has responsibility with her sister at home. You know that!"
"Yes, but, I too have grown tired of this 'family feud'," Lynn's grandmother explained. "Our ways have always been in isolation, and quite secretive to the clan, but, I see that Lynn is correct. Perhaps this will be better for Lynn's generation; away from the violence. The spirits around the world are different, you know. All I'm saying is that if Lynn can handle the care of pokemon, she can travel, and still fulfill her responsibility."
"But... mother..." said Lynn's mother. However, she simply turned back to her daughter with a sigh. "Lynn. You know that I simply worry for you, right? I don't know what I'll do if I found that if you're hurt, or worse... But, there is truth on your grandmother's words. While I do think that you leaving us is selfishness on your part, forcing you to stay here in the clan will be selfishness on mine. But Lynn, where will you go first?"
"Mother... thank you," Lynn thanked with a quick bow. "If I may, I have read in various books that there is a certain town here in Johto, called New Bark Town, where there is a professor called Professor Gold who gives people their very first pokemon in order for them to become pokemon trainers. I can travel there first!"
"Very well," Lynn's mother said. "You may leave after dinner then. And Lynn... be safe."
It was still late at night, and soon, after dinner, Lynn was in her room, packing her supplies. It was soon afterword that the door of her room knocked. Lynn called out for the guest to come in if they so choose to. As soon as Lynn knew it, the door opened, revealing her younger sister, Ringo, as she stepped inside.
"Sister..." Ringo addressed. "Are you really going to leave?"
"Yes Ringo, I must," replied Lynn. "But not forever. I promise."
"Are you really going to get your very first pokemon?" Ringo asked. "Ohhh maybe get a small pink and cute one with flowers on it? Awww, you're so lucky!"
"Hahaha, we'll see!" Lynn said with a smile. Then Lynn had a more solemn tone. She keeled down to gently touch Ringo on her cheek. "Ringo, listen. As long as there is breath in me, I promise that I won't let anything happen to you, my younger sister. And I promise that I will be okay. This is just a journey for me to find the answers that our father had longed for: the answer to end this pointless feud. Do you understand?"
"Yes sister," replied Ringo. "This is something that you've wanted to do all your life, right? I promise, I will cheer for you!"
"Thank you," Lynn said. Her supplies were finally ready, and she walked pass Ringo, out of her room door. Ringo followed Lynn as Lynn was finally outside of her home's door. As Lynn began to walk, she glanced back at Ringo. She bowed and gave a smile. "Farewell, my dear sister."
Back at the laboratory, Lynn had finally finished remembering her promise on her journey: to unite the broken ties of her family once again. She then turned towards back to the professor. "Sorry about that professor," she said. "I was just--"
"AND ANOTHER THING!" one of the aides was shouting. "WHAT WAS THE DEAL OF CALLING US
'JUST AIDES?!' I MEAN, JUST AIDES?!?! WE HAVE NAMES, YOU KNOW!!"
"Yeah!" the other aide agreed. "AND DID YOU REMEMBER THAT IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY?! DID YOU?!?!"
"Of course I did!" Professor Gold argued. "We had that big birthday party, remember?"
"Um... professor?" Lynn called out, as Professor Gold was all smiles again, as he turned back to her. "Are there more spirits to be quelled?"
"No, no, it's okay," Professor Gold said with his smile. "Now, I believe it's finally time to get you your own pokemon." Professor Gold then signaled his aides to grab one of the pokeballs in the back, much to the aides' dismay. Soon the aides got back with a single pokeball, a small bag full of pokeballs, and a small, red electronic device of some kind. First, the aides handed Lynn the single pokeball.
"Lynn, this is a pokeball," Professor Gold explained. "It's a small capsule that can contain a single pokemon. You can also use it to capture pokemon of any kind. In this particular pokeball, inside, contains your very own pokemon! Go ahead and open it!"
"Alright!" agreed Lynn. "Uh.... how do I do that?"
"Just throw it in the air, and it should open automatically!" Professor Gold explained. "The reason for that function is... a fuzzy one, but it works."
"Okay!" said Lynn, as she did as instructed, throwing her pokeball in the air. The pokeball quickly opened, releasing the energy inside. Soon the energy started to materialize, shaping to a figure. Then the energy was released, solidifying the figure. It appeared to be a short, pokemon with claws. The pokemon opened its eyes and looked vigorously around the room. It seemed as though it hadn't came out of that pokeball in a while.
This is it...! Lynn thought as she gazed upon the pokemon.
This is... my very first pokemon!
"Uh-oh..." Professor Gold mumbled to himself as he glanced back to his aides. "I think you might of grabbed the wrong pokemon."
"Uh, I didn't see a label that read,
do not get this pokemon, did I?" one of the aides explained.
"Thanks," Professor Gold said with a sigh, and as he shook his head. "Want to say that again without the sarcasm?"
"Professor, that's... a Sneasel, right?" Lynn asked. "I recognize it from one of the books I've read:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Sneasel!"
"Yes, that's a Sneasel," replied the professor, clearing his throat. "But, well, you see, the thing about that Sneasel, is..."
Soon the Sneasel took out his claws, and ran towards the nearest bookcase. "Sel, Sneasel!"
(Stupid books! SUFFER!) he said as he started to scratch all of the books in it's sight.
"As you can see..." the professor continued. "That Sneasel... is a freshly wild one. It's not tamed yet. Or rather, it's quite hard to tame."
The Sneasel stopped scratching the books as it turned towards the professor. "Sneasel! Sneas!"
(You talkin' to me, boy?! YOU MUST DIE!) It quickly jumped to try and deliver a Ice Punch towards the professor, but the professor managed to lean out of the way.
"Quick! We have to contain it!" the professor ordered. His aids got out two more pokeballs.
"GO MAGIKARP!" one of the aides shouted, as he threw his pokeball, as it opened up to reveal a flopping Magikarp.
"GO FEEBAS!" the other aid shouted, throwing his own pokeball, as it opened up to reveal a flopping Feebas.
I have a really bad feeling about this... Lynn thought as the battle began.
The aides ordered the Magikarp and Feebas to use a splash attack respectively. Sneasel stood there, unamused.
"Sel, Sneasel!"
Foolish fishes must SUFFER! cried the Sneasel, as it then delivered an ice punch attack towards Magikarp, the flopping pokemon, fainting it instantly.
This is not good... Lynn thought, as the Sneasel Ice Punched the other pokemon, the flopping Feebas, causing it to be knocked back towards the shelf, causing the shelf to fall on it, causing it to faint as well.
Very not good...
"P-professor it beat our pokemon!" one of the professor aides, pointed out. "It's too strong!!"
"Sneaseeeeel!"
(YOU'RE NEXT!) the Sneasel cried, as it used it's Scratch attack and scratched the nearby wall. "Sneasel!!"
(DIE WALL! DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE!)
"Ugh, if it doesn't stop now, the whole lab will be destroyed!" cautioned the professor. He got out a pokeball of his own. "I'll handle this personally! Go--"
"Stop!" Lynn suddenly shouted. She was standing near the Sneasel. The Sneasel stopped scratching the wall, and turned towards Lynn.
"Sneas?! Sel!"
(Who are you?! DIE!) The Sneasel shouted. But Lynn stood there with her arms crossed.
"You outta to be ashamed of yourself!" said Lynn, as Sneasel stood there, surprised and confused. "The spirit of the structured building was finally at calm! And y had the nerve to disturb the walls?! Do you know what karma is going to do to you?! It will turn you into a mutant turtle with squid legs! DO YOU WANT THAT TO HAPPEN?!" Sneasel blinked. It hadn't calmed down, but rather... it was thinking on how it can possibly scratch and punch stuff having squid-like arms. No such luck on that department.
"I don't believe it...!" Professor Gold observed. "She... calmed it down! It took all of our strength to calm it when when we first saw it! But wow..." He then turned towards his aides. "Give h the rest of the supplies!"
Lynn looked up to see that she had just been handed an electronic device. She studied it quite carefully. "Professor..." she started to say. "Is this...?"
"Yes, that's your pokedex," the professor said with a smile. "You know Lynn, you and Sneasel might be quite the force to be reckoned with! That is, if you want Sneasel as your first pokemon?"
Sneasel and Lynn exchanged glances. Lynn looked back up towards the professor. "Alright," she finally said. "I will teach this Sneasel how to properly behave, as it travels by my side."
Sneasel crossed his arms and looked away. "Sel..."
(I shoulda scratched her when I had the chance...) he cried, disappointingly.
"Lynn," the professor began. "The journey to become a champion pokemon trainer is a long and hard one. Knowing that, will you press on?"
"I will," Lynn smiled. "And I know that Sneasel would be happy to accompany me. Right, Sneasel?"
"Sneas..."
(Actually...)
"Great!!" Lynn cheered, completely oblivious to what Sneasel would of said. "From now on, we are partners!"
"Lynn... just be careful," the professor said, with a more solemn tone. "Have you heard of Team Zeta?"
"Sneas..."
(Zeta...) Sneasel cried, as it turned towards the professor.
"No I haven't," Lynn replied. "What sort of group are they?"
"Nothing but criminals," Professor Gold explained. "50 years ago, I've dealt with a Team known as Team Rocket. They were defeated, but now, 50 years later, Team Zeta has finally come out of hiding. Their goal is to capture the legendary pokemon, Ho-oh and Lugia."
"Ho-oh and... Lugia?" repeated Lynn as she turned to her Sneasel. Sneasel did nothing but shrugged.
"With access to the sky and sea, control of the Johto Region, and eventually the entire Pokémon world, is surely theirs. There is no limit to what Team Zeta will do to achieve their goal, whether it is stealing Pokémon or using their own to attack humans to further their plans. According to them, ruling the world isn't just a scheme, it's a necessity." Lynn and Sneasel stood there, quietly without response. "So Lynn, as you travel on your journey, meet and defeat each of the Gym Leaders here. They might be willing to aid their strength to ours, in order for us to finally fight and defeat team Zeta. Are you willing to help us?"
Lynn continued to stay quiet. She then briefly glanced at her lone Sneasel, who too was also quiet. She then turned back to the professor. "Of course I will," Lynn agreed. "For their own actions will cause the spirits and the undead to become restless. It is my job to see to that the world is to be protected enough for the spirits and the undead to rest in peace."
"Very well then," Professor Gold said. "Do you know where to go from here?"
"Route 29," Lynn explained. "That will take me to Cherrygrove Town, then Route 30 and Route 31 will take me to Violet City."
"Then along with your Sneasel," the professor began. "Please. Help us defeat team Zeta, saving Johto, and the pokemon world wide!"
"Yes, professor! I will not fail!" Lynn pleaded with a bow. She then turned to her Sneasel. "Come on, Sneasel! Let's go! Our adventure awaits!"
