Legendarian Mistress
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- Seen Jan 17, 2017
I'm determined to see this fanfiction through to the end. Seriously; I've gotten advice and I've been given the go-ahead. It's influenced by elements of my first ever fic, "Pokémon: Generation of the Clones" and my previous fics.
I'd also like my readers to be aware that this fic is centred around two fake regions (my own region, Beklan, and Air Dragon's region, Corei) and Kanto.
Disclaimer: This fan-fiction, "The Trainers Four", is solely mine and is rated PG 13. It contains some mild language, violence and mortal peril, but nothing too bad. Pokémon is © Game Freak and Nintendo, 1995-2009. All other characters are © Tigrerra.
A/N: I'd like to thank Air Dragon, who goes by the name of Shiny Mightyena here on PC. Without his advice and hints, I wouldn't have been able to even get this far. I'd also like to thank my two mentors for their help, as well as Manaphyman and Raibutai for their beta-ing. A round of thanks also goes to Alakazam17 for the description of Lerrow and once more to Air Dragon for helping with the last three paragraphs.
PM List:
Shiny Mightyena
Blizzard Master
Alakazam17
Eine kalte Sehnsucht
Roronoa Zolo
bobandbill
Xanthine
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Preparing for the Quest
Here's the first Chapter. Happy reading everyone! Don't forget to post your c & c...
Chapter 1: Preparing for the Quest
Four trainers' journeys began one pleasant summer morning in the peaceful little community of Pallet Town.
The town of Pallet was relatively small in comparison to the other cities and townships in Kanto. Most of the houses were built from wood, with the exception of a row of brick houses on the eastern boundary of town which belonged to the families with too much money.
Professor Oak was one of the most highly regarded Pokémon researchers in the world. He had won the Kanto region's Indigo League twice and has dedicated his life to the study of Pokémon, their habitats, lifestyles and interactions with their trainers. Since he was always known as the most renowned Pokémon expert in the entire world, the citizens of Pallet Town had always considered it an honour that he has continued to work in his home. Visitors felt that Professor Oak's Pokémon laboratory was the only real attraction in the town in that it wasn't so much a tourist attraction, but more a place where interesting Pokémon events and discoveries occurred.
Pallet Town was hardly ever bustling, except when the newest Pokémon trainers graduated from the Pokémon Trainers' Academy, usually at ten years of age. The school taught traditional classes such as maths, science, history, reading, and so on, as well as courses involving studies of Pokémon, which ranged from raising, training, breeding and battling of Pokémon. Their journeys would usually start by travelling north to Viridian City, as it was the closest city to Pallet, and the only city accessible by foot. Nothing but deep forest lay to the east and west, and the south was a large stretch of water where Cinnabar Island resided.
As the sun started to show its face, the citizens of Pallet began waking and moving around. The sun played across the brick-red façade of one house, which was located towards the entrance of town. A ray of light shone through a window in its second story, as a teenaged girl named Josephine Harris woke up yawning. While thinking about the day ahead of her, she lay in her bed for a few extra minutes.
Josephine is a red haired girl, who is not especially tall and is of an average build. She also has assumed the responsibility of the oldest child in what is now a family of two children and two adults.
The girl had been born into a rich family as the third child of four. As with all of the other children in Pallet, she'd studied at the Pokémon Trainers' Academy. However, instead of beginning her journey at the minimum legal age, she chose to hang around Professor Oak's lab for four years, studying about the different types of Pokémon.
At the same time, Josephine knew she had a disadvantage because she would be on the skill level of ten-year-olds whilst the trainers her age had stronger Pokémon and a ton of road-gained experience. Thus, she anticipated being embarrassed because the only people she could battle were four years younger than her.
Three walls of her room were made of brick – which had been painted a light green colour. A wooden framed unicorn picture was situated on the wall opposite her bed and a painting of a girl feeding some duck-like Pokémon in the country existed on the right-hand side wall. On the third were posters of her favourite Pokémon. The last wall consisted of a security-grill-protected sliding door.
It was in front of the sliding door that a rectangular shaped grey table was positioned with a lone Nintendo DS console – with a Pokémon Pearl game in it – sitting on top of a spare old-styled school desk.
"Josephine! If you don't get out of bed right now and come downstairs, then Eevee will have to go up there and wake you up!!" shouted a middle-aged woman. She had pale red hair, with green eyes that were brimming with impatience. The woman wore a black and white striped polo shirt and fading blue three-quarter pants. This was Fiona Harris, mother of a trainer-to-be.
She was a very kind and caring person, but she didn't want her only child to miss out on one of the most important days of her life. "Oh well. Eevee, if you don't mind, could you please wake her up so that she's not late for her big adventure?" Fiona asked the creature standing next to her. The Pokémon was small and fox-like in appearance. His tiny body was brown in colour, with creamy coloured neck fur; his face wore a hardened, serious expression.
"No problem. In fact, I would have done it myself even if you hadn't asked," replied Eevee, whose facial expression matched his personality. He swiftly sprang up the wooden staircase, bounded down the long hallway and hurled his small body against a door at the end of the hall. He glanced up at his trainer and grumbled to himself, because even after making that entire racket to come to the girl's room, she still hadn't woken up.
"Forgive me for this, Ho-oh, but I've got a lazy girl who won't even get off her behind. Bloody hell, Josephine, wake up!" Seeing that he got no reaction, Eevee's eyes narrowed and an evil sort of smirk appeared on his face, as he said, "Bugger you, kid, I'll wake you up myself."
After saying that, the Pokémon bared his teeth, jumped onto the girl's bed and tore off the covers with his paws. He then turned and began swishing his fluffy tail in her face. A split-second later, the teenaged girl sat straight up and then glared at Eevee who had woken her up.
"Why did you do that!" demanded the red haired girl. Her normally bright green eyes were now savage and angry.
"You ought to control your temper, Josephine! Who'd have thought you'd get so angry about my tail swishing in your face?" Eevee said, as he burst out laughing.
"Yeah, ha, you're so funny," Josephine replied sarcastically. Too bad you couldn't have attacked Sandshrew – otherwise I'd have caught it and we would have left Pallet Town yesterday."
"Hey, who was the one who scared the Sandshrew off in the first place?" replied Eevee, who was now right in front of Josephine's face.
"Yeah, but, who was the one that decided to try out his Tackle attack, hit me in the legs and made me scare the Sandshrew in the first place?" Josephine said coolly, moving Eevee off her and jumping out of bed.
"Oh yeah? Well, who was the one who trained me to perfect Tackle, hmm?" Eevee questioned.
Josephine sighed. "Why did Mum just dump you onto me? I know you're the family pet and all of that, but still…" She closed her eyes, wondering what it would have been like if she received her very first Pokémon.
"Don't say that. You knew she was going to give me to you. And you still have yet to choose your first Pokémon because that is what every trainer starting out has to do. Besides, I've got seven different evolutions – I'm sure you would have picked me even if you could've got any Pokémon in the entire world!!" Eevee said happily.
"Yeah, right. If I could have gotten any Pokémon, it would have been a Dragonite," Josephine said, thinking out loud.
"Don't be stupid, you couldn't control a Dragonite right now – you're too inexperienced and besides, Dragonite are so powerful, there are rumours saying that it is almost a legendary. Anyway, we have to get downstairs and get ready for your journey," Eevee informed a now calmed down Josephine.
"You make it sound like Pokémon Training Academy. But I know that this journey is going to be a lot better. Okay, let's go," Josephine said, smiling at the family pet.
Nothing to it, I suppose… she thought, after wiping the sleep out of her hazel eyes. Josephine peered alertly at herself in the bedside mirror, before meandering over to her en suite.
The tiled floor gave off a feeling of coldness which seeped through her feet as she walked across it. She opened the door, closing it upon entering and then turned on the water.
Half an hour later, Josephine inspected herself in her mirror. Her wet hair now had a hair tie around it, creating a pony-tail look. Her outfit consisted of a bright red sleeveless top and a sky-blue miniskirt. Brown boots adorned her feet and black sunglasses had been placed over her eyes.
After placing her digital watch on the wrist of her left arm, she headed down the hall.
Josephine put her right hand on the railing as she descended the stairs. Heading into the reasonably large kitchen and preparing herself a bowl of cereal, she spotted her mother relaxing on the cyan coloured sofa. She quickly sat down and started eating the cereal, glancing across the table to the empty plate that was probably her sister's. The chestnut haired teen then checked to ensure that her bright red and yellow backpack with the insignia of a Poké Ball on the side was packed.
Her sister was a scarlet haired, hazel-eyed delight named Natalie. She had turned ten just two weeks ago and was eager to start her journey with her older sibling.
Finding out that everything was in her backpack, she placed the breakfast bowl in the sink, ran some water in it and headed to the door.
"Honey, wait," the voices of Josephine's parents spoke up. The girl's mother rose from the sofa as her father walked into the room. The masculine toned voice had come from fair haired Charles, Fiona's husband. Charles had been an Indigo League Champion at the age of twenty, but decided to quit being a trainer at twenty-three.
Saying goodbye was going to be difficult and sad.
"Yeah?" The teen turned and looked at her parents as tears started to form in her eyes.
"It's good to see that you are finally ready. Professor Oak called and said he wants you to meet him at his lab," Fiona told her, relieved to see that her second oldest living child was finally setting off.
Josephine stood there with a puzzled look on her face, wondering what the researcher needed to give her, but then it clicked.
Of course! My Pokédex, Pokémon and Poké Balls… how could I forget…? Josephine mentally slapped herself for forgetting such a simple thing.
As she was about to run to the lab, she remembered that this would be the last time she saw her parents before she left. She turned around and looked at them. "Mum, Dad… this is goodbye for now. I'll miss you."
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" A haughty voice was heard as an irritated fox rushed down the stairs.
"Eevee, I said…" the red haired teen began, but was quickly interrupted.
"I'm coming, whether you like it or not! Deal with it!" he added, seeing the older sister sigh and bow her head.
Natalie came running just then, dressed in a red and white striped short-sleeved shirt and blue denim shorts. Slipping a cherry coloured bandana onto her head so as to keep back her long red fringe, she looked up at her parents and older sister. "Don't think ya going anywhere without me, sis!" she exclaimed, shaking her head in disapproval and making a tutting noise.
"Come off it, Nat. You know I wouldn't go anywhere without you," Josephine replied, before smiling.
Her father stared desperately at her, while her mother placed a hand on her shoulder and answered, "Yes, we'll miss you both. You have grown up incredibly fast you two, and we understand that you want to go on this journey."
"Alright, I'll see you later, guys."
"Goodbye dear, and know that whatever happens, I'll always think of you as a Pokémon Master, because you went and attempted to accomplish your dream. Thanks for letting me know, honey," Fiona said, as she smiled at her daughters. Charles stepped backwards, determined to talk to Fiona in private once Josephine and Natalie had left.
Just before the two sisters set off, Josephine gave her mother one last farewell hug, tears flowed freely.
Wiping away the tears, the siblings started walking towards the research facility that was run by Professor Oak.
After trudging along for about ten minutes, they finally arrived at the location of the building. The laboratory was on top of a hill that was accessible by a long stairway, which took one to the entrance of the lab. It was a two-story ivory building that had a maroon roof which, from the top, allowed one to view the landscape as far as the eye could see.
There was a lake to the east of the hill and to the south was an untamed forest with no paths. The forest was cut short by an open range, which was met in the north by rocks and boulders. There were Pokémon scattered all over the landscape.
Josephine rang the doorbell and waited, because she knew that Professor Oak wouldn't be in a rush to answer the door. The large timber door opened a few minutes later.
"Ah, Josephine and Natalie! I was wondering when the two of you were going to arrive. Come in and let me give you something that's very important," the elderly researcher spoke unhurriedly. The Professor was an old, but young-spirited man. His greying hair was trimmed neatly, as it came down just short of his ears. He wore a long white lab coat which fell down to his black boots.
"Thank you, Professor," the duo replied, at the same time feeling overjoyed that they had gotten here. Their eyes were shining brightly, the sisters were smiling and they both felt thrilled to be getting their first Pokémon partner. However, Josephine was unaware that she would have to wait a few days before she received her starter.
"Right this way, then," he answered, as he turned and led the two red haired girls into the lab. The first thing that was seen when entering was an array of bookshelves that were stacked against the wall, stretching from one corner of the room to the other.
To the right were small computers that blinked with all sorts of dazzling lights, with the monitors scrolling down with data that she could only guess was the research that Professor Oak and his assistants had compiled.
In the middle, between the computers, was a rather large door that was used for when they went out to care for and study the Pokémon that were kept at the lab.
To the left was a very large storage room in which the Pokéballs that contained the Pokémon were kept. One could only guess how many were amassed there.
At the top of the staircase to the right of the Pokéball storage room, the upper level was desolate except for three bookshelves that were lined up against the left wall, an enormous computer that took up the entire southern wall, a solitary chair and finally, a small dome which was the holding place of the three Pokéballs.
"Professor, there you are! Paul and Rachel almost left without their starters, but I convinced them that Josephine and Natalie were coming. Anna, of course, already left; she couldn't wait any longer." One of Oak's aides appeared when the researcher and the red haired girls entered the large room which contained the small dome.
As Rachel righted herself from a handstand which she'd been doing against the wall, Paul got up off the lone chair and both trainers-to-be walked towards the newcomers.
Paul Johnson was of an average height for a ten-year-old and had smooth, sun-streaked brown hair which was fluttering to one side in the light breeze that came through the windows. He wore a blue shirt, baggy black trousers and on each of his wrists was a two-toned sweatband.
Fourteen-year-old Rachel Savina walked forward, her long purple hair flowing behind her. She looked relaxed and comfortable in her outfit – a bright red zip-up skin-tight jumper and navy blue shorts.
"So… the loser's finally arrived, huh?" Paul questioned the teen in a cocky tone, before running a hand through his fringe.
"Paul, behave yourself please. You haven't received your starter yet," Professor Oak cautioned the boy, who was the son of the head of Kanto's police force. "Be patient; your turn will come."
The brown haired boy bit his lip. "I haven't forgotten, Professor," he answered, choosing his words carefully.
As the Professor picked up three spheres, Rachel noticed that on the right hand side ball there was the image of a leaf imprinted on it, on the middle orb the image of a flame, and on the left sphere nothing.
"Are you sure these are the Kanto starters, Professor Oak?" Rachel questioned. The lavender haired teen proceeded to fold her arms and look doubtfully at the elderly researcher.
"I hear scepticism in your voice, Rachel. Take a look if you want to be sure," Professor Oak replied and casually gestured at the table on which he'd placed the spheres.
Rachel moved forward, trembling with excitement. She picked up the first ball and released the creature within. After the flash of white light had died down, standing by her side was a small, orange lizard. Her two small arms weren't chubby, and the claws were small, unlike the feet.
I've always been a fan of the Charmander evolution line, she thought. They look awesome, and Charizard rules. What more could one want?
Across from Rachel were Paul and his Water type. The other bipedal Pokémon, like his companion, was small. This creature was turtle-like in appearance. A brown shell with a white border held most of his body, the underside of it being a very clear russet colour. From the bottom of it, a somewhat fluffy tail sprouted.
I will train Squirtle so that he may reach his full potential, Paul contemplated.
Not realizing that Professor Oak had given Natalie her starter's Poké Ball, Josephine worriedly looked over at her younger sister and was surprised to see that she was already playing with her partner.
The small worm Pokémon had two large black eyes and a segmented mass. But what caught the eye more than anything was the body itself, consisting of an astonishing golden-coloured sparkle. What had originally been a green and yellow body was now bathed in a yellow shimmering radiance.
The older sister's surprise rapidly kicked itself into shock as she stared at the Caterpie. No way! No freaking way! A shiny Caterpie?! How did my younger sister end up so damn lucky?!
Rachel, who was still stroking the warm skin of her Charmander, sensed her best friend's shock and quickly looked over at Natalie. Her mouth hung open in response and her blue eyes stared blankly ahead. A few moments later, the lavender haired girl regained her composure and shook her head to clear her thoughts.
Wow, was all that she could think.
Paul had seen the Bug Pokémon almost instantly and was angered at the fact that his Squirtle couldn't have been a shiny.
Humph, he thought.
Rachel and Paul returned their Pokémon to their respective containment devices, and then minimized the balls by pressing the white button in the centre. They clipped their new Pokéballs to their belts.
"Congratulations on your journeys' beginning, you three," Professor Oak addressed them. "Here are your Pokédexes, a reference tool for you that analyzes Pokémon you've come across, and five Pokéballs each." The researcher then handed the items to Rachel and Paul, who accepted them and thanked the elderly man.
"Natalie, I'd like you to know that your Caterpie was a special delivery from Professor Celio's laboratory. As I'm sure your sister's told you, Celio lives on One Island in the Sevii Island area," the Professor spoke to the younger Harris before handing her the same items he'd given the other two.
Natalie curtsied in respect for the professor. "Thank you very much, Professor Oak," she added.
The researcher nodded in appreciation. "You're welcome, Natalie. Now, while I've got you and your sister here, Josephine, I'd like to inform you that you've been invited to the region of Beklan by Professor Maria Banksia. Natalie, on the other hand, has been recruited – so to speak – by Professor Yew of the Corei region."
The two siblings looked at each other excitedly. They couldn't believe they were going to uncharted regions to begin their journeys.
"Oh my god! Are you for real, Professor Oak?!" Natalie shrieked, astounded.
The researcher nodded.
"When do we head off?" Josephine questioned, speaking for the two of them, hardly able to keep the eagerness out of her voice.
"You both leave today," Professor Oak answered.
Squeals of joy were issued from the sisters mouths. They jumped up and down, hugging each other crazily. Then, the realization sunk in. They would be going to different regions by themselves. Natalie looked anxiously at her older sister, who held her close again in an attempt to quell the younger Harris' fear.
"Hey Jose, I guess I'll see ya around. Okay?" Rachel asked, fingering a strap on her backpack.
"'Kay," the red haired teen answered. "I'll take care of Natalie, until we have to separate. I've got things figured out."
"Who said anything about us, Rachel?" Paul demanded. "Josephine has the right idea. I'm so outta here. Later!"
As the young boy left angrily after his outburst, Rachel took her time in following. She waved farewell to Josephine as she went, causing the red haired girl to shake her head in amusement.
Ahhh, Rachel. Why is it, my friend, that you're always a bit slow on the uptake? And Paul? Well, one of these days, he's gonna get his butt kicked.
Josephine and Natalie hurried out of the lab, waving farewell to Professor Oak as they did so. The elder redhead accidentally dropped her backpack in the rush and stopped to go back and get it. Retrieving it and shouldering it once more, the teen felt Natalie keenly tug on her shirt. "Come on, sis! The bus to Vermillion will be leaving soon!"
"Okay, okay. I'm coming," Josephine answered, as the two sisters boarded the bus which was parked on the road in front of the laboratory's fence.
The siblings sat down and smiled at their parents, who'd arrived just in time to see them off. While the bus driver was driving down the road, they waved goodbye to them out the window. As their parents vanished around the corner, Josephine leant back only to hear a new voice ask, "Are you Josephine Harris?"
The red haired teenager spun around in her seat to see the unfamiliar, fair-skinned face of a complete stranger gazing her, with an equally mysterious Pokémon standing beside him. The speaker was an adolescent boy with electric-blue hair who was sitting on the other side of the bus. For a moment, Josephine stared at the boy's all-blue attire wondering if he was related to Misty of the Cerulean City Gym. A second glance showed that the teen's jacket went up to his shoulders and continued in short dark blue sleeves. The words "Cheltin Town Academy" were embroidered on the left pocket of the jacket and by his side stood a small, slim bird that was a light green colour.
It had a short crooked beak, and two tufts of fur above it which could have easily been mistaken for a pair of elm leaves. Its wings were thin and narrow, and much like those tufts, bore a striking resemblance to leaves. And at the bottom of its match-like legs, stood a pair of single-clawed talons, which from a distance seemed like fallen acorns.
"Raphael Blackwood's the name," the boy went on, sweeping the two sisters with his grey eyes. "This is Lydia, my Lerrow."
"Hi there, you two!" The Lerrow acknowledged in a delighted tone.
Josephine hesitated briefly, before speaking up. "Uh… well, yes. I am Josephine Harris and this is my younger sister, Natalie."
"Hi," Natalie mumbled, nervous in the older boy's presence.
A look of surprise crossed Raphael's face. "You're wondering what I'm doing here?" Shaking his head in mock disappointment, he added, "Honestly, I thought that you at least, Josephine, would've known why I was here. I guess they're dormant."
Josephine's hazel eyes widened and she stared at the male teen, as she wondered what the hell he was going on about.
"Oh god!" Raphael moaned and dragged his left hand down his face. "You, Josephine, are the cousin of a revered Leader here in Kanto. I'm going to leave it up to you to work out which one. And I'm here because I'm your guide in the Beklan region."
Ignoring the other information for the time being, Josephine picked at the boy's last sentence. "I'd like to know more about the Beklan region. Where is it?"
Finally, I'm getting some sense out of her, Raphael thought. "Beklan is to the far east of Kanto."
As the bus rolled to a stop in Vermillion City, Raphael and Josephine got off the bus, but not before the elder Harris gave her younger sister advice on how to get to the Saffron City train station from the bus stop.
"Keep in touch, okay Nat?" Josephine asked, as the ten-year-old leant out of the bus window to say goodbye. "And good luck!"
"You too, sis," Natalie countered, smiling. "See you later, Lydia!"
"Later, Natalie!" Lerrow chirped, waving a short wing in farewell.
As the ship grew nearer to Cheltin Town's Dock, the girl's reflection on how the invitation from Professor Maria Banksia has started her journey to and in Beklan came to a close causing her to stir slowly. Looking out of the lobby window, she saw a flock of Wingull glide by lazily, their piping caws ringing loud and clear across the bright, clear sky.
The rolling ocean waves moved on by in a slow rush as the cruise ship, known as the S.S. Hawkesbury, moved progressively further east of Kanto. Despite the somewhat dull scenery now that the fourteen-year-old girl was awake, her growing excitement was hard to contain.
Her past of bitten body parts was behind her and her future lay in the new, mind-blowing world of Beklan and Josephine just couldn't wait to get there and carve her mark.
I'd also like my readers to be aware that this fic is centred around two fake regions (my own region, Beklan, and Air Dragon's region, Corei) and Kanto.
Disclaimer: This fan-fiction, "The Trainers Four", is solely mine and is rated PG 13. It contains some mild language, violence and mortal peril, but nothing too bad. Pokémon is © Game Freak and Nintendo, 1995-2009. All other characters are © Tigrerra.
A/N: I'd like to thank Air Dragon, who goes by the name of Shiny Mightyena here on PC. Without his advice and hints, I wouldn't have been able to even get this far. I'd also like to thank my two mentors for their help, as well as Manaphyman and Raibutai for their beta-ing. A round of thanks also goes to Alakazam17 for the description of Lerrow and once more to Air Dragon for helping with the last three paragraphs.
PM List:
Shiny Mightyena
Blizzard Master
Alakazam17
Eine kalte Sehnsucht
Roronoa Zolo
bobandbill
Xanthine
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Preparing for the Quest
Here's the first Chapter. Happy reading everyone! Don't forget to post your c & c...
Chapter 1: Preparing for the Quest
Four trainers' journeys began one pleasant summer morning in the peaceful little community of Pallet Town.
The town of Pallet was relatively small in comparison to the other cities and townships in Kanto. Most of the houses were built from wood, with the exception of a row of brick houses on the eastern boundary of town which belonged to the families with too much money.
Professor Oak was one of the most highly regarded Pokémon researchers in the world. He had won the Kanto region's Indigo League twice and has dedicated his life to the study of Pokémon, their habitats, lifestyles and interactions with their trainers. Since he was always known as the most renowned Pokémon expert in the entire world, the citizens of Pallet Town had always considered it an honour that he has continued to work in his home. Visitors felt that Professor Oak's Pokémon laboratory was the only real attraction in the town in that it wasn't so much a tourist attraction, but more a place where interesting Pokémon events and discoveries occurred.
Pallet Town was hardly ever bustling, except when the newest Pokémon trainers graduated from the Pokémon Trainers' Academy, usually at ten years of age. The school taught traditional classes such as maths, science, history, reading, and so on, as well as courses involving studies of Pokémon, which ranged from raising, training, breeding and battling of Pokémon. Their journeys would usually start by travelling north to Viridian City, as it was the closest city to Pallet, and the only city accessible by foot. Nothing but deep forest lay to the east and west, and the south was a large stretch of water where Cinnabar Island resided.
As the sun started to show its face, the citizens of Pallet began waking and moving around. The sun played across the brick-red façade of one house, which was located towards the entrance of town. A ray of light shone through a window in its second story, as a teenaged girl named Josephine Harris woke up yawning. While thinking about the day ahead of her, she lay in her bed for a few extra minutes.
Josephine is a red haired girl, who is not especially tall and is of an average build. She also has assumed the responsibility of the oldest child in what is now a family of two children and two adults.
The girl had been born into a rich family as the third child of four. As with all of the other children in Pallet, she'd studied at the Pokémon Trainers' Academy. However, instead of beginning her journey at the minimum legal age, she chose to hang around Professor Oak's lab for four years, studying about the different types of Pokémon.
At the same time, Josephine knew she had a disadvantage because she would be on the skill level of ten-year-olds whilst the trainers her age had stronger Pokémon and a ton of road-gained experience. Thus, she anticipated being embarrassed because the only people she could battle were four years younger than her.
Three walls of her room were made of brick – which had been painted a light green colour. A wooden framed unicorn picture was situated on the wall opposite her bed and a painting of a girl feeding some duck-like Pokémon in the country existed on the right-hand side wall. On the third were posters of her favourite Pokémon. The last wall consisted of a security-grill-protected sliding door.
It was in front of the sliding door that a rectangular shaped grey table was positioned with a lone Nintendo DS console – with a Pokémon Pearl game in it – sitting on top of a spare old-styled school desk.
"Josephine! If you don't get out of bed right now and come downstairs, then Eevee will have to go up there and wake you up!!" shouted a middle-aged woman. She had pale red hair, with green eyes that were brimming with impatience. The woman wore a black and white striped polo shirt and fading blue three-quarter pants. This was Fiona Harris, mother of a trainer-to-be.
She was a very kind and caring person, but she didn't want her only child to miss out on one of the most important days of her life. "Oh well. Eevee, if you don't mind, could you please wake her up so that she's not late for her big adventure?" Fiona asked the creature standing next to her. The Pokémon was small and fox-like in appearance. His tiny body was brown in colour, with creamy coloured neck fur; his face wore a hardened, serious expression.
"No problem. In fact, I would have done it myself even if you hadn't asked," replied Eevee, whose facial expression matched his personality. He swiftly sprang up the wooden staircase, bounded down the long hallway and hurled his small body against a door at the end of the hall. He glanced up at his trainer and grumbled to himself, because even after making that entire racket to come to the girl's room, she still hadn't woken up.
"Forgive me for this, Ho-oh, but I've got a lazy girl who won't even get off her behind. Bloody hell, Josephine, wake up!" Seeing that he got no reaction, Eevee's eyes narrowed and an evil sort of smirk appeared on his face, as he said, "Bugger you, kid, I'll wake you up myself."
After saying that, the Pokémon bared his teeth, jumped onto the girl's bed and tore off the covers with his paws. He then turned and began swishing his fluffy tail in her face. A split-second later, the teenaged girl sat straight up and then glared at Eevee who had woken her up.
"Why did you do that!" demanded the red haired girl. Her normally bright green eyes were now savage and angry.
"You ought to control your temper, Josephine! Who'd have thought you'd get so angry about my tail swishing in your face?" Eevee said, as he burst out laughing.
"Yeah, ha, you're so funny," Josephine replied sarcastically. Too bad you couldn't have attacked Sandshrew – otherwise I'd have caught it and we would have left Pallet Town yesterday."
"Hey, who was the one who scared the Sandshrew off in the first place?" replied Eevee, who was now right in front of Josephine's face.
"Yeah, but, who was the one that decided to try out his Tackle attack, hit me in the legs and made me scare the Sandshrew in the first place?" Josephine said coolly, moving Eevee off her and jumping out of bed.
"Oh yeah? Well, who was the one who trained me to perfect Tackle, hmm?" Eevee questioned.
Josephine sighed. "Why did Mum just dump you onto me? I know you're the family pet and all of that, but still…" She closed her eyes, wondering what it would have been like if she received her very first Pokémon.
"Don't say that. You knew she was going to give me to you. And you still have yet to choose your first Pokémon because that is what every trainer starting out has to do. Besides, I've got seven different evolutions – I'm sure you would have picked me even if you could've got any Pokémon in the entire world!!" Eevee said happily.
"Yeah, right. If I could have gotten any Pokémon, it would have been a Dragonite," Josephine said, thinking out loud.
"Don't be stupid, you couldn't control a Dragonite right now – you're too inexperienced and besides, Dragonite are so powerful, there are rumours saying that it is almost a legendary. Anyway, we have to get downstairs and get ready for your journey," Eevee informed a now calmed down Josephine.
"You make it sound like Pokémon Training Academy. But I know that this journey is going to be a lot better. Okay, let's go," Josephine said, smiling at the family pet.
Nothing to it, I suppose… she thought, after wiping the sleep out of her hazel eyes. Josephine peered alertly at herself in the bedside mirror, before meandering over to her en suite.
The tiled floor gave off a feeling of coldness which seeped through her feet as she walked across it. She opened the door, closing it upon entering and then turned on the water.
Half an hour later, Josephine inspected herself in her mirror. Her wet hair now had a hair tie around it, creating a pony-tail look. Her outfit consisted of a bright red sleeveless top and a sky-blue miniskirt. Brown boots adorned her feet and black sunglasses had been placed over her eyes.
After placing her digital watch on the wrist of her left arm, she headed down the hall.
Josephine put her right hand on the railing as she descended the stairs. Heading into the reasonably large kitchen and preparing herself a bowl of cereal, she spotted her mother relaxing on the cyan coloured sofa. She quickly sat down and started eating the cereal, glancing across the table to the empty plate that was probably her sister's. The chestnut haired teen then checked to ensure that her bright red and yellow backpack with the insignia of a Poké Ball on the side was packed.
Her sister was a scarlet haired, hazel-eyed delight named Natalie. She had turned ten just two weeks ago and was eager to start her journey with her older sibling.
Finding out that everything was in her backpack, she placed the breakfast bowl in the sink, ran some water in it and headed to the door.
"Honey, wait," the voices of Josephine's parents spoke up. The girl's mother rose from the sofa as her father walked into the room. The masculine toned voice had come from fair haired Charles, Fiona's husband. Charles had been an Indigo League Champion at the age of twenty, but decided to quit being a trainer at twenty-three.
Saying goodbye was going to be difficult and sad.
"Yeah?" The teen turned and looked at her parents as tears started to form in her eyes.
"It's good to see that you are finally ready. Professor Oak called and said he wants you to meet him at his lab," Fiona told her, relieved to see that her second oldest living child was finally setting off.
Josephine stood there with a puzzled look on her face, wondering what the researcher needed to give her, but then it clicked.
Of course! My Pokédex, Pokémon and Poké Balls… how could I forget…? Josephine mentally slapped herself for forgetting such a simple thing.
As she was about to run to the lab, she remembered that this would be the last time she saw her parents before she left. She turned around and looked at them. "Mum, Dad… this is goodbye for now. I'll miss you."
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" A haughty voice was heard as an irritated fox rushed down the stairs.
"Eevee, I said…" the red haired teen began, but was quickly interrupted.
"I'm coming, whether you like it or not! Deal with it!" he added, seeing the older sister sigh and bow her head.
Natalie came running just then, dressed in a red and white striped short-sleeved shirt and blue denim shorts. Slipping a cherry coloured bandana onto her head so as to keep back her long red fringe, she looked up at her parents and older sister. "Don't think ya going anywhere without me, sis!" she exclaimed, shaking her head in disapproval and making a tutting noise.
"Come off it, Nat. You know I wouldn't go anywhere without you," Josephine replied, before smiling.
Her father stared desperately at her, while her mother placed a hand on her shoulder and answered, "Yes, we'll miss you both. You have grown up incredibly fast you two, and we understand that you want to go on this journey."
"Alright, I'll see you later, guys."
"Goodbye dear, and know that whatever happens, I'll always think of you as a Pokémon Master, because you went and attempted to accomplish your dream. Thanks for letting me know, honey," Fiona said, as she smiled at her daughters. Charles stepped backwards, determined to talk to Fiona in private once Josephine and Natalie had left.
Just before the two sisters set off, Josephine gave her mother one last farewell hug, tears flowed freely.
Wiping away the tears, the siblings started walking towards the research facility that was run by Professor Oak.
After trudging along for about ten minutes, they finally arrived at the location of the building. The laboratory was on top of a hill that was accessible by a long stairway, which took one to the entrance of the lab. It was a two-story ivory building that had a maroon roof which, from the top, allowed one to view the landscape as far as the eye could see.
There was a lake to the east of the hill and to the south was an untamed forest with no paths. The forest was cut short by an open range, which was met in the north by rocks and boulders. There were Pokémon scattered all over the landscape.
Josephine rang the doorbell and waited, because she knew that Professor Oak wouldn't be in a rush to answer the door. The large timber door opened a few minutes later.
"Ah, Josephine and Natalie! I was wondering when the two of you were going to arrive. Come in and let me give you something that's very important," the elderly researcher spoke unhurriedly. The Professor was an old, but young-spirited man. His greying hair was trimmed neatly, as it came down just short of his ears. He wore a long white lab coat which fell down to his black boots.
"Thank you, Professor," the duo replied, at the same time feeling overjoyed that they had gotten here. Their eyes were shining brightly, the sisters were smiling and they both felt thrilled to be getting their first Pokémon partner. However, Josephine was unaware that she would have to wait a few days before she received her starter.
"Right this way, then," he answered, as he turned and led the two red haired girls into the lab. The first thing that was seen when entering was an array of bookshelves that were stacked against the wall, stretching from one corner of the room to the other.
To the right were small computers that blinked with all sorts of dazzling lights, with the monitors scrolling down with data that she could only guess was the research that Professor Oak and his assistants had compiled.
In the middle, between the computers, was a rather large door that was used for when they went out to care for and study the Pokémon that were kept at the lab.
To the left was a very large storage room in which the Pokéballs that contained the Pokémon were kept. One could only guess how many were amassed there.
At the top of the staircase to the right of the Pokéball storage room, the upper level was desolate except for three bookshelves that were lined up against the left wall, an enormous computer that took up the entire southern wall, a solitary chair and finally, a small dome which was the holding place of the three Pokéballs.
"Professor, there you are! Paul and Rachel almost left without their starters, but I convinced them that Josephine and Natalie were coming. Anna, of course, already left; she couldn't wait any longer." One of Oak's aides appeared when the researcher and the red haired girls entered the large room which contained the small dome.
As Rachel righted herself from a handstand which she'd been doing against the wall, Paul got up off the lone chair and both trainers-to-be walked towards the newcomers.
Paul Johnson was of an average height for a ten-year-old and had smooth, sun-streaked brown hair which was fluttering to one side in the light breeze that came through the windows. He wore a blue shirt, baggy black trousers and on each of his wrists was a two-toned sweatband.
Fourteen-year-old Rachel Savina walked forward, her long purple hair flowing behind her. She looked relaxed and comfortable in her outfit – a bright red zip-up skin-tight jumper and navy blue shorts.
"So… the loser's finally arrived, huh?" Paul questioned the teen in a cocky tone, before running a hand through his fringe.
"Paul, behave yourself please. You haven't received your starter yet," Professor Oak cautioned the boy, who was the son of the head of Kanto's police force. "Be patient; your turn will come."
The brown haired boy bit his lip. "I haven't forgotten, Professor," he answered, choosing his words carefully.
As the Professor picked up three spheres, Rachel noticed that on the right hand side ball there was the image of a leaf imprinted on it, on the middle orb the image of a flame, and on the left sphere nothing.
"Are you sure these are the Kanto starters, Professor Oak?" Rachel questioned. The lavender haired teen proceeded to fold her arms and look doubtfully at the elderly researcher.
"I hear scepticism in your voice, Rachel. Take a look if you want to be sure," Professor Oak replied and casually gestured at the table on which he'd placed the spheres.
Rachel moved forward, trembling with excitement. She picked up the first ball and released the creature within. After the flash of white light had died down, standing by her side was a small, orange lizard. Her two small arms weren't chubby, and the claws were small, unlike the feet.
I've always been a fan of the Charmander evolution line, she thought. They look awesome, and Charizard rules. What more could one want?
Across from Rachel were Paul and his Water type. The other bipedal Pokémon, like his companion, was small. This creature was turtle-like in appearance. A brown shell with a white border held most of his body, the underside of it being a very clear russet colour. From the bottom of it, a somewhat fluffy tail sprouted.
I will train Squirtle so that he may reach his full potential, Paul contemplated.
Not realizing that Professor Oak had given Natalie her starter's Poké Ball, Josephine worriedly looked over at her younger sister and was surprised to see that she was already playing with her partner.
The small worm Pokémon had two large black eyes and a segmented mass. But what caught the eye more than anything was the body itself, consisting of an astonishing golden-coloured sparkle. What had originally been a green and yellow body was now bathed in a yellow shimmering radiance.
The older sister's surprise rapidly kicked itself into shock as she stared at the Caterpie. No way! No freaking way! A shiny Caterpie?! How did my younger sister end up so damn lucky?!
Rachel, who was still stroking the warm skin of her Charmander, sensed her best friend's shock and quickly looked over at Natalie. Her mouth hung open in response and her blue eyes stared blankly ahead. A few moments later, the lavender haired girl regained her composure and shook her head to clear her thoughts.
Wow, was all that she could think.
Paul had seen the Bug Pokémon almost instantly and was angered at the fact that his Squirtle couldn't have been a shiny.
Humph, he thought.
Rachel and Paul returned their Pokémon to their respective containment devices, and then minimized the balls by pressing the white button in the centre. They clipped their new Pokéballs to their belts.
"Congratulations on your journeys' beginning, you three," Professor Oak addressed them. "Here are your Pokédexes, a reference tool for you that analyzes Pokémon you've come across, and five Pokéballs each." The researcher then handed the items to Rachel and Paul, who accepted them and thanked the elderly man.
"Natalie, I'd like you to know that your Caterpie was a special delivery from Professor Celio's laboratory. As I'm sure your sister's told you, Celio lives on One Island in the Sevii Island area," the Professor spoke to the younger Harris before handing her the same items he'd given the other two.
Natalie curtsied in respect for the professor. "Thank you very much, Professor Oak," she added.
The researcher nodded in appreciation. "You're welcome, Natalie. Now, while I've got you and your sister here, Josephine, I'd like to inform you that you've been invited to the region of Beklan by Professor Maria Banksia. Natalie, on the other hand, has been recruited – so to speak – by Professor Yew of the Corei region."
The two siblings looked at each other excitedly. They couldn't believe they were going to uncharted regions to begin their journeys.
"Oh my god! Are you for real, Professor Oak?!" Natalie shrieked, astounded.
The researcher nodded.
"When do we head off?" Josephine questioned, speaking for the two of them, hardly able to keep the eagerness out of her voice.
"You both leave today," Professor Oak answered.
Squeals of joy were issued from the sisters mouths. They jumped up and down, hugging each other crazily. Then, the realization sunk in. They would be going to different regions by themselves. Natalie looked anxiously at her older sister, who held her close again in an attempt to quell the younger Harris' fear.
"Hey Jose, I guess I'll see ya around. Okay?" Rachel asked, fingering a strap on her backpack.
"'Kay," the red haired teen answered. "I'll take care of Natalie, until we have to separate. I've got things figured out."
"Who said anything about us, Rachel?" Paul demanded. "Josephine has the right idea. I'm so outta here. Later!"
As the young boy left angrily after his outburst, Rachel took her time in following. She waved farewell to Josephine as she went, causing the red haired girl to shake her head in amusement.
Ahhh, Rachel. Why is it, my friend, that you're always a bit slow on the uptake? And Paul? Well, one of these days, he's gonna get his butt kicked.
Josephine and Natalie hurried out of the lab, waving farewell to Professor Oak as they did so. The elder redhead accidentally dropped her backpack in the rush and stopped to go back and get it. Retrieving it and shouldering it once more, the teen felt Natalie keenly tug on her shirt. "Come on, sis! The bus to Vermillion will be leaving soon!"
"Okay, okay. I'm coming," Josephine answered, as the two sisters boarded the bus which was parked on the road in front of the laboratory's fence.
The siblings sat down and smiled at their parents, who'd arrived just in time to see them off. While the bus driver was driving down the road, they waved goodbye to them out the window. As their parents vanished around the corner, Josephine leant back only to hear a new voice ask, "Are you Josephine Harris?"
The red haired teenager spun around in her seat to see the unfamiliar, fair-skinned face of a complete stranger gazing her, with an equally mysterious Pokémon standing beside him. The speaker was an adolescent boy with electric-blue hair who was sitting on the other side of the bus. For a moment, Josephine stared at the boy's all-blue attire wondering if he was related to Misty of the Cerulean City Gym. A second glance showed that the teen's jacket went up to his shoulders and continued in short dark blue sleeves. The words "Cheltin Town Academy" were embroidered on the left pocket of the jacket and by his side stood a small, slim bird that was a light green colour.
It had a short crooked beak, and two tufts of fur above it which could have easily been mistaken for a pair of elm leaves. Its wings were thin and narrow, and much like those tufts, bore a striking resemblance to leaves. And at the bottom of its match-like legs, stood a pair of single-clawed talons, which from a distance seemed like fallen acorns.
"Raphael Blackwood's the name," the boy went on, sweeping the two sisters with his grey eyes. "This is Lydia, my Lerrow."
"Hi there, you two!" The Lerrow acknowledged in a delighted tone.
Josephine hesitated briefly, before speaking up. "Uh… well, yes. I am Josephine Harris and this is my younger sister, Natalie."
"Hi," Natalie mumbled, nervous in the older boy's presence.
A look of surprise crossed Raphael's face. "You're wondering what I'm doing here?" Shaking his head in mock disappointment, he added, "Honestly, I thought that you at least, Josephine, would've known why I was here. I guess they're dormant."
Josephine's hazel eyes widened and she stared at the male teen, as she wondered what the hell he was going on about.
"Oh god!" Raphael moaned and dragged his left hand down his face. "You, Josephine, are the cousin of a revered Leader here in Kanto. I'm going to leave it up to you to work out which one. And I'm here because I'm your guide in the Beklan region."
Ignoring the other information for the time being, Josephine picked at the boy's last sentence. "I'd like to know more about the Beklan region. Where is it?"
Finally, I'm getting some sense out of her, Raphael thought. "Beklan is to the far east of Kanto."
As the bus rolled to a stop in Vermillion City, Raphael and Josephine got off the bus, but not before the elder Harris gave her younger sister advice on how to get to the Saffron City train station from the bus stop.
"Keep in touch, okay Nat?" Josephine asked, as the ten-year-old leant out of the bus window to say goodbye. "And good luck!"
"You too, sis," Natalie countered, smiling. "See you later, Lydia!"
"Later, Natalie!" Lerrow chirped, waving a short wing in farewell.
As the ship grew nearer to Cheltin Town's Dock, the girl's reflection on how the invitation from Professor Maria Banksia has started her journey to and in Beklan came to a close causing her to stir slowly. Looking out of the lobby window, she saw a flock of Wingull glide by lazily, their piping caws ringing loud and clear across the bright, clear sky.
The rolling ocean waves moved on by in a slow rush as the cruise ship, known as the S.S. Hawkesbury, moved progressively further east of Kanto. Despite the somewhat dull scenery now that the fourteen-year-old girl was awake, her growing excitement was hard to contain.
Her past of bitten body parts was behind her and her future lay in the new, mind-blowing world of Beklan and Josephine just couldn't wait to get there and carve her mark.
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