Ben's Journey: Book 1 - First Steps
Okay, this is a story that I have been writing for a while now. It is a fairly typical SI (Self Insertion) story, based on my adventures in the Yellow-version of the Pokémon game. However, those who have read it tell me that it is good, so I am posting it up on the board to give you all a chance to tell me what you think.
Legal Disclaimer
Pokémon, the Pokémon and the characters and situations of the Pokémon world are the legal property of Game Freak Software, Creatures Inc., Nintendo Entertainment and 4Kids Productions. No breach of copyright is intended. This is a non-profit work for free distribution through the World-Wide Web.
Author's Notes
This is loosely based on my progress through Pokémon Yellow. It also reflects parts of the new features of the Pokémon World as revealed in the Gold- Silver- and Crystal-versions of the game.
There is one major difference from the games. Ash Ketchum, has been the Pokémon Master now for ten years. He lives in Pallet Town with his wife, former Cerulean City Gym Leader Misty Waterflower. The two of them run the Blue Thunder Gym near the Pallet Docks, the Pallet Town end of Route 21.
Because I am basing this on the games rather than the animé, Technical Machines and Hidden Machines are in use, and the Experience Level rules are in operation. However, I will not limit Pokémon to just four skills. Instead, base level Pokémon can use six skills. Evolved Pokémon can use eight skills. Ultimate-level Pokémon can use ten skills. If a base-level Pokémon can only be evolved using an evolution stone or taming, then it can learn ten skills.
This story will, doubtless, have a strange feel for readers more used to the animé universe. There is no 'Trainer's License' in the game. Rather, anyone can catch a Pokémon (Rattatas and Pidgeys below Experience Level 2 can be caught without being weakened first). However, only the best can survive on the roads and beat the Gym Leaders, opening the way for them to compete against the Trainers of the Pokémon League.
As always, the story begins with a child and his dream. A dream to be the very best. A dream to 'catch 'em all', and to be the greatest Pokémon Master of all time.
Book 1 - First Steps
Introduction by Professor Samuel O. Oak
Hmm...? Ah! Hello! Welcome to the world of Pokémon. This is a world not unlike your world, but with one big difference. This is a world of Pokémon, strange magical creatures with many different powers and abilities. It is possible to catch and train Pokémon to perform many tasks. Many people do so, and you will find that most people in our homeland own at least one Pokémon.
Most people simply keep them as super-intelligent pets. Some train them to perform special tasks like construction work or even dancing. However, the most respected trainers are those who train Pokémon for the difficult gladiatorial battles of the Pokémon League. There is nothing more difficult and dangerous, and nothing that tests one's skill and empathy with one's Pokémon than training them to be successful fighters.
What do I do with Pokémon? Well, I was a great fighter once, but these days I am happy just to study Pokémon. I am proud to tell you that I am the best Pokémon researcher in these islands, to the point where they call me 'the Pokémon Professor'.
But this isn't my story. Nor is it the story of my two most brilliant students, my grandson, Garfield Shigeru Oak and my stepson Ashton Satoshi Ketchum. No, this is your story. Every Trainer has his own epic tale to tell on the roads and fields of our land, and your very own Pokémon legend is about to begin...
Chapter 1 - Pallet Town
Ben Russell-Gough, a 13-year-old boy living in Pallet Town of Viridian County of the Kanto region of Pokémon Island, was playing a game on his PC that Saturday afternoon when his mother, Sue, called him from downstairs. "Just a minute, Mom!" he called back. He shut down his PC and went downstairs to see what his mother wanted.
"Ben, I just got a phone call from Professor Oak," Sue said. "For some reason, he asked for you to go over to his laboratory."
Ben's ears immediately pricked with interest. Professor Oak was one of the top minds in Pokémon research, and you would be hard-pressed to find anyone of Ben's age who was not interested in Pokémon, especially catching one of their own. This was especially the case in Pallet Town, where one of the toughest of the Pokémon League's gyms, which taught proficiency in Training, was situated. Ben was always seeing Trainers passing through to face Ash Ketchum in battle. More often than not, he would then see them depart, amazed at the speed and ease of the Gym Leader's victory.
"Hurry over to see him," Sue continued. "You don't want to keep such an important man waiting." She had finished her advice to an empty room. Ben had already pulled on his coat and was running through the small town towards the Oak Research Laboratories.
He was met at the door to the main building (which was reminiscent of a farmhouse) by the Professor's wife, Delia. Ben was naturally in awe of the Pokémon Master's mother, but he was able to stammer out his errand to the kind-faced woman. "Hmm..." Delia said. "I'm afraid that Samuel isn't in, Ben," she told the boy with sandy brown hair and deep blue eyes. "He might be up near where Route 1 starts. He said that he wanted to look for some base-level Pokémon today. Try to find him there."
"Thanks, Mrs. Oak," Ben said, bowing politely before leaving the doorstep.
"Be careful Ben!" Delia shouted out. "There are wild Pokémon in that area!"
Ben knew the dangers, of course. Everyone who lived on Pokémon Island did. However, he had an errand to do, and, frankly, he had better things to do with his time today, so he didn't waste any time heading north to where Route 1, the hikers' route to Viridian City, began.
The neat gardens and tree-lined streets of Pallet Town ended very suddenly with a wooden fence with a stile gate. Beyond the fence lay grasslands, some patches of woodland and the wilds where the wild Pokémon lived. Ben had never been out there before, although he knew how to survive out in the wilds. His father took them camping for every summer holiday, after all.
After failing to see Professor Oak, Ben decided to cross the fence and look for him in the tall grass. Feeling very brave, he crossed the stile gate. Suddenly, he heard a voice call out. "Watch out, young man! Don't move!" There was so much authority in the deep adult voice that Ben did freeze. It was a good thing that he did, as something small and yellow was standing almost right in front of him. Ben jumped back in instinctive fear and fell on his backside with a cry of surprise and panic.
What he saw was a yellow rodent-like animal with black-tipped prehensile ears, a thunderbolt-shaped tail, red cheek pads and black stripes on its' back. The animal glared at Ben and blue-white sparkles of electricity began to crawl along its' cheeks. "Pika! Kachu-ka-pi!" It screeched at him.
Suddenly, a figure was looming over him. "Oh no you don't my little friend," the figure said. "Super Ball go!" A ball, which looked ceramic, tumbled through the air. Before the little creature could react, the ball struck it on the head and split open into one grey and white half. The animal flashed into white light and was sucked into the ball. The ball snapped shut and fell to the ground, flashing red lights around a golden disc inset into the division between grey and white hemispheres. The ball started rocking violently and a loud buzzed sounded.
Ben immediately recognised his saviour. The tall man with bushy black eyebrows and grey hair was Pallet Town's first citizen, after all: Professor Samuel Ookido Oak. The researcher watched expressionlessly as the trap ball continued to rock and buzz loudly. He calmly pulled another ball from under his white ankle-length lab coat. This one was red-and-white and had a leaf painted on the red hemisphere above the gold disc.
Then the trap stopped shaking. The lights changed to green and the ball made a pleasant 'ping' sound. Oak visibly relaxed and slid the red-and-white ball back onto his belt. "Well, I wonder what we've got here?" the researcher murmured as he picked up the trap ball. He put the ball into his pocket and turned to smile at Ben. "Now tell me, young Benjamin, what are you doing out here in the tall grass? Wild Pokémon live in this area, you know."
Ben lowered his eyes in embarrassment. How was he supposed to explain to such a famous man that he was in too much of a hurry to find out what he wanted to think about the safety lessons he had heard since he was a small boy? "I... er... I was looking for you, Professor," he said.
"For me?" Oak said in surprise. "Whatever for?"
Ben blinked in surprise. "My mom said that you wanted me to go on an errand for you," he said.
Oak's face twisted and went through some of the most amazing contortions. "Oh yes," he said at last, sounding a bit embarrassed. "I was so enjoying chasing Pidgey that I completely forgot." The old scientist shook his head. "In any case, you shouldn't have come out here without a Pokémon of your own to protect you," he said in a stern 'lecture' tone of voice, frowning and waggling a finger in reproof. He cocked his head. "Maybe... Yes. Yes, your grades are excellent from what your mother told Delia, so why not?" Oak's expression changed to a warm smile so suddenly that Ben was a bit disoriented. "We'll do something about your lack of protection immediately," Oak announced. "Come with me."
What is he talking about? Ben asked himself in mystification. However, he wasn't about to disobey such an august personage, so he followed the scientist back to the laboratory. Delia greeted her husband warmly in a way that embarrassed Ben, whose body was just beginning to awaken to adulthood. "Please wait for me in the living room," Oak requested.
Ben did as he was asked. The room had lots of interesting photos from Oak's long career, including photos of him with Gary Oak, the Viridian City Gym Leader, and with Ash Ketchum, his stepson, the current Pokémon Master and the Leader of Pallet Town's own Pokémon Gym. "Ah! Ben!" Professor Oak entered the room again, seemingly oblivious at the way the young teen jumped in surprise. "Thank you for coming to see me on such short notice, but I need a small favour done, and your mother was kind enough to volunteer your services."
Thanks, Mom, Ben thought. Out loud, what he said was: "What can I do for you, Professor?"
"I have a small package waiting for me to collect at Viridian City's Pokémon Mart," he explained. "I would go to collect it myself, but I am very busy today. I was wondering if you would be so kind to get it for me?"
Ben considered that request. Viridian was the Mother City to Pallet Town and lay just 25 miles north of the town up the Viridian River. It would take about eight hours to walk the distance, or just two hours to go by bicycle (although Ben didn't have one). Viridian was not a particularly big city, but it had plenty of distractions. The thought of visiting all the shops and museums in the city without his mother's close supervision immediately caught Ben's attention. He didn't have to think too hard at all. "It would be my pleasure, Professor," he replied.
"Excellent," Oak said, beaming widely. "You'd better come with me."
~*~*~*~
Ben was astonished to be taken deep into the Research Centre to the laboratories. All around the teenage boy lay esoteric scientific instruments. As he entered, he got a smile and a thumbs-up from a black-haired young man who Ben suspected was Tracey Sketchitt, the Professor's assistant and current student.
When they reached the far end of the labs, Ben noticed the grey-and-white trap ball was now enclosed in some strange equipment. Oak's sharp eyes caught his interest. "The animal is called a 'Pikachu,' Ben," he said. "It is a rodent-like mammal that can deliver powerful and painful electric shocks from the red glands on its' cheeks. You are lucky I came along or you could have been seriously hurt." Ben noticed that someone had pained a yellow lightning bolt on the grey hemisphere of the ball, just over the gold disc, which he now saw had a small glass lens at the centre.
"What will you do with it, sir?" he asked.
Oak looked up in surprise from where he had been checking his PC. "Hmm? Oh, I'll probably have to release it, Ben," he said. "Pikachus make poor Pokémon for starter trainers and this one is too young and weak to interest a more experienced Trainer." Oak considered his visitor for a moment and then suddenly remembered why the boy was in his labs. "My goodness!" he said. He turned back to his desk and rifled through the draws hastily. "Ah!" He presented Ben with a paper slip with the Professor's mailing address and some code numbers printed on it. "That is the chit for the package that I want," Oak said. "Give that to the man at the collection desk in the Pokémart and he will give you the package."
Ben nodded and pocketed the chit. He was just about to leave when Oak spoke up. "One moment, young man," he said. Ben turned back to the researcher. "It will take you the best part of a day to make the journey to Viridian City," he said, "but you would cut two or more hours off of the journey time if you went along Route 1."
"But Professor, Route 1 is dangerous," Ben protested.
"Only if you don't have a Pokémon to defend yourself," Oak said. "I can solve that problem for you." Oak smiled and raised a grey-and-white ball like the one used to catch the Pikachu, but this one had an 'E' painted above the lens.
Ben's heart leapt in excitement, but before he could find out what this creature was, a loud voice called out. "Professor!"
Oak visibly winced as Adam Bryant, son of a local property owner and one of Pallet Town's more unpleasant teenagers, strode in. The blonde boy strode over to the Professor, deliberately shouldering Ben aside as he did so. "Professor, my father told me that you wanted to see me."
"Yes, I did, Adam," Oak said. "I will just finish with Ben and then I will talk with you."
"Is that a Pokémon?" Adam asked, pointing at the Pokéball. "I want it! I asked father for one, so that must be what you wanted to see me about, isn't it?"
That was typical Adam. He was used to getting what he wanted on demand and not a moment later. Ben figured out that Mr. Bryant had asked the Professor to get his son a Pokémon. Oak sighed. "I have a Pokémon for you, Adam, but it isn't this one. This one is for Ben."
Adam looked at the other boy and barely managed to avoid sneering. 'Why bother giving him a Pokémon?' the look seemed to say. Ben bristled, but he wasn't going to start a fight. There was never any point being the one who starts trouble. "Professor, I want that one," Adam said. He smirked disrespectfully at the elder researcher. "I'm sure that you don't want me telling my father that you went back on your agreement with him."
Oak rolled his eyes. "You may tell your father what you wish," Oak said. "Frankly I do not consider it worth my while worrying about his opinion of me. However, if you truly are desperate to have this particular Pokémon, then you may do so." He gave the ball to Adam. "It is an Eevee, an evolving Pokémon. Depending on how you chose to train him, he may evolve in several different ways."
Adam grinned as he raised the Pokéball. "However he evolves he will be the strongest of them all," he said with a smirk. "I won't accept anything else."
Oak scowled as the boy swaggered off, still carrying his ball as if it were a trophy. He shook his head and turned back to Ben. "So, I guess that I don't get a Pokémon after all?" Ben asked, trying to mask his disappointment and choke down his tears.
"Not at all," Oak replied. Much to Ben's surprise, he plucked the Pikachu's Pokéball from the scanning apparatus where it was resting and handed it over to the teen. "I was going to test Mr. Bryant's self-confidence with a difficult starting Pokémon," Oak said. "However, as he decided that he did not want to wait, you can take this Pokémon instead. This is a female Pikachu. They are a wilful species, but loyal to those who are loyal to them." Ben stared at the Pokéball in shock, making the researcher grin. "Activate the ball and introduce yourself to her, Ben."
Ben looked at the ball for a moment before finding and pressing the 'release' touch pad. The ball split open and vomited out a flash of white light that resolved itself into the Pikachu who attacked him earlier. "Pikachu!" the little animal cried out in shock.
"Er... Hi, Pikachu, I'm Ben," Ben said. The animal cocked its' head. It clearly could understand what he was saying to it. "Would you like to be my friend?" The Pikachu turned and looked away from the boy.
Oak laughed. "Newly-caught Pokémon are always like that," he said. "Don't worry, she'll come to appreciate you if you treat her well." Oak picked up a clipboard and sorted through the notes for a moment. "Pikachus of her maturity, I rated her at Experience Level 5, usually know three skills: tackle, thundershock and growl. The first two are offensive moves, the second is defensive move that reduces the power of opponents' attacks." Ben nodded, trying to take this in. "I advise you to take a day or two to train Pikachu to understand your commands," Oak continued. "Then be off about your errand." The old man winked and turned back to his work. Ben, feeling a bit confused, found the 'recall' button on the Pokéball and watched as the Pikachu was re-absorbed into the storage device.
About an hour later, Ben was on the hillside where the Research Centre was situated. He was doing some Training with his new Pokémon. Ben had got off to a rocky start with the little animal. She had initially refused to do anything that he said and had tried to run away a few times, forcing Ben to recall her to her Pokéball. However, Ben had managed to get through to her by inviting her to use her electrical powers on him. When that failed to knock him out, he told her that he wanted to help her get stronger.
The Pikachu considered this carefully for a while before signalling her agreement by touching her nose to Ben's outstretched hand. She didn't know, just yet, what to make of her new situation, but the human was kind enough and had even fed her. She would see just what he required of her before making a decision about whether or not to run away. Ben had decided that 'Pikachu' was too generic, so he decided to give her a name. He called her Shock, and it was surprising to see how quickly she got used to that name.
"Hey wimp!" Ben winced when he heard Adam's voice. "I see that the Professor gave you a Pokémon too. It is probably weak, just like you."
"What do you want, Adam?" Ben said, putting an edge of boredom in his voice. He didn't like the bully and he wasn't scared of him.
"I want to give my Pokémon real-life experience," the bully said. "Your Pokémon against mine in a one-on-one battle." Ben considered that and looked at Shock. "What's the matter, are you scared that your little rat might get hurt?" Adam taunted.
Ben stood up. "Stop flapping your mouth," he replied, making the other boy scowl and look at him dangerously. "If you want to battle, just say so." It was a matter of honour amongst all those who trained Pokémon and both boys knew it. If one is challenged to fight with your Pokémon, you take up that challenge.
Adam bowed mockingly. "How nice of you to agree," he sneered. He threw his Pokéball. "Go Champ!" he shouted. His Eevee materialised with a little howling cry. It was a brown-and beige fox about the same size as Shock. It looked pitifully weak, but Ben wasn't about to prejudge anything at this stage.
Ben threw his own Pokéball, releasing Shock. The two adversaries faced each other for a moment before Adam began hostilities. "Champ, use Tackle!"
"Use Thundershock, Shock!" Ben responded. Shock was the faster of the two and unleashed a crackling whiplash of blue-white electricity that struck the Eevee and made it howl in pain. However, the little fox-like Pokémon didn't go down, instead he leapt forwards and shoulder-charged Shock, sending her tumbling down the hill a few paces. "Shock! Oh no!" Ben couldn't believe it. Despite the power of Shock's attack, the Pikachu seemed to have come out the worse off. Ben had a sudden inspiration. "Shock use Growl!" he instructed. The little Pikachu began to growl. Ben shook his head and rubbed behind his ears from the strange infrasonic vibrations.
"Don't hesitate, Champ," Adam commanded. "Use Tackle again!" This time, Shock moved and dodged the oncoming Eevee. "Blast it!" Adam was furious. "Use Pound this time! Get that stupid rat!"
"Keep up the Growl, Shock," Ben countered. He had realised that he had to weaken the Eevee's attack so that Shock's weaker attacks would make a difference. The Eevee rushed towards Shock, this time getting very close before jumping into the air and driving all four of his legs against her back, knocking her flat.
"Ha! That's great!" Adam exulted. "Hardly a contest at all!" The rich boy's eyes bulged open very satisfactorily when Shock leapt to her feet. She was hurt, but the use of Growl had paid off. The Eevee's attack had been weakened and hadn't been enough to knock her out.
"Blast it! Use Tail Whip!" Adam snapped.
"Use Growl again, Shock!" Ben said. The Eevee jumped forwards and slapped its' thick furry tail over Shock's snout. She seemed stunned for a second, but she was able to deliver a growl despite that. Ben broke out into a sweat. He had to push this before the stronger Eevee was able to deliver a decisive blow. "Okay, Shock use another Thundershock attack!"
"Pika... CHUUU!" Shock squealed and unleashed another electric blast. This one hurt clearly hurt Champ and the Eevee staggered sideways, twitching slightly.
"You stupid fleabag!" Adam snapped. "Don't stand there, Tackle the rat!" Ben watched in amazement as the Eevee blinked and shook his head again, seemingly to be unable to carry out Adam's orders.
"Use Thundershock again, Shock," Ben called out. Shock attacked, making Champ stiffened in pain and froze for a second, before nearly collapsing, shaking his head in a dazed fashion. "You're winning Shock!" Ben could hardly believe it.
"Wake up, Champ!" Adam shouted. "Finish the rat with a Tackle!"
"Counter with a Tackle of your own, Shock," Ben countered. The two Pokémon shot towards each other and collided with a meaty 'thump'. Both tumbled to the ground. After a moment, Champ staggered to his feet, but Shock didn't. She seemed to have fainted or blacked out. "Oh no, Shock I'm sorry."
Adam was triumphant and didn't bother to hide it. "Well, the outcome was never in doubt," he sneered. He recalled Champ to his Pokéball without even bothering to thank the clearly injured Eevee for his efforts. "You keep up your efforts and you might be able to stand on your own two feet one day, wimp! As for me...? Well Champ is already strong, but I am going to make him even stronger." With an imperious air, the boy strode off.
Ben picked up the limp Pikachu and stroked her face gently. "Shock, can you hear me?" Shock opened her eyes and murmured a sound that made Ben think that she was saying something like 'ouch'. "Shock, I'm sorry," he said.
Suddenly, Professor Oak was running over. "Ben!" he shouted. "I thought I saw electric-type attacks! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ben said, trying to keep his voice level, "but Shock is hurt!"
The scientist put a friendly hand on Ben's shoulder. "It happens," he said. "Come on, I'll rejuvenate her at the laboratories and then you can take her home."
Oak had just handed Shock's Pokéball back to Ben when the ball suddenly started to shake violently. "What the...?" Oak blurted. Then the ball split open and Shock materialised, looking very annoyed. "How odd!" Oak said. "Most Pokémon don't mind being in a Pokéball, but Shock doesn't seem to care for it at all!" The researcher shrugged. "Well, she has already bonded with you, Ben, so I don't think she will try to run away. Just let her follow you or ride on your shoulder."
Ben knelt before Shock, who looked away. "Shock, I'm sorry for getting you hurt," he said. She didn't respond. "I'll try harder in the future, I promise. I won't ever let you get hurt easily ever again." There was still no response. "We should go home," Ben said. "Come on." Ben turned, took a few steps, but the Pikachu didn't move. Ben sighed. He thought about ordering her, but he thought about the way Adam talked to his Eevee. No, he didn't want to ever be like that. "If you are tired, you can ride on my shoulder and I'll carry you home," he said.
This caught Shock's attention. She turned around and looked at the human boy. "Chu-ka-pi-kachu?" she squeaked. She sniffed his left hand uncertainly before slowly climbing up onto his left shoulder and settling there. "Chu-pi, Ka!" she cooed happily. Ben wondered if 'Ka' was how she said his name.
"There, isn't that encouraging?" Oak said with a smile.
"I think it is incredibly cute," Delia said, walking into the lab at that moment. "It reminds me of Ash with his Pikachu."
Ben turned away and, with Shock squeaking at every footstep, headed for home. "Thanks for everything, Professor," he called. "I'll go and get your package tomorrow!"
"Oh, what an adorable little Pokémon!" Sue said as she greeted her son. "Is it yours?"
"Her name is Shock. Professor Oak gave her to me," Ben said proudly. "I'm going on a trip to Viridian City for him tomorrow, and he said I would need a Pokémon for protection." Ben tickled the smug-looking Pikachu. Shock seemed to understand that all the approval was being directed at her.
Sue smiled in a melancholy way. "I suppose it had to happen eventually. All little boys grow up and leave home on their journeys to manhood." Sue suddenly shook her head and smiled at Ben mischievously. "They said so on TV," she added with a wink.
That night, Shock settled down in a comfortable nest in the blankets at Ben's feet. She hadn't expected anything that had happened to her today, but she had to admit that things could have been worse. Right now, she found herself wondering about what tomorrow might bring.
To be continued...
Okay, this is a story that I have been writing for a while now. It is a fairly typical SI (Self Insertion) story, based on my adventures in the Yellow-version of the Pokémon game. However, those who have read it tell me that it is good, so I am posting it up on the board to give you all a chance to tell me what you think.
Legal Disclaimer
Pokémon, the Pokémon and the characters and situations of the Pokémon world are the legal property of Game Freak Software, Creatures Inc., Nintendo Entertainment and 4Kids Productions. No breach of copyright is intended. This is a non-profit work for free distribution through the World-Wide Web.
Author's Notes
This is loosely based on my progress through Pokémon Yellow. It also reflects parts of the new features of the Pokémon World as revealed in the Gold- Silver- and Crystal-versions of the game.
There is one major difference from the games. Ash Ketchum, has been the Pokémon Master now for ten years. He lives in Pallet Town with his wife, former Cerulean City Gym Leader Misty Waterflower. The two of them run the Blue Thunder Gym near the Pallet Docks, the Pallet Town end of Route 21.
Because I am basing this on the games rather than the animé, Technical Machines and Hidden Machines are in use, and the Experience Level rules are in operation. However, I will not limit Pokémon to just four skills. Instead, base level Pokémon can use six skills. Evolved Pokémon can use eight skills. Ultimate-level Pokémon can use ten skills. If a base-level Pokémon can only be evolved using an evolution stone or taming, then it can learn ten skills.
This story will, doubtless, have a strange feel for readers more used to the animé universe. There is no 'Trainer's License' in the game. Rather, anyone can catch a Pokémon (Rattatas and Pidgeys below Experience Level 2 can be caught without being weakened first). However, only the best can survive on the roads and beat the Gym Leaders, opening the way for them to compete against the Trainers of the Pokémon League.
As always, the story begins with a child and his dream. A dream to be the very best. A dream to 'catch 'em all', and to be the greatest Pokémon Master of all time.
Book 1 - First Steps
Introduction by Professor Samuel O. Oak
Hmm...? Ah! Hello! Welcome to the world of Pokémon. This is a world not unlike your world, but with one big difference. This is a world of Pokémon, strange magical creatures with many different powers and abilities. It is possible to catch and train Pokémon to perform many tasks. Many people do so, and you will find that most people in our homeland own at least one Pokémon.
Most people simply keep them as super-intelligent pets. Some train them to perform special tasks like construction work or even dancing. However, the most respected trainers are those who train Pokémon for the difficult gladiatorial battles of the Pokémon League. There is nothing more difficult and dangerous, and nothing that tests one's skill and empathy with one's Pokémon than training them to be successful fighters.
What do I do with Pokémon? Well, I was a great fighter once, but these days I am happy just to study Pokémon. I am proud to tell you that I am the best Pokémon researcher in these islands, to the point where they call me 'the Pokémon Professor'.
But this isn't my story. Nor is it the story of my two most brilliant students, my grandson, Garfield Shigeru Oak and my stepson Ashton Satoshi Ketchum. No, this is your story. Every Trainer has his own epic tale to tell on the roads and fields of our land, and your very own Pokémon legend is about to begin...
Chapter 1 - Pallet Town
Ben Russell-Gough, a 13-year-old boy living in Pallet Town of Viridian County of the Kanto region of Pokémon Island, was playing a game on his PC that Saturday afternoon when his mother, Sue, called him from downstairs. "Just a minute, Mom!" he called back. He shut down his PC and went downstairs to see what his mother wanted.
"Ben, I just got a phone call from Professor Oak," Sue said. "For some reason, he asked for you to go over to his laboratory."
Ben's ears immediately pricked with interest. Professor Oak was one of the top minds in Pokémon research, and you would be hard-pressed to find anyone of Ben's age who was not interested in Pokémon, especially catching one of their own. This was especially the case in Pallet Town, where one of the toughest of the Pokémon League's gyms, which taught proficiency in Training, was situated. Ben was always seeing Trainers passing through to face Ash Ketchum in battle. More often than not, he would then see them depart, amazed at the speed and ease of the Gym Leader's victory.
"Hurry over to see him," Sue continued. "You don't want to keep such an important man waiting." She had finished her advice to an empty room. Ben had already pulled on his coat and was running through the small town towards the Oak Research Laboratories.
He was met at the door to the main building (which was reminiscent of a farmhouse) by the Professor's wife, Delia. Ben was naturally in awe of the Pokémon Master's mother, but he was able to stammer out his errand to the kind-faced woman. "Hmm..." Delia said. "I'm afraid that Samuel isn't in, Ben," she told the boy with sandy brown hair and deep blue eyes. "He might be up near where Route 1 starts. He said that he wanted to look for some base-level Pokémon today. Try to find him there."
"Thanks, Mrs. Oak," Ben said, bowing politely before leaving the doorstep.
"Be careful Ben!" Delia shouted out. "There are wild Pokémon in that area!"
Ben knew the dangers, of course. Everyone who lived on Pokémon Island did. However, he had an errand to do, and, frankly, he had better things to do with his time today, so he didn't waste any time heading north to where Route 1, the hikers' route to Viridian City, began.
The neat gardens and tree-lined streets of Pallet Town ended very suddenly with a wooden fence with a stile gate. Beyond the fence lay grasslands, some patches of woodland and the wilds where the wild Pokémon lived. Ben had never been out there before, although he knew how to survive out in the wilds. His father took them camping for every summer holiday, after all.
After failing to see Professor Oak, Ben decided to cross the fence and look for him in the tall grass. Feeling very brave, he crossed the stile gate. Suddenly, he heard a voice call out. "Watch out, young man! Don't move!" There was so much authority in the deep adult voice that Ben did freeze. It was a good thing that he did, as something small and yellow was standing almost right in front of him. Ben jumped back in instinctive fear and fell on his backside with a cry of surprise and panic.
What he saw was a yellow rodent-like animal with black-tipped prehensile ears, a thunderbolt-shaped tail, red cheek pads and black stripes on its' back. The animal glared at Ben and blue-white sparkles of electricity began to crawl along its' cheeks. "Pika! Kachu-ka-pi!" It screeched at him.
Suddenly, a figure was looming over him. "Oh no you don't my little friend," the figure said. "Super Ball go!" A ball, which looked ceramic, tumbled through the air. Before the little creature could react, the ball struck it on the head and split open into one grey and white half. The animal flashed into white light and was sucked into the ball. The ball snapped shut and fell to the ground, flashing red lights around a golden disc inset into the division between grey and white hemispheres. The ball started rocking violently and a loud buzzed sounded.
Ben immediately recognised his saviour. The tall man with bushy black eyebrows and grey hair was Pallet Town's first citizen, after all: Professor Samuel Ookido Oak. The researcher watched expressionlessly as the trap ball continued to rock and buzz loudly. He calmly pulled another ball from under his white ankle-length lab coat. This one was red-and-white and had a leaf painted on the red hemisphere above the gold disc.
Then the trap stopped shaking. The lights changed to green and the ball made a pleasant 'ping' sound. Oak visibly relaxed and slid the red-and-white ball back onto his belt. "Well, I wonder what we've got here?" the researcher murmured as he picked up the trap ball. He put the ball into his pocket and turned to smile at Ben. "Now tell me, young Benjamin, what are you doing out here in the tall grass? Wild Pokémon live in this area, you know."
Ben lowered his eyes in embarrassment. How was he supposed to explain to such a famous man that he was in too much of a hurry to find out what he wanted to think about the safety lessons he had heard since he was a small boy? "I... er... I was looking for you, Professor," he said.
"For me?" Oak said in surprise. "Whatever for?"
Ben blinked in surprise. "My mom said that you wanted me to go on an errand for you," he said.
Oak's face twisted and went through some of the most amazing contortions. "Oh yes," he said at last, sounding a bit embarrassed. "I was so enjoying chasing Pidgey that I completely forgot." The old scientist shook his head. "In any case, you shouldn't have come out here without a Pokémon of your own to protect you," he said in a stern 'lecture' tone of voice, frowning and waggling a finger in reproof. He cocked his head. "Maybe... Yes. Yes, your grades are excellent from what your mother told Delia, so why not?" Oak's expression changed to a warm smile so suddenly that Ben was a bit disoriented. "We'll do something about your lack of protection immediately," Oak announced. "Come with me."
What is he talking about? Ben asked himself in mystification. However, he wasn't about to disobey such an august personage, so he followed the scientist back to the laboratory. Delia greeted her husband warmly in a way that embarrassed Ben, whose body was just beginning to awaken to adulthood. "Please wait for me in the living room," Oak requested.
Ben did as he was asked. The room had lots of interesting photos from Oak's long career, including photos of him with Gary Oak, the Viridian City Gym Leader, and with Ash Ketchum, his stepson, the current Pokémon Master and the Leader of Pallet Town's own Pokémon Gym. "Ah! Ben!" Professor Oak entered the room again, seemingly oblivious at the way the young teen jumped in surprise. "Thank you for coming to see me on such short notice, but I need a small favour done, and your mother was kind enough to volunteer your services."
Thanks, Mom, Ben thought. Out loud, what he said was: "What can I do for you, Professor?"
"I have a small package waiting for me to collect at Viridian City's Pokémon Mart," he explained. "I would go to collect it myself, but I am very busy today. I was wondering if you would be so kind to get it for me?"
Ben considered that request. Viridian was the Mother City to Pallet Town and lay just 25 miles north of the town up the Viridian River. It would take about eight hours to walk the distance, or just two hours to go by bicycle (although Ben didn't have one). Viridian was not a particularly big city, but it had plenty of distractions. The thought of visiting all the shops and museums in the city without his mother's close supervision immediately caught Ben's attention. He didn't have to think too hard at all. "It would be my pleasure, Professor," he replied.
"Excellent," Oak said, beaming widely. "You'd better come with me."
~*~*~*~
Ben was astonished to be taken deep into the Research Centre to the laboratories. All around the teenage boy lay esoteric scientific instruments. As he entered, he got a smile and a thumbs-up from a black-haired young man who Ben suspected was Tracey Sketchitt, the Professor's assistant and current student.
When they reached the far end of the labs, Ben noticed the grey-and-white trap ball was now enclosed in some strange equipment. Oak's sharp eyes caught his interest. "The animal is called a 'Pikachu,' Ben," he said. "It is a rodent-like mammal that can deliver powerful and painful electric shocks from the red glands on its' cheeks. You are lucky I came along or you could have been seriously hurt." Ben noticed that someone had pained a yellow lightning bolt on the grey hemisphere of the ball, just over the gold disc, which he now saw had a small glass lens at the centre.
"What will you do with it, sir?" he asked.
Oak looked up in surprise from where he had been checking his PC. "Hmm? Oh, I'll probably have to release it, Ben," he said. "Pikachus make poor Pokémon for starter trainers and this one is too young and weak to interest a more experienced Trainer." Oak considered his visitor for a moment and then suddenly remembered why the boy was in his labs. "My goodness!" he said. He turned back to his desk and rifled through the draws hastily. "Ah!" He presented Ben with a paper slip with the Professor's mailing address and some code numbers printed on it. "That is the chit for the package that I want," Oak said. "Give that to the man at the collection desk in the Pokémart and he will give you the package."
Ben nodded and pocketed the chit. He was just about to leave when Oak spoke up. "One moment, young man," he said. Ben turned back to the researcher. "It will take you the best part of a day to make the journey to Viridian City," he said, "but you would cut two or more hours off of the journey time if you went along Route 1."
"But Professor, Route 1 is dangerous," Ben protested.
"Only if you don't have a Pokémon to defend yourself," Oak said. "I can solve that problem for you." Oak smiled and raised a grey-and-white ball like the one used to catch the Pikachu, but this one had an 'E' painted above the lens.
Ben's heart leapt in excitement, but before he could find out what this creature was, a loud voice called out. "Professor!"
Oak visibly winced as Adam Bryant, son of a local property owner and one of Pallet Town's more unpleasant teenagers, strode in. The blonde boy strode over to the Professor, deliberately shouldering Ben aside as he did so. "Professor, my father told me that you wanted to see me."
"Yes, I did, Adam," Oak said. "I will just finish with Ben and then I will talk with you."
"Is that a Pokémon?" Adam asked, pointing at the Pokéball. "I want it! I asked father for one, so that must be what you wanted to see me about, isn't it?"
That was typical Adam. He was used to getting what he wanted on demand and not a moment later. Ben figured out that Mr. Bryant had asked the Professor to get his son a Pokémon. Oak sighed. "I have a Pokémon for you, Adam, but it isn't this one. This one is for Ben."
Adam looked at the other boy and barely managed to avoid sneering. 'Why bother giving him a Pokémon?' the look seemed to say. Ben bristled, but he wasn't going to start a fight. There was never any point being the one who starts trouble. "Professor, I want that one," Adam said. He smirked disrespectfully at the elder researcher. "I'm sure that you don't want me telling my father that you went back on your agreement with him."
Oak rolled his eyes. "You may tell your father what you wish," Oak said. "Frankly I do not consider it worth my while worrying about his opinion of me. However, if you truly are desperate to have this particular Pokémon, then you may do so." He gave the ball to Adam. "It is an Eevee, an evolving Pokémon. Depending on how you chose to train him, he may evolve in several different ways."
Adam grinned as he raised the Pokéball. "However he evolves he will be the strongest of them all," he said with a smirk. "I won't accept anything else."
Oak scowled as the boy swaggered off, still carrying his ball as if it were a trophy. He shook his head and turned back to Ben. "So, I guess that I don't get a Pokémon after all?" Ben asked, trying to mask his disappointment and choke down his tears.
"Not at all," Oak replied. Much to Ben's surprise, he plucked the Pikachu's Pokéball from the scanning apparatus where it was resting and handed it over to the teen. "I was going to test Mr. Bryant's self-confidence with a difficult starting Pokémon," Oak said. "However, as he decided that he did not want to wait, you can take this Pokémon instead. This is a female Pikachu. They are a wilful species, but loyal to those who are loyal to them." Ben stared at the Pokéball in shock, making the researcher grin. "Activate the ball and introduce yourself to her, Ben."
Ben looked at the ball for a moment before finding and pressing the 'release' touch pad. The ball split open and vomited out a flash of white light that resolved itself into the Pikachu who attacked him earlier. "Pikachu!" the little animal cried out in shock.
"Er... Hi, Pikachu, I'm Ben," Ben said. The animal cocked its' head. It clearly could understand what he was saying to it. "Would you like to be my friend?" The Pikachu turned and looked away from the boy.
Oak laughed. "Newly-caught Pokémon are always like that," he said. "Don't worry, she'll come to appreciate you if you treat her well." Oak picked up a clipboard and sorted through the notes for a moment. "Pikachus of her maturity, I rated her at Experience Level 5, usually know three skills: tackle, thundershock and growl. The first two are offensive moves, the second is defensive move that reduces the power of opponents' attacks." Ben nodded, trying to take this in. "I advise you to take a day or two to train Pikachu to understand your commands," Oak continued. "Then be off about your errand." The old man winked and turned back to his work. Ben, feeling a bit confused, found the 'recall' button on the Pokéball and watched as the Pikachu was re-absorbed into the storage device.
~*~*~*~
About an hour later, Ben was on the hillside where the Research Centre was situated. He was doing some Training with his new Pokémon. Ben had got off to a rocky start with the little animal. She had initially refused to do anything that he said and had tried to run away a few times, forcing Ben to recall her to her Pokéball. However, Ben had managed to get through to her by inviting her to use her electrical powers on him. When that failed to knock him out, he told her that he wanted to help her get stronger.
The Pikachu considered this carefully for a while before signalling her agreement by touching her nose to Ben's outstretched hand. She didn't know, just yet, what to make of her new situation, but the human was kind enough and had even fed her. She would see just what he required of her before making a decision about whether or not to run away. Ben had decided that 'Pikachu' was too generic, so he decided to give her a name. He called her Shock, and it was surprising to see how quickly she got used to that name.
"Hey wimp!" Ben winced when he heard Adam's voice. "I see that the Professor gave you a Pokémon too. It is probably weak, just like you."
"What do you want, Adam?" Ben said, putting an edge of boredom in his voice. He didn't like the bully and he wasn't scared of him.
"I want to give my Pokémon real-life experience," the bully said. "Your Pokémon against mine in a one-on-one battle." Ben considered that and looked at Shock. "What's the matter, are you scared that your little rat might get hurt?" Adam taunted.
Ben stood up. "Stop flapping your mouth," he replied, making the other boy scowl and look at him dangerously. "If you want to battle, just say so." It was a matter of honour amongst all those who trained Pokémon and both boys knew it. If one is challenged to fight with your Pokémon, you take up that challenge.
Adam bowed mockingly. "How nice of you to agree," he sneered. He threw his Pokéball. "Go Champ!" he shouted. His Eevee materialised with a little howling cry. It was a brown-and beige fox about the same size as Shock. It looked pitifully weak, but Ben wasn't about to prejudge anything at this stage.
Ben threw his own Pokéball, releasing Shock. The two adversaries faced each other for a moment before Adam began hostilities. "Champ, use Tackle!"
"Use Thundershock, Shock!" Ben responded. Shock was the faster of the two and unleashed a crackling whiplash of blue-white electricity that struck the Eevee and made it howl in pain. However, the little fox-like Pokémon didn't go down, instead he leapt forwards and shoulder-charged Shock, sending her tumbling down the hill a few paces. "Shock! Oh no!" Ben couldn't believe it. Despite the power of Shock's attack, the Pikachu seemed to have come out the worse off. Ben had a sudden inspiration. "Shock use Growl!" he instructed. The little Pikachu began to growl. Ben shook his head and rubbed behind his ears from the strange infrasonic vibrations.
"Don't hesitate, Champ," Adam commanded. "Use Tackle again!" This time, Shock moved and dodged the oncoming Eevee. "Blast it!" Adam was furious. "Use Pound this time! Get that stupid rat!"
"Keep up the Growl, Shock," Ben countered. He had realised that he had to weaken the Eevee's attack so that Shock's weaker attacks would make a difference. The Eevee rushed towards Shock, this time getting very close before jumping into the air and driving all four of his legs against her back, knocking her flat.
"Ha! That's great!" Adam exulted. "Hardly a contest at all!" The rich boy's eyes bulged open very satisfactorily when Shock leapt to her feet. She was hurt, but the use of Growl had paid off. The Eevee's attack had been weakened and hadn't been enough to knock her out.
"Blast it! Use Tail Whip!" Adam snapped.
"Use Growl again, Shock!" Ben said. The Eevee jumped forwards and slapped its' thick furry tail over Shock's snout. She seemed stunned for a second, but she was able to deliver a growl despite that. Ben broke out into a sweat. He had to push this before the stronger Eevee was able to deliver a decisive blow. "Okay, Shock use another Thundershock attack!"
"Pika... CHUUU!" Shock squealed and unleashed another electric blast. This one hurt clearly hurt Champ and the Eevee staggered sideways, twitching slightly.
"You stupid fleabag!" Adam snapped. "Don't stand there, Tackle the rat!" Ben watched in amazement as the Eevee blinked and shook his head again, seemingly to be unable to carry out Adam's orders.
"Use Thundershock again, Shock," Ben called out. Shock attacked, making Champ stiffened in pain and froze for a second, before nearly collapsing, shaking his head in a dazed fashion. "You're winning Shock!" Ben could hardly believe it.
"Wake up, Champ!" Adam shouted. "Finish the rat with a Tackle!"
"Counter with a Tackle of your own, Shock," Ben countered. The two Pokémon shot towards each other and collided with a meaty 'thump'. Both tumbled to the ground. After a moment, Champ staggered to his feet, but Shock didn't. She seemed to have fainted or blacked out. "Oh no, Shock I'm sorry."
Adam was triumphant and didn't bother to hide it. "Well, the outcome was never in doubt," he sneered. He recalled Champ to his Pokéball without even bothering to thank the clearly injured Eevee for his efforts. "You keep up your efforts and you might be able to stand on your own two feet one day, wimp! As for me...? Well Champ is already strong, but I am going to make him even stronger." With an imperious air, the boy strode off.
Ben picked up the limp Pikachu and stroked her face gently. "Shock, can you hear me?" Shock opened her eyes and murmured a sound that made Ben think that she was saying something like 'ouch'. "Shock, I'm sorry," he said.
Suddenly, Professor Oak was running over. "Ben!" he shouted. "I thought I saw electric-type attacks! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ben said, trying to keep his voice level, "but Shock is hurt!"
The scientist put a friendly hand on Ben's shoulder. "It happens," he said. "Come on, I'll rejuvenate her at the laboratories and then you can take her home."
~*~*~*~
Oak had just handed Shock's Pokéball back to Ben when the ball suddenly started to shake violently. "What the...?" Oak blurted. Then the ball split open and Shock materialised, looking very annoyed. "How odd!" Oak said. "Most Pokémon don't mind being in a Pokéball, but Shock doesn't seem to care for it at all!" The researcher shrugged. "Well, she has already bonded with you, Ben, so I don't think she will try to run away. Just let her follow you or ride on your shoulder."
Ben knelt before Shock, who looked away. "Shock, I'm sorry for getting you hurt," he said. She didn't respond. "I'll try harder in the future, I promise. I won't ever let you get hurt easily ever again." There was still no response. "We should go home," Ben said. "Come on." Ben turned, took a few steps, but the Pikachu didn't move. Ben sighed. He thought about ordering her, but he thought about the way Adam talked to his Eevee. No, he didn't want to ever be like that. "If you are tired, you can ride on my shoulder and I'll carry you home," he said.
This caught Shock's attention. She turned around and looked at the human boy. "Chu-ka-pi-kachu?" she squeaked. She sniffed his left hand uncertainly before slowly climbing up onto his left shoulder and settling there. "Chu-pi, Ka!" she cooed happily. Ben wondered if 'Ka' was how she said his name.
"There, isn't that encouraging?" Oak said with a smile.
"I think it is incredibly cute," Delia said, walking into the lab at that moment. "It reminds me of Ash with his Pikachu."
Ben turned away and, with Shock squeaking at every footstep, headed for home. "Thanks for everything, Professor," he called. "I'll go and get your package tomorrow!"
~*~*~*~
"Oh, what an adorable little Pokémon!" Sue said as she greeted her son. "Is it yours?"
"Her name is Shock. Professor Oak gave her to me," Ben said proudly. "I'm going on a trip to Viridian City for him tomorrow, and he said I would need a Pokémon for protection." Ben tickled the smug-looking Pikachu. Shock seemed to understand that all the approval was being directed at her.
Sue smiled in a melancholy way. "I suppose it had to happen eventually. All little boys grow up and leave home on their journeys to manhood." Sue suddenly shook her head and smiled at Ben mischievously. "They said so on TV," she added with a wink.
That night, Shock settled down in a comfortable nest in the blankets at Ben's feet. She hadn't expected anything that had happened to her today, but she had to admit that things could have been worse. Right now, she found herself wondering about what tomorrow might bring.
To be continued...