Emerald Adventures (Private)

[ShinyFlareon]

NOTE
If you're not Chocolate Bones, Zephy Changes, or Devil_Hunter_3000, I'm sorry, but I have to ask you not to post here. This is a private RPG just between the four of us. Thank you for your cooperation.

Now, for you three -- welcome to the RPG! Sorry for the lame title, it was all I could think of. As it implies, I'll be using a more 'Emerald' approach to this RPG...all it really means is that both Teams Aqua and Magma will be antagonists, so it won't make too huge of a difference. So, without further ado, let's get this party started!

IC:

"Mama! I'm going to Littleroot Town now!"

Emily Anderson, a tired, worn-looking woman, worriedly toyed with the hem of her shirt. "Kari, baby, are you sure you want to do this?"

Sparkling green eyes rolled slightly. "Of course, Mama!" Kari chirped. "And I'll come back and visit so you won't be lonely, 'kay?"

Mrs. Anderson sighed. It seemed there really wasn't going to be any way to talk her daughter out of becoming a trainer. All that was left was to hope she didn't actually go into battling, and instead (and for once) behaved like a girl her age should. She wanted nothing more than for her daughter to become a famous coordinator, if she insisted on going on a journey, but Mrs. Anderson did worry. The road was a dangerous place, especially for a young girl. Especially for a girl so naive and trusting as Kari.

Kari, seeing her mother's expression, ran up and gave her a big hug. "Don't be sad, Mama. I'll be okay. I'll have my Torchic to protect me!"

'She's so determined to get a Torchic...' Mrs. Anderson thought, giving a small sigh. 'I hope the other children starting their journeys will let her...' She couldn't help but smile, though, at her daughter's confidence. "I know you'll be just fine." she told her daughter, petting the flaming red hair that grew, bushlike, on her daughter's head. "Win lots of contests for mama, okay?"

"But mama, contests are boring!" Kari whined. "I wanna be in the League!"

Another slight sigh accompanied a small frown. "All right, sweetie...just be careful out there. And promise mama just a couple things."

"I promise, mama!"

Mrs. Anderson kneeled down, placing her long, thin hands on her daughter's shoulders. "Promise me that you'll be careful out there. The world is a dangerous place, and not everyone's as nice as the people here in Oldale Town." Kari nodded, but Mrs. Anderson wondered exactly how much she understood what she was being told. "Second, promise me that you'll at least try contests. You never know -- you may even grow to like them." she added, touching the tip of Kari's nose playfully.

Kari sighed, then giggled when her mother tapped her nose. "I promise, mama."

Mrs. Anderson also nodded, standing up. "And promise me one last thing." She pointed to her daughter's bare feet. "Wear some shoes, please?"

"Okay, mama..." Kari answered, plopping down into a chair and, making a great deal of fuss, putting on a pair of old sneakers that, despite their age, looked brand-new from lack of wear. When she was done, Kari hopped up, grabbing her backpack and kissing her mother's cheek. "I'm gonna make you proud, mama!"

"Kari, sweetie, I'll always be proud of you." Mrs. Anderson replied truthfully, kissing her daughter's forehead.

Kari grinned, bounding out the door and waving goodbye to her mother over her shoulder. As soon as she was out of sight of the house, she immediately plopped down and removed her shoes. Tying the strings together, she slung them over her shoulder and continued on her way. She skipped along, humming a little tune and positively bursting with excitement. 'I finally get my Torchic today!' she thought gleefully, turning her face to the warm spring sun. 'I guess Treeko would be okay, but I really want a Torchic.'

Kari continued towards Littleroot Town, her mind wandering back a couple days. A big ship appeared in the harbor in Petalburg City, and a lot of strange people had gotten off it. Kari had been intrigued, especially since the group of people had headed in the direction of Littleroot, but her mother had pulled her away, whispering that those people were nomads, not to be trusted. 'I wonder why mama didn't like them. They looked nice. Maybe they'll still be in Littleroot and I can make friends with them!'

A small, steep ledge was the last obstacle on Kari's path, and she leapt down over it easily. Grinning, she raced into Littleroot Town and made a beeline for Professor Birch's laboratory. The small markets in the city seemed more crowded than usual; it looked to Kari like those people her mother had called 'nomads' were still in town, after all. Smiling at any who looked at her, she continued towards Professor Birch's lab. When she finally arrived, she saw that two other people her age, a boy and a girl, were already waiting out front. 'New friends!' Kari thought excitedly, bounding up to them. "Hello! I'm Kari. Are you guys getting your first pokemon too? This is going to be so much fun!"

 

[Kamen_Fanatic]

A Combusken was circling a Mightyena. The Mightyena was, likewise, circling the Combusken. Suddenly, it lashed out in a Poison Fang. The Combusken used Quick Attack to dodge it and countered with a Double Kick, first to the jaw, then to the head. Disoriented, it fired a Shadow Ball at the Combusken's feet, knocking it off its feet. "Apollo, look out!" The Combusken's Trainer yelled. The Combusken, Apollo, jumped back onto it's feet just to barely dodge a Crunch. He counted with a vicious Sky Uppercut, but got caught in a Poison Fang. "Finish it with Double Kick!" The Trainer ordered. Apollo slammed it's feet into the jaws, dazing it long enough for it to be finally brought down by a Slash attack. "Well done, Apollo!" The trainer said, doing a high-five with the Young Fowl Pokemon.

Seihart Warring finished bandaging the wounds of battle. As he gave the Antidote to Apollo, he finished spraying the Mightyena with a Super Potion, as well as a jaw brace. "Sorry about that." Seighart said, as he finished up. "It's alright. I'm just surprised you healed up my Pokemon, that's all." The trainer said. Taking out his Pokenav, he looked at the map. "Huh. Near Littleroot." Seighart said to himself. "Well, I'll see you some time down the road, eh?" Seighart said as he broke into a run to Littleroot, followed by Apollo.

 

[Zephy]

I suppose it's time to get on the Walimer thought Mackenzie. There was an experienced trainer heading the giant Pokémon. She climbed on and the whale-like Pokémon swam rapidly in the direction of Littleroot Town. Mackenzie couldn't wait to get her starter. She started day dreaming about what they might look like. Before she knew it, they had arrived. It was a short distance to Littleroot. The elite trainer waved and sailed away, leaving the 10 year old girl to go get her Pokémon.

Mackenzie looked around town for a while before spotting Professer Birch's laboratory. She walked in and saw there was already one girl there. "Hello Professer Birch. I am Bowie" said Mackenzie, using her nickname. She didn't like the name Mackenzie Smith. It was far too plain for her. She looked around the cool lab, her eyes bouncing from this piece of equipment to that until they finally landed on the girl that had just arrived.

"Oh, what did you say?" asked "Bowie", having been in a bit of a daze.

 

[Chocolate Bones]

Gray Lewis shoved several Potions and Elixirs into the tidy, red backpack sitting open on the kitchen table. He slid a brush next to a bag of neatly arranged Poffins, one of each flavor, and, after a moment of hesitation, removed and rearranged everything, the sounds of zippers and plastic bags scraping against the wooden table filled the house. He knew that none of these supplies would last very long, but his mother convinced him they would last long enough to get him off to a good start, and he smiled as he zipped up the backpack. A Persian watched sadly by his side, as though she was aware of what was going on. Aware that this was good bye.

Anna Lewis watched her son with a smile on her face as she leaned against the counter. Her eyes were glossy, as though made of polished marble, and with every blink they shone more. Finally, two tears escaped her eyes, and they slowly crept down her face, as if neither one wanted to be the first to reach the bottom. Her smile never faltered.

"It'll be tough without you here, Gray," she said, still smiling, "but your brother and sister will pick up the slack." Ana wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and walked up to them, her other hand on her hip.

"Looks like you're all set, buddy," she said, ruffling his brown hair. He smiled and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, looking at his mother through the thin lenses.

"Yeah... thanks mom..." he wrapped his arms around his mother in a tight hug, though he was a good two and a half-feet shorter than her. "Your father would be so proud..." Ana could feel his tears moisten her shirt as he hugged her. Her smile faded as he let go and wiped his eyes with his arms.

"Not yet," Gray said, slipping the backpack on, "but he will be... I'll make sure of it."

After taking a quick look into his full backpack, he went for the door, his new, expensive, brown shoes clicking hesitantly on the wood floor. Before he could reach for the handle, he felt a warm hand on his shoulder.

"Gray," Ana began, as her son's eyes met hers, "your father was proud of you since the day you were born... and he always will be." She gestured out the window. "What you do out there... Do it for you, okay?" Gray nodded solemnly. Ana knelt down and hugged her son as though she'd never see him again, and he hugged back. She took a deep breath and let go, trying to smile. She kissed him on the cheek and stood back up.

"Don't want to keep professor Birch waiting, do you?" she said, wiping her eyes again.

"Sure don't!" Gray chirped back happily. He opened up the door and took a look outside. After a deep breath, he looked back in the house. "Bye, mom."

She held back more tears as the lump in her throat grew. "Bye, baby..!" With one last smile, Gray hopped out of the house and followed the barely visible trail leading from his house to Professor Birch's lab in Littleroot Town. Luckily, Littleroot wasn't far from Oldale, and the excitement overwhelmed him as he took off in a sprint, looking back only once. Ana Lewis would have stood in the doorway and watched him begin his very own journey, but she didn't want him to see how broken up she was. So, instead, she sobbed in the kitchen with the door ajar, as Gray disappeared from view.

----

The worry finally started to set in, as it always did, and it drowned out the excitement. Do I have everything I need? Do I have enough? What if the other trainers don't like me? Gray sighed, finally seeing Professor Birch's lab in the distance. He was starting to get a bit tired, but with a motivated heave he sprinted down the final stretch, finally making it to the front door safely, waiting for Professor Birch to arrive.

To his surprise, he wasn't the first one there, though he likely lived the closest. He wanted to say hi to the girl, but he was never good at starting conversations. So, instead, he pretended to be interested with the sign outside of the lab, pretending to study it, and perked up when new trainer walked up to them, though a bit taken aback by her greeting. He awkwardly and quickly shot a hand out to her and looked away.

"I'm... um... Gray. Gray Lewis. V-very nice to meet you..." He took a deep breath when he finished.

 

[Kamen_Fanatic]

Seighart walked into the lab, Apollo still bandaged up. "Hey, Prof, you here?!" No answer. "Figures. Out doing field work again. As usual. And he wonders why he has so much paperwork to do." He muttered as he strolled by the new trainers-to-be. He stopped. (So, a trio of greenhorms, eh?) Seighart thought in his head. Apollo knew Seighart might say something scarring, so he Scratched him. "YEOW! Apollo, what the hey?!" Seighart asked.

"I'd refrian from yelling in the lab." Said one of Birch's assisstant, Casey. "Hey, Casey, prof doing field work and left everyone to do the paperwork again?" Seighart asked. "Yes, again."

 

[ShinyFlareon]

OOC: So...we all arrived at the lab to find the other two already there. ^_^;; So I hope the order is okay with you guys. Also, just as a reminder -- I may have said in her bio that Kari wants a Torchic, but none of you know that yet; so feel free to pick whatever starter you choose!

"Lewis? I know you! You're from Oldale Town too!" Kari exclaimed, bouncing up and down. "Ooh, I can't wait, I can't -- huh?" She turned, attention diverted by the guy with the Combusken yelling for Professor Birch. "Oooh! You have a Combusken! It sure does look tough, yup!" She bounced over to the chicken-like pokemon, who was about her height, and started looking at it. "Ooh, wow!"

Suddenly, a large commotion came from the nearby route, which caused the assistant, Casey, to roll her eyes. "Here comes the Professor." she muttered. Sure enough, Professor Birch suddenly came racing into town, his coat flapping behind him as he skidded to a stop in front of his lab. He bent over double, placing his hands on his knees and wheezing slightly before straightening up and giving a hearty laugh.

"Sorry about that!" he announced. "A flock of Taillow decided I was getting a little too close to their nests!" A huge smile beamed down at the three young trainers. "So! Are you three here to begin your own journeys?"

"They're the ones, sir." Casey assured him. "And you've got a visitor when they're done."

"Ahh, excellent!" Professor Birch exclaimed, rubbing his hands together. "I shant keep you waiting long." he assured the newcomer with the Combusken before turning to the three young trainers. "Now then -- let's go get you three a pokemon! Follow me inside, kids!"

"The calm young lady was here first." Casey explained as they all headed inside. "Then the young gentleman, and finally, the excitable bouncing young woman back there."

Kari was indeed so excited that she could hardly keep herself from bouncing in place. 'A pokemon! A pokemon! I'm finally getting a pokemon!'

Professor Birch nodded, stopping at a table supporting three pokeballs. "All righty! Do you all know about the starters you have to choose from? There's Torchic, the fire-type; Mudkip, the water-type, and Treeko, the grass-type." he explained, indicating each ball in order from left to right. "Each are great choices -- but you only get one! We'll start in the order you three arrived at the lab; Ms. Smith, then Mr. Lewis, and lastly, Ms. Anderson." He turned to Bowie. "You first, Ms. Smith."

 

[Kamen_Fanatic]

Seighart and Apollo watched with nostalgia in their eyes as they watched the scene before them - the very first Pokemon. Apollo looked a little appreciated at all the compliments that he got from the little sparkplug of a little girl.

Seighart remembered it was the same thing as three years ago, only it was a Zigzagoon clan. He named his Torchic after the sun god of the same name from Greek and Roman mythology. Two Trainers, one female, one male, picked out a Treecko and a Mudkip, respectively. The female, Kandace, was a energizer bunny from first impressions. The male, Travis, was a lot more calmer than his sister, but was still excited. They never met again after that.

 

[Zephy]

In her mind, it was barely a question. She liked Mudkip's liked it's prospects in contests and it's bright coloring. Her aunt Cathy had had a Marshtomp. It seemed to be powerful but not intimidating. After a long deliberation she replied. "Mudkip please?"

Arceus...I hope no one thinks I chose it because of an internet meme thought Mackenzie with an eyeroll.

 

[Kamen_Fanatic]

(Let's hope she didn't pick it because of that annoying phase...) Seighart though, slightly sweat-dropping at the young trainer's choice. That was actually the reason Kandace picked a Mudkip. He was changing and redressing Apollo's bandages as the selection was going on.

 

[ShinyFlareon]

OOC: DH, she was THINKING all that stuff. >.> How would Seighart know why she picked Mudkip?

Anyway...thanks Zephy for posting! I'm sorry I didn't realize you had things going on...

IC: "An excellent choice, young lady!" Professor Birch said, smiling broadly as he reached over and pressed the little button on the front of the ball. "Why don't you introduce yourself as the young man makes his decision?"

Kari slightly shielded her eyes at the flash which accompanied the Mudkip's release. Despite the uncomfortable flash, she could barely contain her excitement. 'I could still get my Torchic!'

 

[Kamen_Fanatic]

((Edo-kun, he was hoping. That is different. Kandace picked it because she lieked Mudkips. She wouldn't shut up about her Mudkip.))

Seighart looked at the other two trainer hopefuls. Both looked ready to pick. It made them more cuter than normal. Apollo was sitting on a table, watching Casey work on Birch's paperwork... once again.

 

[Zephy]

"Hey, I'm Bowie. I come from the Milky Way" said Mackenzie. She never liked to be too specific. To her it took away the mystery, and Mackenzie wanted all the mystery a ten year old could muster. She looked at the little blue Pokémon and smiled. It seemed to be excited and made a tiny noise.

"I'll name you Epicurus" decided Mackenzie Smith. It was after Epicurus, one of her favorite philosophers. It seemed as though philosophers always had the best names. She petted his head absentmindedly and looked at the excited girl beside her.

 

[Kamen_Fanatic]

Seighart raised an eyebrow at her choice of nickname. Epicurus? Hopping onto a computer, turned it on to Wikipedia, and entered it. He was a Greek philosopher. Only a few sentences of his work had survive the trail of time. He believed pleasure and pain are the measures of what is good and bad, that death is the end of the body and the soul and should therefore not be feared, that the gods do not reward or punish humans, that the universe is infinite and eternal, and that events in the world are ultimately based on the motions and interactions of atoms moving in empty space. (And this is why I don't like philosophy.....) He thought as he read it.

 

[Zephy]

"What's your name?" asked Mackenzie. She looked over at the trainer using the computer. His face looked as though his brain had just broke. She scooped up the Mudkip and held it in her arms. The Mudkip made a happy "squee" noise.

 

[Kamen_Fanatic]

"Hmm?" Seighart said, turning to the newbie. "Oh - Seighart Warring. The Cubusken over there watching a cetain someone's paperwork being done is Apollo." He said, yelling loudly at that part past Mackenzie to Birch. "And yours?" He asked politely.

 

[Zephy]

"Bowie" answered Mackenzie simply. She had always hated the name Mackenzie Smith. She thought it was bland and common. Especially with Smith being such a popular last name.

 

[Kamen_Fanatic]

"Bowie. Hmm. That's original, to say the least." He said, closing the window and getting up. (Wonder if that's short for something... better not pry...)

 

[Chocolate Bones]

Gray nervously rubbed the back of his neck and studied the remaining Pokemon through his shiny, square glasses. He couldn't help but think out loud, and he hadn't even noticed when he started. He wasn't particularly loud, but anyone could hear what was going on in his head if they listened.

"The Torchic looks very healthy; beautiful, vivid feathers, strong looking talons..." He unconciously nibbled on his bent index finger as he thought. "A Fire-type would be ideal for battling... having few weaknesses and many advantages..."

The Torchic tilted its head and looked at Gray oddly, as though studying him as well. He smiled and hunched over slightly, turning his attention to the timid Treecko that was curled up on the silver table. He replaced his index finger as he thought out loud.

"As much fun as it sounds, I don't think I'll be battling much... A Grass-type like this one would likely have natural knowledge of berries and other herbs and plants, which would prove invaluable in my research..." He stood back up, took his glasses off and rubbed the inside lenses against his sleeve as he squinted in thought.

"Also, with moves like Sweet Scent and Aromatherapy, a Grass-type would be very helpful in attracting and aiding rare and/or injured Pokemon." He slipped his glasses back on and continued to study the shy Treecko.

"In addition, Grass-type Pokemon seem to have formed a bond between the flora and fauna, potentially from birth, unparalleled anywhere else..." His voice trailed off in deeper thought. He'd always had a soft spot for Grass-type Pokemon, but as an aspiring breeder, he'd never admit to favoring a specific type.

Gray smiled at the Treecko as he stood up, content with his decision.

"Um... P-Professor Birch, sir? I'd like this Treecko, please. Unless, of course, there are any issues or problems with my decision..."

 

[Kamen_Fanatic]

Seighart looked at the male of the new group, who apparently had a bit of confidence issues. (Can't say I blame him, though. I was nervous as anyone when I got Apollo.) Seighart thought as he remembered. He was struttering mess when he wanted the Torchic that would become his partner for 3 long years. Training, fighting, learning... though he felt that going at the Gyms alone would be a little... emptying. After all, who was there to congradulate you once you won the Gym Badge? Certainly not his mother or father. While he loves his mom and, traveling from various cities back to Twinleaf Town would be a giant hassle. Plus, she was helping out with an elderly couple in Solaceon Town that runs the Sinnohian Day-Care Center, while he was instructing in the Trainer's School in Jubilife City.

He got most of the words that the soft-speaking fellow was saying. From what he had gathered, he wanted to become a breeder. Oh, boy, his innocence is gonna be stripped from him in an unforgiving way and life for him would go a little awkward for the breeder-hopeful.

 

[ShinyFlareon]

"Not at all, my dear boy, not at all!" Professor Birch smiled, presenting Gray with his Treeko. "And so, young lady, that leaves you with --"

"Torchic!" Kari squealed, rushing forward and scooping up the young Fire-type in her arms and cuddling it. The Torchic seemed surprised, but resigned itself to being cuddled, even snuggling back against Kari, making her giggle. "That tickles!"

Professor Birch looked equally surprised. "What a mild temperament that Torchic's got! If I tried that with a pokemon, I'd get scratched for sure!"

"He's always been that way, sir." Casey remarked from her place at the desk behind the paperwork. "You could poke and prod him all day and he'd never scratch at you."

Kari was grinning from ear to ear. At last, she had her Torchic! She was so happy she was afraid she might faint from the sheer joy of it all. "I'm gonna call you Backdraft, after one of Momma's movies she thinks I'm too little to watch." she told the small bird, who seemed to have no objections to the name.

"Well, it's settled, then!" Professor Birch exclaimed, grinning proudly. "You three are all now official pokemon trainers!"

"Sir, don't forget to give them their pokeballs and dexes."

"Right!" The professor turned around, gathering three rectangular red objects in his hands and handing them out, one each to Bowie, Gray, and Kari. "These are Pokedexes. They're like electronic encyclopedias. They'll record data on every pokemon you catch, as well as tell you about pokemon you've never seen before. And these," he continued, handing out a small yellow calculator-like device, "are your PokeNavs! They're portable maps of the entire region -- useful for when you get lost! They can also store phone numbers of people you meet. My phone number is already in there, so don't hesitate to call if you need to!"

Casey sighed slightly. She knew she'd be stuck by the phone, answering seemingly never-ending questions from these newbies, for the next couple weeks.

"Last, but not least, here are five Pokeballs for each of you. Pokeballs are used to catch pokemon. You can only carry six or fewer pokemon with you at a time; any others you catch will be sent to your PC, where you can switch them out."

Kari continued to grin happily as she stashed her new Pokeballs, Pokedex, and PokeNav in her backpack. She could hardly wait to get started on her journey! It was all she could do to stop herself from racing out the door right then and there as Professor Birch told them about the many options open to trainers besides battling, such as Coordinating or Poke Ringer competitions.

"Well, that's that! Any questions? No?" Professor Birch grinned. "Then go start your very own adventure!"

Kari's grin widened even further as she recalled Backdraft. "I'm gonna be the Hoenn champ, just watch!" she declared. "No one's gonna stop me'n Backdraft!"

Professor Birch couldn't help but smile at the young girl's enthusiasm. It was just the sort of thing he liked to see in a new trainer. Still, he turned to the older boy waiting patiently with his Combusken. "Now, how may I help you?"