Kanto Chronicles *The Anonymous and Sovereign*

[The Anonymour]

Pallet Town in southern Kanto was the start of many trainer’s adventures. People came from near and far to receive a Pokemon from the renounced Professor Oak. The small town had become quite famous, with a group of new trainers visiting to begin their journeys every day.

On this day in particular, much was quite the same as any other. The sun was shining, the blue sky scattered with frail, wispy clouds, almost transparent. The grass was a vivid green, littered with tulips, and it swayed with the wind, carrying the salty cent of the ocean from the shore. Clusters of trees bordered the town, towering above and offering shade from the sun for people and Pokemon alike.

Several small children sat on the shoreline, their faces alight with a childish glee as they chatted, cooling their feet in the water before them. A distant roaring silenced their babbling, and they stared forwards and into the sea, squinting or blocking the sun’s raise with their hands to get a batter look.

As it became apparent what the sound was, they quickly jumped to their feet and scampered off, sitting under the shade of a large oak tree several feet away. Their eyes were fixed on the fast-approaching object, murmuring and whispering theories to each other as they watched its advance.

The sun reflected harshly off the cream, shiny surface of the boat as it came closer, preparing to dock. It was a small yacht, and had only two passengers, minus the driver. One of the passengers, a boy, jumped up and balanced himself on the bow of the vessel as it approached the short wooden dock. A foot away from the planks, he jumped, landing on the wooden surface with a dull thud. He orientated himself, turned, and set his eyes for the first time on the small town he‘d arrived in.

His hair was pitch black, shoulder-length, and extremely messy. His skin was pale, ghostly so, and as his gaze swept across the town, the boy’s face split into a grin, his mouth upturned at the corner as if suppressing a smirk. The action lit up his wide, shockingly bright turquoise eyes, filled with the same childish glee the children had radiated just moments ago, though he appeared to be at least double their age. His clothes were casual, though sturdy, and he clutched the strap of his large backpack with his right, fingerless-gloved hand. His black belt held a single Pokeball.

He glanced to the side, and then forwards again. “It’s so warm here.” he murmured softly, a hint of suppressed excitement in his voice.

The second passenger, another boy, had left the yacht, and was now standing at his side. They both looked extraordinarily similar, so much so that they had to be brothers, if not twins. The only notable differences between the two were that the second boy had slightly longer hair, and darker, though equally as sturdy, clothes. They were even carrying their backpacks with the same hand. This boy, too, had a single Pokeball on his black belt.

“Yeah, it is.” the other boy whispered back, his voice slightly rougher. “Way warmer than Snowpoint, that’s for sure.”

 

[Sovereign]

Alistair's head fell back with an exhale, all energy leaving the boy's body. As his head was gently put to rest against the back of a tree overlooking the docks, his eyes began to flutter beneath long lashes, sky-blue eyes flickering as the golden light struck them. He gave a weak smile, looking to a black beast which curled up beside him. The Mightyena let his head fall into his master's lap, letting a deep, tired sigh reverberate from his grey throat as his own red and yellow eyes began to fall shut. Alistair gave a weak smile, smacking the side of the Pokemon's head with a firm gentleness. "C'mon... She might be here. I don't want you falling asleep and missing your chance to see her again."

Pressing a hand into the earth, Alistair gently pushed himself to his feet, back still laying against the massive tree. The boy was handsome, no, beautiful, the breeze breathing through his clothes giving him an ethereal appearance with his snow colored skin and sparkling eyes. He let a finger brush a strand of his hair from his eyes, the locks glowing beneath the light over the sea. It sparkled with a a golden, silvery-white hue, curling in waves before his angular face. He was tall, strong, and of very solid body; he was built with slender, smooth and hard muscle, his fur coat tightly hugging his body. He threw a smile to his left, looking up at a phantasmal sentinel composed of shadow and grey. "Fane, let's go. Maybe she's here, today..." The Dusknoir seemingly gave no response to his master, but an unseen connection was made in Alistair's smooth, gentle voice.

And so, Alistair met the beach with sparkling eyes and fluttering heart. Maybe she would be there.

Maybe.

 

[The Anonymour]

Joe and Josh made their way towards Professor Oak’s lab. They passed a boy on the beach, looking quite out of place, but they ignored him and marched into the lab. Once there, Oak wasted no time in letting them choose their Pokemon.

Joe went first, and decided upon a Bulbasaur. He sent out Once, his shiny Umbreon, to meet her. As the two Pokemon became acquainted, Professor Oak looked at once with an open mouth. Then his eyes widened, and he ran through a door and out of sight.

A moment later, he returned with a Pokeball in his hand. The Charmander inside, he explained, was also shiny, and extremely haughty. Oak thought it would benefit the Charmander to be around another shiny, so that he learned he wasn’t as superior as he thought. Josh agreed and took the Pokeball.

After Josh released his new Pokemon, he tried to talk to him, but the only reply he got was the Charmander’s chin in the air. When he tried again, the Charmander blew a large amount of black smoke in his face.

“R-Real charming, aren’t you?” he choked out, coughing. “Hey, that can be your name! Charming!”

Charming upturned his nose.

Joe christened his Bulbasaur Ivy, and both boys returned their Pokemon as they received Pokeballs and Pokedexes from Oak, as well as a Badge Case and Ribbon Case respectively.

“Thanks for everything, Professor!” Joe called behind him as they exited.

“Not a problem.” Professor Oak replied. “Remember, there’s both a gym and an upcoming contest in Viridian City. That should be your first stop.”

“Got it!” said Josh, and the two left the Lab, closing the door behind them.

“Alright, so Viridian should be this… way…” Joe trailed off as he looked at the sky. “Josh, look!”

The two stared in awe as, high in the sky, a majestic figure flew over Pallet town. The creature was propelled by huge, powerful wings, with feathers of all the colours of the rainbow. A magnificent plume of golden feathers splayed across the huge bird’s long, straight neck, exactly matching the colour of the beast’s tail feathers. It’s feet were tucked in tight, and it’s whole position gave them the impression that it was flying as fast as it possibly could.

“Isn’t that Ho-Oh?” Josh gasped as Joe fumbled for his Pokedex. He finally found it, and aimed the recognition camera at the swiftly disappearing figure.

“Ho-Oh, the Rainbow Pokemon.” Joe’s Pokedex said. “It possesses seven-coloured wings, and it is said that those who see Ho-Oh are promised an eternal happiness.”

As they watched, a small, streamline shape shot after Ho-Oh. It appeared to be a jet, but they couldn’t see it very well. As they watched, something fired out of the jet, towards Ho-Oh, but the Pokemon managed to dodge it and shot onwards.

Within the next few moments, they were both out of sight.

“What was that about?” Joe and Josh gasped simultaneously. Unbeknown to him, a large, rainbow-coloured feather floated down and landed on Joshes head.

 

[Sovereign]

Alistair looked to the skies, sighing softly with exhaustion in his eyes and fatigue shaking his breath. He looked nearly heartbroken, sighing to Fane. "Of course, she wasn't there... I can't believe I expected her to be. Come, Fane... We should head to Viridian. We need tickets back home." Alistair's voice fell, warm and heavy, to the Duksnoir hovering silently beside him.

Something caught his eyes. A Pokemon? Oh well, it didn't really matter... He needed to get home. Alas, yet another caught his eye. Two boys, looking as if they had been stricken from a mirror stood before him, a feather placed on one's head. He shook his head softly, letting a silvery-gold curl fall from his eyes, revealing the silvery-blue light shimmering within. His soft, full lips formed a curious smile, looking up to the sky once more.

"You two. Do you know the way to Viridian? My name is Alistair Creighn... A pleasure."

 

[The Anonymour]

Joe blinked several times, then tore his eyes away from searching the skies and looked at Alistair.

“Yeah, we’re headed there now.” he said. “You can come, if you’d like. I’m Joe Antonimous, and this is my brother, Jo…. Josh! You’ve got a feather in your hair!”

Josh reached up and plucked the colourful feather from his dark locks, staring at it. “Huh. A Rainbow Feather. Huh.”

 

[Sovereign]

Alistair raised a brow, the curve of his lips forming a soft smirk. "How forward," he smiled, "Do you know where the steamship tickets are sold? I need to return to Snowpoint.. And then Lacunosa." He blinked, looking at the feather before turning to gaze upon the grandeur of his spectral guardian. Of course, Fane was unresponsive, his single eyes humming with the glow of fading amber coals. The Dusknoir looked down to Alistair, its eyes glowing more brightly when turning its gaze to the feather.

 

[The Anonymour]

Josh put the feather in his backpack as they started walking out of Pallet Town.

“There’ll be a salesman somewhere.” said Joe. “The dock’s just before Victory Road, I know that much.” Joe looked at Alistair, his eyes intense. Why was he going to Snowpoint? Did he live there, too? How come he’d never seen him before?

Joe’s musing was interrupted by Josh issuing a low moan. Glancing at his brother, he saw him watching a nearby Rattata intently. The Pokemon was sniffing the ground below a patch of trees, the purple fur on the back of it’s neck ruffled.

“I want it.” Josh growled.

“Why would you want a Rattata?” asked Joe.

“It evolves into Raticate, a huge freaking rat!” he said. “That’s awesome!”

Unfortunately, Josh said that a little too loud. The Rattata’s head shot up, it’s whiskers twitching, and it ran off into the undergrowth.

“Wait! Come back!” shouted Josh. He took out a Pokeball and ran after it.

Joe sighed.

 

[Sovereign]

Alistair smirked, looking to Joe with a lingering gaze, before lowering his head whilst letting the tangle of golden-silver curls fall before his eyes. "He's... Eccentric, to say the least. You two are twins, right?"

While speaking, Alistair's eyes mulled over his belt, selecting one Luxury ball to replace the other. Calling Fane back, he let out a sharp whistle. Without touching the ball, a Mightyena sprang forth with a flash of scarlet, a low growl vibrating in the hound's grey throat. Alistair made a calming sound, hushing the hyena of a Pokemon, his hand tenderly stroking the black mane and grey ears. He looked up to Joe, giving a smile like a sinful angel. "Shall we continue?"

 

[The Anonymour]

“Just a moment.” Joe whispered, staring ahead. He was looking at a Pidgey on a low branch on one of the trees in front of them. She was preening her feathers, completely unaware of their presence. “I can’t let Josh beat me.”

Removing the first Pokeball from his belt, he said. “Once, help me out here.” He flung the ball forwards, and it opened in mid-air, gushing out a large amount of red light. It materialized into a sleek, slender figure, with four legs, a tail, and two long ears. The Umbreon opened her red eyes, and the blue rings on her body began glowing softly.

Once’s appearance alerted the Pidgey. She squawked angrily and soared from the tree, hovering in the air ten feet away and beginning to bear her wings rapidly.

“Its using gust.” said Joe. “Stay strong, Once.”

Once growled as the rapid winds bore down on her. She crouched low, her teeth bared, as the gusts ruffled her fur, but she remained strong, unmovable. Joe crossed his arms in front of his face to get the wind out of his eyes.

“Use rest.” he ordered as the attack started to die down. Once’s body became increasingly more relaxed, and she laid down, before curling up and going to sleep. A second later, the blue rings on her body started glowing brighter, and the Pidgy fell to the ground with a soft thump as Once’s Synchronize ability sent it to sleep, too.

“Sleep Talk.” Joe whispered. Once again, the rings on the Umbreon’s body started to glow brighter. A faint, purple mist emitted around the sleeping Pidgey. It flew through the air like retreating smoke, before surrounding Once and going into her. Dream Eater, just like Joe had expected.

He withdrew an empty Pokeball. Kissing it for good luck, he let his arm raise high, before flinging it at the Pidgey. It struck the bird, before opening and turning it into red light. Closing and falling to the ground lightly, it began rocking. Once, twice, three times… click.

Joe walked over and knelt to pick up his prize. He turned and stroked a hand through Once’s silky black fur, before tapping her Pokeball on her head. She, too, turned into red light, and was absorbed back into the orb’s depths.

 

[Sovereign]

Alistair's eyes narrowed as Joe captured the Pidgey, the boy breathing something lightly under his breath while running a finger through his silken hair. Daneblack nudged up against his leg, letting out a low, excited whimper. Alistair's hand fell softly to Daneblack's mane, gently scratching the excited Pokemon's neck. With a low whistle, the hair on the hound-like Pokemon's back began to stand on end, the Dark-type crouching and slowly stalking into the grass.

"He'll find your brother. That was impressive... And your Umbreon, it's blue?" Alistair smirked, his eyes wide with excitement. Or maybe it was eagerness. Cleverness? It was hard to tell with the boy. "It's beautiful." Alistair turned, following the yelping of Daneblack, wading into the grass.

 

[The Anonymour]

“Thank you.” breathed Joe, as he followed Alistair through the grass. As he spoke, his finger caressed the side of Once’s Pokeball absentmindedly. He ran through a few name ideas for the Pidgey in his head. Ace? No, that was too masculine. Freeflyer? No, to adjectivie. … Robin? Yes, Robin sounded good enough.

“Welcome to the team, Robin.” Joe whispered to the Pokeball in his hand, before attaching it to his belt on Ivy’s left. Alistair and Joe reached the clearing Josh was in just in time to hear him shout-

“AWH YEAH, BITCHES!” Josh was jumping up and down on the spot, Amethyst, his Espeon, in his arms. He was swinging her around and around in circles, and they were both laughing.

“You caught your Rattata, then?” Joe called out, as Josh finally stopped celebrating and put Amethyst down.

“Hell yeah.” said Josh, holding out the Pokeball. “Say ‘Hello’ to Chip.”

“Hello, Chip.” Joe complied, then tapped Robin’s Pokeball on his belt “Now you say ‘Hello’ to Robin. She’s my new Pidgey/”

 

[Sovereign]

Alistair arched a brow lightly, his lips teasing a light smile. "You two are... Interesting, without a doubt. Why are you here in Kanto? You definitely don't look native..." Alistair paused, pressing his lips together and lowering his head so that the light reflecting off his eyes (which were the color of an calm sea, now) would no longer bother him. "Actually, I think I've seen you in Snowpoint. Do I know your sister?"

 

[The Anonymour]

Joe blinked at Alistair as they continued walking. “You’ve met Candice?” he asked. This was getting weirder and weirder. Alistair actually was from Snowpoint, or spent a lot of time there, at least. And apparently knew their sister. He’d have to ask her about him, later…

“We came here to start out journey.” Josh said from a few paces in front of them. He was juggling his three Pokeballs as he walked, his tongue poking out the side of his mouth as he concentrated. “Chose Kanto ‘cause Joe really wanted a Venusaur, and I heard there’s a Volcano on Cinnabar Island. I also heard Blaine’s really tough, though, so I’ll be challenging him later.”

“Josh is gathering badges, and I’m going for ribbons.” Joe chimed in, fishing around in his pocket and withdrawing something. It was a light, powder blue ribbon, trimmed with silver glitter along the edges. The pendant in the middle also silver, and star-shaped. “This was the first Ribbon our Mum ever won. She gave me it for good luck. Josh got a TM for Hyper Beam.” He leaned slightly closer to Alistair to whisper smugly that his gift was, obviously, more sentimental, but realised with a fright that Alistair was actually taller than him! Only about half an inch, but still! He was used to being taller than everyone, and it was unnerving…

Joe’ eyes flickered up, before a faint, pink blush lit up his pale cheeks. Feeling the warmth on his face, he straightened back up, trying to act nonchalant, and changed the subject.

“So, why are you here, then? You don’t look native, either. Everyone from around here has a tan…”

 

[Sovereign]

Alistair's eyes fell to his hands, tracing a small scar in his palm with a feather-soft touch. He was still walking forward, his eyes glancing up occasionally and looking like the warm skies bleeding through dark seas. "Traveling. I do it a lot," Alistair gave a light, smooth voice, like a heavy and warm fog, "Though I was waiting for a girl. She didn't show, so I'm headed back to Lacunosa for a while. I may spend a few days at my place in Snowpoint... The cold reminds me of home."

Alistair stopped, shrugging his shoulders lightly facing a breeze with an ever-so-slight smile spreading across his pale, soft lips. He turned to look at the twins, Daneblack rubbing up against his leg with a low, pleased growl in his throat. "You don't need to blush. I'll be gone soon, don't worry if I'm an annoyance. Are we almost to Viridian?"

 

[The Anonymour]

When Alistair mentioned a girl, Joe’s brow furrowed slightly. It bothered him, and he didn’t know why…

“N-no, you’re not annoying me.” he mumbled, looking down as he felt another blush coming. “It’s just… you’re taller than me. I don’t like it.” Oh crap, he as defiantly blushing again. He shuffled forwards and started walking again.

“Yeah, we’re almost there.” said Josh, stretching his neck to see over an outcrop of trees in front of them. “Yeah, I can see buildings. It’s just up ahead.”

 

[Sovereign]

"Oh? Well, you'll get used to it, I'm sure," Alistair gave a quick wink and smirk, looking to Josh. "Good, I've been rather bored with Pallet Town. It's beautiful, but one can sit on the beach for only so many nights before the waves become too familiar..." Alistair's voice drifted off into the warm breeze, his eyes falling to the ground before him.

"A shame, really. I was hoping to enjoy Kanto a bit before I left, but there's hardly much keeping me here, is there?" He frowned, watching Daneblack run through the grass ahead of him, yipping at small Pokemon as they ran by. With a low, cool whistle the hound fell the his master's side, looking at the twins eagerly. "He likes you. Odd. He really only likes attacking things and drooling on me."

 

[The Anonymour]

Joe’s eyes fell onto the Mightyena. Hesitantly, he let a hand fall into the canine’s long, pitch-black fur. The softness made him smile, and he let his hand trail behind Daneblack’s ears and along his snout, before rubbing under his chin and along his back again.

“He reminds me of our Dad’s Luxray…” he murmured softly, his eyes lost in memory. Josh slowed his pace to walk alongside his brother, putting a comforting arm around his waist. Realisation returned to Joe's face, and he looked up at Alistair, grinning. “You could stick around in Viridian with us for a bit, if you want. Josh has a Gym battle, and I’m competing in the contest tomorrow. It’ll be fun.” His eyes were hopeful.

 

[Sovereign]

Alistair's eyes teased the thought, his brow lowering slightly. Daneblack, meanwhile, was letting out a low murmur of approval before closing his yellow-red eyes beneath grey lids. Alistair finally sighed, taking a place beside Daneblack and kneeling to eye-level with his Pokemon. His hand traced slowly along the Dark-type's back, his hand slipping past Joe's only a few fractions apart from the other trainer's. With a smile, he leaned his head against Daneblack's, who opened his eyes halfway and nuzzled against his trainer.

"I suppose. You'll have to deal with my tallness the entire time, though," he winked up at Joe, his smile looking like the serene white of the sky parting from lazy clouds.

 

[The Anonymour]

“I can always stand on my tiptoes.” said Joe, giving a sarcastic sigh of defeat. He’d almost squeaked when Alistair’s hand passed close to his own, but thankfully, he manages to keep it in.

He did squeak, however, when Josh shouted this…

“THERE IT IS!” he bellowed, swiping his arm from around Joe and racing off through he town boundaries in front of them and towards the building that was, obviously, the gym. “PREPARE FOR HURRICANE JOSHUA!”

Joe looked at Alistair, his face utterly serious. “You’ll have to put up with him.” Letting a small smile highlight the corner of his lips, Joe set off after his brother, gesturing for Alistair to follow.

 

[Sovereign]

Alistair merely shook his head, following the more eccentric of the twins to the gym, casting occasional glances at Joe between light smiles. "How do you manage it?"

Alistair was quickly distracted, however, when a small pendant wrapped in a silken red ribbon fell from his pocket. With a sigh, he quickly knelt and scooped it from the dirt and grass, eyes distant and cool as he brushed a few fingers over the rose-gold necklace's surface. A small garnet, shining beneath what light was left, met the teasingly soft touch of Alistair's worn and gentle fingers. A somber frown fell upon his lips, eyes almost darkening like clouds rolling in over those perfect blue skies. "Hey, I'll probably be leaving in the morning. Is there anywhere to stay for the night?"