Pokemon: The Frontera Region (A Pokemon Fanfiction)

Episode 4: Rival Battle!

            “So your gonna challenge your dad, huh?” Adam picked up a super potion, looked at the price, and put it back down.

            “Well yeah, but so are you. He gets up to ten challenges a day, even more during the summer months.” Nick was eying up the different kinds of pokeballs, and wishing he had saved up a little bit more money. Pokeballs are standard, but ultra balls would make catching pokemon much easier. “If we’re gonna be pokemon trainers, we will need to beat him.”

            “Very true,” Adam said, finally deciding on a potion to buy. “There is some crazy expensive stuff here. This full restore that costs $2,500? That’s more than I made in a week at my old job.”

            “Tell me about it. Hey how did they take your leaving?”

            “Not bad,” Adam shrugged. “They said good luck and we hope to see your name in lights one day.”

            Nick laughed. “Oh man, it sounds like they were steaming on the inside.”

            “Duh, they are stuck working at that dinky little store and I’ll be out seeing the world with pokemon by my side! Who wouldn’t be jealous?”

            “Not me! Although I’m sure I’ll eventually get tired of being your sidekick.”

            Adam put his arm around Nick’s shoulders. “Dude, we’re partners. Brains and brawns, am I right?”

            “Oh yes. But you have to admit you are a bit ahead of me so far. Two pokemon already?”

            “Hey, it’s not my fault you weren’t out with me.”

            “Yeah yeah, let’s go change that. I’m itching to add to my team.”

            The two friends finished picking out the rest of their supplies and paid quickly. Outside the Pokemart, Nidoran jumped up to see Nick from the fenced area besides the building. Nick scratched Nidoran’s head and ran to catch up to Adam, who was already halfway down the road towards Bug Buy Road.

            Starly cried out as the Weedle rammed into it with the point on its head. The twelve inch bug pokemon recoiled back, its beady black eyes staring the bird pokemon down. Starly flapped its tiny wings a bit to steady itself and prepared for Adam’s next command. Adam was thoroughly impressed; Starly had taken to his commands like a Magikarp to water.

            “Starly, use your wing attack!”

            Starly flew towards Weedle, screeching a war cry. As the bird’s wing clipped the Weedle, the pokemon was thrown back into a nearby bush, disappearing from the battle and earning Starly more experience from another win. The bird flew to Adam’s outstretched arm and he smoothed down its feathers.

            “Great fight,” Nick said coming up behind Adam. “I only caught the tail end of it though.”

            “Don’t worry, that’s always the best part. Get anything good?”

            Nick shrugged. “I can’t find anything.”

            Adam looked confused. “What do you mean? I’ve seen at least fifteen different kinds of pokemon out here so far!”

            “I’ve seen them too, its just none of them seem to be what we want.”

            “What do you mean ‘we’?”

            Nick looked down at Nidoran, who was happily scratching its ear. “Nidoran and I haven’t met a pokemon we feel would make a great addition to the team.”

            “Ahh, so you’re giving Nid a say in the matter?” Adam knelt down to Nidoran’s level. “Well then I don’t think you’ll ever catch another pokemon. Nidoran doesn’t like to share you with anyone.”

            They both laughed. “Well he’ll have to learn to share me with five other pokemon,” Nick said giving Nidoran a smile. “If I’m going to be a pokemon trainer, I’m going to strive to be the best.”

            “Well you know buddy,” Adam said standing up, “if you’re going to be the very best, than you’ll have to beat every other trainer you meet. Including me.”

            “Oh I know,” Nick grinned, “and I will in due time.”

            “Why wait?”

            “Well for one, we’ve just started and we’re nowhere near as strong as we will be in the future. Plus you’ve got that big-ass Rhyhorn on your side. You’d squish Nidoran.” Nick looked down at Nidoran’s bark. “Oh hush, I don’t wanna see you get really hurt.”

            “So how about I just use Starly? That way it’s one on one. Those are official pokemon battle rules, after all. Only use the number of pokemon as the person with the least amount.”

            “Then why would you use Starly? Why not Rhyhorn?”

            Adam gave Nidoran a devilish grin. “Cuz I don’t wanna see Nidoran get squished either.”

            While they laughed at the joke, Nick eyed up Starly. “Sure, why not? Let’s have our first battle right now. Nidoran’s ready!”

            “So is Starly!”

            The bird swooped down off Adam’s shoulder and landed in front of Nidoran. The young men stepped back, giving the pokemon ample room for their battle. Nidoran started barking at Starly, trying to intimidate the bird pokemon. Starly cried back, its noisy tune returned by wild bird pokemon in the trees.

            “Let’s get on with it, then,” Adam said. “Starly use peck!” Starly flew towards Nidoran, crying out and pecking Nidoran on the head. Nidoran barked in pain, but shook to clear its head and readied himself for Nick’s command.

            “Nidoran, use leer!” Nidoran stared Starly down, and the bird pokemon took the bait, fluffing up its feathers and lower its defense.

            “Strategy won’t win this battle, Nick!” Adam yelled, “This is straight up power! Starly, use peck again!”

            Starly struck with its sharp narrow beak again, and Nidoran jumped back this time from the force. “Shake it off Nidoran!” Nick called out, hoping Starly’s defense fell enough for the pokemon to feint quickly. “Use your poison sting!” Nidoran ran up and lunged, but Starly took to the air and the attack missed.

            “Good job Starly! It’s time to end this fight. Use your wing attack while its back is turned!” Starly swooped down and struck Nidoran with an outstretched wing. But instead of Nidoran taking the full damage of the attack, Starly flopped back in pain. The wing struck Nidoran’s spikes and injected a dose of venom into the bird pokemon, poisoning it.

            “Yes!” Nick cried, “Use your horn attack Nidoran!”

            Nidoran got to its feet and charged, driving its horn into Starly’s belly. The bird pokemon took the full force of the attack, and as Starly struggled back up it was obvious the poison was taking its toll.

            “Starly try a wing attack again!” Starly lifted off towards Nidoran, but instead of facing the incoming attack, Nidoran turned around, exposing its back spikes. Normally those spikes are soft and not dangerous, but if threatened Nidoran can stiffen the spikes and fill them with its venom. Starly changed course instantly, fearful of the poison in its veins, and avoided the spikes. As it landed on the ground, Starly stumbled and fell, the poison sapping its strength.

            “Come on Starly, get up, you can do it!” Adam yelled, desperation leaking through in his voice.

            “Adam it’s over; Starly can’t fight anymore.” Nick said, feeling sympathetic for the poor pokemon. This was probably the first time Starly was ever poisoned, and the effects happened more rapidly than usual.

            “I can’t believe it,” Adam said, returning Starly back to its pokeball. When the red light was encapsulated, Adam looked over at Nick. “Well it looks like I underestimated your Nidoran by a long shot. You won, Nick, congrats.”

            Nick smiled, letting the victory sink in. “Yeah well, Nidoran did all the fighting.” Nidoran ran over and Nick bent down to pet it.

            “I’m gonna go heal up at the pokecenter,” Adam said, “I don’t think this poison will go away on its own.”

            “I’m gonna stay here,” Nick stood back up. “I need a second pokemon, after all.”

            Adam smiled, but Nick could see him contemplating things behind it. “Alright, but when you’re ready we’ll have a real battle, and I’ll use all my power! You won’t win that time!”

            Nick laughed and extended a hand. “It’s a deal.”

            The two friends shook, and then Adam walked back towards the city. Nick watched him go, not able to keep himself from smiling. His first victory was under his belt, and it felt so good.

Pokemon: The Frontera Region (A Pokemon Fanfiction)

Episode 3: Gaining Approval

            The next morning brought a slight drizzle as Nick walked home from Adam’s house. The rain merely prompted him to walk faster, but Nidoran loved the rain and little puddles that were forming. Nick kept reflecting on the day before, and how in such a short time his entire life had altered. A week ago he was trying to decide what classes to take next semester, and Adam was trying to weasel his way up to assistant manager at his job. Yet now both of them were on a crash course to be pokemon trainers, and neither was regretting it. Nidoran had beaten a few more pokemon yesterday, and Adam finally found a good sized clearing for Rhyhorn to really have room to train. It was a day unlike any other for them, and they knew there would be even better days in the future.

            However Nick was not looking forward to return home this morning. After walking out on his parents yesterday and not coming home last night, he didn’t think the reception would be warm.

            As Nick walked in the door, he was greeted cheerfully by his mother. “Hey, Mom, I’m sorry about last night.”

            “Oh stop,” Cecilia said, “I was there yesterday, I heard what your father said.”

            Nick’s smile died a little. “Has he said anything else about it?”

            Cecilia shook her head. “He hasn’t said a thing. When I woke up he was already gone for the gym. I figure he’s blowing off some steam.”

            “Well I came back for some stuff. I figured maybe if he was here we could talk. I really thought he’d be happy about this.”

            “So did I, honey,” Cecilia said, forcing a smile. “He has his reasons though. Just give him some time.”

            Nick sighed and walked past up the stairs to his bedroom. An hour later he came back down, Nidoran nipping at his heels, excited for going back out to train. Halfway down the stairs Nick stopped, hearing voices coming from the backyard. He walked up to the glass door and saw his parents sitting on their back porch with Arcanine sunbathing next to his mother. The massive dog pokemon was lying on its side with a tongue dangling out its mouth, however Nick knew in a moment’s notice the pokemon could be on all fours, heat radiating from its red and orange coat and breathing scorching fire.

He could tell his parents were having a serious conversation, and he did not want to intrude. However his mother saw him and waved for him to come outside.

            “Your father and I were just discussing this latest endeavor of yours,” she said with a half-smile as she continued petting Arcanine. “I have yet to change his mind.”

            Julius looked up at Nick and shook his head. “Not that she hasn’t tried.” The raw anger was gone from his voice, but the disapproval was still there. “I still do not believe you are mature enough for this.”

            “Mature enough? Dad, there are little kids wandering Bug Bay with their pokemon all the time. I’m more than mature enough.”

            Julius sighed, “Yes, there are lots of young children with pokemon. But they are not trainers, in the same sense you want to become. You want to travel much farther than Bug Bay. It will be more dangerous than you can imagine.”

            “I don’t understand,” Nick said, starting to get tired of arguing, “people travel every day. It’s not like we are going into completely uncharted territory.”

            “But you are going out into this world looking for trouble. And with Adam with you, it makes it double. You’re purposely going to go out of your way to battle other trainers, and not every trainer out there plays by the same nice rules as you do. You need to make sure you can defend yourself, even without your pokemon.”

            “I get it, this is all things you’ve told me before. I’ve been in fights before, I can handle myself.”

            “Honey, you’ve been in one fight, and Adam was there to help you win.” Cecilia shrugged her shoulders as she spoke, seemingly to say she’s not on anyone’s side particularly.

            Nick sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Well how am I supposed to know if I’m ready unless I go out and try?”

            Julius stood up. “I’ll know when you’re ready.”

            “Sure,” Nick said, looking him in the eyes, “but I’m not so sure you’ll let me know when you do.”

            “What do you want from me, Nick?”

            “How about your blessing for me to do this?”

            “And I can’t give that to you until I know you are ready.”

            Nick shook his head, trying to figure out a way to get through to his dad. After a moment he thought of something. “What if I beat you in a battle? I mean, I’ll have to eventually to get the badge.”

            For a moment Nick saw a spark of something in Julius’ eyes, but then it was gone, and the look of disapproval returned. “Beat me? Son, from one man to another, you’ve got awhile to go before that.”

            “Well then I better start right away.” Nick turned and walked back into the house to finish packing what he needed. When the door was closed, Julius sighed, and Cecilia stood up and put her arm around his waist.

            “He’s not going to stop, darling. He’s your son all right.”

            “I know,” Julius sighed again, shaking his head. “I just hope I can help stop him from making my same mistakes.”

            High up in the trees, the bird pokemon all sang their different songs. Most of the calls reminded Adam of the pokemons’ names, but strung together the notes made enchanting music.

            “I need one of those,” he whispered to Rhyhorn, who was walking slowly next to him. “I have you to control the ground, but I need one of them to control the sky. Now the decision is which one?”

            A flock of Pidgeys flew away, leaving the area quieter. Still, one tree had a single song being sung. Adam walked carefully up to the base and craned his neck to see what bird pokemon was still singing. Halfway up the tree Adam saw a little bird sitting alone, crying out in a noisy tune. It was only about a foot in height, with a gray feathered body and black feathers on its head and wing tips. Its face was white, along with a white spot on its chest. A sharp, orange beak tipped with black adorned the bird’s face. Even when it opened its wings, it was still a tiny bird pokemon.

            “That’s a…hmm wait I know this. Not a Taillow, or a Pidove. A Starly! Yes, that’s it. Damn if Nick was here he’d have known that in heartbeat. But I’m sure it’s a Starly. And soon it’ll be my Starly.”

            Adam shuffled through his backpack, looking for a pokeball. “Here it is. Now I know I should try weakening it before I throw the ball, but I have a feeling Rhyhorn here isn’t going to be able to catch that thing if it doesn’t wanna fight. So, I guess here goes nothing!”

            Adam threw the pokeball at the Starly. The pokeball bumped into Starly, startling the pokemon. But as soon as the ball hit it a flash a light came from within the device. Starly’s body was transformed into the red light and sucked into the pokeball. The ball fell to the ground and bounced once, then shook. Adam held his breath as he watched the ball shake again. The clerk at the pokemart told him the pokeball would shake three times, and then the red light in the center would go out if the pokemon was caught. But until that light went out, the pokemon could break free.

            Adam sucked air in as the ball shook slightly again for a third time, and then let the air out in one big sigh when the red light disappeared from the pokeball’s center. The whole woods seemed to get quieter, and Adam simply started at the pokeball for a minute. He slowly walked over and picked up the pokeball, looking at the round two-inch sphere in his hand which now contained his second pokemon. Then it hit him. He had just caught his first pokemon.

            Adam jumped up into the air, yelling and laughing in joy. He tossed the pokeball up, and in a flash Starly appeared, crying out its name.

            “Starly!” Adam yelled, “I choose you!”

Pokemon: The Frontera Region (A Pokemon Fanficiton)

Episode 2: Let the Training Begin!

            The late afternoon sunlight shone down through the leaves as the two companions walked through the woods. After walking out on his parents, Nick met up with Adam at the southern gate of Spring City. South of the city was Bug Bay, a popular destination for people to spend the day swimming or holding pokemon battles. Most of the trainers here were young or inexperienced and resided in Spring City. The road to the bay, aptly named Bug Bay Road, was a dirt road just wide enough for two cars, however it was rare that anyone drove down here. On both sides of the road was woodlands, which teemed with nearly every kind of bug pokemon in existence, as well as a healthy amount of bird and small mammalian pokemon as well. To the two new trainers, this was the perfect spot to start their training.

            When they finally got to a clearing, Nick stopped and stared around. “Well Adam, I think we found the only spot in the woods big enough for your Rhyhorn to battle.”

            Nick laughed as Adam shot him a dirty look. “You’re just jealous I’ve got a powerhouse for my first and all you’ve got is a lil poisonous bunny. No offense, Nid.”

            Nidoran squeaked and growled to show Adam he was ready for a fight. Nick chuckled, “Calm down, Nidoran. We’re here to fight bugs, not Adam.”

            “At least not yet!” Adam yelled, throwing his pokeball out. After a quick two seconds, the pokeball opened, releasing a flash of bright red light. Before their eyes, the light formed into the solid mass of Rhyhorn. With a roar Rhyhorn stomped his foot, sending birds flying off in all directions. “I will never get used to that,” Adam laughed, throwing up his hands in excitement. “Look at the size of him!”

            “He’s very impressive, but how are you going to catch the wild pokemon to battle them?”

            Just then, a rustle was heard behind them. They all turned to see a Rattata emerge from a bush, its tail held high and a high squeal coming from its mouth. It was only about eight inches tall and a foot long, but its large front teeth could be very dangerous if someone wasn’t careful. There were enough stories about Rattatas attacking people who inadvertently angered the aggressive rodents.

            “Looks like I won’t need to run after them. I got this,” Adam said, putting a hand on Rhyhorn’s back. “I mean, we got this.” Rhyhorn tossed his head and snorted, obviously not threatened by the tiny creature.

            “That poor Rattata,” Nick said as he and Nidoran stood back, giving Rhyhorn room. Nick cared for pokemon and didn’t like to see them get unnecessarily hurt, and from what he could tell, this Rattata was way out of its league.

            “Alright Rhyhorn get ready to use your tackle!” Rhyhorn pawed the ground and lowered its head, ready to throw its body forward at its opponent. However the Rattata was much quicker than Rhyhorn, and leaped out the rock pokemon. The Rattata bit into Rhyhorn’s frill, but was visibly stunned when its teeth did nothing to the rocky exterior. Rattata fell to the ground, and before Rhyhorn could do anything, the Rattata disappeared into the woods.

            “Umm…I guess that counts as a win, right?” Adam sighed, shaking his head in disbelief.

            Nick couldn’t stop laughing. “Yeah, we’ll count it. If anyone asks, Rhyhorn sent the Rattata flying off into the distance.”

            Adam laughed, but was obviously disappointed by his first wild encounter.

            “Don’t sweat it, Adam. Battling in the middle of the woods just isn’t Rhyhorn’s style. You should be out on the main road battling other trainers.”

            “True,” Adam snickered pulling something out of his pocket, “or I could just catch another pokemon!” Adam flashed the empty pokeball at Nick, smiling at his friend’s expression.

            “When did you have time to go buy those?” Nick exclaimed.

            “I ran to the pokemart while you were arguing with your parents. I figured since we’re going out I might as well stock up. You looked like I punched you in the gut, are you alright?”

            “Yeah,” Nick said, looking down at Nidoran. “It’s just that, well you’re so much more prepared and ready for this than me. I thought I’d have the upper hand, being that my dad’s a gym leader and all.”

            “Aww come on, don’t be like that. I’m ready for this because I’m more excited than you, and I have my father’s blessing. I’m sure you’d be lugging a huge bag of pokeballs and potions and who knows what else around if your dad gave you the a-okay for this.”

            “I have no idea why he’s acting like this,” Nick said crouching down to pet Nidoran. “You’d think he’d be proud that I finally want to follow in his footsteps. Instead he’s acting like I just tried out for the all girl’s ballet team.”

            Adam snorted, “From the way you talk I think he’d be happier with ballet than pokemon training. You’re right, it doesn’t make any sense, but he’s gotta have a good reason. I mean, he’s your dad. He wants what’s best for you.”

            “No, he wants what’s best for my future as he sees it.”

Adam sighed and leaned against Rhyhorn. “You know, seeing as I never really had a dad, maybe I’m just more optimistic. But your dad has always been the easy-going cool guy. Remember when he used to let us watch his gym battles when we were little kids?”

Nick smiled fondly at the happy memories. “Yeah, those were great times. He hasn’t let us do that in awhile.”

“And why do you think that is? Maybe it’s because he knew one day you would go out and train your own team. Then you two would have to battle, and one of you would lose. Your whole life, hell our whole lives, your dad has tried so hard to help us become winners. But now he might have to beat you. Can’t be easy on the guy.”

Nick sat quietly for a moment. “Adam, that was…really well thought out. Did you just come up with that?”

“Yeah, I don’t know, just being outside, finally with a pokemon of my own, it’s making me see things clearer.” Adam paused for a second, gathering his thoughts. “Or maybe it was just a fluke. I don’t feel any smarter now that I think about it.”

They both laughed. “I guess it’s just easier to see what’s really going on from the outside,” Nick said standing back up. “Come on, let’s keep on training. If what you say is true, then I need to make sure my dad doesn’t have a chance to beat me.”

“That’s the spirit!” Adam said clapping his hands together. “Now let’s go find a pokemon for Nidoran to beat!”

“How bout that one?” Adam whispered to Nick as they peered through a bush. Six feet in front of them was a Caterpie, munching on some leaves. It was roughly one foot in length, was green with a white underbelly, and had a red antennae in the shape of the letter Y on its forehead.

“It looks so peaceful, I don’t want to disturb it.”

Adam looked at Nick like he was crazy. “Dude, we’re pokemon trainers now. Battling wild pokemon is part of the job.”

“Yeah, but I want to do it on their terms. That Rattata challenged you.”

From next to Nick, Nidoran gave a low growl, looking behind the trainers. They turned around a saw a strange looking bug pokemon staring intently at them. It was about a foot and a half tall, standing on two legs, with most of its body was covered in a body hard-looking shell. On the top of its head was a horn that split and rounded into two points, resembling the letter U. Its face and limbs were black with a patch of teal on its forehead. Its underbelly and eyes were yellow, and its orange pupils flickered back and forth between Nidoran and the two trainers. When it opened its mouth to cry out at them they saw it had two fangs for teeth.

“What is that?” Adam asked, slowly reaching for his pokeball with Rhyhorn in it.

“I recognize it, but I can’t remember its name. Karra-something. It’s not poisonous, I know that.”

“Well are you going to battle it? It looks like its issuing a challenge.”

Nick looked down at Nidoran. “You ready?” Nidoran barked a challenge and walked out to meet the attacker. “Alright let’s do this then.”

Nick and Adam stood up and Adam leaned back against a tree. “This shouldn’t be too difficult for Nidoran. Even if we don’t know what this pokemon can do.”

“Yeah,” Nick smiled as he looked at Nidoran pawing the ground anticipation. “He’s got this. Nidoran! Start with a tackle attack!”

Nidoran charged at the bug and collided headfirst with it. The pokemon fell backwards but recovered quickly. It ran towards Nidoran and swiped at him with its horn. Nidoran cried out, but held its ground.

“This pokemon’s got a lot of defense,” Nick muttered to himself. “Nidoran use leer! Lower his defense!” Nidoran gave the bug a hard look, and it took a step back. But instead of attacking, the bug braced itself, readying for the next attack.

“Nidoran, use your horn attack!” Nidoran charged at the bug again, this time keeping its head down. The horn collided with the soft underbelly of the pokemon, knocking it back. Nick held his breath, not sure it the pokemon was down. But slowly it crawled back up to its two feet.

“It looks really weak,” Adam said from behind Nick.

Nick stopped himself from issuing the last command. “Adam, you have a spare pokeball. Do you want him?”

Adam was shocked. “Oh no, he’s all yours Nick! I’ll catch my own.”

Nick shrugged. “Suit yourself. Nidoran, finish the poor guy off with a tackle attack!” Nidoran leaped and struck, sending the bug pokemon sprawling out and fainted

Nidoran began jumping around for joy, and Adam patted Nick on the back. “Great job on your first battle, buddy.”

Nick picked Nidoran up and laughed. “And many more to come!”