Normal Isn't Ordinary [Pokemon SI]

[sabbync]

Reincarnation. To many–to most–it is the realm of belief and speculation. To a few favored (or disfavored) it is something far more concrete.

I was born twice. Both times upon a floating marble of blue and green known as Earth. The first time, I was born in a world dominated by humans. I was born in perhaps the most favorable of circumstances, to well-off and caring parents in a country whose wars rarely touched the home front.

Alas, good things are not to last. History had not ended. A few decades where weeks happen does not foreclose the possibility of weeks where decades happen. Many refused to learn these lessons. To acknowledge their failings and accept that you needed more than the lie of 1% annual improvement to win hearts and minds.
I died. How does not particularly matter, not any more. For while I was born again on Earth, it was far from the same Earth. I was not born to a land dominated by humans, but to one shared by humans and creatures of stunning powers.

Creatures known as Pokemon.

It took an embarrassingly long time for me to realize this. I was not a Pokemon fan. I had watched the anime only once, when I was ten and with my cousins. I had played only one game through to completion. I enjoyed it, yes, but was I knowledgeable about it? Absolutely not. Yet in my arrogance I believed myself to be safe. There were dangerous creatures about, but I would learn to handle them in school. Learn to befriend them. I would grow up in a place of newfound sciences and mystical powers, a place where the greatest danger were the half-baked plans of criminal "Teams."

I was wrong. So very, very wrong.
The first clues came from simple observation. Though my mind remained fuzzy and uncertain throughout infancy, I could tell that the meals my new mother made were smaller than normal, despite us living on a farm. At first, I considered that a cultural difference–I had, after all, been an American in my previous life. But then there were the haggard faces when she took me shopping in Blackthorn City, barely visible to my still-developing eyes. There were the men with guns and pokemon who stood watch over the town's entrance.

I must have reacted in some way, as I remember my mother whispering "the dragons will protect us." It was one of the first concrete memories I have of this place.



Hazy and fuzzy as my brain was in those early years, I did try to get things started young. I struggled to crawl and walk, relearned to force my mouth and tongue to speak words rather than noises. I learned the written and spoken words of Johto's language–one that was share with most of the surrounding regions. I played with the family dog–and yes, the Pokemon world had regular animals too. Thank God (or was it thank Arceus now) because a world with only a few hundred species would be an ecological disaster.

By the time I was two, my siblings decided I was worth spending time with. Mostly (I assume) because I could finally talk. Even if I did ask too many questions, according to them.

Jonnie, my eldest brother, spent most of his time training. Sometimes he let me follow him, though only on the condition I watch, and not talk. There was something absurd in watching him jump rope over the vine-whips of grass types and wrestle with a geodude. I even got to throw food for his pidgey when they worked on diving, though my chubby toddler arms meant the wheat seeds mostly just scattered around me. Much to my frustration and Jonnie's amusement.

Adam was my next-eldest sibling. He'd been born under a different name, but Adam suited him much better. If Jonnie was the chad pokemon trainer, Adam was the nerd. He loved mechanics, to the point he was taking college classes in his first year of high school. He wanted to be a rocket scientist, something I couldn't help but be grateful for, since it would keep him out of the war. He was also something of a teacher made miniature, always willing to help me out with reading as I struggled to make the mental shift from an alphabetic writing system to one based on characters. There wasn't much he could do to help me with maths, but when it came to sciences (and correcting my knowledge from a Pokemon-less world) there was no one better to talk to other than his Kadabra Euclid.

My youngest (but still my elder) sibling was Janine. She was nine years older than me, but only four years younger than Jonnie. Something that told me my birth was likely the result of war rations on latex and rubber.
Janine trained as much as Jonnie and read as much as Adam. She boxed with a Machoke and borrowed stacks of books from the Blackwood Library. She worked herself as much as she could, determined to get into the Blackwood Military Academy Secondary School. With exams coming up in a few months, she was even more tense than normal. Something I tried to help her with, only to get roped into asking exam questions.

Damn myself and my need to read!
"What is the quad-er-atic form-you-la?" I asked, making sure to mispronounce the word.

"Quadratic," Janine corrected. "X=-b+/-Square Root (b2​+4ac) divided by 2a."

"Correct," I said, flipping to the next card. "What is the average airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"

"What?" Janine asked, hurrying over to the cards. "I didn't–you little twerp!" she exclaimed, looking over the card asking what the mohs hardness scale was. "Grrr!" she exclaimed as I giggled. "That–" she huffed. "Get out of here! Didn't you want to sit with Euclid?"

"Oh!" I exclaimed, and hurried off, swiftly blaming my three year-old brain rather than my long history of forgetfulness. "Euclid?" I asked as I hurried into the living room. "I'm sorry I'm late Professor Euclid."

Euclid huffed, but the title seemed to please him as ever, and he gestured for me to sit down. Carefully, I balanced myself onto the cushions.

"Today we are going to meditate," Euclid spoke into my mind. It was a little freaky, how powerful psychics were. Defending myself against them was one of the reasons that I asked Euclid to tutor me. That, and remembering there was something about auras.

Euclid had taught me more than I dared hope to learn. Though I was not a pokemon, I too possessed an aura in this world. I had yet to grasp much of an understanding of it, other than its presence.

"Breath in," Euclid told me as I closed my eyes, mind and soul retreating inwards. "Breath out. Reach in." I pictured myself diving from the skies, deep into the depths of the water. I saw the beating heart of my mind. "Reach out."

Hesitantly, tentatively, I approached. The faint ball of pale light gleamed. It hummed as I reached for it. My hand reached, brushing up against it. The pale light seemed to pop, only for my hand to clench and grasp it. Pulling it from my heart, stretching the bubble into my veins and skin.

"Let go," Euclid told me, and I did. The pale light retreated swiftly.

I returned to the world slowly. My arms were burning. My lungs struggled for breath. My three year-old body wobbled as I clenched my teeth in frustration.

"You are trying to learn as much as Abra, with a body meant for half as much sleep," Euclid chastised me. "Old soul or new, there are limits to the body and spirit."

"Yes Professor Euclid," I mentally sighed.

 

[Nicohals J Westerberg]

Interesting. So is technology wise still around our level? Or is it more 90's with some standout tech

 

[Aureus]

Well written but the formating could use more spaces between paragraphs or when someone new is talking. It improves readability on screens.

 

[Xcell]

(Great Pokemon Wars) 32 years before Canon??? The great Pokemon wars took place thousands of years before Canon.. unless you're referring to the war surge took part in. As far as I know that war was never flushed out within Canon pokemon. But from a lot of context clues it was probably world war II Pokemon version. So I'm utterly confused here.

 

[sabbync]

(Great Pokemon Wars) 32 years before Canon??? The great Pokemon wars took place thousands of years before Canon.. unless you're referring to the war surge took part in. As far as I know that war was never flushed out within Canon pokemon. But from a lot of context clues it was probably world war II Pokemon version. So I'm utterly confused here.

Click to shrink...

This is the non-canonical Great Pokemon Wars, viewed as a headcanon to some. It's the war Surge took part in (which itself alludes to WWII). You're right that it's not canon, but that's what I'm using. The 32 years is approximately how long she's born before anime canon starts.

 

[sabbync]

Well written but the formating could use more spaces between paragraphs or when someone new is talking. It improves readability on screens.

Click to shrink...

Thanks for the reminder! I'm used to AO3's formatting and forgot to double check for line spaces.

 

[sabbync]

Interesting. So is technology wise still around our level? Or is it more 90's with some standout tech

Click to shrink...

It's going to be a mix. Some things (healthcare, for example) are going to be more advanced while others (transportation) are less advanced. I'm using mid-20th century as a vague guide, and adjusting for what the Pokemon world shows as more and less advanced. Using my examples, there's hardly any trains shown, but a borderline miraculous medical system, especially for Pokemon.

 

[sabbync]

When I was five the army set up a guardpost a mile from our house. Apparently we, along with several other farms in the area, grew some of the plants needed for potions. Critical in healing both people and pokemon, the potions were understandably considered a military asset. One that needed to be guarded.

"Do you think the army's being pushed back?" I couldn't help but ask. My fingers twitched.

"Hush," Mom said sharply. "The dragons will protect us."

Biting my lip, I nodded, and hurried off to meditate with Kadabra. Nothing short of exhaustion would see me sleep that night.



In November, a month after my birthday, I saw the first wild pokemon. Rattata and zubat began to appear, where previously they had avoided the fields and storage areas guarded by Father's Murkrow. Jonnie and his Pidgey joined the family guard-duties. Janine was given a growlithe, and soon the newly-named Knightess was stalking the fields for rattata.

More pokemon came in December, geodude joining the rattata and zubat. We spotted a pack of graveler, who thankfully avoided the farm for rockier pastures. Jonnie was drafted, though he was yet to deploy. Adam, fortunately, won both an exemption and a scholarship for Goldenrod University. Janine . . . was pressing for early graduation. She slept as little as she could get away with, spending the rest of her time studying or training with her Growlithe.

Mom and Dad were busy as ever. Managing the farm became twice as hard when you had to constantly chase off wild pokemon.

As for me . . .

"Focus," Euclid reminded me. My Professor of Auras had grown as well. He would be leaving with Adam in the next school year, and would likely evolve beforehand. Already there were hints of a mustache, and his skill at crafting spoons was improving.

I at last dismissed my thoughts, casting my mind into my Aura. It pulsed, dark and pale tan, matching my breaths. I focused upon it. I focused inside it. For it was I and I was it and I could see all it could see–

My mind blurred, the sight of my aura fading from me.

I need this! I started at Janine's voice, nearly losing the thread connecting us only to grasp it tightly. If I don't make top of the class, that SOB Darian will, and him as an officer–

–more milk, said my mother's voice. After the last raid prices are bound to–

"That's enough," Euclid interrupted. He pulled on my, my consciousness snapping back into place.

I opened my eyes with a gasp. "I–that–"

"Congratulations," Euclid said dryly. "You have managed that which an Abra can do from birth."

"But I'm not an Abra," I shot back. "And that energy–it wasn't psychic."

"It was when you reached into their minds," Euclid corrected me. "But it is not at the start."

"I wonder–" my words faltered as a series of images arose in my mind. Me, punching like a Machamp. Lightning called from the sky at my very words. Darkness flowing around my like a cape–

"Perhaps in time," Euclid said. "For now, you have only started to learn."

"Jessica!" Mother called, interrupting our lesson. "Dinner time!"



One Year Later

My aura expanded, tan light shining through my veins. A tendril of light reached out, growing paler and brighter until it turned a light pink as it moved through the air. It tapped on Euclid's mind, seeking entry.

"More force," Euclid demanded before kicking me back out. I grit my teeth as the tendril whipped around to slap me, a sting ringing through my brain. I grunted as it shifted, throbbing pain running through the left of my head. Still I continued on, the pain manageable compared to the constant migraines of my previous life.

BOOM.

Suddenly I stopped, the tendril cut off half formed. "What was–"

BOOM.

"Kids!" that was Dad. He never shouted. "Up, up, grab your pokemon–"

"My papers!" Adam protested. "My–"

"Now!" Dad shouted. "Your mother–"

"She's–

BOOM

–field!"

"Adam, Euclid, make sure they get out! I'm goin–

BOOM

–"

"Let me–"

"Not now Janine!"

"Knightess–"

BOOM

"Fine!" Dad shouted. "Adam, get Jessica out of–"

CAW!

We all froze.

CAW!

Ice ran down our spines. Paling, we looked to the window.

MOLTRES

The sky was on fire. Pokemon were sprinting down from the mountains. Not just small ones. Grown Onix, Ursaring, Golems–even a Machamp–were fleeing from the burning sky above. They were not orderly either. Raticate pounced on Zigzagoon, Machop were crushed beneath Graveler–

"Mom!" Janine yelled, sprinting for the back door.

"Janine!" Dad yelled and rushed after her. Adam sprinted after them, Euclid following.

I froze for a moment. There was a stampede of pokemon. Animals dangerous enough to force humanity into cohabitation, and there was a stampede.

I drew on my aura as best I could and rushed after them, grabbing a kitchen knife on my way out. What I meant to do with it, I still don't know.

"Mom!" Janine shouted. "We need to go–"

"Why are you here?" Mom demanded. "Edgar, are things packed?"

"The go bags are ready, we need to–"

CAW!

Something heavy and flaming dropped from the sky.

"DIVE!" Dad demanded, and we did. My knife buried into the ground as the flaming something crashed onto our field, sending dust and dirt soaring into the air.

We started to get up, rubbing dust and dirt from our eyes.

ROAR.

We looked toward the something.

"Was that–"

"Murkrow!" Dad shouted, throwing his pokeball into the air. "Get the kids–"

A dozen stones, honed by the pokemon's aura, crashed into Murkrow. It dodged as best it could. A wing was clipped, and Murkrow plummeted.

"Aerial Ace!" Dad shouted. "Kids, run!"

"Dad–"

"NOW!"

I started running towards the house.

There was a flash behind us.

Something soared overhead, then crashed into the house.

"DIVE!" Janine shouted, and once more I obeyed.

A flash of light, visible even to my closed eyes.

A deafening roar.

My ears rung, hearing little else as I stumbled to my feet.

"Janine?" I asked, not hearing my own words. I stumbled around, unable to find her. "Janine! Adam!"

There was a faint sound. I turned, only to see Dad knocked down by a massive Onix.

Run.

I turned from the scene and ran. I ran from the stampede of pokemon, from the burning farm, from my siblings' unknown fate and my father's all but certain one. I ran as fast as I could, not knowing where I was headed.

 

[sabbync]

Sometime the next day I came (mostly) to my senses. I tried to figure out where I was. It was warm, though not unseasonably so. Somewhere to the south, then. I looked to the sun, and the mountains. It would be easy to hide there. If I wanted to make it back home, I'd need to hide, at least until the Moltres went back to its rest.

The forested hillside and tall grasses felt dangerous now. It felt as though a swarm of pokemon were waiting behind each tree and underneath each blade of grass. It did not help my paranoia to see a swarm of beedrill hunting down some rattata.

I moved slowly that day. I managed to find some berries (thank Arceus for Jonnie's wilderness tips) and that–well, it wasn't enough, but it was better than nothing. Same for the water, which was thankfully provided by the fast-moving mountain streams I came across.

As the sun began to set I starting looking for somewhere to sleep. Somewhere sheltered. Somewhere–

I spotted a cave. Peering into it, I found it to be small. Hopefully no Zubats would eat me as I slept.



I woke up the next day, thankfully alive. I started the day with morning ablutions and swiftly began to make my way north again. Every step felt like I was dragging myself, yet I needed to be home. I needed to make sure–

No, I told myself. Don't give up hope. They could still be–

I hastily knocked on wood, only to startle a hoothoot who lived in the tree.

It glared at me.

I started backing way.

It flexed its wings.

I started running.

With the Demon Hoothoot behind me, I continued to make my way north. It was slow going, but I began to recognize some of the landmarks as I continued forward. The tall, sloping mountain that looked like a donphan's horn. The cave at the peak of another mountain, barely visible by looking up yet a wide spot of black to those looking over from Blackthorn.

Other landmarks were disturbingly missing. The signpost from Missus Gretchen's farm was gone, and the fields burned to the ground. I looked over towards her house, only to find it buried under a rockslide.



At last I saw my home. Fields burned by Moltres and torn apart by the Onix. The house was little more than shards of glass.

And father–

I sobbed. I wanted to run. Run from Mother and Father, who remained on the field. Run from the house of ashes and shattered glass. Run from it all.

But I couldn't.

The barn was torn down, and the house was destroyed. I searched them both. I salvaged what food and equipment I could, then took the shattered planks of wood. The wood pile slowly grew, even as the sun set. My mind focused on the task at hand, even as tears ran down my face. They deserved something. I could only hope Adam and Janine escaped, since I couldn't see either of them there.

BOOM

I startled, dropping the wood.

BOOM

No, I thought. Surely they wouldn't–

BOOM

I hastened to the wood pile. It had to be done now. I wanted to honor my parents, and that meant not dying. Bolstering my body with my aura as best I could, I pulled their corpses onto the pile of wood. I struggled. I clambered over the pile. I pulled and pushed and finally, finally, got them onto it.

Just in time to hear Moltres' CAW break through the night skies, roused by another Kanto night offensive.

Saying my prayers to Arceus quickly, I doused the pyre in gasoline and set it alight. The flames leapt upward.

I wanted to stay to the end. I wanted to ensure their souls moved on, that they did not become trapped as Ghost-type pokemon.

But I couldn't. Not if I wanted to live.

I ran, still not knowing where I should go.



Blackthorn City was out of the question. Close as it was, if there was a military assault in this area there was only one place for it to be, and I had no desire to wind up on a battlefield at the age of six.

So, north was not an option. Directly west meant going through the Dark Cave, with a single-battery flashlight and no pokemon.

South, and (eventually) to Cherrygrove City it was.



I found a water bottle at the house. Banged up and slightly leaky, but it was better than nothing. Of course, that meant I'd need to keep to the mountains if I wanted to regularly come across small streams, rather than wandering into one big river every now and then.

Other than the water bottle, I'd managed to grab a backpack, a potion, some instant soup packets and canned food, a kitchen knife, and a single pokeball.

I'm screwed, I thought, then forced myself to take a deep breath. No. I'm not. I just need to make it to Cherrygrove. Just a simple trek across the wild mountainsides for a hundred twenty kilometers. Alone. As a six-year-old. I took another breath. Fuck.



The explosions could still be heard the next morning. As the sun reached noon, I was fully exhausted. I needed a place to sleep. Another cave sounded nice, and this one had a stream only a hundred meters away.

I walked up to the cave, eyes blurry from exhaustion. I paid no heed to the stones beneath my feet save to ensure their steadiness. I cared not for the dirt, nor grass and trees I walked over and past as I made my way towards bed.

A roar shattered my delusions of sleep. Forcing my eyes to focus, I tensed.
Another roar. I tilted my head. It wasn't deep enough to be an Ursaring, nor an Onix. I wondered . . .

I stayed very still. My hand clenched the knife.

A small snout poked its way out of the cave. I slid the knife back into my backpack, and gently made my way forward.

"Hey little guy," I said gently as I could, inching towards the fur baby. "Are you–"

"R–roar!" the Teddiursa said unconvincingly.

"Hey," I frowned. "Did–did you lose your mother?"

The Teddiursa roared again, this time sounding full of pain.

"I lost my mother too," I admitted. I grimaced as tears came. My mother–my loving, trusting, hoping mother. The one who never failed to heal a bruise nor care for an injury. Who worked her hardest, day in and day out yet cared for each of her children's interests, and managed to finance three journeys despite the war.

I sobbed.

Beside me, Teddiursa sobbed as well. I reached out, and hugged him. He hesitated, then hugged me back, his claws gently resting on my back.



"I'm going to keep going," I told Teddiursa as daylight shone over the trees. He looked up from the can of corned beef. "I have siblings," I explained. "Brothers and a sister. I want–I need to see if they're okay."

Teddiursa grumbled. "Tedd-Teddi?"

"I can't stay," I said, hoping I understood him correctly.

"Ursa!"

"I–" I hesitated. "Can you give me a second?"

"Teddi?"

Taking that as permission, I sat back down. Reaching inside, reaching for my aura, I slowly expanded it. It was harder, my young body tired from days of hiking and my mind weary and grieving. Yet eventually I found it, pushed it, and formed a fain thread of psychic energy. Gently, gingerly I reached out to Teddiursa. I pressed against his mind.

Teddiursa started. I sent him an image of myself. He sent back an image of an Alakazam, and a feeling of questioning. I sent back an image of a baby abra, something that seemed to amuse him.

Then I sent images of my siblings. My family. A feeling of longing.

"Teddi!"

I blinked, suddenly back to reality. The thread snapped from my lack of concentration, but I managed to pull it back without a migraine this time.

"I have to go," I explained again. "But if you want, you can come with me."

"Ursa?" Teddiursa asked. Somehow, I knew just what he meant.

"Yes," I agreed. "I'll be your sister.""



Contrary to what I said, we did not leave the cave immediately. If threw as one thing Jonnie's lessons had drilled into my head, it was that having an untrained or disobedient pokemon could be far more dangerous than not having one at all. The most important thing was trust, and ensuring your pokemon did not deviate from commands.

So, we spent the day playing. I would give a command, using my limited psychic powers to convey an image of what I wanted. Not combat moves, not yet. Just simple, fun things. "Stand on one leg!" "Lick your nose!" "Hop up and down!" After about an hour, Teddiursa whined, conveying an image of himself sprawled over a sun-bathed rock.

"You're tired?" I asked, smiling down at him. "Okay, how about we switch it up?"

"Teddi?"

"You tell me what to do!"

"Teddi!" Teddiursa shouted excited. "Teddiursa!" The image I got was blurry, but I shifted to one foot. "Ursa!" Teddi complained.

"Hand?" I asked. "I–I guess I can try?" I offered. Moving to a softer patch of dirt, I placed my hands on the ground. Right, I told myself. Physically, I can't do this. But, I thought, channeling my aura. It surged from my veins, bolstering young muscles and readying my joints. I pressed against the ground, and barely felt it. I pushed off with my legs, only to find myself pushed too far and falling onto the ground.

"Ted-Teddi!" Teddiursa laughed.

"Ha-ha," I huffed. "Just give me a moment."

I tried again, but pushed to soft. Then too hard again, but managed to balance. Only to correct too much, and topple over backwards.

With Teddiursa thoroughly enjoying himself, I set to managing a balance. I had still not succeeded when my aura, thoroughly exhausted, finally gave out and I came collapsing to the ground as muscle exhaustion re-exerted itself.

"Teddiursa?" Teddiursa asked, eyes wide, moving closer.

"I'm fine," I said, pushing myself onto my back. "Just tired. How about we take a nap, then I show you some stuff about auras?"

"Ursa?"

"Aura," I said, and pressed into the fraying psychic bond. Images of tan energy surging forth were placed into his mind. Teddiursa pressed something back. An image of what could only be his mother, a truly massive Ursaring. She roared, and more than sound left her lungs. Tan lines flew forward, scaring the swarm of beedrill back to their hive. Teddiursa, paw covered with stick honey, smiled.

"Exactly!" I said excitedly.

"Ted-teddiursa!" Teddiursa exclaimed. Rolling to his feet, he bit onto my shirt.

"Teddiursa?"

With a light growl, Teddiursa began to pull.

"What–hey!" I protested, trying to stand up as he pulled me back to the cave. "Teddiursa!"

 

[Rodvek97]

Nice chapter
Tediursa is her first pokemon then.

 

[sabbync]

Teddiursa was not happy when I told him the first part of aura training was meditation. He grumbled, growled, and then sat back down with a huff when I offered to do another round of Jessica Says first.

Meditating with Teddiursa was . . . different. His mind was much more emotive and visual than Euclid's. Even with visual and spatial thinkers among humans it was possible to translate their thoughts to words. With Teddiursa, I had to think in his language if I wanted to get anything across.

Considering that my mind works almost entirely off of words and numbers, I prepared myself for a long struggle.

The first problem arose almost immediately, something that took me far too long to figure out. Teddiursa's aura was not contained to his brain, as was the case of humans. It was not even concentrated there, as it was for Euclid. Instead it was widespread, flowing evenly through his brains and muscles.

"Alright," I said, more for my benefit than his. "We're going to work on concentrating you aura."

"Ursa?"

"Like–" I hummed, and sent him an image of berries spread out across the cave floor. Slowly they gathered into a single point.

"Ursa!" Teddiursa exclaimed.

"Right!" I smiled. "Let's try moving it a bit at a time. Can you move the aura near your skull to your ears?"

"Teddi?"

"To see if you can move it, and if it helps your hearing," I explained.

Teddiursa humphed. He shifted on the ground, then got to work. I could sense his aura moving, ever so slightly. The sheen on his head did not disappear, but it paled as his ears darkened.

I clicked my tongue.

"TEDDIURSA!" Teddiursa shouted, the aura falling back into place as he shot to his feet.

"Very good!" I exclaimed, grabbing some berries and handing them over. "You did so good!

"Ursa!" Teddiursa said, sitting back down and conveying no small amount of exhaustion.

"Okay," I agreed. "We'll take it slow with this. Maybe have a nap, then play Jessica Says some more."

"Teddi," Teddiursa agreed.



Jessica Says moved closer to combat this time. I had Teddiursa throw rocks and slash at trees as well as leap back and side-to-side. I thought we were making progress, at least on him trusting me, though I had no clue how well that would hold up under pressure. That night we ate some more of the canned food. I counted them out on the cave floor, Teddiursa already dozing off as I stacked and counted the cans.

I grimaced. Thirty-two. Even with berries gathered along the way, that would be pushing matters. A hundred twenty kilometers is no small distance after all, especially for a six-year-old and her newfound Teddiursa.

We set out around dawn the next day, avoiding the main routes as best we could. Though they were simple things of dirt and gravel, they were still the best method of travel. Which, I was willing to bet, meant they'd be swamped with people fleeing south from Blackthorn City and soldiers marching north.

Not a scene I wanted to be a part of, especially not with a vulnerable (and valuable) pokemon by my side. No sir, I planned to avoid the routes altogether until we reached civilization at Cherrygrove City.

Of course, that did mean the walking was rougher. We climbed hills and trekked through forests. Twice we ran from a loud roar. On the third day we stumbled onto a Noctowl's nest. At the sight of the mother pokemon's eyes, glowing with psychic power, Teddiursa and I decided to have an impromptu race.



"Right," I sighed, stretching out as I stood from the concealed (I hoped) campfire. "Training time."

"Sa," Teddiursa whined.

"I know," I said. "I'm tired too. But we need to be strong if we want to be safe."

"Teddi," Teddiursa grumbled.

"I miss my mom too," I agreed, kneeling next to him. My hand reached out, rubbing the fur between his ears. "But I like to think I'm honoring her by doing this. By growing strong."

"Ted-teddi?"

"Yeah," I smiled. "We can work on that. First though, you need to focus your aura."

"Ur-saaaaa."

I couldn't help but giggle.



"Okay," I said, clapping my hands together. Six days in and down to fourteen cans of food, Teddiursa was finally ready for the next step. "You've got your aura in your claws, right?"

"Ted."

"And in your paws and arms? I don't want you to get hurt."

"Ted," Teddiursa grumbled.

"Good." I smiled. "Slash!"

Teddiursa roared and threw himself at the tree. Aura-coated claws slammed down hard, tearing through bark.

"Sa!" Teddiursa groaned in pain as bark and splinters sprang forth.

"Oh no!" I shouted, rushing forward.

"URSA!" Teddiursa shouted, and hit the tree again. I ducked my head and raised my arms.

"Teddiursa! No, that's just going to make it worse!" I shouted. "I'm sorry, I should have realized!"

"Sa?" Teddiursa asked suspiciously.

"We forgot to keep your protective aura in place," I explained. "Maybe, instead of moving things, we can just draw power in instead?"

"Teddiursa?"

"Like plants from the ground," I smiled. "You know how to concentrate your aura now, but we should grow it as well." I added a mental image of him as an Ursaring, body flaring with tan energy.

"Teddi!" Teddiursa exclaimed eagerly, then flinched as splinters dug deeper.

"Here," I said, moving next to him. "Let me help you with that. Just keep very still . . ."

"SA!"

"There!"

 

[Rodvek97]

Thanks for the chapter.

 

[sabbync]

"Hone Claws!" I shouted, eyes firmly on the Spearow as it circled above us. The arrogant bird had decided we were intruders on his domain, and despite his small size he packed quite a punch.

"Ready your claws," I ordered as the Spearow dove. "Wait. Wait. NOW!"

With a roar Teddiursa lashed out. Aura-coated claws sliced through feather and bone. The Spearow cried as it flinched back, narrowly escaping his grasp.

"Bite!" I shouted, but the Spearow dodged back. It pecked at Teddiursa's snout once, twice, then flew with bloodied wings. Its ungainly flight carried it into the trees, where it remained, glaring down at us.

"Good job!" I smiled at Teddiursa. Using my boiled-water bottle to wet a piece of cloth, I started cleaning the cuts.

"Sa!" Teddiursa protested.

"It'll keep you clean," I mentioned. "You don't want to get infected, do you?"

"Ted?"

I sent him an image of a festering wound. Much to my gratification, Teddiursa flinched and the image. I moved to start cleaning his wounds again only for—

"Fear!"

I turned to the voice. Ice spread down the back of my neck.

"Fearow!"

"Teddiursa?" I said, not turning from the glaring mother Pokemon.

"Sa?"

"RUN!"

We sprinted down the hillside, through brambles that tore at fur and clothes and skin, over sharp rocks and a small stream that Teddiursa manage to clear in a single jump.

"Ted-teddi!" Teddiursa cried anxiously.

"Yes I'll still clean your wounds!" I shouted. "Just as soon as this—"

"FEAROW!" I dove, rolling forward and scrambling to my feet. The bird missed, but swept its wings up to soar again.

"—stops chasing us!"



It was hours before we finally stopped running, the Fearow proving far more willing to range out of its territory than I'd hoped. While the Spearow had been a nice guinea pig for Teddiursa's combat ability, I had no desire to fight a fully-evolved Fearow after only a few days training. Or maybe ever. Teddiursa was decent-sized, but the Fearow was twice his standing height. Truly a monster of a bird, and one whose wing gleamed with a suspiciously metallic sheen when it attacked us. We were lucky to get out with only a few scrapes and scratches.

Our camping was less fortunate. With neither a river nor a cave nearby, we'd be sleeping out in the open with only a bottle's worth of water for the night. Hopefully there was a stream to the south, or we'd be in serious trouble.

"Teddiursa?" I asked as we lay upon the ground, stars bright and clear despite the forest canopy.

"Ted?"

"Do you want a name?"

"Sa?"

"A name," I repeated. "It's . . . it's a way of calling people. Every person has their own name."

"Teddi," Teddiursa huffed.

"Sorry!" I exclaimed. "I didn't know you'd know!" I paused, letting silence creep back in. "So, do you want one."

Teddiursa hummed, but said nothing. I left him to it after a few minutes, and started trying to fall asleep.

"Ursa?"

"I guess?" I yawned. "It's not something you need to decide now. If you ever feel like having a name, just let me know."

"Ted-eddiursa," Teddiursa agreed.



Eleven days into our journey, and I saw it. Faint, distant and misty, yet the ocean was unmistakable.

"We made it."

"Ursa," Teddiursa agreed.

"Now we just need to cut west," I said, praying that I wasn't forgetting something. "I–I think we can take the official routes this time."

"Ted?"

"They're paths that are kept clear of big pokemon," I explained. "No more Fearows chasing us."

"Teddiursa," Teddiursa grinned.

"But," I winced. "I'd need to have you in a pokeball."

"Teddi!"

"I promise it's comfortable!"

"Ted-teddi!"

"I won't make you. But sometimes its needed. Pokeballs keep things from getting worse, if you're injured or sick or poisoned. If I can carry you in one, you're less likely to die."

"Teddi?"

"Only when you want. I promise."

"Teddiursa," Teddiursa said solemnly, and pressed his paw to the pokeball. Red light gleamed, and the bearling was absorbed.

"When we get to Cherrygrove City, I'm getting you the biggest steak," I promised.



The Routes were crowded. I'd expected as much, but to see the dirt and gravel paths clogged with people, wagons, and pokemon . . . it was something else.

And then there were the whispers. "Kanto keeps advancing." "The Blackthorns broke the mountains with hyperbeams." "I heard Hoenn wants to take Cianwood." "The Islands are planning to attack Kanto. That'll change the war, any day now!" "Blackthorn City is rubble, I swear!" which was quickly followed by "No it's not! My cousin's still there and he called me yesterday!"

It was, in a word, exhausting. Between the clouds of dust kicked up by traffic and the constant barrage of unverified rumors, I was approaching the kind of migraine I thought I'd left behind in my previous life. There was only one reason I didn't abandon the crowded route for the wilderness: Speed. Despite the traffic, despite my tired six-year-old limbs, it took only two days to reach Cherrygrove City from the moment we joined Route 29.

If this had been like the games, or even the anime, I would have visited the Pokecenter first thing. Healing my Teddiursa was the priority, along with making sure he didn't have any health conditions or malnutritions from the two-week diet of canned soups and meats. There was one problem with that, and unsurprisingly it came back to the war.

War is bloody. Even with the natural durability of pokemon, they still died. More frequently, however, they came back severely injured. And with the borderline miraculous medicines, medicinal herbs, and the healing powers of the humble Chansey there was every likelihood of them making a recovery, even if it wasn't a full one. With the war going on the demand for potions, antidotes, and other medicines–as well as the Chanseys–was simply too high to meet. Even the frontlines struggled to get what they asked for. Pokecenters had been largely abandoned, their skilled nurses and Chanseys sent to establish field hospitals. It was something Janine and Mom used to argue about, Mom wanting Janine to catch or buy a Chansey just in case . . .

I wiped away tears. I could feel my walls starting to crumble. I'd managed to hold it together so far on pure adrenaline and crisis mindset, but soon I'd break.

I just need to find them, I told myself. Once I find them, I can break down.

A healthy mindset? Of course not, but what were you expecting? Good coping skills, in this economy?



Cherrygrove City, I can admit, is a beautiful place. Even in the midst of war and a flood of refugees, the cherry blossoms bloomed. The sweet scent of flower pokemon filled the air, drowning out the stench of war-torn refugees (myself included) who'd been forced to go weeks without bathing. Even the buildings were fully of potted grass-types, who seemed to work a double-shift of ornamentation and security. The way those Bellsprouts were glaring at me certainly gave that impression.

Cherrygrove's City Hall lay near the center of the city, just opposite it's other institution: the Cherrygrove Gym. Soldiers moved in and out frequently, sometimes wheeling in wounded grass-types. A specialty, perhaps? I wondered.

The City Hall building was smaller than the gym, and just as grand. A two-story building made of lumber, its saving grace was the extensive garden. A mixture of pokemon and regular plants that bloomed even out of season, creating a vibrant array of yellows, blues, and reds upon a green background. Tempting as it was to stay in the gardens, I had a mission.

Humble as the City Hall was, they did have a receptionist. Positioned behind a simple wooden table, she frowned as I walked in.

"Can I help you Miss?" she asked as I stood nervously before her.

"Can–can you help me find my family?" I asked, tripping over my words. "We got split up."

"Of course!" the receptionist smiled, her eyes scanning me over. "What's your name?"

"Jessica Green. I'm from near Blackthorn City."

"Which Prefecture?"

"Um, Edon." I think. It wasn't something that came up that often, okay? Edon wasn't the name of a town, or a village, or a river.

"Hmmm. Jessica Green. Born 17 October. Six years old. Next of kin, Edgar Green."

"He's dead." The words stabbed at my heart.

"Elizabeth–"

"Dead."

"And your oldest brother is uncontactable. We have a phone number for Adam Green."

"Can–can you call him? Please? I need to know–" Tears killed the words in my throat.

"Of course." I think she smiled. It was hard to see with water-filled eyes.

 

[sabbync]

Adam Green did not consider himself an easy man, nor a simple one. He had turned down the traditional journey–an option his parents insisted on giving him despite the war–in order to focus on his studies. Euclid, his oldest and dearest companion, had preferred the study arrangement to seeking out battle. If there was ever a being more nerdy than Adam, it was Euclid.

Adam Green did not consider himself a coward either. At least, he didn't use to. But now . . .

CAW

"Mom!"

"Janine!"

BURNING. EVERYTHING BURNED.

"MOLTRES!"

"Euclid! Tele–"

"AHHH–"



Ring. Adam blinked. Ring. It was the apartment phone. The one that never rang.

Ring.

"Hello?"

"Hello? Is this Adam Green?" a pleasant voice asked.

"Yes. Who's calling?"

"This is Fujiko from Cherrygrove City Hall. I have a girl claiming to be your relative."

"What?" Adam shot upright. "She–is she okay?"

The woman hesitated. "She is physically fine," she stated. "I can't imagine her journey has been easy."

"No," Adam agreed, sighing. He'd need to help out his stubborn, stubborn sister. He told her going right into the military academy was a mistake–

"She's remarkably resilient for a six-year-old."

Six. Six? SIX?

"Jessica?" Adam asked, barely able to grasp the hope that now flooded his lungs. "Jessica is there? She's alive?"

"Yes."

"I'm on my way." Adam hung up the phone. "EUCLID!" he shouted, running back to his room. "Can you teleport us to Cherrygrove City?"

"Kadabra?"

"Jessica's alive!" Adam could only imagine the grin on his face. He hadn't dared to hope Jessica had made it out. Janine he'd known, but a six-year-old, separated from her family? He'd looked around the far for days before accepting the inevitable. Only to be surprised once more.

"Kadabra!" Euclid exclaimed.

"I know, right? It's impossible, but so is she!"

"Ka-ka-ka!" Euclid laughed. "Kadabra?"

"Ready," Adam agreed, shrugging on his jacket and sliding his bag over his shoulder. "Let's go."



Traditionally Pokemon Centers were the arrival destination for teleporting. That had been the case when Adam was younger, but after a series of teleportation attacks on the centers new checkpoints were established for anyone teleporting to a major city, enforced by psychic barriers. The lines were long even at the best of times, and coming from Goldenrod to Cherrygrove just as the workday ended was among the worst. Four people were processing the influx of teleporters, checking identification and looking for bombs. Two dozen guards, each with at least one pokemon out (and one of them had three!) stared them down.

Adam's hands twitched. He longed to call out to Euclid, to demand more direct transport.

"Next."

Finally! Adam thought, moving to the worker.

"ID?"

"Student ID, Trainer Licence, and Teleportation Licence," Adam rattled off, placing each card down one after the other. The worker, eyes dull, glanced over them.

"Alright," the worker said after far, far too long. "You're good to go."

"Thanks," Adam forced himself to say, and left the building at a brisk walk. "City Hall, City Hall–There!" he spotted the humble building and sped off. It was just as well that Euclid had been put away after teleportation. He was Adam's research partner, but hardly a good running companion.

Adam sprinted past the potted pokemon, over the wooden floors. He nearly knocked someone over, but he didn't care. He could see her. Even in a purple dress he knew his little sister.

"Jessica!"

She turned suddenly, eyes lighting up as she saw him. "Adam!"

He halted as he nearly ran into her, eyes flying across her body to spot anything wrong. She was thin, far too thin, her cheeks half-sunken and normally tanned skin far too pale. She had scabs on her hands, and her dark hair was full of split ends. Her bright green eyes looked shadowed. But it was fine. She was fine.

Adam knelt down and pulled her into a hug, pressing his face against the top of her head. Tears dropped onto her hair and stained his shirt, yet for the life of him there was nowhere Adam would rather be.

"I'm so glad you're alive," Adam said.

"Me too," Jessica agreed. She pulled back slightly, her face scrunching. "I, uh, I met a friend."

"Oh?" Adam asked. It seemed unlikely, but so had her survival. "Someone else on the routes?"

"Not on the routes exactly. And not a person precisely."

Adam's mind stuttered to a halt. "Oh," he said blankly. "Have you captured them?"

"Him," Jessica supplied, a smile starting to spread across her pale face. "And yes. He's a Teddiursa."

Adam froze. Teddiursa. Ursaring were a fairly common species–in the wild. In cities they were almost unheard of. They were too strong to be captured in their evolved form, and anyone foolish enough to capture a Teddirusa usually wound up mauled by the mother.

"How–"

"His mom died," Jessica frowned. "During the–" her voice trailed off, hands shaking.
Adam grit his teeth, the pain preventing his memories from consuming him. "And he agreed to go with you?"

"Yeah. I fed him too, though I don't think canned meat and berries is the best for him."

"Nor for you," Adam agreed. "I suppose I'll have to get a bigger place."

Jessica's eyes lit up. "You mean I can keep him?"

"You have a proper bond," Adam explained. "Euclid would never forgive me if I separated you."

"Euclid's alive too?"

"Yes," Adam said. "He–" he grimaced. "He teleported me and Janine out."

"Oh," Jessica breathed heavily. "That's good."

"We should have taken you–"

"I ran," Jessica interrupted. "It's not your fault."

"I should have–"

Jessica slapped her hand over his mouth. "Not. Your. Faul–EW!" She jumped back, shaking her hand. "Gross!" She frowned. "Come here, I need to wipe it off."

"Wipe it off on your dress."

"My dress is new!"

"Then wash your hands."

Jessica pouted.

Adam moved forward to kiss her forehead. Something wet touched his pants.

"I'll be back!" Jessica said, running off into the building. "Just washing my hands."
Adam looked at his saliva-covered pants, then at the closing bathroom door. He couldn't help it. For the first time in a fortnight, he laughed.

 

[TheGeneral03]

Interesting ficc.so far pretty good

 

[sabbync]

Goldenrod City. The capital of Johto and the largest city in the region, boasting a population in the millions. Even in wartime the streets were crowded with shoppers, workers, street artists, and vendors. The scent of a thousand spices hung on the air in the open markets while further into the central business district dozens of buildings rose high enough to touch the sky. Largest of all of these was the Goldenrod Radio Tower, capable of broadcasting not only inside Johto but also to Kanto, Hoenn, and the Island Regions. A mile away, guarded by more than a thousand Pokemon, was the Capital Palace. Set behind a massive lawn, the palace itself was decorated with gold filigree and a facade of luxurious lacquered woods. The interior, from what rumors I heard, was even more opulent.

Yet for all its wealth Goldenrod City was a place of desperation. Adam and I were not the only ones who fled the front. Hundreds of thousands crowded the city seeking food, jobs, and shelter, only one of which could be easily accommodated. While the need for more Pokemon on the front lines left plenty of job openings, few paid well and even fewer could be considered safe. Used to working with Pokemon, farmer owners and construction foremen refused to pay the costs of protective gear or to let their workers rest during the hottest parts of the day. With steel needed for war, no new machinery was used either. Dozens of men were paid a pittance to hoist stone blocks onto a roof with no safety equipment. I saw my first death by work a week after arriving. Unions were organizing, but any strike was swiftly attacked by the police Growlithe Division.

Adam and I were lucky. His scholarship to Goldenrod University turned into a job designing experimental rockets and rocket engines, something that paid well enough for us to rent a small house towards the outskirts of the city. Food was an issue, the prices continually rising. While Adam, Euclid, and I could subsist on beans, vegetables, and rice, Teddiursa could not.

So, we went hunting. Formally, it was poaching. The forests near Goldenrod City were, for the most part, owned by the old noble clans. In peacetime these property rights would have been vigorously enforced. Now? The government and nobility had bigger problems on their mind.



"Good!" I shouted as Teddiursa sidestepped the Stantler's rushing horns. "Now, Bite his legs!"

"Ursa!" Teddiursa cried, and lunged forward. His teeth, coated with Dark energy, bit down on the Stantler's rear leg.

"Stantler!"

"Attack!" I ordered, and Teddiursa's claws lept into action. One, two, three swings of Fury Swipes and the Stantler collapsed. "Good job!" I praised, even as my heart tore at the next command. Pokemon were more intelligent than animals. In my previous life I'd avoided eating Octopus because of its intelligence. But such high moral standards were something I could no longer afford. "Now, it's throat. Scratch."

"Teddiursa."

At least the Stantler died quickly. I started to skin and butcher it where we were. No sense in letting any of it go to waste. Most of the meat would need to be smoked, and the skin would be sold off to a leather worker. Underground, of course. Hunting was, after all, technically illegal.

"Ho there!"

I turned suddenly, skinning knife pointed at the voice that ambushed us. And I do mean us–even Teddiursa was taken by surprise, leaping three feet into the air before settling back to earth with a growl.

"No need to worry!" the man laughed. His salt-and-pepper beard and laughing brown eyes smiled down at me. "I'm here for the same reason! Or a similar one, rather," he said, gesturing towards his basket.

Standing slowly from the Stanler, I peaked into the basket. Rolls of silk strings, pure white and freshly shot. I stared wide-eyed at the man showing me this. Silk–especially pokemon silk–was categorized as war materiel. Gathering it like this was illegal. The enforced kind of illegality.

"Seen any caterpies?" the man asked.

"Why?"

"Bandages," the man said with a smile. "They're needed by more than just soldiers."

I stared at him. I looked him up and down. Leather boots. Cargo pants. A belt with four pokeballs. A canvas jacket, with a bright red pin.

"You're with the unions."

The man's friendly natured disappeared in an instant. His hand flicked to his belt, a pokeball thrown before I could so much as raise my hands.

"Wait!" I shouted as the Alakazam took form, rolling its shoulders. "I like the unions! Solidarity forever! Labor theory of value!"

"Do you now?" the man asked seriously. He looked to his Alakazam, who nodded.

"Ka-la-zam," the pokemon said.

The man hummed, looking me over. "He says you do not lie, but that he cannot read you fully."

"I train with my brother's Kadabra," I said quickly. "Since I was three."

"Let down your barriers," the man ordered. "Archimedes will only look to verify your story."

I grimaced, but nodded. It's not like I had another option. Cornered in the woods by a fully evolved teleporting psychic and a trainer skilled enough to quick-draw. Closing my eyes, I breathed in deeply. Slowly I recalled the psychic energy from my mind, loosening and then dropping the protections I had. A pressure replaced it. It was gentler than I expected, slipping along my synapses rather than digging into memories.

Then it was gone.

I opened my eyes, letting the well-trained barriers snap back into place.

"He says you can be trusted," the man said.

Despite knowing the answer, I breathed a sigh of relief. Looking up at the man, I ask, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

The man blinks. "Why?"

"I don't want to fight in a war," I answered. "I don't want anyone to fight in a war. I want there to be peace. I don't want people to worry about eating, or where they're sleeping, or if they can afford to live. And the unions seem to be the only people in Johto who want that too."

"Well said, little one," the man agrees. "In truth, there is much you can do to help. How would you feel about being my apprentice?"

"I would love to!" I hastily replied, before blushing. "Er, what is it exactly that you do?"

"Oh, a bit of this and a bit of that," the man said airily. "Most importantly, I ensure the people and pokemon of our members are healed and trained well."

"So, like a doctor?"

The man laughed. "I think our actual doctors would object to that quite strongly. Never went to medical school myself, though I do help organize them. Do you know what logistics are?"

I nodded.

"That is much of my work. I organize the doctors, and the trainers."

"Oh!" I exclaimed. "You're an underground Gym Leader!"

"I–I suppose you could look at it that way," the man frowned. "Now, we've waited long enough. Your first task, apprentice, is to finish butchering that Stantler."
I look at the still-bleeding pokemon on the ground, and blush. I had completely forgotten about it. Then I noticed a large portion of the meat is missing. I looked to Teddiursa's red-painted mouth and sighed.

"Once you're done with that, help me search for silk. With the latest Executive Orders we'll need all we can find."

 

[TheGeneral03]

I bet she dont know what she accepted to. TFTC

 

[sabbync]

For most seven year olds, a triage room would be traumatizing. Truth be told, it was for me as well. I just had enough experience to know that stillness was death and kept moving. Handing out back-room medicine made from scavenged berries, applying homespun bandages of caterpie silk, cleaning wounds with nothing more than soap and water. At least we had plenty of soap.

At seven, I was only being given the simple cases. Cuts, bruises, and concussions—all on human patients. The injured pokemon were being treated by adults, especially if their trainer wasn't around to keep them calm. I'd wanted to help them too at first, but after a near-mauling from an upset Flaaffy, I decided it was best to wait until I had muscles or aura enough to back me up.

"They're getting worse," a man told me as I cleaned the Growlithe bite from his arm. "Saw them using Moves this time."

I withheld a gasp. Moves weren't something you used freely. They were dangerous. Lethal. The bite marks in this case were enough to need stitches. If it had been a Bite move, the wound would need to be cleansed of Dark type energy—if the injury didn't necessitate amputation.

"Which ones?" I asked, putting away the washcloth and taking out the sewing kit.

"Just Tackle and Bite for now," the man sighed. "I think the news from Kanto is scaring people."

"Good," I growled. "People like that should be scared."

"You've got the spirit," the man smiled, then grimaced as I pulled the stitches tight. I could see his nerves though. I couldn't blame him. People, especially people with power, did stupid things when they were nervous. And the Central Johto Authority had plenty of reasons to be nervous.

It could be difficult to tell with all the censorship, but consistent rumors and the word of smugglers pointed towards a new peace movement in Kanto. That was nothing new. Peace movements were frequent. What was new was the movement's power. Fusicia and Cerulean were now ruled by the Indigo Alliance, along with Lavender Town. According to rumors, the top three members of the Alliance had defeated an entire division of Kanto's army sent to retake Cerulean.

Most importantly, the Indigo Alliance was not limited to Kanto. Their vision was to create peace by joining Kanto and Johto not by conquest but by alliance. Allied protests in Cherrygrove and Eutreak cities had been violently put down.



". . . use aura to create the feeling of claws. That's why, despite not having claws, a Slaking can still use Slash."

"Would it be possible for them to create actual claws?" I asked. "Or another weapon? If they can create claws from aura, why not a sword?"

"Because they do not know the sword, but they can remember their claws," Antonio de Leon told me. Once a strange threatening man in the woods, and now my mentor. "Claws were once a part of them. It takes more effort to use the move than it would have as a Slakoth or a Vigoroth, but it remains possible."

"So—"

SLAM

Both of us grabbed pokeballs. Antonio managed to release his in the split second it took to recognize Mark, summoning Archimedes.

"Turn on the radio!" Mark shouted.

"What?"

"It's—" but I was already flicking on the device.

"—live from Blackthorn City," a light voice said, relief and hope palpable in her voice. "For those tuning in, Mace Blackthorn has joined the Indigo Alliance." We sat frozen. Not even a breath. "The circumstances remain unknown. Earlier today Blackthorn fighters were seen flying towards the front lines, where they were joined by Indigo Alliance leader Samuel Oak."

Oak? I wondered. The Pokemon professor?

"—seems the Kanto army has retreated," the alto of the male host said as I refocused.
"That's right Jeff, though the circumstances around that are unclear as well. What we know, is that President Kishi is not going to be pleased."

"I imagine not—"

Antonio stood, his smile wide. "Mark," he said. "Tell Sanzo it's time. We need to move swiftly."

"Today?"

"No. Swiftly, but not hastily. We cannot rush this. Jessica," he said turning to me. "I will need you in the forests. Take as many as you need, we must have berries and silk. As much as you can gather."

I nodded, my face glowing. To be allowed command of anything, even a simple gathering mission . . . I thought Antonio liked me. Now I knew he trusted me.



"So, they move at last."

"We knew it would come."

"Indeed." A sigh. "Prepare Operation Thunderbolt."

"To us."

"To us."

Two whiskey-filled glasses clinked in the smoke-filled room.

 

[TheGeneral03]

TFTC.

 

[sabbync]

To start off, I've had a lot of fun writing this story so far. However, I'm running out of inspiration for it. Currently, I work on whatever story compels me the most--be wholly new or revisiting an old work. However, I am weighing whether or not to create a monthly volunteer subscription account (you know the one) where people can vote on a story that will get at least one new chapter that month--minimum would be $1 to vote, $5 to see some of my back catalogue of unposted works. I'm posting this to try and gauge interest, so let me know what you think! A like on this post will signal potential interest.

 

[sabbync]

Teddiursa rolled upon the blue grass, laughing at the banjo-playing Charizard. I opened my mouth—

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Hm?" I grunted as I rolled over. Sitting up, I rubbed at my eyes. "Adam?"

The door opened with a slight squeak. My brother sighed, sitting down upon my bed. His shoulders flopped, his eyes sought the floor.

"What is it?"

"News," Adam said. "From Blackthorn City."

"Jeanne," I gasped. "Jonnie—"

"Jeanne's alive," Adam quickly said.

"Jonnie?"

"Missing," Adam sighed. "Truthfully I think he might have joined the Peace Brigades."

"I thought he was a patriot?" I couldn't help but ask, even as hope rang through my heart.

"He is," Adam said. "For Blackthorn. Jeanne's the one who cares for Johto, and look where it got her."

"Where?"

"She's a captive of the Blackthorns." Adam shook his head. "I wish this war would just end. Has it not taken enough from us?"

"Adam—"

"A fool's hope, I know," Adam said.

"That's—"

"I have to get to work." He stood suddenly. "Take care. Remember to train. Training is important, especially now."



"Right," I smiled at the people following me. "Antonio said we have enough silks, so we should be focusing on berries today. Does everyone know which ones we're looking for?"

"Cheri, Pecha, Rawst, Aspear, Oran, Lum, Sitrus, and Leppa!" Madeline answered cheerfully. I couldn't help but smile at the girl twice my age.

"Exactly! Stick to teams of two, and always have your pokemon out. It's better to be slow about–" My voice cut off, blinding light surging past us. Then

BOOM!

All of us turned sharply, just in time to watch another giant lightning bolt flash through the sky. Stormclouds, nowhere to be seen just minutes ago, swirled overhead.

"They've found out," Hitoshi said.

"We need to move quickly," Sugako said. "We're prepared, but this is early. We need to act now if we're to have any chance."

"How can we get back into the city?"

"The sewers," I answered with a grimace.

"Through the Muks?"

"Do you know another way?"

"I know a guard at the Northeastern gate," Sugako said, quickly cutting in. She smiled. "He's a cousin, he'll let us in."

"Is he on shift?"

She checked her watch. "Yes."

"Then let's hurry."



There was no need to worry about the guards, as it turned out. All of them had either fled or been called towards the action. Lightning flared and flashed, explosions sent for bursts of flame and haunting echoes.

"Get Jessica to medical!" Sugako ordered.

"I—" I began to protest.

"Yes ma'am!" Madeline answered, and swiftly dragged me off. "You're strong for your age," Madeline said as she pulled me towards the usual hospital. Little more than a warehouse they'd taken over long before I joined. "I'd rather not watch a kid in battle though."

"And if they attack here?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Then I'll have died." Madeline halted by the door. "Promise me you'll try to stay safe."

"I promise."

"Good." Madeline sighed. "I need to get going. Good luck."

"You too!" I shouted at her retreating form.



The first victim entered the warehouse only minutes after I arrived, the scent of charred flesh heralding their arrival. I was not assigned to his case. Nor to the next few who entered, an unconscious woman and three badly injured pokemon. But at the rate of injuries, it was only a matter of time until I was the only person available. I put potion-soaked bandages onto bleeding wounds, fed potions and condition antidotes to unconscious patients, stitched up wide gashes. I tended to the unconscious pokemon, tricking their bodies into drinking the potions and concoctions needed to heal their paralyzed, burned, and frozen bodies.

I confess I can recall little of that day. It was a blur. The deafening sound of Moves in the background, the unending flow of patients, the constant laying-out of more and more cots until the warehouse was fully occupied, then setting up yet more cots outside. We ran low on potions, then we ran out. I left with twoscore volunteers. I don't think any of them were part of the unions before, but they volunteered when we needed them most.
For that, and the berry-trees they stripped bare, they shall ever have my undying gratitude.

I was not sure when it ended. The sun rose, and I continued treating patients. I was sent to bed by one of the senior doctors, and awoke hours later to continue treating patients. The sun set again, and still I treated the wounded.

Yet as the sun rose once more, the flow of patients began to cease. Newcomers turned from a flood to a river, and then to a trickle before stopping altogether. It wasn't until after noon that I was informed we had won.

 

[sabbync]

Sanzo Nosaka was a patient man. His plans were measured in years and decades. He had stayed in a hidden cellar for five days with nothing but a pokeball and some berries, keeping still as could be while the police searched for him.

Yet there was a man who tested even his legendary patience. A man who made Nosaka wish to throw chairs into walls. A man named

"Surge, Jeremy. Lieutenant. 1073289601."

"Anything important to contribute?"

"Your cooks are terrible. I've had better eggs made on Hoenn sidewalks."

Nosaka took in a deep breath. "I have given you evidence—a"

"Evidence shmevidence. I ain't believing it without a psychic, and you're not letting any of mine near that brain of yours."

"Is a desire for peace not enough?"

Surge shrugged. "I swore an oath."

"An oath to protect Kanto and her people. Surely the communications intercepted—"

"I want a psychic."

"Fine."

Surge blinked. "What?"

"I'll get your psychic. They'll confirm what I'm saying is the truth. Then you join me on broadcast to condemn the war."

Surge laughed. "You want me that bad, huh?"

"You are the most decorated junior officer currently serving. Your word will go far in confirming my own. Perhaps it will give those who call themselves patriots reason enough to examine if their violence truly serves their people, or if it only benefits the capitalist class."

"Of course you're one of those types," Surge grumbled.

"A communist?"

"An ideologue. Now get out of here. I'm not saying a word til you have that damned psychic."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *​

Adam Green was panicking. When the curfew notice came, he'd done as any sensible person would: he hid in his house. Only, his sister wasn't there. She didn't come back after the curfew.

Maybe she's hiding in the woods, he thought. But as days crept by and fire and lightning shattered the skies, then slowly settled, Adam grew only more nervous.

That's enough, Adam decided. He'd listened to Euclid's advice for too long. He needed to go out there, to find Jessica–

There was a knock at the door. Adam straightened his sleep-crinkled shirt and patted down his patchy stubble.

Who is it? he asked Euclid.

Kin, Euclid answered, and Adam sped towards the door faster than a rattata with Quick Attack. He fumbled at the lock, then yanked open the door.

She was there. Tired, sunken cheeks and careworn eyes, but she was there. She was alive.

Without words Adam swept her into his arms, pulling her close as he could physically manage. "I'm so glad–I was so worried," he sputtered, trying to figure out his thoughts.

"I'm glad you're okay," Jessica said softly. She pretended to be tough, but Adam could feel her tears sinking into his shirt.

Gently, Adam led her into the house. It was only as they sat down at the table that Adam realized something;

"Where were you?"

"I–" Jessica hesitated.

"Tell me," Adam said, his voice firm. "I can help–"

"I don't need help!" Jessica protested. "It's fine!"

"What is fine?"

"Promise not to freak out?"

"Of course," Adam lied.

Jessica sighed. "I was healing people. For the unions."

"The unions?" Adam asked incredulously. "Is that where you've been going? All this time, you said you were training–"

"I was!" Jessica protested. "But I met this man, he was gathering silks for bandages and I wanted to help him! I like the unions! They want peace! Aren't you tired of war?"

"Yes, of course–that's not the point!" Adam said, his voice growing louder. "You were in danger and I had no idea!"

"I wasn't!"

"So if they police had raided the unions, you would have been fine?"

"I–"

"No!" Adam shouted. "You wouldn't have been! I would have found out only after it was too late! I–" He took a deep breath. "I need to be informed. I need to know what you're doing. You're mature, but you're still a child."

"I'm not sorry for helping them," Jessica said firmly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you though."

"Thank you," Adam sighed. "You're grounded for a month."

"A month?" Jessica's protest wilted under his glare. "Can I start later? I want to help with the clean-up, and there's still a lot of injured people."

Adam grimaced. He wanted to refuse. He really did. But . . .

"Fine. But I want to meet the people who will be in charge of you." Jessica nodded, and Adam let out a sigh of relief. "Now, is there anything else?"

"Er, we won?" Jessica said.

"I gathered that by the fact that you're here, and not fleeing the city," Adam said dryly.

"Oh." Jessica blushed. "Yeah. Um, there's going to be a speech on the radio in—" she checked the clock on the oven "–six minutes?"

"I'll grab it," Adam said. "Might as well learn what these leaders of yours are about."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *​

Samuel Oak did not like to think of himself as a warrior. Yet in these days, it was unavoidable. His academic career, his experience as an ACE trainer, his passion and love for the myriad pokemon of this world, his love of his family and hopes of his childrens' futures–all paled before the politics and bloodshed that dominated his life.

"Samuel."

Samuel grimaced at the voice. Even after more than a decade working together, Agatha always found ways to get on his nerves.

"Sam."

Not, Samuel thought, that Blaine is any better.

"Why are we here?" the last and newest member of their group demanded. Mace Blackthorn sat with regal pose, nevermind that the chair was a simple thing made of wicker and scrap-wood.

"Agatha?" Samuel asked the one to call the meeting.

Agatha, as befitting her status as the most useful and irritating member of their group, cackled. "You'll see!" she laughed. "Or hear, perhaps! Turn on the radio!"

Blaine rolled his eyes, but followed her instruction nonetheless.

"Which channel?" he asked as military music played.

"Any!"

"How does that–" Blaine stopped as static flowed through the radio. It grew louder and louder before coming to an abrupt stop.

"We interrupt your evening for an emergency broadcast," a voice declared. It was a new voice. For all it imitated the traditional broadcasters, there was no mistaking the hint of humor in their voice. "Coming to you live all across the world, it's Goldenrod City's new leader, Comrade Chairman Sanzo Nosaka!"

"Good evening," a somber voice declared. "I am Sanzo Nosaka, Chairman of the Johton Communist Party and Interim President of Johto. As of yesterday, the Government of Johto is under arrest for treason and crimes of social murder. While some escaped, both General Hideki and President Kishi are in captivity.

"For years the leadership of Johto has exploited the working people for their own benefit. They have stolen our grain, our steel, our own children in order to wage this pointless war. For years we have known this, yet only three days ago did they grow so bold as to declare it openly. For more on this, I refer you to Lieutenant Jeremy Surge, Order of the Bulbasaur, of the Kanto Special Forces."

"Surge?" Blaine asked incredulously.

"You know him?"

"Yes, he's–"

"Right. Let's get this over with," the gruff voice cut in.

"–he's like that."

"Four days ago I got a briefing. We were to attack a few locations in Goldenrod City. Teleportation blocks were taken care of. Simple in-and-out. No questions. We went to do it. We lost.

"While I was in my cell, thinking up better insults for the guards, I was given documents. Documents verified to me by my own team's Alakazam. We weren't attacking military bases. We weren't attacking military leaders. We were attacking peace demonstrators. And the information was given to us by Johto's own government!" Surge shouted, his voice blaring through the radio. "Our government acted to help Johto's! I don't know about you, but I remember being told Johto was our enemy. I remember being told that the rations were bad because war was necessary. Yet our OWN GOVERNMENT decided to help out Johto's president! Why? For a longer war, for more power! I fought this war because I believe in Kanto. Because I love Kanto. But you know what? Kanto deserves leaders who love her back, and that sure as shit ain't the case right now! F—"

Static shifted as the radio cut out.

"Apologies for the technical difficulties," the first announcer said. "We will return with the rest of Comrade Sanzo's speech as soon as we are able. For now, enjoy this musical interlude.

"When the Union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun
Yet what force on Earth is weaker than the feeble force of one,
But the Union makes us strong

Solidarity Forever!
Solidarity Forever!
Solidarity Forever!
For the Union makes us strong

Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite?
Who would lash us into serfdom and would bleed us for his fight
Is there anything left to us but to organize our might
For the Union makes us strong

Solidarity Forever!
Solidarity Forever!
Solidarity Forever!
For the Union makes us strong

It was we who plowed the fields; built the cities where they trade
Dug the mines and built the workshops, endless miles of safe routes laid
Now we stand outcast and starving 'midst the wonders we have made
But the Union makes us strong

Solidarity Forever!
Solidarity Forever!
Solidarity Forever!
For the Union makes us strong

They have taken untold billions that they never toiled to earn
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel would turn
We will break their haughty power, gain our freedom as they learn
That the Union made us strong

Solidarity Forever!
Solidarity Forever!
Solidarity Forever!
For the Union makes us strong

In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,
Greater than the might of armies magnified a thousand-fold
We can bring forth a new world from the ashes of the old
For the Union makes us strong."

 

[TheGeneral03]

TFTC, love to see this ficc continue. Not many ficcs about the pre canon war

 

[aedrik_doubletree]

Well, that's F'd up enough to be realistic.

 

[sabbync]

There are decades where weeks happen, and weeks where decades happen. I think it was Lenin that said it, but I'm not sure there's a Lenin in this world. Either way, I was certainly living in the latter.

Unsurprisingly, I was not involved in the politics. I was certain that negotiations were happening–not the least because I'd seen Samuel Oak arriving at Goldenrod on his Dragonite–but I didn't know what people were asking for. I could only hope they'd be reasonable.

Not every city or region in Johto was willing to accept a communist government. The Blackthorns certainly weren't, and Mahogany Town had decided to join the Indigo Alliance on their own terms rather than joining us. Eutreak was still loudly proclaiming their loyalty to the deposed regime. Only Olivine had formally joined us.

While my knowledge of the negotiation's details were lacking, I had hardly any time to ponder that which I did not know. The aftermath of a battle lasts far longer than the conflict itself, and the Goldenrod Revolution was no different. Entire buildings had been turned to rubble. Thousands were killed, and thousands more disabled by their new wounds. Tens of thousands had been injured in some capacity, and everyone needed medicine.

A task that, despite my age, I was put in charge of. I'd roamed every bit of forest within a few miles of Goldenrod. I knew where the beedrill hives were, and where the berry bushes were. I knew which ones to avoid because they were claimed by a flock of Pidgeot, and which ones could be taken freely because they fell within the territory of a recently deceased alakazam (I had nothing to do with his death, but I'd certainly helped myself to his Silver Spoons. Euclid had promptly claimed them for himself, declaring that they were what he needed to eventually evolve).

Fortunately, I was not solely drowned in the logistics of the operations. Along with some old-timers and farmer-gatherers who came out of the woodwork in the days following the revolution, I was one of the few people who knew what to look out for when gathering berries, silks, and herbs in the deeper woods. Too many of the same species meant a new colony was forming. An freshly emptied cocoon might seem like a great find for a novice silk-gatherer, but anyone with experience knew there was likely a newly-evolved beedrill nearby. The young ones were always the angriest.
(Don't ask how I know that. I promised Teddiursa I would never mention the Honeyface Incident)

While I wasn't confined to the office, my job was far from the best. That title squarely belonged to the Meowth Squadron. Using a meowth's ability to detect gold and other valuables, the Meowth Squadron searched the mansions of capitalists, government officials, and military leaders for hidden wealth. I wasn't technically supposed to know about it, but Antonio was too proud of the idea not to brag about it.



I frowned at the maps. One by one the berry-bushes were crossed off. Some were picked clean. Some were absorbed by the new growlithe pack that was swiftly taking over the long-dead Alakazam's territory.

"Jessica?"

At least it's not an onix, I told myself. Or worse, a Tyranitar. "Yes? Oh! Sorry, I didn't—"

"You were busy and I came to you," Antonio said. "There is no need to apologize."

"Ah." I nodded. "Just as well. Do you think we can expand the gathering radius? We're out of berry-bushes."

Antonio's eyes narrowed. "Close to out or out?"

I pushed over the maps. "Out. I talked to Ed with the farmers. Even if they can get enough grass-types for rapid growth on the new berry orchards, there's not enough fertilizer to sustain it."

"Da—darn," Antonio swore before catching himself. "I'll see what I can do. Up the coast towards Olivine is safe. I'm not sure about approaching Eutreak or Violet right now, and any mass-gathering from Ilex Forest is likely to use as many potions as it gathers."
I grimaced at that, but nodded. While the major routes had been kept clear during the war, those closer to the wilds had been all but abandoned. Trying to cross Ilex Forest was dangerous enough. Going in to take some berries was just asking for an angry Beedrill hive or Butterfree swarm.

"That's not what I came here to talk about thought," Antonio said.

"It's not?" I frowned. "Did Adam–"

"No," Antonio said quickly. "Nothing like that. You know that Leader Walter was arrested?"

"Yes," I said, dry as a seven year-old can manage. "I think everyone knows that, after he was dragged through the streets."

"Yes, well, I have been named Gym Leader in his place."

"Congratulation!" I exclaimed, jumping up from my chair. I ran straight to him, giving him as big a hug as I could manage. "I told you you were an underground Gym Leader."
To my amusement, Antonio blushed. "I–yes, well–anyway! I want you to be my first Gym Trainer."

"Really?" I was stunned. Shocked. Befuddled. Gym Trainers might be pushovers in the games, but here it was a job with serious responsibilities. Gym Trainers were expected to help in the defense of the city. They were expected to help run and maintain the Gym's stable of pokemon. They were, generally, people who had already gone on a journey and did well. To be the first one . . .

"What better role for my apprentice?" Antonio asked.

I didn't cry. I didn't. Antonio (may Mew bless him) is a filthy liar.

 

[TheGeneral03]

TFTC. Nice chap.