Marble Palace - Fanfics - The Journey Begins

The Council's Choice

Chapter I

"A Pokémon trainer may run into many hardships, but as long as he trusts his Pokémon and his Pokémon trust him, he will prevail."

- Sayings of the Elite Trainer

Where was I? What was going on? I had a lot of knowledge about Pokémon, but no memories. And then, a voice spoke in my mind.

Atma...

"Who are you?" I thought back.

"And what happened to me?"

Atma... I am Moltres, the Legendary Bird of Fire.

"Moltres!? Wow, can you tell me what's going on?"

"Sorry, Atma, but the Pokémon Council has forbidden me from helping you recover your memories until your quest is complete."

I let out a mental growl. "Quest?"

"Along with a human, you have been chosen as a candidate to receive the Pokémon Council's power. But only one of you two can receive our powers in full. You must prove yourself worthy by hunting down and capturing myself and my brothers, Articuno and Zapdos. And then, you must win the Indigo League championships. Only then will you receive the Council's full power."

"Pokémon don't normally train other Pokémon, do they?

"No, but you did in the past, and there have been some noteworthy exceptions. Not many humans know this, but the Elite Trainer, a revered trainer of ancient times, was a Pokémon himself."

"Interesting... so where do I start?"

"To the southeast is Pallet Town, where a man there named Professor Oak can get you started on your quest. And now, Atma, it is time to wake up."

And I woke up.

I looked around. I was lying in a forest, and off to the side I saw a cliff, complete with piles of rocks from landslides that, for all I knew, could've happened centuries ago. I stood up, stretching muscles that were surprisingly stiff. Moltres had instructed me to head southeast, but that meant nothing if I had no clue which way that was. So, despite the protest of my aching wings, I flew up into the sky and circled a couple of times, looking around until I spotted a town. I flew back down to the gap between the forest edge and the cliff, and started walking towards the town.

Pallet was home to Professor Oak's Pokémon laboratory and a number of trainers, so the sight of a Charizard strolling into town was pretty much ignored. Moltres, however, hadn't told me just where in town the good professor lived, so when I spotted a woman gardening, I asked her for directions.

"Hi, can you tell me where Professor Oak's laboratory is?"

"Oh wow, a Charizard that speaks English! I'm sure Professor Oak would love to meet you. Then again, so would my son Ash. I wonder if he's managed to tame his Charizard yet..."

"Ahh, so your son's a trainer... maybe I'll meet him one day."

"He's out to the west in Johto, but you never know! Anyway, let me introduce you to Professor Oak. He's a friend of mine, so you're lucky you ran into me." She got up from her garden, walked over to her house, and stuck her head inside. "Mimey, I'm going over to Professor Oak's. Remember to sweep the house while I'm gone!"

"Mr. Mime, mime mime!"

"Well, let's go!" She led me to a large home on the edge of town and knocked on the door. An elderly man answered.

"Hi, Delia. Oh, and a Charizard! Have you decided to become a Pokémon trainer?" He laughed.
She laughed too. "No, he wandered into Pallet and asked -- in english -- for directions to your place! Can you believe he speaks English?"

"Actually, I can. He's not the first English-speaking Pokémon to show up today."

"Oh?" I asked.

"Not half an hour ago, a Nidoking showed up and said in English that a Charizard named Atma who also spoke english would stop by later. And here you are!"

"Wow. I came here to become a Pokémon trainer, but I think I'd like to meet this Nidoking first."

"Sure, he's out back with the Grass-type Pokémon. Let me take you to him."

Professor Oak led us through what could best be described as a sprawling outdoor ranch to a grassy meadow. Some of the grass Pokémon shrank back in fear, and a few others waved hello, but most ignored my presence. And then, we spotted an extremely tall Nidoking wearing a backpack. On average, Charizards were about a foot taller than Nidokings, and I was big for a Charizard. Yet, this Nidoking was even taller than me. We approached him, and Professor Oak spoke.

"Khazhelikh," he said, "Atma's here."

Khazhelikh turned around. "About time you arrived, Atma. It's been so long since I last saw you."

"You... know me?"

"Better than you'd think. I wish I could tell you more, but I can't." I thought back to when Moltres woke me up: 'Sorry, Atma, but the Pokémon Council has forbidden me from helping you recover your memories until your quest is complete.' Apparently they had forbid Khazhelikh from filling me in as well.

"So, Atma, how are you feeling?"

"When I woke up, my muscles were a bit stiff, but they're working fine now."

"Good, because I have to test you." He reached into his backpack and, to the surprise of the humans watching, pulled out a Pokéball and threw it. "Pidgeotto, I choose you! Atma, this match should be no problem for you. Pidgeotto, sand attack!"

A cloud of sand was blown up as Pidgeotto rapidly flapped his wings, and I replied with a Whirlwind of my own, combining into a miniature sandstorm. My wings were bigger and stronger, and within moments, the sand had been blown directly into Pidgeotto's face. As he tried to rub the sand out of his eyes with his wings, I grinned and released a Flamethrower. A thin stream of smoke rose up as the blackened Pidgeotto collapsed.

"Well done, Atma. Pidgeotto, return!" He recalled the fallen Flying-type Pokémon. "Oak, let's get my friend prepared for his journey."

"Right," the Professor said. He led us back to the lab and handed me a pile of items. "Here's your pokedex, a pokebelt and Pokéballs, a map of Kanto, and a backpack containing food and supplies. Unfortunately, right now I'm out of starter Pokémon, so I can't give you one. I know you're evolved from Charmander, one of the Pokémon normally given out as starters, but-"
"Don't worry, Professor," Khazhelikh said, "That's my department." The Nidoking reached took a Pokéball from his backpack, releasing a lovely Lapras.

"Oh," Mrs. Ketchum said, "what a pretty Pokémon!" Lapras looked at me, blinked, then squealed in delight and licked my neck. I laughed, as her tongue tickled.

"Wow," Professor Oak said, "a Lapras! You don't see many of those."

"Atma," the Nidoking told me, "long ago, before you lost your memory you were a Pokémon trainer as well. This Lapras was one of your favorite Pokémon, and now I'm returning her to you." He handed me her Pokéball.

"Th-thanks," I said, nearly overcome by emotion. How long had this Lapras been patiently waiting to be returned to me? Months? Years? Or even longer? I'd find out, but not until after I competed in the Indigo League. I recalled Lapras and faces the others. "Khazhelikh, Professor Oak, Delia, thank you all for your help. I'd like to stay longer, but I have to begin my journey."
"Atma, don't worry, we'll meet again!" Khazhelikh replied.

"Catch some rare Pokémon for me to study!" Oak said.

"And be sure to stay out of trouble and visit us again sometime!" Delia finished.

"Don't worry, I'll repay you all for your kindness. So long!" And I left to begin my journey.

Pokédex:

Charizard: Pokemon #006, the Flame pokemon. A Charizard's flame is hot enough to boil off all the water from an olympic-sized swimming pool in minutes.

Pidgeotto: Pokemon #017, the Bird pokemon. Pidgeotto are fierce and territorial, but make loyal pokemon when trained.

Nidoking: Pokemon #034, the Drill pokemon. They are able to inject one of over a dozen poisons through their horn.

Lapras: Pokemon #131, the Transport pokemon. Although Laprases pack a powerful Ice beam, usually they are peaceful and friendly.

Moltres: Pokemon #146, the Legendary Bird of Fire. He is said to be able to make fireballs fall from the sky as thick as rain.

Atma: Atma is a Charizard who has been nominated to receive the Pokemon Council's power. Unlike most pokemon, he can speak English. At 6'1", he is about six inches taller than the average Charizard. Atma is a pokemon trainer.

Khazhelikh ("KCHA-zheh-leek"): Khazhelikh is a short-tempered Nidoking who is a member of the Pokemon Council. Like the rest of the council, he can speak English. At 6'3" Khazhelikh is nearly two feet taller than the average Nidoking. Khazhelikh is also a Pokemon trainer.

The Elite Trainer: An ancient trainer of immense skill. There are those who believe he was the best trainer of all time. The name "Elite 4" dates back to this trainer's title.

Professor Oak: Professor Oak is a famous pokemon expert who studies all sorts of pokemon in Pallet Town. There are people who believe he knows more about pokemon than any other living human.

Delia Ketchum: Delia is a kind woman who lives in Pallet Town. Her son, Ash, made it to the final sixteen in the latest Indigo League Championship. She has a Mr. Mime who works for her like a maid.

Pokémon Council: A group of nine pokemon led by Mewtwo that serves as a government for all pokemon in Kanto. All nine are given the ability to speak english and minor psychic powers. Traditionally, eight of the Council members are wild pokemon, and the ninth (currently a Chansey belonging to one of the many Nurse Joys) is human-trained. Humans are forbidden to know about the Council.

Pallet Town: Pallet Town is a small town in southwestern Kanto. The town's main claim to fame is Professor Oak, although it also boasts two trainers who competed in the Indigo League Championships last year, Ash Ketchum and the professor's grandson, Gary Oak.

Kanto: Kanto is the country home to the Indigo League, generally considered to be the most prestigious competition in the world. Kanto's biggest cities are the twin cities of Celadon City and Saffron City, which together form a sprawling metropolis of millions of people and pokemon.

Johto: Johto is the large country west of Kanto. Less people live in Johto than Kanto, but there are more Pokemon there. Johto's biggest city is Goldenrod City, with over a million residents.