POKEMON PLATINUM
Pokemon is owned be Nintendo and Game Freak. Used without permission.
Prlogue-Games of Fate
The match was now into the eleventh round, both competitors down
to their last pokemon, neither willing to step down. Young Ash Ketchum
held the his last pokeball in his hand, muttering a short prayer to the
powers that be. This was it, do or die.
His adversary on the other hand, was as confidant as ever. Non
chalantly unclipping the final pokeball from his belt, he looked up and
smirked, certain of victory.
"I must say I'm impressed Ash. Didn't think you could last this
long. But, unlike you, I saved my best for last. Golem! Go!"
The pokeball flew out of his hand, and unleashed it's stony
occupant.
All Ash could do was smirk back.
"Sorry Gary, you lose. Venusaur! I choose you!"
The plant like pokemon exited it's pokeball, and stared down it's
opponent.
Wanting a quick victory, Ash decided to use his trump card. And
he had only one chance.
"Venusaur! SOLARBEAM ATTACK!"
With that, the flower on the back of the large pokemon took in
sunlight, and unleashed it's energy beam toward the dumbstruck Golem and
it's trainer.
* * *
The sun rose over the horizon and introduced the small town of
Pallet to the new day. The light poured into Ash Ketchum's window, and
aroused him from his peaceful slimber.
"Ugh, morning already?"
Gathering himself out of bed, Ash picked up some clothes off the
floor and put them on. Then, he walked over to his closet, and opened the
door to reveal the pokemon sleeping on a pile of clothing.
"Hey buddy," says Ash, as he gently prods the sleeping pokemon,
"Rise and shine."
The pokemon slowly rises, blinking at the bright sun.
"Raiii-chu?" asks the dog-sized electric mouse in pokemon tongue.
"C'mon, we're going for a walk" Ash gives a warm smile to his
oldest friend.
"Rai-chu"
Getting off his improvised bed, Raichu reluctantly follows his
master out of the room.
As Ash walked down the stairs, he could smell the aroma of cooking
food and the sounds of early morning television, attesting to the fact
that Mrs. Ketchum was already awake.
"Whatcha watching mom?" asked Ash as he grabs a seat and started to
eat his breakfast.
Noticing the arrival of her son in the room, Mrs. Ketchum diverted
her attention from the TV.
"Oh, just the Jesse & James show." And sure enough, Jesse and
James were on the television, busy hassling a movie celebrity. Ash
couldn't help but smile as he saw how well his old enemies had reformed
after all those years. Mrs. Ketchum had noticed Raichu had entered as
well, and fetched him a plate of ketchup, which he happily started to eat.
"How are you today cutie?"she said as she scratched the pokemon
behind it's ear.
"Raii.."
Ash looks at his mom and pokemon, and his smile grows.
"So is Dale up yet mom?" asks Ash as he finishes his breakfast.
"Not yet dear."
"Okay, then me an Raichu are going for a walk. See you in a bit."
With that, Ash stodd up, signaled Raichu, and walked out the door.
* * *
Pallet Town, home to roughly 500 folks. It boasted glorious
scenery, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. As Ash walked
down the dirt road with his pokemon companion, he realized exactly how
much he missed Pallet. Ten years on the road had really tired him out,
and only a month ago, Ash had informed of his leave as Pokemon League
champion. It wasn't that he was tired of pokemon. Indeed, the Ketchum
competitiveness was still flowing through his veins. No, it was the life
style that was lost on him. Ash had to admit that the first few years of
being the champion were enjoyable, but clearly it had been time to move
on. He was close to 20 years old, and still had plenty of time to
continue his career as a Pokemon Trainer. No regrets. But, the real
reason that Ash had stepped down was so he could seriously consider
Professor Brock's proposal of attending the prestigious University of
Viridian for the fall courses, and he couldn't do that with some hot-shot
kid challenging him every off day. No, he had to have complete peace and
silence, to ponder on what could be the biggest choice of his young life.
*And maybe I would see Misty again*
Ash sighed. It seemed like centuries since the last time Ash had
seen Misty, who had decided to go back to Cereulean when Ash finally
reached the top (and had bought her a new bike). Just when he finally
started to realize that...
"ASH! ASH KETCHUM!"
Snapping back to reality, Ash glanced over his shoulder to see a
young boy chasing after him as fast as his short legs could carry him.
Ash decided to stop and wait for his pursuer. The boy finally caught up,
and stooped on his knees to catch his breath. He was around 10 years old,
wearing a t-shirt and jeans, and a familiar worn out red cap. Nothing
less than you would expect from the younger sibling of Ash.
Seemingly out of breath, but not blood-sugar, young Dale Ketchum
snapped back straight.
"So big bro, where are you of to so early in the morning?"
"None of your business you munchkin."
"Aww, comeon! You never take me any where cool. I'm almost ten!
I'm strong. You went on your adventure when you were my age, so why can't
you tell me?!"
Ash frowned at his younger brother. He had to admit that Dale was
almost a spitting image of him when he left home on his quest so many
years ago, and Dale's time was quickly approaching. Ash got down on one
knee so he could look his brother in the eye.
"Tell you what sport, you go home now, and when Raichu and I get
back, I'll spend some time with you. 'K?"
Hearing this, Dale pratically lit up. For as long as he could
remember, he thought his brother was the coolest guy ever. Not everyone
could boast that their brother was the Pokemon League champ. All his
friends were so jealous when he started to wear Ash's old league cap to
school. In short, he idolized his brother. So without a word, he ran
home, as not to let his brother change his decision.
And that left Ash blinking at a dust cloud shaped like his
brother.
Ash sat on the edge of the Pallet Town dock, his bare feet,
playing with the water. Across the small ocean, he could just view the
skyscrapers of Cinnibar Island. And he knew, that to the east of that was
the dark caves or Seafoam, and past that Fuschia City and the fabulous
Safari Zone. In fact, if he could turn his head 360 degress, he could
probably keep on naming the cities that lied in those directions. Every
city with a story, about matches won and lost, new friends made, old
friends lost. Ash looked at his pokemon companion, who had sensed Ash's
mood and had stayed quiet the entire morning.
"Those were good years, eh Raichu?"
The pokemon blinked. "Rai?"
"The years on the road, challenging every trainer we could find,
proving our mettle against the best of the best..."
"Rai-chu" nodded the pokemon.
"If you could do again, would you?" He turned to the pokemon, "I
mean, looking back, you and I did a lot of stupid things. I'm surprised
I came through in the end. Right now, I'm not sure if I would do it all
over again..-ZAP-
"RAI-CHU, CHU, RAI-CHU RAICHUU!" the pokemon said, trying to talk
some sense into his human friend.
Even though Ash couldn't really understand what the pokemon was
saying, he caught the underlying meaning. Through thick and thin, he and
Raichu had toughed it out to the end, always one step ahead of mortality.
It had come out all right in the end, so there was no point in dwelling on
the past. In spite of his doubts, Ash had to admit he bettered from it.
Which reminded him. Dale was almost ready to receive his trainer's
license. He would be going to see Gary Oak in a week or so to receive his
first pokemon, and set off to become the pokemon league champion, and
perhaps the greatest trainer ever. But could he do it alone? Ash had to
admit that he made it because of the company he had kept, but would Dale
meet friends that could help him? He debated the question a few times,
then Ash got off the dock and put on his shoes.
"Come on Raichu, I have to call Professor Brock and tell him what
I've decided."
With Raichu following him, Ash headed back home, smiling like he
hadn't done for days. His mind was set. Another adventure would start
soon.
TBC
Author's Note- Yes, I know this is short, but I still have to flesh out
the rest of the story
I don't want to over characterize or point the story in any given
direction. All I have done is set a simple guideline of the Platinum
universe. And to answer any questions, yes Ash wins in the first
paragraph (It's supposed to mimic the ending of the gameboy game), and the
rest of the story is set 10 years after. Ash is now PokeLeague Champion,
Gary has taken over for his grandfather(Oak's fate will be shown later),
Brock is an university professor, probably lecturing in Pokemon breeding,
Misty went back to Cereulean, and Pikachu has since evolved into the
lovable Raichu.Still have to decide on the ramifications of the last
sentence. Also, has nyone play Gold/Silver yet? If you have, can you
send me a list of cities with Gym trainers.
This is my first real try at a fanfic (Well, the first project to be
finished) so C&C is welcome and encouraged. PRE-READERS WANTED!!
d8-D Phil Kwok- Fan-Artist for hire-loan!
pot_roast@hotmail.com