FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon. Never have, never will.

Author's note: For the sake of this fanfic, we'll just say this takes place during present times since I don't really know any sort of date in the anime timeline. Also don't flame me. Lastly, I am not perfect. I may get one or two of the facts wrong; and if I do, don't make a point of leaving a bad review or PM to that effect. Rated M for language, alcohol/drug references, violence (wouldn't be Pokémon without it), blood and gore, and a possible lemon in the future.

" " = Normal Speech ' ' = Thoughts (Humans and Pokemon) [] = PokeSpeech (Translated or not) - = Scene Breaks

Chapter 0/Prologue: How it began...

-Saturday, July 19, 2008; 3:47 P.M.- -Nine Months Ago-

"Axel, use Leaf Blade!"

"Gallade, Psycho Cut!"

A heated battle raged on between two trainers. Today was the day of the U.S. Pokémon Championship Final Battle between the champ, Amy Garcia, and the challenger, Eric Lombardi. Two Pokémon launched their attacks, hitting each other simultaneously. "And it's a double hit! Amy's Gallade can't take much more! And it looks like Eric's Sceptile isn't in top form either!" the announcer exclaimed. "And with both trainers down to their last Pokemon, the next hit could very well decide the match!"

"Come on, Axel, hang in there!" Eric yelled to his pokemon. "Now, use Leaf Blade one last time!"

"Gallade, use Dark Pulse!" Amy called.

The Sceptile dashed forward with the leaves on its arms glowing green. While Amy's Gallade weakly put up a green arm, sending a beam of black rings at its opponent. "Axel!" cried Eric. "Jump it!"

And that's just what Axel did. The Forest Pokemon leapt over the Dark Pulse in the nick of time, shifted its weight to land squarely behind the Blade pokemon. The Gallade turned its head just in time to be met with a devastating blow. The green and white pokemon went flying into the arena wall with a crash, blowing up a cloud of dust and rubble.

"Ouch! That's gonna leave a mark!" the announcer declared. "Could this be it? Is the battle over?"

There was silence in the arena, everyone watching the dust cloud for what could be the end of the match. The powder settled to reveal Amy's Gallade, slumped over against the wall.

The referee held up a green flag in Eric's direction. "Gallade is unable to battle! Eric Lombardi wins!"

The crowd roared! "Unbelievable! The challenger comes in with only four pokemon and yet he survives all six of the champ's!" the announcer screamed. "This is one for the books, folks!"

Eric stood there on his platform, stunned at what he had just accomplished. "...We won? ... WE WOOOONN!" Eric yelled. "We did it, Axel! You were awesome!" The Forest pokemon glanced back at its trainer and thrust a green fist into the air. "Axel, return. Get a good, long rest." The victorious trainer said proudly. "You've definitely earned it."

He took the Sceptile's pokeball off his belt and pointed it at his pokemon. The grass type disappeared in a beam of red light that in turn disappeared into the red and white sphere.

Eric replaced the capsule on his belt and took in the environment around him; cameras flashing, people cheering, and an atmosphere of victory. He then glanced at the fallen Gallade. He was now in its trainer's arms she approached the triumphant challenger.

"That was a great battle. I can't remember the last time I had a battle that was so intense." The former champion praised.

Eric nodded and smiled. "Thanks! It's... Amy, right?"

"Yep, that's me! Now come on; you've got a title to receive!"

-About 30 Minutes Later...-

One news crew amongst the many was just now starting their broadcast of the crowning ceremony. "Welcome back to the U.S. Pokemon Championships! We're just now seeing the winner of the tournament taking the stage." The reporter declared to the cameras. "There he is, the man of the hour, Eric Lombardi! Only fifteen years old and he entered the tournament with only four pokemon. But, against all odds, he managed to survive the onslaught of top battlers until the title battle. And now, well... you folks know the rest."

A veritable army of photographers, reporters, and fans swarmed around the central stage where Eric and Amy stood. A woman approached the stage, surrounded by a group of what appeared to be bodyguards. She looked about thirty, with a somewhat slim build, red hair tied up in a ponytail, and a black business suit. When she got up on the stage, she approached the podium.

"Welcome! By now, most of you know what has happened here today. The underdog, Eric Lombardi, entered this tournament after just barely qualifying for one of the thirty-two spots to compete." Eric sweatdropped. 'Don't remind me. That last qualifying battle was hell. I'm not even sure how I managed to beat that annoying Infernape of his...' He thought. "From there, he fought his way up through the brackets, encountering many challenges. And yet he still was able to make it to the title match against our Champion, Amy Garcia. It was an absolutely stunning performance from the both of you. However, in the end, only one could win. Congratulations, Eric Lombardi! You are the new United States Pokemon Champion!"

The crowd roared as the former champ took a golden crown from a man standing nearby. It was very simple, a three inch wide band of gold, decorated with the U.S. Champion emblem; a pokeball with a blue stripe across the midsection. Amy placed it on Eric's head and stepped back.

"Eric, would you like to come up here and say a few words?" the lady asked. He nodded and walked up to the podium, being careful not to let the symbol of his victory slip from his brow.

"Thank you. Thank you all. ...Hehehehe... to be honest, I never thought I would actually get this far. I always figured that I would go down in the second round or something like that. But here I am! But, of course, I didn't do it alone. Let's face it; you can't win battles without a great team of pokemon. Axel, my Sceptile. Krystal, my Ninetails. Matthias, my Lucario. And Tara, my Eevee. They deserve a lot more credit than I do. They were the ones that got their paws dirty; I just told them what to do... Hell, they should be getting the crown, not me. Buuuut...Thank you! All of you!" The crowd applauded as Eric finished his speech.

-A Few Hours Later...-

Eric had left the arena and was now bound for the nearby airport. He fought to stay awake during the taxi ride; the day had been long and the night was still young, but he wanted to stay awake until he boarded the plane.

"So, you're Eric Lombardi, huh?" the cab driver queried.

"Uhh...yeah. Why?" the exhausted champion replied.

"I was just wondering why you're going to leave the city so soon after your win. I thought you would wait around to answer questions for the media or something like that."

"I don't want to deal with any of that bullshit. Not now."

"So, where you off to?"

"I'm going home."

-Several Hours Later...-

"Welcome to Chicago!" Eric was greeted by a teenage girl and a Glaceon as soon as he left the terminal.

"Uhhh..." She looked about 17, with tanned skin, green eyes, long black hair, and a white labcoat. "Who are you?" Eric asked.

"Oh, right. Hehehe...I'm Sakura and this is my Glaceon, Frost! I'm Professor Aldin's assistant. He sent me here to come and pick you up."

"You know Prof. Aldin?"

"Yeah!"

"...Then how come I don't recognize you?"

"I was hired just four days ago."

"Oh, ok. So if you're here to pick me up, then let's go grab my things and get going!"

"Yes sir! Come on, Frost!"

[Glaaacceon!]

-90 Minutes Later...-

Eric let out a relaxed sigh as he and Sakura pulled into the driveway of a large laboratory. 'It's good to be home. I wonder what Prof. Aldin is up to...' he thought. "Here we are, Eric! Home sweet home." Sakura said.

"It's only been a week, but it feels ages since I was here." Eric said to himself. "Professor! You there? It's me!" he then yelled.

...Nothing.

"Hello?"

"I'M COMING! I'M COMING!" a booming voice came from inside the lab. The door swung open to reveal a man. He was burly, with light skin, chestnut hair and a white lab coat.

"Ahhh! It's you, Eric! It's good to see you again!"the Pokemon Professor declared. "I saw your match on the T.V. You were amazing! Your parents would've been proud of you." " I know that. ...I miss 'em." He bowed his head in deep thought. And then it snapped right back up. "Oh, well... No sense in moping over things like that." "Hello, Professor."

"Welcome back, Sakura."

[Glaaa! Glaceon!]

"Hahahahaha! Hello to you, too, Frost!"

"Thanks! Hey, Eric! Why don't you let your pokemon out of their pokeballs. They're probably ready to get out." Sakura suggested.

"Good idea, Sakura."

The newly crowned champion took off his pokeball belt and chucked it into the air. "Come on out, everyone!"

The four red and white capsules opened, with streams of white light beaming from each. The light took a shape to reveal a Lucario, a Sceptile, an Eevee, and a Ninetails. They glanced around, taking in the change of scenery, though they were quite familiar with it.

"Go on ahead, guys. Go stretch your legs for a while." Eric declared, catching the belt and replacing it on his waist.

His pokemon didn't need to be told twice. They each ran off toward the open field where hordes of other pokemon where going about their business. Axel and Matthias ran out the door, getting caught inside it as they pushed to get out first. Tara ran between their legs, turning around and sticking out her tongue. However, Krystal did not appear so eager to follow. She was a well built Ninetails, with golden eyes and a well rounded personality. But the feature that caught everyone's eye was her coat, instead of the usual golden fur, it was a sleek black. After all, "shiny" pokemon are quite rare. The Fox pokemon tried to get out the door with a heavy limp before collapsing.

"Krystal!" Eric cried as he and the other two humans in the room ran to Krystal's side. "Are you alright?" he asked. [Niiii... Nineee...] the shiny pokemon managed to say. Prof. Aldin picked up her leg, examining it. "Ahh! I see. Her leg is broken," he stated. Eric looked up at the Pokemon Professor; wide-eyed in shock. "That's not good!" "She'll need to get this leg bandaged. Eric, Sakura, help me get her to the exam room." "Right!" Eric and Sakura replied, picking up the Ninetails and carrying her off.

"She probably injured it during the title match the other day..." Eric said, his voice annoyed. The three humans were now inside the exam room. The walls were lined with machinery, with various buttons and dials and other things that Eric had to restrain himself not to touch. In the center of the room was an examination table, upon which lay the injured Ninetails.

"Yeah! When she battled against Amy's Rhyperior! ... Man, how didn't I notice?" The battle played back in his mind; Krystal getting hit with a powerful Rock Wrecker attack. It not only knocked out the Fox pokemon, but it sent her sprawling and she landed hard on her front right leg.

"I guess the normal healing session wasn't good enough for an injury THIS bad," the Prof. Aldin added.

"So how long do you think it'll take for her to fully heal?" Sakura quiried.

"I'm not sure exactly how long, but I do know it'll probably be a month or two. Of course, it can be longer if she tries to use it too much."

[Eeveee?] A voice came from behind. Eric and co. turned about. "Oh, there you are, Tara." Eric said. The young Eevee leapt up onto the exam table and began to lick Krystal's broken leg, now covered in bandages.

[Are you gonna be ok?] Tara asked in her native language.

[I... sure hope so... I don't want... to stay like this very long,] the Fox pokemon answered.

Meanwhile, Eric, Sakura, and Prof. Aldin looked on.

"What do you think they're saying?" Sakura said reaching down to pet Frost, who had followed Tara into the room.

"I don't know. I wish I did, but I don't." Eric replied.

"We should probably give Krystal some time alone," Prof. Aldin suggested. "She needs to rest."

"Yeah, but let's bring her somewhere a little more comfortable. I wouldn't want to be on that table if MY leg was broken." Eric concurred. "C'mon, Tara! Let's bring her upstairs."

-About five minutes later...-

The group left the spare room on the second floor after placing the shiny Fire type on the bed there.

"I hope she'll be alright..." Sakura said.

"That makes three of us..." Aldin added.

"Ugggghhh... I think I'm gonna hit the hay. It's been weeks since I slept in my own bed." Eric stated.

"Fair enough. Goodnight, Eric." Sakura said.

The teenage champion climbed back up the stairs and into his room. He jumped on the bed and soon fell asleep.

-A Week Later...-

It was around 3:00 on the weekend as Eric sat in front of the T.V., just channel surfing 'Jeez, three thousand channels and nothing worth watching...' he thought. However, that thought was quickly dashed as he flipped to channel 1284.

"And we're back with Sinnoh Now!" "Huh? When did we get this channel?" Eric said to no one in particular. "Today, we have a very special guest. She's the Sinnoh League Champion, Cynthia! Come on out here, Cynthia!" A woman walked onto the camera. She was tall, with light skin, a long black dress, piercing but calm eyes, and long blonde hair.

"Welcome to Sinnoh Now, Cynthia! We appre..." Eric's mind drowned out the noise from the T.V. as he focused only on Cynthia. 'So you're the Sinnoh League Champion, eh?' he thought. Just looking at her face was like a challenge. He felt the overwhelming urge to just jump onto the set of the show and challenge her to a battle at that very moment. 'I think I know what I'm gonna do! After a few months of training, I'll travel to the Sinnoh region and face Cynthia in a battle and win her title!' he decided. The excited teenager shut off the T.V. and went to tell the professor of his plan.

-Meanwhile, in the Sinnoh Region...- Two Months Later...

"Lopunny! Use Bounce!" A large, brown-furred, rabbit-like pokemon leapt into the air and darted downward fast. In its shadow was a Kirlia, who was too weak to dodge. She got hit. "Great work, Lopunny! Now!" the Lopunny's trainer shouted, producing a pokeball from his backpack. "Pokeball, go!" He chucked it at the downed Emotion pokemon and watched as it was drawn inside in a ray of red light. The red and white capsule dropped to the ground and wiggled a few times before stopping.

"You're mine, Kirlia..."