Azure's Ficworks Presents: Pokemon Azure Version

[Azureman.EXE]

After thinking about ways to do this forever, I finally decided to go ahead and write a Pokemon fanfic. So without further ado: I give you...

Pokemon Azure Version
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The players:

Andy Hallard: Aspiring Pokemon Trainer who wants to go out into the world and experience adventures like the ones he's heard about in stories from his grandfather. Loves Pokemon and wants to befriend and train as many as he can.

Rush: A Zigzagoon that Andy befriended when they were both small. The two spent many years playing together and completely understand each other. However, as Andy did not have a proper Pokemon Trainer's license, he has not yet captured Rush.

Sherrie Hallard: Andy's mother and an avid lover of Pokemon. She is a homemaker by choice, taking pride in her skills at cooking and cleaning. She also loves her son very dearly.

Terrance Hallard: Andy's father. He once traveled about the countryside, but returned home when he realized what he wanted most was to have a family. He currently works as a salaryman for a local law firm that specializes in Pokemon-related cases.

Jeff Hallard: Terrance's father and Andy's paternal grandfather. He is a respected Pokemon researcher who thirty years ago, traveled the world with a man named Michael Langston as part of an expedition to uncover new information about various Pokemon species as part of the Pokedex project. Now that the Pokedex is an established information database, he has turned his attention to better understanding the ways that Pokemon live and also instructs aspiring trainers.

Alice Hallard: Andy's paternal grandmother. She's an environmentalist who travels to conferences across the region to speak to others regarding the protection of Pokemon habitats.

Michael Langston: Called the "Legendary Trainer" by some, he traveled with Jeff Hallard on the latter's expedition to uncover information about Pokemon. He is a world-class adventurer and his skills in Pokemon battling were said to be unrivaled. His daughter Sherrie eventually married Jeff's son Terrance, making him Andy's maternal grandfather. He disappeared some years ago after the death of his wife. The stories of his journeys prompt Andy to make meeting him part of his journey.

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Chapter 1: VS. Zigzagoon!
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It was morning in the small town of Crossroads. As the sun slowly rose above the mountains
in the distance, a brown-feathered, three-headed bird with no wings cried out in three
shrill voices, as if to announce the coming of the day.

"Ahh, it looks like it's going to be another fine day..."

A woman swept the front walk of her home. Stopping to look at the clouds in the distance,
she ran her left hand through her silky, sky-blue hair. Sherrie Hallard turned back towards
her happy home and sighed.

Sherrie: "To think, he's turning eleven today... He's been waiting for this day for so long.
But I, was hoping for a few more days before he had to leave."

A barking sound came from the distance. Sherrie looked over her shoulder to see a small creature with shaggy fur in brown and white stripes come running up to the house in a zig-zag pattern. This creature, called a Zigzagoon, charged up to Sherrie's feet, where it promptly stopped and barked again, as if to greet her.

Sherrie: "Rush, I thought you might be coming soon. Andy's upstairs in his room, but try not to wake up his father like you did last time."

Rush barked his acknowledgement and charged into the house and up the stairs. Sherrie smiled and went back to her housework.

As the sun started to peer through his window, Andy Hallard felt its warm rays sweep over his body. He stirred slightly, but did not open his eyes.

Andy: "Mrrr... I'm gonna be the greatest... Go, Pokeball..."

Suddenly, he felt something land hard on his stomach and he awoke with a start. Staring into a pair of golden-colored eyes surrounded by black fur in the shape of a robber's mask, he laughed as the Pokemon he'd known since he was small started to lick his face affectionately.

Andy: "H-hey! Knock it off Rush, that tickles!"

After taking a quick shower and putting on his favorite outfit: A white T-shirt, blue jeans, a blue jacket with a white star on the back. He tied his shoulder-length hair, the same color as his mother's, into a ponytail at the base, and topped off his ensemble with a blue baseball cap with a white bill.

Andy: "Today's the day, Rush! Today is when I'll get my Pokemon trainer's license, and we'll go on a great adventure together, just like we always dreamed of doing!"

Rush barked his agreement as he watched on from Andy's bed. Andy spent the next half-hour packing various clothes and other such things into some knapsacks. He then pulled out a small red and
black ball and opened it. From it poured a beam of blue light which swept up his belongings into itself before closing. He repeated this process with two more of the orbs before stuffing the them all into a black backpack, which he then slung over his shoulders.

Andy: "Gotta love Itemballs, you can carry just about anything without having to deal with extra weight!"

Hearing his mother call for him to come down and have breakfast, Andy headed down the stairs and into the kitchen, where his father, Terrance, was already sitting down to a plate of pancakes and sausage. He took a sip of coffee from his mug as Andy sat down to his own plate.

Terrance: "Well son, today's the big day, isn't it?"

Andy: "Sure is! I'm heading over to the Pokemon Center after breakfast to go pick up my Trainer's license, and then I'll be off on my journey!"

Terrance: "Well, I'm glad that you were able to pass your license exam last week, so I've got a special birthday present for you."

Andy: "Really? I can't wait to see what it is!"

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, and helping his mother clear the dishes, Andy laced up a pair of blue and white sneakers. He father walked up with a square package wrapped and sealed with a ribbon.

Terrance: "Happy birthday, kiddo. I hope this helps you out on your way."

Unwrapping and opening the box, Andy's eyes lit up as he gazed upon ten red and white ball similar to the ones he had used to pack his belongings earlier.

Andy: "No way! Pokeballs, and ten of them at that! Thanks a lot, dad!"

Terrance: "I'm glad you like them... Oh, the Pokemart gave me this for buying the set of ten, so you might as well take it as well.

Terrance handed another ball, this one all white with red trim separating each half.

Andy: "Wow, I've never seen a Pokeball like this one..."

Terrance: "The clerk called it a "Premierball", part of some promotion they're having across the region at various Pokemarts."

Andy: "Thanks again, dad."

Terrance: "You're welcome, kiddo. You know, your mom got you something too, but it's at your grandpa Jeff's place. You should stop by there on your way out of town."

Andy: "Yeah, I have to thank grandpa Jeff too, if he hadn't tutored me about Pokemon, I never would have passed my licence exam!"

Terrance: "Well, he's not a world-reknowned Pokemon researcher for nothing."

Soon after, with Rush in tow, Andy waved goodbye to his parents and headed across town to the local Pokemon treatment Center, better known as a Pokemon Center. After signing some forms and waiting patiently, he was called up to the front desk, where the New Trainer Orientation clerk handed him a red device.

Clerk: "This is your Pokedex, it will serve as your identification and contains necessary information about just about every kind of Pokemon there is. It will also allow you to keep track of the Pokemon you have with you, as well as their current status and move information. It will also allow you to interface with the worldwide Pokemon Trainer Transportation Database when you connect it to a PC, such as the ones we have in every Pokemon Center."

Andy left the center and met up with Rush, who was awaiting him outside. Feeling curious, andy flipped open his Pokedex and pointed it's infrared sensor at his longtime friend. The Pokedex responded with a beep and on it's blue screen, showed a picture of a Zigzagoon as a digitized voice came flowing from a small speaker.

Pokedex: "Zigzagoon, the tinyraccoon Pokemon. These Normal-Type Pokemon are a common sight in fields and forrests. Especially curious, the often wander from place to place in a zig-zag pattern, which is the basis of their name."

Amused with the Pokedex's voice, Andy pocketed the device and headed on his way out of town. Eventually, he came to a rather large estate near the city limits. This was the Hallard Research Center, the home of Andy's paternal grandfather, Jeff. Making his way inside, he greeted several members of the staff whom he knew from past visits and made his way to the main laboratory, where research was conducted. Andy found his grandfather hunched over and looking over a trio of small Pokemon. The first was a green, lizardlike creature with two thick, flat, leaflike tails, The second was a fluffy, orange creature resembling a chick, and the third, a light blue creature with a thick fin on its forehead, and a thin fin on its rear.

Jeff: "Well now, it looks like all three of you are in perfect health. You're all going to be perfect for your new trainers!"

The three Pokemon let out cheerful cries, then suddenly started staring at Andy as his grandfather whipped around to see him and Rush.

Jeff: "Ah, Andy! I was wondering when you were going to show up!"

Andy: "Good morning, Grandpa! I see you're hard at work, as usual."

Jeff: "Yessiree, these are the starter Pokemon I'm preparing for new trainers. After all, we can't be sending new trainers out into the wild with no Pokemon of their own for protection! ...Speaking of which,
didn't you get your Pokemon Trainer's license today?"

Andy pulled his Pokedex out from his pocket and grinned with pride at his grandfather.

Jeff: "Ahh, the old Pokedex. For more than thirty years it's been helping trainers raise their Pokemon with its near limitless knowledge. It seems like just yesterday when we set out to help add information to it.

Andy: "All the stories you've told me about how you and grandpa Michael traveled around the world and had so many adventures while filling up the Pokedex is what made me want to go on my own journey!"

Jeff: "Haha, I never would have imagined when we set out that one day our children would get married. I only wish Michael were here to see you set out on your journey. I know he'd be proud of you, m'boy."

Andy: "That's the other reason I want to go. I want to meet him, because he's my hero. The legendary Trainer who's been all over the world and battled all kinds of Pokemon!"

Jeff: "Well then, I suppose we'll have to help you get started, then!"

Jeff turned to the three Pokemon whose eyes were fixed on young Andy.

Jeff: "You can choose one of these three Pokemon to be your starter. As you already know, all Pokemon have natural advantages and weaknesses against others. Also, some are easier to raise than others. Every week,
we give out three starter Pokemon to trainers who have passed their exams and obtained their licenses. First, I'll introduce them to you.

He motioned toward the lizardlike Pokemon, who enthusiastically jumped forward.

Jeff: "This is a Treecko. It's a Grass-Type Pokemon known for its dexterity and speed. It's a rather popular choice for beginning trainers.

Next, the orange chick Pokemon shyly stepped forward.

Jeff: "Torchic here is a Fire-Type. Despite it's cute looks, it has high attacking power and is fairly skilled in fighting.

Lastly, the blue, amphibious Pokemon trotted up on its four legs.

Jeff: "This is Mudkip. It's a water type and has fairly balanced abilities in attacking and defending, however, its speed isn't as great as the other two. Go ahead and choose one, but make sure it's REALLY the one you want to raise."

Andy pondered over the three Pokemon presented to him, trying to imagine the kinds of adventures he would have with each one. After much deliberation, he nodded as he came to hisdecisionn.

Andy: "Okay, I thought about it a lot, and even though I really like all of these Pokemon, I decided that if I can only take one, then I'll take Mudkip."

Jeff: "Alright, Mudkip it is."

Jeff picked up a Pokeball sitting on a nearby table and retrieved Mudkip into it. He then took Andy's Pokedex and flashed it's infrared scanner across the Pokeball's surface. The Pokedex made a series of beeping noises before calling out in it's digitized voice.

Pokedex: "Confirmed, this Pokeball and Mudkip have been registered to trainer Andrew Hallard of Crossroads Town.

Jeff handed the Pokedex and Mudkip's Pokeball to his grandson.

Jeff: "The Pokemon itself has been registered, but remember to register the name you want to give it as well. You should also take the precaution of pre-registering your other Pokeballs so that any Pokemon you capture will automatically be recognized as yours and thus, be safe from theft.

Andy: "A name, huh? Hmmm... Well, I guess I'll call it 'Finn'!"

Jeff: "That sounds like a fine name for a Pokemon like Mudkip!"

Andy quickly registered his Mudkip's name and turned to leave, when his grandfather stopped him.

Jeff: "Wait a second, that Zigzagoon that's following you around... Are you planning on taking it with you?"

Andy looked over at Rush, returned his gaze to Jeff, and nodded.

Jeff: "Well then, I think you should properly capture it so you can use it in battles!"

Andy: "Capture Rush?"

Jeff: "Yes, after all, if you want Rush to be able to receivee the same kind of care at Pokemon Centers, as well as be able to battle alongside you in official Pokemon Battles, you'll need to properly capture and register it first! Besides, it'll be a good warm-up for capturing other Pokemon out in the wild."

Andy: "Well, I don't really want to battle against Rush, but I want to be able to share all my adventure with him, so... Okay."

Jeff: "Alright, you can use the field out back. That way nothing will be disturbed."

Andy and Jeff proceeded to a large, grassy field in the rear of the research center, it was used to allow the Pokemon kept at the center some room to stretch their legs and play in the sun. Rush stood a fair fifteen feet from his longtime friend and barked out a challenge. To which Andy responded by nodding and smiling.

Andy: "Okay, since we're such good friends, I'm not gonna hold back, and I better not catch you taking it easy on me, either!"

Rush barked again, ready for a fight.

Andy: "Here we go then! I choose you, Finn!"

Andy pressed a round switch on the front of his starter Pokemon's Pokeball, releasing it in a flash of white light. The Mudkip cried out and readied itself for battle as Andy took out his Pokedex.

Andy: "Hmm, okay, Finn's got Tackle as an offensive move and Growl to lower the attacking power of its' enemy... So let's start out with a Tackle attack, Finn!"

Finn charged headlong towards Rush, striking it with a body check. Rush quickly recovered and struck back with a Tackle of its own.

Andy: "Wow, I never knew Rush's Tackles were so strong! Looks like I'll have to play this one smart. Finn! Growl, now!"

Finn cried out again, this time in low, threatening voice. As it did this, Rush appeared to hesitate slightly before launching into another Tackle. This one however, seemed to lack the amount of force put into the previous attack.

Andy: "Alright, now we've got a slight advantage! Finn, let him have it with another Tackle!"

The Mudkip and Zigzagoon continued to trade off Tackle attacks with an occasional Growl as Andy looked on, providing instructions for Finn as he went. After five minutes, Rush appeared exhausted, breathing heavily.

Andy: "Okay, we've got him on the ropes! Time to go for the capture, and I know just the ball to use for such a good friend!"

Andy pulled the white Primierball from his backpack and tossed it hard at Rush. Upon contact with the little raccoon, it opened up and swallowed him in red light. It then fell to the ground and a red light lit up on the release switch, signifying that the Pokemon was attempting to escape. However, after struggling for a bit, the ball came to rest and the switch-light faded. Rush had been captured. Andy ran over and picked up the ball, registering Rush's name and status as his Pokemon. He then retrieved Finn after thanking it for a job well done.

Jeff: "Superbly done! You've learned well! I'm sure you'll be able to capture lots and lots of Pokemon."

Andy: "At first I was a little scared, even though I did some battling as part of the license exam. But at the same time, it felt great to be in a real Pokemon battle, and to have captured my very first Pokemon!"

Jeff: "Mm-hm. You've got the makings of a great trainer. I'm sure you'll do well out there."

Andy thanked his grandfather, at which point they returned to the inside of the lab for lunch. Afterwards, Andy, with his Pokeballs securely fastened to his belt for easy access, made his way to the city limits with his grandfather.

Jeff: "Before you go, I've got two more birthday presents, one is from your mother, and the other is from me and your grandmother Alice. She's sorry she had to be out of town and miss your big day, by the way."

Andy: "That's okay, I know that grandma Alice had to go to Arbordale City for that big conference on Grass Pokemon."

Jeff handed his grandson a yellow device, which opened up and provided a holographic display of the town and the surrounding area.

Jeff: "This is your mother's present, a Pokemon Navigator, or Pokenavi for short. It acts as a sort of global positioning device and will help you find your way no matter where you are. It also has a cellphone function, so you can call us whenever you want to. We all have your Pokenavi's number, so we can call you, too."

Andy: "It's really cool! I'll call mom later today and thank her for it!"

Jeff: "She wanted you to be surprised... Oh, I almost forgot, here's the present from your grandmother and myself."

Jeff handed his grandson what appeared to be a portable television set.

Andy: "What's this?"

Jeff: "It's called a Teachy TV. Even though you'll be on the road, studying is still important for a growing boy, this device will tune into various educational broadcasts and allow you to transfer your notes and tests to the educational center when you hook it up to a PC."

Andy: "I'm not too thrilled about having to do schoolwork while traveling, but I guess it's important like you said, so thanks, grandpa."

After tucking both items into his backpack, Andy hugged his grandfather and started off. He walked slowly at first, but then broke into a run, calling out a farewell to his grandfather, who returned it in kind and waved his farewell as he watched him begin his long-awaited journey to see the world and the many mysteries and adventures that were to be experienced in it.
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Author of Sakurai Diaries on Bob and George!

[Mugen.exe]

Well, for a script-style fic this one was well-written (script styles usually don't work out that well). This fic was pretty good for a start, and I liked how you nicknamed the Zigzagoon Rush. I also like the starter choice (Mudkip rule- I have about 12 right now!).
Great start, I can't wait to read the next one (though I'd suggest trying a different style of writing that isn't script).
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False Swipe is a great finishing move!
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