Element [Pokemon Fanfiction]

PROLOGUE

Inside of one of the countless homes in Celadon City a young mother watches her son play with his new set of pokemon dolls: each one a different type. Emboar the fire type, Budew the grass type, and Marill the water type. What this young mother doesn't know is that the young boy’s preference of Emboar over the other two dolls will end up shaping the course of her son's life and turn him into a legend heard as far as Kalos.

The young boy also doesn't realize this, only seeing the surface value of his new toys. All this child knows is that his father could not be home for Christmas, his cousin, May, is a nuisance and therefore the holiday is better spent away from her, and his new Emboar doll has a light-up snout.

"Mama, mama," he calls while pretending his Emboar is an airplane. "Emboar can fly! Look, mama."

The young mother smiles quietly to herself, nodding along to please her son. As the boy rolls around with his toy the mother can't help but feel there's something wrong. Slowly rising she leaves the room, whispering to her son that she'll be right back. She walks through the hall to her bedroom, where curled on the bed a small cat like pokemon lays sleeping. Sitting down next to it, the mother pets the pokemon.

"Skit! Skitty," it cries out, delightfully startled. It arches its back and the pink cat crawls onto the mothers lap. Patting lightly on her legs Skitty lies down and begins to nap once more.

"I'm worried, Skitty," whispers the mother to the sleeping pokemon. She looks around the room and realizes how dark it is. Strange as the mother always leaves the windows open. In fact before leaving to open presents with her son she distinctly remembers opening them wide. Now the windows are shut with the curtains drawn. Could she have imagined opening the windows?

Suddenly the door slams and from behind it comes a strange man dressed like a shadow, his sloppy black hair tied back under a blue bandana. Surprised, the mother scrambles back on the bed, causing Skitty to run out of the room in fright. Rushing toward the mother, the man shushes her.

"Maria, Maria please be quiet," he whispers glancing at door to make sure the boy doesn't come searching for his mother. After Maria has finally calmed down he takes his hand away from her mouth, earning him a harsh smack to the face.

"Damn it, Archie," she hisses, tears welling up in her eyes. "What the hell are you doing? I thought your flight back from Hoenn was grounded. I thought you weren't coming home for Christmas!"

"I'm not," he replies gaining an inquisitive glance from Maria. He corrects himself. "Not as far as anyone but you is concerned. I've learned things in my trips to Hoenn over the years, things that would scare you. I've learned about Pokemon that could destroy the world and ones that could benefit it. Which is why I'm leaving. I just needed to come get some stuff"

Taken aback, Maria can't help but slap her husband once more. "What the hell are you talking about? What do you mean leaving?"

Ignoring her, he grabs a duffle bag and begins to shove his belongings into it. Maria follows him around the room asking him over and over what he means by leaving. Finally he turns to her, his eyes furious.

"Shut up, Maria. Zeke's gonna hear you," he hisses. Once Maria is quiet again he continues. "I don't want to but... I just feel as if I have to."

"If you want move just say so. It would be easy for me to find a job in Hoenn," Maria offers, aggravating Archie.

"No you don't understand, Maria," Archie cries in frustration. He wanders over to the other side of the room, fumbling with the many knick-knacks he's collected throughout his journeys. With a grunt, he slams his fist down hard on the dresser.