Pokemon Adventures! Opal and Jet - Ch. 1

Chapter 1: vs. Rufflet
The sun rose slowly over the Faulk region, heralding a clear new day. Not a cloud in the sky. For Professor Redwood, that meant sunny trails and unimpeded travels, putting a spring in his step as he set foot in the Faulk region for the first time in a while.
“The Faulk region,” he narrated to nobody, “A small, land-locked region rich in Pokémon diversity.” He adjusted his glasses before announcing loudly, “And the site of the Pokémon Association’s eight newest Gyms!” He barreled onwards. Repeating things made it easier to remember. “The Gyms’ Type specializations are: Bug, Ground, Fire, Poison, Psychic, Ice, Fighting and Fairy. This region is called ‘The Center of Hope for the Future of Trainers’, because the gyms are run exclusively by young people, below the age of 25, some as young as 14! Truly, young people are not to be underestimated.”
He took a moment to compose himself, realizing his voice had gotten quite loud. A flock of Rufflet had been startled by his monologue.
In silence, he crested the next hill. Below him lay the southernmost town of the region: Newgrass Town.
“Newgrass,” he began again. “The center of the Center. This is where I will be conducting my research.” He produced his Pokédex. “One lucky child will receive the Pokémon that I was tasked to give them, along with this Pokédex, and will embark on a journey around the region, as a Pokémon trainer.” He adjusted his glasses again, “And of course, I, Professor Redwood, shall accompany them, for my purpose in coming here is to study the bonds between humans and Pokémon!”
“You’re shorter than I pictured,” a voice said.
The professor jumped. “Who’s there?”
A young man was sitting on a rock. He looked to be about 15. He raised his hand, “The lucky child.” A Scraggy that was sitting next to him raised its hand too.
“Excellent! Let us go into town and-“
“No time,” the boy interrupted, “I’m actually in a big hurry.” Despite his words, he seemed completely impassive. He hopped down and approached the professor. “Gimme the goods and I’ll get going.”
The boy had black hair that was mostly obscured by an olive beanie, save for the fringe, jutted out erratically. His eyes were dark as well, which contributed to the piercing stare. His eyebrows were lowered in what seemed to be a permanent serious look. His heavy eyelids completed the illusion of a look of irritation. He was dressed pretty heavily for the warm weather, in a brown leather jacket, a white undershirt with a Pokéball design on it, and a pair of heavy jeans.
The professor sighed and held out the Pokédex. “Aren’t you an impatient one. This here is a Pokédex, it-“
“It’s an encyclopedia that I need to fill out during my journey,” the kid finished. “I’ve done my research. It’s also a valuable tool in battle.”
“Right,” the professor said, more than a little annoyed now. He wasn’t sure if traveling with this child would be so easy. “And your Pokémon,” he held out two Pokéballs.
“I thought there were three,” the boy said, leaning forward to examine the Pokémon inside.
“There were, but the third was chosen by another child already.
That seemed to catch the boy’s interest. “I’m not the first?”
“No,” the professor said. “Nor the last, I expect. Tradition has it that Pokédexes are given in threes, though the third recipient hasn’t-“
“So what are these Pokémon?”
The professor fumed silently. He hated being interrupted. “Ahem. Yes. They’re Aron, the Iron Armor Pokémon, and Sandile, the Desert Croc Pokémon. Aron is Iron and Rock-Type, while Sandile is Ground and Dark-Type.”
The boy picked up the Sandile. “Ground is strong against Steel and Rock, so I’ll take this one.”
“I wouldn’t be so quick to choose,” the professor said. “Sandile is, type ignored, the weakest of the three overall.”
…
The boy had vanished.
“Hey!” the professor cried, looking around frantically. The just managed to catch a glimpse of him before he vanished among the rocks.
The professor took off at a run, pocketing Aron, making his way towards the town. “Get back here, I’m supposed to travel with you!”
No response.
Professor Redwood came to a stop as he reached the town’s entrance. It was a small place, but rather lively. There was no way he could find the kid now.
But just as he was thinking that…
“Professor!”
“Hm?”
A girl, roughly the same age as the boy, was approaching him. “Hey hey hey! It’s me, Opal! I’m the one who you’re supposed to meet today!”
A look of utter confusion crossed the professor’s face. “But then… who was…” His palm met his forehead. “I’ve been robbed.”
“What?!”
Redwood rubbed his eyes in frustration. “I can’t believe I was tricked. And by a teenager, no less.”
“Does that mean I can’t go on my journey?”
The professor mumbled something about children being one-track minded and shook his head. “No, you can still go. You simply won’t have a choice of which Pokémon to use.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine!” she said happily. “I’ll love it no matter what it is.”
“Well, that’s an improvement,” Redwood sighed. He produced his second Pokédex and Aron. “This is Aron, the Iron Armor Pokémon, a Steel and Rock-Type. And this is a-“
“Pokédex!” she finished.
The professor grumbled. “Yes. A Pokédex. I suppose you know what it does.”
“Yup,” she said as she took it and her new friend. She bowed politely. “Thank you very much!”
With that out of the way, the professor took a moment to examine his new ward. She had long blonde hair hanging down her back, with only one side of her bangs poking down from the white beanie on her head. She was wearing a sky blue sleeveless vest with an orange short-sleeved shirt and a pair of white pants. She seemed to be completely color blind, dressed like a fruity ice cream.
“Are beanies in style here?” the professor had to ask.
“Not particularly, why?”
“The boy who stole Sandile and my other Pokédex was wearing one too.”
“What?!” A look of horror crossed her face, but was quickly replaced by one of anger. “Whoever he is has forever tarnished the reputation of beanies! We’ll find him and bring him to justice!”
“For your beanie?” the professor sighed. This day was quickly becoming overwhelming.
“No, just justice in general! Whoever that was was a thief! What did he look like?”
This was a little better. Priorities came first. “Well, he had somewhat long black hair, and seemed to have a permanent look of irritation to him.”
Opal thought for a moment, then snapped her fingers. “Oh!”
“You know him?” the professor asked apprehensively. He didn’t want to get his hopes up.
“No, but I’m pretty sure I saw someone like that around town recently! Yes, I’m sure of it, he even had an olive beanie!”
She grabbed the professor’s sleeve and started walking. “Hurry, take me to the place he took your Pokémon from you at!”
“What will we do there?” Redwood asked, genuinely curious. This girl seemed to have a plan.
Opal held up a Pokéball and winked “Aron wasn’t my first Pokémon, you know.”
…
When they arrived at the rock the boy had sat on, Opal tossed the ball and out popped a Growlithe.
“This is Gav! I’ve had him since I was a kid.”
Curious about the professor, Gav hopped up to him and gave a sniff.
The professor understood right away. “Growlithe have incredible senses of smell!”
“That’s right!” Opal said with a smile. “They never ever forget a scent. Now that he’s smelled you, he’ll never forget you!” She squatted down next to her Pokémon and opened up her other ball. “Gav, this is Tony! He’s our new friend! And that’s Professor Redwood.”
The Growlithe gave the Aron now named ‘Tony’ another sniff, followed by a lick. The Aron made a cheerful noise.
“Right!” Opal said, getting back on track. “We’re here for a reason! Gav, I need you to sniff this rock and find the person who sat on it!”
Tony nodded and said something to Gav in its own language. Gav nodded, a look of determination entering his eyes.
“Aron… er, Tony, and that Sandile have known each other for a long time. Since they were hatched, actually. Since their third partner was chosen, they only had each other.”
“Third?”
Redwood nodded. “A charming young man got to go on his own journey in this region before. He chose the first of the Pokémon I had to offer, Vanilite.”
Gav perked up and barked. Opal’s attention immediately left the professor. “Oh! He’s found the scent! Lead on, boy!” She called Tony back to his Pokéball and followed as her Growlithe bounded through the rocky terrain. Redwood’s long legs allowed him to keep pace easily.
Opal continued talking as they followed. “Who was the first person?”
“I never met him,” the professor said, “But his name was Quartz. I sent my assistant with the Pokéball, as I was busy elsewhere at the time.”
“How long ago was this?”
“Oh hm…” the professor thought for a moment. “Two years, I believe. It was shortly before the establishment of gyms in the area.”
“I wonder if I’ll meet him during the course of my journey,” Opal said happily.
Gav led the duo past Newgrass town and on to Faulk Route 2.
“This boy moves quickly,” Redwood noted. “Are you sure you don’t want to drop by your home and say goodbye?”
“Already did before I went to look for you.”
“You sure are enthusiastic.”
Opal gave him a big grin. “Not everyone gets this opportunity! And I love Pokémon more than anything else!”
Redwood gave her his first genuine smile since he’d arrived in the region. “That’s wonderful to hear.”
Gav suddenly stopped and began to bark at a patch of grass.
“What is it, boy?”
The grass rustled and a shadow flew out. Opal didn’t miss a beat, immediately whipping out her Pokédex to identify the Pokémon.
“It’s a Rufflet! Look out, Gav!”
The Growlithe jumped aside as the bird Pokémon dived at it, narrowly avoiding the attack.
“Gav, return!” Opal called. The dog obediently returned to its Pokéball. “I want to give Tony a try,” the girl explained, and promptly released her Aron.
She turned to Redwood. “What moved does it know?”
“Everything is in the Poké— hey!” During the exchange, the Rufflet had taken advantage of the opening to attack again. It bounced harmlessly aside and Tony glanced around with a look of mild confusion.
“Ah!” Opal exclaimed with a smile. “Steel and Rock are both strong against Flying and Normal-type attacks! Rufflet can’t win!” She looked at the Pokédex. “But it still won’t win! Rufflet never back down from a fight!”
“Here,” the professor said, holding out a Pokéball. “Why don’t you capture it?”
“Right! Tony, use Mud-Slap!”
With a cry, Tony rammed its forelegs into the ground, spraying mud at the Rufflet. But the bird let the attack harmlessly slide off its feathers.
“Ground attacks have no effect on Flying-types,” Redwood reminded Opal.
“Ah! I knew that, I swear! I just got so caught up in the battle…”
Rufflet attacked again and bounced off again.
“Alright, Tackle!”
Tony cried again and threw itself at the Rufflet, knocking it to the ground with staggering force. The Rufflet was out like a light.
“Alright, now to throw the Pokéball!” Opal wound up her throw and let it fly. It sailed straight and clamped shut around the Rufflet. It shook as the semi-conscious Pokémon tried to fight its way out, but ultimately came to a stop.
“First try!” Opal exclaimed triumphantly.
“Well done, a spectacular show,” Redwood applauded.
Opal returned Tony to his ball and called back Gav to pick up tracking again. “Well, I’m not the number one Pokémon trainer in Newgrass town for nothing.” She then grabbed the professor’s arm again and dragged him along as Gav led the way once more.
Redwood chuckled sheepishly as he kept pace. The energy this girl had might have been a little too much for him, but he was glad that she showed promise, and good morals. He could foresee her becoming a great trainer in the future.