The Pokemon Sagas: Book One Chapter One: Beginning

Sun streamed down through the thatched roof and into my eyes. I winced, and slowly opened
them to see a strange blue blob directly in front of me. Still half asleep, I jumped back,
startled, and assumed a defensive position.



"Relax, Cole," the blob said. "It's just me." I shook my head and cleared my eyes. The
world shifted into focus and I saw the blob grow arms, legs, and a crest on its head.



"Oh," I sighed. "What's up, Marshall?" I padded over to my friend.



"Not much," he replied. "Just went for a swim. The river was so warm today. It felt
incredible!" He sighed. I shook my head, smiling. Marshtomps really do love the water.
"So, what shall we do today?" He looked at me questioningly.



"How should I know? And where are Steve and Alyssa?" Marshall met my stare with an equally
confused look.



"I thought they were in here?"



"Nope. Haven't seen them." We looked at each other for a few short moments, than turned
and ran outside. Steve was a bold yet reserved Leafeon. He was courageous, opinionated but
respectful, funny yet wise, and all around a really great guy. In addition, Steve was a
brilliant strategist. If Steve was put in a battling position, he could outmaneuver you
before you knew what was happening. If I could choose between Steve and an army of Rhydon,
I'd pick Steve every time. Not only was he brilliant, he was reliable and he never
abandoned his friends.



Alyssa was a dainty Kirlia. Now, I'm not saying all Kirlia are frail and dainty, but
Alyssa definitely is. Decidedly, pacifistic by nature, she was not the best battler. Sure
she was funny, weird, different in an endearing way, and an incredible artist, but she
couldn't battle for crap. However, if you put one of her friends in danger, she would hunt
you done and rip you to shreds.



So, Marshall and I weren't worried about Steve so much as Alyssa. Marshall raced out ahead
of me, panic fueling his movements. "I'll swim up and down the river and see what I can
find! You take some of the paths! Meet back in an hour if we don't find them!" He splashed
into the river before I could respond and took off like a Swellow taking flight. Slightly
surprised, I stalled for a moment. Marshall was never one to take a leadership position,
and I was astounded that he had just assumed one so naturally. However, the situation at
hand was more worrying, so I filed away the information for later.



By gaining Speed from a brief Quick Attack, I made it to the edge of the woods that
started about a mile from our little hut in no time at all. The river reflected the light
from the morning sun directly into my eyes. I brought my ears down to shield them, and
instantly the world came back into focus. I made it to the beginning of the trails leading
into the forest. After a moment's hesitation, I headed down the trail that showed the most
recent activity. Dust had been kicked up, branches and leaves shaken from trees and then
trampled. All signs of a struggle. I began to run down the path when I stopped suddenly.
Leaves.



I tore back to the entrance of the path and stopped in front of the bushes. "Steve?" I
called out. With a yell, a flash of green exploded from the shrubs in front of me. Steve
had used the fact that his coat looked like a ton of leaves to evade...someone. I froze.
If Steve was hiding, this was a serious problem. Steve recognized who I was and stopped
short of attacking me. "Cole!" he shouted. "Thank Arceus you're here! I need your help!"



"Where's Alyssa?" I shouted, ignoring him.



"That's why I needed help."



"What happened?"



"A horde of Spinarak and Ariados came out of nowhere when Alyssa and I were on our walk
earlier. I made a plan but Alyssa got scared and messed it up. I was lucky to get away.
But if we're gonna save her, we have to go now."



I gulped, then nodded. "We should wait for Marshall. He went downriver. He seemed
really..." I searched for the right word to describe Marshall's strange attitude.
"Shaken," I decided. "He should be here any second, though." As if on cue, Marshall
exploded from the water just as I finished my sentence.



"Where is she?" Marshall was starting to shake out of fear.



"Come with us," Steve replied. After a shared look of assurance, we turned and plunged
into the forest.