First off, I'd like to get the disclaimer out of the way. I do not own Pokémon or any of its characters. I do own most (but not all) of the original characters seen in this story. Any characters belonging to other readers will be mentioned at the end of the chapter.
Secondly, I'd like to offer anyone who wants the chance to have an original character of their own in my story. If you'd like to contribute one just send me the description of the character either through a review or e-mail (my addresses are in my profile). Please include name, species (what type of Pokémon they are), gender, description if necessary, personality and whatever else you deem important. If I use them you will be given credit for them.
Chapter 1: Enter Firefly
For as long as anyone could remember humans and Pokémon had lived in peace, each helping the other. It had been that way for centuries with no change in sight. However, there soon appeared those who saw Pokémon as nothing more than possessions... property... tools to be used and thrown out once they outlived their usefulness. Giovanni, former leader of the Viridian City Pokémon Gym and current leader of Team Rocket, was one of those individuals. With world domination as his primary goal he created the corrupt organization with the sole purpose of stealing top-quality Pokémon. What happens to them after that all depended on their current strength. If they were deemed strong enough they were taken to one of the many testing facilities all over the world. From there they were subjected to numerous tests. The stronger the Pokémon the harsher the test. Unfortunately, not all of the Pokémon survived their individual tests. Even some of the more powerful Pokémon succumbed to their harsh testing. Those that lived often considered those that died the lucky ones, not having to suffer through more tests at the hands of Team Rocket.
Though Team Rocket's influence was felt throughout Kanto, Johto, and was beginning to spread to Hoenn and Sinnoh, it was in the region of Ichis where Giovanni was currently focusing the majority of his attention. It was there that he discovered a possible key to world domination using Pokémon. Many years ago he discovered an ancient tome from the long-forgotten civilization of Pokétopia. Within this tome was the history of the civilization, where humans and Pokémon lived side-by-side in true peace. It also spoke of an ancient ritual where Pokémon rulers were crowned. One paragraph in particular held his interest:
"Hyappan jakkan toshidoshi supesharu Poketto Monsuta gozen bo-n into waga yochi. Korera Poketto Monsuta gozen danko bai having za tsukihi of their ba-su ninchi bai za Megami of Umarekawari. Sore is okeru ki taimu doushi tamawaru suruto them za Fugou of za Suzaku. Beki senpou raivu nagai juubun senpou mune kashi ato chansu bai za Poketto Monsuta Senpai Kaigi dzuki undergo za Shinmon of Bassui. Beki senpou pa-su senpou mune be gimei Kingu matawa Kougou of Poketto Monsuta."
It took him a long time translating the ancient text, but after months of constant research he finally discovered what it said:
"Every few years special Pokémon are born into our world. These Pokémon are determined by having the days of their birth acknowledge by the Goddess of Rebirth. It is at that time she bestows upon them the Mark of the Phoenix. Should they live long enough they will be granted an opportunity by the Pokémon Elder Council to undergo the Trial of Selection. Should they pass they will be named King or Queen of Pokémon."
Because of that one paragraph Giovanni had been focusing his efforts on finding Pokémon that could have possibly been given the Mark of the Phoenix. However, he had no idea what the mark looked like, or whether there were any Pokémon around that even had the mark at all. His only choice was to continue doing what he had been doing for years and hope he found one that fit the description in the tome. During that time many Pokémon were captured and tested upon, but few showed any promise. Those that did were further tested upon. Many of these tests involved battles against other Pokémon, often times to the death. Defeat often times meant death, either in battle or at the hands of Team Rocket afterwards. Victory meant survival and a chance to further prove their strength. Out of those that had been victorious, two Pokémon stood out. These two became the key subjects in Project Supreme Pokémon God, Giovanni's plan to find the Pokémon that would become King or Queen of Pokémon as it was written in the ancient tome. Codenamed SPG-01 and SPG-02 they were constantly studied. Though changes were seen in both of them, nothing related to the Mark of the Phoenix or a possible chance that they fit the requirements mentioned in the tome ever appeared. But that wasn't and didn't stop Giovanni. He was determined to find the Pokémon that would lead him to eventual world domination, no matter what it took. He was currently at his main research facility in the Ichis region.
"What's the status of 01 and 02?" he asked one of his scientists.
"Their progress is incredible," the scientist replied. "Even though 02 isn"t as advanced as 01 in terms of their overall powers they have been progressing at almost the same rate."
"Have there been any signs of either of them having the Mark of the Phoenix?" Giovanni asked.
"Nothing yet, sir," the scientist replied. Growing increasingly frustrated with every day that passed without any signs of the mark appearing he walked to a window overlooking a room that served as a battlefield. A battle was taking place at the moment.
"Who are today's combatants?" he asked.
"Today we're having 01 battle Subject P-443," the scientist replied. Giovanni glared back at him, making him shrink back slightly in fear.
"You know how I feel about giving those two advantages in battle," he said.
"I know sir, but we need to test her new powers," the scientist replied. "For that reason we need to place her in a situation where those powers will be used."
"Whatever." Giovanni wasn't interested in any new powers that they might have acquired if they didn't help him get closer to his goal of world domination. He looked down at the battlefield, deciding to at least see how 01 would do in battle.
"Time to see these 'new powers' of yours," he said.
Down below a fierce battle was taking place between what appeared to be two Pokémon. Their identities were hidden in the dim light of their battle ground, though their size difference could be easily seen. The larger of the two appeared to be close to seven feet tall while the smaller looked no more than two feet tall with a wing span of close to three feet. The two Pokémon stared at each other, waiting for one or the other to make a move. Then, the larger Pokémon swiped at the smaller one with a glowing claw. The smaller Pokémon dodged and retaliated with a blast of fire, catching the larger Pokémon in the chest. The illumination resulting from the fire attack revealed their identities. The larger Pokémon was an Aggron, a Pokémon who's entire body was covered in steel armor. A pair of large steel horns protruded from the shield-like plate on his head. His opponent was a small Vulpix, a six-tailed fox Pokémon. However, unlike others from her species, she had a pair of wings, each a foot and a half in length. She was the Pokémon Giovanni and his scientist referred to as 01. However, she looked exhausted while the Aggron appeared to be nearly at full strength. Still, the Vulpix showed signs of fight still in her.
"I can't lose here," she said to herself. "To lose is to die… and I can't afford to die here!" With that one thought repeating itself in her mind she charged the Aggron. The massive Pokémon smirked at her as she grew closer. Once she was in range he brought his head down into her, knocking her down to the ground. Dazed by the attack she tried to get back to her feet, but the Aggron had other plans. He raised his large, iron foot and brought it down hard on her wing. The Vulpix screamed in pain as she felt the bones in her wing start to break under the weight of the Aggron's foot. The Steel-Rock type stepped off his opponent's wing and admired his work. Then, as if adding injury to injury, he swung his leg back and brought it forth with a powerful kick to the Vulpix's stomach, sending the small Pokémon hurtling through the air a few feet before she came to a rest. She tried to get back up, but every movement caused her great pain.
"This is great," she said. "I've got a broken wing and I'm sure some of my ribs are either cracked or broken. I have to end this fast." She knew what she had to do. She had developed a new attack that she planned on using. Unfortunately with her current handicap her attack would be as effective. Using every bit of strength she could muster she got back to her feet. At that moment the Aggron charged for what would be the final blow of the battle. The Vulpix noticed this, but remained calm. She then extended her one good wing. She closed her eyes and started focusing her energy. Moments later a small stream of fire encircled her wing. Then, just as the Aggron was almost on top of her, she swung her wing forward, sending a barrage of flaming feathers at her attacker. The flaming projectiles pelted the Aggron, causing more and more damage with each hit.
"Now's my chance!" the Vulpix said. She took as deep a breath as her injured ribs would allow. Then, she fired off a five-point flaming star, striking the Aggron in the chest. That, along with the multiple flaming feathers that had damaged it previously had proved too much for the large Pokémon to handle. As if in slow motion the Aggron slowly fell to the ground, defeated. The Vulpix let out a sigh of relief. She had survived another test.
Despite his reluctance in watching the battle Giovanni was visibly impressed with 01's victory. Even with her injuries she still managed to win over her opponent. Of course seeing as she had a type advantage her victory was not as surprising as it should have been.
"So, what do you think?" the scientist asked, curious to know what Giovanni's thoughts about the battle were.
"That was quite the comeback, given her injuries," he replied. "However, she did have an advantage due to her opponent's Steel typing."
"But that was offset by his Rock typing," the scientist argued. Rather than reply to the scientist's argument Giovanni continued to watch the battle, wanting to see how it would end. Then, much to his disappointment, the Vulpix turned away from the fallen Aggron and started slowly walking away, her broken wing dragging the ground next to her. The leader of Team Rocket grabbed a nearby microphone.
"Where are you going, 01?" he asked. The Vulpix stopped. She didn't even turn to see where the voice was coming from for she already knew.
"… It's over," she replied.
"No, I don't believe it is," Giovanni replied. "Your opponent still draws breath."
"He can no longer battle. I've won," the Vulpix replied.
"Victory will come once your opponent is dead," Giovanni said. Now the Vulpix turned to look at him, her face showing clear signs of anger.
"I told you I will not sink to your damn level!" she yelled. "If I can avoid it I will not kill!" This was something that Giovanni was growing tired of. No matter what the situation she refused to finish off her opponents, leaving him to clean up after her.
"Listen to me 01..."
"And how many times do I have to tell you not to refer to me by that damn codename! I have a real name!" Fed up with being around them she resumed walking towards the small exit on her side of the room. Before walking through, though, she paused.
"… and it's Firefly." With that she exited the room. Everyone was shocked by her outburst. Giovanni said nothing. After a few tense seconds he turned and walked towards the room door.
"Um, sir… what shall we do with…"
"I don't care what you do with that thing," he said, referring to the Aggron that still had not moved. With that he walked out. The scientists, still in a state of slight shock, went back to their business. The head scientist called for a crew to come and remove the Aggron from the battleground. Once the defeated Pokémon was removed he made one more call.
"Begin preparations for 02."
Once through the door the Vulpix named Firefly found herself walking down a short corridor that lead to her enclosure, one of many found in that particular Team Rocket facility. One squared mile in size each one held various experimental Pokémon. Each enclosure was built differently to accommodate the various Pokémon that inhabited them. Though they were separate they were all connected to each other by various small corridors similar to the one Firefly was walking down now. As she walked through the door at the end she was met with her enclosure. Despite the fact that it was indoors the ceiling of the enclosure was glass, allowing the Pokémon to view the sky. Unfortunately for them the glass was five feet thick, invulnerable to anything the Pokémon throw at it. The enclosure itself was similar to a small forest. Various fruit trees grew all over, small grassy fields breaking the monotony. In the center of the enclosure was a lake big enough to accommodate even the biggest Water Pokémon. As Firefly looked around she heard her name being called.
"Hey, Firefly!" She turned to greet two of her closest friends. The first was Rusty, a black Jigglypuff with orange stripes on his ears and paws. The second was Stickers, a purple Lickitung with white spikes on her back and along her spine. She also had a normal sized tongue rather than the oversized one her species is known for having.
"Hey guys," Firefly said. As her two friends got closer they noticed she appeared worse for wear.
"Man, just what did they do to you in there?' Rusty asked.
"I'll tell you, but first… I … need… h… e… lp…" With that Firefly collapsed. Stickers was immediately by her side.
"Damn Team Rocket," she said.
"How bad is it?" Rusty asked. Stickers gave Firefly a quick look-over.
"Among other things her wing's broken… and it looks like a few of her ribs are too," the Lickitung replied. "Go find Farris! Bring her here quickly!"
"I'm on it!" Rusty ran back into the enclosure to find help. Stickers stayed by Firefly's side to make sure her condition didn't worsen. She looked down at the Pokémon she considered her most trusted friend. She frowned when she thought about what Firefly had to go through at the hands of Team Rocket.
"Just how much longer must we suffer at their hands? How long?!" she yelled.
"Don't… worry…" Stickers looked down to see Firefly looking back up at her, a slight smile on her face.
"Firefly…"
"I'll… get us… out… of here… Trust me…" That was one thing Stickers never had a problem doing. If one thing was certain it was that she could always trust in whatever decision Firefly made.
"I do, my friend," she said. The Lickitung looked back into the enclosure, hoping that Rusty was already on his way back with help.
Back at the battlefield the scientists were finishing up another battle. Down below a massive blue sea serpent laid on the floor, a large gash in his throat. Across from him was a small canine-like Pokémon with wings similar to Firefly's.
"Good," he said into a microphone. "That's enough for today." The small canine Pokémon didn't show any acknowledgement as he walked out of the room to his enclosure. After documenting the results the scientist called for a clean-up crew to come and remove the body of the dead Gyarados from the field.
"Giovanni should be pleased with 02's progress," he said. "After what happened with 01 he should be eager to hear any sort of positive news."
Minutes after he left Rusty returned from within the enclosure. Stickers looked up from Firefly.
"Did you find her?" she asked.
"Yeah," Rusty said. "She's right behind me." As soon as he said that a small Pokémon flew up to them. Her name was Farris, a small Roselia that had a pair of fairy-like wings on her back.
"I'm here. What's the emergency?" she asked. Stickers motioned down. Farris looked and was horrified when she saw the condition Firefly was in.
"Celebi's ghost, what the hell did they do to her?!" she yelled.
"I don't know, but she needs help fast," Stickers said. Farris quickly agreed. She flew down next to her fallen friend. After a quick look-over she held her two rose hands in front of her. A green mist of energy flowed from them onto Firefly. At first it appeared as though nothing was happening, but after a few minutes the healing properties of the mist began to take effect. The bruises on her body slowly started to vanish.
"Just a bit more," Farris said. Through the experiments Team Rocket conducted on her she gained unparalleled healing powers, often time needing them when Pokémon came back from Team Rocket's battles to the death. Finally, after nearly 10 minutes of healing, she stopped and stepped back.
"That's all I can do for her," she said. "Hopefully her injuries have healed enough for her to be able to continue the healing process herself." As they all waited Firefly's eyes slowly opened. Seconds later she slowly stood up and stretched, getting feeling back in her legs and wings.
"Ah, that feels much better," she said.
"I'm glad," Farris said.
"You had us worried there for a second," Rusty said.
"Sorry about that," Firefly said. "Man, you wouldn't believe what they had me do this time."
"Seeing as this is Team Rocket we're talking about nothing would surprise me," Stickers said. Firefly nodded in agreement.
"In any case you must be tired after everything you went through," Farris said. "Why don't we head in and relax. You can tell us everything then."
"Sounds good to me. After that a rest is just what I need," Firefly said. With the newly rejuvenated Firefly leading the way the group of friends headed inside the enclosure.
With Giovanni in search of a Pokémon with the power to bring him world domination a small group of Pokémon lead by a winged Vulpix suffer through their tests. Eager to escape how long will they continue to endure Team Rocket's sadistic experiments? And will Firefly and the Pokémon codenamed SPG-02 be the ones Giovanni is looking for? Find out in the next chapter of Firefly: Queen of the New Breed!
Author's Note: The characters Rusty the Jigglypuff and Stickers the Lickitung belong to scarlet pikachu.
Also, the "ancient text" at the beginning of the chapter is actually Japanese (thanks again, scarlet pikachu). However, we were not able to translate all of the words from English to Japanese. If anyone can help we'd appreciate it.
Now, please review