Pokémon: Red Steel Travels

So, I don't really know what I'm planning with this but it's been on my mind for a while now. And I'll admit I don't really know where it'll go. Though it might just sit here with a single chapter for a while and then I suddenly kick it back into life. So we'll see where this will be going. Who knows, maybe it'll be my next new long story.

I'm also attempting with a different writing style compared to my other work. So it may feel a bit odd in places.

Chapter One
Into the World! Vs. Pawniard

They used to say that any kid could become a Pokémon Champion. Used to. After some rather not so pleasant stories from the deeper parts of regions they had to sharpen up the rules for trainers. I overheard a news story from my Mom's television once;

Some young trainers had gotten lost on their travels, into parts where it was relatively safe to be, though that was mainly because the area had no edible food or safe water. When they were finally found a few weeks after they were both so dehydrated and starved they had to stay at the nearby hospital for quite some time.

But that's not the only things that's changed for those wanting to become trainers, the climate changes around the world have also made for Pokémon usually not from around here have started to mitigrate to Unova, more than last time that is. And the ones that already migrated previously have spread even more. Unova really changed in just a few years.

So it was decided that for a child to become a trainer they would have to pass a test that determined their abilities. And then the Pokémon Professor of that area would make an evaluation of the trainer.

I passed both tests a week ago, but even so I haven't really gotten past leaving. Or well, I tried right away but I'm not the only child with an interest in becoming a trainer here in Aspertia so by the time I got there, there was no more Starter Pokémon left. So here I am, watching old reruns of matches from the Pokémon World Tournament, or PWT for short.

I've always been a fan of Elesa, I have to admit. I don't know if it's her grace as a trainer and as a model or the fact she can be both a gym leader and a model. Two careers which each seem rather demanding of you.

I remember this match, Elesa and her Zebstrika against Volkner from Sinnoh and his Electivire in the Type Master round. The match itself kept me at my seat when I they aired it the first time. Considering both in size and sheer strength and Electivire would come out on top, but with a lucky hit Zebstrika halted the larger Pokémon giving the win to Elesa.

But what good is it, me just sitting here rambling. I'm just some kid who don't have a Pokémon yet even though I passed the test.

"Erina" a female voice calls, my Mom. "There's a package here for you" she further calls.

"Coming!" I shouted as I get on my feet. I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Erina Kiriyama, I'm thirteen years old and live alone with my mom in Aspertia, Unova. My Mom divorced my dad a few years ago where my older brother ended up living with him. While Mom and Dad don't get along too good, he still keep in touch with us. And he sends me gifts every now and then.

I stand up, smoothing out my grey shirt over my not so large breasts, one day I always say, and slim stomach. I run a hand through my not so long brown hair, my bangs frame my face nicely as it falls down to my shoulders. I adjust the sweatpants I'm wearing. No reason to be fancy when I'm at home.

I walk into the living room, I glance over at my Mom who's sitting on the couch watching some midday drama. She looks back at me with a smile, her short light-brown hair held back in pony tail, mine is darker due to my dad's darker hair, she's a lot more well build than I am with fine curves and all, she's wearing a plain white shirt and a blue skirt, her warm brown eyes walking over to the dining table where a little wrapped box is sitting.

"Who's it from?" I ask in a sort of relaxed tone, looking between my mom and the box.

"Why don't you see for yourself" she replies with a light giggle. I never like when she's like this about anything. Especially not when she giggle.

I take a few heavy steps before stopping at the table, it's not a particularly large box. Hesitant I pick it up, it's not that heavy either, I look down at it in my hand, pink wrapping paper and on top of its lid is large pink ribbon. I look over at my Mom who's giggling like a schoolgirl at my reaction.

"Here goes" I mutter softly as I lift the lid. Neatly packed and resting on a pillow is a small red ball. I lift an eyebrow a bit weirdly at this, what was so special about a red ball. It takes my brain a few seconds to process what I just thought, instantly my hand jab down at the small ball, fumbling to pick it up. I stared down at the ball in my hand, it was an actual Poké Ball.

"It's from your Dad" my Mom explained, "When he heard you were late for the Starters he decided to take matters into his own hands" she giggled, I could tell this was a part of dad she really liked. "But you can always read the letter"

"Letter?" I asked dumb folded looking down at the box, where the Poké Ball had sat was a folded piece of paper, how do I manage to miss these things, I wonder as I pick it up.

"Dear Erina. It's a shame about losing out on one of the Regional Starters the Professors hand out to you kids. But don't you worry. Daddy takes care of his little girl, so he's made sure you have a fine Pokémon to start out with. It might shake up your travels but don't worry, we Kiriyama's always make sure there's a way. So that's why Daddy have gotten this little guy prepared for his princess. I'm sure his heart of steel will help you through some rough spots. So hang in there. -Daddy"

I let out a sigh, my dad was always like that, you're Daddy's little princess and all that. And what's with that heart of steel comment, I wonder.

"Sooooo~?" my Mom hums as she's leaning over the couch with an odd look on her face. "What did he get you?" she asks.

"So, Dad never told you what he'd get me?" I ask a bit surprised. That'd have been so like him.

My Mom shook her head, "He just said I should buy you the things you'd need and he'd take care of the rest"

I look back surprised at my mom, my Dad usually never wanted secrets around anyone but I guess he didn't want my mom to spoil it for me before it would arrive. I look back down at the Poké Ball in my hand. Something in here will be traveling around the world with me. I take a deep breath. Got to stay focused, Erina, I tell myself. "Out you go!" I declare in a shaky voice, the anticipation is getting to me as well as the ball flips open, a white beam shoots out onto the floor.

As the light covering the Pokémon died down its shape started to show. It had a round red head with a blade sticking out. Its face was black with yellow eyes. Its torso was also black, four steel spines sticking out. Each of its limbs were red with a sharp white point at the end. The white points at its arms looked more like small swords than anything else.

"That's a...?" I muttered looking at the smaller Pokémon. It wasn't the largest in the world. Not even compared to me, and I'm not that tall, a modest five feet. Let's not push it with the weight.

"Pawniard, the Sharp Blade Pokémon. Blades comprise this Pokémon's entire body. If battling dulls the blades, it sharpens them on stones by the river." a synthetic voice explains.

I look up surprised to see my Mom hold up the newest Xtransceiver. Not too long ago they went into a collaboration with Professor Oak for the PokéDex info. Something about giving trainers fewer tools to worry about when in the wild. Essentially that meant you would have the perks of the PokéDex sitting on your wrist. Rather smart if you ask me.

"We didn't want you to leave unprepared, so I was to take care of the other things" Mom explained, still smiling like a schoolgirl that was just told something practically life important to her.

I look down at Pawniard, who is looking just as confused over at my Mom. I might like that little guy a bit more than I first thought, he already share my confusion toward my Mom. "Now, I should call you something other than Pawniard" I say out loud, tapping a finger on my chin while I give Pawniard the elevator look.

"How about Stuart?" my Mom suggests, both of us turn our heads at her, glaring. "Okay, maybe not Stuart"

"I could call you Hagane, what do you think of it?" I ask looking down at Pawniard who seems to think over it for a moment. I never expected Pokémon thought over what we called them. He gave a happy cry, I think it was a happy cry, and looked up at me. His eyes seemed happy enough. "Hagane it is!" I grinned.

"Well, how about you change out of those clothes and get ready to go?" Mom said cheerfully. I sigh and walk toward my room, Hagane following suit. "I'll take that as a yes" my Mom's voice said as I vanished up the stairs.

My room is rather plain. There's a large bed with some yellow bed covers. An acceptably large television across the from the bed, a small desk with a computer and at the end of my room a large closet. The essentials.

I look through the closet for a moment before picking various pieces of clothing. I quickly strip out of my sweatpants and shirt. I put on my long sleeved red shirt, I like red okay, and a pair of blue jeans, gotta pick something that works all year. I take a grey jacket as well and put it on. It reached my thighs, good enough to me.

"That'll do nicely, won't it" I say out loud looking at Hagane who nods. Who'd have thought we agreed like this already. I'm sure we'll disagree in the future. "Time for us to enter the world huh" I say looking at Hagane with a slightly big smile. I guess he's looking forward to it as well.

Walking down the stairs and back into the living room I see my Mom standing in front of a backpack, which is rather overfilled if you ask me, and a pair of brown walking boots on the floor next to them.

"What's all this?" I ask confused.

"Your travel kit, what else" my Mom responds. "Got to be prepared, dear"

"I don't think I need all of this" I say walking over to the large backpack, searching through it. "It's just food, all of it!"

"You're in the growing age" my Mom defends at her packing.

"That doesn't mean I need food for an army the moment I leave" I reply angered as I start pulling out various types of canned food.

After a few minutes of arguing and repacking I'm finally ready, most of the canned food have been left behind. Leaving the backpack with enough food for a few days, a sleeping bag, a rain cover for the backpack, a cover to make shelter with and some various things to light fires with, and some trainer essentials, Poké Balls and such.

"My little girl is finally leaving" my Mom says in a fake crying sort of voice. I shrug as I swing the backpack over my shoulders. It feels a bit heavy, but nothing I can't manage.

"Well then," I say turning toward her, "I'm off" I add with a weak smile as I open the door.

"Take care, dear" my Mom say waving as Hagane and I vanish out the door.

It's still bright outside, glancing down at my Xtransceiver, which they also added a clock to, they're smart those Trainer Tech guys, shows it's just a bit past noon. Plenty of time to reach Floccesy Town. "And I'm sure we can beat the Gym Leader before leaving" I grin down at Hagane.

The walk from my house to the Gym Center slash Trainer School isn't that far, a few minutes, because I we take the shortcut through the fields. No Pokémon really lives within the city so there's no problems with that yet. I look up noticing a few Pidove flying above us. I'm finally a Pokémon Trainer.

Walking up to the Trainer School feels different when you're there for the Gym Battle and not class. Standing in front of the door is a young man wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and a red tie. Black hair with a single tuff going up.

"Anything special making you stand out here, Mr. Cheren?" I asked politely walking up to him, he's at least an entire head taller than me. I might not be a student anymore but he's still my teacher sort of.

"I'm just waiting on a delivery, it should have been here a while ago" Cheren replies looking to his left, before looking at me, and Hagane. "You finally got your Pokémon?"

"Well, Dad sent me one since I missed the Starters from Bianca" I explained, Bianca, who became a trainer alongside Cheren manages the Pokémon Lab in this part of Unova for Professor Juniper, so she's in charge of all that fancy.

"I see, interesting Pokémon though, Pawniard is a Steel and Dark type. That might give some problems for you later on" Cheren said.

"Hagane and I will manage" I replied with a grin.

"Well good to know you two believe in yourself" Cheren state. "But we can't battle until my package arrives"

My cheerful mood drops instantly, hearing this. "How come?" I asked shocked.

"I'm waiting on a important package" Cheren explained, "So, I can't battle yet"

"Well, how about I go get it for you then?!" I suggested eagerly. "It's just at Floccesy Town isn't it?"

"I guess. It should be at the Pokémon Center there" Cheren said relaxing a bit.

"And then we'll battle once I return with your things" I added, feeling a bit smug I might add, not that I would want to let him see that. He's a cool guy. He shouldn't see this side of me. "Hagane and I could probably use the training" I state with a weak laugh.

"That's the right attitude" Cheren said, "You shouldn't doubt that instinct"

"Ehm, okay" I mutter, "I'll be back soon"

"Be careful of the wild Pokémon. They might surprise you" Cheren said as I started walking toward the city gate.

"I hope you're ready for it, Hagane" I grin as we walk past the Pokémon Center. "Because Erina Kiriyama and Hagane is ready to take the world by storm!" I declared, Hagane giving a hearty cry as well.

End of Chapter

Something fresh from me, I haven't really written Pokémon before so things are a bit stiff but I'm sure that's a habit I'll get into.

So, I've decided to attempt making this OC as well. A few ground rules for it.

-PM ONLY. Any OC's sent outside PM's will be ignored.

-SUBJECT FOR PM SHOULD BE: Red Steel (Travels) OC. Something to let me know it's related to this story.

I reserve the right to make minor changes and whatnots to any sent OC's. And please, no connection to legendaries or canon characters. Be reasonable when you make them.

OC FORM

Name:

Age:

Hometown:

Description: Physical features.

Clothing:

Personality:

Likes:

Dislikes:

Background:

Team: Be reasonable. No limits on Generation as there is an even bigger variety of Pokémon in Unova than in Black and White 2 since even more Pokémon have migrated to Unova!