FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Okay, I don't like putting Author notes in stories, but for these I think I must.The title of this story is in Englisc (Old English) and translates to "Sigyn (Norse godess, google her) my sigewif" (again something you can google). The subtitle of this chapter, beginnan is the ancestor of the modern 'begining' but has the meaning of "to begin"

My name is Leofric sunu Æthelstan, I'm nineteen years old and I've been a a trainer since I was 12 years old. My first pokémon was the pup of my older sisters Arcanine, and we've been through a lot together. I'm fairly unusual in that I don't consider pokémon my property. I consider them my team mates. And I've just stopped at home for a bit before continuing on my journey.

'Leofric!' A familiar voice called from downstairs. 'Are you ready yet?'

'Coming mother!' I called back. I hefted my pack onto my back, fastening the chest and waist straps. I took one last look at my room... it had been nice while it lasted, but it was time to go. I closed the door behind me, and I headed downstairs.

'There he is, my baby boy, off to face the world again!' Mother said tremulously as I came into view.

'Mum, I'm nineteen now you know. Hardly your "baby boy".'

'Oh, I know dear, but to mothers their sons are always their sweet little boys. Now, come give your mum a hug!'

I scowled slightly, and then embraced her in a big hug.

'You take care of yourself okay?' she said, her voice somewhat muffled.

'I will,' I replied 'that's a promise.'

She broke the embrace, 'See that you do, I want you back in one piece.'

'Don't worry, I'm a big boy and I won't be alone. I'll have Fyreheorte with me.'

'Speaking of, I'd better call her now. Fyreheorte! Here girl!' I shouted.

Almost immediately, a large Arcanine burst into the room, skidding to a stop at my side.

I petted her on the head, 'Well girl, are you ready to head out again?'

'Arc!' she replied, wagging her tail enthusiastically.

'Now, where's Al?' I thought aloud.

<Right here sir, I was just making my own preparations.> I turned and saw my Alakazam standing in the kitchen doorway.

'Okay then, lets head out, shall we?' I said and gave my mother one last hug and grabbing my staff from the clothes rack next to the door, I headed out once more on my quest to be the best Pokémon trainer I could be.

'Ha! Looks like I win!' I said to the young kid whose Serviper had just fallen to my Raichu.

'I..I lost.' he said, looking crestfallen.

'Don't take it too bad, you put up a great fight. Hey tell you what, I'll waive the prize money, how about that?'

'Really!?' the kid said, hardly believing his ears.

'Yeah, go on, get out of here.' I said, grinning.

'Thanks Mister!' he said before recalling his Serviper and tearing off.

<Sir, if you don't mind my asking, do you think it was wise to let him off the prize money?>

'Al, the kid couldn't of been more than ten years old. He was lucky to have a serviper, but my guess is he hasn't won too many battles. Don't you think it's a bit unfair to take advantage of my skill and Raichus' abilities?'

< I suppose it is rather. But I must remind you that our own funds are running low.>

'Don't worry Al, we'll find some work or maybe an opponent ranked so high above us we'll win a stack of money when we win!'

<Very good Sir.> Al replied, in a tone of snarky deference.

We had been travelling for a little over a month and had racked up a few embarrassing loses but some impressive wins too. But my own funds were limited, and running out fast.

After about two hours we reached our destination, Farm Town. I took the four pokéballs from my belt and released the pokémon inside.

'Okay friends, we're here!' I said to my team. 'This gym leader, Brocca has a reputation for being tough, but we can take him can't we?'

They all gave what I took to be shouts in the affirmative.

I walked the ridge of the hill overlooking the town, I stood for a moment in silence. The only sound was the wind blowing through the forest behind me.

I pointed to the gym, right in the centre of the town, 'Tomorrow, we go there, and show just what we're made of!'

After a brief, but intense training session, it was time to head into town.

My first stop was to the Gym, to register my fight for the next day,

'There's an opening at 10:30.' the receptionist told me.

'Great! I'll take it!' I replied, glad of such an early match.

The next stop was the pokécentre.

'Good evening, I need to heal my pokémon.' I told the nurse.

'Certainly sir, just place your pokéballs in the machine.' Joy replied.

'And what about your Arcanine and Alakazam?' she asked, glancing at Alric and Fyreheorte.

'Oh, they're fine, and I don't keep them in pokéballs anyway.

An hour later, they were done and I retrieved them before heading to the room I was in and slipping into bed, taking care not to wake Fyreheorte.

I awoke the next day at the crack of dawn, said a quick prayer to the Gods and then headed for my morning run. Twenty minutes later I came back and headed for the shower.

'Ahhh, much better!' I said as stepped into the hot water streaming down.

After I was done, I wrapped a towel around my waist and sauntered into the room.

'Okay, I'll just get dressed,' I said as I dried myself, 'and then we'll get going.'

'This match consists of three bouts pairing two pokémon of the same or similar type against each other! The aim is to prove that your skill as a trainer doesn't stop at exploiting weaknesses in your opponent.' called the referee. 'As challenger, Leofric has the first choice.' he added.

I thought for a moment and then said 'I choose electric type!'

'Hah! Such a novice choice!' Brocca sneered. 'But, if you're sure, I don't mind.'

I reached for Raichu and tossed his pokéball

'Raichu, lets get this started!' I shouted.

'Raichu, Rai!' he replied

'Jolteon, lets go!' Brocca yelled throwing his own pokéball.

And I had to admit, it was an impressive looking Jolteon.

'Jolteon, tackle!' Brocca said, wasting no time getting started.

'Raichu, Double Team!' I countered.

It worked, Jolteon missed Raichu by a mile!

'Raichu, volt tackle!'

Raichu surrounded his body with electricity, and charged into Jolteon and sent it flying.

Soon though it got up again, but though it wasn't too affected, it had been weakened.

'Jolteon, use thunderbolt!'

'Raichu! Earth!' I shouted.

Jolteon's attack made contact, and... did nothing.

'What?! How is that possible?' exclaimed Brocca.

'Simple, I used the earth to dissipate the attack, by having Raichu stick his tail in the ground.' I explained.'They do that all the time when they're too full of electricity.'

'But that's not an attack! That has to be a penalty!'

'There are no rules against utilising a pokémons natural abilities, no penalty.' The referee told him.

I could see that Broccas' Jolteon was looking rather tired, he must have put a lot of his power into that attack.

'Raichu, lets end this! Thunder punch!'

And with one hit, Broccas' Jolteon was out cold

'Jolteon is unable to battle! Challenger Leofric wins the first round!'

Brocca recalled his Jolteon 'Okay kid, you got lucky! Let's see you beat this!' He threw another pokéball and a very large Blastoise appeared.

'Oh crap!' I thought to myself.

<Indeed sir, you only have Totodile. Perhaps you should have - >

'Not now Alric, kind of busy at the moment!'

Reluctantly, I called out Totodile. Once he saw the massive Blastoise in front of him he shrank back.

'Hey, buddy,' I said kneeling down 'I know that Blastoise looks pretty tough, but do your best okay?'

'Totodile!' he replied and turned to face his opponent.

'Blastoise, hydro pump!'

And before Totodile could react, he was stuck by a fierce jet of water. He was knocked back instantly.

'Totodile!' I cried out, fearing that he had been knocked out. But he got to his feet and squared his shoulders.

'That's it, respond with Ice fang!' I called.

He charged and launched himself at Blastoise, latching onto its arm.

The large pokémon needed no instructions from its trainer and roughly shook Totodile off, sending him flying back.

'Now, hyper beam!' Brocca cried, scenting victory his eyes glinted with passion.

And in an instant it was over, my Totodile was out of the battle.

'Totodile is unable to battle, round two goes to Gym leader Brocca!' the referee announced to the small crowd.

'Your choice of pokémon now.' Brocca told me, a smug grin on his face.

I was about to make my choice when Fyreheorte stepped forward.

'Fyreheorte, you want to fight?'

'Arc!' she replied, looking up at me.

'I choose Fire type!

'Blæse, you're up!' Brocca called, his arms folded and making no move to reach for a ball.

Just as I was about to call him out on it, a female Blazeiken entered the area.

'I figure your girl against my girl!'

Al right, Fyreheorte lets show what we can do!'

Fyreheorte leapt forward, eager for battle. There was no fear in her for pokémon or man.

'Blæse, start off with Blaze kick.'

Fyreheorte easily evaded the flaming blows, and I saw our victory there.

'Flame thrower!' I called out; eager for glory.

'Mirror Move!'

And to my dismay, my victory was denied as flame met flame, each extinguishing the other.

'Ember!' I called out.

Fyreheorte sent out a small burst of fire, forcing her opponent back.

'Now use extreme speed!' I said, pressing my advantage.

And she dealt her foe a mighty blow, sending her crashing to the floor.

Brocca made as though to run to his injured Blaziken, but seemed to check himself and stood motionless.

'Blæse! Reply with Sand Attack!' And with Fyreheorte blinded, he repaid the blow.

'Fire Blast!'

And whilst she was still attempting to clear her vision, My partner in battle was engulfed in an inferno. When the flames had abated, she had singed fur and was clearly weakened.

'Fyreheorte, use Endure!" I called, in desperation and to my relief she was able to continue fighting.

'Blæse, use Body Slam!'

'Fyreheorte, use Body Slam!'

We both called out the same attack in the same instant, and so we knew that this next move would decide all.

Then our pokémon fell to probing the others defence, cautiously they sought the advantage.

And in a blur of movement, they leapt forward and both became a blur of fur and fang.

'Come on Fyreheorte, you can do it girl!' I shouted as they struggled to attain the victory.

Blæse, you've got this one!' Brocca called with equal passion.

The dust cleared, and my Fyreheorte was the victor, having pinned her opponent to the ground.

'Good work, girl! Now use bite!'

'Wait!, I concede defeat!' Brocca called before the attack could be carried out.

The small crowd gasped at the sudden capitulation of the local gym leader.

'Brocca declares himself defeated, the final round goes to challenger Leofric!' the referee called.

Our pokémon disentangled them selves and made there way slowly back to us.

'Well done girl, I'm proud of you!' Brocca told his Blaziken, and I was sure I saw him slip his hand onto her backside, but I dismissed it as just my imagination.

Fyreheorte was very much hurt and seemed almost about to pass out.

'Hey girl, I knew you could do it!' I said getting on my knees. 'I know you don't like being in your pokéball, but you're really hurt and it will keep you safe until I can get you to the pokécentre, okay?'

She licked my hand, and I took that as her giving me permission.

'That's a girl!' I said pulling the long disused ball out of my pouch I had strapped on my belt.

'Fyreheorte, return!' I said, and a red light pulled my Arcanine into her ball.

Brocca walked up to me, glowering and his jaw set. I prepared myself for a fight.

'Congratulations!' he said, his face changing to a wide grin.'That was some battle, you've earned this.' He added, producing a badge and my winnings.

'Thanks, I enjoyed it too!' I told him. 'But I don't understand, you could have still beaten me - what made you forfeit?' I asked, puzzled.

Brocca paused 'I didn't want Blæse to get injured more than she was.' he replied 'Me and her go way back. And she's... special. Kind of like you and Fyreheorte.'

'Oh, I get it, I worry that Fyreheorte might get badly hurt too.' I reassured him 'But she lives for the fight, when I was just starting out I had a lot of trouble with her refusing to back down.'

And so I left the gym and headed back to the pokécentre.

'Good morning sir!' Nurse joy greeted me cheerfully 'How did your match go?'

I showed her my new badge grinning.

'But I have two pokémon that need healing.' I added, presenting the balls holding Fyreheorte and Totodile.

An hour later, I was headed out, Fyreheorte at my side once again.

<Sir, where are we going next?> Al asked me after a while.

'Well, we have to cut across the highlands to reach the nearest port to catch a ship across the Wailord-road to the Johto region.' I replied 'There we will enter the tournament, and see what these outsiders can do!'We marched through tall grasses, tussock and came onto a lonely, wind swept plain. soon, twilight was upon us and I decided to set up camp in the shelter of a large boulder.

Dinner was a simple meal, pokémon food for Alric and Fyreheorte. I ate a hearty stew followed by some snacks I had bought in Farm town.Afterwards, we sat at the camp fire and I decided to perform so I took my harp from my pack.

'I'm going to play a tune on the glee-wood and recite a poem.' I announced, giving an experimental pluck on a string.

' Listen! You have heard how in days gone by, when men knew not the pokémon craft, that the world was full of strife.

When strong men and proud took up their war-boards, emblazoned with their signs to join the fight.

In those days it was that Ælfwin the great grew to manhood.

Lo, though he was of common birth his was a ready mind, and his tongue was silver-sharp.

He stood fast against the rabble, the riotous crowd who would downcast order for their chaos.

With his words of encouragement he would steady the nerves of warriors, and with his wits he would seek that they should have the victory cup!

His was not the part of warrior, but his heart was full of devotion.

He shared the dangers of defeat amongst the army.

And so by won the undying loyalty of his men.'

I plucked the strings in a simple melody to provide a subtle rhythm to the story. It was one of the most popular poems of my homeland, and my favourite.

'Many years they fought the foe in many fearsome battles.

Victorious they were through force of arms, and the favour of the Gods.

The land was free of all rebels and invaders.

For this achievement, Ælfwin was acclaimed king.

So began a golden age!'

<Simply wonderful sir, but now I must get some rest.>

I yawned and nodded. 'Yes, I should too, got a busy day ahead of us tomorrow.'

And dousing the fire, I headed to my tent, Fyreheorte following wagging her tail.

I slipped into bed and groaned as she jumped onto the bed after me.

'Arceus, Fyreheorte, you're getting heavy!' I said.

She gave me a reproachful look as if to ask "Are you saying I'm fat?"

'Aww, don't look like that, I'm just saying you're not a Growlith any more.'

She perked up at that and nuzzled up to me and lay her head on my chest.

'Good night Fyreheorte.'

The next day as we walked down the forest trail in silence I thought ahead to the big tourney that I was heading to. How would I battle? Which pokémon to choose? Suddenly, out of nowhere, something streaked across my path and I felt a sting as something hit me.

Fyreheorte growled, and shot a burst of fire at the pokémon, which I now saw was a Beedrill. It evaded the flames and flew off as fast as it had appeared.

<Are you alright sir?> Al asked.

'Yeah. I'm fine, just a scratch, nothing major. Lets keep going.'

I was lying, my shoulder was throbbing with pain, but I wasn't going to be set back by a Beedrill!

But as I walked, the pain spread, and every movement was agony. More than that, my senses seemed dull. Every sound seemed distorted, and my vision was blurred.

<Sir, are you quite sure you're okay?>

"Yes, I'm fine Al see?' and I took a step forward and then I saw blackness crowding in my field of vision and then nothingness.