Okay. So this is my first ever attempt at writing a fic. I hope you enjoy!

I Believe I Can Fly

Chapter 1

Whenever you hear your parents say that human flight is impossible, ask them, "What would you do if you had wings?"

That was the basis of conversation within my household for as long as I can remember. I have constantly dreamt of open skies, spreading 15 foot-long wings, and feeling the open air penetrate my senses. Sadly, I know this feat is impossible due to the scientific restrictions of my time. The flying Pokemon within this world are lucky to have the luxury that humans could only dream about.

I have been secluding myself from society for at least 6 months now. Laying on my bed and staring at my ceiling that has been painted to imitate the ethereal airspace that surrounds us everyday calms me whenever I feel stressed. Oddly, when I stare at it long enough, I feel at home more often than I do with the few human friends I have left.

I should probably introduce myself. My name is Kurtis. I am 18 years old and living with my mother in Fallarbor Town. I'm abnormally tall for my age, standing at 6'4" and with short long hair gelled up into a spike, one would say I had the potential to be a star athlete at first glance. I had longed to go on a Pokemon journey when I had turned 14, but ever since my father dissappeared, life hasn't been so simple. I was forced to take a job in Lavaridge Town at the local gym as Flannery's personal assistant. The pay is pretty decent, Flannery is smokin' hot (all men in agreement?), and the Pokemon are amazing. Due to me having to travel by walking, it takes me about an hour to reach the gym from my house and vice versa. Although the scenery is amazing, the Pokemon in their natural habitat is just a spectaular sight to see.

Due to my nerves being on edge, I decided that I would go out for a mid-afternoon stroll to the mountains. Quickly, a pulled on a pair of black athletic shorts and a cut-off t-shirt, grabbed a backpack with some snacks and other things and left the house. Due to living in the quiet, docile town, there is easy access to walking paths leading to Meteor Falls. Inhabiting this area were many flocks of Swablu and Altaria. Just last week I managed to find a very large nest of wild Altaria. As soon as I entered, I noticed parents of the young Swablu warning their children to stay away from me, so I decided to look non-aggressive to them, so I laid back against a tree and took out my notebook.

About two years ago, I had taken up poetry in an attempt to find something that made me feel unique. Due to both the lush, green landscape to the west and the dry, barren desert to the southeast of town, the Pokemon were very diverse and the nature surrounding them had many things to offer that could be put into words. I jolted from my apparent reverie to find a young Swablu perched on my shoulder gazing down at the paper in confusion at what I was doing.

I chuckled at it's curiousness, "Hello there. What's going on?"

Okay, I know what you're thinking. You probably think I'm crazy for asking a Pokemon a question right? Well heres a news flash for you.

I can understand Pokemon.

The young Swablu turned to me, "What'cha doin' mister?", it asked.

"I'm writing some poetry", I said simply.

If I could fly,

Up way so high,

Into the clouds up in the sky.

I would go and see the lands,

With lots of every culture's hands.

It would be like a pleasant dream,

To visit the world and float ike steam.

If only I could fly.

I read the peom aloud to him hoping he would hear my plight. Sadly he answered, "But humans can't fly. Why do you want to?"

I sighed at the naiveness of the young bird Pokemon, "You probably would'nt understand, little one"

An older voice that sounded aged with wisdom spoke up at this moment, "I understand you perfectly young man."

In front of me was an Altaria, it's blue down feathers faded sky blue with age and cotton-ike wings that have been worn out over the years. One could also see the visible age lines on it's face from a distance.

The young Swablu stammered in surprise, "M..m..m..mister Hughes!"

Hughes heartily smiled to the young Swablu, "Please excuse us Milo. I wish to speak with… I'm terribly sorry! I seem to have not asked for your name, human." He chucked im embarassment.

I laughed inwardly, "It's Kurtis, sir"

"Ah, yes. Milo, please excuse me and Kurtis here. I wish to speak with him privately."

"Y…ye..yes, sir!", and he flew off.

I continued to stare at the bird until Hughes spoke up. "Now what's this I heard about having a strong desire to fly?"

I paused, unsure what to say in this situation. I have never told anybody of my dreams of being home free in the skies before, so I took a moment to prepare my thoughts and give him my answer.

"I have always been a normal kid. I was living under a normal house and going to a normal job and I went to a normal school, yet people percieved me as different."

Hughes interrupted, "Isn't that the ideal lifestyle?"

"That's what I used to think. Then I discovered my crazy obsession for flying Pokemon. I became insanely jealous of the way they are able to roam free in the skies without any care in the world. I didn't undersand why I felt so helpless underneath the black sihlouettes that marked the sky. That's when my 'friends' decided to call me out in front of an entire class claiming I was going to go and jump off a cliff. After that, I chose to seclude myself from society, finding even the most miniscule excuse to get out of an uncomfortable situation."

He paused for a minute and responded, "So from what I understand, you don't want to be different?"

I then said, "No. people only perceive me as different. I just want to be.. 'me'."

Hughes slowly bobbed his head as if he was having an internal debate, "Very well. Get on my back. I want to take you somewhere."

Not wanting to disrespect his wishes, I hopped on his back. Within seconds, we took off, soaring through the clouds and leaving a streak of clouds faintly following our wind trail.

As we passed Mauville City, I asked him, very loudly, "WHERE ARE WE GOING?"

He jolted right in response to my shouting, "Dear Arceus, boy! Do you want to make me deaf?"

I sweatdropped, "Oh!.. um… I apologize".

"It's quite alright, son. Now we are heading towards the Sky Pillar just off the coast o Pacifidlog Town. It is said to be the home of Rayquaza, the Lord of the Skies, a magnificent dragon that only few have ever met, including myself. He should be able to help with you and your eh.. predicament."

I frowned at the end of his sentence but decided not to question him until after today's events were all done and over with.

About 30 minutes later, we arrived at the top of the Sky Pillar, to be met by a gigantic green dragon that literally dwarfed us in size. Hughes bowed as an apparent sign of respect, so decided to mimic him and do the same.

Rayquaza spoke, "Hughes, why have you brought a human to my domain?"

"I believe this human fits the qualities you desire for a hero, my lord."

Rayquaza's eyes visibly widened at this, "Do tell, do tell. Human what is your name?"

My heartbeat quicked for some reason, "Um.. Kurtis.. sir."

He laughed at my nervousness, "Don't be so alarmed, child. Tell me what is troubling you."

At that cue, I started to tell him of my aspirations of flying and the like that I had told to Hughes earlier.

Rayquaza had the creepiest grin on his face when I finished, and he finally stated, "Hughes was right! You do hold the qualities that I seek!"

I frowned, "If I may ask, what are these qualities?"

"Gladly", Hughes interrupted, "There are three qualities one must possess in order to become the hero of Rayquaza. First, one must have an unyielding love for the open skies or, in your case, flying. Second, one must have the bravery to enter the clearing of all of my family and friends in my flock. Surely, if anyone else were to find us, we would've been extremely territorial and would stop aat nothing to remove them from the clearing.

"And the final quality?", I asked nervously.

"The tird and final quality that one must possess to become the Hero of Rayquaza is that you have been wounded."

"Wounded? How?"

"I am talking about how your father dissappeared without a trace. That left an emotional scar that not only left a young boy without a father, but it also didn't supply you with the closure that many need to move past their suffering."

I stared at Hughes for a few seconds before turning to Rayquaza and quickly stating, "I'll do it."

The green god of the skies glared, as if to make sure I was being serious and firmly stated, "Before we continue, you must know this. Being my hero will not be easy to hide from your family and friends that you meet in your lifetime. Are you absolutely sure you are up to the task of fulfilling the duty and title 'Hero of Rayquaza, Vassal of the Skies'?"

I nodded.

There was a long silence…

"Very well."

The events that occurred after he said that all came by as a blur. He managed to use Extremespeed to get behind me, and while I was turning my head to get a closer look at what he was doing, I noticed both of his claws glow bright before he jabbed them into my shoulderblades. The last thing I saw before everything went black was Rayquaza's face overflowing with tears.

My name is Kurtis. As of this moment I am the Hero of Rayquaza, Vassal of the Skies.

This is my story.

So what do you think? Please R&R!