Before I start with this story, let me make something clear:

THIS IS NOT A COPY OF NARUTO AND POKEMON: POWER OF PARTNERSHIP.

Yes, I was inspired by that fic, and yes, I love it so, so much, but this will hardly be identical, and I have no intention of ripping that fic off. This is an original work inspired by Mhyrloc's amazing fic, which unfortunately looks dead. Some Pokemon might be the same, and the idea is the same, but rest assured I'm going to try my best to make it different. A predictable story is a boring story after all.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or Naruto. If I did I would be richer than Bill Gates.

"Talking"

"Thinking"

"Poke-speak"

The God of Pokemon, Arceus himself, surveyed the hidden village of Konoha from his realm. He had been intrigued by the events that occurred the day before.

A Genin fresh out of the academy with no Pokemon to speak of, defeated a Chunnin and his own Pokemon partner. Not without help, but it was still a remarkable feat for someone so young and inexperienced.

Of course, it wasn't anything shocking. These kind of things weren't anything new, as prodigies sprung up like weeds in every village. They were a bit like a visit from an old friend; surprising, unexpected and delightful, but ultimately not that uncommon. However, Arceus had been watching the boy in question for a long time.

Naruto Uzumaki had suffered in the hands of the village, all because he was a container of the Kyuubi. By all means he should have been bitter, nursing hatred towards the people who had made him an outcast. But Naruto kept his pure heart instead, and sought to gain the village's approval instead of turning against it.

Now it was time for Arceus to choose a Pokemon to gift the child.

The God knew that above all, Naruto wanted a friend. Someone he could rely on, someone he could trust. That factor, combined with the boy's other interests, and Arceus knew what Pokemon suited him.

Arceus concentrated, and an egg appeared before him. It was a medium sized brownish orange with black markings. The God gave a satisfied nod.

He then turned his gaze on one Sasuke Uchiha. Like Naruto, the boy had also suffered, having seen his family slaughtered by his brother. But unlike the Jinchuuriki, he had been consumed by a thirst for power and revenge. Sasuke needed to learn that power wasn't everything, and that true strength came from protecting others. There were many Pokemon who could teach them that, but the boy wouldn't give any of them a chance. There was only one option.

A decently sized egg maaterialized. It was a light blue and black, with a yellow star in the middle.

Next was Sakura Haruno. A painfully average girl who didn't seem to have what it took to be a shinobi, but Arceus knew she had potential. She could be an accomplished medic nin, a genjutsu user or even a taijutsu specialist! If only she would realise that... and stop obsessing over Sasuke Uchiha. But now she posed a problem, her lack of interests meant Arceus wasn't sure which Pokemon would best suit her.

An small egg popped into existence. It was of varying shades of pink, and had a white stripe in the middle.

Then it was time for Ino Yamanaka. As the Yamanaka clan had long been partnered with either psychic or grass Pokemon, Arceus saw no reason to break the trend. An Exeggcute would usually be his first choice, but he felt like it wouldn't be the best partner for Ino... The girl might not give the "ugly" Pokemon a chance.

A small, pale, almost white egg appeared. It was speckled with light green and purple.

After that was Nara Shikamaru. Arceus knew just what would suit the lazy Nara. A medium hot pink and cream egg came into being.

Choji Akimichi was next. A huge, dull yellow egg with black markings and two red rings on each side manifested.

Then it was time for Inuzuka Kiba's Pokemon. He needed to learn discipline and the value of hard work. If Arceus gave him a strict Pokemon it would evidently lead to clashes, so he needed to be more subtle.

A medium sized blue egg with black markings and a single yellow line at the top came into view.

Shino Aburame was afterwards. Choosing the boy's Pokemon was easy. A tiny, whitish egg appeared. It had some light brown and green markings.

Finally it was time to choose Hyuuga Hinata's Pokemon. A shy, timid girl, she needed to be more confident in herself. Arceus knew what Pokemon would help her do so.

A yellow egg with a small red band around the tip appeared.

Now that the God's work was done, he settled into a more comfortable position. Tomorrow should prove interesting...

Today was the day.

Naruto had arrived an hour before the ceremony would have even started, owing to the fact that he had turned in early the day before. He wasn't taking any chances!

Today he would receive his Pokemon Partner!

Naruto had wondered whether his Partner would like him. For all he knew, they could end up hating him and they'd fight a lot. But Iruka had told him the bond between Human and Pokemon was always strong, and he needn't worry.

The boy hoped he would be great friends with his Pokemon, like how Iruka was like with his Exploud. The two were almost always together, never seen apart. The idea of having a good friend he could trust appealed to Naruto, and he wished the ceremony would start already.

The Ceremony was held in a small clearing, completely devoid of trees and grass. All the other graduates were there. They were either daydreaming, biting their nails, or just standing quietly. It was clear that everybody was impatient and excited. Even the stoic Sasuke Uchiha had a smirk on his face.

It didn't take long.

The clearing suddenly burst into flames of all colours, startling everyone. Some of the weak willed genin passed out in dead faint. The heat and the oppressing aura was almost too much.

Before the rest of the graduates could faint too, the flames started to die down to usual heights. Emerging from the fire was a majestic Pokemon everyone recognised from their history books.

It resembled a massive bird, a mix between a phoenix and a peacock, though no one in their right mind would call it an animal. It's feathers seemed to be made from pure swirling flame, either gold or red. It carried itself with dignity and grace, it's bright orange eyes taking them all in.

It was Ho Oh, the Legendary Rainbow Pokemon. While Konoha was usually visited by Entei, Ho Oh would appear when the graduates were particularly promising. The Pokemon had appeared before the Sandaime and the Yondaime's classes, two legends, and the fact was not lost on the Hokage. That meant that one of these graduates had the potential to be great.

Greetings. Ho Oh said. It's voice was gentle and composed. I am Ho oh. I am here to deliver the gift of alliance as agreed within our age old pact. Know that the choices you have made, the paths you have walked, have lead you to this day. Remain true to yourselves, and to your allies, and we of poke-kind will always remain beside you. But know also, that just as we remember and honour our allies, so too do we remember our enemies. Harm our kindred only when absolutely necessary, and never seek to enslave another living being. Remember these rules, and remember that we are always watching.

Suddenly, Ho oh became brighter and brighter, so bright that everyone had to avert their eyes. The flames that had been flickering around the Legendary grew larger, before suddenly rushing at them. Nine of the graduates clutched their arms as they felt searing pain, a seal branded into their skins. The pain passed as quickly as it came. When the light cleared, a few eggs were hovering in front of their respective partners, the graduates who had received a new seal on their arms. The rest had no seal or egg to speak of.

"Hey! Why didn't I get one!"

"Where's my egg?!"

"This sucks!"

"There has to be a mistake!"

Ho Oh gave the hysterical mass of students a disapproving glare that could, ironically, freeze water. There is no error. You did not receive an egg for you failed to honor and respect our kind the way our pact commands you to do. You see us as mere animals, mindless beasts who you can treat as pets, and therefore you're not worthy to even catch a glimpse of me, let alone have a partner of your own.

That silenced the protests fairly quickly, and the Anbu soon appeared to escort all of them away. They would be given extensive teaching on the matter of Pokemon, and if in a month they fail yet again, they would have to become a ninja without the aid of a Pokemon partner, which was practically a death sentence. Most people choose to drop out if that happened.

Ho Oh turned to the remaining graduates, a mere nine children. Far less than what was expected. You who remain, I deliver my sincere congratulations. May you stay true to yourselves and your Pokemon, and never break our pact. For Arceus has given you these eggs to care for, but he can also take them away. Heed my warning Mortals, and pray you will never invite Arceus's wrath. The warning sent chills down the spines of everyone present. Apparently satisfied, the legendary gave the an approving nod.

There was another flash of light, and Ho Oh was gone.

What Pokemon do you think the rookie nine got? Tell me your guesses through Reviews! The person with the most accurate guess may ask me for their favourite character's Pokemon without having to wait chapters!