Hello folks! I actually had this story up a long time ago, but took it down to tweak it! Well, I never really got around to that, so I decided to just rethink the entire plot! But before we begin, I have to give credit where credit is due!

Agurra of Darkness came up with the pairing, Maylene's back story, and a Pokemon that Naruto will catch later on! Thanks Agurra!

And before we begin, I have to say one thing: NO, there will NOT be and Vulpix or Ninetails in this story! It's really overused.

Okay, let's begin!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto or Pokemon!

"Dragonite, use Hyper-Beam!"

"Nite!" the Pokemon shouted as it fired its attack, hitting an Infernape dead-on and knocking it to the ground, out-cold.

"What this?! Could we be seeing a comeback?! What will Naruto do now that his Infernape is defeated?!" an announcer called from his booth while the crowd roared in excitement.

Naruto returned his Pokemon to its Pokeball and grabbed a new one. Glaring, he looked across the stadium field at the man he was battling. The blonde man smirked at him.

Naruto threw the Pokeball into the field, "Go, Empoleon, use Blizzard!"

Empoleon jumped out onto the field and fired the attack, hitting Dragonite instantly and encasing it in a block of ice.

The referee on the field held up a flag towards Naruto, "Dragonite is no longer able to battle! The winner and new champion is Naruto Uzumaki!"

Naruto jumped for joy and called back Empoleon. Seconds later he was surrounded by reporters, calling his name and asking questions.

"Naruto…"

"How does it feel to have finally beaten your father?"

Naruto grinned, "It feels great!"

"Naruto…"

Naruto ignored the voice calling his name, "I can't believe it's finally happening! I've dreamed of this moment for so long! I feel invincible right no—"

"NARUTO!!!"

(End Dream)

Naruto jolted awake to find an angry Iruka glaring at him and the class laughing at him. Frowning he rubbed his eyes and looked to the clock before turning back to Iruka. He still had another hour of this torture known as Trainer's School to go…

"I'm glad you decided to wake up, Naruto. Now, would you be so kind as to list all the evolutions of Eevee?" Iruka asked.

Naruto gulped, "Um…sure, there's Vaporeon…and Jolteon…and Espeon…"

"If you paid attention in class you'd be able to list these easily," Iruka sighed, "And you wouldn't have the lowest grades in the class."

"Hey, it's not my fault class is so boring!" Naruto replied.

"Yeah! It's not his fault he's stupid!" Kiba laughed as the class joined him.

"Hey, come over here and say that to my face!" Naruto shouted, standing from his chair and turning to Kiba.

"Naruto, sit down! Kiba, don't pick fights with people!" Iruka ordered, only to be ignored.

"I have a better idea! Why don't we battle?" Kiba smirked, "Oh, that's right, you don't have any Pokemon!"

"I don't need Pokemon to kick your ass!" Naruto snapped back.

"ENOUGH!!" Iruka shouted, "Everyone calm down! Just because you kids are close to graduation, doesn't mean you can do whatever you want! Class is still going until tomorrow after the test! Now sit down!"

Naruto grumbled, but obeyed the order, sitting down in his chair reluctantly.

"Now, as I was saying, tomorrow you will all graduate and receive your own Pokedex from Professor Sarutobi," Iruka spoke, "And the top three students will receive their choice of three Pokemon."

"Of course, that'll be me!" Kiba declared boastfully.

"Kiba, you and I both know that isn't true," Iruka replied, causing Kiba to turn red and the class to laugh. Naruto smirked as he chuckled. Iruka may have been strict, but he was always the nicest teacher to Naruto.

Iruka looked to the clock and, seeing they had fifty-minutes left, smiled, "Okay guys, since you've been such a great class, I'm going to let you out early! Remember, you have the graduation exam tomorrow, so make sure you're ready!"

Naruto didn't waste anytime to grab his backpack and rush out the door, leaving the class behind.

Naruto sighed as he walked down the road to his home. Konoha wasn't really a big town compared to others in the Sinnoh region. The closest town was Twinleaf Town, and that was about ten miles due east. It was quiet, peaceful and, in Naruto's opinion, boring.

Naruto decided to take a short cut through the town park to get to his apartment faster, which meant he had to see the thing he hated most. Walking through the middle of the park, he laid his eyes on it for what seemed to be the millionth time. A statue, depicting all the Pokemon League champions from Konoha…and one in particular made Naruto boil with rage.

Naruto glared at the most recent figure and current champion, Minato Namikaze.

'Bastard…' Naruto thought before storming off, leaving the statue without a second glance. It was no secret that Naruto hated his father with a passion. Why wouldn't he? His father had left him and his mother when he was only 4 to go become the champion. One year later, his mother, Kushina, passed away, leaving Naruto alone.

'But did he show up then?! No…' Naruto growled mentally.

Sarutobi had taken Naruto in that day. The day Minato left was the last Naruto had heard from his father—he didn't even show up for his mother's funeral. Ever since the day Minato became champion, adults only saw him as his father's son. Half of them didn't even know his name, they only knew he was "Minato's boy."

Now the kids, on the other hand, didn't see his father or him—only a screw-up that didn't have a single Pokemon. Most of his classmates had already received their first Pokemon from their families.

"Boss! Boss!"

Naruto sighed as he turned to face the boy running towards him, "Yeah, Konohamaru, what's up?"

Konohamaru panted as he came to a halt before him, "…I…It's…your…D…Dad…"

"What about him?" Naruto asked.

"H…He's on the television right now!" Konohamaru declared, "C'mon, I'll show you!"

Sarutobi sighed as he finished reading over a report sent to him by Rowan. It seemed like it was only yesterday that he had been battling with Pokemon and earning his way up the ladder to champion. Turning towards a trophy and picture of himself and his Pokemon, he glanced over the label on the glimmering prize.

Pokemon League Champion

Sarutobi Hiruzen

Sarutobi smiled lightly as he heard his front door open before slamming shut, "How was school today, Naruto?"

"No time, Jiji!" Naruto called as he ran into the room and looked towards the television that was placed on a table by the wall, "Turn up the volume!"

Sarutobi grasped the remote and did so, frowning slightly when Minato appeared on the screen, grinning as he talked to a reporter.

"And how are you preparing for this years Pokemon League challenge, Minato?"

Minato laughed, "My team and I have been training to take on any challenge! I'm looking forward to this years League!"

"Are you worried someone might take your place as champion from you?"

"Not at all!" Minato laughed before turning to face the camera, "Hey, to all you trainers out there, consider this a challenge request! I want a good battle this year! I'll be waiting!"

The reporter giggled as she turned to face the camera, "As we all know, only the winner of the Pokemon League tournament earns the right to face the Elite 4 and Champion! Who will it be this year? Stick with us as we cover the Pokemon League to find out!"

Sarutobi turned off the television and turned to face Naruto, "Naruto, are you okay?"

Naruto glared at the television, "A challenge, huh? That's what you want? Then I'll give you one…and take that championship away from you! Tomorrow, I start my own Pokemon journey, right, Jiji?"

Sarutobi smiled warmly, "Yes, you do, Naruto. But now, it's time for dinner. Let's go eat, okay, boys?"

Konohamaru and Naruto nodded and ran out of his office, leaving Sarutobi alone. Sarutobi turned the television on again in time to catch a news report.

"Today, archaeologists discovered a rare item with text inscribed on it in the Solaceon Ruins. Archaeologists have named the item the "Mind Plate", for it seems that it boosts the power of psychic type Pokemon. Researchers didn't get the chance to study it for long, for it was stolen from them exactly one hour after finding it…in other news…"

Sarutobi frowned and turned it off, 'Mind Plate? Why would someone steal something like that…?'

"Hey, Jiji, you coming or not?!"

Sarutobi laughed, "Yes, yes, I'm coming Naruto."

Naruto gulped as he looked at the piece of paper in front of him. He had been too excited to sleep last night, so he was lucky he wasn't out-cold in dreamland while everyone else took their test. Sakura, Sasuke, and Shikamaru had finished and were waiting for the rest of the class.

Naruto kept scanning over the test, hoping to find any single question he could answer—he couldn't find any.

'Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap!!' Naruto thought, 'C'mon, there has to be at least ONE I can answer!'

Naruto looked up to see Choji and Shino hand in their tests, followed by Hinata and Ino.

'…I guess I don't have a choice…' Naruto thought as he began to answer questions at a quick pace, 'I really hope guessing works…'

Sarutobi smiled as he stood before the students of the Trainer's School, "I am happy to stand before you all today and personally welcome you to the life of a Trainer. Some of you will try to tackle the Gyms, while others may be future Coordinators, but it will be Pokemon that brings us all together. Congratulations to those who have graduated and I look forward to hearing of your accomplishments!"

The students cheered before running off to their families, excited that tomorrow would be the start of their journey. Sarutobi walked off the stage he stood on. Naruto hadn't passed, nor had he showed up for the graduation ceremony. Sarutobi sighed. He had a feeling he knew where Naruto was...

Sarutobi smiled sadly as he looked at Naruto. Naruto was in the park, ignoring the twilight sky to stare at the statue of his father. People passing by didn't seem to notice him, as they walked past him as if he was invisible.

"I thought you'd be here…Naruto," Sarutobi said as he walked up next to him.

"…I failed the test, Jiji…" Naruto said, "…I can't go on my journey…I can't raise any Pokemon…I can't face my father…I can't get out of his shadow…"

"…There may be one way that you can…" Sarutobi sighed, "But it would place you at a large disadvantage, much larger a one than if you were simply to wait one more year."

Naruto didn't waste a second to respond, "I don't wanna wait another year, Jiji! Please, I'll take that disadvantage if it means I can start my journey!"

"…If you choose to do this, you will never be given a Pokedex."

"I don't care!" Naruto declared, "I can go on without a Pokedex!"

"You will not receive a starter Pokemon."

"I can catch a Pokemon myself!" Naruto replied.

"…and it may be impossible for you to register yourself as a trainer from Konoha."

Naruto didn't lose the determined look in his eyes, "I don't care about any of that, Jiji! So what if I'm at a disadvantage?! I'll just have to work a little bit harder to catch up!"

Sarutobi looked at Naruto for a minute before smiling, "Very well, then. Come with me."

"What is this, Jiji?" Naruto asked as he looked around the room he was in. He had never been in the basement of Jiji's lab before. Filling it were rows upon rows of different eggs.

"This is where I keep the Pokemon eggs, Naruto," Sarutobi answered as he began searching the rows.

"Pokemon eggs?" Naruto called out questioningly.

"You really didn't pay that much attention in class, didn't you?" Sarutobi laughed, "Pokemon come from eggs, Naruto. Now where did I place that one egg…? Ah, here it is! Since you can't get a started Pokemon, Naruto, I'd like you to have this. Consider it a gift from me."

Sarutobi passed Naruto an egg with a yellow design on it. Naruto looked at it with a curious gaze, "What Pokemon is inside it, Jiji?"

Sarutobi chuckled, "Telling you would spoil the surprise, Naruto. Inside the egg you are holding is the descendent of my very first Pokemon. Now, you'll have to be very careful with that egg, Naruto, it is very delicate."

"I will, Jiji!" Naruto exclaimed, hugging the egg, "Hello, whatever you are! You're my first Pokemon!"

Sarutobi chuckled, "I have had that egg for a little while now, so it should be close to hatching. When it does hatch, you will have your first Pokemon! But before that, here, take these."

Naruto blinked as he looked at items Sarutobi had placed in his hands, "Pokeballs?"

"The Pokemon on the route to Sandgem Town are weak enough to be caught without battling sometimes. If you come across a Pokemon and your egg hasn't hatched yet, try catching it," Sarutobi explained, "Now get to bed—you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow."

"Are you sure you have everything you need?" Sarutobi asked as he watched Naruto grab his backpack.

"Nope! I'm good to go, Jiji!" Naruto grinned.

"Not yet!"

Naruto and Sarutobi looked to see Konohamaru, grinning ear to ear, running towards them with a package in his hands.

"Hey, Boss!" Konohamaru shouted, "Jiji and I got you a going-away-present!"

"Huh?" Naruto looked at the package Konohamaru put in his hands.

Sarutobi laughed, "If you want to be taken seriously, you have to dress the part! I hope everything fits alright… You can change upstairs before leaving."

Naruto nodded and ran upstairs. A few minutes later, he came back down. Naruto wore a black bandana and jacket with a white shirt underneath it and jeans.

"It's great, guys! Thank you both!" Naruto grinned as he laced up his new running-shoes.

"Just be sure to call us when you get to Sandgem town!" Konohamaru grinned, offering a thumbs-up.

"I will! Next time you see me in person, I'm going to be the champion!" Naruto grinned before rushing out the front door.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Naruto was grinning ear from ear as he walked down the road, 'Just one more block, and my journey begins!'

Naruto turned the corner of a shop and…

*BUMP*

Naruto groaned in pain as he glared at the person who bumped into him, "Watch where you're going, Sasuke-teme!"

Sasuke glared back, "Why don't you watch where you're going?! Don't you have an old man to run back to?"

Naruto smirked, "I'm starting my journey today! Not even seeing you is going to make this day bad!"

"Starting your journey? You failed the exam!" Sasuke spoke, "You have to go back to school for another year!"

"Not this time!" Naruto declared, "I'm starting my journey today! I just don't get a Pokedex or a starter, but I don't need them!"

Sasuke smirked, "Oh, I see…you're a drop-out."

Naruto growled, "What you call me?!"

"A drop-out, Dobe," Sasuke smirked as he began to walk away, "I don't really care if you're starting your journey, just don't get in my way."

Naruto growled as he watched him go, before continuing on down the road, 'I'll show him as soon as I beat my dad!'

Naruto looked up the road and grinned at the sign he saw.

Route 201

"…How far away is Sandgem Town anyway?!" Naruto shouted as he continued to walk down the dirt road. If this is what one called adventure, it was incredibly dull. All he had been doing is walking down the road, no sign of any Pokemon or trainers.

Naruto sighed, "I just want something to happen!"

Naruto suddenly felt his backpack shift to the side, and then to the other. Blinking in confusion, Naruto took off his pack and looked inside it to see the egg he had received wobbling.

'…That works…' Naruto thought as a crack appeared on the egg, then another. One pointed, yellow ear popped out before the entire shell broke apart revealing a small, yellow mouse with pink cheeks.

Naruto blinked, "And you are?"

"Pichu!" the Pichu exclaimed small Pokemon.

"Pichu. Got it…" Naruto mumbled before grabbing a Pokeball from his pack, "Okay, Pichu, from today on, we're gonna be partners! How does that sound?"

"Pi!" Pichu shouted, jumping up and down.

Naruto sweat-dropped, "Energetic little guy, aren't you?"

"Chu!" Pichu nodded before he was beamed into the Pokeball.

Naruto looked at the Pokeball with a grin on his face, "My first Pokemon… it's time to catch another!"

That said, Naruto took off down the road at a quicker pace…he got about five feet before he tripped on something and collided head first with the road.

Naruto groaned as he sat up, "What the…?"

Looking for what had tripped him, Naruto found a yellow Pokemon that was snoring lightly.

"Abra…" the Pokemon snored.

Naruto grinned, 'Okay…now I've just gotta quietly sneak up on him and nab him!'

Naruto quietly took three steps toward the Abra before leaping at him, only to fall face first on the ground and find the Abra nowhere in sight. Scanning the area, Naruto found it resting against a tree, sleeping away. Leaping at it once more, Naruto's face connected with the tree and the Abra disappeared again.

"Um…Do you need some help?"

Naruto turned to find a short haired, pink-haired girl around his age. She wore a blue, sleeveless top with white sweat-pants with a pink stripe running down both legs. On her hands she had blue, fingerless gloves and on her feet…well, she went barefoot.

"No…I've got this!" Naruto shouted as he leapt at the Abra again, gaining the same results, "…Okay, so what did you have in mind?"

The girl giggled, "What Pokemon do you have with you?"

Naruto fished out Pichu's Pokeball, "Just one—Pichu."

"Pichu? Try having Pichu paralyze that Abra," the girl spoke.

Naruto nodded, "Go, Pichu!"

The Pokemon leaped out of the Pokeball and onto the grass. Looking around, Pichu spotted the Abra and grew a determined look in his eyes.

"Now give him an order!" the girl called.

"Pichu use…" Naruto trailed off as he looked at Pichu, "…What attacks do you know?"

"Pichu?" Pichu looked at him with a curious gaze.

The girl sighed, "Try Thundershock!"

Naruto nodded, "Pichu, use Thundershock!"

Pichu nodded before jumping into the air and launching the attack at the Abra. The attack hit dead on, shocking the Abra back a few feet and leaving it paralyzed.

Naruto grinned as he threw a Pokeball at the Abra, "Got ya!"

The Pokeball hit the Abra on the head before locking him inside and wiggling three times before settling down. Naruto ran up to the Pokeball and pick it up, grinning widely. Pichu was dancing in happiness next to his trainer.

Naruto picked Pichu up and hugged him, "Alright, you were great, little buddy!"

"Pichu!" Pichu shouted as he shocked Naruto to a crisp.

"W-What…was…that…for?" Naruto spoke in between coughs.

The girl giggled, "Pichu's cheeks can't hold electricity that well. He'll let out sparks whenever he's scared or happy. Congratulations on your capture, by the way. Are you a new trainer?"

Naruto sighed, "Is it that obvious?"

The girl giggled again, "Only a little. My name is Maylene."

"I'm Naruto!" Naruto grinned, "…Maylene? Why does that sound familiar?"

Maylene stiffened, "Um…well, Maylene is a common name, you know? You probably just heard it somewhere before!"

"If you say so…" Naruto replied.

"…Now that I think about it, you seem pretty familiar, yourself," Maylene spoke, "There's something about you're looks that ring a bell…"

This time, Naruto stiffened, "Well, I don't really stick out too much. There must be plenty of people who look like me!"

"No, I'm sure of it…" Maylene mumbled, "Now I remember! You look just like…"

Naruto froze, 'Please don't say Minato! Please don't say Minato!'

"…Volkner!" Maylene declared, "You look just like him!"

"Volkner?" Naruto shot her a confused look.

"He's the Gym-Leader of Sunnyshore City!" Maylene replied, "Anyway, if you're a new trainer, where are you from?"

Naruto grinned, "I'm from Konoha! I just got started today, actually, and I need to get to Sandgem Town before the Pokemon Center closes down there! You wouldn't happen to know the way, would you?"

"Actually, I'm heading there myself!" Maylene smiled, "We can go together! We'd better hurry, though, the sun's going down…"

"Finally, civilization!" Naruto grinned as he ran into Sandgem Town, "Hey, Maylene, we made it!"

Maylene walked up to Naruto with a smile on her face, "That's great! It was getting late. We'd better get to the Center fast."

Naruto and Maylene took three steps forward before Naruto froze and spun around.

Maylene shot Naruto a curious look, "Hm? What's wrong, Naruto?"

"…Nothing. Let's get to the Pokemon Center," Naruto replied before walking ahead of Maylene, 'I was sure of it…someone was standing there a minute ago…'

After the two had walked off, a figure emerged from the shadows of the forest, "…Minato's boy has become a trainer? Quite interesting…"

"Ah, good to see you made it safe and sound, Naruto!" Sarutobi smiled on a computer screen at Naruto, who was grinning into the telephone connected to it.

"Not only did I make it safely, I made some new friends!" Naruto grinned, "Pichu, Abra, and Maylene!"

"Maylene?" Sarutobi blinked, "Who is Maylene?"

"She's this girl I met on my way here, Jiji!" Naruto smiled, "She's really nice, too! If it wasn't for her, I'd never have caught Abra!"

Sarutobi smiled, "I see… I don't suppose I could speak to Maylene for a moment?"

Naruto grinned, "Sure! Maylene was talking to Nurse Joy a minute ago, I'll got get her!"

"Naruto, you're Pokemon are healed!" Maylene called to her friend as she walked over to him and handed him two Pokeballs, "Who is he?"

"Good timing, Maylene! This is the guy who raised me! His name is Sarutobi, but I just call him Jiji! He wanted to talk to you about something!" Naruto smiled.

"…I see," Maylene mumbled, "Um, Naruto, could you go see if my Pokemon are healed yet, while I talk to him?"

"Of course!"

As soon as Naruto was out of range, Maylene turned to face Sarutobi, "What did you need to talk to me about, Professor?"

Sarutobi chuckled, "I believe you know what I need to talk to you about, Maylene. Veilstone City has been short a Gym-Leader and everyone has been looking for you. Why are you in Sandgem Town when you should be home taking care of your Gym?"

Maylene frowned and grew a sad look in her eyes, "I…I'm not cut out to be a Gym-Leader. Ever since I took the position, the Veilstone Gym kept getting lost after lost…and then he showed up."

"You mean Paul?" Sarutobi asked, "I heard from the Black-Belt-Brothers about your battle with him. That boy seems…overwhelmingly cruel…to win a battle is one thing, but to mock one afterwards is unacceptable. If you need a break from being a Gym-Leader, I understand. It can be quite the demanding position, especially for one as young as you. Perhaps traveling a bit with Naruto would do you some good."

Maylene sighed, "I think you're right…maybe I do need a break."

"Well, I'm sure your father will be happy to hear your safe," Sarutobi smiled, "Try to keep an eye on Naruto—he can be a bit of a handful at times."

"Really? He seems okay…" Maylene commented.

"He is a nice boy with a good heart…but he can be a bit hardheaded at times," Sarutobi smiled, "Please tell him that both Konohamaru and I wish him luck on his journey. Goodnight, Maylene."

"I will, Professor," Maylene smiled, "Goodnight."

Maylene turned to find Naruto walking back to her, three Pokeballs in his hands.

"They're all healed!" Naruto declared as he gave the Pokeballs to her, "So, what did Jiji need to talk to you about?"

"Oh, it was nothing!" Maylene smiled, "I guess we'd better see about getting a room for the night, then."

"Well, well, well… Look who finally showed up!"

Naruto and Maylene turned to find Kiba grinning at them, with Shikimaru and Choji behind him.

Shikimaru let out a sigh, "I knew this journey would be troublesome…but what are you doing here, Naruto? You failed the exam."

"Failed the exam?" Maylene turned to Naruto with a curious look, "What's he talking about?"

Kiba smirked, "He's talking about how Naruto didn't even graduate from Trainer's School! He's a drop-out!"

"So what if I didn't pass the test?!" Naruto shouted, "I'm still a better trainer than you could ever hope to be! And where's Sasuke-teme?"

"Sasuke said he was going to Oreburgh City and Shino was headed towards Eterna Forest to look for Bug Pokemon," Choji replied, "Sakura, Ino, and Hinata were all heading to Hearthome City to register as Coordinators."

"Hey! Don't just brush me off like that!" Kiba snapped, "We have some unfinished business! You've caught some Pokemon by now, right? Then let's have a battle!"

Naruto smirked, "You're on! My new Pokemon will beat yours easily!"

Maylene tapped Naruto on the shoulder, "Naruto, before you try to send Pichu into a battle, you should know that it is still just a ba—"

"Hurry up and choose your Pokemon!" Kiba interrupted, "I'll be waiting for you outside!"

Naruto growled, "You're gonna regret this, Kiba!"

Maylene sighed as she watched Naruto storm out of the Pokemon Center. She was beginning to see what the Professor meant when he said Naruto could be hardheaded.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Shikimaru sighed as he stood between the two hot-headed trainers. How he got drag in to be the referee, he didn't really know. All he knew was that the sooner this ended, the sooner he could get to sleep.

"This is a one on one Pokemon battle," Shikimaru drawled lazily, "The battle will end when one Pokemon is unable to continue. Since Kiba challenged Naruto, Kiba will send out his Pokemon first."

Maylene stood behind Naruto with a concerned look on her face, "Naruto, listen to me! If you use Pichu, this won't end well!"

Naruto shot her a grin, "Don't worry, Maylene! Kiba will be a push-over! Besides, I want to see what Pichu can do!"

"But…"

"Hey, enough chatting with your girlfriend and lets get a move on!" Kiba shouted as he threw his Pokeball, "Tear him to pieces, Akamaru!"

The Pokeball hit the ground and out came a small, brown, puppy-like Pokemon.

"Eevee!" the Eevee shouted, glaring at Naruto.

"Let's finish this quick, Pichu!" Naruto shouted as he released the yellow mouse.

Kiba smirked, "Akamaru, Tackle!"

Akamaru rushed forward, his head aimed at Pichu, who froze at the sigh of the Eevee charging at him.

"Pichu, dodge it!" Naruto called, only for his order to be ignored as Pichu stood frozen. The attack hit dead on, knocking Pichu back and onto the ground.

"Why didn't he listen to me?" Naruto questioned.

"Naruto, Pichu is still just a baby! He's going to flinch easily in a fight like this!" Maylene shouted from the sidelines.

Kiba smirked, "Hah! Leave it to an idiot like you to send a baby to fight for him! Akamaru, use Tackle again!"

Pichu froze again as the attack hit once more, sending him into the air before colliding with the ground.

"Pichu! I know you're scared!" Naruto shouted, "But trust me on this! I won't let you down! We'll win this battle!"

Pichu looked to Naruto before nodding, "Pi!"

Kiba smirked, "It's too late! Akamaru, finish this with Bite!"

Akamaru rush forward, his fangs bared and ready to sink into Pichu.

"Pichu, dodge and use Thundershock!" Naruto ordered.

Pichu jumped to the side just as Akamaru ran up to him and fired of the electric attack, hitting Akamaru and sending him back a few feet.

"A lucky shot!" Kiba shouted, "Akamaru, use Head-Butt!"

Akamaru got up and ran at Pichu again, hitting his mark and knocking Pichu into the air once more.

"Alright, Akamaru, finish it off with—what?!" Kiba shouted in shock as the sight before him. His Eevee was standing frozen as electrical sparks flew off his body—Akamaru was paralyzed.

Naruto blinked in confusion, "How did that happen?"

Maylene smiled, "That's Pichu's special ability, Static! When a Pokemon makes physical contact with Pichu, there's a chance they'll become paralyzed! Now's your chance, Naruto!"

Naruto smirked, "Alright! Pichu, give him a taste of your tackle!"

Pichu charged forward, rushing at Akamaru as electricity began to gather around his body.

"W-What is that?!" Kiba shouted as he stared at the Pichu.

Shikimaru smirked, "Volt-Tackle. It's a move that only Pichu can learn. It's pretty rare, too. Leave it to Naruto to finish the battle with a twist like that…"

Naruto grinned, "Pichu, finish it! Use Volt-Tackle!"

"PICHU!!!" Pichu shouted as he collided with Akamaru, sending him flying into Kiba, who fell back on the ground.

Shikimaru sighed, "Man, this was troublesome… Akamaru is unable to battle. The winners are Pichu and Naruto!"

Naruto ran up to Pichu and embraced him in a hug, "You were awesome, little guy!"

"Pichu!" Pichu squealed happily, shocking his trainer and burning him to a crisp.

"Congratulations, Naruto," Maylene smiled, "That was amazing! Not many Pichu can use Volt-Tackle!"

Naruto grinned, "It was nothing! Like I said, Kiba is a push-over!"

"What did you call me?!" Kiba roared as he charged at Naruto.

"I called you a push-over, Dog-breath!" Naruto shouted back as he and Kiba tackled one another in a brawl.

Maylene shook her head, but couldn't help but smile at the scene, 'I'm starting to see you can be very hardheaded, Naruto…'

………………………………………………………………………………………………

'…What time is it?' Naruto groaned as he sat up from the couch in the Pokemon Center's lobby. Being that there was only one room left, Naruto had offered it to Maylene to repay her for her help with catching Abra, leaving him to sleep on the couch. If the clock on the wall was correct, it was 6 a.m.

'Well, I'm not going to be getting back to sleep…' Naruto thought as he stood from the couch and stretched as he stifled a yawn, 'Might as well get some fresh air…'

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Naruto smiled as he felt a cool breeze blow off the waves of the ocean. He had stopped walking after finding a nice, peaceful place to look out at the water on the beach.

"…What are you doing here, boy?"

Naruto turned to find a man staring at him. He was tall, had dark hair, and wore sunglasses. He wore a black sweatshirt and black pants. His face was frozen in a permanent frown.

"None of your business," Naruto snapped, "I can be on the beach if I want to."

"Very well…just don't interfere with my search."

"Search? Search for what?"

The man smirked, "None of your business."

Naruto glared at the man and let out an annoyed growl. The man ignored him, opting to kneel on the sand and dig in it before holding up a tablet that was buried only moments ago.

"What's that piece of junk?" Naruto questioned, looking at the tablet with a curious look.

The man spun around and grabbed Naruto by the shirt, "Junk?! Stupid boy! This is no junk! It is a priceless item! This is the Zap Plate!! Do you know the significance of this artifact?!"

"Hey! Let me go, you freak!" Naruto shouted as he struggled to get out of the strangers grip.

"…No. No, I suppose you couldn't understand the importance of such an item," the man mumbled as he dropped Naruto, "…But how could you? One such as you knows nothing. Though you don't realize it, by simply being born, you are in debt to another. It sickens me…but I digress. I have far more important matters than trying to educate someone so foolish. I bid thee adieu."

With that said, the man walked off. Naruto grumbled as he stood and brushed himself off of sand.

"What the hell was his problem?!" Naruto muttered as he looked off in the direction the man had ran off in.

"So this is where you went!"

Naruto turned to see Maylene smiling at him, hands on her hips.

"I've been looking all over for you!" Maylene spoke, "What have you been doing?"

Naruto blinked before grinning, "Just taking a walk! What did you need?"

"It's not what I need—it's what you need!" Maylene smiled.

"Huh? What do I need?" Naruto questioned.

"My help!" Maylene exclaimed, "If you didn't know how to catch that Abra without my help, then there's no way that you'll get even one Gym-Badge without me!"

Naruto put a hand to his heart with a mock hurt expression on his face, "Ouch."

Maylene giggled, "So, I guess I have no choice but to come with you."

Naruto grinned, "If you want to, I won't say no to the idea! So, where's our first stop?"

"We'll stop by Jubilife City tomorrow before making our way to Oreburgh City. They have the closest Gym," Maylene replied before looking out across the ocean, "Hey, the sun is coming up!"

Naruto turned to find that Maylene was right—the sun was rising over the ocean. Taking in the beautiful sight, Naruto couldn't help but grin.

'The sun is up and shining bright on a new day…' Naruto thought as he smirked and clenched his fist towards the sun, 'Watch your step, Minato. I'm finally taking my first step out of your shadow!'

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And that's all folks! Once again, I'd like to thank Agurra of Darkness, who helped me on the story by coming up with the pairing, Maylene's back-story, and a Pokemon Naruto will catch later on in the story.

Also, I'd like to note that strep throat sucks…I can't even talk without my throat killing me. Well, on that note, good night everybody!