Centuries ago, long before people discovered how to use apricorns to catch monsters, when battling monsters for sport was less than a dream, there were four kingdoms in the known world of the Viridian Valley. Pallet, Viridian, Pewter and Cerulean had made their home in the Valley since times forgotten. They were united by a common language and similar culture, but each was independent and had its own character. Before we continue our story, let's turn back seven years, to a year when four children were born, four children fated to change the course of history of the kingdoms of the Valley.
The first of these children was the grandson of King Samuel of Pallet. Shortly after Prince Gary was born, his parents died, leaving Gary the sole heir of the kingdom. Over the years, it became evident that Gary would not be the king his grandfather was. While the people contended themselves with their present prosperity, there was a suppressed fear of what would happen when Gary ascended the throne.
The same year, another prince was born, this time to king Flint of Pewter. Prince Timmy, and the nine brothers and sisters that followed before the queen's illness and death, lived in the shadow of their oldest sibling, crown prince Brock. All children were fit and healthy, and Brock and Timmy grew brave, strong and handsome.
The third child was a princess. She was named Misty, the fourth and final daughter of King Walter and Queen Flora of Cerulean. She was the fairest of their daughters, with hair of gold and eyes as blue and sparkling as the Cerulean Sea. Yet she was born into a royal family that cared little for their people, that oppressed the land of Cerulean, enjoying finery while their subjects dressed in rags. As the girl grew and was presented to the people, at first they saw yet one more tyrant to support with the sweat of their brow. Yet whoever glimpsed into her eyes thought they saw something different, perhaps even a glimmer of hope.
The fourth child came into the world in very different circumstances. In Pallet Kingdom, an unmarried woman gave birth to a son. She named him Ash, to symbolize her burnt out life, for according to the moral code of the land, sexual relations outside of marriage were forbidden. Delia would not be mistreated, but she would live on the fringe of society, unlikely to find a husband, and would have to raise the boy on her own. Yet at least they could live in simple comfort, for the king had kindly provided her with a small sum of money that would see her through her life.
Ash grew as a peasant boy, and worked hard in the fields. He made friends among other growing lads his age. There was an optimism about him. He refused to relate his name to spent remains, and instead chose to identify with the ash trees of Pallet Woods, tall and strong, fresh and green, with silvery bark that stood them out from other trees. He was loyal to his friends, loving towards his mother, compassionate to all. Perhaps it was his character that ameliorated the circumstances of his birth. Perhaps there was something more, but if so, he did not know what.
