DRA Pokemon!
These were made using sprites from DPPT, HGSS, BW/BW2.
(Via the lovely Spriters Resource, credits go to users mufasakong, redblueyellow, & barbary for ripping) (also the decidueye and talonflame sprites are not official or made by me)
The process was a combination of editing and pixel art, so using reference from the OG sprites as well as using parts from them directly, it involved a lot of frankensteining... I made the originals a very very long while back, so I also went over them again and polished things up a bit + finished the Yuki sprite.
Pokemon were chosen mostly based on the character's personality and things like that, but some are shared between characters or not necessarily part of their team. If you want to see a massive ramble breaking down the pokemon shown with these five, see below the cut.
Yamato
Aggron: The oldest pokemon on Yamato's team, this aggron was raised by Hanzo, and is very protective of both him and Mikako. It's strong in battle of course, but has helped them out with demolition and construction over the years. Its horn is capable of piercing iron sheets, digging tunnels, and it likes to eat their scrap metal.
Staraptor: I imagine Yamato found it crying noisily alone as a Staravia. Now, it's one of the strongest members of his team, and helps him travel using fly. I was mostly drawn to Staraptor for the sake of making his team a bit more well rounded, because it gives off Jotaro vibes, and because the shiny color palette was really perfect. It's a pretty indpendent-seeming pokemon that secretly is very attached to Yamato and the rest of the team. This one knows close combat, swift, maybe brave bird, aerial ace, or final gambit. It also Yamato of his friend, Kinjo.
Metagross: I wanted another steel type and for Yamato's team to seem fairly strong, so Metagross seemed like a good pick. It's superintelligent and is said to be like a supercomputer, capable of doing calculations in a flash, which fits Yamato's intelligence. It's also known to be rather brutal at times, but I think Yamato would empathize even with the scariest of pokemon. That being said, this one would rarely act that way, and is only violent in the most dire of circumstances, or if Yamato ordered it to be. Yamato sometimes wraps its legs with string lights to see which ones it likes the best, and was fascinated by the way it evolved (merging with others of its' species until it became a Metagross with four brains). Like Aggron, it has abilities that help with production like magnetism and the ability to cut metal and break other tough materials.
Rotom: This one is probably Yamato's partner pokemon basically. Rotom is perfect for him imo, it possesses machines, it can help him with repairs and testing, and he could even create machines specifically for it to inhabit. I wanted Yamato to have some ghost types to reference Mikako, and I imagine though its mischievous, having an outlet basically keeps Rotom from being destructive or hurting anyone.
Golurk: Another ghost type thrown in to nod towards Mikako, but this one felt very fitting. It's an automaton which might run on an infinite power source, and an artificially created pokemon ordered to protect people and pokemon. I imagine Mikako and Yamato exploring some ruins and finding a Golett, which Yamato immediately becomes fascinated with thanks to the ancient science involved, and quickly bonds with and cares for. He's trying to figure out how it works not just for scientific purposes or replicating it, but also so he can help to keep it going even if whatever its' ancient creators used to power it runs out someday.
Pachirisu: As a protagonist-type guy, I thought he needed a pika clone. Pachirusu is fairly calm, produces electric hairballs, and charges and stores electricity like the others, but I mainly chose it out of the pikas for its demeanor and appearance. It was either this one or Togedemaru, but the matching colors won me over haha.
Jolteon: I think it'd be nice to give a bunch of eeveelutions... He has a Jolteon because electricity again and because it's described as being sensitive and having its electricity surge with emotions like anger or sadness. It also apparently has electric cells and sheds electrified fur, which could probably be used for power in a pinch?
Shinx: This pokemon now belongs to Kinjo, but was raised by Yamato.
Mekaru
Espeon: An incredibly intelligent psychic-type pokemon that matches up with Kinjo's Umbreon and Teruya's Sylveon. It's said to be loyal to trainers it deems worthy, and is skilled at prediction. There's also an entry stating that it originally had no powers at all, and its precognitive faculties were awakened by its need to protect itself. All of these things suit Mekaru well I think.
Ninetales: It's a very beautiful and intelligent pokemon, is a fire type, and Vulpix grows tails slowly over time only with time and effort. Though the kitsune aspects might fit other characters better, it's an elegant fire type, and I also think Vulpix looks a bit like Mekaru.
Empoleon: A pokemon that rounds out her team a bit. I thought a proud, highly skilled pokemon like Empoleon suited her. Prinplup is also said to be too proud to form groups with its own kind, and Piplup is said to not like being taken care of, won't easily accept help, and is difficult to bond with.
Talonflame: I wanted to make sure Mekaru had some fire types, and it felt right for her to have an orange bird of prey associated with embers. This one helps her travel around and is the team member that likes battling the most.
Noctowl: Another intelligent pokemon for Mekaru. Owls have an association with wisdom and knowledge, which suits the professor, and it's said that Noctowl never fails to catch its prey, seeing easily through the night. I feel like this is another little parallel with Kinjo via Luxray. It will turn its head 180 degrees when concentrating on something complex, and apparently will peck you if you break its concentration. I imagine it would do the same for anyone interrupting Mekaru's concentration while brainstorming or studying, and it would be very good at finding lost items or bringing objects Mekaru needs like books or supplies.
Teddiursa: It's here because she loves teddy bears. Mekaru is very endeared with it and thinks its really cute, but would never admit that in public.
Kinjo
Zangoose: The eternal rival of Seviper; I chose Zangoose for him to go in a set with the snake pokemon associated with Akane and Utsuro, and because it has red eyes, scar-like markings, and is a mongoose/cat type creature.
Absol: Another sharp, red-eyed pokemon, but this one isn't part of his team. It seems to follow him sometimes, occasionally warning him before serious trouble occurs.
Umbreon: Another pokemon influnced by sets/relationships. It matches with the other eeveelutions in the KF, particularly Mekaru's Espeon, which is kind of a foil to Umbreon. This pokemon is also associated with the moon and is seen as intimdating or scary, has red eyes, and bides its time waiting for prey which it can easily pick out even in the darkness. It glows when excited and is very affectionate towards Tsurugi, but doesn't like almost anyone else, even on his team...
Luxray: Originally raised by Yamato when it was a Shinx, Luxray adores both of them and watches Kinjo's back. When I was thinking about Kinjo's team, Luxray was the pokemon that came to mind first; It's an excellent scout for danger and perfect for investigation or pursuit as it can see through objects/walls. It can also glow if needed, and is strong in battle. Luxray appears very stoic and feirce (it also has Intimidate) like its trainer, but can also be very affectionate and protective of him, their team, and the other KF members.
Lucario: It's a fighting and steel type, and very strong, especially under mega evolution; which makes it a 'merciless' fighter with great strength. Its ability to read auras helps it predict and track foes, perfect for police work, and possibly helping its trainer understand the people around him a bit better; and lastly, it has lots of sharp edges and is said to have a strong since of pride and justice, and doesn't let its guard down even when sleeping. It supposedly only trusts those with righteous hearts, which probably reassures Kinjo that he's not an evil person. I wonder if it would leave him if he did lose his path?
Arcanine: This pokemon has always been associated with the police in the series since Officer Jenny (Jennies?) have them, so it was one I considered right away. It's also super loyal and brave, and very soft. This one belonged to Kouhei, and after his death, Tsurugi took it in, naturally having a strong attachment to the little Growlithe. It seems to protect and care for Kinjo in their dead friend's stead. It may sit on top of him if he needs to rest or is getting too worked up. As Arcanine is large and strong enough to carry riders, and runs very fast, it also helps Kinjo get around.
Honedge: Tsurugi is named after a type of sword, it's a sword, so there's that, but I also found the whole 'departed spirit inhabiting a sword that when wielded absorbs the user's life force' thing to fit very well narratively for him... I think he probably uses it as a sword only as a last resort... It also might evolve later, and Doublade seems to have less life-force stealing going on... the last one, Aegislash, could be seen as a reflection of character growth since it also has a shield form, and represents and supports leaders, but it also apparently controls people and an aegislash once drained the life of a king until he perished and his kingdom fell, so uh... mileage may vary. Anyways, a haunted sword suits him I think.
Yuki
Glaceon: Another eeeveelution for Yuki, too. I almost went for Flareon, Vaporeon, or Leafeon, but eventually settled on Glaceon because it's the fresh snow pokemon and Yuki can mean snow. This one is shiny, too. Sometimes it snows around Yuki because of Glaceon using its abilities.
Masquerain: To be honest, I just wanted him to have another bug type... Surskit walks on the waters surface, and Masquerain is mask and fake-intimidating-eye themed... I also felt the description of its eyes looking sad then indicating rain was coming felt right somehow, especially with it not being able to fly when its wings are wet, so it hides out in the rain and dries out with the sun. They are also a small line but still predators. I imagine Yuki found it hiding somewhere and took it in to be warm and dry, but then it didn't want to go back, so he let it stay.
Mimikyu: I think this one is probably self explanatory, right? Perhaps it's a bit on the nose, haha. It's described as being sad when revealed or when its disguise breaks. I think Yuki would be able to relate to a pokemon that can't or won't show its true self, and might make other costumes and disguises for it.
Zweilous: Both heads have their own personalities and fight with each other, to the point of growing stronger on their own and leaving it with scars. I think Yuki would be able to get close with and bond with a scary and seemingly violent pokemon like this line, even if as Deino, it tried to bite him A Lot. When it evolved into Zweilous, he was at first a bit uncertain about the two heads and their own personalities, esepcially when they would get jealous over his attention, but he soon grew to understand them and helped them find equilibrium. Eventually, they stopped fighting with each other for the most part. Yuki knows all their little quirks and differences from each other even if most people can't tell the difference. He's given them an everstone because he's afraid if it evolves into Hydreigon, one of them will cease to exist in the process. Thankfully, this Zweilous doesn't seem to want to evolve either, and has stopped continually competing with itself until one prevails like most of its kind do.
Decidueye: This one might not make the most sense to pick, but I wanted Yuki to have some grass and bug types, and out of the starters, this one along with Bayleef stood out. I think a bow (or shield) suits Yuki well, and this pokemon's accuracy could be seen as a reference to his luck. I also think the design (esp the colors, but the hoodie and mask and spots too) fit well, and I also kinda feel like owls, associated with the dead and omens, but also the appearance of ones like burrowing owls or barn owls, fit Yuki well... I was also influenced by it being a ghost type based on the Aumakua, and the fact that Dartrix's feathers have an asymmetrical bang-type cut. I think as a Rowlet, it liked to ride in his sweater, bag, or hoodie, and as a Decidueye, it sometimes protectively (or sleepily) wraps its' wings around him like a big warm blanket of a hug.
Bayleef: Another grass type, I've always liked bayleef, and I couldn't settle on just one grass starter. Bayleef stood out for the sharp, blade-like leaf it has, and its ability to rejuvenate others with the spicy-smelling leaves around its neck. Chikorita also has the ability to create a cozy atmosphere and calm people down. I think these abilities would come in handy when Yuki is acting as someone's confidant. Meganium can also do this, and has the ability to revive dead plants and flowers... I think his bayleef would have a lot of status-giving moves like paralysis and sleep. I associate Yuki with plants too and being a plant lover, I don't have much of a solid reason for this headcanon, but it's part of why he has grass types. I decided to give him the shiny, autumn one, but changed the colors a bit to make it look more like how the shiny sprites looked in previous games and more orange.
Zorua: It's a shapeshifting pokemon, and he needed one of those too. It's said in one of its entries that it protects itself from danger by hiding its true form. Zorua is occasionally described as cowardly, and its hisuian form has associations with the dead and spite, so I thought maybe that would fit better, but regular Zoroark seemed to fit better so I settled for regular Zorua. It is also said that Hisuian Zoroark died and was reborn... it was hard to pick. Zorua changes forms to fit in as well, and Zoroark is said to be very protective of its pack, using illusions to keep threats away. It will even show illusions to lonely trainers to ease their solitude...
Volcarona: I wanted some fire and bug rep, but I mainly picked Volcarona because it's a pokemon associated with the sun. Ancient civilizations thought of it as a deity and, fearing the flaming scales it sometimes scatters, called it "the rage of the sun," while Larvesta is known as the sun's emissary. It takes a very long time to evolve, and remains pretty weak as Larvesta, but once it evolves it's a force to be reckoned with. It's feared for starting fires when it scatters its scales; and some accounts say its motivated to save people and pokemon from freezing, while others say it's just trying to start fires. A bug pokemon that's said to replace the sun, and stays in an unassuming larval form for a long time seemed to fit. Despite all the flaming scales, it's never burned Yuki. I think when he's cold, Yuki can stay near it or hug it and feel warmer right away.
Absol: It watches over him, and others...
Victini: A pokemon bonded with Utsuro. Yuki doesn't know why it sometimes appears, inspecting him or perhaps checking on him?
Shaymin: A matching set with Giratina, Shaymin does represent spring, which kind doesn't fit with Yuki's snow, but I liked the idea of Shaymin taking a liking to him while Giratina takes a liking to Utsuro. It can also restore dying plants and cause barren fields to blossom with life. When given love and affection, such as with a hug, it blooms with gratitude. Some of this is based on Clover Shores in EDP haha. It even gains the ability of flight when gracidea flowers bloom and can absorb toxins. This one isn't part of his team, but he's brought it flowers and plants before.
Shedinja: A peculiar pokemon that seems to be entirely hollow... It does not appear to breathe and floats without moving. As a reference to cicadas and shed cicada skins, it's basically a discarded bug shell that came to life. For some reason, it appears to Yuki sometimes, and he finds himself endeared with it even though everyone else is pretty freaked out by it. Yuki seems to see a personality and care beneath Shedinja's existence as a hollow shell, and it almost seems playful around him sometimes.
Utsuro
Kingdra: A pokemon that sleeps on the ocean floor, living at a deeper depth than any other pokemon. It is said to create whirlpools by yawning and hides in caves.
Absol: Absol is considered a harbinger of doom, but in actuality, the pokemon foretells disaster and tries to warn others. After being driven deep into the mountains, this absol met Utsuro. It watches over certain others in his absence.
Murkrow: This pokemon is considered a sign of misfortune, and most avoid it. However, bad luck charms don't repel Utsuro; in fact it's much the opposite. Murkrow didn't bring bad luck, which was a little disappointing, but not unexpected. They occasionally gift Utsuro things they found, usually shiny items.
Hydreigon: Though this pokemon is known to be incredibly destructive, Utsuro shows no fear towards it. Apparently, only one head has a brain, compared to the two competitive heads it had before evolution. It isn't the same one as Yuki's Zweilous.
Shedinja: Shedinja is more representative of Yuki than Utsuro almost, but I'm describing it here more with him too because it spends more time with him. Once, he peered into the crack in its back, but nothing happened... This one probably appeared after SDRA2 Yuki Maeda's Nincada evolved into Ninjask...
Mismagius: Though Mismagius is feared for bringing curses that bring hallucinations, headaches, it's also known to rarely ward against fortune or grant happiness, and some people would try to invite it into their homes or seek it out in order to receive love spells. i think this pokemon could also be associated with Mikako or Akane.
Volcarona & Seviper: These pokemon are actually Yuki and Akane's respectively, but can be seen with Utsuro too.
Victini: Victini, the victory pokemon, brings luck in battle; it is said that anyone with this pokemon on their team is guaranteed to win. When Utsuro encountered it, he couldn't help but relate to the pokemon's disappointment after seeing it win against other pokemon over and over again. Though having it on his team means he can't lose anymore, and resulted in him getting the title of champion despite not wanting it, he shows no dislike towards the little mythical pokemon, which has become pretty attached to him. It occasionally appears to Yuki, curiously wondering about its 'absent' friend.
Jirachi: Utsuro once encountered it before the mysterious mythical pokemon before it returned to its long sleep. Did he make a wish before it did?
Giratina: Giratina is known as the renegade pokemon, it was banished from this world by Arceus. A pokemon that was banished for violence or a betrayal and is associated with the void? It fit too well too ignore. I also personally interpret Giratina as being lonely, as it stares out from the distortion world, where it exists almost completely alone. I also don't think it is as malevolent as it might appear, as it doesn't need to be calmed by the Lake trio like Palkia and Dialga, and does not harm or trap people outside of Cyrus, who sought to use its power for evil purposes. I think Utsuro was pulled into the distortion world somehow at some point by Giratina, who bonded with the human and allows him access into its domain, a right it usually only grants to Shaymin and the Lake guardians. It doesn't fight on his team usually and doesn't leave its domain normally, but sometimes, Utsuro disappears suddenly and appears somewhere else after leaving the Distortion World.