First fan fiction… let's hope for the best! (Be warned, I added a couple OC's, but they are mostly there to fill up space. They won't be too important to the overall plot… I think. And before you tell me, I know what Brendan's real back story is; mine just fit with my story better.) Side note, Brendan and his friends are about 15, 16 in this. I think it's kinda stupid to have ten year olds travel the world on their own, even if they have super powered monsters to protect them.

I don't own Pokémon! That belongs to Nintendo/ The Pokémon Company.

Italics = thought

A fire crackled and popped in the crisp night air as a group of trainers sat around, laughing and having a good time. Their names were Brendan, May, Jack, and Emily. They had been travelling together for several months, training to become the best in their respective fields. May wanted to be a researcher like her father, professor Birch, Emily wanted to become a breeder, and Jack… he just thought it sounded like fun. Brendan's greatest dream… was to make his dad proud of him by becoming a pokémon master. Currently, those plans were in the farthest part of their minds, as they sat and relaxed, not a care in the world.

"Hey Emily, what are you doing?"

"Oh, nothing Brendan, I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"Well, I read this article the other day on a book I like, and it explained how often times characters in a book fall into a certain archetype, and then into more specific sub-types. I was wondering if the same was true for real life. If so, where would we fall?"

Jack spoke up. "That's obvious! I am the devilishly handsome and talented friend to the protagonist; Emily is the kind little shy girl that secretly is a scary demon…" Emily smacked him and gave him a glare. "…May is the brainiac that tries to keep us out of trouble (not that it works), and be the voice of reason; and Brendan is the happy-go-lucky idiot hero!" He concluded chipperly while rubbing his head.

"Wait, why am I the idiot hero?"

"Because no offense Brendan, you aren't exactly the brightest tool in the shed."

"What! Why do you think that?"

"You always charge into any situation without any plan, you tend to put your foot in your mouth, and you act like a complete blonde. No offense, Emily." She scowled at him further.

"I'm an idiot for acting happy?" He was getting more agitated by the minute.

"No one could possibly always be that happy and not be a naïve ditz!"

"Well, maybe I'm not as happy as I seem! You don't know anything about me! Ever think that I might be trying my hardest to keep looking forward and remain positive? Ever think of that?"

"Well, uh... I mean… um…" Jack stammered, shocked at the outburst.

"You know what? Just leave me alone. I'm going to bed." Brendan got up and stormed away.

"…What just happened?" Jack asked, wide eyed.

"You just royally f***ed up, that's what," snapped Emily, throwing the stick she had been twiddling with to the ground. May looked worriedly in the direction Brendan had just gone.

"…Brendan… why?"

Brendan wasn't sleeping. He was out on a walk, trying to calm his head. "I can't believe that all this time they just saw me as your run-of-the-mill hotheaded idiot! And a clueless one that still saw the world as being made of beautiflies and rainbows at that!" the trainer ranted. Then suddenly, he stopped his aggressive pacing and leaned his head against a tree. "I learned what the world truly was like long ago…" he whispered to himself. Every time he closed his eyes, he could still see that day: a roar, a glint of red, a scream… his own.

Brendan shook himself out of his reverie. He couldn't allow himself to think about that. He forced himself to focus on the issue at hand. How was he supposed to act around his friends now? Blowing up in their faces was probably not the best course of action, but the fact that his friends held him in such low regard, it shocked him. How could I possibly face them tomorrow? They'll look at me like I'm a ticking time bomb. He let out a sigh. Then suddenly, his eyes snapped open and he straightened up, a mischievous sparkle in his eye. That's it! I won't face them tomorrow! Or at least not as me… He let out a chuckle. This was going to be fun. Guess I have to give her a call, I'm gonna need some help!

…and first chapter done! Nowhere near as long as I was expecting, but it seemed like a good place to stop, so whatever. I'm sorry for the lack of romance, but there will be a lot more in later chapters. I'll try to have the next chapter up as soon as I can. In the meantime, please review! And if you want to flame me, I have just one thing to say: Right back at ya, you jackass! (I apologize if that offended anyone. Unless you're a troll. If so, please look at previous statement.)