Chapter 1: Tranquil Beginnings

"Skarmory, use Peck!"

"Dodge, then use Ember!"

Aspertia town's makeshift battlefield endured another round of battle as a Skarmory and a Larvesta faced off for the fifth time. Another trainer walked over to the battlefield, Skitty in her arms.

"OK, guys, don't you think that's enough? We're supposed to be going to Floccesy Town."

Both trainers looked at her, their battle stopped. The trainer of the Skarmory spoke first. "Oh come on, Rukia. I was just getting warmed up!"

The Larvesta's trainer looked at him. "I thought I was the one with the Fire-type..."

"Jason, Tal, just don't. I'd like to make sure we're on time for whatever we got these invites for." Rukia said, holding up a dark blue envelope with a gold seal.

"Yeah, whatever. I just hope it's something worthwhile." Jason muttered. "Come on, Skarmory." He went back to his house, Skarmory tagging along with him.

Tal sighed. "I don't know why he's so battle-happy." He picked up Larvesta. "I just want to make sure Larvesta here doesn't burn anything down again like last time."

Rukia was the one to sigh this time. "Tal, your house was rebuilt afterward. It's going to be fine. I'll be in my own house getting ready." She walked away, leaving Tal on the battlefield alone.

After watching her go, he looked around. "Well, nothing for it. Let's go." Tal went to his own home.

When Tal got home, his parents weren't there. He found it rather odd, considering they were always watching the TV or doing some other activity. Tal shrugged it off and walked up the stairs to his room. When he got there, he sifted through all of the junk on the floor and picked out a suitable pack. Tal paused for a moment, then kicked a random item, sending it flying across the room until it collided with the wall and bounced off.

Larvesta looked around and began to burrow into a pile of items. He pulled out a bag of Pokemon food. He opened it, stuck his head inside and began eating the contents.

"Mom was right when she told me to clean up this place..." Tal shook that train of thought away and began to change into a different set of clothing. A few minutes later, he was wearing his signature light gray hoodie with the hood pulled over to conceal his black hair, black jeans and reflective wraparound shades.

Tal looked over toward Larvesta. "You can have that, but we really need to save some for the trip."

Larvesta peered out from over the bag and looked at Tal. "Larv! Larvesta!" He resumed eating.

Tal watched Larvesta as he thought about the trip he was about to embark on. He, Jason and Rukia had received the mysterious invitation to Floccesy Town. Rukia was rearing to go, but he was unsure about it. Jason was indifferent. That was to be expected.

He got up. "Time to go." He picked up Larvesta, but he clung to the bag of food. "Larv! Larvesta Larv!"

"Oh fine..." Tal picked up the Pokemon food along with him. Larvesta munched happily as Tal exited the house and went over to Rukia's house, where the three of them decided to meet up before heading out.

"Jason did have a good point." Tal said to himself as he reached Rukia's house. "I hope it really is worth it."

Tal saw Jason arriving to where he was. Jason was wearing a nondescript black shirt with blue jeans. The shirt contrasted his brownish hair.

Tal went over to him. "Hey, Jason."

"Hey, Tal." Jason looked at Rukia's house. "Looks like she's not ready yet. Wanna battle?"

"Sure."

"Alright, then. Go, Skarmory!" Jason threw a Pokeball and Skarmory came out of it.

"Go, La-..." Tal took a moment to extract Larvesta from the food bag. "Larvesta, we're going to battle Skarmory again. You still want to pay him back, right?" Larvesta jumped down. 'Larvesta! Larv larv!"

"That settles that." Tal said as he put the food bag down. "Your move, Jason."

"Skarmory, use Peck!"

"Larvesta, use String Shot!"

Skarmory charged forward, beak outstretched. Larvesta shot silky strands, entangling Skarmory's legs and making him fall over.

"That was uncalled for! Skarmory, use Leer!"

"That was perfectly called for, and you know it. Larvesta, use Ember!"

Skarmory looked at him in an intimidating way as Larvesta shot out small embers. As soon as it hit Skarmory, he yelped as the fire Burned him. It also made the String Shot burn off, reducing it to a cinder.

"Alright Skarmory, use-"

"Guys...What in the name of Arceus are you two doing!?" Rukia appeared. She was wearing a dark blue t-shirt, jeans and a Pokeball cap over her black shoulder-length hair.

Tal and Jason both looked at her in unison. Jason spoke first. "Uhh...hi Rukia."

Tal looked away from both of them for a moment and muttered to himself. "Danger, danger. Evacuate the area..."

Rukia walked down to the both of them. "Guys, I appreciate how you like to battle, but there's a time and place for everything. At least we're all here."

Tal looked back at them. "Are we ready to go?" He asked as he picked up Larvesta. Only...Larvesta wasn't there.

He looked toward the Pokemon food bag, and he noticed Larvesta lying on the ground next to it. He also noticed the bag was a lot emptier than before.

Tal picked him up and turned to the others. "Ready to go?"

Jason was suppressing a laugh. "Yeah."

"Sure." Rukia replied.

"Then let's go already." Tal said, walking down the path that led out of Aspertia Town. Rukai and Jason followed.

After a while, they crossed the bounds of Aspertia Town and were out in the wild. Jason turned toward Rukia. "So, how far is Floccesy Town from here anyway?"

"Don't look at me. Tal had the map." Both of them looked at Tal.

"What? I don't have it. I thought Jason had it."

Rukia facepalmed. "Is this going to turn into a cliche moment when no one brought a map and we get lost?"

"I don't even want to think about it." Jason replied. "Floccesy Town shouldn't be too far ahead. I think."

"Yep...knew it." Tal replied. "We're in trouble. As long as we keep to the road, we should be OK."

"What road?" Jason questioned.

Tal turned on him. "The road I laid out in my head. We'll be fine." He turned back to the 'road'. "This way." Tal pointed at an imaginary marker farther along. He moved on.

Rukia shook her head. "Sometimes I wonder what the heck is up with him."

"Sometimes?" Jason replied. He went after Tal. Rukia followed him.