Chapter 1
A New Family Member
"Steven, Wallace! I'm home!"
Manon's voice filled the house as she barged in through the front door, kicking it shut with the heel of her shoe before racing into the main room. It had been two weeks since her, Steven, Wallace, and Alain had moved into a house together. Well, it was technically Steven's house, but he and Wallace had invited Manon and Alain to stay with them in Hoenn after the catastrophe with Lysandre and the storm. Wallace had suggested that Manon and Alain have a change of scenery after all the chaos. And Alain, though hesitant, had agreed.
The two men Manon had called to were chatting on the couch. They looked up as she entered the room. Steven was about to welcome her home, when his eyes fell down to the thing she was holding in her arms.
"Well, what do we have here?" Steven grinned at the small gray Pokémon. It yipped cheerfully and wagged its fluffy tail as he patted its head. "Where did you find this little Poochyena, Manon?"
"Where indeed . . ." Wallace interrupted, a little skeptical. "And if I may ask, darling. Why did you bring him into our house?"
"His name is Pooch." Manon explained excitedly, scratching the small Pokémon's ears. Pooch barked appreciatively and licked Manon's fingers as she tickled his nose. "I saw him while I was out walking around and I decided to try to catch him. And I did it! All by myself!"
"That's excellent, Manon! You've truly grown since we first met." Steven said.
His praise filled her with pride. She hugged Pooch tighter and scanned the room for one person in particular. "Steven, do you know where Alain is?"
"Where he always is, darling." Wallace sighed, his head falling back against the couch.
"In his room?"
Wallace nodded and Manon nodded her thanks, rushing down the hall. "Don't forget to take off your shoes in the house!" Wallace shouted. In response he heard the clatter of her shoes being kicked off. He groaned, knowing he would have to pick them up later. "Children are impossible, Steven . . ."
"But you love her anyways." Steven replied knowingly. To this Wallace groaned and rested his head on his lover's shoulder. "One day we should tell her that her nicknames are terrible . . ."
"You can do that. I'm done."
"Alain!"
Manon rushed into Alain's room in a blur, startling the older boy so that he dropped the book he was reading. It tumbled onto his desk, sending some of his notes scattering off the table. Alain muttered and twisted in his chair with an annoyed expression, blue eyes sharp. "Manon, what is it? I'm trying to finish some research notes so that I can send them to Sycamore." He was going to scold her further, but stopped when he noticed the Pokémon in her arms. "Why do you have that?"
Manon grinned, rushing over to him. "This is Pooch! I caught him when I went out today! Isn't he adorable?" Her hazel eyes shone and she held out Pooch so that he was closer to Alain, who regarded the small Pokémon curiously.
"He is pretty cute . . ." Alain went to pet the Pokémon on the head, but Pooch snarled when his hand neared and latched onto Alain's fingers with his teeth. Alain yelped and Manon panicked, pulling Pooch back to her chest. The puppy released Alain's hand and nuzzled into Manon's shirt innocently.
"Ah . . . I'm sorry, Alain. I don't think Pooch likes you . . ."
"Yeah, I can see that."