Pokemon; Chaos Inferno
Prologue – Introductions

"Hey! Alex!" A teen male shouted. It was Nicholas Blare, a well known student at Celadon Trainer's School Branch. He was a powerful trainer, even though he had yet to graduate from Trainer School. His tall, built frame, dirty-blonde hair, ice-blue eyes, and defined face win him things that aren't battles. His demeanor benevolent, he is a friend to many. "Alex!" He called again.

"Jesus! Scare the hell out of me why don't you? Whatever, 'sup?" The other teen Nick had called after (who happened to be seated at a long table) responded. This was Alexander Vowlt (or Alex, for short), a longtime friend of Nick and another well known CTSB student. While he may be an adept battler, Alex is better known for his Athletics. He has a thin but stout frame, nut-brown hair, vivid green eyes, and a thin face. He can be quite impatient, but means well nonetheless. "I was just studying for my final exam, whadda' you need Nick?"

"Dude, it's lunch for god's sake. I don't need anything, just saying 'hi'," Nick said as he sat next to Alex. Nick looked over at the book his friend was reading and examined the papers strewn around it. "Wait, which class is this for?"

Alex flipped the book closed for a second using his thumb as a placeholder, displayed the book's title, "History of the World," then promptly opened the book to the page he'd held. "Ms. Reginol said we're going to have the test tomorrow and that we'd had a week to study, but…" Alex began.

"You were gone for a week," Nick finished.

"Yeah, I blame my sister, she came over feeling like crap the day before I got sick. Great timing right?"

"The best, definitely," Nick's sarcasm was apparent, but Alex still gave him a look. "I'm kidding dude. Seriously though, you missed the final in Mr. Karmichael's class."

"Shit, really…?"

"Hey, don't freak dude, I gotcha' covered. I asked him and he said you'd be able to retake it for full credit on Friday, which is tomorrow. And trust me, it's easy," Nick explained.

"Man, you're awesome. Always had my back, ever since fifth grade. I gotta' find some way to repay you," Alex looked up from the textbook for a second then returned to reading it.

"Eh, don't worry about it. Anyways, did Rex come by? I see his stuff, but I don't see him…" Nick asked.

"His stuff's here? I never saw him. God, I must be so wrapped up in th-"

"Miss me?" A pale faced kid appeared from thin air.

Both Nick and Alex jumped at the abruptness of his shout and his spontaneous materialization behind them. "Fuckin' hell Rex, you actually managed to scare me."

"Hah, I told you I'd get a reaction from you one day," the boy smirked. His name is Rex Alder, a sub-goth with a heart of gold. A highly tactical battler, he combines combination attacks and pure power to devastate opponents. Also quite adept at athletics (possibly more so than Alex), he is unstoppable at relay races. His hair a black dark as the night itself, steel gray eyes, pale white skin, and thin face made him look a bit like a vampire.

Nick took notice of a strange distortion of light near Rex's left leg, then he saw red eyes flare up, and immediately he knew what it was. "Hey, is that Morgan?" Nick asked.

The distorted light took the shape of a black, doll-like creature and materialized. It was Rex's father's male Banette, Morgan. "Dang, sharp eyes…" Morgan mumbled.

"Sharp eyes is hardly sufficient, more like, eyes like a Luxray," Alex interjected. "And Rex, since you used Morgan to disappear, your 'scare' on us is void."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," Rex joked. "Anyways, Alex, seeing as you were gone this week, I spoke to Mr. Orecen."

"And…?" Alex let the word trail off.

"And," Rex continued, "He wants you to be in his class during lunch on Tuesday to retake the Final you missed."

"Why not on Monday?"

"There's going to be a sub on Monday."

Alex smirked, "Dude, both you and Nick rule. Got my ass covered when it comes to missin' stuff. Makes two people I owe," Alex stated.

Morgan tapped Rex on the shoulder and mimicked somebody sleeping. Rex understood the reason for the action, nodded, then returned Morgan to his ball. "Oh, Nick. I forgot to tell you," Rex began. "I'm going to get my beginner pokemon at the Kanto Pokemon HQ in Pallet, and on the same day as you and Mira!"

"No way?" Nick asked, excited.

"Yeah, just got the e-mail from Blaze during second period," Rex said, referring to the current assistant (and the granddaughter of the Head Scientist, Blare Fernus) at the KPHQ.

"Awesome!" Nick fist-bumped Rex.

"Hey guys, what's going on?" A pretty teen girl approached the table. This is Mira Torren, a loving and powerful female trainer, she is the most renowned student Pokemon Coordinator at CTSB, possibly in the entire Kanto District. Her slender frame and modest curves have given her other types of attention as well. Her silky, brown hair, sapphire blue eyes, and soft face attribute to her "popularity." Mira would do anything to help a friend and has never been in trouble at school.

"Hey Mira. How're you?" Nick stood up and gave Mira a hug, which she returned happily. The two weren't dating, but they both shared strong feelings with one another.

"Great. So, what's the excitement about?"

Rex was the one to speak, "I'm scheduled to receive my starter pokemon the same day as you and Nick."

"Oh, no way? That's great!" Mira said, excited as well. "What about you Alex?"

Alex shut his textbook, "What about me?"

"When are you going to get your starter?"

"Oh, the week before you all," Alex replied monotonously.

"Ah," Mira said.

"But," Alex interjected, "Professor Fernus says that my appointment may have to be postponed until July 16th. A lot of people are booking for those early days," Alex grinned.

"Dude, awesome!" Nick exclaimed, "All of us are gonna' get our start together!"

Rex pumped his fist, "Hell yeah!"

Mira smiled widely, "This is great! This has got to be luck smiling on us!"

"Well," Nick started, "Remember, this is a maybe. But, even so, what do you guys say about us all traveling together?" He queried.

The four of them fell silent for a second, all thinking. Alex was the first to speak his mind, "Let's go for it! I like the idea!"

"Likewise," Mira followed up. "I wouldn't enjoy traveling on my own anyways."

"Well, you wouldn't be alone," Nick interjected, "You'd have your pokemon with you."

"Well, yeah, but you know what I mean."

Rex was still silent, but his answer was definitive, "I say we go for it. I mean, what's a journey without friends to share it with?"

"I like that," Nick stated, "It's so true dude."

With all four of them for the joint adventure, it was decided. The following week, graduation ceremonies were held for all the seniors. The four friends all joined each other on the stage, to, once again after sixth grade, receive their diplomas.

Nick gained twelve out of twelve Battle Diplomas, ten out of eleven Contest Diplomas, and nine out of eleven Pokeathlete Diplomas. Alex was given eleven out of twelve Battle Diplomas, six out of eleven Contest Diplomas, and eleven out of eleven Pokeathlete Diplomas. Rex though, received twelve out of twelve Battle Diplomas, nine out of eleven Contest Diplomas, and eleven out of eleven Pokeathlete Diplomas. Mira was given twelve out of twelve Battle Diplomas, eleven out of eleven Contest Diplomas (and being the contest prodigy she is, a bonus Letter of Recognition by the Pokemon Coordinator Committee, very prestigious), and nine out of eleven Pokeathlete Diplomas.

The four graduated with flying colors, and within weeks, the time to begin their adventure was upon them. Little did they know, their journey would do more than better them as people and as trainer… Fate has a funny way of playing its tune…