PMD: The Tale of Team Rolling Thunder!

Chapter 1: Our Present Situation

This story begins in a little town known as Maplebrook Town. It's a town roughly circular in shape, divided into North and South by a river flowing through the middle. Most of the residents live in the North District, and most businesses are located in the South District. This arrangement results in a strong sense of community and bonds between most of the residents, who care deeply for one another. This sentiment is fairly well-shared among the youth of the town. Two such youths are Leon Volta, a shiny Shinx with ambition and energy to spare; and Neos Elema, a shy Eevee with a good heart. They, along with the roughly 200 other children of the town, attend the one large school that also serves to host community gatherings. Today is another day for them, though apparently…

"Come on, Leon!" shouted one student.

Another one pipes up "Yeah, you have to show us today!"

"You've been bragging for weeks, but we haven't seen anything!" Chimes in a third.

Exasperated at this, Leon lets out a quiet sigh. "Alright, alright, I'll show you the cool treasure I found during lunch. If I show you at any other point, the teacher might take it away!" Of course, this is met with some muttering and skepticism from most of the bunch.

The one exception is Neos, who's currently hovering in the back of the group. Part of her really wanted to speak up in Leon's defense, but she just can't seem to bring herself too, as she's not really one for confrontation or larger crowds. She and Leon have been next-door neighbors since they were kids, and their parents' houses were just about on the edge of town, so they sent much of their time as children in each other's company. As such, Neos looks up to Leon for inspiration, though her timidness has made it harder for her to approach him as they grew up.

Eventually, the pestering and conversation ceases as the pack of students make their way to the schoolhouse and settle down for another boring day. Language Arts are enjoyable, History is a very involved class, math is boring… to the point where two students fall asleep in class. Sadly, the sleepers are held back from next period… lunch! Everyone devours their packed meals eagerly, and then everyone piles around Leon as he regales the tale of his trek through a Mystery Dungeon in the forest outside of town.

"And then, after incapacitating the mad Barboach, I made it to the end of the dungeon… and laying there, resting on the ground, was this!" With that, he holds up a smooth and round amber stone it looks old, and yet, beautiful to behold. Truly, this was a great treasure.

Seeing this treasure, Neos began to think quite enthusiastically about the fact that her mother's birthday was soon. A gift like this would certainly make her overjoyed to receive, and thus Neos came up with a plan. She would make a simple trip through the Dungeon, find something fascinating like the amber that Leon now held, and make that the gift for her mother! How difficult could it possibly be? With a plan made, Lunch quickly comes to an end as the students have Law, followed by Battle Tactics, and then Free Study before the school day comes to an end.

The students eagerly swarm out of the school in a mob until they reach the South District, and the horde gradually thins out as the students leave one by two on each street. Eventually, Leon and Neos are the only ones left as they turn on to their street. It's a quiet evening, and the two walk in silence for a minute or two before Neos pipes up. "So… math was interesting, wasn't it…?"

Thinking about the events that transpired earlier, Leon lets out a chuckle. "Yeah, it kinda was. I know Mr. Charap has a bit of a dull, droning voice, but I wasn't expecting Veru to actually fall asleep!"

Neos giggles a bit at this. Recalling how monotonous their Chatot teacher could be, something the students often laughed at him for to varying degrees. Even if it was a little flat, it helped her stay focused on the lesson, so she couldn't make too much fun of him for it. "Veru almost fell asleep in Basic Battle Tactics… I wonder if she has some kind of medical issue."

Leon ponders this for a few moments, before shaking his head. "I don't think so, she's only ever done it twice. I think she was just bored. Oh, hey, we're home!"

Neos snaps out of her distracted state for a moment and looks around. Sure enough, there are their houses, one on each side of the street. She seems just a little saddened, but shakes it off as she remembers her plan for tomorrow. She'll head into the woods, make her way through and find some cool thing to give her mother for a birthday gift, and then be back in time for lunch. Simple, effective, easy.

"Hey, Neos? Are you there?" Leon pipes up trying to get her attention. "You spaced out for a few moments there."

Neos shakes her head, slightly flustered. "Oh, I did? I'm sorry, I guess I do that pretty often… heh." She chuckles awkwardly and looks away, searching for a way to get out of the awkward discussion. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Leon!"

Leon smiles and waves to her, before walking over to his house and heading inside. Neos watches him do so, before doing the same, greeting her parents as she sets her pack down. "Hi Mom! Hi Dad!"

A Leafeon pokes her head around the corner, smiling at the little Eevee. "Welcome back, dear! Did you have a nice day at school?"

Neos considers for a moment before answering as she takes her homework out. "Well… Veru fell asleep in Math, we have homework in Applied Battle Tactics, and Leon told one of his cool stories during lunch!"

Another voice interrupts their conversation from across the house. "Grace, dear, is Neos home from school yet?"

Grace, the Leafeon, turns to address the voice. "She's home, Nolan. Are you about done with your little project? I'm going to get dinner started!" She then turns to Neos. "Take care of your homework, dear. We're having salad and stewed berries tonight."

Neos practically jumps in excitement, and rushes to the table to get her work done before dinner. "Got it, mom! I'll be done before it's ready!"

The next hour is rather quiet, with Neos hard at work on her homework, Grace humming as she works on dinner, and Nolan working on whatever he's working on across the house.

Finally, the quiet is interrupted when Nolan the Houndoom makes his way into the dining room. "Finally done. There's a surprise waiting for you in your room after dinner, kiddo."

Neos smiles at him, the news exciting her somewhat. "Can I check it out now? I just finished my paper!"

The Houndoom chuckles a little at her enthusiasm. "Sorry, but I think you have to wait. If my nose is correct, it's time to set the table. Come on, I'll get the plates if you get the napkins."

Neos huffs a little, but she doesn't want to stir up any trouble, especially not right before her mom's birthday. "Alright, dad!"

The two of them set the table without issue, and Grace brings over the salad and stewed berries and doles them out to everyone. Dinner is a fairly quick affair, with Neos chowing down almost comically fast until a pointed glare from Grace gets her to mind her manners. After that, she settles down into a more normal eating pace, enjoying the cool crisp salad, followed up by the warm sweetness of the stewed berries. She slows down and savors the meal, smiling as she polishes up her food. "Thank you for dinner, Mom! It was really really good!"

Grace smiles and takes the dishes in order to wash them as Neos and Nolan enter Neos' room, where a brand-new backpack is sitting on her bed. Neos exuberantly leaps onto the bed and inspects the backpack… it's just like an Explorer's Kit, but it has that homemade touch. She squeals in excitement, and leaps over to hug the Houndoom. "Thank you, Dad, thank you!"

Nolan returns the hug, and Grace joins in a moment later. "You're almost grown up, Neos. One of the most important things we can do is make sure you're prepared when it's time for you to go out on your own."

Neos sniffles a little. As much as she knows she has to leave someday in the near future, it's not an easy fact to face. "I know… thank you…"

Grace smiles and nuzzles her. "You're welcome, dear. Now get some sleep, alright? There's plenty to do over the weekend, but not if you're tired and half-asleep."

Neos nods. "Yes, mom. Goodnight!"

Her parents leave their room, leaving Neos to curl up on her bed. She's got an early morning and a busy day of dungeon crawling ahead of her… it'd be best if she was well-rested.