Chapter 1: Adventure

Following his rather rude awakening, Larvesta had taken a trip to the Sand Continent to the west to begin his ambition. Though reaching the continent turned out to be a bigger ordeal than he had imagined, Larvesta was able to arrive at a port at Sahra Town in the southeastern portion of the continent. Though he was foreign to the citizens and had no backstory to go off of, the people of the town were nonetheless welcoming and supportive of his cause, guiding him to a nearby village where he could find recruits and resources. He was not alone in seeking valuables in this village, however, as it was also home to many plundering thieves and bandits itching to rob others of their goods. It was at this village where Larvesta's journey would kick off.

"...and here we are at Western Sahra Village. This village is home to many a soldier itching for a challenge," says a tour guide who is guiding Larvesta through the main settlement of the Sand Continent.

The village is a rather ordinary civilization, with a handful of citizens about. There are some soldiers lecturing young individuals on survival skills and preparing for whatever may come their way. Other citizens are living rather casual lives inside the comfort of their own homes, while travelers like Larvesta are exchanging stories with one another throughout the streets. Though living conditions aren't abysmal and profit is certainly feasible, it isn't exactly the best place in the world to reside in. Still, the villagers seem to be able to get by regardless of the ever present threats that abound the area.

Larvesta thanks his guide for the tour, "Thank you for taking me here. I hear a veteran paladin resides here?"

The guide wastes no time in sating the insect's query. "Ah yes, you would be referring to Sir Rapidash. He's a bit of an ornery one, admittedly, but his skills in combat are unparalleled. If you can sway him over to your side, you'll most certainly not regret it!"

"Seems like quite the fighter," Larvesta comments. "I'll be sure to look into him. Thanks again for the tour."

"No problem. Best of luck with your adventures!" says the tour guide in response. He leaves Larvesta to do as he pleases, but unbeknownst to the fiery insect, he is far from the only one coming here on business.

"Huehuehue… The Western Sahra Village. We've really struck gold now!" says a Rattata who has his eyes glued on whatever treasure and riches lay in the village. Though the village is not the most profitable locale to pillage and plunder, its overall meager state makes it an easy target for bandit attacks, hence why the village has been training citizens in self-defense as of late.

One of his cronies replies with: "Aye, boss. Just imagine all the lovely prizes just waiting for us to steal right from dem losers' pockets. Just give the word, and we mine for riches!"

Larvesta takes some time to explore the area for a bit, speaking with the locals and exchanging tips and tricks with some traveling fighters. Despite this, he can not quite locate the fabled veteran to ask for assistance, and while he tries asking others for their help, everyone he offers to recruit turns down his mission, presumably out of fear or apathy. "I'm in unfamiliar territory with little recollection of my past self. If I'm going to defeat Lilligant, I'll need all the help I can get. Those other warriors all turned me down and chickened out. Is she really that frightening? Guess Rapidash is my only lead for now…" he thinks.

After some time, the boss Rattata gives the signal for his gang of bandits to attack, swarming the area with brigands and thieves, and causing utter chaos to the villagers!

"Listen up, fellow rogues! This town is filled to the brim with riches beyond our imagination! Slaughter the soldiers here and grab whatever you can find! With our strength and numbers, I imagine we'll have this place deserted in about 12 hours!" shouts Rattata as his gang goes out causing untold devastation.

This quickly catches the attention of Larvesta. "What the- Bandit attack! Oh no, the villagers are in trouble! I gotta go do something about this!" Wasting no time, he sets out to stop the goons from raiding the townspeople and turning the vicinity into a warzone.

Meanwhile, an elderly paladin also appears from a more populated area of the map, taking note of the oncoming slaughter. "Huh? Bandits again?", he sighs. "Do these lowlifes never learn? Whatever, I'll have them crying home to their mommies in no time."

After some examination, however, he notices that there is a far greater amount of thugs than what usually shows up in the vicinity. "Hmmm… There's more brigands than usual this time around. I may need a helping hand this time around..."

Larvesta unsheathes his sword and starts repelling the thugs to the best of his ability. Along the way, a villager motions him to come over to her home. Though Larvesta is busy and doesn't want to waste time when the village is under attack, he takes notice of a fiery steed fending off the bandits with relative ease. Hoping he can fend them off, Larvesta decides to make a quick stop at the villager's abode.

"Greetings, newcomer. I hope I can be of assistance in these trying times," says the damsel.

Larvesta appreciates her kindness. "If there's anything you can offer me, I would appreciate it. Rest assured, these bandits won't be terrorizing you for long."

The villager makes note of his previous offers to some of the townspeople. "Well, I heard from some soldiers that you wanted to take on Lady Lilligant."

Larvesta confirms her hearsay. "That would be correct. Unfortunately, no one was willing to take me up on my offer."

"I don't blame them," remarks the maiden. "Your target is a terrifying foe who has power and influence all over the continent. Taking her on would be no easy feat," she says with concern.

The villager is unable to fend for herself, but still wants to help any way she can, so she offers some of her loot for Larvesta to use instead. "I unfortunately know nothing of combat, so I cannot enlist in your team myself, but I can at least offer you some Poké to spend on some equipment you may need."

Reaching for her treasure chest, the villager takes out 2000 Poké, and hands it to Larvesta.

The determined insect thanks her for her donation. "Thank you. Your offer is appreciated. I will be sure to use it wisely." With that out of the way, Larvesta leaves the house to continue protecting the village from the imminent threat. Luckily, it seems the place held out relatively well during his detour. It seems that paladin was able to protect the place in the meantime.

Larvesta works his way through taking out some of the enemy brigands, but the sheer number of them starts to wear him out. To the north, however, he again notices the fiery paladin, whom he believes to be the Rapidash his tour guide was talking about, also taking out some enemy bandits as well. Hopeful, he goes over to the equine to ask for his help.

"Oh, hi. You seem quite experienced. Would you happen to be Sir Rapidash the Paladin?", he asks.

The paladin confirms his identity. "Why yes, that would be me."

Larvesta is excited that he had found who he was looking for. "Great, so I've found who I'm looking for! Listen, I'm trying to start up a team of powerful warriors, and I could use some assistance with my army. Would you like to sign up for my team?"

Rapidash, on the other hand, seems baffled with Larvesta's query. As he swiftly takes out another thug, he expresses doubt at the insect's capability. "Eh? A runt like you? Form an army? What child's play! Go back to your playground where you belong!"

Larvesta's joy turned to startlement at Rapidash's remark. "Wha- Hey! I'm not weak! I know how to fight! Here, I'll prove it to you, right here, right now!"

The stallion still is not convinced. "Quite the stubborn one, aren't you. I guess you won't take no for an answer, huh." Despite this, he is willing to give the young caterpillar a chance, taking out another bandit in the process. "Well, tell you what, this village is already being burned to the ground by those losers over there. Rid our village of these goons, and I'll consider taking you up on your offer."

Larvesta is more than ready to prove his worth. "Gladly. I'll be rid of these bandits in no time."

Larvesta and Rapidash both go to the ends of the area to fight as many brigands as they reasonably can. Though Larvesta gets a bit worn out, he thankfully has a bag of Oran Berries with him to patch himself up. He promptly grabs one from his bag, and uses it to recover himself. Eventually, while Rapidash is still fighting some minions, Larvesta comes across the one in charge, the purple rodent named Rattata.

Rattata boasts about his fearsome might to his opponent. "Hahahahaha! You face the wrath of Rattata the Beast! Prepare to be demolished!"

Larvesta and the rodent clash blades with each other. Rattata swings his axe at the insect a number of times, even scratching Larvesta a bit, but Larvesta does not falter, making much more precise strikes with Solaris. Eventually, Larvesta comes out on top, knocking out his opponent.

"Wot!? Who in da world do ya think you are!?" screams Rattata the Beast in shock as he falls to Larvesta and Solaris. With that, the bandits have all been routed and the village is saved.

"...and that should be the last of them. So, what do you think?" says Larvesta as he sheathes his sword, breathing a sigh of relief.

Rapidash analyzed Larvesta's progress. He is certainly competent, but still clearly a beginner. Rapidash is amazed that Larvesta even made it out alive, but doesn't feel like admitting it. "Bah, a toddler could have taken out those bandits with my help, now that I think about it."

Larvesta groans, not appreciating Rapidash's excuse. "But I still defeated them. That should be a proper showcase of my strength, right?"

Rapidash seems concerned over the insect's recklessness, and wants to rein him in before he gets himself killed. He responds with "You're still very much new to combat, and you have a ways to go before you become one of the greats."

Larvesta responds rather despondently. "But if I don't rise up against Lilligant, this land will…"

"Lilligant!?" That name seems to strike a nerve within the flame paladin. Starting to feel bad for dropping the young insect's spirits, Rapidash decides to perk him up a bit. "…That being said, I do see potential for growth in you, something I do not see in even myself. Let's hope you live up to my expectations."

Larvesta is surprised at Rapidash's sudden change in tone, but is nonetheless glad to receive his praise. "So, are you going to team up with me?"

Rapidash relents and offers his services to Larvesta, hoping to mentor him so that they can take on Lilligant together. "Tell you what, I'll join your little team. Someone like you could use some pointers if you really want to run an entire army. This is no laughing matter."

Larvesta thanks Rapidash for his offer. "Thank you so much, Sir Rapidash. You'll make a fine addition to Team Valiant."

Rapidash seems intrigued at the title of Larvesta's army. "Valiant, huh. Quite the determined one. A name like that suits someone like you."

Rapidash ponders for a moment, and decides to get in touch with two of his trainees to get them to join Larvesta's cause. "Speaking of which, I have some pupils in training who I think would take an interest in your ambition. How about I take you over to meet them?"

Larvesta, willing to get help from anyone wanting to join him, accepts Rapidash's offer. "I'd be glad to meet them. I could use all the help I can get."

With that, Larvesta has now made his first step in opposing Lilligant's tyranny and bringing peace to the Sand Continent. Rapidash would no doubt make a fine addition to Team Valiant, and his students were sure to be of help as well. Larvesta, feeling confident in his abilities, goes out to meet Rapidash's pupils and hopefully enlist them into his team.

-TO BE CONTINUED-