In the shadows, a few miles away from the sand pits, four Pokemon sat by a small campfire in a cave. One was a Monferno, another was a Walrein, there was a Torterra, and a Bergmite. The Monferno placed his tail on the twig pile, causing it to ignite. The Bergmite stared at his feet, hoping that he could talk some sense into his friends. Flake was his name. He was young, only being six when he was found by his cave. When he was found, his friends took him in. They had stayed with each other through thick and thin, but Flake decided it was time to part. He didn't want to be an outsider anymore. He wanted to join a tribe. Flake looked up. "Um… Guys? I have an announcement. Inferno? Wally? Tort?" The fire-bearing monkey, Inferno, smiled at the ice-type. "What's up, kid?" Flake shuffled his feet uncomfortably. "Well, since I'm ten now, and I'm old enough to go out on my own, maybe I can go join a tribe?" Inferno frowned. Flake knew what was coming. "But kid, it ain't safe out there! You've heard what Lamp said about the wilderness! You could get killed out there!" Flake groaned at the mention of Lamp. The stupid Lanturn only said shit like that to prevent Flake from leaving the cave, but it couldn't be that bad. Lamp himself was in a tribe! If any of that was true, he would be back with his old buddies again. "But guys, Lamp would come back if that was true. Plus, you guys could come, too! We could hunt and fight together! What happened to your sense of adventure?" Inferno looked at Tort and Wally for support. But he got nothing. Why didn't the usually panicky tortoise interject? Surely he didn't want Flake to leave? Tort glanced nervously at Inferno. "Inferno… He's right. If Lamp survived this long, so could Flake. He's ten. That's beyond the age limit for young ones to join tribes." Inferno sent Tort a stare that said, 'You aren't helping.' Tort looked at Wally, who gave a shrug in return. Inferno sighed. There was obviously no turning back now. Flake was going to leave someday. "Alright… You can go. Just be careful." Flake smiled and said his farewells to his friends. He didn't know where any of the tribes were, so he just went south from where he was.
Flake sighed. It's been hours since he left. Rain poured from the sky, causing the Bergmite to shiver, despite the fact that his element was ice. He was getting tired, and he needed to rest. Flake collapsed on the ground, allowing a few water drops to trickle down his sore body. He sighed. It was probably a mistake to go out into the outside world. Back at the cave, he had it all. A campfire, a bed of Spinarak silk, water, and a heaping pile of oran berries everyday. He had everything, so why did he even want to leave? It was probably best to go home and admit his mistake. Flake could already hear Inferno saying 'I told you so.' He could hear Wally's cries of despair because he probably wanted him to leave. He could even hear Tort stressing over the fact that Flake would most likely stay until eighteen. Of course, by the time he was eighteen, he wouldn't be in the cave anymore. He had a life, too. Just as Flake was walking back to the cave, he was struck by multiple spikes. He couldn't see much since it was dark, but it was small. And it was tough. Just as fast as the creature tackled Flake, it jumped off, ready to pounce again. Flake ran. He would keep running. He was fast, too, but he could only go so far before giving out. Speaking of which, the creature was hot on his heels. It wasn't long before it struck Flake again with its spikes, literally knocking the crap out of him. Fortunately, the creature got stuck in the excrement, sticking to it. Flake took this time to run. He didn't know where, he just did. Soon enough, Flake was hit in the head by the same spiked creature from before. Flake turned around to see the creature advancing on him. Just as it was about to jump Flake tackled it. It laughed in return. "That was awesome! I haven't fought like that for a while! Can you please get off of me?" The Pokemon asked sweetly. Flake narrowed his eyes. Even in the dark, he recognized the creature as a Ferroseed. It had a playful look in its eyes. "My name is Spike, loyal member of the Mystic Tribe. I've been sent out to hopefully find new members for the tribe. do you know anyone that could qualify?" Flake thought for a minute. An idea popped into his head. 'Now's my chance! I can join!' Flake looked at Spike with interest. "Maybe I could join? I fought you. Doesn't that make me powerful?" Spike stared at Flake for a second before bouncing down a hole. "Great! Let's go!" Flake ran down the hole after him. "Why are you letting me in so easily?" Spike kept bouncing until he reached a hole, leading him up. "Because you're powerful. And we've never had an ice type in our tribe before!" The Ferroseed bounced until he reached a wall of spiked vines. He looked at Flake. "This might hurt a bit!" Spike rolled through the spikes, going into the camp with ease. Flake rolled his eyes and went into the spikes, wincing when each one poked him. A moment later, he was in. A few Pokemon stared for a moment, while others didn't stop as Spike led Flake into a gap in the dirt. Once in, Flake felt weak. It was like being inside a furnace. He hoped he wouldn't be in there long. Spike bounced over to an elegant Ninetales, with a Cobalion and an Emboar on both sides of it. 'This must be the leader…' The Ninetales was first to speak. "Spike, who is this?" She had a low, soft voice. "I found him just outside of our secret entrance. I attacked him. He seemed powerful in battle, though! Can we please keep him, Myth?" Myth narrowed her eyes at Spike. "You just found him? There was an intruder near our territory and you just took him in?" Flake could feel the temperature of the already sweltering room increase. Spike knew that he screwed up. But that didn't dissolve his pride. He looked up at Myth hopefully. "I know… But he's a good fighter. He even pooped while he fought! Cool, huh?" Myth rolled her eyes at Spike. The Cobalion grimaced. Flake blushed and nudged Spike. At this point, the Bergmite was losing health. Myth looked at Flake in thought. She sighed. "Very well. He can stay. But if he betrays us in any way, let me know at once." Myth signaled to the Emboar to go with Spike and Flake. "Ember, send Spike and this newcomer to Violet. They will need healing after being in here." Ember nodded and stepped forward to pick up the smaller Pokemon. Flake hesitated for a while, but a nod from Spike told him it was okay. Ember lifted Spike and Flake in each hand. He climbed out of the heat corridor and walked towards the other side of the campsite. He could sense Flake's fear of him. "You don't have to be afraid, you know. I won't burn you." Flake knew that Ember was talking to him. Flake looked up at the Emboar, his look telling more words than he could ever say. Ember realized what was happening. With a small nod, he set Spike and Flake down at the entrance of a room and left. Spike began to push the door open. He looked at Flake. "Well dude, welcome to the healing room!" A light consumed the two, letting them into the room.