So, did ANYONE else see the trailer for Pokemon X and Y? I am assuming that everyone has by now. What are your thoughts? I personally will get Y and love Chespin and Yveltal.

Anyway, onto the chapter.

Tia stood, eyes wide, at the sight before her. The house Benga led Tia was old. It almost seemed older than the city, made of withered logs and wood. It stood tall and strong all the same and piqued her curiosity as to who could live inside of it.

Not to mention that there was a battlefield just in front of the house itself.

"Is this your house?" Tia asked, giving Benga a glance. The teen just grinned and marched on up to the house, opening its large wooden door. Tia rolled her eyes and followed the teen inside to find…a rather strange room.

There was no front hallway like most houses, simply an open room. There were seats lined up in front of a large stone table that had a large cloth in similar style to Benga's poncho on top of it. To the right of the room was a hallway that presumably led to another room, perhaps a kitchen or bedroom.

Tia didn't have much of a chance to take in the rest of the room, though, as Benga cupped his hands to his mouth and called out, "Hey! Hey! Gramps! Where are ya?!"

"Sheesh, is there any need to be that loud?" Tia asked, frowning at the teen. His call had been so loud it echoed lightly. Benga merely gave her a toothy grin once again and the girl's frown deepened.

"It's all right. Just how the boy is," The two teens looked forward to see a man walk out of the hallway. He was older than Benga, seemingly middle aged or almost elderly, but he had very similar features to Benga; Lightly tanned skin, wild red and orange hair, a beige and red poncho, as well as sandals.

"Wait a second…" Tia narrowed her eyes at the older man. There was something familiar about him, like she had seen him somewhere before. She had a hunch but needed to be sure, "Who are you?"

The man chuckled and crossed his arms, "Well, you're a bold girl. My name is Alder,"

Chapter 5: Hard Learning

"ALDER!" Tia exclaimed, shocked that she was correct, "The ex-Champion of Unova? I had no idea you lived in Floccesy!"

Alder chuckled some more while Benga merely huffed, "The townspeople never tell anyone, and Gramps keeps to himself!" He then pointed at Tia and looked at Alder, "Gramps! This girl's a rookie trainer! Think you can train her?"

Alder put a hand to his chin and looked at Tia firmly before smiling, "Of course. I'm always willing to help a starting trainer learn the ropes. And who might you be?"

"My name's Tia," She said with a determined grin. Technically she wasn't a trainer yet, but, with two Pokemon and a Pokedex she could definitely pull it off, "And I'd be honored to train under you, Alder,"

"Then it's settled!" Benga announced before turning back to the front door, "I'm heading out to train! I'll drop by sometime soon, Gramps!"

Tia didn't even get the chance to say goodbye as the teen stormed out the front door. She rolled her eyes before turning to face Alder, who was laughing heartily, "What's funny?"

"Some things just never change. The boy's got all the energy to be a great trainer," Alder explained with a grin before he moved to the front door as well, "Now then, Tia, let's move to the front yard so you can show me what you can do,"

Tia blinked at the man before nodding and following him. Alder opened the door and stepped out to the battlefield, crossing his arms as he stood on one end. Tia moved to the opposite end and whipped out Saber's Pokeball. Her heart was racing with excitement. Even if it wasn't an official battle she was getting the chance to battle the longest reigning Champion in Unova's history.

"All right, go-"

"Tia!" Alder interrupted, holding out a hand in a gesture for her to wait, "One second, there's something I need to ask you, first,"

Tia quirked an eyebrow but nodded and relaxed her stance, "Okay…what is it?"

Alder's expression hardened a bit before he spoke, "Why did you want to be a trainer? You're a rookie so the thought should be fresh in your mind,"

"Well…" Tia bit her lower lip in thought. Seeing Unova, a love for Pokemon, and her the intensity of battles all called her to the lifestyle of a trainer. Were they the reasons she wanted to become one, though? "I just love battles. Plus I can travel around all of Unova and see new sites, meet new people and Pokemon,"

"Interesting…" Alder mused as he pulled a Pokeball from his belt, "And that's enough to make you commit to a lifestyle?"

Tia froze at that question. Sure, she had doubted herself at times, but now her mind was racing. Being a trainer wasn't a casual decision one could make. It meant living on the road and making income based on battles. It meant being prepared for anything that could come your way. She may have been a student in trainer school but there was only so much to learn from a classroom. In truth, she probably knew next to nothing about the dangers of being a trainer.

Yet…

"Sorry about that," Alder sudden said with a laugh, "I didn't meant to frighten you, just to get you thinking about the close future," With that he clicked the Pokeball and released the Pokemon within. Tia squinted through the flash of light and made out a small insect-like Pokemon. Its head was covered with white hairs and it had five red horns protruding from it in a star formation. Sharp blue eyes glared at her as the top horn let loose a small flare.

"That's…a Larvesta," Tia murmured to herself, recalling the creature from her textbooks in class. It was a bug/fire type that evolved into a Volcarona: Alder's famous powerhouse. It was be un-evolved but it would still be a powerful threat in battle.

But Tia grinned.

"Saber and Tomahawk both have an advantage against Larvesta's dual typing," She thought to herself before releasing Saber from her ball, the otter-like Pokemon returning Larvesta's glare with a cool stare of her own. Alder's eyes widened a bit at the sight of the Oshawott before he smiled.

"An Oshawott? It's been a few years since I've seen one of those…very well, show us what you've got,"

"Okay...you ready, Saber?" Tia asked, struggling to contain her excitement. The Oshawott gave a nod in response, never taking her eyes off of Larvesta, so Tia grinned, "Water Gun!"

Saber took a deep breath before expelling a forceful stream of water towards Larvesta. Tia expected a counter move or for Alder to order it to dodge but, to her shock, Larvesta merely braced itself and took the hit with a cry of pain.

Alder didn't even give an order, merely nodding slightly as Larvesta got to its feet.

"Okay…try for Tackle!"

Saber darted forward at the command and slammed her body into Larvesta shoulder-first. The insect held its ground, taking the Tackle head on with a grunt and spouting flames from its horns. The heat instant dried off the water stuck on Larvesta's hair and, though Saber couldn't see it coming, Tia gasped as her Oshawott was briefly engulfed in fire.

"Thankfully Saber's a water type. She shouldn't take much damage from the flames…" Tia was wrong, however. Saber stumbled out of the fire with a pained expression, her light blue fur singed black from the heat. There were burns clear on her arms and head as she winced from them and it suddenly dawned on Tia what had happened.

"That wasn't a move, that was Flame Body," Larvesta's ability was Flame Body and allowed the insect to potentially burn a Pokemon through contact.

"Never let yourself fall into a false sense of security just because you have the advantage," Alder commented before uncrossing his arms, "Larvesta, use Flame Charge,"

Fire from its horns cloaked the insect in orange-red flames, singing the ground beneath Larvesta black. Larvesta let out a growl before charging right into Oshawott head first. The water type staggered back, the fire irritating the burns on its body further and forcing a cry of pain from her.

"Ugh…" Tia's fists clenched as she focused on the battle. Alder's inaction let her think that he'd go easy on her or that he couldn't think of a strategy, but that wasn't the case at all, "Try a Water Gun, Saber!"

Saber managed to get her footing and shot another jet of water at the insect but this time Larvesta was able to move out of the way, nearly a blur as it hopped to the right.

"Right, Flame Charge bolsters the speed of the user…okay Tia, calm down and focus…" Tia's eyes flicked to Saber. The Oshawott, aside from wincing at the damage done by the burns, was as steadfast and cool as always. Tia wondered how the little water type was able to stay so calm in the thick of battle. The excitement and nerves practically tore Tia apart. Maybe she had to keep a cool head like Saber did.

"Not going to attack? Very well…Larvesta, Bug Bite," Larvesta's advanced speed allowed to leap swiftly straight at Saber. Her opening was clear this time.

"Saber, Water Gun again!" The Oshawott breathed in and blasted Larvesta point blank with its Water Gun. The pressurized stream shot Larvesta back through the air, leaving it to roll across the ground near Alder's feet, "Yes!"

"Good work! Sometimes staying patient is the key to victory," Alder explained as he watched Larvesta right itself, "But this battle isn't over yet. Use Ember,"

"Dodge and use Water Gun!" Tia's blood rushed once again as she bent her knees a bit. It wasn't the same heart pounding intensity as her battle with the masked men but it was still enough to make her want to jump and scream.

Several red hot flares shot forth from Larvesta's horns but Saber ran to the left, avoiding the embers while launching her own Water Gun at the bug-type. Larvesta dodged as well but Tia felt she should press the offense, "Water Gun again!"

"Now Flame Charge!" At first Tia was confused by Alder's bold command but she saw all too late why he was ready to finish it. She had gotten so caught up in the excitement that she failed to see Saber, hunched over, wheezing from pain and fatigue. The burns had worn the Oshawott down and left her wide open to attack.

Alder had merely played a waiting game with her, from the very start. She shouldn't have expected less from the ex-Champion of Unova.

Larvesta cloaked itself in flames, its little legs propelling it forward as it slammed into defenseless Saber one last time. The Oshawott cried out and toppled over, sliding on her back towards Tia's feet before lying motionless. Saber's chest still rose and fell so she was merely knocked out.

It stung, nevertheless, to have lost so easily.

"Saber…you did great, sorry," Tia murmured as she scooped Saber up in her arms. She weakly cracked an eye open to look at Tia before the girl returned her to her Pokeball.

"I'm glad to see you treat your Pokemon with kindness, but, your Oshawott isn't very well trained," Alder spoke up as he knelt down to pet Larvesta, "That means you have to pay close attention to her state of well-being. As she grows stronger you can start to slack but I say it's always important,"

Many of these were lessons similar to what Cheren would tell her but it was different all the same. He usually told her how to use moves effectively and to focus on the bond she had with her Pokemon. Alder was talking about more advanced techniques focused on the battle itself and not just her Pokemon.

"Yeah…I think I understand what you're saying," Tia replied as she clipped Saber's Pokeball to her belt, "I've still got one more Pokemon left, Alder,"

"Then send it out," Alder said with a smile, "Larvesta still has fight in him,"

The insect let out a hardy hiss to confirm this. Even though it was a Larvesta it was clear now to Tia that it was better trained than either of her Pokemon. However Tomahawk had been through spars with Cheren and had better endurance, but, he only had contact moves. Tia bit her lip as she released the Rufflet.

She'd have to figure things out on the fly.

"Tomahawk, you ready?" Tomahawk let out a fierce chirp and Tia grinned. With their teamwork she just knew that she would overcome Alder's Larvesta, "All right, stay where you are,"

Tomahawk gave Tia a confused glance. Normally she pressed a heavy offense but with Larvesta's Flame Body she couldn't chance attacking too soon. Alder chuckled and gave her a nod of approval.

"So you've learned…very well. Larvesta, Ember!"

"Dodge it!"

Though multiple flares shot towards Tomahawk the bird zipped around them, his small wings beating powerfully to maneuver effectively. "Yeah Tomahawk! Keep it up and stay alert!"

Alder smiled at the duo before glancing at Larvesta, "Go in for a Flame Charge!" Larvesta cloaked itself in flames once more, its feet already red hot with the boost from the previous attacks, and leaped towards Tomahawk as a blur of red-orange fire.

"Weave around it and strike with Wing Attack!" Tomahawk swerved out of Larvesta's path and drew back, wings spread as he prepared to swoop as soon as Larvesta dispelled its flames.

"Heh, String Shot!" And Larvesta did dispel its flames as soon as it touched the ground only to spew a sticky white thread at Tomahawk and swiftly wrap him up. The Rufflet squawked as he was brought down to the ground, wings stuck to his sides from the white bindings around him.

"Tomahawk, break free!"

"Use Flame Charge, then Ember," Larvesta darted at the helpless Tomahawk once more and slammed into him while covered in fire. Tia winced at the sight and rushed to think of something as Tomahawk was pelted with red hot embers. She'd just have to risk it and pick a good time to strike.

And when she saw one of the embers melt the String Shot she knew that was it.

"String Shot again!"

"Move forward and Fury Attack!" Tia exclaimed desperately. Tomahawk dove straight at the strand of string and pecked furiously, his beak piercing the thin but sticky string easily, "Now Wing Attack!"

Tomahawk lashed out with a wing and swiped Larvesta's side, knocking the insect over on its side. "Now fall back quick!" Tomahawk gave Tia a strange look over his wing, an action that was far more costly than it seemed.

"Ember!" Larvesta managed to right itself and strike Tomahawk head on with a fierce barrage of embers. The Rufflet cawed out, sent tumbling backwards through the air.

"No! Um…Wing Attack!" Tia was truly desperate now, eager to win. But she was still hesitant about Larvesta's Flame Body.

"Bug Bite!" However her eyes lit up as Alder gave Larvesta a command as well. Bug Bite versus Wing Attack wouldn't pan out well for Larvesta, she just knew it!

Tomahawk dove head first at Larvesta, wing poised to strike, but the bug was much faster from all of the boosts in speed it had gained. It darted through the air and bit down on the prepared wing, clenching its small mandibles and using its full body to swing Tomahawk straight down. Once again Tomahawk cawed out in pain when he hit the ground and the impact kicked up a cloud of dust.

Tia prepared to give a command but it fell short in her throat: Tomahawk was burned and bruised, unable to battle.

"No…Tomahawk…" Tia felt the strength in her legs start to give but fought to stay up. Two Pokemon. Two type advantages. Yet she still couldn't beat the Larvesta.

"Not too bad…not too bad at all," Alder mumbled before he looked down at the approaching Larvesta and smiled, "You were amazing, young one,"

Tia walked over to Tomahawk while the bird tried to sit himself up. Much like she did with Saber she scooped Tomahawk into her arms and cradled him, giving him an apologetic look, "You were great. I'm sorry we lost…"

Maybe she expected forgiveness or perhaps a chirp of understanding, but what Tia hadn't been expecting was for Tomahawk to look away from her and avoid eye contact, "Tomahawk?"

"I think he's disappointed in you," Tia looked up and saw Alder approach her with Larvesta at his heel.

"Disappointed in me?"

"You paid attention to what I said, but, then you changed your style to a much more reserved one," Alder began, "It was a lot more cautious and defensive than your Rufflet was used to. That's why he seemed confused at first when you didn't order him to attack, and when you ordered him to retreat he looked hurt,"

Tia thought on Alder's words but couldn't quite figure them out. Alder noticed this and chuckled a bit before continuing, "He felt as though you thought he was too weak to win, I think. Rufflet are Pokemon that pride themselves on strength and courage but the way you used him failed to make use of either,"

"Oh…" It made sense to her after the explanation. She always relied on Tomahawk's bravery and came up with strategies on the fly, but, with all the new information she was taking in it made her scared, "Tomahawk…I never doubted you, I just…"

Alder laughed before patting Tia on the head and grinning, "Don't fret too much! For a new trainer you've got a lot of potential! There's just one thing I think you really need to remember,"

Both Tia and Tomahawk looked at Alder eagerly, curious as to what advice he was going to give, and the man kneeled down a bit so match Tia's height, "Strategy is important. Awareness of the battlefield is important too. The most important thing, though, will always be the bond between your Pokemon. Sometimes you have to be cautious, but, you and your Pokemon will know when the time to go all out and shoot straight for the prize,"

Tia looked at Tomahawk and gave a nod. She liked the sound of that. It seemed that no matter what teacher she had, be it Cheren or Alder, her bond with her Pokemon was always at the center of the lesson.

She'd definitely take it to heart, then more than ever.

"I understand. Thanks so much Alder,"

"Anytime," The older man said jovially before looking at Tomahawk, "Now, I'm thinking you'll want to heal your Pokemon up at the Pokemon Center. Are you up for more training after that?"

Tia thought on Alder's question and looked up at the sky. It was likely almost noon, which meant it was only a few hours before school was up. She'd have to be at school as soon as the bell went, so she shook her head.

"Sorry Alder, I'd love to train with you more, but I've got a badge to win today,"