A/N: Looks like I forgot to add these in for the previous two. Rookie mistake, I guess. Regardless, the short, seemingly random scenarios that have appeared in the first two origin chapters (And this one) were intentional for the set up. Later, the chapters will get longer and more focused on specific elements, I promise.

~ Origins: Conflict Already? ~

Further down the hall, Kroto and Traximus continue the trek towards their room. Although, they pick up on the noticeably gloomier atmosphere in their section of the hall. "Something's off here," Kroto commented, "Didn't the other rooms we see look noticeably more kept?"

Traximus stopped and scanned his surroundings. A quick comparison to just the walls and doors down the hall only confirmed Kroto's claims. "Well, we can only hope that our room doesn't look like that…" He grunted, looking at the floor.

A few seconds pass before the duo reaches the room. Seeing the door rusted with brown creeping up on its edges only dropped their hearts into their stomachs. Kroto put his hand to his mouth and said, "Yeah, I'm not touching that with my bare hands." Traximus merely rolled his eyes and pressed his bag between his right nub and the door.

And then it opened, revealing a worn-down room with a stench that can only be described as 'odd.' Kroto was fortunate enough to have hands at the ready, covering his snout but Traximus was not so fortunate when the wave hit him like a speeding Cyclizar.

"Oh my various gods," Traximus gagged, "What is that unholy smell!?"

"Koffing! Did you just poison gas the room!? You trying to get me sent to the medics already?!" A muffled voice shouted.

Peering more into the room, a Krokorok can be seen adjacent to a Koffing in the west corner of the room. Nearby is a desk that has an arrangement of items on it, such as a bowl full of berries and some canisters strewn about.

"No, no! That's not my poison gas! That's a natural gas!" The Koffing responded.

"Uh, are we interrupting something?" Kroto asked through a muffled snout.

"Shoot! Company's here! Koffing get out! Out!" The krokorok bellowed, shoving the Koffing towards the door and the other two.

Shoving the two mons in the doorway, the Koffing sped out of the dorm. "'scuse me, I gotta go!" He squealed, releasing the last portions of gas into the hallway.

What's that kid doing? Kroto thought to himself. Clasped his snout tighter to keep the stench out. Don't tell me that he's one of THOSE guys…

Moving more into the room, the duo looked upon their living space. It appeared to be older and more run-down than anything else that they had seen so far. Rusted pipes lined the ceiling, the beds were in considerably bad shape, and the walls and wooden floorboard looked poorly maintained.

Wait. This isn't right. I thought this place had more quality housing than this. Was there some sort of miscommunication? Kroto tapped his foot, pondering the possibility. Hmm. Is this alternative housing? Or…

"Yo dorks! You gonna stand in the center of the room and stare around all day or what?"

The duo's attention was drawn to the Krokorok who wears fogged-up goggles and has a face mask on, blocking out the gas from the Koffing.

"Name's Reiner," he retorted, "You'se welcome to stay on the other side of the room."

"What were you doing with that Koffing?" Kroto asked, still muffling himself as to not let any more of the gas get into his nostrils.

"Nothing of your concern," Renier replied, obviously hiding the truth of the matter, "Just doing a bit of chemistry."

Lovely. Kroto sighed and opened the window. Keeping his mouth covered, he turned to Traximus, "Let's get settled in and go off to dinner. They're serving until late tonight." His cohort nodded quickly and darted out of the room.

Kruler managed to find her room, its pristine state provides a gentle lighting that trickles across the room. The walls are colored tan, and the air holds a fragrance giving the distinct aroma of fresh fruit.

Gods this is so dull. Kruler thought to herself as she plopped her items down on her bed. Though, there was nobody there just yet. So, she passed time by fidgeting with her bag. I hope that whoever my roommates may be, that they aren't too girly. Oh, Arceus please let them be into battling or at least something mildly interesting like construction. Maybe they'll be into Mystery Dungeons? Bounty Hunting? Or perhaps-

Her line of thinking was cut off by the jolt of the door being shoved open. The startle of the Totodile was just enough for her to jump in place. Turning around, she can see an Axew slam the door shut and frantically scramble for the lock on the door.

"That's right, keep running!" A voice from outside screeched, "You aren't welcome in OUR block!"

With a few cracks of laughter on the other side of the door dying down, the Axew sighed and laid her back to the door, sighing in the process. Kruler could only stare in utter shock and confusion. What? Just…Happened?

The Axew took a moment to stand up, she huffed over to her chair and plopped her stuff down. Exhausted and fatigued, she looked up at the Totodile and squeaked, "S-sorry about that."

"You mind explaining that… scene?" Kruler inquired.

"Um… there were some Pokemon that, had a, er, problem with me. They chased me down the hall, calling me names and I ran in my room." The Axew responded, tapping her digits together.

"Right. And the block comment?"

"T-that started the moment I got here!" The Axew sank into herself, "I-I didn't want any trouble!"

Kruler put her digits to her face. Hmm. Not the ideal roommate, but she doesn't seem that bad. Though I'm more concerned about the company she attracts. She sighed and put her arms to her sides. Still, it's better than dealing with a stuck-up. She fixed her attention at the Axew, "So… what's your name?"

"P-Palla…" The Axew shakily muttered.

"Palla, I'll remember that," Kruler responded. "Those kids giving you trouble… Who were they?"

"A Kirlia, a Meowth and another one who I couldn't recognize." Palla panted, trying to relax.

Hmm. So, there's one unknown. Perhaps they're a fairy type? Kruler looked at the Axew and tilted her head slightly. I wanna ask, but I might press too hard. Ah, hell. Forget it. She set her head straight. We'll talk about something different.

"So, what are you here for?" She pondered, slouching over, "This place is gonna guide the rest of our lives, you know?"

The Axew shifted around, fidgeting. "I want to be on a Rescue Team. So I guess I have to join an Exploration Team first."

The revelation caused Kruler to perk her head up. "Really? Me too!" She pumped.

Kruler made her way to Palla, putting her arm around the stressed Axew, trying to excite her. "We'll be the Dynastic Duo!" The Totodile bellowed, "Believe me, we will be the best here! We'll stick it to those punks that harassed you! And then we'll take the world by storm! Whaddya say?"

Palla flinched a bit at that comment. "Maybe… Not that far?"

Kruler chuckled and looked at her, "Don't be so modest! Come on, at least give me a smile!" The Totodile gave her a toothy smile, nearly bearing fangs at her.

Palla meekly glanced at her and gave her a small, nervous smile in return.

"'Ere you go lad. Enjoy 'er self."

Kroto took his bowl of soup after thanking the Grimmsnarl chef. He rejoined Traximus at a bench some ways away from the shop. With a hefty sigh, he set down his dinner in his lap and briefly stared at the bowl.

"I think that Koffing did something to my appetite…" Traximus said meekly, "I don't think I can eat tonight."

"If I had ate yesterday, I'd be in the same boat." The Passimian replied, barely managing to slurp up a bit of his soup.

"Do you really think that our housing situation is cause of that Krokorok?" Traximus tapped his nubs together, "I mean, the room still looked like it was in rough shape, even barring Reiner's 'experiment'."

"I don't know," Kroto replied, blowing off more of his soup, "I have my doubts about him, but something tells me there's more to this than just him doing his thing." Kroto ate a bit more of his soup before continuing, "But I don't wanna jump to any conclusions, you know?"

"I hear you, I wouldn't want to-"

Kroto perked his head up in alert, cutting Traximus off. "Hold up," he shushed, "Someone's coming, and they don't look very friendly…"

Traximus look towards the direction where Kroto was staring. A Kirlia, Meowth, and a Hattrem were approaching them. Hmm, these guys don't seem threatening. But Kirlia seems real smug for some reason. I wonder what the problem is.

"Ahem!" The Kirlia cleared her throat.

"Can we help you?" Kroto asked skeptically.

"Yes, you can," The Meowth puffed, "That's our spot bucko! And you're gonna give it to us or you're gonna have Ivy here to deal with!"

Kroto and Traximus look between the opposing group of pokemon, and then glanced between each other. Indicating similar thoughts, Traximus retorted, "And if we refuse, is she gonna fight us? Classes barely start tomorrow and you're already causing trouble?"

"Hmph!" Ivy huffed, "I was under the impression that oafs that belong to types such as yours would be quick to jump for a fight." Ivy played around with her head crest, closing her eyes and dramatizing her retort, "But I guess I thought just the slightest bit wrong!"

"Okay…?" Kroto rolled his eyes, "That doesn't answer his question."

"You're beneath us. Not even worth dirtying my hands over."

"Seems like that's what you're doing now," Traximus yawned.

Ivy stomped her foot into the ground and puffed her chest out, attempting to assert her dominance. Neither Traximus nor Kroto budged. Wow. How thin skinned. Traximus mentally sneered, almost bringing out a chuckle.

"Are you insinuating that I, a Kirlia, would dare disgrace myself with dealing with the likes of you!?" The Kirlia forced a laugh that forced Traximus to cringe. She then pointed towards Kroto, "I imagine that the fighting type's parents failed him, giving him the thought that anybody would spend their precious time on such a waste!"

Kroto went wide eyed. "What?"

"Woah, woah! Hey!" Traximus exclaimed. "Too far!"

Traximus gave a brief look at Kroto. He then looked back at Ivy. Her pompous and smug demeanor returned. "Uh oh," she turned to the Meowth to her right, "Look here Pico, did I hit a nerve?"

"I'll say, boss lady," Pico cackled and pointed at Kroto, "Just a few words and we ruffled his tuft! Nya ha ha ha!"

Kroto balled his fists up, snarling, and bore his teeth.

Traximus turned his attention back to Kroto. One more insult and he looks like he's about to pop! Traximus stood between Kroto and the group, "Hey Kroto… You don't want these guys to ruin your experience here already, right?"

"Out of my way Traximus…" Kroto growled, now not caring about having spilled his dinner on the ground.

"Buddy, please don't do this. Please." Traximus pleaded.

"Aww," The Meowth clasped his paws together, "The little Bagon cares about his troubled friend! Isn't that cute, boss lady?"

Ivy put her hands to her hips, "It is! It doesn't take much to tickle his fancy. After all, his parents probably knew all he's good for is getting mad and breaking things!"

"SHUT UP!" Kroto snapped, charging a Drain Punch in his left hand and drawing in a small crowd in the process. Traximus desperately signaled him to stop by flailing his stubby arms in front of him.

"Oh-ho-ho? Snappy, are we?" The Kirlia chided, each word dripping venom, "I bet your parents were the same way…"

Losing all reason, Kroto lunged at Ivy in a blind rage, determined to sock her in her face. Unfortunately, a light green barrier suddenly materialized between Ivy and Kroto, making the attack deflect with a plink! The resulting deflection sent Kroto sprawling back near the bench he just lept from. Going in for another round, Kroto sprung off the bench from an off angle. Another green barrier materialized, pressing between her and his punch.

"Yes! This is what I expected from a simple-minded brute!" Ivy shouted.

Kroto dashed backwards, grunting in pain as he skids on his feet. "Can it and fight me cone head! Quit hiding behind your Protect!"

"What would be the fun in that!? Come on, break through my Protect! Show me that power that you fighting types pride yourself on!"

The disgusted snarl from Kroto preceded the next flurry of attacks, this time in the form of swift strikes intended for multiple points on Ivy's body. Unfortunately, like the last two attacks, the strikes bounced off her Protect.

She's only using Protect? But aren't psychics good against fighting types? Same with faries? Traximus scanned the facial expressions of Ivy's cohorts. No, there's an ulterior motive for getting Kroto to act up like this. The Meowth, instead of acting mortified, was rather smug about the whole ordeal, culling the crowd surrounding them. The Hattrem had an expression of disapproval on her face, holding her head down and closing her eyes. Aside from her, if their faces are anything to go off, then it looks like they won this one.

A few more useless Drain Punches fired off with more Protects to defend against them, leaving an exhausted Kroto and a laughing Ivy. "Ahaha! For a fighting type, you're really bad at this," she cackled.

"Ivy, dear, why don't we leave these two already?" The Hattrem asked, dejected.

Ivy faced the Hattrem and giggled, the venom in her voice still present, "Oh, but I was just having some fun with our new guests here. But I guess if we really must…" She gave one last tease to Kroto, "Let this serve as a reminder, brute. We, Team Pixie, will put you in your place should you act up again." The then turned to Traximus, "And the same goes for you too, dragon."

Team Pixie smugly teleported out of the scene. Kroto slouched, fatigue getting the best of him. With the eyes of the crowd fixed on them, inaudible comments flooded their ears. Traximus's head began to spin and the world around him blurred. Gods, please let tomorrow come. I already don't like this…

Next: Boring lectures done right; Stumbling right into the Namesake.