The Kalos Connection (X/Y spoilers ahoy!)

[EmeraldSky]

Just to forewarn you, this fic is doubling as my discovery diary is I play through Pokemon Y, so there will be major spoilers if you have not gotten the game yet. In addition, it is not a straight rehash of the game--there will be a few differences in how things work.

That said, enjoy the journey!

The Kalos Connection

Episode 1: A White Hot Beginning

It all started...pretty much like any other day, actually.

I made extra sure to wake up early the day I left on my adventure. This way, I wouldn't be lost in the horde of other aspiring trainers that had probably woke up late and hoping to Arceus that they would not be stuck with a Pikachu with a attitude (extra points if they got shocked on the first attempt at picking them up) or some other "unwanted" Pokemon, like an Eevee or a Zorua.

Why would Professor Sycamore give such rare Pokemon out, anyway? Once all the Chespins, Fennekins, and Froagies were gone, they were gone--do not pass Go, do not collect 20,000 credits, better luck next year. If you were REALLY lucky, you could talk him into, oh, a Pikachu (thankfully minus the attitude) or an Eevee, but Pokemon outside Chespin, Fennekin, and Froagie were the exception, not the rule.

But I digress.

I was still sawing logs when I heard the fluttering of wings and the singing of a Fletchling on my windowsill. It chirped a greeting as I groggily looked at the clock--7:30, right on schedule.

After climbing from bed, I dragged out a traveling bag and started throwing together stuff--Potions, healing items, Berries, and that sort of thing. Next came camping gear, some extra clothes, and my most prized possession--my guitar. I was pretty sure any Pokemon I met was gonna want to hear a campfire song our two on our travels--cause who doesn't like singing songs and telling stories around a campfire?

Once sure I was happy with my bag, I took a moment to savor my room for what I figured was one last time. The PC, the Wii U I had spent hours playing Zelda, the Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Marill, DucklettTales Remastered, and many other games with my friends Callum and Shauna (more on them shortly), the movie posters on the walls--i was likely going to miss it while I was gone.

"Good morning, hon." Mom smiled as I made my way downstairs.

"Hi, Mom..." I sleepily smiled before digging through the cabinets for some cereal.

"You sure look rested this morn--!" Just then, Mom noticed my wild bedhead and my PJs. "You look like you've just rolled out of bed!" she gasped. "Go change out of your PJs, right now!"

"Okay..." I sighed, and trudged back upstairs--why didn't I think to get dressed before? I guess I was too excited about my impending adventure to care about getting dressed.

So after throwing on a black shirt (that had a beautiful plaid red skirt to match), some black leggings, my shoes, and my favorite red hat (complete with white sunglasses perched on it), I returned downstairs. "This better?" I asked Mom as I combed out my bedhead.

"That looks perfect!" she smiled as I returned to the cabinets for breakfast, take 2.

After some cereal, some toast, and a little OJ to wash it down, I informed Mom of my plans for the day. "I'm gonna hang with Callum and Shauna in town today..."

Mom just smiled--we'd been very close friends since we were little guys, and it helped they lived nearby. "Have a good day, sweetie, and don't stay out too late, okay?"

"I won't." I assured Mom as i disappeared down the front walk.

I had barely stepped out into the town square when I found Callum and Shauna waiting for me. "Hi, Serena!" Shauna giggled, her long brown ponytails bouncing along with her as she jumped about with excitement.

I giggled--Shauna was energetic as always. "Morning to both of you...."

"D'ya know what today is?" Shauna asked.

"What?" I asked, intrigued.

"Today's the day when all the new trainers leave on their journeys." Callum replied as he smoothed some wrinkles from his royal blue shirt. "That, and Prof. Sycamore wants us to do something special for him..."

"Define 'special'" I pressed Callum further.

"Come join us for coffee in Aquacorde and we'll tell ya more!" Shauna smiled before skipping off down the road. Callum was not far behind her, but noticeably more relaxed.

Aquacorde Town wasn't far from home--just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Vaniville. Because it was so close, people from Vaniville often came to its coffee shops to relax and visit.

I heard someone calling "Oi, Serena!" as I arrived in town. Confused, I looked around for a moment--who had called me? Just as I was about to blow it off as my imagination, I heard it again: "Oi, Serena!"

I whirled around and saw Callum waving at me from a table outside our favorite coffee shop--the Fletchling Roost. He smiled as I made myself at home, where he, Shauna, and two other boys were waiting. "Serena, you made it!" he grinned before gesturing to a heavy set, muscular boy. "I'd like you to meet Tierno..." The boy grinned as his latte arrived. "and Trevor." A boy with light brown hair shyly waved at me from behind the menu.

"Nice to meet you both." I smiled before noticing the water approaching. "I'd like a Frozen Mocha Latte, please..."

"Well, the gang's all here." Tierno grinned. Then a thought occurred to him. "You know? It'd feel like we're a closer crew if we all had a nickname!"

He smiled at me. "I dub thee Lady S!"

I balked--who was he to call me something so stupid?

Shauna seemed to notice my disdain for the new moniker. "Maybe calling Serena 'lady' isn't the right term--why not call her 'Li'l S' instead?"

I wisely bit my tongue--that nickname was even worse!

"I dunno...she looks more like an 'S-kins' to me." Trevor commented as a sandwich arrived with his coffee.

Thankfully, Callum saw how I was trying oh-so-hard not to explode on everyone. "Guys! If Serena wants a nickname, let's let her choose."

"Okay! What's your code name gonna be?" Tierno asked.

I thought for a moment--what was something that denoted strength and power? I'd always seen myself beautiful and powerful, and I wanted any nickname to reflect that.

A display of ruby rings in a nearby shop cave me an idea--the ruby is said to signify love, courage, and passion, right?

"How about 'Ruby-san'? I suggested to the others.

"Love it!" Shauna smiled.

"Groovy!" Tierno agreed.

We spent the afternoon enjoying our drinks before Callum offered me a box with three Poke Balls inside. "Professor Sycamore asked me to give you one of these--so which one do you want?"

I covered my eyes and pointed at each Poke Ball. "My mother told me to pick...this one!" I announced, grabbing the one in the middle.

"Ooh, what's inside?" Shauna grinned.

"Come on out!" I announced as I heaved the Poke Ball skyward, making a small fox Pokemon materialize on the table.

"Oh, a Fennekin!" Tierno smiled. "So light and graceful moves!"

I, meanwhile, contemplated a good name for my new Fennekin. "What should I name you, little guy?"

[I am NOT a boy!] it growled.

"Um, I mean, little girl..." I sheepishly stammered, making the Fennekin smile again. "How about...Kitsune?"

[I like that!] the Fennekin yipped before nuzzling me.

"Kitsune's a cute name." Shauna agreed before taking the Poke Ball on the left. "I claim Chespin!"

"...and I'll take Froagie." Callum smiled as he took the last Poke Ball.

Trevor tugged on my shirt. "Um...this is for you...." he stammered in a quiet voice as he offered me a Pokedex. "The professor wants us to go on a journey together, and these should help."

"Thank you, Trevor." I smiled as I took the Pokedex and pointed it at Kitsune.

Fennekin, the fox Pokemon. the Pokedex began. As she walks, she munches on a twig in place of a snack. She intimidates opponents by puffing hot air out of her ears.

"Interesting!" Shauna smiled. Kitsune, meanwhile, just found a twig on the ground and chewed that as we finished up our drinks.

After saying my goodbyes and receiving a letter from Tierno, I was about to start for home when Shauna caught up with me. "Don't you even want to check out our Pokemon?"

I was about to stupidly ask why, but remembered that in trainer parlance, checking out one's Pokemon usually translated to a battle. Kitsune seemed to sense a battle as well, and puffed out her ears in anticipation.

"Come on out, Chespin!" Shauna commanded, summoning a squirrel Pokemon with green thorns.

Since Fire Pokemon, such as Fennekin, beat Grass Pokemon,such as Chespin, Shauna's Chespin was down for the count with two Embers. Even after the easy win, Kitsune still looked ready for more. [Is that it? Who's next?]

Shauna just took her loss in stride. "Wow! You must be a natural!"

"I just remembered the type chart from school, that's all." I assured Shauna as I shepherded Kitsune by my side.

"I guess Chespin and I have work to do!" With that, Shauna hurried off--presumably to train. I just made my way home--It was getting dark, anyway.

"Welcome back..." Mom smiled when I arrived home with Kitsune. "And who might this be?"

"Mom, this is Kitsune." I grinned, proudly gesturing to Kitsune. "Callum gave her to me on behalf of the professor."

Tears welled up in Mom's eyes. "My little girl..you've grown up so fast to already receive your first Pokemon..."

[Is it bad if a human's eyes make water?] Kitsune asked.

"No--those are tears." I told Kitsune. "Humans make them when they cry." I then presented the letter to Mom. "This is for you..."

Mom read over the professor's letter detailing how I was to travel through Kalos, win Gym Badges, and take on the Pokemon League before composing herself. "If you believe you're ready for a journey, you're going to need more than that bag up in your room..."

"Like?" I pressed Mom for more information.

"You'll need first aid, emergency food and supplies, extra clothes...." Mom began as I brought down my gear from my room and allowed her to stash a first aid kit in one pocket, followed by food from the pantry.

Kitsune,meanwhile, was interested in the guitar case. [What's in there?]

"Something I use to sing songs with." I explained. "I'll do my best to have a campfire sing along every night, okay?"

[Sounds fun!] Kitsune yipped. I grinned--I couldn't wait to teach Kitsune such classics as "Down By the Bay", "My Darling Clementine" and many other old favorites I had played a gazillion times down through the years.

But little did I know as I went to bed that night, I would be doing more than fulfilling the professor's wishes--I was going to stop an evil team, defeat an evil dragon bird Pokemon, and save the world while I was at it!