To Start A Fire

Chapter Eight

The next morning, Calem was up early and already going over battle tactics with his team. After doing some digging on the abilities his teammates had, he was incredibly surprised.

"Keep up that Peck Fletchling. Froakie, more power on that Bubble!" Calem commanded.

Froakie and Fletchling had a good nights rest and were in decent enough shape to do some early morning training. Froakie loosed a stream of bubbles towards Fletchling who rapidly pecked at them. When the stream got quicker, he dispersed it with a clap of his wings and a blast of wind. It wasn't a Gust, just a simple burst of wind to neutralize the assault.

"Great work you two!" Calem commended as he watched his team work. "Alright, I don't want to push you guys too hard since neither of you are fully healed so, take a break," Calem said with a smile.

Froakie sighed in relief and Fletchling hovered over and landed on Calem's shoulder. Froakie hopped into Calem's lap and the trio rested under a tree.
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Serena slept soundly with Chespin snuggled up beside her. Pidgey was next to Chespin. As she snoozed, a shadow appeared outside her tent. The zipper to it slid open and a pink blur shot inside and pounced Serena causing her to scream.

"Wakey wakey!" Came Shauna's loud voice.

"Je vais te tuer," Serena growled in warning.

"Now now, let's not be hasty..."

"Tu es mort!" Serena snarled, chasing Shauna out of her tent.

Shauna's shrieks of laughter filled the air as she darted around the tents. Tierno's tent opened, followed by Trevor's. Both scratched their heads in confusion. They looked at each other and then to Shauna and Serena who were wrestling on the ground. Serena pinned Shauna who, might it be added, was still laughing and waving around Serena's pajama top, leaving Serena in her bra and pajama bottoms.

Serena grabbed it and quickly put it on. She glowered at her friend who was now silent and looking over her shoulder, not at Tierno or Trevor, but Calem.

"Heya Callie!" Shauna giggled from under Serena.

Please tell me he didn't see that...Serena pleaded mentally.

"I guess this explains the scream I heard when I was training," Calem laughed, having left his training to see if his friends were alright.

"You didn't miss too much. Just the usual tussle between Serena and Shauna. You'll get used to it after a while," Tierno yawned,.

"Yeah, they do this a lot. It's like a competition to see who can push the others buttons the most. It usually ends up like that," Trevor gestured, jerking his thumb towards Serena who was now climbing off of Shauna's back.

Calem laughed softly as the two friends got back up. They didn't seem to share any hard feelings afterwards which was a good thing. Friends who were once rivals usually have beef between them that hadn't been settled, but these two? There was new beef everyday that was quickly settled. He watched as Shauna nudged Serena who in turn playfully shoved Shauna. The two really were the best of friends.

"Well, now that I've been thoroughly embarrassed...why don't we all eat some breakfast?" Serena said with a nervous laugh.

He totally saw me, I know it...Serena thought as she finished buttoning up her pajama top.

"That sounds like a great idea to me, what's on the menu?" Calem asked curiously.

"Leave that to us!" Shauna chirped excitedly.

"Oh yeah, Calem, Serena and Shauna are expert chefs. They make the best cuisines around. Get ready to have your taste buds wowed," Tierno said with a bright smile.

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Calem's eyes widened as he saw the spread the girls prepared before them. He'd seen some decent camping breakfasts before, but this was just beyond what he was expecting. Omelettes with peppers and cheese with Moo Moo Milk and chocolate chip pancakes, all cooked over a fire. There were berries picked from the forest added to the mix for more options.

"This looks amazing!" Calem declared, eyeing the pancakes, eager to dig in.

"Told you so Callie. These two are wicked when it comes to making meals. They always make killer dishes and even have their own signature desserts," Tierno pointed out.

"It's true, Serena and I do have our specialties. Not to brag or anything but I make a mean chocolate melting cake. And Serena's cupcakes are to die for," Shauna added with a grin.

"I can vouch for that," Trevor stated with a nod. "They're great!"

"Well boys, dig in!" Shauna stated as she sat herself down, sighing in exhaustion. 
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After about an hour, the group was all finished with their breakfast and packing up their belongings. Calem decided to help Serena and Shauna with their tents since he was already done packing away his own tent. 

"Gotta hand it to you both, that was probably hands down, one of the best breakfasts I've had. It really hit the spot," Calem proclaimed as he finished sealing the bag with Serena's tent. 

"Awww, thanks Callie, that's sweet of you to say!" Shauna replied, hoisting her bag onto her shoulders. 

"Indeed, that was very kind of you to say," Serena said with a bright smile. 

Calem blushed slightly at the comments. He was still trying to get used to the nickname. It was strange having so many  new friends. It wasn't that he didn't make friends easily, because he did. It was just the fact that this was a new place, new people and of course, a new way of life altogether. But he couldn't deny that it was a beautiful place. 

"You're welcome..." He replied, scratching the back of his head nervously. 

"Hey you three, it's nine o'clock right now. If we get going now we can make it out of here before three!" Tierno shouted with a wave. 

"Awesome! I really need to take a hot shower! I can rough it, but a girl needs to take care of herself," Shauna giggled, making her way towards Tierno and Trevor, Serena and Calem lagging behind. 

Calem was about to walk away when he was stopped by Serena who had put a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see a rather serious expression on her visage. 

"Calem..." She started, her eyes remaining locked with his as she spoke. "After we get you registered for the League, and after the first gym battle, I want to battle you again. This time, I want to see more of what you can do. I know you're not a rookie. I want to battle you as often as possible. I guess what I'm trying to say is this...will you be my practice partner? It would be Shauna but she's not taking the League Challenge. Her aim is becoming Kalos Queen. Tierno just wants to be able to perform dance with his companions so he's not badge hunting. Trevor just wants to fill up the dex and take photos. So what do you say?"

Calem smiled faintly at her request. The idea of having a practice partner before and after each gym was something he wouldn't mind at all. It would give him the chance to get to know her better and  provide him with good warm-ups. 

"You're very perceptive aren't you?" Calem chortled.

"Let's just say that I have my way of figuring things out. You still haven't given me an answer," Serena added.

"It would be an honor to be your practice partner, Serena," Calem said with a smirk. 

Serena beamed happily after hearing his answer. The two shook hands and the deal was struck. 

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And that's a wrap! I hope this chapter was enjoyable. It was a little bit of a filler chapter to enhance the relationship of the characters and to give insight on how they act as a group. Tierno and Trevor just kinda...kick back when Shauna and Serena go at it. As for Calem...well, he'll get used to it. The gym battle is coming soon so stay tuned!

Je vais te tuer : I'm going to kill you

Tu es mort!: You are dead!