A Story of Friends

Chapter 1

I woke up with a start. Something had decided to grace me with waking before I wanted to, and I kinda wanted to know.

So I sat up. Looking around my room, and seeing nothing unusual, unless you want to count decorations I never picked, I decided it must be my family. And sure enough, a shrieking crash echoed through the halls and to my room.

It's probably just my sisters, I thought. But there's always a chance it's something fun. It's safe to say that there's no such thing as normal in the family though, so I was always prepared.

My mother's Fletchling flew into my room, for no apparent reason, but I knew better. At least I thought.

"You come to check on me girl?" I asked her.

"Fleeetchling!" She responded, in that sweet voice. Her bright orange and white feathers were beautiful, and she was extremely caring. I adored the creature, and I always hoped I might be able to find partners like her.

The mon' landed on my shoulder to give me a hug... and to make me get moving.

I breathed out the longest sigh I could, elongating the time still in my bed.

"Does she really need me? 'Cause if not I can just be on my way right?"

"Fletchhh," she replied, trying to make me feel better.

Getting up, I was hoping that maybe I could go on another walk, just on the off chance that it would finally happen, but then I pushed those thoughts away.

I jumped out of my bed, did a quick change of clothes into my lucky outfit, and threw on my shoes. Brushing my teeth, I walked over to the window and moved the curtains out of the way of the sun. I finished up, and did a quick room check.

Fletching was waiting for me by my shelves full of all those creased and beaten up books as I made my bed, impatiently.

"Just one more thing, Fletchling, give me a second," I said as I smoothed the covers. Done, I glanced at my desk before heading out, pondered whether or not to dash my hopes again, grabbed my pokeball, and ran out.

Sprinting down the stairs, I heard each of my sisters, all five doing one thing or another, but all very loudly, if anything's a fact.

"LUKE!" My mom shouted, trying to make sure I got up. Fletchling squeaked behind me.

"I'm coming!" I shouted right back, just trying to be heard over the din. My voice doesn't travel nearly as much as my mom's, whose booming voice can call everybody to attention with ease. A mom skill I guess.

"There you are! I was about to send Fletchling up for you, but it looks like she thought of it first!" she told me as I joined her in the kitchen. Her short but sturdy form was bent, and she was hard at work, multi-tasking quite excellently. Her Lycanroc came up to say good morning, and I rubbed the fur around her rocky neck, like I knew she loved.

"Yeah, Fletchling is awesome," I said as the bird landed on my shoulder again. I scratched her under-feathers, and she leaned against my head. I could tell it was a long day already, like normal.

"What's everybody been up to on this dandy morning?" I asked my mom as I went to the pantry.

"Well, Keinyard is helping Lihn and Sparky make cardboard boats. The twins are out playing with your father, and I'm making breakfast and lunch for everybody. Later we're going to start making the cake for your party tomorrow," she responded, noticing my going into the pantry.

"I thought you were sweeping? And besides, I'm only turning sixteen, I don't need anything big," I quipped back, coming out of the pantry with a granola bar.

She then proceeded to send me a glare. I will never understand why or how it's so effective.

"You know, at least Lyca listens to me. Fletchling doesn't really care all that much. I'm just happy you two get along so well," she said while gesturing at the 'mon on me and using it as a change- of-subject.

Before I could answer though, she wasn't finished.

"Oh, before I forget, your father wants to talk to you about something, and I guess before you head out on one of your 'walks' again," she mentioned, using air quotes as I tried to stare her down.

"You know perfectly well what I'm doing, Mom. And I know you don't understand why it's taking so long either."

"You've told me enough times before. Now, go talk to your father. And Fletchling, can you go check on the boat-making for me?"

The bird sighed, or at least as close to a sigh as it could get.

"I know; just go do it though," I mumbled to her, hoping to share encouragement.

She flew away, and I turned to head outside. I wondered what my father could want, because this was way out of normal. He never even talked that much. Kind of.

If my father wanted something, I couldn't figure it out.

My dad... he's somewhat quiet but loud. He can go on sprees of chats, and then the other half of the day is quiet as if Ho-oh waltzed up to him. Other than that, he's a strong, muscular, bold man, with a will to boot. And he always had his Arcanine with him.

I walked out the back door and looked around. Not seeing anything, I began to go back inside to ask where exactly he was, but then I heard the helpful scream of Synth, one of the twins. It sounded like they were on the side of the house, where that big field was.

I was planning on walking through the grass to go find them, but Arcanine had other plans for me. He bounded over from around the wall with two screeching girls on his back, along for the ride. Practically sprinting towards me, I was completely caught off guard, even a hint of fearful, when he picked me up in his mouth and started running back to where he came from.

"ARCANINE!" I shouted, in surprise, while the girls just kept on having the time of their life. Me on the other hand, I was close to fainting.

He leaped bit by bit through the field, taking as short as thirty seconds to reach where my father was resting, up against one of the outskirt trees.

Arcanine stopped abruptly and just dropped me to the ground.

"You couldn't have been any gentler buddy?" I asked him, covered in slobber and who knows what else. Shaking it all off, I watched as the 'mon ran away again, keeping the twins entertained.

My dad chuckled at me in the background of the scene as I turned to look at him. He was leaning against the closest tree to the house, which was still pretty far, but it was up on a higher hill than most places around, giving it a good view of everything.

"You tell him to do that?" I said scoldingly, wondering why it would be good for me that I almost fainted.

"I just asked him to go give you a lift. Looks like it worked," he replied, with laughter still in his eyes.

"Yeah, well.. So what's up?"

"Sit down son, we need to talk," he said, suddenly turning serious.