My Only Crime -Prologue-

So it's been a while.

You wouldn't think it, the way we talk. When we get together, it's like magic. It's like we never were separated when you moved. And it's like we pick back up right where we left off the last time. I love that about our friendship.

It wasn't supposed to happen this way, I know. We were supposed to go on our journeys together. Childhood friends, moving out into the world. We were going to be in this together, no matter what. But then your dad's job took you to Sinnoh, and I stayed in Mahogany Town. So we took this instead, Trainer rivals, meeting and battling and pushing each other on, but never quite forgetting the roots which we started with. We might look like ordinary friendly rivals to someone watching, but in fact we're so much more. Friends. The best of friends.

It wasn't supposed to happen this way... But I think... I almost...

Prefer it...

Prologue: Exchanges

Kyle was late. It was no surprise, to be honest, but Alison couldn't help but feel the faintest bit of annoyance. It was the kind of annoyance that comes when one is looking forward to something, only to find that yet another delay is setting it back. Taking another sip of the lemonade she'd brought, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the surprise she'd brought for her best friend. It was a round object, red on one side and white on the other, with a black line dividing the two and a white button along the edge. To most people, it was simply known as a PokéBall, a capsule system used to contain Pokémon. But to Pokémon Trainers, like Alison, what was far more important was what was inside it.

Next to Alison's chair, a Chikorita lay, stretched out lazily, enjoying the sun. It lifted its head slightly and chirruped questioningly.

“He'll be here soon, Sunny” Alison replied, adding with a smile, “Or at least, he better be.”

Twisting her fingers around, she spun the PokéBall she held on one finger, though the image was ruined by the fact that the Ball wobbled clumsily before falling off. Alison quickly fumbled for a second, and managed to succeed in catching it before it hit the ground.

“Seriously though,” she added to the Chikorita, “He really does need to get here soon.”

For several long minutes the girl waited, hazel eyes bored and fingers drumming impatiently on the table. Then suddenly, the Chikorita picked her head up and let out an exclamation, jumping to her feet. Alison looked down at her partner, then followed the Pokémon's gaze. Then her own face cracked into a grin and she too leapt to her feet as a taller boy hastily pushed his way through the crowd outside the restaurant.

“'scuze me, pardon me, comin' through...”

“Kyle!” Alison cried, running forward.

“Hey Al!”

They traded high-fives, arm claps, and even a few other motions that added up to a bit of a secret handshake. It had been a while since the two best friends had seen each other, and it was clear they were pleased at the reunion.

“Sorry, I'm late,” Kyle said, sitting down across the table as Alison resumed her seat.

“Yeah, yeah, nothing you haven't said before,” Alison said, waving a hand dismissively, “How's it been?”

“Working for my third badge,” he replied with a grin, “I've been trying to catch a new Pokemon to cover some of my weaknesses.”

“Who's the third Gym leader in Sinnoh again?” Alison asked with a  frown.

“Most people go for Maylene, but I was thinking I might GAH-!” he replied, starting suddenly as something bumped his leg unexpectedly. Looking down, he sighed in relief seeing who it was. “Hey Sunny,” he said cheerfully, reaching down and rubbing her head, making the little Chikorita close her eyes comfortably, “You probably wanna see Icy, don't you?”

Sunny chirped and bounced up and down on her feet. Her meaning couldn't have been plainer. Laughing, Kyle pulled a PokéBall out of his belt and pressed the button on the capsule. “Come on out, Icy.”

There was a flash of white light, and a Piplup materialized in front of the Chikorita. The latter let out a squeak of delight, followed by the former once it became fully aware of its surroundings and realized who was in front of it. The two Pokémon began to play, chasing each other around the table where their owners sat, deep in discussion. Their discussion ranged from topic to topic, never quite settling on one thing for longer than a few minutes.

Finally, Alison held up the PokéBall she'd been playing with. “By the way... I have a surprise for you. Catch.”

She lightly tossed the Ball forward; Kyle caught it. He scrutinized it, rotating the Ball in his hand, before frowning up in puzzlement at a grinning Alison.

Suddenly understanding flared in his eyes. “Is this-”

“Yep,” Alison said, her grin widening.

“B-but...” Kyle stammered, staring down at the PokéBall he was holding, “How... how did-”

“I knew you wanted one, so I looked everywhere while I was journeying,” Alison replied, “I finally found one just recently.”

Delighted, Kyle threw the PokéBall into the air to reveal a Sudowoodo. “Excellent,” he said delightedly, but then his face fell slightly.

Alison smirked, knowing the mental battle that was taking place in her childhood friend's head at that moment. The fact that she had brought him a Pokémon he had really wanted was probably driving him up the wall. Kyle hated being outdone.

Kyle looked down, biting his lip slightly. Then suddenly he jerked up.

“Um... here,” he said quickly, thrusting a hand into his pocket and pulling out a PokéBall of his own and holding it out. “I, uh- just caught it, but...”

Alison shook her head, “Kyle, you don't have to do that!”

“Come on, just take it,” Kyle insisted, holding it out. She shook her head, but he persisted until she at last reached out and took the PokéBall and pocketed it, shaking her head in exasperation.

“So...” he said as she did so, reaching down and picking up a surprised Icy as he chased after Sunny around the table, “How about a battle?”

Alison snickered, "Even with a Pokemon you barely know?"

"What, the Sudowoodo? I wasn't planning to send him into battle already."

"So you'll battle me one Pokemon down."

"Unless I'm mistaken, you have one down too," he scoffed, "Besides, my team can still take you on. We're that awesome." His eyes met hers, "So what do you say?"

“What do you think Sunny?” Alison glanced down at her starter, who had skidded to a stop and turned around to face the two trainers and Piplup, “Ready to kick some butt?”

At her question, Sunny let out a trill, swinging her leaf around.

“Looks like that's a yes,” Alison grinned, “You're on!”

And at that, the two friends got up and began to race towards a more suitable location, followed by their Pokémon.