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Chapter 1- An Almost Average Day

The wind whistled in the branches of the tall oak trees outside as Cilan swept the Striaton City gym floor. He sighed, wishing Chili or Cress would for once do it instead. Whenever Cilan asked Chili to do it, he merely answered, "I did it last time, don't bother me!" Cress would say something like, "Sorry brother, I have some business to attend to." He continued to sweep until all of a sudden, a news report came on the TV. Cilan stopped and listened intently, eager to hear what was going on in his home region of Unova.

A TV reporter was standing outside the colossal structure that was known only as the Pokemon League. With her was Ash, the current champion for 9 years straight. He was also the youngest person to have ever become champion, accomplishing this feat and the tender age of 10. To Cilan, it felt like it was just yesterday when he, Iris, and Ash traveled the Unova region. His thoughts then drifted to Iris. He remembered when he was in love with her, when he would do anything for her. Nothing lasts forever though, and they broke up about a year ago, remaining just friends. That didn't help the fangirl situation in the gym, but they both felt it was for the best.

"And that was our special report with Ash Ketchum, our reigning champion!" the reporter announced. Cilan blinked. Did he really just miss the entire interview? He had always been the type to become lost in thought easily, but even he was surprised at this.
"Hey, bro! Why isn't this place clean yet?" Chili asked from out of nowhere, meriting a jump from Cilan.
"I, um, was watching a news report on Ash," Cilan answered, a bit shaken up by his brother's brashness.
"Well this place has to get clean bro!" Chili scolded.
"Why don't you help, then?" Cilan countered.
"I, uh..." Chili looked at his wrist, then realized he didn't have a watch. "Oh, look at the time! I really must be going..." Chili bolted out of the gym.

Cilan leaned against the wall, exhausted from having just finished sweeping the gym floor and doing several other chores. (Cress helped with a few, but Chili was still nowhere to be found.) He looked at his watch and gasped. "Gah! I've got to go; I'm going to be late!"
"What's the hurry, brother?" Cress asked curiously.
"I'm meeting Iris for dinner in Opelucid City," Cilan told him."
"What, you two are making up now?" Chili asked jokingly, mysteriously reappearing now that chores were done.
"Friends can have dinner together, brother," Cress informed, not getting the joke.
"Ugh, you're no fun, bro," Chili pouted, shaking his head.
"Whatever, I'll see you later," Cilan said over his shoulder as he walked out of the gym. It was unseasonably cold that day, which Cilan noticed right away as he shivered his way toward Opelucid City. It was quite a long walk, so he had plenty of time to think over troubling issues on his mind. The wind had also picked up speed, making the oak branches of Striaton City rustle incessantly. It also made Cilan shiver even more. Nonetheless, he continued his walk.

By the time Cilan reached Opelucid City, he was already a half an hour late. He reached the gym and knocked on the door. Iris opened it immediately. She had a very angry look on her face; Cilan knew she didn't like it when he was late.
"And just where were you?" Iris asked, irritated.
"I'm so sorry, Iris, my brothers made me do all of the gym's cleaning," Cilan apologized.
"Alright, then, where do you want to go to dinner?" Iris said, much calmer now.
"You pick,"
"Ok! Umm... Let's see..."
Iris was about to answer when an explosion suddenly sounded. It seemed as if it were far away, but it still drew Cilan's and Iris's attention.
"What was that?" they gasped in unison, whipping their heads around to where the sound of the explosion came from. A large cloud of black smoke billowed from the direction of the Pokemon League. Cilan and Iris stared at the smoke for a second, then quickly turned to face each other.
"Ash!"