Author's note: This prologue chapter is a sort of "forced" chapter I wrote to get something written that's tangent to this story. What was originally going to be the next prologue was the Italy Bros., but since I haven't updated this fanfic in a while, the Italy prologue wasn't complete, and this was, I'll post this instead. Enjoy, however butchered it is. Sorry ahead of time for that.

Yao had always found himself playing the parent with his younger siblings. It wasn't calls of "Mama!" it was calls of "Brother!" that echoed like clockwork around the small home. Whenever someone scratched themselves up, or there was a scary noise coming from a closet late at night, Yao was there to make it better.

It seemed like he had no time to himself. Whatever free time Yao did have was spent passed out in exhaustion. More often than not, his siblings would curl up with him and they would nap together, so, in a way, it was a "mutual rest" than "free time."

When people asked him how he could handle all the clinginess and unrestricted company, Yao just smiled and explained in a quiet voice that he wouldn't change for the world on a silver platter.

"I just don't think it's a very good idea."

Yao didn't feel like arguing this morning. It was already much too warm out, despite how early it was. His eldest brother, Kiku, wanted to leave home and go out to explore the world. Yao's argument was that it was extremely hazardous, and the risk was too great.

"What if you were eaten or murdered or fell off a cliff or-"

"Yao," Kiku cut in, "I'll be fine."

The other wrinkled his nose in displeasure. "What makes you so sure?" He already knew the answer, of course, because it was staring right at him.

Hana, Kiku's Cherrim, was intently studying Yao. It was in full bloom, thanks to the bright sunlight, and had set itself to find out why its master's brother disliked the idea of adventure. It was so caught up that it fell from Kiku's shoulder. Kiku just barely caught it.

"It's a partnership, Yao," Kiku said, making sure the Cherrim was okay. "I'll be fine with Hana."

"I don't trust your life with something so small. Please stay," Yao pleaded. "No offense, Hana," he added last minute.

Hana bowed in response.

Kiku thought for a moment on what to say. "If you have a strong bond with a Pokémon, they'll do their best to protect you, as you will them. The love and trust will be unbreakable." He paused, letting the older brother to contemplate on the statement. "If you had your own Pokémon, you'd see my point."

"I don't see how having a Pokémon will-"

"Give it a chance, Yao."

Yao looked over to Kiku. "Fine." His terse statement cut the tension thick in the air. "But I'm only giving you a week, alright? If I don't see your point, you're staying home and you're getting rid of this nonsense of adventure."

By the fifth day, Kiku had nearly given up trying to find Yao a Pokémon.

The first Pokémon, a Rattata, was well received- up until the creature bit Yao, of course. There was a Parichisu that shocked him, and then he didn't even want to try going near the Trubbish.

"It smells. Badly." Yao turned away from the little trash bag Pokémon as the breeder led it away apologetically.

"I'm sorry," she smiled, "You didn't seem to be having luck with any of the 'cute' Pokémon, so I thought you might have liked him."

Kiku held Hana close to him as he begged pardon for his brother's standoffish behavior. "He's insistent that I stay home, so this is sort of..."

"Oh, I see," the breeder said in understanding. She handed Hana a Pokémon treat, which the Cherrim gladly took and nibbled on. "Believe it or not, this happens frequently. A parent won't let a child leave the home, and the two work out a bet of some sort that involves getting the adult a Pokémon, sort of to replace the child at the time being."

"Something like that," Kiku agreed. "I'm sorry we've troubled you."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all," she said, waving him off. "I don't mind." The breeder left Kiku to check on something in the back room, giving Hana a final treat before running off.

Kiku, catching the message, turned to Yao, who seemed to be interested in some of the Pokémon eggs near the back. "We might as well leave, Yao," he called.

"Wait, wait, Kiku. Look." Yao motioned for his brother to come to him.

When Kiku and Hana got to Yao, they both saw how intently focused he was on a particular egg. It seemed to be hatching.

The breeder came back to Yao cuddling and cooing over a newly-hatched Vulpix. "It's so adorable! I just can't stand it, it's so cute!" The Vulpix, in response, was whining and barking joyously.

"Did you know that Vulpix's evolved form, Ninetales, have been known to live to a thousand years?" the breeder asked. "It's also said that each tail represented a sage, and that pulling one of them resulted in the human turning into a Pokémon as a curse. Of course, you don't have to worry about curses with the newborn Vulpix."

Yao picked up the Vulpix in his arms and stood up. "Alright, Kiku, you win."

Kiku let slip a crooked smile. "So what are you naming her?"

The Vulpix wagged its single, pristine-white tail happily, thumping it against Yao's leg in anticipation.

"How about," Yao trailed off, thinking hard, "...Zhen Huo."

"Sounds exotic," the breeder said. "What's it mean?"

"Precious fire."

Zhen Huo looked extremely pleased.

Pokémon introduced

HANA
Cherrim - Lv. 30
CALM nature
Solar Beam
Sunny Day
Magical Leaf
Petal Dance

ZHEN HUO
Vulpix - Lv. 1
QUIRKY nature
Flare Blitz (egg move)
Ember