The streets of Lumiose City buzzed with life as sunlight spilled over the rooftops, lighting up cafés and corner markets. Vendors called out their specials for the day, while groups of Pokémon chatted on their way to work, school, or training grounds. Among them was Noah, a 16-year-old Mienshao. He strolled through the busy streets with calm confidence, his paw brushing against the Clear Amulet hanging around his neck. He was heading toward the Flare Café to meet someone important that morning when a familiar, cheerful voice called out behind him.
“Noah! Mon frère!”
He turned to see his little sister, Colette, bounding toward him. The tiny Kangaskhan grinned as she held up a familiar scarf, her small frame almost hidden among the bustling crowd. “Now, what are you doing here, mon sœur?” Noah asked, raising a brow. “Aren’t you supposed to be helping Clémence back at home?” Colette puffed up her chest proudly. “Well, yes! But Maman said I should bring you a scarf because it’s getting cold! When I tried to find you, you were already gone! So I came here to look for you!” She handed him his favorite scarf, the one themed after the Lumiose Electrons, his favorite Unite Ball team. Noah smiled and gave her a gentle pat on the head. “Next time, ask Papa to bring it. You know you’re still too little to go out alone.” He spoke softly, but his protective tone was clear. Colette frowned and crossed her arms. “I’m already six years old! I’m a big girl! I can go out alone!” Noah chuckled, his tail flicking with amusement. “Very well, but be careful. The Café isn’t far from here, but you can still get hurt if you’re not paying attention.” “Don’t worry!” Colette said with a gleam in her eye. “I’m strong, just like you! And Papa taught me Double-Edge! If a bad guy tries to grab me, I’ll use it!” Before Noah could stop her, Colette spun around and started running toward home. “Colette! What did we say about running everywhere?” he called after her. “We shouldn’t do it…” she mumbled, slowing down with a sheepish look before disappearing into the crowd. Noah sighed, shaking his head. “What is it with her and running everywhere?” he muttered to himself. “Hasn’t she learned her lesson after all the times she’s fallen?” As he resumed his walk toward the Flare Café, he carefully tied the scarf around his neck, its familiar fabric warming both his skin and his heart.
It didn’t take long for Noah to reach the Flare Café from Estival Avenue. The crimson front of the small building stood out sharply against the soft whites and browns of its surroundings. Its tucked-away location added to the charm of its spy-themed aesthetic, perfectly suited to its "secret base" tourist attraction. Sitting at one of the neatly arranged tables outside was a large and imposing figure—an Obstagoon. Despite his intimidating appearance, his demeanor told a different story. He nervously shifted in his seat, glancing around as if expecting something—or someone. When his eyes landed on Noah, his face lit up, and he raised a clawed paw high in the air. “Hey! Noah! Over here!” Terry called, waving enthusiastically. Noah jogged over to him, smiling. “Terry! Mon meilleur ami! I came as fast as I could. Now, what’s up, man? What’s so important that I had to meet you here at nine in the morning—on a Sunday, no less?” His playful confusion was evident as he dropped into the seat across from Terry. Terry leaned forward, lowering his voice to a whisper. “First, I’ve got a question for you.” Curious, Noah leaned in as well, eager to hear what his best friend had to say. “Why did you make me come here,” Terry began, his tone deadpan, “when you literally live at a café with your parents?” For a moment, Noah was stunned before breaking into laughter. He leaned back in his chair dramatically, striking a theatrical pose as if delivering a grand monologue. “You see, I am a man of exquisite taste! The atmosphere here is both elegant and refined, and the coffee—ah, the coffee!—is truly of the highest quality!” He flung a paw to his forehead as if overcome by emotion. Terry didn’t skip a beat. “Is it because of the atmosphere and coffee, or is it because it’s cheap?” he shot back, raising an eyebrow. “Hey! That’s not my fault!” Noah retorted, giggling. “Ever since my parents decided I’m old enough to start paying for coffee at home, this place has been my salvation. Besides, they sell Unovan coffee here—it’s strong enough to keep me sharp," he replied. The two friends chatted for a small while until Terry's expression shifted once again, "Okay, dude. I actually need to tell you something very important now, but first, remember how our team has been performing in Unite Ball this season?" he asked with a very serious look on his face, Noah smirked and proudly responded "Of course I remember! I'm the captain! Not only that, but I believe I'm not exaggerating when I say this may be the best season that our school's had in the last three years!", Terry smiled and reached for his Rotom Phone in the pocket of his jeans, "Well, the scouts from Uva Academy in Paldea think so, too. They had a chat with Coach, and they told her that If we win the last two games, we’ll be in the running for sports scholarships. To Paldea, Noah. Uva Academy. One of the best schools in the world." Noah sat upright in disbelief, "You're kidding, right?" he said, still not able to believe what his friend had just told him, "Dude, we've known each other since we were in first grade, I would never do that to you. It's for real." Noah's eyes widened, he jumped out of his seat, nearly turning the table over "Oh mon Dieu! This is the best news we have ever received!" he grabbed Terry's shoulders and lightly shook him with excitement, "It's the Elite Unite Program we're talking about! If we get in, we'll be playing against stars like Darkrai, Urshifu, and, if we're lucky, we'll even get to meet Zacian herself!" he yelled excitedly at the top of his lungs, "Well, we won't do that if we don't train. Coach told me to call everyone on the team to meet at ten on the field, I've messaged everyone, but wanted to talk to you personally. Come on, let's get going" Terry said as he got up from his seat, Noah crossed his arms and nodded in agreement "You're right, we should get to the field..." he stopped for a second before the realization hit him, "Aww! You wanted to tell me in person! Do you care that much about me or is it that I'm your only friend?" he playfully taunted, "Ha ha! Real funny. We're gonna be late if I stop to count how many friends I've got for you." responded the badger as he walked toward Autumnal Avenue, Noah tried to reach for his bag, but his heart nearly skipped a beat when he noticed he didn't have it "Damn it! I forgot my bag at home! I knew my back was lighter than it was supposed to!" he exclaimed, Terry faked a facepalm and replied "You'd forget your head if it wasn't attached to you. Which makes me think if Magneton ever forget to attach to each other... Either way, go get it, dude. Last time you showed up without gear you had to run like thirty laps around the field as punishment.", Noah sighed in defeat "Yeah, I know. Please don't remind me. Well, you get going, and I will see you at the field later, okay?" Terry nodded and they both parted ways.
The walk home didn’t take long. Estival Avenue gave way to a quieter part of Lumiose City, where the hustle and bustle faded into a peaceful hum. Noah reached his family’s café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafting through the open windows. The familiar warmth of home tugged at his heart as he stepped inside. "Maman! I'm home!" he called out, prompting someone to come out from the back room, it was Clémence, his Kangaskhan mother, she was holding a tray with freshly made pastries that were ready to be sold "Tu es déjà de retour à la maison? Que s'est-il passé avec la rencontre avec ton ami?" she asked, slightly confused by the sudden return of her son "Rien, on s'est rencontrés, mais j'ai oublié mon sac à dos et j'ai dû rentrer. Il s'est passé quelque chose d'incroyable, mais je te raconterai plus tard, je suis en retard!" Noah responded, this seemingly calmed his mother's nerves, as she returned to the back room after leaving the tray of cupcakes on the counter, but before he could head up the stairs, a flash of brown fur came toward him, it was Colette once again, she tightly hugged Noah, "Brother! You're back! Did you miss me?" she asked, tightening her grip even more, Noah smiled and said "Well, of course I missed you, but what happened with all the 'helping Maman out with the chores' thing, huh?" he asked, raising a brow, Colette dropped him and looked down in shame "I... accidentally spilled all the batter for the pancakes, so she told me I couldn't help anymore..." Colette was about to cry, so Noah quickly added "Don't worry, everyone makes mistakes. What if we play something when I return home?" and as if he had used a magic spell, the little girl's face lit up, and she began jumping in place out of excitement "Yes! We can play on your new console! Or maybe you can teach me how to play Unite Ball!" she suggested, her tail wagging with joy, Noah let out a sigh as he went up the stairs "I would normally say no to you using my brand-new Switch, but since you're still too little to play Unite Ball, I'll allow it." he said, trying to sound authoritary, "I already told you I'm not little!" she responded, "I'm a big girl! Why can't I play?" she said, crossing her arms, Noah didn't look back as he responded with a laugh "The ball is as big as you are, you can't carry it.", however, Clémence spoke from the kitchen once again "Oh, Noah, tu es toujours si gentil avec ta sœur." she said as she went out to meet both of them, "Désolé de ne pas t'avoir salué correctement. J'étais un peu occupé avec les pâtisseries." she explained as she took of her apron, neatly folded it and placed it aside, Noah stopped halfway up the stairs and looked at her "Ne t'inquiète pas, je comprends. J'ai aussi quelque chose de très important à faire." Ne t'inquiète pas, je comprends. J'ai aussi quelque chose de très important à faire." he told her as he tried to resume his way toward his room, hoewver, the Kangaskhan still had something to say, "Oh, c'est à propos de ce jeu dangereux auquel tu joues? Es-tu sûr d'être assez fort pour ça?" she asked, Noah suddenly froze, he knew what she really meant when she asked that question, of course she would never say it in front of Colette, her words carried more weight than the little one would understand, "Oui, mais je suis plus forte que j'en ai l'air." Noah said as he headed up the last few steps of the stairs.
Noah entered his room, a cozy and slightly cluttered space with posters of Unite Ball stars like Zacian and Darkrai lining the walls. His bag lay forgotten near the desk, surrounded by stray notebooks, training guides, and an unopened snack bar. As he grabbed it, his eyes flicked to a framed photo on the bookshelf. It was an older picture of his family: Clémence, standing proud, Colette still just a baby in her pouch, and Hugo, his Machamp father, towering over them with a grin that could light up the room. Noah’s smile faltered slightly. His father had always been his greatest inspiration—strong, disciplined, and fearless. He clenched the strap of his bag and whispered, “I’ll make you proud, Dad. Just watch.” However, he couldn't linger on the memory for long, as his Rotom Phone buzzed alerting him of a notification, a text from a group chat labelled Proton Squad ⚡, the message was from Bruno, a Cerludge who wouldn't miss a single change for a friendly joke on Noah, and the message proved it perfectly
Bruno: "Yo! Captain! we need you here, like right now! Terry said practice is at ten, and if you're not here I'll be forced to take the lead!"
Noah was about to reply, but before he could type out his response, yet another message popped up:
Dayana: "Don't listen to him, Noah. He's just salty you've scored more points than he has."
Dayana was always the first to defend him from Bruno's apparently neverending arsenal of teases and taunts, and he was thankful, as a Diancie, it was obivous Dayana would be kind to her friends. Bruno appreciated this, even if his next message was contradictory
Bruno: "Excuse me, Princess Diamond, I am not the one who missed a 50-point pass in the last 30 seconds!"
Another reply came in, but this time it was Julia, which was surprising, she almost never used the group chat at all.
Julia: "💎> ⚔️"
Bruno: "Hey! That was not very nice of you!"
Dayana: "But it is accurate"
Julia, as an Ursaluna Bloodmoon, was the kind of girl you'd expect to be everything but shy, however, she always had a few issues to communicate with people, both because of her intimidating and appearance and the undeniable fact she was mute.
Noah smiled and sent a message to the group chat before running off to practice, ready to share the amazing news with his teammates:
Noah: "On my way guys. Pls don't kill eachother while I get there"
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