This story takes place approximately 20 years before Gen IV.

"What the fudge are you wearing?" his sister chided, sliding down from an overhead oak tree. Toppling earthward, the fringed bottom of her hot pink cloak slapped the ground.

"Hm? Oh, this?" the young man answered slowly, "...Everyone in Johto's wearing it... It's called Yankee Punk Fashion... It's apparently more popular than Gothic Visual Glam now." He continued wrapping a long white bandage around his shirtless abdomen. Tying it off, he slipped his long, blue coat back over it.

"Pfft. You look like an after school gangster. It's macho cheesy, and you'll freeze without a shirt, you know?" She complained, tossing back her choppy white hair. She spent a moment in reflection before speaking once again. "Say... big brother... Are you really going off to Johto?"

"Of course! I've already made up my mind... I'm going to become an engineer," he stated, pocketing his hand, "and... Once I go, I'm not sure if I'll ever come back to Fiore. Nothing's for certain at this point. Well. My dream is for certain. I was just saying that to be cool." I want to leave my past behind... I'm going to start out clean!

"Tch... Engineer, my left foot! Do you realize how unsuitable that is for you?" she spat, waiving her arms frantically while trying to persuade him to change his mind.

"Oh?"

"Yes! You're as dense as a tree stump and just as lazy!" She crossed her arms in defiance before speaking again, "Hmph. Fine then... Go ahead and leave the band and do ridiculous stuff! No one likes your wonky bongo-drum playing, anyways!" Surely, this'll make you wake up now. She pouted.

"Don't be such a brat, it's not cool at all... Things can't always go your way, 'lil sis," Clyde said, looking down at the ground's grassy leaf-litter and shaking his head disapprovingly. "From here on out... You'll have to learn how to be strong by yourself," he told her, watching her pouting face sink into a bewildered frown. "Continue your striking riffs and solos," he went on, "and bring more music to the people... We might meet again if you do your best, ok?"

Beneath the verdant canopy of Lyra Forest, the young man held out his arms– his tiny sister diving into them. Wailing angrily, she bawled and sobbed with the full force of her lungs.

"Foolish Clyde... You brickhead!" she cried, sniffling violently against his chest. "I'll... snff... miss youuuu!"

Breaking up our band after all these years, she thought, overflowing with the memories of being with her three brothers– playing music together and getting into trouble with the law. Laughing and scheming the whole time– planning on how to get rich.

A childish and carefree lifetime was passing her by in favor of a cold and mature future. Clyde, weren't we all going to keep seeing this world together? As brothers and sister? I've tried caring and I've tried not caring. I've tried being nice and I've tried being mean.

I thought my brothers would always listen to me, but when it really matters, I... have no control.

How could you leave your cute little sister when she says 'don't go'?

"I'll miss you too, sis. Especially your amusing sense of self-importance... Though I've made the mistake of indulging your ego a little too much in the past, you're right about one thing..." The young man patted his sister's back and continued, "You, Garret and Billy have the most fans. It's understandable... My drum-playing really is wonky. All bass and no treble. And recently people go up to me and say 'Oh Garret, sign my forehead' and then I have to say 'Sorry, I'm actually Clyde'... No one will miss my sound, so... Go forth and become the Go-Rock Trio without me!"

"NOOO," she growled, opening her mouth and viciously biting his shoulder. We can't keep up the rhythm without you! And you entirely missed my point... Stop bypassing my flawless reverse psychology!

"Waaah! That hurts!" Clyde bellowed as his sister's teeth tore deeper, "TIFFANY–"

Gazing beyond the ferryboat's open deck– Clyde grasped the rusted rail bar– narrowing his eyes against the sharp sea breeze. A heavy, conical drum remained swung over his broad shoulders.

"Johto..." he muttered silently to himself.

From what he understood, it was an exotic land covered in cypress woods and ancient, crumbling pagodas.

Johto. A place of mysterious intrigue which stood not far off from its technologically advanced brother– Kanto.

"Right..." he tightened his hands on the cold, iron bar.

If there's anyone who can do this... It's definitely me!

No longer will I live in the shadows... I'll become a new, better man–

"Hm..." a strange voice resonated nearby.

Snapping around, Clyde glared at its source: a pot-bellied man with a Pelipper on his shoulder.

"What are you looking at?..." Clyde demanded, watching the man carefully, "Hah... Have I met you somewhere before?"

"I was just wondering the same thing!" the rounded man confessed, "But I'm drawing up blanks. It's strange... I'm not sure if I'd ever be able to forget such a weird guy like you..."

"Weird guy? What does that mean?...!"

"Your bandage bandeau and studded, leather choker..." the man guffawed loudly, "It's literally cracking me up!"

"I'll have you know that where I'm going– this is the epitome of fashion!" Clyde blazoned in defense. Laughing at me... Who the hell does this lard-tub think he is?...!

"Wahaha, oops, sorry." The man regained control, "Didn't mean to insult you there. It sounds like you're going to Johto... We'll I'm going there, too."

"I... see..." Clyde answered anxiously, "Have you been there before...?" It seems this guy knows something about its local fashion...!

"Nope!" The man spat, "But I've heard plenty of stories about its gang problems. Anyway, my name's Cameron. I'm going to Johto to accomplish my dream."

"A dream...hm," Clyde repeated, "Looks like I'm not the only one, then. I'm going there for the same personal reason... Cameron, what is this dream of yours?"

"Ha... You really want to hear?" the man asked, "Alright then... My dream is to become a world famous photographer!"

"A noble dream..."

"So what about you, Clyde? What ambition is boating you off to Johto?"

"My dream?... Hm! It is one I decided upon after careful consideration," Clyde announced, slamming his foot up on the rail and posing coolly, "My dream is to become none other than a world-class engineer. I will smack whatever fails science with a wrench and bring it to justice...!"

"I don't think that's what engineers actually do..."

"Cameron! If you wish to become a famous photographer, you must put boring traditions to rest... And learn to approach things differently! You must be able to predict the trends and remain fashionable before the wave hits."

"...I guess you're right," Cameron considered, scratching his perching pokemon's gullet of a beak.

But something unsettles me about this weird guy... Cameron thought to himself, He seems a bit too naive and reckless... And I don't think he understands what's going on in Johto right now...

With all the gang wars happening...

Without warning, Clyde broke out into song– crossing his arms and flooding the breeze with anticipation.

Startled, Cameron fell backwards at the young man's booming voice. This weirdo's singing now? Seriously?...!

"Never second to none, reaching out our arms– throwing off the sun... And our feelings were never lost that day–"

Hmm... this guy's a nutcase. Cameron closed his eyes and listened. But he has an OK singing voice...It's passionate. Surprising for such a stiff, tough-looking kid.

...It really seems like I've heard it somewhere before, though...

"That road beyond lies dead, reaching past our arms– traced in both light and shade... Remembering the words that we both never said–"

Receding behind them, Fall City's harbor dimmed with mist; and the ocean drew them out further into its unknown void.

~To Be Continued...~

I looked at the Clyde from the PR manga and he looks... lanky. I like his game art better. :S