1 - Tension, strength and motivation

It was a tense moment for Peter as he sat in the Green Room at the Lily of the Valley Conference HQ. Never before had he been so nervous in his life. Not even the predicament concerning Team Galactic's 'New World' event caused him any worry. Hell, even the taming of Giratina, Dialga and Palkia (safely caught in normal Pokéballs and residing in a PC Box) didn't faze him too much. So why was he suddenly feeling so antsy?

Because this was the last battle of the Conference. Peter had gotten so far and encountered so much just to be here. He couldn't risk a loss here - not when he would get the chance to take on the Elite Four and the Champion of Sinnoh if he were to win.

He sat in a chair hunched forwards, his hands shaking ever so slightly if anyone was close enough to look. His russet brown eyes bore all the signs of someone who had seen so much for someone of his age. He started his journey full of life, energy and carefree abandon. Experiences with near death (nearly all of them occurring through Team Galactic's hand) had opened his eyes to the harsh realities of the world. And with his realisation faded the energy of childhood, his once shining brown eyes losing all but a spark of their former luster.

Peter heaved a large sigh and sat back in his chair with effort, running his fingers through his untidy jet black hair. He reflected back on his journey thus far, evaluating what went right and what he would liked to have changed.

/FlashBack\

As he stepped out of his home in Sandgem Town and made his way to Professor Rowan's Laboratory, he already knew which Pokémon he would choose as his starter - Chimchar. He couldn't resist the little Fire-Type's cheekiness and playful charm, so he instantly made up his mind on his first partner and quite possibly his newest friend.

He stepped through the door of the Lab and Rowan greeted Peter warmly even though it was in his usual gruff tones. But perhaps that just happened with age or perhaps maybe that just who Rowan was. Peter made his way over to the table and scanned the Pokéballs looking for the familiar flame symbol. And reaching out his hand, he made his choice - one that he didn't regret.

He threw the capsule into the air and in a burst of light, out popped the Pokémon partner that Peter had set his eyes on from the very start. The Chimp Pokémon, Chimchar. The little fire monkey scanned his surroundings before setting his innocent blue eyes on the human in front of him. And the Chimchar took an instant liking to the midnight haired Trainer.

"Ya know, I think I'd like to call you... FireStrike? How does that sound to you?" Asked Peter, crouching down to meet Chimchar's eye level.

The Chimchar looked away for a second before locking his gaze with that of his Trainer's. "...Chim Chimchar!" He said approvingly.

And that was when Peter and his newly dubbed FireStrike left Sandgem Town on an adventure they would never forget any time soon.

/End Flashback\

That all felt such a long time ago for the midnight haired Trainer. Since then, Peter had caught a lot of Pokémon - such a lot in fact that he managed to complete his Sinnoh Pokédex. That was quite a surprise for Professor Rowan! Peter couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the aged man's expression when Peter showed him the contents of his Pokédex. Peter even managed to catch the other Sinnoh Starters in the wild - a feat that previously would have been highly unlikely for any other Trainer before him.

Peter put all that down to pure luck though...

The sixteen year old sighed heavily once again and stood up, his destination being the mirror. He gazed upon himself and traced his eyes up and down his whole form. He had started his journey a little later than most Trainers did, mainly due to his overprotective mother. But nevertheless, he still got to go on his journey.

He looked upon his travelling attire and smiled, the corners of his mouth curving upwards ever so slightly. His black and dark grey striped hoodie and his dark jeans had been through a lot. As did his Pokémon and Peter himself. It was a wonder how they all survived - clothing included. He then fingered the material of his navy blue woollen scarf. He kept it as a memento of his late father and it always served to bring him good fortune in one way or another.

He then looked past his attire and looked at himself in general. He was well built physically - not perfect but certainly above average. He was short for his age, but that didn't matter to him. No-one ever held that against him, and those that did regretted doing so after a six-on-six battle from the midnight haired Trainer.

His gaze then turned to the belt around his waist. Adorning the simple belt were six small Pokéballs - the capsules of his first team. A small smile graced his face as he walked away from the mirror into another part of the Green Room. He took all the capsules off of his belt and tossed them into the air. Six flashes of light later and Peter's Pokémon were standing to attention for their Trainer.

"It's okay guys, I'm not a drill sergeant. You don't need to stand like that."

The six Pokémon all immediately relaxed their postures and took a friendlier approach to their Trainer, who smiled warmly in return. Peter then motioned for his partners to draw closer to him as he knelt down and took a deep breath.

"Listen, you guys have been amazing Pokémon. Not just to battle with, but just to be with as well. Tiger Lily, you were quite apprehensive of me at first when I caught you as a Budew. And I won't forget the time that you kept attacking me at first."

The Bouquet Pokémon lifted her arm to the back of her head and rubbed it sheepishly, blushing slightly as she did so. "Rose Roserade..."

"Nah, it's okay. Besides, if I hadn't persevered with you then I doubt we would be on such even terms with one another today. But I'm glad I did Tiger Lily. Otherwise I wouldn't have gotten to know one of the sweetest Grass-Type Pokémon I could ever have asked for."

Roserade, dubbed Tiger Lily, turned her head away from her Trainer, sporting a blush that would make a Tamato Berry pale in comparison. "Rose..."

Peter merely smiled at his Bouquet Pokémon and started to address the rest of his team. "Mina, I can't express how incredibly you perform in all that you do. Even when you were just a Feebas. I knew that when I caught you, you were unlike any other Water-type. And remember back in that oneshot Hearthome Contest? You were so brilliant in the face of adversity. You showed everyone that everything could be beautiful - Feebas included. And that was when you evolved for me. I couldn't possibly have been prouder that day."

Milotic, dubbed Mina, arched her head down and nuzzled her Trainer's face in appreciation. "Loooo..."

"Hahaha, thanks Mina." Peter patted the side of the Tender Pokémon's head. "Now Reactor, I remember when I first met you. When you were just an Elekid and were getting bullied by those Magby. I could see in your eyes your burning determination and strength just waiting to be unleashed. But something was holding you back - the discipline needed to control your power and that was something that we worked on together. I knew that you were a great Electric-Type back then, and you are a simply amazing one to behold now."

Electivire, dubbed Reactor, pulled his Trainer into a restrained hug so as not to accidentally crush him. "Vire Electivire..."

Peter patted his Thunderbolt Pokémon on the back in reassurance and turned to his Flying-Type. "Legend, when Cynthia gave me your Egg to look after, I was a little scared to be honest. I was unsure how I would perform in your upbringing and that made me anxious about how you would react to me when you hatched. But when I looked into the face of that little Togepi, I somehow knew that everything would be okay. And here you are today Legend. A great Flying-Type Pokémon if I ever did see one."

Togekiss, dubbed Legend, smiled at his Trainer's words and flapped his wings elegantly. "Togekiss! Kiss kiss Togekiss!"

"Don't get too vain! I know what you're like." Peter chided playfully. He then turned to a hulking navy blue behemoth standing to the side of Legend. "Kibble, drop the bad boy image. You may look impressive, but I know you're a big ol' softy really."

Kibble, who was in fact a Garchomp, huffed in indignance at his Trainer's words however true they may have been.

"Hehe, did I hit a nerve? Anyway Kibble, you are an amazingly strong Dragon-Type Pokémon even if you are more soft than your exterior shows. When we battled against Candice, I was unsure if we would even win. Her Abomasnow was tough and I knew you were on your last legs. But you evolved during that battle from a Gabite into the Garchomp you are now. And you became a force to be reckoned with. For that, I couldn't be happier with you."

Kibble turned to face Peter and narrowed his yellow eyes, the slitted irises thinning in a menacing way. Then, the Mach Pokémon softened his facial expression and licked his Trainer's face with his flat, slightly rough tongue.

"Ugh, Dragon slobber. Thanks anyway Kibble." The Garchomp gave a low growl in return; almost like a purr. "And now we come to you FireStrike. I had you since way back in Sandgem Town. From the moment I chose you as a Chimchar, I could feel the almost instant rapport between us. You've been with me through thick and thin and you've stuck by my side even in times when others would have given up. You never showed any signs of faltering, especially against Cyrus and Giratina." Peter put a hand on the Flame Pokémon's shoulder. "FireStrike, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done throughout the journey. You are the best damn Fire-Type I could ever hope to have encountered."

"Fernape Infernape!"

"Togekiss!

"Rose!"

"Graaar!"

"Loooooo!"

"Electivire!"

"Thanks guys."

Just as the group was about to make a final embrace, a voice rang out across hidden speakers in the Green Room.

"Would Peter Aureilius and Ryouji Takahashi please make their way to the Main Stadium. The Final match will begin in five minutes."

"Well guys, this is it. Good luck to you all out there. And everyone do your best - just like you always do."

Peter grabbed all the Pokéballs and returned his Pokémon inside them. He gave them all a silent word of encouragement before leaving the Green Room and making the long walk to the battlefield. This is where he could either make it or break it as a competitor in the Champion's League. He was sure he would make it; his Pokémon would see to that.