"Don't worry gals, I believe in ya. Let's show Alex size only matters when you're fully grown, yeah?" Fayth bumped fists with her two partners, Ruff, a Pichu, and Tuff, an Igglybuff, as they jumped off her shoulders. The two Baby Pokémon danced around each other, finishing off by pumping their arms and bumping tails. "Chu!" "Iggly!"

"We can't underestimate them just because they're small. All three of them, really," she added, smirking as she looked over at her short friend. "Stay on guard." Her Charmander, Lex, made a show of cracking his knuckles, and Nile, her Eevee, snickered seeing the Charmander jump up and down in pain after realizing his mistake. They both readied themselves, facing their opponents from across the battlefield. Ruff and Tuff made silly faces at the two, giggling at Lex's confusion and Nile's annoyance.

The Nurse Joy filling in for the gym chaperone smiled at the eagerness on both sides. "This battle will be a two on two. The match is over when both of either contestant's Pokémon are unable to battle. Ready?"

Although Fayth's arm wasn't quite done recovering, she'd been more active as of late than during the first two months after the incident. She never missed out on an opportunity to watch Alex train or practice against one of the other students. With the help of Alex, and her new companions, Fayth had quickly caught up to speed in the battling department. She didn't know if it was thanks to her best friend and closest rival, or if Pokémon just ran through their genes, but she and Alex had both seemed to have a natural talent. The two could talk strategies and techniques for hours on end, despite neither of them having been much of talkers before. And when it came to battling, few matches were as exciting as theirs.

Often they'd even attract small audiences, both students and teachers. On a few occasions even Professor Earl Jr. would take the time out to watch them. Many students always complained that Pokémon Battles could be so dull when they were in their first stages of evolution, but as the Professor always said, a battle's excitement was entirely dependent on the passion between Trainer and Pokémon, and when it came to these two? They were full of it.

"Ready," Alex confirmed, smiling and crossing her arms.

"Same here," Fayth called, giving a thumbs up with her free arm. Ruff and Tuff fist pumped and pointed at their rivals, more than ready to get the fray going.

"Then, let the match begin!"

Alex was first to react. "Nile, Helping Hand, Lex, use Scratch on Ruff!" The Eevee lazily clapped her paws together, just enough to fill Lex with the extra strength he needed. He rushed toward the Pichu on the other end of the field, claws beginning to glow.

Thought you might do that, Fayth thought to herself, smirking. "Tuff, intercept it with Defense Curl!" The Igglybuff sucked in a gulp of air and inflated, moving in front of Lex and deflecting his attack. "Now, Ruff, use Sweet Kiss!"

"Lex, get out of the way! Nile, get up close and use Tackle!" Lex hopped backward, expecting the Pichu to attack from the side, only to feel a curious tapping on his shoulder.

"Chuu~"

"Chaaar..."

Ruff giggled observing the dazed and confused Charmander, not noticing Nile rapidly approaching to her side. The Eevee rammed into her knocking her back a few feet. The Pichu shook her head, steadying herself as she slid back next to Tuff. "Playing Rough, are we?" Fayth asked, bending over and snickering at her own pun. "Ruff, use Charm on Nile! Tuff, Copycat!"

"Lex, snap out of it and use Smokescreen!"

"Chaarmanderr..." It half-understood her, breathing out a cloud of smog that covered the field. Unfortunately, this meant none of them could see clearly. Ruff was able to find her mark, using Charm and posing suggestively in front of Nile, lowering her will to fight. Tuff ended up using it on Lex instead, who was just snapping out of his confusion.

"Well played," Alex commented, striking her hand forward. "Lex, clear the smoke with Ember!"

A flame burst from the Charmander's mouth as he span around, revealing the field once more. "Now, Lex, use Ember, Nile Helping Hand!" What was once a puny stream of fire erupted into a full on torrent, threatening to burn Ruff and Tuff to smithereens.

"Tuff, use Copycat!" called Fayth, grinning with the rush of adrenaline. The Igglybuff again intercepted, firing its own Ember back at the duo. The two streams of fire roared and crackled against one another in a struggle, Lex's beginning to easily overpower Tuff's. "Ruff, get in there and help with your Thundershock!" The Pichu nodded, dashing to her partner's side and adding its electric attack to the mix, pushing the stream farther from them and back to the center.

"Chuuuu!"

The battlefield was ablaze, lighting the dimly-lit gym with a fantastic glow.

"Nile, Helping Hand! You have to push through!" Lex's flame erupted into a spiral of fire, to the point of almost looking like...

"Lex...use FLAMETHROWER!"

"ChaaaARRR!"

The emission was massive, looking as if it rivaled what would come out of a Charizard. Ruff and Tuff pushed harder, and just as it looked as if the unstoppable Flamethrower would overtake them, the Pichu's cheeks began to light up the brightest they'd ever had.

"No way! Ruff, use THUNDERBOLT!"

"Piiii...CHUUUUUU!"

The one puny jolt of electricity burst into a bolt of lightning, and with the aide of Tuff's Copycat using it instead, the combined attacks pierced straight through the stream of fire, exploding violently in the center. Both parties were sent flying across the arena, covered in smoke.

"Ruff, Tuff!"

"Lex, Nile!"

What took only a few seconds felt like hours as they waited for dust to clear, not having the time to breath. And then...

Ruff and Tuff were collapsed on the ground, KO'd.

As were Lex and Nile.

"All four Pokémon are unable to battle! The match has been declared a draw!"

Both trainers ran into the field.

"Lex, Nile, amazing job. Take a good rest."

"Cooo," went Nile. Lex simply gave a weak thumbs up, and the two returned to their Poké Balls.

"Ruff, Tuff, that was wicked! You guys can relax."

The two limply gave each other a high-five, returning as well.

Fayth and Alex walked up to each other, nothing but the fire of passion in their eyes. They shook hands firmly.

"I'll get you next time, Alley," Fayth said, a stupid smirk across her face that both of them shared.

"That'll be the day."

The Joy congratulated the two, taking them to go heal their Pokemon.

. . .

Violet City's Pokémon Academy had a certain structure to it. Each year was split up into four different class designations. 1st year students were put into the 'Novice' class, where Fayth and Alex started off. Afterward came 'Trainer', followed by 'Gym Leader' and finally 'Elite.' These titles were all more or less superfluous; even though they'd all technically be adults at 10, the idea of a trainer just starting out becoming a Gym Leader or Elite Four member was laughable.

The Novice year mostly involved lectures and tests, both written and physical, as the new trainers were given time to grow into the idea. There would occasionally be competitions between the four groups of classes, and every now and then an Elite Four member or Gym Leader would come to the school to meet the children, on rare occasions even the Champion would show up. The Professor had figured it was a good way to give the kids something to aspire to, and even though Fayth had said she wasn't buying it, the more Gym Leaders she talked to, the more appealing the idea was.

On some nights she'd keep Alex awake, going on and on about all her different ideas for what her - or later, their, gym would be like. "It would be all about the Double Battles," she'd say as they lay looking into the ceiling, and into the stars when they'd graduated to the Trainer Class, and were permitted to leave campus so long as they were back by curfew. Of course, they never were, but they were always able to sneak back in before anyone noticed. "It'd have this whole duality thing to it, like a fire and ice thing, with a lavafall on one side and a waterfall on the other, and at the end? You'd have to fight Gym Leaders Fayth and Alex, toughest Leaders in the region!"

"What about the newbies?" Alex would ask, chuckling from her partner's usual enthusiasm.

"We'll CRUSH 'em!" she'd respond, smashing her fist into her hand and fake-laughing diabolically, causing the two to dissolve into hysterical laughter, joined in by their Pokémon. For Alex, this meant Lex and Nile, who'd evolved into Charmeleon and Vaporeon respectively, in addition to Killer G, a musical Ghastly she'd caught on a field trip, and DDDD, a Machop who'd challenged her personally to a fierce wrestling match. Fayth, on the other hand, still only used Ruff and Tuff, who'd evolved into Pikachu and Jigglypuff. Small as they were in comparison to some of the other students' Pokémon, they'd won more battles than she could count, and as a result had in time shifted Fayth and Alex's reputations to being some of the most promising trainers in the class.

All that said, ever since Fayth had finished healing, she and Alex had been training to try and gain control over Star and Skye. They were bestowed upon her, and if she had anything to prove, it was that she could tame them. Time and time again however, nothing the either of them did could get them to listen. There just didn't seem to be any trust between them. She'd hoped that by constantly improving as a Trainer they'd come to accept her, but this never seemed to be the case. At the very least, they no longer immediately fought and thrashed about. Her father figured they might've felt remorseful at causing her injury. Not enough to take any commands, apparently. Ruff and Tuff had listened to her fine since she'd hatched them. In their case though, she'd vowed to take care of them the best she could...a way of making up for her own failures. Inevitably they might have taken more care of her during her recovery. Belle didn't exactly set a great example for proper child care, but Alex's mom, Alexis, sure did. Fayth bet that together, her and Alex had poured more into them than Belle ever did for her…

That was it.

Once again, Class D's fourth Gym was theirs to use. At this point, all it took was a simple request, and aside from a few knuckleheads, most students would let them have at it, if they didn't feel like spectating, that is. A number of Class D's top competitors were in the audience today, as was Professor Earl Jr, and by his request, two Officer Jennies. They all knew the story - almost everyone in the academy did by now. In the case of their classmates, some had sworn themselves to being bodyguards for the two whenever Fayth was about to attempt taming the beasts. Every one of their classmates was looking forward to seeing what the short kid in black could do with those serpents under control. In Fayth's eyes now, however, maybe control wasn't what she was after.

"Fayth...you sure about this?" Alex asked, Lex and Nile following her as always, the other two Pokéballs clutched tightly in her hands. They'd gone at this many times before, and when it came to them, you never knew what to expect. They had their fair share of close calls.

"It's gonna be either now or never. Everyone else has their 3rd and 4th team members by now anyway...you know I HATE playing catch-up, Alley." Ruff and Tuff swallowed. Even they, who were known as the fearless, tiny titans, had always felt intimidated by Fayth's serpents whenever they got the chance to see them. They were huge, larger than most in their species even.

"Well, you know we have your back." The whole party nodded.

"You can do it!" "You got this, Fayth!" "Watch out for her, Aleeex!" All support from their classmates. The two looked up and locked eyes with the Professor, who gave them a stern nod. A Friend Ball was clutched between his hands. Dragonite. This is gonna be the one, Fayth thought to herself. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Star, Skye, come on out!"

The Ultra Balls hatched open in the middle of the field, encasing the gym in that same, blinding flash of light that had become a signal for imminent danger. As the Onix and Gyarados appeared, from the depths of their throats came colossal roars, rumbling the gym itself as they gazed down upon the tiresome child who had summoned them.

This time, she didn't immediately command them to stop. She didn't call Ruff over to try and calm Skye down with a hard-hitting Thunderbolt. Instead, she stood there, looking them both in the eyes. No one moved, and the tension in the gym made the scene feel like a painting...frozen in time. Fayth's face wasn't stern or demanding like it had been whenever she called them out. Her pose wasn't challenging. Her soft, relaxed eyes remained locked upon the two wyrm, and she slowly began to walk toward them.

Alex's face, as did everyone in the audience's, began pouring with sweat. This nearly eight year old girl, standing no taller than 4'5 and weighing hardly 90 pounds, was approaching those who'd been labelled the most unpredictable creatures in the entire school...not battling them, not trying to show them who was dominant...but trying to connect.

"Hey dudes," she said, acknowledging them as she stood only a few feet away. Skye quietly roared, almost moving back a little. Star had loosely coiled around her counterpart, and both of them cautiously observed the child. That was it...this was entirely new for them. In her time thus far at the Pokémon Academy, both alongside Alex and Pokémon she raised herself, Fayth had come to realize that bonds weren't forged upon obligation alone. A pair had to stand as equals before they could truly understand what the other felt. Right now, Fayth understood. Belle hadn't ever gotten to know too many of the hundreds of Pokémon she captured. To her, they were always just a means to an end, whether that meant protection, profit...or if they were just another of the outcomes of a few bad decisions. The ones she didn't train herself remained feeling confused, neglected, maybe even abandoned. They were expected to hold to a standard when put on the spotlight, and that's it. To them, Fayth had been no more than another authority trying to control them. Always more concerned with what she wanted to do than what they needed. And boy, did she know that feeling.

"You know what we have in common, girls?" Fayth asked, holding her arms out wide. "We hate authorities."

In the eyes of everyone present at the time, there wasn't any reason Fayth shouldn't have lost her life right then and there. All it would've took was a Hyper Beam, or for Star to coil around her and squeeze her into pulp. But as their eyes were locked, a mutual understanding was met. Maybe they weren't so different after all.

. . .

Fayth lay leaning against Star, watching the clouds. They were in the school's incredibly spacious park, right outside in the back. It was mostly Gym Leader and Elite classes that chose to eat their lunches outside, but Trainer class students were allowed as well. They were warned that the upperclassmen were known to pick on the younger kids, but Fayth went where she pleased. Besides, who was gonna threaten the girl who cuddled with a giant Onix and Gyarados? Ruff and Tuff were at her sides, taking it easy. It was just starting to transition into Fall. The days grew cooler, the leaves were beginning to take change, filling forests and surrounding trees with oranges and reds. There was hardly a sound to be heard outside of the grass swaying with the wind, and the occasional flocks of Pokémon passing by overhead.

Over the last few weeks since Fayth, Star and Skye had started to get along, they'd learned a lot about one another. Star was the most affectionate of the two. It seemed as if ever since Belle hatched her egg, she'd hardly touched her. Once Fayth and Star became comfortable around another, Fayth quickly imprinted on her. The Onix was always looking to be stroked or pet or cuddled, something that Fayth had to be careful about considering her enormous size. After satisfying her, Fayth noticed Star tended to be amusingly defensive whenever she commented on her needs. Ruff and Tuff liked to make fun of her for it, and her reactions were even able to get a chuckle out of Skye.

Skye was clearly the older of the two, though not by a whole lot. She was more reserved, and while she was more or less comfortable around Fayth, Fayth could tell she didn't trust her all the way yet. Skye reminded her a lot of herself, come to think of it. For starters, both of them had a total disregard for people who tried enforcing the rules. Every now and then there would be an enforcer or teacher who'd make a comment about having Pokémon that big out in the open, and following a glare from the colossal creature, they would quickly add on that they'd make an exception for her, since she was 'such an exceptional student.' Both of them almost always had the munchies, and had a habit of snagging abandoned lunches when people weren't looking if it meant getting full. And they both got a kick out of getting back at people they didn't like, whether that meant tripping them, eating their homework, getting them framed...essentially, they bonded through their delinquency.

Fayth squinted her eyes, shading them from the sun as she glanced at the silhouette approaching her, nonchalantly carrying her lunch tray, a Charmeleon and Vaporeon at her sides. Fayth grinned, laying back and closing her eyes. "What took ya so long, Alley? I thought I was the fashionably late one. All that 'bad influence' stuff I get from Mrs. Fuji might be right after all, ey girls?" All four of her Pokémon chuckled lightly, Skye giving Alex a major cowlick as she approached. If it were anyone else she would've walked the other way, but Fayth had always been the one who could get a smile out of her, whether she tried to or not.

Perhaps, some of Fayth had rubbed off on her since they'd started here. Alex had never been the expressive type before she got here. She did as was told and stayed to herself. But being around Fayth, she began to speak her mind more often, usually impulsively which tended to surprise her. All Fayth would do is laugh whenever Alex would get self-aware after an outburst. "It's only healthy," she would say. For the first year and most of the second she'd wear the childish clothes and straight hair her mom would always have her, but as she grew more and more expressive and independent, she bought her own clothes and let her crimson hair grow wild. She wore letter jackets and jeans, got used to saying whatever was on her mind, and her and Fayth had become two of the notorious kids in the Trainer class.

"It okay if I sit here?" she asked Tuff, who'd just gulped down another slice of pizza. Tuff looked at her smugly, beckoning for her to pay up. Alex rolled her eyes, tossing the Jigglypuff her three cookies, and she happily floated over on Fayth's other side, as she and Ruff play fought over the snacks. Alex sat down by her friend, waiting for Star's nod before leaning back and enjoying the view. Lex decided to join Ruff and Tuff in their scuffle, Nile rolling her eyes as she lay down and watched.

"Man, this is always the best time of the year," Fayth sighed, entirely content with life. "Almost no tests to study for, no assignments due, and nothing but time to unwind."

"Implying that you study, or do any homework," said Alex, chuckling as she took a bite out of her Pomeg berry.

Fayth shrugged. "Guilty as charged."

The clouds passed on by, once again covering the setting sun.

"Hey, Trainer Class kids!"

Alex and Fayth nonchalantly gazed up at heavy-set upperclassman peering down at them. As tough as he was trying to come off, his legs were somewhat quivering, and a few of Fayth and Alex's classmates could be seen sitting at benches off behind them, snickering. One of them gave the two a wink and a thumbs up, pointing at some of the other Gym Leader and Elite class members taking notice.

Fayth pulled up her pink and black striped hat that'd become her signature from over her eyes, and Alex flipped her hair, taking the last bite out of her berry as the two stood up, looking up at him with amused expressions.

"Word on the wire is that you two's think you're tough!" He pulled a pair of Pokéballs out from his jacket. "I challenge you both to a Double Battle! My Golem and Scyther are gonna squash you!"

Both Fayth and Alex glanced at each other, unamused. "Hey Skye," Fayth asked, looking back at the resting Gyarados. She peeked open an eye. "This guy thinks he can squash us. What do you think about that?" Skye merely smiled, slithering out from under Star and rising up tall, roaring loudly and scaring away flocks of Spearow from the surrounding forest. She cast a shadow over the group, and Lex, cookie in hand, stretched out and stood by her, crossing his arms.

"You sure, Fayth? She hasn't exactly battled before," Alex said, crossing her arms as well.

"Maybe not," she shrugged, rubbing Skye's side, prompting her to lower down and give her a lick to match Alex's. Fayth giggled. "But she hates being shown up just as much as I do. 'sides, she won't be going overboard anymore...we worked something out. So Alex, remember when you asked me what we'd do to newbies in our gym?" She pounded her fist into her hand. Alex grinned, cracking her knuckles.

. . .