Wally's father entered his son's hospital ward. He was rather pleased to see the boy already wide awake.

"Read me the story!" he begged.

Wally's father chuckled, "I don't get a 'Hello?'"

Wally sighed impatiently, "Hello Father. Read me the story now please!"

Wally's father sat down in his usual seat and opened the book, "Alright, alright. Oh, you'll like this. We're introducing a new character: the hero of the story."

Wally smiled and fluffed his pillow and got himself comfortable as his father read to him.

Some time in the past:

"Drew! I'm home!"

A twelve year old Drew bounded down the stairs of his mansion. He grinned widely before rushing up to hug his father, "Dad! You're actually home earlier today!"

Mr. Hayden ruffled his son's hair, "You're lucky I don't have as much challengers today. Anyways, I got you a gift. Close your eyes boy."

Drew shut his eyes tightly and held out his hands. He heard a chuckle before feeling something cold and smooth land in his palms.

Drew smiled, "Is it another Pokemon?"

"Open your eyes to find out."

Drew opened his eyes and grinned in delight at the Pokeball in his hand. Drew's father smiled, "Happy Birthday Andrew."

Ever since Drew's tenth birthday, his father had gifted him Pokemon for Drew to play, train, and interact with. Roselia was his first Pokemon and Drew had received Absol the year before. Drew held out the Pokeball, "C'mon out!"

The Pokeball opened and a large dragon-like Pokemon appeared. It soared in the high entrance room of the mansion before descending besides Drew. It crooned affectionately before rubbing its head against Drew's.

He gasped, "Wow, a Flygon! Thanks Dad!"

Drew's father smiled happily. A sudden ring tone from his pocket caused Drew's father to pull out his Pokegear. He answered it. He muttered "yes" and "I understands" while Drew stroked Flygon's head.

When Mr. Hayden finally hung up, he sighed, "Sorry boy, but I have to go back to the battle field. There's a supposedly 'elite' trainer that wants to challenge your old man. I'll try to come back as soon as possible."

Drew cried out, "Wait! I want to see you battle Dad."

Mr. Hayden shook his head as he walked to the front doors, "You know the rules boy. I can't let just anyone watch my battles."

Drew was relentless, "It's my birthday. Can't I just watch this once? Please?"

Drew's father hesitated and he glanced at Drew's frowning face. He smiled, "Just this time."

Drew ran up to his father and hugged him, "Yay! Thank you Father!"

Mr. Hayden patted Drew's head, "Alright, alright. Let's get going. Recall your Flygon and we can leave now."

Drew recalled Flygon before putting its Pokeball in his pocket. He followed his father out to their enormous front lawn. Mr. Hayden called out his Dragonite and the two boarded the dragon-type Pokemon to fly to the LaRousse Pokemon Stadium.

"Dragonite is unable to battle. The challenger wins! As the LaRousee Battle Stadium Rules decree, the challenger has now become the new Champion!"

Drew watched in shock as his father congratulated the challenger and began to talk to him. Drew jumped off his seat and ran over to hear what his father was saying.

"…. Mr. Kisaka. Your Pokemon are most excellent. I didn't stand a chance against you."

Mr. Kisaka replied, "Please, do no take offense, but I have no desire to become the Champion of LaRousse City. The title means nothing to me and I would like no part of it."

Mr. Hayden chuckled, "With all do respect, sir, the title is most coveted. I recommend that you think about your decision."

Mr. Kisaka, "Like I said before, I do not want this title. Defeating someone like you was a piece of cake. You, out of all people, are the Champion? I had a harder time getting out of my bed this morning. You have no power or talent. You are a weakling."

"Hey!" Drew cried out, "My dad is a powerful trainer! He's beaten every single trainer so far."

Mr. Kisaka slowly looked down at Drew. The boy gasped at Mr. Kisaka's red eye. The man grinned at Drew, "But he hasn't beaten me, has he now son?"

Mr. Kisaka walked away laughing. Drew tugged on Mr. Hayden's sleeve nervously, "Let's go Dad."

Mr. Hayden hesitated before nodding. He let Drew drag him out of the battle stadium.

The Next Day:

"Let's go Drew."

Drew carried his stuff out of the mansion in puzzlement. He caught up to Mr. Hayden, "Why are we taking our stuff out of the house?"

Mr. Hayden sighed, "We don't… we don't live there anymore boy. This mansion is reserved for the Champion of LaRousse. Since I lost to Mr. Kisaka yesterday, we don't live here anymore."

Drew asked, "Then where do we stay?"

His dad didn't respond.

It was Drew's thirteenth birthday. By now, he and his dad were living in a small apartment in downtown LaRousse. Unfortunately, downtown LaRousse had some pretty ruthless people. But luckily for Drew, he had Roselia, Absol, and Flygon to protect him. However, Drew and his father were the laughing stocks of the urban community. It didn't matter if he was a Champion because now Mr. Hayden worked as a janitor in a local Pokemart.

Drew still loved his father though. There were times when he would wait late at night for his father to come home from his menial job. Other times he wouldn't sleep at all since his father would sometimes disappear at night and reappear tiredly in the day. Mr. Hayden now rarely talked to his son. He had also released all of his Pokemon.

"What are you doing Dad?" Drew asked as he watched Dragonite fly away. Mr. Hayden sighed, "I can't keep a powerful Pokemon like Dragonite at bay. He needs to be free."

Now Drew was in his room. He was petting his Absol absentmindedly while waiting for his dad to come home. But he didn't. Mr. Hayden didn't show up at the apartment that night. Nor did he appear the next day. Or the day after that. Now Drew was starting to worry. His dad usually wouldn't stay away from him for such a long period of time.

Nearly a week passed and Drew's father still hadn't returned. One morning though, Drew was shifting through the growing pile of mail when he saw an unusual package. Ripping it open, Drew found a Pokeball and a note. Drew picked up the note and read-

Drew,

This is the last time you will ever hear from me. After losing my title as the Champion of LaRousse, I've noticed that my position in the world is a meaningless and pointless existence. Therefore, I have begun a journey of self reclamation in hopes of finding my place in the world. I know it's not fair for me to leave you behind, especially at such a young age. However, I simply could not bear the burden that was pressuring me. I hope that you will one day understand what I had to. I also know that this is a poor excuse as an apology but I want you to have this Pokemon that I befriended and caught a couple of days ago. Good-bye son.

Drew slowly folded the letter and stuffed it into his jacket's pocket. He picked up the Pokeball in the box. His Absol cocked its head and sniffed the Pokeball.

"Absol?"

Drew shrugged, "C'mon out."

After the bright light dimmed, Drew stood before a large butterfly-like Pokemon. It fluttered around the crammed apartment before settling on top of Absol's head.

"Butterfree!"

Drew looked at the note again, "A Butterfree huh?"

Drew reread the note again before he let the angry tears stream from his eyes.

Present Day:

"Are you really going Drew?"

Drew smiled at the blue-haired girl before ruffling her hair affectionately, "I told you that this day would be coming Dawn. Don't act so surprised."

The ten-year old girl pouted, "I didn't think you were serious! You said that LaRousse was your home…"

Drew cocked his head and dropped the bag he was holding. He squatted on his knees to meet the little girl to her eye level, "LaRousse is my home, " the sixteen year old said gently, "I'll be back soon enough. Don't you worry now okay? Why don't you go play with Kenny? He'll cheer you up."

Drew chuckled as Dawn bounced in her spot, "Okay, okay, okay!" Dawn scrambled to the close playground and nearly tackled her brown-haired friend.

Drew picked up his bag and sighed.

It's time.

Drew was walking on the main road leading out of LaRousse City when he heard someone yell.

"Hold it right there!"

Drew turned around and saw a black haired boy running up to him. He shouted at Drew, "You're a trainer right?"

Drew scratched his head, "Well I guess you could say that."

The boy smiled, "Awesome! I'm Edward by the way. I want to challenge you to a Pokemon battle!"

Drew smirked, "Alright, I accept your challenge."

Edward smiled, "Excellent. There's a clearing just past those trees. We can have our battle there."

Drew nodded and followed Edward to their battlefield. His opponent pulled out a Pokeball, "How about a one-on-one battle. No substitutions."

Drew rummaged through his bag and took out his own Pokeball, "Sounds good."

Edward threw his Pokeball, "I choose you, Rhydon!"

A huge rhinoceros-dinosaur like Pokemon emerged from the Pokeball and hit the ground with a loud boom!

Drew smirked, "Roselia, go!"

A small light green Pokemon burst out from the Pokeball. It hung in mid-air before delicately landing on the ground soundlessly.

Edward punched the air, "Your puny Pokemon is no match for my Rhydon! Start this off with Earthquake!"

Rhydon roared before lifting a gigantic paw and slamming it against the ground. The battlefield shook and large white shockwaves rushed towards Roselia. The Thorn Pokemon wailed as it was thrown off its feet and skidded across the ground.

Drew shouted, "Use Magical Leaf!"

Roselia leapt to its feet and its roses began to glow white. It purred as crescent shaped leaves shot towards Rhydon.

"Quick, use Stone Edge!"

Rhydon's body was encompassed with glowing rings. It roared and the rings morphed into gray rocks before launching themselves against the Magical Leaf.

Drew crossed his arms, "Stun Spore Roselia."

The Thorn Pokemon shot a mist of orange dust to the Drill Pokemon and it grunted as it became paralyzed.

Edward faltered, "Uh oh, hang in there Rhydon. Try using Earthquake once more!"

Drew smirked, "Not so fast, use Solarbeam!"

Roselia began to absorb energy from the sun while Rhydon was having difficulty moving with its paralysis. Edward watched nervously as Rhydon tried to use Earthquake while Drew kept his cool composure.

"Now Roselia!"

The Pokemon crooned as it directed its roses toward Rhydon and a white beam of energy shot itself forward.

"Rhydon!"

The ground and rock type Pokemon raised its foot and launched a powerful Earthquake attack. Both Pokemon cried out as the attacks connected with their respective targets. Roselia was slammed into a nearby tree from the Earthquake while Rhydon had been thrown onto its back from the Solarbeam.

For a moment, neither Pokemon stirred. Finally, Roselia pushed itself off the ground.

"Rose.."

Rhydon didn't budge and Edward nodded sadly, "Congratulations man. I had to admit, it was a short battle. But it was a good one."

The boy knelt besides his still motionless Rhydon as Drew recalled Roselia.

"Good work Roselia. Take a long break."

Drew grabbed his bag and walked up to Edward. He had already recalled his fainted Pokemon. The two boys shook hands.

Edward said, "Your Roselia is really strong. You must have trained for a long time."

Drew shrugged, "Your Rhydon's not so bad either."

Edward nodded, "Thanks for the battle. I'll train some more and then we can have a rematch."

Drew smirked, "Of course."

After parting ways, Drew continued on his journey.

He thought bitterly, I'll find him, and once I do, I'll make him pay.