Ah, the Pokemon world...a place filled with wonders both man made and naturally occuring. As is fitting for such a vast landscape, there are people from all walks of life working with their Pokemon partners, whether they are caretakers, trainers, coordinators, or so much more...

Our particular story begins in the lovely Sinnoh region, in Hearthome City's Contest Hall.

A medium-toned brunette girl drags her feet as she exits the tunnel dead last as she cradles a rather discouraged yellow mouse with black rimmed ears and red cheeks in her hands.

"Well, we tried at least..."

"Chu..." the mouse Pokémon, Pichu, turned away, presumably to sulk.

"Rough day, huh?" The young lady looked up to the sympathetic eyes of the clerk at the counter.

"Yeah, kinda."

"Well, don't worry. You'll get 'em next time, right?"

"Right," as much as the girl wasn't in the mood to hear the "at least you tried" speech for the umpteenth time, she forced a smile, if only to be polite.

It was at that moment that her Rotom Phone began to ring.

"Call from Spencer... Call from Spencer..."

Giving the clerk an apologetic look, she made her way to the nearest seat to take the call, leaving the Electric type to recline next to her.

Pulling up a video feed, she was somewhat shocked to not see the eldest of the Shay household on the line, but his rather artsy assistant, Smeargle. It was fidgeting with its paintbrush tail which seemed to be freshly wet.

"Smear! Smeargle!"

The girl could barely hold in her laughter. "Put Spence on the line, already, Smeargle!"

The dog-like creature nodded enthusiastically and rectified the situation, and its owner's clay caked face promptly took up the screen. Outside of the mess, the artist could basically be summed up as an older, male version of Carly, though due to the man's behavior compared to his sister's, many people wondered whether he really was the elder sibling of the two...

"Carlaaa..." Spencer intentionally held the note until someone from offscreen yelled at him to stop.

"Hey, Spence."

"So, Carly, how'd the Contest go? I wish I could do some region-hopping and head over..."

Carly's less than ecstatic change in expression must've shown. "Hey, cheer up, Carls. You can't win 'em all..."

Carly gave her brother an exasperated look. "No offense, Spence, but I would actually have to win one for that to actually mean anything. Name one time that's happened."

Spencer opened and closed his mouth, clearly looking for an answer that would never come.

"Maybe you should take a break from contests, for now. try something fresh."

Carly seemed lost in thought until someone offscreen called for Spencer.

"Sorry, kiddo, but I've gotta go," Spencer said before giving her sister a strangely serious look. "Carls, Mom wouldn't want you moping around like this. She would love and be proud of you no matter what you went on to do."

"Thanks."

Spencer smiled brightly once again. "No problem. That's what brothers are for. Now, I gotta get back to sculpting before they really get on me. Take care of everybody. See ya!"

Ending the call, she sat back and considered her brother's words. Maybe a new start would be good for her. Contests both in Hoenn and Sinnoh hadn't exactly panned out. Maybe she should come back to this stuff later, after all...

Fishing in her bag, she eventually finds a certain Poké Ball and tosses it, with the bright light revealing a small green and white Pokémon with a single red horn.

The Pokémon's horn glowed as it sensed the emotions of its companions. Mirroring the group's feelings, it soon had its head down, too, until it felt its trainer's hand on it.

"You know, maybe I need to do something other than Contests for now. What do you think, Ralts?"

"Ralts," it seemed to agree. Out of her two friends, only Pichu seemed too interested in Pokémon Contests. Ralts always would rather remain in its ball. In regards to battling, on the other hand...

The coordinator gave The Feeling Pokémon a knowing look and smiled. "You want to go out and fight some wild Roselia, don't you?"

"Ralts," the creature said, practically rushing out the door after getting off the couch. Its trainer followed it, shaking her head in a happy sort of disbelief.

It seems like no defeat is ever truly one as long as you have friends and family by your side...

Unnoticed by anyone, the smallest of cameras, adorned with an ominous red "R", flits about the Contest Hall's lobby...

...as the journey continues.

TO BE CONTINUED...