Arriving in the underground lab in Dawnlight Town, I step out of the capsule and turn off the transporter, conveniently sizing down into the tablet which I keep it in my backpack. However, no one seems to be around so I excuse myself to exit the lab and head to get my gear and dresses into my pokemon trainer outfit. Just as I am about to step out of the room, Professor Juniper appears in front of me as the door slides open automatically. "Hello, Professor. I'm back!" As usual, she gives me a warming smile and replies that she is on the way to check up as she is notified about my arrival. "You look refreshed, William. I take it that trip back to home renewed your spirit." To my nodding, she takes it as a yes and is reminded about something.

"William, your pokemon are eagerly waiting for you." I take that my pokemon miss me already despite it only being an hour and a half. Seeing that I miss the little guys too, I want to see and give them a big hug so badly too. "By the way, professor. How is everything going on, are the others here yet?" She informs me that there are still 3 more trainers left that have yet to arrive but she tells me something worth checking out. "But, Aether has arrive in town too." Hearing that name, it just make me feel restless. But, I need to stop feeling intimidated by him, not after that loss. I am going to get much stronger and skilled enough to beat him in battle with my team.

Another thing that the professor tells me to note off about a fight spurring an hour ago. "William, while you were away, your pokemon got into a heated fight with the other pokemon. It appears to be like a challenge issued to your pokemon either for entertainment or revenge." Hearing that, one pokemon comes to mine. "Snivy..." I ask about the situation in more detail. She tells me that the other pokemon began by teasing and harassing my pokemon until a fight erupts between them.

I had really hoped that things will go smoothly between my pokemon with the others but I think they are out with rage to get back at Aether's antagonistic behaviour so they start with Snivy as they refuse to forget the bad things and want revenge. However, ever since I started on this journey, I had amazing times with my pokemon and they now mean much more to me than ever so I need to be there for them as their trainer even if the others are to see me as their enemy

I know deep down Snivy is trying to make amends and wants to start anew with us after the things she was forced to - hurting other pokemon just to earn victory. My pokemon support and believe in her and I do too. The professor and I enter the caretaker room where I shout out to my pokemon, an energetic "Hi". My pokemon all sprint towards me and embrace me from all sides. "I am so happy to see you all." My pokemon are all excited to see me as I already guessed on the way over.

I confront them about the little feud that happened when I was away. Their expressions turn to being slightly down which pretty much says it all. But, I am not mad but I praised them for standing up and believing in each other. I never forget the saying that, "Those who break the rules are scum but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum." I can see that they have the makings of a good team.

However, I notice Snivy still inside the room, staring through the glass window with uncertainty. It seems she is the center of all the fuss and she feels the heat of it all. Although I cannot claim that I truly know the feeling of being prejudiced against by everyone around you but I know what it feels like to prove people wrong at times like this. Slowly, I approach her not to startle her along with the others beside me. "Snivy, I am here. I heard about what happened and you feel distressed after that incident."

Snivy takes a moment to look at me in the eyes with a sour face before turning back to face the window. "Snivy, do you remember the time back when you decide to join Oshawott and I? That time, I am also uncertain about being your trainer because I know that there will be tougher hardships for you to face and I do not want to bring you into a world where they may be cruel and callous people who might make you lose heart."

Hearing that, Snivy's expression change into a more shocking expression. "I thought that you will be better off with another trainer so that you will have time to recover from your past fears and the awful memories that still bothers you." The rest of my pokemon feels really disheartened to hear about Snivy's cruel fate to be disowned by her trainer and beaten up badly for realising the errors of their methods. "But... I thought to myself, if I were to turn you away just to protect you from beginning your adventures, I would be responsible for robbing away your dream of becoming a champion. Even if the world were to turn or go against us, I will gladly and be ready to share the burden with you. Ever since I met you and Oshawott on the first day of the initiation program, I know that you have the heart and the strength to become one of the best. That's why we are all here to fight for our cause to not let our family deal with hardships alone!"

My pokemon all nod and agree to be there for watch for one another from the very beginning of our journey. The words that I voiced out set an inspiring morale boost to everyone. Snivy understands much clearer now about why she is here and that she is not a burden to our team. I carry her and she embraces me with a more determined look to never back down and fight to prove her name.

Also, I believe that we can improve our spirit with a battle with our troublemakers. Let's show them that our cause can be found in our style of battle. Just when I am going to request a challenge with some trainers, it looks like they come looking for us instead. "Hey you! We have some business with you." As I turn to the voice calling me, I find two trainers; both male and do not seem to look happy.

"Hello, I remember you guys. You are the trainers who battled with Aether in the initiation mini tournament." Trying to ignore their angry looks, I remain respectful to them. Unfortunately, they seem to become slightly agitated. "You got some nerves not remembering our names! First your pokemon dare to mess with us, now you are doing the same, huh?!" Things are going out of hand real quick and I try to calm them down the best to my ability. His friend also joins in on his enraged spur and I begin feeling overwhelmed. The professor then decides to step in but is interrupted by one of the trainers pokemon who is a Treecko and along with his friend's Chimchar who begin making a scene and pointing fingers at my pokemon.

"Seems to me you folks are in the wrong side here... How about you apologize and maybe we will let you off with a jab to the gut?" Often, I prefer not to agitate them by retaliating but the honor of myself and my pokemon takes precedence. "Sorry, but I would have to disagree to that, my pokemon claims that your pokemon harass them first and started this whole dispute and I believe in them."

The trainers standing in front me look ready to give my pokemon a beating until I suggest having a pokemon battle to decide this. If I win, then they will have to apologize to my pokemon and not pester us anymore. But if they win, then I will gladly do anything as they ask of me without question. My pokemon gasp with worried looks on their faces and I know that Professor would definitely call off this fight but it is the only way to properly get them off our backs by showing our strength. As I lay out the terms and stakes of this battle, they like the sound of it and premention to me that I am already their servant in due time.

As soon as the trainers leave early for the fight stage outside the lab, Professor Juniper comments on how rash I act on declaring a fight with stakes like that on the line and my pokemon also feel worry about of all this. "Guys, professor. You will need to trust me on this. Because I believe in my pokemon, I am willing to fight for their honor and I promise that I will not lose this fight, only if you all are willing to battle alongside me.", I try to assure them that everything will turn out fine as I face my palm supinely.

It is all silent in the room until Oshawott and Snivy approach and put their hands together on top of my palm, putting their faith in me. Emolga, Starly and Riolu also join in and together all five of them look at me with full of hope. "Guys, are you ready for the challenge. Let's show them the truth in our cause!" I want to say something to the professor but she says that there is no need to explain as she also believes in me and finds me growing exponentially quick in maturity. We all head to the fight stage inside the Battle Club.

The two trainers have conveyed to Don George for permission to use the battle stage and he gladly agrees to it as he goes to check on the other trainers. I arrive to the floor a minute behind and both of them already started to hurl hurtful comments that I am about to lose. "So, you show up huh? Either you are brave or downright stupid?" To that question, it is obvious that I reply, "Option 1." The two crack their knuckles putting up a tough complexion. "Oh you are going to get destroyed. You and your ugly pokemon!"

Both of them can talk bad about me all they want but they cross the line when they badmouth my pokemon, especially in front of me this time. "So, who is up first?" The boy who seems to call the shots among the two steps forward, dressed in a red jacket with a hoodie and some black pants like some gangster.

Both of us stand on opposite sides ready our pokeball to be tossed as the battle begins. Then, the other trainers in our cohort recognize and are interested to watch us duke it out. One of the Battle club referree offer to announce this match. "Now the rule are set that each trainer will be using one pokemon for this match. The battle will be over when pokemon from either side are unable to battle. Is that understood?" Both of answer yes in our own way and the referree officially begins the match.

"Alright, Snivy. Let's get things started!", the grass snake pokemon appears from the pokeball that I toss first. She seems focused and in it to win it. The trainer in red who calls himself, Saori laughs aloud where everyone watches him acting weirdly. "This is a lock in win for me. Go, Chimchar." Opposing Snivy, is an old adversary, Chimchar who appears to be ready to take revenge. "I have the first move then. Snivy, close in and use Leaf Blade."

Snivy hears my command and swiftly approaches the fire monkey pokemon with her tail ready to swing at it. "Chimchar, Ember, burn that twerp to ashes!" Firing sparks of ember, Snivy quickly retreats to avoid getting hit by a super effective move. Saori insults both me and Snivy acting so cowardly, taunting me to attack recklessly. However, Snivy is one to be swayed so easily by feeble taunts like that. "Snivy, get close to Chimchar again."

Chimchar does not seem amuse by this so he just prepares to fire another Ember but is interrupted as Snivy strikes first before he can pull off the move. Saori is caught by surprise to how fast Snivy got to his pokemon. "Chimchar, on your feet. Now, Flame Wheel go!" The monkey conjures a flaming wheel as it hurls it at Snivy which I quickly lay out the next move. "Leap over it, Snivy!", everyone watch as Snivy is on a collision course with the wheel of fire until she leaps over with some flips while holding on to her tail before sticking an excellent landing. "Now, deliver a Cut right at Chimchar!", Snivy then charges her paws to deliver a sharp slash which makes Chimchar winch in pain.

Again, Saori is furious to how his attacks are not connecting, he cannot believe that we are not the same since day 1 at the initiation program. Chimchar uses Scratch at Snivy but she keeps her distance. "Snivy... She has got an idea, I see.", I decide to intergrate another tactic to her swift footwork. I instructed her to keep using Leer as she dodges to the best of her abilities. "What, Leer?! Hahaha! You think you can beat me with a moveset like Leer? Chimchar, keep striking until you get her."

After 3 and 4 times, Snivy manages to get in some effective Leer but she barely dodges in time as Chimchar is catching in on her evasion steps. "Darn you, Chimchar use Flame wheel!", he attacks again with sending another flame wheel at Snivy. "I think it is time for a new move. Snivy, use Leaf Tornado!" Snivy conjures a hurricane of leaf spiralling around with her glowing green tail. But, this is not for countering the incoming Flame wheel but to strike at Chimchar. "Now, spin along with the Leaf Tornado, move and change its course.", Snivy then nods as she puts her trust in pulling off this new move, she spins her body aling with her tail, spinning at the same frequency as the tornado and it flies above the Flame wheel and she directs it once more to launch it from above towards Chimchar who could not fathom this moveset as welm as Saori who thinks that this is all rigged.

"Face the facts, you look down on us and think you can mess with us. So, here is a lesson you won't forget. Behold, Snivy's new Wind Rush move." The attacks lands on Chimchar who tries to endure it but the previous consecutive Leer moves decreases his defence stats so the move dealt quite some damage despite the type disadvantage. Snivy thrusts the tornado and it sends Chimchar flying so far as he rolls on the ground until spirals appear on his eyes.

Everyone is awaiting the referree's call as he announces the results. "Chimchar is unable to battle. Snivy wins. Which means the victor for this is the pokemon trainer William." Everyone enjoys the battle and gives a round of applause. Most of the credit goes to Snivy for pulling off that new move like a pro. "Snivy, you did us all proud." As Saori is shaken by this what he thinks as a humiliating defeat, he quickly leaves the area, muttering to himself as he takes his fallen Chimchar to the centre.

But, it seems that it is not over as the other trainer who is Saori's close friend, challenges me next. "Don't think you can celebrate over a fluke. You are fighting me next!" I would like to have another battle and my pokemon could not agree more. "Sure! I'll take you on and be sure to tell your friend, to keep his promise." We are about to duel until a familiar voice rudely interrupts us, "What a pathetic display for that loser and as for you, William, you are nothing but a one trick pony."

Everyone including us trainers turn to the voice and it is none other than the dominating trainer in our cohort, Aether. "Aether, still up to no good huh?", I whisper to myself. It looks like things are getting a whole lot messy around here.