Chapter 1

"Rai? Can you come here a moment?"

The Pikachu glanced toward where the voice was coming from. Standing in the doorway was an Espeon. His pink fur seemed to glow in the dim light from the torches that lined the walls. Violet eyes stared back at the Electric-type, waiting.

"Y-Yes sir..."

The mouse rose to his paws, heading over to the feline. The Psychic-type looked down at him, not saying another word. He turned, heading out of the room, and the rodent trailed behind him. He lifted a light golden paw, gripping the dark blue bandanna with a lighter blue star in the center. His heartbeat thundered against his chest as he wondered what was going to happen.

What did Sarrius want to talk about? Was he going to kick him out of the guild? Something like this was going to happen at some point, it was only a matter of time. Eyes followed the duo as they made their way down the hallway. Every step took them closer to the Guildmaster's office, and to a fate unknown.

The Pikachu swallowed thickly, keeping his head low as he walked. Shushed voices reached his ears, some were curious, others were snarky remarks. It was all the same at the end of the day. The mouse dropped his ears to his head, trying to drown everything out.

"Come inside Rai."

Rai looked up, seeing Sarrius standing with the door open to the office. The mouse hurried inside, wanting to be away from prying eyes. The Espeon shut the door once he entered, moving to sit at his desk. The Pikachu made his way over, sitting down on one of the three cushions in the room. He idly fiddled with his scarf, green eyes glued to the floor.

"How are you doing today?"

He glanced at the feline, eyebrows knotted together. Sarrius watched him, violet gaze meeting emerald. A flicker of an ear caught his attention, the swaying of the forked tail. The mouse swallowed.

"Okay."

The Guildmaster hummed lightly, and the rodent shrank in on himself. He looked back down at the floor, paws gripping tighten on the item around his neck. His heart rate beat rapidly as he let out small quick breaths.

"Rai, you know you can tell me if anything is bothering you."

The Pikachu focused on trying to contain his breathing. He closed his eyes, inhaling and exhaling a few times, allowing his body to relax and his heart to slow.

"N-Nothing is w-wrong, sir..." he said.

Sarrius cocked his head to the side. "Are you certain? If something is troubling you, I will deal with it."

"I'm... I'm fine, Sarrius."

"Rai, I know things haven't been well since the accident but—"

Rai flinched at the mention of the event that he hated. Sarrius stopped, a sigh leaving him. The Esepon rose from his seat, moving over to the Pikachu, a paw coming to rest on his shoulder.

"I know that things have been hard for you," the Psychic-type said, tone softening. "But I'm here for you. I'm not just your Guildmaster Rai, I'm your friend. Your..."

"I-I know..." the Electric-type spoke, cutting him off, saving him from having to continue. "I know, Sarrius..."

He sighed a second time, drawing his paw from the Pikachu. "If nothing is bothering you, then we can move onto what I called you in here for."

The Pikachu stiffened, paws gripping the bandanna so tightly he thought he was going to tear through it. All he had done to try to calm himself down was for null. Sarrius placed his paw back onto the Pikachu, an act of comfort.

"Easy there Rai. You're not in trouble. Calm down..."

Rai took more deep breaths, trying to get it under control. The Espeon did what he could to help him, voice soft and gentle. Soon enough, the mouse relaxed in his hold. The feline didn't move back this time, keeping a paw on him.

"Feeling better now?"

He nodded.

"I'm glad. Now, what I wanted to ask is, how has finding a team gone?"

That was it? That was what he wanted to talk to him about? Rai chewed his lip, green eyes glanced away. Sarrius checked up on his progress at finding a team whenever he got the chance. How long was it going to be until he grew tired of waiting and kicked him out of the guild?

What good was he if he couldn't help? He was just taking up space that could be used for someone else. Why did he bother asking anymore? He already knew the answer. It was a waste of time, just like he was. He was convinced he did everything out of pity, much like the rest of the Pokémon in the village.

"The same," Rai said. "Like always."

"Don't give up. You'll find a team soon enough, Rai."

He wanted to laugh. Him finding a team? That was never going to happen at this rate. Who would want to be on a team with him? He was weak. Worthless. A disgrace. They were right about him. Always had been, too. Now, he was seeing it for himself.

"If you say so..." the Pikachu muttered.

"I can try to see if I can find a rookie team to place you on," Sarrius said. "Would you like that?"

Would he? It sounded like a dream. Too good to be true. He knew that Sarrius was trying. The Esepon was doing his best to help him out and allow him to be a full member of the Lune Guild. Rai couldn't thank him enough for all that he had, and was, doing for him. He owed a lot to the guildmaster.

Before he could say anything, the doors opened up to reveal Sarrius' second in command. The Psychic-type looked up, a bit surprised to see the Lucario, standing there. The Espeon glanced back at the Pikachu.

"We'll have to continue this later. Think about my offer, okay?"

Rai nodded, standing up before he left the room, leaving the duo alone. It could have gone much worse, but the mouse was already beat. The Pikachu sighed, handing back to his room to rest up. It wasn't like he had anything else to do any the moment anyway.

He went back to his room, and curled up on the cushion. He pulled the bandanna closer to himself, as he drifted off to sleep.

Rai sighed as he hung around the Guild. Without a team to go with him, he wasn't allowed to go on missions. No one wanted to form a rescue team with him, so he had no choice but to help out around the Lune Guild. Sarrius sent him off into town to gather some supplies that were running low, to which he accepted.

The lonely Pikachu made his way out of the underground Guild to the surface. He headed into town to get what was needed. Every Pokémon already knew who he was, given how he grew up in Daybreak Village his whole life. That, and he was the son of two world-wide famous members of the Lune Guild.

Former ones, that is. His father had been murdered on a mission about a year ago, not long after he evolved into a Pikachu. No one knew who did the act. It was one big mystery. His mother left soon after, and shortly after her, so did his older sister. He was alone in the world. Sarrius took over being the new Guild master once his friend was killed, and the Espeon had taken the broken mouse under his paw, treating him like a son.

News of what happened spread quickly through the village. Pokémon took pity on him, looking at him with saddened faces, and some with disgust. His family was well-known, and the Pikachu was letting them down, even after they were gone. He ended up joining the Guild to do what he vowed ever since he was a Pichu.

Save and help the less fortunate. He wanted to make the world a better and safer place for all, and he wasn't about to break his promise to his father, even though he was long gone. The only thing left to remember him by was the dark blue bandana with a lighter blue star in the center. He had been given it when he evolved. It was his treasured item. He never went anywhere without it.

Rai had been given a team to join, so he could do his wish. Only problem was, the team he had been placed on was abusive. They didn't care about saving the world or helping others. They only wanted to get stronger, and evolve as quickly as possible. The Pikachu wanted none of that, so the team often turned their target practice onto him.

He was bullied by them. Beaten, attacked, tormented, daily by those he should have been able to trust. They broke him down to where he was shy and timid, afraid of his own shadow. His confidence and self-worth didn't exist anymore. Shattered and ground into dust. They even went so far as to get him to forcefully become a Raichu against his will, but he always escaped before they could get him to touch the Thunderstone.

After so long of the abuse, Rai worked up the courage to ask to be removed from the team. Sarrius did so without second thought, having heard and seen the torture the Pikachu went through. The only reason the Espeon hadn't stepped in to stop it himself, was because he wanted the Pikachu to do it himself. He was never prouder of his adoptive son.

The team got their punishment as well. They had been removed from the Guild, never allowed back, or be part of a team again. They were pissed, of course, and vowed to have their revenge. No Pokémon had seen them since that day, though the Electric-type feared they'd come back and have vengeance on him for what he did.

Rai pushed the spiraling thoughts to the back of his mind, not wanting to have them overwhelming him like always. As he reached the market, he came to a stop. His ears perked up, straining to hear a sound. It was faint, but he heard it. There was a cry coming from Berry Forest. Looking around, no one else seemed to notice or hear the wail.

He glanced back to where the scream was coming from. He knew he wasn't allowed out without a team, but he couldn't ignore a call for help. That went against everything he vowed to do. Sarrius would understand, the mouse knew. He was doing good, even if he was putting himself at risk going out alone.

With that thought in mind, the Pikachu dropped onto all fours, racing toward Berry Forest.

Welp, there you guys have it, the start of our story. We get to meet our first main character, Rai. Next up, we'll meet our second main character, then the thrid chapter, our final one. They'll all meet up in Berry Forest. So that'll have to wait until chapter four. Gonna introduce you all to the main trio of course.

Anyway, hope you guys liked it. I'll see you all soon.

Bye for now! Stay safe and take care!