Hey everyone! I must say I never expected so much attention to this story! I am so honored that you are giving it a shot and I refuse to let you guys or myself down. this chapter is a bit longer than the last two so I am happy about that! And I finally showed a different point of view, yay for diversity! Also a little bit more humor in this chapter! Have fun with that.

"Well what do you know, you did good kid, not bad at all, your Solosis came out of the transition with her psychic powers optimized and is in prime physical condition with none of the usual concerns this change brings." Well, that's a relief to hear, we are once again at the Pokemon center with the same Nurse as before.

"I am pleased to hear it, did you happen to lose another bet?" The Nurse gave me a rather victorious smirk before posing with a finger in the air.

"Nope! I win twenty bucks! Take that Laurence you smug bastard!"

"Who's Laurence?"

"My supervisor, he thought that you would slack off." Seriously!? What the hell is up with this center?

~Dumb people shouldn't bet against Rai-Rai! That's dumb!~ I bark out a laugh.

"What'd the blob say?" I snake my hands around Virtue as far as I can go and glare at the Nurse as I hug my giggling girl, she thought the name was funny, I didn't.

"First off her name is Virtue, not blob, and second she said it's stupid to bet against me." To my surprise, the Nurse snorted before nodding and giving me a vicious smirk.

"Yeah, it's a real sucker's bet kid." She folds her arms over her chest with that same annoying smirk on her face. "You're a lot different than what I was expecting kid. I was expecting a book smart brat with no care for their pokemon who'd blustered by on fake talent like the majority of the losers at your school. You've taken good care of her kid, and it's obvious you care for each other. I'm rooting for ya brat, don't disappoint me."

"I will strive not to let you down crazy nurse lady." This had Virtue rolling through the air laughing like mad and the Nurse merely chuckled.

"You got spunk brat, I'll give you that. Call me Delilah seeing as that's my name." She holds out her hand and I take and we exchange a firm handshake.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Crazy Delilah"

"Oi! Watch it with the 'crazy' brat!"

"Whatever you say, Bubblegum Delilah."

"Is that a jab at my hair?"

"You mean that obnoxious pink that makes me want to ask a Muk to use acid on my eyes? No, not at all."

"Hey, this is part of the uniform!"

"That does not change the fact it's hideous."

"Damn brat." She slaps me upside the head then noogies my hair. Ignoring my unfortunately rather obvious flinch.

"Well I'm clearing the two of you for combat, knock 'em dead brat."

"Will do bubblegum Delilah."

"Brat."

~Virtue!~

We're gonna knock 'em dead alright.

The rest of the day passed quickly, with Virtue and I practicing different maneuvers and strategies at the training grounds until it became dark. And while her psywaves were a bit weaker than before her control is pristine, thank Arceus. And I already notice the effects of regenerator, with a super calorie-rich diet even if she is wearing out a bit faster she also regains energy and stamina at a monstrous pace. Only needing ten minutes of rest now to recover what a full hour used to, and that's without being put in the physical stasis of a Pokeball. This will definitely be an absolute boon for training in the future. We both fall asleep promptly, and my dreams aren't very pleasant.

-I fall to my knees as I stare in horror, Virtue on the ground beaten and brutalized a machop looming over her with a sadistic grin on its face. I look up as I see Austin Dewick walk over, a spoiled rich kid who hates me and loves lording his superiority over everyone.

"Man I always knew you were pathetic, Sinclair, I mean your so worthless you couldn't even train your pokemon right. You don't deserve to be a trainer. Your nothing." Austin looks around at the other students who spectate with glee. "Say it with me everyone! Nothing, Nothing! Nothing! NOTHING! NOTHING! NOTHING! Noth-"

~Rai-Rai wake up!~I bolt awake covered in sweat, panting hard as Virtue looks on in concern.

~Are you okay Rai?~ I rub the top of her head(Well the top of her gel but that sounds stupid) and smile.

"I'm fine V. I just had a bad dream, I'm a little nervous about the fact we might be battling today. I am worried it might not go well." And that is true, I worry about things all the time, no matter how people see me, emotionless, fearless, confident… No matter how much of that I portray I am human, I feel fear.

~No need to worry! We're a team, if we fail we'll just try harder.~ Heh. That's right isn't it, I've felt so useless and afraid so many times. And so many times I have faced it the best I can, it's that fervor that got me into training. Work hard, harder, harder, don't give up, even if you have no one keep working until you fall apart then put yourself back together and keep going, be stubborn, screw fear, don't give up, never give up. But…. I'm not alone anymore, I have V with me, and that just makes not giving up and working past fear easier. I. Am. Not. Alone.

I smile a little as I look at my personal ray of sunshine.

"You and me are a team, aren't we. And something so small as school is gonna stop us is it?"

~Nope~

"Hey V I have a surprise for you!" She lit up in excitement.

~Really!? Show me!~ I laugh for a few seconds.

"Okay okay. Go inside your ball for a few minutes, I'll let you out when it's ready."

~Okay!~ She tackles her premier ball and it goes flying in her excitement and she gets sucked in as it falls to the floor

I chuckle as I crawl underneath my bed and grab a wrapped up a plastic box with several sets of the same outfit. My trainer uniform. You see the way it works is that even though my school has a standard set uniform when you get registered as a battle-ready Trainee you have the option to deviate it into the combat outfit that you would use to enter a tournament or contest. And since a major part of competitive training is, in fact, presenting yourself competently and creating a persona even if it is your usual self. And so the Trainer uniform is made, each well-known trainer how an outfit that they wear copies of and use to create their image. Lance and his cloak, the deceased Red and his iconic hat, Steven Stone and his pristine suit. They exude an image helped in part by their outfit.

I crafted mine with the word 'dauntless' in mind, to create an image of calm and fearlessness. I wanted it to be a mask, to be my armor. And it works….. I think. It also scares the crap out of me. My arms and legs are covered in scars from gashes, pockmarks, white line cuts, and uneven skin, it's an ugly patchwork from years of recklessness and not enough proper care to prevent them. I am used to hiding them, no one, not even my family has seen me without long sleeve shirts and pants, because I was afraid they see that and look at me like I was damaged (not that they don't already). But I've realized. All good warriors have battle scars, and they show them off. I want to be a warrior.

My uniform consists of a skin-tight muscle shirt covered by a tight-fitting short sleeved black hoodie with a Pokeball symbol over the middle of the chest. I really enjoy the large pocket the hoodie provides, it is easy to keep my hands in and provides for a fast draw of small things I can put in there. Potions, pokeballs, knives, brass knuckles. You know, the good stuff. One thing I thought was clever was making sure the hoody was intentionally a few inches too short and in that space I put a black Pokeball holder belt in which an empty Pokeball with a fire symbol laid on it, I plan on keeping Virtue's Pokeball hidden in my pocket as a logical ruse. My lower half is similar in the sense that I have knee-length compression shorts that show underneath a pair of slightly shorter black and red basketball shorts. And I am just wearing a pair of regular black tennis shoes. And fingerless gloves to finish the look.

I look in the mirror hanging off my door, and honestly? I look creepy. My hair is wild and untamed as usual with the color having gotten to an even paler red than before, it went down to my chin with dark sapphire blue eyes peeking out from in between falling locks. And my scars stood out starkly against my already pale skin from lack of sun exposure, and with no expression on my face, I almost looked like a horror movie survivor. I let a shaky grin slide onto my face, this was what I was aiming for I guess.

I grabbed V's premier ball and pressed the release button. When she fully rematerialized I spread out my arms and let her take in my appearance.

"So? What do you think?"

~You look so cool! Like a super tough guy! I love it! You look like you could beat up anyone!~ I admittedly blushed a little and scratched my head.

"Thanks, I was hoping you would like it." It seems like Virtue takes after me in loving all things tough and scary. I mean look a Tyranitars! So adorable, I mean who couldn't love those adorable scaly green babies that could demolish cities! Also, I want one. "Now let's head down and get something to eat before heading out."

~Yay! Breakfast!~

I put her premier ball in my hoodie pocket and we head down the stairs in a decidedly good mood. When we enter the kitchen Jonah, Charlotte, and Father(I try to call him dad… But it is difficult. Father is usually easier less personal) are all already at the table eating breakfast, and they do not pay much attention to me as I get out Virtue's food and make sure to put a few extra calorie bars and berries for her, she is going to need them for today. I sit and eat without much fuss from them except an absent-minded greeting, which I return. And when Virtue and I are finished I clean the dishes and put them away, as my back is turned Father gives a strangled gasp.

"What the hell happened to your arms!? And your legs!" My heartbeat speeds up, but I refuse to panic. I can feel V sending me comforting thoughts and it bolsters me. I turn around and look down at my arms and shrug.

"They've been like this for years." My father stands up and exudes shock.

"And we've never seen them before why?" Wow, nice parent voice.

"You've seen my arms and legs before."

"When you were five! This is way worse!"

"They were still bad then. So why care now?" The man visibly flinches and runs a shaky hand down his face before he looks at me again, and looks me straight in the eyes, something he has been avoiding. I am surprised to see how much pain and shame lay in his dark red eyes.

"I made a mistake back then, many of them, and I regret them. A lot. I don't want to make the same mistakes I did then. So please, please tell me why you hid them." I just hold back a full body flinch. I don't think I have ever heard him sound so sincere. And he has never addressed what happened back then, he has always skirted past it and tried to ignore it. So for him to man up and talk about, and nearly beg….. It's surprising, to say the least. But still, I am hesitant to say anything, sure he says wants to do better and change, but what if he doesn't.

~I think you should tell him Rai.~ I whip my head to stare at Virtue in shock, all pretense of uncaring forgotten. It is unexpected to hear Virtue say that, and also not. When I showed her my memories I showed her everything. Every single memory and every single thought attached. She knows me just as well as I know myself, if not better.

~Why?! You saw what he did!? What if he leaves again, what if he hurts me again?~

~He wants to do better! He is asking and facing it, he is trying to fix it. And it will never happen unless you try and fix it too. And if he does then he clearly hasn't learned anything.~

~I don't know if I can, I can't trust him. Besides what if they'll hate me? What if I ruin everything?~ Virtue floats to my side and nuzzles me lightly.

~I know you got hurt Rai. Really really bad. But if you never try then you'll just keep hurting, give yourself a chance to open up, to be cared for. And don't overthink it, this doesn't need to guarantee anything, all it is is a chance. Besides even if you can't trust him you trust me right? I think you should try.~ I sigh and smile fondly down at her as I rubbed her head. I switch to speaking out loud.

"How'd you get so smart?"

~Books~

"Then how am I not as smart as you?"

~Because.~ I barked out a laugh. Before sighing and facing the confused couple standing a few feet away from me.

"I am not comfortable with other people seeing them." The older man's face filled with confusion.

"Then why are you showing them now?" I was about to answer but Charlotte beat me to it, putting a hand on my father's shoulder as she looks at me with a small, knowing smile.

"Your wearing them like battle scars aren't you." It was made as a statement, not a question. I gave a nod as a I let a small amount of surprise show on my face. She smirked at my unsaid question.

"I knew you'd begin battling at your school soon but I didn't know if you would choose to pick a trainer uniform or stick with the usual. But when you decide on one it should always have meaning." She motioned at her own attire which was (grudgingly) admittedly badass. She dressed reminiscent of an old fashioned stage magician with her white dress shirt, black bowtie, and waistcoat with extra long coattails and pure white gloves, and combat boots. She cuts an imposing figure at just over 6ft with waist long straight black hair pulled into a neat and uniform ponytail and her steel grey eyes framed by black wire glasses. And when in a battle she usually carries a long black staff with her.

"I chose my outfit to pay homage to the battling style I built my team around, never revealing my secrets and my team is made of illusionists never showing our opponents the truth. And with your's, you decided to reveal your arms and legs and maximize practicality and mobility in the other places. Those clothes are reinforced and tear proof right?" I nod. "Thought so, your school goes through the same supplier the gym does."

She looks at me appraisingly. "Tell me, what do you dislike about yourself appearance wise?" Damn she's not screwing around is she? Well since I am already trying to share and she seems to have figured it out already might as well share. Also, it is unnerving as hell that she is figuring all this out so fast when she never said anything to me before. I had no idea she was this smart… Damn, she is a magician.

"I dislike when people stare at my scars, it always causes them to make assumptions, to judge or pity me without even really thinking. I very much so dislike my eyes, most people tend to flinch when they look in them, and they are rather unappealing to me. I am far too skinny, I feel like I look emaciated. And lastly my hair, so many people see the color and automatically associate me with the rather disproportionate amount of famous trainers with red hair."

"And yet you put all of those things to the forefront didn't you? You're making yourself push past your insecurities because you don't want to be chained down by them, do you? Your trying to be strong aren't you?" She got down on her knees and looked me in the eyes, a strange look of pride sparkling on her face and resounding in her voice.

"You're doing your best not to be dragged down and be strong, you don't want to be dragged down by your pain anymore do you. That's what your Uniform is, isn't it? You're a fighter that doesn't stop or give up, no matter the scars, pain or injuries you keep going always forward, and never accepting defeat. I am happy that you are trying to move on. " She suddenly wraps her arms around me and by extension Virtue (luckily she isn't being crushed). I tense up hard. Hard enough my muscles ache, and I tried to squirm out her grip as hard as I can while Virtue frantically sends feelings of safety and calm and relaxation. It doesn't work until I wrench my way out of the grip, panting hard, my body still tense as I back up a few feet until I am out of reach. She looks at me forlornly as I clutch Virtue.

"You haven't been cared for in a long, long time. Too long, when is the last time you were hugged?"

I bite it out through clenched teeth. "I was four. I… apologize….. I have minimal experience with human physical contact… I am not comfortable with being touched…"

Charlotte stands as she sighs and runs a hand through her hair. "I know I know. Sorry kid I jumped the gun there. I've been ignoring the fact that you need time and trying to rush things. I am not used to being a parent and you have no experience being a child, do you? You do not feel like a child so it is unfair to treat you like one. But can we try? You know, to open up to each other. You've been pushing all of us away and while I don't blame you we do want to be there for you. So will you give us a chance to try and be there for you? Please?"

I grimace before nodding hesitantly, I already came this far trying to open up. Even if it doesn't work out I'll at least be able to take pride in the fact that I gave it a whirl. Probably.

"I can't give a guarantee you'll get what you want out of this, but I will give it effort. So…. Baby steps? " She gives me a small smile.

"Baby steps. But you do have to go to the doctor, no ifs ands or buts." I groan but nod anyway, it isn't as big a deal since they've already seen the scars. I look at the clock on the wall.

"It looks like I have got to go, I hope you all have a nice day. And Charlotte I would like your help on something this afternoon if you would be agreeable." She readily consents before they bid me farewell. I grab my stuff before heading out with Virtue recalled and safely nestled in my pocket. I walk briskly on autopilot as my thoughts drift. I start to hum lightly to fill the silence. It's maybe ten minutes away from the school when Virtue speaks up from her ball.

~Rai?~I respond telepathically but do not stop humming.

~Yeah V?~

~I'm proud of you, I hope you know that. Your trying your best and it's great!~ D'awww Virtue always melts my heart, and it feels so genuine when she says something. For a being so young and cheerful, she is breathtakingly wise.

~Thanks V, I appreciate it. I am grateful for your help and your nudge earlier. I don't think I could've tried if you weren't there. And I am proud of you too, you have been training yourself ragged and it has really paid off, we are going to do great today~

~Yep!~ I really can't describe how blessed I am to have Virtue as my starter, I have a closer bond with her than I would've thought I could've gotten with anything. I was most certainly right on one thing it seems. Pokemon are partners you can trust with everything.

We reach the school shortly and I walk to my classroom ignoring the stares and whispers that follow me. When I enter I sit down and gather my supplies for the first lesson (Math). It takes more willpower than I would like to admit to not fidget or move to cover my scars as most of the people in the class stared at me. They quiet down when the teacher comes in, a portly ginger-haired man whose name I can never remember. Z something. So I just call him Teacher Zed(at least in my head. Oh god that rhymed. Kill me now before it spreads. Yes Virtue I know you heard that, now quit giggling I am trying to be dramatic), he is rather apathetic when it comes to, well, just about everything in general. He takes role slowly, as each person in class stands up one at a time and sits down when he moves on to the next name, as per usual.

"Orion Sinclair." I stand and do not flinch as the teacher looks at me and falters slightly in surprise before clearing his throat.

"I presume that this is your Battle Uniform then?" I nod slightly, keeping my face and voice passive( a feat far easier here than at home).

"That is correct sir." Some of the class snicker at my stiff tone, whatever. Let them.

"Very well then, you may sit down." The rest of the period passes without fanfare, I make my way out of class as swiftly as possible without running or showing panic, I manage to avoid the usual group of people who try to heckle me. Though they did put more effort in than usual, no doubt to try and give me grief over my attire. Screw that. The next three classes did not go quite as smoothly. Each teacher had various level of shock and horror at the reveal of my scars, each held me after class and one particularly righteous teacher had to be talked down from calling the police to report child abuse. This was equal parts funny, awkward, and slightly endearing. Mrs. Harrison you are officially my favorite teacher I will do my best to pay more attention in your class (Though Wilderness Survival class is admittedly fun so no problem there).

The last class of the day is Battling, and before class starts the teacher, a towering man named Mr. Tankersley who insists on being called "Tank", pulls me to the side.

"Nice outfit Sinclair, now down to business, your profile says you're cleared for battle now but I need to know if you're ready for it, I have something big planned that involves a lot of battling and it will be recorded and posted. That all right for you." Hot diggity donphan, posted? They usually only do that for tournaments or league official battle!

"I'm in." He gives a smile and roars out a laugh.

"That's the spirit Sinclair, knew I could count you in for this! Now get in line!" I do so as he calls the roll. Of course, the person standing next to me is Dewick, the utter grandstanding daddy's boy and the most vocal of the bullies. He cannot resist getting a few lines in.

"You look like a freak Sinclair." How original.

"You say that essentially every day. I am struggling to see how that is new."

"Say all the crap you want weirdo but you look even more like a psycho than before. I guess you're just accepting your true nature." How humorous.

"And if you think that I am as you say 'a psycho' it would be quite foolish for you to be trying to actively antagonize me. One could say you are acting stupidly suicidal, now what would poor daddykins think hmm?"

"Don't bring my dad into this freak! And what the hell does antbatgoknives even mean?" Before I had the chance to gleefully tear open that can of wurmples coach Tank begins to address us.

"Listen up trainees! I've got big news today, we have received a generous donation from Devon Corp. This donation includes the funds to do a tournament for our first-year trainees, so I bet you can figure out what we're gonna do!" The class devolves into a chaos of shouts and screams filled with excitement. And I can feel Virtue's ball practically vibrating excitement, and her cheering happily in my mind.

"Settle down Trainees" The class settled down unusually fast, showing their obvious eagerness.

"The rewards will be revealed after the fact, but believe me, they are very, very nice. Now everyone get to the bleachers and wait while I set up the fields, when that's over I will reveal the matchings for the first round." Everyone quickly sat down and waits impatiently, Dewick is so excited he even forgets to try and insult me. I decide to occupy the time with some quick mental math. So there are 32 students in this class that are battle ready, including me, so if this is done in a standard tournament format there should be 4 brackets of 8 students for the first 3 rounds and then the winner of each bracket becomes a semifinalist. I think…. Yeah, it adds up.

And damn I am good, Tank has split the training area into four battlefields, A, B, C, and D. I get put in group B, and it looks like my opponent is a black hair grumpigtail wearing girl with glasses named Harriet, we will be the second match in group B.

"It sucks I won't be the one to beat you down freak, but I bet that anyone could destroy a loser like you." Ah, Dewick as lovely as always.

"Wow, how sad your life must be if the most important thing you can think of is to insult me I can almost feel bad for you. Almost." Dewick, as always gets red in the face and moves towards me in an attempt at being threatening. As usual I don't respond and before he can try anything he is called forth to be the first to battle for group D, if we do battle it wouldn't be until the finals. How…. main character like.

"You're just making it harder on yourself you know." I turn around and see Harriet, I am surprised to see her talking to me, she usually keeps her distance like everyone else, partially because Dewick targets anyone who gets near me. I do not let anything show on my face.

"How so?" Harriet gives a pout and puts her hands on her hips.

"Most people just roll over and give Austin what he wants, you're the only one that's not afraid of him, he hates you for that."

"Okay? And you're telling me this why?" She scowls and gets closer pushing a finger into my chest that I quickly slap away.

"Because if I lose to you and someone else beats you Austin will start messing with me. So you have to lose to me! Pleeaaseee?" Oh hell no.

"How about instead I beat you and everyone else including Dewick, that way he has no reason to go after you." It came out more as a statement than anything. Harriet just smirks and steps back.

"Sounds like a plan, IF you can beat me Ryan."

"Orion."

"Whatever!"

"Sinclair, Potter! You're both up!"

We stand across from each other looking out over the simple dirt battlefield, and one thing crosses my mind.

"Wait your name is Harriet Potter? Copyright much?"

"Screw Rowling I came first!"

"Fair enough."

"You'll both send out at the same time, this will be a one on one the person with the last pokemon standing wins. On your marks" I take Virtue's Pokeball out of my pocket drawing more than a few raised eyebrows.

"Get set."

~You ready V?~

~Born ready Rai!~ I let a feral grin slid on my face.

"Release!"

"Virtue front and center./Hedwig rip em apart!" Holy shit… She has a Hoothoot named Hedwig. Why the hell isn't she at Hogwarts. Harriet stares at Virtue before turning to the older student working as a ref.

"Soooo, do I win by default?" The ref sighs, clearly questioning his life choices, before answering.

"Why?"

"His pokemon isn't standing. Mine is, the last one standing. I win."

"It doesn't work like that!"

"Damnit. Eh, worth a shot." I but in.

"No, it wasn't. Can we start now?" The ref gives another sigh.

"Yeah. Hurry it up. Begin!"

~You remember the plan V?~

~Yep! Let's win this!~ Let's win this.

"Yo Sidney come look at this!" Sidney Sinclair stands up from where he had been grooming his Mightyena. Honestly, what could Phoebe want now? He walks to the common room for the elite four (apprentices included) and was surprised to find the Steven, Drake, Glacia, and Phoebe. Moore and Silvia (the fire and bug masters respectively) were out on a mission, so to find everyone else sitting in the same room at the same time was odd.

"What's this about?" Phoebe grins mischievously, an act which the Banette on her head mimicked.

"We've got something cool on, come sit!" She pats the seat next to her, and Sidney, far too used to his fellow Elite four apprentice sits down mildly apprehensive. He takes a second to look at the TV and is confused to see a minor school tournament for Sinnoh on.

"Why are we watching this?" Glacia sends him a glare and slaps his knee.

"Hush child, it's about to get interesting." He grumbles and sees that the second match for bracket B is about to start, and when he sees the participants his eyes widen.

"Ori-" Glacia slaps his leg again, harder this time.

"Quiet, watch!" And watch he does.

He is honestly surprised, he didn't even know his little brother had gotten a pokemon yet. And what the hell happened to his skin!? Fucking hell he knew the kid had scars but not that he looked like he got slammed through a meat grinder. Phoebe speaks up.

"It's official, your little brother looks way more badass than you do." She…. Might have a point, the kid looks intimidating as hell for his age, even more terrifying than the little monster used to. He looks like he's ready to kick ass.

"His opponent on the other hand, not so much." He agreed with Glacia, who the hell wears a pink ball gown to a battle? ( In Hearthome city a gym leader sneezed feeling oddly offended.)

The battle starts and they release their pokemon and his little brother sends out one of those weird blobby psychics from Unova, a Solosis he thinks, and a pretty damn big one at that. It is marginally bigger than girls Hoothoot. Steven speaks up.

"This is his first battle ever so pay attention."

"How do you know this?"

"I checked his profile, I got curious." Of course, everything happens because Steven gets curious. And then the match starts and even though it is extremely simple and completely amateurish for an elite level battler, Orion is good. Like super good, he is leagues better than Sidney was during his first battle.

Orion is in control the entire time as he stands in his trainer circle still as death with his blue eyes burning menacingly from under his hair, most likely that brightness psychic communication. His Solosis doesn't get hit once, dodging every wing attack and peck sent it's way by less than an inch, seemingly waiting for something. And after one of the attempted attacks, the circular bird stumbles as it lands, panting hard. Immediately, like a Sharpedo smelling blood, his brother strikes. A surprisingly powerful (for a first-time battler) psywave erupts from the psychic and hits the bird in the back sending it careening through the air, or it should have. The Solosis grabs it in a show of psychic power and slams it to the ground hard. The Ref calls it and the girl pouts, calling back her pokemon and glaring at Orion and yelling that he better win or else. To which Orion merely nods.

Sidney can only watch in disbelief as his brother continues to demolish his opponents with contemptuous ease in the third and second rounds, with his Pokemon looking refreshed each time it came out the Pokeball (Steven said it had the regenerator ability, whatever that is), landing him a spot in the finals. A small intermission is brought up before. There is a brief moment of silence before Drake the dragon master speaks up for the first time.

"Why does your brother look like an army veteran? He even has the eyes of one."

All Sidney could do is shrug. "Don't know, he always came home bleeding or covered in scratches or something, I don't really know the kid." Drake frowns even more than usual.

"Didn't anyone care for them? They shouldn't have scarred up that severely, he also looks underweight and slightly malnourished." Sidney can feel his cheeks heat up in shame.

"We usually all just left him alone, he did his own thing and stayed out of trouble, so we let him be." He is promptly slapped on the face by Phoebe.

"Are you kidding me?! That's neglect you asswipe, and stayed out of trouble? If he stayed out of trouble he wouldn't be looking like he had sex with a cheese grater!"

"Phoebe!"

"What, tell me I'm wrong Glacia!"

"While this is a fascinating conversation the final is going start soon." Steven calmly interjects with all the poise the champion is known for.

I am quite intrigued on as to how young Orion will handle himself, he has thus far proven to be extraordinarily competent for such an inexperienced battler." Steven then leveled a piercing look at Sidney.

"And believe me, after this is over we will be discussing Sidney's rather unusual family situation at length." Sidney paled as the rest smirked rather viciously.

"I'm going to wipe the floor with you freak!" Everyone's attention turned sharply to the screen as they saw a brown haired boy glaring at Orion from across the field. Sidney's brother merely stared impassively, seemingly unbothered by the cruel term.

"What the hell, does the kid think he can get away with saying that in a league monitored battle."

"Considering his father Declan Dewick owns a rather ludicrous breeding business most likely." Of course, Steven would know something like that. It all went to hell in a handbasket after the two released their pokemon. Orion his Solosis, and that Dewick kid sent out an impressively muscled Machop, most likely specially bred and given to the kid by his father.

"Man, that pokemon is uglier than you freak! I can't wait to tear it apart!" Various exclamations of outrage rang out through the room. Sidney was pissed, he can't believe it, yelling insults and threats like that is super inappropriate, and targeting his brother like that? Not cool.

"Just for that? I'm going to take this seriously." Sidney shivered at the dead voice that left his brothers mouth as those haunting blue eyes seemed to try and set the world on fire. This, this is what terrifies him, that predator that lives under his brother's skin that only pops out when it's ready to hunt, and attack and tear up the world. He doesn't blame the other kid for paling slightly, but he does deserve what's coming.

Orion seems to relax his body completely, sitting down gracefully with his legs crossed and his hands in his pockets. The picture of serenity, if it wasn't for the hellfire burning in his blue eyes one could almost think he was relaxing. To Sidney, he looked like one an Arbok sunning while waiting for its prey to get close so he could pounce. And as soon as the battle begins pounce he does.

There is none of the patience and careful conservation of energy that was shown in the previous battle. The Solosis strikes hard and fast without giving the Machop a chance to react, lifting it high and throwing it in a show of force, it's trainer too shocked to react. The Solosis gets over the Machop as it falls and unleashes a psywave of much greater strength than before and the Machop gets is propelled into the ground with a crash. Leaving an indent. The machop manages to get up after that, a true credit to its breeding, while it's trainer merely screams profanity behind it. The Machop ran forward with its fist glowing and cocked in a telltale pose for a brick break. Before it could even get close the Solosis gave an angry cry and instead of the psywave it had been using a more focused and obviously more powerful psybeam shot out and slammed into the poor fighting type and sent it flying. It landed on the ground in an undignified heap, it landed in an undignified heap. Unable to get back up again.

The match is called and the other kid flips out some more before returning his pokemon and stomping. The Solosis floats over to Orion shakily, that aggressive show of psychic power obviously took a lot out of the inexperienced pokemon. And once again Sidney is shocked, his little brother scoops the pokemon into a crushing hug and spins it around laughing in joy and beaming in pride. It is a complete change from the dangerously stoic persona he had shown before, he looks so much younger.

It hurts Sidney, eats him up inside when he thinks, really thinks about his little brother. How he had no one to rely on, how he never reached out because no one ever reached out to him, how he never really experienced anyone having pride in him or was never given a parent's love. How Sidney (his older brother for Arceus' sakes) essentially abandoned him when he could have helped. He should have, he regrets it with every breath he breathes that he didn't go after his brother that night when he first realized the truth. That his little brother was alone. He should have gone after him or done something t make it better, to reach out! To fix his mistakes. But he didn't, he was a coward.

Not anymore.

"Hey, Steven when my apprenticeship is over can I take a few months in Sinnoh?" Everyone in the room gave him knowing looks while Steven merely smirked.

"That can be arranged, if I am not mistaken your brother will be twelve then and probably ready for his third pokemon.." Oh no. No no no no no.

"What are you planning Steven?" Steven gives the look. And Sidney shudders, that look only means trouble.

"Nothing major, but that trip sounds like a marvelous idea! In fact so marvelous I do believe that I will be coming with you, I would love to meet your fascinating little brother." His crazy super smart boss is meeting his crazier just as smart little brother who hates his guts…. It's official, in two years Sidney Sinclair is fucked.

"We won! We won! You were so amazing V! I can't believe we won! I'm so proud of you! And holy crap did you see that psybeam! That was so col! We have got to train that asap! Your offensive power is gonna skyrocket!"

~You're rambling again Rai.~ I blush and take deep breaths of the cool afternoon air as I walk home, Virtue floating right beside me, completely rejuvenated after a visit to the schools Nurse Joy.

"Sorry can't help it. I'm just really pumped from winning, it really feels like our hard work actually means something ya know?"

~I get it Rai! We ruled today! Did you see me send that make that Mareep fly! It thought it was a flying type for a second!~ I laugh slightly at the memory of that battle, how the Mareep and it's trainer made it to the third round is a mystery.

"Yeah, that was rather spectacular. And the prizes we got are fantastic too." Seriously, Devin Corp. didn't scrimp on the prizes, at first place we won three thousand Poke, two vouchers for low tier reusable TMs and a everstone! Every single one of those is a fantastic award for a newbie trainee, especially that everstone! They are ridiculously beneficial for the early development for pokemon, letting them milk the most growth possible out of every stage before eventually leading to a super well-rounded pokemon.

~Hey Rai, why did you ask Charlotte for help this morning?~

"Simple, Charlotte is an expert of ghost type pokemon and moves, logically speaking it would be foolhardy not to ask for her help in finetuning your confuse ray."

~So she's gonna help us get stronger?~

"Yep," Surprisingly I am looking forward to spending time with her. At least to learn from her.

I now have a healthy fear of magicians. They are frickin monsters.

The moment we began training with her she brought out a ghastly she's apparently had for about a year and told us to battle it without her giving it any directions. It was a massacre, I wasn't expecting a win by any means but any ego I had been building from the battle today was crushed remorselessly.

Her ghastly is a nightmare to battle, it kept turning intangible and moving in erratic and unexpected patterns, constantly heckling Virtue with mild hexes licks and astonishes not giving a moment's reprieve. And just when we thought we had an opening it turned out to be a trap that gave us a shadow ball to the face and several minutes waiting for Virtue to wake up so I could administer a super potion. She proceeded to lay out all of our strengths and weaknesses and everything we could improve on and how to do so. She also made to decision that Virtue and her Ghastly (who's name is Hyde.) would be sparring partners from now on. To mine and V's split excitement and horror that we get to practice with such a stronger pokemon to the fact that we get to get our asses kicked by a way stronger pokemon.

I also learned that we are in no way ready to try confuse ray, Charlotte says that we'd have work our buts off before she would even think about it.

Let the games begin.

7240 words.

Please if you have any feedback I would love it, thank you.

Next chapter will have a bit of a time skip as we really get into training and battling, and we see that Orion will make a few rivals! Also I am debating Rai getting his second pokemon. What do you guys think?

This chapter I am giving a shout out to Legend by DarkLordSlytherin who is a masterful storyteller.

-Nerdist out.