Here's another interlude chapter, to continue the break between rounds. Some revealing truths about someone will come out of this chapter, I hope.

KedharS: That sounds rough.

Just a Bad Writer for Fun: Ian is about right. Dokukage's room would think it would be minimalist, but because it's private, he can let his true self out, so it's filled with manga and other hobbies like anime and video games and is a complete mess. Alcea's room is very well-maintained with a lot of flowers and nicely decorated with other stuff like good furniture. And romance novels, of course. Gerard's room is filled with textbooks and gemstones. Alden, surprisingly, has a very sparse décor, it's pretty much just a normal room, even though it's pretty messy. Most notable stuff is his training gear.

Aquahaze675: Every society has its deviants.

Rus0804: That may have been targeted a little bit.

Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings

Chapter 571

Gerard stared proudly at the large "100" written at the top of his test. Not that he had any doubts, of course.

"Brilliant work, Gerard!" His teacher applauded, favoring him with a smile. "You've gotten a perfect grade on every one of your final exams! Indeed, you're an excellent student! A true prodigy if there ever was one, the first prodigy we've ever had here!"

Gerard smiled. He was a prodigy. Even among the other students at the Pokemon Technical Institute, where he attended. It was one of the highest preparatory schools in the Kalos Region, and he was their star pupil. He was already capable of working several years above his current grade, and never dropped below first in the rankings. The school went all the way up to the middle school level, and he was smarter than even them, despite just being in his fourth year.

"Yes, class, follow Gerard's example," the teacher continued, walking down the rows of desks, still praising Gerard. Gerard sat a little higher in his seat, adjusting his glasses. He was the peak of his class, no, the school, deserving of all the praise he received.

After all, no one worked harder than he did. Gerard wasn't just brilliant. He was determined. He studied hours every day, all to be the best. While his classmates were out playing in the fields and drawing pokemon, he was in his dorm room studying by flashlight. It was simple logic. Those who reached the best futures were those students that worked the hardest.

Gerard couldn't wait to come back home. Winter Break was starting, and he would be back with his family. He'd been working just as hard, no, harder than Elly ever had, and he was certain that now things would be different.

He was so proud of himself that he ignored the scornful looks from his classmates. The Pokemon Technical Institute graded on a curve, after all, and all the other students' grades were scored against his own, and found severely lacking in comparison.

On the way back to the dormitory, four of the boys in his class accosted him.

"You think you're so smart, prodigy?" Remy, the biggest boy in the fourth grade, demanded as he brought his fist up into Gerard's stomach. Gerard doubled over as the other three began to kick him, clenching his jaw and withstanding the beating.

"Every time you get a perfect score on a test, the rest of us get MORE work because you keep wrecking the curve!" One of the other boys shouted, but Gerard didn't know who. His eyes were shut tight and his hands were shielding his head from the blows.

"My parents are always telling me that I should work harder, like you," another boy hissed. "When they see my transcripts, they're going to make me study through the entire break, damn it!"

"Stupid nerd!" One of the less articulate of the four shouted next.

"Just leave! No one wants you around!"

After they'd had their fun, they let him go, but not before Remy hissed at him a warning. "Don't be so high and mighty just because you're a little better at studying. That's all you're good for, wimp!"

Gerard picked his glasses up off the ground and dusted them off, wiping his split lip. He felt sore and he would probably bruise, but he didn't mind. They just didn't understand his genius. He worked hard, like he was supposed to. He wasn't wrong, they were! He just had to work harder, that was all! If he worked hard enough, then eventually they would see that they were wrong, and they would begin working harder themselves. If they all did their best together, then they would see that he had been right the whole time, and they would accept him. Like the teacher said, he had to be an example to everyone. A little more, just a little more…

He just had to keep working harder…

Gerard's lip was pretty much healed when it was finally time for him to get picked up from school. Part of him was hoping that his mom or dad would come by, but he knew that they would probably send someone like they always did. He had learned a long time ago to measure his expectations when it came to his parents.

But who had come to pick him up instead was a shock that made a bright smile spread across his face.

"Elly!" Gerard gasped, rushing over to his older sister.

"Hey, little man." Elizabeth Alkwest was a decent amount older than her little brother, and she carried herself like a woman even though she was only 16. She reached down and ruffled her brother's hair, the same brown color as her own, though hers was significantly longer and pulled back into a ponytail.

"You're the one who's coming to pick me up?" Gerard asked. He peeked behind her. If Elly was here, then there was a good chance his folk had come as well! But he couldn't see anyone.

"Yep," Elly said. "I'm driving now, after all. Mom said not to bother, but I couldn't help but want to see my little brother as soon as possible!"

Gerard followed his sister over to her car, which was bright and shiny and new, a bright pink that matched her necklace. It was a foreign model that had cost a fortune, but as rich as their family was it had been no difficulty for their parents to gift it to her for her birthday. Gerard looked at it with envy, even if it was pink. Elly always got the good presents, she was the favorite, after all.

But that was going to change today.

"How's school been going?" Elly asked as she revved up the engine. "You doing good in your classes? Making friends?"

"I'm at the top of the whole school," Gerard boasted. "No one in my class is even close! I got a perfect score on all my finals!"

"Really?" Elly asked, her eyes widening. "That's great Gerard!"

"It's nothing," Gerard said, though the proud smile on his face said otherwise. "I just put my mind to it and studied, anyone could do it as long as they worked hard."

Gerard was putting on a tough face, but really, he knew that it was pointless to brag to Elly. Gerard was smart, certainly. Because he studied his heart out, he spent hours and hours pouring over textbooks and doing practice problems because he knew that was his only chance to stand out.

Gerard was smart, but Elly was… Elly was a genius.

At his age, Elly would have been able to breeze through those tests no problem. His teacher had called Gerard a prodigy, but really, that was Elly. Elly could do anything. And as much as Gerard loved his big sister, he hated that she was so much better than him! Everything he did, he did in order to be just like her. He studied and studied so his grades could compare with hers, he learned everything there was to know about pokemon so that someday he could be an amazing trainer like she was.

And maybe if he kept working hard and showing how great he was, his parents would praise him the way they praised her.

Gerard was bounding with energy by the time Elly pulled into the driveway of their family estate in Ambrette Town. Located beside the renowned Glittering Cave that the Alkwest Family Fortune had been built on, the majestic building towered over the surrounding landscape, but Gerard didn't see it as anything other than home.

The moment the car parked, Gerard's seatbelt was off and he was out of the door, running towards the front entrance as fast as his legs could carry him, his suitcase rattling behind him as he ran. But of course, Elly was faster, and quickly overtook her little brother, stopping and turning at the door and lifting him into her arms.

"We're home!" Elly called, walking inside. The staff greeted her and she smiled politely, but really Gerard was waiting to see his mom. His report card was hot in his hands as he followed his sister into the house.

"Elizabeth! You're back already?" Genevieve Alkwest stood at the top of the staircase just past the entrance hall, her face lighting up when she saw her daughter. She quickly descended the stairs and pulled the girl into a hug.

Gerard and Elly's mother was gorgeous, even though she had started to age. Her curly brown hair was starting to take on a silvery tint underneath the hair dye, but her beauty treatments were currently winning the war fought on the battlefield of her face. She looked at Elly with bright brown eyes that sparkled like gemstones, and didn't spare even a passing glance to her son.

"It was fine, mom," Elly said, pulling back from her mom's strong hug. "Actually, Gerard-"

"Mom!" Gerard couldn't contain it any longer. He held up his report card, his face beaming with pride. "Look! I got 100s on all my finals! I'm the best in my entire class, and the teachers say I'm even smarter than the older students!"

Genevieve glanced at the paper for a second. "That's wonderful dear," she said, quickly returning her attention to Elly. "Now, Elizabeth, come with me, we need to discuss your upcoming tournament participation! Now, I know you always win, but I was thinking…"

Genevieve didn't spare her son another glance, taking Elly by the hand and leading her away. Elly glanced back at Gerard with an apologetic look, and Gerard slumped down. He crumpled up the report card and dropped it in the entryway, pulling his suitcase behind him.

It was fine. He had tried his hardest, but it wasn't enough to impress his mom. So that meant that he would have to try even harder if he wanted her to pay attention to him. Gerard could do that. He would do anything for that.

And that meant he couldn't waste any time. He didn't even bother unpacking his clothes when he got to his room, he simply went to his desk and began studying as hard as he could. He couldn't be satisfied with just getting perfect scores on his finals. No one cared about something like that. He would have to do something even more impressive.

Academics, that was a field he could improve on, but he needed more. Maybe it was because Elly got 100s on all her tests as well. Just matching her wouldn't be enough to turn their heads, he needed to be better! His mother praised Elly's performance as a pokemon trainer. He was turning ten next week. Maybe if he got a pokemon of his own, he could train that pokemon up until he could even defeat her! And if he did that…

Then his mom would have to acknowledge his hard work, right?

But that was something to plan on in the future. Right now, he just had to study. He needed to study his hardest, if he slacked off for even a little then all his hard work would be for nothing. So he studied for hours, his room at home no different from his room back at the Pokemon Technical Institute for all he used it for.

He studied for so long that he hadn't even realized it was dark out, not until the rumbling of his stomach made him realize how hungry he was. He couldn't concentrate on an empty stomach, after all. He checked the clock and saw it was incredibly late. No one had called him for supper. But that wasn't a big surprise, his mom probably couldn't be bothered to send someone up for him. Elly took up all of her time, after all.

But he was still hungry. So he went downstairs to go get something to eat.

As Gerard tiptoed through the hall, he realized that the light was still on in one of the parlors of the mansion. He could hear voices coming from there, too, and so he peaked around the corner to see who it was. It was his mom! And she was talking on the phone to someone, probably one of her society friends.

Gerard held his breath and strained his ear to try and pick up some trace of the conversation.

"…Yes, Elizabeth's record is only getting better!" His mother gushed. Of course, she was talking about his sister again, that's all she ever did. "Soon, she'll be able to move out of the junior leagues and up into the major leagues! She's a real master, I tell you, she could even beat that other boy, what's his name? The one they're calling a prodigy. Kanone Harker, that's it! Yes, if they think he's a prodigy, you should see what my girl can do!"

The person on the other end of the line was saying something, and Gerard let out a silent sigh. He didn't want to stick around for more praise of his sister. He already knew that Elly was amazing. He didn't need to hear more about it.

Gerard moved to stand, when something froze him in place. He had just heard his mother say his name! He listened closely, trying to hear the rest.

"…What, Gerard? Yes, yes, Elizabeth brought him back from school today. Yes, that preparatory school one we sent him to so we could focus on Elizabeth's training," his mother sighed, her tone exasperated. "No, don't be ridiculous. He's nothing like his sister, believe me. I stopped expecting anything from him a long time ago."

Gerard was in a daze. He had walked out of the house without saying a word, and now found himself walking towards the river flowing beside Glittering Cave, towards the ocean Ambrette Town overlooked. It was still on their property, but he had walked quite a ways, not realizing where he was until he had gotten there. How far had he gone in shock?

"I stopped expecting anything from him a long time ago."

It wasn't fair.

It just wasn't fair.

He had tried so hard to become someone his parents could be proud of. He put his everything into studying, and it just wasn't enough. His mom didn't even care, it was all about Elly. That's what it was always about.

There was no room for Gerard, because he wasn't as amazing as his sister. But he tried his best, so why? He wasn't doing anything wrong, he was doing what he was supposed to do, so why? Why wouldn't his mother even look at him?

…

No. Gerard couldn't accept that.

He wouldn't.

I just have to try even harder, Gerard told himself. I didn't do anything wrong. I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to do, I'm always trying my hardest and putting everything I have into my work. If I try harder, then my mom will realize that she made a mistake, that's all. She'll realize that I'm great too, just as great as Elly, no, even better than her!

Gerard sat at the side of the river and looked at the water, which was sparkling in the night sky. There were countless slivers of glittering dust at the bottom of the river, because it flowed through the Glittering Cave and carried with it shards of the many gemstones lining the cave's walls.

What am I doing here? I can't accomplish anything if I'm here! He chastised himself. Of course his mother was right to expect nothing from him, if he was wasting his time like this! He should be studying, not admiring the scenery!

Gerard stood up, he had to get back to his room and continue his studies! It was the only way he could get ahead of her right now.

"Oh, are we going?"

Gerard gasped, turning to see his sister crouched beside him. He had missed her in the darkness, but she had been right at his side.

"Elly?!" He sputtered. "What- what are you doing here?!"

"What are you doing here?" She asked, confused. "I thought you would be locked up in your room studying, but then I saw you walk out of the house like you were in a daze. I was worried, so I came after you to make sure you weren't getting lost. Why did you go outside at this time of night, huh? Is it drugs? I hear all the kids are doing drugs. It better not be drugs, Gerard! You're smart enough on your own, you don't need any special pills to improve your intelligence!"

From his sister, those words stung. Gerard wasn't smart enough. He wasn't a genius like her, all he could do was study harder than everyone else.

Gerard told her what he'd overheard his mom say. He wasn't quite sure why he did. Maybe because Elly was the only person in his entire house who actually cared about him.

"…I see…" Elly murmured, her face solemn as Gerard explained to her what he had experienced. She let out a sigh and turned back to the water, her lips pinched in a tight expression. "That's… really hard, little brother. I'm sorry you had to hear her say that."

"It makes sense," Gerard said, even though he was loathe to admit it. "Of course she wouldn't pay attention to me with you around, Elly. You're amazing. You can do anything, and I… I'm just… I'm doing my best, but my best isn't good enough."

Elly wasn't sure what to say to that. Truth be told, she had a hard time understanding just why it was that people weren't as smart as her. She knew that other people, like her little brother, needed to work harder at things that came easily to her, but she wasn't sure what she was supposed to think about stuff like that.

Elly sighed and looked out over the water.

"Gerard… I think you're great, you know," she said.

Gerard blinked.

"Wh-what?" He asked, confused.

"You always try so hard," Elly smiled. "I guess it's because things come so easily to me, but… I don't have that same drive you do, I guess. When I see someone so much younger than me trying so hard at his studies, doing his best… it makes me proud of you, you know?"

Elly reached over and placed her hand in his hair, ruffling it a little.

She turned back to the water.

"You see how the water glitters?" She asked.

"It's because of the gems," Gerard said.

"I know," she laughed. "The water weathers down the roughness of the stones that fall into the water, and polishes them up bright and shiny."

Elly reached down into the water, letting the cool current rush over her. She turned back to Gerard, her face barely visible in the darkness.

"Gerard, don't worry about mom so much, okay?" Elly asked. "You're still just a kid. You shouldn't put all this stuff on yourself you know."

"But… but I have to try my hardest!" Gerard exclaimed. "If I don't, then-"

"Gerard, people like us… we're all special. We're like rocks, you know?"

Gerard stared at his sister like she was insane. People are like rocks? No, they weren't. He was about to say that, but Elly continued her explanation.

"When the water washes over the rocks in the river, it wears away the rough surfaces," she explained. "And you get to see the true beauty of the stone, shiny and new, like a polished gem. And that's why these gems sparkle so brightly, little brother, because the water has washed the roughness and grit away, and revealed the shiny gem beneath."

"So?" Gerard asked, confused.

"The water's still working on us," Elly said. "I wonder what it will look like, when the water has washed away all your dirt and grit and roughness? I think… you'll be a beautiful gem. Because you try so hard, and that's how I know you're special, just like me. Maybe you aren't as smart as me, but… you really try. And I know that someone else will see it, too. So you just keep working hard and doing your best, and I promise, someone will acknowledge that effort. I do, after all, and I'm just me."

Elly chuckled, and even though it was dark, her smile lit up her entire face, Gerard could just picture it perfectly.

Seeing that, the renewed sparks of hope he had been working with earlier were kindled into a raging bonfire.

A nice little look back into Gerard's past.