A/N: MERRRYY CHRISTMASS EVERYONE! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Have this extra-long chapter as a gift.

Gah, I'm so so sorry this is late. My laptop is really laggy. Plus Christmas preparations. And people visiting. And exams. SO SORRY DON"T HURT ME. Have some cookies? (;:) (:;) (::) (;;) OH, what's that? Cookies should have just colons? Well, chocolate chips aren't all symmetric. Excuse me for being realistic :P

Usually I'd delve straight into the action, but I couldn't resist writing some sibling bonding time. :)

This chap is dedicated to everyone who submitted an OC; you guys have no idea how happy I am seeing my inbox filled with 'nomekoP'. :3 (Ugh, I've used way too many emoticons today. Oh well.)

My story starts with an argument.

You see, I've been living in the small but bustling Eterna City for all my life. And now they choose to ship me off to some Decolore University, for no apparent reason.

But I can't leave; I've got a little brother to take care of. And a dad, who I also take care of. Ever since Mom died, sometimes it seems like I'm the only adult here.

"For the last time, Lucas, you are going to that university!" Dad said, slamming a palm against the table in frustration.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Nu-uh. You need me here. More importantly, Timmy needs me here."

For a moment, he just stared at me, his golden-brown eyes locking on to my blazing green. Then he sighed, giving in. "I know. But the principal's in town, and he's going to pay us a little visit. Please, don't mess this one up. You should be out and about, not holed up in a boring little town."

I bit back a sharp reply about staying here, and gave a tight nod. "Fine."

Dad smiled. "Thanks, buddy."

I plastered a smile on my face and headed upstairs, to my room. I open the door and flop down on my bed, letting out a loud sigh.

"What's up, Luke?" Timmy asked, rushing from his bed to greet me, his face looming over mine.

I grin and ruffle his hair. "It's nothing, Tim. Just meeting up with some people tonight."

"What kind of people? Are they gonna bring us cupcakes, like last time?" he asked, maple-syrup eyes widening.

I chuckled. "No, Timmy. Last time it was your birthday. That's why they brought you snacks."

His large eyes grew even larger. "So's it gonna be my birthday again?"

"Why, you hungry?" when he furiously nodded, I laughed and said, "C'mon. I'll make you some breakfast."

We began jumping down the stairs, heading for the kitchen. I carried him over the broken steps, to which he yelled and giggled happily at.

"Okay guys, I got to go to work!" Dad yelled, opening up the door. "Don't use the kitchen light, it's broken! And get Piplup out of the leaky sink!"

We both shouted our okay!'s and began our business.

I opened up the fridge. "So, what do you want? Bacon, or waffles?"

He smiled a toothy grin. "Both!"

I grinned. "Now you're talking. Can you fetch Piplup from the bathroom? He'll be upset if he can't have his share.

He headed toward our bathroom while I whipped up some waffle batter and poured it into the waffle maker, then tossed some bacon into the pan.

"I got him!" Tim squealed, clutching an irritated Piplup in his arms.

"Great," I walked over to them and picked up my pokemon. "How're ya, little guy?"

"Pip! Pip pip!" he complained, gesturing to his stomach.

"Okay, okay, give me sec," I removed the waffles from the machine and set the bacon on a paper towel. And restarted the process again. And again. In thirty minutes, we had a glorious waffle-and-bacon tower.

"Lup..."

"Whoa..."

I grinned. "Dig in,"

The rest of the day passed us by peacefully. I brought Tim to the park later in the afternoon, with Piplup napping (I'm serious, that guy's got an addiction) and our Luxio guarding the house. It was a Saturday, so it was a little more crowded than usual, but the weather was just great; warm sunshine, a cool breeze blowing around, and just enough clouds to cloak most of the heat.

I wondered what the weather was like at the University. Did it snow? Was it always raining, or dry and hot?

"Higher! I wanna go higher!" Timmy squealed, jarring me out of my thoughts.

I complied, leaning more weight into the push. I grinned as Timmy's laughs echoed through the park. Then my heart clenched. How long would it be 'till I saw Timmy again?

I had a feeling my question would soon be answered as Dad waved us over from the park's entrance.

"So, how was your day?" he asked, giving us a smile. But I noticed it was a little forced, and didn't quiet reach his eyes.

Something was up.

Timmy, oblivious, ran over to him and gave him a hug. "We had lots of fun today, daddy! Can we do it again tomorrow?"

He gave him another tight smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Sure, kiddo. Now lets go home now, 'kay?"

The walk home would've been quiet, but Timmy was there, and it was never quiet with him around. He talked about everything; the waffle-and-bacon tower I made, how Piplup blasted him with a Bubble Beam when he stole some bacon, how the sink nearly exploded when I tried fixing it, and... well, you get it. He talked a lot.

Before we knew it, we arrived home. I went straight for a warm shower, and got into my favorite short-sleeved, spot-less white hoodie, with a pair of dark jeans to match.

Then Dad was all calling us to down to meet the principal.

He looked to be about in his late-thirties, with neat, dark hair and kind brown eyes. He had a lean body, and I instantly knew he wasn't one of those principals who sat around barking orders. He was dressed in an impeccable navy blue suit, with a tie and everything.

"Hello, Lucas. I'm Nathaniel Bright. Pleasure to meet you," he smiled- a warm, dazzling smile- and extended a hand.

I shook it firmly. "Nice to meet you too, sir."

He laughed, and clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Your father raised you well. Call me Nathaniel, at least until we get to the Academy."

He meant for it to be a joke, but I was irritated. It wasn't like it was decided that I'd be leaving. I plastered a smile onto my face and brought him to our dining room.

Our house was nothing special, but the dining room was decorated like the president was coming. Our plain wooden table was covered with a silky purple cloth (that looked suspiciously like an old curtain dug up from our attic), we used actual placemats for the first time ever, and everyone had a glass of water beside their plates.

The food was the same as what we usually had, though; microwavable pizza. So it sort of ruined the whole thing. Oh well.

Timmy, who sat between Nathaniel and I, looked at him with wide eyes. "Did you bring cupcakes?"

Nathaniel smiled. "Sorry, I forgot. Would you like some pizza instead?"

Timmy glanced at his own plate of pizza, then shook his head. "No thanks," he said politely.

"You raised your boys well, David. They must be a pleasure to have around," Nathaniel said, taking a bite of pizza.

Dad grinned. "Of course! They're a big help around the house. But what about you, Nathan? You've got any kids of your own yet?"

I paused, the pizza inches from my mouth. They talk like they've been friends for years. "Have you guys..?"

"Met before? Why yes, we have!" Nathaniel grinned. "We were partners during his old journalism days. We parted ways when your father went big-time and I started teaching. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned me, David!"

Dad grinned. "It just slipped my mind."

"Well, anyway, I didn't come for your pizza-which was excellent, by the way- so, Luke, do you have any questions about our university?"

I swallowed a lump of pizza that felt like the size of a baseball down my throat. "Um, yeah. Okay. So... where is it?"

"It's on one of the many islands that make up the Decolore Islands. It's in between Kanto and Unova, about eight hundred miles of the nearest coastline here."

Okay. Not terribly far.

"What about the tuition? How's that being paid?"

"Everything is paid by the school. Your father sent an application and you've one a scholarship, all expenses paid."

I gave Dad a look, but didn't say anything. Might as well give this a try.

"What kind of classes will I take?"

"They're all here in this brochure." Nathaniel handed me a brochure, which I opened.

DU has a wide diversity of classes, catering to trainers, coordinators, breeders, and even researchers and doctors!

Pokemon Biology with Daisy Oak

Breeding Basics with Reggie Shinji

Battling 101

Contests: Appeals and Battling While Being Beautiful

Pokemon: Origins and Mythologies

Physical Education

And more, depending on what course your children are planning to take!

Wow. Well, wow. I force an excited smile at them. Dad looks eager, but slightly nervous, Nathaniel has a kind smile on his face, and Timmy is occupied trying to steal a piece of Piplup's pepperoni. Now, for the most important question...

"How long will I be there?"

"Well, the school year starts next month; in early June. You spend the winter break at the University, but can come home for the New Year's. Then you come back around mid-January until March. Then rinse and repeat, for the next four years." Nathaniel gave a reassuring smile.

I didn't find it reassuring at all. The delicious pizza now felt like lead in my stomach.

"But I don't have to go, right? I mean, this is all a suggestion? I do have a say in this, right?"

Dad's and Nathaniel's faces went blank. Even Tim noticed something was up.

"Um, the best student of the year, he or she earns the scholarship prize; five hundred thousand pokedollars." Nathaniel explained slowly, as if testing each word before he said it.

Sure, our house wasn't the best, but we've been living with that. It's not like we were that desperate for money or anything.

Nathaniel's face was grim. Turning to Dad he said, "You haven't told him yet, haven't you?"

My stomach dropped. I felt disoriented, like I just finished riding a high-speed merry-go-round.

"Tell. me. what."

Dad sighed. "Lucas, look-"

"Just say it."

He turned to Timmy. "Hey, why don't you head up to my room and play there with Piplup?"

"Okay!" Timmy picked up my pokemon and ran up the stairs.

I coughed. "Ahem."

"I- I lost my job, Luke. They- they... fired me."

Impossible.

"You went to work this morni-"

"They allowed me to finish out the month before I'd be replaced."

"You're their best reporter-"

"Glory days." Dad cut me off.

I let out a shaky breath. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I... thought it was best."

"To what? Keep me in the dark? Why, you thought I couldn't handle it?"

"Luke-"

I stood up, palms slamming against the table. They jumped. "I'm gonna go pack now." Whirling around, I stormed up the stairs and into my room, ignoring their protests and excuses."

I locked the door behind me, and slumped down on the floor.

My thoughts weren't so much mixed.

They were thrown into a washing machine with gravel and crushed ice.

How long will it take for Dad to find a new job? What will he do until then? How would Timmy cope without me, if I ever go that university? How would Dad cope? And if I failed to win the scholarship prize? What then?

A knuckle rapped lightly on the door.

"Luke..." Dad said softly.

"Don't. Just- don't." I felt too mentally exhausted to say anything else.

I closed my eyes, and just listened to the sound of the Starlies chirping to the sunset.

Then I pictured Timmy, eyes wide, tiny fingers gripping the windowsill, staring out at the glowing sky with wonder.

And at that moment, I decided I would go to that stupid school. Not for Nathaniel, or Dad, but for Timmy; I'd win the scholarship for him.

I stood up, took in a deep breath, then exhaled. "Okay," I said out loud. "Let's start packing,"

Walking over to my desk, I picked up my backpack, turned it upside-down, and shook it. Some pieces of gum, loose change, and a broken pencil all clattered down.

I stuffed some clothes inside, tossed in my sorry excuse for a wallet, and put in my journal. It was simple, with a leather-bound cover, and soft papers that smelled like Mom's perfume. It was a gift, from Dad, on my birthday last year. Mom had bought it for my twelfth birthday, since we decided I'd start my journey then, but couldn't give it to me herself, for obvious reasons. I also never went on my journey, for obvious reasons.

A budding journalist like you needs a place to write his things, Dad had said.

Daad, I don't want to be a journalist. I wanna be a writer! I had chided him.

Same thing, if you think about it, He had said, shrugging his shoulders.

I opened it, running my fingers over the smooth papers. I turned to the first page, where Mom had written a short note.

Lucas,

I got you this journal because I think it was time.

When you turn twelve, it's time that you go out and explore the world around you, start a journey of your own.

You write here whatever you've learned, about the places you've visited, the people you've met. And most of all, you write about your thoughts, and your dreams. Fill the pages with your imagination.

For fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It is a way of understanding it.

Love,

Mom.

The words began to blur, the letters shaking and growing.

Well, that was the effect of tears forming in your eyes.

I blinked them away. No matter how many times I've read it, I almost always tear up.

Then I shook my head. I snapped myself out of memory lane.

Forcing my feet into my sturdy gray sneakers, I opened the door, and went over to Dad's room. Timmy was there, curled up on the bed, snoring softly. I ruffled his hair. "I'll see you soon, okay buddy?"

He shifted in his sleep.

"Lup..?" Piplup, who had been sleeping beside him, woke up, giving me a curious glance.

"Let's go, Piplup. We have scholarship money to win!" I nudged him.

"Piiiip." He stretched, then waddled down the bed.

We left the room, and slowly walked down the stairs. Bits of their conversation wafted up to us.

"-have you back," Nathaniel said.

"-know I can't," Dad replied softly.

I was too tired to even be curious at their conversation.

They stopped as they saw me. Dad stood up, grinning, hugged me. "Thanks, bud. I'm sure you'll do great."

Nathaniel looked pleased. Standing up, he clapped a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure you'll make them proud. Now, let's get in my car."

We walked out the door.

I took one last look at my house. The window where Timmy and I used to find objects in the clouds, the couch by the living room where Dad used to read us bedtime stories, our front porch where Timmy waited for me from school.

I tore my gaze away from my home and entered the front seat beside Nathaniel.

The drive was mostly quiet, save for the small talk about the university. Piplup grew bored of our conversation, and dozed quietly on my lap.

"You'll love it there," Nathaniel began. "Three thousand and five hundred sixty-two square meters of the world's finest buildings, lead by the region's finest professors. We've got swimming pools, some sports courts, and lots of other stuff too,"

He rambled on, and I didn't talk much, just a few questions every few minutes.

"What kind of hobbies are you interested in? We've got lots of school clubs," he asked.

"Um, I write a little." I admitted.

He raised his eyebrows. "Oh, like your father?"

I nodded. "Sort of. I also played soccer-"

Bang! Bang bang!

Bullets pierced the windshield of the car. The glass shattered, spraying towards us.

"What the heck was that?!" I yelled, glancing behind me.

A motorcycle and a car roared behind us. Motorcycle Man pointed a gun.

"Lup-pip?!" Piplup jolted awake.

Nathaniel was surprisingly calm. "Don't worry! This car belonged to my friend; he was a cop. Just a misunderstanding!"

"Cop- wha? Misunderstanding? Those men are shooting at us!"

Seemingly to back up my point, another bullet shattered our rear lights.

The principal pulled out a pokeball, expanded it, and tossed it at the backseat. "Sealeo, Ice Beam!"

A flash of light, and the Ball Roll pokemon appeared. Pushing its supple body forward, it stuck its head out the window, and shot out a beam of blue-ish white light.

Ice spread and crackled over the road. The vehicles spun out of control.

"Hold on!" Nathaniel yelled, turning the steering wheel.

The car lurched sideways and onto a side bridge.

"We'll have to take a detour," he explained, "they might come back.'

The rest of our ride was agony.

We spent the rest of the night doubling back roads, crossing bridges, and just plain driving. I spent every moment watching the night, knowing any moment a motorcycle could be speeding out behind us, firing a gun.

I was too busy keeping watch I didn't stop to why they were shooting at us in the first place, or if Nathaniel was telling the truth.

Soon we arrived at our destination- the docks. It was late into the night. The last glimmers of the moon sparkled into the river, shooting light everywhere. The water seemed to glow with an inner light, and the whole place looked other-worldly. Ethereal.

I shuddered. "What are we doing here?"

Nathaniel scanned the area. He pointed to the right. "Seaplane. The pilot should be waiting for us there, and then it's a few hours before we reach the Islands."

As we walked over to the seaplane, the pilot stepped out. I expected him to give a smile, and shake our hand.

He did the exact opposite.

He pulled out a gun.

A/N: DUN DUN DUUUN.

Whew. Three thousand words. That's a new record! I hope it was gift-worthy. What do you guys think of these long chaps?

Again, super sorry for the delay. My laptop's trash now. I'd write a few paragraphs, then hit 'Save'. Then I'd lose internet (though everyone else had internet) and have to retype it. THAT HAPPENED LIKE FIVE TIMES. Don't worry- I got a new laptop for Christmas! Well, technically, I don't have it yet, but its being shipped here soon. :D

Also, I'm thinking of starting some Question/Poll of the Days. Yeah or No?

Another also- I decided to reply to reviews! Yay!

ReD rIdInG rAvEn: Thanks! I've always wanted to write something that could be called dramatic. :D

Swag-Giraffe: XDDD Thank yooouuu. Your review was HILARIOUS. You made my day. :D And yay for mystery! Don't worry, the guy will be avenged. (P.S Love your avatar's santa hat :P)

cometshadow: Ahahahaha. Cliffies, they're my life. :D AND THANK YOU. I'm so glad you like the prologue. And Writer's Block is deffo the worst. D: I get your laziness though; now that exams are over, it's like my creative juices are all out, but I'm just too lazy enjoying my freedom :P And I;ve been bragging off of you lately; calling you a celebrity.

PokeFreak45: No you're totally fine! Better late than never, right? And thanks for reviewing. I really appreciate it. :D

ZorialWater: Ahh, the benefits of befriending celebrities are finally showing! Comet and Swaggy are da best. Oh, and three words: You. Are. Awesome.

K bye!