Hello everyone! I hope you're all doing well!

You know, I have no clue when this story switched from being third person limited point of view to third person omniscient. But I think it works well for this tale. I would have more of a problem with it if this was Vigilant or N.L.

This was going to be a character building chapter, but I decide to go on with the plot. It was going to be Matt's back story, but after looking it over that can come at a later date. I've planned to have several omake chapters here and there filling in more of their back stories scattered throughout the piece like how Gilbert got his original Gastly and stuff like that. I might just do that chapter that way.

I've had some comments about Gilbert being OOC. Here is my theory on that. I'm actually very okay with characters being out of character in fanfics. This Gilbert is not Prussia. This is Gilbert growing up in the world of Pokemon so his past and influences are different from Prussia. His personality is essentially the same on how I see Prussia. My theory is the whole "I'M AWESOME! 5 METERS! KESESESE!" is the outer shell of Prussia. It's a cover up and a front. Under that shell is a soft, squishy, awkward man who is trying to hide who he truly is and doesn't want to seem weak. This Gilbert is a muted form of that. That's why I like fanfiction. You get to explore characters in situations that they normally wouldn't be in and see their reactions to those situations.

Reviews!

~Jayshock: Yeah, I should have mentioned in chapter one that this fic has violence and sex. It's like Pokemon for adults. I started watching the series when I was in elementary school and now I just graduated college. This is what I would want to watch in Pokemon now.

~LiveEatBreathRepeat: I need to figure in Italy somewhere. I know Romano will be chilling with Spain later on, but I don't know where to fit in Italy

~ShadowfireNightblade: I didn't plan for Swablu doing that, but it is a cute idea! Gilbert will get another bird later on in the fic to ride on his head, but I might put in an omake chapter with Swablu.

~Gijinka Glaceon: Yes, the coordinating will be anime style. I just got my first DS two weeks ago so I've been working my way through Pokemon Platinum. As much as I don't want to admit it, I sort of want Black and White. All my friends have it and keep talking about it. I'll probably break down and get it when the price goes down. Also, I see your point with Gilbert being more like Barry. I'll try to add that more. But Gilbert will never be like Paul. He respects Pokemon far too much to ever abuse one.

On with the chapter!

"Hey everybody!" Alfred pushed open the door and smiled to the group gathered in the kitchen.

"Hey Al," Matthew nodded to his brother. Spoink rested in his lap, enjoying the light massage from his trainer. "What are you doing here?"

Alfred strolled across the kitchen to Arthur and Francis who were cooking together, "Francis said he was making up several batches of poffins, so I wanted to pick some up for my Pokemon. Wow! They look so good!"

Francis kissed his step son's cheek, "Well I do make the best poffins in town, if I do say so myself! But you're going to have to wait a little bit. They're not ready yet."

"That's fine," Alfred turned to Matthew. "So where are your friends?"

"Sadiq is out back with his pokemon," Matthew pointed to the living room. "And Gilbert is calling his family."

"Oh?" Alfred shuffled over to the door and peaked in the next room.

Gilbert stood in front of the video phone with Hitmonchan. He was talking with a blonde man with similar features. Alfred figured this must have been his brother.

Gilbert crossed his arms, "Yeah, it's a steel type gym. I'm a bit worried because I don't have any fire type pokemon, but I do have Hitmonchan."

Ludwig sat back in his chair and nodded, "I can see the problem though. Not to be rude to you, Hitmonchan, but I don't think you can last an entire gym battle by yourself."

"Hitmonchan," the fighting type agreed.

Gilbert flopped onto the couch, "I've already decided that if it's a three on three battle, I'm going to use Hitmonchan, Jolteon, and Buizel. But if it's a four on four, I'm not sure who to use. Haunter, Ivysaur, and Altaria won't have much effect in battle."

"What about switching out some of your pokemon?"

Gilbert smirked, "That's why I was calling you. How are my Muk and Scyther?"

Ludwig sprang forward tapping the video screen, "Your Muk dirties everything it touches! And it smells! We have it living in our backyard and get complaints from the neighbors all the time!"

Gilbert and Hitmonchan laughed, "Consider it a research project then! 'How to make Muks smell good.' Anyway, I was wondering if you could have Scyther ready for battle. I think I'm going to trade him out with Ivysaur. Scyther might have less power, but damn he's quick."

"Oh?" Ludwig stood up to fetch Scyther's poke ball. "You're going to try to fight power with speed? That could work. But you need to consider if the gym does a five on five match or even a full battle."

"You kidding me?" Gilbert scoffed, "No gym does a full battle! It's unheard of!"

Matthew stood up and nudged his brother. Alfred snapped out of eavesdropping on the conversation.

Matt's brow furrowed, "Isn't that cheating?"

"Nope," Alfred turned away and trudged back to their dads. "It's strategy."

That night, Gilbert lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. Tomorrow was his first gym battle in Sinnoh. His stomach kept curling up every time he ran his strategy through his head. Speed would play a huge roll tomorrow, but part of him really hoped Hitmonchan would be able to last most of the rounds. Looking to his sleeping partner beside him, Gilbert smirked and gently ruffled Hitmonchan's head. He sat up and tip toed out of the room.

Coming down the stairs, he spotted a light on in the kitchen. Matt sat at the kitchen table flipping through a photo album.

"Hey," Gilbert came in and took a glass out of the cabinet. "What are you looking at?"

"Arthur's old contest photos," Matthew closed the book. "When I can't sleep, I like to flip through them and set goals for myself."

Gilbert filled the glass with water and sipped it, "Sound cool."

"You can't sleep either?"

"I'm too nervous about the gym battle tomorrow," Gilbert leaned on the counter.

"Hey about that, can I talk to you?" Matthew stood up, "I think you need to be very careful about the gym leader tomorrow."

"Are you trying to give me battle help?" Gilbert rolled his eyes. "Thanks but I don't need it."

"Seriously, Gilbert," Matt stepped closer and took the glass out of his hand to get the trainer's attention. "You need to know-"

"Look, I don't want to know anything!" he snatched his glass back and downed the rest of the water. "Thanks but no thanks! I definitely don't need advice from you." He roughly sat the glass on the counter and stalked towards the door.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Matthew scurried after him and snagged his arm.

"I don't think you're really qualified to tell me how to battle," Gilbert glared at the blonde. He wasn't quite sure how this had escalated into a fight.

"I've lived in Canalave most of my life, and I know about the gym leader!"

"Good for you. I placed fourth in Hoenn. I don't need advice from some guy who's eighteen and only has two ribbons to show!" Gilbert ripped his arm away, "Maybe you should think about yourself before criticizing others!"

A gray blur flew down the stairs and knocked Gilbert off his feet. Grimacing, he glanced up and gawked.

Absol crouched low in front of Matt and growled at him.

"Stop it!" Matt placed a hand on Absol's back. "Leave him alone. He obviously doesn't realize that I wasn't criticizing him. Gilbert doesn't want my help. Come on, let's go to bed. Good luck tomorrow, Gilbert. You'll need it." Matthew trotted up the stairs, while Absol shot one last glare at Gilbert before following his trainer to his room.

"Damn it," Gilbert flopped back on the floor and stared at the ceiling. Why did everything have to suck?

Sadiq and Hitmonchan both noticed the changed in Gilbert that morning. It was like the albino had the wind sucked out of his sails. This was not a good way to start before a gym battle.

"Monchan?" Hitmonchan tapped his trainer's arm. "Hitmonchan hit?"

"Of course I'm okay!" Gilbert forced a smile and picked up his pace. "Why wouldn't I be! It's beautiful day in the city! We have a gym battle! Look! The sea!" He ran ahead and leaned over the railing of a bridge. "Look! Boats!"

"Monchan," the Pokemon didn't look too convinced, but trotted after his trainer.

Sadiq frowned watching Gil fake his way through happiness. When they woke up that morning, Arthur and Francis told them that Matthew had already left for the day to visit his brother. They also said that they would meet Gilbert and Sadiq later in the city. Something was up. Every time Matt's name popped up, Gilbert frowned and quickly changed subjects. They must have fought last night.

"So, you're using a Scyther instead of Ivysaur?" Sadiq caught up with them and tried to focus Gilbert in on the coming battle. "Is that wise?"

"It's only if I need a fourth Pokemon, but I should be fine with three," Gilbert's face suddenly lit up as he sprinted ahead. "There's the gym! Come on! Come on!"

Sadiq caught Hitmonchan's shoulder, "You walk. Don't run. Save your energy."

"Chan!" Hitmonchan nodded and took his time.

Gilbert pushed open the gym doors and called out, "Gym leader! I'm here to challenge-" He froze and cocked his head.

Matthew, Arthur, and Francis were already waiting in the gym. The parents smiled and waved to greet them while Matthew crossed his arms while glaring at Gilbert. Sadiq and Hitmonchan walked in and shared a similar reaction.

"What are you guys doing here?" Gil and Hitmonchan walked over to them.

"We came to watch the battle, lad!" Arthur slapped his shoulder. "Good luck!" He slipped his hand into Francis' and tugged him to the home side of the audience.

Matthew shuffled after his parents but smiled to Hitmonchan, "Be careful."

"Hitmonchan."

"Matthew," Gilbert hurried in front of him. "Look, about last night-"

Matt rolled his eyes, "Oh now you want help from me?"

"I want to apologize-"

"Forget it. I think I'm going to enjoy watching this," Matthew stepped around him and climbed into the bleachers by his parents.

"Hey!" Gilbert dropped his arms to his side. "Shouldn't you be on the challenger's side with Sadiq and support me?"

"Nope," Matt grinned. "I'm on the right side."

"Gilbert!" a voice rang out. Stepping out onto the battle floor was Alfred. He stood across the field from them and waved. "You're here to challenge the gym leader? Well, I accept that challenge. I am the Canalave City gym leader."

It suddenly all made sense to Gilbert as his eyes trailed back to Matthew. This was the warning that he tried to say. Thinking back over the last few days, Gilbert should have seen the signs. Alfred owned a Steelix and a Mawile, and nobody in Matt's family ever said the gym leader's name. Arthur had an Empoleon which was a water and a steel type. Then that photo of Alfred on the wall with a Piplup! Gilbert would bet money that Alfred had at least a Prinplup or an Empoleon ready to battle.

"By the way, Gilbert," Alfred took out his first poke ball. "I couldn't help but overhearing your conversation last night. You said that no gym leaders ever do full battles. So for you, I'll make an exception. This will be a full six on six battle! I hope you're ready."

Next chapter: Alfred and Gilbert's battle!

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