I can't believe I am approaching 60k words in this fanfiction. And we aren't even at chapter 30. When I decided to write this I already had a very good idea for how it was going to go. In the beginning I believed I was going to write 50-60 chapters. I knew how it was going to end and how I was going to get there. While writing, things have changed. I don't see 60 chapters. I see 45ish. And that's because I made chapters far larger than I planned so I was able to get more out of the way. Nothing in the story I planned will be sacrificed. Also, I'm about 6 or 7 chapters ahead of what is currently published. I can tell you that the story and everything on the side will move along a lot faster than they have.

So I hope you guys look forward to that, but right now here is the continuation of Caleb and Cameron's battle on Melemele Island.

"Hakamo-o, use Headbutt."

"Take to the air and dodge it, Dartrix."

Dartrix successfully jumps over Hakamo-o but Hakamo-o whips his tail in the air and hits Dartrix knocking him to the ground. Hakamo-o then picks up Dartrix and throws him at a tree and charges looking to connect with Dartrix just as he hits the tree.

Just as Dartrix is about to hit the tree I tell Dartrix to focus on the tree and kick off it. The impact as Dartric kicks off and hits Hakamo-o hurts both Pokemon. Hakamo-o is sent stumbling backwards.

"Dartrix, Razor Leaf." The Razor Leaf attack hits Hakamo-o causing him to fall over.

Dartrix, without direction, jumps onto Hakamo-o and pecks at it. Hakamo-o roars causing Dartrix to startlingly fly off.

"Dragon Claw!"

Hakamo-o connects a Dragon Claw attack on my Dartrix.

Dartrix is starting to struggle. More so than Hakamo-o. That's when I realize I need to try something and come up with a plan.

Hakamo-o is ordered to do a headbutt and comes charging like a bull at Dartrix. Dartrix turns and looks at me and I nod.

I don't say anything.

In a quick instant, Dartrix slides to the side causing Hakamo's head to miss him. However, Hakamo-o trips over Dartrix and falls to the ground.

"Solar Beam!"

"Get up Hakamo-o!" Caleb yells. He realizes it is hopeless as Hakamo-o struggles to get off his back because of it's scales.

Just as it regains it's footing Dartrix has leveled it with a Solar Beam.

Hakamo-o lays on the ground to a bevy of gasps from the crowd. However, Caleb is smiling. He's enjoying it.

Hakamo-o staggers to it's feet showing it has no quit. It lets out a loud roar causing everyone to cover their ears. Dartrix seems to be irritated by the loud roar and closes it eyes. That's when Hakamo-o strikes. Dartrix slams into the tree hard and hits the ground.

He's finished, but I'm okay with that.

Just as I'm about to walk over to Dartrix, he looks up and pushes himself up slowly. He eyes Hakamo-o and bolts of the ground and flies at a low latitude towards Hakamo-o. It's a direct hit that causes both Hakamo-o and Dartrix to lay on the ground.

Everybody is in shock at what occurred, even Hala's mouth is wide open. I have no clue what attack it used but that was not Aerial Ace.

I look around and everybody is quiet. Even Carl and his family are quiet.

I almost forgot that Carl was watching but there he was, mouth agape and all.

The first noise breaks as a small girl says, "Look, it's getting up!"

I look at the field and watch as Hakamo-o slowly rises from the ground. Hakamo-o successfully stands up and peers over at Dartrix who lies on the floor.

It's over. Caleb won.

I slowly walk over to Dartrix and rub it's dirty head.

"You did so well, Dartrix. Gave it far more than I expected. We'll win next time."

I return Dartrix to it's ball and just stay on my knees as Skitty comes up to me. Then Caleb comes towards me and says, "That was a lot of fun." I look up and see his hand extended outwards. He is smiling.

I grab his hand and allow him to pull me up. "Yeah, it was exciting. My heart is still racing."

The small crowd cheers as Caleb and shake each other's hand.

"See Cameron, you did deserve the emblem," Hala says. "You both deserved it. You both are excellent trainers and I'm sure you will continue to get better. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we look forward to your next encounter."

I look over at Aaron who is still standing on the porch of the house. He briefly nods at me and heads inside the house with his Blaziken.

My mom walks over to me with my phone. She tells me how proud she is and that she is sorry for trying to keep me home.

I look at my phone where Carl is sipping on a drink. "That was pretty fun to watch, how was it to battle?"

"Exhilarating."

He nodded. "Good. I can't wait to battle you when you get your scrawny ass back home."

I laughed.

He looked to the left of me where Caleb stood and watched nervously.

"You were quite good too. Cam raves about how good of a trainer you are." Caleb looked at me and blushed. "He was right."

"Um thank you, Carl." Caleb responded nervously.

Carl took a deep breath and rubbed his eye. "No, thank you. Thank you for being such a good friend to Cam," he said as his voice cracked. "I can see why he allowed you in." There was a faint hint of sadness in his words that Caleb and I caught onto.

We all look our respective screens in silence. I wasn't sure of what to say as I watch Carl. In the top right corner, where there is a box showing Caleb and me, I see Caleb nod. Carl slightly smiles and nods too.

Caleb brushes my shoulder with his hand and leaves me to talk to Carl.

"So when are you going to come back home?" Carl asks trying to move the conversation along.

I shrugged at Carl's question.

"I hope you can come back for the Hoenn League Tournament in March," he said as his voice trailed away.

"I'll try. I can't promise you, because I'm just half way done here and who knows what will happen."

"I understand." Carl's faced dropped in another sign of him losing his typical composure.

"Are you okay, Carl?" I ask.

He takes a deep breath. "I wish I was there, Cam. I see how much fun you are having on your adventure with Caleb and it makes me envious. I'm just here on my own."

I know he didn't mean to but a wave of guilt hits my chest after he says that. He's on his own because I'm not there. Our other friends have already completed there gym battles so they are off doing there own stuff before the Tournament begins.

Meanwhile, I'm on my own journey with someone. It's not fair.

Carl's eye shoot open and he shakes his head erratically. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said it like that. I understand you didn't choose this. I'm sorry." His voice trailed off again as I watched a tear fall from his face.

I haven't seen Carl cry in over a year. Not even when I said goodbye to him. I cried a lot when we embraced. He smiled and kept things positive telling me that it's not goodbye forever and that he will come see me.

I looked around at everybody still hanging about outside to see if they were watching or listening. They were all too busy talking and laughing. My mom was talking with Kukui and Caleb was talking to Vanessa.

"Carl, how about after World's we go and do Kanto together? Like I promised when we were like 10."

"I would like that. Maybe Cameron can tag along too."

He wanted Cameron to come with us? Why?

I looked at him oddly because of his suggestion.

"I know you won't be able to stay in Kanto and see him go back to Alola. Plus, I want to get to know your best friend over there."

His words hit me like a snorlax. "Carl, you're my best friend," I said almost guilt-ridden.

He chuckled. "Oh hush. We're brothers, screw friendship."

I took a deep breath and smile.

"Okay listen, we've been too sappy. You are supposed to be celebrating not being, um, well you." We both laughed. "Go enjoy yourself and we'll talk soon, okay?"

"Okay. Goodnight."

He nodded and left the video chat.

I let out another deep breath and went into my house to get a glass of water. Aaron was inside watching TV. I drank the water and watched everybody talking outside. It's almost weird that I am enjoying my time here. And my mom, she is loving it. Surreal.

"Cameron," Aaron said softly. His eyes coldly locked on the tv in front of him.

"Yeah?"

"Come here."

I walked over to the couch and sat down next to him. He reached into his pocket and handed my a small box.

"Happy Birthday," he said lacking enthusiasm.

I open the box and find two items. A Green Scarf and a Heart Scale.

"The Green Scarf is for Dartrix. The Heart Scale is for you."

When Aaron was proving himself in Hoenn to be an exciting up and coming trainer, dad gave him a heart scale for his birthday. Dad said that he were to give his Heart Scale to the person that has been the most helpful to his journey. There was one exception, Aaron couldn't give it to dad. Instead Aaron gave it to his friend, Emery. They were best friends and traveled Hoenn on their own. Emery moved to Kanto 6 months ago.

"Do you still talk to Emery?" I inquired.

Aaron looked at me with the same blank face he usually looked at me with.

"Everyday Cameron, everyday." His tone was sad. He got up from the couch and went to his room.

In that moment I felt so bad for my big brother. I have no clue what he is going through but this was the first time he's hinted that that he is hurting.

There was nothing I could do to help him and I knew that. Just like he knew after dad died.

This is just how things are and will be between us.

I was going to get lost into the sadness of it all until Caleb came in with his dorky smile and told me to come out. I smiled, putting the sad feelings behind me, and told him I'll be right out. I grabbed Aaron's box and placed it in my room and proceeded to go outside where Caleb was talking to my mom.

I joined them and enjoyed the rest of what was technically my Birthday Party.

It was so much more than that though.