Hello there all of you wonderful people who are interested in Chapter 2 of this story. It means a lot to me especially just starting out. I literally just published the Prologue the day before, but I woke up today and felt like writing another one!

Maybe Ill recap last chapter a bit

So in the Prologue we covered a bit of Junpei's backstory and how he met Deino and made his first friend, Grant, who aspires to be a rock type pokemon gym leader.

Once again, if anyone has any burning questions, feel free to leave a review and I will get to them at the end of the chapter.

Side note: Junpeis birthday is going to be on May 11

I dont really have anything else to say sooooo

ONWARDS

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"PokeSpeech"

Telepathy Speech

**PRESENT DAY**

JUNPEI POV

The relentless blare of my alarm clock jolts me from sleep, its shrill tone drilling mercilessly into my ear. I groan, my hand reaching out to grab it and effortlessly tossing it across the room, finally silencing the annoying sound. But in the back of my mind, I know there's no turning back to dreams now. Today isn't just any day; it's the morning that marks the beginning of everything I've been waiting for. As I sit up, the remnants of sleep clinging stubbornly to my consciousness, I can't help but feel a surge of cold anticipation for the journey ahead. The room is quiet now, the silence after the alarm almost deafening, echoing the calm composure I've vowed to maintain throughout whatever comes my way.

I pull myself out of bed and get myself dressed for my journey ahead. I slip into a included a black jacket with a black jacket, sleek and functional, accented with a dark blue stripe that runs centrally and curves down along the sides, mirroring my movements with a hint of sharp precision. A white undershirt and some black pants, I also put on some sturdy military boots to try to account for any rough terrain I might encounter. Finally, I attach my favorite cap, tilted slightly back on my head. It's a sleek black with a similar blue stripe to my jacket, contrasting sharply with my steel blue hair that's always a bit tousled, no matter how much I try to tame it. My hair gives off a rebellious vibe that I don't mind—it suits my personality. As I adjust the cap in the mirror, it casts a shadow over my icy blue eyes, which are often too intense for some people's comfort. With one last glance in my mirror, I ensure everything looks just right.

"Deino ready to go?" my voice boomed across the room, which was surprisingly deep for a 16-year-old, but I thought nothing of it. Deino lifted its head up from the corner of the room, in the bed in which he was sleeping. He immediately registered my voice and that today was the day my journey would begin. We made our way downstairs; I greeted my mother like I always did and then ate breakfast. "Delicious as always, mom thanks." I replied with no particular enthusiasm. "Oh yes, dear this is the day you get to be a trainer, right?" My mother said, "Yes mom. Deino here is going to be my first pokemon. Isn't that, right?" Deino then gave a cry of agreement. "Ok well I better get going mom, thanks for everything, I love you." I said while finishing up my breakfast and grabbing a backpack I packed the night before.

"Ok honey just make sure you stay in touch."

"Yea yea mom I get it, quit talking to me like I'm 10." I said to her, but I knew she was just as worrisome as always. I walked out the door, Deino right behind me, "Alright time for the routine." I said to Deino, he nodded in understanding. My routine was something I had set in place back when I was 10, after me and Deino became friends, and I made my promise with Grant. It consisted of a 5-mile run, 50 pull-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 200 squats. Of course, Deino didn't have to do these with me, but he wanted to and showed me he was willing to work hard. Now although this rigorous regimen didn't begin until I was 12, given my physical maturity at the time, it has been the cornerstone of my preparation. Before I was old enough to start the physical training, I dedicated myself to learning everything possible about Pokémon. I devoured books, articles, and documentaries, absorbing knowledge on Pokémon types, battle strategies, and the history of trainers. This intellectual training was as rigorous as the physical routine I would later adopt.

Each morning, as Deino and I set out, the routine helped to sharpen not only my body but also my focus and determination. Today, as we ran through the familiar paths, my mind replayed countless battles and strategies I had studied over the years. The physical exertion was no longer just a test of endurance but a ritual that grounded me, reminded me of the journey ahead and the promises I had made.

During my run with Deino, my mind pondered over our past together, how we bonded when he saved me from those Zangoose. A couple visits to his cave later and he ended up following me back home, and scared the death out of my mother, but after about an hour of pleading, she hesitantly agreed to let Deino stay. Probably only because he saved but still, I was happy I had someone by my side willing to fight for me and I wasn't even a trainer yet.

After completing the run and the bodyweight exercises, Deino and I would spend another hour practicing battle maneuvers. Deino, despite his blindness, was remarkably quick and responsive, his other senses honed to near perfection. We worked on synchronizing our movements and attacks, building a level of teamwork that I knew would be essential during our upcoming challenges.

As the sun climbed higher, signaling the end of our morning routine, I felt a mix of excitement and a cool resolve settle over me. Today wasn't just another day of training; it was the beginning of everything we had been preparing for. With one last pat to Deino, signaling the end of our session, I slung my backpack over my shoulder, ready to step into the role I had been crafting for myself since those early days of study and physical training. The road ahead was long, but we were ready.

After a long walk up some of the hills that surrounded Cyllage City, I came face to face with steel doors that held within them the Cyllage City gym. It was carved into some rock which added to the Cliffside City reputation I suppose and it being a rock gym and all. I opened the door, put my hands in my pockets and entered, it had just gotten redone, so my expectations were quite high. As I exited the tunnel that followed the entrance, I was met with a large open space that resembled a large cavern with rocks everywhere. I spotted the new Cyllage City gym leader...

'Of course, he's climbing a rock wall he had installed into the gym. Thats so like him' I thought before walking closer, admiring the battlefield as I walked past it. It was filled with rocks, obviously resembling a rock type gym. I shouted up to Grant, "Hey Grant how's it going man." "Oh June, its going well, good to see you, I'll be down in a second." Grant said.

Grant's hand then slipped and caused him to hang on with one hand with a scared expression. My expression, however, didn't change, "Could you hold off on killing yourself for now please?" I said coldly. "It seems nothing gets by you, huh June!?"

'Ugh, I really hate that nickname' I scoffed to myself, he had been calling me that for a few years now. I don't see the problem to just keep calling me Junpei, but apparently Grant did.

Grant finished his climb and made his way back to my level. He walked over and patted me on the shoulder, to which I swatted his hand away, I DID NOT like people invading my personal space. I saw no need for such interactions as they were pointless and didn't do anything except create distractions and besides it felt weird.

Grant's grin widened, unbothered by my clear annoyance at his touch. "Aw c'mon, don't be like that June," he teased, his voice echoing slightly in the vast, stony gym. I rolled my eyes, adjusting the cap on my head to shield my eyes more from the bright lights of the gym. It wasn't just his nickname that irked me, it was his persistent cheerfulness that felt so at odds with my own demeanor.

"I'm not here to mess around, Grant. You know I wouldn't come here without a good reason," I said, my tone more serious. Grant's expression softened, recognizing the earnestness in my voice.

"Alright, June...I mean, Junpei. What's up? You look like you've got something big on your mind," he said, leaning against a nearby boulder, his attention fully on me now.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "I'm starting my journey, Grant. Today. I'm heading to Lumiose City to visit the professor's lab. I need to pick up a few things and officially start my journey as a trainer," I explained, watching his reaction closely.

Grant's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Seriously? You're finally kicking off your journey? Man, that's great! But wait... how did you not tell me sooner?" His voice was a mix of excitement and mock annoyance.

I shrugged, a slight smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Thought it was obvious why I was here, given the backpack and all." I gestured to the gear I had meticulously packed and prepared, visible proof of my intentions.

Grant laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, alright, you got me there. But hey, Lumiose City, huh? That's quite the trek from here. You planning on walking all the way?" He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused at the thought.

"No, that's actually why I'm here. I was hoping you could give me a ride there. You know, a friendly lift from one future champ to another?" I asked, half-joking but genuinely hoping he would agree.

"I mean I'm a gym leader, but I guess I see what you mean." Grant clapped his hands together, his earlier playful demeanor shifting into one of support. "You know what? Let's do it. It'll be like old times, right? Plus, I've got some business near Lumiose myself, so it works out perfectly."

Relief washed over me, and I nodded, grateful for the ease of this arrangement. "Thanks, Grant. I appreciate it."

"No problem, June—sorry, Junpei," he corrected himself with a chuckle. "It's the least I can do. After all, we're not just old climbing buddies; we're going to be fellow trainers now. This is a big day for you." My look took one of confusion as we never climbed together, and I never planned on it because I wasn't going to let my journey end before it ever started.

As Grant gathered his things and prepared for the trip, I looked around the gym one last time, taking in the rocky terrain that had been a second home to me over the years. It felt strange to be leaving it behind, but the excitement of what lay ahead fueled my resolve.

We exited the gym, stepping into the crisp air outside. Grant led the way to his vehicle, a sturdy SUV well-suited for the rocky paths of Cyllage City. As we drove away from the gym, the city, and the cliffs that had shaped so much of my early years, I felt a chapter closing behind me. But I would be back here very soon, I was sure of it, to collect my gym badge from my childhood friend.

"So, Grant how far is the drive?" I said wondering if I had time to doze off a bit and preserve some energy. "Oh well it's about...I'd say like an hour and a half?" Grant said to my relief. "Ok well, in that case I'm gonna try to get some shut eye for a bit." "Fine with me man!"

My eyes closed as I let sleep take over and envelop my body.

**1 hour later**

My eyes slowly opened, stirring and struggling to adjust to the sun that was shining directly into them. "Sorry man we aren't there just yet." Grant said to me, sensing that I had woken up. "How long was I out for?" I said trying to get my bearings and a grasp of my surroundings. "Probably about an hour" Grant said to me. 'Well I guess this is fine, there was some stuff I wanted to ask Grant about anyway.'

"So hows the gym going? I asked, curious as to how he'd respond.

"The gym's been an interesting challenge so far," Grant began, keeping his eyes on the road as we sped towards Lumiose City. "It's different, being on the other side of the battles, you know? Having to maintain the gym, making sure everything's up to standard—it's a lot more work than I expected."

I nodded, maintaining my usual stoic demeanor. "And the battles?" I prodded, genuinely curious about how he'd handle his new role.

"Ah, the battles," he chuckled. "I've just opened up for challengers, so I'm really excited to see how I'll do. I've decided to start with just using Tyrunt and Onix. I feel like they give a good balance and represent the gym well." He glanced at me, a hint of pride in his voice. "Tyrunt, as you know, has been with me since it was just a fossil. Onix, though, I trained up from a nearby cave, and he fits the rock theme perfectly."

"That sounds like a solid lineup," I responded, my voice even. Inside, I was analyzing his choices, considering how I would approach the battle if I were one of his challengers. "Only two Pokémon for now?"

"Yeah, for the time being. Most trainers who make it to Cyllage are early in their journey, so I'm limiting my active team to two. This way, challengers can use up to six. It keeps the battles fair and helps them gain experience," he explained.

I raised an eyebrow slightly, impressed by his thoughtful approach to being a gym leader. It wasn't just about winning; it was about fostering new trainers. "Fair enough. Sounds like you're trying to build them up, not just beat them down."

"Exactly!" Grant exclaimed, his enthusiasm palpable. "I want to challenge them, sure, but I also want to inspire them to get better. It's about pushing them to learn and adapt. Who knows, one of them might be the next champion."

Our conversation lapsed into a comfortable silence as the cityscape began to grow larger in the windshield. I leaned back in my seat, my thoughts drifting to my own journey ahead. Grant's commitment to his role as a gym leader, to nurturing potential in others, left me contemplating the kind of trainer I wanted to be.

"So, got any special strategies in mind for when trainers start pouring in?" I asked, my tone casual but probing.

Grant laughed, a sound that filled the car. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. But it's not just about the strategies, Junpei. It's about adapting on the fly, reading your opponent, and sometimes, just going with your gut."

"That's one way to keep things interesting," I remarked dryly. My mind was already racing, considering various battle scenarios and how I would handle them if I were in his shoes.

"Yeah, and hey, when you come by to challenge the gym, don't expect me to go easy on you, June," he teased, using the nickname he knew irked me.

I simply nodded, a small smirk forming. "Wouldn't have it any other way, Grant. Just be ready when I do."

The rest of the drive passed with light chatter about various things: our past adventures, mutual friends, and the ever-evolving world of Pokémon. Despite my typically reserved nature, I found myself enjoying the conversation, the familiarity of it grounding me as we approached the next stage of my life.

Lumiose City's towering buildings and bustling streets soon enveloped us, marking the end of our road trip. As Grant pulled up to the Pokémon Lab, I gathered my things, feeling a mix of anticipation and resolve.

"Thanks for the ride, Grant. I'll see you at the gym," I said as I stepped out of the vehicle, adjusting my backpack.

"Anytime, Junpei. And good luck. Not that you'll need it," he replied with a grin.

With a nod, I headed towards the lab, ready to officially start my journey as a Pokémon trainer. Behind me, Grant drove off, to address whatever business and challenges he had in Lumiose, while ahead lay mine, full of unknowns but also possibilities. And as I walked through the lab's doors, I felt ready for whatever challenges awaited, all in, just as I had promised myself.

I looked around, eyeing my surroundings and then walking towards the Pokemon Lab of this "Professor Sycamore" I stepped into the building and called out "Hello? Housekeeping."

A man stuck his head out from a door to my right, I locked eyes with him. "You must be the new trainer! I have heard so much about you from your brother!" the Professor said to me.

"My brother huh..." I stopped, deep in thought for a mere second it seemed before the Professor snapped me out of it. "Are you feeling alright...Junpei? Is it?" he said to me to which I replied with "Yes, I simply got lost in thought that is all." "Think nothing of it Professor."

He stared at me for a moment before continuing, "I trust you are familiar with all the starter pokemon?" "Yes Professor, but there is no need for that, I already have mine." I pulled out Deino's pokeball and tossed it, revealing the decently sized Dragon pokemon.

"Oh my fascinating! I have never seen one up close like this before!" the Professor noted which was slightly surprised about. "You've never seen a Deino before?" I smugly retorted.

"I have but this one...has power radiating off of it like something I have never seen before!" Sycamore said.

'As expected,' I thought while looking towards the ground my eyes closed with a smirk on my face.

"Well, you certainly already have a leg up on many trainers starting their journey Junpei" "That Deino of yours has a powerful look in its eyes!" Professor Sycamore preached to me.

"Ok thanks Professor but can we get to the point of this please?" I frustratingly asked, eager to get going with my journey. I already understood Deino's power levels, before anyone knew it, I was going to have my first badge. I was aware the first gym was going to be in Santalune City, I believe it was a bug gym and the gym leader's name was Viola. Grant gave me some insider tips since he was supposedly good friends with her. Then after I beat the brakes off Viola, I could move on to Grant and could say that was a battle I was looking forward to. Not that these other battles didn't but I knew Grant and I knew how hardworking he was, and besides we made a promise to get strong and give each other a great battle. We would both definitely be giving it our all, even if we were good friends or "old climbing buddies?" like Grant says we are.

Professor Sycamore finally quit his yapping and got to the point, he walked into a separate room and came back approximately a minute later with a device in his hand, a case, and 6 pokeballs. I didn't need the pokeballs necessarily because I had already picked up some that Grant decided to lend me. 'I'll keep quiet anyway, 6 more pokeballs doesn't hurt anyway, right?' I thought inwardly to myself, "Ok Junpei so this device in my hand will be your pokedex." Sycamore said as he handed me a blue pokedex similar to the color of my hair. I raised my brows 'Wow nice coincidence' "Hmm Professor same color as my hair almost ha." I gave an awkward fake chuckle, "Heh yea Junpei, I thought I would do that, y'know you being YOU in all right?" the Pokemon Professor replied to my remark.

'Why is he on my dick like that.' I chuckled to myself, 'I could probably take a wild guess' I rolled my eyes.

"Now this is your badge case, it will hold all 8 of your gym badges so you can participate in the Kalos league!" "Next is your pokeballs, to obviously catch pokemon and make your party stronger!" Professor Sycamore finally finished explaining such basic little kid stuff. 'Finally, I have all my things needed for my journey.' I thought to myself.

"Say Junpei, I have a question. What are your goals as of right now." Sycamore asked me out of the blue.

"Easy. I'm going to challenge all 8 gym leaders, beat them all on the first try, then I will show no mercy to the Kalos League and win. Finally, I'll challenge the Elite Four and then work my way through them. Lastly, I will defeat Diantha with such ease, that it will send ripples throughout the pokemon community." My words carried a cold confidence, echoing slightly in the spacious lab. Professor Sycamore's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by the conviction in my voice.

I continued, my tone unwavering, "And after sitting alone at the pinnacle of the Kalos League, there's still one other person I must surpass, one final challenge that I am destined to overcome." My eyes hardened with determination, the light reflecting a fierce resolve.

Professor Sycamore leaned forward, intrigued. "And who might that be, Junpei?" he asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

"The one person who's always been a step ahead, the one I've been chasing in silence, preparing to confront on my terms," I paused, letting the tension build, my next words deliberate and heavy with meaning.

"My brother, Steven Stone."

The room fell silent, the weight of my declaration hanging in the air like a thick fog. Professor Sycamore's expression shifted from curiosity to a mix of surprise and realization, understanding the magnitude of my ambition.

With that dramatic revelation, I turned towards the door, my steps resolute. The path ahead was clear, each step a move towards my ultimate goal. The chapter of my life as just another trainer was closing, and a new, more daunting chapter was beginning.

As I stepped out of the Pokémon Lab, the door closing behind me with a soft click, the future loomed large and uncertain. But one thing was certain: the journey to dethrone my brother Steven Stone, and claim my place at the very top, had just begun.

Sheesh man

WELL, that was quite an end to that chapter

So, we find out that Junpei is the infamous Steven Stone's brother, it wasn't a big secret, but we also see he harbors some resentment...Why? Who knows.

I have no idea where I got the motivation to get two chapters done in two days. It seems like I'm heating up, don't let me get hot!

But I have a couple notes to add here

FIRST

I am open to changing the ship if it is requested enough by you lovely readers. I am completely fine with keeping Serena and not touching it at all. I am also open to changing this into a harem again only if it is requested by the readers by what I deem a good amount. If that happens, I will put a poll on my profile to vote on potential candidates, you guys can suggest some for me to put on there but if I don't believe I know how to write the character, then I will decide whether to or not include them in the poll. Again, if this is changed to harem then I will put some of my own female characters into the poll that I am completely fine with writing. If a character makes it into the poll that I don't know how to write, please don't attack me if they seem OOC.

SECOND

I apologize if I made Grant slightly OOC at times, I don't know if I have any Grant-enthusiasts reading this story but anyway I wrote him how I wanted him to be and kinda how I imagined him if he got a lot of screentime.

THIRD

I am happy to announce I will be permitting SYOC, but only one for the time being, that may change in the future depending on how this goes. The OC in question will be a traveling companion for Junpei and also act as a friendly rival for him. Send me a PM, do not send it through reviews, I will NOT read them. Also, your pokemon will not be given to your OC right away, I will have them capture them every couple chapter at a pace I see fit. Please don't make your OCs like Gods or so OP that is unrealistic or difficult to write to a point that it interferes with the story.

Here is what you must include for your OC application.

Name - (Example - Junpei)
Region or City - (Example - Cyllage City)
Gender -
Age -
Appearance -
Personality -
Sexuality -
(OPTIONAL) Ace Pokemon -
Party - (All I ask here is that you be realistic, I will allow 1 legend but no unique legends like Arceus, Palkia, Dialga, Giratina, etc.) (ALL LEGENDARIES INCLUDING PSEUDO-LEGENDARIES REQUIRE SOME SORT OF REASONING OF WHY THE OC HAS IT IF YOU CHOOSE ONE!)
Character's goal - (AKA what they will work toward during the story. They don't have to compete in the Kalos League)
Strengths -
Weaknesses -
(OPTIONAL BUT ENCOURAGED) Backstory -
Anything else you would like to add about your OC -

And that should do it. I am spent so I am off to go die in my bed. Thanks Guys, Ussyllis out