Virgil stood hunched over at the mirror, breath heavy and ragged. All he really wanted to do was to sleep well for once and if he were lucky, maybe even anything more than the five or so hours he could manage on a good night. Dreams of bodies, falling stars, and pain would jolt him awake in a cold sweat that he was able to breathe into something just under a panic attack; every night was the same.

And so were his mornings. The cycles of the same dream would crescendo and become its worst, so visceral that he would rush to the mirror just over what he would consider a panic attack just to make sure that his bones weren't shattered or that his skin hadn't been burned away. He was always relieved every morning to find the same green eyes, twisted hair and deep oak skin all intact.

Every day was the same.

'Marus' was that name that always stuck with him after he woke up. The other names did too but they never stayed like 'Marus' did. Sometimes, Virgil would feel weight in his veins if he thought on it too deeply. There was a rap on his bedroom door.

"Virgil? If you're up in there, don't be too long! You have a visitor!"

Right on cue, he thought with a sigh. He had wanted to stop by since entering the Johto League and a slight break after battling into the top 16 had been first and foremost on his list, but his mother clearly thought otherwise. He swung the door open and nearly stepped into her.

"A visitor?" She gave a bubbly nod, and that was just like her. "We're all the way out in Cherrygrove. Who would want to come find me?"

"I don't know but he says he knows you." Her voice dropped to a hush. "It could be a fan of yours."

"Or maybe it's one of those snobby rich kids from Palm Hills."

"Or, maybe it's someone you beat and he wants a rematch." Virgil clicked the door shut in her face.

"You'll have to be more modest than that, mom."

"Oh, stop it! Can't a mother have some pride in her son?" Virgil made a face at that. Pride would be an understatement. And, the way he had shut the door in his mother's face was an overreaction. He heard her voice and the other person's, their guest's, voice, catching the phrase 'Indigo league' and a few other straggling words. He didn't have to think long to understand that it really was pride on his mother's part.

"Hang on mom!", he interjected. "Give me a second!" He got dressed, and twisted his door open.

A young man sat awkwardly in a corner of the sectional couch, hands clasped around a mug that looked brittle in his hands. His mom sat on the other end, hands also clasped around a mug. Virgil raised a brow.

"I don't think he likes the tea, mom."

"Then it's a good thing it's water." Virgil glared, and their guest made a pronounced effort to clear his throat. Virgil turned to him. Disinterest had softened the edges of his glare. "So, who're you?" He grinned.

"I think you should know." Virgil stared at him blankly, and uncomfortably, so did he.

"Does he really expect me to know who he is?" The boy's grin fell flat.

"You mean you don't know?" Virgil shrugged. The smile he attempted for reassurance came off closer to the opposite. He needed this moment to be over now.

"I guess not."

"Oh, come on! There has to be at least something! Weren't you one of the trainers in the Indigo conference last year?" Virgil's breath caught.

"I am."

"Then how do you not know about me?"

"You were there?" .

"Well, yeah! Why else would I–" He let out a terse breath. "Never mind. I know this is awkward, but I really came looking for you in particular."

"Yeah, no kidding. I can't believe my mom actually just let you barge in here."

"You're not making this easy, y'know…"

"You don't think it'd be weird if I didn't make this difficult?"

"I came here to train with one of the top 16 from the conference last year!" He snapped bitterly. "It's actually weird that you can't put two and two together!" The proposition had caught Virgil off guard. His hand went against the frame of the door to keep him steady and hoped that the boy hadn't noticed. "If you'd remember who I was, then this wouldn't be a problem." Virgil went quiet. An eye went over to his mother and he picked out the somber frown that he had grown used to seeing.

"You came looking for me as a training partner," Virgil murmured. "Isn't that what wild Pokémon are for?"

"I already answered that," the guest replied. "I came looking for someone that placed in the top 16 last year. Wild Pokemon aren't going to do it for me. And, I know you're good." Virgil spared a glance to his room where his team sat on the dresser. "So, what do you say?" Virgil's eyes flicked back to the guest.

"You couldn't have found someone else? I placed 16th in the top 16. I made it by the skin of my teeth." The trainer roiled at the smarmy reply.

"Sometimes the matchups are just bad. You were definitely top 8 material at least."

"I still don't see why you couldn't find someone else."

"Virgil," His mother's voice was sharp; he had forgotten she was even there until then. "You don't think there could be some truth to what he says?" The substance in her voice had shook his mind clear; he hadn't even realized it had been clouded.

"Mom, do you know him?"

"I do, and it's a wonder how you don't." Virgil held the boy's stare. "Are you sure you don't know who he is, Virgil?"

"I don't. I've never battled him before." There was a dispirited twist on the boy's lips.

"Hm, well, that's too bad I guess," there was an apologetic sincerity in his voice and the last thing Virgil had expected. "I really do get that this is weird but, I could really use an answer." Virgil stamped out the flicker of consideration.

"Sorry, but I'm on break." Virgil stood then and went back toward his room, twisting the door open in one fluid motion.

"Virgil Mathison doesn't seem like the type to give up to me." Virgil tensed. "You battled your way into the top 16, and your Dewott's Aerial Ace is nothing to scoff at."

"I didn't think trainers were allowed in the Trainer's Fan Club."

"I wouldn't say that. It just seems like you don't like to stay up to date on the prospects out there. It makes sense that you wouldn't really remember anyone from the conference unless they really made an impression." Virgil glared.. "Hey, don't give me that look. You're the one that made a comment in the first place." Virgil sneered .

"If you're so set on acting high and mighty, then my suggestion is that you go find Jaret King. He was the powerhouse last year. But for now, I'm. on. Break." Virgil stormed into his room and slammed the door shut behind him.

He woke up to relief, and exhaustion again. The dreams and memory of Marus's name came to him and stuck to his mind adhesively for most of his immediate morning like it always had for the past year. Virgil hated that part of the routine. The recovery from something so visceral always bled a few hours into his time after the fact, and it never failed to do so, even if this time his mother had shook him awake when he had started screaming. She had kept her humor about it, but he knew his mother, and worry sat diligently in the lines of her face. It had been a couple of days since that trainer had visited, and the cycle continued.

He had gotten ready as fast as he could, gathering supplies and snagged his team from his room. The trainer from a couple of days came to mind here and there, but threw it aside. iThere was no reason to waste his time on him, and the encounter had given Virgil all the more reason to get things moving as quickly as possible. The Indigo Conference was by far one of the toughest tournaments he had ever been in, but top 16 wasn't enough. He had been aiming for Conference Champion before moving on to the Elite Four.

But the conference had lent him a crushing and embarrassing loss and the memory made him smolder. He shook the thought away; the goal was to get things going as soon as possible. He left his room and bumped into his mother.

"Are you on your way out?" He scowled.

"I didn't say I was staying for very long. And, why did you say it like that? You know I'm going to be fine."

"Well, you did manage to take care of yourself the past year…" Her voice trailed off. He let out a taut breath. "I'll be okay. You don't have to worry. I really can handle myself."

"I know, and I do believe in you but…" He could see the Indigo Conference playing in her mind, reflecting on his battle with Jaret King that saw an utter blowout in Jaret's and Arcanine's favor. It had devastated her when he had lost, namely because of his reaction to it. He had given up battling for nearly the entire year after that. It hadn't been until after all her meddling and badgering that he eventually made his way back to battling, starting with home.

"Mom?"

"Hm?"

"How often do you hear me screaming?" She looked away when he asked, brows furrowed in silence.

"...Too often," she replied solemnly. "By the time I make it to your door, you're already awake. This was the only time where I've had to wake you up myself…" she paused. "And the only time where I was able to understand that something is really wrong, Virgil." She took his hand into hers. He could tell that she made a strained effort to not look at him. What he saw then wasn't worry, but anxiety. "By the way...Virgil, who's Mira?" Another pause.

"I don't really know. Just…someone that shows up in the dreams…" His voice trailed. "Mom, I'm going to be okay." He added. "I–"

"I was surprised that you never went up in flames," His mouth dropped in surprise. "But I am always so happy that you don't. I don't know what nightmares you keep having, but I know that they're the problem…"

"It's…been the same one," Virgil admitted. He gauged her reaction, and saw the concern winding tighter in her eyes. This part of the routine didn't come up often, and Virgil decided that he hated this part the most. "But I'll be fine." She frowned. "This is why I'm going to win the Johto league. If I become champion, then we can help dad get things moving over in Unova."

"Policies take time, Virgil."

"Well, yeah, but the funding could really help. The last time we talked to him, dad said he was working with Juniper and Fennel about Pokemon dreams. He also said he was trying to connect them to Devon Corp too! He–"

"Virgil," he paused, and she gave him a tired smile that made his heart sink; Alice Tonelia suddenly felt so old. "Just…be careful, and don't push yourself. We'll figure it out."

"Yeah. I will." He nodded and turned to the door.

"Oh, and Virgil?"

"Yeah?"

"I'll be sure to get some new footage and remind everyone just how good you really are. So, kick some butt." He grinned. She could always keep her humor about her.

"I'll see what I can do."

He took another deep breath then he was out the door, with a weight in his stomach and fire in his veins.

Virgil inhaled deeply, the gravity of how long he had been idle dawned on him. Route 30 may have been on the outskirts of Cherrygrove, but the air was fragrant all the same and it left his heart cool and his body energized. From the tall, wild grass to the cave face a little ways in the distance, Virgil was at a loss at how he had let himself rot in stale air. His first phase of conduct he decided was going to be visiting the Berry Master; he would blaze through the competition from there.

"Alright, I guess it's time to get started…"

"Hey." Virgil paused and turned to the voice.

"Hey, aren't you–"

"Yeah, I'm your 'guest' from a couple days back. The one you refused up front." Virgil's surprise melted into familiar annoyance.

"You know, this doesn't make a good case for you, y'know."

"Route 30 is the only route to Violet City," he said with a sigh. "Man, I really might've made a mistake coming to ask you for anything."

"What are you even doing this close to Cherrygrove anyway? Route 30's the kiddie pool over this way. And you just asked me about training a couple days ago. You can't tell me that–"

"There's more people in Cherrygrove than just you, y'know," he grumbled. "I had heard that the outskirts here had good berries, so I thought I'd pick some up for my Pokemon." His eyes narrowed. "It definitely wouldn't be for you, not after that first time."

"Good riddance," Virgil replied curt. "And, I was actually going to go to Mr. Cheri's Berry Space up the way, so you'll have to wait your turn." Virgil paused, and eyed the trainer from top to bottom. "You don't really seem like the type to go after berries." Virgil scanned the route for a few seconds, picking out a tiny home in the distance.

"Were you even listening earlier? I told you that I came to pick them up for my Pokemon!"

"Yeah, yeah." Virgil trudged forward.

"Hey. Hey!" The trainer followed. "I'll battle you for it." Virgil turned back to him, brow raised. "You said you were going to the berry gardener–"

"Master," Virgil corrected.

"Whatever, but you said you were going there, and so am I. Since you don't want to train and I don't want to travel with you, how about we battle for it?" Virgil groaned. He was familiar with battle hungry trainers, but this particular trainer was frustrating.

But Virgil was sure he was one of the few people that Mr. Cheri liked enough to give him some of his best; this reactive oaf of a trainer would be clueless. He couldn't let the berries go to waste, not when they were so hard to grow.

"Alright, let's do it."

Virgil had to have been on to something when he had called that trainer out. He had been a little too excited when he offered the battle and that had been a course of action that he already began to second guess, but Virgil was sure the Liechi or Starf berries would be worth the trouble. The trainer stood across from him, present and focused.

"I was thinking a one-on-one for a real test of skill. That sound good to you?" An excited grin painted his face. Virgil shrugged.

"Fine by me. Why don't you go first?"

"Nah, you keep it; you'll thank me later." Virgil shrugged, pursing his lips together to keep from grinning. The big talkers were always easy to beat; those berries were as good as his. He grabbed a ball from his waist, thumb sliding over the button as he hurled it to the field.

"Dewott, let's go!" An otter took shape from the flash of light, standing firm and paws twitching at the shells on its thighs: scalchops. The trainer's eyes narrowed.

"Well, if that's the case, this is going to be interesting! Arcanine!" Virgil felt his chest coil.

Arcanine… An Arcanine? He brought his attention, dazed, down to Dewott. The scalchops were already drawn and his eyes were sharp. Virgil read anticipation and an austere focus in the Pokemon's face; Dewott knew this Arcanine in particular and that meant that he did too.

"Speed up and get close!" Virgil saw Arcanine tense, but the Pokemon didn't pounce. It lifted one paw slowly, and then the other before bowing down into a long stretch before coming back to position. Virgil exhaled a breath of relief, then inhaled tightly; Arcanine barked, and then disappeared.

"Dewott–!" Arcanine had reappeared, immense and towering over Dewott. Its fangs glistened yellow light. Virgil prepped to respond, but the trainer's command was simply faster, roared from him, and stopped Virgilon the spot.

Virgil didn't hear the trainer's voice; he heard thunder..

Arcanine came down with all of its weight, but was thrown askew as it bounced from the scalchops. Pressurized water sprayed to life and Virgil snapped free of his daze just as Dewott made a lunging slash into nothing; Arcanine was too fast.

And so was the battle. Virgil fought down a yawn. He had to keep his eyes on the battle, and an eye out for openings. As if hearing thunder hadn't been unexpected enough, the last thing he needed was his lack of sleep to hit him now. He tapped his cheek in an attempt to jolt himself into action that he figured wouldn't work as he struggled to keep up with the exchanges between the two Pokemon. Dewott had taken a few blows, but he had thrown the worst aside; the next two dropped him to a knee.

I'm never going to win like this. The trainer closed in. Who would have thought he was this good? His body felt hazy, and it was difficult to focus. Virgil let a small yawn slip as he watched Dewott. Dewott had done nearly all of the work, and if they lost as it was, he would never let him live it down.

"Arcanine, they're done! Flamethrower!" Virgil felt a presence to the side of Dewott. His body came to life and Virgil snapped back into focus.

"Razor Shell, to your right!" Dewott struck out briskly and where the scalchop struck burst into steam; there had been no impact. Virgil let out a tightened breath. I know this move…

"Follow it up!"

"Dewott, behind you!" Dewott spun around with another flash of a scalchop, carved into the second blast and it burst into fog. Virgil winced; It was the same way he had lost at the Indigo Conference.

No big deal. I've seen this before and since I know it…" Dewott twitched in a direction and Virgil caught sight of a looming shadow. It had to be Arcanine.

The third blast of fire that cut forward had surprised Virgil and made his blood freeze with the memory of his dreams and his command froze with him. Dewott snarled, water snaking up and around him before encoating him entirely. He stomped and a burst of water shot him forward.

And slammed into something solid.

The steamed thinned and Virgil furrowed his brow in thought, looking onto the earthen wall standing before Dewott, who rubbed his head as he climbed back on his feet.

"Dewott, can you still fight? He didn't answer and Virgil followed his glare to the wall.

"Flamethrower!" Their attention snapped upwards and Dewott rolled forward to avoid the blast; Virgil saw nothing at the top of the wall. "Again!" The blast came from Dewott's flank like they knew it would. Virgil bit back frustration.

He's too fast…! His eyes went back to a grinning Dewott tracing with thin light. A paw was placed against the mud wall; Dewott really was doing all of the work.

He skittered by the fire, into another roll and slammed a paw into the ground. A pulse shook the pillar and it melted into dust, just as another one had formed, striking and launching Arcanine into the air.

He hit him…! Virgil sighed; Dewott was not going to let him live this down. The least he could do was give the finishing command. "Aqua–" The otter shot forward with the burst of water; he was already ahead of him, and Virgil's face twisted. He could have at least let him do something! But that had been all the confirmation needed for Virgil. Dewott could be hot-blooded, but never reckless like he was now. This Arcanine had to have beaten Dewott soundly, and Dewott did not take humiliation well; they knew who they were battling.

Arcanine rolled with the impact, flipping backwards to right itself toward Dewott. Another earth wall had shored up behind the Pokemon. The Arcanine burst into a blinding light and Dewott slowed to shield his eyes before another burst of fire struck him head on. Dewott fell, almost unconscious.

Morning Sun…? Like that? You can't be serious…!

"Dewott, are you just gonna' give up!? We've put in too much work to lose like this!" Something twitched in the Pokemon, a mix between determination and a desire to prove Virgil wrong. Dewott came to, flipping backwards and landing upright in a clumsy stumble; Virgil's mind was already fast at work.

Alright! Arcanine was going to close in, and Virgil was going to be ready for it. Dewott been clever enough to hit Arcanine before. He just had to do it again. "Dewott, Aqua–" Arcanine sped up then, faster than he had been for the entire battle, coming together in point-blank range. The drop in Virgil's gut was instant; Arcanine had been toying with them the entire time.

"Close Combat!" Arcanine's paws hazed into air before barrelling down onto Dewott and throwing the Pokemon from his feet; he rolled to a stop in defeat. For a long moment, Virgil only stared. The big talkers aren't supposed to be this good…I was supposed to win. He wasn't supposed to be–

"Hey," Virgil glanced back at his opponent. "That fight wasn't bad at all. For a moment, you almost had me. I gotta give you credit, that Dewott of yours has improved a lot." He rubbed his neck awkwardly. "And…about earlier…sorry for some of the things I said. I can get uh, a little rash. I really didn't mean anything by it." He let out a sheepish laugh, but Virgil only stared.

The trainer stood broad-shouldered and tall with a mane of dark hair and focused eyes that exuded an immense and pure strength, like his Arcanine. The wave of realization hit him hard.

"It's…you…" Virgil's throat tightened. "I know you…" The trainer smiled then.

"Well, it's about damn time. Jaret King, winner of the Whirl Cup and aspiring Elite Four at. Your. Service."

A/N: Jaret King was submitted by Aggies2015, and as the very first submission I ever received, I hoped that I managed to paint a better picture of him this time around. I also think that until I catch up to Ao3, I'll be taking a bi-weekly upload schedule, so you can expect chapter 3 around then. Life can get pretty busy and as for this month and honestly year, there's been a lot of maintenance to be had.

Something that I forgot to mention in the last chapter: This verse will have a move maximum of 6, and is something I wanted to put out there for readers that that could be jarring to. Specifically for the original submitters, your characters Pokemon will still have the exact same moveset plus two extras that can be picked from up to the new generation. I have all of the character data saved with me, so if there's any questions, feel free to ask. As for new and returning readers, thank you o much for taking an interest and I hope that you'll have a good time with the fic.