The winter morning had bestowed clear skies to the region. The numerous maple and sycamore trees shed their drab-brown leaves, and the wind whistled through their barren branches. The sun had already begun to creep up from the horizon, bathing the land in a golden glow.

In the middle of a clearing, a great, stone castle loomed. The flat, grassy plains of its estate spread far until reaching a cliffside, and far below stood a long bridge over a clear river. At the bottom, people were setting up tables and party banners. The melodic combination of a flute, an acoustic guitar, and a golden voice could be heard all the way up to the edge of the cliff, where a tall boy sat cross-legged beside a lilac feline.

A breeze soared over his brown and messy faux-hawk. His wiry arm was wrapped around his Espeon, and his blue eyes watched the performance below as he hummed along to their song.

I am a geezer standing in the dusk, mesmerized by the gulls. the lyrics played in his head, Gazing fixedly into the blue sea, I bemoan with shed tears.

Beside him, the Espeon sang along, her hum more of a pleasant trill.

As I yearn for the lovely gulls soaring above the blue harbor. As I yearn for you, the last part wasn't part of the lyrics, but something he added as the song came to its conclusion. It was sappy as hell, but he couldn't hold back his emotions. Espeon touched his shoulder with her forked tail.

"I hope we see her again, Espeon." Charles returned her amiable gesture with a rub on top of her head, which elicited a purr from the feline.

In the distance, tires against dirt made it to Charles' ears, and he looked over his shoulder to see a sleek-black luxury car coming to a screeching halt by the castle entrance. Three people stepped out, and Charles could easily distinguish the large, burly figure among them.

"Father's here?" Charles questioned aloud. He made sure his black and white jacket was zipped up all the way. Espeon stared at her trainer, her starry eyes wondering what he wanted to do.

"Let's go," he said, a swath of confidence overcoming him. They picked themselves up and walked towards the castle.

-SubjectCharles#001-

The lobby was filled with sunlight as Charles pushed open the great, wooden doors of the castle by their brass, Hydreigon-shaped ring handles. When he and Espeon entered, the first thing to catch his eye was a large, oil painting of a gray-haired man at the other end of the lobby. The man wore a formal blue military uniform with epaulets and buttons adorned in gold. He looked similar to his father, but his face was much heavier and grizzled. Beside him knelt a Gallade, its expression as coarse as its masters.

The rest of the lobby was lit by a large, crystal chandelier hanging from an iron chain. If he thought his father's mansion in Hoenn was the peak of extravagance, this castle was far more luxurious. Gold-framed paintings were displayed along the speckless gray-brick walls. They each held the majestic portrait of other ancestors he'd never met. In the middle of the room stood a mannequin of a knight. Its black pieces of armor shined under the chandelier lights, and a wood shield the size of Charles rested in its plated gloves. Charles always thought the knight was watching him through the dark slits of its helmet, and it made him uncomfortable. A red carpet was sprawled out toward another set of doors at the back, where the portrait of his grandfather hung above.

Charles turned his head to the creaking of a side door. Espeon quickly composed herself, sitting on her haunches and frozen like she was a guard dog.

It was his father. A black trench coat covered him neck to toe, and his brown hair was slicked back. He wore a smile, but his weary eyes couldn't match with the rest of his tanned face.

"My boy." Walter's rough voice greeted. With arms outspread, he walked up to his son and embraced him in a hug.

"Father," Charles croaked inside his father's tight squeeze. He freed Charles, but he kept his burly hands on his son's shoulders.

"The principal called. Finishing all your test with a total of ninety-seven? Good job."

Charles waited for his dad to continue his praise, but it ended there. 'All that work and it's just a good job?' Charles thought while forcing a smile and nodding. Long nights, tiny breaks, and a deep-fried brain. At least he was qualified to be a cop now.

"I'm going to get out of this Mankey suit and meet you in the dining hall. I asked Phoebe to whip us up a quick breakfast. Oh, and your brother's here, too, along with Halley."

"Elliot's here?" Charles perked up. "How long is he staying?"

"About five days, as am I," Walter answered, letting go of Charles before walking away. "I'm expecting you at the table in a quarter-hour."

And just like that, he was gone. Espeon relaxed her form, and a drop of sweat trickled down her head. She meowed at Charles, and one of her ears fluttered.

"Today's the day, Espeon," Charles whispered, tightening his fist. "Today's the day we leave Unova."

Charles entered through the middle door quickly, eager to get out from under the gaze of his grandfather's portrait. The red carpet continued through the hallway, also lit with smaller chandeliers until he reached a rectangular room. A white table cloth was draped over the long dining table. Women wearing black maid uniforms hurried to place porcelain plates and silver utensils in front of the mahogany chairs. Espeon had to side-step to avoid bumping into a maid holding some delicate wine glasses.

Sitting down at the left side chair closest to the table end was his brother, Elliot, clad in white. Frills adorned his high-collar suit, and his ash-gray hair fell down to his shoulders. A woman sat next to him. Unlike Elliot, her attire consisted of black articles. Her designer blouse was tucked into her skinny black jeans, and her deep-green hair was tied into a bun using two wooden sticks. Both Elliot's and her hands were intertwined, and their heads were touching side by side.

Upon seeing him, Elliot nudged Halley in Charles' direction. Elliot's mouth opened as he was about to greet him, but the woman beat him to the draw.

"CHARLES!" she screamed, jumping out of her seat.

"Hi, Halley," Charles deadpanned. Once Halley reached him, she gave Charles two air kisses on both his cheeks. Espeon purred, trying to get Halley's attention.

"It's been for-ever!" she started. Her voice was full of sass and energy, the kind of voice a popular girl from high school would have.

Elliot, who was still dazed from Halley's enthusiastic scream, walked slowly beside Halley. "Ah, Charles. And dearest Espeon. How do you fair?"

Espeon meowed happily as she danced around Elliot's feet.

"I don't know about her, but I'm pretty beat," Charles replied, adding a yawn for good measure.

"AHHHHHHH!" Halley's uncontrollable joy startled everyone. Even Espeon jumped away from them, hissing at Halley. "Oh, I'm so sorry I couldn't help myself! Walter told us! Six months Charles!? The fastest Elliot ever completed it was in eleven! Unbelievable!"

"Mhm, yes, Charles," Elliot agreed, his eyes narrowed at Halley. "It is quite the accomplishment, to say the least."

"Oh, all the girls will be swooning over him now!" she added, and she giggled upon seeing Charles' face turn red.

"What about you two? What's been going on with you guys?" Charles quickly changed the subject, kneeling to calm Espeon. She purred again as she was being petted.

At hearing his question, Halley wrapped her arm around Elliot's neck. Him being taller than she was, he was pulled down a little. "Oh, hubby took me on a little vacation to Johto! We went to Goldenrod, Cianwood, relaxed on the beach. You know, vacation stuff! And it was sooo much fun!"

"What my dear wife is trying to say is that we traveled to Johto to celebrate our seventh anniversary since getting married," Elliot explained while wiggling out of Halley's embrace. "We shall be heading off to Sinnoh in a few days. However, before we go there, Halley here wants to visit her family in Hoenn-"

Behind them, a loud clang erupted, and the three turned around to see the steel vase that had just clattered onto the marble floor.

"I'm terribly sorry, Master Elliot!" one of the maids spoke up. Elliot, however, was frozen in shock. Charles looked at Elliot's right hand, and it was shaking.

"I'm so clumsy... Phoebe will have my head..." the maid muttered, and she used a towel to clean the spilled water and flowers on the floor.

Halley looked about ready to burst on the woman, but Elliot raised his hand in front of her. "Don't worry, I'm fine," he whispered.

But Charles knew he wasn't. It might have been a long time ago, but Elliot suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. His journey did a number on him. Halley also suffered, but to a lesser degree.

"I didn't mean to scare you both," Elliot apologized. "Let's sit down for the moment, yes?"

Charles nodded quickly, and they all took their seats at the table. Charles and Elliot caught each other up about their lives. Halley explained her brand-new job as a news reporter in Sinnoh, and Elliot was still working as a police officer there.

As Charles sat there listening to them, he couldn't help feeling a little distraught. Elliot was still an officer? It was an honorable job, for sure, but Charles was scared his future would be looking a bit bleak if that's how everyone in his family ended up for the rest of their lives.

"You okay, Charles?" Halley asked, snapping Charles out of his stupor. Espeon was curled up at Halley's feet, her ears twitching as she napped.

"Like I said, just a little tired." he forced a smile.

The wooden doors to the dining room suddenly swung open. In all his splendor appeared Walter, his large frame tightening through his black vest and a white button-down.

"I knew that was your lovely voice I was hearing, Mrs. Greaves," Walter greeted.

"Oh, Walter," she laughed. "When will you start calling me Mrs. Lockwood? I am part of the family now, right?"

"I apologize. I still see you as Elliot's girlfriend seven years ago," he chuckled and sat down at the head of the table. At that moment, Charles' arm hair's stood on end. Espeon could feel it, too, because she quickly got up from Halley's feet and hid behind her trainer.

A Bisharp entered behind Walter. The first person he looked at was Halley, and his eyes darted to each and every person in the room, including Espeon. When his harrowing gaze fell on Charles, the boy became nauseous. No one else seemed to care that Bisharp was in the room because Charles heard Halley laugh at a joke Charles was too preoccupied to hear.

All of the voices were drowned out as Bisharp stared Charles down like he knew all his plans. The scratches and chips in his bladed gloves were made noticeable under the bright chandelier lights. His tiny eyes never faltered. His stance wouldn't yield. It was a challenge to see who would break first.

And then Charles looked away. He could make out Bisharp's unsatisfied grumble as the knight began to march towards the far corner of the room, his steel boots clinking against the marble.

"Anyways, that's enough about us," Elliot said to Walter. "Today is about celebrating Charles' accomplishment."

"Agreed," Walter replied. He picked up a silver bell on the table and jingled it. "The food, Phoebe."

As soon as he said it, the door across from them opened. Four maids entered, each hoisting a covered silver platter in their arms. Espeon moved out of the way, and she was entertained by the maid's coordinated movements. They walked in unison until each was beside a diner, and they set their platters on the table together. Another maid entered, but she was wearing a red uniform. The bottom half of her dress was rounder and bigger than the other maids and her auburn hair was tied into a ponytail.

She snapped her rough hands, and the maids uncovered the platters. Charles' senses went numb upon smelling the delicious potato and egg omelet within. The bite-sized potatoes were chunky with various ingredients mixed in, and the cheese-filled eggs looked incredibly soft, like pillows.

"My lord," the red-uniformed woman started, her voice intense but graceful. "Presenting a soufflé omelet stuffed with fresh Gogoat cheese beside fried potatoes mixed with vegetables. And a pinch of Occa berry zest from the gardens to garnish."

"Mmm." Walter set the bell down and sniffed the air. "Smells perfect, Phoebe."

"I am gratified, my lord." Phoebe bowed, picking up her dress slightly. The other maids copied her before they each left the room in a single file, with Phoebe the last to leave as she shut the doors behind the diners.

Without another word, Walter picked up the biggest of the three forks and a knife beside him and cut out a piece of the omelet. Charles waited; it was customary for the head of the table to taste the food before anyone else. Walter took a bite, and a few seconds later, everyone else followed suit. Charles picked up his fork, ready to dig in.

"That's the salad fork. And use the knife," Walter interrupted Charles, eyeing him.

"Apologies, father." his face reddened as he switched his fork and picked up the knife, as his father said.

The flavors were so simple, yet cooked to perfection, and the subtle spiciness left Charles wanting more with each bite. Living in the house, he only ate boiled eggs or something similarly healthy in the morning. However, it was always a treat when Phoebe cooked for the household. And she only cooked when Walter was here. Espeon placed her paws at Charles' chair, her nose twitching. Charles poked some eggs with his fork to feed Espeon.

"No, Charles," Walter stopped him, eyeing Espeon. He jingled the bell on the table again, and one of the maids entered immediately.

"Get some food for the pokemon here," Walter whispered to her. The maid bowed quickly and retreated. Charles mouthed a sorry to Espeon, and her ears drooped.

"So, how was your final exam?" Walter asked, patting his mouth with a cloth napkin.

"Not too hard," Charles replied after gulping down his food. Anxiety festered inside him, and he wondered if he would even be able to bring up his proposal to Walter.

"That's good to hear. Nothing is a challenge for Lockwoods," Walter praised, and Charles couldn't help feel stung by how indirect it was.

Yet Charles nodded again.

"And what do you plan on doing now? I hear the police station is looking for new recruits in Opelucid. Maybe I could put in a good word to Drayden for you. How does that sound, my boy?"

There was a silence at the table. Charles hoped Elliot or Halley would talk to take the pressure off him, but they too had become interested in that question. Walter gave Charles a stare just as cold as the Bisharp in the corner of the room. Seconds passed like hours, and Charles became ecstatic when the door creaked open. Phoebe held a bowl full of colorful pellets and placed it on the floor in front of Espeon.

"Pellet medley, Master Espeon," Phoebe announced. Espeon eyed the table again, giving Charles a despondent look. In any other situation, Charles would share his own food with Espeon.

Phoebe gave Charles and Espeon a blue-eyed wink before bowing and exiting. Espeon took a whiff, and she suddenly took an interest in her food.

"Well, Charles?" Walter asked again, clasping his hands together.

Charles turned back to the table. This was his moment. To anyone else, it should have been an easy question. But he needed to be careful around his father.

"I want to go to Hoenn," Charles announced, "O-on a journey,"

"Oh, that's a splendid idea!" Halley bubbled almost immediately, nudging her husband with her elbow. Elliot smiled nervously, and he aired his collar with a finger. A tension was swelling between Walter and Charles, and everyone could feel it, barring Halley.

"Splendid is a word," Walter stated, picking up his fork to take another, slower, bite of his food.

Charles cleared his throat before continuing, "I'm finished with the academy, and I wish to go on a journey in Hoenn."

Walter chewed his food, and Charles could almost hear the cogs turning in his brain. Charles' heart was beating hard now, the anticipation of his father's choice already crushing him. His father swallowed, and there was a split second of silence.

"Why not journey here, in Unova?"

"Hoenn is a land I wish to experience more of," Charles replied, looking down guiltily. That was a reason, but not the truth.

And Walter seemed onto him. "Hoenn is much more dangerous now than ever. I was just there. A gang has risen, believe it or not."

"Oh yes, the news outlet's calling them the Red Hoods, right?" Halley asked Walter, excited like it was the latest gossip.

"Indeed," Walter concurred.

"Y-Yes," Charles rebutted. "But isn't it dangerous here, too? Team Plasma is still out there-"

Upon saying Plasma, the fork in Elliot's hand collapsed. Charles could tell he messed up as Walter banged a fist on the table. His father's expression broke into anger as if he were looking for any excuse to crack down on Charles. Espeon jolted from her munching, her ears flattening at Walter's rage.

"Please," Elliot reassured, and Halley took his clammy hand to comfort him. "It's childish of me to get distressed every time someone says Team Plasma. Ignore me."

Walter frowned, but he stayed silent and allowed Charles to finish his case.

"It's true, father. And I find it so languishing in the castle, just me and the maids. I want to explore new regions. I'm not the same boy I was six months ago. I'm stronger now!"

And that was the kicker. Walter sat back in his seat, and for the first time all day, a small grin spread on his face as he raised his eyebrow. Charles felt like he activated a trap of some sort.

"You're stronger? Is that so? Then I suppose you'll have no qualms if I... test you?"

Dammit, Charles bit his lip. He'd heard of this before from Elliot, so why did he ever assume it would be different this time around? Charles could feel a presence upon him from the back of the room. Bisharp was facing him now, and it was as if he and Walter were synchronized in emotion. Espeon shuffled to Charles' side, scared witless.

"Come on then!" Walter stood from his seat, clutching the bell handle in his fist as he rattled it. "Let's see if you're words hold merit, shall we?"

A maid entered the room, the vigorous ringing whipping her into a panic. "Yes my-"

"Clean this up," Walter ordered. A snap of his fingers later, and the Bisharp in the corner of the room sprinted to his side at a speed Charles couldn't even fathom. "Meet me in the castle courtyard in a half hour. Be ready."

With that parting note, he and Bisharp strutted out of the dining room. Espeon went wide-eyed, and when she and Charles stared at each other, their hearts dropped simultaneously.

"Oh, can we watch!?" Halley perked up suddenly. Elliot, the dear loyal big brother he was, had stifled back a peal of laughter.

"Most certainly, Halley. I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Charles sighed. What did I do to deserve this?