Ethan and Lyra are born in a small town, with tiny, tiny fledgling wings that have no distinctive pattern, and no defining features. Professor Elm remarks about how unremarkable their wings are, and promises to watch the wings for any future developments.

There are none.

By age eight, a time when most children can freely soar the skies or water, they remain with incomplete wings. Elm puzzled silently, but he researched Pokémon, not humans. Even if Pokémon and wings remained linked in some fashion that nobody quite understood how, he couldn't say how or why Ethan and Lyra are different.

Neither set of parents seem to care much either way. Ethan's mom laughs it off with a shrug- "He loves Pokémon so much, I expect he couldn't settle which Pokémon to ask his gift of wings from!"

Lyra's mother laughs much the same way with a hidden worry in her eye- "Lyra is so flighty- I bet she forgot to ask before she came to me."

Elm sighed as he looked to the three pokéballs settled on the table. "While it's true neither or them seem concerned with it- I doubt the other parents or other children agree with your thoughts."

Here the two fall silent.

When Ethan and Lyra had been born, the two didn't even know the other existed. Now, the two women had nearly daily meetings to chat and talk about each other and their kids. "I know that Ethan hasn't said anything to me. What about you Yoko?"

Yoko sighed, one hand pressing against her cheek. "Lyra is often very quiet whenever she returns home, but it has been getting worse." She glanced at the ground, "I'm not sure what to do, quite honestly. She won't open up to me. Maybe if you were to try Yukiko?"

Yukiko hums softly for a moment, staring up at the ceiling. "Perhaps, if they haven't met their right Pokémon yet, then we should introduce them to more Pokémon and their wings will sprout. Professor Elm!"

Elm jumped a little in his seat. "Y-Yes Miss?"

"The minimum age requirement for an adventure is ten, is it not? At age ten, I will send Ethan out on his adventure."

Yukiko was just like her son- proud and decisive. Elm nodded, waving a hand. "That should be fine. Most children at least attempt it on their tenth birthday."

"Very well then. And how about you Yoko? Will Lyra go out on her birthday as well?"

Yoko laughed- "As if the two of them would allow themselves to be separated like that! But I am a bit worried. Team Rocket has been making the news recently. I can't possibly imagine sending them out while such a criminal organization is at large…"

A polite knock came at the door, before a flustered assistant came rushing in. "Professor Elm! Professor Elm!"

Elm's chansey wings immediately puffed out in shock. "W-What is it now?!"

"I-It's team rocket! Come and see the news! Police are reporting all sorts of mysterious happenings in Kanto like a huge raid that took place on one of their hideouts. Some wingless child has been challenging Team Rocket recklessly left and right!"

"A- A wingless?! Surely not!"

"It's true, come and see the television!"

Elm, Yoko, and Yukiko made a dash for the upstairs television. Elm's wife, and several of the assistants were gathered around, watching the news reel. A Office Jenny stood at next to a young looking reporter, quickly summarizing the situation, "And now, we return to Lavender Town. Here, it has recently come to our attention that Team Rocket invaded here and was doing something in the tower. Do we have any clue what was going on?"

The Officer Jenny took a deep breath. "Although there have been many rumors flying around, there has been nothing confirmed. Mr. Fuji, the caretaker of the massive Pokémon graveyard did say that he was captured by Team Rocket members, but was rescued by a young child named Red. We ask that ordinary citizens do not attempt to interfere in such matters, as we don't want anyone to get hurt, and please leave these matters to the police-"

"I have no objections." Yoko murmurs softly to Yukiko, "If there are people still brave enough to stand against Team Rocket no matter what may happen… Then what else can I do?"

Yukiko pats her shoulder consoling, "Don't worry- even if they leave for a long time, eventually the winds will catch their wings, and bring them home to us."

Lyra watched as Mr. Pokémon laughed boastfully. "Hello! Hello! You must be Lyra! Professor Elm said you would visit." His wings were as white as his hair, and gently shed feathers with each excited movement. Lyra stared at them slightly enviously, feeling her own fledgling wings, barely any more then a foot long twitch in unison.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could spot a gray-haired man with the most magnificent Gyarados wings sitting in front of a computer, typing away. He turned slightly, catching sight of her. She could almost read his mind, she muttered under her breath, "Oh, no! A wingless! Whatever shall we do?"

She looked away deliberately, making eye contact with Mr. Pokémon. He didn't notice Lyra's temporary distraction, still chattering away about Professor Elm. As someone who had grown up nearby Elm's place, Lyra had to admit, she wasn't very impressed. She just wanted to finish up this errand and get back to New Bark Town quickly. Ethan's tenth birthday was today, and he would be receiving his Pokémon. She had promised she would be there-

"Aha!" Lyra nearly jumped out of her skin as the man with the Gyarados wings suddenly pointed at her the same moment Mr. Pokémon deposited a Pokémon egg into her hands. "You're Lyra! I'm Oak!"

The famous Pokémon researcher that had created the pokedex and whom many researchers lauded as the ultimate knowledgeable powerhouse about Pokémon? Lyra crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping that Professor Oak hadn't heard her muttering.

"I was just visiting my friend Mr. Pokémon. I heard you were running an errand for Professor Elm, so I waited here."

Why was he waiting? For her? "I also wanted to meet that young friend of yours, Ethan I believe Elm called him." Oak sighed, "I heard about you two and it reminded me of some of the trainers I sent out among the world."

That's right, wasn't it… Oak had famously sent out the first wingless child in the entire world to become Champion. That mysterious boy then vanished a mere six months after winning the championship, and hadn't been heard from since.

"Why don't you take this? It's called a Pokedex."

Lyra stared at the red device in her hands- The Pokedex, given only to those thought worthy. No one… No one had ever considered her worthy of anything before, with her tiny fledgling wings. "I won't let you down! I'll fill it all up with every last Pokémon in the entire region!"

Ethan patted the tiny cyndaquil in his arms as he sighed. "Looks like Lyra couldn't make it after all."

The errand for Professor Elm must be taking more time then either planned. Still- this was Ethan's first time out by himself. Supposedly. Perhaps. Well, there were many times he had dragged Lyra out to go explore the foot of Mount Silver next to their town, and he may or may not of snuck off by himself on wild adventures when the other kids teasing grew too much… But whatever. So long as Mom didn't know, it didn't matter, right?

"Okay then, let's go-"

"Move it!"

Ethan went tumbling head over heels as a red-headed brat slammed into him from the back. He bit back a yelp of pain to exchange it for a few choice swearwords as one delicate, ungrown wing slapped against the ground. "Hey! What was that for?!"

"Move it wingless!"

The red-head had a pair of magnificent Sneasel wings. The black feathers with bright red pinion feathers were each shaped like claws, and despite their overall delicate look, would probably hold up to a blizzard instead of just frosting over.

The red-head's eyes flickered to the Cyndaquil in his arms. "You got a Pokémon at the Lab. What a waste. A wimpy wingless like you."

Ethan saw red for a brilliant moment. Twice. Twice this bastard had dared to imply wingless were weak. That Ethan was weak. "Hey Cyndaquil, I don't got a nickname for you just yet, but how about we teach this kid a lesson?"

"Hah! I'd like to see you try!"

Ethan pointed a finger at the other boy- "Cyndaquil- Tackle!"

Falkner sighed, Pidgeot wings drooping as he shuffled across the cool ground. Bellsprout tower rose over the small city, the tall building echoing with its occasional thuds as it drifted from side to side. It was time, once again, to meditate. Elder Li would understand- He was around when Kanto's Gym Leader Green had taken the world by storm.

Father had decided to disappear then as well, merrily running off without so much as a goodbye. Only a written note and a single pokéball telling him to become the best gym leader around.

Falkner took a deep breath, suddenly aware that his feathers were rustling in rage. The calming Bellsprout tower, with Master Li and his forever calming personality was just what he needed.

Father…

No, he wasn't thinking about his father right now. The aloycates of Bellsprout tower bowed respectfully as he passed. Falkner took a deep breath, before letting it out slowly. Feathers slicked downwards, settling into place. Bellsprout shaped feathers drifted across the wooden floors.

The man with the gold Magikarp feathers laughed without hesitation as he thrust out an Old Rod to Lyra. Lyra flinched, before accepting it with a shaky smile.

This guy… Isn't he just pawning trash off on me? I hope Ethan is having better luck…

Ethan and Lyra stared at the darkened cavern, that would lead to Azalea Town. "I wish we could fly over this cave."

"Yeah…"

"We wouldn't have to take the long way around."

"We could've gotten around that tree."

"We could be at the casinos right now, hitting the big time!"

"Ethan!"

Ethan sighed, looking away. "I bet the Champion didn't have to tramp through caves full of stinking zubat."

Lyra sighed- for Ethan, always and forever, the 'Champion' would be Red. "Well, let's get going."

Silver crouched in the trees, black wings scraping off the bark of the tree with every adjustment. "Last I heard there was a Team Rocket hideout here. But who could possibly be reviving them? Father…"

Silver closed his eyes, and shook his head. Father… Father would've contacted him, if he decided to come back. Right? Silver shook his head again, wings gouging clawmarks into the trunk. It wasn't worth thinking about. It never was.

"Just you wait and see father- I'll tear down this rotten organization of yours, and prove myself to be the strongest trainer in the world!"

Like a Sneasel clawing its territorial marks into trees, so would Silver leave his mark in the world, without a single doubt.

Maisey peeked around Slowpoke, glancing at Grandpa Kurt. He was grumbling again, a soft, low grumble as he hollowed out the acorn in his hands. She glanced down at the slowpoke yawning lazily as it slept on the soft pillow. Her bright pink and white wings quivered when Grandpa's grumbles grew even louder.

"M-Maybe we should go outside to play, huh Pick?"

The slowpoke yawned.

Maisey glanced outside-

Just as Bugsy went flying past at high speeds, Scyther wings churning up a storm. Maisey sighed as she cuddled with Pick. "I don't want to go out when he is." Her cheeks puffed out petulantly. "If I do, then he'll shove all sorts of creepy bugs and bug Pokémon at me!"

But maybe one of the kids with the Farfetch'd wings from the Charcoal Kiln would be willing to play with her- they could even go to the ruins! Her wings were more then big enough for the short glide over the cave, and Grandpa would never know!

Maisey glanced at Grandpa Kurt again. His Mankey wings were practically pummeling the ground in frustration. "Work you stupid apricot- stop shattering on me! These apricots… only a few are worth making into pokéballs these days."

"See ya later, Pick." Maisey whispered as she pushed the door open.

Bugsy was there immediately, "Maisey! How are you and Mister Kurt doing?"

Maisey hid her flinch very well. She didn't scream or alert Grandpa to the fact that she was sneaking out- she just jumped a few feet. Then she put on her best smile, "Hi Bugsy, I tought you were going off to the forest today."

"The forest? No, no- I have to help Officer Jenny track down the culprits of the Slowpoke Tail cutters."

Maisey gasped- who would dream of cutting off a slowpoke's tail? "Who would do such a horrible thing?"

Bugsy shrugged, "I'm not sure! But that's actually why I came around- you have a slowpoke in your house too, right? So better keep a close eye on it, and don't let it wander away. Otherwise it's tail might get chopped off too!"

Maisey's face fell- Bugsy did have a point. She shouldn't leave Picky alone. "Okay Bugsy."

Bugsy grinned, the iridescent wings spreading wide. Like this, Maisey could see the beauty of insect wings- they shone brilliantly in the light, sparkling like the facets of a shiny gem. She smiled at him as she opened the door- "Your wings are very pretty today!"

She missed his crash back to the ground, cheeks dusted red with embarrassment. She never did understand why Grandpa Kurt choke on his food, infamous short temper flaring to life when she mentioned it later.

It would take her years before she'd figure it out.

Celebi danced through time, fluttering through the past, present, and future with a grin and giggle. It's tiny, iridescent wings cut through the air, before dancing up into the treetops.

Below, two humans that Celebi knew that one day it would follow and love and always wish to be with walked side-by-side comparing the bright red boxes and smiling. It giggled, picturing them with their wings, bright as the sun and moon.

It danced away- one day- not yet, but one day- it would return here.

The old man and woman smiled as they spotted their granddaughter walking up the road, arguing with the boy beside her. From this distance, the old woman supposed, it looked as if they had no wings.

These two knew better then that though- like a carefully nurtured youngling, so too would Lyra and Ethan's wings would grow. But as for now-

"You can go ahead and let your wings go back."

Feathers abruptly smoothed and vanished, turning into the quiet purple of a Ditto. "Mmm? What's this?"

"Looks like our dear granddaughter has come to visit us- with a friend!"

"A boyfriend?"

"Kehehehehe-"

The two smirked at each other, ditto wings running through a gauntlet of shapes and types before settling back to their normal form.

Whitney grumbled as her head hit the table of the small milk bar. "Honestly, can't a girl get some proper food around here?"

The giant stack of plates belied her statements. The milk bar owner sighed as he flicked a pink feather off the table. "Whitney, your miltank feathers are everywhere."

The feathers drifted towards the ground. "Honestly, the police keep asking me to help with Team Rocket, but I don't wanna. It's not like they're big or anything- just a buncha loosers."

The bar owner settled down a new glass of milk, glancing at her with a serious expression. "You shouldn't say such things. If you do, you won't know where or when you might end up regretting those words."

"Pah, as if I'll ever regret them! I'm really tough you know!"

The bartender muttered under his breath, "Still just a kid though." He glanced back to where a single Miltank stood, munching serenely on the provided hay. Whitney sighed again, sipping at her cup of milk.

"Just don't burst into tears when you loose again, okay Whitney?"

"Sh-Shush you! Is that anyway to treat a customer?"

"Is this any way to treat your uncle?"

The two's matching wings puffed out petulantly for a few moments. Whitney sighed as she glared at the the countertop. "They have to beat me first, and I'm the strongest gym leader around! They won't beat me!"

"I wouldn't say that. Morty-"

"You can't compare us too! He's all creepy, and dark! I'm a blossoming young lady in the flower of my youth! Ahhh- every time I think of all the ghosts he hangs out with I get scared…"

Whitney covered her eyes, leaning back in her seat. "Urgh, but this year at the Gym Leader conference, I'm going to show him!"

"Your usual methods of using rollout until the opponents give up won't be applicable here."

"Grr, I'll come up with something even better! I'll try again and again until it works!"

"Like I said, rollout won't work."

Rattatta, koffing, and Porygon wings mixed and mingled in the Game Center as cigarette smoke slowly drifted to the ceiling. Here, Ethan smirked as he pulled the lever. Three dings later, he started laughing triumphantly at his big win.

Lyra sighed, pressing one hand against her forehead. "How is it that you know so many useless skills?"

Bill rooted through the wires, bright yellow wings twitching at the small shocks. "Hmm, this wire should be here, and this wire should be there…"

A small jolt of electricity jumped from the wire, making Bill flinch back, wings shooting out to protect himself. The spark was caught by the feathers, and immediately nullified. "Whew, I guess it was a good idea my wings evolved into a electric-type pattern when I decided to become a computer engineer."

He sighed as he set down the wires, looking around for the plug. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't be trying to fix a computer with it plugged in anyways. Oops."

Bill got up, and promptly forgot that his toolbox was right in front of him. With a yelp, he tripped and went rolling straight into the computer that he was trying to fix.

"ARGH! This is why I can't fix the computer systems in time!"

Silver's teeth ground as he stormed out of the Kimono Dance Theater. His fainted, defeated, weak Pokémon were in their pokéballs, only his Totodile awake enough glance at him through the clear plastic.

Cheerful laughter- laughter that he knew far too well rang in the air. "Ethan! You shouldn't!"

It was the two wingless… fledgling… the two idiots. The girl and the boy, walking towards Kimono Dance Theater slowly, the girl laughing, and the boy smirking triumphantly. Those two… those two had never tasted the bitter ashes of defeat, had they? They had never watched their entire life being burned from the ground up, and suddenly been forced into a bitter situation where it was either struggle to live, or be killed. These two… how? Why? Why were they so much stronger then him?

Why was it they kept winning and wining and winning just like that brat without wings three years ago- why… why! I thought I could win against those dancers, each of their wings correspond to the Pokémon that dances beside them. It should have been so easy, and yet… I couldn't… I can't win. No! I'll go and train even more! I won't let this stop me!

Morty drifted through the empty, burnt, crumbling tower with ease and grace. His black gengar wings flared brilliantly from his back, with the slightest purple glow to them. Eusine quietly walked after him, using a foot to test the burnt boards carefully.

Eusines white cape settled across an empty back, artfully elegant. "Morty-"

Morty half turned. If someone didn't know him very well, they'd say it was a creepy little tilt that made him look like he was doing a somersault in thin air. "Morty, what about your gym?"

Morty shrugged casually, one wing gliding through a wooden post. "Oh, that. I left a note on the front door. Tell me then, how was Hoenn?"

Eusine laughed, "I took a look through their ancient manuscripts, but then it started getting dangerous so I decided to leave. Besides, from what I could decipher, Suicuine had never appeared in Hoenn."

He sighed, for a brief moment his usual carefree personality dropping. "Despite how long and hard I search, I can never seem to catch up to Suicuine…"

Morty drifted a little closer- Eusine hurriedly put on a bright smile, "Ah, that reminds me, I received a report of Ho-Oh, and I know where it was last sighted!"

Whatever Morty was going to say was promptly and immediately forgotten by the mere mention of Ho-Oh. Eusine nearly backed up a step when Morty was suddenly right before him, eyes shinning. "Really? Ho-Oh? The Ho-Oh? Where?!"

Eusine grinned, pulling out a thick, heavy notebook. All of the pages were well worn, and handled with care. Photographs of old texts and ancient tables were carefully taped within, creating a network of sightings that Eusine hoped would one day bring him face-to-face with the one and only Suicuine.

He flipped open the book, extracting a grainy photograph. "Orre region is a bit of a lawless pit, but a lot of information flows through it. And with it came this photograph-"

Morty snatched the photograph from out of his fingers. "Ho-Oh! This is Ho-Oh, and such a clear shot!"

Eusine laughed- "It's the real deal too! I swear- the channels I got it through are absolutely impeccable."

Morty twirled in midair, staring at the photograph with sparkling eyes. "You can even tell apart the rainbow colors!"

Eusine smiled as Morty floated away, glancing around. A few wild Pokémon drifted through the burnt tower, but they weren't about to attack with Morty's gastly, haunter, and gengar floating through the air like a wall protecting the two humans from harm.

One of his pokéballs gently rocked- Haunter wanted out, to go play with Morty's Pokémon. Eusine lifted up the pokéball, and released Haunter. The ghost Pokémon chased playfully after Morty's Gengar. The two of them slipped through walls and floors in their play.

Eusine stretched, feeling the scar marks from where his wings had been cut off tug at his skin. "Morty-"

Morty glided back towards him, "Yes Eusine?"

"It's been ten years since I started searching for Suicuine. Do you think I'll ever see it?"

Morty nodded. "Of course! With your kind of determination, how could you not?"

Eusine covered up his uneasiness with a shrug- "You're right! I will see Suicuine!"

And maybe he could ask for his wings back. His beautiful, wonderful water wings. Suicuine's powers were over water, and could purify water, right? So surely his wings… Or was the desire for his wings back too impure for that noble beast to stand?

At least he wasn't like Morty, who had to bear the weight of everyone's expectations of him to bring back Ho-Oh and once again make the town the most beautiful, gorgeous place. To 'rescue' people from the corruption of Goldenrod.

Jasmine wondered how long it had been since she had last slept. Yellow and red wings curled around Ampy, cuddling the Pokémon close. She could hear Ampy's labored breathing, the Pokémon struggling to cling to life.

"C'mon Ampy, you have too… You need to get better. All the sailors are depending on you to warn them…"

Another feather dropped to the ground, creating a thick carpet. Ever since Ampy had gotten sick, her wings kept molting feathers from stress. Her trainers and underlings were all worried about her. Even now, they lined the way up to the top of the lighthouse.

But it didn't matter.

Ampy kept getting sicker and sicker, and Jasmine just didn't know what to do anymore. There was supposed to be medicine in Cianwood City, but even then… she couldn't leave Ampy. That was just impossible. Ampy was too sick to leave with any of her usual gym trainers, as it wouldn't trust any of them. Nor could any of her trainers leave to go to Cianwood…

Please. Please, someone, help me.

Kirk chewed on his fingernails, worriedly pacing around the house. Red and yellow pattered rock-type wings worriedly twitched and flittered back and forth. White spots decorated some parts of the wings. They curled around him like a shell.

The small shuckle watched him pace back and forth in boredrom.

"W-What if he comes back, that boy with the Sneasel wings… Shouldn't they be in hazard bags anyways? But if he comes back, then you might be taken away too Shuckie! I wouldn't be able to bear it if something like that happened!"

He crawled towards the Pokémon, cuddling it within the safe cacoon of his wings. "I know… I should find an even stronger trainer then that kid with the Sneasel wings! They should be able to protect you! And if they do… Then everything will be fine, won't it?"

As long as he withdrew form a bad situation, then nothing could harm him.

Umeko sighed tiredly, stirring the giant pot of soup. It bubbled softly, reflecting the pale, wingless woman that was glaring down at it too make it bubble a little faster. A few Tyrouge bustled around behind her, obediently doing what she asked of them.

Homes were always built for those with wings in mind. This made for very spacious living, but for a woman who felt like she was single half of the time… "Honestly, when is Chuck going to come home? All day and all night he meditates away underneath that giant waterfall…"

Umeko gave the pot one last stir, and trotted to the entrance of the house. From here, she had a clear view to the Pokémon gym. As usual, a few of the trainers had lined up to challenge the gym- not many though. This town was far too remote for someone too willingly come here.

And most couldn't make the flight alone. Those with Water Wings were used to the distance required, and there were always enough stones to rest on. Flyers would be leery of flying that distance, afraid they might get dragged under the waters surface if their wings got too wet-

Or so Chuck claimed. She didn't really understand, being Wingless after all. But… She could understand it a little. Umeko cut through the living room, heading for the upstairs bedroom. Her bag was there- maybe she would go and visit Chuck at the gym, and convince him to escort her back. It could be romantic- a small stroll, just the two of them along the beach-

CRACK!

The sound of an egg hitting against the wall made her flinch in surprise. A resigned sigh escaped her lips. They were back again, huh? The ones who thought because she was a wingless she was weak. "Come along Fearrow! It's time to show the newest people in the neighborhood why Chuck married me."

The bird Pokémon screeched it's approval, awkwardly hopping through the building to get too the battle.

"Hey, you lot! Just because I don't have wings, doesn't mean anything! I'll show you why I'm still considered a bird master even if I don't have wings myself!"

Just because Chuck had the roaring, fighting wings of the two didn't mean her personality didn't match his for hard-headiness or his passion for battling. Just how did they think she gotten married to him? It had been through a fighting match of course!

Pryce thoughtfully tapped his cane against the cold ice of his gym. The cold white of Dewgong wings blended in with the surrounding ice and snow that naturally covered the gym all year around. "Hmmm… I think it's time to call Lance."

For months now, he'd been watching suspicious activity of people scurrying around the town, ducking in and out of buildings. He'd kept his suspicions to himself, not even attempting to interfere. Instead he had kept a careful watch on his town.

The teens and adults with black-dyed wings and bright red R's finally convinced him that Team Rocket had indeed revived- and not only that, revived in his town. Slowly and deliberately, Pryce glided towards the phone he had installed just in case this ever happened.

The phone rung seven times before it was picked up, a harried, tired voice asking, 'Pryce, what's going on?"

"There are Team Rocket members in my town. Come and get rid of them."

"… Huh?"

"There are Team Rocket members in my neighborhood. Come and get rid of them. Also, go to The Lake of Rage- I think they're doing something stupid up there."

"Are you certain?"

"Of course. I've been watching them come in and out for months-"

"MONTHS?! Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Dragons. Never could handle a little cold logic, could they? "I didn't tell you, because nothing was set in ice yet. Even now, the facts may melt from between our fingers if you linger for too much longer."

"I- I get it. I'll go and face them. I've been needing to visit Claire as well."

Dragons, flighty, overpowered bunch the lot of them. Nothing like the cool, cold ice of rational thinking. "Do what you wish."

Without saying goodbye, Pryce hung up.

Calmly he waited for his next challenger- if the problem appeared before him, steaming towards him, then he would act. But it really wasn't worth drifting his was through town and tracking down all of these hot, young flames. He'd leave that too younglings like Lance.

Silver's teeth gritted in rage, as he glared at the tall man… what did he call himself again? Lance? That's right- Lance. This Lance had beaten him- not as badly as Lyra and Ethan had ever beaten him, but he had still lost.

Feathers scraped against each other, a sharp, grating noise that echoed in the building. "It's no surprise you lost. You don't love or trust your Pokémon enough-"

Love? Trust? Who the hell cared- Like that could possibly affect a Pokémon's growth! Look at Lyra and Ethan- those two dopes could hardly make their Pokémon happy, what with their flittering around and never focusing on one thing. If their Pokémon really could be happy with such saps, then…

"You also fight too much like your father Silver."

Silver flinched- every feather stood on end like miniature daggers ready to tear into delicate flesh if anyone dared get close. "Don't compare me to him."

"Your father was-"

"A stupid idiot! He gave up just because one kid messed up his plans- just like those stinking rhyhorn wings of his, he couldn't dream of finding ways around it. No, he just crumpled. What a looser. That's why I'm going to defeat everyone and take the championship- all on my own!"

Lance grimaced, and changed tactics, "Even if your wings are that of a cold, cruel creature, don't think you need to be like a Sneasel to win. Your wings aren't your fate- they don't control what you can become."

Wings… didn't matter? Of course they did. Wings always mattered. Wings were your future, your personality, your thoughts. "You certainly aren't thinking like a ice-type right now, are you? Hot headed and impulsive…"

"Like you can talk! Dragontypes are supposed to be intelligent, and yet here you are, babbling nonsense. Wing types are absolute!"

Team Rocket members stood next to the radio, calling again and again for their boss to come back, to become their leader, and finally rescue the team from the brink of extinction.

Claire clicked her teeth together lightly. Dragonite wings sliced through the air as she stormed along the pathway to Dragon's Den. Once again, Grandfather had refused to acknowledge her completely.

Urgh, it really made her angry!

And moreover, so many people were off challenging her to useless battles. Honestly, they needed to train a lot more before they could possibly-

"Claire, I heard you were defeated. And you sent your defeaters too Gramps where they earned his respect in no time flat."

Claire froze in her act of heading back to her gym. "Ah, Lance."

"Claire. I suppose with your defeat they now have all of the badges needed to challenge the Elite Four, hmm?" He scrubbed at the back of his head. "Guess I should get prepared for another fight like Re-"

"Oh please, as if they'll catch up to that guy."

"They did defeat Team Rocket and forced them to disband."

"Hah, they had help from you, didn't they?" Claire waved a hand in the air, "I expect you to exact revenge for me brother."

"Yes, yes, I'll do my best."

Lance twitched his cape around himself, settling onto a nearby rock. Ragged Dragonite wings sagged for a few moments. "Ahhh, it's so much work, wrapping up the remains of a entrenched organization. I should've turned down the Championship when he decided to leave."

Claire snorted- "At least it puts your brute strength to work."

"We of the dragon wings always blasting through our problems?"

"Who was the one who decided to hyperbeam an old lady in Pryce's town and make him so angry that not even you will dare to fight against him? It take a lot to make a ice-wing mad-"

"Ah, not really. I mean, it's just a stereotype that all ice-wing people are cold and analytical." Lance was surprisingly poetic today. Had something happened?

"What makes you say that?"

"You faced off against a red-head ice-wing user, didn't you? Goes by the name Silver? He was hot-headed as they came. Besides… keeping yourself restricted to the use of your wings… Red proved that it wasn't needed to win, didn't he?"

"I never met him, so I couldn't say. But he did screw your head on right, so I guess I can approve of him." The mysterious child, who had never left Kanto but left a mark on the world nonetheless.

And Ethan and Lyra, the two who had managed to follow his footsteps without seeming like copies. It was an act hard to pull off, but the two had done so with style, grace, and enough strength that Lance could feel the battle of a lifetime creeping up on him.

Claire just didn't care.

It was his problem, not hers anymore. She had been beaten. Those two… three brats had all of Johto's badges. And they were still roaring for more! Maybe they'd go off too Kanto and get the badges there.

Ethan stood at the top of the tower, clutching the rainbow wing. His heart raced as Kimono Girls filed to the top of the tower. Fire danced in a bronze bowl.

His wings itched.

Even after defeating Lance, and going through all of Kanto, his wings itched. They had been itching ever since he had gotten the Rainbow Wing. He'd thought it was his wings growing, but they hadn't grown at all. He and Lyra had measured each others wings just to make sure.

She had been feeling the same itching.

That's why- "Ethan, are you ready?"

Ethan took a deep breath, and nodded.

The Rainbow Wing, the key ingredient for summoning Ho-Oh, was placed in the basin.

As a magnificent screech filled the air- Ethan could feel his wings start glowing. "M-My wings are-"

They were finally, finally, finally growing. A low, quiet itching, and the sensation of wings expanding. Lyra- Are your wings growing too? Will we finally be able to fly?

Lyra threw her head back and laughed as her wings glowed like a Pokémon evolving, arms rising up to look at Lugia as it stared down at her with a patient, understanding, and fierce look that promised her-

This was all for a reason.

Finally, and at last- Wings! She was going to be able to fly! Through the sky or water, she would fly! Lugia screeched, it's wings lashing out, the wind making a few of the Kimono Girls stumble backwards.

Lyra glanced at Meganium- "Let's show our appreciation, shall we, old friend? Lugia! Thank you for the wings- and please, won't you come join me on my adventure?"

Silver tromped wearily through the underbrush. It had seemed like so long since The Pokémon League and his slow understanding of Pokémon and love. It felt so nice. When Goldbat had evolved into Crobat, Silver hadn't known what to think.

It was something that Father couldn't have done.

Silver had done a lot that Father couldn't do. And, despite his harsh words, he found himself minding less and less the fact that he didn't win the Championship. Ethan and Lyra's kindness, along with the strength their Pokémon carried, had slowly taught him through bumps and bruises that if he had won the Championship, it would not of been well for him.

Crobat chittered at his side, turning slightly with a happy chirp that meant one thing only- "Lyra? Ethan?" As he talked he pushed his way through the underbrush, shoving a giant bush aside and sending several caterpie scattering.

Ethan's Aipomb appeared, double tails swinging down to flatten Crobat. Silver took a step back, automatically reaching for his pokéballs. What was going on? Was Ethan and Lyra in a battle?

"S-Silver?"

Silver almost ran away.

He hadn't ever heard such a weak, grateful, scared tone from either Ethan or Lyra in his entire life. Silver didn't want too hear this tone. Ethan could be nothing but a cocky brat with a perpetual smirk and laugh. Lyra couldn't be anything then a lightly teasing, sometimes surprisingly knowledgeable person. Together, they were invincible and strong, and perfect. They had to be perfect, or else Silver's new world he was building for himself would crumble.

A flash of rainbows flashed by his eyes. "Those rainbows- Ho-Oh?"

"Not quite?"

Silver finally turned around to look at Ethan and Lyra. "Ah."

Rainbow and silver white wings were pressed up against each other. But that wasn't what surprised(scared) Silver the most- it was the look of barely repressed panic in Lyra's eyes. "Silver! Do you have any bandages?"

"Banda- Yes." Come onn focus, he needed to focus. Silver rooted through his backpack. Tough training usually gave one scrapes and bruises, so he carried extra just in case.

"Lyra, you should-"

"I'm not the one who got a pinion feather torn out Ethan! If we don't stop the bleeding soon, you'll bleed out and die!"

Silver considered all the cuss words he had ever learned in his entire life. The pinion feathers were one of the most important feathers, and were connected to a major artery that ran through the wing. He dumped his entire medical kit onto the ground, hurriedly pushing everything into a semblance of order.

"Lyra, you've been keeping pressure on the wound, right?"

"Of course! Silver-" She hesitated, before continuing on quickly, "Do you have any hazard-wing bags?"

"No, I never wanted to use one myself, so I never…" People always avoided you if you had on the bags, and you stood out a lot more from the crowd. So, Silver had never wanted to stand out and kept his wings uncovered. Ethan and Lyra would stand out far more if they kept their wings uncovered though.

Lyra nodded, as Silver finally found the wrapping and the padding. "Lyra, you can move your hands now, I'll get Ethan's wings."

Lyra didn't move, even as she looked at him expectantly. Ethan twisted one arm up, touching her hand gently. With a quiet gasp, she let go, and retreated a few steps. If Silver cared too look too closely, he could see her hands shaking, covered in enough blood to make his stomach roll.

Silver poured the disinfectant over the wound, ignoring Ethan's groan of pain. Cotton stuffed the open hole, and the bandages wound tight around it. Ethan buried his face in his arms.

Up this close, Silver could spot the missing feathers where they had been torn out. But… Silver glanced away from the rainbows. "I see you were busy while I was gone."

"Yeah, we thought we'd give it a run. Lyra, get your own wings looked at, okay… Lyra?"

"S-Sorry, I was just looking for some water to wash off my hands."

"Use my Lapras." Ethan offered, "She'll be really gentle."

Lyra glanced at the pokéballs, and back down at her own bloodied hands. "I don't want to get blood-"

"It's fine Lyra! Just, get your hands cleaned and come over here so that way I can take care of your wings, okay?"

Silver crossed his arms, staring down at Ethan. "No Ethan, I'll take care of her wings. You stay right there and rest. Alakazam! Make sure he doesn't move, and make sure he gets some water in him. I'll be borrowing your Lapras."

Silence fell on the small clearing as Silver worked to clean Lyra's wings. Ethan was nearing sleep, and no matter how much Silver was burning with curiosity, now wasn't the time. "Thank you Silver. If you hadn't come along, I don't know what we would've done."

"I'm sure you two would've thought of something."

Silver's hands dropped away from Lyra's wings. "You two should probably get to a hospital."

Lyra and Ethan glanced at each other, before Lyra slowly shook his head. "No, we can't. If we do, then everyone will know where we are." Silver spared another glance for the Ho-Oh and Lugia wings. It made sense, them not wanting anyone to know where they were.

Ethan pulled himself shakily to his feet. "Lyra, we still have everything together, right?"

"We need to pick up a first-aid kit before that Ethan. If either of us gets hurt… Anyways, I'll go on ahead, since I can move faster-"

"Wait." Silver took a deep breath, "Let me go. I know what you'll need."

Lyra smiled at him, "Thanks Silver."

Silver tromped off through the woods.

When he came back, it was to a fainted Alakazam carefully covered with a thick, warm blanket, and a hastily scrawled note of two people panicking, explaining that someone had caught up, they needed to flee, goodbye Silver, please be happy and sorry about Alakazam-

A tree shuddered as wings sliced into the thick trunk. "Why? Why are you running away? You two are supposed to be stronger then that! Why won't you… you're the ones who are supposed to be out there, not running away."

It's supposed to be me running away, not you. I can't- I can't keep rebuilding my world. You two were supposed to be my constant... You two had better be safe! And no matter how long it takes, or where I need to go, I'll find you and bring you back home again. I swear.

Yet another boring night on Mount Silver.

Red stared out and down from Mount Silver, looking at the join between Kanto and Johto. Golden light shone from below, marking out towns, cities, and streets. Stars shone above, the usual snowstorm having blown itself out.

Pikachu comfortably napped atop his head, as Charizard rumbled softly from where it had clawed out a pit from the snow. It was so peaceful up here, now that Hoenn's champions May and Brendan had left. Peacefully really…

The silence was shattered by the sound of wingbeats heading up the mountain. Red's head tilted to one side- who could possibly be daring the bitter cold that even hikers didn't dare to face without preparation?

Rainbow and deep ocean wings burst through the wispy, slowly gathering clouds, as a young boy and girl danced further up. Their wings were covered in bandages, and they shot quick looks towards the ground as if expecting an attack, or someone to follow them.

Arcreus help him, why was this happening on such a beautiful night?

The boy turned, eyes going wide as he spotted Red standing on the edge. "L-Lyra- Isn't that… Hey, are you- Are you Red? The Champion?"

Someone had instantly recognized him? Red didn't move as the boy babbled on nervously, "I'm Ethan, and I'm Johto's Champion. Well, supposedly. But I haven't defeated the real champion yet- you. So if you're Red…"

The Champion was Lance.

But… Red tugged his cap down a little lower on his head, tapping Pikachu awake. If Ethan, the Champion of Kanto and Johto wanted a battle, then a battle he would get.

He wouldn't be fighting against the Champion though- just a common, every-day, ordinary, but the absolute strongest Pokémon Trainer around. The Championship title, they could have. Red couldn't drag up the strength to be either srorrowful or angry. The title of the Strongest- that belonged to him.

"…"

Pokémon Trainer Red would like to battle!

a/n: I decided to change up the format a bit. Hope it was okay. So, I have this really weird headcannon that all of the champions eventually end up on Mount Silver and they all get along really well, and all the rivals and former champions get pouty. Anyways, leave a review if you liked, please.