Prologue

December 27. 2000
Unknown Area
3:30 a.m.

He no longer knew what had happened or why. Only her face told him endlessly he was meant to be her, with her and her dreams. He was a gifted child, a child that she wanted badly. He had seen too much and was originally greeted with death until a much more horrible plan came to her. He was going to live, live a life with her and change him totally. She was going to use him, abuse him simply because of his gift.

He was only ten, aiming to be the best Pokémon trainer like the other of million Pokémon trainers out there. Why couldn't it be them? Out of the millions and millions of Pokémon trainers she had come across, why him?

He no longer cared as he felt his body pushed into a small room filled with nothing but old boxes and used items and furniture she obviously didn't need any more and yet kept them with her. He banged his fists on the door, yelling endlessly to be set free. He didn't need this, he need to get ready to train, to get ready; things every Pokémon trainer did.

Soft hands greeted him as they tugged softly on his shirt, her eyes just as bloodshot as his seemed to be in the room longer than he was. Then did it hit him he had no right to be set free if a child only a year young than him was kept in the room for a longer period of time.

Her hair as black as his and their eyes shared the same brown hue, this is what greeted out to him the most. Without speaking he embraced the young girl and spoke no words. She didn't let go as the new arrival found a nice place to rest upon between some old boxes.

"Just who are you?" He muttered but got no response. "And why, why is this happening to me?!" The boy placed his hands on the head tightly, wishing everything was nothing but a horrible dream.

The young girl rose to her knees and with her soft and fragile hands removed the hands on his head and looked quietly into his eyes. She patted his cheeks in hope to raise his spirits but nothing seem to work so she simply stood by his side with her arms wrapped around her knees.

"I'm guessing you can't talk." He sighed. "So why did she capture you? Are you a trainer too?"

The young child stared at the boy before shrugging her shoulders. Looking away she reached over for a simple piece of paper that had been ripped from a notebook. With a snapped pencil she wrote as her hand shook and held the paper up to his new companion's eye sight.

"You're a gym leader's kid aren't you?" Her note reminded him a certain girl that was also a child of a gym leader. "That explains why you're here." Patting her long black hair, "Well nice to meet you I'm..." The boy paused; he could remember the woman's word repeating in his mind. Any mention of his past would cause his friends, family and even his Pokémon to be wiped away from his life for good.He knew her too well notto believe her.

The young speechless child reached for the trainer's hand and shook it as a formal way to introduce to introduce herself before reaching for another piece of paper. "The scary lady told me to forget my old name. She told me my name is now Ruubi."

It only hit the trainer that she branded him a new name just like the girl he was with as well, but the shock of being kidnapped so quickly made him unable to accept such a new life; new name.

"Raven, which is what she called me, that's my new name."

The glow of the full moon crossed the window, causing both children to look up towards it. That window was the only sign of freedom they would now both get. He didn't understand why out of all the Pokémon trainers she kidnapped from did she decided to take him instead of his Pokémon. Many times did he hear from other people saying how gifted he was on the battlefield.

It was that gift that now brought him to where he was. And he hated that.

Chapter One: Masquerade

January 16, 2013
Unknown area
12:00 p.m.

"Where is he?!" A certain voice yelled throughout the room. Her voice was raspy and filled with total irritation. "I have no time for this!"

"I'm sure he has a good reason why he's late Sis!" The young adult cried.

"I don't give a damn." She slammed her hands on her desk once more. "I have meetings and deals to attend and he can't come here on time for me to give out a damn brief that only takes five minutes." The young woman could hear her growl slightly.

"I-I could-"

"Get out and find him! I don't have time for any more of his excuses!" The woman interrupted. "Go!" She barked.

"Of-Of course!" The adult stuttered and bowed in front of her.

Trying to remain calm the young thief placed a nervous smile on her face as the older woman in the room slammed her fists on her desk. She removed her shades in a hurry and threw them recklessly on her desk as she ran her fingers through her hair. She couldn't take it anymore. She watched the older woman sit on her chair, arms and legs crossed, her eyes sending chills through her system. With her nerves building the young thief bowed in front of her leader once more and rushed out of the room in a formal manner even though she just wanted to run to leave such a tension building room.

Wearing shades that duplicated the ones her master wore she placed them on the frame stood buttons. Pressing on lightly the sound of a phone began to ring, her lips speaking of one word.

"Raven."

Text boxes of the call confirmed appeared right in front of her shades as the image a young teenager appeared in front of her as the rings continued on. Many men and women passed and squeezed through the crowed hallway as she waited for the rings to end and a certain male voice to reply to her call. Making her way out, she pressed the buttons again on the frame of her shades and repeated his name.

The rings began once more as she walked up stairs that lead to the roof. There the wind was fresh and no chaos could be heard. Nothing but the wind could be heard and that gave the young woman peace. She soon removed her shades when certain footsteps landed on the roof, only meters behind her. She turned to face the teen.

"You've arrived, Casey."

More footsteps were heard before silence greeted them both. He two shared the same shades as the thief as his long black coat swayed with the wind. Removing his shades their auburn eyes met. He held his shades up to his eyesight and looked at her through them once more before placing them on again. Placing his hands into his pockets he began to head towards the directions of the stairs.

"Casey, tell me. Why are you always so late?"

The man paused as his flying type Pokémon landed beside him. He turned to face the huge beast and patted its cheek and its long neck before letting a bright blue light return it back into its ball. He turned to face the young criminal and removed his shades once more.

"I woke up late, again." He sighed. He could see his fellow thief sigh at his ability to sleep in. "She isn't mad is she?"

Placing her own shades to her face she sighed once more, "you know J; you know the consequences when you don't follow her demands." She stood beside her friend before jumping in her spot when the sounds of a certain woman's footsteps echoed in the hallway of the staircase. The sounds of her footsteps could be heard from the roof.

Holding tightly on his arm she and Casey stood still as the silver hair woman showed herself to the two young thieves. To her, she had considered both as her students. To them, she had become a devil that held their lives with chains that could not be broken.

"You have done a good job bringing him with her within the span of five minutes Ruubi." Their leader complimented. "But Raven, late again as usual."

"Cut me some slack sis," The teen yawned. "I've worked for you for thirteen years, brought your business from a flying ship to an empire. Can't you give me a break from time to time?"

The silver haired woman stared at the two young adults silently. She removed her shades and gazed them with her onyx eyes. She hardly showed her face to her men and women that worked for her. It gave her power; power that people feared to question. Her presence sent people to scatter and return to their jobs, knowing what they would lose if they did not.

They would lose something more important than their lives.

But towards two students that she had cared for more than thirteen years, she had even seen them as her own children. Her bond with the two certain thieves caused them to rise above the ranks and up on the most wanted list in police stations in all the regions all over. What she had considered as trash all those years ago had now turned into useful treasure for her own desires.

"I have given you two weeks break, both of you. I cannot even give a day off to most of my loyal workers that have worked for me their whole lives. You both are simply having a certain exception."

Both young adults shuddered as certain flashbacks of their past together haunted them both. Pulling themselves together; both bowed in front of their leader and placed on shades that gave them the proper look of thieves. The woman ran her fingers through her short silver hair and pressed buttons on the frame of her shades and sent information to the two.

"I have given your assignments. I need you both to attend a certain business conference in Johto. It happens to be the same place where a celebration of the winner of the Grand Festival there is being held. Contests are huge there so most of our investors will be attending."

The male quickly read over the summary of his brief and all the important information and remained calm until a certain name crossed his sight. He removed his shades immediately after coming across her name. Fear was evident in his eyes. The woman smiled.

"It was about time you received a challenge, Raven."

His black hair covered the fear and uncertainty from her as he slowly placed his shades back on. His female companion stood strong for the both of them. She read over the list of Pokémon they were both required to steal for her. It was indeed a big list and would cause major chaos if one was even stolen.

"Yes, but not this. You promise Sis." Casey muttered. J spoke no response.

"It seems this operation is happening tonight; six hours from now." Ruubi spoke. "Are we going to be using code names, or not?" She asked.

"People everywhere know you by the code names I have given you both. Work with those, only I know your true identity and you know what will happen once you break those rules."

Casey remained silent as their leader began to make her way from the roof and down the stairs but stopped when he escaped from Ruubi's grasp and held onto her arm tightly. "Why, J? Why after thirteen years do you want me to head back there? Back to a world we agreed on I would never face back upon?"

J turned as the man's grasp on her loosened. Even with his shades on J could see the sadness his latest task brought on him. "You did say you wanted a challenge did you not a few weeks back am I correct? And it is not like I am asking you to steal anything from them, you should not fear of returning back to that world for this is only a one shot. I need to see if you're strong enough for tougher challenges I am to give you in the future."

"After serving you all these years, I'm still worth nothing to you?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "Why Sis?"

"If you were not worthy to me would I still spare you and your Pokémon? Must I remind you of how much you have lost because of the failures you have done?" J shrugged Casey's grip on her arm.

Looking up to face the woman, he removed his shades and anger was painted on his face. "I haven't failed a single damn mission you gave me in five years and it happens to be under the same circumstances of the new one you gave me now."

"Think this as redemption, my dear 'little brother.'

Her lips finally spoke the true reasons behind the mission she had given him.

She wanted him to redeem himself to her once again. And so did his trial begin.

January 16, 2013
Mount Silver
1:30 p.m.

The mountain though seen as the coldest place known in the Pokémon world was completely different in the warmer months of the year. There was hardly any snow to be seen and some life of trees, flowers and others plants could be seen. But due to the hard and rocky surface Mount Silver had to offer, only limited places did any sort dirt exists for any landscaping to be done.

With bare feet Casey walked over to the porch and looked over the view that the mountain had to offer. Pokémon flew past as they had moved to the mountain due to its warm climate. As the mountain was mainly known for its colder climate, only a few Pokémon and people lived up the mountain permanently, he, Ruubi and J included.

With a fence to lean on the young adult zoned out as the last of his thirteen years with the hunter ran through his mind. At such a young age he had done what many people could not do in their lifetime. When things finally looked his way he was captured and trained under her wing alongside another woman that was only a year younger than he was.

That was the day their identities were stolen from them.

"Hey." A voice soon brought him back from the horrible memory. "You alright there?"

"Jewelz." He muttered her real name to the young adult. "I'm just thinking of our plan for tonight, that's all."

Her shoulder length hair passed over her shoulders as she leaned on the fence and gazed the view that they both shared. "I don't believe you." She turned to face her friend.

"I'm not asking you to." His focus was still on the view the mountain gave them to see.

Jewelz turned back to the astounding view as the both fell silent. "Are we heading back down memory lane are we again?"

"I can't believe she wants me to redeem something I couldn't do five years ago." Jewelz could hear Casey speak. "Why now? Why not sooner?"

"To be honest, maybe Sis didn't have the right opportunity back then." She turned to face her friend that she had now considered to call her brother. "Don't you want prove to her that you can become a great hunter like she is?"

"To be honest, this was never the dream I always wanted to achieve." He muttered softly. "But at least this one is at least, achievable."

Both stayed silent as Casey returned back to a past he could no longer remember clearly. He had friends, all of them special and unique to him. Days went by nothing filled with adventures and happy memories. But as years went by, they all seemed to escape from him as a new life was introduced to him.

What was he back then? Was he a strong person? A person filled nothing but dreams and hope? Of course, he was nothing but a young child on a journey like many other ten years old.

"Brother?" Jewelz voice brought him back to his senses. "Let's have a battle, I mean Sis isn't here yet. We won't get in trouble." She reached for his long grey sleeve and tugged on it like an annoying young toddler.

The adult smirked on such an idea.

With one Pokéball in hand both threw it into the sky as blue light escaped from the same machines. Jumping onto their flying type Pokémon both soar high into the high mountains sky. As the cold air blew onto their faces the roar from their Pokémon kept them entertained. Trainers looked up as both of their Pokémon exchanged attacks and both could hardly attack one another. Both flew down through narrow paths of the mountain, as a purple shock waves headed down one path, causing Casey to take a sharp turn upright and fly into the sky, avoiding the attack and passing a flew clouds.

As thieves they practiced not yelling out their Pokémon's moves but give simple taps on which attack to use. This kept their cover hidden. But there were times were they would yell their next attack from old habits.

Looking down on the valley; Casey could see it was now covered in a thick blanket of mist. Holding onto his Pokémon tightly, his dragon type sent waves of Flame Thrower down, sending the mist to subside and now looking up was a certain woman riding an Altaria graining great speed at him. Standing still they both waited for the right moment to just dodge the attack and land a powerful dragon claw attack right at the chest of the Pokémon, causing both Altaria and her trainer to fall.

Knowing the sensation of falling too well the young thief spun herself upright and making her able to land on her Altaria perfectly before looking up and seeing a powerful beam of fire heading their way. Without speaking the cotton bird opened its wings and created duplicates of itself and her trainer all around Casey and his Pokémon.

The huge dragon type dived down towards the valley as Casey's grip on his Pokémon became looser by the minute. As his Pokémon looked back towards him the trust of the bond was in question as the boy nodded. Releasing his grip the boy continued to fall as the dragon flew up and sent a powerful shock wave of Dragon pulse sending the illusions to faded within seconds.

"Casey!" Jewelz yelled as she watched her brother fall down back to the mountain at high speeds.

He closed his eyes as he could feel the wind passing him so fast and so loud he could not even hear his own thoughts clearly. He could end it here, his suffering and having to live a life he knew he never wanted to be a part of. But before he could come to any conclusion his trusted Pokémon flew down towards him and he fell onto its back. He smiled as he wrapped his arms tightly around its neck.

"Thank you." He muttered. He could see his Pokémon giving off a smile. "Now, Steel Wing Salamence!" He quickly yelled back.

Salamence roared as his call echoed through the mountains as they flew up towards Jewelz and her Altaria. Rubbing her tears from her brother's strange stunt, Jewelz released her grip on her Pokémon as a substitute of her dragon type took the attack, making the attack useless as meters below she landed back on her Pokémon.

The adult looked back at Casey who was silently looking back down at her. "You scared me there for a moment Cas."

He smiled. "As Pokémon trainers we must have total faith in our Pokémon."

"Even bad people such us ourselves deserve such a thing?" Jewelz voice faded. "Why do we deserve such trust?"

Casey flew down to where his sister was and now both were looking eye to eye in the high mountain sky. Tears were running down her face as his own made their way down his face. He wiped his sister's tears away as he shook his head.

"I don't know. I just don't know." He looked away from her face as soon a huge flying ship showed from the distance. Looking towards the same direction, Jewelz watched it silently.

Drying the last of her tears she placed the shades that hid their emotions well. It gave them the same silhouette as the people working under Hunter J. They shared the same face; the same dull expression. But there was nothing they could do. This was their life. This is who they were. Trying to imagine a different outcome seemed wrong, unfair and confusing.

This is who they had become. Choice was hardly an option to the both of them.

January 16, 2013
Johto Grand Hall
3:15pm

"Well, Miss Maple, how do you like the venue?"

"It's rather big don't you think?" the brunette spoke unconfidently.

"But the only person who has won all the Grand Festivals in the six regions deserves nothing less!" Her brother cheered. The Top Coordinator blushed at her brother's words.

"Max, there have been others before me..."

"Yea but you're like the first one in twenty years!" Max continued his cheerful expression.

Patting her brother on his shoulder, May smiled nervously before covering his mouth to prevent anything else coming from his mouth. "It's fine; I love what you're doing with the place." May complimented.

"Thank you so much Miss Maple!" The decorator blushed at May's kind words. "That means so much coming from you!" The woman bowed down at her presence before taking her leave.

As soon the decorator had left her presence, May knocked her brother behind his head lightly, "You can cut out the act Max." The brunette sighed.

"But it's true. You deserve all of this, Sis; you did work hard for this all." Max rubbed the back of his head. "Ouch, that really hurt."

But as Max looked back to where his sister once stood he had noticed she had made her way down the stairs and towards the other decorators helping decorating the huge and fancy great hall. Walking over to the first flight of stairs Max watched his sister smile and laugh with the fellow decorators as they and their Pokémon help scatter streamers on the walls.

As much he enjoyed seeing his sister being kind and having a great time, she knew she would never be the same happy sister he once knew. Max watched as his older sister raced over for the DJ and started to ramble down requests she wanted to make for the night. Max knew she would never be the same when her friends started to fade and disappear from her life as soon she won one Grand Festival after another. She hardly had time to go home and spend time with their parents. She had become thatbusy. Max sighed as he made his way down the rest of the stairs to greet his sister.

"Hey Sis," This caused for his sister to stop chatting with the DJ and to her brother. "What do you think Ash would say if he saw you now?"

May smiled as she brushed her hair behind her ear. "Knowing Ash, he'll be happy for any of his friends reaching for their dreams." The brunette turned to the huge windows facing a giant lake with mountains barely visible. "I just wished he would come back from his journey and say hi once in awhile." May sighed. She turned back to face Max. "Well we better get ready; we have a party to get ready for."

"Just promise you won't dance like last time." Her younger brother sighed. "I swear those dance moves of yours are rather..." Max paused after seeing the irritated grin all over her sister's face. Max swallowed hard, "Never mind,"

January 16, 2013
Mount Silver
5:30pm

"Casey, you take longer to dress than Jewelz here. Are you having trouble putting on your tie again?" J yelled as she waited patiently down stairs. Taking a minute to calm down, both girls downstairs could hear the sound of a young man tripping over his own two feet and falling down a flight of stairs. J rubbed her temples at the boy's clumsy footwork. "And to believe you're my best Pokémon hunter out there..."

"It's the shoes I promise!" Casey waved his arms in the air. "I'm used to wearing sneakers and all!" Casey began to explain.

J looked down at the young adult and pulled him onto his feet by his shoulders and dusted his shoulders. She soon noticed his tie was still untied. She reached for the red tie and within a minute or so, the tie was complete. "You really need to learn how to tie your own tie Casey." The bounty hunter sighed once more.

Casey held onto his own tie, "I just don't understand why we have to talk so fancy to the investors, can't we just do the job and leave?"

"If we do that, Sis would lose millions and we might get caught." Jewelz explained as she carefully walked in her high heels. "And plus, all you have to do is talk until the Top Coordinator shows up, we aim our little fancy beams at their Pokémon and leave." The female thief explained. "You can talk to the investors for at least half an hour and eat or have a battle with a few trainers there to pass the time or something." The woman explained.

"Well if you put it in that way, it doesn't sound so bad."

"Well then Casey and Jewelz. We'll be taking a ride in one of my planes. We'll be arriving at the venue within an hour." Hunter J explained as she dusted her long black dress. "I'll be outside, don't keep me waiting, you know me too well."

The young adults nodded and watched silently as J left the building leaving the other two to prepare for the huge event. Jewelz twirled around in the spot as before resting back on one of the 'L' shape couches in the living room, her red knee length dress falling behind. Casey looked up towards the staircase as a certain giant rat made his was down the stairs with a black bowtie wrapped around his neck. The rat waved his tail in the air before running towards his trainer and tackling him onto the ground in happiness.

"Hey calm down, J will kill me if she finds my suit all dirty before leaving the house." Raichu quickly jumped off his trainer.

"Rai." His ears dropped down, saying sorry in his own language. Jewelz smiled as she rose to her feet and helped Casey onto his. The man smiled his thanks.

"Hey Casey," Jewelz began a new conversation. Casey looked from the entrance of the door back to his good friend. "Do you ever remember your days as a Pokémon trainer?"

Readjusting his tie, the young male shrugged his shoulders. "To be honest, no, I was only ten when J took me in. I've live longer as a Pokémon hunter than a Pokémon trainer."

"Nothing at all, that is rather odd despite all the stories J has told me."

Jewelz could hear Casey break into laughter. "Isn't it funny that J remembers more about my journey as a Pokémon trainer than me?" Casey continued to laugh. Jewelz watched on as she noticed a slight sadness in his voice.

"Do you miss those days? I mean the ones you can remember?"

The woman waited as she watched Casey turn to face the porch. The sun began to set as the moon become visible in the orange lit sky. She noticed how silent her brother had become. His Raichu looked up to him with confusion at why his trainer was suddenly quiet, rubbing his eyes to prevent any tears from coming.

"I would if I could remember them." Casey paused for a moment. "Anyway they all happened thirteen years ago. I was only ten back then, I could hardly recall a thing. I mean, you don't remember everything you do when you are a child now do you?"

Jewelz placed her finger on her chin and began to ponder. "I guess." She tilted her head in confusion. "But just the way you reacted when we got our brief from Sis, I was convinced you had some sort of flashback of your past, you know, like in the movies."

Casey softly patted his sister's cheeks and smiled at her wild imagination. "I remember a few things, but they aren't that great, a few battles here and there, nothing special."

"Even still, you have to tell me!" The woman pouted. "No matter how dull, I want to know who you use to be before we both became hunters. Our past is just as important as our future."

"Well maybe I could tell you one on the way." The man suggested. He could see how excited Jewelz was to hear his story. Casey smiled which only convince him to share one story with her as soon they made their way to J and to her private plane.

The hunter took one glance back through the glass double doors, pass the porch and at the Mountain View, the sky starting to get darker as the minutes passed by. Pass the mountains, bright lights could be seen behind them. There he could imagine people dancing and having a wonderful time, Pokémon battles would happen in the rich furnished gardens while others would be taking strolls in the night. There rich and expensive meals would be served on huge platters and on long tables would be filled with all sorts of food.

He never liked the rich life; he just missed the people that made it worth living. The fame, the joy and happy times, it made any situation bearable and even enjoyable. But now with the limited happiness he could have due to his new life, Casey had no choice but to forget those times, those times when he was happy.

Of course, Casey still enjoyed his life now and even though he felt guilty stealing Pokémon from their original trainers he could barely remember the days of his young self, travelling down endless routes and battling trainers along the way. His years were spent growing up as to become J's new hunter. He couldn't help but admit the love of the challenge and adrenaline his new life brought. Like a child in a candy store, the idea was exhilarating and Jewelz just made it more addictive.

But he couldn't help but wonder if anybody on the other side still remembered him and dwell on past memories and false hope that he would ever come back home.

He wasn't coming home and he needed to tell them all, tonight.

January 16, 2013
Johto Grand Hall
6:30 p.m.

Casey and Jewelz couldn't believe how huge the grand hall was. The cream walls turned golden with all the lighting everywhere and the chandeliers looked like they were made out of diamonds. The rich and powerful passed them as they entered into the entrance as they made their way to talk to the others in the room. Casey found it rather amazing that they could all recognize one another passed the mask they were all required to wear.

But before they could take in the view of the highly decorated hall, a suited body guard stood in front holding notes of who can enter. The idea of security or any sort of law enforcement couldn't help but make them nervous. J sighed and pushed them forward to the guard slightly.

"Don't act like you're in trouble." J spoke. "Don't act suspicious."

"We're not; the place is just so huge and so high class!" Jewelz explained in a cheerful tone.

J sighed. "Just do your job. I'll be watching from the sides." She walked over to the body guard. "J Hantā," She pointed back to her two apprentices behind her. "These are my children, Raven and Ruubi; we received an invitation since we are major shareholders in this year's Johto Grand Festival." J explained to the guard in a formal manner.

"Of course," The guard skimmed read though the list until he crossed with the Hantā surname. "Please, come in and please remember to put your masks on. This is a masquerade ball after all.

J nodded her thanks and so did Jewelz and Casey as they kept their distance with J rather close. The hall was much bigger than what it looked like from the entrance hall and was even more spectacular. As they entered the main hall did they trio slip their masks on. Everyone all wore their fanciest attire; all of ballroom attire. A highly paid Orchestra played soft music as people made to their tables, the bar or with friends to talk to.

Chandeliers shined in all their glory as the decorations blended well with the fancy occasion. Everyone all had their masks on; some required to be held up by a stick while others held by a strap. Casey soon felt J's hand on his shoulder. "I'll be watching the both of you." She whispered as the two watched J walk towards the bar counter.

"Why is Sis always so creepy?" Jewelz shuddered.

Casey shrugged her shoulders. "I wouldn't recognize her if she was any less."

"True that." Jewelz looked around the place and noticed the meals had just been served on the tables. "I'm going to treat myself to some treats. I'll see you later." His sister quickly rushed down the flight of stairs and towards the desserts table.

Looking down the hall, people from all walks of life was either walking to the bar counter or standing by the hallway chattering with friends. Dusting his black suit a waiter passed him by holding a tray of drinks. Calling the waiter to him, Casey picked a drink and walked down the halls to get a better understanding of the huge building.

The hunter observed the people passing him by while enjoying his drink. He wasn't a heavy drinker but the ways J raised him he needed to act until their mission was over.

"You alright there?"

Looking over to his right he noticed a man with a mask on was talking to him, he too was drinking the same drink as he was. Casey nodded. But this didn't case the strange man to leave. He remembered J teaching him that if anybody approached him he needed to shake them off him as quickly as possible. "I'm sorry but do I know you?"

"Well you do now." The man teased him. He seemed to be at least two years younger than he was. "My name is Max Maple, the younger brother of May, the winner of the Johto Grand Festival recently."

Casey choked on his drink as Max explained himself before putting up a smile on his face. "Um, yes I've heard of your sister's triumphs. She is really talented."

Max nodded. "I don't have the same talents as my sister since I'm now a Battle Frontier Brain at the Battle frontier in Kanto."

Taking a sip from his wine, "I've heard that is where the strongest trainers go to test their skills as Pokémon trainers."

"Yes, have you gone there yourselves? Not much people of the public know about the place."

Finishing off his drink, Casey sighed. "No, I'm not a Pokémon trainer you see."

This surprised Max; he had never met anyone that had never been a Pokémon trainer in their whole life. He understood if some started at a later age but to never consider being a trainer really surprised the frontier brain.

Casey continued, "I do own a few Pokémon of my own. You see I'm a simple investor like my mother." He grinned. Casey reached for a Pokeball and released his Butterfree. He cooed his name before landing on his trainer's head.

"I see, but why didn't you ever consider becoming a Pokémon trainer?" Max asked.

"Just isn't my thing, to travel months on end and having no idea where you'll be heading with the chance of running into horrible things. I can barely survive going out for camp for a week." The hunter joked. Casey soon saw Jewelz heading his way. She soon made his way to him and stood by his side.

"Oh there you are honey."Jewelz spoke; she could see how confused Casey was with her words. Jewelz grabbed onto his arm and tugged on it harshly. "Your mother called me to tell that the event is about to start. Their hands intertwined. "Now let's go babe."Jewelz teased once more.

"Um, Max if you excuse me, my fiancé and I have to leave." Casey explained, slightly nervous and confused. Casey could see Max nod as the two took their leave. When the close was clear Casey released his grip from his friend that he was close enough to see as his own sister. "The hell?!" He barked.

"I was watching from the dessert stand and saw you were having trouble shaking that guy-Max off so I came in to help."

"I. Was. Fine." Casey explained bitterly. He felt Jewelz patting his shoulders with a grin.

"Sure you were brother, sure you were."

January 16, 2013
Johto Grand Hall
6:45pm

"Ladies and gentlemen," A loud voice broke everyone into silence. "Please take your seats as the winner of our Grand Festival will be showing up shortly!" The announcer cheered, an applause followed.

May splashed water over her face as she cupped her hands and placed them under the tap to wet her face again. This was her sixth Grand Festival cup and longest to get but she was glad she finally got it, now she could finally retire. Reaching for paper towels May dried her face before placing light makeup on her face. Every Grand Festival celebration always gave her the nerves, even more since this was also the evening where she would announce her retirement.

"She's won a total of six grand festivals in her long amazing thirteen year career. Starting at age ten, May's talents quickly improved over the years before winning her first Grand Festival in Sinnoh. Before that she came Top 8 in her home region of Hoenn before reaching Top 4 in Kanto. After that, May Maple hardly lost a grand festival since!" May could hear her life story called through the speakers placed all over the place.

It was true that she hardly lost any grand festivals after her lost in Kanto and her name soon became household name, there was a time where she had to fight against her good friend Dawn for the Sinnoh title. She too reached popularity in her region and was starting to be well known in Johto.

"May, are you ready?" Her brother's voice called from the other end. "They're waiting for you,"

"Um, yeah, give me a minute."

"You're not upset of the cancelation of the DJ are you?"

May laughed. "No, it wouldn't fit the occasion if we went with it." She reached for her brush and began to brush her short brown hair. "I'll be there in five. Go on ahead, I'll catch up."

Hearing her brother agree May reached for a small velvet bag within her handbag. She smiled as she pulled the string and the bag opened. A small item lay inside. Reaching over it, it was none other than an old ribbon cut in half. Despite its age there was hardly a scratch on the object. Holding it tight in her palm a knock on the door snapped her back from her memories with the ribbon, making it slip from her grasp.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" May yelled as she reached for her handbag and slipped her mask back on. Unlocking the door she pulled the door towards her and took a few seconds to apologize to the man who had knocked on the door and rushed passed him.

The man lifted his mask to take a better look at the woman that had rushed passed him. Her dress was navy blue with little sparkles on the lower half of her long dress. He was amazed she could run so fast in such high heels. Placing his mask back on, he walked himself into the bathroom before a small shiny object caught his attention.

Bending down to reach for it the man discovered it was a contest ribbon cut in half and there was hardly any damage done to it. Having time to remember her clothing and little of her face the man held the ribbon tightly behind slipping it into his deep pockets.

January 16, 2013
Johto Grand Hall
7:05 p.m.

A huge applause greeted May as soon she made her way to the grand hall. A nervous smile was brought to her lips as the announcer handed the brunette the microphone. The guests clapped once more as she brought the object near her lips preparing for her speech.

"Hello everyone and thank you so much for coming to this wonderful celebration tonight," May began. "I have been to too many Grand Festival celebrations over my thirteen year career but nothing as grand as this so thank you to the organizers." The crowd clapped at the efforts of the organizers. "Anyway I don't think I need to repeat my past life since the announcer here did a good job doing it for me. I don't know if I've told this publicly but I never liked Pokémon at first, in fact I disliked them despite being a child of a gym leader."

May looked up to the slideshow begin played above her on a clear wall, there it showed her as a child and her battles and winnings. Looking back to the crowd, "It's funny to think that I use to be that now and you must be thinking how on earth I came to like them." May laughed at her old self, "There was a certain friend that taught me how to like them and showed me that Pokémon aren't that bad and can become your greatest friends if you treat them right." Taking a glance back at the full moon the giant windows produced. "If only my friend would take a break from his long journey so I could thank him endlessly." Looking back at the crowd she handed the microphone to the announcer.

"And like always, you may have the honor to challenge Miss May to a one on one battle." The announcer paused for a moment, "Is there anyone willing enough to challenge May to a battle?"

The crowd stayed silent as in May's past battles nobody was able to defeat her Pokémon and her stunning combinations. May sighed knowing there was nobody confident enough to battle her. When she made was made up a young man in a suit stood from the crowd with a Butterfree sitting nicely on his head.

"I would love to have the honors of battling Miss Maple." The man spoke.

May recognized the man from their earlier quick encounter in the bathroom a few minutes ago. May took a sigh of relief; May couldn't help but jump in her spot a little before getting herself together.

"Thank you sir,"

The man smiled and laughed slightly, "Please don't call me that, I'm not that older than from you Miss Maple. I'm twenty three just like you. I hope you don't mind me saying your age out like that." He apologized,

"No it's fine. I've had the media release more false rumors from me than my age." Both shared a small laugh together.

"Well let's get the annual Grand Festival Celebration Battle begin!" The announcer cheered. The crowd joined her excitement.

Both adults took their place on the end of the field where the outlines were displayed by computers. The Butterfree on the man's head fluttered his wings in excitement as it flew into the battle field. May reached for her Pokeball and threw it high into the air and blue light was seen escape the small machine. It only took seconds for the blue light to form no other then the well known ice fox, Glaceon. It was her trump card and being an ice type it could produce one of the most fantastic combinations.

"Normally I would send my Pokémon first into battle but you seem happy with your choice."

"Well, Butterfree is a fan of yours; he really wanted to battle you." The man replied back to the Top Coordinator.

"You do know you're quite at a disadvantage." May reminded. "Alright then, Glaceon strike first with Ice shard!"

"Butterfree you know what to do." The man spoke as he snapped his fingers.

The butterfly Pokémon quickly moved its wings at high speeds causing the ice shards to break or dissolved before it could ever reach him. The crowd and May were left in awe. The move was known as Bug Buzz. "You see Miss Maple, where I come from we do battles a little differently."May's rival snapped his fingers again and suddenly Butterfree started to dance mystically. Going from what she could see, it was using Quiver Dance.

"Stop the dance with Ice shard again Glaceon!" May yelled.

Glaceon opened her mouth and released a wave of ice shards towards the Butterfree; but due to having high speed thanks to Quiver Dance, it was able to dodge the normally fast move with ease. The glitter and sparkles from the dance shined on its wings, making dodging the shards beautiful.

"Stop Butterfree's movement by making it hail!" May yelled. 'At least that will give it less room to fly about.'

The ice fox roared and soon hail was showered through the hall, making the crowd move back and watch from a distance. She watched as the bug type was slowly returning to ground from all the hailstones falling on him. Soon May heard the man click his fingers again and as soon the butterfly Pokémon landed, it wrapped its small body with its huge white and black wings. An aura was seen around the flying type before it quickly opened its wings once more.

"It seems you 'told' you friend to use Rest." May complimented her opponent. "I admire you ability to battle without the use of words."

The man readjusted his mask and smiled. "You have to thank my sister for that."

His last words puzzled May before feeling a huge gust of wind blow through the hall, with one eye open she saw the butterfly Pokémon flapping his wings to create a powerful gust of tailwind. She heard another click coming for the masked man and the flying type moved its wings once more, sending repulsive winds at them, due to its high speed and the tail wind still about in the room it caused Glaceon to fly off its feet and pushing May a step or two back.

"Glaceon!" She screamed.

The man clicked his fingers once more which told his Pokémon to use a powerful Psychic attack on the fox. Its red wide eyes glowed neon pink and said pink aura surrounded the ice type as it started to float high above the ground.

"Now!" He barked.

As soon his words echoed throughout the hall; the roof they was under suddenly smashed open, causing the two of them to look up and Butterfree's attack to be cancelled out. May smiled and caught the man's attention from the battle. "Ice beam now Glaceon!"

A thin beam of ice was sent from the ice type to her opponent, but due to her yelling the attack her rival was able to click his fingers and his Pokémon flew to dodge the attack, but it was too late as the Ice Beam attack froze its left wing, sending it onto the ground.

"Clever." He muttered. "But this battle is over." He looked up through the hole on the roof and saw a beam of fire heading down their way. His eyes widen as he looked back and saw Butterfree still unable to remove the ice stuck on his wings. Rushing over he picked up his Pokémon before jumping to the side to dodge the beam of fire.

May and Glaceon were sent flying from the area of effect of Flamethrower as dust and debris were sent throughout the hall, sending the people into a state of panic, causing them all to leave from windows or doors of any kind. Opening her eyes she could see the man was back on his feet and the ice covering Butterfree's wing was half removed. The man rose to his feet and quickly removed his mask. May did the same.

With one wing not damaged from Glaceon's Ice Beam attack his trainer placed him on his head as he blew the smoke away, as May made to her feet she noticed her Glaceon was nowhere in sight. But it didn't take too long for her to find her. Her eyes widen at her discovery.

"Glaceon!" May cried as she discovered her ice type had turned to stone. She could see feet right beside her petrified Pokémon. The smoke subsided as May saw a shining object being thrown at her. Catching it she discovered it was no other than her ribbon; she had no idea she had lost it. Looking back up at the man she was now able to see his face. She was having trouble to speak.

Now having no ice on his wings, Butterfree flew high up in the air and caused May to be thrown across the room like a doll. Opening her eyes she could see a certain a girl with shoulder length black hair in a knee length red dress riding an Altaria. Soon May felt her body bounded to a ground when a huge spider web covered her body. A woman came from another direction wearing a long black gown and silver short hair came into her view with an Ariados by her side.

"Well done Raven." J complimented the hunter. "You have redeemed yourself." May noticed Raven looking away, a sense of guilt poured over him.

"Raven..." May softly spoke, "So it was you who came here five years ago," May softly muttered.

She could see the other female companion reaching over for her stoned Glaceon but Raven outstretched his arm, telling her not to do so. He kept his eyes stuck on the brunette who watched at him in utter horror. Picking up the stoned ice type Raven released his Salamence to the field and made his way up onto his dragon type. He looked back at May as J made her way onto his Pokémon.

"It's nice to see you finally reached your dreams, May." He spoke with a slight cheer. He rubbed his eyes before putting his mask back on. With a light tap on Salamence's neck he started to flap his ruby wings and the three took high into the air.

Quickly removing the web from her body May rushed over to where she saw the thieves steal with her Pokémon with tears running down her face.

"ASH!" May screamed. "ASH!" the brunette fell down to her knees as her tears continued to fall before looking up through the hole. "Ash!" May screamed but knew he could no longer hear her. She simply fell to silence as her brother who was helping people leave the hall came back to her; he too saw May's confrontation with her former mentor.

He finally came home, like he promised her five years ago.

A/N: New story that was meant to be a oneshot. I um, liked it so much I've extended it. Oh, there will be only one OC in this story. I know some people hate me for adding a OC but I haven't added a OC in years.

And also I want to tahnks EmeraldFlower for being my beta reading. Salamat po!