Beyond Within

Okay, that title is stupid, I know. Don't blame me, blame eleven year old me, or however old I was when I wrote this draft.

It's a story about Mega Evolution.

Ignatia (Brook Geraldson) & Alakazam -
She grew up in Laverre City to a normal family, but when her Psychic powers emerged at five, her parents were caught flatfooted. Not knowing what to do and unwilling to send their very young daughter away to a Psychic school, they tried unsuccessfully to contain the accidents. Mable from Team Flare found her energy source and decided to take advantage of the family’s naivety, waiting for the moment when it was getting too big to control. Mable gave them an offer; their daughter would receive an Abra and Psychic training for free, but she would have to go with Mable. Not knowing they were giving their daughter to Team Flare, her parents decided it was the best offer they would get and it was either that or send her to Anistar City.
Mable took her to Lumiose City and Lysandre Labs. Over time, the young girl forgot her name, allowing her to be renamed ‘Ignatia’ after Team Flare’s emblem in an effort to distance her from her parents and past. Mable manipulated her to become as close to the Abra, Suma, as possible, so as to activate Mega Evolution in the future and gain that energy, as well as the Psychic energy of Ignatia. They taught Ignatia only the barest of control, knowing that this way as she grew older she would always still need and rely on them. Ignatia still happily sent messages and videos to her parents thinking she was perfectly fine.
This was too good to last, and when she turned seven, she and Suma (now a Kadabra) began to get curious and impatient. Both’s worlds had been limited to Mable and few others for two years. Mable, knowing she was loosing her hold on Ignatia, changed her attitude. Beforehand she’d at least made the effort to be nice to Ignatia, but in a sudden shift, became much more aggressive and result-oriented. She began to force Ignatia and Suma to train more and develop more power with harsh punishments if they didn’t meet their objectives. She coerced Ignatia with threats on Suma. Lysandre and Mable saw the potential to turn Ignatia into a weapon. Ignatia was shocked and terrified by the sudden change from the woman she’d grown to know and rely on as a constant. Suma too was shocked. The pair suffered as they could never quite meet the high expectations that Mable placed on them. Any spots of hope, like Pokémon friends Ignatia thought was secret, were just more tools for Mable to engineer connections too so as to control Ignatia. Ignatia was faced with a new reality; that she and her friend were nothing more than pawns for Mable and, as she came to find out, Team Flare.
This lasted for years, until Ignatia was eleven. By this time Ignatia was little more than a shell of the little girl she had been before, a stuttering, easily terrified, extremely sensitive girl hooked on the praise of Mable, her only protection. Suma, too, fared little better, the Psychic link forged between them forcing the both of them to feel the pain the other felt. It got to the point where Mable had almost complete control over her, so much so the other scientists who hadn’t gotten to participate in this ‘project’ were slightly worried of the new weapon that Mable had managed to accumulate. Aliana, Celosia and Bryony decided to investigate and cornered Ignatia, threatening her. Ignatia was terrified and easily overwhelmed, making the scientists come to the conclusion that Mable had overdone the experiment and broken the subject. This was the last straw with Suma, who evolved and attacked the three scientists. Suma was very powerful from her harsh training, and was only just overwhelmed by Aliana’s Mightyena, Bryony’s Liepard and Celosia’s Manectric. Mable found them just before Suma could be hurt and threw a fit that they were messing with her test subject, screaming at the other scientists, but was overjoyed when she realised that Suma had finally evolved. She immediately presented Ignatia to Lysandre and said Suma had finally evolved and she was ready for the Mega Stone. Ignatia had never seen or heard of Lysandre before and was horrified to be told she was facing the head of Team Flare, and Mable’s superior. However, contrary to her fears, he was full of kind words. He gave her a bracelet with a keystone, and told her that she and Suma would get a very special responsibility. Thoroughly confused, Ignatia and Suma were nonetheless filled with a new hope.
Only a few days later, the two were approached by an odd Team Flare Grunt. He said he was taking them to Mable, but usually Mable came to them. They asked and he said that Mable was busy, but whispered to Ignatia that he was saving her from Team Flare. Ignatia was unsure how to respond as she still felt ‘indebted’ to Mable and now Lysandre for taking her in and teaching her and Suma. He told her that Team Flare were criminals and planned to use her to do terrible things. Suma didn’t trust him, thinking he was just another ploy by Mable, and called for help. They were quickly confronted by Mable and a group of Grunts. The odd one was apprehended and made to take off his disguise, revealing him to be an International Police agent. Suma and Ignatia were given rare praise from Mable.
Suma and Ignatia were unsure whether to think it was some test, trap, or if they had made a terrible mistake. Spurred by Suma, the two investigated and snuck around, finding the agent bound and gagged. Beside him were a pile of what appeared to be stolen Poké Balls. The two tried to save him, but were found out by Aliana, one of the other scientists. The agent, grabbing a stolen Poké Ball, called out the Pokémon, finding it to be a a Misdreavus. Luckily for them that one Misdreavus apparently knew Aliana and attacked her viciously, allowing the agent to grab Ignatia and Suma and run. They burst out of the maze-like corridors in an alleyway, followed by a terrified Misdreavus and apparently being chased by Aliana. The agent took them through the winding alleys and through crowds, dazing Ignatia and Suma. They finally reached a building in which they hid in, the agent boarding up the doors and locking the windows. He introduced himself as Looker.
For the next few months Ignatia, along with Suma and the Misdreavus, who called herself Goneril, were handed over to professor Sycamore, where she would be safer as Looker had to leave. Thanks to Sycamore she learnt about the world she had missed. She was finally taught properly to read and write, as her education had been lacklustre, to say the least. After that, she decided to set out on a journey back to Laverre Town to find her parents, and find Suma an Alakazite so she could Mega Evolve. For this she was bestowed with a Fennekin by Sycamore. However, as Team Flare and especially Mable still seek her, she also wishes to become strong enough a trainer to be able to fight them.

Personalities:    
Ignatia: Ignatia, also known as Iggy or Nat, is a sweet freckle-faced, brown-haired, brown-eyed girl who is at her core very sensitive. She cares deeply about others and tries to be as kind as she can, simply wishing for everyone to get along and not have to fight or hurt others. However, she is easily frightened and simple to reduce to a shivering, stuttering wreck, giving up easily and running before fighting. She still wears the jacket she wore while she was with Team Flare, allowing it to serve as a reminder for her. It looks similar to that of Bryony’s with the Team Flare logo on the back. Though easy to terrify she is not a coward, as she will face her fears if another is in danger. Just don’t mention Team Flare.
Suma: An Alakazam capable of Mega Evolving, she is hot-headed, impatient and stubborn. She is a fighter and will literally never give up. She, like Ignatia, is extremely caring, but unlike her trainer she will (arguably obstinately) fight for what she cares about to the very end. She has arguably been affected worse than Ignatia, as she is harsh and standoffish to other people and has severe trust issues, while Ignatia wilfully remains a naiveté in the perhaps vain hope that there are kind people out there.
Goneril: The Misdreavus, eventually evolving. Curious to the point of a fatal flaw, it was her curiosity that also got her captured by Team Flare, her trainer, a young boy who had just caught her whom she didn’t really care for easily giving up his Poké Ball. Wild, exuberant, arguably crazy and insatiably talkative, she bears a deep grudge against Team Flare and is more than happy to help Ignatia, quote, ‘kick their ass'.  
Morgan: The Fennekin bestowed to Ignatia, evolving up to Braixen. Very serious and hardworking, he wishes to master battling and feels very protective of his trainer, whom he knows is very ‘delicate’. He is slightly jealous of Suma’s incredibly close bond with Ignatia.
Volio: A highly violent Skrelp who was displaced from his home water body by Team Flare. Angry, he tried attacking Team Falre multiple times, but each time got beaten back easily. Finding Ignatia nearby he asks for her help, and Ignatia trains him in battle and helps him fight Team Flare despite the fact that it is likely dangerous for her. He decides that since his home is destroyed he may as well come with her anyway and eventually evolves.
Prospero: An Umbreon who was found injured by Professor Sycamore. He was hostile and wouldn’t let people take care of him, but Ignatia’s patience won out and she connected with him. He allowed her to heal him, and after she left, followed her at a distance, unable to decide whether he wanted to travel with her. He eventually went for it, and is now a fierce battler.

Riley & Lucario - One of the few humans with the ability to harness Aura, he seeks to train to become an Aura Guardian. When he was young, he lived in Eterna City. He excelled in school as a trainer with his partner, a Riolu, whom he hatched from an egg, and named Lucifer. His father was the manager of a manufacturing company and held the title deeds for Iron Island, and his mother was a skilled trainer who had trained Gardenia, the city’s new Gym leader. Disaster struck when his father was ambushed on Iron Island and and kidnapped by Team Galactic. Riley, then twelve years old, rushed off to help him with Lucifer, despite the warnings of his family. In battle with one of Team Galactic’s commanders, Mars (at the time only eighteen), Lucifer evolved and barely defeated her Glameow. However, he had, as a child, not assumed that one would continued to fight after a Pokémon battle. Mars pulled out a gun and shot Lucifer in the shoulder, allowing a group of Grunts to easily tie him down, and threatened to shoot Riley. Riley panicked and in that moment unleashed his Aura power for the first time, hitting Mars with a sphere of power. Mars was thrown back and badly injured, which gave them just enough time for Officer Jenny to appear. Mars, along with a lot of the Grunts, escaped, but a few were arrested and Riley’s father was saved. Riley was hailed as a hero, but he was worried about the strange power that had protected him. He asked to go on a journey, and travelled to Sandgem Town, gaining himself a Trainer ID card, a Pokédex and a Chimchar. He defeated Gardenia with only Lucifer and went on to Veilstone City. It was there where Maylene’s predecessor saw him creating a sphere of Aura and told him about the Aura powers that Lucario use. He explained to Riley that some humans had the power to and it seemed he was one of them. Promptly abandoning his quest for badges he began a quest to master his powers, but maintained himself as a strong trainer. Ten years later, at twenty-two, he has entered the Sinnoh league once and came second only because he forfeited, not wanting to rob his opponent of the chance to challenge the Elite Four and the Champion when he wouldn’t. After his journeys take him to Kalos, he heads to Shalour City to challenge the Gym Leader’s Lucario. When he does, Gurkinn notices their strong bond and tests Riley’s resolve as an Aura user and his bond with Lucifer. Riley effortlessly passed and gained himself a keystone in the form of a clip on his hat, and was told by Gurkinn to find Lucarionite as it would help him on his quest to master Aura. Korrina, angry that Riley had passed the tests so easily, challenged him to a battle and, to Riley’s surprise, defeated him. Korrina said she would race him to find the Lucarionite to find it first. Riley honestly wasn’t too interested, but when Team Flare tried to steal his keystone his memory went back to Team Galactic and he knew that he had to harness this power to keep it out of the hands of criminals. He assumed that Ignatia was part of Team Flare because of her jacket and demanded she ‘return’ her keystone bracelet, and after a heated argument between him and Suma he realised what had happened to Ignatia and resolved to look after her, helping her on her quest to find her parents and her Alakazite.

Personalities:
Riley: Riley is an honest, patient and hardworking man, who wants to better himself and become an Aura Guardian so he can serve society. He helps his father manage the manufacturing business from affair, but feels very awkward around his parents as he has never actually told them that he is an Aura user. His withdrawn and modest nature lead him to distance himself from people and become a good companion only to Lucifer and sometimes neglect his other Pokémon. His two main flaws are his slight arrogance, sometimes leading to him getting in over his head, and a having a hard time forgiving people or showing mercy. He also can’t take a joke.
Lucifer: Riley’s Lucario, capable of Mega Evolving. A bit of a joker and full of bad puns and stupid wisecracks, he is quite cynical and believes that they bad outweighs the good and their fight is ultimately futile. He jokes with his opponents as he battles. He has a scar on his left shoulder from Mars’s shot, and hates her and her Purugly with a surprising viciousness.
Lily: Riley’s Infernape, a manipulative and controlling acrobat who could run rings around almost anyone verbally or physically. She grew bitter when Riley didn’t use her, favouring Lucifer, but bares no ill will to the Lucario himself. Ultimately, however, she is loyal to a fault and will destroy anyone and anything insinuating that Riley is anything less that awesome.
Minnie: Riley’s Ursaring, full name Minerva. She’s loves Riley like a cub and is very motherly in general, being very caring, proud of Riley and ridiculously overprotective. She would hug Riley more but he gets too embarrassed.
Aran: Riley’s Salamence, a beastly hardcore battler who likes nothing more than a good fight and some good food. He’s mostly very lax, but takes battling more seriously than the rest of his team and constantly urges Riley to challenge more trainers and Gym Leaders.
Shaw: Riley’s Absol, a no-nonsense and somewhat aloof (arguable) sociopath who, though a ridiculously strong battler, sees any casual bout as a waste of time and never messes around. He has a soft spot for children, and cares deeply for Ignatia, being the one who convinces Riley to travel with her.
Darren: Riley’s Metagross, obsessed with humans. ‘He' is a self-admitted fanboy/girl/thing of human food, human technology and human literature. Though a good battler, he prefers diplomacy and is always the one convincing the rest of the group not to rush in and be idiots.

Dirk & Lopunny: When he was young, Sinnohan Dirk Chandra was always teased for having a Buneary and loving to dance. He kept it secret from his low-income parents, pretending to be extremely interested in Pokémon battles so that he could go on a journey. He felt bad for manipulating them as it cost a lot to get a Pokédex, and they were paying for a false dream. However, he was so desperate to get away from the bullying and follow his true passion that he did it anyway, resolving to repay his parents and support them with what he could earn. As soon as he was old enough, he left his hometown of Veilstone City for Nimbasa City and became part of a breakdancing small time dance group called ‘DnD' alongside Davey and Brain, two other dancers in Nimbasa City. While in this group Buneary, called Colette, evolved into Lopunny, and the two became a famous pair, outgrowing DnD to be their own artists, starring in movies together in Virbank City and performing all over Unova. Colette became physically very powerful and turned out to be amazingly talented at battling, to the point where Elesa asked him to be a stand in Gym Leader at times, and losing a match to him and giving him the Bolt Badge. For the purpose of battling Elesa and to help out Colette Dirk caught Kate, Roland and Dash. He fulfilled his self-made promise to his parents, and they told him he had earned their pride and respect. When on tour in Kalos he was approached by Lysandre and given a job offer; wearing a Mega Ring and Mega Evolving Colette during battles and challenging anyone with a Mega Evolving Pokémon to a battle while on tours. Dirk agreed and signed the contract, seeing nothing but gain for him. He and Colette became even bigger stars with their Mega Evolution spectacle, appearing in movies alongside Brycen and Diantha and challenging and defeating any Mega Evolution-using trainers while on tour as Lysandre had asked. However, while on a break, he found Ignatia and noticed that she had a keystone, asking to battle her. Ignatia agreed and they battled, Suma defeating Colette easily. However, as Dirk’s Mega Ring had been collecting and transmitting energy, the data collecting computers recognised Suma’s power and alerted Team Flare. Dirk received a call from Lysandre telling him to keep Ignatia there at all costs. Dirk, slightly creeped out by how Lysandre had known the name of his opponent, nonetheless complied and succeeded in talking to Ignatia and keeping her there until a group of disguised Team Flare Grunts showed up, approaching Ignatia. Dirk asked what was going on and was held back, while a disguised Celosia showed herself to Ignatia without her visor. Dirk, shocked, was even more astounded when Riley burst from the bushes and teamed up with Ignatia, the two using Aura and Psychic power to beat back Team Flare and their Pokémon, escaping. Dirk was knocked out by Team Flare, still not knowing who they were, and kidnapped because he had seen too much. However his stunt training served him well, as he was able to fight his way free and get to Colette’s Poké ball and Mega Ring, using it to escape from them. The whole escapade resulted in more fame for him, but he decided to use his strength for more than just movies and dancing, going a few steps further and applying and being accepted into the undercover International Police program, based in Unova and Kalos.

Personalities:
Dirk: He’s a kind, humble and happy-go-lucky guy, with dark brown dreadlocks, dark skin, and warm brown eyes. He started out quite shy and with serious stage fright, but has grown since. He is very determined and dedicated, and wants to do what he can for the world, but still has a lot to learn in the ways of confidence. He is now slightly older than Riley, being twenty-five. He is good friends with Elesa, Brycen and Diantha.
Colette: Dirk's Lopunny, a good friend who has been with him since Sinnoh and is very close to him, closer than all his human friends. He was given her as a Buneary by a travelling minstrel, who couldn’t take care of her. She is the opposite of Dirk in the sense that she loves the spotlight, is extremely confident, outgoing and not humble in the slightest. She is much braver than her trainer and urges him to try out new things and put himself forward. However, like him, she is extremely kind and loves interacting with fans and is full of nothing but praise for others. She cannot stand to see anyone being bullied, and is unflinchingly loyal to her trainer and anyone in need.
Kate: Dirk’s Darmanitan. A feisty and unabashedly weird Pokémon, she doesn’t care what anyone thinks and likes weirding people out. Other than liking staring at things, no one really knows what she likes or dislikes.
Roland: Dirk’s Scrafty. He somehow always manages to make himself look cool, calm and collected, even when loosing a battle. He is extremely loyal, but a bit of a boaster.
Dash: Dirk’s Zebstrika. An equally fun-loving Pokémon as his trainer, he is often the star of the show when Dirk’s filling in for Elesa, as the Electric-type. A nice and friendly Pokémon, he is the most serious about battling of the team.

Sai: You wanted an Absol trainer, so I wrote one!

Joseph: A firm believer in justice and virtue, this trainer will do what is right no matter the cost. He’s honest, friendly, and selfless, always willing to lend a hand or sacrifice his own comfort for someone else. However, he remains blissfully unaware of how arrogant he sounds at times, going on about the joy of a virtuous life and that service is its own reward, far superior to any material gain. He seems to revel in gratitude and gets a touch annoyed when his sacrifice is not acknowledged, but never enough to become bitter. Honesty is a virtue, he thinks, and lying never pays off; when asked, he will speak his mind regardless of to whom or over what matter. In other words, you DO look fat in that dress and your hair looks awful. Here, take some money to buy hair conditioner.

Rena (Absol): While it might be strange for such a light-oriented trainer to bond so closely with a Dark-type Pokémon, that is exactly the case with Rena and Joseph. They first met when Joseph was mountaineering just east of Ambrette Town and he found himself pounced upon by a wild Absol. Immediately after, a rockslide destroyed the path he would have walked into. Rena is… different from other Absol. Rather than live alone in the mountains, appearing only before disaster strikes, Rena has honed her disaster-sense to pick up on the smallest misfortunes about to befall people and gladly averts those, too. Additionally, this gives her the ability Super Luck, as she is so sure of her opponents movements as to make all of her attacks count. Now traveling with Joseph, she acts as his shadow, silently but effectively helping whoever she can. She doesn’t care to be noticed or thanked; averting disaster is an Absol’s instinct, that’s all. Around other Pokémon she hardly speaks, and when she does it’s only enough to answer the question. She'll become shy if pressed, and eventually scared if she can't be left alone.

I’ll leave the backstory and other Pokémon to you if you like, or tell me if you want more written!

Hey Eri! I finally finished the character based on you. Well, she started based on you, and now she's... like... um... you know... pseudo-Eve/Eri/Odette... I think...

ANYWAY! Here she is; Irene Payne.

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Irene & Charizard: Irene Payne had lived on Indigo Plateau her whole life, with her parents Maria and Carlos, and four siblings; Adeline, Lachlan, Kelly and Alberto. Maria was a veteran trainer who had amassed a fortune through battling, and Carlos was a detective. As the middle sibling, two elder and two younger, Irene felt an enormous amount of expectation; she had to show she could surpass her elder siblings and be a role model to the younger two. Adeline had gone on as a trainer with her Blastoise and achieved top 8 in the Indigo League; Lachlan had with his Ivysaur come second in the Sinnoh Grand Festival. And so when Irene turned ten, she chose Charmander. Naming him Keith and after training with him, they decided to depart for Kalos and enter the league there. Upon arriving in Lumiose City, professor Sycamore approached her and told her that Oak had sent word she was coming, and gave her a Pokédex and Mega Ring. He told her that if she wished to do something truly unique, she should master Mega Evolution. He told her that after beating all of the Kalos leaders, he would give her the Mega Stone to evolve Keith. Excited, Irene fought and defeated each of the Kalos Gym Leaders, with Keith evolving into Charizard in the battle with Korrina, the last one. Triumphant Irene returned to Sycamore, but he informed her, distraught, that he had been robbed and her Charizardite Y was gone. Enraged, Irene used her investigative and battle skills to find the culprit, Team Flare, and track them down and take the Charizardite Y back. However she did not anticipate the strength of the Team Flare admins, and was captured. Aliana, one of the scientists, respected her strength and gave her an offer; become a member of Team Flare and be given the stone to use Mega Evolution, or face death. Irene, terrified, chose Team Flare. In the whole ordeal, she missed the Kalos league, but she and Keith are still alive, and have risen through the ranks to Team Flare Admins. Irene has found that she and Keith somewhat enjoy being in Team Flare. However, there is one very irritating trainer who keeps on stuffing her up… a certain Aura-Guardian-wannabee Riley. And a guy running around with a Medicham and a bad attitude. Him too.

Personalities:
Irene: Originally quite positive, determined, cheery and optimistic, Irene has always been a team player and a good leader, but Team Flare changed her from idealistic child to scheming professional. She is sharp and intelligent, and loves a good thrill, retaining her stubbornness and somewhat positive outlook. She has come to care less and less about others, but has become more and more loyal to her Team.
Keith: A Charizard capable of Mega Evolving. Always a manipulator, Keith got his chance to shine in Team Flare. Originally a justice freak who had to make sure everything was fair and everyone got back as good as they got, now he simply relishes the chance use his scheming intellect for his Team’s plots.
Taylor: An Aurorus, stolen as a fossil, restored and evolved. Extremely logical and formal, she is an analyst and tactician. With little memories of her past life she is very thankful to Irene for bringing her out to the world, and takes her name after the Team Flare scientist who brought her back, Jack Taylor.
Aya: A Liepard. Found as a stray and scruffy Purrloin, attempting to steal food from a Team Flare base, she was saved from a beating by Irene, who saw strength in her. Aya, a street smart, cocky and snarky Pokémon, feels nonetheless indebted to pay Irene back and is one of her more ruthless battlers.
Venom: A Toxicroak. Given to Irene as a Croagunk to train when she was still a Grunt, he was an arrogant, nasty and disobedient Pokémon. Laughed at by other Grunts and disapproved of by the Admins, Irene was humiliated. However, her stubbornness turned into force and she brought him in line. Venom is still by no means meek, but he knows now to listen to Irene, will take battles seriously and does as she says. He won’t answer to anyone else, though, and still regularly embarrasses Irene in front of the Scientists.
Nick: A Goomy. A.k.a ‘Mr. Annoying’. One of the only two Pokémon that Irene held onto from her journey around Kalos pre-Flare, he found her outside Laverre City. Not wanting anything to do with him, she tried to shake him off, but he was far too stubborn, and she was forced to catch him. He proved himself to be a good enough battler to actually help Irene beat Valerie, despite the type weakness, and as such, he stays, annoying, kooky and ridiculously stubborn as he may be.
Zap: An Electrike. Young, naive, cute and unaware of what’s going on around him, he was hatched from an egg by Irene. Playful, he helps Irene loosen up, oblivious to what his trainer now does and is.

Released/Used by other Flare members: Winston (Clawitzer), Alexis (Pyroar) and Purity (Spritzee).

@Maia Oh, I really like the pokemon party! They're all good picks, and I like the personalities and background you've attached to each of them. Lol, Irene. I can see how she's morphed into some weird hybrid of me and Eve and Odette

@Sai I like Rena and Joseph! Especially how they're like opposites. That's a good twist.

@Eri; Yay, you like her! And I am so glad you like the Pokémon. I was worried you wouldn't like the species, or the personalities, or the character backstory... in any case, you can write bits for her if you want!

I don't know about this guy... his backstory feels a bit iffy to me. He is one of the original ones, like Ignatia and Riley, who's backstory I have simply edited. Audino-Man is in there, Kenitoh!

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Cornelius and Tye: Cornelius Maltin is the cousin of Korrina by Korrina’s late mother, Amelie, who had a sister, Nelly. Nelly and her husband, Ernie, are not strong battlers and both have fairly normal day jobs, living in Lumiose City. Cornelius himself was always a fairly ordinary child. He was very interested in history, myths and legends, had glasses, wonky teeth, freckles, and had his human friends and his Pokémon friend, Tye the Meditite.
However, the family went through a rough financial patch, and had only just enough to pay for an operation to fix his teeth which where causing him severe pain. Because of this they decided to send Cornelius to Shalour City and the Tower of Mastery. Cornelius was only ten then, and was shocked and hurt that he was being left in an unfamiliar place. His only consolation was that Tye was coming with him, and that he’d have an uncle there. However, Gurkinn nor Korrina took much notice of him, and he was just another of the young students shuttled inside.
Unlike the rest, he wasn’t a passionate fighter or student, and simply wanted to return home. This singled him out as a target, and the reactions of other students went from dismissive and asocial to outright bullying, as many claimed he shouldn’t be there and wasn’t worthy. By the time he was thirteen, his prescription got so bad his glasses no longer worked, and he was beginning to go blind. The last straw was when Tye was caught by another’s Poké Ball to prove that he wasn’t a true trainer. He tried to fight the other student but was physically weak and had his glasses smashed. Gurkinn finally took notice and took back Tye from the other student, and took Cornelius out. He got Cornelius new glasses, got him a separate dorm, and let him have some time off. Cornelius was shocked that Gurkinn was suddenly being kind to him, but was disappointed; Gurkinn stepped in because he believed Cornelius had the potential to challenge Korrina for successor, but if that was the case, he would need to raise a Lucario.
Cornelius refused, through and through. Gurkinn once more withdrew and became a cold teacher.
Cornelius and Tye decided to take action. When the rest of the tower slept, Cornelius snuck into another dorm and took the Poké Ball of an Audino. He asked the Audino if it could heal his eyes.
The Audino agreed, and, by using Healing Wish, began to heal Cornelius’s eyes. Cornelius’s eyes bled and it caused him an agonising amount of pain, but with Tye’s help, he did not cry out, and blinked blood free to see clearly for the first time in his life. He thanked the Audino and returned it to its trainer’s room, and decided that no-one would beat him again.
Cornelius, for the first time ever, skipped class, making himself extremely noticeable. He found a hidden spot on the back of the island where he could train with Tye. He often got into trouble and arguments with Gurkinn, who was angry at Cornelius for putting himself in danger as the eye ‘operation’ could have easily gone wrong and for missing class. Cornelius didn’t care anymore. He welcomed fights with students, taking many injuries and beatings. But it would not stop Cornelius’s resolve. He was angry; at his parents, who still hand’t returned for him, at Gurkinn, who didn’t care at all, at the other students. Together with Tye they improved their physical skills, until, four years later, Tye had evolved and Cornelius was a skilled fighter. Throughout all this time, Cornelius went looking for fights. He and Tye would cause trouble, prank other students, start fights and Pokémon battles. All in an effort to get back at the world. Cornelius still attended some classes, but his passion for history had fizzled. Now, everything was about fighting and winning. The Audino belonged to a young man called Erik, honing his Psychic skills to fight alongside his Audino. He was older and stronger than Cornelius, and somewhat looked down on him as rash, but allowed Audino to help him and heal him. Cornelius had resolved that he would become the bet in the Tower.
However, a few months later, Erik was suddenly stated to have passed a test and presented  with a keystone in the form of a wristguard and an Audinite in similar form. Cornelius, and many of the others, had not witnessed this before. And thus came Cornelius and Tye’s new goal; to be the next trainers to pass the ‘test’.
Cornelius and Tye badgered Gurkinn incessantly, until Cornelius was eighteen. Fed up, Gurkinn accepted. The test was revealed to be a direct battle with Gurkinn’s Mega Lucario. Tye lost miserably, despite the incredible training and resolve. However, Cornelius stepped in and began to fight Mega Lucario himself, prompting Tye to get up and try again. Gurkinn disapproved, but commended their teamwork, and rewarded Tye with neckband with Medichamite. However, he was displeased with Cornelius, and refused to give him a keystone.
Cornelius, too, was fed up. He packed his bags, and he and Tye left the Tower, glowering. He challenged and defeated Korrina with just Tye. He set out on a journey to find a keystone. He now roams Kalos.

Personalities:
Cornelius: He was always competitive, but where before he used to be friendly and determined, now he is rash, abrasive and simply stubborn. Though he cares deeply about others and respects strength, he is very impatient. He is liable to fly into a rage at the slightest mention of any sore topics, such as his parents, Gurkinn, the Tower of Mastery, etcetera. He has ginger hair and fairly light brown eyes which are always intense.
Tye: Much calmer than his trainer, Tye is also very competitive and proactive, but far more collected and wise with his choices. Though he loves a challenge and is much more lax than his trainer he hates losing, and hates seeing others in pain even more.

Leo, Tamara & Absol: Leo and Tamara, or simply Tam, grew up in Camphrier Town in Kalos as twins. Their father Seth was an accountant who commuted to Lumiose City and their mother Rena was a maid at Parfum Palace who was also a Baroness at the Battle Chateaux. Thusly, the twins were taught by their mother about Pokémon and Pokémon Battling.
Leo and Tam each wanted to be the first to catch a Pokémon, and when they were eight, they got their chance. They both wanted to catch a Dark-type, so they could defeat their mother’s Doublade, Reagan, and their father’s Meowstic, Timothy. Someone in the town had seen an Absol in the woods near Parfum Palace, and the twins set out to find it one day after school before either parents could return. However, while they were in the woods, they ran afoul a large Scolipede. They were saved in the nick of time by none other than the Absol, who battled and defeated it despite the type disadvantage. The Absol scolded the two for putting themselves in danger in a mix of Absol cries and lisping English. Tam was thrilled that they had found a talking Pokémon, and asked if the Absol had a name. The Absol wrote a messy word in the ground which the two read out to be ‘Hera'. The Absol then disappeared, and the two went home, giddy from adventure. They kept it secret from their parents.
Whenever they got the chance, they would go look for Hera again. After nine tries, they were losing hope. Leo had the idea that maybe Hera lived near Parfum Palace. So, on the weekend for their tenth try, they told their father they were going out to play and snuck to Parfum Palace.
The pair did not anticipate that they were not supposed to be allowed into Parfum Palace, as it was private property. While walking through the gardens they were dive-bombed by Hera, knocking them into a bush. The owner of Parfum Palace walked by a moment later, followed by an evidently grumpy Furfrou. The Furfrou paused, sniffing, and turned slightly to them.
Hera signalled to the pair to be quiet. The Furfou cocked his head and said something. Hera murmured something back.
The owner called to Furfrou asking if something was wrong, and after a beat, the Pokémon turned away.
Hera explained in English that if the owner had found them, they would have been in serious trouble and gotten their mother fired from her job. Hera decided that since the twins appeared to be trouble-magnets, she would watch over them, and with her Super Luck senses she guided them from Parfum Palace.
Once safe, the twins peppered the air with their questions. Hera told them she had learnt how to speak to warn people of nigh disasters. She told them she was very young and had left her family because she wanted to help humans. She told them that she was going to look after them, because it appeared the two were trouble magnets, and that many disasters had almost occurred around them that the she had averted.
Excited, the two asked if she would be their Pokémon. Hera agreed, as she had grown fond of them. And so, together, Leo and Tam held a Poké Ball and caught Hera.
They returned to their home, giddy and excited. Using their mother’s Pokédex they saw what Hera’s moves were and asked her to battle for them, which she agreed to do. As soon as their father returned home they immediately asked him for a battle, showing him Hera. He agreed, confused.
As soon as the battle started, however, the twins started to argue. Tam, the more Pokémon-savvy of the two, wanted to use Night Slash for the type advantage against Timothy. Leo wanted to use Swords Dance first to increase their attack. Tam took charge, and, pushing her brother away, called for Night Slash. Hera obeyed, but Timothy dodged easily. Leo then shoved his sister away and called his idea. They continued in this fashion until Hera, exasperated, called to stop the battle.
Until they were thirteen, the twins lead normal lives and trained with Hera, bickering the whole while. Leo wanted to use her powers to go around averting disasters, while Tam wanted to work with Hera to become a great Pokémon Trainer. Both became very close to Hera, and eventually, their mother decided to send them to Lumiose City to get starter Pokémon and figure out their own paths. Sycamore found their shared bond with Hera very interesting, giving both a Mega Ring, and telling them to look for Absolite. Leo wanted to be the one to Mega Evolve Hera so that he could save more people, while Tam wanted to Mega Evolve her to become an even better trainer. Hera was torn between the two; she knew Leo’s dream was unrealistic, but she knew that Tam was also filled with doubts that her dream was selfish when compared to Leo’s. And so the two travel together, averting disaster when they can, and trying to find an Absolite.



Pokémon:

Shared:
Hera: Their shared Absol. Incredibly nice and very caring, she loves to help others and cares deeply for the twins. She doesn’t care to be noticed or thanked. She’s very motherly, but can’t help but be inpatient and short with others at times. But she’s always there for the twins, each and every time.
Kasimir: A small Pumpkaboo. Very curious and somewhat shy, he was a meek little Pokémon caught on the way to Laverre City by Tamara. As he is a baby Pokémon Tamara prefers to use Hera instead, but when Leo is using her Kasimir fills up her last slot. He’s basically there just to be cute and munch on Leo’s hair.

Leo:
Leo: A firm believer in justice and virtue, he will do what is right no matter the cost. He’s honest, passionate, and selfless, always willing to lend a hand or sacrifice his own comfort for someone else. However, he remains blissfully unaware of how arrogant he sounds at times, going on about the joy of a virtuous life and that service is its own reward, far superior to any material gain. He is also quite close-minded and finds it hard to see the views of others. He seems to revel in gratitude and gets a touch annoyed when his sacrifice is not acknowledged.
Tank: The Chesnaught that Leo took as a starter Pokémon. Strong, silent, very jovial and caring, he is also very immature, and a bit slower in the head. He takes a while to register anything, including the fact that Scout is interested in him.
Alexis: A Pyroar given to him by a mysterious young man. He said he was leaving and wouldn’t be needing the Pokémon anymore. Alexis is fairly jovial and lax, but very mature. His first trainer was going to enter the league with him, and his second trainer used him as little as possible. He doesn’t take Leo seriously early on as he is not good enough a trainer, nor does he seek to battle much, but later comes to be very loyal to him.
Bertie: A Frillish with a gregarious and outgoing nature. He’s sprightly and blithe, but very loyal and keeps cool in crises. He has a habit of accidentally creeping people out.

Tamara:
Tamara: Bright, sweet, intelligent and dedicated, Tamara is an expert on all things Pokémon and wants nothing more than to become an amazing trainer. Though fairly shy and with a bevy of anxiety problems, Hera helps her with her disaster senses, allowing Tam to grow more confident. She’s afraid her goal seems selfish in comparison to her brother and is the more shy one of the two, but by far more skilled in battle, with Pokémon and with people.
Scout: The Greninja that Tamara took as a starter Pokémon. Strong and not shy of flaunting it, this loud and confident Pokémon is best friends with the spotlight and loves a good hard battle. Despite being quite aloof to some, it appears she’s crushing on Tank.
Liss: A Meowstic. Calculating and manipulative, she was bred by Team Flare, but she accidentally escaped through her extreme Psychic power. Though too young to remember any of it she’s still certainly a cruel and fairly wicked Pokémon who delights in humiliating her opponents. However, she is over-the-top loyal to her friends, and very stubborn.
Nim: A badass as hell Hawlucha with ridiculous amounts of confidence and insane levels of genius. An insufferable genius overall. A strong and adept fighter who can hold her own in any fight, where she really shines is strategy. Her favourite things are Chess and telling others they’re wrong.
Eglantine: A pretty Heliolisk who simply loves it when people are nice. Arguably naive, she is certainly quite the airhead, and takes an optimistic happy view of everything. She is arguably the only semi-sane member of Tamara’s team.
Dice: Tamara’s fickle and abrasive Tyrantrum. He certainly lives up to the tantrum part of his name and is very much childish, though he has matured somewhat with evolution. His fossil was stolen alongside Taylor’s by Team Flare, but spirited pursuit by Tamara and Leo saved Dice.

Luke and Diancie:

Born to an excavator, Luke spent his most of his childhood years with his father, learning about mining, jewels and excavation. Luke lost his mother at a young age in a car accident and when a new woman entered the family, he couldn't bond with her because it just felt like she was trying to replace his mother. Ever since his mother's death, Luke got into much trouble at school, with one particular incident showing that he schooled his geography teacher about mining. This, combined with no connection to his step mother lead to Luke spending more and more time in the caves, mining for stones. One day, while digging, he dug up a Carbink, who immediately grow fond of Luke. Because of its look, Luke named the Carbink "diamond" and for the first time in a long time, Luke had a genuine friend. He felt happy.

Luke and Diamond worked together to dig deeper and find more precious stones, but the connection the two shared only hurt his step-mother even more. One day, changed everything. Luke and Diamond were digging deeper and deeper but all of a sudden the ground started shaking. Rocks started falling and Luke and Diamond ran for it. Luke tripped and damaged his leg and thought it was all over but his step-mother, who had followed them into the cave, helped pull him out. But as Diamond tried to escape as well, Rocks fell and trapped her underneath. When the rockslide was over, Luke limped over to the rocks and, with the help of his step-mother, tried to dig diamond out, constantly yelling "don't give up, Diamond. I will get you out." Then a burst of light came from underneath the rocks and out of the pile did not come a Carbink, but a Diancie. Luke had heard about the rare mutation that happened but seeing it first hand was a different story. Diancie then handed Diancite as a thank you for being its friend and constantly taking care of it.

Luke is misanthropic, he hates people because of all the problems they have caused. He finds most of humanity loud, obnoxious, selfish, ignorant and ugly. Jewels, on the other hand, were none of these things to him. They were perfect, simple and beautiful. Even after patching up with his step-mother, his hate of people never wavered, the only people he values are his father and step-mother. After discussing with a psychologist, They decided that Luke would go a journey with others in order to bring Luke back from hating everyone around him

I'll be blunt; I don't think Diancie would work. You see, the story explores a connection between Trainer and Pokémon, one which they must create and nurture to achieve mega evolution. It doesn't work that way for Diancie. In any case, I would like to keep legendaries out of this, and I think we have enough perspective characters as it is. Feel free to use him in your own stories, though.

@Parallel: Fair enough, Maia. I can covert the idea into the first Pokemon Chronicles story. Did you, at least, like the idea behind it?