PMD: Stargazer Chronicles

???- Origin Story

Sunlight beat down that crisp, summer morning. On a grass field near Castle Acuity, a company of pokemon stood ramrod straight in formation, organized by their performance in the program. Nobody moved a muscle. A wooden platform with a podium erected on top loomed over most of their heads.

Helioptile Jonathan stood at the front. He would have only been able to see from up close, anyway. The rest of this unit were mostly evolved, and were larger species than him. That didn't bother him though. He deserved to stand in front of them.

Despite the challenge, he stood taller, by skill alone.

Umbreon Lord Acuity stepped up to the wooden stand outside. He paced back and forth in the silence.

"I would like to congratulate each and every one of you today," Umbreon said. His strong voice projected with ease throughout the field. "Today, you are Acuitan soldiers, charged with protecting the fortress everyone in danger looks to, Castle Acuity. You all have fought the fight of your lives to get to this point, and now, I'll need each and every one of you as the new Acuitan Royal Guard. You have done yourselves, your families, and me, proud. Less than ten percent of you are here now, than when you first began.

"And now, as promised. I have selected one of you to serve as my Captain. This pokemon has impressed me to no end, from beginning to end. They've combined their talent with hard work, and the payoff will last to the end of their days. Stewart Schneider! Step forward!"

Jonathan's heart fell.

Instead of him, a Boltund stepped forward; a Boltund he had beaten in combat countless times in front of Lord Acuity. Did he forget, not notice?

Jonathan stayed silent.

________________________________________________________________________________

That night, Jonathan went back outside. He walked around the now empty grass. In his mild boredom, he walked up to the stand and jumped on top.

Stars blazed in the sky over the grass on a moonless night. Jonathan tried to see from Lord Acuity's perspective. He imagined his friends standing there, and trying to pick which one would make the best Captain; which one of them shed the most blood in training.

He did. He ran the fastest, fought the hardest, and made all the correct decisions when it came to strategy.

Why not him?

Two feet slammed down on the wooden stand. Jonathan whipped around.

There stood a Dragonite with cool, white eyes. He stood with his back straight and arms folded behind his back. He looked out at the grassland with him, and Castle Acuity in the distance.

Lord Acuity's son.

"M-milord!" Jonathan said. He bowed.

"I watched your training," Lancelot said. "I can tell what you're thinking. It's a shame, I agree. I would've chosen you as Captain."

"I... believe Lord Acuity knows what he's doing when he made that decision."

Not that much. It just sounded better to say that, especially in front of royalty.

"Oh do you now?" Lancelot asked. "I can't say I agree."

Dragonite Lancelot sat down alongside Helioptile Jonathan. Jonathan stayed standing.

"I know my father," Lancelot said. "He never quite understood people beyond what he sees on paper. But one look at you, and I could see how much it meant for you to be not only a soldier, but the best. But my father doesn't see that. He just plays it by the book. With his soldiers, his life, and even his family."