James looked at Julius with quiet disbelief, still seated by the garden fountain under the moonlight. "Come with me," he repeated.
Julius stood there, arms crossed and face composed, his young frame still holding a presence far too refined for a child. "No," he said softly but firmly.
James blinked. "What do you mean no?"
"I mean… I can't leave. Not yet." Julius stepped closer and placed a hand on James's arm. "If both of us leave, who inherits the estate? Who watches over the staff? Who carries the Rose name when you're gone?"
James frowned, but Julius's gaze didn't waver.
"You once told me," Julius continued, "that this house, as cold as it may be, still stands as our family's legacy. I believe you. But legacies don't only come from names or marriages, James. They come from what you build."
"And what will you build here?" James asked, almost scornfully. "This place will smother you, Julius."
"I'll change it," Julius replied. "I'll grow it. I'll earn more power, more wealth—legitimately. I'll expand our name so that no one in Kanto can ignore the Rose family. Not because of some arranged marriage, but because of what I do."
James looked at his little brother again, like seeing him for the first time. That same glint in Julius's eyes—it was familiar. Their mother had it when she manipulated the Kanto social ladder. Their father had it in his youth when he struck business deals without blinking. But in Julius, it burned hotter, steadier, wiser.
"How?" James asked, genuinely curious.
"I have plans," Julius said. "Connections I've made, people I know. I'm not like other kids. I'll befriend professors, study rare Pokémon, learn trade routes, invest in research. Do you know how much the world is willing to pay for a newly discovered evolution stone?"
James gave a small, surprised laugh. "You've thought this through."
"Every night," Julius replied. "I just needed to make sure you were free first."
James's expression softened. "You're not just a little brother to me, you know."
"I know."
"Then promise me something," James said, gripping Julius's shoulder. "Promise me if things get too dark here—if they try to control you the way they tried with me—you'll get out. Don't endure what I did."
Julius gave a nod. "Only if you promise to build your own happiness, too. With someone who sees you—not just your name."
James chuckled. "Deal."
Then, he knelt down and pulled Julius into a tight hug. "You always were the more mature one," he murmured.
"I'll send you reports," Julius teased. "Quarterly profits. Staff reviews."
"And I'll send you postcards. From wherever I end up."
As James stood and walked away, bags slung over his shoulder and heart lighter than it had been in years, Julius turned back toward the mansion. The shadows were long, the halls cold—but he was ready.
He was going to make the Rose Estate his own or build his own empire that surpassed his parent wealth.
Lord Rose crumpled the letter in his fist. His face was red with fury, but Julius noticed the trembling in his hand. His father—always a symbol of power and pride—was shaking.
"He just… left?" Lady Rose finally spoke, her voice a whisper. "Without even a proper goodbye?"
"Like a coward," her husband spat. "Disappearing in the night like a thief!"
"He was never a coward," Julius said quietly, breaking his silence. His father shot him a glare, but Julius didn't flinch. "He was suffocating. We all knew it."
Lord Rose stood still for a moment, fists clenched, breathing hard—then turned away, his voice cracking ever so slightly. "He had everything handed to him… and still chose to run."
Lady Rose looked at her younger son. "Did you know about this?"
"I did," Julius replied. "And I didn't stop him."
His father turned back, eyes burning. "You should have told me!"
"No," Julius said calmly. "It wasn't my place. And neither was it yours to keep him caged."
The hall fell into silence. Outside, a pair of Murkrow flew past the stained-glass window, as if mocking the gloom that had befallen the grand estate.
Lord Rose sat down at the table heavily, his anger giving way to something else—regret, perhaps. A hollowness crept into his gaze.
Julius folded his hands. So it begins, he thought.
Years had passed since James left the Rose Estate. Julius was now twelve. His Psychic ability had reached the Advanced level, allowing him to lift up to 120 kg, use telepathy, and even teleport short distances. He trained every day with focus and patience, and the results spoke for themselves.
His partner Pokémon, once a small Snubbull, had grown a lot stronger. Before evolving into Granbull, Iggy was given a highest-quality Fairy Feather. It absorbed the item completely, and as a result, its potential increased a lot. The evolution came after weeks of steady training beside Julius, and they had grown even closer as a team.
Julius's system showed something strange and interesting: Granbull wasn't limited to only one path of evolution. There were several possible forms it could take depending on how it trained and which evolution stone it used. At first, Julius was shocked. But now, he was full of curiosity and excitement. He liked the idea that nothing was set in stone — not even evolution.
He smiled to himself as he remembered an old memory from his past life — something funny from the anime. In it, James (from Team Rocket) once evolved his Magikarp into a Gyarados by kicking it into the ocean. Then later, he kicked a wild Mankey and it evolved into a Primeape right after. Julius chuckled at the thought.
"Man… if only I could've tested that legendary evolution kick of his before he left," Julius thought with a grin. "Another missed chance."
Pokémon Information:
Name: Granbull (♂ – Offcolour)
Type: Fairy
Level: 26
HP: 151
Ability: Intimidate (Hidden: Rattled)
Moves:
Tackle
Scary Face
Thunder Fang
Ice Fang
Fire Fang
Bite
Lick
Headbutt
Ice Punch
Thunder Punch
Fire Punch
Heal Bell
Low Kick
Rest (TM)
Rock Slide (TM)
Shadow Ball (TM)
Egg Group: Field / Fairy
Potential: Elite
Friendship: 92
Next Evolution: Master any one type and use the corresponding evolution stone.
Rose Estate – Training Courtyard, Midday
The sun hung high, casting long shadows over the stone courtyard. Julius stood at the center, his practice sword gripped tightly, chest rising steadily with calm breath. Across from him, Iggy growled softly, fists clenched, ready to engage.
This wasn't playful. This was training between two partners — equals.
"Alright," Julius said, feet adjusting into stance. "Come at me."
A low, growling hum built from deep in Iggy's throat. Sparks crackled at the edges of its mouth. Then, suddenly — bright yellow energy surged, forming sharp, glowing outlines over its fangs.
It looked like Iggy's canines had transformed — electric fangs, crackling with raw power. The electricity formed jagged arcs along his jaws, creating a crackling aura shaped like lightning-shaped fangs.
"Thunder Fang," Julius whispered, bracing himself.
The attack came fast. Iggy lunged, jaws wide open, the glowing yellow fang-shaped energy illuminating its face. The air hissed and shimmered as static burst with every movement.
As Iggy snapped down, Julius barely managed to block it with the side of his wooden sword. A jolt traveled down the blade, numbing his fingers instantly.
The smell of ozone lingered.
"That was close…" Julius murmured, shaking his hand. "Those fangs… they've got real bite now."
Iggy stepped back, huffing, sparks still dancing at the corner of its mouth as the energy faded.
"You're hitting harder today," he muttered, tightening his grip and lunging forward. Iggy parried with a raised arm, then countered with a quick Low Kick. Julius jumped — barely clearing it — and spun mid-air, landing in a crouch.
He came forward again, striking with quick jabs to test Iggy's guard.
Iggy blocked, retreated a step, then came back with Ice Punch aimed at Julius's shoulder.
This time, Julius didn't dodge.
He raised his sword, absorbing the punch's cold shock. The blow staggered him, but he didn't fall.
"That's the kind of pressure I need…"
With a grunt, Julius pressed forward — attacking low, then high, his wooden blade bouncing off Iggy's thick hide. Iggy responded with a Headbutt, forcing Julius to retreat.
They circled again.
Neither spoke. The language between them was simple: trust, pressure, progress.
Julius lunged again — a high arc slash. Iggy ducked under and swept its arm sideways, catching Julius by the side. He rolled over the ground, panting, but quickly stood up again.
"That's one for you."
Iggy smirked — just a little.
They resumed.
Minutes passed. The sound of strikes, parries, grunts, and determined breathing echoed through the yard. Caesar stood quietly near the edge, arms crossed, watching closely.
Finally, after a particularly close exchange — Julius landed a clean tap on Iggy's wrist with his sword — the boy stepped back, panting.
"We'll stop here," Julius said. "If we go longer, one of us might actually faint."
Iggy barked softly in agreement and sat down, steam rising from its fur in the midday heat.
Julius collapsed beside it, lying on his back, eyes on the clouds.
"You know," he said between breaths, "you're starting to overwhelm me without even going all out."
Iggy grunted, flexing a fist.
"But that's good. I need that. If we're going to face real trainers one day, I want to know we're already pushing each other here."
Iggy looked down and gently nudged his trainer with its paw.
Julius gave a small smile.
"We'll keep training. And next time… maybe I'll win a round."
They both stayed there a little longer — tired, bruised, but connected more than ever as partners.