Notes for this chapter:
-Solaris is my headcanon last name for Sun and Moon
-This based heavily on my personal headcanons for Sun
-This takes place shortly after the events of Sun and Moon. Sun is 12 here and Blue is 21.

Most people expected Sun to be the hero. Maybe it was because he was the oldest, or because he was a boy (sad but true), or because he was named Sun, and the sun is supposed to shine brighter than anything else.

Most people expected Moon to be the supporting character. Maybe it was because she was the youngest, or because she was a girl (sad but true), or because she was named Moon, and the moon only shines because of the sun's rays.

However, the Solaris family was very good at disobeying stereotypes. So Moon was the hero and Sun stayed in the shadows, where Sun was content to stay... or so he told himself.

\ <-----------------------> /

It was a rainy day on Poni Island, which was extremely unusual, considering the island's ecology. Sun sat on the steps of the Battle Tree, wet and lonely. His sister was inside, challenging the Battle Tree with her new friend, Cynthia. Of course she'd abandon her own brother for some tourist she just met, Sun thought bitterly, though he'd have declined her if she'd asked him to challenge the Battle Tree with her. Sun dug his foot into the ground in front of him, imagining that it was Moon's face.

"Hey, kid, why the long face?" Sun looked up, startled. He gaped at the speaker: it was none other than his idol, Blue Oak.

Sun's eyes widened and he felt an uncharacteristic wave of excitement sweep through his body. "B-Blue Oak?"

"That's me," Blue agreed. "Now, why are you sitting alone in the rain instead of challenging the Battle Tree like your friends?"

Sun shook his head. He didn't want to look insecure in front of Blue Oak.

Blue shrugged and looked at Sun carefully. Finally, he sat down on the steps next to Sun and began to ring out his wet hair. Sun looked at Blue expectantly. The former Champion stared into the distance, as if he was staring into the past. "You know, when I was about your age," he began, "I wanted to be the strongest trainer the world had ever seen. The only thing standing in my way was my rival. Red, well, he had a natural talent for training Pokemon. He was born to be a Champion, a star, which was everything I wanted to be. Eventually, Red defeated the criminal organisation Team Rocket. I became Champion first, though, but he defeated me before I could even get into the Hall of Fame. My grandfather, who raised me, showered Red with compliments and praise... and for me, nada. I looked a lot like you, kid. I was pretty down in the dumps because I'd been pushed to the side and forgotten."

Sun stared at Blue, his eyes wide. He had no idea Blue had ever been treated like that! "Really?" he managed to say.

Blue looked back at Sun. "Really. So, what's your name, kid? 'Cause calling you 'kid' is beginning to get annoying."

"Sun."

Blue's eyebrows rose a couple inches. "Oh! I know you. You're the older brother of the first Alolan Champion. Looks like my guess was right."

Sun nodded glumly. "Most people forget about me. But then again, I am entirely forgettable."

"I'm sure you're not!" Blue said, placing a reassuring hand on Sun's shoulder. Sun jolted away. He didn't like being touched by people he barely knew, even if they were his childhood hero. "How about a battle, to prove you aren't useless?"

"My team's not strong enough," Sun began to say, but Blue was already pulling out a Pokeball from his belt. Sun sighed and tossed out his Rimbombee with a half-hearted, "You can do this."

\ <--------------------------> /

Sun's veins still pumped with adrenaline as he accepted the victory money from Blue's outstretched hand. He still couldn't believe it! He'd beat Blue Oak in a Pokemon battle. Sun had a niggling doubt in the back of his mind that Blue had let him win, but the success of actually winning something for once made up for it.

"Thanks for that great battle," Blue said. "You're just as strong as your sister, ya know."

"Really?"

Blue nodded. "Really. Don't kid yourself, Sun, you really are a strong trainer. You might not be the most well known, but that's okay." Sun smiled at him, and it was a real, genuine smile. Blue looked down at the watch on his wrist with an alarmed expression. "Oh! I've gotta go. I'm supposed to meet Red at that sushi place on Ula'Ula in a few minutes. Gotta scram!"

"Bye," Sun said. "Thanks for fighting me. And for letting me win."

Blue laughed. "I didn't let you win, kid. You did that all on your own." He winked at Sun, a wide grin splitting his face. "Smell ya later, Sun." And with that, Blue hopped onto his Aerodactyl and flew off into the rain. Wait, wasn't flying on non-ride pager Pokemon illegal?

Never mind that, Sun thought, smiling uncontrollably. He was the happiest he'd been in a long time, and that had to count for something.