15 years ago: Rondai Kingdom.

"Children. I need you three to fulfill some tasks for me; your Father.
May I ask for your assistance? It would greatly aid your Kingdom, and honor your King."
"Yes, Father!" A trio of children responded with enthusiasm. Wanting to please their King, and Father. He deserves the utmost respect, and they were more than happy to give it.
The King gave a pleasant sigh and lightly smiled.
The boys knew exactly what to do.
Axtin went to grab the Plates. Ursalus would polish the ornaments and Armor stands their Father bought.
And Brike? Well. He went to go find something to prepare for his Father. He knew they had chefs. But he and his Father liked things on a more personal scale. That was somewhat rare for Royal heirs...

About 30 minutes into their daily tasks. The first two Brothers finished their duties and were hurrying back to their King to tell them of their daily deeds.
Brike would be last but met an unfortunate inconvenience...
He has a nice soup made in a bowl he was carrying. With Bread and berries. But whilst he was running in the halls. Unbeknownst his surroundings tripped on one of the stands.
Dropped the bowl and made a massive mess. Not only that, his leg was cut by, what seemed to be one of the armors that stood on their podium. Running from his knee to his heel; it was nearly considered a gash...

And if things couldn't be worse...Ursalus came to criticize his usual-lazy Brother. Built-up with anger, he scrunched his paws into a fist and spoke in a harsh tone.
"Brike! Stop your lazy, reckless plays and correct yourself! Look at this mess! Father will be TERRIBLY upset with you; as if my job wasn't vexing enough to whatch over you!!"

Cruelly criticizing him, but he wasn't fully aware of the facts.
Brike lifted his face up, with a shaky muzzle and tearful eyes. His bleeding leg was already bad enough...
But he felt something cut deeper. His dignity...
He looked his Brother in the eyes as if begging for mercy upon his anger.
"I-...I know, Brother. I...failed Father. I don't deserve to...be...here." He said with a struggle. Dropping his head back down from the pain, then rolled on his side and hold his knee. His cries became evident and pained.
That's when Ursalus knew he was wrong..and became calm.

"You're hurt..."
He said softly like he was the one that hurt him.
Taking pity upon him, he moved the spilled bowl aside. And picked up his Brother in his arms. Both arms carried his legs, while Brike cuddled up his hurt figure. Ursalus carrying his full weight, all the way to their nursery. Or wherever he could find medical attention.
While he made his way to find help, their other Brother, Axtin, ran in their path too. Only focused on the task at hand.
"Brother, we'll be late for our classes if we don't make haste! And...why are you holding Brike?"
"He is wounded badly. Our education can wait. His well-being can't. We must aid him. Tell Father, I'll get him somewhere where he can be treated. We will be late..."

"I understand..."
The middle Brother puts on a more sympathetic tone, then looks at their youngest sibling. Axtin kindly rubbed Brike's shoulder and tried to reassure him.
"Things will be ok, Brother..." Although Brike didn't respond. He seemed to be in less pain. Knowing his Brother showed him such affection and kindness.
Ursalus continued his walk to get his youngest sibling's help. He was...deeply worried. And he felt terrible for the way he treated him...

Present years...

"So. After everything you've explained to me...
What gives you any reason at all...to even have a glimpse of antipathy for your Brothers?"
"Agh- didn't you listen!? I don't like repeating myself- I told you! My oldest Brother, Ursalus always criticized me! I was ignored by the second Brother because I was seen as WEAK! And my Father...hmm.
Well. Like most children of the youngest. I was the runt of the entire pack. I expected the sweetest treatment. But only the firstborn got such."
"Did this...spark any rivalry...between any of you?"
"No. Surprisingly. I've already talked about this sort of thing with my Cousin. They, uh. Well. Won't be back for a while. Heh...I feel closer to my extended family than my immediate household. And although Ursalus got the crown, which was to be expected. I...
Couldn't help but envy it."

"I'm still waiting for the part that made you have them..."
"Look I don't have them! I just...! I just wish things were better...
I'm a grown-up now! Things should have just...mellowed out overtime! Instead...we just separated. Axtin went to do his own thing. I left home when I turned Eighteen-years-old. I was just...fed-up...with the family drama. So. Ursalus suggested we just leave it none of us could be civil and dignified about our problems.
But...as it turns out. Being separated for over a decade. I...think it's having a toll on us. I know it is then if it's me. But let me stop beating around the bush here.
The reason why I still have an issue with them. Is because they DID this to me.
Ursalus was too prideful to EVER apologize. Axtin was always more focused on becoming the most impressive child he could become..."
"And you? Surely you had some ambition..."

Now that was a good question. Brike thought hard one this one.
He tried Archery, cooking, artistic hobbies. And turned up to nothing.
He exhaled a sad sigh and dropped his ears down. Feeling like it was no use and giving up...
"I did. But...nothing worked. I wanted to be like my Brothers. They were my idols, my roads to greatness. But. That road is more personal than I thought..."
"Indeed it is. Hmm...it sounded like your affection for them diminished over time. But it's not their fault, Brike..."
"Pfft- how? They could have been better. They. Could have made the choice...to be BETTER. But...
No. They shoved me aside. I was a phantom to them. A non-existent entity that was only around to make everyone's lives more miserable." "Ironic enough. That seemed to have happened..."

Brike groaned at that statement. And tried to wipe it off before it put him in a mood.
"Well. It's all the past now. As an Adult, I'm just now learning to set it all behind me. It's tough...
But I ain't some chump." "You didn't grow up, you just got old...
A child...in a Grown-Male's body. I'm sure this isn't new news. But you have not matured...much" "Hey, you listen here! I'm doing my best! I didn't have a great start, but I'm pulling through!" He snapped back in a mild rage. Pointing in a provocative manner. But the listener just moaned and turned their attention back to their project.

"You think you're improving? How about stop looking for approval in others first.
You need to believe in yourself, Brike...
That's why your Brothers left you behind. They knew their strengths and weaknesses. They just filtered it out sooner than you. And you're upset. Not at them. But yourself. You feel inadequate and desperate. Because you are so...
Needy...for that approval of others. For them to say: 'Brike is a good Pokemon.' Or 'I want to be just like him'. Truth is, you wanted to be like your Brothers. Respected. And honored.
To have others gawk at your power because you did them. It's not unusual for you to want that...

Especially considering. You are royalty."
"Pah...not anymore. I've settled for dirt.
It's all I am now. Although. I should have seen this coming. I just...didn't think I would hit rock bottom. When my Brothers have already pierced the heavens."
"Don't speak too soon. They are not perfect. So they are bound to the same struggles in life as you. They are not invincible. No matter how invincible they may portray themselves."

That sounded a little contradictory. But Brike understood. Lifting his head from the ground. He looked back into their eyes.
"Thanks, Doctor Milinda. Anyway... I'll be taking a few of your potions. Is it ready?"
"Yes. I made 3, for different uses. Alchemy sure is a very fascinating science...
Some of it is practical and logical. The other? Magical and nonsensical. But. That's the beauty of...art."
"Alchemy is an art?" Brike questioned curiously.

"Well. Somewhat. You can sometimes alter the effects of one potion with your powers. Or certain berries. Or. You can stay basic and straightforward. By using only what you know. I've practically mastered the basic route. So now I'm trying new things. But...
Since my powers are firebending. I can only do so much with heat. Although it seems the hotter things are. The more effective the treatment TO the ingredients are.
Either cooking faster. Or more potent. And...sometimes they explode into an acidic accident.
One of my assistants nearly lost their tail to my experiments."

"Man. That's wild. Sounds cool." Showing a respectful enthusiasm for their skills.

"If only I had a more advanced station of work...
These technologies become more and more ancient by the decade...
I'm also running out of bottles to house the effects of my work. Also. Don't grab the ones that are...out of reach. They are there for a reason."
"Well. Ok. Hey. Maybe i'll look into it? Improving your workstation and providing greater funds for deeper research." "Thank you, Brike. It would mean the world to me..."