Chapter Text
Barry didn't know the standard procedure behind all of this. I mean, he was bad at routines, anyways, but the one time where Barry figured that a routine would be useful, Thorton told him simply that he'd have to do nothing.
"I know that your dad will make a speech in front of press secretaries and that's your first public appearance as a Frontier Brain, as for closed doors matters... well, there's not a lot of that, just us welcoming you into the Battle Frontier as the new Tower Tycoon." Thorton said while the two were on a call the night before.
When Barry woke up, someone was knocking on the door loudly. He groaned, walking out of bed in his pajamas and went towards the door "I'm coming, I'm coming, but you owe me a huge fine for-"
"SURPRISE!" shouted Dahlia as Barry opened the door.
"GAH!" Barry jumped back in surprise.
"I think we woke him up." Darach wearily smiled.
"Dahlia..." Thorton sighed, planting his face in his palm
"What? The kid needs some excitement, after all, big day today." Dahlia protested.
The only one who wasn't saying much was Argenta, who, also looked as if she was tired.
"Argenta! ¡Vamos, di algo!" Dahlia said, turning around to say something in what Barry can only assume was Paldean.
Argenta sighed. "... Sorry for the fright, Barry. We're all looking forward to you joining us. Dahlia sure has."
"Que sera, sera." Dahlia said, repeating it in Sinnohese. "Whatever will be, will be. Besides, you've got spunk and a great smile! Your energy's what we need to liven up this place a bit."
Thorton nodded. "I'll make sure to add you to the group chat, give you all the data you need. It won't take that long."
Barry wearily nodded. "Okay...?"
Argenta sighed. "You've already proven your strength to us before, besting all of us, and your father on... several occasions."
Barry sheepishly nodded. "Yeah, that was because of-"
Argenta pressed on. "You're doing what you love, no?"
Barry nodded. "Yes?"
Argenta nodded. "Good."
Darach hesitantly interjected. "Alright, I'll go make breakfast. Barry, if there's anything you need, let us know, alright?"
Barry still was very confused but just nodded along. With that nod, Darach, Dahlia, and Argenta all left. Only Thorton remained.
"Sorry about them, Dahlia's... Dahlia. Argenta just wants to make sure you're up to the task." Thorton replied, fixated on his device.
"It's... it's fine. I mean, I'd fine them all for that, but... I don't know, I guess I'm just confused by how relaxed it is. Not that it isn't wicked, but... it's a bit confusing, especially how strict my dad is."
Thorton snickered. "Yeah, without him, it feels like we can all breathe a bit." He then glanced up at Barry, realizing what he said. "Ah... sorry."
Barry awkwardly glanced away. "Yeah... it's... it's fine. I get it, he's not that easy to work with." He hesitantly chuckled.
Thorton grumbled. "You'd think the guy complaining the most about how we're supposed to set an image, and the one constantly rushing, he seems to still show up late for meetings... or press conferences... or any of that. It's like he needs the rules for himself."
Barry slunk back. "Haha... yep."
Things between Barry and his dad were... weird. They weren't negative, but they weren't fully positive either. He just... never stopped by. He always said he was busy with work, but to know he too was this frazzled with work made Barry question things. Of course, he had already been questioning things about this thing, but there was a bit of thing in his head that drove him so much to this as of now.
Lucas. In a way, it was making it so that even if he was gone, he would still be good enough for his rival. Wherever he was, he had to be good enough for him. He had to be good enough for his dad too. Barry had to be the best rival for Lucas. Even if he was... well, he wasn't dead. Barry didn't think so. Barry wouldn't think so.
"So, Thorton, what are the others like?" Barry asked. "You know, beyond what they showed me this morning... or the times that my dad brought me here."
Thorton shrugged. "... Fine, I guess. Darach's quiet and calm, he wasn't always a Frontier Brain when I was around, for a bit he was in service to Caitlin."
Barry nodded. "Yeah, I remember that. She was always... super weird, as if she could stare into my soul."
Thorton glanced up. "... Barry, she probably can."
Barry stammered. "W-what?! That's creepy! I'm fining her so much for that when she gets back from Unova!"
Thorton grimaced. "She's not coming back."
Barry paused. "...Well, at least I'm not going there anytime soon... right?"
Thorton shook his head. "Nope. We really only travel to Johto. Hoenn has their own Battle Frontier, Kanto prefers us to have their battlers fight us in Johto due to their shared link. Unova has... I don't even know what, I think it's the Battle Subway-"
Barry paused. "Run by Ingo and Emmett right? They're so... awesomely cool."
Thorton shrugged. "I guess so. I do wonder on the mechanical upkeep of the subway."
Barry stood confused. "Uhh... what did you say?"
Thorton shook his head. "Nevermind, Kalos has their Battle Maison in Kiloude City, Alola is... Alola. I'm not sure what's up with them to be frank. Galar's only got the Champion Tournament, so their league directly controls that facility. Paldea's similar to that, except their league is run by the academy in Mesagoza... Dahlia's been apart of that tournament."
Barry nodded. "So... Dahlia's from Paldea?"
Thorton nodded. "Yeah, she came to Sinnoh a few years ago and all. Argenta's from another region too, but we don't know much, she doesn't really talk much about her personal life before the league, but she is the oldest one of us."
Barry wearily nodded. "Alright... well, thanks Thorton! I'ma run off to breakfast. See you later!" Barry said, and before Thorton could muster a response, Barry ran all the way over to the dining room of their residence, where Darach had served the fluffiest pancakes, and both Dahlia and Argenta were already at the table eating, Barry burst into the room and with a THUD!!! he had hit Darach.
"Ah! Do be mindful of your surroundings, Barry." Darach said, as he stumbled back a bit.
"Ow! Sorry about that, Darach." Barry said, wincing. That was weird. He normally didn't apologize, but I guess it made sense, Barry wanted to do good by these people. Dahlia just laughed.
"Oh my Arceus, kid, you're hilarious! Right, Argenta?" Dahlia said, elated.
Argenta shrugged. "I don't get the appeal."
Barry protested. "Hey, what's so funny about that?!"
Dahlia shrugged. "You gotta admit, that was pretty funny."
At the same time, Barry and Argenta spoke. "No, it wasn't." Barry and Argenta exchanged looks, Barry surprised that someone was taking his side, and Argenta... Argenta was so hard for Barry to read. To be fair, it didn't help he hasn't taken his Adderall yet this morning, and when he hasn't taken his Adderall, he is all racing about. So, Argenta could be happy, or angry, but Barry wouldn't realize it immediately.
Barry then continued. "But anyways, these pancakes are so fluffy, thank you Darach!"
Darach nodded. "It's my pleasure, I used to take care of Lady Caitlin before, and she loved these."
Barry smiled and dug into the pancakes. Thorton entered the room not longer after and sat down.
"Heya, Thorton." Barry said, in-between bites. "Is my phone all set up?"
Thorton nodded. "Yes, I added-"
Barry smiled. "Sweet! Thanks." He said, snatching his phone back from Thorton.
Thorton nodded. "It's not a problem, Barry... have you taken your Adderall yet?"
Barry shook his head. "Nope! I'm planning to do so after breakfast though."
Thorton shrugged. "Alright, just wanted to make sure."
Barry scrolled through his phone, there wasn't much changed, just a few applications that Thorton added and already set up, which was so nice of him, Barry feels completely lost with technology sometimes, and he was added to a new group chat. Curious, Barry scrolled up through the messages.
Dahlia
we need to do something special for Barry!
Argenta
Why, Dahlia?
Darach
I think it would be splendid to show him a bit of our support. What do you think, Thorton?
Thorton
yeah, that sounds good. I feel bad for him.
Dahlia
??? what happened?
Argenta
Wasn't his best friend Lucas?
Dahlia
THE CHAMPION THATS MISSING?!!
Thorton
yes.
it's really gotten to his head.
Darach
I do believe it would be best if we didn't acknowledge this to Barry.
Argenta
Why? I don't feel like we need to coddle him he's been regularly showing up here for two years now and beat all of us except his dad solidly each and every single time from day 1
And then his dad after the first year in
Thorton
as someone close to his age, Lucas is his best friend.
he's really worried about him. It's been a week or so since he's been gone.
I haven't seen him sleep normally; he's been skipping taking Adderall from what I can tell (he's acting more hyperactive/impulsive than normal, typical of his ADHD diagnosis), and even then, he's been a lot more drained emotionally. it's as if his mind is clouded by Lucas.
Barry felt sour reading all of these messages. Dahlia wanted to do something nice for him, but Darach and Thorton wanted to protect him. Pft! Argenta's right, he's not a little baby! He can handle himself just fine, he's practically an adult! He's shown an honest effort, a determined heart, he took his time to get stronger and tougher to handle his dad, and now he beat him! As much as he would appreciate Thorton's concern, Barry's fine.
Sure, Barry maybe has forgotten to take his Adderall for the past few days.
And Barry has felt empty inside. Maybe.
But he's fine. He hasn't cracked yet.
Sure, everything reminds him of Lucas now, but Barry's fine.
He's sure he'll come back.
He will.
Barry wants it to be.
People call this denial, but Barry? It's not denial, it's just, rational thinking- yeah that's it- he's just thinking about this reasonably, Lucas is still alive, and he'll come back soon enough. Barry will see him soon enough.
He may owe him over a billion fat P-O-K-accent-E dollars, but that's fine. Barry knows Lucas'll pay.
Dahlia slammed her hand down in front of Barry, startling him. "Hey! Just noticed your foot's been moving like that... for a while... well, your dad is here."
And sure enough, Daddy was right there. He had a cheeky grin. "Hey, Barry."
Barry stood out of his seat and walked on over. "Hey, daddy. Is it-"
Palmer nodded. "Yup, come on, we gotta make it official now!"
Barry hesitantly followed along, soon enough the two were in a room with a million different lights, microphones and cameras focused on the two of them.
Barry paused. "Daddy, can we talk-"
But Barry answer was shut up by Palmer talking. "Hello, My name is Palmer Zhemchuzhnikov. I would like to start off with the notion of that I am the second-longest serving member of the Sinnoh Battle Frontier, besides Argenta. I am truly grateful for my time here, but now is time where I pass the torch down to someone who I've longed though as a great trainer. He's grown so much to surpass me, his father, and I cannot be more proud of him. He's grown into a fine young man, and I cannot wait to see what he will bring as Sinnoh's newest Frontier Brain. Now, please, give a warm welcome to your new Tower Tycoon, Barry Zhemchuzhnikov!"
And the crowd erupted into applause. Barry walked over to where his dad was standing. "... Hello." He spoke into the microphone on the lectern, feedback ringing around the room. "Uhm... I'm Barry Zhemchuzhnikov. I'm 15... one of the few to complete the 2006 Sinnoh League... and I'd like to open the floor up to questions?"
And now a million press secretaries had started speaking their questions, Barry spoke again. "One at a time, please! Yes, you." Barry said, pointing at a red-hair in the audience.
"Yes, hello. Malva, reporting from Le Lumiosien. How does it feel to be a Frontier Brain?" She stated, so matter of factly, that it freaked Barry out a bit.
"Uhm... it feels." Barry started, but Barry had no idea how he felt, at all. He thought he'd be more excited, and he was, but... a lot had happened when this was first planned out to now, to the point were he felt... nothing. It was... it felt weird. Barry lied. "It feels wicked."
"Kinsey, of the Sinnoh Tribunal. You were close to former Champion Lucas Ayako, yes?"
Barry froze. He quivered for a bit. "... Yes, that's correct."
"Are you aware of any updates to his disappearance you can give to us at this time?"
Barry gulped. "... I'm... I'm sorry. I can't... I don't know..." He felt like he wanted to cry.
"Gabby, of the Mauvile Monthly. Are you bonding well with the other Sinnoh Frontier Brains?"
Barry felt a bit of relief, he got a question he could answer and didn't feel awful about. "I think so. Dahlia's really lively, Darach's super nice, and Thorton and I were talking for a while already. Argenta... I haven't talked to her much, I'll be honest." He hesitantly chuckled.
"Gilliam, of the Galarian Gazette. Who keeps you going?"
Barry paused. This was another hard one. "... My dad... and Lucas..."
He then walked away and shouted. "I'm sorry! I will not be taking questions at this time!"
He ran off back to the entrance of the room and breathed heavily. Arceus, another moment in there, and he'd suffocate.
Palmer came running out. "What are you doing?"
Barry interjected. "I... I can't do this, Daddy. I need-"
Palmer shook his head. "No, you go out there and respond to their questions."
Barry paused. "Please just-"
Palmer sighed. "The entire world wants to hear what you have to say and-"
Barry then shouted at him. "Papa, poslushay menya! Pozhaluysta!" He never used that tone of voice or spoke that language with Palmer.
Palmer paused, in surprise, and then, in a weird sense of understanding, replied. "Okay, I'm listening."
Barry huffed. "I've wanted to talk to you all day and just get an answer, and you're my dad. I haven't got a chance to talk to you in a non-battle setting since my 13th birthday! Am I... am I not good enough for you? I've done everything I can think, just for a smidge of a chance for you to acknowledge me, and all that you care about is that I'm a great trainer. Do you not care that I'm your son? I've shown you all I got, and it feels like you've been avoiding me outside of it. When we first met here, you beelined for Lucas! It's... I know he's stronger than me and a Champion but... what can I do? Am I nothing?"
Palmer whistled. "... Barry, that's not what I... No, Barry. You're not nothing, you're more than good enough for me."
Barry protested. "Am I? How come I never see you? You never seem to make time for me or mommy, barely ever stopping by, because of work, and I can understand that, but the first opportunity that I get to see you, you go to see Lucas. LUCAS! Is your son second fiddle to him?!"
Palmer hesitantly chuckled. "... Barry."
Barry sniffed. "It's not fair. I've done... everything, just to have a chance to be even as good of a trainer as you. I practically begged at the feet of Crasher Wake to let me be his apprentice, I made sure to re-think my strategy several times, and time and time again as of recent, I've even beaten you! Yet, it never feels like enough."
Palmer placed a hand on Barry's shoulder. "Barry, you're plenty enough. If I didn't think you were a good trainer, I wouldn't have chosen you as my successor as the Tower Tycoon... here, I want you to have this." Palmer took off his green jacket, on the back was a yellow insignia in Sinnohese.
King. It was the character for king.
"When I was a kid, I thought similar thoughts too. I was so worried about if I could do well as a trainer, and this was still when battle frontiers were a new thing, so I got this jacket in the international zone here... I didn't realize it, but this jacket was called the Kingmaker. I don't know what it was, but it made me feel a bit more confident. I think you'll feel confident with it too, Barry."
Barry stared it and put the jacket on, it was a perfect fit. "... Thank you, Daddy." He said, hugging Palmer. That felt... so weird... he hadn't hugged his dad in... forever. He still had other things he wanted to say, but... this was enough for now, Barry figured.
Palmer nodded. "Take care, Barry. I'll always be there for you, so long as you can find me."
Barry grinned. "You bet. I'm gonna make sure to keep getting stronger when we face off next."
Palmer smiled. "That's what I like to hear." And with that, Palmer ran off, leaving Barry by himself. He took a deep breath, and adjusted himself in the coat, and ran back to the others.
Darach spoke first. "Ah, welcome back, Barry. I must admit I was a bit... appalled when you ran off."
Thorton sighed. "You should've taken your Adderall."
Barry hesitantly smiled. "Well, it's alright, besides, I was more so... overwhelmed. The reporters were asking questions that I didn't like to answer."
Argenta smirked. "The press loves... that," She stopped herself as she noticed the jacket. "Palmer's jacket. He... he gave it to you? I've never seen him without it."
Barry nodded. "Yeah! I... I don't know why he did, but... I feel better that he did."
Dahlia cheered. "Wow! This calls for a photo!" She pulled out her camera, turning it around. "Alright everyone, smile!"
Argenta offered a soft smile, Dahlia was grinning from ear to ear. Darach gave a cordial smile, and Thorton smiled like a little kid. It was all so joyous.
But Barry didn't smile, he just stood at the camera and tried to give an expression that looked as if he was smiling but he really wasn't.
Even after talking with his dad, things weren't resolved, and as much as the comfort he gave to him existed, it contradicted years of his life where he'd run off for frontier work, not even be home. He was so nervous to be here, he felt as if he didn't belong. His rival, Lucas, was the one who beat the Battle Frontier in faster time and with more ease. Barry took several months to get past his dad. It was awkward, but he was going to do what he could.
He was a Frontier Brain now, but it didn't feel like he did.
It felt like instead of being at the top, he was at the bottom of something else.
It was weird how he interpreted that self-worth of his.
Not to mention how Lucas was still missing, and that drove into him. He should've been here. He should've gotten to see his friend become the Tower Tycoon.
Tower Tycoon Barry, that felt so weird to think about.
It was normality now, it just feels fake and unreal right now. Barry couldn't even get happy about this sort of thing.
Maybe he was ending up like Johanna.
Barry winced at that thought.
Snap. The camera had a photograph printed out.
Dahlia gleamed at it. "Ah! Perfect! Alright, Barry, you're all set! Darach's put you in your room and arranged it how it was in Twinleaf Town."
Darach chuckled. "Your mother helped me quite a bit with that."
Dahlia continued. "So... go ahead and relax! I bet you'd want that."
Barry nodded. "Thanks, Dahlia." And he ran off.
He took his Adderall, thanks to Thorton for the million reminders in person, and putting one on his Pokétch.
1 reminder active
Barry, take your Adderall - Thorton
Barry made sure to check that one as completed, then sat down in bed, and checked his texts
Dawn
Just saw the press conference footage! Congrats on becoming Tower Tycoon!
Sorry that the Sinnohese reporter asked about Lucas.
I know that's hard for you, and it's hard for me too.
He'd be proud of you.
I know he would be.
Rest easy, you need it.
You're doing great, Barry
Cynthia
Congratulations, Barry.
It seems we'll be talking more frequently from now on.
I'll look forward to what you can bring in our meetings between the Battle Frontier and the Sinnoh League.
Gramps (Prof. Rowan)
Dawn and I watched you become a part of the Battle Frontier today.
I am very proud of you, Barry. You've grown quite a bit as a trainer that tried to stumble into tall grass without a partner.
Mommy
I cannot believe you've grown up so much, you're just like your father!
Make you still go run, and eat right up there, okay?
I love you so much!
After those three, there were a few in the Battle Frontier Group Chat.
Thorton
welcome to the Battle Frontier, Barry! It's nice to finally have someone close my age to me.
Dahlia
WELCOME!!!!!
Darach
I look forward to us working together! Do try to be on-time to meetings!
Argenta
Congratulations, Barry. As the longest serving member of the Battle Frontier, I hope you'll be able to provide for the frontier, as it has once provided for Palmer. As Darach said, please be on-time to meetings. Oh, don't drink the alcohol, that's for me and Dahlia/Darach if they want some. But welcome nonetheless :)
Thorton did I do the smiley face right.
Thorton
yes Argenta
It brought a small sense of relief and comfort that he was receiving from his friends and those close to him. But now a number was buried, Lucas.
Barry tried to dial the number. It rang for a bit. Then a bit more. Then, nothing. Just a beep.
"I'm sorry, but the number you are trying to call is out of service. Goodbye!"
And after that little monologue, it hung up.
Barry sighed.
Even Lucas left him.
He left everyone including his greatest rival.
Maybe he was good enough for his dad, but he wasn't good enough for Lucas anymore.
Barry winced as he stared at himself in the mirror of the bathroom.
He may be at the top, but something tells him he was better when he was still at the bottom.
It never felt as alone as it did now.