Authoress' Note: This is my first challenge outside of my normal comfort zone, but to be honest, I think that it was a fun one to say the least, especially with rhyming. XD

For those of you unfamiliar with Espeon804's fanfic "Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Retaliation Corps.", you might want to read that before delving into this story—well, at least until Chapter 11: Review is finished. Reading this any sooner may end up spoiling you all for what was written in that chapter.

This challenge took a bit longer because of A) my personal schedule and B) trying my hand at something a little more original compared to the other stories I've written so far. I will admit that I am a horrible Pokémon trainer—so bad that I was wrecked by a rich boy not long ago while waiting for food in Alpha Sapphire. My Pokémon were kind of under leveled for that kind of battle simulation, so I did pretty much bring this all upon myself.

Yeah, there are no enemies for them to fight in this sniplet. I would have thrown something in there, but I wanted to focus more on the brothers and their unique relationship.

Besides, writing an original battle would have taken more time to develop this story, and I have been sitting on this idea for a week. Perhaps in the next sniplet I'll bring something more entertaining to the table.

Enjoy!

Effort's Training

One-Shot

"Come on, focus..." Slacker told his younger brother, who seemed to be moving slower than what he is used to. Was it because the task was too difficult? Or was it because he was putting all of his concentration into this task?

They stood at the end of a very low-level dungeon that seemed relatively abandoned due to it falling apart due to years of neglect. Yet, this dungeon was perfect since they did not wish to be interrupted in their latest attempt.

"I'm... trying... bro, don't rush me too fast, this power we're using is pretty vast," Effort grunted, trying to tap into the Warp Orb's true potential. The smoky sphere that the Slowbro held glowed in a faint light due to the younger brother not familiar with using it in a different manner than specified.

"That's the point," Slacker told Effort. Ever since the Slowking had become the Headmaster of Espilce's Central Region, he learned that his younger brother had decided to forge out on his own and become the Northern Associate to their Supervisor.

However, before Effort could be considered for transfer, he would have to prepare for the standard test that involved using a Warp Orb to create an Orb Transmutation Pillar. It was one of the requirements that the Headmaster of the region required, especially for emergency situations since abductions were becoming more common as of late. If the monster could not pull this off, then he or she would be passed for another who could perform this with better effectiveness.

"You need to master this in case you need to use this in a life or death situation one day," Slacker continued, his voice holding a great deal of seriousness.

"A power I pray I won't need to use, even so, it's not like I can abuse," Effort smiled wryly at his elder brother. It was almost though he were contemplating using it for his own personal reasons.

"Not a good idea," Slowking shook his head as he dismissed his brother's lighthearted jokes. He was used to the younger trying to dissuade him from the task at hand. "You passed out the last time you tried this."

"I might have passed out, but I am determined to try once more, though I think right now that this is a chore, yes?" Slowbro noted. It was at this point that cracks started to form along the Warp Orb's surface, a sign that this attempt would fail just like the last time.

And yet, Slowbro continued until it finally shattered, the internalized power flowing around the monster that tried to harness its power as he was overwhelmed by it. He passed out as Slowking waited until the last mites of energy fade before walking over to retrieve his brother.

O

"Effort, what were you doing?" Slacker's voice echoed as the Slowpoke looked up at his elder brother.

"I wanted to be like you, so I made this crown," Effort tilted his head, the fake stacked crown-like shell that he made flopping on his head. It was made out of twigs and leaves woven together in a crude fashion. "I worked so hard on it, but it keeps falling down."

The Slowking shook his head almost though dismissing his brother's child-like fantasies. While he had evolved a month ago, he was a bit surprised that his path ended up being different from their father's considering he ended up a Slowbro.

"Don't be afraid of being who you are," Slacker told his younger brother. "After all, I think that if you try to be someone you're not, then you're just denying yourself."

"You're right, just as you say, though you did go the other way," Effort spoke, the rhyming verses flowing smoothly from his tongue. "Do you regret the path that you had to take, or was this a decision that you alone decided to make?"

"Actually, I wanted to be a Slowbro like father, but I found this crown on the beach, and without really thinking, I put it on top of my head," Slacker admitted. "The next thing I knew, several Wingulls came and started attacking me. I ran across the beach and the next thing I knew, I felt something clamp down on my head. Suddenly, I felt a rush and I lost consciousness. When I recovered, I found myself alone and felt different..."

It was after he returned home that Effort realized his brother had changed quite a bit—Slacker seemed wiser from what transpired, and he carried out his tasks more effectively than before. The younger brother noticed the newly evolved Slowking seemed more confident in himself, and in time, proved to be a great leader on their team.

O

Effort slowly came to as he found himself in his room. The Slowbro shook off the memory that surfaced in the form of his dreams and stood back up on his feet. He found his elder brother with his eyes shut, a faint blue aura gathered around him in absolute concentration due to his ritualistic meditation. This was what Slacker did to hone in on his power, especially since there were times that he would have a difficult time controlling it properly.

"Sit," Slacker spoke softly without opening his eyes. Effort was a bit surprised by his brother's command, yet did what he requested, knowing full well that this was a rare occasion to meditate with his brother.

Taking his seat next to Slacker, Effort joined his brother on the stone, his shell-encased tail resting against the ground behind him. Closing his eyes, the younger brother shut his eyes, taking in the silence that surrounded them both in their small abode.

Within the silence, Effort reflected on what he had done wrong while handling the Warp Orb. He recalled the amount of strain that he put on the sphere as the cracks formed on the surface. Even though he was trying to control the flow of his power, he seemed to have underestimated how much he was pouring into the small object.

Retracing his steps, the Slowbro was retracing his steps, recalling the lesson that he learned from Slacker weeks ago. He recalled his brother creating an Orb Transmutation Pillar before his eyes, almost though he was an expert.

O

"Watch carefully," Slacker told his brother as they stood at the end of the dungeon, holding a Warp Orb in his small paws. A faint glow surrounded Slacker as he held the sphere in front of him, a bluish energy flowing upward. "I summon the power of the Warp Orb!"

The circular object floated upwards before a ray of light pierced it, sending a pulse of energy flowing around them. Effort stared at the dazzling rays in awe, almost though a complicated spell had been cast. A weightless sensation followed as the light intensified. Seconds later, they were back at the entrance.

"That is incredible Headmaster, you seem to know this well," Effort noted. "How do you do this? Can you tell?"

"It takes an immense amount of concentration and power to do it, and you cannot try this lightly," Slacker warned his brother. "I recall the number of times I failed at this, and it would be good to stop before it shatters."

O

"Hey bro, can I ask you about the warp orb once more?" Effort interrupted his brother's meditation. "I feel I can do it, this time I am sure, yes?"

"Do you really think you can do it?" Slacker's eyes opened as he looked at his brother. The laidback Pokémon nodded once. "We'll head out tomorrow then."

O

The dungeon was vacant with the exception of Slowking and Slowbro. The latter was holding the Warp Orb in his paws as he focused on the power that surrounded them. Slacker quietly observes while Effort concentrates. The sphere begins to glow, and he releases it as it floats upward.

"That's it..." Slacker nods, almost encouraging his brother to continue.

In moments, the sphere transforms into a pillar of light as they vanished from the dungeon and reappear on the beach near their home. Slacker was a bit surprised that they ended up in a place like this, but it was then that Effort walked to the waters and sat down.

"Why did you bring us here?" Slowking asked as Slowbro turned and smiled warmly at his elder brother.

"I remember when we were younger, dad used to bring us to this place," Effort told his brother. "Do you think that he would be happy with the improvements of the base?"

Slowking was silent for a moment. He had not thought of their father in years. Ever since he perished in that mission, he had to raise his younger brother in his absence. There were times that Slacker had wished that their mother had been around after his death, but her disappearance was never explained—whoever she was.

"Yeah, I think so," Slowking affirmed, knowing that they had made a great deal of improvements. Even if Effort was moving on to another location, the Slowbro would still be a great addition to their forces.

"Heh, I'm kind of happy you said that bro, though I wonder how it will be once I go..." Slowbro watched the water lapping against the shore. It was comforting in a sense to know that they had this moment where there was no danger, no monster threatening to challenge either of them.

"We'll survive like we always do and keep getting better," Slowking reaffirmed as he joined his brother, sitting down next to him. The water lapped at their feet as they watch the sun slowly sink below the horizon. He knew that if their father was still around, he would have been proud of both of his sons for their achievements.

Even if they would soon be living separate lives.

Fin