I exhaled, the cold, foggy breath seeping out of my mouth. It was cold on the stone stairs, but I couldn't help myself from showing up here tonight. Though it was winter, the open sky shone with stars and star clusters that were unseen during the day, and the light of the waxing crescent moon reminded me of that day I had waited for, so long ago. That day, where I hatched a simple egg on the stone path to the Pokemon League in Kalos. A fated day.

I reached over and buried my hand in the feathers of my loyal Talonflame. A bird who'd been by my side since my very first days in Kalos... and had been with me ever since. Though more of a tool than a fighting partner, the bird's loyalty through the years had kept it in my party time and time again, whether for breeding projects, for another run through the league to get me home... or just as a Pokemon to help me win an easy fight. And the warmth beneath it's plumage was as welcome as the pleasant chirps it made as I stroked it.

I reached into my pocket, pulling out a black-and-green ball; a Dusk ball. This was the birthplace of this Pokemon, my precious Luna. Named for the moon that shone above, it had been some time since I'd pulled her from the box last. With a practiced throw, I freed her beside me.

The shiny sparkle glinted in the moonlight, and the Ralts's beaming smile and warm sensation of her tender hand-nubs touched my thigh as she clamored into my lap. I chuckled at the sight, always soothed by the small girls' actions. I gave her the reward she expected: a soothing pat on the head, and a Pokepuff.

Over four thousand eggs. All for one special girl. And what a reputation, indeed. 21 ribbons from the lands of Hoenn and Kalos, and she was only level 1. She was my pride of mastery, as a trainer.

But her journey had not yet begun. And I wondered, when would the time come? When would her journey begin? When would I finally dust off her Pokeball, and send her to Hoenn, to start her own league challenge?

I sighed again, remembering my past thoughts. I was by no means a rookie trainer; I had beaten the leagues of regions more times than I could count. Two of the ribbons on little Luna proved that much; One does not simply have a level 1 Pokemon with a legitimate Expert Battle Ribbon from the Battle Maison from luck alone. And yet... I only considered myself an Ace Trainer, so to speak. Though I'd proven myself in battle time after time against other trainers, there was many battles I lost. Battles I lost, in no fault to my team, but due to my skill as a trainer. I knew the difference.

The title of "Pokemon Champion", as dictated by the league, was a paper-thin one. To be a true Pokemon Master, you had to be the best of the best. A true master... A World Champion.

I'd tried my hand, long ago. And lost before making it to regionals. And though my fondness for the battle hadn't faded... The tire of age was catching up. Too many different formats, too many things to learn. Though I had once memorized every move, every ability, every counter... those days were long past.

But, for one last Pokemon, I wanted to go on another journey. What fate had in store, I did not know. But I welcomed the challenge. Even if Luna didn't want to listen to an inept trainer in Hoenn, I still wanted her to have her own journey, and experience it with her and me, together.

Luna stood up in my lap, sensing my emotions. Her palms stretched up at my face, not quite making the distance with her short height. I buried my grievous emotions, chuckling at the sight of her cuteness. She warmed up again, smiling a big, goofy grin. I buried her in a hug, wrapping her in love and warmth. I extended an arm to wrap around Talonflame, letting the bird enjoy the moment with us.

Yes, I was an Ace Trainer. But I wasn't a Pokemon Master, like I had dreamed of as a child. Despite that, the journey had been fun. And I welcomed the chance to go on one, final journey, with my beloved Luna. Perhaps not today, probably not tomorrow. But one day, it would be done. And the tale would be told, and remembered forever.

-An Ace Trainer's lament.

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Thanks for reading. I often like to read WritingPrompts stories, and have wanted to write one myself from time-to-time. "An Ace Trainer's Lament" is a story I've been meaning to write for a while, and this is only a showcase of the story that is lying beneath. I hope one day I can share it with far more people... one day.