Television is full of stories from rags to riches.

Stories that are full of overcoming adversities.

I, once, believed that if I worked hard and never gave up.

I, too, could become one of those stories.

.....

[ 10 Years Ago ]

The sun was blazing hot in the sky, casting a golden glow on the high school campus. The sound of laughter and chatter echoed through the air, as students roamed around, some heading to class, others to extracurricular activities. But in a secluded corner, a green-haired girl named Duplica was in a desperate struggle against her tormentors.

Matilda, the ringleader of the bullies, was a tall and broad-shouldered woman with a scowl permanently etched on her face. She had a sharp jawline and piercing eyes that gleamed with cruelty. Her hair was styled in a sleek bob, and she wore a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt, torn jeans, and combat boots. In her hand, she held a letter, which she brandished in front of Duplica with a sneer.

"What have we here?" Matilda said, her voice dripping with disdain. "An invitation to the Pokemon Model College of Fine Arts? How cute."

Her accomplices snickered, taunting Duplica with insults. "You? A model?" one of them said, laughing. "You couldn't model your way out of a paper bag!"

" "I wish you the best. Truly. But what if it doesn't work out? After skipping high school and bragging to everyone that you're going to be a model, wouldn't it be so humiliating if you fail? Wouldn't you rather die? "

"Why? Are you jealous?"

"Aha! No chance."

"Hey!"

Matilda pulled out a butterfly knife while the other bullies grabbed Duplica.

"We're practically sisters, you and I, that's why I'd like to help you remove that ugly mole from your pretty white face. Don't worry, I'll be careful. You know better than anyone just how skilled I am. I can't promise it will heal before Saturday though."

Duplica's heart sank as she heard the bullies' words.

" Keep still Duplica. You wouldn't want me to make a mistake, would you?

" Please, I'm sorry ... I'll stop bragging. Not my face ...!" Duplica cried out as tears rolled down her face.

The Bullies paused for a bit before bursting out laughing.

" What a mess !! How the hell does she think she can become a model looking like that !?! I guess there's no need for us to worry, they'd never let a pig like her pass in a million years. But hey! Even pigs should be allowed to dream, we'll be waiting eagerly for your return."

Duplica fell to her knees as she felt her blood boil at the words of the bullies.

" Did you see her nose running?"

" Hilarious."

Duplica gritted the stone near her as she felt a surge of anger and determination. She had worked so hard for this opportunity, and she wasn't going to let a group of bullies take it away from her. She made a promise to herself that she would make them regret it. That she would show them what she was made of. That she would become a superstar.

.....

Duplica stood on the platform of the Celadon City underground subway. The hum of the trains could be heard in the distance as the sound echoed through the concrete walls of the station. The PA system crackled to life, announcing the next train's arrival with a robotic voice. People bustled around her, their movements were frenzied as they jostled for space on the crowded platform.

Duplica stood apart, a still figure amidst the chaos. She was dressed in a simple, practical outfit, her coat a pale green hue that complemented her hair. The fabric was worn, its edges frayed, but it provided warmth against the chill of the underground air. She clutched a small, well-worn purse in her left hand, her gaze fixed upon its contents.

She carefully counted the money within, her eyes squinting in the dim light of the subway station. The flickering fluorescent lights cast an eerie glow upon the scene, creating deep shadows that danced along the platform. The scent of oil and machinery filled the air, and the occasional rat scurried along the tracks. Despite the less-than-ideal surroundings, Duplica remained focused, counting each coin and note with great care.

"Okay. So I have $200 I saved up... then $30 I stole from them. But... what if I don't pass? there are still five days until the interview... I'm sure I can make it last that long." Duplica thought as she bit her nails.

" Ah... chewing my nails again. I'll need to kick that habit if I become a model...Okay! Stop worrying!! Duplica, don't chicken out now! Everything will work out!! "

Duplica told herself before a thought.

" I have nowhere else to go. I'm going to blow the judges away! If there really is a god... he would never forsake someone like me, who needs his help the most."

....

Duplica stood outside the Vermillion city subway station, looking disheveled and flustered. The conductor and a guard were standing in front of her, shouting and waving their hands.

"How can you not notice someone rummaging through your bag? There was nobody else in the car... you should have at least placed it in the rack above you. I'm not sure we can track down a single wallet anyway. It's getting late. Give us your contact info and get home."

Duplica felt her heart sink before she ran away while shouting.

"It's okay!! There wasn't much money in there anyway!!"

"Miss?"

While Duplica ran, she couldn't help but think.

"That was all my money. What do I do now?"

....

The night sky was a canvas of stars and the moon shone bright, casting a silver glow over the park. Duplica sat on a wooden bench, surrounded by the stillness of the night. The only sounds were the distant chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves in the light breeze. She sat there, lost in thought, with her eyes fixed on the ground.

"At least I didn't lose my ATM card," Blanca thought to herself. She looked at the balance of her account and realized that she barely had $40. "Will it be enough?" she wondered. Blanca was trying to figure out her options for the next few days. She knew an all-night bathhouse charged $10 a night, but she thought about maybe finding a cafe instead. She could get water for free at a bank, but what about food? If she ate only twice a day at $1 each, that would already be $10 after five days. She needed to keep at least $10 to wash up before the audition.

Tears started to well up in Duplica's eyes, but she quickly told herself not to cry. "It won't change anything," she whispered to herself. "At least it can't get any worse than this."

Duplica sat on the bench in the park, her thoughts a million miles away as she gazed up at the night sky. The stars twinkled above her, shining like diamonds against the inky blackness. She watched as the first few snowflakes began to fall, their delicate shapes fluttering down to earth

What she didn't know was that the worst had yet to come.

.....

[ Vermillion City - Pokemon College of Fine Arts]

The Pokemon College of Fine Arts is a stunning and magnificent building, nestled in the heart of the city. It boasts breathtaking Gothic architecture with towering spires and intricate carvings. The main building is made of stone, with stained glass windows that allow streams of light to spill into the interior. The entrance is marked by a grand archway, with towering columns and intricate carvings of the Weather God Trio adorning its sides.

Inside the auditorium, one is greeted by a magnificent hall, its walls covered in gold leaf and velvet drapes. The ceiling is a masterpiece of fresco paintings, depicting scenes from the greatest Pokemon battles. The stage is spacious, with a polished wooden floor, spotlights, and a large screen.

On the stage, Duplica stood with utter confidence as the judges complimented her on her style and beauty.

" You are spunky, I'll give you that. It's my only asset and my best quality. Okay then, time for your photo shoot. Give me any pose you'd like. Choose wisely, we only have time for one photo."

Hearing the words of the judge, Duplica smiled before it vanished as she outstretched her hands towards the judges and poses with an indifferent look on her face yet some could see a small smile on her.

' I'll become a model if I can just pass this audition. A living work of art. Everyone will cherish me, even after I'm dead and buried if there are still photos of me.

Then, look at me.

Look at me!

Look at me !!

Look at me !!!

Take my photograph.

Please give me your love.

.....

The judges smiled at Duplica's photograph.

" What an unusual choice. Usually, they give a coy smile and try to look pretty. It's not bad though, is it? "

One of the judges addressed Duplica.

" I see here that your address is an orphanage."

" You're an orphan?"

Duplica asked with an expressionless face

" Why does that matter for modeling? "

" We need to know if we're to sign you."

Duplica's mind only heard the words " Sign me?! "

As she exclaimed.

" Yes, I'm an orphan. If I fail here today, I have nowhere else to go. I need to become a model today no matter what. I'm more desperate for this than anybody else. Nobody wants this as much as I do. I'm not going to say I'll do my best, that's a given. I'll do whatever you ask of me. So please."

Duplica stopped herself when she saw the faces of the judges.

' Oh, they're not smiling anymore. What was I thinking? I must look so pathetic. They couldn't care less about my life. My legs feel weak. '

One of the judges chuckled and answered Duplica.

" You know you're not the first to come here with a sob story, right? Anyway, we'll take one more photo, then we're done. Could you give us a look over your shoulder?"

Duplica nodded as she turned around but her heel suddenly snapped as she fell on the stage as someone ran up to her.

" Miss, are you ok ?"

Duplica raised her hand as she wanted to thank the person who came to help her but seeing them look down on her made Duplica's mind project her bullies onto the person that came to help.

Duplica's mouth bulged as she threw up on stage.

Hearing the sound of her vomit hitting the stage caused Duplica's heart to sink as she glanced at the judges who looked at her in disgust.

" Miss Duplica, please leave the stage."

" No! No! I can..."

" Miss Duplica, please leave the premises."

Duplica's mind went blank as she heard those words.

....

Duplica sat at the bar, her fingers tapping idly against the smooth surface of the wooden counter. The room was dimly lit, with the flickering of the candles casting a warm, comforting glow across the faces of the patrons. It was a quiet night at the bar, with only a few people scattered about the room, lost in their thoughts.

Dressed in a flowing red dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, Duplica looked like a woman who had it all. Her long, dark hair fell in soft waves down her back, and her eyes sparkled with fierce determination.

But despite her glamorous exterior, Duplica's mind was consumed with thoughts of her recent failure at the audition. She had poured her heart and soul into that performance, only to be rejected in the end. It was a crushing blow, one that she wasn't sure she would ever recover from.

As she took a slow sip of the deep amber liquid in her glass, the warm, velvety flavor filled her senses, momentarily soothing her troubled mind. But the respite was short-lived, as a man approached her from across the bar.

He was tall and well-dressed, with a sharp, angular face and an air of superiority about him. Duplica felt a twinge of annoyance as he eyed her glass. "Excuse me, miss," he said, his voice laced with condescension. "Do you realize how much that liquor costs?"

Duplica raised an eyebrow, her irritation growing with each passing moment. "Yes, I do," she replied, her voice sharp. "What of it?"

The man smirked, clearly enjoying the power he held over her. "Well, after your failure at the audition today, I'm not sure if you can afford it," he said, his words like poison.

Duplica felt a surge of anger and embarrassment wash over her, but she pushed it aside, determined not to let this man get the best of her. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice cold.

The man leaned in, his eyes glinting with a predatory gleam. "I'm part of a new organization," he said, his voice low and smooth. "And I think you'd make a valuable addition to our team. With your skills, you'll never have to worry about affording the finer things in life again."

Duplica looked at him skeptically, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What do you want me to do?" she asked, her voice guarded.

The man smiled, and Duplica could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand up in alarm. "Just think about it," he said. "My organization has the resources to help you achieve your dreams of standing on the world's stage. All you have to do is join us."

Duplica glanced at the card he offered her, her mind racing with uncertainty. She was intrigued by the offer, but also wary of the man's true intentions. "What's the organization's name?" she asked.

"Team Rocket," the man replied, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Duplica took another sip of her drink, her mind whirling with possibilities. Could this be her chance to achieve her dreams? Or was it all just a trap, a ploy to lure her into a life of danger and deceit?

As the man continued to speak, his words were like honeyed poison in her ear.

That day, Duplica made the worst decision in her life.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

[ 10 Years Later ]

[ Celadon City - Gym ]

The night was still, the moon casting a pale light over the deserted streets. In the Pokemon Gym, Erika closed the gym for the night. She was dressed in a tight-fitting, red and white-trainer outfit, her long, dark hair tied back in a ponytail. As she locked the door, she let out a small sigh and stretched her arms, the sound of her joints cracking echoing in the silent night.

Erika made her way toward the vending machines, her footsteps light and graceful. She was reaching for a snack when she caught sight of a figure leaning against the wall, his body illuminated by the soft glow of the street light. Erika's heart skipped a beat as she took in the sight of the man. He stood tall and proud, with a physique that could have easily graced the cover of a fitness magazine. He was dressed in a black, leather jacket that hugged his broad shoulders, a pair of faded jeans that clung to his toned legs, and a pair of combat boots that added an air of danger to his already striking appearance.

Erika felt her knees go weak as she stood there, staring at him in awe. He had a rugged, handsome face, with a chiseled jawline that was accentuated by the gentle stubble that hugged his face. His piercing green eyes seemed to look right through her, and Erika felt a flutter in her chest as she gazed into them. She tried to play it cool, approaching him with a flirtatious smile. "Hey there," she said, trying to sound as casual as possible. "What brings you to this side of the city?"

The man smiled back, his lips curling up into a charming grin. "I'm actually here for the Pokemon Acting competition," he said. "I'm hoping to impress the judges and take home the top prize."

Erika's smile faded as she heard this. The Pokemon Acting Competition was her lifelong dream, but her current life prevented her from pursuing that dream.

" Hey, I know this amazing bar. You want to go there."

The man leaned towards Erika with a beautiful smile.

" Oh, then lead the way."

She took the man by the hand, leading him to the back of the gym where the entrance to the secret bar was located. The door was hidden by the walls as Erika pulled her card which the door scanned before opening revealing a small, dark alleyway. They made their way inside, where they were greeted by the warm glow of dimly lit lanterns and the soft hum of music in the background. The bar was small, cozy, and intimate, with low ceilings and wooden beams that crisscrossed overhead. A group of trainers that worked in the Celadon City gym sat at the bar, laughing and chatting, their glasses clinking in the soft light.

Erika approached the bartender, ordering two drinks. She handed one to the man, raising her glass in a toast. "To new beginnings," she said, before taking a sip. The drink was smooth and sweet, and Erika felt herself relaxing as she leaned against the bar.

....

The night was drawing to a close, and Erika was feeling increasingly intoxicated. She stumbled a little as she took the man by the hand, leading him to the back of the gym.

The other trainers glanced at them before snorting.

They knew their leader's habit of doing one-night stands.

In the back of the gym was a hidden elevator that only a select few knew about, and Erika was one of them. She pushed the man inside, the door closing behind them with a soft whoosh.

As they descended, Erika could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Duplica in her Erika disguise acted like never brought anyone here before, and she wasn't sure why she was doing it now. The man seemed to sense her hesitation, and he took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a secret set of rooms. Erika pushed the man inside one of the rooms.

The man blushed and looked down and then felt two fingers hook under his chin, Duplica as Erika then pulled him a little closer and then attached her lips to the man's, the man instantly shutting his eyes and placing his hand on Erika's thigh, the man now has one hand on Erika's waist as the other was around the back of her neck, his thumb brushing over her cheek and pulling her closer.

Erika aka Duplica then pulled back a look of terror on her face. Something was wrong - the texture of the man's lips was all wrong.

Those weren't the lips of a man.

Duplica took a step back; realizing that something was wrong, her hand going to her mouth as she gasped in horror. The man's eyes glowed in the dim light, and Erika could see that they were not human at all.

All of a sudden, Duplica collapsed to the floor, unconscious, while a shiny alpha Haunter emerged from the shadows. Austin's face morphed, revealing his true identity as he touched his lips with a blush.

Haunter smirked, brandishing a photo of Austin in his disguise, appearing to kiss Erika.

" Haunter, you can't be serious."

" Kekeke."

" Come on, my lips barely touched hers. Ditto was covering my face. If anything Ditto got kissed."

" Kekekek."

" What do you want for the photo ?"

" Kekekeke."

" No, I ain't dressing like a lopunny just for you to play a prank on the walking fossil that is Lucario."

"Heheheheh," Haunter cackled, tauntingly waving the photo in front of Austin's face.