I was having such a beautiful day, flowers were blooming the sun was shinning, and a bird decided to make my hoodie into it's personal potty, anyways, here's another chapter. I'm off to take my third shower today...
| Riolu POV |
Okay. Let's take inventory.
One: We ditched the poor researcher who is, I kid you not, following his own footprints. May tried so hard not to laugh, but I saw the look on her face. Honestly, it's a miracle I didn't start rolling in the grass.
Two: We're now on Route 103, heading to meet Brendan for my first official trainer battle. Not a wild Pokémon scuffle. Not a "pecking my eyes out" ahh ambush. A real match.
…And I'm not sure how I feel about it.
Torchic hops beside me, occasionally brushing against my side, little hums slipping from her beak. May keeps sneaking glances at me — probably noticing how my ears twitch at every rustle in the bushes. Look, I'm working on it, okay? Just because I survived one forest doesn't mean I'm ready to let my guard down.
Ahead, Brendan waves like we're all besties. Treecko leans against a nearby tree, trying to looking cool and composed...
Edgelord...
"Yo, May!" Brendan calls. "Long time no see! How have you- Is that a shiny Riolu?!" UmU, bask in my greatness human! Bow before me! Bow, I said!
"Yup, found the poor fella passed out in the forest with some injuries and heavily dosed up on sleep powder." H-hey now! Don't ruin my entrance! First impressions matter!
"And you! What are you laughing at you goddamn gecko?!"
"T-tree? TREECKO?!"
"Yeah I said it! Go back to whatever mossy rock you photosynthesize under!"
May flashes me a grin before looking back up to Brendan. "Well you look excited Rio, how about a friendly 1 on 1 battle?"
"Ah? I don't mind, I'm sure Treecko wouldn't mind a challenge."
[New Quest Unlocked: Tutorial fight]
Objective:
Beat the opposing pokemon
Optional:
Look cool while doing it. (Not happening, again.)
Rewards:
+60 EXP
+1 IV
Unlock new title: "Newbie"
I glance back at Treecko, it shivers. I'm going to enjoy this...
"Standard arena rules, first one to be unable to fight loses, items aren't allowed." Yeah yeah Brandy boy, I don't need any items to beat that lizard.
[Name:] Rio
[Race:] Riolu
[Nature:] Adamant
[Abilities:]
Inner Focus (prevents flinching)
Prankster (priority to status moves)
Anticipation (senses foe's move)
[Level:] 5
[Move Set:]
Endure
Quick Attack
Cross Chop
Detect
Circle Throw
[Stats:]
HP: 47
Attack: 77
Defense: 50
Sp. Atk: 39
Sp. Def: 44
Speed: 70
[Items:] None
Oh neat, I have a name now! But seriously Rio? Was that the best you could think of? I glare up at May.
"Is something wrong Rio?" ... Never mind, at least I wasn't named Bob Uchiha or something.
"Let's get this over with..."I locked my focus on the opposing Treecko, muscles tensing as my aura flared, rippling in tune with my excitement.
"Treecko, use Leech Seed!"
"Riolu, Tackle!"
Copy that! …Not. I dodged to the side, slipping past the attack as Treecko fired wide. My legs coiled, then launched me forward with Quick Attack, a strange energy buzzing through them — normal-type energy? Feels like guzzling three cans of Red Bull through your knees.
I grinned as I closed the distance, catching the flicker of fear on Treecko's face. Brendan and May gaped as I veered off-script. My aura-cloaked fist crashed into its stomach, folding it like a lawn chair and launching it a dozen meters across the grass.
"That's… not— hey! I said Tackle— you know what, fine, keep doing that!"
[Quest Update: Optional objective progress — Looking cool: 50%]
Fifty percent?! That was a full 'you are already dead' moment! Ugh, not even the system appreciates true flair.
"Treecko! You alright?"
Treecko wheezed, eyes swirling as it skidded to a stop, tiny leaves drifting around it like sad confetti. It gave a shaky nod, straightening with a glare.
[Treecko used Scary Face! It failed!]
…Damn. That's just pathetic.
"Use Magical Leaf!"
Oh no you don't!
I dashed forward just as Treecko began swirling the glowing green leaves, saturating them with Grass energy. Panic flashed in its eyes the moment it saw me charging.
The leaves shot out in a scatter, but I weaved through the hailstorm with only a few minor cuts — not even enough to draw blood.
Sliding into a low kneel right beside the now-petrified lizard, I wrapped my arms around its waist.
And then — I executed the most beautiful German suplex variant of Circle Throw the Pokémon world has ever seen.
The enchanted leaves, which had started to boomerang back toward me, plinked harmlessly to the ground.
Brendan's jaw? Also on the ground. His future ace just got a five-star plate of dirt and grass smashed into its face.
Treecko didn't just faint — it ascended. Arms out, eyes spiralling, it lay starfished on the ground like someone had just unplugged its entire life source.
[Quest Update: Optional objective complete — Looking cool: 100%]
Damn right.
[Quest Complete: Tutorial fight]
Objective completed: Beat the opposing Pokémon
Optional : Look cool while doing it
Rewards:
+60 EXP
+1 IV
New title unlocked: Newbie
Level up Lvl. 5 → Lvl. 6
[New moves learned: Feint, Bullet punch]
Tsk Tsk, so much for a rival, didn't even deserve to be called a tutorial fight.
Treecko lay sprawled out, limbs twitching, like it was trying to figure out why the sky had body-slammed her.
Brendan just knelt there. "Uh… Treecko? Girl?"
No response. Just a faint wheeze and the delicate sound of crushed pride.
May giggled behind me, one hand over her mouth. "Well… that was something."
"Something?!" Brendan yelped, crouching next to his poor lizard. "That wasn't a battle, that was a full-on wrestling event!" He gently tapped Treecko's head. "You good, champ?"
Treecko let out the saddest croak I'd ever heard. One eye rolled back into place, and she shot me a shaky glare. Respect.
"Hey, Brendan?" May called, still grinning. "You did say it was a friendly match."
"Friendly?! May, your Riolu body-slammed my starter into next week!"
Pfft. Correction: it was a German suplex. Don't disrespect the art, Brendan.
Brendan turned to me, trying to regain some composure. "Alright, Rio, you win. Congrats — you're terrifying."
"Rii~olu!" I chirped, smug. Kneel before your new god of pain, human.
[New Title Equipped: Newbie]
May crouched and ruffled my head. "Nice job, Rio. Though maybe next time… don't break anyone's starter?"
I grinned up at her. Not making promises I can't keep.
Torchic bounced over, letting out a proud chirp. She winked, and yeah, okay, maybe my tail wagged a little. Maybe.
Brendan sighed, picking up Treecko. "Guess we've got some training to do, huh, girl?" He glanced back at me with a crooked smile. "Next time, we're coming back swinging. Watch yourself."
I gave him a thumbs-up. Anytime, twig-hugger.
May stretched, smiling. "Alright, you two. Let's head out. Brendan, let's battle again soon — maybe when your partner isn't still eating grass."
"Real funny, May, oh, by the way, here." Brendan groaned.
Brendan pulled out the small device from his bag, holding it out toward May with a little more enthusiasm than he'd shown all day.
He handed her the Pokédex, the screen flickering to life as soon as she took it. "Your dad wanted you to have it. Said something about keeping it updated, y'know, for his research. And so you don't get lost"
May's eyes brightened as she accepted the device. "Oh! I wasn't expecting this! Thanks, Brendan!"
"Yeah, yeah, don't mention it." Brendan scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Just, you know, make sure to catch a lot of Pokémon, so I don't have to do all the work next time we meet."
"Psh, please. I'm gonna be way ahead of you," May grinned, quickly flipping through the Pokédex's options. "But sure, I'll make sure to add some new entries for you."
She gave Brendan one last playful jab before turning toward me, her smile widening. "Alright, Rio, ready to hit the road?"
I gave a short nod, glancing back at Brendan. "We're off. Later, twig-boy."
Brendan chuckled, calling over his shoulder, "See you, Rio. Don't go getting too cocky now! Treecko will beat you one of these days!"
May shook her head, rolling her eyes. "I swear, you two are gonna end up being the most competitive pair ever."
With that, we started heading off down the road, Torchic chirping happily at our heels, eager to continue the journey.
As we walked on, I felt something flicker in my chest — excitement? Pride?
Nah. Probably just the warm glow of victory. Beats getting my ass handed to me by a native new yorker any day, any week.
Word Count: 1423