I honestly have no excuse for the late chapter, I started playing pokemon again to better flush out the plot, but I got side tracked hunting for a shiny Ralts.
| Rio POV |
Well, that was a nice little picnic. Off to challenge Roxanne!!
Wait… May… where are you going?! THAT'S THE DIRECTION OF NORMAN'S GYM!!
"Is something wrong, Rio? Why are you so panicked?"
"ARE YOU CRAZY?! Do you want me to fight against Norman's beastly lineup?! Do you know how many Nuzlockes I had to reset because of him?!"
"Erm… maybe you're just excited for the fight?"
I sigh in defeat. No... No I'm not...
[New Quest Unlocked: Stay Alive]
Objective:
Survive
Optional:
Save Torchic
Reward:
+ 50 exp
Okay so... It said nothing about fighting right? We could just leave right? Right? Please May... I beg you...
I hold onto her leg, doing my best impression of a kicked down puppy hoping not to actually get kicked down by the Pokemon equivalent of a drunk dad who's football team has just lost.
"Aww, don't worry buddy, Norman is like an uncle to me, I'm sure you're going to love him!"
Arceus save me...
We continue our journey towards my resting site, our local kfc bird happily pecking at whatever rock manages to catch her curiosity, how wonderful it is to be ignorant...
The gym is all polished wood and silent menace. Every step echoes. Torchic and I exchange a look, "I'll pray for you... Don't worry..."
"Chii?"
Then, the doors creak open ahead of us.
A trainer steps out — older teen, wild brown hair, familiar green hoodie.
Brendan.
But not the happy go get'em twig boy we waved off earlier. Gone was the cheerful twig boy... What walked out, was a shell.He walks right past us. Head low. Face pale. Doesn't say a word. Doesn't see us.
His Poké Ball hand trembles slightly.
May turns to watch him go, brow furrowed.
"… Holy shit this might be worse than the game." I mutter.
May shrugs and pushes the doors open. I consider running. I consider faking fainting. I consider actually fainting.
Too late.
We're inside.
Norman stands at the far end, all calm and "friendly practice battle" energy — like a crocodile inviting you to swim.
"Hey uncle Norman! How have you been?"
The dude actually chuckles... Is the world ending? Is Dialga about to start beating Palkia's ass again?
"Good, have you met Brendan on your way out?"
"Ah? Yeah he had this weird look on his face, did something happen?"
"No, nothing in particular... " he says with a warm chuckle. "Just gave him a warm welcome to the trainer world"
Translation: I showed him the horror of an experienced gym leader.
He sends out a Linoone. A Linoone? Yeah this is definitely too different from the games... Do we actually have a chance?
I stare at the ferret demon as it prowls forward, nose twitching, tail flicking, already visualizing Torchic's vital organs.
May grins. "Torchic, let's go!"
Our little nugget lands with a determined chirp, fire puffing from her beak like she just got out of a boxing anime.
And so, the bloodbath begins.
"Torchic use sand attack!"
"CHIII!"
Oh it actually hit! Way to go Flames!
The Linoone shakes its head, it eyes watering as it glares at Torchic, her feathers puffed up in pride as she holds its stare with her own gloating look.
Linoone growls low, paws scraping against the polished floor, and charges.
"Torchic, quick—Dodge and Ember!"
She hops to the side, surprisingly nimble, and fires a burst of flame. It catches Linoone's flank—yes!
The ferret-panic-worm-thing yelps, singed and stumbling. Torchic puffs up again, chirping like she's already got the badge in her beak.
But Norman doesn't even blink.
"Headbutt."
WHAM.
Torchic goes flying.
She rolls, skidding across the wood. The pride is gone. The gloating look is replaced with tiny spinning eyes and wobbling legs.
But she stands.
She stands.
I feel something in my chest swell — pride? Terror? Heartburn?
"Let's go! Peck!"
She charges, beak glowing, leaving little scratchy claw marks on the floor.
She leaps—
Norman tilts his head. "Shadow Claw."
A blur. A strike.
Silence.
Well... I'm glad I didn't put my life savings on this match...
"Torchic.... Riolu! You're up!"
I want to go back into my pokeball miss! Where its safe, comfy, and not under threat of getting a murder hobo sent after my ass! This wasnt a gym we were supposed to fight right now!
"Rii...." I sigh and jump down from the stands anyways, oh well, as long as I get to see Nurse Joy again...
[Name:] Rio
[Race:] Riolu
[Nature:] Adamant
[Abilities:]
Inner Focus (prevents flinching)
Prankster (priority to status moves)
Anticipation (senses foe's move)
[Level:] 7
[Move Set:] hidden
[Stats:]
HP: 49
Attack: 81
Defense: 52
Sp. Atk: 41
Sp. Def: 46
Speed: 84
[Items:] Wishful Baton
Well... From what I should be faster than it... if barely... All I need to do is vcounter at the right time and I can one shot it, the wishful baton should keep me alive. Anticipation... I'm counting on you here!
"A shiny Riolu? How... Uncommon. I'm happy for you May."
A shiver goes down my spine... Could you not say that with that dead look on your face...
The air grows still as I step onto the battlefield, claws flexing and tail low. Torchic may be down, but I'm not. I meet Linoone's eyes. No fear. Just focus.
"Start with Quick Attack!"
I vanish into a yellow blur, slamming into its chest before it can even brace. The ferret stumbles back, wheezing as its eyes widen in surprise, but not long enough for me to press the attack before it recovers, and this time, Its eyes are firmly locked onto me.
Norman's voice is calm. "Linoone, retaliate with Slash."
Anticipation pulses in my skull—danger. I twist sideways mid-rebound, and—
SCHING!
Claws just barely graze my shoulder as the Linoone goes flying over my ducked over body. Okaaayyyy, so Its 100% faster than me! Noted! I can work with that though...
I plant my feet. And shoot my arm upwards just as it passes by me, my grip tightening over it's tail. "Circle throw!"
I pivot, griping its fur, and slam it down into the ground like a disobedient child.
Metal coats my paws as I swing them straight into Linoone's gut in a move fusion between bullet punch and cross chop. The wind leaves its lungs in a barked gasp. It gasps as pain clouds its eyes.
Anticipation warns me again just as lunges up for a bite at my throat.
I barely dodge to the side, letting it jump over me again before I slam into its side with a quick attack, sending it flying into the adjacent wall as it slumps down, unconscious.
Norman narrows his eyes. "Return."
Oh. Oh no. Please not the Slaking... Anything but the Slaking...
"That was impressive, your Riolu can fight all on his own as if he was personally trained by a champion..." he says calmly, recalling Linoone. "Let's see how he handle something… faster."
The next Poké Ball bursts open, and Vigoroth hits the field with a howl, fists slamming against its own chest. It's twitching, aggressive — like it drank six cups of pure caffeine and snorted a crushed up thunderstone.
"Oh COME ON—"
It sprints.
Too fast. Anticipation screams. Not enough time to counter.
"Let's make this quick!" I bark, shifting my stance as my aura flares. "Detect!"
Vigoroth blitzes me with shocking speed, but my body moves on instinct—sidestepping just as its claws tear a shallow gouge into the floor.
"Now—Cross Chop!"
I jump, arms crossed, energy crackling, and bring them down in a savage arc.
Direct hit.
Vigoroth roars in pain but doesn't fall. Doesn't even flinch. It snarls, eyes wild.
"Uproar."
My ears ring. The entire gym shakes with its screeching bellow. My vision wavers—but I bite down on the pain and leap back.
"Feint!"
I juke left, then dart in from the right, striking past its flailing arms. The hit lands clean, but it's not enough.
It's still standing.
Vigoroth lunges, claws raised. This is it—
"Counter!"
The blow slams into my chest, hard. I grit my teeth, absorb the force, and release it all in one explosive punch.
BOOM.
We both go flying, I get sent crashing to the ground. Vigoroth, launched skyward, hits the ceiling, then slams down in a heap.
Dust settles. My chest heaves. as I force myself to stand up.
Two down.
I look up, panting, fur singed and arms trembling but steady.
"How's that for a caffeine crash, jackass?"
The energy feedback from the wishfull baton barely keeping me on my feet.
Norman stares.
And then… he smiles.
"You're strong. Very strong."
He reaches for his second to last Poké Ball. He has two Slakings... I... forgot that detail...
"But let's see how long that lasts."
He throws it.
The ground quakes as the Pokémon lands. Slow, massive, and smiling that dopey smile.
Slaking.
My heart stops.
Not because of fear. Not anymore.
Because I know what comes next.
"Ready, Rio?"
No. But I nod anyway. If I die, I die taking revenge for all the shinnies I had to delete.
Let's dance.
Word count: 1517
Hm, wonder how our glorious Riolu will come out on top, Plot Armor anyone? or should he be sent crying?