Three days.
That's how long I'd been training in the forest with my team — Pidgey, Froakie, and Fletchling.
Morning to night, we sparred against wild Pokémon, practiced new moves, and worked on our teamwork.
Now, with Pidgey perched on one shoulder, Fletchling on the other, and Froakie resting on my head, I stood at the edge of the forest path.
"You guys ready for our first gym battle?" I asked.
The two bird Pokémon cried out enthusiastically… then started bickering over which of them would be the star of the fight. Froakie groaned from above, clearly unimpressed.
I couldn't help but smile. "Alright then — let's go."
Timeskip
"Finally… Santalune City," I breathed, stepping through the gates.
I returned Pidgey and Fletchling to their Poké Balls, keeping Froakie out so we could bond more.
"Froakie," he croaked, hopping alongside me.
Our first stop was the Pokémon Center. Inside, Nurse Joy greeted us with her usual warm smile.
"How can we help you today?"
"I'd like to register for the Pokémon League," I said.
"Place your Pokédex into the slot here, please."
I slid it into the scanner. The screen lit up:
Trainer ID: 20333509
Pokémon Registered: Froakie, Pikachu, Fletchling
Nurse Joy nodded. "All set. You're officially eligible for League matches. Good luck on your badge journey — and be careful."
"I already made an appointment for my gym battle. It's tomorrow morning," I explained. "So, I guess I'll just look around town for the day."
We wandered down Route 22, enjoying the sunny afternoon — until I heard shouting.
Ahead, several people in red suits were shoving struggling Pokémon into the back of a van. My stomach dropped as I saw them force a Litleo inside.
And then I saw him.
A small blue jackal-like Pokémon — Riolu — stood in the road, blocking the van with his arms spread wide.
"Team Flare," I muttered under my breath.
One of the grunts sneered. "Out of the way, mutt!" He sent out a Houndour. Without hesitation, Houndour blasted Riolu aside.
The little Pokémon hit the ground hard, but shakily pushed himself back to his feet, eyes burning with determination.
"You're too weak," the grunt mocked. "Houndour — finish it! Bite his neck!"
My eyes went wide. "Froakie!"
Without hesitation, Froakie leapt from my shoulder, hitting Houndour with a Quick Attack that knocked him back. I skidded to a stop in front of Riolu, shielding him.
"That's enough!"
There were four grunts in total — two more were dragging another Litleo from a cage.
They laughed. "Give it up, kid. Four of us, one of you."
"I don't care," I shot back. "I'm not letting scum like you hurt Pokémon."
Riolu limped to my side, still ready to fight. I smiled at him. "Alright then… make this two on three."
"Riolu — Force Palm on Houndour! Froakie — cover him with Smokescreen, then Bubble!"
The street filled with smoke as Riolu's strike hit home. Froakie's Bubble crashed into the Litleo's trainer, knocking him out cold.
"You two are useless!" one grunt yelled.
Suddenly, Houndour's body glowed with an intense light — and when it cleared, a Houndoom stood before us, growling low.
"Flamethrower!"
Before I could react, Houndoom snatched Riolu by the scruff and hurled him into the air, unleashing a blast of flames. Riolu hit the ground hard, barely moving.
"Riolu!" I shouted.
"Throw him to me, Froakie!"
Froakie grabbed Riolu and launched him into my arms — but the fire still hit Froakie full on, sending him tumbling back, badly burned.
"One more word from you, brat, and I'll take that starter off your corpse," the grunt snarled.
I froze. This isn't like the games. You can actually die here.
Sensing my fear, Froakie croaked sharply, eyes locked on me as if to say: We can do this.
I took a breath. "Alright, buddy. Frubbles — blind him! Then Bubble!"
The frubbles burst against Houndoom's face, blinding him long enough for the Bubble attack to slam into his chest, forcing him back.
And then… Froakie began to glow.
Light enveloped him, his body growing taller and sleeker until the glow shattered — revealing Frogadier.
"Let's finish this! Water Pulse!"
The swirling sphere of water struck Houndoom hard, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious.
The grunts cursed. "You're gonna regret this, kid!" They tossed down a smoke pellet and vanished into the trees.
I fell to my knees, clutching Riolu as I returned Frogadier to his Poké Ball. Without wasting another second, I ran back toward Santalune's Pokémon Center.