Beep! Beep! Beep!
The alarm clock screamed into the room, but Rael immediately slapped it off on the very first try.
"Huh?" he blinked in surprise, rubbing his eyes. "I usually take more than five tries to turn it off... Is this the Lucky Guy skill effect?"
Feeling strangely full of energy, he threw the covers off and jumped out of bed.
His heart pounded with excitement — he'd never felt this hyped before.
Today was the day!
Rael quickly got dressed, putting on a stylish red jacket with black accents, matching slim-fit pants that allowed for easy movement, and sleek dark sneakers perfect for long walks and sudden battles. A tight black T-shirt under his jacket completed the look, giving him an adventurous yet cool vibe. His vivid blue eyes now stood out even more sharply against his crimson clothes, blending perfectly with his messy but handsome red hair.
After a lightning-fast teeth brushing session, he grabbed his sleek black backpack — already packed — and raced to the front door.
It's time. My journey is finally starting!
But just as his hand touched the doorknob—
Wham!
The door burst open and a foot lashed out toward his face!
Rael, with reflexes sharpened by his new skills, smoothly ducked under the kick and caught the leg midair. His hand tightened around the firm but soft limb.
"Wh—?" he started, before freezing as he looked up.
Standing before him was a stunning woman — her bright, flowing red hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, her athletic figure wrapped in a form-fitting, sleeveless top and shorts that highlighted her curves and toned legs. Her vivid blue eyes sparkled mischievously, and a playful smirk curled on her lips.
[Image Here]
"Mom!" Rael blurted out, dropping her leg and immediately pulling her into a hug.
"You're still such a kid, Rael..." Rina Drayden laughed warmly, pulling him close — maybe a little too close, as Rael's face ended up buried in her generous chest.
'I can't breathe!' he panicked, struggling lightly until she finally released him.
"I was just happy to see you after so long. It's been three months, you know," she said, ruffling his hair affectionately.
"Hahaha, sorry..." Rina chuckled, flashing a dazzling smile. Rael couldn't help but think how lucky he was to inherit her looks. "I wanted to visit earlier, but... the gym had some problems I couldn't ignore."
"It's alright..." Rael said, his excitement quickly bubbling back to the surface. His eyes lit up like a child seeing candy. "More importantly, what Pokémon did you bring me?! A Primeape? A Machop? A Tyrogue?!"
Rina laughed, reaching into her bag and pulling out a Pokéball.
"No, something a little more special," she teased, handing it to him.
Rael's hands trembled slightly as he took it, unable to contain his excitement.
"Check it yourself!" she urged with a wink.
Without hesitation, Rael pressed the button on the Pokéball, and with a flash of blue light, a small silhouette formed in front of him.
"A Riolu?!" he exclaimed.
Rael's eyes widened as the blue light faded — and the Pokémon standing before him came into view.
"What do you think of it?" Rina immediately asked, her voice full of pride.
Rael stared, both confused and fascinated.
"Why is it... red?" he asked.
Before him stood a Riolu unlike any he had ever seen.
Its body was a striking crimson red, contrasted sharply by patches of dark black along its legs, arms, and around its mask-like face. Its bright, piercing blue eyes stood out even more against its unusual coloring, giving it a fierce but strangely noble aura.
[Image Here]
There was a restless, energetic tension in how it stood, tail twitching and fists slightly clenched — like it was ready to throw down at any moment.
"I don't know..." Rina admitted, scratching her cheek sheepishly. "I initially wanted to give you a Tyrogue... but when I found this little guy during a trip to Sinnoh last month, I immediately changed my mind. It suits you perfectly — you two have the same colors."
Rael's heart swelled with excitement.
"Pleasure to meet you, Riolu—" he said warmly, bending down and reaching out to gently pat its head.
Bam!
Without warning, Riolu socked him right in the face!
Rael stumbled back, clutching his nose in pain.
"Oh, I almost forgot..." Rina added nonchalantly, while Rael's face turned bright red. "He's quite the rebel... he doesn't even listen to me."
"Huh?! Couldn't you tell me that before?!" Rael snapped, exasperated.
He sighed deeply. "So, I can't even use him in a fight?"
"Well," Rina said, giving a cheeky smile as she turned away, "if you become friends with him, yes."
She started walking toward the town square. "Come on, let's go. The other kids are receiving their Pokémon from old Oak — we should hurry and reach them. He still has to give you your Pokémon Trainer Certificate and your Pokédex."
Rael sighed again, running a hand through his messy red hair. "Alright..." he muttered, before turning back toward Riolu.
He bent down slightly and offered his hand.
"Do you wanna come with us?"
Riolu simply crossed his arms and turned his head away with a stubborn huff, making it very clear he wasn't interested.
Rael's eyebrow twitched in frustration.
Without missing a beat, he grabbed Riolu by the leg and started dragging him along the path.
"It was just a question of courtesy. You're coming with me whether you like it or not!"
Behind him, Rina chuckled softly, watching the two. 'They're already perfect for each other,' she thought fondly.
...
Dragging the stubborn Riolu behind him, Rael finally reached the front of Professor Oak's famous laboratory.
Rina followed behind, arms crossed and an amused smile on her face.
In front of the lab, three kids were already waiting.
One of them, wearing a black shirt, jeans, and a cocky grin, was Gary Oak.
His spiky brown hair looked as smug as his attitude, and his crossed arms only added to the air of arrogance Rael had always hated.
He was the "golden boy" of Pallet Town — or at least, he thought he was.
Standing nearby, with his cap pulled low over his dark hair, was Red. Dressed in a simple red jacket and white cap, Red was quiet as usual, his gaze serious and focused. Rael had always gotten along well with him. He wasn't talkative, but once you got to know him, he was a good guy. Solid.
Standing a little apart from the boys was Leaf — and it was impossible not to notice her.
She wore a fitted teal tank top that accentuated her curves, paired with a short red skirt that swayed lightly in the breeze.
A yellow messenger bag with a Pokéball symbol hung from her shoulder, bouncing against her hip with each step. Her long brown hair flowed freely beneath a white cap, the front marked with a bright red Pokéball design.
[Image Here]
Rael's heart skipped a beat. He had had a crush on her for as long as he could remember. Little did he know... she felt exactly the same way. But like two idiots, neither had ever noticed the other's feelings.
As Rael tried not to stare at her too much, his mind wandered.
"Wait a second..." he thought aloud, frowning. "Where the hell is Ash? Is he late again?"
He let out a heavy sigh. "That lazy ass fucker..."
Before he could grumble more, Gary immediately swaggered toward him, noticing the Riolu being dragged along.
"Hey, Rael!" Gary said, flashing his signature smug grin.
"Is that your first Pokémon?" he pointed at Riolu. "He looks pitiful... I'll show you just how weak fighting types are when I crush that thing with the first Spearow I catch—"
Cough, cough!
Rina suddenly coughed loudly, stepping beside Rael with arms crossed.
Gary froze immediately.
"What did you say about fighting-types being weak?" she asked, voice sharp as a blade.
Gary's eyes widened in horror.
He bowed so quickly it almost looked like he tripped. "I-It's a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Drayden! I-I didn't mean it in a bad way, I-I—!"
"Stop it," Rina interrupted, flicking her wrist dismissively. "Old Oak's little nephew... you look pitiful."
Gary's face flushed a deep red from embarrassment.
"S-Sorry—"
Thunk!
Gary yelped in pain as Riolu casually gave him a sharp kick to the shin.
"You little—!" Gary hissed, holding his leg and trying to save face.
Rael grinned, kneeling next to Riolu. "That's for saying he looks pitiful, right, Riolu?"
But Riolu just turned his head away with an exaggerated huff, pretending not to hear him.
Rael's smile twitched.
Sigh...
"I guess I'll have to do better than that..."
As he brooded, he felt two soft hands settle gently on his shoulders.
"He really doesn't listen to you, huh?" came a soft, familiar voice.
Rael turned around — Leaf stood there, smiling warmly at him.
"Leaf..." he said a little awkwardly, scratching his cheek. "I hope you get a better Pokémon than mine..."
"Don't say something like that," Leaf said sweetly, kneeling in front of Riolu. She reached out and gently stroked his head.
To Rael's utter shock... Riolu didn't turn away.
"W-What?!" Rael cried. "Why does he let you pet him and not me?!"
Determined, he tried again to pat Riolu's head himself —
Only for Riolu to chomp down on his hand without hesitation.
"Ow, you little—!" Rael yelped, instinctively bonking Riolu lightly on the head.
Pop!
A bump instantly popped up on Riolu's forehead.
"Rael..." Leaf giggled, covering her mouth.
"You won't befriend him by hitting him..."
She had always loved this reckless, honest side of Rael, hidden beneath his usually serious front.
"Hmph!" Both Rael and Riolu turned their heads away from each other at the same time, pouting like stubborn kids.
Before the situation could get even more ridiculous, a warm, slightly raspy voice spoke up behind them:
"Welcome, everyone!"
They all turned to see Professor Oak approaching, a broad smile on his face.
"I'm so happy to see new Trainers beginning their journey today. It's always a pleasure to help young people and their Pokémon grow together."
He clapped his hands once, beckoning them all forward. "Come, come! Let's not waste any more time outside. Let's head inside and get you all started properly!"
To be continued...
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How was this chapter? Am I cooking or not until now?
Also, like this Riolu as a started? And the interaction between him and Rael?