| Rio POV |
Another day, another rock that wants to rewrite my DNA like it's auditioning for a B-movie villain role.
The Xenolite glow's easy to spot now — it's like the world's ugliest nightlight in the middle of the wasteland.
Two more taken out before breakfast. My fur's now coated in a mix of volcanic dust, scorched grass, and probably something sentient. I'm trying not to think about it.
[+ Quest Progress: 48 / ???]
Of course, nothing can be simple. Every time I yank a Xenolite out of the ground, more Pokémon swarm. The smart ones run after one hit. The dumb ones… well, they don't stay in one piece long enough to learn.
By noon, I've cleared most of the area. Just one big signal left — buried deep under what used to be a fishing village.
That's when the system pings:
[WARNING: Residual contamination at critical levels.
Secondary anomaly detected.
Signature: Unknown.]
"Great. I love surprises," I mutter, because clearly I haven't learned my lesson.
The ground under me rumbles — but it's not Groudon this time.
A shadow moves in the water. Big. Slow. Watching me.
I swear I hear May's voice in my head: Don't punch it.
Future Me is absolutely going to ignore that advice.
"What's the worse that could happen? At most this would be a mini boss battle I can farm for EXP."
Jinxes are insignificant when you have the aura to back yourself up. What? Am I going to face Rayquaza?
Well… hopefully not, but I'm not afraid of you, you hear me?!
I'm halfway to the next Xenolite when the air changes.
Not in the "volcanic ash shifting" way, more like the "every Pokémon in a two-mile radius just went dead silent" way.
Which means one of two things:
Something stupidly dangerous is nearby.
I'm about to do something stupid near something stupidly dangerous.
Now, I'm all for ignoring the ominous signs and retracing my steps — self-preservation is underrated — but apparently every direction is now just… a bottomless void.
Did Gojo get me into his domain or something? I want a ref on the field, this is cheating! I don't even have my domain yet!
"God, I hate fighting psychic types…" I mutter.
"Well, luckily for you, this isn't a psychic type."
I turn with all the grace and dignity of a startled squirrel.
Through the haze, I spot him.
Cloak. Calm stride. The kind of confident smile you only get from either being a god-tier trainer… or having absolutely nothing left to lose.
There's a weight to him — the kind that bends the atmosphere without even trying.
And on his belt? Six very ominous-looking Master Balls.
Since when are those that common? Did they go on sale? Buy five, get one free?
"Right, so… you haven't attacked me yet. I take it that's a good sign?"
Please be a good sign. Please be a good sign.
My detection skills aren't perfect, but this guy walked straight through my all-encompassing Emotion and Intent Radar™ without me even noticing. That's several miles of psychic tripwires he just ghosted past like it was nothing.
"You are Rio, correct?"
And he knows my name.
Great. Is this blue-haired guy with Team Rocket? Sent to avenge his co-workers?
"Uh… you got the wrong Lucario."
"The wrong shiny Lucario that glows pink whenever food is around?"
…Okay, so he definitely knows who I am.
"That's a very specific accusation," I say, already backing up a step. "And wildly unprovable without snacks present."
I can't even use my simple domain to burn this haze away…
Does he have a Weezing on standby with Neutralizing Gas?
I could have my Shinigami create a distraction for me to run, but I don't think his other master balls are for show.
I knew I should have pushed my advantage and focused on my special attack. My cursed techniques are severely underwhelming compared to my normal attacks.
So he studied my abilities?
Oh god.
Am I about to get Justice Leagued?
Since when is Batman around here making contingency plans… for his contingency plans… for me?
The man just keeps walking, that same unshakable calm in his eyes, like he's already played this whole encounter out in his head and knows the ending.
I can barely make out the silhouettes of four Pokémon floating behind him, making me regret coming out here even more.
What looks to be a smokey Dakrai, flanked by the twin legendaries Latios and Latias.
As well as the wheezing that caused me my current headache.
I am about to punch a hole through the now very much in range mystery trainer before his voice breaks me out of my Focus Punch.
"Can I pet you?"
…Huh?
"Huh?"
"Oh, it's just—I grew up alongside my father's Lucario. Seeing you reminded me of him. I can understand if you refuse."
HUH?!
There's a solid three seconds where my brain blue-screens. The haze, the oppressive atmosphere, the six Master Balls—I was ready for a fight, not a meet-and-greet.
"Er… if you don't mind me asking? Who are you?"
He gives me the kind of smile people reserve for introducing themselves before they completely ruin your life."How rude of me, I am Tobias, one of the 'special' trainers sponsored by the league."
Oh well... I guess I worried for nothing...
"Wait no, why do you have three legendaries and why did you set up this death trap for me?!"
"My apologies, I simply wished to make sure we are not disturbed, and that you do not immediately attack me when we met. From what the professors told me about you, you are... unstable."
Unstable? Unstable?!
"Well… they're kinda right," I admit, crossing my arms, "but I haven't attacked anyone unprovoked. So this is slander!"
Tobias doesn't flinch. Doesn't blink. Just stands there, every inch the calm, collected walking disaster he's known for."If it eases your mind," he says evenly, "I'm not here as your enemy. In fact, the League has asked me to investigate the current… phenomenon."
"Phenomenon," I repeat, deadpan. "You mean the glowing murder rocks that turn Pokémon into caffeinated lunatics?"
"Yes." A faint smile. "Those."
Great. So the guy with a personal legendary army is here to 'help.'Because that never goes horribly wrong.
"I got it covered. I have most of the Xenolites in my possession, just missing a few."
Thanks to Team Rocket's efforts, but he doesn't need to know about that.
"Well then, it seems my presence was unnecessary, but…"
Oh no.Do I still have to fight him?I remember him absolutely wrecking Ash's team in the anime — and that was with half his crew. Who knows what he's got stashed for his last Pokémon? Maybe even Arceus.
"…Could I still pet you?"
Well… my dignity might be sacrificed.But at least I get to keep my life.
(To be continued)
Who would have thought, the great Pink Flash of Hoenn, reduced to such a state...
MC: THAT GUY JOINED THE SINNOH TOURNAMENT OUT OF FUCKING NOWHERE. WIPED THE FLOOR WITH EVERYONE WIHT A SINGLE POKEMON. THEN ASH BARELY MANAGED TO MAKE HIM USE HIS LATIOS BEFORE LOOSING TOO!
Excuses, excuses.