"Alright, have a nice day!"
"You too. Have a nice date without me…Arceus, it feels weird saying that."
Shinobu chuckled and shook her head, turning around and walking towards the Grass-type Gym in the distance. Her shift starts at 9 AM every Sunday, and as it was only 8:42, she took her time, strolling at a relaxed pace and enjoying the morning air.
Dante stared at her retreating back, a fond smile on his face.
"…so, shall we set off on our date?"
A calm voice beside him made him turn his head. Standing beside him was Focalors, dressed in a white cardigan and a floral skirt that reached just below her knees.
"Sure. Let's go."
The two turned around. Focalors reached for her Pokeball and released Dragonite.
"Dra."
Dragonite gave Dante a friendly wave. Different from the one Neuvillette lent, this one had a much smaller body.
This was Focalors' Dragonair- who finally evolved after being stuck at his racial limit for over half a year.
Looking at this orange, chubby dragon, a sense of envy arose in Dante's heart. It had been a while since he resolved to obtain a Flying-type Pokemon. Dragonite is one of the candidates he had for said Pokemon. After all, he already knew a Mystery Dungeon where there are Dratini and Dragonairs. All he needed was for one to agree to join him.
Sadly, until now, he couldn't recruit any of them.
Focalors climbed behind Dragonite, and Dante followed suit. The yellow-orange dragon's leathery scale served as a comfy enough saddle for the two.
Dante smelled the scent of lavender as he was making himself and his Pokemon comfortable. He turned to the source. In front of him, Focalors' blue-white hair fluttered. She was currently instructing Dragonite on where to go.
Staring at her slender back, Dante suddenly had the urge to embrace her. Oh, right. She's his girlfriend now. There's no need to hold back.
As Dragonite lifted off the ground, Focalors stiffened as a pair of hands wrapped around her waist from behind. However, she quickly relaxed as Dante's husky voice whispered in her ear.
"You know, I was really surprised when you came on to me during the first day of uni."
"Hmm, I was a bit impatient then."
Focalors chuckled and leaned back into Dante's chest, her hands resting atop his. Beside them, Eevee and Vulpix blinked in confusion at the two humans' actions. But seeing them just talking, they quickly lost interest and curled back to sleep. Only Pikachu on Dante's shoulder snorted in displeasure.
The two lovers didn't pay any attention to him. They continued whispering to one another. About Coach Jomar's training plan. The sparring at the combat class. The accident in the Pokeportal. And Dante's successful Gym Battle yesterday.
That's right. He got his fourth Gym Badge- the one from the Bug-type Gym.
With the birth of Alolan Vulpix and Eevee, in addition to Riolu, Dante had three Pokemon he hadn't officially captured. After getting the fourth Badge yesterday and capturing Riolu, he still needed two Badges for the two baby Pokemon. Not to mention the Flying-type Pokemon he planned to get. He had to speed up his Badge acquisition.
Thanks to Dragonite's speed, it didn't take long for them to arrive at the SM Mall of Asia- the largest shopping mall in the country.
From above the skies, crowds of people and Pokemon can be seen. There were friends, families and couples- who also chose to spend their weekend here.
Because of his surge in fame, Dante opted to wear a beanie cap and dark shades as a disguise. Focalors also wore a black wig. However, with Alolan Vulpix and Eevee in their arms, the two couldn't entirely escape from attention.
The couple didn't let that bother them though.
They strolled hand-in-hand, weaving through the early crowd and looking at the glass windows of various shops. The smell of air freshener and the chatter of excited kids filled the air.
"Oh? I didn't realize the latest issue of Trainer's Magazine was already out."
Focalors tugged him towards a bookstore and picked up a copy of the said magazine from the front display.
"Which Champions did they interview this time?"
Dante also grabbed a copy and casually asked Focalors who was skimming through the pages. The Trainer's Magazine is the Alliance's official publication. They are only released thrice a year, usually in April, August, and December.
Each issue includes interviews and insights from famous Trainers around the globe. Therefore, it's very popular among Trainers and battle-enthusiast alike.
"Father should be in this one. I recall he once said being interviewed for this two months ago. Ah- here."
Focalors stopped flipping the pages, her eyes moved from left to right and she chuckled.
"Father is as serious as ever."
"Come on, let me see what Mr. Neuvillette said."
Dante became curious after hearing her remarks. Focalors silently showed him the page, a smile still on her face.
"Strength is not solely measured by the power of one's Pokemon, but by the wisdom to know when to wield it, and the resolve to do so with purpose. To become stronger, you must first understand the weight of your actions."
"Discipline, patience, and self-reflection; these are the foundations. Train your Pokemon, yes, but do not neglect the sharpening of your mind. Learn from your failures, but don't let them define you. And above all, ensure your strength serves a greater good. For power without justice is merely violence."
- Neuvillette De Fontaine, Chief Iudex and Champion of France
Below his statement, there was a photo of Neuvillette holding a gavel in one hand, and his Shiny Kingdra behind him.
"...well, as expected from a Judge, I guess."
Dante said. He didn't mention how Neuvillette used illegal methods to obtain information about himself. Based on Furina and Focalors' story, the impression he had on his daughters was that of an upright Father who had never done anything unjust.
The two of them bought the magazines to read later, with Dante buying extras for Shinobu and Mualani. Then, they continued their date.
During this period, Dante got to know Focalors more deeply. Unlike most other women, she showed more interest in the newest Pokemon Training equipment, latest battle items, and the available Pokemon in the store.
"That reminds me, who do you want as your second Pokemon?"
In the mall's breeding store, Dante asked while scratching the belly of a Mudkip. There were many Pokemon around them; all in their initial forms, and all included in the Alliance's list for the recommended Starter Pokemon.
"Hmm. I'm still undecided between Gimmighoul and Rotom. However, I'll have quite a while to decide. After all, Dragonite just evolved. It'll take another few months before he reaches his racial limit."
Focalors answered while gently stroking a purring Litten. The two of them stayed for a while and played with the Pokemon. Before they left, they bought some Pokemon food as courtesy for spending time in the store.
They decided to have lunch at another branch of the Champion's restaurant. Like last time, the two of them participated in a double battle. However, because they already have Gym Badges, the opponents they were matched against weren't newbies like before.
"Oh my? Teenagers today are getting scarier and scarier~ Already having a badge at such a young age."
A middle-aged lady with silver hair said as she leaned towards the middle-aged guy beside her. Most presumably her boyfriend or husband.
Matches in the Champion's Restaurant only require a single Pokemon, whether for single or double battles. Therefore, the Trainers are only separated between not having any Badges, or having one or more.
The four of them released their Pokemon. The middle-aged couple had a Cloyster and Steelix. And for Dante and Focalors…
"Whoa!"
The diners in the restaurant cheered when they saw Dragonite. Being able to watch a Pseudo-Legendary in action was always a fun feast. Of course, the rare Pokemon Riolu was also something to look forward to.
On the field, the middle-aged couple were also surprised at their opponent's Pokemon.
"Ahh, two rich kids. It's no wonder. Honey, come. Let us show how the power of love can defeat even the mightiest of Pokemon!"
"Oh, Duff~"
"Oh, Eda~"
Dante and Focalors shivered. They seem to see a sickly pink aura radiating from their opponents.
"Dan, please tell me we won't end up like that in the future."
"Heh, I don't know. It seems like a solid strategy to distract the opponents. Why don't we try doing the same?"
"Dan!"
Focalors pouted. She stretched out her hands and pinched his waist.
"Alright, alright, geez. I was just joking."
Dante grinned and looked back at the field. At this time, the Rotom Referee had raised the flag towards both sides of the field.
Then, the battle began.
A/N: This is Riolu's current stats:
Riolu (Male)
Type: Fighting
Abilities:
Steadfast (Increases Speed by 10% each time the Pokemon flinch)
Prankster (Increases the casting speed of status moves)
Level: 34
HP: 102/102
Attack: 100 Defense: 91 (+3)
Sp. Atk: 93 Sp. Def.: 83 (+6) Speed: 89
Item: Power Band (Attack +12)
Exclusive Items in Bag:
- Emit Ring (Increases damage inflicted on Ghost-type Pokemon with Normal- and Fighting-type moves)
- Valiant Rock (Defense and Special Defense +3)
- Riolu Card (Sp. Defense +3)