Chapter 6: Canine Troubles

Looking around, taking in my surroundings. Breathing in the fresh smell of nature while feeling the warm sunlight hit my skin. 

I was almost in disbelief, it felt like I'd been waiting for this day forever when in reality it's barely been a bit over a year.

That doesn't stop the feeling of anticipation whirling in my gut, however.

For the next few minutes after the countdown, May and I just walked around aimlessly taking in the sight, watching the hordes of Zigzagoon, Poochyena, and especially Wurmples.

It's not like we hadn't seen the sight before. Route 101 isn't one of those Trainer-exclusive routes, they're easily accessible to the public on account of the Pokemon there being too weak, and more importantly too friendly to do any real harm.

We've traversed this route before many times.

But now that I'm a trainer, seeing those same familiar sights, it felt different. Like I was looking through the eyes of somebody else.

Eventually, I remember that I'm a streamer and I'm meant to be entertaining. I snap out of it, an apology already in hand. But reading through my chat it seemed like they were just as mystified as me, to the point where barely anyone was acknowledging the silence between May and me.

Since they were essentially seeing it through my eyes, they felt all the motions I'm currently feeling. At least I hope that's the case.

The vast majority of my chat was made up of civilians who have never been on a Journey and it definitely showed.

[CasualLurker: this is so cool but nothing has happened yet why am I so excited!?]

[TutuPrince: whoa awesome, there's so many zigzagoons around.]

[JasonWu: Dante make sure to catch an Eevee, preferably a shiny one! They're super cute!]

[Firestarter: quick! I just spotted a poochyena trying to climb a tree, go help them!]

[The_Brave: hey I've passed by this route before! It wasn't this full though.]

[The_Forgotten_Sister: I came for Mudkip! Where is he!?]

[Auburn_Cargo_Pilot: Rotom look up, I think I hear a Swellow! Dante go fight it with Mudkip! Better yet, catch it!]

[Not_Annoying: on the topic of Mudkips, why don't you name your Mudkip, Tekken?]

"There's no Swellow in Route 101, sorry to disappoint Cargo Pilot." I expressed insincerely.

"Now, first order of business." 

I turn toward my brown-haired companion, "Are you planning on catching any Pokemon right now?" I asked her.

"Not until after we at least reach Oldale, my Torchic needs a bit of a boost after her hard-fought battle after all," May explained.

"Alright, but there's no way we won't run into at least a couple of battles." I reached back and pulled out a Hyper Potion, one of many I brought along in preparation.

May wouldn't take it, however, "What? No! That's a Hyper Potion, just give me a regular potion. Or better yet, I'll wait until we get to Oldale and use their Pokecenter, you know the place where Pokemon receive free treatment?" She questioned rhetorically.

"Route 101 is longer than you'd think, add to the fact any battles we end up engaging in, just heal her now and save the hassle." I insisted resolutely.

"Fine, just hand me a normal Potion though, Torchic is still a pre-evo after all." May reached out, her open palm expecting me to pull out a Potion.

I would have to disappoint her, however, "Don't have any normal Potions, only Hyper Potions, I have some Full Restores if those are any better?" I asked upon seeing her surprised expression.

"Why would that be better!?" May cried out in shock. 

[AbyssalMage: Dante out here throwing his money away, you love to see it]

[Sexy_Secretary: since he's officially a trainer do you think he can write these expenses off on his taxes?]

[NeoHDX: @Sexy_Secretary, wtf are you even doing here?]

[PiplupSupremacy: I've found at this stage of your Pokemon journey Oran Berries work just fine.]

May finally takes the magical healing liquid after much prodding, though not without a heap of complaining.

"Such a waste of money." She mutters under her breath.

I however heard her, "It's not a waste, only the best for my Pokemon, after all! In fact, I've never wasted money in my life!" I declared resolutely.

I meant it too, every expensive purchase I've ever made has been for an expressive purpose.

"Right, because paying over a million dollars for a bicycle isn't a waste of money." She intoned, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I'm so tempted to hit her with the, 'I stole it', but I'm not about to admit to a crime in front of so many people. Live too? You got me fucked up.

Do I look like a soundcloud rapper to you?

So I let it go in order to be the bigger person, let her off easy with a 'Women amirite? joke.' I fully expected my Chat to take my side, but to my shock and my horror, they almost unanimously sided with May!

I should've known not to trust those traitorous simps! 

Quick! I need positive reinforcement from someone who is forced to love me unconditionally. As May called out Torchic whom she started to tend to, I too freed my Mudkip.

"Mudkip!" He cried out, looking all over our surroundings as if to spot the enemy.

Upon not finding anyone he turned to look at me in confusion.

"Mudkip! Save me from these evil bullies!" I dramatically cried out, wrapping my arms around the little Mudfish and pretending to be distressed.

May finishes applying treatment and makes her way over, a healthy-looking baby chicken now nestled in her arms.

"And you say I'm dramatic?" My bandana-wearing friend commented with a raised eyebrow.

"I'll have you know-"

"Swell Swell, Swellow!" The high-pitched screech of the avian Pokemon cut any conversation we were having.

"There really was a Swellow!?" May and I almost simultaneously mimicked each other.

[Auburn_Cargo_Pilot: I knew it!!!]

[PiplupSupremacy: 0_0]

[Auburn_Cargo_Pilot: now catch it]

It was massive too, I quite frankly didn't understand how I had never seen it before. It must've been new, Route 101 didn't have that strong of Pokemon.

Professor Birch made sure of that himself, after all.

"Hell no!" May said, refusing Auburn Cargo Pilot's request, "We're not ready for that type of challenge this early on." She said in a surprising display of level-headedness.

I agree with her, but the thought of running away sickens me. It was just sitting there, perched up on one of the taller trees, resting with its eyes closed.

It'd be so easy to send a [Ice Ball] hurling at his head, but I refrain. Mostly because it ended up flying away after another minute or so.

I swear it looks me in the eyes as it does, throwing one final mocking glance in my direction.

As it does I feel a sudden sense of loss, like I just backed down from a battle the same way a coward would do.

That feeling pissed me off. It pissed me off a lot!

"Mudkip!" I call out, "Get ready for your first fight." I informed him after getting his attention.

"The Swellow scared a lot of Pokemon into hiding, the first Pokemon to enter my line of sight, we're fighting." I look my Pokemon dead in the eye, "Understood?"

"Kip!" He affirmed in full seriousness.

"What? Why all of a sudden?" May expressed her confusion.

She didn't get it, and that's fine. I didn't get it either. But unless I proved my capabilities I'd feel like a failure for the rest of the day.

[IGotAGreatAss: imagine it's a Salamence!]

[RosyRose: what would a Salemence be doing near a civilian-level route?]

[IGotAGreatAss: he'd be vibing obviously]

We continue walking along the route, not encountering any Pokemon as we do so. Making idle small talk and interacting with Chat, that is until I hear the sudden rustling of some leaves.

I spot the moving bush almost at the same time Mudkip does. We both stay completely still, communicating almost non-verbally.

"Pooch!" A low growl sounded out, coming directly from the mouth of a small gray wolf.

'A Poochyena! Good enough.'

Just as we had our eyes on it, the canine stared us down equally as intensely.

[Pokemon_Master12: what Pokemon is that!?]

[DarkMagicianGirl: Poochyena are so cute! Not as cute as Houndour but it's close]

[Future_Kalos_Queen: are they gonna fight?]

"Poochyena, I'm finna fold you, do you accept my challenge?" I interrogate the cautious Pokemon.

Its response is to lunge at us, more specifically at my Mudkip who had been in a battle stance the entire time.

'I suppose that's as good an affirmation as I'll get.' I could tell it wasn't just charging aimlessly, it was definitely using [Tackle].

Not wanting to lose any more initiative than I already have, I don't hesitate to start issuing commands to my battle-ready Pokemon.

"[Ice Ball] directly under its feet, freeze the soil it's standing on!" I ordered.

Mudkip formed a ball of floating Ice directly over its gaping mouth the same way hyper beams are formed. He then launched it in front of the charging Poochyena. The frail see-through ball that looked like it would shatter upon the slightest bit of contact, upon hitting the ground, flattened and spread out into an impromptu ice rink.

Poochyena, upon stepping on the new Icy terrain, ended up slipping. The momentum as well as the energy from its [Tackle] dissipates.

The canine looked to be startled by the sudden change in environment, and that's exactly what I wanted. 

I pounced at that exact moment, "Now that it's off balance, it's time for your own [Tackle], as hard as you can Mudkip use your weight advantage!"

"Mudkip!" With a valiant war cry it was Poochyena's turn to face being charged at.

I was expecting Poochyena to dodge or do something, but nothing unexpected happened.

Mudkip made contact and with a loud bang, Poochyena was sent flying. It landed a few meters away in an uncomfortable-looking position.

[PiplupSupremacy: not even close baby!]

[Flattery: we destroyed that stupid dog]

[Gerald_of_Revea: that'll teach him to… to be a dog? Are we the bad guys here?]

[nad_destroyer: impressive I'll admit, but if it were me I'd have Mudkip rip Poochyena's nuts off, with his teeth if necessary!]

[nad_destroyer has received a 1-hour ban.]

[IamWuxiaMaster: Now it's time to conquer the rest of this land, this Poochyena will be thought of as a mere stepping stone with time.]

[PrepareForTrouble: all three of those 'starters' seem strong. This Mudkip in particular though…]

[Brooklyn_Rage: I agree that Mudkip is super special, I bet my boss would love having one just like him.]

After making sure it wasn't playing decoy or implementing some type of strategy, Mudkip and I started celebrating our victory.

I guess I expected too much from a wild Pokemon, not only does it not have a trainer to guide it. It didn't possess the same level of grit and determination displayed by all three of our starters.

As anticlimactic as that ending was, I couldn't contain my excitement. My first battle had been a resounding success.

"We did it, Mudkip!" I exclaimed, my little partner quite literally jumping for joy.

Yet again I heard the loud ding noise I receive every time my system has a new notification.

I once again put it off, almost involuntarily at this point as May comes charging at me, she leaps and I catch her if only because she'd definitely break her nose at the angle she would fall at.

It really is tiring at times dealing with someone so high energy, but it's not like she doesn't brighten up my day with her attitude. Yet another thing I'd never admit out loud.

"We both won our first battles!" May uttered in excitement.

"Yes, but your first battle was much more impressive than mine," I responded.

"Well obviously," she admitted shamelessly, not a humble bone in her body, "but you did great anyways, I'm sure you too will find a strong trainer to fight, eventually."

I looked at her in amusement, "How about you fight me then, if you're so great let's go right now." I challenged.

She suddenly appeared nervous and began backtracking, "T-There's n-no need for that! Come on Dante, you know I'm just kidding!"

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see my Chat spamming something over and over again.

[PiplupSupremacy: Ambush! Ambush! Ambush!]

[BabyShark9: behind mudkip, behind!]

[Crack_Head: turn around, this is so frustrating!]

[Definitely_Not_Champion_Cynthia: Dante, please look behind you]

I read a few of the messages in confusion, I turned around to see what the commotion was about only to find nothing.

All I could see was my Mudkip and May's Torchic chattering away without a care in the world.

I would've thought my chat was trolling me but NotCyn wasn't the type to joke around about something like this.

Taking a closer look I could make out a bunch of glowing red spheres within the greenery behind our Pokemon.

I finally realized what it was I was seeing. I had forgotten one crucial bit of information any competent trainer learns about most canine Pokemon, especially Poochyena.

They travel in packs.

Judging by May's gasp I could tell she had come to the very same conclusion as me.

"Mudkip, Torchic! Dodge, throw yourself back in our direction!" I ordered them both. Perhaps it was out of line to command someone else's Pokemon, but given the situation, it wasn't that unusual.

Mudkip was a given, but I was pleasantly surprised to see Torchic so perfectly follow my instructions alongside Mudkip.

They both managed to just barely dodge in the nick of time. The Poochyena, perhaps due to my words decided at that very moment to attack.

Out in the sun's natural lighting, I could see the Pokemon group more clearly.

The glowing red eyes were that of multiple Poochyena, presumably part of the pack of the Poochyena I just defeated.

They were staring at Mudkip and me, their eyes screaming bloody murder.

Despite this fact, I wasn't really worried, I don't know why I wasn't, in fact, it was the opposite.

That same feeling, that intoxicating urge to battle the Swellow came back. Manifested anew with the help of these Poochyena.

"Y'know," I casually begin, "I did think the last fight's ending was a tad anticlimactic. Wouldn't you say so, Mudkip?"

"Mud." He said in agreement.

"Let's see, 1,2,3,4, five! There are exactly five Poochyena ready to attack. A 1v5, I like those odds." I boasted cockily.

"Bring it on!"

[A/N: You know the drill that's Chapter 6, hope you enjoyed it. I think it was alright, it could've been better. I plan on probably uploading tomorrow, so hopefully that chapter will come out better.]

[Btw would you be more likely to click on this book if this were the cover. Not planning on changing it, just curious.]

[QOTD: What's your favorite and least favorite mega evolution.]