[attr="class","sinlyric"]undecided

[attr="class","sinlyric2"]but optimistic

[attr="class","sinbody"]Despite the fact that he had delivered the harsh words, Frederick seemed to physically become filled with relief, relaxing once it seemed that the boy wasn't going to lash out against him. The action almost made him stop and begin to giggle, but he thought better of it. It wasn't as if the situation was 'no laughing matter'; there was just a time and a place! Giving his shoulders a soft, yet encouraging, squeeze he confirmed that he was speaking the truth.

Despite the fact that Alceides had probed into his personal life, requesting the reason why he was devoted to the ranger lifestyle, the man seemed unperturbed. Removing his arm from the boy, his hand slid into his pocket and admitted that it was a good question, though his tone was laced with some undiscernable emotion.

Apparently, the question he had posed the man needed a detailed response. Taking a moment, he began to explain that, at the moment, he was simply a beginner ranger. And, while he was no stranger to battling and the likes, he had begun his ranger journey anew with a fresh team. Honestly, it was something that the boy would've done, too. So, at the moment, his strongest Pokemon was the rather aggressive Nidoran at his feet. Peering down, both Momo and her trainer simultaneously contemplated how strong the Nidoran was, to be labeled as the strongest. Alceides' did empathize with his words, though, it seemed that there was a bit of a misunderstanding. Frederick believed that Alceides needed a seasoned Ranger, and that wasn't completely true.

Though someone with much more experience could answer his inquiries with a higher rate of fluency and eloquence and probably ease, they also had years to come up with their reasons. This man was a new ranger, who had just decided that it was what he wanted to be. If so, then what drove him toward that decision?

"I'm not really in the search for experience, they've had time to think on the answer. You've just become a Ranger so, if you don't mind my asking, why?" he asked, completely serious.

It wasn't fair to ask so much of him and normally Alceides was so carefree and optimistic that it was borderline childish. And yet, when it came to his future, it was the only thing that caused him to gain a dead serious attitude. He was genuinely interested in what had caused his decision, the driving force behind it. Was it seeing a Pokemon on the verge of life and death? Did he witness an enormous forest fire? If it helped make up his mind, even if just a bit, then he just had to know!

"My parents told me that we come from a long line of Rangers, and my mother had just wanted to help since she hated battling. That doesn't really apply to me, and I'm not interested in following the ideals of my great-great grandparents just for the hell of it. I need a reason!" he stressed, attempting to explain his reasoning and his desires to the dark-haired man in front of him.

[attr="class","sinlyric"]undecided

[attr="class","sinlyric2"]but optimistic

[attr="class","sinbody"]Frederick seemed to take the boy's personality in stride, releasing a soft chuckle which eased the serious boy. Beaming back at him, he didn't realize how much he was enjoying conversing with the man. Having been sheltered for so long, he had never noticed how much he craved a bit of socialization. Even though the man was, as far as Alceides could tell, moderately older, he hadn't gone out of his way to disparage his naivety or his questions. It was quite relaxing, allowing him to lower his already pitiful guard completely to the floor.

"Regardless of if they did or didn't, that was ages ago. Times change," he stated, ever ignorant of the way the world works.

He didn't like being hindered by things he didn't understand, it just didn't fit with his style. Even if he had a narrow view of the world until it received a system shock. Momo giggled in her ears, signaling her agreement with him. Although, when it came to situations when she needed to, she always agreed with him or simply ran away to avoid an explosion.

It wasn't as if he couldn't understand what the man was saying, especially as he tenderly and carefully began to pet his Nidoran. Often times, people were simply disgusting in their manners and actions. Though crime wasn't exactly rampant, people were no stranger to it either. A Pokemon had never walked up to anyone with the intent to harm, or do harm. They were generally passive, kind beings only acting a different way if they were mistreated or raised evil. So wanting to protect them from humans actually made a lot of sense to him.

And yet, as noble as it was, it didn't seem to spark an incredible sense of justice within him. Or even at all. He wasn't apathetic to the plight, but, as he had been advised by the man mere moments ago, he shouldn't do something that didn't appeal to him. He had to continue searching for something that stoked the fires within his soul.

"Hmmm, maybe being a Ranger isn't for me then..." he mused aloud, looking to Momo for support yet, obviously, she could provide him with no counsel.

He hated to waste the man's time though. "Thank ya, you've been a big help! All this talk has made me really curious," he said, looking at Momo as she nodded and giggled in excitement.

"Tiny, was it? It seemed like he wanted to battle, and that's the best way I can thank you. What do you say?" he mused, leaving the decision up to Frederick.

[attr="class","sinlyric"]undecided

[attr="class","sinlyric2"]but optimistic

[attr="class","sinbody"]Though he had disregarded the idea of justice, the boy didn't want nothing to do with it. Rather, he just decided that being a Ranger, forcing himself for the sake of pagaentry, wasn't going to be how he'd live his life. If he'd believe in justice, from his very core, then it had to be normal and how he naturally felt. And, if Frederick would continue to be an influence in his life, then he had no doubt that such a path would reveal itself before long. He had already made his decision, taking fifteen years in the process, but at this point, there was no use worrying about it. He had spent so much time dawdling, just thinking, but now he was finally getting live experience! Alceides would make sure to bump into this man as much as he could, sure the man would have answers along the journey!

Standing up and affirming that he was enjoying himself, as well, the boy beamed his crooked smile at the man, for the first time releasing his true happiness. The conversation had taken a curve, oddly, yet, it was partly thanks to him and his words leading him to realize his feelings on a ranger life. Up until now, he had never even considered justice or anything the likes of it. He was in his own little boxed-in world, knowing only what he was told and never doing much to find information on his own.

"Thank you, I hope we'll keep meeting each other on our journies!" the boy answered, eyes gleaming toward the man. Unbeknownst to him, he had just taken on the figure of an older brother and that meant that he was going to attempt to be around Fred tons. Was this meeting a blessing, or a curse?

Alceides had thought that, while the boys conversed, the Pokemon would be lost in their own world. That thought, however, was delightfully proven false when he said the word 'battle', the Nidoran at his feet standing at full attention. The very sight caused the boy to break out with a chuckle.

"He's ready to go, isn't he?" he asked, rhetorically, smiling at the spirit of the Pokemon. It was something that he admired in his own.

"Good, there'd be no point if you weren't trying your all, too!" he answered, glad the man had no intent to take it easy on the boy.

He considered letting Slothy out to begin the fun, but it was more likely that he'd get fired up if he came around later. Momo was already out of her ball and shaking with glee at the prospect of a contest. To her, everything was just a game and this was no different. Nodding at her, she dove off of his shoulder and into a spot not too close or far from the one Frederick had named Tiny.

Most likely out of kindness, he would nod at the boy and indicate that he should initiate the combat. Fine with him, though, he was often better at countering. Taking a deep breath, and shaking away all thoughts except battle he was ready.

"Okay, Momo! Let's start things off with Swift!" he ordered, the Aipom gathering the energy in her tail, taking the form of a single star, before swiping it and releasing multiple toward the Nidoran. How would they react? Alceides' blood was pumping already!

[attr="class","sinlyric"]undecided

[attr="class","sinlyric2"]but optimistic

[attr="class","sinbody"]Honestly, one of the most amazing things about the scene unfolding in front of the youth was the change within Frederick. He had given off an incredibly stern, yet, palpably warm aura yet it was kicked into full gear when he was commanding his Pokemon. Voice hard, though not harsh, he commanded his 'Tiny' to act the moment Momo had began to charge up her Swift. That was what he was friggin' talking about! It was no fun to sit around, waiting to exchange blows. Momo and Alceides were at their best when they were constantly moving, one of the reasons being a coordinator struck such a resounding chord within him.

This was the sort of combat he enjoyed, ever fluid and constantly changing. Despite the fact that she sent out the flurry of star-shaped energy blasts, the Nidoran had no intent on backing down or even moving tactfully. No, Alceides wasn't surprised by now, he had gotten a glimpse of the battle-ready Nidoran. There was no way he'd dodge or block or move, he would take it head on and retaliate.

"Man, I want that Nidoran!" he couldn't help himself proclaiming, a wide grin on his face.

Such fighting spirit was incredible, certainly larger than even Slothy's who had been rumbling within his ball with excitement. Getting in close, the Nidoran launched forward with its feet and savagely kicked his Aipom twice. Not only was it a super-effective move against the normal-type Momo, but the spines on the Nidoran had struck as well leaving the simian with a poisoned status as purple bubbles began to float forth from her.

If it wasn't bad enough that she could just barely cling on from the fighting move, but the poison made sure that she was kicked while she was down. The usual grin on his face had faltered, changing to worry as he encouraged his partner to get up.

"I know it hurts, Momo, but we haven't even shown him the extent of our bonds, just yet!" he cried, lifting her spirits and leading her to cry in agreement. Surely, they couldn't take much more damage, especially not from another Double-Kick, but they couldn't stop with such a poor showing.

Grinning once she was ready to begin again, he considered his options. Getting in close was probably a bad idea, though, they probably knew that he'd be thinking as such. There was something they could do, but it would probably leave them wide open. Eh, well, whatever will be, will be.

"Use Sand-Attack! he would command his Pokemon, who would dig her tail into the ground before swiping upward creating a wave of sand.

Hoping to take advantage of the distraction, they would begin their true assault only hoping the first portion succeeded. Regardless of the outcome, her trainer would fearlessly relay his orders.

"Use your tail to vault up, and use Scratch when you get down!" was the second order, knowing fully well that this was the climax. Entering their range was incredibly reckless, but it showed his incredible inexperience. He had bonded with his Aipom, there was no doubt, but they had not fully created an original attack style. Their moves were sloppy, too rushed, they reeked of the boy's nature.

Yes, it would be a rude awakening for him.