The faint buzzing of wings wafted over the narrow pathway leading into the miniature mountains of the Safari Zone. Both Greyson and Triton stopped dead in their tracks as their heads bobbed about looking for the source. It didn’t take long for them to be greeted with a bubbling little Cutiefly that eagerly hovered before them, appearing quickly from behind a rocky outcrop just a few feet in front of them. It introduced itself with an enthusiastic peep, swaying back and forth in front of the duo. It seemed happy to have found the two, as it didn’t outright attack them nor did it send off any warning signs of: “Turn your happy ass around.”

Approaching the Bee Fly Pokémon with a smile, Greyson held out his hand and nuzzled the Bug/Fairy Type with the knuckle of his index finger, caressing the top of the Pokémon’s furry cranium. “Well, ‘ello there. Aren’t you just a beaut~?” The Ranger sang, prompting a soft blush to overcome the Cutiefly as it nestled back into his finger. It seemed to have warmed up to Greyson already, what with his gregarious approach and flattery. A grin like his, too. It could light up an entire stadium if he really wanted it to. The little bee didn’t stand a single chance.

“Wanna fight?”

Grey’s question completely turned the atmosphere upside down, freezing the Cutiefly in place while he continued to wear that heart-melting smile. “Aqua Tail!” He commanded, the Buizel behind him crouching low before jumping into the air. He swung his weight forward, easily performing a frontflip. The tips of his tailed glowed blue with crackling energy, two circular streams of water forming around the length of his two extra appendages. Greyson took a step backwards, giving Triton plenty of room to execute the technique. Taking advantage of the Cutiefly’s astonishment, Triton slammed his two tails into the bee’s body. HIs attack easily sent the unsuspecting Cutiefly crashing into the ground, twitching back and forth as it had been utterly flattened. The AQUA TAIL effectively knocked their opponent out, leaving the two with a satisfactory fistbump to celebrate.

“Boom! That’s what I’m talkin’ about, Tri. I knew teachin’ ye’ that move would come in handy. Super powerful, super dope.”

Triton posed in response, taking the compliments in as if they were cameras nabbing his picture.

“She was cute, but wouldn’t have made a good sword. So.. On to the next, ye?”

Stepping over Cutiefly’s paralyzed body, Grey and Triton moved on to their next opponent, whatever that may be.


word count • some

notes TRITON defeated CUTIEFLY. +1

“Yeh, so anyways-.. I was showin’ her how to- OOF.” The Ranger had just begun explaining his date night to his partner Triton who seemed all but interested in the story when he’d neglected to take note of his surroundings. His right foot plowed into a large rock sitting in the middle of the path, scrunching his toes up inside of his boots and driving a labored yelp from the young man. Instinctively, he drew his right leg into his chest and hopped around, rubbing his hands back and forth across the area of his foot that’d been pulsating with agony. It was only after the rock itself moved that he refrained from further pouting, as two orange claws ejected themselves from the brown veil.

Following swiftly after were a set of legs and two elongated eyes that glared up at the human, its claws pinching themselves together with venom fit for a Seviper. Greyson reeled back, allowing Triton to rise before him and take a stance ready for battle. Immediately, the Dwebble opened up by smashing his pincers into the ground, breaking off small bits of rocks and stones in the process. The tips of his claws glowed white, the flaring energy transfering over to the rocks that now floated around its tiny body with little effort. Lurching forward, the Rock Inn Pokémon hurtled a brigade of stones towards the duo.

The ROCK BLAST hit home, acting as a horizontal rainshower of sturdy rocks that relentlessly pelted Triton and his trainer. Fortunately, the Buizel had taken the brunt of the attack, courageously throwing himself in front of Greyson in order to do so. However the Dwebble didn’t seem intent on stopping his attack so soon, continuing to lay on the works and usher out as many rocks as it could muster.

“Gngh, feisty little buggah’, ah?” Grey challenged, shielding himself with his muscular forearms. “Tri, cover yerself in Aqua Jet and blast this punk-ass off the path!”

Summoning a pool of water around his feet, Triton covered himself in a cloak of azure liquid before launching himself into the air. His path of trajectory left a trail of sparkling H2O in his wake as he traveled through the sky, aiming straight for the Dwebble’s head. As he surged, every rock that touched his AQUA JET crumbled away from its power and super-effectiveness, making the ROCK BLAST virtually useless at that point. Within seconds, he’d made contact, the resulting explosion sending the Dwebble flying backwards into a small rocky outcrop. Triton landed, sporting a few scratches from the short-lived battle but fine nonetheless.

“Booyah! These Pokés don’t want it, man, I’m tellin’ ya’. They just can’t handle the pain-train, brother.” He walked towards the Buizel, his fists applied to his hips as he surveyed the rubble for their opponent. Lying defeated underneath a heap of rocks was the Dwebble, its eyes a mess of swirls.

“On to the next chump that tries us.”



word count • some

notes TRITON defeated DWEBBLE. +1 - Comin' fer that Riolu

Their next adversary came in the from of a purple blurr, dashing across the path right in between Triton and his trainer. The Purrloin slashed its claws, SCRATCHING Triton across the back and sending him rolling across the rocky path in front of them. Purrloin landed perfectly on her paws, twirling her tail dangerously through the air as she admired her own handiwork from the stain of fresh blood across her right paw. Her eyes twinkled as the blood shined in the sunlight, filling her body with a surge of energy that propelled her forward, ready to go on the offense before her opponent could even mount a defense.

“Ahh, fiery little bastard, aren’t yah? Tri, swing around with Aqua Tail!”

Following the command, Triton summoned a whirlpool of water around his tail and swung around in a circle, aiming to slam the Dark-type with a move up close. Speed was yet again on Purrloin’s side, allowing her to jump into the air and come crashing down with a dropkick that floored the Buizel. She continued on with her momentum, using Triton’s head as a platform to leap into the air once more.

“Tri, roll over and use Swift!”

Triton rotated his body over to his stomach with his tail-end facing the airborne Purrloin. He spun his tails rapidly, firing off a barrage of golden stars in the form of SWIFT towards the Purrloin, knocking it out of the air and onto the ground. During its recovery, Triton had taken over, raising himself to his feet. Greyson’s voice rang throughout his ears again. “Pursuit!"

Racing towards the recuperating Purrloin, Triton drew back his fist and ushered out a powerful PURSUIT on the Devious Pokémon, knocking her unconscious on the ground. Triton shifted towards the ranger, a wide smile spread across his face. He looked a lot worse for wear with scratches and bruises now more frequent around his body, though didn’t seem to be taking it to heart.

“Hahaha, bing-bang-boom, Bob is yer uncle.” Greyson began, prompting the Buizel to pout in response to no recognition whatsoever. He stood and began walking further down the path. Greyson hastily chased after him, clasping his hands together.

“Oi, oi! Tri, listen man! …. Yeeeaaaahhhh….. You aaarrreeeee…. My fiiiiiyyyeeerrrr…”

Triton immediately plunged a couple of webbed fingers into his ears, trying his best to prevent himself from hearing his trainer’s horrendous singing.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding! Yeesh. Ya’ did a good job, Tri. I’m proudya’, bud. Just a couple more to go, Riolu’s gotta’ be around any corner.”




word count • some

notes TRITON defeated PURRLOIN! +1

“Jee man, this is takin’ ferever. How hard is it to find a damn Riolu up in here?” The Ranger complained, placing his hands atop a small rock that reached about waist height as he propelled himself overtop of it. He and Triton had begun to adventure further into the mountainous, rocky area in search of their target, traversing the rough terrain in a matter of minutes. Here, they’d found themselves surrounded by large rocky walls, both of them standing in a small opening that acted as an arena of sorts. It was the perfect area for a brawl.

Their next opponent found its way into the arena by carelessly stumbling down from one of the small hills above, hitting every edge on its way down like a sack of potatoes. The tiny green figure raised itself up and looked around frantically, its beady eyes observing its surroundings before finally resting on Greyson and his Buizel. Once it took sight of the two, it cowered back towards the rock wall, its body covered in scratches and bruises.

“Oo, check it out. A ‘lil leaf dude.” He said, approaching the small Pokémon with an outstretched hand. It seemed more scared of the two than anything and desperately looked for a way out of here. Taking notice of its panicked state, Greyson simply knelt down and pointed his index finger in the direction he and his Pokémon had just come from. “That’s yer way out, bud. The forest is back thatta’ way. Watch out, though. There is some nasty buggers trottin’ about. Triton and I just got done dealin’ with a few, so you should be gucci.”

Confused by his passive nature, the Sewaddle took his advice and bounced, scurrying away in a streak of emerald in the direction Greyson had guided. Triton stood behind with his arms crossed, a sigh of relief passing his lips. He was ready for a nap, taking respite in the fact that he could rest a little more before the next battle. “We’re gonna find ourselves that Riolu, Tri. Maybe sommin’ else nice, too. That fuck’s gotta’ be up in here. Gotta’ be.”



word count • some

notes SEWADDLE fled.

The pitter-patter of feet behind them relinquished the two of their relaxed boredom. They’d opted to just chill for the time being, give Triton a bit of a rest after going a couple of rounds with three different Pokémon. He was slowly regaining his strength, meanwhile Greyson had just plopped down on a small rock, make-shift seat for him, and effortlessly twirled one of the enlarged Safari Balls around the tip of his finger. He mused over the fact that they may never find a Riolu, as unfortunate as that may be. Salvation came their way in the form of a small bark, echoing throughout the arena from behind.

Tilting his head, the Ranger’s lips curled into the biggest smile he’d been able to muster up all day. Standing atop an outcrop with his little fists on his hips, a Riolu stood. Determined and fierce, the Emanation Pokémon issued a challenge with just his glare. His reddish-orange eyes captivated the ranger and within seconds, he was standing, ready to engage in what would probably be his most satisfying battle all day.

“There ye’ are, rat-bastard! Triton, you got one more in ya’?”

Dusting himself off with his paws, Triton rose to his feet and hustled his ass over to Greyson, taking stance before him.

The Riolu hopped down from its observation point and placed his fists in front of him, ready for battle. He started by swiftly charging Triton, a trail of white energy streaking behind his body. It was a pretty QUICK ATTACK, as he’d reached the halfway point between him and Triton within a second. Greyson wasn’t about to let him dominate Triton in the way that Purrloin did, however, and was right into the fray as soon as Riolu initiated.

“Swift, Triton.”

Waving his two tails back and forth, Triton ushered out a brigade of shining golden stars that rained down upon the Riolu, riddling his path with dust. Still, Riolu charged through despite his new injuries and slammed a jumping kick into Triton’s abdomen, launching him backwards. He stood, a proud smirk spreading across his face. He was impressed by his own work.

Triton lifted himself to his feet, grimacing in pain as the QUICK ATTACK did its damage. “Let’s hit ‘em with Aqua Tail.”

Swirling his tails once more, Triton summoned a mini whirlpool of water around his two appendages. He charged, swinging his tails around the moment he was within a foot of Riolu. The fighting-type was quick to retaliate though, executing a perfect COUNTER and dodging the AQUA TAIL for the time being. He landed a punch flush on Triton’s right cheek, an attack that would’ve propelled him off into the distance again had he not used the momentum of his AQUA TAIL to carry him through and connect. He slammed both of his tails into Riolu’s back, rocketing him forward towards Greyson while he fell flat on his face from exhaustion quickly after.

In an attempt to use Riolu’s sudden shock to his advantage, Grey tossed one of the Safari Balls towards Riolu as he smashed into the ground a good two feet in front of him. The sphere bounced from Riolu’s back and ejected a beam of red energy, capturing Riolu’s essence and transferring the young Pokémon into his new home.



word count • some

notes Attempting to CAPTURE RIOLU.