Wrote this on my phone after a country wide power outage cooked my pc, Sorry if it feels rushed!
| May POV |
The lab smelled like disinfectant and old parchment. May wrinkled her nose as she stood awkwardly in the doorway of Professor Birch's office, rocking slightly on her heels. She glanced down at the Poké Ball in her hand — her very first — and felt the weight of expectation settle on her shoulders.
"So… that's it?" she asked. "I just… take it and leave?"
Professor Birch chuckled behind his cluttered desk. "That's the idea. Unless you'd like me to walk you through how to throw it, too."
"I know how to throw a ball," she muttered.
"Then you've got this. Torchic's a little spicy, but she's got heart." He winked. "So do you. Good luck, May!"
The Poké Ball in her palm was warm, solid, and slightly heavier than she expected. May turned it over, eyes reflecting the red sheen of the capsule. "Torchic, huh?" she murmured. "Let's see what you're like."
She pressed the button and, with a burst of light, the orange chick appeared on the grass in front of her. Torchic chirped, blinked up at her, feathers sleek and eyes bright with curiosity — then pecked her foot.
"Ow! Okay, rude!" May yelped, hopping back.
Torchic tilted her head, unimpressed, as if questioning why May's foot had gotten in the way.
May laughed despite herself. "Well, hey there," she said, crouching. "I'm May. Looks like we're partners now."
Torchic gave a short, satisfied cluck, then straightened like a tiny soldier. Her talons flexed once in the grass.
May stood. "We've got some catching up to do. I haven't battled before, but I'm a fast learner. And you look like you've got claws."
Torchic puffed up her chest in agreement.
Route 101 wasn't exactly a battlefield, but it was her first test. The wind smelled of salt and wildflowers, and the grass whispered around their legs. Wild Pokémon rustled nearby, cautious but curious.
A Zigzagoon darted from the underbrush.
May didn't hesitate. "Torchic, Ember — aim low!"
A flash of fire arced through the air, scorching the ground near the Zigzagoon's paws. The wild Pokémon stumbled, and before it could bolt, May pointed again. "Peck, now!"
Torchic struck like a dart — fast, clean, confident. Her beak connected, sending the Zigzagoon scurrying into the grass.
They stood triumphant.
May let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Not bad for a first battle."
Torchic clucked with pride.
They pressed on, side by side.
By late afternoon, the sun was dipping low, tinting the world in hues of orange and rose. They passed the outskirts of Oldale and turned east toward Route 102, following the soft trickle of a nearby creek. Trees thickened around them, and the path grew wilder.
May paused at the forest's edge, a couple dozen meters away from a small lively pond. Something felt... off. Her gaze swept over the shadowed brush, catching a faint swirl of pink powder drifting lazily through the air.
Torchic shifted beside her, feathers ruffling. She saw it too.
Then — a soft thud. Something hitting the ground ahead.
"Be ready," May whispered, already moving.
They crept forward, boots quiet against the mossy trail. The air was thick with the sweet, sticky scent of Sleep Powder. A few footsteps later, May spotted something beneath a twisted tree.
It was a small Pokémon — unfamiliar. Yellow-furred, with black paws and large ears, lying in the grass like a dropped doll. He wasn't asleep peacefully — his limbs were tense, as if caught mid-movement. His breathing was shallow, uneven.
Torchic let out a low, worried sound.
May knelt beside him, brushing away a few specks of lingering powder. It clung to his fur and stung her nose faintly. "You poor thing," she murmured.
She felt for a pulse — there, fluttering but present.
Whatever had hit him, it was long gone. May could see the broken grass, the fleeing prints, the frantic dash through the clearing. She could still see the Oddish scurrying away actually.
She glanced around.
No other trainers. No wild Pokémon watching. Just her and the forest.
Her grip tightened slightly.
"Poor thing... Don't worry, I got you."
She shrugged off her jacket and wrapped it gently around the Pokémon's small body. As she lifted him into her arms, his ears twitched faintly, just once, and his head lolled slightly toward her.
A faint spark — like an emotion brushing against her mind.
Was that… fear? Or confusion?
She blinked, unsettled, but didn't let go.
Torchic watched the shadows with narrowed eyes as May stood and began walking briskly toward Oldale.
"I've got you," she said, voice steady. "Hang in there. You're not alone anymore."
Behind them, the last of the Sleep Powder drifted through the air — fading fast in the golden light.
The Pokémon Center was quiet as May entered, the familiar sounds of healing machines and soft voices filling the space. Nurse Joy was at the counter, and she looked up, smiling warmly when she saw May.
"Oh my, what happened?" Nurse Joy asked, rushing over as May cradled the Riolu in her arms.
"I found him in the woods," May explained quickly, worry still clear in her voice. "He was unconscious, and I think someone attacked him. There was some Sleep Powder, but he wasn't just asleep—he was barely breathing."
Nurse Joy's eyes softened with concern, and she quickly took the Riolu from May's arms, her hands gentle but confident as she assessed his condition. "He's lucky you found him when you did. I'll get him checked out right away."
May stepped back, watching as Nurse Joy carried the Pokémon to the back of the center. She could hear the soft hum of machines, the shuffle of footsteps, but all she could focus on was the small Riolu in her mind. His aura had felt strange when she first picked him up, but it wasn't something she could fully place. He was... different, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
A few minutes passed, and Nurse Joy returned with the Riolu, now resting on a soft bed in one of the examination rooms. She smiled reassuringly at May. "He's doing better now. Just some residual Sleep Powder in his system. He should be waking up soon."
May stepped closer to the bed, her heart still racing. She hadn't realized how much she had been worrying until Nurse Joy said those words. She looked down at the Riolu, his chest rising and falling with each shallow breath, and something caught her eye.
His fur.
She had seen Riolu before, but his coat was different. The usual blue hue was replaced with a soft, almost golden shade, shimmering faintly in the light. May leaned in closer, touching the fur, and it glimmered under her fingers. It wasn't just a trick of the light.
"This is…" she whispered, a bit unsure, before glancing up at Nurse Joy.
"A shiny Riolu…" she murmured, almost as if confirming what May had suspected.
May's breath caught in her throat. She had heard about shiny Pokémon, of course, but seeing one so close, in her arms no less? It was surreal.
"I didn't even notice…" May trailed off, feeling a bit guilty. She had been too focused on getting him help to pay attention to his coloring.
Nurse Joy smiled gently. "It's not something everyone would catch right away. Shiny Pokémon are incredibly rare, especially for ones that are rarely seen interacting with humans, but don't worry. His condition isn't related to his appearance. He's still recovering from the Sleep Powder and his other injuries. We'll keep him here for a while to make sure he's fully okay."
May nodded, her gaze softening as she looked down at the Riolu. "I'm glad I found him then… I wasn't sure what I'd do if I hadn't."
She reached down and gently brushed his face, a quiet smile playing on her lips. "I've got you now. You're safe."
Torchic, perched on her shoulder, chirped in agreement, her small wings fluttering. She seemed to sense the change in atmosphere, her usual playful demeanor subdued as she watched over the Riolu with a calm intensity.
May stayed by his side, her thoughts wandering. A shiny Riolu. It felt almost like fate, like she had stumbled onto something bigger than herself. But she wouldn't rush it. For now, all she could do was wait, make sure he recovered, and see what would happen next.
Word count 1403
By the way, was anyone else here affected by the power outage? We had to go almost 20 hours without electricity nor the internet where I'm currently living.