Patrick’s knees buckled. His outstretched arm was too short to reach Zigzagoon whose eyes lit up as he continued scratching the same spot Dewpider’s needle landed. Patrick’s heart hammered against his ribs. The corners of his vision got darker as Pancham’s entire arm glowed a rusty red. Patrick found himself falling, a few inches too far to push Zigzagoon out of the way.

  Underneath the trees’ shade, Nickit watched with widened eyes. Its eyes flickered, debating entering the fray or leaving the duel fair and square for both oppositions.

  Pancham pushed its arm deep into Zigzagoon’s body. Arm Thrust.

  Blood littered the grass beneath, coloring it in a deep shade of scarlet as Zigzagoon coughed. Zigzagoon convulsed one last time with the Infestation Dewpider left in it making sure it fainted. Zigzagoon’s pupils flew upwards into its skull as it lost consciousness. Cold, wet dirt met Patrick’s face as he dropped to the ground with a thud. He crawled through the ground, his legs not carrying his weight, inching closer to his first companion. To the same Zigzagoon who was abandoned by its old trainer in a dumpster behind the Pokecenter. The smell of fur overrode the dirt as a hiss erupted beside Patrick.

  Nickit stood between Zigzagoon and Pancham, its fur puffed out. Pancham looked from Zigzagoon’s old wound caused by Infestation to Patrick’s eyes. Then, Patrick saw it. A look of regret. Dishonor.

  “Is that how your master taught you to fight?” Patrick pounced on the opportunity. “To kick them while they’re down? Is that what you call a duel?”

  Pancham’s head hung. Nickit’s claws glowed a deep brown, as a light screeching sound emitted. It sharpened its claws—Hone Claws. A series of red circles surrounded it, rising upwards. It increased its attack and accuracy as it landed a Quick Attack onto the Pancham, who stood there and took it with no retribution. Nickit landed a few more hits before leaving the Pancham alone. Small, light footsteps receded as Pancham vanished into the forest again.

  Patrick placed his index and middle finger on Zigzagoon’s neck area, searching for a pulse. It took him quite a bit with the anatomy of the raccoon but he found it, a rhythmic, constant drum. He felt the Premier Ball’s weight in his pocket, heavier than usual, pulling him down deeper into the dirt he was lying on. He shook his head. This was the world he chose, he wasn’t going to go back to the one he rejected.

  His legs regained their strength as he stood up and carried Zigzagoon with one hand, draped over his shoulder. Dirt gave way as his feet dug deeper down into the ground with the dead weight of Zigzagoon. He trudged, his every step a thud, leaving the depth of the forests that hid him and heading to the closest path. Beyond the lake, in the open fields between Axew’s Eye and South Lake Miloch.

  ***

  The freezing swim across the lake surrounding Axew’s Eye was a blur of adrenaline as Patrick set foot on land. He opened his Pokedex searching for a sliver of information and found another button hidden in the machinery. Map. I should really take some time and search all the features this small blocky device contains. He thought.

  The map showed him that the main way for striving trainers to get to the other side of the wild area was through this small field between the lakes. A bush beside him caught his eye as he hid behind it panting with the exertion of the swim. His eyes glared holes into Zigzagoon in his arms as he looked for its chest rising and dropping. Nickit scratched Patrick’s knees lightly as he heard the tapering sounds of conversation from far away. The branches of the bushes gave way for him to peer onto the argument.

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  A kid his age thrashed with his arms as he shouted at a few large burly men. The men had a black and white onesie that was recognizable from miles away. Macro Cosmos. Patrick’s fists whitened as he clenched his fist. He ground his jaw as he stared at the kid who wore a miniature outfit of similar design with different colors. Gold replaced the white as his outfit glistened under the sunlight.

  Patrick looked the guards up and down and sighed. He has no chance robbing this kid. Spoiled brat. The guards bowed to the kid and retreated, heading back towards the main entrance of the wild area. Patrick tilted his head. His spirits rose, but slightly, this didn’t make any sense. Why did they leave him?

  “Stupid guards…as if someone my level needs protection in the southern wild area, this is nothing but child’s play.” As if in answer, the kid replied to Patrick’s thoughts.

  Patrick double-checked and found the guards still heading further and further away from his target. He placed Zigzagoon gently on the ground and nodded at Nickit. A splash of water came from behind as Patrick exited his bush. The boy flicked his head back and saw Patrick. He wrinkled his nose.

  “Eww! What is this smell? Do you not know of baths kid?” He waved his hand in front of his nose a few times. “Shoo. Shoo. Go back to the dumpster you came from.”

  A nerve popped out of Patrick’s temple as he looked a the lake and saw what he expected: Pancham followed them and blew their cover. Patrick glanced back towards the bodyguards who already caught wind of the situation with how loud the brat spoke. A hint of orange in Patrick’s periphery caught his attention and he saw Nickit sneaking behind the kid. The brat paid no heed as his attention was glued to the vermin in front of him.

  “Some people aren’t fortunate enough to be born into a rich family, brat.” Patrick opened his arms, amplifying the odor. “Not everyone is as spoiled as you kiddo.”

  Red filled the kid’s face gradually and contrasted with his beige hair. “Do you know who you’re talking to, pest?”

  “A spoiled brat.”

  The boy stomped his foot. “I’m the son of Oleana, Chairwoman of Macro Cosmos. The same organization responsible for the Gym Challenge and all things related to energy in Galar. And she’ll hear about this. You and your family will suffer for your offense.”

  “Sir Bryon are you okay? Did this…kid harm you?” One of the bodyguards called out as he ran. Time was ticking.

  “Not yet, but he’s sure to harm me, whether through my nostrils or through my sanity. Not physically though. This bug offers nothing more than a nuisance.” He opened a ball from his luxurious belt and a horizontal piece of white and gold metal exited. It floated in the air, its end glaring at Patrick with a single red eye. A Beldum, but with a weird color scheme. Sparkles emitted around the Beldum as a large grin painted Bryon’s face. “Yes, I know, too much for your peasant brain to handle. This is my shiny Beldum. The son of the biggest conglomerate in Galar doesn’t settle for common Pokemon. As the heir to Macro Cosmos, my whole party will be comprised of Shinies.” He laughed, the sound a creaking noise in Patrick’s ears. At the same time he finished his sentence his whole body was yanked downwards.

  A fanny pack that was tied around his waist got cut by Nickit’s claws and scattered its contents on the floor. Bryon turned around and tried to kick Nickit, missing it completely. Beldum glowed an even shinier shade of white as it tackled Nickit, who retaliated with a Quick Attack. Metal clinked as Nickit left the trade more harmed than Beldum. Patrick’s eyes searched the jumble of items on the floor as footsteps got louder behind him. He dashed forward, and for no reason except for satisfaction landed a clean punch onto Bryon’s unsuspecting nose. Something cracked underneath his fist, his knuckles bending Bryon’s nose inwards. A feeling of joy fluttered in Patrick’s chest as he pushed him to the floor.

  Pokemon Trainers never expect their opponents to punch them.

  Bryon tumbled to the floor, holding his bleeding nose. Grunts emerged from the bodyguards behind him as more of them released their Pokemons who growled and roared. Patrick lunged at the floor, grabbing the small pointy sphere: Max Revive. He took a handful of other random items and ran.

  He looked behind him at the bush beside the lake, where a pair of black eyes peeked. Pancham stood there, beside the unconscious Zigzagoon. He felt a pang of worry as he ran the other way, away from Zigzagoon, leaving it in the hands of its blood sworn enemy. But he had no choice. He had to act as bait. Three monstrous bodyguards with equally gargantuan Pokemon at their sides followed. Patrick kept running, and running, away from the snarling snouts and biting mouths.

  Kana Minami wants cash - Cold. Hard. Cash.

  What to expect:

  - Villainess Lead - Kana knows how to play the competition, and she will do anything to give the cameras what they want

  - Yuri - Kana's into girls, but she'll need to find someone good enough for her first

  - Unhinged Slaughter - Unrestrained LitRPG combat; Kana sees, Kana blasts

  - Industry Satire - Of course it's a metaphor for exploitation

  - Broken Dreams and Crushed Hopes - Kana's opponents cry a lot

  Tue/Thu/Sat at 14:22 UTC

  Which starter do you completely regret skipping on your first playthrough?