'What if...' Vincent saved Veruka... All those years ago...
("Don't worry... We'll find a way out of here.") The Female Monferno stated, holding onto the arm of a scared and frightened newly born Riolu.
They had both found themselves in a dark cavern after the new born decided to 'play a game' with the Monferno beforehand and were now stuck, trying to find an exit. The Monferno decided to use her tail as a torch to navigate through the dark corridors.
A rumbling came from behind them as the Monferno felt the small blue 'puppy' Pokémon cling to her in fear. ("What now?") she dared to ask, turning her head in the direction of the rumbling.
A sudden crack from the ground elevated a large stone snake figure, growling towards the duo, ("I had to ask... Run!") Were the only words she could mutter, grabbing the now terrified newborn by his paw tight, and dragging him away... but they were to late...
("Hurry!") She shouted, the large snake too fast for them as he pummelled his body down, hitting the Monferno slightly, knocking her to the ground. The Riolu un-phased opened its eyes to the sight of the Monferno on the floor, out cold.
He crawled up the Monferno, nudging her shoulder as the terrifying stone snake looked down upon them both, growling. "Lu?" the Riolu nudged her again, still not able to speak properly. No hero was in sight, no one was there to protect them.
The Riolu turned around, his fear gone and stared at the stone snake emotionless, the snake coming right close to his face, opening its mouth and roaring, the wind pushing the Riolus body backwards, yet repositioning itself. The stone snake still having its face surprisingly close to the Riolu.
The Riolu stood up, outstretching his arms, shaking like mad, showing he was protecting the knocked out Monferno from the stone snake in front of him. The snake just laughing unaware of what was about to happen, the Riolu took a step by accident making the cavern shake, small rocks falling from above.
The snake looked up as the Riolu stepped back again, another small quake, and larger rocks falling onto the stone snakes head. The Riolu ran back to Monferno, causing larger and larger quakes with its steps as it bent down next to the female Monferno, nudging her once more.
("Uh...") she stirred, finally beginning to awake, looking around. ("Rio...lu... where'd that thing go?") Seeing that the large stone snake had disappeared from where it was originally, a large pile of rocks there in its place. He shrugged, clinging to the Monferno once more, slightly sobbing.
Yet the peace was quickly taken from them when another small rumble appeared from in front of them, this time a small Pokémon, a Hippowdom. And with it, a collapsed Pikachu gasping for air, a black hat wearing female trainer and a Croagunk sitting on top of it.
"When Rupert came back without you two I knew something was wrong. I'm glad you're okay" the trainer spoke as the Riolu flew into her arms, still terrified at this dark eerie place. "There there... It's okay." She spoke to him softly as she held him close.
The Monferno climbed atop the Hippowdom's head, beside the Croagunk. ("Are you ok?") It asked being replied by a simple ("Yes, thanks Rupert") from the Monferno.
"Alfonso... let's go home..." the trainer stated as he dived back into the open hole, a small ricochet making a few stones from the gathered pile fall, and with it the head of the stone snakes appearing, knocked out and confused.
It appeared as though... unknowing to the Riolu... he had defeated it without even knowing it.