The first rule about how to survive on the streets of Jubilife City is; always avoid trainers. You see, trainers have pokemon, and that means they have a creature (or a few) that are ten times stronger than you. Even if you just happen to have a pokemon of your own, guess what, the rule still applies. Avoid. All. Trainers. Its as simple as that. You never know how strong of vicious they'll be or whether or not the trainer can even control them. I guess it's too bad I can't seem to follow my own advice.

"Hey kid, come over here," a voice beckoned from a dark alley. Not a good sign. I flinched, trying to act like I hadn't heard the command. Continuing down the empty street, I heard rather than saw the red hiss of a pokemon being released. Aww shit! I am soo very screwed, I thought to myself, letting out a small groan of dismay as a Golbat flitted down onto a rusted trashcan about six feet in front of me. Usually street trash like this guy had only low level Starly or Budew, never an evolved pokemon.

"W-what do you want," I asked the person behind me, not taking my eyes off of the pokemon. The mugger was obviously a guy. I mean, his rough voice and blunt tactics gave him away completely. Really a girl would never do something so, well... I could just tell, okay?

So here I was, breaking my second rule. Ya know, the one that says don't talk to strangers, and the Golbat was looking about ready to attack. It was dark out and I knew that I was not getting out of the situation without at least a few bruises. I mean, what's a guy to do, run?I glared at the large bat pokemon who, for your information, had no problem returning the favor. I could feel cold sweat trickling down my back. Poison pokemon weren't really my style.

"Me and claw here have a deal for you-" the Golbat's eyes began to glow a sinister purple. I let out a yelp and closed my brown ones. I felt like I could still see the ghostly purple glare. The glow intensified, and I could feel it pressing against my eyelids. It was most likely a Confuse Ray.

I was actually quite surprised how well the duo worked together. The entire Zubat evolutionary line was known for it's viciousness against those it deemed prey. I shivered, the thug must have done something to earn its respect. I did not want to think about that. Just the fact that the Golbat was listening to the dude's every command worried me. Then, the situation got worse.

"-you give me all of your money, the stuff in that bag, and those shoes," the voice was much closer, almost directly behind me. I opened my eyes in surprise. I had thought that the thug would have just let the Golbat do the dirty work, I was wrong.

I took a couple tentative steps toward the Golbat, just to get farther away from the man. There was no way I was getting stabbed in some back alley again. Once was definitely enough, thank you very much! I I'd rather take my chances with the Golbat, though one could never be too wary. Swallowing my pride, I tried to pull the 'have-pity-on-me' card.

"Aww, come on man," I turned around to face my mugger, putting on a slightly pleading face. I hated sucking up to others and I didn't like turning my back to the pokemon, but I didn't really think I could afford hospital bills right now. I took consolation in that, if the man was going to do something, I'd be ready, and he wouldn't know what hit him. The man wore a beat up looking hoodie and a pair of ripped jeans. His shoes were rough trainers, and he had an empty pokeball in his right hand. But the worst part, the thing that scared me, was that he was smiling! If I could just get rid of the Golbat...

"It just rained last night and-" my pleading was cut off by a high pitch whine that began emanating from behind me. I shut my mouth immediately. If they get mad, I'll be in worse condition afterwards. I thought as I stared helplessly at the ground. As the common saying goes, there was no need to bait the Luxray. It was the trainer I had to placate, and hope he had enough control over his Golbat to keep him from attacking me anyways. Now-

The whine grew louder, making my eyes water and my head hurt. You wouldn't have guessed that a weak Screech from a Golbat would bring me to my knees, but it did. I could see the man looming over me, a wild grin painted across his face. I could tell he was saying something, probably something important, based on how his eyes shined with unconcealed mirth. His mouth was moving and then the fucker began smiling again. I am going to make I'm watch as I skin his stupid Golbat and-

Suddenly, everything slid out of focus. The world was spinning and the whine that had been pressing against my eardrums intensified. Black and red spots danced across my vision. I don't remember hitting the ground.


TBC