Slowly the lights flickered on as the manager began to open up shop. Riolu, who was by now used to the Poké-pet store's routine, waited patiently to be fed.
As she watched, the manager made his way around the store dishing out Poké food to all the various Pokémon. All of the other Pokémon rushed to the edge of the kennels in twos and threes pushing each other to be the first one's there.
In her kennel the little Riolu didn't have that problem, though she wished she did. Solemnly the little Riolu walked to the edge of her kennel to stand solitarily waiting for her food.
After a bit, the manager made his way to her pin and dumped a bowl load of food inside.
"Hey there girl, just you now huh," asked the manager kneeling down to her eye level.
"I'm sure all your brothers and sisters found wonderful homes, and it's only a matter of time before you do to, so cheer up k." said the manager reaching over the kennel and ruffling the fur on top of her head.
Riolu nodded her head unconvinced, the manager had been telling her that for the last week, and every day that passed she believed it less and less.
A light jingle let both her and the manager know that a customer had entered the store, and without another word the manager headed to the front door.
After a few minutes a little girl came around the corner, looking timidly at all the Pokémon. Doing her best to get the little girls attention the Riolu walked to the edge of her cage, knowing that if she didn't at least try she would never find a home.
It was hard though since all of the others were doing the same.
Eventually the little girl began to make her way over to a pin of baby Skitties who were all running along the wall excitedly.
When the girl's mother and the manager came over the girl pointed excitedly to the Skitties, one of which the manager scooped out for her to hold.
Riolu felt a pang of jealousy as she watched the little girl smiling brightly as she hugged the Skitty affectionately.
As Riolu watched the little girl, two little boys came running into the store.
"Wow, Shaun look they've got a Riolu," said one of the boys running to her pin.
"Cool, mom look," said the other boy excitedly.
"I see, I see," said the mother waling in behind them and smiling at her excitable boys.
"But remember Shaun and Tyler you can each only pick one," said the mother reminding them gently.
"Oh I want an Absol," said the first boy taking off into the back of the store to find one.
"I want this one," said the other boy standing outside of Riolu's kennel.
"Ok," said the mother waving for the manager to come over.
Riolu felt a ray of hope as the manager came over to stand by them.
"This one," asked the manager motioning to her to make sure. The mother nodded but the manager hesitated for a second.
"I'm required by law to inform you that this one is the runt of the litter and will probably never get as big as its brothers and sisters," said the manager reluctantly.
"But I can tell you from personal experience that she is one of the most loving and affectionate Pokémon I have ever had the pleasure of caring for," said the manager trying his best to overwrite what he had just told them.
The mother seemed unaffected by the information but Riolu could tell that the boy was having an internal conflict.
It was obvious that the two boys planned on being competitors someday nearly every little boy did, and obviously they would need strong Pokémon by their side if they were to succeed. Their starter was especially important since it would decide their level of success from there on out.
On the other hand Riolu could tell that the boy felt bad that he had gotten her hopes up on getting adopted and was unable to just leave her there.
Unable to take it anymore Riolu walked away from the wall trying to appear disinterested as she tried to hold back the tears.
Seeming relieved the boy followed suit and wandered off to find his brother and his new starter.
Reaching his hand into the kennel the manager scratched her head comfortingly "I'm sorry girl," maybe next time," he said sounding apologetic, walking off to follow the boys and their mother.
Riolu didn't blame him though; she knew he had to tell them about her being the runt, it wasn't his fault, but it was the heart of her problem.
She wasn't cute or cuddly enough to attract a girl who just wanted a friend to play with, nor was she big or strong enough to attract a boy who wanted a partner to take the world by storm with.
Sadly she watched the rest of the day as people came and went taking other Pokémon home with them.
Eventually the day drew to an end and the manager began to close up the store. "I'm sorry girl, maybe tomorrow," said the manager stopping by her pin, before her turned out the lights and locked up.
Seeing that the store was closed the other Pokémon began to lie down for the night huddling up together to keep warm.
Crawling into the corner Riolu sat there with her legs drawn up and her arms wrapped around them, doing her best to give herself warmth.
After a bit she began to shiver and shake, partially from the cold and partially from the tears that had begun to stream down her face.
It was so unfair; she had never done anything to anybody, so why was she being punished just for being born.
All she wanted was a home and a child to love; she didn't even care if it was a boy or a girl. She would even be glad to have her siblings back, she just didn't want feel so alone.
She felt cold when she was alone, not just on the outside but on the inside too. Whenever the manager would pet her she would feel a little better but it wasn't enough to keep her warm.
She wasn't sure how much longer she could survive like this. She just wished that somebody would just come and rescue her soon.
Eventually the little Riolu cried herself into uneasy fitful sleep, and dreamt about the home she wished to have.
End Chapter 1
See this is why I always end up taking the runt home, I just can't help it. I'm a sucker for small animals. Yet I somehow always end up with big dogs, even if I take the runt, maybe I'm feeding them too much…
Anyways, hope you liked the chapter and please Review.