Jackson rolled out of his nest and covered his eyes as sunlight filtered through the den walls. The Riolu groaned and finally rose to his feet kicking moss and straw back into his nest. A lithe Lucario peeked into the den holding a weaved basket full of Pinap berries.
"Jackson! Good Morning! Did you have a pleasant sleep?"
The Riolu scratched behind his ear before smiling at the Lucario. His eyes lit up when he spotted the basket.
"Morning, Mom. Yeah, it was fine. Dreamless as usual."
The Lucario nodded before setting the basket down at the den entrance.
"Well okay. Your father told me how you're going back to Pup-Class. That's exciting! It's way different than how your father taught you. Remember, treat others the way you'd like to be treated— and be nice to the younger ones. And don't let your emotions control you. M'kay?"
Jackson rolled his eyes before grabbing the basket and going passed his mother out of the den.
"Yeah, okay, Mom. Will do. And thank you."
Jackson held the basket close to him before running off towards Training Rocks. His mother waved to him a farewell, smiling brightly.Jackson climbed down into the pit just outside the village. He hopped over large sturdy boulders where many other Riolu and Lucario sat, watching others fight in training. He picked a small sedimentary boulder sitting at the top of the rocks on the far side of the pit, setting the basket of pinap fruit down next to him where he sat. He silently munched on the citrusy fruit as he watched Lucario and Riolu of all ages fight, whether it be with weapons like spears or maces, or hand-to-hand combat and also using their aura. Jackson watched with little interest as a Lucario summoned a sizeable Aura Sphere that blew away the opponent. He scoffed. He bet he could to that with just a single force palm. He didn't understand why his father wanted him to learn how to use aura, he was an excellent fighter without it. He didn't need it. But Jackson couldn't help thinking...
'How good of a fighter would I be if I did use aura?'
He pushed away the thought and reached into the basket to grab another pinap berry. He felt around the basket— there were none left. He could have sworn there were five left in there. Suddenly, something caught his eye. He looked up to see a Mankey holding a handful of his pinap berries!! The Mankey had spotted him too, because it dove behind the rocks and zipped away into the surrounding trees. Jackson stood up and ran after the thief, leaping over boulders and zooming around others whike keeping a close eye on the criminal. Jackson stopped as the Mankey swung towards the center of the village. He knew he'd be caught as soon as they sensed his aura. But oddly, only a Peliper burst out of the trees and few overhead and away from the village. Confused, Jackson lept into the tree he last saw the Mankey in. One of the branches of the tree was nearly broken off and has deep claw marks left on it.
'That's strange'
He thought, scratching his head.
'Last time I checked Mankey weren't heavy enough to break tree branches this thick...nor did they have claws...'
Jackson grumbled and lept down from the tree. As soon as he did, the sharp sound of a flute was heard and a voice yelled,
"The pup combat training class will begin shortly in the Zizagoon fields!"
"Crud! It's already close to noon?!"
Jackson groaned before heading back to the training rocks to retrieve his mother's basket before class started.
That'll be all for today. Much love and appreciation, peace.
