Hello there.

This is a remake of the chapter 2, because well... it wasn't the best. if you see what I mean. Anyway, I hope it is better. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon


Lurio's voyage

Chapter 2: A family

When the Gurdurr noticed the riolu falling, his eyes widened, he immediately dropped the beam of rock and ran as fast as he can to catch up the falling child. When the Riolu almost touched the ground, the Gurdurr leapt and catched the riolu just in time. He breathed out of relief. The little Pokémon looked at the grey combat type pokémon with fear on his eyes. The gurdurr finally broke the silence:

"Phew, that was close kid! But why did you get up there? It's dangerous especially for a young Pokémon like you!"

The Riolu was still looking at him with fear, he didn't understand what the Gurdurr just said but he knows he was kind of upset and worried at the same time. The Gurdurr, started to be impatient:

"I'm expecting an answer kid, and I'm expected at the construction site in not much time so be quick. You know the Steel Federation isn't really patient."

The newborn understood he had to give an answer by seeing the worker being more and more upset.

So he raised his hand and pointed at the top of the mountain and tried to imitate a hatching egg with his hands. The Gurdurr was at first confused but he understood surprisingly fast, his mouth opened and his eyes widened larger than before, he finally replied:

"Wait... you're telling me you're just a... newborn who..." he stopped but continued after a little while: "...who hatched at the... top of the Giant snow peak?"

The Riolu nodded, who seemed to understand the worker understood. The grey combat type Pokémon was clearly more confused and even seemed to be lost , looking around for someone to help him.

"Gurdurr! What are you doing?!"

The Gurdurr gasped when that voice came out behind him. He turned around and he and the riolu saw another Pokémon, he was really different from the worker: he was composed of three metallic spheres with an eye on each one, with three semicircles colored in metallic black with some red or blue at each end of these. His top sphere had three nails but the tow others had two. The Magneton stared at the gurdurr with anger. He looked really impatient and wanted a quick answer:

"I repeat. What are you... what is that?"

He was now looking at the Riolu, they were looking at each other with the same questioning look. The Gurdurr finally answered with uneasiness:

"Well uhh... actually I found this kid while I was heading to the construction site sir. He's a newborn and uhh... you may won't believe me but... he "told me" he hatched at the top of the Giant snow peak and he climbed down it..."

"Do you think I'm dumb?!" the Magneton replied, really annoyed. "You're telling me that Riolu hatched in and climbed down an unlivable mountain, even for ice type Pokémon? Telling that as an excuse to an officer will be expensive for you worker!"

"But I'm not lying I promise! He told this to me with his hands, look at him!"

The Magneton stared at the Riolu, waiting to see what he would say. The newborn was a bit confused by the look of the metal type, but he wanted some help so he did the same gestures. The Magneton was sceptical.

"Kid don't try to defend a liar."

But the child shook his head, trying to show he's saying the truth. The Magneton didn't know if he was lying or not. But he finally said:

"Okay uhh... where are your parents?"

The child didn't understand this time and grimaced. The Magneton seeing this, started to believe the Gurdurr's story. His eyes widened and asked the worker:

"Uhh... did you meet his parents or other Lucarios recently near of the peak?"

"No sir..." the Gurdurr replied.

"Okay..."

The Magneton looked at the ground, hard thinking.

The worker broke the silence:

"Sir, if you accept, I can take care of him."

"What?" the officer replied, surprised by the proposition.

"I can keep him until we find his parents, he's a combat type Pokémon after all."

"Well uhh..." the steel type Pokémon then stopped. But he finally answered: "Okay, you can adopt him, but try to be silent about his birth condition, I don't want to be related to this weird story. Anyway, go I'll tell your mates an excuse for your non-attendance"

"Thanks officer."

Then he went into the forest.

The Riolu was enthralled by the whole new scenery in front of his eyes. All the trees, the plants, everything was so beautiful! He discovered several new colors like green, red, rose and many others. It was so different from his birthplace. Something was intriguing him during the travel: the Sun. It was a glowing ball but the Riolu wasn't able to look at it for long. The Gurdurr, who noticed the discovery of the child, warned him:

"Don't look at the Sun too much, you'll become blind if you do."

The Riolu didn't understand why he shouldn't look too much at the sun, but he did understand the warning of the worker, so he looked at the ground, trying to memorize all the types of flowers he saw.

After a while, they came across a wooden high wall and finally arrived at the Gurdurr's village. The Riolu was surprised of the sudden change of the environment. The trees let their places to many wooden buildings and tents, there were many Pokémon from all species like Bidoofs, Grotles, Gigaliths and many others. There were many noises, replacing the calm of the forest. Some Pokémon were trying to sell their items to passers-by. The Riolu wasn't able to understand what was exactly happening in the village, he was really lost in this brouhaha but the Gurdurr seemed to be used to.

The little Pokémon noticed another Pokémon who noticed the Gurdurr, he didn't look friendly at all. The Primeape then walked toward them.

When they entered into a house, the Riolu didn't pay attention to the inside and tried to warn the Gurdurr by pointing the outside. But he didn't understand.

Don't worry, it's just my house kid. I won't... »

"Hey Durry."

The Gurdurr's eyes widened by surprise but not as the Riolu expected. The Gurdurr wasn't scared, he was actually happy. The grey combat type turned around and smiled to the Primeape

"Hi Paim! Long time no see!"

"Yeah." Paim replied. "How are you going?"

"All good, finished earlier than expected so, kind of happy. What are you doing here?"

"Well I was just passing by... oh you have a kid now?"

Paim noticed the child and stared at him with surprise. The Riolu stepped away from him, Durry laughed:

"Don't be scared, he seems dangerous like that but he's actually a really chill guy. So, uhh yeah kinda..."

"What do you mean?"

"I adopted him."

"Oh I see. Where did you find him?"

"Well uhh..."

The Riolu, who understood the Primeape wasn't a danger, didn't pay attention to their chat anymore.

He was now observing the inside of Durry's house. He saw so many tools and shelves with many items he didn't know the utility. He was really curious. He decided to take and inspect a saw on a table...

"No no no don't touch it!" Durry came suddenly and took back his saw and put it away, "it's dangerous for you, so please don't touch it for now."

"What a cute daddy." Paim joked.

"You said I'm cute?"

And they continued to chat while the Riolu was observing the tools, trying to guess their utility.

When the Primeape finally left, the Gurdurr shut the door. He turned against the Riolu and said:

"Well I'll do a vegetable soup you must be starving after all this time."

He opened a cupboard and got some vegetables out of it like hot peppers, aubergines, carrots and he took also an onion.

The riolu hearing his words repeated:

"...starving."

The grey Pokémon stopped, and looked at the Riolu, surprised:

"Already?" the worker murmured. "Well uhh... yeah, starving. It's the fact we're really hungry"

"...Hungry."

Durry smiled and continued his cooking. During this time, the Riolu was watching him cutting the vegetables, putting some water in a saucepan, and created fire under it thanks to two flints. The Riolu, thinking of the campfirr, was watching the whole house. The Gurdurr noticing him, reassured him:

"The kitchen is made of rock, so don't expect the house to take fire hehe."

"Rock." the Riolu repeated.

He was really intrigued by the boiling water and its change of color when the worker added the ingredients. Seeing him mixing, the little Pokémon wanted to mix too:

"...want."

"Oh you want to mix?" the Gurdurr asked. "Well it's not dangerous for you I guess."

He gave the spoon to the child. He began to mix faster after a little while and Durry made him slower and told him:

"Not too fast, some soup will fall if you do."

When the soup was ready the smell was really good. The Riolu never smelled something that good before. The Gurdurr filled two bowls with the soup.

"Be warned, it's hot." warned Durry.

But the Riolu was too fast, he tasted and grimaced:

"Hot!"

The Gurdurr laughed and drunk the soup, very slowly. The little Pokémon did the same. It was clearly the best thing he ever ate. He really liked the spicy taste and it was really savory. He drunk his soup in smile, the gurdurr smiled at him. When they finished, the Riolu yawned really loudly, this day was really tiring and all he wanted was to rest. The worker noticed and said:

"It's normal you're tired, after what you've done..."

He took some hay and created a bed with it near of his own:

"Here, it's your bed. Sleep now kid, you deserve some rest."

The Riolu just fell over on the bed. He found it comfortable and nice, but he immediately fell asleep.

It's been two years the little Riolu was living with the Gurdurr. Thanks to him, he learned he was in the Kingdom of Seraïon. He also learned the existence of the Steel Federation that reigned the kingdom. There was a routine that took place in his days: the morning the worker goes to somewhere he was called and he told the child to do some work at home like washing the dishes, taking out the trash...

Helping the Gurdurr was a pleasure for the Riolu, he wanted to thank him for offering a home to him. He was seeing in Durry's eyes a sort of message: "Thanks, that's nice of you.". The child learned to communicate with others with the Gurdurr's help. Learning took time but wasn't that hard because the Pokémon had a common language. Durry wasn't surprised of the Riolu's easiness of learning the language. Life wasn't too complicated. It was even simple. The child was happy. One day, in the morning, the Gurdurr, who was about to work for his friend Vigoroth, told the Riolu:

"So, I left some bread on the kitchen so you can eat it with the soup of yesterday evening. And you know the rest of course."

"Yeah, the dishes, cleaning the workshop... I know. Count on me." the Riolu replied.

"I already do kid." the Gurdurr smiled.

When he was about to go, he turned to the Riolu like he forgot something:

"Oh yeah I almost forgot. You wanna enter the combat academy?"

"What is that?" the child asked.

"It's a school where we learn how to fight, defend ourselves or the others, you see?"

"Uhh yes."

"So what do you think?"

The little Pokémon was curious about how a school would look like and he found his life was getting boring. But he especially wanted to move and learn how to fight. So the answer was obvious:

"Well, I'm curious, so yes."

"Alright. We will go to the academy next week then, it will start in eight days." the Gurdurr replied with a smile.

"Okay."

The Vigoroth, who was waiting, asked to Durry:

"So you're ready Durry?"

"Yeah sorry for the wait." the worker answered. Then he turned to the Riolu: "Bye kid."

"Bye Dad." the Riolu answered unconsciously.

He placed his right hand on his mouth. He called Durry "Dad".

Why did he call him like that?

He didn't know. And he had no idea of how Durry would react. He stopped walking. He turned his head towards the Riolu, with widened eyes and confused on what to say. But he finally answered:

"Well... uhh... goodbye uhh... kid."

And he finally left, with the Vigoroth smiling at them. During the whole day, the child was disturbed. It's been one month the gurdurr was taking care of him. He was feeding him, protecting him against some dangers, teaching him and now he was going to send him to a school. The Riolu thought the worker was actually acting like a father when he was thinking of all the parents with their children. And he didn't know his parents and he always wanted to have a father or a mother but he never showed it. But he loved Durry, really loved Durry. Like he was actually considering him like a father. He did know Durry liked him, but wasn't sure if he was considering the child like his own. At the evening, the Riolu went outside to see if the Gurdurr was near. He was later than usual. The little Pokémon was getting worried. But after a while he saw Durry approaching but he was carrying something else than his tools bag. It was a Pokémon. He wasn't able to identify what he was because of the dark and the gurdurr was running. He noticed the riolu and asked him:

"Kid, is there any soup left?"

"Umm yes?" the riolu answered, confused.

"So fill a bowl with the remaining. That Pokémon is starving to death. Literally."

The child immediately went getting the saucepan filled with some soup and poured it all in a bowl. The stranger took a sit and immediately began to drink his dinner, but really gently, which surprised Durry and the Riolu. While he was drinking, the little Pokémon took the time to identify the Pokémon, he was completely different from everything he saw before:

He was small, smaller than the Riolu. His body was light blue except his white hands and nose. Compared to his body his yellow eyes were really big and he finally had a strange white foam around his neck. The Gurdurr, noticing the questioning Riolu's look at the Froakie, answered his silent question:

"He's a Froakie, a water type pokémon. I found him near of the ocean and he's a bit older than you. From a few months to be precise. He'll be staying with us."

The Riolu was sort of happy of the news. Having a new mate to play with, to chat with. He wanted to be friend with the Froakie. Then he noticed something a bit sad about himself: he didn't have any friends until now. He was always in the house playing with tools he was authorized to play with. He never tried to socialize with other children and he was really reserved. Now was his chance. When the Froakie finished, he thanked both Pokémons and asked:

"Can I have a bed please? If you want of course..."

"Of course you can why not?" answered Durry immediately.

The Gurdurr took some hay and created a bed which looked like the same as the riolu's one. The water type Pokémon thanked him again and fell asleep, surprisingly quickly. A silence just took place in the room with Durry and the riolu watching the Froakie sleeping. The worker finally talked:

"Kid, can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"Do you consider me... as someone close to you?"

"Of course! You took me in your home!"

"Yeah but... I mean as someone really close to you. As a member of the family."

The Riolu didn't answer. Was it the case? This morning he did call him "Dad", so does it mean it is indeed the case. He was too shy to give a real answer. Durry decided to talk again:

"You see, I did have a son before. I had a family and my life was really different. He was a Timburr, my wife, a Charmina, and I named him Timmy. He was the child I dreamed about. Enthusiastic, joyful, curious... somewhat like you. I loved him like he was my own heart. But one day, they died, my wife and Timmy. Both died. Like that. Out of nowhere. Someone came and told me the bad news. You can't imagine the shock. You don't know that even with the experience you had. The death of someone you love. Especially if he was young, like you are right now..."

He stopped. He was trying to keep a stoic face, in vain. The Riolu was listening. He continued:

"When I see you, I'm thinking about Timmy. You're almost the same, except your birth conditions and the species of course. Since this day I tried to forget all of this, tried to continue my life. Then you came and you made me think of them,you're kinda my second chance, a second chance for me to protect a child, someone I love. I noticed you still don't have a name after a month, so I'll let you choose."

The Riolu was thinking, he never thought about having a name before. He firstly thought about "Kid" as a name but he knew it wasn't a good idea. So he chose a name, simple but he liked it.

"Lurio."

"Lurio?" Durry repeated. "Simple but nice. It fits you and it will in the future."

"Thanks Dad."

The father swept some tears and replied, a smile on the face:

"You're welcome... son."

The next day, in the morning, Lurio woke up and saw Durry, cooking, who noticed him and greeted:

"Hello son."

"Hi Dad." the Riolu replied. "Aren't you going to work today?"

"Huh? Oh yes, of course. It's just later than usual. So I decided to cook your lunch."

Lurio nodded. Then he noticed the Froakie wasn't on the bed:

"Where's the..."

"The Froakie?" the Gurdurr completed. "He went outside to take some air. You can go join him if you want."

"Alright. But what is his name by the way?"

"Gre."

"Gre? That's short."

"Maybe, but if you see other pokémons like him, expect names like these." Durry laughed.

"Should I?"

"Umm... kinda. Anyway have fun."

The Riolu nodded again and went outside. He was looking around, searching for Gre but the village was crowded as usual. Lurio tried to find the water type Pokémon among the crowd. But Gre wanted to go take some air, so maybe he was somewhere calm and without too much Pokémons around. Even it was just an hypothesis, the child believed it was true. So he went to a garden behind the house. Gre was really here, watching at the stream, probably in deep thoughts. The garden was next to the high walls which are separating the village and the forest. It was a little field of bright green grass with some bushes and flowers. It was a nice, calm and beautiful place. The Riolu approached Gre, calmly, but the Froakie suddenly turned his head to him and greeted:

"Hello." he stared at the combat type Pokémon, who stopped walking, and suggested: "You can come if you want."

"Umm okay." Lurio nodded, surprised by how Gre heard him approaching. He sat next to him and watched the stream too. He saw a reflection of himself, a Riolu, and Gre, a Froakie. Except that, there was nothing particular to see. Lurio, who wanted to socialize. finally asked:

"So uhh.. how are you?"

"I'm fine thank you. What about you?"

"All good, thanks."

An awkward silence took place for a while. The Riolu, who didn't like that, tried to find a subject of discussion:

"You aren't talking much."

"Well I don't have something to say actually." Gre replied still with an impassive face. "I hate superficial discussions."

"What do you mean?"

"Talking just for talking."

"Oh uhh... okay."

The Froakie smiled: "I guess you came to socialize then." Lurio was embarrassed by the way Gre guessed his intentions.

"But okay, I guess you're a bit curious about me..."

Lurio nodded. Gre continued: "I imagine I have to talk about how I got there. Well... I'm a shipwrecked."

The combat type Pokémon was really surprised of this. A water type Pokémon? A shipwrecked? How can this be?

"You know, I don't even know how I got there." the water type Pokémon added: "I just woke up in the beach, all alone. Then I walked into the forest, and I met your Gurdurr."

"So you don't remember anything?"

"...I don't. All I remember is that... I was swimming. That's all."

"You don't even know your parents?"

"No."

"Oh. I... don't know them neither."

"Oh uhh... I'm sorry..."

"Don't apology. It isn't a problem."

When the riolu was about to stand up, he suddenly slipped and felt into the stream. It was cold, he was feeling all his body being wet. He never touched water in high quantity so he panicked:

"Help me! Help me! I'm drowning!"

"Don't worry you aren't. Look at yourself."

The Riolu calmed down. Yes the water level wasn't high, it wasn't even reaching the shoulders. He was amused but felt awkward too because Gre had the same stoic face than before. Lurio just threw at him some water. He kept the same face but commentated:

"Amateur..."

Suddenly he jumped into the stream and did a surprisingly big splash. Lurio was completely wet now, he looked stupefied by what just happened. The Froakie, seeing his face, asked:

"Are you okay?"

The Riolu laughed and Gre did so. Then they heard Durry calling them. While they were heading back home. Lurio asked:

"Hey, you wanna come at the combat academy next week?"

"The combat academy? Of course, I want to continue training myself."

"Alright then!"

And they entered in the house, with the gurdurr who was waiting them before going to work.

Durry brought the two children in the academy. The place was a rather big building made of wood. Several children were here too to begin the class. Every type of Pokémons were visible, not only combat types to Lurio's surprise. He asked Durry:

"Why so many children want to learn to fight?"

"Because you can't know when you'll have to. And it's better for you to know how to defend yourself if you get in danger. And it does happen often. Life is unpredictabe and dangerous, remember this."

The young Riolu understood why there were so many people in this place. Everyone in this world could be required to battle a day. He did see some brawls and some were really violent, almost ending with a death but some guards of the Steel Federation stopped these. Violence could be the everyday life of many, this world could be really hard. They finally entered in the academy. The first thing they saw was a rather little hall with a candelabrum above. A Carracosta was at the reception desk, telling to the children and parents where to bring the new students. It would be their turn soon. When they approached, the water type glanced at the two children, rather surprised.

"Hello I brought those kids for their first year." Durry started.

"A Riolu and a Froakie?" she said. "That's rare. Especially the Riolu, it isn't common to have one in such a random academy."

"Well it's the nearest one."

"Anyway bring them to the room five, this is at the left. That's where the first years are."

"Thank you."

"You welcome."

They headed into the left corridor. On their left were windows which had a view on a big garden where the children could play, and on their right were four doors, each one had a number marked on it, including the five. So the Gurdurr opened the door of the room five. And they discovered a classroom with at least ten desks and chairs. Several wardrobes were placed at the end of the room and a board were on the opposite wall. Eight other children were here too. Including a Magby, a Stufful, an Helioptile, a Jangmo-o, a Snivy, a Momantis, a Skorupi and a Croagunk. All the children looked at the new comers upon their arrival. The Snivy walked towards them with a smile on the face.

"Hi, are you in the same class than us?" he immediately asked."

"Yes they are." Durry answered quickly. Then he looked at Gre and Lurio. "Alright I'll leave you both here."

"Why?" Lurio asked, worried.

"Because I'm not allowed to remain here. I can't do anything against that. I guess it's to make children more autonomous, something like that. Anyway, see you later kids."

"Later." both kids said in a sad tone.

And he left the room. Lurio and Gre turned around and saw everyone looking at them, seeming excited. The Stufful talked first:

"What are your names?"

"Uhh I'm Lurio and his name is Gre." the little Riolu answered, shyly.

"Ooh Jack that's not how you're supposed to introduce yourself!" the Magby pushed the stufful. « My name is Mack. Nice to meet you. »

"Nice to meet you too." Lurio answered.

Every other children introduced themselves in the same way. The Snivy was Carolina, the Helioptile's name was Frank, the dragon type was Maurice, the Momantis was named Marie, the Skorupi was Oscar and the Croagunk's name was Cristophe. They all seemed so friendly and wanted to know each other. The nice atmosphere of the group charmed Lurio. Gre was getting used to the group pretty fast too. They spent some time asking random questions as where did they come from, or who were their parents. Lurio managed to dodge that question. He didn't know if saying that Durry was his father would be a correct answer. After a moment, another Pokémon entered, much taller than everyone else. It was an adult Golisopod. He had his hands behind his back and was standing straight. He glanced at all the children while walking towards the board. His face was inexpressive.

"Please take a sit children." he suddenly said with a deep and hoarse voice.

Everyone obeyed. Lurio and Gre sat next to each other. When everyone was sat, he talked again:

"Alright, good morning children."

"Good morning." all the children said together.

"I am Galern. I will be your class teacher. And first I'd like to tell you one thing: when you enter in a classroom, it is preferable that you take a sit even if the teacher isn't here. You can still chat but when the teacher is here, don't. Did I make myself clear?"

"...Yes."

He was cold, but was obviously more experienced by far than them. He was imposing and his big claws were making him scarier.

"Alright, today since it is just your first day we won't do much things except presenting to you the different classes and asking you to introduce yourselves."

He stopped and picked with his dark claws a piece of paper.

"Okay, I'm going to call each one of you with your names. Answer "here" when I say yours."

And that's what he did. No other words were heard except names and "here". When they finished, the Golisopod talked again:

"Okay now I'll present you the different classes you'll have during the year. Meanwhile we'll go outside to visit the school."

Despite the cold tone, Lurio was sort of happy to finally visit the school deeply. They all went out of the classroom headed towards the bottom of the corridor and opened a door leading to outside. They saw a rather big schoolyard with several trees around it and at the center was what seemed to be a ring made of clay. It was rather beautiful to see.

"You'll have several classes during the year. You will have close combat classes, general combat, muscle building, and general classes where you're going to receive a... general education."

"What does that mean?" Jack asked.

"You'll learn grammar, maths, history... some things like that..."

"Oh is this a ring?!" Maurice shouted.

Everyone looked at the young Jangmo-o when he interrupted the teacher. Surprisingly the Golisopod said:

"Yes. It is."

"Can we fight on it?"

"Umm no. Sorry but I'm not allowed to let you put up a fight on it. Not today."

"Why?" the Magby asked this time.

"Like I said, you can't today. Right now I'm just supposed to make you aware of the rules, the classes and make you visit the school."

"Oh too bad. I wanted to show everyone my ember attack in a combat. But look at it it's so cool!"

He took a deep breath and spout out a little fire projectile... right getting into a tree. Galern without any warning leaped into the projectile's way. A sort of water saber appeared on his hand and he cut in a half the ember really quickly. The fire projectile disappeared. All the children were stupefied by the Golisopod's sudden move. The saber disappeared and the teacher stared at the little Magby. He was scared.

"I... I... I'm sorry! I didn't want to..."

"Don't worry. I know."

He put his hands on his back.

"I forgot to tell you that this ring is only for close combats. So the particular moves aren't allowed on it."

"Aren't you going to punish me?"

"Well... no. Look, I know you're excited, that you're impatient to know what you're able to do on the ring. But for now, try to hold yourself. I was like all of you when I was at your age, so I can understand it. And it's just your first day here and you're a little kid so it would be really rude from me."

Lurio was surprised the kindness and wisdom behind those words. Maybe the Golisopod wasn't as cold as he seemed.

"Anyway, this way." The teacher said.

When the they were about to continue the visit. Lurio decided to ask Galern if what Durry said was really true.

"Galern?" He asked.

He turned around, looking rather surprised.

"Yes?"

"Is it true that we have to be ready to fight at any moment?"

The Golisopod looked away for a moment, thinking.

"Well uh... yes that's true. Sadly this world is pretty hostile. I don't know anyone who didn't fight or have a terrifying experience, for now. So it is really advised to know how to battle, in the case you encounter a person with bad intentions, which occurs often."

"But why does it arrive often?"

"It's... too complicated for a child like you but... there are many things in these lands that can turn someone good into one of the most cruel person in the world. I won't tell you more because we don't have much time, but you have to be careful."

Lurio nodded, silent. He didn't know what to think about all this. Is the world really that hard? All of a sudden Galern talked to him again:

"By the way, since you're a Riolu, teachers may expect many good things from you. So work hard. That's an advice."

"Okay sir."

So this world can be hard. That was probably the first thing he learned in the school, and he apparently had to work hard to success in it.

One year passed. Lurio and Gre were keeping improving their combat skills. Gre was especially trying to master his speed in the academy's parkour, improvements were visible over time. The Riolu was practicing to create an aura sphere even if his father told him he had to evolve to be able to do an aura sphere. One day he asked:

"Dad, when do I evolve?"

"To be honest, I don't know." the Gurdurr answered. "There are rumors telling riolu evolve when they're happy, but I don't believe them."

The Riolu didn't know if he should believe it, but he thought he was enjoying his life though. So why wasn't he evolving? He imagined that he still had to wait. The Riolu did what Galern told one year ago, and he was right. The teacher were usually asking harder exercises to him since he was a Riolu. But it didn't bother him that much. One day, while Gre was training in the academy. Lurio was having a walk near of the village, as he looked around he saw two Pokémons among the trees far away from the village. Since he was curious, he approached them to know what they were doing. Then he recognized one of them. He was Mack who evolved into a Magmar a month ago. He was with a Chespin and were oddly close. As he was getting closer, he began to understand what they were saying:

"But why do you need this money?" the Chespin said.

"Do I ask you questions? And it's personal, but I really need it I swear!" Mack said, he was getting angry.

"Calm down! And this money is mine and I need it to buy something for my parents! So please let me go!"

"Give me or I'll hurt you!"

The plant type was scared. Lurio had to help him.

"Mack?" He said.

"Huh?"

He turned around and noticed Lurio:

"Oh uh hey Lurio."

"What are you doing?"

"Ah I... I'm just talking with the Chespin here. Nothing more."

"Mack, tell me really, why are you bullying him?"

Mack stayed silent, surprised to see that the Riolu saw what he was doing.

"Uhh look, okay this seems pretty bad what I'm doing but this money is really important for me."

"Why then?"

"It's personal dammit!" Mack was getting angry.

Without paying attention, he released the Chespin from his arms, letting him go.

"NOO! Wait!..."

"Really Mack, you aren't like that usually. Why are you doing this?"

"As I said a million times, it's PERSONAL!"

"But tell it! I won't tell to anybody if you want!"

"It's...it's too complicated for you!"

"I don't care! I just want to understan..."

"Okay buddy, if you decided to continue bothering me then we'll do it the hard way."

"What but..."

"At the lake, at midnight, and if you don't come, I'm going to get you. The Steel federation members won't be guarding the village as much as the day."

"Really Mack you..."

But he ignored what he said and he left. He really didn't know what to do. Mack was not supposed to be such a bad person. Since they know each other, Mack was really nice and was someone who didn't really want to fight anyone in the school. Lurio decided to go to the lake this midnight. Not to fight him, but to understand him. Midnight arrived. And Mack was right, the security was lowered, there were less Magnemites near of high walls. He climbed the high walls and walked discreetly towards the lake. When he arrived, Mack was sitting on a rock, watching the lake. The moon light reflected by the lake made the place nice to watch, and a good arena...

"So you're here." the Magmar glanced at the Riolu.

"If only you didn't come..." Mack commentated.

"Look Mack, I don't want to..."

"To fight me? Of course I know. I'm not such an idiot."

"But I really..."

"I know you just want to know why I'm doing this but... I'm in a very bad mood right now..."

The Magmar took a deep breath a spit out a flamethrower at Lurio. He gasped and rolled aside to dodge it.

"Calm down I really don't want to...!"

Mack didn't listen and attacked again with a flamethrower. Lurio dodged it again. Immediately after the flamethrower, the fire type leaped on the Lurio with a fist on fire. The Riolu jumped backward and Mack landed, hitting the ground with his fist. Lurio approached, thinking that Mack calmed himself down.

"Okay, can we..."

All of a sudden, the Magmar dealt an uppercut with a fire punch with his other fist, sending the Riolu rather far. Lurio got up, with a big pain in the jaw. That was it then. If he wanted Mack to calm down, he had to do it himself. Lurio in an access of rage, by instinct, he put his hands together and concentrated energy in these. A ball was forming between his hands and he threw it into Mack who didn't react surprisingly. A little explosion occurred at the impact. When there was the explosion, Lurio seemed to be aware of what he just did.

"Did I... just do an aura sphere?" he thought.

When the smoke disappeared, he saw that Mack was down. The combat type approached again carefully. He wasn't injured that much. He was happy that he didn't deal too much damage.

"Can I have an answer now?" he asked.

"Don't tell anyone about what I did. I don't have the choice..." Mack answered.

"What? Why didn't..."

"HEY BOTH OF YOU! STOP MOVING!"

They looked at the origin of the voice. Many Magnemites and Magnetons surrounded them, emanating electricity to create light, an Aggron was the commander. Lurio and Mack were caught.

The Riolu was confused by the fire type Pokémon's application.

He did understand Mack wanted to keep the story secret. But he « didn't have the choice »? He didn't know. Then the Aggron interrogated Lurio:

"Can I know why you were fighting at midnight?"

"We wanted to find a place to see which of us were the strongest. Nothing special." Lurio lied.

"Huh. You aren't a common Riolu, aren't ya?... » he stopped, staring at the Riolu, clearly trying to see if he was lying. But he stayed stoic. He continued: "Fortunately for you, combats aren't directly punished, but if hear another trouble from you and your little friend I'll arrest both of you without any hesitation! Understood!?"

"Understood." Lurio answered hurriedly. When he went back home, Durry was waiting him with Gre, then he noticed the injuries, so he ran into the child.

"Dear Arceus what did you do to get such an injury?"

"It's... a long story."

Durry spent a part of the night trying to heal Lurio from his injuries while the riolu explained everything.

After five years, Lurio and Gre obtained their final diploma, which proved they were decent fighters. The ceremony reunited all the teachers of the academy, who congratulated all the graduated. Galern was the most quiet of them all, it was visible that he was proud of the two. Gre now became a fast Greninja and was also graduated bounty hunter. Lurio managed to become a powerful Lucario, he didn't really know what to do with his life. But exploring Seraïon and helping people sounded good for him. Durry was getting old, and now became a Conqueldurr proud of the two young Pokémons he brought up. Gre was now old enough to go out of his tutors home. The day of his departure, while Gre was preparing his bag, Lurio wanted to see him:

"So you're leaving?"

"Let's say I'm challenging you." the Greninja answered. "Challenging you to find me."

"I would have preferred you to wait me until my birthday..."

"Well... to be honest I don't want to bother Durry. He's getting old and I don't want to be an unnecessary load for him."

"But he..."

"He doesn't regard me like that I know." interrupted Gre "But in reality? Even if I'm still young, I'm not a child anymore, I can go see the world, freeing my tutor from myself."

The Lucario stayed silent, which the bounty hunter noticed:

"Alright, I won't go too far from here, so it'll be easier for you to find me okay?"

"But what if you die?" it sounded odd, but Lurio was aware of how dangerous this world can be, especially that Gre took a rather risky job.

"I won't. I promise it."

Lurio had tears on his eyes and tried to not cry. Gre put his left hand on his brother's shoulder:

"Take that as a brother's promise."

Durry was watching outside holding two rock beams, smiling with some tears. Gre went outside followed by Lurio and hugged both of them:

"I'll miss you..."

He walked towards the village exit, turned around with shedding tears:

"Goodbye." Durry and Lurio were watching him leaving, until he completely disappeared, far away.

End of chapter 2


The next chapter is where things are becoming interesting (I hope). We're just at the introduction of the story then we'll get into it.