It's been a full two months and two weeks since Jackson saw that disappearing Mankey and first joined the pup combat training class. He's been present in every class to learn as much as he could. And every class has been...repetitive. The classes usually consisted of Miss Viela lecturing them on basic moves, how to use your ability to your advantage, and training in low-level fields and environments. Jacksom was learning nothing new, since his father had taught him all of this and more when he was younger. Miss Viela didn't seem to be focusing on the topic of aura because the rest of the class already knew how to do it, even before they started going to class. Jackson was frustrated at the time he was wasting sitting in class when he could be prorecting the village from the Mankey Clan!Ramses was also making no progress. Sure, hey paid extra close attention as the teacher lectured but he put no use to his knowledge on the battle field. He constantly hid and cowered or stayed close to Jackson, who did not seem to care as long as he wasn't in the way. He and Jackson had gotten closer, but Ram said nothing more about his private life since the day Jackson started going to class. Jackson noticed that the smaller Riolu seemed less quirky and talkative than usual.On their way home, Jackson asked Ramses if he wanted to go to the Training Rocks with him. Ramses agreeed and the two walked there after class.They picked Jackson's usual spot at the Sedimentary boulder. Their were fewer Pokémon training this evening, but the two Riolu were more focused on the evening sky anyway. Ramses glanced at Jackson and mumbled,
"Jackson, did I ever tell you how much of an idol you are to me?"
Jackson chuckled.
"Only like a billion times."
"Well, I've always wanted to be like you. You're smart, strong, fast, cool. You're Jackson, son of the Chief and youngest village protector ever!"
Jackson smiled but didn't reply.
"Ever since I could see, I'd watch you leave for patrol and come back all bloody and nearly beaten, looking so...awesome!!! I wish I could be like you. You're everything I want to be."
Jackson looked down at his own feet.
"You don't want to be me."
"Yes I do!! You're so cool!!!"
"But I'm...abnormal. I'm a Riolu that can't use his aura, therefore I can't evolve either."
Ramses jumped to his feet, his starry eyes sparkling with passion.
"So?! I'm abnormal too! Probably more than you; I'm a runt that can't fight or use his moves. Not even aura... I'm disabled!! At least you can fight."
Jackson became silent again. He heard something rustle in the bushes, and turned his ears towards the sound. Ramses had heard it too. He whispered,
"Do you think someome's listening in on us?"
He then gasped.
"Do you think it's a Mankey?!?"
"Shhh"
Neither moved from their spot on the rock, but listened even closer as more rustling was heard.
"Whoever is here is a really big Pokémon... "
"Shut up, dude..."
They both turned their heads to see a Sewaddle inching out of a tree. It looked at them with big bug eyes before using string-shot to go into the next tree. They both shrugged it off and continued chatting for the rest of the night.
It was now Midnight, and both Riolu were starting to head back home. Jackson stopped in the center of the village square, which was devoid of any Pokémon. Ramses looked around and spotted the Sewaddle again, inching its way onto a merchant's stand. It stared back at him with its big insect eyes, and Ramses looked away. Jackson didn't spot anything out of the ordinary.
"Well, good night Ram. See you tomorrow."
"Huh? Oh, bye Jack. Sweet dreams!"
Ramses smiled at the older Riolu before running back to his small humble abode. Jackson smiled back and headed towards his own home.The Sewaddle stood still watching the two diverge and finally dove into the unoccupied merchant stand. The Sewaddle suddenly morphed into a large, shadowy Pokémon. A mischievous toothy grin chuckled as emerald green eyes scanned the items behind the stand. The trickster grabbed as much as they could before morphing back into the sewaddle and inching to the next merchant stand.Jackson narrowed his eyes at the merchant stand. He knew that Sewaddle was acting suspicious, so he had hid in the bushes. Who would wander into a village full of Lucario without a death wish? He saw the mysteryious figure behind the stand and he knew what was going on. Those thieving Zormads! Jackson started running towards home but stopped.
'Maybe if I catch the thief myself, father will finally take me out of that stupid class!!'
A clever grin lit up his face as he turned back to the village center.Jackson jumped onto a merchant stand.
"You! Thief! What are you d— Ramses?!!"
Jackson froze when he saw the runt of a Riolu biting and kicking the large "cat" burglar. The shadowy figure growled and snapped at the youth while dropping many expensive looking items. The burglar spotted Jackson and growled before throwing off Ramses and leaping over their heads.
"STOP! THEIF!!"
Jackson grabbed Ramses and ran after the thief, who was quickly making their way towards the village barrier trees, thick pine trees that stood around the village acting as a wall. The thief dug their way underneath the roots of a tree and slipped through. Jackson followed suit. With village guards just outside the wall, he was sure they'd catch the thieving Zoroark. As soon as Jackson and Ramses made it outside the dug-out hole, it was greeted by battle ready guards. The tallest Lucario looked down at the boys with a stone cold stare.
"We heard something about a thief. What is going on, boys?"
He questioned. Jackson looked past the guards to see any sign of the fleeing Zormad, but saw not even a rustle in the bushes
"We saw a Sewaddle in the villafe center, and we watched it—"
"And- And it turned into a big and mean looking Pokémon with green eyes!"
"I believe it was ome of the Zoroarks! S-Sir..."
The guards looked at each other with grave expressions. They all then laughed quite briefly before the shortest Lucario guard said,
"Kids, we haven't seen or sensed a Zormad for months now! They've all probably moved to a new forest by now. They're looong gone. But if you truly believe there is a thief, we will have extra patrols starting at dawn, 'kay?"
A green eyed brawny looking guard nodded, looking down at the two Riolu with a slight smirk.
"We have this under control, boys. No need to worry."
He patted Ramses's head and the three guards walked away.Ramses scratched his head and frowned.
"Too bad we couldn't catch them. But did you see me fight off that brute?! I did good, right?!"
Jackson chuckled at his friend's enthusiasm and nodded.
"You sure did! You had that pest really annoyed! Like a..."
"Like a stinging beedril in their ear!!"
"Yeah, sure, like that."
Ramses put his paws on his hips and looked back at the barrier of trees.
"Well, now I should really be getting home now. Bye Jack!"
"Yeah, bye Ram."
Ramses went the way the guards went back to the village entrance. Jackson watched him walk out of his sight before crawling back through the tunnel towards the village center and making his way home.
That's probably all I'll be posting today, but I'm finally working of chapter six now! Thanks for reading, much love and appreciation, peace.