The Peak knew he was the people's hero. He's athletic, courageous, heroic, and of course, devastatingly handsome. Really, what more could the people want? Nothing. Because obviously, they wanted him.

"Who's the man?" The Feraligatr grinned at his own reflection in a downtown Goldenrod storefront window, striking a flexed pose. His spandex green suit strained slightly against his muscular frame, the fabric clinging to his broad chest, long arms, and—he insisted—his perfectly sculpted midsection, despite what everyone else might call a "rounded belly." That was just compressed muscle, obviously.

Passersby shot him strange looks, but The Peak took them as admiration rather than confusion. He winked at a few onlookers before shouting the answer to his own question, "I'm the man!"

He soaked up the attention, because of course, he had fans. Everyone was his fan. How could they not be?

As he adjusted his skin-tight suit, which was somehow feeling a little snugger than usual, an Inteleon walked by with his young Sobble in tow. The father shot The Peak a sharp glare before shielding his child's eyes.

"Do you mind?" the Inteleon asked, exasperated.

"Not at all," The Peak responded cheerfully. Producing a marker from who-knows-where, he scribbled his autograph on the trembling Sobble's forehead, completely ignoring the growing look of horror on the father's face. "There ya go, kid! I wouldn't recommend washing that off anytime soon—"

"Help!"

The Peak's head snapped toward the local park across the street. His body tensed. Dramatically, he extended an arm forward, pointing toward the sound. "My Peak senses are tingling!"

The Inteleon, still covering his child's eyes, furrowed his brow. "Huh—"

But The Peak wasn't waiting around. He charged into the street, narrowly avoiding an incoming taxi that honked furiously at him. Undeterred, he leapt onto the sidewalk, landing on all fours and scanned the park, his sharp red eyes locking onto the source of the distress.

In the sandbox, a Venonat sat trembling as two fiendish little troublemakers—a Paras and a Sizzlipede—taunted him. The Paras flicked dirt at him while the Sizzlipede swiped his tail through the sand, sending tiny flecks of fire flying. Their laughter echoed cruelly.

"You gonna keep crying like a baby?" the Sizzlipede jeered, swiping his tail again.

"Not to worry! The Peak is here to save the day!"

The three children froze as a massive shadow loomed over them. Slowly, they turned to see a towering Feraligatr striking what could only be described as an incredibly awkward dab.

"No bullying will be happening on my watch," he declared, flexing his biceps. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"

The kids stared at him, unamused.

"It's this loser again," the Paras muttered under his breath.

"Hey! I'm a hero!" The Peak jabbed a claw against his chest, affronted. "I saved at least twenty people from a burning building two years ago!"

The Venonat rolled his eyes. "Yeah, and yesterday you pushed my grandma down a flight of stairs."

"It was an accident! I was chasing a perp, and she was in the way!" The Peak groaned, exasperated. "And hey, I'm trying to help you, you little twerp!"

"I don't want your help! You're weird!"

"I'm a hero!"

"Stranger danger!" The Sizzlipede wailed suddenly, flailing his many legs in a panic.

The Peak's eyes widened. "Wait, hold on—"

Before he could defend himself, he felt a sharp tap on his shoulder. Slowly, he turned to face an irritated Salazzle, her tail flicking dangerously behind her. She crossed her arms and jabbed a claw against his chest.

"Are you harassing my son?" she asked, her voice low and deadly.

"No! I'm actually doing you both a favor!" The Peak threw his hands up in surrender, flashing a nervous grin. The Sizzlipede and his mother both raised skeptical brows. "I was teaching him not to be a bully! You know, something you obviously haven't—"

A swift slap sent his head jerking to the side, leaving a red imprint on his cheek. He blinked, processing the hit, but before he could react, something else caught his attention.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a shady Druddigon in a trench coat slinking toward a lone car parked on the curb. The dragon's eyes darted around nervously before he reached into his coat, his movements suspicious.

The Peak grinned, rubbing his cheek. Finally, some action.

Without another word, he took off, leaving the bewildered Salazzle and the bickering children behind. Justice never waited, and neither did The Peak.

The Peak seethed to himself, leaning against the cold metal bars of a police station holding cell. His cellmate, a drunken Wigglytuff, barely acknowledged his presence, too engrossed in the flickering television screen mounted in the corner.

Stepping in front of the cell, an Infernape holding a case file gave him a long, unimpressed look. "Terence."

With a sigh, he whispered through the bars, "Come on, Samantha. Aren't we on good enough terms for you to address me by my hero name?"

She didn't so much as react, instead flipping through the file in her hands. "You assaulted one of my officers on the job."

"He was dealing drugs with a gang member!" The Peak seethed, gripping the bars tightly. "You have a dirty cop—"

"He was on a sting!" she snapped, flames atop her head flaring violently as she slammed the file shut. She jabbed a firm finger against his snout. "If he had finalized that deal, we would've been able to book that grunt and get him in for questioning!"

"I didn't know that!" he growled in frustration. "You guys don't tell me anything anymore!"

"Because there's nothing to tell, Terence." Samantha sighed, her posture softening just slightly. "You're not involved in our cases anymore. You're not a hero."

His jaw tightened. "Don't tell me what I am. You know I'm capable if you'd just give me a chance!"

The Infernape folded her arms, regarding him for a long moment before turning away. "One more complaint against you, and you're looking at a few years, Terence." As she walked away, she added over her shoulder, "You're out in five."

Rolling his eyes, he exhaled and rested his head against the bars. His cellmate suddenly broke into a fit of giggles.

"You like her, don'tcha?" the Wigglytuff slurred, his round cheeks flushed from whatever alcohol still coursed through his system. He hiccupped before smirking. "Too bad she hates 'ya! Just like everyone else here!"

The Peak didn't dignify that with a response. Instead, he turned to the television, expecting some dull rerun of an old sitcom. But to his surprise, a commercial was playing—one that caught his attention immediately.

A new game show. Open to anyone. A chance to travel the world.

His brow furrowed in thought.

Maybe Goldenrod didn't want him as a hero anymore… but that didn't mean other places wouldn't.

Name: Terence "The Peak" Goodal

Species: Feraligatr

Age: 29

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Hometown: Goldenrod City, Johto

Created By: MerfleSyrup

Totally Real World Tour Contestants

1. Aquamarine the Floatzel

2. Dez the Mabosstiff

3. Enot the Furret

4. Finn the Togekiss

5. Frank the Pinsir

6. Jeff the Galarian Darmanitan

7. Kacey the Roserade

8. Levi the Meowstic

9. Lianne the Frosmoth

10. Loki the Yungoos

11. Molly the Gligar

12. Nina the Bergmite

13. O'Reilly the Lairon

14. The Peak the Feraligatr