Chapter 36: Pokemon Club

[Quantum Cube Apartment Complex: Arlo's Room - Morning]

The next day dawned with a buzz of excitement coursing through Arlo.

Today was the day—the Pokémon egg he'd been nurturing was set to hatch. He could barely contain his anticipation as he paced his apartment, occasionally glancing at the incubator glowing faintly on the table. He'd been waiting for this moment since buying the egg, and now, every second stretched longer than a boss fight with unskippable cutscenes. 

"Come on, come on…" Arlo muttered, raking a hand through his disheveled hair. He'd read every guide, memorized every tip, but nothing could prepare him for the visceral thrill of this moment. The incubator's timer blinked mercilessly: [00:00:00]

He'd done everything by the book, optimal temperature, steady light exposure, even the occasional lullaby when he thought no one could hear him. Yet, it was out of his hands now.

Yet the egg remained stubbornly intact.

Then—

A crack.

A hairline fracture split the shell, and Arlo's breath hitched. The fissure spiderwebbed outward, each tiny snap echoing like a firework in the silent room.

"Oh, it's happening!" He scrambled to the incubator, fumbling with the lid as the light grew brighter, enveloping the room in a warm glow.

Suddenly, light erupted—a brilliant blue radiance that flooded the apartment, painting the walls in molten hues. Arlo shielded his eyes, but he couldn't look away. The egg dissolved into shards of luminescence, coalescing into a small, quivering shape.

The egg's surface cracked, fragments falling away until the light began to coalesce into a shape. The radiance dimmed, revealing a tiny, four-legged figure.

A small Rockruff stood there, blinking up at Arlo with wide, curious eyes. The Pokémon's grayish-white fur shimmered faintly, its tail wagging hesitantly.

Arlo couldn't help but smile, his chest swelling with pride.

"Well, aren't you a little trooper?" He crouched to meet its gaze, his observe skill kicking in almost instinctively.

"Hey there," he whispered, crouching slowly. The Rockruff tilted its head, ears twitching at the sound of his voice.

Arlo's [Observe] flickered to life, overlaying stats in his HUD:

[Rockruff] ♂

Level: 1

Type: Rock

Species: Puppy Pokémon

Nature: Adamant

Potential: Elite

Abilities: Own Tempo

Moves: Play Rough (Egg Move), Tackle

"Adamant nature, huh?" Arlo murmured, reaching out a tentative hand. The Rockruff sniffed his fingers, then licked them with a sandpapery tongue.

A laugh bubbled out of Arlo, half relief, half wonder. "Stubborn and brave. Perfect."

The Rockruff tilted its head, its expression shifting into what could only be described as a grin. Then it stepped forward and nuzzled against Arlo's hand.

In that instant, Arlo's heart melted like butter on hot toast. "You're going to be a handful, aren't you?" he said softly. "Alright, let's get you sorted."

He reached for a bottle of Moo Moo Milk, carefully pouring it into a baby bottle before warming it to the perfect temperature. Holding the bottle up to Rockruff's tiny mouth, he watched as it latched on, suckling eagerly.

As the Pokémon drank, Arlo's thoughts wandered to a suitable name. It had to be meaningful, something that matched the Pokémon's energy and spirit. His mind flashed back to one of his favorite video game characters a hero of courage, loyalty, and even a wolf transformation. The connection felt perfect.

"Link," he said aloud, looking at the Rockruff. "Your name will be Link. How's that sound?"

The newly christened Link barked in response, its tail wagging furiously. Arlo couldn't help but laugh.

"I'll take that as a yes," he said, scratching behind Link's ears. The Pokémon leaned into his touch, its affection clear.

Arlo spent the next hour playing with Link, marveling at its boundless energy and endearing quirks.

"You've got a lot of growing to do, buddy," he said, watching Link pounce on a stray cushion like it was a ferocious enemy. "But we'll figure it out together."

.....

A week had passed, and Link had grown noticeably. The once-tiny Rockruff had entered the Juvenile stage, a milestone in its development. Arlo marveled at how much his Pokémon had grown. Standing at 0.5 meters and weighing 9.2 kilograms, Link's size and strength had significantly increased. When Link stood next to him, its head nearly reached Arlo's knee, a testament to how well the Rockruff was thriving. 

Arlo felt a swell of pride each time he watched Link practice his pouncing technique on stray cushions or gnaw at chew toys he'd specifically bought from the Pokémon store. Arlo couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. His diligent care and endless bottles of Moo Moo Milk were paying off.

"Moo Moo Milk," Arlo mused, watching Link eagerly lap up the last drops of the day's serving. "The real MVP. No wonder it's a staple in every Pokémon trainer's toolkit."

Arlo chuckled as Link looked up at him, wagging his tail as if to thank him. "You're welcome, buddy. But you're moving on to the big leagues now."

Arlo placed a bowl of general Pokéblocks in front of Link. The Rockruff sniffed it cautiously, then took a tentative bite. Within seconds, Link was happily crunching away, its tail wagging with delight. 

"Alright, general Pokéblocks will do for now," Arlo said, jotting down notes in his BrainLink. "But we'll need to find something that better complements your Rock typing. Maybe something with a bit more... edge."

As Link devoured his meal, Arlo activated his observe skill to check the Pokémon's updated stat:

[Link] Rockruff ♂

Leve: 5

Type: Rock

Species: Puppy Pokémon

Nature: Adamant

Potential: Elite

Abilities: Own Tempo

Moves: Play rough (egg move), Tackle, Leer, Sand Attack

"Not bad, Link. Level 5 already," Arlo said, leaning down to ruffle the fur on Link's head. "But if we're going to make you strong, we'll need to find some battles."

Opening the HUBNet, Arlo searched for Pokémon clubs in the area.

After scrolling through a few options, one club caught his attention: [Battle Brawler Club]. Located in the Commercial District, the club promised friendly matches for both beginners and seasoned trainers. Its name made Arlo grin.

"Battle Brawler Club? Sounds like something straight out of an action movie," Arlo muttered, imagining underground Pokémon battles with dramatic lighting and intense music. "I bet they're one step away from starting every match with, 'The first rule of Fight Club…'"

He turned to Link, who was now lying on his back, happily full and kicking his legs in the air. "What do you think, buddy? Want to meet some new Pokémon and show off those moves of yours?"

Link barked enthusiastically, jumping to his feet and wagging his tail. "Bow! Wow!"

Arlo laughed, grabbing his bag and securing Link's Luxury Ball. "Alright, let's do this. But remember, no biting unless it's part of the battle."

==================================================

The hot water cascaded down Arlo's back as he stood in the shower, savoring the warmth. Steam rose, fogging the glass and enveloping the room in a soothing haze. He let out a contented sigh, thinking about the day ahead. This wasn't just any day—it was his first real step into the world of Pokémon training.

Link, his Rockruff, was growing stronger every day, and today they'd explore the Battle Brawler Club, a place brimming with opportunities to train and grow. Arlo smiled, imagining Link confidently facing down opponents in the arena.

After drying off, he sifted through his wardrobe, finally settling on a white T-shirt layered with a gray vest, navy blue jeans, and a pair of sneakers. The outfit struck the right balance between casual and prepared, a reflection of his anticipation for the day.

Arlo crouched beside Link, who wagged his tail enthusiastically.

"Alright, buddy," he said, holding up the luxury ball. "Time to head out." But Link's expression shifted. The Rockruff's ears drooped, and he gave Arlo a pitiful look that screamed, You're not serious, are you?

Arlo chuckled. "Come on, don't give me that face. I'll let you out as soon as we're there."

After a moment's hesitation, Link barked softly in surrender. "Bow Wow~"

The red light from the luxury ball enveloped him, pulling him inside.

"Drama queen," Arlo muttered, shaking his head with a grin.

.....

Outside the Quantum Cube, Arlo flagged down a sleek, automated taxi.

"18 Astra Street, Eastern Commercial District," he instructed. The car hummed to life, gliding smoothly through the bustling city streets. Arlo gazed out the window, the futuristic skyline blending seamlessly with greenery a testament to the HUB's advanced design.

When the taxi arrived, Arlo stepped out, eyes widening as he took in the sight before him.

The Battle Brawler Club was a sprawling, five-story building with a design that seemed both organic and cutting-edge. Trees and plants grew along the walls, merging nature with architecture. A massive holographic sign floated above the entrance, its letters glowing: [Battle Brawler Club]

Arlo released Link from the luxury ball, and the Rockruff emerged, shaking his fur and barking excitedly. 

"Yeah, I know. It's impressive, huh?" Arlo said, scratching Link behind the ears.

Together, they walked into the building, passing through sliding glass doors that opened with a soft hiss. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with energy.

Trainers of all ages were scattered about, accompanied by their Pokémon. A Charizard roared in the distance, its wings creating a gust that ruffled nearby papers. Smaller Pokémon scurried across the polished floors, adding to the vibrant chaos.

"Welcome to the circus," Arlo muttered. Link barked agreement, tail a metronome of excitement.

Serena found them gawking at a Lucario practicing aura spheres. Her uniform crisp white with red accents—clashed wonderfully with her neon-green hair.

Then Arlo and Link heard a female voice.

"Welcome to the Battle Brawler Club!" a cheerful voice greeted him. Arlo turned to see a young woman in a sleek uniform approaching. Her badge identified her as Serena Wells.

"First-timer?" she asked, though Link's starry-eyed face answered for them.

"Yeah," Arlo replied, glancing at Link."Just got my first Pokémon recently."

Serena crouched to pet Link, who wagged his tail and barked happily. "A Rockruff! Excellent choice. He's adorable and looks healthy. Follow me, and I'll walk you through how everything works."

Serena led them to a sleek, modern table in the registration area. With a few taps on her BrainLink interface, a holographic display appeared between them.

"The Battle Brawler Club offers a variety of services," she began. "We have battle arenas for friendly matches and tournaments, training zones equipped with the latest technology, a Pokémon clinic for health check-ups, a breeding center, and an item shop with everything from Pokéblocks to rare evolutionary stones."

Arlo listened intently, nodding as Serena continued. "Membership is 200 credits per month, which grants you full access to all facilities. Trust me, it's worth it."

Arlo leaned back slightly in his chair, taking in the avalanche of information Serena Wells had just unloaded about the Battle Brawler Club. The place was more than he had imagined—a one-stop haven for Pokémon enthusiasts. Training facilities, health services, breeding assistance, item shops—it was like stepping into a live-action Pokémon Center.

Serena clasped her hands on the table and tilted her head, studying Arlo.

"So, tell me," she said with a smile. "Why are you here today? Raising your Rockruff's level, maybe?"

Arlo nodded. "Exactly. Link's still young, and I want to make sure he gets the best start. I'm also looking for high-quality Pokéblocks. The general ones I've been using are fine, but I need something better to complement his Rock-type attribute."

Serena's expression shifted to one of approval. "Smart move. Specialized Pokéblocks make a huge difference in growth and performance. Lucky for you, we have a Pokémon breeder on-site who can help with that. And our training facilities are equipped to safely condition younger Pokémon."

Arlo found himself nodding along. Everything Serena mentioned felt tailored to what he and Link needed.

Arlo mentally tallied his remaining credits and concluded that it wasn't a bad deal.

"Sounds like a gym membership," he said with a small chuckle. "For Pokémon."

Serena grinned. "That's exactly what it is. Except way cooler."

.....

A notification blinked in his BrainLink as Serena sent over the registration form. Arlo scanned through it, quickly filling out the necessary details.

As he hit [Register], Serena's face lit up.

"All set! Welcome to the Battle Brawler Club. Now you and Link can use all our facilities." She stood, motioning for Arlo to follow. "First stop: the Pokémon Center. We need to make sure Link is in top shape before he starts training."

Link barked excitedly, his tail wagging like a wind turbine. Arlo chuckled, ruffling the fur on Link's head. "You ready for this, buddy?"

"Bow! Wow!" Link replied, bounding ahead toward the clinic door.

The Pokémon Center was a clean, brightly lit space that smelled faintly of antiseptic. A female nurse greeted them warmly, accompanied by an Audino wearing a miniature nurse's cap.

"First time here?" the nurse asked.

"Yeah," Arlo replied, lifting Link onto the examination table. "We just joined today."

.....

The nurse nodded, her Audino stepping forward with a medical scanner. "Let's take a look at your Rockruff."

Link sat patiently as the Audino ran the scanner along his body, emitting soft beeping noises. The nurse examined the readings on her holographic tablet, nodding approvingly. "Link's in excellent health. Whatever you're feeding him, keep it up."

Arlo felt a swell of pride. "Thanks. He's been on Moo Moo Milk and General Pokéblocks so far."

"Moo Moo Milk is a great choice for Baby Pokémons," the nurse said. "But specialized Pokéblocks will definitely help optimize his growth."

Serena leaned in. "Speaking of which, I can introduce you to the breeder after this."

"Perfect," Arlo said, his excitement bubbling over. He looked down at Link, who barked happily at him. "Hear that? You're getting some gourmet treats soon."

.....

As they left the clinic, Serena gestured toward Third floor of the club. "Before we meet the breeder, let me show you the training facilities. It's important to get familiar with what's available." They walked through a corridor lined with glass panels that offered views of various training zones. One room had obstacle courses designed to enhance agility. Another featured moving targets for practicing attacks. Arlo stopped to watch a Pikachu zap a target with pinpoint accuracy, earning cheers from its trainer.

"Looks intense," Arlo remarked, impressed by the variety of options.

"It's all designed to bring out the best in your Pokémon," Serena said. "But remember, training should be balanced with rest and care. Overworking them can do more harm than good."

Arlo nodded. "Got it. No grinding until exhaustion."

Serena chuckled. "Exactly. Pokémon aren't RPG characters, no matter how much they might feel like it."