Chapter 11: Lucky Guy

"That's amazing!" Rael exclaimed internally, eyes wide with excitement.

"Does that mean it has STAB on every physical move?"

[Yes, host.]

Rael's grin widened. This Riolu of his was really the best Pokémon ever. With an ability like that, if he learned something like Thunder Punch, he wouldn't even need to fear Flying-types.

"Ehm, Rael…" Delia's sweet voice gently nudged him out of his thoughts.

"Yes, Delia?" he replied, slipping both Poké Balls back onto his belt with practiced ease.

She pointed ahead. "Look there… another Pokémon!"

A purple blur darted through the grass—quick and nimble.

"A Rattata," Rael muttered. He didn't hesitate. "Let's test you out, Pidgey!"

He tossed the Poké Ball forward. With a burst of white light, Pidgey materialized in the air, wings already flapping.

The wild Rattata froze for a split second, then bared its teeth and rushed forward with a battle cry.

"Pidgey!" Rael barked, mind sharp. "Use Gust to kick up sand—and then redirect it into Rattata's eyes!"

He grinned to himself. A precise, advanced command. Not something a rookie trainer would normally try—but he wanted to see if Pidgey could handle it. Let's see that Elite Four potential in action.

Pidgey obeyed without hesitation. His wings beat rapidly, pulling up sand and grit from the path around them. With a sharp, deliberate flap, he redirected the wind—blasting the swirling sand straight into the Rattata's eyes.

The rodent Pokémon skidded to a stop, squeaking in pain, momentarily blinded.

"Now, Pidgey! Tackle!"

The bird dove forward like an arrow, smashing into the wild Pokémon. Rattata hit the ground hard and didn't get back up.

[Pidgey has learned the move: Sandstorm!]

'Huh?' Rael blinked at the system's notification. 'Sandstorm?'

He paused for a moment. Then grinned. 'Well… it did look like it…'

His Pidgey was really something special.

"Good job, Pidgey!" Rael praised warmly, holding out his arm. The bird landed on it with a proud flutter of his wings. Rael gently brought the Poké Ball back up and returned him inside.

"Rael! What was that?!" Daisy shouted in shock, running up to him as the sand still swirled around them.

She stared at the aftermath, eyes wide. A Pidgey. A fricking Pidgey had used Sandstorm! That wasn't something you ever saw—not even in elite tournaments.

Rael just smiled lazily.

"Well..." he said, stepping toward her and leaning in—pressing a brief kiss to her lips.

"That was my Pidgey."

Before Daisy could respond, Rael turned and walked casually over to the fainted Rattata, still lying unconscious in the grass. He tapped one of his Poké Balls gently against its fur. A flash of red light engulfed the wild Pokémon, and a second later, the Poké Ball clicked shut.

Without wasting time, Rael released the Rattata again, then pulled out his Pokédex to scan her.

"System," he muttered, "give me a full analysis."

[Rattata]

[Type: Normal]

[Gender: Female]

[Nature: Jolly]

[Ability: Hustle]

[Stats:

Attack: 13

Defense: 10

Sp. Atk: 7

Sp. Def: 9

Speed: 11]

[Genetics:

Attack: 29/31

Defense: 21/31

Sp. Atk: 9/31

Sp. Def: 10/31

Speed: 17/31]

[Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Quick Attack] [Potential: Gym]

[Signs of Evolution: Still far.]

'Not bad…' Rael thought. 'Gym-level potential… and that Attack stat is pretty sweet.'

Then he frowned slightly. 'But Hustle… what's that?'

[Hustle]

[Boosts the Attack stat, but lowers accuracy.]

Rael's eyes lit up in realization. 'Wait… could this be the Lucky Guy skill at work?'

Two decent Pokémon, back-to-back—both with great potential, solid genetics, and matching natures.

Rael grinned and returned Rattata to her Poké Ball. 'This skill is fantastic.'

"Rael…" Daisy's voice came again, softer now. She hugged him from behind, pressing her cheek gently to his back.

She pointed forward. "Look at that."

There, standing alone in the distance, was a solitary Spearow pecking at the ground.

This time, Rael didn't bother with a fight. He reached for an empty Poké Ball, eyes narrowing in focus.

Since he was a kid, he had trained himself in one often-overlooked but vital skill—Poké Ball throwing. The right spin, the right angle—it could make the difference between a catch and a failure.

He curled his fingers just right, then let the ball fly with a smooth, practiced curve. It spun through the air, arcing perfectly before striking the Spearow with pinpoint accuracy.

The Poké Ball snapped open. The Spearow disappeared in a flash of red light. One shake. Two. Three… click.

Caught.

Rael walked over, picked up the Poké Ball, and activated the scan.

Just like the Rattata—solid genetics, Gym-level potential.

He smiled. 'I love you, Lucky Guy skill.'

...

The three continued down the path, sunlight filtering gently through the trees as wild Pokémon stirred all around. Rael kept his pace steady, stopping occasionally to train his team. One by one, he rotated between his four Pokémon—Riolu, Pidgey, Rattata, and Spearow—testing their moves, gauging their instincts, sharpening their coordination through real battle experience.

He encountered more Pidgey, Rattata, and Spearow—nothing new. Still, he didn't complain. He focused instead on improving what he already had. Sure, he could've caught a few more just to compare genetics and potential, but something about that felt wrong. His Pokémon weren't tools to be swapped out like trading cards.

Delia, on the other hand, kept glancing around the tall grass, her Poké Ball clutched tightly in one hand. She was clearly looking for her first catch, but every time a wild Pokémon appeared, she'd hesitate and shake her head. She hadn't felt a spark with any of them yet.

Eventually, the trees gave way to the glimmering surface of a wide river, its waters lazily flowing under the afternoon sun.

"Wow... look how many Magikarp are here!" Delia gasped, eyes sparkling as she pointed at the surface.

Magikarp splashed in every direction—some flailing in place, others leaping briefly out of the water in shining arcs.

"Catch one, Rael…" Daisy said, stepping close beside him. "They might seem useless right now, but once they evolve into Gyarados—they're monsters."

"I know," Rael admitted, watching the water ripple with fish-like shadows. "I've always wanted a Gyarados... but…"

"Unlike Pidgey, Rattata, and Spearow, I want to catch a perfect Magikarp. One that'll be a pillar of my official team. Not just any random one."

"None of these inspire me—"

Kyaaaaah!!

The scream cut through the air like a knife.

Rael's head snapped toward the sound. All three of them turned.

There, downriver and a bit farther along the bend, an orange-haired girl stood trembling at the edge of the water. In front of her, a Gyarados had emerged, roaring in fury, its serpentine body thrashing and coiled like a dragon of legend.

Its fangs gleamed in the sun.

Its eyes were fixed on her.

To be continued...

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