Micah

  As I got home on Rhyhorns back I could see my mother on the front porch. Her pacing is a telltale sign of worry, a rhythm I had come to know all too well in recent months. As Rhyhorn lumbered to a stop, I hopped off its back, boots sinking slightly into the soft earth of their yard.

  "Micah! Where have you been? I've been so worried," her voice a mix of relief and frustration as she rushed down the porch to meet me, wrapping me in her arms.

  "I told you, Mom, I was just checking the fields," I replied as I scanned the family home for any damage or the prints that we found.

  "I know, but... there was so much noise, and then... your father went out there." Her voice dropped to a near whisper, her eyes wide with fear. "He said he was going to see what was happening with those wild Pokémon."

  A cold knot formed in my stomach. Dad was a Rhyhorn racer through and through. He's incredibly patient and meticulous when it comes to training, but much like Rhyhorn he has a tendency to stubbornly charge forwards.

  Rhys was also a skilled trainer, though he only got 3 he is a man who had earned his badges and battled his way forward until he got shot down at the flying type gym. But not only had he not battled in years, his ace and most powerful pokemon Rhyhorn was currently here with me, and the wild Pokémon were not only numerous but with the mysterious trainer around.

  “...”

  Realizing just how dangerous the situation my father had charged into, I had to pry myself free from my mothers embrace. I looked my mother in the eye, and with all the conviction I could muster said "I have to go after him," turning back toward Rhyhorn.

  "No, Micah, it's too dangerous!" Dahlia pleaded, her hand reaching out to grab my arm. "Wait for him to come back. He'll be fine."

  "What if he's not?" I shot back, my voice more forceful than I intended. Looking at my mother, seeing the pain and fear in her eyes, and his resolve solidified. "I can't just stand here and do nothing. Not while he's out there."

  With a determined nod, Micah swung himself back onto Rhyhorn's back. He gave a quick pat to its thick hide and whispered, "We have to go Rhy. Go find Dad. He needs our help."

  Rhyhorn rumbled in response, its massive legs propelling it forward with a speed that built up over the course of his stride. Thundered across the fields, the earth trembling with each powerful step. The familiar landscape blurring past—the withered crops, the waterlogged soil, the broken fences. The air, once filled with the scent of defeat and saltwater, now carried a new scent: ozone, smoke and something acrid

  As the river and the tell tale marks of battle came into view, a sharp cry pierced the air. An imposing, eight-legged form with a translucent, water-filled orb on its head exploded from a stand of tall, overgrown reeds. It was an Araquanid, its body a roadmap of jagged battle scars. Its movements were frantic, its eight legs scrabbling for purchase. Its normally calm blue eyes were now twin points of fiery red, filled with an animalistic fury. Though clearly a wild Pokémon, its battered state and volatile demeanor were a stark testament to a recent battle.

  Rhyhorn stopped in its tracks, its body tensing with a practiced focus. My heart pounding in my chest, a rhythmic thumping pulsing through my body. ‘I have no battle experience, no Pokémon of my own’ glancing at Rhyhorn whose piercing gaze was focussed on the wild beast. A testament to his training and experience, experience that I lack, and now he was face to face with a wounded, enraged Araquanid.

  Steadying my breath and letting my regret over my lack of pokemon wash over me, and I readied myself imitating my fathers partner. Shifting closer to Rhy I whispered to him ”Rhy I doubt i can lead you on the same level as my dad, but I'm going to need you to give it your all if we're going to make it any further.”.

  lowering my stance and leaning forwards i shouted "Rhyhorn, go!", my voice cracking with a mix of fear and urgency.

  The farmland was a disaster of churned earth and slick, brown mud, making every move a struggle. Rhyhorn bellowed, its great horn lowered, and its feet slipped with every attempt to gather traction for a charge. The mud, deep as a Graveller's fist, spat up around its heavy legs. Araquanid, by contrast, seemed to glide. Hovering slightly on its long, nimble limbs, the Water Bubble Pokémon was a blur of blue and white, its massive water bubble helmet shimmering like distorted glass in the sunlight.

  Rhyhorn finally broke through the mud's resistance, launching a Horn attack. It was powerful, but sloppy. Araquanid didn't dodge—it skittered. The impact was a miss, but the force of the charge created a muddy groove in the field. As Rhyhorn struggled to halt its momentum, Araquanid closed the gap instantly. A broad stream of water bubbles bursting forward from the wild pokemons helmet, engulfing and bursting on Rhy’s thick rock plates, turning the muddy surface dark with a mix of water and pain.

  Araquanid knew its advantage and made full use of it. The slick, deep mud, perfect for ground type moves but terrible for traction, meant Rhyhorn couldn't leverage its powerful charges. Its strategy was simple: pin the Rock-type down, then exploit the weakness. With a mischievous glint in its eyes as the spider Pokemon shot forward a sticky String Shot at Rhyhorns Legs webbing them together.

  Rhyhorn, recognizing the threat of the webbing, began to stomp, shaking the ground with an erratic stomping much like a Tantrum, hoping to break the web and splutter mud into Araquanid’s eyes. This was the moment Araquanid had waited for. As Rhyhorn momentarily focused on the ground, the Water Bubble glowed fiercely. A rapid succession of Bubble Beam strikes peppered Rhyhorn's vulnerable joints. Each burst of water, boosted by the muddy environment and the type advantage, struck Rhyhorn with the force of small stones, eroding its stamina and focus.

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  “Damn, I wish I could do something, but what?”

  Looking around at the destroyed field searching for something useful to the situation I searched but there was nothing but the snapped stems of berry trees and prints. Fumbling through the mud and glancing back at the intense battle, frustrated at my inadequacy and inability to help and act as a trainer for Rhyhorn. Then it struck me, running over to the fallen berry trees. I scanned them brushing through their muddy leaves and I found my prize.

  Glancing back at the battle The scene was one of primal contrast: the sleek, light-footed Araquanid against the mountainous, earthen Rhyhorn. Rhyhorn stood momentarily still, its massive silhouette blocking the light, its single horn glinting. The silence was broken only by my shout ”Rhyhorn catch”, throwing the oran berry at my large companion. Pausing its battle to glance at the oncoming fruit and snapping it out of the air. The Oran Berry's effect was immediate. With Rhyhorns stamina and focus restored by the sweet fruit, it surged with new found energy. Looking back at his opponent Rhyhorn began shaking off the remaining strands of String Shot, and let out a roar of defiance.

  Araquanid’s eyes narrowed at the challenge and once again began skirting around Rhyhorn, Taking advantage of Rhyhorn's lack of speed, and fired off multiple string shots. Evading With a quick sidestep followed by a charge forward finally hitting the Araquanid. Araquanid sprang back up, its movements now more focused and aggressive. It lunged at Rhyhorn, striking it with its forelegs. The attack, boosted by Araquanid's swift movements, dealt a significant blow. Rhyhorn staggered, its powerful body already beginning to show signs of fatigue.

  ‘Rhyhorn's been taking hits, and it's clear Araquanid is faster. Instead of trying to out-speed the spider, should he use his sheer bulk to our advantage.’

  ‘No. we’re here to rescue dad we can't afford to take too much damage’

  Readying another Oran berry And with a quick toss the berry was in the air headed towards Rhyhorn, but faster than I could call out a thick web flew towards the fruit, Araquanid's String Shot ensnaring the fruit mid-air and biting into it. The Pokémon's bulbous helmet bobbed with a smug shit eating grin, and knowing air. The berry, intended for Rhyhorn's battered hide, was gone.

  My brow furrowed. My plan hadn't worked. I had to think, and fast.

  My eyes darted between Araquanid's opaline eyes and my weary Rhyhorn. Then, a new idea sparked. It was a risky move, but with no other options, I had to try it.

  "Okay, Rhyhorn, get ready!" I called out.

  I rummaged through the berries I had picked up from the remnants of the farm, pulling out another berry. This one was a pale, pear-shaped green. I held it up, making sure both Araquanid and Rhyhorn could see it clearly. Making sure the water bubble Pokémon took the bait, its eyes fixed on the prize. and with a powerful heave, I launched the Aguav Berry high into the air. arcing through the sky, a beacon for Araquanid's greed. The Pokémon fired a perfectly aimed String Shot, snatching the berry from the air before it could even begin its descent.

  Araquanid eagerly bit into the berry, but its victory was short-lived. As a wave of disorientation washed over the Pokémon, It began to sway. its movements become clumsy and erratic. The water bubble helmet on its head wobbled precariously. The Aguav Berry, which restores HP for many Pokémon, had the opposite effect on Araquanid, causing it to become confused. My plan had worked.

  Turning to Rhyhorn I shouted "Go find Dad! Now!"

  The loyal Pokémon hesitated for a moment, torn between its friend's command and its desire to protect him. I didn't wait. Taking advantage of the wild pokemons disorientation I ran putting some distance between the pokemon and I. "Go! I'll be fine! Just Go!"

  With a final, worried rumble, Rhyhorn turned and charged toward the river, its thudding footsteps fading into the distance.

  I turned to glance at the Araquanid, my mind racing.

  I'm a farmer's son, not a trainer.

  I tend to the land, not fight on it.

  As the Araquanid closed in, gliding on the muddy soil with an ease that I sorely lacked.

  until I felt it.

  The skin along my back was relieved of its duties, and a warm fluid poured out of my wound down onto my sore muscles.

  Sparing a moment to glance backwards I saw it. That grin, sharp, twitching,far too proud, a grin could curdle nectar, a smirk born of shameless joy and satisfaciton.

  My muscles strained and lungs burned by the relentlessness of the pursuit, but I kept at it. I kept running through the mud and pain, I pushed forward hoping that Rhydon would find Dad. Praying that the araquanid would stop. Wishing for a miracle, and that the araquanid would be struck or halted by some holier than thou trainer.

  However, if I learnt anything from this whole ordeal. It's that the only thing you can rely on is your own blood, sweat and tears.

  With a quick scan of my environment I realized my mad dash led me closer to the river and wild pokemon territory. Surrounding me were the corpses of several berry bushels and trees as well as some washed up logs from up stream.

  Slowly ideas and plans began flooding my mind, but almost like it could see the cogs in my mind turning the araquanid still and shooting several spools of string towards me. Forcing me to quickly pivot and duck from the stray webbing that flew overhead.

  ‘What can I even do? It's faster, stronger, and far more dangerous than any pokemon i have seen so far’

  Finally glancing up at my pursuer I looked into its compound eyes. Only to find pure and calculated malice? No, this was different. It didn't want to kill me, it needed to catch its prey. I had proven myself to be an agile and entertaining game.

  Too bad the chase was over.

  In a flash the large arachnid sped towards me, veiled in white energy, and lunging with its fangs wide open.

  I closed my eyes, a single tear escaping. "Damn them," I whispered, voice thick with emotion. "Damn those city slickers and their stupid Pokémon. Damn them all."

  When a large blur of orange came falling down from above hammering the large insect into the mud creating a veritable tidal wave of muck to push everything away including me.

  Before I could even look up at the epicenter of the wave a powerful roar echoed through the fields, a sound that seemed to shake the very ground. The Araquanid shrieked under the weight of the behemoth and its roar.

  There it stood, fur unstained by the mud around it. as if the earth itself refused to soil its coat. A large Pokémon with two volcanic humps on its back and its red-haired trainer, a man in a crimson trench coat, blowing in the misty wind.