The Tyrogue appears, rustling bushes as it enters into the clearing currently occupied by Alex and Lu. The young trainer becomes excited as he digs into his vest pocket for his Pokedex. He flips open the Pokedex and aims it's infared scanner at the small humanoid Pokemon.
"Tyrogue, The Scuffle Pokemon. Despite its smaller stature, Tyrogue will fight against larger stronger opponents in order to test itself. It stresses itself out whenever it doesn't get to train at least once a day," The Pokedex reports.
"Awesome. Another fighting type Pokemon. Tyrogue would make a perfect sparing partner for us, Lu. Lets catch it," Alex says, flipping the Pokedex closed and putting it away.
The Tyrogue jumped at the sound of Alex's voice, and tried to retreat into the forest again, only to be confronted by Lu. With his tiny arms spread out, Lu blocked Tyrogue's escape, kicking the smaller pokemon backwards. Alex nods at Lu, who returns the nod before lowering his head and charging forward. Tyrogue's eyes flashed red momentarily, so quick it went unnoticed by Lu and Alex. Tyrogue leaped out of the way, flipping and landing neatly in a crouched position. Tyrogue turned to face Lu and Alex. Its body was visibly shaking. Alex undeterred though, as he analyzed the battlefield looking for some advantage.
(Alex, I have a plan. Trust me) Lu called out, as he entered into his tackle attack again.
Alex watched as Lu charged forward, this time, a faint white light trailing off his body as his sped forward, juking left and right. This time, when Tyrogue's eyes lit up, Alex noticed it.
"Lu! Be careful!' Alex called out, as Tyrogue leaped out of the way, rolling on his left shoulder.
Lu ran up a tree, stopping on a branch that overlooked the battlefield. He was out of sight to Tyrogue, but Alex could still see him. Placing a paw against the tree trunk, Lu studied Tyrogue.
(I don't like fighting. Please, don't make me fight.) Tyrogue begged, speaking for the first time since he arrived.
(What kind of fighting pokemon doesn't like to fight?) Lu asks.
"I'm not sure, Lu. Try your Foresight Attack. Give us some insight into the Pokemon," Alex instructed.
Lu sighed, as he really hated this technique. He closes his eyes and spreads his own aura out to touch the natural aura that Tyrogue produced. Reading Tyrogue's aura, Lu gasped, snapping his eyes open.
(Alex, Tyrogue's esteem is way down,) Lu reported, (Perhaps you were wrong about training partner?)
"No. We catch Tyrogue and work on his self steem. He can be strong with the right guidance. Lu, Quick Attack, let's go!" Alex instructs, clinching his fist.
Lu leaps from the tree, the white trail of light reappearing as he barrels forward, aiming for Tyrogue. Tyrogue simply scanned Lu once more with its move. Lu panicked and tripped. he began crab crawling back to Alex. Amused at these actions, Alex chuckles lightly.
"What happened?" Alex asked.
(That's no ordinary fighting pokemon, Alex. It can mess with your mind. You know I hate Psychic Types) Lu growled.
"I understand that, Lu. But you know what Dad always said about your fears right? Face them," Alex repeated, "Besides, Tyrogue is still a fighting type. He is only using Mind Reader. I've been noticing the technique. Waiting and studying. I've got an idea."
(I'm open to anything that keeps him out of my mind,) Lu growls again.
"We haven't landed a single blow to Tyrogue, because it doesn't want to fight. It's been using Mind Reader to escape our attempts. Lu, you are a smart Riolu, you know strategies," Alex says before lowering his voice to continue, "In your mind, aim at Tyrogue. In reality, aim to his right,"
(Right. The Psychic Fake Out, your Dad used once,) Lu whispered back to Alex.
"Alright, Tyrogue, you are mine. Lu! One more time! Quick Attack!" Alex instructs.
Lu enacted the plan perfectly, except he and Alex didn't count on running into an invisible wall, and being knocked on his backside. Tyrogue was knocked backwards as well. Alex was confused by what had happened, he opened his Pokedex Again.
"Fake Out, this move strikes the target with an invisible force, and may ccause Flinching," The Pokedex reports.
"I get it. Lu, your inner focus prevented you from flinching, which allowed your attack to break through the Fake Out," Alex reports, as Lu climbs to his feet. "Tyrogue, I understand you don't wish to fight. Even though you don't like fighting, you put up a great challenge for Lu and I today.. I would be honored if you would give me the opportunity to train you and help you hone your skills? Allow me to capture you so that we can overcome your fear of battling," Alex asks.
(You are a trainer. You force Pokemon to fight when they don't want too.) Tyrogue replied, entering the fetal position.
"No. I would never do that until you were ready. Part of being a Pokemon Partner is helping the Pokemon Grow. Lu and I will work with you until you are comfortable with battling before I send you into battle," Alex responds, taking one of the Hyper Balls from his belt, "All you have to do is enter the Hyper Ball,"
(Alex, just let me smack him some more,) Lu growls.
"Nonsense Lu. Smacking him aroud won't help the situation. Tyrogue needs to build confidence in himself before pushing him to battle," Alex replied, "I am wrong for engaging the battle without thinking. See how he shakes, Lu. He's terrified."
(You are correct, Trainer. But why would you want a pokemon like me?) Tyrogue asks. (Your Riolu is so strong and brave. I could never be that brave.)
"You can with practice and training. Diligence is the most important key to obtaining strength," Alex says softly. "Work with me and i'll work with you. I would even be your sparring partner, you see, I'm part Pokemon too," Alex adds.
Alex clicks the Hyperball, enlarging the item to full size.
"What do you say? Wanna join us and become stronger?" Alex asks.
(Could I really become stronger, just by training with you?) Tyrogue asks.
(I am becoming stronger. I overcame one of my biggest fears while attempting to fight you,) Lu speaks. (And that wasn't easy but with Alex's support, it was possible)
(You put up a decent argument, Riolu.) Tyrogue explains before his stomach rumbles loudly.
Alex and Lu's stomachs do the same.
"We have nothing to offer you to eat, Tyrogue except for Rice Balls and a few berries," Alex says, "You are welcome to have either or."
(You aren't even going to capture him before feeding him?) Lu asks.
(Could I have a Rice Ball?) Tyrogue asks.
"Of Course," Alex says, handing Tyrogue one, then handing Lu one.
"After we eat, could we possibly decide what we are going to do?" Alex asks.
(I will join you. If you can provide more Rice Balls at every meal,) Tyrogue laughs.
(Couldnt we still have a battle?) Lu asks,
"Lu, he doesnt have the confidence nneeded to battle at the moment," Alex explains.
(If you wish to battle, Riolu, I will battle you. You told me that facing your fears was important on the quest to gaining confidence. Riolu and I are going to be teammates so I should overcome my fear of battle by battling him, right?) Tyrogue asks.
"Only if you wish too," Alex says.
(Let's go,) Lu smirks.
The two Pokemon face off as the wind blows through the clearing. Lu's right foot twitches just a bit as Tyrogue crouchs low, taking a fighting stance. Tyrogue narrows his eyes and they flash red momentarily. Lu nods, as Alex watches from the sidelines.
"Lu, Cross Chop on the ground now! Kick up the dirt and use it to hide your whereabouts!" Alex calls out.
Lu does as he is instructed as the durst swirls around the battlefield, it lowers visibility drastically. Tyrogue coughs harshly, before being knocked out of the cloud of dust, skidding to a stop on his face. Lu appears from the dust cloud, crossing his arms. Tyrogue glares at Lu before climbing to its feet, dusting itself off.
(Get ready for my Tackle Attack!) Tyrogue yells, as Lu's arms begin glowing again.
Upon seeing this, Tyrogue doubles over grabbing his stomach, hitting his knees. He begins to sob in pain. Lu and Alex exchange confused looks, as Lu approaches slowly, his arms stop glowing. He extends a paw out to Tyrogue in comfort.
(I shouldn't have pushed you so hard,) Lu exclaims, (I should have listened instead of pushing. I'm sor----)
Before Alex or Lu could register what happened, Tyrogue had flipped Lu over his shoulder, the Riolu bouncing hard and rolling to a stop at Alex's feet.
"He used his cowardice as a strength there," Alex says excitedly. "That was awesome. Lu, be on the look out now. We are going to end this now, and capture this guy."
(Right. I'm ready) Lu says as he prepares hs Endure attack, his body flashing a bright white light once, as he crouchs into the fetal position.
(What is this? I've never seen this before!) Tyrogue says.
Tyrogue attempts to read Lu's mind again, but fails.
(Fake Out, won't work on him either, due to his Inner Focus. How do I proceed from here?) Tyrogue asks, sighing deeply. (See, I told you I'm not cut out to be a fighter.)
(You also lose this battle) Lu says, as he combines Quick Attack with Cross Chop, to pin Tyrogue to the ground.
Lu leaps out the way as Alex tosses a Hyper Ball.
"Hyperball! Go!" Alex calls out.
The ball pops open and absorbs Tyrogue....
Tyrogue isn’t the bravest of pokemon in the Stellara Region. His self esteem is really low and his self-confidence is non-existent. The only thing Tyrogue has going for it, is it’s smarts. This Pokemon can calculate strategies due to it having the Mind Reader Technique.
Tyrogue’s biggest fear is abandonment. It would rather hide than fight, yet it doesn’t mind cheering from the sidelines. Tyrogue enjoys eating Rice Balls, lounging in the shade, and swimming. Despite its cowardice, Tyrogue will fight if threatened or endangered. Its knees shake while battling, making its moves unsteady, and hardly focused.
Tyrogue’s biggest strength lies in its latent potential as its never been tapped into before. Tyrogue’s heart is golden, as it genuinely cares for every Pokemon it encounters, even if it is terrified of it.
