Family is in town for a few days for the holidays, so writing time will be scarce. If you do see chapters posted, it will still be 2-3 chapters!
Don't forget to drop some power stones!
*****
Pop. Sparke. Sparkle.
Two Pokeballs suddenly opened up, creating two popping sounds inside the lab. Following the classic red glow, two small figures appeared on the ground next to Ricky and Lillie. One was a small owl, no bigger than one or two feet tall. It had a very lush forest green color, almost teal. That was because it was a shiny Rowlet!
The second one to pop out of their Pokeball was Popplio. Contrary to its normal appearance, Popplio's skin was much darker in color. It was more of a navy-blue.
"Rowlett!", Rowlet chirped, seeing its new surroundings for the first time. It then tilted its head, as it found Ricky was the closest to it.
"Pop!", Popplio happily said, also coming out of its ball to see its new surroundings. This time, Lillie was the closest to Popplio.
"Cute...", Lillie uttered to herself, observing Popplio for the first time.
"Row?", Rowlet tilted its head at Ricky.
"Rowlet!", Rowlet suddenly chirped, catching Ricky off-guard. The group saw Rowlet flap its wings, and start flying upward. It didn't fly too high though. Its position became the same level as Ricky's head, and dove right over it. Rowlet then nestled into Ricky's hair, becoming a giant leaf ball.
"Hehe, guess Rowlet took a liking to you.", Lillie giggled, seeing Ricky's new Rowlet behave like this.
"That sure was quick. Normally when a Rowlet decides to roost on their trainer's head or hide away inside their clothes, it is a sign of trust. You got some sort of superpower I ain't aware about, 'Cuz?", Professor Kukui teased Ricky.
"Hahaha...", Ricky scratched his cheek, trying to dodge Professor Kukui. He knew very well why this Rowlet was behaving like this. And that was because of one of the abilities he received from God. It allowed Ricky to garner easier friendship with whatever Pokemon he catches or receives.
Perhaps once the catch or transfer happens, Ricky's Pokemon's friendship level might be set at a higher standard than other trainers? It was something to test out for sure.
Ricky glanced upward, and saw the cute owl Pokemon dozing off on top of his head. Even he found this gesture cute.
On the other hand, Lillie didn't have as easy a time with Popplio as Ricky did with Rowlet. Popplio didn't immediately hop toward Lillie. Popplio just stared at her from a few feet away.
"Pop?", Popplio tilted its head, wondering what to do.
Unexpectedly, Snowy was the one who took the initiative before Lillie did.
"Vul!", Snowy happily said to Popplio. Her tail wagged again in anticipation.
"Popplio!", Popplio said back, observing Snowy getting closer to it. Popplio just remained still, and didn't put any guard up. It just watched on, likely not having seen Snowy before. It was gaining interest in her. Thankfully, Popplio didn't immediately reject Snowy's advance.
"Vul?", Snowy tried to ask back, halting her advance.
Lillie smiled seeing Popplio and Snowy interact like this.
"Hehe, it really makes you wonder what they're saying at times like this.", Lillie wondered what exactly it was when she saw Popplio and Snowy talking for a moment or two just now.
"Heh heh heh. That's part of the reason why people become trainers, so they can figure out the thoughts and emotions Pokemon have, even if they can't speak our language. It'll be up to you how you develop your bonds with your new Pokemon, Lillie.", Professor Kukui replied with a heartfelt smile.
"Yes. It will be up to us, won't it?", Lillie nodded. As if she had reached a decision, she knelt down, and picked up Popplio. Popplio wasn't against Lillie picking her up, and it let her. Popplio's eyes stared right at Lillie.
"I'm looking forward to working with you, Popplio!", Lillie happily said to Popplio. Seeing Lillie's smile, Popplio smiled too. Its hands were still free, and it started clapping its large fin-like hands together.
"Pop!", Popplio cheerfully responded.
Ricky also smiled at Lillie doing this. He was happy for her that she had already obtained her second Pokemon, just like him. But to keep things going, Ricky spoke out to Lillie.
"Say Lillie, why don't we use this moment to get a reading on our new Pokemon? You still must be interested, right?", Ricky asked.
"Oh, right. We absolutely should. Let me go get my Pokedex.", Lillie responded with a nod. She walked toward the table and grabbed her Pokedex. Thankfully Ricky had gotten it out earlier. It wasn't kept inside her bags out back in the Flying taxi. Ricky also had his off to the side, so he grabbed his.
"It doesn't really matter who goes first, so I'll go ahead and do my reading on Rowlet.", Ricky said to Lillie.
"Alright.", Lillie nodded.
Just like how Ricky used his Pokedex to get a reading on Professor Kukui's Skarmory, he went to the same app after touching his Pokedex. This time, it went to the seventh section, which stored Pokemon from the Alola Region inside of it.
Ricky first got his Pokedex after he finished his hike up Mount Lanakila, and from Professor Kukui. He could have waited until he returned to Kanto to receive it from his adoptive grandfather, Professor Oak. It didn't really matter who gave it to sim, so he received one from Professor Kukui. It made sense, considering Lillie was with him. The two received theirs together. Ricky also got a message from Serena, mentioning she had received her Pokedex from Professor Sycamore.
So when they are back in Kanto, the three will only need to receive their starting Pokemon from Professor Oak before they start their journey.
Ricky made sure to get a reading on his Alolan Vulpix before he used his Ice Stone to evolve it into his Alolan Ninetales. Because of that, his Alola Region page already had two entries. Since that happened last year, Ricky wanted to get another reading on Amber, but he would save that for later. For the time being, he only reached his hand out with his Pokedex in hand, and entered Rowlet's information into his Pokedex.
Just like in the games, Rowlet's image appeared on the very top of the list, and it reflected the shiny version of Rowlet! In the later generations, if one registered a shiny Pokemon, the Pokedex display would actually show its shiny.
"Row?", Rowlet questioned. It tilted its head all the way around just like how a normal owl would, and saw that Ricky had his hand reached out toward Rowlet. Rowlet hadn't seen a Pokedex before, so it watched on with a look of interest in his eyes. Ricky smiled, and spoke to Rowlet.
"Just stay still for a moment alright, Rowlet? This is the Pokedex. It'll provide me with your information.", Ricky answered the doubtful Rowlet.
"Rowlet.", Rowlet answered, acting as if it actually understood Ricky's comment just now.
Letting the Pokedex do its thing, Lillie and Professor Kukui shifted their gaze to it once it started speaking with its voice.
"Rowlet, the Grass Quill Pokemon. Rowlet are mostly active during the night, and like to sleep during the day. Rowlet are silent Pokemon when hunting, and don't make a sound while they glide around. They can easily strike at their target's weak spot with a flurry of kicks, or use their sharp feathers to pierce them. Once a Rowlet gets closer to its trainer, it often likes to relax in dark places, like their trainer's pocket or inside a trainer's bag.", The Pokedex read.
[Rowlet]
Shiny Variant
Nature: Adamant
Gender: Male
Ability: Long Reach
Known Moves - Leafage, Pluck, Trailblaze, Aerial Ace, Night Shade, Shadow Claw, Swords Dance, Grassy Terrain, Dual Wingbeat, Defog, Roost
"Holy moves...", Ricky uttered in shock. He surely didn't expect to see such a variety of moves this early on. He was only expecting an egg move or two at most!
Professor Kukui shook his head seeing this information before him.
"Heh heh. I really should have a proper chat with Lusamine after this. Just what in the hell is the Aether Foundation feeding their Pokemon!?", Professor Kukui exclaimed in surprise.
"Hey, I take offense to that. These little guys were raised through our selective breeding process. They're the Aether Foundation's pride and joy!", A sudden voice called out to the three.
Unexpectedly, Ricky's Pokedex changed screens on its own, and a new image appeared on it. It was another video call. Only a single figure appeared on it, but it was a very beautiful platinum-blonde haired woman. She sported the same colored hair as Lillie did, but it was much, much longer. It even hid part of her face. She liked to style it that way.
"Mother!", Lillie exclaimed, not expecting to suddenly see Lusamine. Lusamine's head turned and looked at Lillie. An apologetic look appeared in her eyes.
"Oh I'm sorry dear. I wish I could be there in person to see you two off, but it's too busy here at the foundation.", Lusamine said to Lillie.
"I am aware of how busy you typically are, Mother. It is something I am used to. If there is one event that you should block off some time for, it would be the Indigo League in December. It's going to be a tough road, but I think I see myself entering the League!", Lillie exclaimed and did a motion of her two arms.
"That's a big aspiration to have already, Lillie. I'll try to make it. For now, Ricky can look after you. I'll leave Lillie in your care.", Lusamine said, looking back at Rickie.
"I will, Lusamine. You can leave it to me.", Ricky nodded with a firm nod.