[ before everyone had started mingling with drinks, Raihan had stepped up at the call for voluntary information sharing to talk about Hammerlocke and his world. he had seen Ahsoka listening, so he's confident that he can bypass the explanation of Pokémon Gyms - it'll help to streamline the story, thankfully. his smile softens as he begins to recount the memory: ]
I didn't start my career with Duraludon, believe it or not. I met him out in the Wild Area - it's this gigantic expanse of land in the middle of the Galar region, where I'm from. Wild Pokémon roam free in it without the worry of human development disturbing their habitats, but Trainers are allowed to pass through on their travels. When we first met, this bloke was way out of my league. He was so strong that he sent me and my team running with our tails between our legs!
[ Raihan gives him a nudge with his elbow, to which Duraludon response with a good-natured roll of his eyes. ever the spitfire, Raihan tended to pick fights that he couldn't follow through with at a young age. ]
But every time I won a gym badge, I came back to the same place to find and challenge him again. I wanted to show him how strong I'd gotten, and prove myself by catching him. I must have come back at least six times... and every time, he sent me packing. It was bloody frustrating, but looking back, I think it kept me grounded.
[ a guy who calls himself "the great Raihan", grounded? it's more likely than you think... and maybe telling that his showboating isn't all there is to him. ]
Eventually it got to the point where I hit a road block in my challenge; there was one Gym Leader that I just couldn't beat, no matter how hard I tried. Back then, I think I was really close to just giving up on the challenge completely. I came back to the Wild Area to do some thinking, but when I made my way to Duraludon's territory, I found him injured. It took some convincing for him to let me, but I managed to fix him up enough that he could re-challenge the wild Pokémon that roughed him up. I didn't mean to intervene, but when I was watching them go at it, I found myself shouting an order... and he obeyed! Can you believe that?
[ Duraludon's eyes lower, as if he's reminiscing about the encounter. the Tyranitar he had faced was hoarding food and bullying other Pokémon in the area, so he had tried to step in, but got knocked down. he was on the same track even after Raihan arrived, but listening to the human's orders had actually given him a tactical advantage. ]
It was close, but we managed to send the wild Pokémon running. Even though it felt good to help him win, I was still pretty down from my Gym losses, and I wasn't about to battle him when he was weakened again. Imagine my surprise when he said he wanted to come with me!
[ as if he can't hold it in anymore, he puts his arms around Duraludon for a proper hug, pressing his cheek against the side of the Pokémon's face. though he seems exasperated at his Trainer's affection, Duraludon returns it with a slight push. ]
And the rest is history, I guess. He helped me get past that Gym I was roadblocked at, and took me all the way to the Champion Cup finals. We've been training together ever since, and he's my ace in all of my battles!
no subject
[ before everyone had started mingling with drinks, Raihan had stepped up at the call for voluntary information sharing to talk about Hammerlocke and his world. he had seen Ahsoka listening, so he's confident that he can bypass the explanation of Pokémon Gyms - it'll help to streamline the story, thankfully. his smile softens as he begins to recount the memory: ]
I didn't start my career with Duraludon, believe it or not. I met him out in the Wild Area - it's this gigantic expanse of land in the middle of the Galar region, where I'm from. Wild Pokémon roam free in it without the worry of human development disturbing their habitats, but Trainers are allowed to pass through on their travels. When we first met, this bloke was way out of my league. He was so strong that he sent me and my team running with our tails between our legs!
[ Raihan gives him a nudge with his elbow, to which Duraludon response with a good-natured roll of his eyes. ever the spitfire, Raihan tended to pick fights that he couldn't follow through with at a young age. ]
But every time I won a gym badge, I came back to the same place to find and challenge him again. I wanted to show him how strong I'd gotten, and prove myself by catching him. I must have come back at least six times... and every time, he sent me packing. It was bloody frustrating, but looking back, I think it kept me grounded.
[ a guy who calls himself "the great Raihan", grounded? it's more likely than you think... and maybe telling that his showboating isn't all there is to him. ]
Eventually it got to the point where I hit a road block in my challenge; there was one Gym Leader that I just couldn't beat, no matter how hard I tried. Back then, I think I was really close to just giving up on the challenge completely. I came back to the Wild Area to do some thinking, but when I made my way to Duraludon's territory, I found him injured. It took some convincing for him to let me, but I managed to fix him up enough that he could re-challenge the wild Pokémon that roughed him up. I didn't mean to intervene, but when I was watching them go at it, I found myself shouting an order... and he obeyed! Can you believe that?
[ Duraludon's eyes lower, as if he's reminiscing about the encounter. the Tyranitar he had faced was hoarding food and bullying other Pokémon in the area, so he had tried to step in, but got knocked down. he was on the same track even after Raihan arrived, but listening to the human's orders had actually given him a tactical advantage. ]
It was close, but we managed to send the wild Pokémon running. Even though it felt good to help him win, I was still pretty down from my Gym losses, and I wasn't about to battle him when he was weakened again. Imagine my surprise when he said he wanted to come with me!
[ as if he can't hold it in anymore, he puts his arms around Duraludon for a proper hug, pressing his cheek against the side of the Pokémon's face. though he seems exasperated at his Trainer's affection, Duraludon returns it with a slight push. ]
And the rest is history, I guess. He helped me get past that Gym I was roadblocked at, and took me all the way to the Champion Cup finals. We've been training together ever since, and he's my ace in all of my battles!