Chapter 5: The Squirtle Wearing Sungsses

  In a split second, several streams of water of varying sizes shot out from the side, knocking the fpping Pidgey off course as they were struck.

  "Whoosh," Pidgeot and Pidgey swerved around Riolu, narrowly missing him.

  The chilling gusts of wind from their near miss sent a cold sweat all over Riolu as he realized how close he had come to danger.

  The familiar sound of "Squirtle, Squirtle" echoed in his ears, making him turn toward the source.

  He saw:

  A group of turtle-like Pokémon, Squirtles, leaping out from the pond. Their light blue bodies carried round, sturdy shells, and at the front of the group was a particurly commanding Squirtle. What stood out the most, however, was that this Squirtle was wearing a pair of sungsses, and with its shiny bald head, it exuded an aura of toughness.

  The Pokédex screen fshed and updated Riolu with information about this special Squirtle:

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  [Pokédex]

  Encounter Progress: 6/10

  Battle Progress: 0/10

  [Real-time Analysis]

  Pokémon: Common - Squirtle x5

  Level: Lv11, Lv12

  Type: Water

  Ability: Torrent (Boosts Water-type moves when HP is low)

  Moves: Tackle (Lv1), Water Gun (Lv1), Withdraw (Lv1)

  Pokémon: Leader - Squirtle (Male)

  Level: Lv36

  Type: Water

  Ability: Torrent (Boosts Water-type moves when HP is low)

  Leader: Sunny Vale (Boosts stats when allies from Sunny Vale are present)

  Moves: Water Gun (Lv4), Surf (Lv4), Protect (Lv4), Water Pulse (Lv3), Tackle (Lv2), Rapid Spin (Lv2), Iron Tail (Lv1), Iron Defense (Lv1)

  ————————————

  A Level 36 Pokémon! And with such a vast array of skills! Riolu widened his eyes in surprise.

  In the games of his past life, a Level 30+ Pokémon was just getting started, but in this new world, where the highest level he had encountered so far was an Elite Pidgeot at Level 18, the difference in power was staggering. That Pidgeot had summoned a small tornado with just a fp of its wings. But here, in front of him, was a Squirtle at Level 36 with the Leader title. Not only was it much higher in level, but it also commanded much more respect. No wonder, with just a simple Water Gun, it had broken up the Pidgeot's assault.

  "But shouldn't a Level 36 Squirtle have already evolved into a Wartortle or Bstoise by now?"

  As Riolu started to feel that he might have escaped danger, his mind wandered to irrelevant thoughts.

  Back to the scene.

  The Pidgeot and Pidgey, having missed their attacks, nded on the ground and shook their bodies to rid themselves of the water.

  Taking advantage of this brief moment, the group of Squirtles approached Riolu.

  The Elite Pidgeot, now fully aware of the situation, raised its crown feathers in a show of dominance and gred with a mix of ferocity and hesitation at the Squirtles.

  The Squirtle leader, wearing sungsses, calmly stared back at Pidgeot, despite its smaller stature. The air around it suddenly became filled with an overwhelming aura of respect.

  "That's enough."

  The Elite Pidgeot, however, seemed to have lost its mind in its fury. Ignoring the Squirtle leader's warning, it glowed with a red aura and once again soared into the sky. It fpped its wings forcefully, sending two whirlwinds toward the Squirtles and the other Pokémon.

  "Is this a move, Gust?"

  Seeing the familiar move from the games and anime, Riolu thought to himself. However, he couldn't understand why Pidgeot could use the move just by performing a simple action, while he had struggled to activate his own.

  "Whoosh—" The gusts spun in an instant, forming two powerful whirlwinds that hurtled toward the group of Pokémon.

  In the face of this vicious move, the Squirtle leader remained calm. With a simple step forward, it effortlessly blocked the attack.

  "Boom, boom, boom."

  The whirlwinds smmed into something impenetrable, and no matter how ferocious the wind was, it couldn't budge an inch, eventually dissipating in the air.

  Riolu, captivated by this extraordinary dispy, observed closely:

  A semi-circur shield, covered in a greenish-blue ttice pattern, surrounded the Squirtle leader and its companions, leaving no gaps or weaknesses visible.

  "Protect."

  The Squirtle leader's voice was calm as the move was activated.

  But the events weren't over. The Squirtle leader's right paw began to glow with a brilliant blue light as water energy swirled around it, gaining power with each rotation. A tremendous force emanated from it.

  "Water Pulse."

  Even the frenzied Pidgeot, sensing the escating energy from Squirtle, felt a twinge of unease. It snarled and gred at Riolu and the Glooms before fpping its wings and retreating.

  As Pidgeot and the Pidgey flew off into the distance, the Squirtle leader waved its paw, dissipating the powerful water energy.

  With the situation finally de-escating, Riolu let out a sigh of relief.

  Looking at the seemingly dignified Squirtle leader, Riolu felt it was appropriate to greet him.

  "Hello, I'm—"

  Before Riolu could finish, the Glooms beside him suddenly began chattering loudly.

  "Boss, you're finally here! That was so scary for us grass-types."

  "Yeah, those nasty birds were so fierce!"

  "They just came over and started scaring us for no reason."

  "I feel like the grass on my head is starting to wilt. Oh no, quick, check if it's turning yellow."

  "..."

  Riolu had never imagined that the Glooms could be so chatty.

  The Squirtle leader, hearing the endless chatter, twitched a muscle on his forehead.

  "Alright, let's save the chatter for ter, we'll talk at the 'Valley'."

  At the same time, the Squirtle leader gave Riolu a quick once-over, his eyes beneath the sungsses gleaming with kindness.

  "You should come with us."

  With that, the Squirtle leader and his companions, along with the Glooms, turned and headed off in the direction of the forest.

  Left standing there, Riolu was left speechless.

  "Wow, I've gone from an innocent passerby to experiencing life's highs and lows in no time."

  From the confusion of his birth to the joy of entering the Pokémon world, and now to the brutal realities of survival, Riolu felt that his less than a month in this new world had been far more eventful than his entire previous life.

  "Well, they don't seem like bad Pokémon. I suppose following them won't hurt."

  With that thought, Riolu scratched his head and decided to follow after the Squirtle group.