After triple checking the water was safe for me to enter, I dove in startling some wild Magikarp, all of which just blew bubbles at me before letting the small current carry them away. How such a stupid Pokemon evolved into a terror of the seas was beyond me.

I waved and grinned as Piplup twirled, clearly happy as it coiled and spun around me. I quickly went up for air and then came back down and started playing with Piplup in an uncomplicated game of tag where I only ever lost. Piplup ruled the water, but I would rule the land.

But fun time was over.

It was time to train.

I climbed out after gesturing Piplup to follow and wrung my black hair out before pulling it into a quick Ponyta tail, so it wouldn't get in my eyes. I started stretching while Piplup looked on and before to long, it started trying to copy me; swinging its small arms back and forth or trying to raise them above its head.

"Alright Piplup, training time. Make sure to try your best okay?" I asked getting a positive sounding chirp in return. "Right, Piplup, Bubble attack on that tree over there!" I commanded while pointing behind it. I watched on as Piplup spun around and unleashed a plethora of bubbles, only some of which hit the tree.

"Again!" Did Piplup's accuracy need work? Or was the attack usually this widespread and it couldn't really be focused more. I knew Bubble-beam was the more powerful version of this move… maybe it was more compact as well.

The attack didn't change the second, third or fourth time it was used what so ever. So, I needed to change tactics and instead of using Bubble for concise damage, I should use it more as an area of effect attack to hamper other Pokemon or block them from getting close. I nodded to myself, but I knew I should check the Pokedex just in case.

"Alright Piplup, Pound that large standing rock. I want you to break it or push it into the water alright? Go!" Another positive sounding chirp before it rushed the rock and smacked itself into it.

The rock didn't budge and Piplup bounced backward. I'm honestly surprised it didn't trip… maybe it was just walking? It seemed to be running fine, but I'd soon see.

It tried again and again to get the rock to break or move with no avail. All apart of my plan. How did Piplup handle failure? Did it stubbornly keep attacking or did it storm off in a huff incensed it couldn't do what it was asked?

Stubborn. Piplup bounced off that rock again and again with no stopping.

I stepped in and gently started correcting its Pound technique. I didn't want Piplup to keep rushing in and just throwing its body and head at the rock. What I wanted was more of a shoulder charge which would only get stronger as it evolved into Prinplup and then Empoleon.

It was only a few minutes of teaching it the way I wanted it to Pound before I was happy enough to start my own training. I got on my toes and hands and started doing push-ups. I counted to 61 before I grit my teeth and got to 65 before I collapsed panting, my arms on fire.

Piplup was still going strong; pounding away.

I rolled over onto my back and sat on my bum and started sit-ups. I stopped when I got to 125, 5 more then my last record. Now my stomach muscles and lower back burned.

Improve in small increments.

Piplup was still going strong, though I could see he was starting to tire as its breathing was growing heavier.

I stood up and put my arms on the back of head so my hands over lapped and started squatting. Once again, I stopped pushing myself once I was 5 past my current record of 90. I glanced over at Piplup to see him breathing heavily and glaring cutely at the rock.

"Break time Piplup" I smiled as Piplup waddled over to me and leaned around my lower leg while still glaring at the rock. I quickly caught my breath and I knew I needed to keep going so my muscles didn't cool down.

"Alright, we're going for a run along the river. I want you to randomly use Bubble to attack trees or rocks okay? Don't stop until I do". I nodded before I started a slow jog, with my longer legs and larger gait, I easily pulled ahead. Once I got to a bend a little further up, I turned around and started jogging back to the rock Piplup had been pounding repeatedly.

I watched as Piplup attacked a splashing Magikarp and giggled quietly as I past Piplup on my way back before slowing as a large smile grew on my face.

I knew what we were going to be eating for dinner tonight!

xXxXx

6 Magikarp inhabited the clearing with Piplup and I. One was slowly being roasted above the fire and another was being steadily eaten by Piplup in a rather messy way. Piplup's sharp beak could easily dig under the Magikarp's hard scales to get at the meat underneath. I ended up using the sharp edge of my hatchet once I realized I'd forgotten a knife.

I'd told Piplup to get as many as it wanted and an extra one for me. It was going to eat 5 good size Magikarp; compared to my single one.

My training must've tired Piplup out somewhat though. While we hadn't stopped until it was well into the evening and even after a full day of walking and some intense training, Piplup still looked like he could stand up and do it all over again while my body felt like cooked noodles. I hadn't pushed myself this hard in a while and I had wanted to set a good example.

Today I had only focused on its physical training and its attacking move set. Tomorrow I would examine Piplup's other moves like Water Sprout, Growl and maybe even Aqua ring, which was the one I was most excited for.

Using my fingers, I was easily able to tear the meat from the bones of the Magikarp and was greedily scoffing it down with all the manners of a baby Poochyena. Ahhhhh! Sweet succulent white meat that I loved, be at peace inside my belly! I giggled loudly drawing Piplup's attention halfway through his third Magikarp, looking just as messy as I was; scales littering the ground and beak mess-

…What was that? I went quiet as I strained to hear the noise again over the crackling fire.

There was a brief noise on the wind… like the sound of flapping wings. Mew dammit! Couldn't a girl rest after a long day?!

"Piplup, get ready to battle!" I shouted as I stood up. Suddenly my body didn't feel like a limp noodle anymore. No more aches and pains, just this trembling anticipation for what was sure to be my first battle pooling in the bottom of the stomach. I raced for my Pokedex and got my hands on it just as the flapping grew louder and a dark shadow entered the clearing.

The dark shape split into three smaller shadows as each planted themselves high up in the tree's above us.

"Pokedex, Scan" I pointed the Pokedex in the direction of one of the shapes and was rewarded with a very brief view as the scan lit the small clearing with a flash.

"Murkrow: The darkness Pokemon. Many people believe that if you see a Murkrow at night, it brings bad luck. Murkrow are Dark/Flying dual types with a fondness for shiny things, as such they will sometimes even fight other Pokemon such as Meowth or Gabite for the right to claim anything shiny they see as theirs"

"Oh great!" I couldn't help cursing and rolling my eyes while bemoaning the luck I held. My bad luck is even getting other Pokemon to start bringing bad luck down onto me. Isn't it enough to have my crappy luck already?! Why do I need more? Not only that, I'm not seeing just a single Murkrow, I'm seeing 3! That's like triple the bad luck…

"I'm doomed…" I muttered. I could see it now. I'd just about to catch an Onix and ill trip over a loose stone or something and break my neck… or maybe the Onix would just roll over and squish me…

"AHHH! Dammit! Piplup Bubble!" I shouted, drawing the attention that had been firmly on the last 2 dead Magikarp like the stupid idiot I was.

The Bubble attack that burst from Piplup's mouth was the best one I'd seen from my Pokemon yet. I knew immediately that it was almost at the Bubblebeam stage despite only a few hours of training; looks like Mom was right once again, battling really is the best training one can give to their Pokemon.

The Bubble attack travelled quickly, but the damn birds were quicker, easily dodging the widespread attack thanks to their aerial advantage. But my mind was made up.

They weren't going to lay a single talon on our Magikarp! I grabbed my hatchet, wind-up torch and stood protectively over the delicious food with Piplup by my side.

"Piplup, if they get close, Pound them! But keep using Bubble!" I kept my eyes on the middle Murkrow and let Piplup handle the other pair. This one was the leader I knew. I'd been dealing with hate from the Pidgey line ever since I was 4 years old, those gossipy birds always somehow knew who I was and what I'd done and had been shitting on me ever since.

This Murkrow was the same; that same proud look in its eyes as it stared greedily at the protected food before screeching at me. It was also the signal to attack.

The other Murkrow pair dived in, going for the food. I waited until the last moment and flashed my torch up, light at full strength. The Murkrow pair both screeched and went to turn but Piplup and I were ready.

I swung the blunt side of the hatchet towards a Murkrow's head and it connected with a solid 'thunk' that seem to reverberate around the clearing. The sound of flesh hitting flesh behind me let me smirk towards the Murkrow sitting in th- it was gone! I spun, searching with my eyes but nothing could be seen.

Did it fly off because we took out it's goons? I started to smile and relax as the 2 defeated birds flew off, but the mocking sound of laughter drew my attention. I turned to see the leader sitting in the exact same tree it had been at the start, except this time… this time…

It had a damn Magikarp in its talons!

My mouth dropped open in shock! How in Mew's name did it get one of the Magikarp? I'm standing right over them!

"Thief, a dark type move, used to steal items from opposing Pokemon in battles or steal from stupid trainer's when out in the wild"

I sent a betrayed look at my Pokedex as the boss Murkrow gave us another round of mocking laughter before flying off, Magikarp in its grip.

I dropped to my knees with a defeated expression.

"Magikarp… no… my yummy…" Piplup gave an adorable chirp from next to me and I brightened!

"Your right Piplup! Plenty more Magikarp in the river that we can still eat. We're still here for a few more days! I'm sure between us we can eat them all so that stupid ball of feathers can't get any of them" This time, it was my turn to cackle out into the night as plans of revenge formed inside my head.

Of course, to be that hungry, we'll need to train extra hard. I'll introduce Piplup to some sprint drills. Never know when we'll need to outrun a flock of crazy gossiping flying-types…

The exhaustion suddenly hit me like a Machoke and I staggered. I stumbled around the campsite cleaning it before putting dirt on my fire and almost started crawling towards my tent. I needed sleep. Sleep and cuddles…

I scuttled into my tent and cuddled up with Piplup, who was adorable enough to want to sleep next to me.

Tomorrow, it would start all over again. I'll start with some stretches after we eat, then I'll 'yawn' move onto catching more "Piplup's…"

xXxXx

Viridian city was an inner-city complex that consisted of a few sky scrapers that were built around a magnet car station and a rural area that surrounded that city complex on all sides, the rural area that surrounded the inner city was surrounded by a sturdy stone wall that was patrolled by 4 Ranger squads always, one for each prime direction; North, East, South and West.

It was the only other place I'd ever been to if you discount Pallet town, and the main trainer route I'd just travelled to get here.

Well, that I remembered anyway.

I'd apparently been to Saffron city with Mom when I was 3, but I didn't really remember that.

Piplup was away inside it's Pokeball after a light morning exercise outside the wall that I'd quickly went through to the joy of the few Rangers in viewing range. It was a bit weird having them stare at me, but they clapped and cheered when I was finished so I decided a smile and a wave couldn't hurt.

I didn't stay and explore thank god. I'd spent an extra 2 days camped at the grove thanks to Piplup learning Peck and the very basics of Aqua ring. Peck was a simple move in theory but was hard to train with thanks to the fact that it hurt Piplup's beak at first to use it.

Aqua ring on the other hand was barely stable and couldn't be used when Piplup wasn't fully submerged in water. Piplup had to train inside the river, since it couldn't make the water surround itself quite yet, still being a bit young and untrained with pure water manipulation.

Another entity to add to the list of things we'll work on later.

My only stop was to the Pokemart, where I stocked up on antidotes and a few more Pokeballs much to the joy of the cashier that was extra eager to help me out. He was nice enough to even give me an extra Pokeball for free! I gave him a smile and wave and watched as his face went red as I left.

A lot more people were staring at me than usual, so I just ended up following one of Mom's more useful rules: Be polite and smile. I got a lot of smiles in return thankfully. For a second, it felt like I was being treated like an ultra-rare Pokemon…

But now as Viridian Forest loomed in front of me, I couldn't help that second heartbeat of excitement to start building inside my chest. The forest was literally a straight path to Pewter city if one was in a hurry and didn't want to deviate to one of the numerous side paths that branched out into the forest.

That straight path was always filled to the brim with trainers travelling back and forth, and don't forget the nearly uncountable number of Bug-type specialists that littered the forest like the bug type Pokemon that called this place home.

It was a trainer's first test.

One of endurance for all newbie trainer's like myself.

I'd trained Piplup extra hard for this exact reason. If I couldn't beat a bunch of other newbie trainers and a bunch of barely legal age bug-type trainers, then what good was chasing after my dream when I got stuck on a hurdle like this? None.

"Pokedex, passive scan mode. Record all Pokemon encounters" A beep was my confirmation as I stepped through the gates into the forest proper. The first thing I noticed was a barely audible hum that seemed like a constant background noise; probably made by all the Pokemon. The second was a trainer staring at me from like 6 feet away.

"Trainer! Our eyes met and now its time to battle! I'm bug catcher Melvin, here to ki..ki..ki.." He stuttered to a stop. I held my stare. He kept staring back at me. I waited... and waited and watched as his eyes grew bigger and his face went crimson. He was staring at me and I couldn't handle it anymore!

"Are we gunna battle or not?!" I cried out, this was my first battle! Why would he stop during the middle of his introduction!? Did I need an introduction?! Was he gunna say something extremely cool like 'Kick you to your doom'?!… Ahhh! I need a cool introduction!

Dammit! Stuff hesitance! I'd go first! This guy had turned mute!

"Go Piplup!" My heartbeat, the very small breeze I could feel on the back of my bared legs, the red flash of a Pokemon releasing, my excitement. The green forest around me, the dirt path beneath my feet, the barely seeable blue sky through the canopy.

I took it all in. Was I going to win? Lose? I didn't care right now. This! This moment right here was what I was a trainer for. This struggle, this feeling, this building excitement inside my breast. My smile grew.

"G-go Weedle!" Melvin shouted. His face was still crimson, but he had finally released his Pokemon!

"Piplup, Bubblebeam into Peck" I commanded.

And it was all over.

I stood still, shocked at our easy win. That was it?! My first proper battle as a trainer and it was over in 2 moves… Why… Mew… why do you mock me so? Where was the challenge? The struggle?! Was this trainer just this weak? Was that why he was literally at the entrance? To help build confidence in the rookie trainers by letting them have an easy win?

I replayed it in my mind again. Piplup almost bounced forward, Bubblebeam burst forth almost like a proper water-gun and collided with the still form of the Weedle. The Weedle was blasted backwards and landed heavily, it was half-way to rolling over when Piplup was next to it, Peck landing easily on its barely moving form.

And that was it. Barely 5 seconds.

I grew furious. The other trainer's in here better be a lot better!

I didn't even wait for the guy to give me his money. I stormed off looking for more trainers! I wanted a better battle dammit!

xXxXx

So, hope you all enjoy my third chapter!

Now, I've recently restarted on Pokemon Platinum with Piplup as my starter to get a feel for it as I write. I don't know how everyone else starts, but I train heavily against wild Pokemon. My Pokemon is at LEAST always evolved before the first gym, and Piplup was nearing level 20 by the time I got around to facing Rorke. I've caught every Pokemon possible so far and have only trained Piplup (and a bidoof to use as a HM slave, yes that includes Magikarp!), I also have an Onix with me that I'm going to train up into a Steelix using a second 3Ds. So that'll be good.

I hope I've shown the training process here in this chapter!