i wanna be the very best — private

[BORZOI]

[align=center][div style="width: 514px; text-align: justify; font-family:arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3; color: black;"]Rockruff is anything but menacing, for now. The first evolutions of Pokémon are never too scary, after all—in fact, most of them are cute and small, and only the love, care and training of a human will ever bring out their true potential. However, for now, Oaklan isn't focused on how weak and cute Rockruff is. He's focused on winning, and this will take a long time to win, but he's determined. Rockruff is, too; it shows in the little puppy's face as he stares down his opponent. Oaklan has his own eyes focused on the Pokéball in Dmitry's hand. If this Pokémon is a good one, that could spell victory. But if it's something like a Magikarp or a Metapod... Well, they might as well just call it quits. He holds his breath as the other boy throws out the mystery Pokémon, and his heart just about leaps out of his chest. It's not the Pokémon that has shocked him, but rather its coloration. It sparkles in the light, a brilliant yellow hue where light blue is supposed to be, and Oak's jaw drops. "That's a shiny Pokémon!" he says breathlessly, looking at Dmitry, his eyebrows raised. "Those are super rare—"

"And that's why I stole it," the grunt suddenly cuts in, looking irritated to see the shiny lion cub standing before here, fighting for another trainer. "The big boss wants rare Pokémon, and that's one of them. You," she snarls, pointing a finger at Dmitry, "do not deserve it. You're not even a Pokémon trainer, are you? You have to fight with a Pokémon that's not even yours." She smirks, and Arbok's tongue flicks out as it releases a low hiss, as if agreeing with its trainer. Oaklan grimaces, clenching his fists and taking a step forward. "Leer!" he calls to Rockruff, ignoring what the grunt is saying. Rockruff glares at its opponent, its eyes glowing briefly, and Arbok lowers its head, hissing softly. It seems less wary—physical attacks should do more damage now. "Now, hit it with another sand attack—" Oak begins, but he's quickly cut off by the grunt.

"Hit the Shinx! Poison sting!" their opponent suddenly cries, and Arbok opens its jaws, firing multiple venomous darts at Shinx suddenly from its mouth. However, Rockruff has already thrown himself in front of his battling partner. The darts stab into the puppy's fur, and he releases a howl of pain, falling to the ground. He's damaged, but he doesn't look sick—he isn't poisoned, thankfully. "Are you okay, buddy?" Oaklan calls, and Rockruff stands, shaking out the darts and nodding, though he's panting a little. He then whips around and kicks up dirt once again, and the grunt scoffs a second time as her Arbok gets sand in its eyes. "Can't you do anything right, you stupid worm? It's sand!" she snaps at her Pokémon, and its focus is taken from battle as it dips its head repeatedly, trying to apologize. It may be a little underhanded, but it's an opening, and Oaklan looks to Dmitry. "Hit it hard," he whispers, elbowing his side gently. "It's distracted."