The river had changed overnight.
Where yesterday it flowed lazily past mossy stones, today it rushed with purpose, swollen from distant rain. Sunlight fractured across its surface in silver ribbons. The sound was louder, sharper—like the river itself was calling for a challenge.
Grant stood at the edge with his boots half-submerged, notebook tucked under his arm.
"Alright," he said, eyes scanning the current. "This is perfect."
Oshawatt bounced beside him, shell strapped tight, tail swishing with restless energy.
"Osha! Oshawatt!"
Sewaddle peeked from a leaf satchel on Grant's backpack, blinking in the morning light. Venipede buzzed along the water's edge, tracing patterns in the mist. Pignite stretched, steam rising from its nostrils.
Nyra cracked her knuckles. "You look like a mad scientist."
Grant smiled. "I prefer 'obsessively prepared.'"
He flipped open the notebook. "Today's goal: Razor Shell under pressure."
Oshawatt froze.
Nyra crouched beside it. "Not pressure-pressure. Training pressure."
Oshawatt tilted its head.
Grant knelt. "We're not chasing perfection. We're chasing progress."
Oshawatt nodded slowly.
The River Drills
Grant stacked three flat stones midstream, anchoring them with rope.
"Target line," he said. "Shell Block into Aqua Jet, Razor Shell on the final stone."
Nyra pointed at the current. "And use the flow. Let it carry you."
Oshawatt stepped into the water.
The river pushed against its legs.
It wobbled.
"Shell Block!" Grant called.
Oshawatt braced, shell forward.
"Aqua Jet!"
The current launched it forward.
"Swing!"
The shell flashed—but clipped only the edge of the stone.
Oshawatt splashed down, coughing.
"Osha…"
Grant was already wading in. "You did better. You adjusted your footing."
Oshawatt blinked. "Osha?"
Grant nodded. "Again."
They ran it again.
And again.
By the fifth run, Oshawatt was soaked and shaking, but its eyes burned with determination.
Nyra raised a hand. "Break."
Oshawatt shook its head.
Grant touched its shoulder. "We stop when you're tired. That's how we get hurt."
Oshawatt hesitated… then nodded.
Sewaddle climbed onto its shell and wrapped a silk thread around its wrist like a band.
Venipede buzzed encouragement.
Pignite snorted softly.
The Mock Battle
After lunch—river fish roasted over coals—Grant stood and dusted off his hands.
"Time for pressure."
Oshawatt froze.
Nyra smirked. "Mock battle. One-on-one."
Pignite stomped forward.
Oshawatt swallowed.
Grant crouched. "You're ready."
Oshawatt looked at the river. Then at Pignite.
Then nodded.
Nyra raised her arm. "Battle start!"
Pignite lunged with Flame Charge, kicking up sparks.
"Oshawatt—Shell Block!"
The shell caught the blow. Heat washed over Oshawatt's face.
"Push off—Aqua Jet!"
Oshawatt rocketed backward, skimming the river's surface.
"Razor Shell!"
The shell flashed—
Pignite twisted, the blade grazing its shoulder.
It skidded, claws digging into the dirt.
Nyra's eyes widened. "Again!"
Pignite charged with Flame Wheel.
"Sidestep!" Grant shouted.
Oshawatt rolled, heat scorching its fur.
"Counter—Razor Shell!"
The shell struck Pignite's flank.
Pignite grunted and staggered.
Nyra raised a hand. "Enough."
The fire faded.
Oshawatt stood there, chest heaving.
Grant ran to it. "You did it."
Oshawatt stared at its shell.
Then at its hands.
Its body began to glow.
"Uh," Nyra said. "Grant?"
The light burst outward.
Oshawatt cried out—
—and grew.
Its arms lengthened. Its ears sharpened. The shell split into twin blades that slid into its paws.
The glow faded.
A Dewott stood where Oshawatt had been.
It looked down at its new blades.
Then at Grant.
"De…wott?"
Grant's throat tightened. "You evolved."
Dewott lifted one blade.
Then the other.
Then bowed.
Nyra laughed. "Elite material."
Dewott straightened proudly.
The Pokémon's Thoughts
I am sharper.
—Dewott flexes its new blades. The river feels smaller now. I feel taller. Stronger. I will cut my way forward.
Grant believed before I did.
The big one is bigger.
—Sewaddle watches Dewott with awe. I want to be brave like that. I want to grow.
Grant says I will.
Two blades. Two legs. Faster.
—Venipede circles Dewott. I race you someday.
Good fight.
—Pignite snorts. Worthy.
Quest Board
That evening, they reached a small riverside settlement.
A wooden board stood near the bridge, covered in notices.
Grant read aloud:
"Lost Krabby near the docks. Reward: 500 Pokédollars."
Nyra smirked. "Easy money."
"Berry delivery to Route 3. 300 Pokédollars."
"Clearing Beedrill nest—"
Nyra shook her head. "Not that one."
They took three jobs.
The Krabby Rescue
They found the Krabby wedged between crates, snapping angrily.
Dewott stepped forward.
"Shell Block," Grant whispered.
Krabby pinched.
Dewott blocked.
Sewaddle webbed its claw.
Venipede disarmed it.
Grant scooped it up.
"Got you."
500 Pokédollars richer.
The Berry Run
They carried baskets along a forest path.
Wild Patrat attacked.
Dewott drew its blades.
Grant smiled. "Razor Shell."
One clean strike.
Path cleared.
300 Pokédollars.
They didn't take the Beedrill job.
But they did clear a Spearow roost.
Pignite scared them off.
200 Pokédollars.
They found the last quest pinned crookedly at the bottom of the board.
"Missing Bidoof. Last seen near the mill. Eats everything. Please help."
Reward: 150 Pokédollars
Nyra squinted. "That's it?"
Grant shrugged. "Money's money."
They followed muddy footprints to the old grain mill by the river. The door was half-open. Something inside was chewing.
Loudly.
Crunch. Crunch. Thump.
Grant peeked inside.
A Bidoof sat in the middle of the floor, surrounded by torn sacks of flour, chewing through a wooden crate like it was a snack.
"…That's not food," Grant muttered.
The Bidoof looked up.
Its cheeks were stuffed. Flour coated its whiskers.
"Bidooof."
Then it charged.
"Why is it always the cute ones?!" Nyra shouted.
Dewott leapt in front of Grant, blades crossed.
"Shell Block!"
Bidoof slammed into the guard and bounced backward, landing on its back and rolling into a pile of grain.
Sewaddle fired a String Shot, tying its tail to a barrel.
Venipede zipped around and tripped it.
The Bidoof wobbled, stood up—
—and immediately started chewing on the barrel.
Grant stared. "It's unstoppable."
Nyra pinched her nose. "Try food."
Grant pulled a berry from his bag and tossed it.
The Bidoof froze.
Sniffed.
Dropped the barrel.
Ran for the berry and hugged it.
Grant gently scooped it up. "You're a menace."
"Bidooof," it said happily.
They returned it to a frantic mill owner.
The man bowed repeatedly. "It ate my door. My table. My toolbox."
Nyra handed over the Bidoof. "Keep it away from furniture."
The man shoved coins into Grant's hands. "Please take this and leave before it escapes again."
They walked away laughing.
Dewott shook flour off its fur.
Sewaddle sneezed.
Venipede rolled in the leftover grain.
Nyra wiped tears from her eyes. "Elite trainers. Defeated by a beaver."
Grant smiled. "Still got paid."
That night, they counted coins.
Nyra whistled. "We're not broke anymore."
Grant leaned back on his elbows. "Food, potions, and maybe new gear."
Dewott sat beside him, blades resting across its knees.
Grant looked at it. "You earned this."
Dewott nodded solemnly.
Sewaddle crawled into Grant's sleeve.
Venipede curled around Nyra's boot.
Pignite lay like a furnace at her feet.
The river sang.
Grant closed his eyes.
Tomorrow, they would push farther.
Stronger.
Sharper.
Together.