【 Crystal Treasures – Contents Page 】
Pokémon Scarlet tag / Pokémon page / Team Rhyme Lore page
Pokemon Scarlet Lucario fanfic. As they travel across Paldea, Rhyme and Leo run into Ruki the Lucario. Rhyme invites him to come along, but Ruki doesn’t trust him. Zephyr steps in.
【 Ruki Joins Your Party 】
Ruki can read what’s in Rhyme’s heart from his Aura, so he doesn’t trust him.
Trainers Rhyme and Leo continued to journey across Paldea. They travelled northwards, starting from Mesagoza and moving clockwise along the circular shape of the Great Crater of Paldea. The scenery around them transitioned gently from grasslands to beaches to deserts to watery lakes, showing Paldea’s various vibrant faces.
Travel wasn’t difficult since Rhyme and Leo’s two Zeraora were one of the fastest Pokémon in existence. The boys only needed to say their destination and their electric cats, Zephyr and Neon, would get them there in a blink. The group was just approaching the snowy Glaseado Mountain, squeezing through the narrow stony tunnels of the Dalizapa Passage, when they spotted Ruki the Lucario there. He was training by battling the local wild Pokémon.
Ruki’s team of wild Pokémon that consisted of him, Alina the Tsareena and Filio the Absol were rivals with Team Rhyme in the Unite Battles of Aeos Island. Rhyme heard that Team Ruki was supposed to have headed for Kalos, but talking with Ruki (Ruki being able to use telepathy like Sir Aaron’s Lucario was so convenient) revealed that they had stopped midway between Aeos and Kalos to have some rest. Ruki had come to Paldea by himself to continue training while waiting for his team to recover.
“Hey, Ruki. While you’re here, how about you come with us?” Rhyme suggested with excitement. “Zeph could learn a thing or two from you, and Ruka will be overjoyed!”
Ruka was another Lucario, Ruki’s younger brother, currently inside one of Rhyme’s Poké Balls. Circumstances separated them, so Rhyme thought it’d be nice if they can be together for awhile. But upon hearing the suggestion, Ruki narrowed his eyes and glared at Rhyme like he just said something stupid.
“Kind invitation, but I’m afraid I’ll have to pass.” The Lucario shrugged, turning away and folding his arms. “Looking at your travel gear, you’re all mostly just exploring and enjoying the scenery, aren’t you? I’d like to focus on my training.”
“Aww, c’mon, Ruki. Don’t be like that,” Rhyme said, nudging him. The Lucario had a point, though. He’d have to admit that Team Rhyme could never be as hardcore as Team Ruki when it comes to battles and training. Still, he wanted Ruki to come along, so he tried to convince him.
“You know that battles are much tougher in the Gyms than in the wild, right? But you need a Trainer to be allowed to fight in a Gym. We can help you get access. How about it?”
Ruki didn’t look at Rhyme, but Rhyme could tell that he was starting to get interested, so he pushed on. “My friend Leo’s Zeraora there is pretty strong, too! You can train with him.”
“…Tch, fine. Battles in the wild are starting to get boring, anyway,” Ruki finally gave in. “But you better get me to the Pokémon League as well, Rhyme.”
“Haha, of course! Let’s do our best, Ruki!”
Once Ruki joined, he proved to be much, much stronger than anyone in Team Rhyme. While the rest of Rhyme’s Pokémon took multiple hits to defeat an opponent in battle, Ruki would swing his scythe-shaped bone staff only once, and take out his foes before they knew what hit them. Truly worthy of his nickname on Aeos Island, the ‘Reaper of the Battlefield’.
Rhyme’s voice wavered whenever he tried to give Ruki his commands. It was like suddenly having a weapon of mass destruction put in his hand. Ruki’s heavy blue black Aura felt like it consumed him, and Rhyme couldn’t connect with the Lucario like he could with the rest of his Pokémon. Cold sweat dribbled down the boy’s face, his breathing ragged and his body tense as he watched Ruki tear down the entire team of another Trainer.
Rhyme was lacking. And once a Pokémon realized that its Trainer was weaker than itself, it’ll stop listening.
“What’s the matter, Rhyme? Don’t know how to battle with a Lucario,” Ruki taunted, ignoring Rhyme’s orders and deciding what Move to use by himself, yet again.
“T-That’s…” Rhyme couldn’t really talk back, intimidated by Ruki’s skill and power.
The battle was over. Ruki straightened himself, walking past Rhyme. He stopped a little behind the boy.
“You’re always acting tough, but you have a lot of doubt in your heart. I can feel it from your Aura.”
“………” Rhyme clenched his fists and looked at the ground. Ruki was reading him like a book.
“If the Trainer’s like this, I won’t be surprised that Zephyr couldn’t become a more powerful Zeraora.”
“ORA!!” Zephyr had been only watching, but he finally stepped in to defend Rhyme. Ruki tilted his head at the cat, not afraid and not impressed.
“Heh, wondering when you’ll make a move. On Aeos Island, you’ve always challenged me to a battle the moment you see me. But now, you remained quiet for days with your head hung low and a cute little bell around your neck. Lost your teeth and claws, Zephyr? Gave up trying to beat me because you know you can’t? It’s that boy’s fault. I’ve seen your strength and will. You can be so much more if you leave him.”
“…Zera…”
Zephyr’s shoulders dropped, conflicted. He shook his head and stood between Ruki and Rhyme protectively, not letting Ruki say another word to Rhyme.
“Zeph…” Rhyme managed. Ruki sighed, leaving them to go grab dinner.
That night at the camp, Zephyr sat with Ruka and Neon a little away from the tent, ranting about the earlier event.
“Ruki should be glad that Apple wasn’t there! She’d have trashed him on spot!!” The Zeraora grumbled, flailing his arms in the air.
Neon yawned, listening to him quietly. Ruka laughed nervously.
“Aww, forgive brother, Zephyr. You know he’s like that.” The young Lucario hugged his knees and smiled a little.
“I’m happy that we can travel together even for just awhile.”
“You’re nice, Ruka. Unlike him. Don’t be like him,” Zephyr said in annoyance. Ruka giggled. He looked worried, then.
“I hope Rhyme’s okay,” he said.
“He should be. Rhyme doesn’t let things get to him,” Zephyr replied.
“Yeah. Hope so…”
They sat quietly for awhile, watching the mist roll across the white plains of Glaseado Mountain, until Zephyr spoke up again.
“I’m pissed!”
“And?” Neon asked.
“And what?” Zephyr looked at Neon, annoyed.
“Just gonna let the dog steamroll you and your boy without a fight?” Neon added.
“………”
Zephyr looked like he wanted to say something. Wanted to say something very, very much. But he didn’t. Neon could see the frustration in the younger cat’s face and fisted claws. The bigger Zeraora made an evil chuckle, using a finger to ring the Soothe Bell on Zephyr’s neck. The bell’s beautiful sound echoed in the air ominously.
“Maybe that blasted dog’s right.” Neon smirked darkly. “Lost your teeth and claws, Zephyr? Where’s the hot-headed brat I first met who thought he could win against anything? You’re a cute, little, beautiful house cat now, fit more for the camera than for fighting.”
“ARRGHH!!! NEOOONNN!! NOT YOU, TOO!!!”
Zephyr yelled with a deep blush, jumping away. Ruka was unsure whether he should laugh or worry for Zephyr. He watched on in confusion. Neon let out a teasing chuckle, the smirk still on his face, amused because he knew which of Zephyr’s buttons to push by now.
“If you’re pissed, go fight him!” Neon told him.
“You know I can’t win, though! Ruki’ll just beat me up and laugh at me!!” Zephyr said. His voice turned quieter, then. “What’s the point?”
“So?” Neon asked, sitting up again. “You’ll at least still get to punch him once or twice to let go of your frustration. You’re not that weak anymore that you can’t touch him. And you’re already much stronger than the average Zeraora. Maybe you should go and remind him of that.”
Zephyr’s ears perked as he listened to Neon, his eyes shining with a new hope.
“Neon… You’re right. I… might have forgotten that I can still get something even if I don’t win.” He balled his fists with a new determination.
“What Ruki said about Rhyme isn’t right. It’s true that we never managed to become as strong as we wanted, but Rhyme… He never gave up on me even when I’m in the lows. Like right now. That’s how I can still keep moving forward,” he said, before smiling at the others.
“I’ll go challenge Ruki. Thanks!”
Neon and Ruka watched Zephyr bound off towards the camp cheerfully, the bell on his neck ringing a happy tune.
“Zephyr seemed to have cheered up a lot!” Leo remarked happily a few days later. “I think getting Ruki in here was nice. They’ve been training together! Ruka’s enjoying his company, too.”
“O-Oh! That’s a good thing,” Rhyme said.
“You okay? You seem to be on edge lately.” Leo lifted an eyebrow, not missing the slightest difference in his best friend’s behaviour.
“…Yeah. Dunno. Ruki being here’s good for us, but I’m not sure if we’re good for him. …I mean, if I’m good for him. Don’t wanna hold him here against his will if it doesn’t benefit him.”
“Heard that.”
The boys turned to see Ruki walking towards them. The Lucario stopped, brushing the dirt off his fur after battling with Zephyr.
“Ruki,” Rhyme said, “Here to talk about leaving, then? I won’t stop you if I’m not good enough for you.”
“Hear that?” Ruki said, pointing his bone scythe at Rhyme. “You. You constantly doubt yourself. I don’t like being ordered around by a Trainer who can’t even get a hold of himself. That’s why I don’t trust you.”
“………” Rhyme looked away.
“But,” Ruki added.
“Ruka does. Zephyr does. I know my brother, and I’ve fought Zephyr enough times to know that he’s not stupid. Your team’s loyal to you more than many I’ve seen. It’s beyond me what they see in you, and why they’d go to such lengths to follow and defend you, if you’re really as worthless as I think.” Ruki lowered his scythe, straightening himself.
“I’m here only for a short time anyway, so I’ll walk with you and let you command me for awhile. You’re not strong, but you might have a different strength that I don’t understand. I want to see and feel it for myself. Don’t let me down.”
“Ruki…!” Rhyme cheered up a little. “I’ll do my best, then! Hope you’ll find something worth your stay!”
Trivia
- When I caught Ruki in Scarlet, his Tera Type was Ice. His level was much higher than the rest of my party and I didn’t have the Gym Badge that can control Pokémon of his level yet, so he wouldn’t listen during battles and it was so in-character and so funny! (The screenshots above are all real, unedited screenshots.)
【 Crystal Treasures – Contents Page 】
