Pokémon Delta | Project Dolor Part 1

"We have arrived at the Rifiuto Train Station. If this is your destination, please exit through the doors on the right side of the train. We will be leaving for Hasira in fifteen minutes." I grab our bags and get off the train. We get two pretzels on the way out of the station.

"So where to?" Elicia asks with a full mouth.

"He's should be about ten blocks from here. From what I've heard, he only gets these pokémon once a year, and the deadline is conveniently today, so we got here just on time!"

"Wow, awesome!" We walk across the street and turn right. Thankfully I remember where this guy lives. "So, what's this guy's name?"

"Oh yeah! I can't believe I forgot to tell you." We laugh. "I'm pretty sure it was... Rifugio? Yeah, Rifugio Janda." He owns an antique shop somewhere around the shopping district in Rifiuto, so that's where we're headed."

"Alright, but let's hurry, I wanna be there now!" We make it to the shopping district, but it's much bigger than I anticipated. I ask around to see if anyone can point us in the right direction, but no one was really any help. I wonder if he's even here anymore. I walk up to an old man with grayed hair and a brown trench coat.

"Excuse me sir? Would you happen to know a Rifugio Janda? He owns an antique shop somewhere around here and we need to find him soon."

"Well aren't you lucky? You must be Luca, I am Rifugio. You've grown a lot, haven't you? Although, you are here earlier than I had expected."

"Well trains are very fast."

"And crowded." Elicia adds.

"Heh. Yes, that's why I prefer walking or taking the bus. I assume you and your friend are eager to get your pokémon. Follow me to my shop." He leads us through less crowded streets, then to a nearly deserted one. He stops in front of a dark, run-down store. We follow him inside as he flips a light switch.

"Welcome to La Cassa del Tesoro. Come inside, I'll show you my Pokémon, they're in their room upstairs." The shop is filled with old dusty ceramics, furniture, pretty much anything you'd find in an old person's house. We walk up the stairs after Rifugio. There's an old wooden door at the top that looks like it's ready to fall out of the frame. He opens the door and walks in the room. Elicia and I look at each other, shrug, and follow him inside.

On the other side of the room there's a large wooden table with a PC, a notepad, and a poké-ball. "Well here's one of the Pokémon. I have one with me, but the third is in my room. He walks back downstairs and leaves the door slightly open. Elicia sits in a chair and breathes a sigh of relief.

"So how do you know Rifugio?"

"He's my mom's uncle, so he's my great uncle. He was always saying how he'll have Pokémon waiting for me when I'm older. I thought now would be the best time to get one. Also you're here, so it's even better since you can get one too!"

"Yeah, I-" Rifugio walks back through the door with a poké-ball in hand. He walks over to the table and sets it down with his coat, revealing the third one.

"Okay! So here are the Pokémon!" He tosses each ball into the air and they each make a simultaneous popping sound. "First, on your left is the wood gecko Pokémon, Treecko! A grass type that evolves into Grovyle, then Sceptile. Next up, in the middle is the lizard Pokémon, Charmander!" I'm about to say something about the fire on it's tail, but stop myself. Duh, It's the fire type. "He's a Fire type and evolves into Charmeleon, going on Charizard. Finally, Totodile, the big-jaw Pokémon. He evolves into Croconaw, who then evolves into Feraligatr, each a water type. So, take your pick, ladies first, right?"

"Um, actually... I gave Luca the first pick. We agreed on it yesterday. Right Luca?" Elicia looks over to me for confirmation, and I sigh.

"Yep, that's right." I step forward to make my choice, and the pokémon look up at me expectantly.