//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: The Journey Beyond // by Derpyditzydoobubbles //------------------------------// Shafts of sunlight stroke softly at the closed eyes of Riolu, causing him to be aroused from his slumber. He opened his eyes wide and looked around from the couch that he was sleeping upon. Morning had finally come, and it seemed like he was correct. There were animals all around him. Some of them were in cages, and some laid around lazily on the floor as if they too had just woken up. He then perked his ears up as he heard a small knock outside of the entrance to Fluttershy's cabin. "Riolu! It's me, fluttershy. I woke up early to bring you your gift! May I come in?" A voice behind the door spoke. Riolu slowly got off of the couch and lazily walked toward the door. "Coming!" He yawned. Once he finally made it, he opened the door to find himself staring at Fluttershy and two other creatures. One was a purple pony and had wings just like Fluttershy's, but had a horn on top of its head. The other was a purple, chubby, dragon with green spikes coming from his head to his tail. Riolu hid his body behind the door in fear, but peered his head outside to see what the new creatures might do. Fluttershy noticed this and smiled. "Don't be afraid, Riolu. These are just my friends. This one's princess twilight sparkle. She's an alicorn." Fluttershy said as she pointed her hoof to the purple pony. "Salutations." Twilight spoke with a grin. "And this one right here is spike. He's a dragon." Fluttershy spoke as she hovered her hoof over to the other one. "Hey!" Spike yawned as he waved at Riolu. Riolu got a closer look at the two new creatures. They didn't look as kind as fluttershy, and they seemed a little bit too happy. Riolu bit at his bottom lip in fear. "Fluttershy, can I see you in private?" Riolu spoke as he gestured his paw at her to come in. Fluttershy stared at Riolu in confusion for a second, and started galloping toward the door where riolu was. When her entire body was completly inside the cabin, Riolu immediately shut the door behind her and stared at her in annoyance. "Who are they?" Riolu questioned in a soft yet angered tone. "They're my friends." Fluttershy mumbled softly. Riolu continued staring at her with an annoyed look on his face. A frown had appeared slowly and was now noticeable. "I can see that, but what are they doing here?" He questioned curiously. Fluttershy poked her hoof at the floor and started dragging it shyly across its wooden surface. "They were supposed to be your present." Fluttershy whined. Riolu bit at his bottom lip. He's temper was slightly heating up. "Fluttershy, I don't want creatures like that as a present. I can handle one creature like you on my own, but three? I'm not so sure about that." Riolu said sternly. "What's that supposed to mean?" Fluttershy questioned shyly. Riolu bit at his bottom lip even more. He was getting even more worried about this. "Well, your not all that strong looking, and I could easily handle you by yourself. I'm not a total wimp, you know." Riolu said with a blushed face. "Are you saying that I am weak?" Fluttershy questioned with a sadden face. Before Riolu could answer, another knock had come at the door. "Fluttershy, can we come in now?" A voice behind the door asked. "Yes, you guys can come in now." Fluttershy shouted softly. Riolu stepped back in fear as he heard the door creak all the way open. He looked in slight horror as he saw twilight and spike step into the cabin an walk toward him. "Hello there, little one. Is your name Riolu?" Twilight questioned as she held out a hoof at him in greeting. "Yes, but I am anything from little." Riolu scoffed. "So I see. Tell me, Riolu. Where do you come from?" Twilight asked curiously. Riolu stared hard at twilight with his paws now crossed in a bold fashion. He then leaned in closer to her with his gaze locking with onto her eyes. "Didn't your parents ever teach you anything about childbirth?" He smirked. A gasp of horror had come out of Twilight's and Fluttershy's mouth. The room had suddenly fallen into an awkward silence. Twilight was then able to muster enough courage to break the veil. "So, Riolu. What are you?" She questioned. Riolu stared at her with a raised eyebrow. "I am a Pokemon." He spoke boldly. Twilight stared at him with a definite gaze. "Okay, what is a Pokemon then?" Twilight questioned. An infuriating expression had now been forged upon Riolu's face. This pony wouldn't stop asking so many questions! She was like Fluttershy, but more curious! "A Pokemon is me!" He answered rudely with a smile on his face. An angered expression had fallen upon twilight's face. She could not take the annoyance any longer. "Twilight, are you sure you still want to do this?" Fluttershy piped up. Twilight looked up from her stare off with Riolu and nodded her head at Fluttershy. "Yes, Fluttershy. I am determined to learn more about this creature. I'll take him to my place as soon as possible. Just like you said I could." Twilight said coolly. Riolu woke up from his state of moxie and stood in horror at fluttershy. "You want to get rid of me?" Riolu asked pensively. Fluttershy looked away from the three visitors and dipped her head down low. "Well, I did promised her while we were coming to meet you that she could run some tests on you at her place. She promised me that she wouldn't hurt you if she did, so I agreed. I'm really sorry for the inconvenience." She squealed. Riolu stared at fluttershy in sadness.Tears were welling in his eyes. He thought that this place would protect him from things like this. "Come on Riolu. I think you will enjoy ponyville!" Twilight smiled. Riolu didn't respond. He was frozen in place due to the betrayal that he had now endured. He felt a strange magical grip surround him as he was lifted up from the ground and placed upon twilight's back. The magic seemed to have come from twilight's horn, which had glowed a bright purple. "Alright, spike. Let's go!" Twilight whispered to the dragon as they walked out of Fluttershy's home. Riolu still stood frozen in shock as he was carried down the dirt path that lead out from Fluttershy's place. He almost thought he heard a mere whisper of apology come out from inside of the cabin. Still, he considered himself to have been betrayed by the likes of a meek creature. "I really should of stayed behind those bushes." Riolu whispered to himself.