The Riolu and the Ruby

"(Leave me alone Devon!)" The small Riolu yelled as an ice ball flew past his head and impacted a nearby sapling, snapping it in half. Behind him a wicked looking Sneasel with a devilish grin charged up another ice ball and threw it at the Riolu's head.

"(Come on what's the matter? Is the whittle Wiolu afraid of a little ice?)" The Sneasel said in a mocking tone. Rama didn't answer and instead continued to run away from the vicious Sneasel, trying to find someplace he could hide. Unfortunately for him he was in the middle of an open field in the middle of winter, not exactly optimal hiding conditions.

So he just continued to run as hard and fast as he could as tears started to stream  down his face. Rama just couldn't understand why Devon was always being so mean to him. Sure he was smaller than a normal Riolu but did that really matter? Rama didn't have time to contemplate that any more as he ran headlong into a small tree in the middle of the field, knocking him back.

He groaned as he started to get up but was stopped as Devon stood over him and kicked snow in his face.

"(You're pathetic you little twerp. Not only are you a short little shrimp but your a pushover for that matter.)" Devon muttered as he picked up Rama and threw him back. Rama slowly got to his feet and growled at Devon as tears ran down his face in thick rivulets.

"(Aww, did I make the little Riolu cry? Do you want your mommy to come and give you a big hug?)" Rama didn't say anything, he just sat in the snow and cried as Devon picked up a handful of snow. He shaped it into a ball and was about to throw it at Rama when a large shadow fell over him.

Devon stopped and slowly turned around to find a female Floatzel towering  over him with a very disaproving look on her face.

Devon looked up into her eyes and growled. "(Miriam. What do you want?)" The Floatzel named Miriam didn't answer immediately and instead leaned down so that she was at eye level with Devon before speaking.

"(What do you think I want Devon? I want you to stop torturing poor Rama like this. What did he ever do to you to deserve this? Just because he's small doesn't give you the right to harass and torment him.)" Devon just rolled his eyes and glared at Rama as he continued to sit on the ground crying.

Miriam continued to glare at Devon for a moment before walking over to Rama and leaning down to speak with him. Devon stared at the two for a second and then at the ball of snow in his paw before throwing it to the ground. "(Stupid little twerp, you won't always have that bitch around to protect you.)" Devon muttered to himself as he stormed off.

Miriam watched him go with a look of disgust on her face as she tended to the still weeping Riolu. "(It's okay Rama, he's gone now.)" Rama sniffed a few times before looking up at Miriam's smiling face. He continued to look up into her calm eyes for a minute before lowering his head.

"(Thank's Miriam.)" Rama muttered while slowly getting to his feet, wincing in pain from a large bruise on his arm. Miriam immediately came to his side and looked at his arm. "(Did he hurt you Rama?)" Miriam quickly asked, concern evident in her voice. Rama just shook his head no and pulled his arm away from her. "(I'm fine.)" He muttered halfheartedly while rubbing his arm, obviously in a lot of pain.

"(Come on Rama I only want to help you. Now how about we head back to the others and get you cleaned up. Besides I'm sure that Ruby would want to see you and...Rama?)" Miriam suddenly stopped when she saw that Rama wasn't following her. She slowly turned around and walked back over to him, kneeling down so that she could look him in the eye. She could see tears rolling down his cheeks and hitting the ground, freezing instantly.

"(What's the matter Rama?)" Miriam cooed softly as she took his paw and stroked it lightly. Rama didn't answer and just continued to silently cry. "(Rama I just want to help you, you can talk to me, now what's bothering you?)" Rama sniffed a few times before looking up into Miriam's kind eyes. He just continued to look into her eyes for almost half a minute before finally speaking, his voice barely above a whisper.

"(Devon's right...about me.)" Rama muttered quietly. Miriam cocked her head to the side in confusion for a second before responding. "(What are you talking about Rama? Your not actually starting to believe what he's saying about you? Rama you can't-)" But Rama cut her off.

"(No, he's right. I am just a small little useless Pokemon. Why did I have to be hatched so much smaller than other Riolu? Why do I have to be so weak?! Why can't I stand up for myself?! WHY THE HELL DO I HAVE TO BE SO DIFFERENT!!?)" Rama screamed as tears began to pour down his face as he cried out openly. Miriam, unsure what to do, did the first thing that came to mind and embraced Rama, trying her best to calm him down.

"(It's okay Rama, shhhh, everythings is going to be alright.)" Miriam continued to quietly console Rama for the next few minutes until he was calm enough to speak again.
"(I...I wish I had never hatched. I don't want to live like this anymore, day to day with Devon torturing me. It would be better if I was dead.)" Miriam immediately looked down at him in shock.

"(Rama, how could you say such a thing? You're deeply loved by everyone on the team, except for Devon maybe but forget about him. Think of all the Pokemon who would miss you if you were gone, Leo and Twist and Smiley, and don't forget about Ruby. What would she think if you were gone? She would be heartbroken if you left us, we all would. Now stop all of this foolish talk and come on back with me so we can get you cleaned up.)"

The mention of his heart throb, Ruby the Flareon, brought pause to Rama's sobs. His thought suddenly turned from his own self loathing to her. He had always had a crush on her, from the first moment he had seen her when she had been a playful little Eevee and he was a barely hatched Riolu without a care in the world. But those days had quickly passed him by when Devon had noticed his runt status and begun teasing him mercilessly.

As he thought about Ruby he thought of all the times he had considered telling her how he really felt about her. As far as she was concerned he was just a really good friend. But every time that he had tried to tell her he would freeze up. He couldn't understand why but as time went on he had begun to get the feeling that Devon was right. He was just a stupid little coward who didn't have a chance with her.

He was sick and tired of it. Ruby was now a Flareon, having only evolved a few days ago and Rama felt deep down that his chances with her were now slimmer than ever. How could she ever love a pathetic little whimp like him who couldn't even stand up for himself.

As these thoughts passed through Rama's mind another thought suddenly struck him, one that he had only just remembered. Today was Ruby's birthday. He had vowed to get her something nice this year and maybe finally work up the courage to tell her but then Devon had found him and...he had completely forgotten all about it.

"(Rama come on, we need to get going.)" Rama looked over at Miriam who was waiting patiently for him a few feet away. He thought of Ruby, her beautiful red coat, those dazzling eyes, and that smile. How could such a wonderful angel ever love a little runt like him. Tears once again began to well up in his eyes as he thought of her, and how he would never be able to be good enough for her, it would be better if he just disappeared and stopped being a burden on everyone.

Rama stared at the ground for what seemed an eternity, his jaw clenched tight as he watched his tears hit the ground and freeze. Then suddenly without warning he felt Miriam's paw on his shoulder.

"(Rama?)" Rama looked up at her once more before pushing her away, getting to his feet and quickly running off towards the woods behind him. He could hear Miriam calling for him but he didn't listen, he didn't want to listen. Right then Rama didn't care where he was so long as it was far away from everyone else. He needed time to think, time to collect his thoughts, time to...ohh what did it matter. No matter what he told himself the truth was evident in his heart. He was running from his own fear, fear that he was not good enough for Ruby.

Rama cried loudly as he ran into the woods, not sure where he was going or what he would find when he got there. The one thing that he knew for certain right then and there was that he couldn't face Ruby like this, he just couldn't.

                                                 ...

Rama continued to run for several minutes before he stopped to catch his breath. He had found himself on the bank of a small stream running through the forest and kneeled down to get a drink. The cool water felt wonderful as it flowed down his parched throat and renewed his strength.

After quenching his thirst Rama sat down on the bank of the stream and watched the water flow. It was quite mesmerizing watching the water carrying small pieces of ice and beautiful frozen twigs. Rama idly dipped his paw into the cool stream and splashed some of the water on his face. It was cold but it helped with his sore eyes.

He just continued to sit there thinking for several minutes. Not sure what he was going to do. He couldn't go back to his teammates like this. What would they think of him? The scared little runt who ran off crying like a newly hatched baby Pokemon? No, he was not going to come back to more ridicule and more teasing from Devon.

In fact right then he wasn't sure if he ever wanted to go back. True he had a lot of friends who cared for him but he couldn't spend his entire life hiding behind them. And then there was Devon, what was he going to do to him when he got back. Probably a boatload of new insults about how the scared little Riolu had run off and hid in the woods.

Lastly he didn't think he could face Ruby again and fail to tell her how he truly felt. Each time that he had failed to tell her how he felt it hurt more. He couldn't live with that kind of pain forever. And would he ever be able to tell her his true feelings? Doubtful. At the rate he was going Ruby would have found a mate and had a litter by the time he worked up the courage.

Rama sighed and looked at his expression in the water. He was a pitiful sight to say the least. His fur was a wet mess and his eyes were bloodshot from how much he had been crying. there was a small cut on the side of his cheek from where an ice ball had barely missed him and a large bruise on his arm from when he fell. All in all he looked more like a drowned Rattata than anything else.

Rama growled and slapped the water with his paw. "(Why do you have to be so weak!?)" Rama yelled at his reflection. "(Why can't you do anything right?! Why can't you just tell Ruby how you really feel?)" With each sentence Rama punched his reflection again and again. Tears began to flow freely from his eyes again but he didn't care. He was just too furious with himself right then to care what he looked like to anyone else.

"(AHHHH! What the hell am I doing!!?)" Rama yelled as he leaned down on the bank and pounded the ground with his fist. "(What did I ever do to deserve any of this!?)" He yelled towards the sky. "(Why did you have to make me so weak Arceus!? Or don't you even care about me!?)" He yelled once more before smashing his fist into the stream with enough force to hit the bottom.

Rama immediately recoiled in pain and looked at his bloodied knuckles before letting out a deep breath and calming down. He slowly slid his paw into the water to clean off the blood, watching the smokey trails whisp away through the clear water.

Suddenly something caught Rama's eye. He looked closer at the water and squinted to make sure that he wasn't imagining it. Sure enough there was a dull red glow near the bottom of the stream where he had punched it. Rama slowly pulled his paw out of the water and looked down through the clear water. He couldn't quite make it out but something was definitely glowing down there.

Cautiously he reached his paw into the water and felt around the bottom. At first he felt nothing but cold silt and was about to give up when his paw touched something warm. At first he thought he had accidentally grabbed a Remoraid but when it didn't move he knew it was something else. Rama immediately pulled his paw out of the water and gazed upon what he had recovered.

His eyes got wide as he stared down at a beautiful uncut fire red ruby the size of a small pebble in his paw. It was roughly hexagonal in shape and about half an inch thick. But what really caught Rama's attention was how warm it felt in his paw. For something that had been submerged in a stream for who knew how long it was as warm as a flower petal on a spring day.

Rama just continued to stare at the beautiful stone for several more seconds, he could swear that he could see Ruby's face in the gem's reflecting surface, smiling back at him.

A small grin came to Rama's face as he continued to look at the rock which quickly turned into a wide smile. This was it. This would be his gift to Ruby, the perfect gift for the perfect girl. Not to mention it would provide a great ice breaker for him and maybe, just maybe, give him the perfect opportunity to finally tell her how he felt.

Without a second thought Rama turned around and ran back the way he had come. He hadn't felt this good in months, all the pain and suffering that Devon had inflicted on him over the last few days was quickly washed away by the warmth from the stone he held between his paws.

After several minutes Rama found himself at the edge of the forest and quickly ran out and started to head back to where the team was camped. However, he was so overjoyed with his find and what it could mean he didn't noticed the shadowy creature hiding in a tree right above him until it lunged.

Rama was thrown forward as a heavy weight landed on his back and he lost his grip on the stone as it flew from his paws. His eyes bulged out of his head in shock and fear, more concerned about losing the stone than his own safety.

"(Well well, what do we have here.)" Rama looked up and his mouth dropped open when he saw Devon holding the stone between his claws, examining it in the waning daylight. "(Maybe I was wrong about you Rama, you actually managed to do one thing right in finding this rock. Should fetch a high price.)"

Rama slowly got to his feet and glared at Devon with unconcealed contempt. "(G-give it back to me now Devon. I found it, it's mine. This isn't fair.)" Rama realized how weak and pathetic that had sounded as Devon started to laugh.

"(Oh the little Riolu thinks that just because he found the stone that it's his. Well I got bad news for you pipsqueak, life isn't' fair. Now get lost before I lose my temper and have to teach you a lesson about humility.)" Devon went back to studying the stone but Rama didn't move. For once in his life he didn't feel afraid of the Sneasel, all he felt was rage.

Slowly Rama started to walk over towards Devon who wasn't even paying attention to him. He stopped a few feet away from the Sneasel and bared his teeth. "(I told you that's mine Devon, now give it back!)" Rama was surprised at the anger in his voice but not nearly as surprised as Devon. However, his surprise was quickly replaced with anger at having been talked back to by the little Riolu.

"(Ohhh, you're gonna regret that Rama.)" Devon hissed as he lashed out with his claws bared. Rama jumped back just in time to avoid being hit and threw a kick that landed hard on Devon's shoulder, causing him to drop the stone. Devon took several steps back before stopping, uncontrollable rage burning in his dark eyes.

"(I've been waiting a long time for this you little punk. But now I'm going to gut you like a Pidgey and leave your carcass for the Spearow's to feast on!)" Devon screamed as he lunged forward. Rama wasn't prepared for the vicious assault and did his best to dodge Devon's onslaught. But the Sneasel was simply too fast and too skilled for him to dodge all of the blows and after less than a minute Rama's arms were covered in cuts as he was backed up against a tree.

Tears started to form in his eyes as fear began to creep into his psyche. What if Devon won and killed him here. He would never be able to tell Ruby how he loved her, never be able to give her the beautiful stone that he had found. He would never see any of his friends again.

Rama looked up as Devon as he stood over him with his claws extended to their full length. Pure hatred burning in his eyes. "(Say goodnight Rama!)" Devon yelled as he slashed at the Riolu's neck. But Rama wasn't going to give up without a fight. Just as Devon's claws were about to connect he lashed out with his paw as hard as he could at Devon's gut. To his surprise a ball of blue energy shot from it and hit Devon in the gut, throwing him back a good ten feet.

Devon groaned and slowly got back to his feet while Rama marveled at what he had just done. He now knew aura sphere. He gave Devon a toothy grin which only further enraged the Sneasel who charged at him with reckless abandon, not realizing that was exactly what Rama wanted him to do.

As soon as he was close enough Rama jumped into the air and kicked Devon in the back with all his might, propelling the Sneasel headlong into the tree that had almost been Rama's burial ground. Devon's head smashed into the trunk with a loud crack and he slid to the ground with blood running from his nose and mouth.

Very slowly he started to get up but Rama stopped him and threw a hard punch into the Sneasel's gut followed by another to his chin. He just continued to punch away at the Sneasel, rage driving every blow. Every time that Devon had tormented him came back to Rama as he continued to pound away at the now defenseless Sneasel. He could see tears starting to form in Devon's eyes but he didn't care. He was going to make him pay.

Rama continued to wail on Devon for almost another straight minute before finally stopping. Devon was a bloody mess of bruises and from what Rama could see he had broken several of his bones as well.

He drew back his fist to deliver one final blow when he saw something in Devon's eyes that he never thought he would see, fear. Devon was afraid of him. Rama looked at his balled and blood covered fist and then at Devon before lowering his arm and spitting in Devon's face. "(Your not worth it you miserable bastard.)" Rama muttered as he turned away.

Devon pushed himself to his feet and watched as Rama retrieved the stone. He extended his claws and prepared to lunge at Rama when suddenly the tree branch above him, overladen with snow and weakened from the battle below, collapsed on him.

Rama turned at the noise and looked at the miserable Sneasel who's leg was now pinned under the branch. "(AHHHHHHHHH, DAMNIT!!)" Devon screamed in pain. Rama just looked back at him with a blank expression as Devon tried and failed to free his leg.

He looked over at Rama and glared. Rama looked down at the stone he was holding and then at Devon before sighing. "(I'm going to seriously regret this)" He muttered as he walked over to Devon and lifted the branch off of his broken leg. As soon as he was free Devon tried once more to swipe at Rama but he simply side stepped and punched him in the head, knocking him out cold. Rama took one more look at Devon before sighing and grabbing his arm, dragging hiim back with him.

"(The things I do for love.)" Rama muttered to himself as he strode off.

                                              ...

Ruby the Flareon gazed into the roaring campfire and let out a pleasant sigh of content. Around her various younger Pokemon were laughing and playing in the snow while the older ones held practice battles, or in Nina the Lopunny's case, tried to play basketball on ice.

It had been a wonderful week for her so far. She had found a fire stone and evolved only three days ago and was greatly enjoying the abilities her new body was presenting her. Then her birthday had come and with it a beautiful day to enjoy with her friends. The only thing that would have made it better was if Rama was around.

Ruby loved the little Riolu like a brother and liked nothing more than having fun with him. And this time of year was perfect, they had spent the last few days with the other younger members of the time, namely Leo, Twist, and Smiley, making snowmen and having snowball fights. Although Rama wasn't a huge fan of the latter Ruby had done her best to make sure that he wasn't hit too often.

But at the same time she had gotten the impression that Rama had been really down ever since she evolved. She didn't know why but she figured it was because he was just anxious to evolve and get over his height issues and seeing one of his good friends evolve had made him a little jealous.

Ruby sighed and idly looked out at the snowy field before her as the sun started to set. It was so beautiful, if only Rama were there to share it with her. Although she had never let anyone, especially Rama, know she had a bit of a crush on the lovable little Riolu.

Suddenly off to the side Ruby saw Miriam approaching. A small smile came to her face. Miriam had gone off to find Rama an hour ago when the little Riolu hadn't returned from collecting firewood. However, as Miriam got closer Ruby noticed that she was alone and she frowned. She slowly got to her feet and ran out to meet the Floatzel, who looked exasperated from running.

As soon as she was close enough she immediately asked the obvious question. "(Hey Miriam where's Rama? I thought that you were going to get him?)" Miriam took a second to catch her breath, she had obviously run a ways, before answering. "(Rama, he ran off into the woods after Devon beat him up, I couldn't follow him through the brush but we need to find him now.)"

Ruby's eyes got wide in fright at the thought of Rama lost and alone in the woods. At the same time the thought of Devon set her teeth on edge. She hated it when that sadistic Sneasel picked on Rama but what really made her mad was the thought that Rama was now lost because of it.

But there would be time for blame later, right now there were more important things to focus on.

"(Miriam we have to find him. Do you know where he went into the woods? What about Devon have you seen him? And, and-wait a minute, what's that?)" Miriam looked behind her where Ruby was pointing and her mouth almost dropped open in shock. Walking up the path behind her was a battered little Riolu dragging a Sneasel with one arm while holding something in the other.

As soon as Ruby saw who it was she squealed in joy and ran over to him, quickly followed by Miriam and everyone else.

Without hesitation she immediately jumped on Rama and embraced him in a warm hug, causing the Riolu to blush madly. "(Oh Rama I was so worried about you. When Miriam said that you were missing and that Devon had beat you up I didn't know what to think but-)" It was then that Ruby noticed Rama's injuries and she brought a paw to her mouth in shock.

"(Oh Rama your hurt.)" She said while taking his paw in her own and examining his injuries. At the same time Miriam had taken the unconscious Devon and set him by the fire.

"(Believe me Ruby, Devon looks ten times worse than me.)" Rama said with a slight grin on his face. Ruby just shook her head and hugged him again. "(I'm just so glad that your safe and well relatively unharmed. Really how does trouble always manage to find you?)" Rama smirked. "(Well I don't think it needs to find me, it generally knows pretty well where I am.)" They both shared a laugh about that as everyone walked back over to the fire so Miriam could tend to Rama's injuries.

Once that was taken care of everyone immediately wanted to know what happened with Rama and Devon. Rama gave them a brief summary, omitting the part about finding the ruby in the stream.

Henrik, the Bayleef leader of the team, seemed particularly impressed with Rama's accomplishment. "(Quite impressive Rama, you have a lot to be proud of. Not only in defeating Devon but also in sparing him, it shows real maturity on your part. But now I think it's time we forget about those unfortunate happenings and instead focus on the joyous celebration of our dear Ruby's birthday. And as a gift to her we all chipped in and got you a book of karaoke songs for you to practice.)"

Ruby blushed and smiled widely as Anna the Lapras handed her the book. Ruby loved karaoke and couldn't have asked for a better gift. "(Thank you everyone, this really means a lot to me.)"

Suddenly she felt something poking her shoulder and she looked over to see Rama standing there with his paws behind his back and a blush on his face.

"(Umm, Ruby?)" Ruby blinked once and nodded. "(Yes Rama, what is it?)" Rama stared at the ground for a second before taking in a deep breath and looking into her eyes, it was now or never. "(Uhh Ruby can I have a minute alone with you?)" Ruby thought for a second before nodding and walking off a little ways with Rama. "(What's the matter Rama?)" Rama looked right into Ruby's eyes and said the words that had seemed lost to him for so long.

"(Ruby I love you. I've loved you since the very first day that I met you. Not just as a friend but...well you know, in that other way not the family way but more like, well kind of like the family way but-)" Ruby stopped him right there by placing a paw over his mouth and smiling.

"(You don't need to say anymore Rama, I know what you mean. And you should know that, well, I've always kind of had a crush on you too.)" Rama's ears shot straight up in shock as both Pokemon began to blush madly.

It took Rama almost a full minute to find the courage to do what he did next but with great strength he brought his paws forward and presented Ruby with her gift. "(Happy birthday Ruby. I hope that you like it and that you'll think of me whenever you look at it.)" Ruby gasped as she looked at the beautiful ruby and saw her reflection in it. With a trembling paw she took it and held it close to her heart.

"(Oh Rama, this is...this is the most wonderful thing that anyone has ever done for me, thank you.)" And with that she leaned down and kissed Rama full on the mouth. After a moment Ruby pulled away.

Rama didn't move for a second then suddenly he started to turn bright red before falling over backwards into the snow with his feet sticking straight up in the air. The snow around him started to melt and a wide grin came over his face.

Ruby giggled a little. "(Maybe we need to take things a little slower.)" She laughed while reaching a paw out to help up Rama. Rama took her paw in his and hugged her tightly.

"(I'll never let you go Ruby, I promise.)" Ruby nodded and leaned down close to his ear. "(Same here Rama, together forever.)" And with that they passionately kissed under the beautiful night sky.