C2: Riolu Egg Hatches, Officially Hired!
As soon as Ruri finished speaking, Brycen-Man immediately threw a Poké Ball with dramatic flair.
"Go! My loyal Pokémon! This pier shall be your stage! While I take this chance to execute my flawless plan!"
In a burst of red light, Honchkrow appeared, its wide-brimmed "hat" crest casting a sharp shadow over its eyes. In both game and manga canon, Honchkrow is known for commanding flocks of Murkrow and acting as a mafia-like leader among Dark-types—perfectly fitting the villain role.
"Stop right there!"
Shilo shouted, releasing Lucario. The Aura Pokémon landed lightly, crossing its arms before stepping forward to block Honchkrow's path.
"Hm… that stance…" Brycen-Man narrowed his eyes behind the mask.
Following the Pokéstar Studios filming format from Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Shilo entered on cue and directed Lucario to intercept Honchkrow. He himself lowered into an Ultraman Leo–style fighting stance, his center of gravity stabilizing through subtle leg engagement.
"I am the messenger of truth and ideals—Lucario Boy! Brycen-Man, I will not allow you to continue your wicked schemes!"
The "truth and ideals" line subtly echoed the Unova region's core theme from Black and White, where Reshiram represents truth and Zekrom represents ideals. Even in Pokéstar's parody format, such thematic callbacks were common.
Cecil observed from behind the monitor.
"The delivery is good. Momentum is solid. But what school is that stance from?"
Shilo's stance wasn't based on any known Kanto, Johto, or Unova martial tradition. In the manga, characters like Bruno use classical martial arts, while Gym Leaders such as Marshal demonstrate disciplined forms. Shilo's stance was entirely foreign.
"Lucario Boy? So you've returned! Hahaha! I'd love to relive our battle at Pokéstar's Amusement Park, but alas, I am pressed for time!"
Brycen-Man extended his arm dramatically.
"Honchkrow! Use Wing Attack!"
Honchkrow's wings glowed white as it dove with sharp acceleration.
"Lucario, use Protect."
Lucario thrust its palms forward. A translucent blue barrier formed—consistent with the defensive Aura constructs seen in both game animations and Lucario's portrayal in extended media. Honchkrow's Wing Attack struck the barrier and dispersed.
"Passengers preparing to board, please complete your boarding procedures," Ruri narrated, maintaining the dramatic urgency typical of Pokéstar's branching scripts.
"I'm in a hurry! Lucario Boy, step aside!"
"Give me one reason!"
Shilo's eyes sharpened. Even Hachiku—Brycen in his Gym Leader identity from Icirrus City—felt the emotional weight. In the manga, Brycen is portrayed as stoic and disciplined; Shilo's intensity was successfully drawing a response.
"You brat! I won't let what happened at the amusement park repeat itself! Honchkrow, use Thief!"
Honchkrow's claws glowed with dark energy as it slashed. Lucario attempted to evade, but the strike connected. The Dark-type energy pulsed—and immediately, Lucario's Attack stat rose.
Cecil blinked.
"Justified," she muttered.
Lucario's Hidden Ability, Justified, raises its Attack when hit by a Dark-type move—accurate to official mechanics.
"Lucario, grab its leg and use Force Palm!"
Lucario surged forward with speed reminiscent of the agile combat style shown by Korrina's Lucario in later canon. It seized Honchkrow's leg and drove a glowing palm into its body. A shockwave burst outward.
"Attention passengers…"
"I don't have time for this! Honchkrow, use Astonish!"
A piercing shriek erupted. Lucario flinched, releasing its grip.
"Return!"
Brycen-Man recalled Honchkrow in a red flash.
"Scrafty, take the stage!"
Scrafty appeared, tugging its loose "pants" up with its habitual swagger—behavior consistent with its Pokédex entries.
"Scrafty, use High Jump Kick!"
Scrafty leapt high, knee glowing.
"Lucario, Protect!"
The Aura barrier expanded again. Scrafty's knee collided violently with the barrier and rebounded. Upon landing, it clutched its leg, consistent with High Jump Kick's recoil mechanics.
"The cruise ship is about to depart…"
"Scrafty! Fire Punch!"
"Force Palm!"
Scrafty's fist ignited in flames, while Lucario's palm glowed gold. The attacks collided mid-strike.
Flames engulfed Lucario—burn status inflicted.
Simultaneously, Scrafty stiffened—paralysis set in from Force Palm's secondary effect.
"Woooooo—"
A ship horn echoed across the studio pool.
"My ship…!"
Brycen-Man staggered back, recalling Scrafty.
"Brycen-Man! I saw through your plan long ago! The cargo hold's Black Diamonds have already departed safely!"
This referenced Pokéstar's typical exaggerated villain objectives—similar to Brycen-Man Strikes Back 2.
"Impossible…!"
Brycen-Man turned toward the water tank.
Shilo's legs compressed.
He sprinted two steps, launched upward, executed a straight front somersault with a 90-degree rotation, and delivered a flying kick squarely to Brycen-Man's back.
This was not in the script.
Brycen-Man, ever the professional actor, rode the momentum and plunged into the water, swimming away with strong strokes—mirroring Brycen's canonical physical conditioning as a former action star.
Silence fell over the set.
Cecil replayed the footage twice.
"No harness. No trampoline," she murmured.
In Pokémon Adventures, physical combat is emphasized heavily—trainers like Black and Ruby engage in dangerous physical feats. Shilo's stunt-level athleticism fit that gritty tone.
"He stays," Cecil said firmly.
---
Combat Evaluation – Examiner: Hachiku (Brycen)
After filming, the physical evaluation began.
Hachiku removed the mask, now fully embodying his Gym Leader persona from Icirrus City—disciplined, precise, and composed.
Shilo assumed his Leo stance.
Hachiku adopted a Jeet Kune Do–inspired guard.
Shilo leapt—Ultra 40-Mun Kick descending.
Hachiku parried cleanly.
Shilo backflipped, transitioned into a horizontal flying kick. Impact landed—but Hachiku barely shifted.
Hachiku countered with a Dragon Screw takedown, sending Shilo crashing to the mat.
Shilo rolled, rose, attacked low with rapid kicks.
Hachiku blocked with knee shields.
Palm strikes followed—rapid acceleration. Hachiku's guard faltered slightly as two strikes landed.
Hachiku seized Shilo's arm and drove an elbow into his abdomen.
Air left Shilo's lungs.
He dropped to his knees.
Hachiku frowned.
"…You're underdeveloped physically. But your technique is real."
Cecil nodded.
"Hire him."
His speed, improvisation, and aerial mobility exceeded the previous stunt choreographer—even if his raw power lacked refinement.
Salary Clarification
Daily wage: 1300 PokéDollars including room and board.
In official canon, PokéDollars are Yen-based. A standard Poké Ball costs 200 PokéDollars in Unova Poké Marts, consistent with the games.
Converting AFTRA stunt rates into a Yen-based fictional economy justifies the number without breaking internal logic.
If converted to RMB directly, it would barely cover 31 Poké Balls—unrealistic for sustaining a protagonist in Unova, especially near industrial Virbank City where costs would logically be higher.
The Hatching
Shilo accepted the Incubator from Ruri.
The moment he lifted the Riolu egg—
Light burst outward.
The shell cracked.
In Pokémon Adventures, Riolu are shown to respond intensely to Aura synchronization.
Blue light spiraled.
A small paw broke through the shell.
And the newborn Riolu opened its red eyes—
Locking directly onto Shilo.
The Aura resonance was unmistakable.
It had chosen him.