Pokémon Legends Arceus, Season 1: Obsidian Fieldlands!

Chapter 8: Ranks and Pranks!

Dolos was wandering around Jubilife before making it to the house where he got the recipe from the Woman, he knocked on the door and the woman answered "Here's your recipe back, I was going to make the pie but just the berries worked. Dolos attempted to hand it back but the woman refused "You keep it, We have copies of it in case we lost one." Dolos nods "Thanks!"

The Woman smiled "I saw you drive off the Pokemon, it's the least I can do!" The two exchanged smiles before Akari came running "Hi Mo- Dolos?" She stood there confused. Dolos looked at her "Hey Akari!" He said calmly, The Woman, Akari's mother smiled. "You wouldn't believe it, A Pokemon ate the pie I worked so hard to bake and then jumped on me, but Dolos here chased it off!" Akari was shocked, she missed a Pokemon who 'attacked' their house.

Dolos chuckled lightly "It was just a little Eevee, quite a fluffy one in fact! I didn't catch it sadly..." He said slightly defeated. "Well we're off to the Wallflower! Akari just reached the Second Star Ranking, why not join us?" The Mother said. Akari was about to intervene "Professor Laventon already invited me to join, I just came to return the recipe!" Dolos said, arms in his jacket pockets, despite his Uniform coming in days ago he still wore his regular attire. Akari squinted a bit, now that she thought about it, she hadn't seen Dolos even take off the Jacket, let alone be in the Uniform he is supposed to wear...

"Why have you not put on your uniform, did you not receive it yet?" Akari asked, Dolos smiled "It means a lot, but this outfit means more to me than meets the eye..." Dolos smiled wider, then chuckled "C'mon, let's head to Wallflower! I'm sure the Professor is waiting for you!" Dolos said confidently, Akari sighed but went along, Her mother and Dolos following behind.

Who's that Pokemon?
It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.

The group made it to the Wallflower, orders of Potato Mochi made its way to the groups table, Dolos looked at the Mochi that Laventon was about to grab and then smiled mischievously "Hey Professor? You never told me about these star ranks, are they important?" Dolos said, drawing the whole table's attention. "Oh, afraid I didn't, The Star Ranks signify your position in the Galaxy Team, the more research you do, the higher your rank will become!" Laventon then bit his Potato Mochi, he coughed and looked at Benji "Benji, I didn't expect such spice!" Laventon expressed, unable to handle the odd spiciness in his Mochi, Benji chuckled "Good work young one, distract your enemy and then strike!" Benji said to Dolos, to which he chuckled.

Akari looked at Dolos, and so did Laventon, the Boy continued to chuckle "Sorry Professor, couldn't help but play a trick! It's been so long since I've done one!" Dolos said, unable to stop laughing, Akari was angry but then Laventon chuckled "Good work my boy! No one's pulled one on me since I was in my home region!" Laventon stated. Akari and her mother were confused "Professor, why aren't you upset?" Akari asked bitterly, Laventon replied with a simple answer "Trickery is what makes boys, boys! Benji, another serving for me please!" Laventon asked.

The chef nodded and went back in to make a second batch, Laventon tore open all of his Mochi, each of them released hot sauce. "You even made sure to change them all, going to full extent I see!" Laventon said impressed at Dolos's speed. Dolos smiled "Dolos was never my original name, but it was a nickname, named after King Dolos, with his mischievous pokemon, Loki the Hoopa!" Dolos smiled, Laventon nodded "I see, then what is your real name?" Laventon asked curiously, admittedly Akari was curious as well.

"Well, my real name is... a secret!" He said chuckling, Akari sighed "Expected..." she muttered, Dolos then turned to Akari "Say... What's your partner Pokemon again? You know mine is Loki!" Dolos asked her, just from saying the name Loki came out his Pokemon and sat down, wanting treats.

Dolos smiled "Professor, Loki likes Spicy Foods, may I feed him the mochi I spiced up?" The Professor smiled, taking the tray and setting it down on the ground. The Zorua waddled to the food, taking bites. Akari looked at Dolos shyly "Well, I don't have a good bond with it... At Least compared to you and Loki, though not many seem as bonded as you two... Here's my partner..." She threw a Pokeball, a Pikachu was summoned, The Mouse Pokemon went up to Loki and acted Playful, though Loki wasn't very interested and Loki rather just eat his food.

"A Pikachu, It's energetic I can feel, but Loki isn't very playful." Dolos said "Not any Pokemon is your Partner, To me, A Partner Pokemon is a Pokemon who you've bonded with more than any other! For me, it's Loki, a gift from my cousin! We've been through thick and thin, supporting each other!" Dolos said smiling, Akari nodded "So, just keep on going with Pikachu and we'll grow more?"

Dolos chuckled "Yeah! If you feel like you and Pikachu don't get along then don't just give up, you've got to keep at it!" The boy said, fired up, Akari sighed "Who knew a No Star Rank would carry such advice..." This made Dolos think "Wait, I've gotten some progress, why am I a No Star?" Dolos looked at Laventon, he thought "Well, Let's see, Your Pokemon consists of Zorua, Oshawott, Shinx, Bidoof, Starly, Kricketot, and two Wurmple, progress of them are near level 5 research tasks, have you shown Cyllene the book?" The Professor asked.

"I'm supposed to show her it?" He said confused, The whole table couldn't help but sigh. "Yes, you're supposed to show her, then depending on your work your rank will rise..." Akari lectured, Dolos chuckled "Well, I'll do it tom-" Dolos stopped his words, turning to the Front Gate.

Who's that Pokemon?
It's Pikachu!
Electric Type
The Mouse Pokemon
It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
(Dex Entry from Pokemon X)

To be Continued!