Back in the lobby, Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy gush over their new companions. They had already purchased Pokédexes, and now their faces glowed with fresh knowledge.
Orion, beaming, presented four Premier Balls. "To commemorate your new friendships!"
Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy tapped their Poké Balls on Togepi, Misdreavus, Whismur, and Rockruff,
Click! Click! Click!
Click! Click! Click!
Click! Click! Click!
Click! Click! Click!
The Poké Balls fell still in their hands. Starfire squeals, "We have contained them! We are now ready for the friendships and the battles!"
Raven gives a small, almost imperceptible nod, while Cyborg whoops, "BOOYAH! We're official, baby!"
Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy each press the release buttons on their Premier Balls, and their new Pokémon materialize beside them.
Beast Boy transforms into a chimpanzee and dances around, Rockruff nipping playfully at his heels. "This is gonna be so crash!"
"Now what?" Starfire asks, ever eager for new experiences.
"Now you are truly trainers!" Orion exclaims.
Robin, arms crossed, stands apart from the joyous celebration. "I, too, shall endeavor to acquire one of these… Pokémon."
Orion raises an eyebrow. "Oh? And what method will you choose, young master?"
Robin scoffs. "The second method, the… lottery."
The other Titans look at each other, surprised. Beast Boy even drops his jaw, momentarily forgetting he's half-transformed into a bunny.
Robin, with a dramatic flair, pulls out a sleek, black card. Not just any card. It is the Bat-Credit Card. "I assume this… credit card… will suffice as payment?"
A collective gasp sweeps through the group. Cyborg's cybernetic eye whirs. "No way… That's the Bat-Credit Card! I heard legends. It is real?"
"The rumors say that card can buy anything," Starfire adds, her eyes wide.
Even Raven seems intrigued, though she masks it with a carefully cultivated air of indifference.
Orion, ever the showman, grins. "Well then, Master Robin, let's test its limits! Step right up." He presents a gleaming tablet. "Your destiny awaits."
Robin accepts the tablet with a grim nod. He stabs a button with the force of a surgeon making a crucial incision. The screen explodes in a dizzying display of colors and Pokémon silhouettes. The numbers whirl and skip and hop. The Titans draw closer. Then, with a dramatic ding!, the chaos resolves into a single image.
A blade-like silhouette appears. Sharp edges and crimson highlights make themselves known.
Robin stares blankly at the screen. He turns to Orion. "What am I looking at?"
"That, my friend, is Pawniard!" Orion says. "The Sharp Blade Pokémon. A Dark and Steel type. Known for its discipline and combat prowess. A warrior through and through."
Starfire tilts her head. "Its exterior does appear… pointy."
"It appears adequate," Robin states, his tone betraying a flicker of interest.
Cyborg whistles. "Dark and Steel, huh? That's a mean combo. This little guy looks like he could scrap."
Beast Boy nods, having morphed into a miniature steel replica of himself. "Totally! Sharp, edgy, just like Rae over here!"
Raven gives Beast Boy a glare, and he turns back to normal.
"Its blades are its defining characteristic," Orion continues, gesturing towards the screen. "Born to fight, skilled in strategy, and utterly loyal. It thrives under strong leadership and respects power."
Robin absorbs each word. Warrior, strategy, loyal… He finds the description… appealing.
Orion notices Robin's rapt attention. "Its dual typing offers strong resistances and powerful offensive capabilities, while the Defiant ability means it gets stronger when intimidated. However, Pawniard struggles with Fire and Ground-type moves."
"I see." Robin nods, processing the information. "Would you say it has… potential?"
Orion beams. "Potential? Young master, this Pokémon is a diamond in the rough. With proper training, it could become a true force to be reckoned with."
Robin's gaze shifts from the screen to Orion. A question hangs in the air.
Orion, ever perceptive, offers, "Care to meet one in person?"
Robin pauses, then gives a curt nod. "I would see this… Pawniard."
Orion turns to Latias, who stands nearby. "Latias, if you would be so kind?"
Latias nods and telepathically asks Pawniard to come to the lobby.
Latias disappears into the back. A few moments pass. Then, the metallic door slides open, and Latias emerges, with a small, armored figure following close behind.
Pawniard.
Its crimson eyes glow with a cold, tactical intelligence. Blades extend from its arms and chest, glinting menacingly.
Robin and Pawniard lock eyes. There is an instant recognition. Each sees a shared warrior spirit, a mutual understanding of discipline, and a commitment to unwavering focus.
Robin takes a step forward, his expression unreadable. "This Pawniard… it is acceptable."
Starfire beams. "It is a good pairing, Robin! You both are filled with the serious intensities!"
Beast Boy snickers, morphing into a tiny, green Pawniard. "Yeah, you two are, like, blade bros!"
Robin ignores them. His gaze remains fixed on the Sharp Blade Pokémon. "What is the… adoption fee… for this creature?"
Orion, sensing a lucrative transaction, clasps his hands together. "Ah, yes! A fine question! Normally, a Pokémon of Pawniard's caliber would fetch a king's ransom."
He pauses for dramatic effect. "However, since we value the bond between Trainer and Pokémon above all else, we offer a… modest… fee of $600,000."
The Titans gasp. Even Cyborg whistles.
"$600,000! You could buy hundreds of thousands of burritos with that!" Beast Boy exclaims.
"But with the current ongoing 30% discount. The final price will be $420,000!"
Without a word, Robin swipes the Bat-Credit Card.
"I shall require a receipt," Robin says.
Orion's eyes widen. "Of course! A pleasure doing business with you, Master Robin!" He takes the card and dashes over to the payment terminal, practically vibrating with excitement.
After a moment of frantic tapping and whirring, the transaction is complete.
Orion returns with the card and a small slip of paper. "Here you are, sir! Your receipt and a brand-new Pawniard, ready to take on the world!"
Robin takes the card and the receipt. He glances down at Pawniard, who stands patiently at his side, blades gleaming in the soft light of the lobby.
"Come," Robin says, his voice betraying a hint of… something. Excitement? Pride?
Robin nods curtly at Pawniard. The small Pokémon steps forward, its metallic body clicking softly as it moves. Pawniard stops beside Robin's leg, its sharp gaze fixed ahead. It doesn't cower or seem intimidated, but rather stands ready, a silent sentinel.
"Hmph. Competent," Robin murmurs, a hint of approval in his tone.
Pawniard's head crest gives a slight, almost imperceptible tilt.
Raven gives a rare, small smile. "They will do well together."
***
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Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.