Morning dew glistened on the leaves as the sun rose over the Emerald Forest. Beautiful. Peaceful. Calm.
It lasted exactly seven seconds.
"AAAAAAAH!"
Aru's scream echoed through the trees as he tripped over a tree root and rolled down a small hill like a runaway watermelon.
THUD—THUMP—SPLAT.
He landed face-first into a bush.
Rella sighed. "Training has begun."
Tiko pumped a tiny fist into the air. "Woo! Training Day! My favorite day!"
Bolo just stared down at Aru, unimpressed. "You were supposed to jump over the root."
Aru spit out a leaf. "I TRIED."
"You closed your eyes," Rella pointed out. "You shouted 'Help me, grass!' and then you tripped."
Aru stood up shakily. "Well… the grass should help."
"The grass is not your mother," Rella said firmly.
Aru frowned. "It could be more supportive."
Before the rabbit could throw a pebble at him, Bolo blew a loud snort.
"Enough. Again. You must learn to dodge obstacles quickly."
Aru gulped. He was fast—yes. But graceful? Skilled? Coordinated?
No. Not even a little bit.
Tiko jumped onto a nearby log and blew a tiny bamboo whistle.
"Round Two! The Epic Antelope Agility Test! A guaranteed disaster!"
Aru glared at him. "You're supposed to encourage me."
"Oh! Right. Yay, Aru! Don't die!"
"Helpful," Aru muttered.
Bolo stomped the ground. "Ready?"
"No."
"GO!"
Aru shot forward like an arrow. For three seconds, he looked amazing.
His hooves kicked up light dust. His body glided through the forest floor. His speed was incredible.
Then—
CRACK!
His antlers smacked a low branch so hard the birds fell out of it.
"OW! OW! OW!"
He pinwheeled sideways, crashed into a rock, then bounced off and face-planted into dirt.
Rella rubbed her temples. "We need to trim his antlers."
Aru gasped dramatically. "NO! That's like cutting off my personality!"
"Your personality is loud," Bolo muttered. "Not tall."
Tiko leaned closer. "We could style them!"
Aru blinked. "Style them?"
"Yeah! Decorative vines! Flowers! Maybe a bird nest!"
"No," Rella said instantly.
"Yes," Tiko argued.
"Absolutely not," Bolo rumbled.
"I LIKE IT," Aru admitted.
Rella groaned. "This is hopeless."
But training continued.
Obstacle Course #1 — FAIL
Aru had to jump over three logs.
He tripped on the first, headbutted the second, and got stuck between the third.
Obstacle Course #2 — FAIL
He had to dodge swinging vines.
He dodged the first, got hit by the second, and apologized to the third.
Obstacle Course #3 — ALMOST SUCCESS
He broke through the course in a blur of speed—
—and ran straight into a pond.
SPLOOSH!
Aru popped his head out, coughing."Did anyone… see that?"
Tiko pointed. "You're literally in the middle of the pond. Of course we saw you."
Bolo looked thoughtful. "His running is improving."
Rella nodded reluctantly. "He's learning. Slowly."
Aru beamed. "Really?"
Bolo puffed out his chest. "Your legs are strong. Your speed is unmatched."
Tiko added, "Your coordination is terrible, but we love you anyway."
Aru sniffled. "I think… that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."
Rella stepped closer, wearing a rare soft smile. "You're part of the team now, Aru. Clumsy or not."
Aru's heart warmed.
He wasn't perfect. He wasn't the majestic creature he believed himself to be.
But he was improving. He was learning. He was—finally—something more.
Then Squirlo came sprinting out of the bushes, screaming at the top of his lungs.
"HUNTERS! THEY'RE MOVING AGAIN! AND THEY'RE HEADED THIS WAY!"
The group froze.
Bolo's muscles tensed.Rella's ears snapped upright.Tiko jumped onto Aru's back.
Aru swallowed hard."Uh… ready?"
Bolo growled. "Ready."
Rella nodded. "Let's go."
Tiko cheered. "Adventure!"
And Aru—this time without tripping—ran toward the danger.
Because heroes don't always start perfect.Sometimes… they start clumsy.