Chapter Text
‘Player’ wakes up, sunlight hitting her face as she stirred awake, rubbing her tired eyes with a groan. She stands up from her bed, dragging her dreary legs across the floor as she leaned onto her closet.
“Ah… right.” She mumbled to herself.
Today was the day. The day she would head to the Doodle Lab and receive her very first starter Doodle for the legendary Key Competition. Her mother had signed her up not out of pride, or love for adventure, but because she craved the grand prize money. She wanted wealth to spend on herself… and had decided to send her own daughter off with nothing but high expectations. Her daughter better win that prize..
She changed quickly, slung her already-packed bag over one shoulder, and headed downstairs. Her mother stood by the counter, quietly plating a slice of toast, not even glancing her way.
“Got your bag?” Her mother asked flatly.
“Yes, Mom.” She nodded.
“Good. Eat up and get going. And you better bring home that money.” Her voice held no warmth. But the girl held onto a small, quiet hope.. if she did well, if she succeeded.. maybe her mother would finally be proud.
‘Player’ bit her lip before replying “I understand.” She took the toast, biting into it slowly as she stepped toward the front door to slip on her shoes.
‘Player’ paused, glancing back one last time. “I’m heading out now… Mom.”
“Mhm. Just don’t be lazy.” Her mother waved a hand dismissively, silently shooing her away.
The girl sighed, stepping outside and closing the door gently behind her. She looked around at the quiet, familiar streets of Sketchvale and began walking toward the Doodle Lab.
✧ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ✧
The walk to the Doodle Lab was short, but every step felt.. heavy.. Sketchvale was quiet this early..
Her mind kept replaying her mother’s words: “Bring home that money.” “Don’t be lazy.”. Did her mother really see her as nothing more than that? Even after she tried so hard to make her proud in the past.?
“Will I even be able to do it..?” ‘Player’ mumbled, staring at their palm.
She then shook her head. “Don’t think about that right now..-” She gripped her hair slightly, trying to pull herself together. “I want to make my mother proud, so I must take constructive criticism..”
She stood before the Sketchvale Doodle Lab as she took a deep breath and pushed the doors open, stepping inside..
She was met with the noises of machinery and slight talk of staff inside the building.
“Oh, welcome! Are you here for the DoodleCo Key Hunt?” A voice came from a guy working on a machine nearby. Ah, that must be the professor, considering his clothing..
The male approached her. “Considering today is one of the signup days to enter the Key Hunt, you must be!”
He said with enthusiasm as he continued. “For every Key you give to us here at DoodleCo, DoodleCo will give you a humongous cash prize!”
‘Player’ simply nodded in response, feeling a bit awkward. She was not exactly the best at social interaction.. Lets say, she's only decent..
“To help with the search, everyone who enters the Key Hunt gets their own free complimentary beginner Doodle. Note: accepting this beginner Doodle means you verbally sign our waiver. If you get hurt hunting for the keys, DoodleCo will not be held responsible. Now, follow me!” He said as he signaled the girl to follow him.
‘Player’ followed him up a few steps to a machine with a screen..
“Using that screen, you can have the Doodle machine create your partner!” The professor spoke.
‘Player’ stared at the screen as it booted up..
Booting. . .
Setting up colors. . .
Retrieving Doodle Data. . .
Almost Finished. . . .
. . .
Complete!
The green loading bar finished filling up, the screen now showing pictures of different doodles with their typing.
‘Player’ stared at the screen once again, looking through the selection of doodles carefully..
There was:
Pupskey the Balanced Ice-Type
Vipember the Bulky Mage Fire-Type
Tabbolt the Speedster Spark-Type
Skappey the Bulky Attacker Earth-Type
Foxsy the Balanced Plant-Type
Bearby the Physical Attacker Food-Type
Mabat the Speedster Spirit-Type
And Fishel the Bulky Attacker Water-Type
She scanned through the selections carefully, there was quite the selection. But her eyes kept drifting back to Pupskey..
“Which doodle will you pick?” The professor asked her.
“This one..” She said quietly, pointing at Pupskey.
“You pick Pupskey? Great choice!” The professor put his hands together. “Now, let’s test your new Doodle in a Doodle battle. Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on-”
A loud shout echoed from afar, cutting the professor off..
“I’m here for my rare Doodle!!”
‘Player’ got startled by the yelling, jumping slightly.
The professor stiffened. “Oh, no…”
‘Player’ turned around to see a boy her age. He had blonde hair, and clothing that screamed “I’M RICH”.. There was also a butler by the boy’s side, an older man in a butler’s uniform..
The butler raised his hands slightly up, trying to calm the boy. “Master Quincy, your father would not approve-”
The boy, who was called ‘Quincy’ snapped. “Enough, Reginald. He won’t even know I’m here.”
The butler sighed. ”Very well, Master Quincy.. The private jet is ready, so we can depart as soon as possible.”
Quincy crossed his arms in annoyance. “Where is the professor, Reginald? Why didn’t he come meet me at the door?”
“It seems like the professor is preoccupied with someone else, Master Quincy.” Reginald replied.
Quincy marched towards them with fast, hurried steps. His eyes narrowed as they landed on her.
“Wow. We’re giving Doodles to anyone now.?” Quincy scoffed as he looked at ‘Player’. ”And to this.. Person? You can’t tell me you want to enter the key hunt!”
“Well.. I-” She tried to speak but Quincy cut her off.
“Don’t make me laugh! A poor loser like you having any chance?” He mocked her. “Now move out of the way, loser. My father owns 30% of this Island.”
“Oh! Master Quincy.. Your appointment is an hour from now..-” The professor spoke from behind ‘Player’.
“Please forgive the abruptness.. Master Quincy dislikes delays..” Reginald added.
“Of course-! Just a moment if you will.. I’m assisting a new participant.” The professor replied nervously.
“I don’t care. I have places to be, you know. Give. me. a. Doodle.” Quincy gave an annoyed expression.
“I’m so sorry, but this machine can only be used once every half hour.. I must ask for your patience-!” The professor spoke but he was cut off by Quincy.
“I SAID GET OUT OF THE WAY!” Quincy snapped, his face flushed red as he shoved passed ‘Player’, hitting her shoulder.
‘Player’ shivered as she just stood there, frozen. “Who was this guy..?” She thought to herself as she stared at him, rubbing her arm.
“Master Quincy..- please be reasonable about this..” Reginald tried to calm the situation.
There was a moment of silence before Quincy broke the silence. “...I have to wait.. Half an hour..”
He then turned to ‘Player’ with an annoyed expression. “Let’s settle this.. Battle me! If I win, you have to give me your Pupskey!” He exclaimed.
Player’s eyes widened. “Wait wait..-” She broke into a nervous sweat.
“Master Quincy.. You can’t do that..-” Reginald spoke.
“Silence! That Pupskey will be mine!” Quincy replied, already taking out his capsule.
He held up the capsule and sent out a Shelldo..
‘Player’ felt a lump in her throat as she quietly sent out Pupskey in front.
+ - - - - - +
“Alright, use Smack!” Quincy ordered sharply.
The Shelldo charged and bonked Pupskey on the head with its hard shell. Pupskey staggered slightly, but it didn't do that much damage to it though..
“Alright- Pupskey, Snowball-!” ‘Player’ called out, finding her voice.
Pupskey barked as it summoned a snowball and hurled it towards Shelldo.
Shelldo takes a heavy hit as it staggers back. Snow exploding on impact..
Quincy grumbles as he stomps his foot. “Shelldo! Smack again! Harder!”
Shelldo charged towards Pupskey again, smacking Pupskey’s side. But Pupskey still didn’t take any critical damage.. It was still standing strong.
“Pupskey, Snowball again!” ‘Player’ commanded as Pupskey launched another summoned snowball at Shelldo again. Another heavy hit.
Shelldo shuddered, struggling to stay conscious.
Quincy’s eyes went wide. “Wha-? Stand up! Smack! Smack now!!”
Shelldo stood up, using the last of its energy and charged forward, hitting Pupskey right on the face with its shell.
Pupskey staggered back, paws sliding on the floor.
“Again! Snowball!” ‘Player’ called out to Pupskey.
Pupskey let out another bark as it launched one more snowball at Shelldo’s face with full force. Shelldo let out a faint cry and fainted.
Silence filled the lab..
. . . .
Quincy stood frozen, his mouth fell open. He took a stumbling step backward.
+ - - - - - +
Quincy took a few steps back, almost stumbling as Reginald held his back to steady him.
“I lost to you…?” Quincy mumbled, quite shocked.
Reginald let go of Quincy’s back and spoke calmly. “The private jet is ready, Master Quincy..”
Quincy gritted his teeth, his fist curling up as he sent Shelldo back to . He looked straight at ‘Player’ with an angered expression. “This.. This isn’t over!” He pointed at her. “You hear me? THIS ISN’T OVER!” he exclaimed before storming off to the doors.
‘Player’ just stood there, stunned. She tried to process what just happened.. It was just supposed to be a normal day, not a day where she gets jumped by some.. Angry.. Blonde rich kid..
Reginald sighed as he approached ‘Player’ “I am terribly sorry for my master’s behavior..” He gave a polite bow.
‘Player’ waved her hand slightly. “It’s alright.. I understand if.. If he is difficult to manage..” She said,
Reginald nodded. “As apologies, if you’re truly entering the Key Hunt.. you’ll want to head toward Graphite Lodge. A key is rumored to be nearby there..” He paused before continuing. “Master Quincy is also in the key hunt competition, so we will probably see each other again..”
“Ah, I see. Thank you for the tip..” ‘Player’ said quietly as she gave a grateful nod.
“REGINALD!! We’re leaving!” A shout came from behind them.
“Of course, Master Quincy..” Reginald replied as he gave them one last nod before walking away.
There was another moment of silence before the professor spoke. “That was quite interesting..”
“Who was that, exactly..?” ‘Player’ asked.
“That is Master Quincy, the son of the CEO of DoodleCo, Charles.”
‘Player’ was taken aback by the explanation. The boy was the son of DoodleCo’s CEO..? No wonder the professor got nervous.. And no wonder why that boy acted like that..
“I see..” ‘Player mumbled, shivering at the thought of another encounter with that boy, especially after what just happened. “I should probably get going now-”
“Wait!” The professor called out. “A new doodle tamer can't simply go around without the proper essentials! It would be unwise to send you off on an adventure without the complimentary starter kit!”
The professor grabbed a prepared bag with 10 Basic Capsules and a Doodlepedia and handed it to her.
“What are these for..?” ‘Player’ asked.
“These are called capsules, they are used to capture Doodles you encounter in the wild.” The professor held up a capsule in his hand.
“I see..” ‘Player’ mumbled again. I guess she doesn’t have a lot of words to say..
“And, you can’t trade or release this Pupskey because it is proof that you signed our safety waiver.” The professor reminded.
“I understand..” ‘Player’ nodded.
“And if your Doodles get hurt, we have a doctor here on premise if you need to heal your Doodles.” The professor added.
“Got it..” ‘Player’ nodded once again.
“Great, I think you're all set! I think the next order of business is for you to go to Lakewood Town, which is the closest town nearby.”
“Lakewood Town.. I’ll have to go through Route 1 right?” She asked.
“Mhm, that’s right. You’ll need to follow the left path to get to Lakewood Town.” The professor nodded. “Alright then, good luck on your journey. If you get any keys, remember to send them to DoodleCo for a prize!”
“Alright, thank you.” ‘Player’ sent Pupskey back into its capsule and waved as she headed for the exit.
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‘Player’ heads outside and looks around. She takes a deep breath, trying to forget the recent encounter and focus on the goal ahead.
“You did great..” She whispered, staring down at Pupskey’s capsule in her grasp.
‘Player’ lets out a sigh before stepping forward.
“Alright.. let's do this.”