The sounds of screaming and crying could be heard nearly a few feet away as Ezra failed to mount his rented Rapidash for the third time in a row. "Oh mother of wooloo," He muttered from the ground, head hung low. With his experience at Team Rocket drastically shortening his lifespan, the man had figured it was about time to start investing in Ezra time. ET for short. ET basically just entailed fulfilling his decently long bucket list, which had included going horseback riding. The old romance movies he would watch as a child just made it look so dreamy and fun!

With a huff, Ezra rose to his feet once again and patted the dirt off his jeans, ignoring the distinct sound of snickering coming from a few other riders to his right. "Forget it..."


If only there was an extroverted cowboy that could save him from these pitiful woes!

Alas, a cowboy did come to his rescue!

Following the trail left by the sudden voice, Ezra's eyes drifted to his left, a sense of wallowing sadness behind them. The chuckles of those around him really did a number on his already fragile ego. "Uh..." There was a hint of visible embarrassment spread across his cheeks as he immediately averted his gaze back to the ground below. "I'm the one who's defective," He muttered, head hung low, "I...I can't seem to stay on."

His eyes eventually returned to steal a glimpse of the strangers face. Damn. Not only was he being approached by someone during an embarrassing moment, but that someone was attractive too. That just made the situation a double whammy.

In the meantime, his umbreon approached the incoming duo, replying to the mightyena with a low pitch bark back. Then, when shooed, he continued to follow the Pokémon, tail waging. The only thing that was on his mind was the possibility for play time.

Rather than verbally answer, the man simply nodded to his answer, affirming his label of "complete newbie". The other riders, who were previously snickering amongst themselves, had already left and ridden off towards the rolling hills. They left not even a hint of a shadow behind. The way they charged forward without care in the world; it's all Ezra had ever wanted from this experience. Upon putting it on his bucket list, he had envision himself in a blur of glory, taking lead against the world that only lets him down. Not a worm on the ground, groveling for some unknown man.

So, with a quick wake up slap, Ezra attempted to cast away all the negative emotions balling up inside him.

One.

Two.

Three.

BOOM! Good vibes only mode. "Yeah, if you don't mind." He offered the stranger an appreciative smile before looking back to his Rapidash. He will be conquered.

Oh boy. As the man attempted to give an example for him to learn off of, Ezra was met with the clear difference in athleticism between the two. Not only did he appear stronger than him (which wasn't saying much), his balance also seemed much more reliable, allowing him to succeed without breaking much of a sweat.



Ezra blinked twice. Then, with another determined huff, he positioned himself next to the vacant rapidash next to him. The Pokémon looked calm and prepared for someone to hoist themselves on top of them. They weren't, however, prepared for that person to be Ezra. With a shaky clap, the man firmly placed both of his hands on the pokemon's back, nestled his foot on the stirrup, and then attempted to lift himself up.



"Tch." He clicked his mouth in frustration as he arms shrugged to support himself to the top. Just a little bit closer.



1 2 3...boom. With eyes squeezed tight, Ezra's body barely managed to support it's climb to the top. But it did.



"I...I did it..." He breathed, restless, "I did it..!"