#rockruff!dal

As I once said all the way back in 2019, you're not a proper explorer, adventurer, rescuer, bounty hunter, treasure hunter, or even healer without the proper gear. So I decided to try my hand at giving Rockruffmore something to wear.

The vast majority of Rockruff's movepool is physical moves, so I first tried giving him finger-er, clawless gloves in the upper right. Kinda basic I'll admit, but that wasn't my problem. The problem was that the small amount of whatever color I made them just didn't balance well with the bright blue of his fur.

Tried a cloak next, which helped balance the color palette now that there was more of that bluish purple to go around, but what got in the way now for the upper left and lower right versions was his neck floof. Thanks to his Growlithe "heritage," Ruffmore has more floof than normal, so drawing the collar/hood around or below the floof just made it look weird or like he was being choked by it.

Third time ended up being the charm; after looking at some fanart of other fluffy-collared 'mons like Eevee and Zorua, I opted to try drawing the collar directly on top of the floof for the lower left and middle. Sure, a lot of the floof is hidden now, but it looks alright and I think that Dal would personally prefer to wear something that covers the sharp rocks around his neck. He, uh... isn't a fan of those once he realizes what they are =w="

Another reason why he'd probably pick a cloak over anything else is because... well, dude misses wearing clothes, obviously. I don't think I need to elaborate further.

Guest star is the Jangmo-o from the four potential partners I drew for Ruffmore. Never really decided on a name or even gender for this character, but I have been calling them "J" as a weak attempt at a nickname. Mostly because J (alternatively spelled "Jay") is faster and easier to say than Jangmo-o XD

They barely know each other. Jangmo-o thinks this sparkly Rockruff is the weakest thing on four legs. And the weirdest Pokémon in general, based on the strange things he yammers on (read: mumbles to himself) about. Ruffmore thinks Jay is a power-obsessed, insensitive jerk. Yet here the two of them are in a mystery dungeon, forced (read: politely asked) to team up by Chief Kommo-o, who hopes that Ruffmore's influence can be exactly what her child needs on their path to become a true warrior and earn a name for themselves.

Neither of them could say no: Dal's a people pleaser and Jay would never decline a request from their own mother. 'Specially if it involves some form of training. But really, what could they possibly learn from a pup that doesn't even know how to use moves??

"...Regardless of whether your claims of being a... 'human' are true or not, what is certain that you will not survive out here on your own. The way you fought earlier was... pitiful, small one. Probably the worst fighting I've ever seen, even out of a Pokémon at your age."

Um... ouch? Could've said that a bit nicer, blue guy...

"That being said... I am willing to help you. The village I hail from is at the base of these mountains. I know of a few people who would be willing to take a child like you in, and some who are more suited to teaching you than I. I would do it myself, but... our ways of battle would be too different. I can tell."

Hmm... he seems genuine enough. I mean, it's either go with him or try to fend for myself out here. I don't have any other options.

And plus... maybe someone in that village knows where Valerie is. Or they can help me find her... I hope she's okay...

"Well, small one? Are you ready to keep moving?"

"Mmhm."

"Good. Follow me, Rockruff."

...What's a Rockruff?

~~~

Ruffmore's adventures in the PMD world don't start off strong. Dumped in a Mystery Dungeon at the top of a mountain, Dally finds himself running for dear life from all sorts of aggressive Pokémon, crashing headfirst into a blue human-looking 'mon he'd never seen before.

Thankfully the Pokémon, who calls himself Sawk, is a friend, not a foe, and offers to guide Dal to the safety of a village. Seeing no other alternatives, Dalex agrees to go with Sawk, hoping that the answers he seeks lie there.

Little does he know, those questions will continue to pile, with very few answers in sight...

And here's Rockruffmore's evolved form! He's a good boi X3

I originally sketched him with normal Lycanroc legs but then I was like "hmm... no, stick with Growlithe claws. they're fun. :3c"

Kinda weird how Midday Form's shiny palette is duller compared to the other two. Midnight I get, that's supposed to look like the night sky, but... I mean, shiny Rockruff already has a more "midday" shade of blue, why not just keep that upon evolving into Midday?

Gotta give credit to TheFuzzyWolfyDude on dA for this pupper, since his suggestion of Lycanroc (and by extension Rockruff) for Dal was actually a really good match!

Personality-wise, Rockruff and Midday Lycanroc tick off a lot of boxes:

Rockruff Excellent sense of smell ✔️ Some have reunited with their Trainer by following the faintest scent (parallel to Trainer!Dal's search for Valerie in the PMD AU) ✔️ Never forgets the kindness of others ✔️ Becomes more vicious as it matures ❌ Very loyal and will protect friends when they're threatened ✔️ One of its abilities is Keen Eye, something an aspiring Pokémon Doctor would need ✔️

Midday Lycanroc Calm, collected, and avoids unnecessary fights ✔️ Prefers living alone, but is fiercely loyal to whoever it bonds with ✔️

(Lycanroc's list is shorter because I copy-pasted it from one of my replies and was comparing each of Lycanroc's forms, with Midday having the most checkmarks)

Again, it's a damn good match. Plus, both Rockruff and Lycanroc's shiny palettes are blue, so it suits Dal on an aesthetic level too! (With some minor alterations; the brown that's on a normal shiny Rockruff just... did not fit here =w="")