Jess and Anna buzz with excitement as they board the SS Ketchum.
They walked with the group from the hotel to the ship with a fanfare, police blocking off the streets as a literal parade passes by. Trumpets in the Marching band, the expedition lead by a cavalry squad of trainers mounted on grizzled Arcanine, Dodrio, Rhyhorn and an assortment of other powerful Pokémon.
In the air above the Avian squad flew some Pidgeot, Corvoknight and a rare Black Charizard who was for some reason riderless.
The city was full of a massive crowd of spectators from out of town. Kids on their journey, some film crews, local and international news stations. In addition to some very VIP guests in the form of The Elite four, many GYM leaders including some from other continents and even Lance to send them off.
It was all honestly a little overwhelming.
The media was having a field day and the girls did their best to not look stupid. Since most of the expedition had their Pokémon out with them the girls felt out of place. That was until they noticed FOULDRAGON is also Pokémonless. He gave them a big wave and they did the same. However, doing their best not to get any more attention they quickly hid behind some other trainers.
FOUL just shrugged his shoulders and continued onwards, not a care in the world.
Everybody successfully boarded the ship and the girls stood on deck looking at the massive send off, inclusive of some pretty impressive fireworks and pyrotechnics by the old GYM leader Kabu.
After the event ended it was with suprise that the crowd watched as the Black Charizard lands and Kabu mounts it. He then uses the Pokémon to land on the ship. The crowd was confused until his next words.
"I'm leaving the gym in more than capable hands, I've held the seat for far too long."
A pouty Candace the ICE GYM leader of Sinnoh gives him the stink eye as she is also joining the expedition but his news definitely trumps hers since it was no secret she was keen on trying to find some more ice types and she was also specifically invited due to her type specialty.
With a final horn blow from the ship, they head off to deeper waters and towards their destination.
==========
Hours later - The ocean off the South coast of Sinnoh
The group gathered in the main hall for a dinner time feast. Tonight, all members were requested to be present.
The food was amazing, plenty of seafood dishes and a variety of vegetables and fruits all in a banquet style.
Jonathan and his team walked to the front of the room from their dining table next to the stage and up onto it.
"Hello everybody.”
Jonathan scans the trainers at each of the tables as a silence descends over those assembled. One or two inebriated trainers elbowed especially hard by the other dinner guests in a successful attempt to shut them up.
“I hope you are enjoying the dinner we have prepared for you. I’m your host for this expedition, Jonathan Ketchum.”
Some trainers excitedly clap and cheer.
”As you know we will be travelling for around a month to reach the last known location of Ash within the BLACK ARCTIC ZONE. The reason we will be taking so long is both for your safety and also as an opportunity for you to train you Pokémon up."
Kelly Oak steps forward to speak next.
> “You are being forewarned that the ambient mana will steadily drop throughout our journey until there will be basically none in the atmosphere.
>
> Your Pokémon will need to adapt to these conditions.
>
> For any trainers that feel uncomfortable with the progress of your teams, you are not expected to leave the ship.
>
>
>
> However those who stay on board are expected to help the crew with day to day operations and act as research assistants for our team on board.
>
> This is not news as you have all been given your contracts previously by our HR team.
>
> Anybody who feels they have a specialty that they would like to employ such as a healer/medic or a chef or scout please talk to one of our staff with the feathered pin on their lapels.
>
> They will be happy to assist and discuss. Please note that you will be expected to provide credentials and that there may be some tests to determine your suitability for the position.”
Some trainers quickly shuffle away from their tables to seek out the mentioned staff. Clearly they are keen to get the best spots on the expedition. This is unlikely though as most important spots for the expedition were already filled and specific trainers and ACEs were recruited for those purposes.
An example is trainer Kabu being the defensive fire power for the team and also the strategist for any major engagements with hostile Pokémon on a large scale.
Jess watched as Jonathan rejoined his table to continue their meal. She quickly moved across the stage with Anna in tow.
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”Excuse me Mr Ketchum.”
He looks up from his meal and wipes his face with a napkin.
“Yes girls, how can I help you.”
Jess gathers up her courage, takes a deep breath and fires her question at him.
”Can we use some of your Pokémon to practice training? And when will you lend us your father's Pikachu? We can’t really do any training with Pokémon without having one.”
Anna is shocked at how forcefully Jess was “Jess!”
Jonathan just chuckles. “It’s okay, Anna and Jess wasn’t. I’ve already got some plans with you after talking with your parents and some ACE trainers and the program.”
He looks at the girls appraisingly.
”Okay here's the plan. You can use my father's Pikachu and train using some spare ACE trainer Pokémon in mock battles. Keep in mind that these are NOT your Pokémon just lent Pokémon. You can use them for the duration of our trip to our destination or until you catch your own.”
The girls start hugging each other in excitement.
“I’m not done talking girls. There is a caveat on this agreement. You are expected to do strength training with Foul and the other ACE trainers to improve your fitness…”
The girls let out a groan.
”…..and you need to agree to let the film crew for the show follow you for at least a couple hours each day as they have a keen interest in how experts teach beginners. They think the viewership would expand to both young and old interested in people going on journeys as well as academics and the league on whether some takeaways can be gained for future exploration.
I personally think it holds promise. Too many young trainers on their journeys either die, quit early or become negatively influenced on their trips.
Be on your best behaviour as you are quite literally potential trend setters for the future of children's Pokémon journeys. And for gods sake, don’t die.
Meet on the deck tomorrow at 0900 to have a look at your lender Pokémon and meet your teachers.
============
0900 the next day
Jess and Anna come to the deck. All yawns and sleepy eyes. They are dressed in pink and purple gym outfits. And flashy sneakers.
Stern trainers stand at attention awaiting their arrival. Film crew off to the side already recording.
Some trainers nudge each other seeing their outfits and one loudly groans and turns to Jonathan.
“You seriously expect us to train these ….two amateurs to survive in a Black Zone. I mean, look at them! They are literally colourful flashy targets! They are telling everything around them… eat meee.”
Jess gets angry but knows to keep her mouth shut since she has nothing nice to say and the trainer is probably right.
She looks to herself and Anna. Scratch that, most definitely right.
A stern trainer scarred and battered approaches the girls. He seems familiar. …Jess wonders who he is.
Anna hisses into her ear. “Thats freaking Kabu the fire gym leader!”
Jess goes pale as she realises just how hard their training will be. The tv crew looks absolutely ecstatic to see him taking over their training.
”Okay girls there are 2 pokeballs on the table. You will pick these two at random. Each day there will be different balls on the table which you will use for the day.
I will be giving you various objectives and goals to work on with each Pokémon and we will see how you go. You have less than a month for us to get you up to scratch so I am going to push you far harder than is reasonable. If you fail, I will not let you off the ship. Are we understood?”
The girls snap to attention “Yes sir!”
“Now grab a ball”
The girls scramble to grab the plain red and white Pokémon balls numbered 1 and 2 on the table and nervously hold them in their little hands.
These are two relatively young Pokémon. I want you each to battle them against each other. You have 5 minutes to ask as many questions to their trainers as you want before you must battle.
Trainers, please step forward and take the girls aside. Girls, your time starts now.
A grizzled veteran stands with Jess whilst a dainty and pretty looking lady approaches Anna. Excited talking can be heard and the film crew splits into 2 and takes time to film each girl's questions.
In what feels like no time at all Kabu calls out. “Time!”
Take your corners ladies. This is a 1v1 Pokémon battle between trainee Jess versus trainee Anna.
Begin!
The girls enlarge their pokeballs and throw them into the miniature sized battle field that is raised up above the ship's wooden deck and protected by a forcefield to prevent damage to the ship below.
From their Pokeballs come a Totodile from Jess’s ball and a Charmander from Anna.
Jess is feeling confident in her stronger Pokémon and the type advantage. She prepares to call out her first move.
”Smokescreen” Calls out Anna quickly before Jess can say anything.
A sooty cloud of smoke obscures vision of the Charmander.
”Water gun Totodile.” The water gun misses charmander completely.
”Quick attack”
The Charmander rushes out the smoke and slams into the Totodile. Before she can tell Totodile to do anything next, Anna quickly tells her Charmander to attack again with a tackle.
Jess is visibly upset “Hey that's cheating, you can’t attack out of turn!”
Kabu just laughs loudly. This isn’t some game little girl. We don’t take turns. Fight it out. Continue!”
In Jess’s distraction she fails to notice the Charmander has snuck around the distracted Totodile who is looking to Jess for further instructuons.
”Dodge!!!” “Take down!” Both girls yell out at the same time.
Totodile does not have enough space and is heavily impacted from behind for a critical hit by Charmander. He falls over and is heavily injured. His light is sucked up and he disappears into the pokéball.
"Winner Anna!"
Jess is annoyed but she knows she just learned many valuable lessons from the fight.
Kabu claps and the trainers collect their Pokémon back from the girls.
”Well done Anna for using your wits in both question time and putting your ideas into practice. Jess, better luck next time but don’t let one defeat get you down. There will always be a winner and a loser.
It is far better to lose here than out there. Losing out in the Black Zone often leads to death.
Some quick feedback for you Anna. Your throw took too long and you shouldn’t pause if you have an opportunity. Although Jess was asking a question the fight was still going. Press your every advantage, there is no such thing as fighting fair where we are going.”
Anna nods silently but looks a little upset at his statement.
“Jess, I think you need to work on understanding what exactly it means to come to a Black Zone. Your outfit is too flashy and noticeable, you are a moving target. You sneakers are not designed for snow and ice, and your fighting style is too passive for the area we are going.
Remember out there will quite literally be a fight for your survival at all times.
Finally, note how Totodile was recalled before any irreversible damage could be done. This is a fail safe on the pokeballs that will be removed once you enter the Black Zone as if you die they also likely die.
It is your responsibility to determine wether you are willing to sacrifice one of your Pokémon to save the rest of your team. Their lives are literally in your hands.”
The girls' excitement instantly fades at his words.
“Dismissed!”
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Kabu "Okay ladies this is going to be your fitness trainer Foul."
“Hi again girls, let's start off light today. I’ll slowly increase the difficulty. Now drop and give me 20.”
The girls crash into their room after their training session. Absolutely exhausted.
Jess asks Anna what questions she asked the trainer in her five minutes.
Who I’m fighting. What they would suggest as a strategy to fight with a type disadvantage. What Pokémon I have and what they specialise in, oh and what is their move set and if they had unlocked their abilities yet.
Woah! Thats amazing.
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