The Javik Region was founded almost twenty years ago by a team of Pokémon breeders and researchers. Dedicated to the creation of the perfect Pokémon sanctuary and research habitat, they outfitted and expanded Javik Island until it could comfortably support every known variety of Pokémon. Today, Javik Island, or as it’s more commonly known today the Javik Region, is a breathtaking mix of natural and man-made environments that cover almost every imaginable terrain type. Of course, any Pokémon paradise will eventually attract Pokémon trainers, and the Javik Region is no exception. The Javik League boasts a staggering total of no fewer than eighteen gyms covering every currently known Pokémon type, offering trainers an unparalleled variety of options when taking the Javik League gym battle challenge. So, no matter if you’ve come here to study, battle, or if you’re just a lover of Pokémon in general, we welcome you to the Javik Region!
The Javik Region was founded…
“These Javik folks sure seem proud of themselves if that spiel of theirs is anythin’ to go by,” Applejack thought to herself. It seemed as though to Applejack that she had been listening to the Javik Region’s brief history on constant repeat ever since she had stepped off the cruise liner she had awoken on. The constant repetition normally would have been something Applejack would have simply tuned out, but her ability to overlook things had been overtaxed by waking up in a strange room after being turned into a bipedal ape. “Still,” Applejack thought as she sat and looked at the red and white ball she had received, “today ain’t been a total loss. Ah’ve got this here little plant-turtle fella. And it ain’t like Ah’m alone here neither.”
“Oh Applejack, there you are darling,” Rarity called out as she slipped her way through the crowd towards Applejack. “I’m sorry I ran off like that, but I just had to ask that nice young lady about her ensemble.”
“Don’t y’all worry none about it. To be honest, Ah needed a minute to sit and clear mah head a bit anyways.” It had been a stroke of amazing luck that Applejack had run into Rarity (nearly quite literally in fact) as they had been disembarking the cruise ship. Granted, the fashionista had as little clue as to what was going on as Applejack did, but whatever was going on it would be easier to face it with a friend. “Now, Ah don’t know about you, but frankly Ah don’t see too much point in stayin’ in this place too much longer,” Applejack said as the shouts form a nearby battle suddenly grew louder.
“Indeed,” Rarity replied as she glanced uncomfortably over at the cluster of trainers. “Perhaps we could discuss what we should do next outside?”
“Sounds good to me,” Applejack replied as she rose up from the bench she had been sitting on. The two friends quickly began making their way through the crowds, often having to detour around the numerous ongoing battles. Once the pair made it outside they quickly moved to a spot where they wouldn’t be blocking the entrance before Applejack turned back to Rarity. “Alright, so what do y’all propose we do now?”
“Why in Equestria would I have any idea what we should do? Not a single thing about any of this situation makes any sense whatsoever. Last night I went to bed in my boutique, as a unicorn I’ll add, and then poof! I wake up as this…thing wearing what I will admit is a lovely outfit.” Applejack rolled her eyes at Rarity’s last comment, amazed that even under circumstances like these her friend was able to still focus on fashion. “And now,” Rarity continued “we’re in some bizarre world where these adorable little creatures are made to fight one another! I mean, look at this precious little darling.” As Rarity spoke, she took out the Poke Ball that contained the Pokémon she had selected and gave it a slight twirl, causing it to split open and a light to leap out.
“Piplup!” The small, light blue penguin-like creature chirped happily as it hopped about.
“How in Equestria could I be expected to make this cute little thing fight some nasty monster?” Rarity asked as she fawned over her newly acquired Pokémon. Her Piplup, for its part, seemed to enjoy the attention, repeating its name happily as Rarity petted it.
“Well, Ah can understand y’all not knowin’ what we should do next. Ah was just hopin’ y’all would have some sort of idea, ‘cause right now Ah feel more out of place than a snake at a farriers.” Applejack plopped herself down on the edge of a small plot of bushes and huffed. “The fact of the matter is we need to figure out what we’re doin’ here and we ain’t gonna do that by just goofin’ around.”
“’Just goofing around’? Well I never! If you have any suggestions as to what we should be doing on this island I’d love to hear them, but right now it doesn’t seem like you’re helping solve our problem in the slightest.” Rarity shot back.
Before Applejack could escalated the argument further the sound of a young girl laughing caught Applejack and Rarity’s attention. “Wow, I know the new arrivals usually aren’t very experienced, but you two are completely clueless, aren’t you?” Rarity and Applejack both turned to see the source of the voice, who turned out to be a girl who appeared to be around the same age as their younger sisters. The girl was perched on a nearby fire hydrant like some sort of bird with a massive grin on her face. “Did you two really come all the way here without having any idea what you were going to do when you got here? That’s just…” the girl was unable to finish her thought as she promptly burst into another fit of laughter.
“Well, if y’all could stop laughin’ at us fer a minute, maybe y’all could help us out,” Applejack said.
Applejack’s response apparently surprised the girl, at least enough to get her to stop laughing. “Huh,” the girl said as she cocked her head to one side. “Well, if you’re smart enough to actually ask for help than maybe you’re not as clueless as I though.” The girl hopped down from her hydrant and extended her hand out to Applejack. “I’m Claire, by the way. Sorry for laughing at you like that, it’s just weird to meet anyone who’d come to the Javik region and not at least plan to take on the league’s gym challenge.”
“Mah name’s Applejack,” Applejack said as she took Claire’s hand. “And pardon mah askin’ but what the hay is this league and gym challenge stuff?” While Applejack spoke she took a closer look at Claire. Claire was wearing a denim vest over a faded tee-shirt along with a short pink shirt over some tattered black leggings. Her chestnut hair was pulled into a pair of pigtails and even while she was standing still she gave the impression of being a font of boundless energy. Overall, she gave the impression of someone who either didn’t care what she looked like, or was one of those strange people who put a great deal of effort into making it seem as though she didn’t care.
Claire took a sharp inhale of breath at Applejack’s question. “Wow, ok, so you don’t even know that much, huh? Look, I really sympathize with the two of you if you’re really that new to the whole trainer thing, but I’m a little too busy with my own stuff right now to give you a whole ‘trainer 101’ lesson.” Claire folded her hands behind her head and kicked at the ground. “You know what, I have an idea. If you two really need to learn the absolutely basics you should talk to the local gym leader, a guy named Ferris. He can be kind of a dick if you’re not willing to listen to his advice, but as long as you don’t ignore what he’s telling you them he’ll help you out. And if he gives you issues just tell him that I said he should give you some pointers or else.”
“Uh, thanks fer the help, Ah guess,” Applejack said uncertainly. “Ah don’t suppose y’all could tell us where the hay we could find this Ferris fella, anyway?”
“Ugh, seriously?” Claire asked. “You’ve both got Pokédexes, right? Just use that to find the Mercury City Gym and that’s where you’ll find him.” With that, Claire bounded off down the street, not even bothering to look back over her shoulder as she went.
“So, what the hay do y’all think she meant by usin’ our poke-whatchamacallits to find the gym this Ferris fella is at?” Applejack asked once Claire was out of sight.
“I’m not entirely positive, but I believe she was referring to these red devices that we were provided,” Rarity replied. As she spoke, Rarity opened the messenger bag she had be given (inwardly cringing at the atrocious color) and pulled out her Pokédex. Deftly flipping the Pokédex open, Rarity proceeded to stare at it for several seconds as she waited for inspiration to strike as to what she should do next. “Oh, I give up,” Rarity eventually declared in disgust. “I simply cannot fathom how I’m supposed to use this…tacky little device to locate the Mercury City Gym!” As soon as Rarity spoke, however, the Pokédex lit up on its own.
“Location request; Mercury City Gym; Processing; Location found; Please review directions provided.”
“Huh, Ah guess that thing works by just askin’ it what y’ want to know. Pretty durn convenient, if y’ ask me.” Applejack paused as she watched her friend stare at the Pokédex’s screen. “So, which way is it sayin’ we need to go?”
*********
“And here we are!” Rarity said in a singsong voice as the two friends approached the Mercury City Gym.
“Well it’s about durn time,” Applejack huffed. “Ah reckon we could have gotten here at least an hour earlier if somepony hadn’t felt the need to stop at almost every shop we passed.”
“Oh come now, Applejack, you can’t honestly expect me to pass up the chance to see as much of the fashions here as I possibly can. Just from what we’ve seen today I’ve gotten enough inspiration to plan my next five spring lines!” Granted, what Rarity declined to mention was that most of said inspiration had come from the sight of the various Pokémon they had passed on the way to the gym, but Rarity saw no point in mentioning something like that and antagonizing Applejack further.
For a moment it looked like Applejack wanted to say something in response, but instead she simply took a deep breath and let out a long, irritated sigh. “All right, let’s just get in there and find this Ferris fella and see if he can actually explain how the hay this crazy place works.” Rarity nodded in agreement and the two walked into the gym only to be almost immediately knocked off their feet as the entire building started to violently shake. “What the hay is goin’ on?” Applejack yelled in panic.
Before Rarity had a chance to reply, a somewhat muffled voice could be heard calling out from past a set of metal double doors. “Stunfisk is unable to battle!” The voice declared, eliciting a mixture of cheers and shouting. Strangely, the shouting seemed to be coming from up a pair of stairwells that led up from either side of the doors. Applejack and Rarity shared a brief glance before coming to a silent agreement and hurrying up one of the flights of stairs to see what the commotion was about. Ascending the stairways took them to a viewing area filled with people overlooking one of the strangest sights either mare had encountered yet. The viewing area overlooked an arena of some kind that looked like a series of explosives had been detonated inside of it. Inside the arena were a pair of particularly vicious looking Pokémon. The first appeared to be some kind of giant mole, except that its front paws were tipped with jagged metal blades, with another blade jutting forth from its forehead. Its opponent, on the other hand, looked like some bizarre cross between a bipedal lizard and a palm tree.
“Huh, I want this guy was saving his Mega Evolution, but seriously, a Sceptile? Dude doesn’t have a chance,” one of the nearby spectators, a young man with a shaved head, said to the person seated next to him.
“I know, right?” his companion, a young woman with bright red hair, replied. “And Ferris hasn’t even brought out his Metagross yet.” As the woman spoke both spectators glanced over towards Applejack and Rarity. “Oh, hey, are you two here to catch the end of the challenge? Man, you missed a few epic battles, but at least it looks like you got here in time to see Ferris wrap things up.”
With no real better options available, Applejack and Rarity shrugged at one another and sat down, the woman who had greeted them scooting over to provide room. Once Applejack sat down her first instinct was to introduce herself to the pair sitting next to her, but before she could something happening in the arena suddenly sent the crowd into a frenzy. The gym leader had crossed his arms in front of his chest before slamming his fists together and then thrusting them forward. As he did so, streams of bright light arced out from him towards the mole-like Pokémon on his side of the arena, who had been mimicking his movements. The moment Ferris completed the sequences his Pokémon burst into a corona of yellow-orange light and launched itself into the air while spinning around like a massive drill. The spinning Pokémon crashed into its lizard-like opponent with a devastating explosion of force, knocking it off its feet and pushing out of the arena entirely with a load crash.
“Sceptile is unable to battle,” Applejack heard someone from inside the arena call out in the hesitant tone of someone who knew they were stating the blindingly obvious. “As the challenger has now more Pokémon remaining the winner is Gym Leader Ferris.” The audience went wild at this proclamation until Ferris raised his hands in a gesture asking for quiet.
“You actually handled yourself pretty well, but you’ve still got a ways to go before you’re ready for the league championship. Keep training, though, and you’ll make it there eventually.” With that, Ferris turned to his own Pokémon and pointed a Pokéball at it. “Excadrill, return,” Ferris commanded, causing a beam of red light to leap out and strike his Excadrill, which promptly vanished.
“Man, leave it to Ferris to break out the big guns right at the finale,” the bald trainer said as he leaned back in his seat. “But how weak would that Sceptile have to be get one-shot like that?”
“Meh,” the red-haired woman sitting next to Applejack said dismissively, “Sceptile’s not exactly durable and the whole point of using a Z-Move is to end a fight quickly. I mean I’m a little surprised Ferris’ Excadrill out-sped it, but it’s always been pretty fast.”
“Uh huh,” Applejack said, only barely able to follow their conversation. All of their talk of “Z-Moves” and varying statistics sounded like complete gibberish to her. “So, Ah take it y’all watch these battles pretty often, then?” Applejack asked after a moments pause.
“Yeah, we try to come down here whenever we get the chance, especially if someone’s coming in with a bunch of badges already!” The bald trainer exclaimed. “But even a first timer can be interesting as long as they know what they’re doing. I hear some newb got completely smoked earlier today, though. I’m Sid, by the way.” As he spoke, Sid held his hand out towards Applejack.
“Pleased to meet y’all, mah name’s Applejack, and this here’s mah friend Rarity,” Applejack replied as she shook his hand.
“Jeanne,” Sid’s companion said simply by way of introduction. While Sid had been talking Jeanne had taken out a small notebook and was intently writing in it.
“Don’t mind her,” Sid said as he gestured towards his friend. “Jeanne’s convinced she’s going to take down Ferris for her fifth badge and she’s trying to get some sort of edge on him by studying his battles.”
“Pardon me,” Rarity said, showing interest in the conversation for the first time, “but what’s all this talk about badges and whatnot?”
“What d’ya mean ‘what about badges’? They’re the whole point of challenging gyms. Well that and earning Z-Crystals,” Sid replied. “Any trainer that wants to compete in the Pokémon League first has to prove themselves by challenging and beating eight of the league’s gym leaders. You beat a gym leader, you get a badge.”
“So it all comes back to battling then,” Rarity said, distaste clearly audible in her voice.
“Yeah, Ah ain’t gonna lie, Ah don’t really see the appeal of forcin’ these critters to fight each other mahself,” Applejack added.
“What? Trainers don’t force their Pokémon to fight each other,” Sid cried out. “It’s more like a…I dunno, a partnership or something. Y’know, trusting each other…Jeanne, help me out here.”
“If you guys really don’t understand what Pokémon training’s all about maybe you should try talking with Ferris,” Jeanne said. “Ferris is really big on the whole ‘what it really means to be a trainer’ deal. I will say this, though; if a Pokémon really doesn’t want to battle then there isn’t a whole lot a trainer can actually do to force them. In case watching that battle didn’t clue you in Pokémon can be pretty freaking powerful.”
Applejack and Rarity shared a glance as they absorbed what Jeanne was saying. “Ah think y’all are right about us needin’ to talk with that Ferris fella. Ah’m still not sure about all this battlin’ stuff, but it seems like there’s more to it then Ah’m seein’.”
*********
“Ferris? Yeah, he’s in the back,” the young man said before quickly turning away. “Machoke! Watch what you’re doing with those slabs! You’re gonna hurt someone if you’re not careful!”
“Machoke,” the grey, muscular, bipedal creature said apologetically as it carried off a massive hunk of concrete.
“It’s alright, just try and be careful. Seriously, we have got to talk to Ferris about changing the arena composition; I’m getting tired of having to strip everything down every time something fires off an earthquake in here. Anyway,” he said as he turned back to Applejack and Rarity, “if you’re looking to challenge Ferris for a badge you’re gonna need to come back tomorrow.” The man winced as part of the wall where the previous challenger’s Sceptile had impacted gave way with a loud crash. “Or maybe even next week, that last battle did a real number on this place.”
“Oh no no no,” Rarity quickly replied. “We have no intention of trying to…battle Mister Ferris.”
“We’re new to this whole ‘Pokémon’ business and we’ve heard that Ferris would be the fella to talk about it,” Applejack added.
“Eh, well, Ferris does have a thing for helping trainers who are just starting out. Like I said, you’ll find him through those doors in the back, probably making sure his team is alright after – Oh come on! Carl, don’t have them bring in the new slabs until we’re finished clearing away the broken stuff!”
Leaving the trainer to sort out the repairs to the gym’s arena, Rarity and Applejack quickly made their way to the double doors in the back. Beyond the doors was a long hallway with numerous doors on either side leading deeper into the building. Like the other portions of the gym that they had seen, the hallway was almost unnervingly stark, just a cement floor and cinderblock walls painted an off white and harshly illuminated by florescent lights. “Dear Celestia, this place is just…I don’t even think horrendous can do it justice,” Rarity complained with a disgusted shudder.
“Normally Ah’d say y’all were exaggeratin’, but honestly Ah think this time y’ might have a point. Ah mean, Ah’m all fer keepin’ things simple and plain, but this place could use a coat of paint at least. So, where do y’all think this Ferris fella’s hidin’?”
Rarity opened her mouth to respond, but before she could she was interrupted by the sounds of metal scraping against concrete. “Dang it, Skarmory, hold still! I know it stings but you’ll just have to bear with it, you took a heck of a beating in there.”
Applejack and Rarity looked at each other before rushing over to the room where the commotion seemed to be coming from. “Pardon the intrusion,” Applejack said as she opened the door, “but y’all wouldn’t happen to be Ferris, would y’?”
“Yeah, that’s me,” Ferris replied. The gym leader was seated in a following chain in the middle of what appeared to be an infirmary of some kind. Standing in front of him was a large bird-like creature covered in metal plates which glowered at Applejack and Rarity. “Don’t mind Skarmory here, he’s just a little grumpy because he ate a few nasty electric attacks in our last battle. So, what can I do for you? Just so you know, if you’re here for a gym battle we’d need to use a public arena since the gym’s field is going to be under repair for a while.”
“Don’t worry, we ain’t lookin’ to challenge y’all. Y’ see, we’re actually new to this whole Pokémon business and a girl we met named Claire said y’all be able to help us sort out the basics.”
At the mention of Claire’s name both Ferris and his Skarmory looked up with similar expressions of alarm. “And let me guess, Claire said to tell me that I need to help you ‘or else’, am I right?”
“Well, Ah wasn’t gonna say anythin’, but…”
Ferris held up his hand to cut Applejack off. “It’s alright, that’s…well, that’s just how Claire is. Anyway, what exactly did you two need help with?”
“To be honest, Ah just have a hard time wrappin’ mah head around all this battlin’ stuff. It just doesn’t seem right forcin’ these critters to fight each other, but then it seems like they ain’t objectin’ to it?” Applejack gave a confused shrug of her shoulders. “Frankly the more Ah learn about it the less sense it seems to make to me.”
“Oh yeah, I’ve heard that sort of thing before. A lot of people have trouble understanding the bond between a trainer and their Pokémon and where battling fits in with that. And, unfortunately, there are a fair number of trainers who exploit and mistreat their Pokémon in just the way you’re probably concerned about. The thing to keep in mind is that the relationship between a trainer and their Pokémon isn’t one-sided. A good trainer is able to bring out a Pokémon’s full potential and battling is one of the most effective ways to do that.”
“What exactly do y’all mean by their ‘full potential’?” Applejack asked.
“Faster, stronger, better at whatever it is they do, basically,” Ferris replied. “Many Pokémon will even evolve into stronger forms when they get strong enough. The point is that accomplishing any of that is extremely difficult for a Pokémon without a human partner. Of course, every Pokémon’s different and some aren’t interested in any of that, just like every trainer isn’t going to try and seriously compete in the league’s championship.”
“So how the hay is somepo – someone supposed to figure out what their Pokémon want? It ain’t like y’ can really ask them how they feel about any of it,” Applejack replied.
“Actually that’s exactly what you’d do,” Ferris said with a laugh. “Even if we can’t exactly speak their language Pokémon have a knack for making themselves understood. Here, why don’t you let your Pokémon out and try asking them yourself?”
“If y’all say so,” Applejack said skeptically as she pulled out her Pokéball. “Come on out, Turtwig!” Applejack’s Pokémon leapt out from its Pokéball in a flash of light, materializing on the floor in front of her.
“Turtwig! Turtwig Turtwig!” the small tortoise-like creature declared as it began happily bouncing around the room.
“Whoa there, little guy,” Applejack said as she knelt down to her Turtwig’s level. Cautiously, Applejack reached her hand out and began scratching Turtwig behind the sapling growing out of its head, much to its apparent delight. “So, about all this battlin’ stuff, is that really somethin’ y’all’d want to go through?”
“Turtwig tur!” Turtwig declared as it attempted to strike a fierce pose before turning to Applejack with a massive grin.
“Ah’m guessin’ that’s yer way of sayin’ yes,” Applejack said, to which Turtwig nodded happily. “Huh, well ain’t that somethin’ to think about then. Hey Rarity, what do y’all thing about – Oh fer Celestia’s sake!” While Applejack had been speaking with Ferris and her Turtwig, Rarity had apparently been admiring herself in the reflective surface of Skarmory’s armor plates. Skarmory seemed to be reveling in the attention, striking a series of dramatic poses for Rarity’s benefit.
“Don’t mind Skarmory,” Ferris said with a chuckle. “She’s always been a bit of a showoff and to be honest I think her ego is still a little bruised from that last battle, so this is probably good for her. Anyway, if you’re thinking of trying the Javik gym circuit my advice would be to head north to Keystone City. The gym leader there would probably be your best option for an initial gym battle as long as you train a little first.”
“Well, Ah’ll give it some thought at least,” Applejack said, still sounding a little skeptical. “Fer now Ah think we should probably get goin’, but y’all’ve definitely given me somethin’ to think about. C’mon Rarity, let’s get a move on.” Applejack turned to leave the room, taking Rarity’s arm as she did so. “Thank y’ kindly fer talkin’ to us about this, though.”
“Hey, my pleasure, I’m always happy to give new trainers some direction,” Ferris replied. “Just remember, your Pokémon are going to be relying on you as their trainer. They trust you to provide them with guidance and direction and that’s something you should take seriously.”
“Don’t y’all worry none about that, if there’s one thing Ah take seriously its responsibility,” Applejack said as she exited the room with Rarity in tow, Turtwig trotting behind. “So,” Applejack said to Rarity as they made their way back the way came, “did y’all listen to a word of what we were talkin’ about or were y’ too busy admirin’ yer reflection?”
“You mean all that talk about how Pokémon supposedly actually enjoy being pitted against each other? Really, Applejack, just because I’m looking at myself in a mirror doesn’t mean I’m oblivious to what’s going on around me. Besides, you heard Ferris, that darling bird of his needed a little opportunity to show off,” Rarity added.
“Fair enough. So, Ah think maybe we should take that Ferris fella’s advice and head up to that Keystone City place.”
“Applejack, you can’t really be seriously thinking of participating in these gym battles?” Rarity asked in shock.
“To tell the truth Ah haven’t really decided yet mahself. Ah’m not too keen on the idea personally, but Turtwig here seems like he’s rarin’ to go.”
“Turtwig!” Turtwig declared happily, as if to affirm Applejack’s conclusion.
“And besides that, Ah think headin’ out of this city might be the best thing we can do right now. Ah don’t see us accomplishin’ much of anythin’ stayin’ here in this city, but maybe if we start explorin’ this place we can figure out a way home. Besides, maybe if we’re lucky we’ll run into somepony else who got stuck here too. Now, Ah ain’t sayin’ it’s a great play, but it’s the best Ah can think of right now. If y’all have a better idea than Ah’m all ears, but at least we’d be doin’ somethin’, and that’s gotta be better than doin’ nothin’.”
Rarity spent the next several minutes wracking her brains to see if she could indeed come up with a better plan before finally letting out a sigh of resignation. “No I suppose I can’t really say that I do. On the plus side, though, seeing more of this world should provide me with mountains of inspiration for my designs.”
*********
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Clair casually skipped into the building housing the local offices of the Javik Pokémon League. “Excuse me, miss?” one of the building’s security guards called out after her. “This building isn’t open to the general public, so I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“Ugh, seriously?” Claire groaned. “Here, take a look at my ID.” As she spoke, Claire handed the guard her Pokédex, her personal information already pulled up.
As the hapless guard reviewed Claire’s identification the expression on his face rapidly cycled from confusion to incredulousness to finally complete shock. “You’re one of the Elite Four?” the guard finally managed to stammer out as he returned her Pokédex.
“Darn right I am. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some important league business to take care of.” With that said Claire bounded off towards the building’s elevators, leaving the stunned guard standing in the middle of the lobby.
*********
“Y’know, I get that I’m kinda young for an Elite Four member, but I still can’t believe that just happened,” Claire muttered to herself as she walked through the office hallways. “I mean, you’d think that someone would at least hand out photos or something so security knows what we look like.” As Claire continued to make her way towards her destination she rounded a corner only to see a pair of rather distinctive women striding down the hallway in her direction. Each women was dressed in an expensive looking evening gown, one pearl white and the other in a sequined midnight-blue affair. Furthermore, both women were quite tall, with the one wearing white standing nearly six feet. The most distinctive aspect of them, however, was doubtlessly their hair. The lady in blue had deep blue, almost black hair that seemed to actually sparkle like the night sky (or as if someone had tossed a handful of glitter into it, Claire thought to herself). The lade in white, meanwhile, didn’t have hair that was just a single color, but rather streaks of pastel pink, green, purple, and blue. As the swept past her, Claire noted that they both shared worried expressions, as though they had just learned something terrible had happened.
Once the two were out of sight, Claire stormed over to the doors at the far end of the hall and tossed them open, revealing a small meeting room with a rather spectacular view of the city. “I see your manners haven’t improved any since the last time we saw each other,” huffed the room’s sole occupant, a large man with a buzz cut dressed in a drab olive shirt and khakis.
“I really don’t want to hear it, Patton,” Claire said as she flopped into one of the chairs. “So, what exactly is so important that all four of us needed to be called in? Speaking of which, where the heck are Hanzo and Lumia?”
“I’ve already spoken with Lumia via a remote link, you actually just missed her. As for Hanzo, apparently our champion is going to be speaking with him directly.”
Claire raised an eyebrow at this last bit of news “Wait, so whatever’s going on is big enough that the human Snorlax himself is getting off his butt? Now you’ve got my attention.”
Muttering something about disrespect, Patton cleared his throat before continuing. “I’m glad to hear you’re actually going to take this situation seriously. Now I’m presuming you passed a pair of women on your way here, correct?”
“You mean the two models with the weird hair? Yeah, I saw them. Who the heck were those two?”
“From what I understand they’re foreign royalty from someplace called ‘Equestria’. Now, I don’t know the details myself, but apparently there’s been some sort of incident there and as a result we’re being inundated with confused individuals who supposedly have never even seen a Pokémon before. So far we haven’t been told anything about the actual nature of this incident, but from what I’ve heard the fallout could be bigger than what we saw in Alola not too long ago.”
“And what exactly does the league expect us to do about any of this if they won’t tell us what we’re up against?” Claire asked irritably.
“For right now, nothing,” Patton replied. “The hope is that this situation will work itself out without our needing to intervene. Until the situation changes we’re supposed to stay alert and offer any reasonable assistance to the new arrivals, but we don’t need to take any serious action as of yet.”
“So, whatever this is it could be a bigger deal than that the whole Ultra Beast thing, huh?” Claire asked as she leaned back in her seat. “This is pretty much guaranteed to blow up into the worst case scenario, isn’t it?”
“More than likely,” Patton agreed as the pair slowly wondered precisely what sort of disaster was awaiting them in the near future.