Description: The Saok region is a hostile, underpopulated region rumored to have ties to mega evolution. It is a place with unforgiving terrain from blistering hot deserts and frozen tundras, to dense jungles and forests. Yet, Pokémon and trainers alike find a way to survive. Life is rough for many. Pokémon centers are non-existent. They once existed, but they were raided for supplies and materials, and it was too expensive to keep rebuilding and sending over more supplies. Towns and cities are self-governed. Currency in Saok is anything of value from raw materials and scraps to Pokémon. Without police or Pokémon Centers, the only group left are the Pokémon rangers. They try to help where they can, but they are often attacked by rogue trainers hoping to find supplies. Trainers typically travel in vehicles constructed from whatever parts they can find. While there are no official gyms, challenges, arenas, and a few colosseums have appeared challenging trainers all over the region. Then there is the net where a trainer from Saok can grow their reputation even further.
Key Items:
Pokeball launcher: Commonly referred to as a launcher. They have many variations. This device is used by most trainers in Saok. It launches pokeballs like projectiles whether catching a Pokémon or calling one out. Situations do not always permit trainers to call out their Pokémon in front of them or throw a pokeball. Also, wild Pokémon are cunning and trainers are often fighting for the same Pokémon, so a tactical advantage means everything. Many of them have multiple functions built in.
Healing Unit: Not a common item. They are the healing machines from Pokémon Centers. They are often modified to be more portable. Sometimes they are brought in from other regions.
Portal: A more rugged looking Pokedex, gray in color. While it has Pokedex capabilities, it also functions as an sms system and a connection to the net.
Notable Locations:
Neo Under City: A large city built completely underground. Neon lights the city all day and all night. Everything is for sale here, technology, services, Pokémon, parts for vehicles; there is no limit. There are several known arenas as well as several underground ones; the same goes for colosseums. There is also a vast mine that only gets more dangerous the deeper one goes.
Garchomp's Teeth: A large mountain range. There are several caves and dangers throughout. At the highest peak is the Pokémon rangers only remaining permanent base. From here, they receive supply drops and communicate with all of the rangers in the Saok region.
The Hidden Jungle Village: A village located in the heart of the Saok Jungle. The villagers use ninja-like tactics to hide themselves. The village is built in the trees keeping them off the ground and away from hostile Pokémon. There are roads to this village, but there are also paths meant to steer unwanted trainers away from it.
Cabin Park: A small circle of cabins built in a clearing of the East Saok Forest. There is a small ranch and farm run by the community. The people living here are resourceful and live off the land relying on their Pokémon to survive. They welcome outsiders cautiously; large groups will usually prompt aggression.
The Untouched Plains: Buried deep underground is an oasis untouched by time. Pokémon that would be fossils in other regions roam freely. Somehow, light shines through and goes away when night falls.
The Sands: An expansive desert in the Saok region. One should be prepared when entering or travel along the outskirts of the desert. It is a shortcut to many parts of the region, but it is also a dangerous path to ride on from the Pokémon that live there to the intense sandstorms and the intense cold of the night.
The Wasted Path: Part of The Sands eroded away leaving a dry, cracked terrain where nothing can grow or thrive. It is a popular place to race, battle, transport cargo, and for trainers to ambush travelers.
Spirit Ravine: A ravine said to cross into the spirit world. Strange things happen here. Something here has been known to befall Cubone. A small village is at the top guarding the path into the ravine.
Igloo Town: A small village built in the frozen tundras of Saok. The extreme cold and unfriendly terrain drive people away, but there are many secrets hidden beneath the snow.
Heatran's Rage: A scorched forest with a path directly to an active volcano. There is a cavern at the foot of the volcano.
The Airship: A rumor to many on the ground of Saok, but known to a few people. It is a luxury cruiser that flies over the Saok region allowing wealthy individuals to watch trainers' battles, perils, and journeys without having to set foot on the ground. They try to remain hidden using cloaking devices and landing in remote locations to prevent detection.
Saok Port: A small port that most enter to get into the Saok region. There is also a small airfield for small planes and helicopters to land into the region. The ports are heavily guarded as most cargo in the region goes through it. There are a few small hotels and restaurants around, but they are rarely frequented.
Ch. 1
A boy called Ryder stood over the edge of a cliff. He wore a red t-shirt, blue jeans, a belt with many pouches on it, and a pair of brown work boots. A silver-colored launcher was on his right wrist. Artificial lights shined down from the massive cave he stood in. He looked at the Sandshrew on his shoulder smiling. "Let's try to find something good today." He grabbed the grapple hook around his shoulder and fastened it into the rock of the cliff along with a pulley. He secured the other end around his waist and picked up his pickaxe which had been sitting on the ground. Ryder jumped from the cliff pressing his feet up against the rock to control his fall. He dropped to a lower height and felt the rock in front of him. He placed his pickaxe into a holster on his back and grabbed a hammer and chisel from the bag at his side. Meanwhile, his Sandshrew leapt from his shoulder and started burrowing into the cliff. A little while it came back out of the cliff holding a medium-sized nugget of gold. "That's a good one." Ryder smiled. He took it from his partner and placed it in his bag giving the Sandshrew a few pets before returning to mining on his own. The Pokémon started digging once more hoping to find more valuables buried in the cliff. Ryder pulled out a small, blue gemstone and slipped it into his bag. Meanwhile, his Sandshrew kept returning with gems, rocks, and occasionally a nugget of gold or silver. Ryder smiled once the bag was bulging. "Sandshrew, let's go cash in." The small Pokémon nodded jumping onto his shoulder. Ryder started retracting the pulley getting back to the top of the cliff. Ryder started walking, heading for the neon lights of Neo Under City.
It was a long walk back into the city. Ryder walked along the streets pausing at a small building plastered with neon signs. He walked inside the steel door sliding closed behind him. A man sat at the counter. He had magnifying goggles over his eyes and small tools in his hands while he examined a circuit board. "You have something for me today, Ryder?" He asked casually looking up from his work and pulling off his goggles. A Linoone was in the corner enjoying a bowl of Pokémon food.
"I do." Ryder dumped his find from the day on the counter.
"Same stuff as always." The man said eyeing the stones. He picked up a few inspecting them closely. "I can give you the usual offer."
Ryder looked upset. "Hugo, I need more than that. I want my truck built sooner than next month."
Hugo calmly walked over to a drawer and pulled out a tablet. He slammed the drawer shut with a loud thud. He walked over to Ryder and pulled up several screens. "Your gems are not that valuable here, the gold and silver, maybe. In order to get what you want, I am required to network your gems to other regions and then I have to find manufacturers who will take the gems to make your custom parts, and then they have to ship it here, and pay for it to be safe from raiders until it gets here. Now, if you were to bring me a rare Pokémon or two, I could have your stuff made here in a few weeks, but that's not the case. And it really doesn't help that almost everything on your truck is custom built."
"I have preferences." Ryder crossed his arms.
"Preferences take time and money." Hugo said scooping all of the gems into a lockbox. "But for you, I'll see what I can do." He smiled at Ryder. "Just make sure you shake this region up."
"How long on my truck?" Ryder asked crossing his arms looking for a direct answer.
Hugo pulled up a screen on his tablet. "Roll cage arrived today. I'm still waiting on a few more pieces, and I have a few more to order. Best I can do is two weeks."
"No cutting corners." Ryder said with a stern tone.
"You know I don't." Hugo said reassuring Ryder. "Go get some rest tonight, bring me some more gems tomorrow, and go start making a name for yourself in the colosseum. A trainer like you needs a name, and a name in Saok means more than anything."
"I can do that." Ryder smiled walking out of the small shop and onto the streets of the city. He walked into an apartment building and climbed the stairs to the fourth floor. He unlocked the door to the apartment and walked inside, his three roommates were sitting on the couch watching TV. His Sandshrew jumped down from his shoulder and walked beside him. It climbed onto the kitchen counter while Ryder reached into the fridge grabbing two soda pops for him and Sandshrew along with a bowl of leftover rice. He walked into his room and locked the door behind him. He opened the soda pops and handed one to his Sandshrew who drank eagerly. Ryder started picking at his rice while plugging his Portal into his computer establishing a connection to the net. He began combing through all of the posts from the day. He started watching a battle video between two trainers. It was clear that they were outsiders based on their clothing and their battle styles, tourists perhaps. Ryder watched their battle seeing moves no Saok trainer would use. Suddenly, the battle was interrupted by a hyper beam attack. A Salamance swooped down and attacked the trainers sending them flying.
"Saok is not for tourists!" Someone was shouting. The camera fell over and cut out after that.
Saok pride. Ryder smiled to himself petting his Sandshrew. He started scrolling through the net some more. An ad caught his eye.
Calling all Saok trainers! Tomorrow night is battle night at the Neo Lights Club. Bring out your strongest Pokémon because it's time to tear it up. If you can battle, you can compete.
Ryder turned to his Sandshrew. "Time to make a name for ourselves." He smiled at his partner.
