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The Trainer's School campus was one of the few places in the congested Saffron City which had more trees than concrete. It was dedicated to equipping twelve and thirteen year olds with the knowledge required to train Pokémon and to survive in different places across the five nations. Due to the rigorous nature of the course, and the hardships often involved in Pokémon training, many children who once harboured the dream of wearing the Champion's mantle and being called a 'Pokémon Master' had abandoned it in favour of pursuits such as medicine, sports and architecture.
Rick Torce was not one of them. The tall, dark-haired boy angrily stepped out of the large iron gate of the school. He was absolutely livid at his PAA (Pokémon Attacks/Abilities) teacher, Mark Thompson. He had once again returned Rick's homework paper on one-hit knockout attacks without a 'complete' mark, which meant that Rick had to do the assignment all over again. His blue backpack precariously dangled from his left shoulder, its chances of falling increasing with every rage-filled step he took. On top of that, he wore a black shirt on a very hot day which didn't help his already short temper.
What is wrong with that Johnson guy? He thought to himself. The bastard rejects my homework without as much as glancing at it, of this I am sure. He has given 'complete' marks on other papers similar or worse than mine. And I don't have this problem with other subjects. And the worst part is that no one believes me.
"Thompson again?" said a familiar voice, right behind him. A blond boy, dressed in a red t-shirt and a blue pair of jeans, walked up to Rick from behind. "Don't let that guy get to you, Ricky. PAA is just one subject. You'll ace the final test!" he said encouragingly.
"That may be true, Lars" grumbled Rick. "But I don't understand why this bastard hates me so much."
Lars replied "If this is so serious, maybe you should complai..."
"NO. I will not complain. It's just one subject, like you said. And he doesn't check the final test paper. Are you on for tonight?"
"You bet, Ricky! You know I wouldn't miss Pewter vs. Saffron!" Lars responded. Other than Pokémon battling, our common interest is football. None of us play it well, but we both are fans of the Pewter Cannons. Our mutual hatred of the local team, the Saffron Sharpedoes, had been the reason for our friendship in the first place.
"Is John coming?" asked Rick. Like Lars and him, John too hated the Saffron Sharpedoes.
"You know how he is. He went on a rant about studying and the exams being two months away the moment I asked him."
"I didn't expecting him to come anyway. Bring the snacks, will you? and a little less instant popcorn this time."
The two friends reached the bus stop.
"So, are you going to do the homework again?" asked Lars.
"Just once more. If he rejects that too, then I am not submitting it again, and to hell with the grade. I just have to clear the exams."
As they spoke, a bright red bus arrived. Rick and Lars checked the bus number, and then they both climbed on it.
"Two tickets to Silph road" Rick said to the conductor, who was wearing a dark blue
About 10 minutes later, the boys got off the bus and headed to their homes. Rick's was a small flat in an apartment. Rick was surprised to see some cops around the apartment.
"What's going on here?" asked Rick
"Vokes's place got burgled again." Replied a man. Rick recognized him, as he lived in the same apartment.
"But that's not happened since.."
"I know. That's why there are so many cops here."
Vokes was a famous scientist/archaeologist, who had discovered the various effect of items on Pokémon evolution. It was rumoured that he had discovered a stone that vastly increased the power of Pokémon, a rumour only fuelled by rampant burglaries at his house and the bank where he had a safety deposit box.
It's been 10 years since the last one though, thought Rick to himself. He was told by the police to leave until their investigation was complete.
"You can return at around 8:00 PM" assured the policeman.
