Chapter 12 – Through the Never
The seventeen trainers stood at rapt attention, their eyes all trained on the four adults before them. The anticipation, the expectation, all of their questions, were about to be answered. The green-haired history teacher stood and slowly walked to the front of the long table. No one said a word, the only sound Mr. Preston's shoes as he strode to a stop. "What I am about to share with you," he began, "is something I myself, and the other teachers, were informed of mere weeks ago. We four have sworn to use our knowledge and our talents to prepare you all for the challenge that now faces us."
"It happened many ages ago," he continued, "in the time before the cooperation of humans and Pokemon. The world was a vast, wild place, dotted by human settlements and wild Pokemon of all types wandered the land. Then one day, in the region of Otaru, a great fear poured fourth over the land. A mysterious Pokemon had fallen from the heavens, and before long, it began to lay waste to the earth, destroying anything in its path. The survivors of this onslaught, both human and Pokemon, mustered a final charge against the space creature, which they cornered in the Otaru Desert. Of these there were seventeen humans, refugees from the destruction, who had gathered from all reaches of the continent. Also at this decisive showdown, there were seventeen Pokemon who had survived the space monster's ravages. These too had gathered from across the region, traversing the destroyed landscape to answer the cries of anguish that rang throughout the land. As it turned out, the Pokemon that gathered each represented one of the 17 types. These Pokemon weren't bound to these humans, nor vice versa, but together they made a stand against this destructive force. A long and violent battle ensued, the Pokemon using their elemental skills and abilities to combat the monster, and the humans providing encouragement and battle strategies. Eventually, the space creature weakened, and it retreated back to the infinite abyss from whence it had come."
Mr. Preston cleared his throat, and continued the story. "After the cataclysmic encounter, the exhausted Pokemon and humans celebrated with one another, their victory sparing the rest of the world the fate that Otaru had suffered. The space creature's rampage had decimated human and Pokemon populations across the region, but had failed to eliminate all of any species. The land, and the life it supported, would eventually heal and repopulate Otaru. Through the trial that the space creature had provided, humans and Pokemon had defended their world side-by-side for the first time. This event marked the very first cooperation between humans and Pokemon. This story, however, is unknown to the world outside of the walls of this complex." Mr. Fisk, the white-coated science teacher, stood to join the explanation. "As I'm sure you all are aware," he said, "the societies of Pokeopolis and the like are generally thought of as the origin of Pokemon-human collaboration. This, however, is false. The information you have just received has been hidden in this structure for centuries."
At this point James stood, and said, "Well, thanks for the history lesson, but that doesn't explain why we're all here right now."
"The young man has a point," said Mr. Fisk, "so I'll let Professor Preston finish his explanation."
"Thank you, Professor Fisk. The Headmaster of Ironspine Academy is a direct descendant of one of the seventeen humans present at that great battle. He is the last person alive with the same blood as his ancestor. The Headmaster recently sensed a presence that had not been detected for centuries: the space beast is returning to Earth to wreak its horrible vengeance. Disturbed by this sensation, he sought to gather the descendants of the Pokemon present at that battle so long ago, knowing that only they can eventually gather the strength necessary to defeat the creature. The seventeen Pokemon, one of each type, are those that you trainers carry."
A wave of murmurs and looks of various emotions rippled through the crowd.
"You seventeen, you have been code-named the Class of '06. Your Pokemon carry within themselves a capacity of which they themselves are unaware, and fate has chosen you to accompany them. We four professors have been mustered for our abilities, our prowess in various skills, and are sworn to help you and your Pokemon hone the proficiency to defeat the space creature." At this, Ms. Lockhart stood.
"By taking in and caring for your Pokemon, you have proven your loyalty to them. They trust you, and you them, but that will not be enough to prevail over this foe. Much time and effort must be invested to strengthen mind and body, Pokemon and trainer."
Mr. Fisk came forward next. "At this time, we ask that you each stand in a line before us, and release your Pokemon. Coach Ratliff will perform a preliminary exam of your Pokemon to assure their health."
The young trainers got their feet and assembled into a long row in front of the professors' table. Each reached to belt clips, into bags and purses, and withdrew a crimson-and-white ball. The entire room briefly flickered a bright red as seventeen digital forms took shape on the floor. In moments, a Pokemon stood on the stone-tiled floor in front of each trainer. Coach Ratliff now stood, notepad in hand, as the other three professors looked on. The bulky man walked to the far left-hand end of the line, where Alex stood. On the ground before the confident young man was a Swinub, a furry brown Pokemon with dark stripes crossing its back, and a large, pink piglike nose. Its body hung low to the ground, and long hair covered its eyes. The Ice-type snorted, a small expulsion of snowy vapor jetting from its nose. Next to him stood Courtney, purse slung over her shoulder and a haughty expression on her face. In front of her stood a Skitty, a pink catlike Pokemon with short legs and a long bulbous tail. The Normal-type was immaculately groomed and wore the same expression as her master.
"What's her name?" asked the Coach to Courtney.
"Her name's Princess," said Courtney, a smug smile on her lips.
Coach moved to the next student, the arrogant Trevor. Standing before him was a Sandshrew, an armadillo-like Pokemon with thick yellow plates on its back, a white underbelly and face, and large, dark eyes. It seems well-trained, thought Coach, eying the Mouse Pokemon's small, but sharp, claws. Moving on, he stood in front of James, student and teacher's matching hairless heads gleaming under the firelight. The trainer stood behind a Bagon, a rare Dragon-type Pokemon with a muscular blue body, smooth skin, and thick plates of bone casing the top of its head. Such a powerful Pokemon, despite its age, Coach thought. As the ponderous man moved down the line, Bagon looked back at its trainer, and each shot the other a toothy grin. Next down the line was Ashley, who had a Vulpix sitting before her. Coach extended his hand and held it palm-first a foot from the Fire-type's body. I can feel the warmth, he thought, which means it's in good health. The foxlike Pokemon stood and turned her head slightly, watching the large man carefully. Courtney wore a slight smile of satisfaction as Coach moved on.
Continuing down the line, Evelyn stood behind a Mareep, a sheeplike Pokemon with fluffy yellow wool covering most of its body. The Pokemon appeared to be in good spirits, waving its yellow-and-blue striped tail happily. Its face and legs were dark blue, and energetic black eyes looked back at him, as static electricity crackled in its wooly coat. Coach smiled, and moved down to Summer. Standing before the blonde-haired girl was a Krabby, a crustaceous Water-type with a red shell and claws and pale yellow underside. The river crab Pokemon foamed slightly from its mouth, a common reaction by this species when in an unusual situation, and snapped its deceptively strong claws in the air. Amy was next, a vigorous Taillow standing before her. Its plumage had a helthy sheen, blue with highlights of red and white. "Tail?" asked the bird Pokemon, cocking its head slightly to one side. Next, Nathan stood behind a green Bug-type Pokemon known as a Spinarak. The spiderlike Pokemon had bands of bright yellow and black on its six legs, and its abdomen bore a facelike design on it. Coach noted the pattern's design, resembling a smiling face, and moved on to Oliver. The young man in the ninja suit stood grinning behind a green amorphous blob, punctuated by a yellow featherlike crest.
"Could you have your Gulpin open its mouth, Oliver?" asked Coach, backtracking a step.
Oliver nodded to the Poison-type Pokemon, and it stretched its mouth open, gaping at least a foot from top to bottom. This Pokemon can easily enough to consume a watermelon in one swallow, thought Coach.
"Very good, very good," said the bulky professor, jotting it on his notepad before moving on.
Brian now stood, and before him, a slender Bellsprout. The grass-type swayed slightly on its willowy, rootlike legs, and tiny black eyes looked back at him. Onward down the line, he stood before Ed and his Mankey. The fighting-type monkey moved in sudden, jerky movements, breathing through its pig-like nose. Ed wore an enthusiastic expression and flashed Coach a thumbs-up.
Coach looked curiously at the smiling young man, then moved on to Del. The tall, stocky trainer stood behind a Geodude. The rock-type's body was fairly rounded, a good indication that it had had its share of battles. "Geo, geodude!" it croaked, extending its stony arms to their full span. The teacher took a note in his pad, than walked to the next student. Vince, dark hair shining in the firelight, crossed his arms. Before him was an Aron, a robust, four-legged Pokemon species bearing an armor of steel. This protective coat covered most of its body, face punctuated with electric-blue eyes. Coach was about to move on when he noticed the iron Pokemon's right eye. This eye was bright red, but its left was the normal cobalt color.
"I've never seen anything like this," Coach said, "your Aron displays both normal and recessive eye color traits. Truly unique…"
Vince looked down at the squat Pokemon, and thought to himself, "You have no idea."
Third from the end stood Megan, with a small white Ralts kneeling silently before her. The Pokemon had a green, bowl-shaped structure on its head, hiding its large rosy eyes and tiny mouth. Atop its head was a pair of reddish crests that are used to detect the emotions of those around it. The psychic-type's pallid body was very frail-looking, but Coach knew that it contained within itself a vast reservoir of psychic power. Next to her, Vanessa shyly stood. Beside her floated a Shuppet, a timid Ghost-type Pokemon that feeds on feelings of fear and anger. The Pokemon's large expressive eyes were mirrored by her trainer, only differing in color. Finally, Coach came to Chester, standing defiantly next to the wall. At his feet was a stern looking Dark-type, a Murkrow. This species is normally sprightly and mischievous, he thought, this one, however, seems very confrontational and determination flickers in its eyes. The firelight glistened off of its dusky feathers, as it stared sharply at the teacher.
"Interesting…" was all Coach Ratliff could say, before turning towards the other professors while jotting a few notes. The winged Pokemon continued to stare at the bald man as he walked away, an intense glare for seemingly no reason.
"The examination is complete," noted Coach as he closed his notebook. "Your classes will begin on Wednesday, the day after tomorrow. Your day will begin with History, followed by Science, Health, and conclude with Battle Training. Dinner will now be served, for both you and your Pokemon. I'm sure you all are hungry after the long journey you've had."
The trainers and their Pokemon ate their meals, some more enthusiastically than others. The topic on everyone's minds, however, was the information they had just received. How could they are responsible for saving the world from some sort of horror from beyond the stars? It was almost too much to comprehend. The amount of training…the dedication this must include…it was much bigger than any of the trainers had imagined. The journey, they realized, had only just begun.
