The Training

At 6:30 the next morning, a loud bell rang though all the quarters of the Team Aqua base, awakening all who dwelled within. Adam sleepily sat up and drew back the blanket on his cot. His room consisted of two sets of bunk bed-arranged cots attached to steel walls, with a round table in the center with a TV and a small refrigerator. He shared this room with three other Aquas, as could be previously ascertained, but they were out on training already.

Within five minutes, an Aqua Administrator, Chuck, came into the room and addressed him. "Mr. Adam McManson?"

"That's me."

"You are required to report to training hall 6-A this morning at 6:45. Please prepare yourself accordingly."

"Yes, sir."

Adam put on the Team Aqua uniform that had been left for him, and took his Poke Balls from the nearby table. He released Buddy in a flash of light.

"Ready to begin our training, boy?"

Buddy whined but did not make any moves to disobey his trainer's wishes.

"Good. Come on, let's go."

Training hall 6-A consisted of a large room with a concrete floor. Tall pillars rose from points in the room, upon the flat, square tops of which stood Aqua Administrators, holding megaphones. On the floor itself, new recruits stood, Poke Balls in hand.

"Please find an empty space." Said an Admin from atop a pillar. "We are about to begin."

Adam took a spot in between two female trainers.

"Ready, everyone?" said the Admin who had addressed Adam. "Okay! 3...2...1... Begin combat!" A machine at the opposite end of the wall released a line of Poke Balls, one at the end of each rank of trainers at the opposite end of the room. The balls opened to reveal identical Poochyena, which began advancing.

"Release Pokemon!" commanded the Admin. Balls were released, and Pokemon filled the room. Adam was ready to send Buddy into combat, when suddenly a whistle was blown, and the Poochyena were withdrawn.

"Wait, wait, wait, hold up," said another Admin. "What the hell is that?"

Adam quickly saw that they were pointing at Buddy.

"Uh… it's my Pokemon, sir." Adam said.

A pillar descended to the ground, and an Admin hopped off and approached Adam until he was frightfully close.

"Are you familiar with the policy of Team Aqua, young man?"

"N-n-not entirely. I-I just started here today, and…"

"Then let me inform you, mister…" he glanced at Adam's name tag. "Mr. McManson. In Team Aqua, we are dedicated to expanding the ocean. As a result we use only water Pokemon. Is that clear?"

"But I only have one water Pokemon, sir!"

"Do not raise your voice to me, young man, or you will find yourself…"

"Hold it, Jim!" said a girl's voice. Adam peered to the side of Jim to see Laura running towards them.

"What is it, Laura?"

"I've seen Adam in action with his own team, sir, and I can safely say that he'd perform best with the Pokemon he's raised on his own."

A wry smile appeared on Jim's face. "Laura, the policy of Team Aqua is to equip each new recruit with a specified set of Water Pokemon. I do not feel it necessary to…"

"Trust me, please, Jim. Or I'll file a report of insubordination."

Jim sighed, resigned. "As you wish." He whirled around and spoke to Adam. "Carry on."

And so the training continued.