With a new route in mind, and the risk of a rogue Pokémon in front of him, truck driver Ken Worth decided against a big dinner at the Furfrou truck stop near Gringey City. Instead he and Fennekin found themselves in its convenience store grabbing a few items for the road. Ken would feed his Pokémon quickly, grab a bite for himself in the cab of his big rig, and then team up with veteran trucker Ross Keller to run over Route 10 to Cerulean City while the traffic on I-Route 10 was backed up.
Furfrou truck stops were themed after their titular Kalosian canine. The store used them as mascots and the aisles featured small signs with Furfrous of various trims marking sales. One read "Doug Dandy's Dog-gone Good Deal: Any Size Soft Drink or Coffee for the price of a Small" while another was "Heather Heart's Wholesome Bargain: Organic Bananas by the Bunch." Ken was mainly just looking to buy a couple energy drinks and one Poké Puff each for Fennekin and Spearow.
"You like the ones with Tamato Berry right?" Ken asked his fox as he reached into a pastry case.
"Fen," Fennekin happily barked.
Ken got his goods and walking up to check out when another sign caught his attention. It read "Sally Star's Superstar Sale: Buy 3, Get 2 Free on Castelia Carl's Bagel Chips." Ken licked his lips. He had a fondness for bagels because of their portability, which meant he could eat one while driving with minimal distraction. Castelia Carl's chips weren't the easiest thing to get in Kanto, as the name implied it was a Unova brand, so Ken grabbed five bags of the chips to stock up while he had the chance. He had no idea how fortunate this decision would soon prove.
Ken walked up to the checkout counter and placed the five bags of bagel chips, three energy drinks, and two Poké Puffs on the counter. The clerk looked down at items, reached under the counter and pulled out a pink and white Heal Ball and put it next to his goods.
"What's that?" Ken said.
"It's a Heal Ball, duh," replied the clerk.
"I know that," Ken replied. "Why'd you pull it out? My Fennekin has a Poké Ball already."
"That's the promotion we are running," the clerk replied, pointing up to a sign above his counter with another sale reading "Molly Matron says show them you care: Free Heal Ball with purchase of 10 items or more."
"Oh, well then thank you," Ken said, handing the clerk a credit card to pay for his purchases.
With his items bagged up Ken and Fennekin walked back to Truck #653 where they got in the cab as a light drizzle began to fall. He'd shrunk the Heal Ball and put on his belt with his other standard Poké Balls. Clearly that storm was moving in just as predicted. Ken poured two bowls of Pokémon food for his partners, released Spearow from its ball, and then placed a Poké Puff atop each one. Fennekin got one with a Tamato Berry frosting while Spearow's puff had a Wacan Berry one. As his Pokémon dug in Ken stepped back in the cab to his refrigerator.
Ken's 750 Eeveeliner was equipped with a sleeper cab designed for long hauls. Essentially the truck was a home away from home on wheels. Behind the front seat was a living area with two bunks, a television, a refrigerator, a microwave, a few cabinets, and some additional storage areas. The shelf above the fridge pulled out to make a de facto desk when turning around the passenger's side seat at the front. Tonight, it would be Ken's dinner table as he pulled a cold slice of leftover pizza from the refrigerator. Looking out the window Ken saw the rain now starting to belt down harder on the hood of his rig. With the weather tonight he wondered if perhaps he should get out the extra chains to reinforce his load of steel coils but decided against it. With everyone now fed and happy Ken turned the passenger chair back around, surrendered it to Fennekin, and recalled Spearow back into its ball. He was glad the bird got a nice flight in earlier while waiting for their load in Gringey City, with this weather it likely wouldn't get to fly much tonight.
Ken looked out the window to see Ross walking back out of the truck stop restaurant to his truck while the GS Transport crew was finishing up work on his co-worker Eugenie Euclid's rig. Ken had half hoped her truck might be repaired in time for all three of them to run Route 10 together tonight but it looked like she would be coming later behind them. No sooner was he buckled in and had his engine restarted did his CB radio buzz to life.
"Radio check, Rubber Psyduck to Vulpix 3, you ready to go?" Ross said on the radio.
Ken reached up for his microphone.
"This is Vulpix 3," Ken said. "I hear you clear on this channel. Let's boogie."
"What happened to that other Eeveeliner there?" Ross asked.
"Eugenie was running Route 10 and got attacked by an Absol," Ken said. "She thinks the storm might drive it off though by the time we get there."
"If not I'll deal with it," Ross said. "I don't keep Pokémon aboard but I know the proper way to deal with them. Stick with me kid, I'll show you the ropes on the road. Absols ain't anything but trouble but they aren't so tough they can't be dealt with."
Ken rolled his eyes. Both drivers put their trucks in gear and slowly departed the truck stop headed for Route 10 as the rain started to come down heavier. Ken pulled into the lead position of this two-truck convoy. Suddenly the darkening skies were brightened temporarily as a bolt of lightning shot across them. The truckers continued their conversation via radio as Ken's 750 and Ross' 350 picked up speed.
"Looks like the run tonight includes a free truck wash," Ross said over the radio. "Normally you have to buy at least a tank of fuel before they throw one of those in."
"Your rig looks like it needs it," Ken joked, referencing the dirty appearance of Ross' old Golempuller truck. "Now, did you remember to fill up before we left?"
"Topped the tank in Lavender Town after I left the battery plant," Ross said. "This load of lithium ion power is good to go. And you?"
"Same, filled it up in Gringey City before I left," Ken said. "I've got plenty of go-go juice to keep on trucking."
Another bolt of lightning flashed in the sky.
"I'm going to go 10-10 on the side but can you do me a favor before I do?" Ross asked.
"What do you need Rubber Psyduck?" Ken responded.
"Let me know how my taillights are working," Ross joked.
Ross' dirty Pidgeot Transport truck pulled out as he mashed the accelerator. With a diesel roar the old rig blasted past Ken's Eeveeliner to take the lead in their convoy. Ken chuckled, Ross' lights were working fine and he was clearly messing around with him.
"Your brakes are working fine Ross," Ken said.
"10-4 good buddy," Ross said. "You stick with me and once we get to Pewter tonight I know a couple of ladies who can really show us a good time."
"I hope they aren't your sisters if you are talking about them like that," Ken said.
"Oh, they ain't," Ross said. "Trust me. For a good time, we can call them."
Fennekin chuckled as the look on Ken's face clearly mouthed an "ew," complete with sticking his tongue out for a second. Ken wasn't into that kind of fun and tried to steer clear of truckers who were. He'd deal with that once they made it to Pewter City. Thankfully his radio buzzed to life again.
"Bulbasaur 5 to Vulpix 3," came Eugenie's voice. "I'm back on the road and coming up about 15 markers behind you. Can you make sure the road is all clear and open for me once we reach Route 10?"
The question was clearly a joke. Ken chuckled and played along.
"10-4, Bulbasaur 5," Ken said. "I'll make sure they put out the good red carpet for you."
Ken rehung his radio. As the rain got heavier, he flipped his windshield wipers up to full speed. The heavy stuff wasn't supposed to last but it was going to make things interesting for a bit. Ken knew some truckers who actually liked driving through storms, it broke up the monotony of some of their various runs. Fennekin looked up at the rain, all too glad he was riding in the truck's climate-controlled cab with Ken. He didn't like the rain as expected of a fire type. His ability was Blaze after all, not Swift Swim.
Despite what Ross said Ken was still wondering about that potential Absol issue. Ken's new Eeveeliner was a much more high-tech model than his old Dittocruiser. The truck had several modern features and one was wireless phone call capability. For Pokémon questions the one he trusted most to answer them was his twin sister Sandra. Ken flipped a switch and the wireless system activated.
"Voice calling active," came an automated message.
"Call Sandy," Ken said.
Far to the north in Sinnoh's Oreburgh City Sandra Worth was relaxing in her room at a local motel. The weather was nice and she was planning to take a walk later. Her preparations for the Sinnoh League were going well but for now she had been called to the Oreburgh Mine as one of several professional trainers assisting with the process of training some Excadrills to work with the miners after their arrival from Unova. Her cell phone's "BREAKER 1, BREAKER 1" ring tone suddenly sounded meaning her brother was calling. She picked up.
"Well, well," Sandra said. "How are things on the road Kenny? Fennekin and Spearow treating you well?"
"It's a bit wet tonight but they are doing fine," Ken said.
"Fennekin," Fennekin barked.
"I tell you, you'd love it here in Oreburgh Kenny," Sandra said. "They've got some big rigs moving the coal down in the mine that just dwarf the road trucks you drive."
"I've seen those rights on TV, they are monsters," Ken said. "I've got a Pokémon question for you tonight just like you like."
"Oh?" Sandra said. "What do you need to know."
"You've had a few hundred Pokémon through the years," Ken said. "What can you tell me about Absols? I hear there might be one in the road ahead tonight."
"Well, they are rare," Sandra said. "I've never owned one myself but I know they are deeply misunderstood."
"Do they cause disasters?" Ken asked. "One went after a GS truck today."
"No, that's a misconception," Sandra said. "Absols have dark typing and a scary look but they are protectors not harbingers of doom."
"Seriously?" Ken asked.
"Yeah," Sandra replied. "They can sense when natural disasters are imminent and they get aggressive at that time trying to keep people away from them. They can be real heroes if people let them be."
Ken thought for a moment, was it possible the Absol that attacked Eugenie was trying to do that? Or was it indeed just a crazy rogue?
"Thanks for the help Sandra," Ken said. "I'm going to have to remember that if do see one tonight. I hope you have a good one."
"Thank you, good luck tonight," Sandra said. "Hey Ken, before you go, I should tell you something. Next time we meet up I've got someone I want you to meet, specifically someone with a type advantage on Fennekin I think can help your team if you'll take him. You'll like him, he'll weasel your way into your heart if you let him."
"I'll keep that in mind sis," Ken said, he knew Sandra had wanted to catch a Pokémon to give him years and perhaps now that he was a trainer she had finally done it. "Stay gold."
"10-4 Ken," Sandra said. "Goodnight."
The Worth twins hung up as Ross and Ken made the turn off the highway onto the muddy road of Route 10. Ross was still ahead and slightly pulling away from Ken. Ken was running just over the speed limit but Ross was still going a bit faster. Keller had been driving big rigs for a couple decades and while he'd lost some face at Pidgeot Transport in recent years he knew he had the guts to build his reputation back up behind the wheel.
The rain was now starting to let up but further up the road the downpour had already done its damage. The young Absol stood in the road watching as rainwater flowed down the nearby mountains, forming two miniature rivers that gushed right into the fissures in its surface that it was worried about earlier. Nothing could stop what happened next.
Strange cracking sounds started coming up from the road as the Absol backed away from the fissures. The ground began to visibly sag for a few seconds before suddenly it gave away entirely. A small landslide cut loose taking out the section of the road between the two fissures as its surface, the ground beneath it, and even some trees below the road all slid down into the abyss. The Absol started to walk eastbound down the road, glad no one else had been around to see this or be endangered by it; the nature of the storm meant no humans or other Pokémon had been jeopardized by it. For a moment a little smile crossed its face until it saw something bright moving in the distance.
This section of the road wound alongside the cliff and doubled back in spots and there, visible coming down the road, came a set of headlights. Someone was headed right for the gap. The Absol gulped then ran down the road straight toward the headlights. It had stopped one truck earlier so maybe it could stop that vehicle too. It had to try anyway. The white and blue quadruped dashed down the road in desperation to stop a potentially serious accident. It didn't even notice the second set of headlights that came around the same corner as Ken's truck followed Ross' rig.
Both trucks were now starting to show a little mud from driving down the dirt road in the rain but so far Ross' theory was proving sound. They were making good time despite the conditions and the road was completely free of trainers and Pokémon due to the storm. Ross had opened up a bit of a gap on Ken as he blitzed through the night. As his 350 rounded a corner the sight of an Absol running straight at his truck caught him by surprise but only for a moment.
"Well, hello there buddy," Ross sarcastically said to himself.
"Absol!," the Absol yelled toward the truck, likely unaware Ross couldn't hear him over the sound of the engine. "Absol! Absol!"
In his cab Ross simply keep driving. If that Pokémon knew what was good for it then it would get out of his way. Absol stopped running and stood in the middle of the road. Ross however just kept coming straight at it. Absol had to do something, the truck earlier had stopped and it took out a tire when it did but this one wasn't giving up. In desperation Absol launched a quick attack right at the truck trying to disable it before it was too late. Ross shrugged this off.
"Nope, not today," Ross said, hitting the gas in his truck.
It was a straight up game of Combusken now. Neither the Absol or Ross would surrender and that meant there was only one possible outcome. BAM! The two hit head on and the Absol stood no chance of winning that battle. It was sent flying off to the side, landing on the muddy surface of the road and sliding out of the way as Ross drove onward unaware of what was ahead of him. He accelerated around a bend and grabbed the radio.
"Rubber Psyduck to Vulpix 3," Ross said. "I just found the Absol you were worried about dealt with it. Hasta lasagna, try not to get much on ya when you drive past it."
In his cab Ken reached for his radio.
"Huh?" Ken asked. "What happened? Scare it off."
"It tried to charge my truck but lost that fight," Ross said. "When you come up on it be careful, it's out of action but in the road. You should get by but if not I think I finished it off so don't worry too much. It was just its time to go meet Yveltal."
"What did you do?" Ken asked.
He didn't need to wait for an answer as Truck #653 rounded the corner to reveal the Absol laying in the road badly injured. Both Ken and Fennekin had a look of horror on their faces.
"Oh my gosh," Ken said, making sure not to trigger the mic. "He rammed it."
Sandra's knowledge about Absols preventing disasters came to mind. If this one had attacked Ross and Eugenie's trucks why was it going after them so hard. Was there something wrong with this Pokémon…or maybe the road? Ken slowed his truck as he approached the Absol when something the creature did caught his attention. As his headlights shined through the rain straight at it the Absol faintly lifted its head with something of a distraught look on its face before it fell back into the mud, unable to do anything to stop his truck. It was still alive, if perhaps only just. Ken's truck jostled as it ran over a pothole and he looked down just briefly at his belt when he did, spotting the Heal Ball standing out against his normal ones. Suddenly the words of Poké Mart clerk he made a delivery to on his first day with GS Transport popped back into his head.
"That's the Heal Ball…They fully heal a Pokémon once you catch it…fully heal…fully heal…"
Fennekin looked out the windshield nervously at the Absol as the truck's windshield wipers did their duty. The little fox was caught off guard though as Ken put the brakes on and stopped their truck alongside it. He shifted into park.
"I'm probably going to regret this," Ken said, fast aware his evening was not going to be as smooth as he hoped it would be.
Ken opened the door of his driver's door of his truck with the Absol trying to look up only for Ken to grab the Heal Ball, activate it to full size with one hand, and toss it out the door at the Pokémon. Absol didn't move as it bounced off its back, clicked open, and pulled it in with a pink flash. The ball landed in the mud and jostled only once before it dinged with stars emerging to indict a capture. He was still holding his CB microphone with the other hand and activated it.
"Ross, back it down, something might be wrong with the road ahead," Ken said on the microphone. "Absols don't cause disasters. They try to prevent them. That's why it went after your rig."
The microphone cackled to life.
"Yes, says the people who breed them to hold Kalosian stones and pick fights with Espeons," Ross said. "That's just a rogue. Don't lose sleep over it."
"Watch the road," Ken reiterated. "I think something is up here."
"Relax rookie," Ross said. "I've run Route 10 plenty of times and OH S…"
Ken heard a crashing sound in the distance. Did the road give away? If it did was Ross okay? He listened for a response but the radio remained silent.
"Vulpix 3 to Rubber Psyduck, you alright?" Ken said. "This isn't the time for jokes."
There was no response. Ken rehung his radio mic and turned to Fennekin.
"This really isn't going to be our night," Ken said.
"Kin, Fennekin kin," Fennekin barked in response.
Ken unbuckled his seat belt, climbed out of his truck, and picked up Absol's Heal Ball. He climbed back in the truck and aimed the ball away from him toward the back of the sleeper cab as he called out Absol. The creature seemed to be in disbelief its injuries were gone. Ken buckled up and shifted back into gear. His truck slowly began driving forward.
"Welcome aboard," Ken said to Absol. "Can you tell me what happened to the road ahead? I think we've got a wreck ahead with a trucker in trouble."
"Absol!" the dark type responded positively, seemingly gesturing with one paw straight ahead.
Truck #653 continued down Route 10 with its expanding crew now all to aware the worst may have already occurred.