GS Transport Truck #653 pulled into the parking lot of the Stone Town Pokémon Center and pulled around to the back of the building. The center was a standalone building and it featured a parking lot for vehicles out back that included spots for big rigs, an unsurprising design choice given how many GS trucks with trainer drivers brought loads here in support of the mine. Ken parked his truck in a spot that had just been vacated as a large fuel truck pulled out and made the turn toward the Macro Cosmos Stone Town facility.
The blue door of the truck opened as Ken climbed out with Fennekin and his recently caught Eevee following close behind. Ken entered the Pokémon Center and found the scene would be the perfect illustration for "only mildly busy." A battlefield was in use as two miners put their Rhyhorn and Dugtrio against each other but otherwise the only noise came from a TV. The fields had buzzed with activity earlier only for them now to fall silent as many trainers' attention turned elsewhere.
Ken wasn't surprised about the quiet nature of the center. Stone Town didn't have a big-name Pokémon gym so most trainers only briefly passed through town if at all; some would come here seeking evolution stones but most skipped past it on other routes, likely trying to fast track their journeys from Vermillion City to Fuchsia City or vice versa. The handful of trainers present were gathered around the TV. The man on screen was an oddly underdressed Alolan man who seemed to be giving a press conference with a lab coat on but no shirt under it.
"Thank you for our patience," said a woman in white. "I'd like to introduce you to today's presenter… Professor Kukui."
The gathered trainers held their breath as the man stepped up to the podium. Ken walked over toward the television. Fennekin followed but Eevee saw someone among the trainers and froze in place.
"Greetings, thanks very much," said the professor on television. "I'm thrilled to announcement the formation of the Alola Pokémon League!"
The kids let out a cheer at that.
"The Pokémon League is really a simple concept," Professor Kukui continued. "It's a grand tournament to find the best trainer in Alola and crown them champion! But finding a champion is not the most important aspect of the Pokémon League. It's to bring all the trainers and Pokémon together with one goal in mind. To work hard and put everything they got into battling. Then we will achieve our goal! Whenever trainers dedicate themselves 100%, it's not only admirable, but also exhilarating."
"Dude, it's happening," said one of the trainers.
Ken took note of the young trainer in question and recognized him. It was William, the same trainer he battled on the Vermillion City dock back on his first day driving for GS. Ken was surprised to see him again, there was a joke about Pokémon trainers often interconnecting more than expected but Ken couldn't remember it.
"Give it a minute," said another trainer wearing blue and gold with some attitude. "There's some rumors about a weird format that I hope he doesn't confirm."
"Oh come on Jackson, this will be fun," said William.
Kukui was talking about some VIPs present for the ceremony as Ken glanced at the arrogant trainer. He looked familiar and Ken immediately knew why. That Jackson kid was the one on the Mach Bike who cut him off earlier. He'd remember that kid on the bike for a long time to come. As William, Jackson, and the other trainers glared at the TV Ken gave Jackson a death glare. He'd wait until this ended but he wanted to have a word with him. Some of the VIPs were now talking.
"To put it simply, Professor Kukui has always wanted to revive the ancient custom, but in a way that allows anyone to participate," said some guy who looked like a cop.
"Trainers and Pokemon, bringing out the best in each other will compete against their peers in a contest of true strength," added some farmer girl in a purple bonnet. "And I, for one, feel such a format is best."
"DARN IT!" Jackson said loudly. "All this hype for an Alola League at long last and it does just turn out to be a no qualification schoolyard tournament. What a waste, none of the big names from other regions are going to enter that."
"That's a nice twist on the usual format Jackson," William replied. "Maybe I'll fly out there and give a shot. I could use my Growlithe or my Sneasel and really show my skill."
"I'll stick to Kanto Pokémon League," Jackson said. "I've got four badges already and I'll have number five by the end of the week. The Indigo League is still the real deal and they won't let some no-talent in off the street with just a Rattata and no prior battling experience to go for unearned glory."
"Mellow out dude," William said. "League battles are always a goal but it's not like this is life or death. It's about bonding with our Pokémon and seeing how high we can rise when we do…Besides they let people who pass the entrance test or graduate from Pokémon Tech into the Kanto league with very little, if any, battling experience."
"Yeah, and those preppies from Tech usually end up cannon fodder in the preliminary rounds," Jackson sarcastically replied.
At this point Ken made a point to step loudly over to the television. Eevee watched in awe that his trainer was about to lay into the one who bred but abandoned him.
"It's you," Ken said, pointing to Jackson. "You're the little biker who cut me off."
Jackson was caught off guard and looked up at Ken. "Huh?" was all he said in response.
"Earlier today at the I-Route 13-Route 13 intersection you rode your bicycle out in front of me," Ken said aggressively. "I'm Ken Worth, I'm a truck driver, and I have got to know what were you thinking doing something that reckless? I'm betting on nothing at all."
Jackson looked up at him. The adult Ken towered over the youngster. As Ken and William shared a friendly wave as they recognized each other Jackson smirked.
"I was thinking I could get past without waiting," Jackson said. "I've got places to be."
"So do I," Ken said. "The only place you almost ended up was smashed to pieces in my truck's grill or maybe in the E.R. if you were lucky. I have half a mind to turn you in to the nearest Officer Jenny for reckless riding. The hard braking I had to do to avoid squashing you caused my Fennekin and Eevee to both take a fall in the cab. Poor Eevee, I just caught it."
Jackson seemed unfazed until Ken mentioned a freshly-caught Eevee. They weren't native to this area. Fennekin approached his trainer but Eevee hung back as Jackson noticed it, paying attention to its male tail markings. That Eevee looked familiar and he likely knew why. Quickly he pulled out his Rotom Phone and scanned it. The phone caught Ken off guard, the Rotom Phone was a brand-new model and very few trainers had them yet. They weren't even available outside of Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh, although a global rollout was planned very shortly.
"Eevee, the Evolution Pokémon," read off the phone. "A Normal type. Because of its unstable DNA, Eevee possesses a wide variety of evolutionary possibilities hidden inside."
Jackson skipped the profile and went straight to the data on this one. Its moves were swift, growl, tail whip, and mud-slap with a bashful nature and a low level. His hypothesis was correct.
"Huh, well well well, looks like my ex-Eevee found himself a trainer quick," Jackson said. "Thank you for giving this newborn a home. I knew he was cute enough he'd get caught promptly."
"Ex-Eevee?" Ken said. "Newborn? I found this little guy clinging to the back of my big rig scared out of his wits. Did you put it there?"
"No, I've been breeding Eevees of late trying to get some strong evolutions for my team," Jackson said casually. "I hatched that one this morning but let him go on Route 13 since it's unsuitable for battle. It's got the wrong nature. I'm glad to know it found a trainer. It's not league material, he's more fit to be a pet and I'm sure he'll be a great one for you."
Fennekin heard that "more fit to be a pet" comment and recoiled, that was the exact last words his original trainer Camille said to him before sticking him in his Poké Ball for good and selling him. He growled at Jackson. He wasn't going to let another Pokémon get disrespected like he was.
"Easy boy," Ken said to his fox.
The trucker suddenly turned his attention back to Jackson as the realization of what he said and what Eevee must have been through dawned on him. No wonder it was so eager to be caught, it was abandoned. If he let it loose on Route 13 it must have run over and gotten on when Ken stopped at the weigh station on I-Route 13. Well at least his overpass fall theory was incorrect.
"That Eevee likely hoped on my truck when I stopped to have it weighed this morning," Ken said. "If my rig wasn't there, he easily could have met a bad end running out in the road on I-Route 13. You released a newborn Eevee over something as simple as a "bad nature for battle?" Are you crazy?"
"No, I'm strong and I didn't release Eevee I just never caught it," Jackson said. "The name is Jackson Donington and I'm going to be the best trainer ever from Cerulean City. I push my Pokémon hard but we're a team that's gunning for the big time. You don't get to the top tier in the competitive battling scene playing nicey nice with little pets. I let Eevee go but I did it on a main route with the suspicion he'd be caught by a trainer pretty quick. He was, all is good."
"No, it isn't," Ken said. "My sister Sandra is a competitive trainer and while I've met some of her friends with tough training regimes or hardcore approaches dumping baby Pokémon in the woods and hoping for the best while they fend for themselves is a bit stricter than most go. There are those who choose not to raise a Pokémon but you could always sell, trade, or give it to the rangers to relocate properly it without abandoning it at random."
Jackson was only half listening to the criticism. It was likely justified in some respect but on the other hand looking over Ken the young trainer noticed he displayed no badges. He had Pokemon but didn't carry himself like a League veteran, as most serious trainers of his age would. He was probably an amateur at best, likely skipping the tradition journey as a kid. This guy might be easy pickings for a battle and with enough anger he could pressure him into a fight, maybe bag a few extra few bucks.
"You got beef with how I do things then let's settle this like proper trainers," Jackson said. "I'll take you on in a Pokémon battle."
"I'm not going to battle you," Ken replied. "I've seen enough movies about battle hustlers to see where this is headed. You've got four badges and that's way above my amateur level. I'm not going to put my hard on money on the line for a fight I likely can't win."
"What are ya, scared?" Jackson said.
"No, smart," Ken replied.
"Well than how about we deviate from the normal protocol," Jackson said. "No money on the line, a pure exhibition but I can sweeten the deal."
Jackson reached into his bag and produced another Poké Ball. William watched the argument. Fennekin still had an angry look on his muzzle.
"You caught one Eevee but I bred two this morning," Jackson said. "I caught the other one but I'll wager it on a battle. This one also isn't my style but it could have some perks. You beat me and I'll give her to you. I'm sure we can make some arrangements if I win."
"Whoa," William butted in. "You've got an Eevee up for grabs. I'll trade you a Heracross for it. My uncle breeds them in Johto and gave me some good ones for trading."
"Terrific," Ken said. "Trade with or battle him, he'll put up more of a fight."
"I would take him on but he already battled and beat me earlier," William said. "It was close though."
Ken rolled his eyes. He turned to walk away. Fennekin circled around and stood in front of him. The look in his eyes was one of pure fire. This was a team arrangement and it looked like he wanted some say. Jackson looking on curious.
"We can't beat him Fennekin," Ken said to his partner. "We'd just get an unnecessary beating."
"Fen, ne kin," Fennekin barked, as if to agree but then disagree, before jetting some sparks from his nostrils. "Fennekin. Fennekin."
Fennekin pointed to Spearow's Poké Ball then to himself and Ken, highlighting their heads before smiling. He seemed to hint at battling just for some learning or fun. Fennekin gestured to Eevee to come over and the little Pokémon did. Fennekin struck a battle pose as Eevee look on then tried to mimic it.
"Kin, ne kin," Fennekin barked, as if to say "why not, we don't have anything to lose."
Ken shrugged. There were plenty of strong opponents on the road that they could one day face with higher stakes, a standard battle against a skilled trainer with nothing on the line could be a good experience, win or lose.
"Alright, we do this if you want," Ken said. "But we better learn a lot."
Ken turned back to Jackson.
"After consulting with my Pokémon I've had a change of heart," Ken said. "I accept your challenge but only for a pure exhibition match with no prizes, Pokémon, or money on the line."
"I accept your challenge," Jackson said. "But since you set the terms I'll pick the format. Let's go two-on-two, I haven't had a nice Hoenn-style double battle in a while."
"Oh, this is going to be good," William said, he and the other trainers now stoked to watch a battle.
Ken steadied himself. He never done a double battle before. He also knew he'd likely need Jackson to make a mistake to win this one but given how reckless or short-sighted this kid appeared to be it wasn't out of the question. Ken knew a few pilots in the transportation business and one of their phrases suddenly came to mind; "there are old pilots and there are bold pilots…but there are no old, bold pilots." Was Jackson reckless enough to make a mistake or would inexperience catch Ken out instead. Inside his pocket the Thunder Stone glowed.