The rest of the drive into Azure City was uneventful for both of the Sinnoh-bound GS Transport trucks. Azure City is a small, quiet town that centers around its uniquely Kalosian flavor for a Kanto city and having the area's northernmost ferry terminal. This means it has the quickest access to Sinnoh, located to the north of Kanto, and it's one of the most popular routes for those in the transportation industry as a result. The terminal itself and many of the city's buildings were constructed in a Kalosian style and there were several restaurants here that specialized in that region's cuisine.
The ferry terminal had direct highway access making the run down to it a breeze, and more importantly to the locals keeping an endless stream of big rigs out of their downtown. Several ferry lines operate into the Azure City terminal with Ken Worth and Fennekin following signs to make their way to the Sinnoh Lines dock. Rhodey Trane's other GS truck was now just ahead of them.
As Truck #653 approached a ferry from the Kalosian line X&Y Ferries was sailing out, the line had inaugurated service from Kanto to Kalos a couple of years ago with weekly runs to Coumarine City although it remained a niche market that mostly appealed just to tourists. Ken and Fennekin looked up. The ferry had a decorative figurehead on the bow of a Delphox just in front of the lettering identifying its name as the MV Pride of Dahara. That caught Fennekin's attention. The ship was no doubt named Dahara City and that was where the little Fox Pokémon was born. Ken was more focused on the road as he reached for his CB microphone.
"Vulpix 3 to Komala 1, is our boat here yet?" Ken said.
"Negatory," replied Rhodey. "I checked the schedules and we're both likely going to be on the Sinnoh Monferno and she's not due in for about another half hour. I guess we made good time on the road, we're here early."
"10-4," replied Ken.
Both GS trucks approached the Sinnoh Lines terminal and were directed into a row of trucks waiting to board for the inter-region trip. Ken had his paperwork ready for the departure as he parked his blue-and-gold truck with its scarlet and violet cargo container. With a moment of calm before the departure he looked over at the Pride of Dahara as it sailed off into the distance.
The sight of the ferry reminded Ken of his own trip to Kalos last year when he visited Lumiose City. Fennekin was also thinking back on his days in Kalos before he met Ken. What the two didn't know what that their memories of the other region intersected.
ONE YEAR AGO
Dahara City is a true oasis, a giant city positioned where the desert meets the sea. The city might be best known as the home of the legendary Pokémon Hoopa but the most popular Pokémon to many here was the much more humble Fennekin and its evolutions Braixen and Delphox. The Fox Pokémon line was native to the area and adapted well to its harsh desert habitat with its big ears perfect for venting heat.
The city took great pride in the yellow foxes and its residents were thrilled when the Kalos Pokémon League selected Fennekins as their chosen fire type starters many years ago, in that era there was some fear they might follow the Kanto league's example and take Charmanders for the role but it proved unfounded. Today the city still hosts several of the facilities used to breed the Fennekins that trainers throughout the region will use to start their journeys.
Our Fennekin was part of a group of 20 that was hatched and breed at one such facility well out in the city's fringes where there is still enough room to give the foxes room to run, play, and learn. Hatching and raising starter Pokémon is a careful process. Each is raised up to Level 5 and taught just basic attacks before being dispatched to be chosen by a trainer. The staff of the center also tend not to get to close to the Pokémon so the starters would get more attached to their real trainers later on.
Fennekin was the 18th Fennekin born to the breeder's 23rd delivery group this year. Trainer-bound Pokémon are never named by the breeder so he was referred to only as "18W" in reference to his birth position and group. His Poké Ball had the designation written on it with chalk. Once he learned scratch, tail whip, and ember he was ready to go. Fennekin and his siblings were all at the right level and enjoyed a final run in the yard as a large blue and gold 750 Eeveeliner truck pulled up. This was GS Transportation Truck #6 driven by the company's top Kalosian driver, Philippe Renault of Lumiose City. Fennekin dashed over to the fence and watched as Phillippe climbed out of the truck. The passenger door of the truck also opened, revealing a man in a Pokémon League uniform by the name of Herve Beaumont.
GS Transport had begun sponsoring the Kalos League in recent years and the deal included serving as the provider of the league's transportation services. Herve was a league official tasked with overseeing the transport of starter Pokémon for distribution and had joined Phillippe on this run to oversee a shipment of Fennekins to Lumiose City. Philippe looked over his paperwork.
"This, mon ami, is the part of my job I love," Herve said. "There is always something wonderful about bringing in the starters for distribution. So many magical journeys are about to begin for both trainer and Pokémon."
"Says here we are picking up batch W with 20 Fennekins," Phillippe said. "They'll be in their balls for the trip so we'll have no issue."
"Oui," Herve said. "Let's get them. This is where the magic happens."
Fennekin and his siblings were thrilled that this was their moment for their journeys to start. They were called over, inspected to confirm they were ready, and then recalled into their Poké Balls with all 20 then carefully shrunk and packed into a padded suitcase in four rows of five. Herve always had to be careful with this case, the lock was flimsy and it took a bit to get it sealed up. Afterward Herve finished his paperwork with the breeder before he and Philippe returned to the truck.
"Bonjour, this is Fennekin 1 and we are departing now for Lumiose City," Phillippe said into his radio.
"Roger, Fennekin 1, safe travels," came the response of the Kalosian dispatcher.
Truck #6 departed the breeder and started traveling out into the desert. The next stop would be Professor Sycamore's lab.
Meanwhile in Lumiose City a stadium was packed with screaming fans but this was no Pokémon competition. Instead it was a monstrous battle of a different sort. The floor of the arena was coated with dirt and two matching rows of old rusty cars that were now all but flattened after a night of hard competition.
This was the world championship monster truck races and Ken was as you'd expect sitting in one of the front rows of seats. Not yet a GS driver he wore a purple shirt with the RatEx logo on it and a blue hat with a picture of a blue truck named "Big Bite" on it. The competition had been fierce with 32 of the best monster trucks in racing action but only two were left now.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and race fans of all breeds this has been a true war of the monster trucks and the best is yet to come!" roared the stadium announcer as the fans cheered louder. "This one alone is worth the price of admission! In the blue lane from Kanto it's the reigning champion Big Bite and driver Andy Kramer while in the red lane from Unova it's the fan favorite Grave Robber and driver Dennis Huffaker. Let's rock and roll!"
The two trucks pulled to the start line like a drag race was about to start. "Big Bite" had the look of a blue Devon 150 Growlithetraveler pickup with the image of a Lucario using a bite attack next to the name, looking like a supersized version of Ken's personal pickup back home, while "Grave Robber" had an older van body with a black skeleton paint scheme.
"Get'em Big Bite!" shouted Ken from the stands, making his allegiance in this race clear.
The lights went green and both trucks shot off the line like they were shot from a gun. They were dead even as they reached the turn on the course. The 11,000-pound trucks riding on 66-inch tall tires sliced through the corner as the drivers put the pedal to the medal. Big Bite made the turn just slightly faster and blasted over the crushed cars with just enough speed to edge its opponent for the win by just a bumper. Ken threw his arms up with a "Yeah!" after seeing the truck he liked win. This was sure to be the highlight of his vacation.
As the competition wound down rain started to fall on Lumiose City. At first it was just a sprinkle but it picked up into downpour as the night wore on. The rainfall eventually let up the following morning but it left the city's streets and sidewalks a slick mess. Ken was up early the following morning and still happy from watching Big Bite win the big race the night before. He no longer had his hat as he walked down South Boulevard seeking some of Kalos' famously tasty shortbread cookies to start off the day. Water flowed through the gutters and into the storm drains. Ken watched as a leaf floated down and plunged through the drain to oblivion.
Ken was one of the only pedestrians on the street as Truck #6 turned the corner to complete its journey. His eyes lit up at the sight of a new 750 Eeveeliner. Someday, he hoped he'd be trading in the RatEx van for a big rig like that. Phillippe had driven through the night to get the Fennekins to Professor Sycamore's lab and he and Herve were ready to make their delivery. The skies were still gray and just as they pulled up in front of the lab they opened up again. The truck's wipers kicked on automatically even as it stopped.
"Nice driving mon ami," Herve said. "Both I and my 20 little friends here have arrived safely."
"Well there's still the walk up to the door," Philippe said, clearly joking. "Careful with the step down."
"I will be," Herve said with a smile.
Ken, being his usual truck-obsessed self, watched with a smile as the truck doors opened. He didn't know about Professor Sycamore's lab and was only concerned with the truck. It gave him a front row seat for what happened next. Herve stepped down from the truck but was only looking at the lab and not the gutter. He misjudged the step down and stumbled, slipping in the water and falling flat on the sidewalk.
He wasn't hurt but he lost his grip on the case containing the Fennekins which fell and hit the pavement, breaking open. The bottom row with the Poké Balls for Fennekins 16W to 20W came loose and ejected ball 18W which bounced on the pavement and enlarged. Herve reached for it only to miss as it rolled into the gutter and then the rushing water. The ball began floating toward the storm drain. Inside Fennekin had no idea the danger he was now in. Phillippe was getting out of the truck and walking around the front to check on Herve and didn't know about the loose ball.
Herve struggled to get to his feet, slipping as he tried to catch up to the floating ball, as Ken looked on. He hadn't seen the ball. Herve saw Ken and pointed toward the Poké Ball.
"Grab it!" Herve yelled.
Ken didn't have context but now saw the ball headed for the drain and didn't need it. He dove for it and caught the ball just before it was washed away into the drain. It never opened; one can't imagine it would be fun for the fire type Fennekin if it had. Ken, Herve, and Phillippe all breathed a sigh of relief. The way the light shined off the ball it almost looked blue for a moment, perhaps reflecting the GS truck. Ken got to his feet and walked back to Herve, who had gotten back up safely.
"Wow," Herve said. "That was a close one. Another moment and that little Pokémon would have been going for a long swim in the sewers."
"It's loaded?" Ken asked as he handed Fennekin's ball back to Herve.
"Yeah, we have a fresh delivery of starters for the professor who lives here," Herve said.
Herve carefully worked to get the padding back into his case.
"Nice move kid," Phillippe said.
"Thanks," Ken said. "I'm a delivery driver in Kanto and I was admiring your truck. That is a beautiful rig. Good thing I was or that could have become a bad situation."
"She's real fine," Phillippe said. "The 750s ride smooth as melted butter. What do you drive?"
"I drive a purple minivan for Rattata Express," Ken said. "I'm training on a 550 to get ready for the big rigs. I've got my CDL already."
"Well once you get it you should apply to work for GS," Phillippe said. "Our owner Mack Marmon pays the best because he only hires the best. He's always looking for gearjammers with good spirits. You might fit the bill."
"What do you guys make per mile or kilometer anyway?" Ken asked.
"Nothing, GS pays by the hour," Philippe said.
Ken liked the sound of that. Hourly pay was very rare in the trucking business these days. Herve put Fennekin's ball back with the others.
"I'm glad this little one didn't get away," Herve said. "He will make an aspiring trainer very happy when they start out. I remember when I got my Chespin when I was a boy. That was the best day of my life."
"I wouldn't know that feeling," Ken said. "I'm not a trainer. Got the licenses for it though, you never know where life will take you."
"Really, you have no Pokémon?" Philippe said.
"It's never too late to start," Herve said. "You know these are starters and with what you just did for 18W here I think he'd be a fine partner to get you started."
"I'm good," Ken said. "Let the kids have their fun with them."
Philippe smiled and decided to have a little fun with Ken. He knew training was mandatory but decided not to tell Ken about it. Philippe knew Mack well enough that if this kid ever did get to work for GS that he would put him straight about it. Besides, Mack loved it when he got a non-trainer so he could play professor and give them a starter.
"Have a good day kid," Philippe said. "We're going to make this delivery."
"Good luck," Ken said as he departed.
Herve and Phillippe entered the lab and were greeted by one of Professor Sycamore's assistants who had just gotten up and missed all the action. Once inside the lab they found the professor hard at work analyzing newly-discovered data on Mega Absols. They explained what had happened as the professor looked over Fennekin's ball.
"Sounds like you had quite the adventure," Professor Sycamore said.
"Oui, but the ball appears undamaged so I think that one is still good to go," Herve replied.
"I think if this guy is so anxious to get out there he almost rolled away than perhaps we should give him a chance to get out there right away," Professor Sycamore said.
He took out a rag and wiped the 18W off Fennekin's ball. He looked out the window and noticed a new trainer approaching to pick up her starter. This was Camille, a brown-haired trainer from right there in Lumiose City, and she had registered to get a starter today. Professor Sycamore grabbed two other Poké Balls and headed downstairs. Phillippe and Herve watched from atop the stairs.
"Professor, it's me, Camille," Camille said. "I scheduled in to pick up a starter today."
"Indeed, you did," Professor Sycamore said. "If you want to be a trainer, you've come to the right place."
"I do, my dream is to win the Kalos League," Camille said. "I'm playing to win."
"Well, if you want to chase a big goal, you're going to need a partner to help get you there," Professor Sycamore said.
The professor popped open the three balls revealing Fennekin plus a Froakie and a Chespin.
"These are the Kalos Pokemon you may choose from; Fennekin, Froakie, and Chespin," Professor Sycamore said.
Camille looked over all three. She singled in on Fennekin. Phillipe and Herve smiled, they didn't usually get to see journeys start.
"I choose you Fennekin," Camille said. "You seem like a winner."
"Fen," Fennekin barked happily.
Fennekin leaped up into Camille's arms and happily accepted a hug. This was the proudest moment of his life…But alas it wouldn't stay that way. However, on the road of life, sometimes the road not taken ends up being the same one you eventually drive down without even trying to. Ken and Fennekin may never know how close their journey came to starting a little earlier but fate has a way of working out in the end.
Back in the present day, Ken and Fennekin were ready to get their Sinnoh journey going. New challenges awaited in a new region. And with the MV Sinnoh Monferno now sailing up to the dock that journey was about to begin.
AUTHOR'S NOTES
This was a little side story I thought would be fun to tell before we got too far into the Sinnoh adventure with the ice road and the Latias. I hope you enjoyed it.
18W? I wonder if there was a meaning to that. Like "18 Wheeler" or something?