The Tynamo was a small sleek boat but as it raced across the crystal blue waters with a nimbleness that rivaled even the breeze, Ida knew she was wrong to doubt its power. It lacked the shakiness that plagued other vessels and many times Ida forgot that she wasn't standing on solid ground. It wouldn't have mattered either way. Her stomach was filled with butterflies. It had been for a while now. "This whole thing is your fault," she muttered softly.
"What's that?" The Captain asked over the sound of the waves.
"Nothing Just got a little lost in my thoughts. Sorry! Mister… I didn't get your name before I got on."
"Folks call me Mohn," the short and stocky man informed with a smile. Most passengers are a little more excited to be heading where we are. They just can't wait to show me that little black card. Speaking of which, you still have yours right? I'm supposed to triple-check."
Ida nodded once and pulled a small black card from her back pocket. It was darker than coal except for the mint green "R" that was emblazoned on its metallic surface. "Much obliged. That green matches your eyes, Mohn observed.
"It's all a bit strange, isn't it? I was sure I'd at least see some water Type Pokémon by now but I haven't seen any since we've passed Aether Paradise.. I wish I could have bought Slurpuff but rules are rules. I'm sure it's doing fine at home."
"Strange sums it up," Mohn said. He squinted at the virid mass that appeared on the horizon. It was some distance away, "I can't say I understand Team Renewal's methods but I know they give people hope. People and Pokémon as Azami likes to say."
Ida took a yellow scrunchie from her pocket and pulled her orange hair into a ponytail. It was no longer at the mercy of the breeze. "That's a nice motto," she remarked with a halfhearted smile that faded as she pondered everything he'd said. At the very least, the conversation calmed her nerves. She had half a mind to tell the cordial captain that her presence was an unfortunate accident but any plans to do so were interrupted by an incoming message on her phone. "A video chat? Probably just Big Bro again. One of them anyway."
She breathed a sigh of relief when she discovered that she was wrong." Hello You must be Ida," a soft voice greeted her. There was something eerie about the pale and slender woman but trying to discover just what it was would have taken far too much time. Her blood-red lips formed a faint smile. "Speechless? I understand, dear. I am-"
"Azami Aoyama," Ida interrupted, "Team Renewal's Leader."
"That's right. In just a few minutes you'll be arriving at Island X for orientation. I just wanted to thank you personally for becoming a member of our team. " Azami said. Her ears caught the sound of heavy footsteps and with the press of a button, the chat was over. "Knew I'd find you here. Radiant and surrounded by roses," Hideo remarked as he entered the room. It was more like a garden than any kind of office.—a spacious indoor garden in which someone had thoughtlessly placed an office chair, desk, and computer, though they were well camouflaged by the red and green.
"Darling, " Azami exclaimed as she approached. Her dark eyes brightened when Hideo embraced her, twirling just once as he did.. "I didn't expect you'd be in today," she said.
"Renji has a point about Island Y being boring without a bunch of Pokémon around," Hideo remarked with a shrug, "I might as well watch you brief the new recruits. Though, you're a little overdressed for that."
"Black is slimming," Azami said, "As for our little one, how is he?"
"Happy as ever. A typical Birthday Boy" Hideo answered, placing both hands into his pockets. "You can guess what it is he wants. I don't think he'll ever stop asking."
Azami's smile faded. She crossed her arms in thought just as Beheeyem floated in. Hideo smirked a little when the odd Pokémon flew in circles around them both," Hey doesn't this little guy belong to–"
Azami nodded, "It seems to enjoy being here more than home. I figure it doesn't matter. He'll be here in a few days."
"True. Anyway, I don't mean to pressure you. It was the only way Renji would even think about rest. He misses Taro a lot. Pokémon in general, really. "
"That's our Renji after all. Someone who loves Pokémon through and through. He hasn't been himself lately. Maybe that's why. We'll speak more after the briefing, My Heart, " Azami decided as she made her way to the door. "By the way, you look very charming ." Hideo smiled and adjusted the tie of his suit before following.
"This is the place? " Ida observed as she stepped out of the boat. It had few passengers and most were busy chatting or taking in the sight of the rolling green hills. Island X was an oversized meadow with a very deceptive name.
"Welcome to Island X everyone," Mohn said. " Your first order of business is to check in at Headquarters. I don't think I need to tell any of you where that is. " He shrugged before turning to look at the skyscraper that stood a short distance away. "Pretty weird for an island right?" someone whispered from behind Ida "Yeah, quiet too," She answered without turning to see who had asked. Mohn was busy prattling to the group about something she suspected was important. It was best to at least pretend that she was paying attention. "That's supposed to be headquarters? It's half covered in vines," the voice complained again. "Azami Aoyama is a nature lover. At least, that's what everyone says. The whole family is a bit of a mystery. "
"I could say the same about yours from the looks of it, Stripes. How many brothers do you have? Follow-up question: Are any of them single and what's with the giant cupcake? "
Ida slipped her hands into the pocket of her shorts before spinning halfway around. She intended to lock eyes with the complainer before spitting the venomous words that were now churning in her throat but found that—for a female- she was unusually tall. "My name isn't Stripes," Ida began nonetheless.
"Well, there are yellow stripes all over that shirt of yours Sooo.."
"Give me back my Phone .Now."Ida continued.
"I see now. That's a Pokémon. Swirlix is it?"
"Slurpuff," Ida corrected, grabbing unsuccessfully for her phone. The girl was tirelessly examining the many photographs that were stored on the tiny device. Ida couldn't see what was going on behind the round darkened sunglasses but she could tell that whoever this was, their normally vacant mind was likely forming its first idea. "You have a beautiful family, Stripes but I can't help thinking that something is missing."
"Your teeth are gonna be missing if you don't give that back. " Ida threatened sheepishly.
"That's no way to talk to your new big sister," the girl cautioned, patting Ida gingerly atop her head. There was much strength to go with her height.
"I have enough Pokémon. I don't need a Zygarde following me around," Ida said.
"Speaking of following, we might wanna catch up to the rest of the group." The stranger decided. She extended her finger and pointed off into the distance. Everyone else had disappeared somewhere within the walls of the massive building, "Don't worry. I heard what the weird little man said. Big Sister Sora knows the way!" With that she blew past, grabbing hold of Ida's arm as she did and dragging her along the dusty path.
"I had it all wrong, you're clearly a Tauros!" Ida screamed. Sora hadn't heard or didn't care. She charged through the doors of the building with a smile practically flailing her captive down several of the halls until they found themselves in front of a large door," Sounds like they haven't started yet. We'd better get in quick. " Sora pushed the door open and stepped through, fixing her eyes on the stage at the front of the room. "Would've been nice if they at least had some chairs,... .Or if he were here," Ida muttered softly.
"Quiet Stripes, it's starting. I wonder what Azami will trip over first, that dress or her hair. "
"Can you go one second without being rude?"
As Azami glided over to the podium onstage, the chatter that filled the room became a chilling silence. It was one thing to speak to others face to face and another entirely to speak in front of a crowd. It was only when Hideo joined her side that anything was said. " Hello everyone. I want to thank you a second time for becoming valued members of our team. As you all know, People and Pokémon have existed alongside one another for centuries. Together we've formed bonds with them that stood the test of time. They are creatures of power and unfathomable strength but tragically they can also be agents of destruction. Nothing exemplifies this more than the catastrophic event that befell the Orange Archipelago just a year ago. Pokémon turned on their beloved trainers and razed everything in sight. The lives of many were lost or changed forever. It is unknown what drove them to madness but important still is our mission—the mission for which you have all been chosen: Renewal. We recruit the strongest of the strong to not only prevent or address disaster but to ensure that from it, something better is born. We have protected the regions for many years and with the help of you bright and shining stars, we will protect them for years to come. I know you have many questions so my husband Hideo will explain what it is you'll do next. Thank you."
Hideo cleared his throat as Azami stepped aside. She disappeared behind the set of black curtains at the rear of the podium leaving him alone before the crowd." Personally trained Pokémon are not allowed on Island X but Team Renewal believes that bonds between Pokémon and trainers are nonetheless important to our mission. So, if you'll all line up and step forward, Holt will gladly issue you one," he said, nodding briefly at the boy who emerged from behind the curtain. He was well-built but struggling to carry the massive black box in his arms. It was filled to the brim with shrunken Pokéballs
"These things are entirely green, " Sora complained as she examined the Pokéball. Ida wasn't listening. Her cheeks were becoming the slightest shade of red. Holt. She knew that name anywhere. Her first inclination was to march straight up to the ebony-skinned Adonis and chide him for all her trouble but her legs became stiff as he approached with the box. It was much lighter now. "Please..take one," he reminded, looking at her from behind the darkened shades he wore. Ida didn't move. Holt Koeda was already tall, dark, and handsome in every sense of the word but it was all the more true when he was in uniform. "I get it. Nervous right? Here. It doesn't matter which one you pick." Koeda stated as he placed a ball into her hand. He walked back to the stage, "That's the last of them, Mr. Aoyama Sir."
"Excellent. Now that everyone has one, why not take a moment to get acquainted with your new partner and each other? We use Abra for their ability to teleport from place to place, something you'll all be doing whenever you're called to deal with a disaster, which can happen anytime. Of course, Pokémon have minds of their own so you'll need to make sure that the bonds you form with them are strong. When you each return home today, you'll have received a package containing your uniforms and a holocaster."
"We all got an Abra? What a sham. Can't believe I signed up for this." Sora brooded, twisting a lock of her golden hair around her finger. She threw the Pokéball down in frustration and gave a startled yelp when the Pokémon emerged, "Err Sorry. That's not exactly bonding is it? I'm Sora. I'm just a little bored and I'd like to leave but it looks like they've locked the door pretty tight. Not a problem for you though, right? " she joked. Abra remained still. It was all Sora expected from a Pokémon that slept most of the day. Still, she suspected that it heard her. I like to nickname my Pokémon. With so many Abra around, you're going to need something that makes me tell you apart from the rest. I'll call you...Kumo." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small necklace with a spider-shaped pendant. It was several minutes before she got the nerve to try placing it around Kumo's neck but her efforts were successful. It seemed everyone was bonding in one way or another.
Hideo's face twisted into a smile. Inside he was laughing giddily with each look at the crowd. His body trembled a little more with every passing second, "A-As your rank increases within our organization, you'll be entrusted with more difficult tasks. The first of them was simply bonding with this docile Pokémon, but team Renewal is not for the faint of heart. Let's see how you did. " He recklessly hurled a Pokéball and the air filled with the smell of intense flame as the creature within broke forth. The swirling smoke and embers danced about its form with unparalleled grace. The intense heat swallowed every hue and all was bathed in bright red light, "Abra flees in the presence of danger and Moltres is danger incarnate," Hideo said icily. It took an effort to make his voice carry over the awe-filled gasps, "Will your Abra flee with or without you when I command it to attack? Will it take you to your beloved homes? Let's find out!" He glared intensely at the bird before he spoke again, "Burning Jealousy," he commanded. The creature screeched loudly and lifted its shimmering wings. Fire would follow the second it flapped them and it did. Ida's eyes widened and filled with fear when the wave of flames raced forth and all faded to black.