The Ancient Masters (isang pokemon-based pseudo-novel part 1)

Introduction: Howard Jansen’s letter to Harold Preston, Council leader

Esteemed leader,

It is of great honor and privilege to report to you of my team’s progress in the West Gate. The weather has always been harsh ever since we first set foot in this god-forsaken land, yet we refuse to make this as an excuse to stop us in our noble mission. We cannot, however, discount the fact that the adverse conditions have taken its toll on some of my men. We began with 10,000 frontiersmen but now, we are down to roughly a thousand. Still, the pride of being a councilor proved too valuable to simply be discarded in this snow-impaled land. I also know for a fact that my men, as downtrodden and miserable as I am, would rather freeze to death than renounce their calling to serve the council.
Anyway, our endeavors lead us to the discovery of a frozen amber containing what we suspect as an Ancient Beast. With all the speculations aside, we had brought the amber back to our campsite for further examinations. Unfortunately, our available equipment was not enough to shed any light on this mysterious object. Which is why I have decided to inform you of this amber and that we are on our way back home. I know that we have gathered insufficient information regarding the legend of the Ancient Beasts but we have no other choice, as our resources cannot help us anymore. I personally think, however that we have all the answers we need in the form of this amber.
On behalf of my team, I apologize for our sudden return. What I can assure you though is that we are not coming back empty-handed.
With regards,
Howard Jansen

I. Entrance
The Ivory Strip, center of commerce and development; the point where mysticism and science converge; a land shaped by knowledge and flourishing ideals. It truly was a haven for adventurers and scholars alike, the kind of haven that I, Jeremy Overton, would indulge in and forever be a part of. The entire region is what I expected it to be: covered with sophisticated, Renaissance-style buildings, populated by educated people from all walks of life and governed by the world-renowned Council. Speaking of the Council, they are the reason why I took the risk here in Royalton City, the Ivory Strip’s capital. Royalton is the epitome of the classy region, and it is only fitting that Ivory strip’s “younger brother” is the location of the Council’s official headquarters. The dream to be part of the world’s elite is enough motivation for me to leave the simple life I am accustomed to and pursue my lifelong goal. Flanked by this new culture and environment, I found myself struggling from the inside, as I trotted across the cemented road.

“Oh, look boys. It looks like we’ve got company.”

A gang of six well-dressed yet rugged looking teens slowly surrounded me, obviously wanting to cause some commotion at my expense. Attached to their waists are silver, rectangular gadgets which I’ve never seen before.

“Hey check him out he’s got those old-fashioned pokeballs!”

They began to ridicule and laugh at me. Since they know what pokeballs are, that means they must be trainers. But I had to be sure.

“Are you by any chance trainers?”

My question only made their laughter louder.

“Of course dimwit! Why do you think we have these Trainer Pads anyway?”
“Give him a break. He has not seen a trainer pad ever. See those passé pokeballs?”
“From what timeline did you come from anyway, twerp?”

I was getting annoyed with their constant insults. I then decided to take matters into my own hands.

“Since you’re all impressed with yourselves how about a match?”

“So, you want a battle, eh?” said one of them. His red bangs flowed down through his face, intensifying the domineering look in his eyes. Which gave me the idea that he is the leader in this rag-tag group. “Well, then. Let’s go for it! I am in the mood for some action.”

At that instance, he took the gadget they call trainer pad, pushed a few buttons then voila!

“Go Machop!”

An amour-clad, cyborg-like machop materialized before me. If he did not exclaim the pokemon’s name, I wouldn’t have known what I was about to face. The creature before me did not look anything like a machop I’ve seen in the past. This one was plated with metal all over its body. Fortunately for me its helmet did not conceal its face lest I would really doubt if I’m battling a living, breathing pokemon.

“Ok then, I choose Sentret!”

My pokemon was welcomed by jeering laughter yet again. Apparently, all pokemon used for battling in Royalton don some sort of battle suit. Whatever the reason, I knew I would be in one tough match.

“Machop show this newcomer what you’re made of!”

The pokemon immediately dashed upon its trainer’s order. I was surprised to see that despite the seemingly heavy suit machop wore, it moved amazingly fast.

“Sentret fight back!”

Both pokemon attacked each other with equal ferocity and level speed. But it was clear to me that my sentret would be in the losing end if this straight-out fighting would continue. Not only was sentret weak against the fighting-type machop, the hard amour was also giving the opponent significant advantages against my pokemon.

“Sentret don’t go head to head with machop anymore!”

“What’s the matter, scared that your puny pokemon would end up with broken bones? Machop finish off this battle!”

The machop again dashed this time with increased speed and power, it’s right fist gathering enough force looking to knock out sentret. And that’s what I was waiting for, ever since the match began.

“Ok sentret just stand your ground!”

The charging enemy has gathered enough power in its fist. Dynamic punch. We only have one shot at this.

“Now sentret!”

Just as I have predicted, the machop’s punch was too powerful for it to control. With the subtlest of movements, sentret dodged the attack. One iron tail later, machop was down, the impact of the attack denting the enemy’s iron helmet.

“Machop!”

“I cannot believe it, that guy just beat your machop!”

“ Darn it. You’re going to pay for this! Let’s get him!”

My opponent’s comrades followed suit with him, unleashing their own armoured pokemon. I was more dumbfounded with their pokemons’ appearance than the obvious mismatch before me.

“Finish him off!”

(2bcont)