"So you're telling me you guys are out of stock too? This is the Lilycove Department Store for crying out loud! How could you possibly be cleaned out?"
"Sorry sir, it just seems that we still haven't been able to restock." The clerk had that same apologetic tone and fake smile as every other clerk he'd seen today.
Jimmy was in disbelief, he had went to every single flipping store in the Hoenn region and none of them, not a single one had anything regarding potions, revives or status heals(there was one measly full heal, which Jimmy did purchase.) Jimmy wasn't sure if he should laugh or what. It was like there was a huge region wide tournament going on that everybody except for him knew about it. If that was happening there would've been posters hung up everywhere, but there wasn't a single flier about a tournament whatsoever. Looks like his plan on visiting the Kanto region was going to have to be postponed. "What a waste of time," a slight chuckle escaped his lips, "hopefully Annie isn't too tired from all that flying around, note to self... pokemon center before I leave." Jimmy decided it might as well be time to hit the beach and relax a little bit seeing as he wasn't going anywhere.
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The cool breeze of the sea hit him square in the face, it refreshed him. Jimmy hadn't been to the beach in about two years, since he met his parents.. He took two steps into the sand and then a flash of light took him by surprise. Jimmy was now blind, momentarily of course.
"Jeez, couldn't warn a fella could ya?" Jimmy could barely make out a faint human figure. Suddenly, he regained his sight. The man was wearing a relatively large trench coat and your standard creepy dude hat. "Nice beach wear buddy!" A large smile crept its way upon Jimmy's face.
The weird dude didn't even respond, instead he simply put on a pair of orange sunglasses and yelled at the top of his lungs, "YOU THERE! I CHALLENGE YOU TO A BATTLE! One Pokémon! DO YOU ACCEPT?!"
Jimmy was pretty impressed, he thought the sunglasses looked awesome. "I'd love to battle you man, but first you have to tell me where you got those shades!" Nothing, nada, this dude just didn't really talk much did he. Jimmy sighed. "Fine, forget the shades... I guess they aren't that important." He reached behind him, clicking one of the small pokeballs attached to his empty bag, which was usually full and bloated. At the same moment the stranger releases his own pokemon and a fully grown Walrein roars, letting it's presence on the battlefield be known. To greet the large creature was Coop, taking the roar as a challenge, the Zangoose rose to his hind legs and snarled in return.
The man called out his first move and a ice ball the size of Jimmy's head was sent flying towards Coop. As it reached Coop, he crushed the ball sending pieces of it flying all over the place, one hitting Jimmy in the cheek. Jimmy brushed it off, "Swords Dance!" Suddenly, swords formed around Coop, clashing against his claws, sharpening them and increasing his power. "Charge at em, Coop." Coop ran towards the Walrein at great speed, destroying and dodging various ice balls of all different sizes. As the Zangoose closed in, the man called out for his Walrein to use Ice Fang. It was too late too dodge, the large seal had already clamped it's jaws down on Coop's left arm. "Coop here's your chance! Use Close Combat!" Grimacing in pain Coop retracted his claws, and began to smash the Walrein's body with his right hand. No longer able to hold the grip on Coop's arm the beast released it's grip. This was a mistake, and probably a fatal(not really) one. With two free hands Coop began to pummel the Walrein repeatedly. Jimmy could tell the large pokemon was about to drop until the strange man recalled his pokemon sparing it from further unnecessary damage. Zangoose stood for a second perplexed but then trotted back to Jimmy.
"Great job kiddo." The man had somehow ended up in front of Jimmy. "Here you go," he handed Jimmy a map, a brochure, and a badge case. "By the way, shades are classified kiddo, sorry. But tell your parents I said hi, shame I can't myself, I've got to jet." Jimmy's attention was at the brochure but at the mention of his parents his head sprung up. He was gone, this seemed odd but Jimmy returned his focus towards the brochure.
-Earth and Sky!-
Are you tired of gyms? Want a challenge that will really put your metal to the test? Do you truly want to stand out above all the trainers on the solid earth you stand on? Take part in the Earth and Sky League: BATTLE ROYALE!
If you're reading this, then you have completed the first step in participating in our yearly tournament that ends in every winter. The objective is simple, Along with this brochure, you will have a map of approved battle areas for the components to your badge which you will need to qualify for the finals! You should also have a badge case containing your first badge component! Gamble it in a fight during your battles and win enough components to complete your badge! Only then will it reveal to you where to go to fight the devastating elite!
Grand Prize:
1 wish
2nd Prize:
$200,000,000 Cash
Runner Up:
A complete badge for next year's contest!
"So this is why the stores are cleaned, everybody has been preparing for this..." He laughed, Jimmy realized his trip to Kanto was more than postponed, it was over before it even began. The crappy part about this was that he had no idea where this thing was taking place... Wait, that man mentioned his parents, maybe they had a clue. They lived on the shore, and it wasn't a far walk from where he was standing. Jimmy rubbed Coop's furry head and they both headed towards the house that harbored love for them but was still so foreign.
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*Knock Knock*
The door flung open and behind it was a face similar to Jimmy's, but with a genuine loving smile and long brown hair(Oh! And no facial hair.) "Hey, honey!" Coop immediately took off towards the kitchen giving both son and mother a puzzled look.
"It's nice to see you, mom." He smiled and gave her a warm hug, even though his parents were former Aqua and that drove Jimmy slightly crazy, he still loved them. They were his parents after all. "Where's dad?"
"He's out, but what brings you here? We both know you don't visit just for the heck of it Jimmy." He could spot her tone, mocking, but lovingly mocking.
"Well, you see..." And Jimmy explained the whole thing, the stranger with the cool shades, the mention of his mom and dad, and the stuff he was given(specifically the brochure.)
"I'm impressed Jimmy, you've been invited to quite the tournament, anyways... I can arrange a ride for you from an old friend of your dad and I. You'll meet him in Slateport, tell him about us and you should arrive at Lethia by nightfall, if worse comes to worse, maybe tomorrow morning."
"Lethia?" Jimmy titled his head in a confused look. He'd never heard of this region but it appears that his mother knew it like all the others. "How come I've never heard of it?"
His mother smiled at him, "Don't ask questions dear. You know, it's a shame you don't visit more often. Judging us on our past isn't very fair of you, Jimmy."
"Mom, I'm over that Aqua stuff, it's not important anymore. I'll come visit after the tournament but I really should get going. Coop let's go!" Both of them knew that was bull, Jimmy was still upset with the whole Team Aqua business. They had one more embrace and Jimmy left, Coop bolting out the house behind him.
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Jimmy was about as ready as he could've been. Pokemon all in their balls, all healed up and no potions at all. Oh well, he would manage, he usually did. He was able to find some supplies from the Slateport Market that would serve him well. Some water bottles, berries, and whatever else he had already forgotten. "Let's see... where would someone be if they were waiting to take me on a sea trip." He chuckled, pretending not to know where to go. The building easily stood out, being the tallest in Slateport and right next to the sea. Jimmy went inside and instantly spotted a man drowning himself in a bottle of beer comfortably relaxing on a wooden chair. Next to him, Jimmy could spot the upper quarter of a dark blue submarine, hatch open and ready for passengers.
"Hey dude, are you my parents' friend?" Jimmy walked over to him.
The man put down his beer turning his attention towards Jimmy. "Oh so you're the kid! Hah, you do kind of look like your mother, cept for the beard.." He smiled, revealing gross yellow teeth and some gaps where Jimmy presumed other yellow teeth once filled. "Well what're you waiting for kiddo, get in the sub!"
Jimmy was at a loss for words, he quickly stepped onto the sub, balancing himself so he wouldn't end up taking a swim. "Nice, no stairs." Jimmy jumped in and took a look around him. Wasn't huge, but it wasn't small either. A small couch was place at the end of the sub. How the couch got here Jimmy had no idea. In the front there was your standard controls system, the steering wheel and another wooden chair, except this one was attached to the sub and could spin! The man followed behind, landing with a loud thud. Smooth, Jimmy though. The man reached up and grabbed the hatch, slamming it shut and turning some valve to keep it shut.
"Might as well relax kid, couch is over there. This might take awhile and trust me, you'll need the rest." Unlike before, the man carried a serious tone to the last sentence. Apparently this tournament was going to be tough! What a surprise...
Jimmy decided he might as well listen, after all he was taking him to Lethia free of charge with no strings attached. He laid down on the couch, stretching and then closed his eyes in an attempt to get some rest.