After walking through the portal, they emerged in a similarly high-tech metal room. Two guards stood beside the portal, their eyes staring forward, indifferent to the students who passed through.
Dante felt a little disoriented at first, but he quickly shook it off. This sensation reminded him of traveling between the human world and the PMD world. His classmates were unfortunately not as lucky as him. Some clutched their aching heads, others dry heaved, and one student collapsed face-first onto the floor.
"Get used to this feeling. As Trainers, there will be times when you need to enter a Pokeportal in an emergency. At that time, you won't be given any chances to rest."
Professor Berto's cold voice rang out. He leaned on the wall, his eyes scanning the students. Even though his words were harsh, he still waited patiently for everyone to recover to their senses before leading them to walk away from the portal.
The two professors led the class down a short hallway. After passing through a solid metal gate, they ended up in a spacious room connected to several other corridors.
"This is the main Alliance station. Every Pokeportal in the country has a similar setup. You can find the official Alliance store here, where you can buy or sell most Trainer items. Over there is the mission board, where you can take on missions if you ever need money. "
The students looked around in wonder, their earlier disorienting experience quickly forgotten. Dante similarly surveyed the surroundings, taking note of the shop Professor Berto mentioned, as well as the panel where various tasks are displayed.
He also spotted a few people sitting inside a restaurant, their eyes curiously looking at their group. However, among them, he detected a faint sense of malice.
Dante pretended not to notice. In his mind, however, he took note of each of their appearances.
"20,000!?"
A shrill shout attracted everyone's attention. Berto frowned, and found that the one who shouted was a student in his class.
"What's wrong, boy?"
The student, a black-haired boy wearing glasses, wilted under the intimidating professor's glare. He timidly pointed at the prices displayed on top of the Alliance shop and whispered.
"I-it's just, I usually buy my Pokemon food from the Alliance for 10,000. But here, the same food is listed at 20,000..."
Berto snorted. Noticing that some of the students were similarly confused, he asked.
"Why do you think that is?"
"Is it because of the shop's location? But even so, it's a bit much."
"And that's why I told you to prepare everything before coming. Trainers only have one chance per month to enter this place. And for most, they want to stay here as much as possible."
Berto left unsaid how the Alliance uses that fact to force Trainers who made poor planning, or encountered unexpected circumstances, as the target of their business.
The two professors allowed everyone to familiarize themselves with this place first, before gathering again in half an hour.
"And don't forget to wear the coat I told you to bring. It'll be two days before we return here again."
"Yes, professor!"
Watching the two Professors walk away, the students gathered with their team and discussed where they should go.
"Let's vote! I vote to go to the restaurant first!"
Candice was the first to speak up, her eyes brimming with excitement.
"Why the restaurant? We've just had breakfast."
"Of course it's to ask the older Trainers the Pokemon distribution in the area. I bet they would know it best!"
"Hmm, if you want to know that, why don't we go there?"
Everyone followed Dante's finger and noticed an inconspicuous information desk beside the Alliance shop.
"Great find, Dan!"
"Indeed. Let's go there first. We can also ask for other things about this place."
...
Leaning against the cold metal wall, Professor Berto and the other female Professor observed their students.
"Kids these days, treating the Pokeportal like a picnic trip. They have no sense of danger."
The woman spoke in dissatisfaction. She instinctively reached for a cigarette in her coat, but after remembering where they were, reluctantly put it away.
"Hmph, it means the Alliance's propaganda was successful in brainwashing them. Here, they'll learn just how dangerous Pokemon and Trainers can really be."
"Hah, it seems even your star pupil isn't exempted from being brainwashed."
Berto's gaze shifted to said group after hearing his colleague's remark. There, he saw Dante, the rising prodigy, laughing while talking with his team, not noticing the eyes of some older Trainers in the room focused on him.
Although he hadn't even been a Trainer for a year, Dante's reputation in the Philippines had already started to spread. Among them, the knowledge that he owned a Shiny Azumarill was particularly common.
Berto clicked his tongue in annoyance. He hates these types of people the most. Because of a lack of awareness and overinflated ego, they cause danger to themselves and the people around them.
He may have been safe in the city due to the protection of Ronaldo and the country's higher-ups. But in the wild, he can only rely on his own.
…
"Gather around!"
Berto's shout attracted everyone's attention. The students looked at the professor's stern expression, and the joy from stepping into a Pokeportal quietly subsided.
At this time, everyone was already wearing the Trainer-grade Winter Jacket they brought, along with the corresponding boots, gloves, and hat.
Due to their profession, Trainers are expected to move flexibly in the wild. Therefore, these clothes were designed to give the user enough warmth and at the same time not hinder their movement.
Suffice to say, the price of such clothes were not cheap.
Dante nodded in satisfaction as he adjusted his white jacket with red outlines. Shinobu wore a purple one with a similar design to his, with a green outline instead. Focalors wore a similar design to Dante, only with a blue outline instead of red. Candice has the same color as Focalors, the difference being hers was predominantly blue with only a little white. As for Kachina, she was wearing the brown jacket she borrowed from school.
"On the first day, I'll be in charge of leading you. For students in Class 1-A who don't know me, I'm Kristine. I am not as lenient as your professor Berto. If you disobey my orders, or engage in actions that endanger the lives of everyone, then there will be consequences when we return. Of course, provided you can come back in the first place."
The tanned professor, who Dante now knew as Kristine, spoke in a clear, commanding voice. Her demeanor gave off a kind of military vibe. And now that he thought about it, Professor Berto seems to be similar.
After ensuring everyone was ready, Kristine took an ID hanging from her neck and pressed it against the scanner on the wall.
With a whoosh, the metal door slid sideways, revealing a wide frozen plain through a translucent film. In the distance, Dante saw a herd of Tauros, along with a family of Sawsbuck and Deerling.
"This barrier prevents the cold air from entering and damaging the structure of this building. Turn on the heater of your jacket. From here on out, you'd be forced to walk under negative temperatures."
Some students shivered when they heard Professor Kristine's warning. While others, like Candice, had their body shaking in anticipation instead.
Just beyond the barrier, snow was already present everywhere. As he stepped through the transparent film, Dante felt the cold air hitting his cheeks. Strangely, however, he felt a sense of familiarity and comfort in this environment. He even had the urge to take off his clothes and expose more of his body.
"First rule in the wild, always have a Pokemon by your side. When you pass the restriction area, make sure to release your Pokemon."
Professor Kristine took a Pokeball from her belt and released an Infernape. Seeing this, the other students followed suit.
"Pika!" (Freedom at last!)
"Ursa!" (Freedom!)
As soon as Dante released Pikachu and Teddiursa from their Pokeball, the two spread their arms and shouted in celebration. Only Azumarill gave Dante a nod before looking around the surroundings in curiosity.
Dante hadn't yet brought Mawile and Riolu into this world. After all, it's only been three days since the two joined their team. And unlike Azumarill, the siblings clearly had a more selfish reason for joining.
If the two carelessly spread his secrets with other Pokemon, it would give him quite a headache. After all, Dusknoir had already come to Treasure Town.
Besides, he already had plans to obtain his third Badge this weekend, he only had to test something first. Dante looked at Teddiursa playing in the snow with Pikachu and Azumarill.
After returning from the expedition, Dante focused on helping Teddiursa grind his level and stats. He also used all the move discs worth more than 200 million to expand the little bear's movepool.
In theory, Teddiursa should have evolved long ago. However, due to the time abnormality in the PMD world, no Pokemon is able to evolve there. So for this trip, Dante wanted to see whether he could bypass that restriction, and make Teddiursa evolve into Ursaring.
Teddiursa (Male)
Type: Normal
Abilities:
Pickup (When not holding an item, gains a chance to pick up random items)
Quick Feet (Speed increases by 50% when inflicted by a major status ailment)
Level: 42
HP: 109/109
Attack: 77 (+10) Defense: 69
Sp. Atk: 69 Sp. Def.: 70 Speed: 68
Item: Power Band (Attack +12)
Exclusive Items in Bag:
- Teddi-Claw (Attack +5)
- Ursa-Claw (Attack +5)
Moveset:
- Belly Drum
- Fake Tears
- Close Combat
- Yawn
- Lick
- Scratch
- Counter
- Fury Cutter
- Covet
- Leer
- Fury Swipes
- Faint Attack
- Metal Claw
- Crunch
- Slash
- Take Down
- Protect
- Return
- Low Kick
- Thief
- Trailblaze
- Facade
- Aerial Ace
- Bulldoze
- Swift
- Rock Tomb
- Fling
- Avalanche
- Endure
- Sunny Day
- Rainy Dance
- Dig
- Brick Break
- Shadow Claw
- Bulk Up
- Body Slam
- Fire Punch
- Thunder Punch
- Ice Punch
- Sleep Talk
- Seed Bomb
- Rest
- Rock Slide
- Taunt
- Swords Dance
- Gunk Shot
- Substitute
- Hyper Voice
- Play Rough
- Helping Hand
- Earthquake
- Smack Down
- Uproar
- Focus Punch
- Double-Edge
A/N: Damn, it took quite a while in-game to grind for Gummies for Teddiursa's stats. I hope I can open the IQ River soon. Just imagining having to grind for Riolu and the other Pokemon when they appear *shivers*