Nuvema Town

I expected to find myself in the back of a truck about to be assaulted by vicious pokemon or hanging from a tree.

I find myself in comfort. A soft, warm bed. My wounds have been bandaged and… wait, wounds? When did I…? Oh right, that was a thorn bush…

Oh hey, you’re finally awake. I was beginning to think I’d be stuck on this bedside table forever. Don’t get me wrong it’s a comfy table, outlet adjacent–

- Where are we?

I don’t know but my best guess is we’re in a bedroom. A nice lady was kind enough to plug in my recharger. She put aside some clothes over there, they look about your size.

I find my PokéNav on the table next to Dex. It seems to work fine but it keeps displaying error messages instead of maps and my Pokétch seems to have been crushed from my landing, there’s a matching bruise on my wrist.

- I guess they don’t make them like they used to.

Damn right they don’t!

My old clothes are nowhere to be seen so I decide to change into the ones laid out for me. Soon after there’s a knock at the door and a woman peeks her head around.

Oh. Hello. Are. You. OK?

- I’m fine. Where am I?

Oh, you speak Unovan?

- Uh… yes, so this is Unova?

I’m quickly reminded of certain pieces of history class. Unova was a popular subject, so was ancient Kalos. I guess all the big wars of the past are popular in history class…

- W– what year is it?

Oh that must’ve been quite the bump to the noggin you got there. It’s 2019.

It’s still the future, but not as far this time. This is the closest I’ve been to my own time in a long while. It may be a bit outdated but another piece of knowledge from my history lessons comes to mind.

- Wait, but… How am I going to get home? The embargo…

Did you forget why you’re here too?

- Uhh… yes?

After decades our governments are going to lift the embargo and start trade negotiations again. But they first decided to test the waters and test it with the one thing both our cultures have in common, the pokémon journey.

- So… I’m an exchange student?

That’s right. You’ve come to Unova to take your pokémon journey and my son has gone to your home to start his.

There’s a knock at the door downstairs.

Oh, that’ll be my son’s friends. They’ll be travelling with you. You can come up, you two!

Moments later a boy and a girl enter the room.

Howdy! M'name’s Bianca an’ this here is Cheren.

Hey.

- Hi, I’m Caldar.

I brought the pokémon Professor Juniper provided!

Bianca places a box on the table in front of me and opens it, revealing three pokéballs.

We give you the honour of choosing first, Caldar.

- Thanks.

There are no markings on the pokéballs so I just pick one at random.

Me next! I want this one!

I’m stuck with this one then? Fine, I wanted this one anyway.

Let’s battle ‘em! Cheren, you take on the winner.

- Uh…

It doesn’t take long to defeat her tepig.

Honestly… well let’s get this over with.

I take even less time defeating Cheren’s snivy.

You’re pretty good! Y'all gonna take on the gym challenge for your pokémon journey?

- I suppose so?

Me too. We should head on over to Professor Juniper’s lab.

Before I go I make sure I have all my things. There’s no sign of my backpack, I think it’s still in Sinnoh. On the bedside cabinet under Dex is the almanac I kept in my old jacket. Even looking at the cover and considering the year makes me tempted to read it.

I put the almanac in a new backpack that was with the clothes I’ve been given. Cheren and Bianca take me over to the lab.

Ah, hello. This must be our exchange student.

His name’s Caldar!

Welcome to Unova. I guess you’re here for your pokédexes. Oh, you already have one Caldar?

- Yes, I brought my own with me.

Yeah… I’m kinda stuck with this guy.

Juniper hands a pokédex each to Bianca and Cheren.

Thank you.

Thanks, Professor! Aww, Caldar yours looks all scuffed and dented.

Come now, I think it looks distinguished. So rugged!

You need your lens cleaned, dear. His model is at least a decade old!

They talk?

How interesting.

It’s a new feature in the latest models, to keep you company on your travels apparently. Oh, something you might need, Caldar. It’s called a cross-transceiver, a picture phone so you can stay in contact. Sorry but it only works on the Unovan networks.



- Thanks.

Oh and I got you a map too!

- Thanks.

Have you thought about if you want nickname your oshawott?

- Hmm, I think I’ll call him… Bushi.

Bushi ♂ Lv. 6

It’s time you set off on your journey. Good luck!

Route 1

This looks like a perfect opportunity to capture a pokémon!

A quick look around reveals a patrat, pokéball go!

Patrat: It looks like a fat rattata that’s been eating illicit substances…

- Welcome to the team, Checkers!

Checkers ♂ Lv. 3

Nice catch!

Nice analysis, chump.

Shut it, I’ve seen more pokémon than you have storage space for.

We’ll stop off at the next town on our way to Striaton City, there’s not much to do in Accumula. There isn’t even a gym.

Accumula Town

It’s nice to see the pokémon centers here double as pokémarts too. I have my pokémon healed and buy some supplies. Stepping outside I notice a crowd gathering…