It was the start of a new week, and the classroom was buzzing with excitement. The sound of chairs scraping against the wooden floor and backpacks thudding onto desks filled the room as the kids chattered about their weekend adventures. The early morning light streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow over the classroom, but none of the children seemed too interested in the lessons ahead. They were far too busy swapping stories from the past few days.
"I went to the lake with my parents," Petra was saying, her brown ponytail swinging as she spoke. "We had a picnic, and my brother almost fell in trying to catch a wild Poliwag. He's so clumsy!"
Tomas chimed in next, his sandy hair looking a bit windblown. "I played soccer all weekend! Scored three goals! Coach says I'm getting better, maybe good enough for the school team soon!"
Another boy, Lukas, bragged about going to a party. "My cousin had his birthday party at the arcade! I got the high score in Pinball." He puffed out his chest proudly.
The kids all took turns, excitedly sharing the best parts of their weekends, until their attention finally turned to Jake, who had been listening quietly. They knew he always had the most interesting stories, being from the Battle Ranch and all.
"Jake! What about you?" Petra asked eagerly. "Did anything cool happen at your ranch this weekend?"
Jake shifted in his seat, glancing around at the eager faces staring back at him. He hesitated for a moment, trying to decide how much to tell them. After all, most of the other kids didn't have the same experiences with Pokémon as he did, and sometimes they just didn't get it. But before he could answer, Tomas leaned in, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Is the prince back already?" Tomas blurted out, his excitement breaking through.
Jake smiled slightly and nodded. "Yeah, Charles came back yesterday. He's staying for one last week."
That got everyone's attention. The idea of having royalty so close was thrilling for the kids, even if none of them had actually met the prince. It was the sort of thing that made everyone sit up and listen.
"Wow! So what's he like?" Petra asked, leaning in closer. "Is he super serious, like they say? You know, all royal and stiff?"
Jake thought about it for a moment. "When people are around, yeah. He has to act like a grown-up. But... when I talked to him, he seemed different. Like a kid, but a little older... maybe like six grader or something... But I think he gets lonely."
"Lonely?" Petra repeated, her eyes wide with surprise. "But he's a prince! He can't be lonely."
"I know, right?" Tomas added. "He must have, like, a whole army of servants!"
Jake shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe he doesn't have any real friends. I mean, everyone's always watching him, so he can't just relax or be himself."
The other kids were quiet for a moment, thinking it over, when suddenly, an arrogant voice cut through the conversation.
"Lonely? Ha! More like bored. Maybe if he spent time with real trainers, he would be finally a little alive."
Mark Vranitzky strode over to Jake's desk, his usual sneer plastered on his face. His dark hair flopped into his eyes, and he crossed his arms, looking down on Jake as if he were beneath him. Mark was always quick to remind everyone of his connection to the gym, his father being one of the chief assistants to the local leader.
"The prince is finally going to spend time somewhere proper—the gym," Mark continued, his voice filled with arrogance. "He'll be around actual strong Pokémon for once, not that weakling stuff that the loser ranch deals with."
Jake felt his face flush with anger, but he stayed quiet, glaring up at Mark. He wasn't in the mood to start an argument, especially since he knew Mark would love nothing more than to get under his skin. The memory of his dad losing to Mark's father still hurt, and Mark never let him forget it.
Before Jake could say anything, Tomas spoke up, standing by his friend. "The ranch isn't weak, Mark. Jake's family has some of the best Pokémon around!"
"Yeah!" Petra added. "You don't know what you're talking about!"
Mark rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Oh, please. His family's a bunch of losers. They can't even win a battle. Just like Jake here—he can't even defend himself."
Mark smirked at Jake, trying to provoke him. "Look at him. Can't even speak up. I guess being a loser runs in the family."
Jake's hands clenched into fists, the anger rising up again, but just as he was about to respond, he felt something—a gentle, familiar presence nearby. It was Maya, his mother's Decidueye, hidden in his shadow and watching over him. He sensed her calm energy, a reminder to stay in control.
Mark took a step forward, still smirking, but as he did, something strange happened. His foot seemed to catch on the floor, and before anyone could react, he stumbled forward, arms flailing as he crashed face-first onto the ground. The classroom went silent for a split second before the kids started giggling.
Jake couldn't help but laugh, knowing exactly what had happened. Maya had used her Spirit Shackle, a ghostly move that Mark hadn't even noticed, to trip him over.
Grinning, Jake leaned back in his chair and said, "I don't need to argue with someone who doesn't even know how to walk straight."
The room erupted into laughter, with Tomas and Petra laughing the loudest. Mark scrambled to his feet, his face red with embarrassment, but before he could snap back, the bell rang, echoing through the classroom.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down!" Miss Newman's voice rang out as she entered the room, a stack of books in her arms. She raised an eyebrow at the commotion but didn't ask any questions. "Take your seats. It's time to get started."
Jake shot a final glance at Mark, who was fuming silently, before turning back to face the front of the classroom, feeling a little lighter. Even though Mark was a constant thorn in his side, he knew that Maya was watching out for him. And with her help, he didn't have to worry too much about people like Mark.
Miss Newman clapped her hands together as she stood at the front of the classroom, drawing the children's attention. "Alright, everyone, settle down. Today is going to be a little different from our usual lessons."
The kids quieted down, their curious eyes fixed on their teacher. Jake glanced around, wondering what she had planned for them. Miss Newman was always trying new ways to make things fun, so this caught his attention.
"We're going to talk about something very important today," she continued with a smile. "Does anyone know why?"
Tomas shot his hand up. "Because the prince is here!"
"Exactly!" Miss Newman nodded. "Prince Charles has come back for his final week in our neighbourhood, and the local gym will be hosting a special event because of his visit. It's an exhibition that anyone can participate in."
"Even us?" Petra asked excitedly, her hand waving in the air.
"Well," Miss Newman chuckled, "probably not this time, but maybe when you're a bit older. This event is going to be a little different from what the gym normally does. But it's a great opportunity for the town to see how the gym works and why it's so important to the kingdom."
Jake perked up at that, curious to hear more. The gym wasn't just a place for battling, after all, it was part of what kept everyone safe. His uncle had always told him that the gyms were more than just places for trainers to prove their strength. They were the first line of defense when things got dangerous.
"The gyms," Miss Newman began, pacing slowly as she spoke, "aren't just for people who want to train or challenge leaders. They are a very important part of keeping all of us safe."
She paused and looked around at the children, who were all listening closely now. "Each gym has an important role in protecting the people who live nearby. For example, when a wild Pokémon becomes too aggressive or threatens an area, members of the gym are called in to help."
"Like... if a Gyarados attacked the town?" Lukas asked, eyes wide as he imagined the scene.
"Yes, exactly!" Miss Newman smiled. "If a Pokémon like Gyarados or any dangerous Pokémon starts causing trouble, the trainers at the gym would step in to calm it down or move it away. That's part of what makes gyms so important."
Another hand shot up—this time, it was Marta, a quiet girl with a soft voice. "But... what if it's a really, really strong Pokémon? What if the gym trainers can't stop it?"
Miss Newman nodded, understanding the worry. "That's a good question, Marta. Gyms train very hard to handle all sorts of situations. And if something truly dangerous happens, the gym can call for help from other gyms, from the Pokémon league or from places like Battle Ranch, where there are many strong Pokémon and experienced trainers."
Jake smiled a little at that and felt proud. He knew that the ranch was always ready to help when needed, but it was nice to hear it from the teacher.
"Why don't we have more gyms then?" Tomas asked, fidgeting in his seat. "Wouldn't that make everything safer?"
"Well, each gym is placed in a specific part of the kingdom," Miss Newman explained. "They're spread out so that they can cover a wide area. In our kingdom, Bohemia, there are several gyms, each one protecting a different part of the land. Some are focused on mountain regions, others on forests, or lakes."
"Do all gyms have the same kind of Pokémon?" Tomas spoke up, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Not quite," Miss Newman said with a nod in his direction. "Each gym usually specializes in a certain type of Pokémon."
Petra raised her hand again, bouncing in her seat. "Like the ice gym? My brother told me they have one in the mountains, and they fight ice Pokémon all the time!"
"That's right!" Miss Newman agreed. "The ice gym is in the northern mountains, where the weather can get very cold, and there are dangerous Pokémon that thrive in that environment. Trainers there specialize in Ice-types, which helps them protect the people who live in the snowy areas. Mark comes from that place, right?"
"Yes, miss Newman," Mark nodded his head, while the kids began to murmur among themselves, fascinated by the idea that the gyms were responsible for much more than just battles. Jake felt a swell of pride as more of his classmates chatted about their ranch being seen as a place of strength and protection.
"Okay, okay, everyone!" their teacher interrupted their passionate discussions about various gym and Pokémon.
Every kid got quiet and they started to pay attention (or at least pretend to pay attention) to what she was about to say next.
"And the event happening at the gym this week," Miss Newman continued, "is going to show the people of the town just how skilled the gym's trainers could be. It's a chance to see them in action and learn more about what they do to keep us safe."
Lukas raised his hand again. "But can people join in with their Pokémon? My parents have few Pokémon, could they bring them?"
Miss Newman smiled. "The exhibition will be controlled by gym trainers. Those who will be participating will be given Pokémon from the gym to use, so it's a bit different than a normal battle. It's meant to show people what it's like to handle different Pokémon, especially those they might not normally get to see or train with."
Miss Newman glanced around the classroom, her eyes bright with excitement as she prepared her next question. "Alright, who here knows what type of gym the local one is?"
Several hands shot up into the air, waving eagerly. Jake was among them, though he didn't raise his hand as high as the others. He knew the answer, of course, but he wasn't as enthusiastic about showing off. He already got enough attention from being the "kid from Battle Ranch."
Miss Newman smiled and pointed to Petra, who had her hand stretched up so far she was almost out of her chair. "Yes, Petra?"
"I think it's a Bug-type gym!" Petra exclaimed.
"Good guess, Petra, but not quite!" Miss Newman said with a smile. "Anyone else?"
Lukas's hand was still up, and she nodded at him. "Grass-type, because they are many forests around the town?"
"A reasonable guess, Lukas! But no," Miss Newman shook her head, "it's not Grass-type either. Does anyone else know?"
Marta, sitting quietly with her hand raised only a little, was next to be called. "Maybe... Rock-type?"
"Close!" Miss Newman said, her eyes lighting up. "But actually, the local gym is a Ground-type gym!"
The kids murmured among themselves, some surprised by the answer.
"Do you know why?" Miss Newman asked, clearly enjoying the opportunity to teach them something new.
This time, no one raised their hand, so she continued. "A long time ago, the town of Iglaustadt used to be a place where a lot of silver was found and then mined. People dug tunnels deep underground to look for ore, and they had help from Pokémon, especially Ground-types, who were great at digging and moving earth."
She paused to let that sink in. "Over time, the trainers who worked with those Pokémon became very skilled, and eventually, they established a Ground-type gym right here in town. It's been part of our town ever since."
Jake smiled at the story. He had heard something similar from his uncle before, but it was still cool to imagine the history of the town and how it had been shaped by Pokémon.
Miss Newman scanned the room again. "Now, can anyone name some Ground-type Pokémon?"
A chorus of eager hands went up again. She picked Tomas first. "Tomas?"
"Sandshrew!" Tomas said confidently.
"Very good! Sandshrew is a classic Ground-type," Miss Newman nodded approvingly. "Who else?"
This time, she pointed at Marta. "Marta?"
"Diglett!" Marta said, a bit shyly.
"Yes, Diglett is another great Ground-type. How about one more?"
Lukas nearly jumped out of his seat when she pointed to him. "Mudbray!" he shouted.
Miss Newman chuckled. "Exactly! Mudbray is another Ground-type. They're all Pokémon that help move earth and are strong against Electric-types, for example."
Jake sat back and listened. He knew all these Pokémon, of course, but it was interesting to hear how his classmates thought about them.
"Can anyone tell me why Ground-type Pokémon are strong against Electric-types?" Miss Newman asked, raising her eyebrows.
Jake raised his hand, and this time, Miss Newman called on him. "Because electricity doesn't travel through the ground easily," Jake said.
"Exactly!" Miss Newman clapped her hands, clearly impressed. "Ground-types are resistant to Electric-type moves because electricity disperses when it hits the ground. That's why Ground-type Pokémon are very useful in places where there might be Electric-type threats."
Petra raised her hand again, looking thoughtful. "But what are Ground-types weak against?"
Miss Newman beamed. "That's a great question, Petra! Ground-types are weak against Water, Ice, and Grass-type Pokémon because those natural forces can break through their defenses. Water can erode the ground, Ice can freeze it, and Grass-type roots can grow through it."
The kids continued to murmur among themselves, fascinated by this new knowledge. Jake noticed that even Mark was listening closely, though he hadn't said a word since earlier.
One of the kids raised his hand, curiosity plain on his face. "Are we only going to see Ground-type Pokémon at the gym?" asked Tomas, glancing around at his classmates as if he had voiced what they were all thinking.
Miss Newman smiled at the question and shook her head. "Good question, Tomas! No, you probably won't see only Ground-types. While the gym itself is known for specializing in Ground-type Pokémon, it has three teams and each team focuses on different specialties as well. This is making the competition more interesting."
Petra raised her hand again, clearly excited. "What kind of teams are there?"
"Ah, great question!" Miss Newman said. "One of the teams is run by Viktor Vranitzky, Mark's father." She nodded towards Mark, though his expression remained smug and uninterested.
"Can you tell us, what is that specialization, Mark?"
"Yes, my father's team specializes in Ice and Flying-types. They're called the Blue Team. Or Articuno Team."
"Perfect!" Miss Newman smiled.
"Flying-types?" Lukas said, looking confused. "But Flying-types don't sound like they fit in a Ground-type gym."
"That's true, Lukas," Miss Newman agreed, "but the teams don't always have to follow the gym's specialty exactly. Flying-types are useful for battles against other types, and Mr. Vranitzky surely has a strategy that uses both Ice and Flying-types to catch challengers off guard. It's what makes the Blue Team so unique."
Jake frowned, thinking about how much Mark boasted about his father's Pokémon. Ice and Flying-types were strong, but that didn't mean they were unbeatable.
Miss Newman continued. "Then there's the Red Team, which specializes in Grass and Bug-types. They love the sun, and that's why they chose the color red for their team."
"Grass-types can be strong against Ground-types, right?" Marta asked.
"Exactly!" Miss Newman said, impressed. "That's why the Red Team can give the other teams a challenge. Grass-type moves can deal a lot of damage to Ground-types, and Bug-types can be surprisingly tricky to deal with as well."
"And the last team," Miss Newman said, "is the Yellow Team. Current gym-leader used to be a chief of the Yellows. So they're the ones who stick closest to the gym's specialty. They use a combination of Electric and Ground-types."
"Electric-types?" Petra looked confused again. "But Ground-types are strong against Electric-types. Why would they use both?"
"That's an excellent point, Petra!" Miss Newman said, nodding approvingly. "Electric-types are strong against Flying and Water-types, which can be a problem for Ground-types. But you're right that Electric-types usually can't hurt Ground-types directly. That's why the Yellow Team has a special strategy where their Ground-types protect the Electric-types, and the Electric-types handle opponents the Ground-types struggle with."
The kids were all murmuring to each other, clearly fascinated by how the teams worked. Jake noticed Mark looking smug, probably because of the mention of his father's team. But Jake didn't care. He was more interested in hearing about the gym's setup.
"Do the teams battle each other?" Lukas asked, his hand half-raised.
"Yes, they do," Miss Newman confirmed. "The teams have regular competitions to see who's the strongest. The winning team gets the right to manage the gym's everyday operations for the next week. It's a way to keep things competitive and make sure everyone's always improving."
"What's the current situation, Mark?" Miss Newman asked, glancing at him.
Mark straightened up, a proud grin spreading across his face. "My dad's Blue Team is currently on top, and I believe they'll stay there for a long time. They're much stronger than the Red and Yellow Teams."
Jake felt a mixture of irritation and determination at Mark's boastfulness, but before he could think of a comeback, Miss Newman continued.
"That sounds like a challenge for the other teams! Do they have any special Pokémon they're using right now?"
Mark shrugged, looking over at Jake with a smirk. "Of course, they have Froslass, Skarmory, Gliscor and many more. They'll crush anything the Red and Yellow Teams can throw at them!"
Jake remembered how the Skarmory defeated Athena, his dad's Mandibuzz. And he frowned at the memory.
The kids were buzzing with excitement now, imagining all the battles that would take place at the gym's event. Jake leaned back in his seat, wondering if he might get a chance to see some of these battles up close. He knew the exhibition would be something special, especially with the prince being involved.
But there was one thing Jake knew for sure: no matter what team the gym trainers belonged to, they were in for an exciting event.
Miss Newman continued her lesson, her enthusiasm evident as she described the gym system in the Bohemian kingdom. "There are eight main gyms in our kingdom, and each of them focuses on a particular type of Pokémon. It is the same as in the other regions. These gyms are very important for trainers because they offer a chance to challenge themselves and improve their skills."
A boy named Radek raised his hand, eager to contribute. "Do they all have teams like our gym?"
"Yes, they do!" Miss Newman replied with a smile. "Trainers in those gyms also form teams, just like we have here in Iglaustadt. Local trainers join these teams to find friends, fight together, and compete against other teams. It's a great way to make friends and build teamwork!"
Marta chimed in, a puzzled look on her face. "Are there gyms without those teams?"
"That's a great question, Marta!" Miss Newman said, nodding. "Yes, there are gyms without teams. Almost every town has its own gym or gym-like facility to help trainers train and keep the area safe, but there are only eight main gyms where trainers can earn badges. To enter the big tournaments, you must challenge the main gyms and win a badge."
Jake listened intently, absorbing every word. He recalled a conversation he had with his grandfather, who had explained that the gyms had different ranks of badges: bronze, silver, and gold. He thought about how impressive it would be to earn a gold badge, but he didn't want to sound like a know-it-all in front of his classmates, so he kept quiet.
Miss Newman continued, "The other gyms are important for security reasons, as they help protect the towns and provide a space for trainers to practice and improve their skills. Trainers often visit these gyms to battle, train, and get ready for challenges at the main gyms."
The classroom buzzed with questions as the kids processed this new information. Jake couldn't help but feel excited about the upcoming event at the gym. It would be an excellent opportunity for everyone to see how the teams operated and how the gym system worked, especially with the prince in attendance.
The teacher smiled at the eager faces of her students and said, "Now, let's talk a bit about gyms outside of Bohemia. Does anyone know of any famous gyms from other regions?"
Several hands shot up, and Jake's friend Leo shouted, "I know! The Vermilion Gym!"
Another classmate, Maria, chimed in, "And the Petalburg Gym!"
Mark, trying to sound knowledgeable, added, "There's the Fuchsia Gym too!"
Emily, looking a bit unsure, said, "I think that one in the Unova region is called the Opelucid Gym?"
"Good job, everyone!" the teacher encouraged. "Can anyone tell me what types those gyms specialize in?"
Leo confidently replied, "Vermilion Gym has Electric-types!"
Maria nodded and said, "And Petalburg Gym is all about Water-types!"
Mark, with a grin, said, "Fuchsia Gym has Poison-types, right?"
Jake listened but was unsure of the correct answers.
"Uh, I think Opelucid Gym has Ice-types?" Emily suggested, but she looked hesitant.
The teacher smiled at their guesses but decided to verify the information. "Let me just check my phone for the correct details."
After a few moments, she looked up, ready to clarify. "Alright, here we go! The Vermilion Gym is indeed known for Electric-types, led by Lieutenant Surge. Petalburg Gym is run by Norman, who specializes in Normal-types, not Water-types. Fuchsia Gym with the ninjas, led by Koga, specializes in Poison-types, so you were right, Mark! And finally, Opelucid Gym is known for Dragon-types, not Ice-types, and the leader is called Drayden."
One of the kids, Tomas, raised his hand with a curious expression. "And what exactly will our gym be doing during the event?"
Miss Newman smiled, glad to see the interest. "Great question, Tommy! The gym will be hosting an exhibition event because of Prince Charles's visit. Anyone can participate, and various gym trainers will help everyone."
Excited murmurs spread through the classroom. "And how will it work?" Maria asked, her eyes shining with anticipation.
"The visitors will get one random Poké Ball," the teacher explained. "Then, under the supervision of gym employees, they can battle against each other. It's a fun way for everyone to try being a trainer, even if they don't have their own Pokémon!"
The room buzzed with excitement as the kids exchanged eager glances. "Can we join?" Leo blurted out, bouncing in his seat.
Miss Newman paused, glancing at her notes. "Um, well…" she started, unsure. "The papers that the school got only mentioned two categories—trainers and non-trainers. I'm not sure if little kids like you will be able to command strange Pokémon."
Mark raised his hand, leaning back in his chair. "But even young kids can be part of some teams, so it might be possible," he said, trying to sound smart. "But I don't know for sure."
Miss Newman thought to herself that maybe the kids could command Pokémon with their parents helping. She didn't want to give them false hope, so she kept that to herself as she looked at the eager faces in front of her.
The classroom was filled with buzzing excitement as the kids imagined themselves battling at the gym, even if they weren't sure what it would really be like.
As the excitement of the upcoming gym event filled the air, the children found it impossible to focus on anything else. All they wanted to talk about were Pokémon battles and the chance to try their hand at training. The classroom buzzed with whispers, each child eager to share their thoughts and ideas.
After a short break, Miss Newman attempted to shift gears and teach mathematics. "Okay, everyone! Let's start with some addition," she said, smiling brightly. But she quickly realized that no one was paying attention. The kids were lost in their daydreams of battling at the gym.
With a sigh, Miss Newman decided to adapt. "Alright, how about we make this fun? If Pikachu has three apples and Bulbasaur gives him two more, how many apples does Pikachu have now?" she asked, hoping to capture their interest.
A few kids perked up, their imaginations taking flight. "Five!" shouted Leo, raising his hand eagerly. "Pikachu has five apples!"
Miss Newman smiled, relieved to see a glimmer of focus. She continued with more Pokémon-themed math problems, and the class responded with laughter and enthusiasm, their minds a little less scattered.
After lunch, the school day came to an end. Parents began arriving to pick up their children, and excitement rippled through the crowd. Jake waited with his older cousin Monika, their eyes scanning for her father, Frank.
Suddenly, with a flash of brilliant white light, Frank teleported into view, his Girafarig standing proudly beside him. The giraffe-like Pokémon attracted the attention of many kids nearby, their eyes wide with wonder.
"Hey, everyone! Just remember to stay away from Girafarig's tail!" Frank warned with a grin, waving his hand in front of the curious children. "It might bite if you get too close!"
Jake couldn't help but think that Mark, who often teased him, would deserve to get nipped by Girafarig, but he noticed that Mark was already gone, lost in the throng of parents and kids.
After a few minutes, more children were called away by their parents, and soon it was just Jake, Monika, Frank, and Girafarig left standing together. As they gathered close, the air shimmered once more, and in a flash of brilliant light, they disappeared from the schoolyard, ready to return to the Ranch.