Pokemon Portal, or Pokeportal for short, is a tear in time and space, theorized to connect Earth to the world of Pokemon. No one knows how and why it appeared, only that it appeared in the early 1900's.
Scientists generally agree that Pokeportals emerged due to the collapse of the Pokemon world.
However, whether the powerful Legendary Pokemon used their power to connect to another habitable planet. Or the destruction of a world caused the opening of these portals, no one is certain.
And to this day, the reason why the Pokemon world collapsed is still unknown. Some speculated it was caused by a battle between powerful Legendary Pokemon. And others believed the time of the planet had simply come.
Standing inside a steel room with a massive, black void floating in mid-air, Dante's class finished watching a short video explaining the origin of the Pokemon Portals.
"Hey, Focalors, did Mr. Neuvillette tell you any information about the Pokeportal privy to the Alliance?"
Dante asked in a whisper to the girl beside him, his nose catching the scent of lavender on her body. At this time, their class was lined up in two for male and female. As the rank number 1 in their respective genders, Dante and Focalors are positioned at the front.
"Hmm. According to Father, the Alliance higher-ups have reached a cooperation with a few Legendary Pokemon. He suspects they already know the true cause of the Pokemon World's destruction."
"Huh? Not even he, the Champion of your country, has access to that info?"
Focalors shook her head. That had also been a point of concern for her and Father. What was so taboo about that knowledge it was kept so secret?
Dante wasn't given any time to probe further as Professor Berto, their survival teacher, finally returned from his discussion with the official in charge of the portal.
Because of the importance of the Pokemon Portal to the country, entry and exit required strict supervision. Every portal is enclosed in a large metal room. They had to line up for quite a while outside, each of them getting checked by the guards before being allowed to enter.
"Quiet! The force field will be opened in 10 minutes. Gather with your group now and make sure you have everything ready."
After Professor Berto's announcement, the students started looking for their group. Class B, who also came with them, did the same under the instruction of their professor.
Yes, in addition to Dante's class, the other 1st year class also came. Leading them was a tanned woman with dreadlocks and a serious expression. She approached Professor Berto, and the two quietly discussed something while occasionally glancing at their students.
At this time, Dante, Shinobu, Focalors, Candice, and Kachina stood together in a circle. Each of them had a Trainer bag, containing all the equipment Professor Berto asked them to buy.
"Hnggh, I can't wait! I heard this portal leads to a tundra with many Ice types. I'll definitely catch my second Pokemon here!"
Candice clenched her fist as she looked in excitement at the dark entrance. After her Snover evolved last week into Abomasnow, she hurriedly challenged Erika to get her Gym Badge.
She got lucky and had Jumpluff as an opponent, a Grass/Flying-type Pokemon who is 4x weak to Ice. Even so, the battle almost ended in her defeat.
"You're too impatient, Candice. Abomasnow hasn't even reached his racial limit."
Shinobu chastised. She firmly believes each Pokemon must be trained by their Trainer with all their hearts in the early stages of their growth. After all, the Pokemon and Trainer will accompany each other for countless years.
"It's fine~ I can handle training two Pokemon at once."
Candice waved off Shinobu's concern. For her, having her Pokemon bond and form a tacit understanding with each other was better done as early as possible.
"What Pokemon do you hope to find? I'll help you keep an eye for it."
"Thanks, Focalors! Hehe, my first pick is Cubchoo..."
Dante listened to Candice's Pokemon candidates, inwardly nodding in approval. Although she often acts a bit recklessly, she clearly took a lot of time thinking about her team composition.
He turned around to look at the other groups, most particularly the ones in Class B. There, he occasionally met the glances of the other students.
As the ranked 1 in the 1st year, Dante is used to being the main target. He was thankful the ranking challenges would start only after a month from the first day of school. Otherwise, he is certain his phone would have rung repeatedly due to challenge notifications.
And now, after he won his second Gym badge, there were considerably less challenging stares. However, the ones that replaced it made Dante feel a bit mixed.
A female classmate caught him looking around and winked, her hands signaling a call-me gesture. Dante just pretended not to notice her.
Although she looked cute, he was already having trouble convincing Shinobu to accept Focalors. He had no time to think of adding another girl before that. However, what happened this weekend did increase the progress of his plan considerably...
"And ohhh, I also want an Alolan Vulpix. Do you think there is one here?"
Dante turned his attention back to his group. At this point, Candice had finally finished listing the Pokemon that she wanted for her team.
"Don't get your hopes up. Ninetales is known to be an especially elusive Pokemon. Besides, you already have Abomasnow to set the weather, there's no need for another Pokemon with a similar role."
"Eww, you're such a killjoy, Shinobu."
Dante smiled as his girlfriend stretched her hand and pinched Candice's cheeks. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Kachina twiddling her thumbs while fearfully glancing at the portal.
"Hey, it's fine. There's no need to be scared. We have the professors accompanying us. Besides, our group also has me."
Dante flashed a cocky grin and struck an exaggerated pose. Seeing this, Kachina let out an awkward chuckle.
"I-it's just, I'm worried I'll hold you guys back. After all, except for me, all your Pokemon already evolved. You've got your Gym Badges too…"
Kachina's head lowered the more she spoke, to the point her chin was touching her chest.
In the past few weeks, she began hearing their classmates talk how she was so lucky to join the "Elite Group". How she was just average compared to the rest of them.
One time, while using the toilet, she even heard other girls saying that she was just the group's sidekick and that she used her big titties to seduce Dante into letting her join.
She wanted to prove them wrong- that she belonged with them. But during mock battles in class, she and Twirly only performed above average, different from Dante, Shinobu, Focalors, and even Candice who almost always won.
She really tried her best, heading to the Training Grounds hours before class, and staying every day until closing time. Even so, she feels as if the gap between her and the group is getting bigger and bigger no matter how hard she tries...
Kachina was awoken from her pessimistic thoughts by a painful flick on her forehead.
"Oww."
She raised her head, seeing Dante's index fingers outstretched in front of her eyes.
"Hey, I told you before, don't think about things like holding us back and whatnot. We're friends. If you need our help, don't hesitate to ask. Besides, with your and Twirly's strength, I'm certain you'll also get a Gym Badge in no time."
Dante shook his head in speechlessness at this silly girl. During the Rookie Competition, he already saw how strong she was. If he and Shinobu didn't participate, there's a good chance she would emerge as the Champion.
Besides, the only reason she didn't stand out in class is because the majority of their classmates had Grass and Water, the two most common types, as their starters. Even so, Kachina with her Drilbur could consistently beat most of them.
"Dan's right. And the professor already told us we'd just be moving around the outer edge to familiarize ourselves, so we won't even encounter any strong Pokemon."
Candice hooked Kachina's shoulder and grinned. Shinobu and Focalors also nodded to show their support. As girls, they were more sensitive than Dante about what Kachina was going through.
It's not that she is worried about holding them back. But because of the increasing gap in strength between them, Kachina was worried she might become estranged from their group and get left behind.
Although that was not the case, they knew words wouldn't have much effect on her right now.
"Come on, let's gather up. The professor is already calling everyone."
Dante saw Professor Berto's signal to line up and reminded Kachina and the others. They walked in front of the other students, just behind the professors.
Looking at the inky darkness in front of them, Dante felt a sense of curiosity and anticipation.
'I wonder how much different the other side is than a Mystery Dungeon?'