The sun shines brightly on a beautiful day in the Arcana Region.
Fresh off their promising start to an adventure they'd remember
forever, Ryan, Matthew and their friend Addison all wake up in the
early hours of the morning, rapidly pack up their camping equipment
and set off on the first full day of their journeys across the region.
Once they were all ready to go, the three and their Pokémon set off
for the village of Pocus Town, where the brothers were set to register
themselves for the upcoming Arcana Pokémon League Challenge.
They would have to hurry, however, as the League had reported that
they were expecting the numbers of registrants to multiply this
season, which would be the tenth of which Michael would be running
as the uncontested Champion. If they don't make it to the town in
time, they may have to wait a very long time to register.
Ryan's Eevee, whom he had begun to dote over, now perched itself
atop his green bandana like a hat and cheered as his trainer made
his way up in the world. Despite their budding friendship, however,
the boy was in no rush to put him inside a Poké Ball or even have
him take part in a battle. That honor would belong to his other
Pokémon, his trusted Pidgey, who was now named Marahute. He
kept Marahute within her own Poké Ball until the moment that battle
was inevitable.
Addison carried her own Eevee in her arms, the Pokémon absolutely
delighted to be pampered by its new owner. Her fur coat shined far
brighter than Ryan's Eevee's did, thanks to her job of caring for and
grooming it. Her other Pokémon, the Venonat she was calling Zura,
remained in it's Poké Ball to await his own chance to take part in a
grooming session. A bit of a mischief maker already, she knew she
would have to keep an eye on it before it caused much more trouble
for her or her friends.
Matthew paid them no heed and continued on his own way, with his
Pokémon securely within their Pokémon Balls on his belt. He hoped
that his training with them every single day would make them strong
enough to defeat any opponents. His Eevee and Tyrogue certainly
were tough Pokémon and capable of battling, but he knew that he
would have to work extra hard with his twin brother also traveling
alongside him.
The three continued down the road, until Matthew let out a distraught
gasp at the sight of the town. "OH NO!"
Addison and Ryan hurry to Matthew's side. "What is it, Matt?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"I'll tell you what's up, Ry" Matthew responded bitterly. "Take a look
at that." He pointed into town and saw a huge line of people waiting
to get to the Pokémon Center and sign themselves up for the Arcana
Pokémon League. It must have stretched for at least a mile and
roped around the entire town. "Now we'll never get ourselves
registered before Michael opens up the League today."
"I'm sure the line is going fast" Addison assured her friend. "One
thing I don't know, is if the line is getting even longer. You guys
should get a spot for yourselves on line." She then walked ahead of
them.
"Addy, where are you going?" Ryan asked.
Addison turned back and winked at him. "I'm not registering in the
Pokémon League. I'm gonna go on ahead and see if I can find a
good spot to watch the opening ceremony from." Before Ryan could
answer, Addison was already down the road, her Eevee cheering her
on.
Ryan looked towards his brother. "What do you think?"
"We need to find the back of the line" Matthew said, "and fast. Come
on!" The two brothers raced down after Addison and began to look
for the line's back. After navigating nearly two blocks of streets, they
found the end of the line, where a bunch of kids younger than them
were waiting to register themselves. To the twins surprise, they all
seemed to know a great deal about the League and how battling
works for kids who were still wearing Velcro Sneakers. Ryan and
Matthew stood behind them, doing their best not to show signs of
impatience as the line slowly made progress.
"Look up ahead" one of the kids on line shouted.
Ryan and Matthew did as he said and saw a skinny man handing out
stickers with numbers on them to await being called and then asking
them something and moving on. He continued doing this until he
finally made his way to the children in front of the twins. "Here are
three stickers for you, each marked with your number in line to
ensure this is where you will be called in. Can I have names?"
"Brodie" one boy said.
"Dennis" another answered.
"Cody" the third chimed in.
"Good, good" the man replied, writing the names down on the note
pad he carried with him. He finally made his way to the back of the
line and Ryan and Matthew.
"Excuse me" Ryan asked before the man could speak, "is the line
going as fast as possible?"
"Yes, the line is going along as well as it can" the man replied. "The
number of entrants has doubled since we last did a tally. I'm afraid
there will just have to be a wait for all to have their fair share. At
least, that's what I'm told from the higher ups." He cleared his throat
and looked down on his note pad. "Names?"
"Ryan and Matthew Kingston" Matthew answered.
"Kingston?" the man asked, so surprised he nearly dropped his pen.
"Well, well. That changes everything. Come with me boys. You are
expected at the Pokémon Center."
"Expected?" Ryan asked.
"Don't ask" Matthew persisted. "Just go."
"Please, this way boys" the man insisted.
Ryan and Matthew followed the skinny man past the long procession
of people. Ryan couldn't help but notice jealous looks and glares at
them for being able to jump the line. He turned towards Matthew. "I
don't think this is right."
"It's not our fault we're related to people in the Pokémon League"
Matthew insisted. "Besides, we're not getting special treatment.
We're still being registered like all of them."
"I guess you're right."
"I know I'm right, Ry."
The man finally stopped them at the Pokémon Center's doors. "Wait
here, for a moment. I'll announce you two." Ryan and Matthew sat at
the front of the line, waiting patiently for them to be called in. Ryan
turned behind them and heard whispers from the other people on
line about them. His nerves flared up at the sound of some of them.
"Who do they think they are?" one asked.
"I think they're Kingstons" another reasoned. "That one there
definitely looks like Champion Michael."
"More Kingstons? Just how many of them are there?"
"That one looks kind of cute."
Before Ryan could completely tense up, the man came out of the
Pokémon Center. "Next in line, head for the Main Desk beside the
Shopping Counter." He then turned to the boys. "As for you two, you
are to head upstairs to the observation deck. He will see you now."
Before Ryan and Matthew could ask any questions, he was back to
directing traffic to those still in line.