Chapter 6: Sinnoh

- Veilstone Airport Sinnoh

After hours of flight from Johto to Sinnoh, a plane landed smoothly on the runway. As the passengers disembarked, among them were a young man, seemingly no more than thirteen, with dark brown hair, a white shirt, black jacket and gray pants. Beside him was an elderly woman adorned with a brown scarf, a white coat with buttons, a black skirt, lengthy gray socks, and black shoes. A sizable hat and dark sunglasses, clearly meant to conceal her identity, topped her ensemble. They were, unmistakably, Tyson and Bertha, who had just arrived back in Sinnoh.

Observing the oversized hat and glasses, Tyson wondered which was more surprising: the success of her disguise or his grandmother's confidence in it. During their journey to Sinnoh, his grandmother was frequently recognized for her distinctive style. Yet, many chose to overlook them, either out of respect for her privacy or because they simply didn't spot her amidst the crowd. The Elite Four were among the most eccentric trainers in Sinnoh, second only to the Champion, and held status comparable to high-ranking league officials. As a result, many were drawn to them, while others often sought their counsel on nurturing specific Pokémon.

Upon arriving at the airport lobby, the pair was welcomed by an elderly man with short gray hair, adorned with a blue scarf, a green dress shirt, brown pants, and shoes. He was Tyson's grandfather, Shane Ryuuzaki, a retired adventurer. Bertha, spotting her husband, approached with a frown. "You old codger, you finally show your face," she said. Shane winced at her words, anticipating the scolding for his absence on an expedition during their family's crisis. Despite his retirement, he still occasionally joined his former team on journeys to places they had once explored, in search of new discoveries and experiences.

(Adventurers: Pokémon Trainers who typically avoid competing in League Conferences, choosing instead to explore the region extensively to discover concealed ruins and mines. They are often hired by major corporations and work in groups of four)

As Bertha continued to scold Shane, Tyson began to reflect: 'So this is my grandfather. He was the one who discovered Larvitar, and grandma was the one who nurtured it before passing it on to my parents. Though he may not be as skilled a trainer as grandma, he still led numerous expeditions with his team, uncovering historical ruins across Sinnoh, Johto, and Hoenn. The issue is, grandpa can't resist the pull of the next big discovery, hence the scolding is warranted.' Unfortunately, Bertha's frown was drawing the attention of passersby, prompting Tyson to intervene, "Grandma, Grandpa, we should probably head back before it gets too late; I'm pretty tired." Upon hearing her grandson, Bertha gave Shane one last stern look before agreeing with Tyson, "Alright then, kiddo, let's head home." Upon exiting the airport, the group reached a car arranged by Shane and commenced their journey back to the residence.

- Route 215 

As the group traveled, Tyson's gaze was drawn to the diverse trees and Pokémon along the route, pondering his extraordinary experiences since arriving in this world. "Reincarnation and transmigration seemed like a fantasy, and yet, here I am in a world I once thought was mere fiction," he thought. Holding Larvitar's Pokéball, he resolved to embrace his new reality. Meanwhile, Shane, observing Tyson's fascination with the scenery, explained that they were on one of the many routes established by the league to facilitate travel between Sinnoh's towns, which are segmented by Mt. Coronet into west, north, south, and east. The league and the Ranger's Association collaboratively maintain and oversee these vital pathways.

Tyson recalled that in the games and anime, the Pokemon League's structure was quite vague, with the Champion, Gym Leaders, and Elite Four being the primary authorities shown. Although the former Tyson was indifferent to the politics and history of this world, he was aware that the Pokemon League acted as the principal authority within a region and had multiple branches worldwide, the main one being in Kanto. These branches collaborate with various departments to oversee and administer each region. Presently, there are five branches across Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova. Tyson noted the absence of information on the branches in Kalos, Galar, Alola, and Paldea, resolving to study them in his spare time.

- Route 210

The group journeyed through the forests along route 215 and was now approaching the outskirts of Solaceon Town. Although their ultimate destination, Celestic Town, remained an hour's drive away, they opted to pause for lunch in Solaceon Town since it was just past noon, before proceeding with their travels.

The three stopped at a charmingly named restaurant called The Ancient Swine. Tyson found the name peculiar, yet the food was unexpectedly delicious, much to his grandparents' delight. Nearby, a trio of youths huddled together; the two younger ones appeared to be around fourteen, with the eldest nearing sixteen. "I can't believe we had to retreat," the boy in the green jacket muttered, his attire consisting of black trousers and shoes, with a small, gray-brown feathered Pokémon resting on his shoulder. The girl, dressed in a pink sweater, black skirt, leggings, and shoes to match, her brown hair complementing her hazel eyes, retorted with a hint of sarcasm, "So, who was it again that set off the Gligar ambush on the mountain?"

The young man scowled at her sarcastic words and retorted, "Well, excuse me, who asked you to steal their Razor Fangs, you greedy—" "Enough!" interrupted the third member, drawing the attention of the other customers. After a brief pause, he addressed them, "My apologies," then turned back to his companions. "At this point, it doesn't matter whose fault it is; the mountains will be in chaos because of you two. I've informed the local rangers to address the situation, but we will face a fine," he said, prompting the two younger members to hang their heads. Tyson glanced over and observed their leader, a man clad in a large gray coat, brown pants, and black shoes. His most striking feature was his hair, jet black with streaks of green.

As Tyson listened to their conversation, his curiosity piqued, and fortunately, his grandmother had the answer. "I'd wager they're a trainer team. Many new trainers band together with friends after graduating from Trainer School. They do this to tackle more challenging tasks for better compensation," Bertha explained. In truth, being a Pokemon Trainer is fraught with danger, carrying a standard fatality rate of forty percent. To enhance their chances of survival, trainers have recently started to form teams, which has significantly decreased the death rate. These teams create their own niches within society and undertake various jobs offered by the Pokemon League. This dynamic is just one facet of Trainer society.

After finishing their meal, the trio resumed their journey and reached Celestic Town in the late afternoon, between 4 and 5 pm. Tyson observed the town's serene atmosphere and the elderly residents walking with their Pokémon. Celestic Town was renowned for three main attractions: its Pokémon Lab, currently under the direction of Professor Carolina; the Celestic Ruins, a favored destination for tourists and researchers; and its guardian, a formidable pseudo-legendary Pokemon that lives in the nearby mountains with its family. The town's tranquility made it an ideal place for retirement, with few dangerous incidents. Looking around at his new surroundings, Tyson began to ponder what other adventures awaited him.

Pokémon Team:

Team Rank: 1

Larvitar

Gender: Male

Type: Rock/Ground

Abilities: Guts, Sand Veil [Undeveloped]

Held Item: None

Moves: Rock Throw, Bite, Payback, Leer, Scary Face, Dragon Dance [Inherited], Ancient Power [Inherited]