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It was the final day of the Starlight City competition.

Jacob found himself facing Parker in what would be the championship match. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with spectators filling every seat to witness the culmination of weeks of intense battles.

Parker’s team consisted of three Pokémon: Forretress, Scizor, and Beedrill. All three shared a critical weakness that Jacob was keenly aware of – they were all vulnerable to Fire-type moves. What made this matchup even more favorable for Jacob was that both Forretress and Scizor, being Bug/Steel dual-types, possessed a devastating quadruple weakness to fire attacks.

In terms of type matchups, Jacob held a significant strategic advantage over his opponent. Beyond the favorable typing, Jacob’s Pokémon also demonstrated superior raw power compared to Parker’s team. The day’s weather conditions further tilted the scales in Jacob’s favor – the bright, sunny conditions would boost the effectiveness of his Fire-type moves through the natural Sunny Day effect.

Given these overwhelming advantages, the outcome seemed predetermined to most observers. Approximately ninety percent of the audience confidently predicted that Jacob would claim victory with a decisive 2-0 sweep. The remaining ten percent, perhaps showing slightly more caution, expected Jacob to win with a 2-1 score. Remarkably, not a single spectator seriously considered the possibility of Jacob losing the match.

When the battle commenced, the final result unfolded exactly as the crowd had anticipated. Jacob’s Charizard emerged from its Poké Ball with commanding presence, its flames burning brighter under the intense sunlight. The powerful Fire/Flying-type Pokémon demonstrated absolute dominance from the moment it entered the battlefield. With devastating efficiency, Charizard systematically defeated two of Parker’s Pokémon, securing Jacob’s victory and the High School Cup Starlight City Championship title.

Parker accepted his defeat with remarkable grace and sportsmanship. Despite losing in the finals, he expressed genuine satisfaction with achieving second place, fully understanding the significant gap in strength between himself and Jacob. The disparity in their abilities had been evident throughout the tournament, and Parker had exceeded his own expectations by reaching the championship match.

With the Starlight City competition concluded, participants now faced a month-long break before the next phase of competition. This extended intermission existed because Starlight City had hosted the smallest number of participants, allowing them to complete all preliminary rounds in just one week. In contrast, major metropolitan areas like Embermere often required a month and a half to finish their preliminary competitions, giving Starlight City participants valuable time to rest and continue their training.

During this extended break period, the Starlight City Pokémon Association’s governing body remained far from idle. Determined to achieve superior results in the upcoming regional competition, they organized a specialized intensive training camp exclusively for the top four contestants from this year’s tournament. This wasn’t merely a reward for their performance – it was a calculated investment in their city’s competitive future.

The training camp location had been carefully selected: the uninhabited western mountainous region of Frosthollow Province, specifically within the Sundawn Plateau Wilderness Area. This region held the distinction of being the most dangerous and challenging environment in the entire province, known for its unforgiving conditions and formidable wild Pokémon populations.

The Sundawn Plateau Wilderness Area served as an officially designated protected zone where hunting was strictly prohibited. It also claimed the title of the largest Wilderness Area in Frosthollow Province, spanning an enormous territory with incredibly diverse and complex terrain. Mountain ranges, deep valleys, rushing rivers, and dense forests created a landscape that challenged even experienced trainers.

Due to its high-altitude location, the Sundawn Plateau Wilderness Area suffered from thin oxygen levels that made breathing difficult for humans unaccustomed to such conditions. This harsh environment was rarely visited by people, creating an isolated ecosystem where Pokémon developed exceptional physical qualities. The wild Pokémon residing in this area typically possessed larger body sizes, superior endurance, and significantly higher aptitudes compared to their counterparts in more populated regions.

The isolation and unique environmental conditions had also given rise to several rare Pokémon species that could only be found in this specific location. These included the Ground/Poison-type Clodsire, as well as the regional variants of Tauros – the Fighting-type Combat Breed, the Fighting/Water-type Aqua Breed, and the Fighting/Fire-type Blaze Breed. Each of these species had adapted to the harsh plateau conditions over countless generations.

Beyond these unique species, the Sundawn Plateau Wilderness Area served as home to a substantial population of rare and powerful Pokémon. These creatures were not only scarce in number but also demonstrated exceptional strength and heightened aggression levels, making encounters with them extremely dangerous for unprepared trainers.

The Wilderness Area’s ecosystem supported numerous Overlord Class Pokémon – individuals whose strength exceeded that of typical wild Pokémon of their species. Additionally, Gym Leader Level Pokémon could be found throughout the region, and occasionally, even King-level Pokémon had been spotted by patrol teams and researchers.

The presence of such rare and powerful Pokémon naturally attracted the attention of illegal poachers seeking to capture and sell these valuable creatures on the black market. To protect the Wilderness Area’s delicate ecosystem and its inhabitants, the Pokémon Association established the Wilderness Area Patrol Team, an elite security force responsible for maintaining order and preventing illegal activities.

The Patrol Team’s leadership consisted of two Heavenly King-level Trainers who served as captain and vice-captain respectively. These exceptionally skilled trainers maintained permanent residence in the area, providing round-the-clock protection and ensuring that the Wilderness Area remained safe for both its Pokémon inhabitants and authorized visitors.

Due to the harsh geographical conditions and remote location, the most efficient method of reaching the Sundawn Plateau Wilderness Area required traveling by Flying-type Pokémon. Traditional ground transportation was not only impractical but often impossible given the terrain’s challenges.

After enduring four hours of continuous flight through mountain passes and over rugged terrain, Jacob and his three fellow competitors finally arrived at Sundawn County, the administrative region that encompassed the Sundawn Plateau Wilderness Area. The journey had been exhausting, with thin air and changing weather conditions making the flight particularly challenging for both riders and their Flying-type Pokémon.

Sundawn County presented a landscape characterized by rolling mountains, intersecting rivers, towering peaks, and steep slopes. The complex terrain consisted primarily of mountainous regions, scattered hills, and small flat basins nestled between the elevated areas. This geographical diversity created microclimates and habitats that supported an incredible variety of Pokémon species.

The county’s main settlement was a small town nestled among the mountains, with a sparse population that reflected the region’s isolation. Despite its remote location and limited inhabitants, the area possessed exceptionally rich mineral resources, earning it recognition as Frosthollow Province’s “Mineral Museum.” The abundance of precious stones and rare minerals had attracted the Rock/Fairy-type Pokémon Carbink, which had become the region’s iconic species.

Upon entering Sundawn County, Jacob and his companions took a brief rest to recover from their long flight and allow their Flying-type Pokémon to regain their strength. After this short respite, they continued their journey, riding their Pokémon along winding mountain paths and following river valleys for nearly another hour before finally reaching Green Mountain Town, the closest settlement to the Sundawn Plateau Wilderness Area.

Green Mountain Town’s first impression was one of desolation and decay. The buildings showed signs of neglect and age, indicating that the town’s economic conditions and infrastructure development lagged far behind more prosperous areas. The overall atmosphere suggested a community struggling with limited resources and declining population.

The scorching afternoon sun beat down mercilessly, creating sweltering conditions that drove most residents indoors. The streets lay nearly empty, with only a few elderly residents and children gathering in the town square, seeking whatever shade they could find under the limited tree cover and building overhangs.

Green Mountain Town’s economic challenges were evident in its demographics. Most young adults had left to seek employment opportunities in larger cities, leaving behind a population consisting primarily of local miners who worked the surrounding mineral deposits, elderly residents, and children whose parents had migrated for work. This demographic shift had created a community where traditional family structures were strained and economic opportunities remained limited.

When Jacob and his three companions, led by Rory, arrived at Green Mountain Square, they immediately noticed a dark-complexioned man wearing the distinctive uniform of the Patrol Team. He stood with military bearing, his posture ramrod straight and his expression resolute. His weathered face bore the marks of years spent in harsh outdoor conditions, but his eyes remained bright and alert. Despite the distance, he spotted Jacob’s group approaching and quickly identified them.

“Brother Rory!” the dark-skinned man called out with obvious recognition and respect.

“Captain!” Rory responded with a warm smile, clearly pleased to see his old acquaintance.

“Brother Rory, please just call me Beckett. It’s great to see you here,” Beckett said as he quickly approached to greet Rory properly.

The reunion revealed a history between the two men. In his younger years, Rory had been temporarily assigned to the Patrol Team for two years, along with his colleague. It was during this assignment that Rory had encountered and captured a Larvesta, a rare Bug/Fire-type Pokémon that had become instrumental in his rise to prominence as a trainer. Similarly, his colleague had significantly improved his abilities after successfully capturing a Zoroark during that same period.

When Beckett had joined the Patrol Team, Rory had already been transferred back to Starlight City to assume his current responsibilities. Only his colleague remained with the Patrol Team at that time. Despite never working together directly, Beckett had heard numerous stories about Rory from his colleague, who spoke highly of his former colleague’s skills and character. Additionally, Rory made a point of visiting the Patrol Team every two or three years, maintaining his connections and gradually building a friendship with Beckett.

“This year, Starlight City has set ambitious goals for achieving strong results in the regional competition,” Rory explained to Beckett. “I’ve been searching for an appropriate location to conduct intensive training, and I immediately thought of your facilities here. I’m entrusting these four to your care. I have other urgent matters to attend to, so I’ll need to leave shortly.”

Rory provided Beckett with detailed instructions regarding the training program’s objectives and expectations before preparing to depart for his next appointment.

“Brother Rory, please stay for a meal before you leave. I insist on treating you to a drink,” Beckett said enthusiastically, attempting to convince Rory to extend his visit.

“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t stay,” Rory replied, shaking his head apologetically. He lowered his voice and continued, “I have other commitments, including a visit to see the old captain later today. I promise that when I return to collect these four, I’ll treat everyone in the Patrol Team to drinks.”

Upon hearing that Rory intended to visit the former captain, Beckett understood the importance of this commitment and stopped trying to persuade him to stay. He nodded respectfully and said, “Alright, Brother Rory, you can leave them with complete confidence. I’ll take good care of them. But it’s agreed – when you return, you must join us for drinks. One drink per person.”

“Absolutely! That’s a promise,” Rory confirmed with a smile.

Once Rory had departed, Beckett’s attention turned to the four young competitors who remained. His demeanor shifted from the friendly casualness he had shown with Rory to a more formal, authoritative bearing that reflected his role as their temporary commanding officer.

“Welcome, everyone. I am Beckett, captain of the Sundawn Plateau Wilderness Area’s Patrol Team Third Squad. I will now escort you to our base camp. You have exactly one hour to eat and gather essential supplies before we begin the journey.”

Beckett continued with specific directions: “Go straight from here and turn right to find the only supermarket in the entire town. That’s your only option for purchasing supplies.”

“As for food, there are very few restaurants on these streets. Turn right from here, then make left turns at two consecutive intersections. You’ll find a decent restaurant there, and the prices are reasonable. Move quickly – I’ll only wait for you for one hour.”

Having delivered these instructions, Beckett left them to their preparations, leaving Jacob and his three companions to navigate the town on their own.

“Let’s get some food first,” Jacob suggested. After several hours of continuous flight on their Pokémon, all four were feeling the effects of hunger and fatigue, so they decided to head together to the restaurant Beckett had recommended.

The establishment they found could generously be called a restaurant, though it more closely resembled a roadside diner with modest facilities. The hygiene conditions weren’t impressive, but given their location in Green Mountain Town, they understood that their options were limited. When traveling to remote areas, adaptability was essential.

Despite the humble environment, the food at the small diner proved surprisingly good. The local cuisine was hearty and flavorful, providing the energy they needed for the challenges ahead. After eating quickly but thoroughly, the four companions made their way to the supermarket Beckett had mentioned to purchase necessary supplies for their wilderness training.

When they returned to the square, their timing was perfect – they had used their hour efficiently without keeping their instructor waiting.

“Let’s go. Gather your belongings and prepare for a mountain hike. The most important rule when joining the Patrol Team is to follow orders without question. If any of you cannot commit to this requirement, you can leave immediately. Does anyone want to leave?”

The four remained silent, each contemplating the challenge ahead. Jacob studied Beckett’s expression, sensing that this immediate test was designed to establish authority and set the tone for their training. The captain’s stern demeanor and direct approach suggested that the coming weeks would test not only their Pokémon training skills but also their ability to endure harsh conditions and follow military-style discipline.

“Very good,” Beckett said, his face showing satisfaction with their commitment. “Take your belongings and prepare to hike up the mountain. No Pokémon are allowed to be used during this ascent.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep