The next day.
Under the guidance of one of the university team professors, Ethan Black and the other four arrived at the entrance of the Secret Kingdom.
"I'd heard that our university had a Resource Kingdom, but I didn't expect it to be in a place like this!" exclaimed Marcus Foster, staring at the entrance to the Secret Kingdom in amazement. He thought this kind of place would be inside the campus, not here.
"Resource Kingdom? What's that?" asked Jasper Reid, curious.
Seeing his doubt, Lucas Silver quickly explained what it was. Although he was the heir to Devon Corporation, which mainly dealt in trainer items, his family didn't have its own Resource Kingdom. So technically, this was his first time entering one.
Jasper Reid quickly understood the importance of the place. Upon learning that the concentration of energy in the Secret Kingdom was much higher than outside—making training twice as effective—his eyes began to shine.
"Behind this is the Resource Kingdom. It's also the first benefit of joining the university team," said the professor in charge, John Thompson, with a smile, and he was the first to enter. The others followed him.
Suddenly, a dense white mist spread, completely obscuring everyone's view. When the fog cleared, a vast green meadow appeared before their eyes, with mountains barely visible in the distance.
"Welcome to the Resource Kingdom of Ironvale City Pokémon University."
At the entrance, seven young people in school uniforms waited, smiling enigmatically as they saw them arrive.
"The Second Team captain, Jason Brooks, and the vice-captain, Chloe Wells! The entire Second Team is here!" exclaimed Marcus Foster, surprised to see them. These seniors were legends from the previous year.
"Professor Thompson, thank you for bringing them. Now leave them in our hands," said Jason Brooks with a smile to the professor, who nodded and withdrew, leaving Ethan Black and the others in front of the veterans.
"See that mountain?" asked Jason Brooks. "That's the base of our university team. Come on, it's time to depart."
Jason Brooks looked at them with a mischievous smile.
"Depart? How are we supposed to get there?" asked Marcus Foster, looking at the distant mountain whose peak was barely visible.
"How to get there? Well... you'll have to figure that out yourselves!" laughed Jason Brooks, tossing his Poké Ball. A Charizard appeared, and he quickly mounted its back.
The other members of the Second Team also released their Pokémon: Pidgeot, Fearow, Tauros, Rapidash, Dodrio, and Arcanine. All of them were rideable Pokémon.
"Ah... so we have to ride Pokémon!" said Marcus Foster, relieved, and seeing the elegant Arcanine, he thought it would be great to ride it.
But just as he approached, all those rideable Pokémon dashed off at full speed and, in the blink of an eye, disappeared over the horizon, leaving the five completely perplexed.
"Eh...? They weren't planning to take us?" said Marcus Foster, mouth agape.
"Seems not. They want us to manage on our own," added Lucas Silver, visibly frustrated. It was clear that this was the first test imposed by the university team.
"And now what? My Magnezone doesn't look rideable!" complained Alex Baxter. Clearly, their "kind" senior was making things difficult from the start.
Ethan Black released his Sandslash and Cacturne, considering if he could ride the first. But seeing the red, sharp spikes on its back, he realized that was absolutely not feasible.
"My Metang can fly with me a bit, but not very far," said Lucas Silver, releasing his Pokémon with a sigh.
Marcus Foster let go of his Shelgon and leaned back on its back. Although uncomfortable, at least it could be ridden.
"Ah... if I had known this, I would've brought all my Pokémon," sighed Marcus Foster. As a member of a wealthy family, he usually had servants to care for his Pokémon and only carried the ones he was actively training.
In the end, all eyes turned to Jasper Reid. Among them, the only one with a Pokémon that could actually be used as a mount... was him, with his Onix.
A few minutes later, the five set off riding the massive Onix.
According to the Pokédex, Onix can burrow underground at about 80 km/h in search of food. But on the surface, its speed was much lower. And carrying five people on its back reduced it even further.
"Hahaha! At this rate, they'll arrive in a thousand years?" mocked Mark Carter of the Second Team, watching the five on a screen broadcast by a Pidgey equipped with a camera.
"This is their first lesson: being a Pokémon hunter isn't just about defense. You also need mobility!" explained Jason Brooks, satisfied. "The Pokémon might not be strong, but it must be fast and able to move with the trainer."
"Alright, enough laughing. At least they have an Onix! We had to walk all the way up," interjected vice-captain Chloe Wells, shooting a glance at the others who were still laughing.
"Hehe... tradition, tradition," replied Jason Brooks, somewhat embarrassed. He remembered that they had spent an entire day walking to the base. Just thinking about it hurt his feet.
"Well, get ready. The captain asked us to give them a proper welcome," said Jason Brooks with a smile, changing the subject.
Meanwhile, the five advanced slowly atop Onix, discussing the importance of having a good rideable Pokémon.
Both Marcus Foster and Lucas Silver, from influential families, knew how essential it was to have one. While a defensive Pokémon as a core was vital, one for mobility was equally indispensable!
(End of chapter)