Feng Che peered through the thick glass window of the transport jet. The sky was teeming with Wingull, their loud, rhythmic squawks echoing even through the fuselage. Below, the dark dorsal fins of Sharpedo sliced through the waves in a restless patrol.
The first person to jump would face the highest risk. They would be the primary target for the territorial Wingull, risk falling into a concentrated pack of Sharpedo, and—perhaps most dangerously—reveal their landing zone to every other candidate on the plane.
Suddenly, a violent squall swept across the sea. The Wingull flock was tossed into disarray, their cries turning into sharp shrieks of panic. Many lost their bearings in the gale, struggling fruitlessly against the wind. Some managed to stabilize, while others plummeted into the ocean, sending up white plumes of spray only to be instantly dragged under by waiting Sharpedo.
The sea was tinged with streaks of fresh crimson.
"Now!"
Feng Che shoved past the hesitating crowd, reached the open hatch, and leaped into the void. He spread his limbs into a "star" shape to stabilize his fall. He felt the sheer force of the wind pushing him toward the sandy shores of Death Island.
Alice and Jiade Tianchen followed his lead immediately. They mimicked his posture, using the momentum of the squall to propel themselves toward the solid ground of the island.
"That kid Feng Che is as sharp as they come. Remarkable observation skills, seizing that exact window," Instructor Viper remarked from the hatch.
In the skies above Death Island, Wingull were a constant menace; they were notorious for pecking holes in parachutes. Countless Rocket recruits had met their end falling into the jaws of Sharpedo for that very reason.
Seeing Feng Che jump, several other recruits panicked and followed. They deployed their parachutes almost immediately, hoping for a steady descent. It was a fatal mistake. The blue-and-white streaks of Wingull descended upon them, shredding the orange silk into ribbons. Screams cut through the air as they plunged into the water.
The "Dead Sea" lived up to its name. Large clouds of blood billowed in the water, attracting even more Sharpedo to the frenzy.
Feng Che waited until he was dangerously close to the beach before pulling his cord. This was late—very late. Under the force of gravity and acceleration, he was on a collision course with the sand at a bone-breaking speed.
"Ditto, Arbok form! Use Iron Tail on the ground!"
Feng Che released his partner mid-air. The Ditto shifted instantly. Just before impact, the Arbok slammed its metallic-silver tail into the sand. The counterforce acted like a sudden brake; Feng Che skidded across the beach for several meters before finally tumbling to a halt.
Safe.
He stood up and brushed the sand off his uniform, looking back at the "rain" of recruits still falling from the sky.
"This first hurdle alone is going to wipe out half the batch," he muttered, watching the reddening surf.
He scanned the shoreline but couldn't see Alice or Tianchen. The wind had likely carried his allies to a different part of the island. I'll have to track them down later, he decided.
He took a moment to observe his surroundings. Despite its name, the island was biologically rich. Massive groves of coconut trees lined the shore. The sand was a fine, natural white, and the water was crystal clear. If Team Rocket turned this into a resort, they'd make a fortune.
He noticed several mature coconuts that had fallen into the surf, some already beginning to sprout roots. Coconuts were fascinating—nature had designed them to survive the salinity of the sea and colonize new shores.
Nearby, a group of large Coconut Crabs (regular animals, not Pokémon) scuttled up the trunks. In this world, regular flora and fauna coexisted with Pokémon. The crabs were busy harvesting fruit, their powerful pincers easily crushing the tough husks.
"It's my lucky day."
Feng Che waded into the shallow water to retrieve several mature coconuts. While he had rations, he knew they wouldn't last a month. Coconut water was a great resource, though he knew drinking too much could cause diarrhea due to its osmotic effect—a dangerous condition in the wild if one didn't know how to treat it.
He saw hermit crabs poking their heads out of shells and small shrimp foraging in the tide pools. It was low tide. The Coconut Crabs seemed to be the dominant force here, as no other Pokémon were immediately visible.
"Let's move, Ditto."
The Coconut Crabs were beginning to click their claws menacingly as they crawled toward him. Feng Che gathered as many coconuts as he could carry—precious freshwater that just needed a little heating to be safe.
He had Ditto shift into Golbat form, using its ultrasonic waves to scout for hidden dangers in the dense treeline. He needed to find a permanent source of fresh water and, more importantly, a base.
I need a place that's hidden and defensible, he thought, recalling how players used the move 'Secret Power' to create bases in the games.
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