Preston Kenway, King of Haiti, watched his youngest grandson get verbally executed by twelve extremely beautiful and extremely motivated young women.
He did so while eating popcorn.
He did so while eating popcorn.
Slowly.
Calmly.
Like a man enjoying a very expensive live theater performance.
Sinbad had barely managed to get three words out before being buried under complaints, accusations, and at least two threats involving physical conditioning. The girls were talking over each other, pointing at him, demanding explanations, and in Mireya's case, looking like she might actually drag him to the training grounds right then and there.
Preston took another handful of popcorn.
"Boy's got taste," he muttered with quiet pride. "And not even all of them are here. Blessed child."
He wasn't exaggerating. A royal with even one beauty among his Master Eight was considered lucky. Sinbad somehow managed to gather a full set of world-class girls from multiple nations and backgrounds, and they all stayed. No political marriages, no forced appointments. Just friends who chose to stand beside him.
The other kings were absolutely furious about it.
Preston chewed thoughtfully, then sighed.
As entertaining as this was, he still had a country to run. And if the message he'd received earlier was even half accurate, the political landscape of the entire Caribbean Alliance was about to change.
Starters.
Real ones.
If that was true, every major power on the planet would start paying very close attention to the Alliance. Maybe not immediately, but eventually. Starter programs were the backbone of national trainer systems. They were symbols of stability, research power, and long-term strategic growth.
If Sinbad had really managed to pull this off, then today wasn't just a family matter.
It was a geopolitical event.
Preston tossed the last piece of popcorn into his mouth and stood.
"Bobobo," he called, brushing his hands off. "Mind showing an old man what kind of monsters my grandson just dropped on our heads?"
Professor Bobobo, who had been watching the chaos with the tired expression of a man who'd seen too much in his life, adjusted his glasses.
"You already know it's bad, don't you?" he said.
Preston smirked. "It's my grandson."
Bobobo sighed. "Fair point. Come on, then."
They moved away from the main floor, leaving Sinbad to his fate under the collective judgment of his knights. The deeper parts of the lab were quieter, colder, and filled with sealed cases, research terminals, and containment units.
Bobobo stopped at a console and tapped a few commands. A holographic display flickered to life, showing three Poké Ball scans and their corresponding data.
Three silhouettes rotated slowly above the interface.
A small shark.
A coiled, leaf-plated reptile.
And a stout, furnace-backed creature with glowing vents along its spine.
Preston's eyes sharpened instantly. "Why did it have to be new species!?" (What a headache...)
Bobobo expanded the initial profile, observing that the King was on the verge of losing his composure. He also noted his eyes twitching at Sinbad's detailed report on the three starters, delivered in a remarkably alluring female voice.
Ripple, the Apex Shark Pokémon, is a sleek, torpedo-shaped marine predator with a body structure closely resembling that of real-world mako sharks. Its skin is smooth and hydrodynamic, layered with microscopic scale-like plates that reduce drag while swimming. The deep blue coloration along its dorsal side gradually fades into a pale underbelly, a natural countershading pattern used by many oceanic hunters to remain hidden from both prey below and predators above. Unlike most fish Pokémon, Ripple's muscle fibers are unusually dense and elastic, allowing it to produce sudden bursts of speed that rival some Flying-types in short-distance acceleration.
Ripple is classified as a Water-type, though its physiology suggests an unusual internal energy regulation system. The species possesses a specialized organ near the base of its dorsal fin that stores concentrated Water-type energy. This organ acts as both a pressure stabilizer and a power core, allowing Ripple to release highly compressed jets of water during movement or combat. This trait is believed to be the biological origin of techniques like Bubble Beam and Aqua Jet. In individuals with the Sniper ability, the organ develops more densely, allowing for sharper, more precise energy discharge.
Specimens with the rare Tidal Dominion trait exhibit a more dramatic adaptation. When exposed to rain or high-moisture environments, the organ activates at full capacity, pushing Ripple's nervous system into a heightened reaction state. During this phase, its perception of time appears to sharpen, allowing it to strike with near-instant priority. Marine researchers often compare this behavior to predatory frenzies observed in real sharks, though in Ripple's case it is a controlled, instinctive combat state rather than uncontrolled aggression.
The Ripple line is considered one of the fastest aquatic evolutionary families recorded, comparable in battlefield role to species like Dragapult or other high-speed ambush predators. Rather than relying on heavy armor or elemental tricks, Ripple depends on velocity, precision, and striking power. Its skeletal structure is semi-cartilaginous, giving it both flexibility and shock absorption during high-speed collisions.
In the wild, Ripple are most commonly found in deep ocean environments, particularly around coral reef drop-offs, underwater trenches, and volcanic vents. These locations provide both abundant prey and strong water currents, which the species uses to train its speed. Juvenile Ripple are known to follow migrating schools of fish across vast distances, while more mature individuals claim large territories along reef edges.
Despite its fearsome reputation, Ripple is not naturally hostile toward humans. Most encounters occur when divers unknowingly enter its hunting path. When properly raised, Ripple can form strong bonds with its trainer, often circling them protectively in open water. Trainers who specialize in marine combat or rain-based strategies value the species for its exceptional speed and precision striking.
Battle Qualification: A
Natural Habitat: Deep ocean regions, coral reefs, trenches, and volcanic seabeds
Abilities: Torrent, Sniper
Hidden Ability: Tidal Dominion, granting priority to moves during rain conditions.
He leaned closer to the data screen, as if distance alone might be the problem.
"…That's not a typo?" he asked quietly.
he Professor didn't answer right away. He just let the screen sit there, the Water starter's battle qualification glowing near the very top of the scale. The number wasn't flickering. It wasn't glitched. It simply existed, stubborn and undeniable.
Preston exhaled through his nose.
Starter Pokémon were already considered essential assets. Every serious trainer wanted one. They were stable, adaptable, and designed by nature to grow alongside humans. But even among starters, but there are levels. For example Chikorita (and its evolution, Meganium) is widely considered the weakest starter Pokémon in the entire series due to its poor performance against Johto's early gyms and limited offensive movepool.
That being said, being the weakest among starters is like saying a tornado is weaker than a hurricane. True, but it will easily kill you all the same. (Author's Note: I am trying to make the comparison more vivid and impactful. The original phrasing felt a bit clunky, so I've reworded it to flow better and emphasize the danger.)
"Show me the one." Preston demanded, also wondering why he was keeping tabs on his grandson. Soo-Min seemed to be having her turn now, and it reminded him of his late Korean wife.
"Next is the Grass Starter Sprigwyrm." The duo looked at the profile, which also reminded them to check on Sinbad's Pokémon research, the extent of these findings felt far too much for someone so young.
Sprigwyrm, the Verdant Dragon Pokémon, possesses a long, serpentine body covered in overlapping leaf-like plates rather than traditional scales. Each plate is structured like a thick, wax-coated leaf, with visible vein patterns running across the surface. These veins are not purely decorative. They act as nutrient channels, carrying stored solar energy throughout the body. The coloration shifts from deep forest green along the spine to a softer, lighter green along the underbelly, creating a natural camouflage effect when resting among dense foliage or coiled around tree branches.
Battle Qualification: A
Natural Habitat: Dense forests, jungle canopies, ancient groves, and overgrown ruins
Abilities: Overgrow, Thick Fat
Hidden Ability: Leafguard Crest, preventing stat reductions while Grassy Terrain is active.
Preston was again impressed by Sinbad's choices and how did he managed to find these species.
He didn't dwell on it.
"Last one," he said.
Bobobo nodded and switched the display.
The final Pokémon appeared, rotating slowly. Thick-bodied. Furnace-backed. Vents along its spine pulsing with a dull, steady glow. It looked half-asleep, like it had just woken up and already decided it was done with the day.
From the main lab, voices carried faintly through the walls.
Sinbad, still alive.
Barely.
This time it sounded like Mireya had taken over, her tone lower, more controlled, which somehow made it worse.
Emberback, the Volcanic Armadillo Pokémon is a compact, heavily built organism with a body structure resembling a cross between a armadillo and a low-stance anteater.
The furnace-backed Pokémon is a compact, heavily built organism with a body structure resembling a cross between a boar and a low-stance reptile. Its thick hide is layered with heat-resistant plates, dark and rough to the touch, with natural seams running along its sides where internal heat is vented. Along its spine sit a series of furnace-like chambers, each one glowing faintly with internal combustion.
Despite its sluggish appearance, this Pokémon houses an extremely active metabolic system. It consumes mineral-rich materials such as coal, volcanic rock, and even processed metals, breaking them down within a specialized internal furnace organ. This organ converts raw material into thermal energy, which is then circulated throughout the body as both fuel and weaponized output.
Despite its intimidating power, this Pokémon is notably docile. Its low-energy demeanor is not laziness but efficiency. It avoids unnecessary movement, conserving fuel for when it matters. When bonded with a trainer, it shows steady loyalty, often remaining close and acting as a living shield in dangerous situations.
Battle Qualification: S
Natural Habitat: Volcanic regions, geothermal zones, mineral-rich mountains
Abilities: Blaze, Solid Rock
Hidden Ability: Eruption Core, granting priority to Fire- and Ground-type moves.
Preston's eyes grew wide as the data finished compiling, the readings spiking so violently the screen itself flickered in protest. Without thinking, he released his aura outward, a pressure wave that rolled through the lab like an invisible tide. Papers rustled, instruments rattled, and the air itself felt heavier, charged with something ancient and impatient.
"Bobo."
"I know."
A beat passed.
"Bobo."
"I know."
Another beat, longer this time.
"Bobo."
"I KNOW, YOU'RE DOING THE VOICE THING AGAIN, STOP IT."
Before either of them could spiral further into that increasingly unhelpful loop, a thunderous explosion tore through the distance. The lab windows flashed white, then fractured into a kaleidoscope of colors as the sky itself ignited—reds, greens, and deep ocean blues bleeding into one another like reality had decided to repaint itself without permission.
The blast illuminated the entire compound, casting long, jagged shadows across the walls. Outside, alarms began to wail, overlapping in a chaotic chorus. The ground trembled just enough to remind everyone that this was not a visual anomaly. This was something arriving.
The doors to the lab burst open with theatrical violence as Sinbad kicked them inward, one hinge giving up on life entirely. He stood there, slightly hunched, breathing hard—absolutely covered in lipstick marks from collar to cheekbone, like he had just survived a very affectionate ambush.
"What is going on?!" Sinbad demanded, looking between Preston, Bobo, and the glowing screens like they personally owed him an explanation.
From behind him, one of the girls leaned against the doorframe, smirking, clearly responsible for at least half the damage to his dignity. The others lingered just out of sight, whispering and watching the chaos unfold like it was premium entertainment.
"Grandpa, what is going on?" the prince asked, stepping forward, his usual confidence faltering under the weight of the atmosphere.
Preston let out a strained, almost mechanical laugh, the kind that didn't belong in a sane situation. His eyes were still locked on the data, pupils reflecting shifting colors from the sky outside. "An… outer realm is about to appear."
"What the fuck," Bobo muttered, the words slipping out with surgical precision.
The king's head snapped toward him in pure shock. Bobo didn't curse. Not ever. That alone made the situation worse.
"According to my readings," Preston continued, forcing himself to stay composed, "there are three realms incoming. One aligned with water, one with grass… and one with fire."
The room went still.
Slowly, almost unanimously, every single person turned to look at the prince.
"I didn't do it…" he lied as he breathe, raising his hands defensively.
No one believed him.
Preston pinched the bridge of his nose, already feeling the incoming headache of explanations, politics, and very angry council members. Somewhere in the distance, another pulse of light cracked across the sky, and he knew, with absolute certainty, that today had officially gone beyond repair.