Pokemon: Trainer’s Log In A Chaotic World

Austin made it to the central district then took off towards the city hall. The trainers district and central district were far from each other.

Once Austin arrived he saw many people in front of the city hall and many children registering. He went to register his name like the rest. This was like the army back on earth. people register their name and even if they don't want to, if chosen they must report for duty.

There are long slow moving lines leading up to many booths were city officials sit. One by one the officials call forth each family in line and check them off against their computer.

Austin waited for about an hour until his turn came.

"State your name, age, district?"asked the official.

"Austin Catcher, 14 years old, I'm from district nine." Austin responds.

The official finally looks up to at Austin. "Second to last time on the chopping block huh?" he asks. He then types some keys on the computer. "I hope the odds are in your favor today. Head in to the inner courtyard and wait for the selection to begin. Next!"

Austin was shocked by his reply. It appeared that children are conscripted from ages 11-15. After 15 you won't have to go through this procedure. Austin proceeded toward the inner courtyard.

In front of the entrance is a wooden stage that was erected for today's event. On the stage is a computer with a very large monitor attached. That computer is the device that will decided the future of some of the kids standing in the courtyard. The doors to the Hall remain closed. Soon those doors will open and the city-state's governor and Pokemon Gym Leader will walk through and begin the selection process.

Finally, the doors of the Hall opened. From inside came the two most recognized figures in Asadia. On the left walks Governor Jonis Brecher, the grey-haired ruler of the city state. On the right walks Alex Muliere, the scarred Gym Leader and most feared man in Asadia. Behind them walk six others, all wearing the arm badges which signify them being Pokemon Trainers. They all stepped on the stage and arrange themselves with Governor Brecher and Leader Muliere on the front and the trainers spread out behind them.

The governor raises her hands and immediately both courtyards outside City Hall descend to silence. "Welcome children to this year's Selection Day," she says. "For those of you who are here for the first time let me introduce myself. I am Jonis Brecher, governor of our fair city state of Asidia. I would also like to introduce Alex Muliere, Gym Leader of the Asidia Gym and official representative of our region's Pokemon League."

There were some scattered applause from the crowd. The governor looks around at they assembled faces while the gym leader just stands with crossed arms. "You all know why you are here today. Today is the day that this year's batch of potential Pokemon trainers are selected from our population. Those chosen few will then be taken to the trainer district where they will be given a week to prepare for the Ordeal which determines if they become official Pokemon trainers. Those who pass their Ordeal will then move on to accepts the missions which are the lifeblood of our society."

The governor looks down for a moment then looks back out to the crowd. "I know that none of you have any d.e.s.i.r.e to be here today. Most, if not all of you have heard terrifying stories about the lives of Pokemon trainers. Well, let me just tell all of you right now. Everything you have heard about Pokemon and trainers is true."

She stood quietly for a moment while that statement set in. "There is a reason that almost no child wishes to become a trainer. Pokemon are vicious monsters that would tear apart and devour each one of you if given the chance. If not for the wall that surrounds our city state, we would live in constant fear of Pokemon and the chaos the could unleash upon us." She pauses for a moment.

"However, the wall itself is not the solution to the Pokemon threat. Outside the wall exists Pokemon powerful enough to tear through the wall without breaking stride. There are Pokemon capable of flight who can simply go over the wall. There are even Pokemon that can simply dig underground and go under the wall to enter Asidia. Pokemon trainers have always been the first and last line of defense that stand between us and the monsters outside these walls. That is why we are here today. Selection Day is a needed measure to ensure that we have enough firepower to deal with any Pokemon threat." She stops and stares at the silent crowd for a moment.

"Without Pokemon trainers civilization as we know it would end. Know that those of you who are chosen today will be sacrificing your futures to ensure the continuing survival of the human race. I thank each one of you for coming hear today. To those of you who are chosen today I would like to say this. Our hearts go out to you and your families. Do not let your sacrifice be in vain. Be the best trainers that you can be and help us keep the great city state of Asidia safe for your families and all our citizens. Thank you." This time there is no applause as the governor steps back behind the gym leader.

After a moment of silence, Gym Leader Muliere finally speaks to the crowd. "I would like to thank the governor for her words and hope that all those who are chosen today and in the future take heart to everything she said. Pokemon training is not a game. It is not a hobby or a sport we play for glory. We perform a necessary function for this and all city states in our region. Survival of the human race depends on us. Think on that when you hear you name being called today."

He turns and nods to one of the trainers behind him. The trainer moves to sit in front of the computer. "I'm not one to mince words. I am sure all of you are anxious get on with the selection, so let's get this show on the road."

"As most of you know, every year a different number of potential trainers are chosen from each city state. This number is agreed upon by the Pokemon League and the governors according to perceived need. It has been decided that this year Asidia will choose four among you to become potential Pokemon trainers," he said.

The crowd of civilians begin muttering to themselves after this announcement. Some of the prospective trainers became more worried while others became less so. Four would be chosen this year. Four names will be chosen at random to by the computer. Not a bad number, some years over a dozen names were called out on Selection Day.

Leader Muliere raised a hand to silence the crowd. "As all of you know, each year before the random names are chosen, we ask if there are any you who volunteer to be counted among today's chosen few. Any volunteers will be counted towards the four determined chosen and will mean less will be chosen by the computer." He stopped speaking and stared out into the crowd. "So, if any of you wish to volunteer to serve your city state and region by becoming a Pokemon trainer, now would be the time to speak up."

Utter silence. Not surprising really. It's a rare occurrence for anyone to volunteer on this day. Just as the Leader was about to move on a voice called out.

"I volunteer!"

Many in the crowd gasped and looked for the source of the voice. A figure moved towards the stage. "I volunteer!" he said again.

Austin who was organizing his thoughts looked at the fellow who volunteered. The boy seemed thin and malnourished he probably has no one or his family are too poor. This is probably his best chance to change his situation. Either he died of hunger or dies from Pokemon.

Austin then heard the gym leader say, "This year we are honored to have a volunteer. Allow me to introduce Hugo Rawls." There was some applause directed at Hugo. Some of the other prospects looked happy that he volunteered.

After the applause the gym leader began to look for other volunteers. He didn't find anyone else who want to volunteer. As he was about to say something, he heard, " I volunteer!"

Austin walked swiftly towards the gym leader who had a smile on his face. He then looked at the crowd and announced, "I am happy to say that we got our second volunteer Austin Catcher." People were happy that there will only be 2 spots left but the gym leader added. "Do to having 2 volunteers I shall pick 3 more people.

This caused the thousands of children to panic a bit. After choosing the remaining children, The Chosen were gathered in front of everyone and there names were called.

The governor moves forward to stand next to the Gym Leader. "We present to you this year's chosen. Hugo Rawls, Austin Catcher, Phillip Zacker, Ginnette Beckwitt, and Jacob Singleton!" she says before turning to the five Chosen. "From this day forward your civilian lives are over. Become strong trainers and make our city state proud." She moved away from the Chosen and began to clap. Slowly, the crowd in front of us started to clap as well. Judging from the looks and most the faces, the crowd were not clapping for the chosen. They were clapping in relief of them not being chosen.

Austin was staring at Jacob who bravely switched with his younger brother. The Chosen were then led by a trainer to the Pokemon center in the trainer's district.