Into the Unown

Welcome to Sinnoh

After a long boat ride, they finally reached the Sinnoh region.

"Why is it so cold here?" Ash stuttered through his chattering teeth.

"I told you you needed to bring warm clothes. Where's that "I'll tough it out" attitude?" Professor Oak added. To add insult to injury he was doing some stupid muscle man poses while saying it too.

"Yeah yeah, I should have listened. Do you have a jacket I could use?"

"Yeah... hold on."

Professor Oak dug through his duffel bag and pulled out a sky-blue jacket.

"Here. I knew you'd need one. Sinnoh is the most northernmost region here, and it's autumn. A very cold combination."

"Thanks, professor. Now where do we go from here?"

"A friend of mine should be coming to pick us up in a few minutes. Wanna grab some coffee?"

"Do I?"

After getting some coffee at a nearby Sawsbucks they waited outside the docks.

"Ah, here he is."

Ash turned to where the professor was gesturing. At first, he didn't see anything but piles of autumn leaves on the road. Then he heard the sound of screeching tires. Then out of the autumn day came a maroon convertible, blending in with the red-brown leaves. In the driver's seat sits a man with a coat so white it seems to be made of snow, with a few black highlights on his collar, sleeves, and the tips of his pocket.

"Sorry I'm late," the driver says. "Some ruckus out on the road. Need a ride?"

"Woah... nice car," Ash said.

"Thanks for the compliment kid. She's brand new, so try not to scratch her."

"Her?" Ash asks

"Most vehicles are "her" by default." It's a vehicle thing.

"Whatever you say," Ash replied, shrugging.

"Alright let's get going Ash," Professor Oak says.

"Hey professor," the driver says to Prof. Oak. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"

"Oh I'm sorry," the professor says, scratching his head. "Ash this is Carl Black, or Dr. Black. He's the expert on archeology on campus and is the leader of a dig site here. He'll be your history teacher."

He tipped his hat towards Ash.

"Carl, this is Ash, I told you about him on the phone. He's a promising assistant of mine,"

"Hello Dr. Black," Ash gestured to his companion. "This my partner Pokemon, Pikachu."

"Pika!"

"Nice to meet you too," Dr. Black looked at his watch. "Oh dear, we should get going. Come on,"

They all bundled into the car and got a move on. Now that he had a chance, Ash took a look around him. This was his first time in Sinnoh, so there was plenty to look at, and even more in Veilstone City. The place felt alive, and full of possibilities.

Autumn leaves fell like rain in slow motion, painting the city in beautiful shades of orange, red, and purple. Zizagoon and Linoone raced through tree branches playing tag in the foliage. Underneath them children ran through piles of raked autumn leaves, laughing and giggling and leaving bursts of color in the air. A dragging sound followed as a frustrated cleaner tidied the mess. A woman and her Gardevoir stopped for a moment and watched them pass by.

"Pretty region huh?" Dr. Black asked as they zoomed by. "Just wait 'till you see the actual academy."

"I can't wait, sir."