Pokemon: Thunder & Fire

Episode V: Combat Exercise

The day was gradually coming to a close, with the last golden rays of sunlight gently filtering through the windows, signaling the end of Kazuhito's lecture. The curriculum had commenced a little over a week ago. "And I'll end it here," announced Kazuhito, his voice resonating softly in the hushed room. Students began to stand, gathering their belongings in a leisurely manner. But before anyone could make their way to the door, Kazuhito's commanding voice brought them to a halt. "Hold it—I didn't say the day was over," he declared, his tone laced with a hint of playfulness. With a sense of reluctance, every student returned to their seat, their focus realigned.

"Anyways," continued Kazuhito, adopting a more formal and serious tone, "the day after tomorrow will mark the beginning of our combat exercise." With a flick of his hand, he activated a compact projector, which cast illuminating slides onto the wall. "This biannual event, set to commence this Friday," he elucidated, "involves you being placed in a designated combat zone. Your primary objective is to track and capture members of other classes using a Pokéball. Each successful capture will earn your class points." The slide transitioned to display a digital scoreboard. "The class with the highest points at the challenge's conclusion will be declared victorious and receive a VIP pass for the cafeteria." He paused, his eyes methodically scanning the room. "Any questions?"

"How does the scoring system function, and what are the specific rules?" inquired Astrea, her wing raised in curiosity. "An excellent question," Kazuhito responded. "Given that the number of students will be divided among four combat zones, approximately one-hundred-twenty-five students will be in each zone. Each capture will be worth two to four points. Do whatever it takes to secure victory, but remember, the sole rule in the combat zone: no killing."

"So, our primary objective is to accumulate as many points as possible," Enji remarked, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Well, that's something I can definitely do," he added, his tone brimming with eagerness for the thrill of battle. Akio, however, voiced his skepticism aloud, inadvertently drawing the attention of the entire room. "It can't be that straightforward..." he mused, also capturing Kazuhito's inquisitive gaze. "Would you care to elaborate?" prompted the teacher.

"Uh, sure," Akio began, slightly flustered. "Considering the capture mechanism involves Pokéballs, which can be miniaturized for easy carrying, handling numerous balls won't be an issue. However, since Pokéballs can't be stored within other Pokéballs, they'll likely be carried in a special bag. This bag, potentially containing a mechanism for storing an almost limitless quantity of Pokéballs, could be a target for theft, especially by a Pokémon who defeats its carrier..." Akio's rapid-fire explanation seemed to confuse many, prompting him to pause. "Too complex?" he asked, receiving several nods in response. "In simpler terms, stealing an opponent's bag is a viable strategy. This means direct combat isn't the only approach; all forms of battle tactics are on the table."

"You've got a very keen eye," the teacher complimented Akio, his gaze lingering on him thoughtfully. Kazuhito seemed to sense that there was more Akio wanted to express. "Indeed, those who may not excel in direct combat don't necessarily have to engage in battle to score points. While honorable, it's not a requirement. Especially in a real-life scenario, the key is to do whatever it takes to secure victory," Kazuhito explained, as he smoothly turned off the digital board. "Any final thoughts, Akio?" he inquired, turning his attention back to the attentive Jolteon.

"T-uhh... I guess wearing something with inner pockets might be advantageous?" Akio suggested, his shoulders lifting in a slight shrug. This prompted one of the students, a Flygon, to energetically stand up. "Hey, why don't we all, as a class, go for a shopping trip? We can find suitable attire for the upcoming combat exercise," she proposed enthusiastically. This idea was met with a wave of agreement from the classmates. Given that it was Wednesday and school concluded earlier, they all decided to convene at the center of the shopping mall around five o'clock for their planning and shopping excursion.