"Vel? It's time for dinner."
"Be there in a minute."
Vance frowned a little as he took in the sights of Vel's bedroom. It is a little better than a dump with the number of books strewn around. Vel likes to maintain her room in a neat and orderly fashion, she doesn't like her bedroom to be untidy.
Something is bothering her.
Their parents had noticed the change in her behaviour as well and they are equally worried. There is something that Vel is not telling them. Something that bothers her so much that she is acting so out of character for the past few days.
There was nothing much to do in ACE currently, so after ensuring that they have at least the minimum number of members needed to be on standby at their HQ, the rest of them were given offs and were allowed their continued rest until it was their turn to be on standby. Vance had swapped his offs with his colleagues after he had heard from his parents about Vel's change in behaviour. He had rushed straight home only to be greeted with this sight.
It is worrying all of them.
"Vel, take a break." Vance said as he gently shut the book that Vel is reading and making notes on a small notebook at the side. He silently noted that the book she was reading is about the world's history and politics.
Since when did Vel gain an interest in politics? And international politics no less?
Vel looked extremely annoyed at the interruption, but she knew better than to argue with him.
Vance led his sister out of her room and he took the chance to subtly glance around.
All of the books that were haphazardly strewn around in her bedroom were either about the world's history, trade, or politics. All of it are somehow related to international affairs, be it past or present. Vel had never shown an interest in these subjects before.
What changed?
"Dad, you and Mum deal with international trade frequently, right?"
Griff looked up from his plate in surprise. Since when did his baby girl gain an interest in international trade?
"We do. We have to, considering the nature of our family business. Why are you asking?"
"Just what kind of trade is Hoenn participating in? Like the list of items that our region trades with other region."
"Mainly items that deals with pokemon, or pokemons themselves. Why do you ask?"
"So, we don't participate in trading of goods such as agricultural produce? Like rice, meat, and the likes. I checked through the world's history on trade. No such stuffs were mentioned. Close to no trade was conducted between regions for anything that is not related to pokemon."
"Why would we need to trade these goods? All we need for trade is anything pokemon related. It's what the entire world is doing."
"Oh." Vel said with a look that is a mixture of incomprehension and disbelief. However, she didn't press on.
Vance saw their parents sharing a worried look from the corner of his eyes. Vel didn't seem to notice as she got herself lost in thoughts. She barely touched her food and is just stirring her soup absentmindedly with her spoon.
"You need to eat." Vance said as he gently held her hand and pulled her out of whatever she is thinking about. "I don't know what got you so worried, but you need to eat."
Vel just nodded out of habit. She is obviously still in her own world.
Vance sighed.
"Vel-"
"Shhh, Vance. Be quiet. I'm close to figuring it out." Vel said as she frowned and held out a hand to stop him from talking. She looks like she is thinking extremely hard about something.
Vance shared a look with his parents. His Dad just gave a shrug and his Mum just look very worried at Vel's behaviour.
"Vance, you went on a joint mission with Indigo's version of ACE before, right? It is where you caught Kratos and gave it to me. Just what kind of missions do you guys do with them?"
Vance blinked. Why the sudden question?
"Well, it is not anything top-secret, but I still can't divulge too much." Vance scratched his chin in thought as he tries to figure out what he can and cannot reveal. "But the joint mission is nothing more than a formality to keep the truce between Indigo and Hoenn, the mission itself is a joke. It is way easier than the mock missions that I had been on. It was a waste of time."
"So, there isn't like, say, an international task force that helps to keep the peace between regions?"
"No. Each region deals with their own problems. Why would we need an international task force?"
Vel turned to their Dad.
"Not even back in your time when you were in ACE, Dad?"
Griff shook his head. Why is Vel suddenly so interested in international affairs?
"Then what is the PWL for? It's like the PWL is doing nothing!"
"The PWL is merely a way for the individual leaders of each regions to meet each other once in a long while to maintain the truce between regions." Griff explained. "In reality, the organisation is really fragile. All it takes is for a single region to pull out of it and the whole organisation will crumble, Drake told me that when I was still in ACE. The PWL is formed out of formality to prevent inter-regional wars since the occurrence of such an event will bring about irreversible consequences. Unlike what most people believe, there is no real power behind the PWL other than giving out the title of Pokemon Master to individuals and to help the regions set certain rules regarding handling of pokemon that all of them agree with. Even so, the rules tend to change every now and then. It's just that not many knew about it since it wasn't publicised to keep the façade up. The PWL was founded from the mutual fear each region has for each other, so there aren't many things that the various regions will cooperate on in the first place. I'm surprised that the world's international trade progressed as far as it did with how the PWL works."
Vel groaned as she covered her face with her palms.
"I should have realised it. This is the problem. Everyone just deals with their own problems. NO WONDER things happen the way they did. NO ONE asked for help and NO ONE bothered to help. It is a miracle we lasted for more than 500 years."
"Vel? Are you alright?" Hanna asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, Mum. I just found the reason to the problems and I think I found the solution too." Vel grumbled as she shoved food into her mouth with vengeance. "Stupid politics and stupid leaders. Made me lose almost a week's worth of sleep over something as stupid as this. The freaking solution is just right there. Freaking dumb, idiotic, waste of space leaders. All they need to do is to TALK and COOPERATE."
The other three members of the Vera family shared a worried look. Vel never cursed out loud like that before. What is going on?
"I'm done." Vel said as she finished her meal in record time. She moved to collect the empty plates, but Vance put a hand on her arm and stopped her.
"Let me do the dishes, you go and catch some rest."
"I'm -"
"No, you are not ok. If you don't want to share what is bothering you, fine, but stop worrying us and go and sleep." Vance pointed to the dark rings around her eyes. "You are starting to have eyebags."
Vel unconsciously raise a hand towards her face. Vance knows that talking about her eyebags will get her attention. Like all girls, Vel is conscious of her looks.
"Just go and catch a break." Griff said as he petted Vel's head in concern. "You need it. And remember, we are always here to help."
Vel blinked owlishly.
"Uh… I'm fine. Really. I just found the solution, that's all."
"Solution to what?" Vance asked with a frown.
"Sorry, but believe it or not, it's some league-related stuff that I really can't tell anyone without permission. Even if it is you." Vel said apologetically.
"You got yourself involved in the league's affairs?" Griff said as his voice rose in disbelief. "Since when?"
"To be more accurate, they found me. I didn't want to have anything to do with it but I didn't have a choice. Thankfully, everything is alright now. Or at least it looks alright now."
"I could care less what the league wants with you, your well-being comes first." Hanna stated firmly as she hugged Vel close to her. "I like to see them try to deal with the Vera family. We are influential."
Vel snorted.
"We are only four people, Mum. We cannot fight against an entire government. But really, it's alright now. I may or may not need to start my journey prematurely though, if my solution proves to have some merit."
"Hanna, just let Vel rest." Griff placated his wife. "We can talk about this another day. If Vel is sure that it is no longer an issue, then it is no longer an issue."
"Yup." Vel said happily as she popped the 'p' sound. "In fact, I may be enjoying this and reaping some benefits for myself at the same time."
Vance looked at Vel warily.
"Why does it sound like you just scammed something out of someone? Or extort something out of someone?"
"Maybe because I am planning to do the very thing you just said?"
"Do we want to know?" Griff asked with an equal amount of apprehension.
"Nope!"
Vance walked out of the kitchen after he finished washing the dishes. He spotted his mother on the sofa and Vel sleeping with her head on their mother's lap. Vel had conked out the moment she so much as sat on the sofa. Their mother had adjusted Vel's position so that Vel's head is now resting on her lap. Their mother is now lovingly combing through Vel's long hair with her fingers, like what she used to do when Vel was younger, but Vel is a lot bigger now.
Vel is growing up so fast.
"I have never seen her so tired before, not since the time when she was constantly ridden with sickness."
Hanna nodded in agreement at Griff's words.
"Vel's room is full of books about international affairs. I checked when I called her down for dinner earlier." Vance added. "Be it about trade, history, or politics, each of the books was somehow linked to international affairs."
"She must have gotten herself involved in something big without us knowing."
Vel is still sleeping with a peaceful look on her face. She must be really tired if she fell asleep the moment she sat down.
Vance turned to Rena, who curled up comfortably and is lying on the floor next to the sofa. Fuzzy, Joy, and Kel are also lounging about in the living room. Dolly and Macky are probably somewhere in the house in a shadowy corner.
"Rena, are you allowed to tell us what is bothering her?"
'Mistress had forbidden any of us from telling anyone else on what she is doing in any way or form. Sorry, Vance, but my Mistress's orders are absolute.'
Vance sighed. Psychics and their pact with their trainers. Any orders their trainers give them is an absolute order to them, there's no way to talk them out of this mindset. It is the same with his gallade and metagross. This mentality is usually a good thing, but right now it is not helping them in finding out what is troubling Vel.
"It's fine, we understand."
'She was very worried for the three of you, that is all I can say. But like always, I think Mistress found a solution to the problems, if her earlier actions are any indication.'
"Well, that is good news." Griff commented. "But why was she worried for us? Just what made it a cause for concern for Vel to be worried for us?"
"And it is most likely something related to international affairs." Hanna added.
"Politics. I have a hunch this is about politics." Vance said as he clenched his fist. "I am going to have a talk with Wallace or Steven, maybe both. If anyone knows anything that is so top secret that even I am not allowed to know, it will be them."
"You do that. I will check on my end if there are any international affairs recently that requires attention." Griff said as he sat down beside his wife and daughter.
"Her words earlier got me thinking." Hanna continued as she carefully strokes Vel's sleeping face with a loving hand. "She said that we are only four people and we cannot fight against an entire government. I am taking a wild guess here, but is the government somehow involved as well? Not just the league?"
"If Vel is researching on politics and international affairs that is not related to pokemon, it is possible. The league doesn't really deal with the international crap beyond the stuffs the PWL usually handle, that is more of the government's job." Griff said as he narrowed his eyes in thought. "Our family has not been active in the political scene in decades. If what we suspect is true and those stupid government officials had gotten Vel involved one way or another, then maybe it is time for our family to remind those fools why we Veras are so influential even more than 500 years after Hoenn's founding. I am not letting them involve Vel in their little political games against her wishes. She had suffered enough. All she experienced since young are sufferings after sufferings and none of us can do anything for her. It is a miracle that her body got better shortly after she received Flamel. It was a miracle that she came back from Lilycove alive. She doesn't need the additional stress from their political games."
"Dad." Vance said with traces of awe in his voice. "Have I ever mentioned how cool you are?"
"You just did. Where else do you think you inherit your coolness from?"
"Uh… Mum?"
"…"
"He got you there, Griff."
"I didn't hear anything."
I only just realised how different this world is from my previous one after I had completely dug through the history of the pokemon world through every means I could. I was a human in my previous world and I am still a human in this current world. The people I interact with in this world are humans too, same as the people I had interacted in my past life.
But both groups of people being humans doesn't mean that they will operate by the same logic or have the same thinking. Both groups are humans, but they are very different when it comes to how they think and approach problems. When I tried to find out the reason behind it, it always boils down to one difference between this world and the previous one.
My previous world didn't have magical creatures known as pokemons roaming around.
The way of life of people here is very different from those of my previous world due to the presence of pokemons. I don't know how to properly explain it, but when I looked at the extent of how much humans here actually know about the world, I realised the humans here have no sense of globalisation despite their technological advancement. It is the best way I can describe it. I only just realised that this world is huge. Like really huge. However, the 'world' that we know of now only consists of seven known regions that probably takes up about a quarter of the planet's size at most using the estimates given by accomplished geologists. Eight if we include Orre. I had always assumed that these eight big landmasses made up the entire planet that we are living on. It seems that I was wrong.
Which means that there are probably many other regions out there that are unknown and undiscovered to the 'world' that I am currently a part of. For all we know, there are many other regions out there and they might have their own version of a PWL. Like us, they may not know of our existence just as we are unaware of theirs.
My own research has shown that it can be extremely hard to travel from one region to another, especially when it comes to finding an unknown one. Planes are hardly used here due to the presence of flying type pokemons. Unlike the animals from my previous world, there are many flying types in this world that can fly really high and unknowingly fly through the air routes set for planes. A collision between a plane and one such wild pokemon would prove to be disastrous for the plane, not the pokemon. The plane would go boom, not the pokemon since pokemons are creatures with supernatural powers. If a pokemon has the ability to fly high above the clouds where planes fly, then it will need more than a simple crash of a plane to take it down. Because of that, It is usually better to travel through the sea using ships since it is much safer although the travelling speed will be much slower. If you got yourself into a shipwreck, there is a higher chance to survive by trying to stay afloat in the ocean and hope that someone picks you up. If the plane you are riding on got destroyed in the air due to you running into feral wild flying types?
The chances of you surviving are probably close to zero.
No one had yet successfully devised a way to make flights a safe and viable travelling option for the public, even with the help from trained pokemons. This also means that the preferred travelling option for many is a journey through the sea and such journeys can take a very loooooonnnng time. I took a week to travel from Petalburg to Dewford and another from there to Slateport via ship and they are considered to be situated near to each other. If that doesn't show how big this world is, I don't know what will.
I can now see why people are hesitant to go beyond the known seven regions. It is just too troublesome to explore unchartered territories, especially with magical monsters lurking around in the middle of the ocean or flying in the vast skies. An accidental sneeze from a wailord can probably produce a huge enough wave to capsize your ship. Accidentally flying too close to a pack of dragonites or charizards can send your plane spiralling from how strong their wingbeats are. There is also no way to predict the flight patterns of wild flying types and avoid them since they tend to have no set migratory route unlike water types. Flying types just fly however they like and wherever they want to; it is a well-known characteristic of their typing.
This also explains why I saw ports and harbours in Lilycove and Slateport but I had never saw a single airport. I know there are a few small ones in Hoenn, but I had never seen them and I had never thought about visiting one.
In short, travelling around in the pokemon world is a hassle, which explains why the level of globalisation here is very limited as compared to my previous world. The level of technological progress just doesn't match up with their rate of globalisation since it is so hard to do so. The planet is just too huge and there are too many wild pokemons hiding in unseen areas in the wild. There are only a few known safe routes that people can travel from region to region through the sea. On top of that, the only people that actively travelled from one region to another are usually trainers or merchants that trade goods that have some relation to pokemon. Civilians rarely ventured out of their own region for their entire lives because they often don't have strong pokemons to help protect them on their travels and the travel distance is a little too long for their liking.
There is also a different way of thinking between the humans of both worlds. In this world, many people hold pokemons in high regard. This resulted in many international trades taking place with anything pokemon related.
There is a big 'however' in this issue, an issue that even geniuses and brilliant minds generations before I got myself reincarnated here had for some unexplainable reason, never realised.
No one seem to realise that we can also trade things that are not related to pokemons.
I should have realised this. Anything that I bought in Hoenn that is not related to pokemon are all made in Hoenn. I had never seen anything that isn't pokemon related that is made anywhere else. In my previous world, cars are mainly made in Japan and Europe. Most electronic products are made in China. Russia and the Middle East exports many oil products. European and Canadian exports are focused on machinery and transportation.
There's almost no such observable trend in the pokemon world.
Every region does everything themselves. From textile and apparels, to food, to electronics, and everything else under the sun not related to pokemon, every region did everything themselves without thinking of importing or exporting products since they can do it themselves. It kind of explains why people in Kanto and Johto uses the pokegear but people in Hoenn prefers using the pokenav when both devices had almost identical functions. The only thing that is different is their appearance. I do have an xtransceiver, a device that is used by Unovans, but that is because Vance had splurged to get one for me after I had offhandedly said that having an xtransceiver is more convenient than a pokenav. It is expensive trying to deliver one of these devices here because no one ever thought about buying one by importing it into Hoenn. Why use the xtransceiver when Devon's Pokenav can do the exact same thing at a much lower cost in Hoenn?
So even if every region is able to sustain themselves when it comes to anything not pokemon related, is this current arrangement efficient?
I doubt it. Every region has their strength and weaknesses due to their unique geography and culture. Have they ever heard about specialisation of labour? Why haven't they thought about trading goods with each other that is not related to pokemon? Can't they see that it can be more efficient that way and everyone can potentially benefit?
In some ways, the technological progression in this world is miles ahead of my previous world despite the tendency for each region to isolate themselves. Imagine if the brightest scientists and engineers from the known regions come together, exchange ideas, and then went on to invent something not related to pokemon. It is not a far stretch to think that we may be living in space five years from now since we are really technologically advanced in certain aspects. Just take a look at the medical technology used in healing pokemons at the pokemon centre. The head wound I suffered in Lilycove healed surprisingly fast too. Look at Hoenn's New Mauville, the city that never sleeps and how they managed to create a utopia where humans and pokemons can coexist in harmony. The exchange of ideas between pokemon scientists from all over the world led to the invention of the technology to revive creatures from fossils. We can actually revive the dead. Just look at Lily.
Even the name of the only known international organisation says it all. The Pokemon World League. Anything not related to pokemon is shoved aside. Your region is having issues not relating to pokemon? Go solve it yourself. We only get involved if it is pokemon related.
The regions in the PWL needs to realise that they can work with each other beyond the things related to pokemon.
The first step, however, is to convince Wallace and Steven, who will then convince the President on my behalf (since I don't want to see him at all) to buy this idea. If all goes well, I can get myself a well-paying job while satisfying my wanderlust. The President can achieve his agenda in recruiting me and we can help placate the worries that is running amok in every region as I travel the world. It is a win-win situation.
I can start to travel.
I can start to travel the world.
"What? That is your answer?"
"Yep. Why are you looking at me like that? It is the perfect solution! Everyone will be happy and we might be able to thwart the end of the world prophecy!"
Wallace ran a hand through his face tiredly as he took some time to think about my suggestion.
"Ok, let me repeat what you just said so that I can ensure that I got it right. First off, you want to be employed by the Hoenn League, the one thing we are trying to get you away from."
"Uh huh."
"Secondly, you want to create an international task force. On the Government's side, you want the President to propose the idea to the other regions to start international trade among other endeavours to promote better relationship between regions. Run that through me again, I don't think I get the full picture."
I dumped a stack of books full of sticky notes and highlighted sentences in front of Wallace and Steven. I also passed them a printed copy of my proposal.
"Take a look at these in your own free time. To keep it simple, each region has their own problems that other regions can help solve. The Indigo is too huge since it is made up of two regions. Furthermore, each of their cities are located way further from each other as compared to between the cities in other regions. It does not help at all that Kanto's cities are usually separated by sections of forests or mountains. This problem is a prevalent problem in Kanto. The only exception is the heart of Kanto, where the land is flatter and easier to travel across. Johto is slightly better since the only city that is located in the mountainous region is Blackthorn. Overall, this creates a huge security issue for Kanto since their individual cities are spaced so far apart, allowing Team Rocket, the main terrorist group on their land, to run amok. The large amount of land available gives them a lot of space to hide and it is just too hard to flush them out since they are everywhere. In Kanto, it is hard to travel from city to city in a short period of time even with Teleport since the distance is just that huge. Even trained psychics have to take several Teleports depending on where their starting and ending point is."
"Ok…" Wallace gave a slow nod of his head and gestured for me to continue.
"Kanto's environment is also not suited for agricultural produce. They are barely supporting themselves when it comes to food and rely too much on Johto to remedy their food problem, but remember what I said earlier? It takes so long to travel from city to city, let alone from one region to another no matter it is through the sea from Cianwood or Olivine to Cinnabar or Vermillion, or even through the land route by passing through the Tohjo falls. The same goes for any trade products from Kanto to Johto."
"So? That's their problem, not ours."
"This is the problem, Wallace. If even you, our Champion, don't realise it, then no one will. Stop thinking about this as your problem and my problem and start thinking about it as our problem. It is this selfish mentality that will bring about the end of the world since every region had never thought about helping each other with their problems. We are too self-sufficient for our own good and look what the visionaries are telling us. Look at the reaction from those who know about this stupid prophecy. This prophecy is brought about by our actions and behaviours from the past, present, and future. We cannot change the past, but we still have a chance to change the present and future. It can be changed, if the visionaries are so damn accurate in what they see. Whatever we want to do to stop the prophecy, it needs to start now. Every single region needs to put aside their ridiculous fear of each other, learn to cooperate, and work together to stop this."
Wallace looked like he wanted to argue but he held his tongue. He had said that he will listen to the end of what I am proposing. Seeing that he is keeping quiet, I continued.
"For Hoenn, we always have a problem with a shortage of land. It is why we have towns and cities like Fortree and Pacifidlog where we try to live in the sky and on the sea. It is why we have New Mauville and why our ancestors decided to take the risk and build a settlement on a volcano at Lavaridge. However, due to our tropical climate and since our lands are so fertile, we are capable of producing a very huge amount of agricultural produce at high quality and low cost, be it rice or herbs alongside other things. Remember when I said that Kanto has a food scarcity problem? Can you imagine the profits we can earn if we actually establish a trade agreement with just Kanto regarding agricultural produce alone? I am not even talking about trade with the other regions. Just Kanto."
Wallace's eyes widened a little at the realisation and I can see Steven having the 'Oh I see' moment as well.
"It is easier for Hoenn to defend itself from external and internal threats due to how small we are, so our small size isn't all that bad. For Sinnoh, it is located far north so it is a lot colder there. They also have a big problem with getting past the mountain ranges and they have a lot of different climates depending on which city you live in there. They are good at handling climate issues because they were forced to learn how to deal with it to survive. They are also famous for their precious stones and gems, similar to Kanto. However, like Kanto, it is hard for them to traverse between east and west Sinnoh because of their geography and that is why Team Galactic is able to give them the slip the moment they enter Mt Coronet. It is just too hard to find anyone there. However, Kanto's Elite trainers are known for having the best skills among the trainers in the seven regions when it comes to navigation considering how vast their land is. Kanto trainers acquire this skill naturally during their travels in completing their gym circuit. Elite trainers from Pewter are also famous for being able to find almost anything in the mountains since they live so close to Mt Moon and they have to navigate through it to get to Cerulean, which is the only way for them to get to the heart of Kanto. Their different way of life dictates that they need to acquire these skills, skills that trainers from other regions don't possess. Can you imagine how hard a time Team Galatic will have if Kanto decides to send some of their Elite trainers with that specialisation to help Sinnoh in flushing out Team Galatic from their little hidey hole in Mt Coronet? Assuming that they are hiding there."
Seeing that I now have their full and undivided attention, I move on.
"Unova experience the full four seasons unlike Hoenn, where we may sometimes experience the occasional winter since it is always so hot and humid here. Honestly, they don't really have much of a problem in their region except for one in the form of Team Plasma. Team Plasma had somehow created a cult that promotes the release of pokemons from their trainers and the cult is growing. Rapidly too. From the looks of it, I don't think their local authorities have what it takes to completely stop it since it is like trying to get people to stop believing in their religion. Unova needs external help badly if they want to put a stop to Team Plasma from becoming a threat to their internal security since they can't seem to do it on their own."
"And for Kalos?"
"They are the best when it comes to producing luxury goods, something that every region has a demand for. However, they suffer from overpopulation and everything and everyone is crammed together since they have so many people living there. From what I gathered, I don't think they have what it takes yet to solve that issue. They can learn a little from Hoenn in that regard."
"And Alola?"
"I am hard-pressed to call their government a government." I deadpanned. "It is just four islands having an agreement of sorts to be collectively referred to as a region. They also don't have a League to call their own due to the opposition from the more traditional folks. They are also basically letting Team Skull, the biggest underworld organisation in their region, to do whatever they please. If they don't nip this problem in the bud soon, it will grow to be a cancerous one the moment they found a specific goal to strive for."
"And your idea to set up an international task force is to solve this?" Steven questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Part of it. I was thinking if every region is incapable of solving their own domestic issues, will it be better to if we all come together to help each other solve everyone's issues?" I said as I started to pace around in the small room that we are in at the Petalburg gym. "Every region has their own strengths and weaknesses. Like how a Generalist's team has different pokemon types to cover each other weaknesses to maximise the team's strength, we can do the same too. I am sure that if our ACE and Indigo's STAR join forces for real, Team Rocket can be snuffed out. That is just two different Leagues joining forces. Imagine if the other regions join in as well. Each region also has their own difficulty in non-pokemon related issues. We can help Kalos to solve their overpopulation issue given our success here. Kanto can benefit from a trade agreement with other regions if they start to import food from outside and export the huge amount of rare stone and minerals in return that they are known for. These are just some of my suggestions, I will leave the thinking and planning to the real experts. They are better qualified than me."
As expected, Steven perked up at the mention of rare stones. Wallace and I just rolled our eyes and ignored him.
"Of course, there are many things that we can all do together, but the main thing is that it can throw off the regions' attention off the prophecy. Think about it, what is the biggest threat in each region?"
"The various terrorist groups that made their home there." Steven answered without hesitation. "They are the main source of conflict in each region."
"Bingo. And most of them have plans to involve legendaries in their mad schemes one way or another. I am willing to bet that the prophecy that foretold the end of the world will somehow involve one of these groups at the very least. Anything that involves legendaries cannot be good. They have to power to destroy the world. Even a kid knows that."
"You mean…" Steven trailed off as he starts to see where I am getting at.
"We shift the regions' attention from suspecting each other as the instigator to this end of the world crap to these villainous groups. You can't deny that these groups are a very real threat with their ideologies and influence, and it is possible that they can also be the instigator to bring about the end of the world. The various governments aren't the only parties involved when it comes to the entire world. When we are talking about the entire world, we are talking about everyone that stays on this planet. Including the bad guys."
"That feels like shifting the blame to them." Wallace added in an unsure manner.
"You can call it shifting the blame, but if it helps to get each region to finally cooperate with each other for real, then it is what we are going to do. By making these criminal groups a common enemy for the seven regions and convincing the various Governments that they are more likely to bring about wanton death and destruction instead of that happening through an inter-regional war due to the fear that arises from a vague prophecy, the regions will have to unite to deal with them if we want to put a stop to the prophecy fast. No more second guessing each other. There will be more cooperation with each other, every region can start to learn how to trust each other. Once trust is established, war can then be averted. Even if the prophecy about this Armageddon crap still holds after that, at least we now know that an inter-regional war will not be the reason for it. And if all seven regions unite, then we all stand a better chance to fight against the inevitable prophecy. Haven't you guys heard about the saying? United we stand, divided we fall. In hindsight, it is very probable for these terrorists to bring about the end of the world. Team Aqua nearly got their hands on the orbs to control kyogre and groudon. That is only one terrorist group and they nearly succeeded in wiping Hoenn off the face of the map."
"And if we somehow managed to end every single terrorist groups that plague our lands by joining forces…" Wallace stood up excitedly as he slammed a fist into his palm in an 'eureka' moment.
"Then it will be as I had said. For one, the end of the world crap -can I just refer it as EOW? It is a mouthful to say it- will probably not happen, or it will drastically increase the chances of it not happening. Also, the fact that every region will now start to cooperate for real and show some trust in each other is a bonus too. That can be solidified by having trade with other and helping each other meet our own needs, like supplying Kanto with food while they give us some much-needed rare gems, for example. By ensuring that we can all thrive by cooperating with each other, then there will no longer be a need or incentive for war."
"So that's why you want the President to propose international trade with other regions on top of setting up your proposed international task force. We can help solve each other's issues and everyone can profit at the same time. It will be a two-pronged approach."
"Yup." I said happily as I sat down before standing up again. I am a little too excited at seeing my plan put into motion.
"And the international task force that you are proposing will be the one spearheading the cooperation?"
"The world doesn't have an international task force yet. What I have in mind is something akin to having an international police force that helps maintain the peace and order for the PWL, a group where every region sends in some of their Elites to help out. Their duties will be to troubleshoot and help to solve the issues each region face. If need be, they will step in to provide some additional firepower for the region that needs it. I am thinking of having an Elite force within the task force that comprises of several members of each regions' Thirteen Pillars and also some of the best Elite trainers they have to offer. If we need more soldiers, we will draw it from the region's version of ACE if necessary if we need an army when we are doing our duties in the target region. Having even an extra member of a Thirteen Pillar helping out, no matter the region, can significantly turn the tide of any battle. The duties of the international force are not to defeat the entire criminal organisation by their lonesome. They serve more as reinforcements and do more of troubleshooting then fighting. Each region has enough military strength to wipe out the criminal group that infest their land, they just need some extra help in the 'how'. Each terrorist group aren't that strong on their own, even if we are talking about Team Rocket which is arguably the largest group. The main problem is that they are all so hard to get rid of once and for all."
"If we have some of the other regions' Thirteen Pillars helping us, Team Magma and Team Aqua might have been wiped out a long time ago." Wallace murmured. "This idea has some merit."
"See? I know you can see the beauty of my plan."
"You want to be part of the international force." Steven stated.
"Of course! I can go and travel the world and it can satisfy the President's obsession in recruiting me. It's not like he will let me go even if we protest, if what you guys told me about him is true. If him getting his hands on me is unavoidable, then I might as well get as many benefits as possible out of it. If everything goes according to what I had suggested, everyone is happy. So why not? I have only one condition."
"And that is?" Wallace spoke a little warily, like I am about to extort him of something.
"I want all my travelling expenses to be reimburse. Basically, the League, or the PWL if our international force falls under it in the end, pays for my travels. I get to travel for free to anywhere and everywhere in the world."
"A small price to pay if your solution can help prevent the prophecy from coming true." Wallace agreed. "I will take it up to the President, I think there's a high chance for him to agree. I don't see any drawbacks for this proposal just yet."
"The mistake that every region commit is that you guys tend to take on everything by yourself. Learn how to reach out to others for help. Our ancestors set up the PWL for a reason, use it. The regions might already be free from their own terrorist group if you learn how to share your problems. The burden on everyone individually will lessen. These terrorist groups will be our common enemy, and since everyone now has a common enemy, the regions can now stop suspecting each other. The war theory is basically out of the window now if everyone is sold on this."
"Wallace, I think we should go and meet the President immediately. Vel's proposition is the best I have heard to date."
Wallace nodded his head as he stood up. He wanted to say his farewell, but I just waved him off.
"Just go, I will be waiting for your good news."
"We will try our best. We promise."
"Vel."
I turned around and saw Vance walking up to me. Both of us are out in the farm helping our parents but they had just left to help out in another section of the farm. Right now, it is just the two of us.
"Yes?"
"I heard about it from Steven and Wallace. About the dilemma you faced and why you were so interested in international politics."
My jaw dropped before I shut them up again.
Ok, maybe I should have foreseen this coming. Vance is one of the best ACE operatives after all. I shouldn't have expected to be able to keep the truth from him.
"Did you tell Dad and Mum?"
The both of us moved to sit in the shade of a tree nearby as we took a break. Flamel trotted up to me to stand by my side.
"Not yet, but you cannot hide it from them forever. I heard about what you proposed to them too. Steven had said that the President will give his answer in a few days' time, but he personally thinks that the President will agree to it." Vance gave a tired sigh before putting his hands on my shoulders.
"Do you understand what you just got yourself into?"
"I do." I stated seriously. "It is the best arrangement for everyone. How much do you know? Do you know why the President is motivated to act in such a manner?"
"The prophecy. I know about it since they told me. Vel, listen to me. Your body-"
Oh god. This is about me being too sickly again. I have heard enough about me being some sickly patient that can barely lift a spoon.
I am ridden with sickness, but I am not weak.
"No. You listen to me." I interrupted Vance as I gently brushed his hands off me. "I know I am frail, but I am not weak. I don't need to be coddled. I know you, Dad, and Mum are overprotective of me and I appreciate it. But you guys need to learn to let go. I cannot be under your wings forever and I need to learn how to stand on my own two feet. I will grow up whether you like it or not. I am no longer a child."
"Let you go? Vel, you fall sick at least once every few months when you are at your healthiest! You are a trainer for only two years! That's still too little experience for you to be involved in something like an international task force! Listen to me, I am from ACE. I know how things like that work!"
"And I am still alive." I shot back. "The doctors had predicted that I won't live past fifteen and I am determined to prove them wrong. I won't be alone too. If my idea gets through, members of each region's Thirteen Pillars will be there along with some of their Elite trainers. Not any ordinary Elite trainers, Vance. They will be the best of the best. I don't look like the part, but I am a capable trainer too. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I am the only first-timer at the recent Ever Grande Conference that finished in the top ten, the rest had taken part in at least one conference before that. They are all more experienced than me, but I finished in second place. Me, a newbie with a random team of pokemons and about half of them are not even suited for higher levels of competitive battling. Even your salamence have difficulties trying to put Kratos down when it is so much more experienced. So don't use my inexperience as an excuse. Don't use my sickness as an excuse to hide me from the world because you think it is safer for me. No one is safe if a war does break out. War does not discriminate. I would know, I have been in one myself and I hated it. I still have nightmares about it sometimes. I hate to be involved in it but what I hate even more is for another one to break out and implicate innocents. I am not letting an inter-regional war happen if I am able to stop it, Vance."
"I am not implying that you are weak, Vel! But-"
"But your actions say otherwise." I countered as my temper rose. "Only Dad had supported my dream when I first mentioned it. You and Mum wanted to lock me in the house. You guys have accepted the fact that I will leave eventually, but it is because the both of you knew that realistically, there is no way to stop me once I put my mind into it. Don't even try to deny it. I will go on my journey to fulfil my dream because it is the only selfish wish I have in this potentially short life of mine. If I do die young, I don't want to look back and realised that my entire life was spent cooped up on a bed in a room. Travelling and seeing the world is the one thing that I truly want to do. What if I told you that you have to give up your dream on becoming the strongest trainer against your will? Is it so hard to understand? Will you like it if someone told you 'no' even before you tried? All because of something that you have no control over?"
Vance tried to placate me after my outburst, but I slapped his hand away from me. Right now, I am angry. I don't want to expose everyone's inner thoughts, but these unsaid matters had been bubbling and stewing at the back of my mind for many years already. They always think that I am about to fall at a moment's notice. I am not as fragile as a glass doll.
I know my family will never stop worrying about me because they love me, but they need to learn to let go. I need to become more independent. I am no longer a child. Not since I became a trainer.
And if I really cannot live past fifteen like the doctors said, I want to be able to enjoy the short while I have in this world by doing what I love most. I want to make my stay in this world worthwhile because I don't know if I will be lucky enough to have a third chance to reincarnate into another world as beautiful as this.
This is the only selfish wish I have. I just want to travel the world.
"Look, Vel. Steven and Wallace had both told me that you were worried that the President will do something to us. If what you did is to protect us, then don't. We are the Veras. With our family's influence, we can protect you. There's no need to do this against your will."
"Open your eyes, Vance!" I screamed out. "We are only four people. Four." I hissed as I held out four fingers and waved it at his face. "What can we really do against our region's government if they want us gone, huh? The President has ways to suppress us and he has proved to be able to obtain information that he shouldn't know. I am not risking you and our parents, even if it turns out to be a bluff."
"It's too dangerous, Vel! What you are planning to do is almost equivalent to what we do in ACE! Fighting criminal groups as large as the magmas and aquas? That is easily an A Rank or even an S Rank mission! Your body won't be able to handle it!"
"Admit it. Even if I am not born with this stupid, sickly body." I gritted out as I gestured to myself. "You will still find an excuse to keep me away from the dangers of the world. Running away won't solve anything, Vance. We need to face the problem since they will come to us eventually. So, assuming I am healthy, what will be your excuse? Enlighten me, Vance Vera."
Vance remained silent as he buried his face in his palms in frustration.
"You are not getting my point, Vel."
"And you are not getting mine. I am not even involved in the fighting, that will be the job for the Thirteen Pillars. I am just taking the support role and the only thing I am going to do is to help identify and think of ways to help solve the problems each region face. I don't want to be a hero since I am not one. I will leave the world-saving business to those who are suited for it. The fact that the job will take me around the world is something that happens to align with my dream and there is a chance to prevent the prophecy from coming true. My involvement in the dangerous elements is almost nil and even if I am involved for some reason, the various Thirteen Pillars is enough firepower to keep our entire group safe. Why can't you just see my point?"
I turned around and stomped off, jumped onto Flamel's back, and gestured for him to gallop off. I don't care where. I just want to be alone right now. I know I look like an ungrateful brat with how I am acting, but my family needs to realise that me getting involved with all the political shenanigans is inevitable with the amount of interest President Lucas has for me. I have no idea if he can really suppress my family and I don't want to imagine the extent of the damage he can do to my family if he can really do it. I don't want to risk it. They are my family.
If me getting involved cannot be avoided, I might as well make the best out of it. I found a way to fulfil my dream while satisfying Lucas and even provided a way to possibly avoid the so-called 100%-accuracy-end-of-the-world-prophecy. I might have just helped the world to avoid an inter-regional war if my plan do produce the results I expect it to produce in the long run. I don't want a war to happen. My experience in Lilycove is so bad that I will never wish for such a thing to happen to anyone ever again. If I can help to stop it, I will.
My family have been protecting me since the day I was born in this world. I am also a Vera, I am not weak and I don't need to be sheltered. This time, it is my turn to protect my family.
MY way.