Today, we gathered in Portual City to receive the final mission details. The city, bustling with activity and the characteristic sounds of the port, reminded us all that we're about to embark on something monumental, something that, for better or worse, will make its way into the history books. Sergeant Darius briefed us about the Gym Leaders in Kanto, with a particular warning about Lieutenant Surge, the Electric-type leader in Vermilion City, known as a veteran of the old Kanto-Johto war.
Our team will split into small groups, posing as friends on vacation traveling through the region. This strategy will allow us to explore without raising suspicion and gather information on Kanto's key points before regrouping at Mt. Moon to carry out our primary mission. I've been paired with Jett, the enthusiastic young man who doesn't seem to grasp the value of peace. He's always talking about how Hoenn will "make its mark on history." He seems excited about the mission, but I'm not sure he fully understands what war means—and everything that's lost in it.
To help us properly carry out the mission, and to test their functionality, we've been equipped with prototypes of what will become the future standard military gear for Hoenn. I have a proto-MilitarNav, which, in addition to working as a Pokédex, has an automatic mapping system and anti-Porygon encryption to protect communications and stored data. We've also been given a special odor-concealing repellent to avoid detection by Pokémon with keen senses of smell. I tested the MilitarNav on Slugma, who seems curious about the new device. Thanks to this technology, I can verify it works correctly. It reminded me of my companion's abilities: his Magma Armor and his moves—Yawn, Smog, Rock Throw, Harden, and Ember. We're feeling more prepared for what lies ahead, even as tension lingers in the air.
The sea journey to Kanto will take two days, during which Jett and I have been charting our route. After our "tourism" stop in Vermilion City, we plan to follow a carefully planned route to Mt. Moon. During our planning session, Jett, with his Voltorb, challenged me to a friendly battle. For him, it was probably just a way to pass the time, but I saw it as an opportunity to measure just how prepared Slugma and I are for what's coming.
The battle began with Voltorb using a quick Screech, lowering Slugma's defense. I knew Voltorb was fast and that any Electric move could be dangerous, so I ordered Slugma to use Harden to strengthen his defenses, especially since I'd noticed during training that Voltorb loves to charge at opponents by rolling. Voltorb followed up with Spark, hitting hard, but Slugma managed to hold his ground. To shift the pace, I had Slugma use Yawn. The strategy worked, and after a few seconds, Voltorb began to grow drowsy. With Voltorb now vulnerable, Slugma unleashed a series of Rock Throws, gradually wearing down the opponent until he was defeated. Jett seemed impressed by Slugma's resilience and ability to control the fight. It gave me a bit of pride to know that my experience at Flannery's Gym still gave me an edge.
Now we face two days of travel by ship, where we'll try to stay calm and prepared. I can't deny that I feel anxious, but seeing Jett's enthusiasm and Slugma's strength helps me stay focused on what's to come. In the end, this is just the first step in our mission, and we're ready to face whatever comes our way together.