Pokemon Crystal

[Kimiko]

People who were wondering 80 years ago about future thought about advanced level of technology, about easy-going and calm lifetime and coexistence of people with robots, who boldly entered into our reality. Noone expected that this utopean image would deviate from the reality, which is caricature, dystopia.
It was a virus. It's presence turned whole world in 180 degrees, forcing people to fight for their survival between themselves and mutated life forms, who through adaptation and mating found a place to live in divided into Regions world. Everything what was old had to go into oblivion and on its place came new world order created by Hail Bradshot, the President of New World.
He was the one who set the rules about Pokemon and dealing with them, seeing the potential of their use. Because his formed reproductive system and the regulation of their retention, these creatures have found their place among people, serving them at work or as mascots.
He was the creator of new balance and harmony and residential areas have been populated and administratively divided into nine regions where - unfortunately - the concept of "standard of living" is interpreted differently by the regions leadership.
He was the one who set up Great Game, a media spectacle to remind whole population about struggle of survival of the human species during The Crisis and the consequences of insubordination and non-observance of the established law of the New World. The whole game is about selection of one man and one woman from each Region to be The Gladiator and to compete with other's region Gladiators for their lives on artificially created area. The Winner and his family receive "The New Life" in Central Region, commonly known as Centrum, where they will be free from unprofitable work and worries until the end of their days and also The Winner's Region will receive enriched supplies from the Centrum. However, since Bradshot's mysterious death, the rules of Great Game are changing every year. Parsel Swift, the current madame President of the New World, has exacerbated living and playing conditions, bringing some Regions to the brink of poverty, explaining her decisions with a memory of war and the aftermath of all rebellion and resistance.

The first day of spring is a date that you could enjoy in the past. In these days a lot of people tremble in fear of the worst, because this day is the beginning of the Great Game. In this year, it will be the 74th Great Game.
In Kanto, the Mining Region, this date is identifying with death of chosen Gladiators, because no kantoian before won this competition.
- We're all soldiers now. - You've heard Dathramar's - your older brother's voice, when you were leaving your house, which was the property of your deceased parents. All three of you - Dathremar, you and Kaelthas - have had ticket in the lottery jar, from which like every year Pheobe Talent will draw this year's Gladiators.
29-year-old Dathremar has taken over parental responsibilities by caring you and your younger brother . He's librarian in library in Viridian City and also he's known in herbs and people treats him as medicine-man in your village.
You, 22-year-old Aethas, you are an engineer responsible for the correct machine work in the Pewter mine. You are not particulary known, but because of your knowledge of machines and electronics, you are respected and treated as supervisor.
And Kaelthas, the youngest - only 17-year-old rebelious teenager who would fight with every Centrum Guard in Kanto. Maybe he's not the smartest one, but he's quick and brave. He is an ordinary student of a state school that indoctrinating the content of hard work for the general public of Centrum. Every moment when Kaelthas is free, he's spending on hunting grounds, carrying the bow and hunting with his fellow Pokemon Fletchinder named Felomelorn.
Kanto is poor Region. A lot of families here are out of food, some are starving and some are trying to illegally hunt down some animal to feed themselves or their families. Every month, every family can pick up the allocation of food, mainly wheat and oil, often in insufficient quantities. Once a month you can apply for an additional allocation of food, but it costs an extra ticket in the Big Lottery.
You wear a freshly washed white shirt and black trousers, just like your brothers and like other potential Gladiators. They all headed for Glory Square, where the Glory Road leads from Pweter and Viridian. Today's presence is obligatory, and the inhabitants who are unpresent will be found and killed.
Being on the spot, the show started about 12 am. Every ceremony of opening The Great Game was broadcast in every region. You can see Centrum camera men, presenters and a lot of Centrum Guards. Pheobe Talent, Centrum-touched woman about her 30s, today is - as always - dressed in wonderful dress, straight from the Centrum stylists. She's always thinking that she is looking marvelous and fashionable, but for people who doesnt live in Centrum, like kantoians, every of her looks was odd and incomprehensible. Hers today look is long orange ball gown, purple trane carefully situated on top of her fiery red wig, with high heel and lots of golden bracelets. Lovely, huh?
She might be the only excited person today.
- Ladies and Gentlemen - Her screeching voice filled whole square. She started to remind the purpose of the Great Game and also said few words about history of The Crisis and World Divide. When she finished, he spin around in her dress and clapped her hands with passion, smiling in her-known theathical smile.
- And now, im going to do the honors of introducing the Kanto's Gladiators of 74th Great Game. Ladies first. - She grinned unnaturally, when she walked to jar with Woman Gladiator's tickets. Then, you felt some poking from behind. It was Dathremar, crossing his fingers so hard, that they started becoming purple. He was doing it year by year, and you always smiled. He was praying to some gods. He didn't want to lose another person from his life. Pheobe picked some ticked and then she red loudly the girls name, but you didnt know her. The crowd scattered, leaving her way to the podium. The hostess started to ask Candice about her life, but you didnt listen. You felt fear crawling in your veins. You looked on Candice's terrified face covered with fake smile. She knew that her life was over, she leaves everything here. When you were analysing her face expressions, Pheobe picked another ticked from Man Gladiator's jar.
And then, you've heard your own name.
The ray of light spotted you, and people who were around you scattered away, making you way to the podium. Pheobe called you few times, but you were in deep shock. You felt the emocional embrace of Dathramar's arms and his scream. He was losing you. You also spotted Kaelthas in younger crowd, he has tears in his eyes. He rose his left hand with open palm, when his right hand was on his heart. That was the symbol of unity. You didnt remember what Pheobe was talking to you when you reached the podium. You shaked hands with Candice and then, show was finished. You both walked away in escort of Centrum Guards to the Meeting Room, where you can talk the last time with your family and friends. You entered to Victory Atelier, which is part of Kanto's Leader Palace. The room where you were escorted is bright. It's impeccable white with big windows with sight at beautiful rose garden. On your left side is brown table with bowl of fruits. On your right side is brown-ish couch. You're alone. Windows frame is undervoltage. The door is locked.

[Huntie]

What just happened? What is happening? Dathremar..? I couldn't see my brother, even though i was looking all around me to catch his silhouette in my eye. He was nowhere to be found, only this woman.. i tried to answer her questions, surely I Did realise that the game already begun. My mind didn’t work this way unfortunately, i was stressed as hell and could barely focus on inhaling and exhaling, not to say about talking!
When i landed in ‘Victory Atelier’ my emotions were mixed as a cocktail. Confusion about what was happening was mixing with self doubt, confidence that i can make people like me because i am a decent looking person and a good guy, were trampled by whole set of hate for the system and worry or my younger brother. Where were they?
‘Hello?’ i hit my knuckles onto the door, hoping to make some noise. ‘Where is my family? Where are my brothers?!’ i yelled, furious and exhausted from emotional thrill made me give up trying any further banging on the door. I decided to gather up my thoughts, there may be cameras already, i cannot be sure. I walked to the window and moved my fingers close to the window frame, will it electrocute me? I didn't want to get hurt or electrocuted to badly, but the temptation was to good.
‘What are my strengths? I know how to build, construct.. i can produce electrical current and target it, but it might not be to useful, I am strong and agile.. not to much, but above average..’ i was trying to think of as many things as i could but it wasn’t going to well. My fingers were twitching, my palms were getting really sweaty, i had to sit down and take a couple of deep breaths. ‘I know plants, and i am good with soil and its types, decent with chemistry.. i lack combat skills to the level of killing everyone with a dagger or a bow from 50 yards..’ it started getting to me, i am dead. Just like Modera, my younger sister, she was 19 when she got selected for 73th Great Games, just a year ago, she was the first one to die in a bloodbath. I can't give up, i will not give up! Not for my brothers. Rest in Peace sister, i didn't come here to play, i came to slay.

[Kimiko]

Even if you hit the entrance door heavly, nothing happened. In fact, you didn't hear the knocking noise, like walls in this room would be soundproof. After few minutes of complete silence, you noticed sound of opening doors.
Behind them you saw few people. The first one was the kantoian leader, Giovanni Silverstache. He is man in his 50s. In Kanto he's known as quite mysterious and not talkative person. He is presenting himself as always - tall and slim, in well-fitting black suit. His grey hair matched perfectly with his skyblue eyes.
Behind him you saw your brothers. You noticed that Dathremar was crying after red eyes. The younger one was confused and kinda not present, like he doesnt know where he is.
- Congratulations, my young boy. I hope you'll represent us proudly.. and worthily. You may know the fact that we have no champion and representative in Centrum. You can be our chance. In the name of Kanto region, I wish you luck, Aethas. We are as hard as diamonds. - The last sentence was the kantoian motto. When Giovanni finished, he turned back and walk away from the room, leaving you with your brothers privately.
- You have 15 minutes to say goodbye. After your time, guards will escort you to train, when you'll go to Centrum. - And then, he disappeared behind the doors, closing them.
- He's bemused. After your elimination he did some kind of sign symbol which started small riot. Everyone knows what happened to Modera, and now, you are next Gladiator. I cannot lose you, Aethas. - At first words Dathremar tried to be calm as possible, but then, he started to cry. He took your head in his hands and stared at you. - Please... win this. For our future. - He was nervous, like last time. He probably know that you may not return here, to Pewter, to your normal life. His voice, now full of despair, shattered with tears.
You have 15 minutes now. The clock above the doors started to tick loudly.

[Huntie]

Congratulations? Is this person mad?! Fury rose to my throat, and I wanted to scream so many devious words to this man. Finally get a champion? Kanto was a black sheep of the games, every other region was laughing at us, every person in centrum was laughing at us. Worst champions, worst coach, worst team, and the ugliest outfits. Coal coats, miners, poorly executed mineral outfits.. one time we had an ambitious designer! She was so ambitious, she lit the contestants clothes on fire, and burned them alive, disqualifying Kanto before the games even started. The biggest achievement of a Kantonian champion was about 7 or 8.. maybe 9 years ago, when a guy hid under ground in the dark, rocky cave and wasn't killed in the bloodbath making top.. 8. Giovanni was growing on my nerves, but he was somewhat valuable. So I didn't want to yell at him, yet.
'We're as hard as diamonds, thank You mister Silverstache' I replied to Giovanni, with as much calmness as I was able to deliver.
'I know' my eyes landed on my older brother 'take care of him' I said and pulled my younger one, directing the words to him 'take care of each other now, for me' my voice was cracking. I felt my eyes watering and I could no longer hold it in. I pulled them both and squeezed them hard, calling this thing a hug would be a misunderstanding, I used way to much strength.
'I cannot win, I don't have any special abilities... unless they give me some wire or something to work with.. and the random Pokémon, I might get a caterpie or ratatta..' I collapsed on the floor, covering my head with both hands.

[Kimiko]

- Get up, Aethas. - Dathremar's voice what also cracking. He picked your shoulder and tried to raise you. - There are cameras in this room, remember? Be tough, please. - He whispered. - You cannot show them your weaknesses. You're perfect, you're smart, you look like potential winner. You know how to win this competition. They'll try to eat you on the stage, every-single-time. You can.. you can show them that even if you walk out in in fuckin' clothes in The Opening, they'll be "Aethas, your pose is beautiful!" You must believe in yourself.
- I love you, Aethas. - Kaelthas's unexpected voice sounded quietly. - Do whateveer you must do to win. It's a war, not competition anymore. - He said it being full of anger and still being in confusion. But even if he didnt know where he is, he sensed you appearance, he knew that he's saying you maybe the last goodbye.

[Huntie]

I rose up from the ground, Dathremar was right, showing vulnerability won't help me from now on. I gave him a nod, letting him know that I agree.
'I am strong, I know I am. I can do it.' I pushed my chest forward, chimed up and put a smile on. Be pretty, be confident - I thought to myself.
'They are gonna have a winner, Kanto is gonna have a winner. I never signed up for this but if I wanted I could probably go and win this shit because I'm what? Sickening! Nobody will ever tell me I can't, because they are not this type of people, I am a winner.' I ended my speech by slamming one of fruits onto the table.
I hugged Kael'thas briefly, then grabbed his hands and said just simple thing 'I will, I can do it'. Aethas, Smile - I reminded myself. They'll eat me up, every single time, I'm on that damned prompter.
Saying goodbye wasn't easy, I tried to make it as non depressing as possible. I just told them to take care of each other. Probably we'll be out of time in a blink of an eye, so another speech could not happen.

[Kimiko]

Piętnaście minut, które przeznaczone było na ostatnie chwile z rodziną, minęło jak z bicza strzelił. Po ostatnich słowach i gestach, które wypowiedzieliście sobie półszeptem, półgłosem, do białego pokoju bez skazy weszło dwóch strażników, zawieszając tym samym rozmowę.
Rozstaliście się w ciszy, w cierpieniu, z rozdartym sercem i wieloma słowami, które skazane były na pozostanie w gardle i na przełknięcie ich gorzkim smakiem smutku.
Ponownie zostałeś sam, jednak tym razem drzwi do twojego pomieszczenia były otwarte. Oglądałeś plecy swoich braci opuszczające budynek. Mogłeś uciec, ale szybko by Cię znaleziono i zabito. Czekałeś cierpliwie z głową uniesioną ku górze na to, co przyniesie Wielka Gra. Tak jak wspomniał Dathremar, musisz być silny. Wszystko jest nagrywane i emitowane w innych regionach, więc wszystkie słabości musisz dusić w sobie. Uśmiech, Aethas.
Gdy twoi najbliżsi zniknęli z twojego punktu widzenia, do twojego pomieszczenia weszła kolejna dwójka strażników - wysocy, o ciemnej karnacji, okuci w zbroje nowoczesnej technologii, którą tutaj, w Kanto, widuje się bardzo rzadko. Mężczyźni podeszli do Ciebie; jeden z nich mruknął krótkie "idziemy", po czym jak na komendę, ruszyliście w nieznane.
Okazało się, że cały Pałac Kanto połączony jest z przyśpieszoną linią szybkiej kolei międzyregionalnej, gdzie kursuje jedna linia prowadząca do Centrum. Na dworcu zjawiło się mnóstwo gapiów z Kanto, ale większość person, które odprowadzały Cię wzrokiem to dziennikarze transmitujący do swoich regionów. Oczy kamer i błysk fleszy skierowany był w twoją stronę. Każdy z nich złamał pewną siebie twarz, pod którą kryje się przerażenie i niepewność.
Do kapsułowego pociągu, który tak bardzo nie pasował wyglądem do całości stacji, wsieliście razem z Candice, która nie wyglądała najlepiej. Oczywiście nie mogło przy was zabraknąć Pheobe, która z charakterystyczną dla siebie ekscytacją zachwalała nowy wystrój wagonu i była podniecona kolejną podróżą do cudownego Centrum.
Drzwi do kapsuły zamknęły się, odcinając was od Kanto, od waszej kolebki życia. Po kilku słowach dotyczących zachowania bezpieczeństwa w wagonie i przydzieleniu wam własnych łóżek i nowej garderoby w oparciu o dane pobrane z waszych miejsc zamieszkania, dostaliście informację, że podróż będzie długa i powinniście rozluźnić się i przygotować psychicznie. Za pół godziny odbędzie się oficjalny obiad inauguracyjny, gdzie zostaniecie nie tylko nakarmieni dobrymi rzeczami, ale i informacjami szczegółowymi dla całego konkursu.