Into Elmshade – Rules of the Wild

The hike from the academy to Elmshade Forest took just under an hour, but the mood was already shifting by the time the students arrived. The wide stone roads gave way to worn dirt paths, and the orderly fencing of academy property faded into the tall grass and dense undergrowth of the wild.

Ray stepped off the final path and found himself staring at a wall of towering pines and tangled bramble. The border of the known and the untamed.

A large clearing had been marked out near the forest's edge, cordoned off with flag tape and folding tables. Several instructors were already stationed around it—checking equipment, scanning rosters, and adjusting the safety tags on the students' wrists.

Each tag was a reinforced emergency alert band that would flare red if the wearer was in danger, downed, or had moved too far beyond the designated range. Ray tapped his lightly and felt a faint pulse. Secure.

Instructor Fennel stepped forward and clapped her hands.

"Listen up!"

The murmuring of thirty students died down instantly.

"You're standing at the edge of Elmshade Training Sector 3, a pre-designated field zone rated Low Threat – Controlled. That doesn't mean it's safe. It just means we've cleared the predators and the unpredictable elements. You're still stepping into nature—and nature doesn't play fair."

Behind her stood Damos, arms crossed as usual, scanning the students without saying a word. Beside him, Machamp's four arms were folded in perfect synchronicity.

Another instructor began handing out laminated guides, each one detailing:

Basic Poison Recovery Procedures

Distinguishing Wild vs. Owned Pokémon

Navigation Tips Using PokéGear Beacons

Emergency Shelter Instructions

Fennel continued. "You'll be splitting up into teams of two. Choose your partner now. Stick with them. You leave your partner, your band turns red, and you're pulled from the program until further notice. No exceptions."

There was a moment of hesitation. Then a rustle of movement.

Ray didn't even look around.

"Team?" Kira was already at his side, grinning.

"Of course," Ray said, returning the smile.

Others paired off quickly: Cael with Lysa, two other top students who had started working together after sparring. Another group of boys chose each other with a loud, joking high five. A few shuffled awkwardly but eventually settled into teams.

Once pairings were confirmed, Fennel gave a final rundown:

Time limit: 4 hours. You must return by sunset.

Goal: Explore within the boundary markers, map interesting features, record any Pokémon interactions.

Combat with wild Pokémon is permitted, but unnecessary risk will be penalized.

No catching Pokémon. This is observation, not capture training.

"You'll each receive a Temporary Field Monitor—a PokéGear upgrade for mapping and voice logs. Use it wisely."

Ray accepted his unit. It looked like a compass with a scrolling screen. Simple, but functional.

Then came the final instruction.

"You represent the academy now," Damos said, finally speaking. His voice was quiet but carried weight. "What you do in there shows who you really are as trainers."

Kira's posture straightened immediately.

Ray felt a small chill—not from fear, but from anticipation.

"Alright," Fennel said, raising her hand. "Stay within your zone, stay with your partner, and remember: survival first, pride second."

She dropped her hand.

"Begin."

The groups split, vanishing between the trees like scattered birds. Leaves crunched under boots. Pokéballs clicked at belts. Pairs disappeared into the woods, laughter and nervous chatter fading behind them.

Ray and Kira exchanged one final glance—and stepped forward into the shade of Elmshade Forest.