[b]Around One Year Ago: February 8th, 1923[/b] "Carl what in the world are you thinking?!" Annamarie screamed, standing next to her father who was equally upset. Across from them stood Carl, with two suitcases, and a backpack slung behind him, standing next to him was Rucker, carrying a bag in each large arm. "Son, I respect your decisions, but do you think this is the right one?" Jean questioned, worry in his voice. "It's completely ridiculous!" Annamarie backed. Carl felt cornered. Never before had his parents been [i]this[/i] upset with him. He had a decent job, a good pay, and one of the best Pokemon Dockworkers as a partner. Sure, Rucker was coming along, that was a given. But deep down inside, Carl knew that there was something about Sinnoh that the burly and adamant Machamp didn't want to leave behind. "I know what both of you mean, both of you-" "Do you, Carl, do you?!" his mother shouted. "Anna, please, let him finish." Jean had put his hand on her shoulder, rubbing her back and trying to calm her down. "What both of you mean...I know that with the war and all that you're worried about me leaving Sinnoh at all, that I'd find better success in Jubilife. But I want to get [i]out[/i] of Sinnoh, do you not understand that? I'm sick of hassling other workers and sitting back and thinking nothing of it! I want change, I want to go somewhere new; do something new and exciting with my life!" Jean had moved away from Anna, and walked over to Carl, putting his hands on his shoulders. "Boy, I know you do. I think we've all had times where we've wanted to move on, to do something new. As much as your mother would like to disagree, I realize that there's no changing your will. Something I'm proud of in you, but it's also a double-edged sword." "Jean! You're not...you're not...[i]letting him go[/i], are you?!" Anna threw her hands down in an animated fashion, clenching her fists, tears were welling up in her eyes. "Carl, do you even realize how [i]dangerous[/i] it is out there?!" "I realize that, mother, but everything has a risk. I was almost crushed by a crate that one time, and I was saved by Rucker. We can take care of each other and stay safe." Carl replied, Rucker letting out a smug "'Champ!" has he put his lower set of arms on his hips, raising his other two arms and flexing and flexing them. "This'll be my chance, to get away and to start a new life. Haven't you ever wanted to do that?" Annamarie sighed, and finally threw in the towel. She stormed over to Carl, and locked him in a deep embrace, sobbing. "I...I don't want to lose you." "You won't." He hugged his father as well, and began striding towards the door. He turned around, taking one last look at his home. The white and red-trim walls, the maritime paraphernalia, and he'd never forget the smell of his mom's cooking, and the scent of the ocean that always hung in the house. They seemed to blend together so harmoniously despite being so differently. He exchanged his last "I love you's" with his parents, before setting out with Rucker, and running to the nearby port. They reached the dock where the ship, the [i]S.S. Milotic[/i] was resting. They were beginning to board; they barely made it. Rucker fetched two passes from his bag and showed them to the man at the booth. He stamped them, and allowed them onto the ship. Carl and Rucker hiked past several decks before reaching their room. They settled their things down, and the two sat on the small cot. "Well buddy, we did it. We're starting a new life in a new city, a new region! Things are gonna be tough, but I think for the better." Carl smiled. Rucker answered similarly. "It's about a week by sea to Olivine, so we should get our rest now." "Champ!" [b]One Week Later[/b] They hurried with their things, making sure to grab every last piece of clothing, every parcel of food, every sock that went under the bed, clambered up the decks and got to the edge. It was nighttime, and it was nearly pitch-black as the [i]Milotic[/i] cut through the churning water, but they could see a light. It was from an old tower, there was light pulsating from it, as it would periodically wash over [i]Milotic's[/i] decks. Carl was absolutely astounded, as light shone over Olivine City it looked absolutely marvelous--architecture that was wildly dissimilar to Sunyshore's. A few hours later, they docked, and Carl and Rucker headed towards one of the stations, coach buses were delivering rides between Olivine and Goldenrod. Carl pulled a map out of one of Rucker's bags, reading it. "Goldenrod's Johto's main city, guess we better start there." "Champ!" The two walked over to one of the coaches, paid the fee and got on towards Goldenrod. [b]Now[/b] Carl was nearly thrown awake by the initial blast. He looked out through his apartment window. There was smoke, and ash, pluming in the air like coming out of a massive chimney. He could see a faint glow through it. Fire. He threw a set of clothes on and grabbed his Pokeballs, unlocking his door and throwing himself down the stairs. He rushed out the front door of the complex and ran towards the site. He called out Rucker, who was able to quickly keep pace. When he arrived at the scene it was complete chaos. On the streets it was complete anarchy, some running towards the sites of damage and others running from it. On the ground laid soot and blood, and the fires smelt like molten metal, burning wood, and flesh. Carl cursed. "Not even a year and this hell happens. Some kind of welcome wagon." he hissed to himself. He tapped Rucker on the back to keep on moving. He took a moment to get his bearings, and realized that he was at the Goldenrod Station. Someone, or some[i]thing[/i] had bombed it. Into a nearby fountain, Carl drew one Pokeball and called out Lamplight. They were dangerously close to the blaze, and Carl ordered the Lanturn to use Surf. The fish drew in a massive torrent of water, cycling it around her body, before jetting it out onto the fire.