[b][u]Aboard the S.S.Libra en route to Gateon Port[/u][/b]

A young man sits on the deck of a ship bound for the shores of the Orre region. The salty sea air, the warm ocean breeze, and the crowing of the Seagull Pokemon as the ship cruises the waves. Thoughts of home and the past cross the young man's mind. How hard he worked to prove he was responsible for a pokemon. His parents and his mentor. His thoughts were quickly brought back to the present when the ship's horn blew indicating they were close to shore. Standing the young man walked to the edge of the ship and looked toward the horizon. There it was. His future. The future of Ray Jenkins from Mauville City. A bark could be heard and a tug at his pants could be felt. It was an Electrike. Ray's partner Trina asking to see the view. Picking up the Lightning Pokemon Ray stroked it's mane. "See that, girl?" Ask the trainer pointing to the shoreline. "Our first foray into Orre, Gateon Port." Ray explained. Trina barked happily and licked her master's face lovingly.

About an hour later Ray and Trina were making their way down the pier into town. It didn't seem to awfully big, but a few buildings stood out among the others. Like one shaped like a Krabby and the beautiful lighthouse. As the pair walked through the bustling port town they looked for a place to stop and ask for directions. Ray didn't want to disturb the working sailors, and didn't want to chance talking to random locals. He had heard the rumors of thugs from a group called Cipher. If they were anything like Team Aqua or Team Magma he wanted to steer clear. After a few minutes of searching Ray spotted a small nondescript shop with a sign depicting a caduceus. Ray entered with the thought that an apothecary wouldn't be any trouble. Inside the walls were lined with bottles of all kinds of natural remedies. The air had a musty earthy smell. Like dried mud and wet leaves. At the back of the store behind the counter was an old man with a large grey beard sipping on tea reading a book.

"Welcome young man! Thank you for coming. If there is anything you need just ask." Said the elderly gentleman without looking up from his book. Ray was a bit surprised the man could tell his gender without looking up, but he just chocked it up to experience. As Ray stepped deeper into the store Trina sniffed at the herbs and medicines on the shelves. Smelling a particular nasty one she sneezed and knocked it off the shelf breaking the jar.

"Trina! Be careful. Come here." He ordered bending down to pick up his pokemon. "Sorry about that sir I'll pay for that." Ray apologized.

"No need sonny. It was an accident." Assured the man finally looking up from his book. A quizzical brow raised itself when he set eyes on Ray. "Ah, I see now. Not from around here are you? You look at bit lost." The man asked standing from his stool behind the counter. 

Ray was going to insist on paying for the broken product, but was stopped by the gentleman changing the subject. Ray flushed a bit at being called lost, but it was true. He had came to Orre with the intent of participating in the Colosseum, but he had been so excited to see the sights he had forgot to ask for a map. "No, I'm from Hoenn. I'm traveling to battle at the Colosseum, but I don't know my way around." Ray explained.

"The Colosseum? There are multiple colosseums in Orre, but if you're looking for THE Colosseum you're probably want to head for Pyrite Town. However, there is a problem. Duking has just recently issued a warning for trainers that they shouldn't travel alone because there has been increased reports of activity from Cipher and an unknown rival group. It could be dangerous for a tourist." Revealed the old man.

"I can take care of myself. I have Trina and my other pokemon. We've worked hard for this opportunity. We can't back down just because of some thugs. Please. I just need a map or directions to the nearest bus or train depot." Ray begged, with Trina adding in a whine of her own along with her puppy eyes.

"No trains, not anymore, and the desert is to treacherous for buses. People travel by truck or motorcycle. I suppose I could give you a ride. You seem like a nice enough kid." Offered the old man.

"Thank you sir. That's very kind of you."

"No problem. I was about to close up shop anyway." 

Ray followed the old man out the back door to an alleyway. Parked next to the adjacent building was the gentleman's motorcycle. A trike with all terrain wheels and a four cylinder engine. Reaching into a compartment the old man tossed a helmet to Ray before slipping one on himself. Tossing a leg over the machine he gestured for Ray to hop on. Ray returned Trina to her pokeball and hopped on. The motorcycle roared to life before rolling out of the alley and finally out of town toward Pyrite.