Welcome to the world of Pokémon where adventure no doubt waits around every corner and a new journey forward is always ready to begin. Millions of people and Pokémon call this world home with a wide variety of trainers, coordinators, rangers, performers, professors, professionals, students, and even criminals seeking to harness the power and knowledge of its creatures in pursuit of their goals, hopes, and dreams around the globe.

With so many chasing so much it can almost be hard to keep track of it all but there one thing that unites everyone: the constant need for the equipment. Supplying everyone from the busiest metropolitan stores to the most far flung Pokémon Center is a massive task taken up by a mostly unsung breed of working-class hero in this world: truck drivers. From coast to coast across every region these gear-jamming heavy haulers and their big rigs move all of the freight that keeps trainers going forward on their journeys, businesses and restaurants stocked up for their customers, and first responders ready for action.

That old maxim of "if you bought it, a trucker brought it" is just as true here as anywhere but it is not a job without its risks. In a world fraught with danger like rogue or mischievous Pokémon, massive organized crime teams with immense resources at their disposal, and the wild environment in the often isolated areas between many communities all drivers must be ready to tackle a wide variety of challenges head on to get their cargoes to their destinations safe and intact. When it comes to the most dangerous, and high dollar, assignments only the bravest need apply as a truckload of something like rare candies or evolutionary stones can fast become a moving target for thieves if a driver isn't careful.

Many companies have sprung up across the world to move these cargoes but the largest and most desired among drivers to work for is GS Transport, the so-called "Gold Standard" of the industry which operates a fleet of trucks, trains, and ships from its dispatch center in Kanto's Celadon City. Its fleet of light blue trucks adorned with its emblem featuring the famous golden GS Ball came be found pounding the streets of almost every city street and highway across the world. No company pays its drivers more but in exchange no outfit expects more of them, its job requirements almost insisting that all employees be of high character and willing to do what is legal to get the job done.

Its here on the streets of Celadon City that our story begins as we meet delivery van driver Ken Worth. Ken has spent the last three years driving for the small company Rattata Express at the wheel of one of its signature purple-and-white two-tone minivans. Today is one of celebration for him as it is his last day on the job with "RatEx" before he starts a new job tomorrow driving bigger trucks for GS Transport.

Ken's been chasing the dream of becoming one of Kanto's top "haul masters" since he was a kid. When his twin sister Sandra set off on a successful Pokémon trainer journey in their youth Ken was already nose deep in an atlas trying to find the fastest route for a truck from Fuchsia City to Olivine City. Now that he's an adult while he doesn't necessarily dislike Pokémon, and he's far from ignorant about those in Kanto, he's still never owned one as he'd focused everything toward his goal of handling the big loads. He'd found it odd GS required a Pokémon trainer license as a prerequisite to hiring but they aren't hard to get and he figured they were required for when the need to haul live ones came up. He'd already had that license just in case his sister wanted to leave one at his place over a weekend or something casual like that so he never gave it a second thought.

To Ken Pokémon were just another distraction, something others no doubt had a massive interest and led to a lot of business but that personally didn't excite him. His attitude would soon have to change but at this moment little mattered beyond his last delivery.

"Van 19, what's your 20?," came a dispatcher's voice over the van's radio.

Ken reached over and picked up the microphone on his dashboard to respond.

"This is Van 19, inbound for Scissor Street out in the 'burbs," Ken replied. "I'm on the 'Suds Run' back from Vermilion. Over."

"Roger. Keep the rubber side down, the shiny side up, the bugs off the glass, and the cops off your…tail," the dispatcher responded. "Good luck on last delivery. It's been an honor."

"Thanks Mickey," Ken responded. "I'll miss you guys."

"Don't forget us once you get the big loads," the dispatcher responded.

"That's a big 10-4 good buddy," Ken radioed back.

For Ken there were few assignments easier the 'Suds Run,' the colorful nickname drivers gave the assignment to pick up fancy Pokémon shampoos from the docks in Vermilion City then run them over to the famous Scissor Street, the so-called "Breeder's Lane," out in one of the suburban communities just outside Celadon City where various salons were located. With a mostly uncongested toll road connecting the two Kanto cities the assignment was one of his favorites since it was usually a smooth run. As a lifelong resident of Celadon City he knew almost every one of its roads and alleys like the back of his hand so the run out to the suburbs almost always would be a quick one.

The delivery van moved through traffic with ease as Ken approached his destination. Pulling onto Scissor Street he quietly made a turn down an alley and pulled his van up to a loading dock. Getting out Ken straightened the collar on his purple and white uniform then proceeded to deploy a ramp from the back of the little van and start unloading the shampoo. A quick press of the buzzer at the back door of this salon and he was in to make his last delivery. He finalized the delivery with the business' owner, a teal-haired groomer named Suzie, as its resident Vulpix looked on.

"Okay, we've got three boxes of apricot scent shampoo, three boxes of apple scent, two of 'Summer Bloom,' one of 'Pinkan Berry blend,' and one of 'Burning Desire' whatever that is," Ken said he read the manifest.

"That last one is getting really popular with fire type Pokémon," Suzie responded with a smile. "It's got a warming scent like that of a crackling campfire that they just love. My Vulpix has really taken a shining to it."

"Vulpix," the little fire fox chimed in with glee.

"Well I hope it enjoys it," Ken replied. "Here's hoping you don't burn through that order too quick but if you do we're always ready to bring in more. It's been a pleasure doing your deliveries these past few years and I hope the next driver we assign to this route enjoys it as much as I did."

"Oh that's right, you got the job with the big truck company," Suzie noted. "Well good luck with your new endeavors."

"Thank you," Ken said just before returning to his van.

With his final delivery complete Ken set course back to Rattata Express garage, returning the van and his uniform for the last time. The night was a bittersweet one as he and coworkers shared a little fun in a going away party held at their dispatcher's house; Mickey being excited to show everyone the Skitty he just picked up as a pet for his family. Ken only rolled his eyes at that but still had a great time.

The following morning was the big one for Ken and he wasted no time getting out the door and catching an early commuter train to the GS Transport dispatch center. He wore a casual white business outfit and brought nothing with him but the small suitcase of personal effects he planned to keep with him in his new truck.

As he rounded a street corner the gigantic GS Transport complex came into view. The building glistened in the orange glow of the rising sun. It was a massive complex with a huge block of offices alongside its vast garage and loading dock areas. Even this early in the morning trucks were already shuffling in and out, no doubt coming from and going to all kinds of destinations.

Ken almost teared up as he walked through the gates at the front of its yard for the first time. This was the day he'd waited for his entire life in about an hour or so he was sure he'd be on the road in a truck of his own ready to take on the world. Entering through the front door he was immediately directed to head up stairs to meet with the company's owner Mack to get him set up for his new role. He reached Mack's office and knocked on the door.

"It's unlocked, come in," came the boisterous voice from inside the office.

Ken tepidly entered the office, immediately sighting his gray-haired superior sitting behind his desk with a lot of paperwork and files on it. A well-fed Snubbull was curled up sleeping in its bed alongside the desk, no doubt it was Mack's pet. The wood paneled walls were decorated with numerous pictures of big trucks from throughout the years. There was a locked cabinet on the wall behind the desk. Mack had founded this company and built it from the ground up.

"Good morning sir, I'm Ken Worth. Your new driver."

"Ah, Mr. Worth welcome aboard," Mack said proudly. "I'll go for the oblivious pun and note I hope your ready to prove your worth. Welcome to GS Transport. Have a seat and let's get you started."

Ken smiled nervously as he sat down. Mack rifled through some paperwork on his desk before pulling out a file.

"Here we go, new driver," Mack said, flipping it open. "Ken Worth, native Celadonian, several years of experience with a clean record. No tickets, that's a good sign. Commercial Driver's License and Celadon City chauffeur's license up to date. Pokémon trainer's license is good. Sounds like you are almost ready to roll."

"I've been working toward this a while sir," Ken respond.

"Mack's fine, not sir, I'm not a knight," Mack said. "So what Pokémon are you bringing with you in the truck. We can put protectors on the seats if you like to run with them out of the ball."

"Huh, oh I don't have any," Ken replied.

The expression on Mack's face changed to one of mild surprise.

"So, without them how do you plan to protect my loads?" the boss asked.

"What?" Ken responded.

"This job isn't just busing shampoo down the toll road from Vermilion in a minivan," Mack noted. "I'm entrusting you with a very large and expensive truck that will be filled with some very important cargoes. Pokémon are one of the quickest and easiest ways to keep that cargo protected from certain issues that may arise. All of my drivers keep Pokémon on at least a casual level for that reason. I pay well to make sure they do."

Now it was Ken's turn to look surprised.

"You are going to be going all over and many of our routes can get quite isolated in spots," Mack continued. "Let's not kid ourselves, if something happens out there you have to be ready to respond because there is a good chance law enforcement or a ranger might not make it in time to help you. If some Rhyhorn or Pyroar goes nuts and tries to attack the truck how are you going to stop it? If Team Flare or Team Rocket or whatever criminal wacko is up to something nefarious this week tries to hijack your truck how were you planning to fight them off?"

"I've got a baseball bat and…" Ken started to reply before stopping.

Mack's death glare spelled out the obvious; that wasn't going to be enough. Ken couldn't believe what he was hearing but he knew Mack was right. Sandra always told him he needed to get a Pokémon but he wrote it off as her trying to show off or just encouraging him to get a pet.

"My best friend got smashed up real good when a rogue Rhydon bulldozed into his truck when he was on a supply run to the Safari Zone many years ago, he barely made it and the rig was totaled," Mack said. "I've mandated at least one Pokémon aboard on every run since. It's a dangerous world out there. Even the stuff that looks harmless can get you in trouble. I had a Raichu blow up a fuel tanker once, it shocked the right spot and the whole thing went off like a bomb. You need at least a basic Pokémon to scare off would be issues."

The look of disappointment on Ken's face was palpable.

"And I don't have any," Ken said. "Shoot. So I can't get a truck until I get one?"

"Yeah," Mack said. "But I plan for this so if you're game for the trainer thing I'll just hook you up with a starter now, a little gear, and get you rolling."

Ken's instincts didn't let his mind process that information before he blurted out an answer.

"I'll do anything to get out on the open road," Ken said.

"Terrific," Mack said. "Welcome to world of Pokémon training."

Ken gulped, now wondering what did he just get himself into.

"So where do I go to get this starter?" Ken asked. "My sister is a trainer and she had to haul out to some little community near the coast when she started years ago."

"Pallet Town," Mack corrected him. "And if you were doing the whole off to see the world thing you'd have gone there as a kid. But this is a little different, I just keep a few mon on standby for situations like this. I'll give you one now and we'll get rolling."

Ken's jaw about hit the floor as Mack pulled out a key and unlocked the cabinet. Inside it was about 30 Poké Balls, there were about five off to the side that had labels beneath them indicting there was likely something in them. Mack looked over the contents and started making choices.

"Let's see, this guy should work for your starter," Mack said as he grabbed one of the labelled balls and tossed it to Ken, who thankfully caught it. "That one's a fire type, I like the 'shock and awe' factor they offer for discouraging pests. A little jet of flame now is worth a lot of full on attacks later. I'll give you a couple empty balls too; water, flying, and electric types are all good choices for the road if you go catch some more. Charge the battery, wash the truck, scout ahead; if you train them well you can do a lot with them. Oh, you do have a cell phone right?"

"Yeah," Ken responded.

"Give it to me," Mack requested.

Ken did at which point Mack pulled out a small device and hooked it into the battery charger slot.

"There we go," Mack said, handing the phone back. "That's a PokéScan. Serious trainers get those Pokédex things but for a guy just keeping a few on the side this is more practical. It's cheap but almost as good, hold the phone up and press this scanner in while you point it at a Pokémon and it'll scan it to tell you what it is. That device is Internet connected for updates. There's also a slot for charging the phone so it doesn't block that."

"I can't believe what I'm doing," Ken said, looking over the Poké Ball that was in his hand and now starting to realizing just what he'd had agreed to.

"Well aren't you going to let him out?" Mack asked. "Or were you planning not to deploy him until the need arose? They work better if you bond with them. A happy Pokémon is a helpful Pokémon."

"Oh right," Ken said, remembering how to open the balls as he had to learn when he got that license.

"So what one do you think I'm giving you?" Mack asked, now in a playful mood. "It's a basic starter. Same as the kids get. They are capable enough for this assignment."

"Okay, so let's see," Ken said, thinking back to that Pokémon license test he took a while ago. "The starters here are always Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Charmander. This is a fire type and that's the Charmander. Yeah. I can do this. I know this."

He wound back and gave the ball a toss.

"Charmander, I choose you," Ken said boldly, admittedly noting it felt pretty good to do it.

Ken suddenly felt confident only to hear Mack chuckle as the ball hit the floor and clicked open with its signature sound. With a yellow glow the Pokémon was released, revealing itself as the glow faded. A yellow foxlike Pokémon with orange fur growing out of its ears now stood before him.

"Fennekin," the fox said.

"Wait, that's not a…" Ken looked on puzzled.

"You've got a lot to learn rookie," Mack replied with a smile.

AUTHOR NOTES

Welcome aboard for what I hope you'll find to be a bit of a different Pokémon adventure. This fic will try a genre you probably wouldn't expect in this setting but one I think will fit well, specifically it's meant to mimic trucker films like "Smokey and the Bandit." So get yourself a handle, watch out for the County Mounties, and let's do it like Pruitt used to do it. It's time to put the hammer down.

The opening paragraphs are deliberately designed to be like the "World of Pokémon" openings many of the movies have. It serves kind of the same introductory role here because while you may know the world this is a different spin on it.