Austin stirred from his sleep, the soft sheets of the Pokémon Center's rented room clinging to his body. As his eyes adjusted to the dimming light seeping through the curtains, a craving for caffeine pulsed in his veins.

"I need coffee," he muttered under his breath, glancing out the window to confirm the evening's arrival with its spread of amber and violet streaking the sky. He swung his legs off the bed, his movements sluggish and his hair tousled from sleep. In the mirror, Austin quickly ran his fingers through his hair, attempting to tame the spiky locks into something presentable. His eyes, still heavy with sleep, scanned his reflection before he nodded slightly, satisfied that he looked decent enough for a public appearance.

Grateful for the familiar layout of Pokémon Centers, Austin's feet carried him almost automatically to the cafeteria.

The scent of disinfectant mingled with faint traces of food guided him through the familiar corridors. Upon entering the cafeteria, he headed straight for the coffee station. He grabbed a plastic cup and filled it with steaming hot water from a large dispenser that gurgled and hissed softly. From his backpack, he retrieved a packet of instant coffee, the type that's more about utility than flavor.

Tearing open the packet, he poured the dark granules into the hot water, watching them swirl and dissolve into a deep, murky brown. Stirring methodically, he allowed himself a small, anticipatory smile.

Austin took his first sip of the black coffee, its bitterness spreading across his palate, invigorating his senses. He relished the warmth that flooded his system, driving the remnants of sleep away. With a contented sigh, he leaned against the counter for a moment, his eyes closing briefly to savor the moment.

Refreshed, Austin carried his coffee to a table near the window, where he could soak in the evening atmosphere.

Austin pulled out Inside Kanto: A Political Analysis from his bag and flipped it open. His eyes scanned the table of contents, his interest piqued by a chapter on the history of the Pokemon League. With a flick of his wrist, he quickly turned to page 30. The bold heading at the top of the page caught his attention: What is the Pokémon League?

The text mentioned the Holy Michina Empire, a term that made Austin pause. Michina... He recognized the name from the Pokémon movie —Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

A small smile crept across his face as he mused, looks like the movies might be canon. That means I can meet Arceus on my journey and get some damn answers."

His curiosity renewed, Austin continued to read about the ancient empire, learning that during those times, the practice of slavery was a harsh reality. Slaves had many roles, but most famously, they participated in the Ludi Gladiatori Sinica Monstra, or Gladiatorial Games of Pokémon, which were the precursor to the modern Pokémon League.

Austin paused to take a sip of his coffee. Wow.

The book described how these early battles were not just entertainment but also a system of recruitment for the slaves who excelled as trainers, known as Lanista Monstra or Monster Trainer. Turning the page, Austin's anticipation deflated slightly; the following pages offered little additional information on the Gladiatorial Games.

Would it have killed you to include more interesting stuff in your book?

Nevertheless, he read on.

"In ancient times, the top trainers were recruited into the army and if they were slaves, they were given freedom."

The text explained that similarly, in modern times, Pokémon League champions or those in the top 10 were often recruited into roles like Pokémon Rangers, police officers, or Ace Squad trainers etc.

Austin's gaze shifted across the cafeteria and settled on a colorful poster on the wall, advertising the Indigo League. A jolt of panic shot through him as he realized something crucial—he hadn't registered for Kanto's Pokémon League yet. Without a second thought, he bolted from his seat, the chair clattering behind him, and dashed toward the reception.

When he arrived, panting and with beads of sweat dotting his forehead, he found Nurse Joy meticulously placing Pokéballs on a tray. She looked up at him with concern, her voice tinged with urgency, "Is something wrong?"

Out of breath, Austin managed to gasp, "I want to register for the Indigo League."

The look Nurse Joy gave him that seemed to say—Really, this was what you ran here for?

Austin responded with a sheepish grin, still catching his breath.

"Submit it before 9 o'clock and you'll get your league card," she instructed, sliding the form across the counter toward him.

"What? A league card?"

It wasn't something he recalled from the anime, but then again, much of what he'd experienced lately hadn't been part of the anime either.

"Like your ID with the Indigo League," Nurse Joy explained. "It has your name, birthdate, and a barcode that tracks how many gyms you've participated in."

"Isn't that what the Pokémon badges are for?"

"That used to be a thing," Nurse Joy responded, shaking her head slightly. "But many people began making fake badges or sold their used gym badges on the black market." She sighed at the memory of the scandal.

"Thanks, I'll bring the form back in a few minutes," Austin said, taking the form and turning to leave.

"Take your time," Nurse Joy called after him. "The Indigo League sends back the ID card in about a week."

"A week?" Austin stopped in his tracks, disbelief coloring his voice. "You can't be serious."

"You are free to ask around."

Austin sighed deeply as he walked away, form in hand. Despite his frustration, he tried to find the silver lining.

More time to prepare for Brock, I guess.

Austin's thoughts were momentarily interrupted by a familiar call.

"Pika."

"Vee."

He glanced down, slightly startled, to find his two Pokémon—Pikachu and Eevee—gazing up at him. "Great, you two..." Austin started, his voice trailing off as he noticed their sheepish expressions.

"How did you two get out of your room?"

In response, their ears flopped down even further, a sign of guilt. Before Austin could press them further, another voice cut through the cafeteria, sharp and alarmed.

"Hey, who's Fearow is this?!"

Austin's heart leapt in relief. It wasn't —

"I mean, Spearow," the voice corrected.

"That's my bird," Austin yelled back, already moving towards the commotion.

After a few minutes of apologies and smoothing over ruffled feathers—literally and figuratively—Austin found himself sitting down again, watching as his Pokémon ate.

"You really need to work on your anger issues, Spearow. You can't just attack and steal someone else's food," he scolded gently.

Spearow patted his belly in response, looking unrepentant.

"Okay then, you should have found me."

Spearow simply huffed and turned away, leaving the young boy to call after him in an annoyed tone, "Spearow!"

But the Pokémon only squawked dismissively and turned his back on everyone.

Austin shook his head, resigned.

Spearow's attitude needed serious work. Settling back into his seat, he picked up the pen and continued filling out the form. The Pokedex, open beside him, provided most of Ash's information, but Austin paused when he reached the section for Ash's father's name.

"Alexander Rothsvale."

He blinked, reading the name again. Not the expected 'Red', 'Silver', or even 'Giovanni'. A wave of disappointment washed over him, but he shrugged it off.

Looks like Ash's father isn't someone special.

----------------------------------------

Flint tread softly through the narrow street, his boots scuffing against the cobblestones. The road wound between stone houses with arched doorways and small, barred windows. He paused, his gaze fixed on the simple house he and his wife had bought after they married—the very home where his children now lived without him. His posture sagged with the weight of his emotions, shoulders hunched, and hands trembling slightly at his sides. Memories, thick and poignant, clouded his eyes with a sheen of regret.

With a deep, shaky breath, Flint shook his head. He reached into his coat pocket and carefully placed an envelope full of money—this month's savings—on the doorstep. Each bill was a sacrifice, money that could have afforded him necessities, but if it meant easing his children's burdens, it was a price Flint was willing to pay.

His heart clenched at the thought, his hands lingering on the envelope before he forced them away.

The sound of footsteps approached from inside the house.

"Coming!" called the familiar voice of his oldest son, Brock.

Flint's heart skipped a beat.

He yearned to stay, to face his son, to embrace his role as a father once again, to mend the rifts wrought by his past mistakes. But the weight of his sins felt too heavy, the scars too deep.

Panic surged through Flint as the door lock clicked open. His breath hitched, chest tightening, a cold sweat breaking across his forehead. Without another thought, he turned and darted toward the cover of the street. He pressed his back against the cold stone of a nearby building, his body shaking as he whispered to himself, "Coward!"

Berating himself, Flint moved deeper into the shadows of the street.

His pace slowed only when he reached the local park, where the atmosphere shifted dramatically.

Here, the air was alive with the sounds of laughter and the excited shouts of children watching Pokémon trainers—both local and foreign—engage in battle.

He was about to slip away into the shadows when his gaze landed on a young trainer, Austin, conversing animatedly with another trainer about his age. The two walked side by side toward the public matchfield—the field itself was a simple expanse of compacted soil with stone platforms around the perimeter for trainers.

Curiosity momentarily outweighed Flint's turmoil. He hesitated, then edged closer to observe the match. Perhaps it was merely a distraction from his own inner conflicts, or maybe there was a genuine interest in seeing what this peculiar young man could do—Flint wasn't entirely sure which.

The two trainers released their Pokémon onto the battlefield.

On one side stood a Poliwag, its body sleek and glistening under the sunlight, with large eyes and pink lips that doubled as suction cups. The distinctive black and white swirl on its abdomen seemed almost hypnotic.

Flint's attention then shifted to Austin's side, where a seemingly ordinary Rattata was being prepped for battle.

But there was nothing ordinary about how Austin was handling it.

Flint's eyebrows rose in surprise as he noticed Austin strapping a vest onto the small, purple Pokémon.

The vest was laden with weighted bars of metal, a training vest designed specifically to enhance a Pokémon's speed by adding resistance during their movements.

"Why is he using that in a Pokémon battle? It'll get destroyed."

----------------------------------------

Jimmy's face reddened with anger at the sight of the training vest on Austin's Rattata.

"You think I'm a pushover?!"

Austin, however, only shrugged in response, an action that seemed to fuel Jimmy's fury even more. In a fit of exasperation, Jimmy flung a rock into the sky.

As the rock clattered back to earth, both trainers called out their moves.

"Bubble Beam!"

"Run to the right and wait for my signal," Austin instructed just as Poliwag responded by launching a stream of blue bubbles from its mouth.

Rattata, weighed down by the training vest, dashed to the right with surprising speed, almost as if it had used a Quick Attack.

"Turn your head!"

Poliwag's head turned, redirecting the stream of bubbles.

"Jump!"

Rattata leaped over the sweeping arc of bubbles, narrowly avoiding the attack.

"Quick Attack into Tail Whip!"

Austin called out.

Rattata charged, a white trail of energy blurring behind her as she sped towards Poliwag. Due to the awkward angle and Austin's desire to preserve the vest, the Quick Attack missed.

However, Rattata used her momentum to spin around and smack Poliwag in the face with her tail.

"Water Gun!"

Poliwag regained its stance, its lips glistening as it sprayed a jet of water at Rattata.

"Dodge with Quick Attack?!"

Rattata, boosted by the additional speed from the Quick Claw, dodged the water with incredible agility.

"Hypnosis!" Jimmy yelled in desperation. Poliwag started swaying, the hypnotic swirl on its belly beginning to spin.

"Tail Whip!"

In a swift reaction, the little lady turned as her tail struck Poliwag, disrupting the hypnotic dance.

Due to the turn of her body, Rattata wasn't caught in the hypnosis as she wasn't looking at it

Before Jimmy could issue another command, Austin yelled, "Quick Attack!" Without hesitation, Rattata ran and headbutted Poliwag in the belly.

Normally, a Quick Attack would involve the whole-body slamming into the opponent shoulder-first, but to avoid damaging the vest, Rattata opted for a headbutt using her forward momentum.

The impact, combined with the lowered defense from the Tail Whips, was enough.

Poliwag crumpled to the ground in defeat.

Jimmy, frustration evident in his clenched jaw and furrowed brow, recalled his defeated starter Pokémon back into its Pokéball.

Austin gently called back Rattata after her impressive display. As he held her, he noticed the distinct veins throbbing along her tail.

The dilation of these veins, which allowed more blood flow to support her strenuous activity, was particularly evident now, a clear indication of how hard she had pushed herself.

"Looks like the training is working, huh. Why don't you rest?"

Rattata puffed out her chest, her body language screaming her desire to continue the fight.

Austin lightly tapped her nose with a finger. "Rest. This isn't up for discussion."

Rattata's expression turned into a frown as Austin picked her up, her little feet dangling. He smiled at her warmly. "I know that you want to continue but remember what we discussed. Only one battle."

As Rattata chattered her teeth in mild protest, Austin placed her gently on his shoulder. "See, best spot!"

Meanwhile, Pikachu, who was sitting beside Austin's backpack with a packet of half-finished ketchup, watched the scene unfold. The electric type's eyes narrowed into a glare directed at Rattata, who returned the look with a mischievous smirk.

In response to Rattata claiming what he considered his rightful place, Pikachu jumped onto the other side of Austin's shoulder, making Austin regret his decision as he tried to balance the two.

"Ahem! We have a battle."

Austin nodded as Jimmy released a Nidorino, a light-purple, quadrupedal mammalian Pokémon with darker purple patches and large, spiny ears. Its narrow black eyes and the long snout with two pointed teeth protruding from the upper jaw added to its intimidating appearance.

Austin responded by releasing Spearow, the small bird Pokémon now also donning a training vest.

As he clipped the Quick Claw necklace around Spearow's neck, Jimmy watched calmly, his earlier frustration subsided for the moment.

"Poison Sting!"

Nidorino's horn glinted under the sunlight as it started to glow white, signaling the imminent attack. With precision, it fired multiple white darts from its stinger directly at Spearow.

"Dodge."

Spearow, still in the air, responded with swift aerial maneuvers. His wings cut through the air with grace and speed, narrowly evading the barrage of darts.

"Leer!"

Spearow's eyes glowed menacingly as he fixed his gaze on Nidorino, who involuntarily took a step back, its confidence wavering under the bird's intense stare.

"Nidorino, don't back down! Use Water Pulse!"

Nidorino opened its mouth, and a ring of water formed, launching multiple high-speed pulsating rings towards Spearow.

"Fly up!"

But it was too late; the water pulse struck Spearow squarely. The impact was sudden and forceful, sending the wet bird spiraling down from the sky.

With a splash, Spearow hit the soil, feathers drenched and sticking to his body.

"Spearow, You okay?!"

"Row!" Despite the fall, Spearow managed to stand up, shaking off the water as his feathers fluffed out slightly.

"Peck!"

Nidorino charged forward, its horn glowing ominously.

"Growl?!"

He outsped Nidorino, issuing a fierce growl that caused Nidorino's Peck to lose some of its lethality. Even so, the impact sent Spearow tumbling back.

"Fury Attack?!"

Spearow, feeling the weight of his soaked vest, decided it was time to shed it. With a swift movement, he threw off the vest, his talons glowing.

Now free from the burden of the training vest, Spearow launched at Nidorino with incredible speed, his talons striking first. Nidorino staggered back under the rapid swipes, each hit precise and forceful.

"Peck!" Nidorino attempted a point-blank attack. Austin countered immediately.

"Quick Attack!"

Spearow, though visibly tired, ran forward. His little feet propelled him at breakneck speed, and he landed his wing onto Nidorino.

"Ow!"

Spearow squawked as he retreated slightly, his body showing clear signs of poison. Austin clicked his tongue in frustration.

Nidorino's ability is Poison Point. Spearow is poisoned.

As Nidorino opened its mouth to unleash another Water Pulse, Austin's mind momentarily went blank. The sight of his poisoned Spearow, struggling in flight, filled him with uncertainty.

But then, something unexpected happened. A dark aura enveloped Spearow's beak, startling Austin from his panicked thoughts.

What is happening?!

Nidorino fired the Water Pulse just as Spearow leapt into the air, his beak glowing an ominous crimson black. Using gravity to his advantage, Spearow rammed his beak into the nape of Nidorino with an intensity that surprised everyone watching. A bright, blinding light enveloped the field, forcing Austin to shield his eyes.

As the light dissipated, the scene that unfolded was beyond what anyone had expected.

Nidorino lay unconscious on the ground, while Spearow, though barely standing, managed a smug look in Jimmy's direction. Austin wasted no time and quickly returned Spearow to his Pokéball, his heart pounding.

He immediately consulted his Pokédex, his eyes scanning for an explanation of the mysterious move.

The move entry for Assurance appeared on the screen, describing it as a dark type move that inflicted damage and doubled its impact if the target had already been hurt. Austin was stunned; that was a Gen-5 move.

As he was absorbing this new information, Jimmy approached, a look of respect on his face. "You were amazing, can't believe that you don't even have your first gym badge," he said, extending his hand.

"Thank you."

While he appreciated the praise, his mind was already racing with ideas on how to improve—fine-tuning Spearow's flying maneuvers and developing better battle strategies were at the top of his list.

"About your prize," Jimmy mentioned, snapping Austin out of his thoughts.

At that cue, Austin pulled out his notebook.

----------------------------------------

[ DAY 2 ]

The next day, Flint found Austin in the park again, but this time the young trainer wasn't battling; he was deep in the throes of training.

Rattata was dashing back and forth energetically, the weight vests strapped to her small body.

A few meters away, Pikachu engaged in a different kind of exercise, biting down on a metal rod connected to wires and a battery. Flint recognized the setup immediately—it was training designed to enhance Pikachu's special attacks by absorbing electricity.

Nearby, Austin and his Eevee were tossing plastic rings into the air, and Spearow darted back and forth, agilely catching them in its beak.

Air maneuver training.

His gaze then drifted to a bunch of homemade protein and vitamin shakes beside the boy.

A few minutes later, an older trainer approached Austin, challenging him to a match. Austin agreed, and to everyone's surprise, the trainer released an Onix. The sheer size and power of the Onix were overwhelming, and despite Austin's strategic efforts and spirited fight, he lost the match.

After the fight, Flint observed Austin's reaction. The boy was visibly upset by the loss, but there was something else in his eyes—a fiery determination that seemed to intensify with the setback.

Flint watched as Austin engaged the older trainer in conversation. Over the next hour, he saw them talking, discussing tactics, and exchanging strategies.

Flint's respect for the young trainer grew as he witnessed this exchange.

A desire to grow even when he lost, being able to put aside your ego and ask for help and advice. You have a bright future ahead of you.

----------------------------------------

[ DAY 3 ]

Flint stumbled upon Austin not in their usual park setting, but rather on the rugged cliffside near Pewter City. There, he observed Austin's Pokémon engaging in an unusual training session: Rattata, Pikachu, and Eevee were not merely climbing the steep rocks but also jumping and backflipping off them, with Spearow circling above, ready to catch any who might fall.

The sight was so peculiar that it peaked Flint's curiosity, prompting him to approach. "Oh, hey Flint. What are you doing here?" Austin greeted him, setting down his book— Understanding the Mind: A Psychological Read.

"I was curious, what are you doing?"

"Oh, well, we are training how to maneuver against an Onix. That thing is... big," Austin replied, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness as he picked at the grass beside him.

Flint's eyes then shifted to a pile of papers next to Austin, catching the title Strategies to Deal with Brock.

Flint visibly gulped.

"Can I ask you something?" Flint ventured after a moment.

"Sure."

"What were you asking that Jimmy fellow?"

Austin chuckled slightly, remembering the conversation. "Oh that, well I made a deal that if Jimmy can beat me in a battle then I'll give him 500 Pokédollars, but if I lose, he has to tell me everything about the Gym Leader Brock."

"Jimmy faced Brock?" Flint raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, the kid was bragging about how he beat Brock, and honestly, if it weren't for the TM for Water Pulse, he used on his Nidorino, his skills were meh," Austin said, comparing Jimmy's skills to those of Nobunaga, the samurai boy much more skilled in battle. Flint gave a slow nod in understanding.

"What information did you get?"

"All of it," Austin said with a smile, his eyes lighting up. "What Pokémon Brock used, what moves those Pokémon used? Everything that Jimmy knew."

"And the training vest?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why were you using training vests during your battle?"

"I wanted to see how psychology works in a battle. Jimmy was on his high horse..." Austin dragged out the words, then caught himself with a cough as he remembered the setting.

"Since I offered him such a large sum and then had weighted vests on the Pokémon, he'd either get angry or arrogant and not take the fight seriously," the young boy said

"That's the reason?"

"One of many," Austin replied, waving his hand dismissively as if the manipulation of his opponent's emotions was just a minor detail in his grand strategy.

"Like?"

"I wanted to see what the effects of the Quick Claw were in a battle alongside the training aspect."

"Training aspect?" Flint echoed, trying to keep up with the young trainer's rapid thought process.

"Yeah, the training vest alongside the speed of the Quick Claw. I wanted to measure how much strain would be on my Pokémon's muscles and how quickly they would adapt and grow," Austin said, leaning back against a rock with a smile that sent chills down Flint's spine.

As Flint watched Austin jot down notes with a focused intensity.

This young trainer wasn't just preparing for battles; he was strategizing them with a depth and foresight that went beyond normal expectations.

Austin's willingness to experiment was unsettling in its own right.

He didn't just use tools like the Quick Claw or training vests as they were intended. Instead, he integrated them into complex strategies. This was a trainer who saw beyond the immediate battle, planning several moves ahead, much like a chess player in a high-stakes game.

Furthermore, Austin's method of leveraging his resources—be it Pokédollars or his Pokémon's energy—was unnervingly calculated. Most trainers Flint knew were cautious, often sentimental, about pushing their Pokémon too hard or risking significant resources without guaranteed returns. Austin, however, seemed to measure success not by individual wins but by long-term gains in experience and capability, making him a daunting prospect as a competitor.

This blend of psychological acumen, innovative tactics, and relentless pursuit of improvement was what made Austin not just a strong competitor, but a scary one. Flint knew that in the world of Pokémon battling, being unpredictable and adaptable were invaluable traits that could unsettle even the most experienced trainers.

----------------------------------------

Flint walked aimlessly through Pewter City; his mind clouded with thoughts he couldn't shake off. His reverie was suddenly interrupted by a familiar voice that pierced the afternoon calm.

"Big Brother Brock, I want chocolate ice cream!"

Flint's head snapped up, his heart pounding as he saw Brock standing with a group of children, each bearing a resemblance to him. The sight, which might have seemed endearing to any onlooker—an older brother caring for his siblings—struck Flint with a harsh blow of reality. This was the responsibility he had abandoned, the role he had pushed onto his eldest son.

Flint felt a lump in his throat, his heart seeming to beat right against it, heavy and suffocating.

"I must do something!"

He turned abruptly and making his way toward the forest area. His steps quickened as he approached an old, abandoned cabin—a secret haven where he and Lola, Brock's mother, used to sneak away for dates when their strict parents forbade them. The nostalgia of the path, overgrown yet familiar, pulled him forward.

Flint pushed open the cabin door, its hinges groaning in protest. The interior was shrouded in shadows, dust motes dancing in the few shafts of light that penetrated the boarded-up windows. Everything was coated with a fine layer of dust, untouched by time yet haunted by memories.

His eyes landed on a small, dust-covered photo on a makeshift shelf. It was a picture of him, Lola, and a month-old Brock, smiling innocently. Flint's lips quivered as he fought back tears, the image blurring slightly before his eyes. He hastily grabbed a metal cube sitting near the photo and ran.

----------------------------------------

Austin was breezing through the outskirts of Pewter City on his bike, Pikachu and Vee perched happily behind him, enjoying the rush of wind. Their peaceful ride was abruptly halted when a panting Flint appeared in front of them, blocking their path.

"Why does everyone jump in front of my bike?"

"S-Sorry, I just wanted to make a deal," Flint wheezed out, struggling to catch his breath after his sudden sprint.

"What can I do for you?"

In response, Flint tossed a metal cube towards Austin. Catching it reflexively, Austin examined it closely. "This is a TM?"

"Yes, the TM for Hidden Power," Flint confirmed, his eyes locked on Austin's reaction.

Austin's jaw dropped in surprise.

"You can have it," Flint added quickly.

The boy shook his head, suspicion coloring his tone. "You want me to do what?"

"I want you to forfeit the match against Brock."

A silence stretched between them as Austin blinked incredulously, his gaze shifting from the TM to the older man.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't fight Brock as your first gym battle, and you can have that TM."

In response, Austin tossed the cube back toward Flint and began to pedal away.

"Wait!" Flint exclaimed, lunging forward to grab the tire of the bike, halting it once more.

"Are you crazy?!"

"Is this TM not enough?" Flint asked, his voice desperate.

Flint's unusual request confused and irritated Austin.

"Flint, tell me why or else I am leaving?"

"I ... You'll break Brock."

"What?"

"Your training, your schemes, your prep... they aren't something a trainer who doesn't have a gym badge usually has. If Brock faces you, then he'll be defeated in such a humiliating fashion that Brock..." Flint's voice cracked.

Austin exhaled deeply, reading between the lines of Flint's fragmented confessions. "You're worried that I might break Brock's confidence."

Flint nodded.

"Then you are an idiot," Austin stated bluntly. Flint stiffened, taken aback by the harshness in the young trainer's voice. "Brock is stronger than this; he has always been."

"What do you know about him?! How can you say that with so much confidence that Brock won't be affected by his loss against you?"

"Because Brock needed to be strong. He gave up so much. Do you think this was his dream? Being a gym leader? Do you think he didn't have it hard when he had to take care of so many of his siblings?" Austin's words poured out, resonating with a harsh truth that made Flint's legs buckle.

Flint stared up at Austin, his eyes wide with shock.

"Flint, you don't need to bribe me to protect some fragile version of Brock. Your son is stronger than this."

How did this boy know his identity?

"Brock and his siblings need their good-for-nothing father back."

Flint sat there on the dusty road, the departing figure of the young trainer growing smaller in the distance. His body was slumped.

Lola, I don't know what to do.

----------------------------------------

Night had enveloped Pewter City in its quiet embrace as Austin found himself in the communication room, eagerly awaiting a response from the other end of the line. The screen flickered to life, revealing a weary-looking Professor Oak.

"Hello, who is it?" Oak asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Professor, you need some sleep."

"It's nothing, my boy. I was just reviewing my student's dissertation for his doctoral approval," Oak replied, attempting to dismiss his fatigue with a wave of his hand.

"Well, I am sure he will pass."

"I am sure Elm would be happy to hear that. Now, is there a reason you called?"

"Yes, I wanted to ask if you could tell me how I can teach my Pokémon Iron Tail and Steel Wing," Austin got straight to the point, his fingers nervously tapping on the tabletop.

"A simple simulation exercise should do the trick," the old professor yawned, his eyes heavy.

"I am not sure what that is."

"Do you know what Instinctive moves are?" Oak shifted in his chair, leaning toward the screen.

Austin nodded.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"Now, how does one unlock them?"

"Battle."

"Yes, but that's not the full picture. Think of it like this: in a high stress scenario, the body releases adrenaline for a flight or fight response in humans. In Pokémon, the flight or fight response manifests in the form of an ideal Instinctive move," Oak explained, his voice growing steadier.

Austin's eyes widened as he remembered how Spearow unlocked Assurance. It was the ideal move, considering that Spearow was battle-damaged and, since this world didn't have levels, unlocking new moves through this ideal response made sense.

"So, by simulation exercise, you mean I create a situation where Iron Tail or Steel Wing are the ideal response?"

"Exactly," Professor Oak nodded, impressed by how sharp the once deemed 'knucklehead boy from Pallet' had become.

"How do I need to do this?"

"I'll send you a book," Professor Oak said as he got up and left, a minute later he came back and began tapping something on the keyboard.

Suddenly the printer-like box next to the computer glowed, signaling activity. "Open it."

Austin carefully extracted the two pages from the teleporter, the title "Unlocking Moves: Johto Edition" glimmering under the soft lighting of the room.

"Professor, what are these?"

"These pages detail ways you can unlock Steel Wing and Iron Tail," Professor Oak explained.

"Yeah, but why are these just pages?"

"I don't know; that's how they are sold. You can probably buy them at a PokéMart, but they are expensive," Oak responded with a shrug.

"What isn't expensive in this world?"

Professor Oak just shrugged again in response. Austin made a mental note to compile a list of moves he needed to teach his Pokémon, perhaps even purchasing some of these methods if finances allowed.

"So, how's your life as a trainer?" Professor Oak shifted the conversation.

"Hard but enjoyable."

"That's the spirit. Any plans?"

"For now, I am training for Brock and waiting for my ID to come."

"That's good. Any new Pokémon caught? Gary caught 20 by now," Oak mentioned casually.

"Let me guess, he dumped most of them into the ranch," Austin said, a slight edge to his voice.

"You don't like it?"

"I just don't like this idea that you take a Pokémon from its home and don't have the decency to even bond with it."

"You've changed," Professor Oak noted, a trace of surprise in his tone as he watched Austin's expression stiffen.

"H-How so."

"Remember the bet between you and Gary."

Austin slowly nodded.

"The catching Pokémon one."

"Yes, but in just a matter of days, you've changed," Oak observed, his words hanging in the air.

"I-I guess having the responsibility of a trainer helped me for the better, but I am still the same old me," Austin managed to say, scratching the back of his head and laughing awkwardly.

"Of course," Oak chuckled, his response bringing a brief smile to Austin's face. "So, any new Pokémon?"

"I caught an Eevee," Austin replied, ready with the story he had rehearsed.

"How?"

"There was this old couple in the Viridian Forest. I helped them when they were attacked by some Beedrills, and they gave me an Eevee."

"Wow, what a generous couple."

Austin nodded, relieved that the story held up.

"Well, time is ticking, and I still have a dozen pages more to cover, so I'll bid you farewell, my boy. And know this, you are doing great as a trainer. Also, try to call your mother, she'll love to hear about your adventures," Oak concluded, his face disappearing as the screen went black.

Austin released a sigh of relief as the communication ended.

That was a close one, he initially thought, his lips pursing unconsciously with the effort of keeping his emotions in check.

But as he continued to reflect, a nagging doubt crept in.

But was it really? he questioned himself. Professor Oak and Delia had no reason to suspect that he wouldn't change; after all, unlike Ash from the anime, who quickly found Misty, he bore the weight of leading his entire team alone.

He closed his eyes, allowing the echo of Oak's suggestion to resonate within him. Try to call your mother; she'll love to hear about your adventures.

Each word tugged at a string of guilt within him. Interacting with Delia was a complex affair for Austin; he found it strange to play the role of a son, a role that felt more like a performance than reality.

A deep sigh escaped him as he wrestled with his thoughts.

I don't want to feel this way.

The idea of cutting off communication entirely crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

Excommunication felt wrong, too harsh and final for his uneasy conscience.

Let's just try to build up a connection with Delia so that at least she's happy, Austin resolved, shifting slightly as he made the decision. I'll try to at least be a better son than Ash for you, he silently promised, though the words were more for himself than anyone else.

Deep down, the boy knew his own longing for human connection in a new world that had become his new reality. He needed a shoulder to lean on, and perhaps subconsciously, he hoped that shoulder could be in the form of a mother.

----------------------------------------

Austin sipped his coffee sluggishly as he sat in the park, the sky still cloaked in pre-dawn darkness.

Around him, Pikachu, Rattata, and Vee were half-asleep, barely aware of the morning chill. Only Spearow was fully awake, perched alertly on a nearby branch.

They were up at the ungodly hour of 5 AM for a specific reason: to unlock the moves Iron Tail and Steel Wing for his Pokémon. The method, however, was daunting.

First, the Pokémon had to exhaust all their moves. Then, they had to brace their muscles while the trainer hit their tail or wing with a steel rod several times. After that, they would engage in battle with a weight attached to the tail, which supposedly would help unlock the desired move.

"Spearow, wake them up, please, so that I don't get an abuse case because of this," Austin mumbled, his eyelids drooping.

Obliging, Spearow let out a call loud as a rooster's crow, startling the trio awake. "Good," Austin said, his head bobbing as he fought the urge to sleep.

"Spearow!" the bird chirped again, a bit too enthusiastically.

"I'm awake, I'm awake," Austin grumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Spearow!"

"Okay, now you're doing this on purpose, mister," Austin said with a pointed look, though Spearow seemed quite proud of its antics.

Turning to the now slightly annoyed trio, Austin asked, "Who wants to go first?"

Rattata jumped forward eagerly as Austin pulled out his Pokédex to check her moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Focus Energy, Quick Attack, and Bite. "Do them one by one until you can't," he instructed.

Rattata nodded and began her routine, quickly exhausting her moveset.

This was because Pokémon moves relied on a special type of energy within their bodies called Pokemon Power but abbreviated as PP.

Austin had facepalmed when he had read that.

Picking up the metal rod, Austin looked at his exhausted little Rattata.

He couldn't bring himself to strike her tail. "Pikachu, you be the abusive drunk."

"Pika?"

Pikachu was clearly confused by the odd request but complied, slamming the rod against Rattata's purple tail.

Austin winced as her tail flickered with a glow.

"Okay, next step," Austin said quickly, his resolve firming. He grabbed a stone and wrapped it around Rattata's tail, his stomach churning slightly. "If it hurts..."

"Rattata," the purple Pokémon called out, pointing a claw at Pikachu and then motioning through her neck.

Pikachu nervously giggled.

"Well, you two have fun."

Austin sat on the park bench; his posture relaxed yet his mind racing with thoughts for the next few days.

The cool morning air brushed against his face, carrying the fresh scent of dew-laden grass, providing a calm backdrop to his intense thoughts. He leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees, gazing absently at the battle between the two.

We have four days to prepare.

Back on Earth, Austin was a competitive Pokémon battler, having clinched victories in local tournaments. His experience had taught him the importance of adopting a specific battle style. Unlike Ash Ketchum's aggressive and unpredictable approach, Austin favored a more balanced style.

Now, free from the confines of the games, Austin realized the vast possibilities that lay ahead. He could weave more complex strategies into his battle plans, an aspect he had always wished was more prevalent in the anime—combo moves.

He vividly remembered Ash's battle against Maylene in Sinnoh, where Buizel had impressively combined Water Pulse and Aqua Jet— a strategy that had left a significant impression on him. The potential of using such combinations excited him, stirring ideas of inventive battle strategies in his mind.

Lost in thought, Austin was suddenly jolted back to the present as Pikachu zipped over his head, a blur of yellow energy.

"Pika!"

Turning his attention to the field, Austin's eyes widened in delight. Rattata stood proudly, her tail glistening with a metallic sheen—she had successfully unlocked Iron Tail.

Nice, now let's create our first combo move.

----------------------------------------

Time had slipped through Austin's grasp like sand through fingers, and before he knew it, the day he had been waiting for had arrived.

"No pushing."

In the room with an envelope in hand, the young trainer felt a flurry of movement as Rattata, Pikachu and Eevee vied for a spot on his shoulders, each trying to claim a better view. The playful jostling quickly grew cumbersome, prompting a slight look of annoyance to cross Austin's face. Deciding to bring some order to the chaos, he picked up Pikachu.

"Okay, let's do it this way."

The young trainer said as he set his starter gently on the table, giving the little electric mouse a better vantage point and more space to himself.

"You are going to help me open it."

Pikachu nodded.

He then adjusted Rattata and Eevee, positioning them more comfortably on his shoulders, easing the cramped cluster. Soon, the soft flutter of wings followed by the light pressure of Spearow landing on his head.

"You all need to learn how to give me some personal space," Austin sighed, his words falling on deaf ears as his Pokémon's attention remained fixed on the envelope.

With a careful slice from Pikachu, the envelope opened to reveal its contents: a card and some papers. The card resembled a driver's license, complete with all the necessary information displayed on the front alongside a yellowish chip. The back of the card was empty, plain and unadorned.

Austin carefully extracted the ID card, examining it for a moment before placing it into his wallet. He then turned his attention to the papers as he began reading it out loud.

[Subject: Official Entry to Kanto League Tournaments]

[Dear Ash Ketchum,

Congratulations on your eligibility to participate in all Pokémon League-sanctioned events across Kanto. As a recognized trainer, you now hold the privilege of competing in these prestigious tournaments, provided you meet the necessary prerequisites for each event.

Enclosed with this letter, you will find your official Indigo League Identification Card. This card serves as your primary credential for all Pokémon League events and is recognized as a valid form of government identification within the region. Should your ID card be lost, damaged, or stolen, please visit your nearest Pokémon Center for a replacement. Note that a fee may be applicable and can vary depending on the location.

Please be aware that participation in the Junior's Division of the Indigo League requires the successful completion of at least eight gym battles. These battles must be recorded and encrypted on your ID card to validate your qualifications.

We at the Pokémon League are excited to welcome you to this new chapter in your life, filled with adventures and the forging of new friendships. We wish you the best of luck on your journey as a Pokémon trainer.

Sincerely,

Blue Oak

Champion of Kanto]

Austin's froze as his eyes locked onto the last few words on the paper.

Blue Oak? Champion?!

In disbelief, he scanned the lines again to make sure he hadn't misread.

Is this the same Blue as in the Pokémon Adventures manga?

It briefly amused him to think about the manga and anime counterparts, how Blue and Gary mirrored each other in those universes.

But how could Blue be the champion of Kanto? And furthermore, by the name proxy, Blue Oak would imply he was Professor Oak's son and Gary's father.

Austin snorted softly. Gary's father has the same name as his manga counterpart.

What if Gary's father was Blue?

The idea lingered in his mind only for a moment before he dismissed it. Logically and timeline wise, it didn't make sense.

If that were true, then by that same logic, shouldn't Ash's father be Red? But no, his father was Alexander something-or-other.

Deciding not to spiral further into speculative thoughts, Austin folded the paper. He looked around at his Pokémon, who seemed oblivious to his internal debate, their eyes still curiously fixed on the now-folded paper as if expecting more excitement.

"Come on, let's eat, do some warm-ups, and then go win our first gym badge."

At his words, a chorus of enthusiastic calls responded from his Pokémon.

----------------------------------------

[ Pewter City Gym ]

Austin approached the Pewter Gym, its architecture instantly recognizable from the anime as it was built from stone with a robust steel frame, loomed ahead just as it did in the anime. Bold letters spelling out "Pewter Gym" were mounted on the front. He pushed through the metal doors and was immediately greeted by a secretary who bore a strong resemblance to Brock.

As he handed over the papers for his gym battle, curiosity piqued.

"Excuse me, but is a gym reservation a normal thing?"

"Not for most gyms," the secretary, Sally, responded, her voice calm as she sifted through the documents.

"So why here?"

"The thing is, most gyms have a filter system where trainers would fight apprentice trainers of a gym," Sally explained, finishing up with the paperwork. "Pewter doesn't have the funds to sponsor apprenticeships because we have alot of mouths to feed."

The last part was left unsaid, but Austin managed to piece it together.

"So, Brock faces every challenger?"

"Yes." Sally confirmed, a hint of pride in her voice.

"Wow, he is amazing."

"I am sure Big brother would love to hear that," Sally smiled as she scratched Pikachu's head.

"Good luck on your match."

Austin grinned appreciatively before he pushed open the next set of doors and stepped inside, only to find the lights off. "Who goes there?" a voice called out.

A spotlight suddenly illuminated the other side of the room, revealing Brock dressed in brown cargo pants, an orange shirt, and a green vest, sitting with his legs crossed.

"I am here for my gym battle."

At his declaration, another one of Brock's siblings — Forrest, stepped into the rock-covered arena wearing referee clothing, marking another deviation from the anime. It was clear the gym wasn't just run by Brock; he had the support of multiple siblings.

"Excuse me, Sir, do you know the rules of the match?" Forrest inquired, his tone official.

"Run me by them."

Forrest nodded slightly, a hint of confusion flickering across his face before he composed himself to begin the briefing. "This will be an official gym battle with the gym leader using two grade 1 Pokémon."

"Grade 1 Pokémon?"

"Yes, a gym leader has multiple teams based on the number of Gym badges the challenger has. Since this is your first gym battle, Brock will be using Pokémon on the same level as a 1-badge trainer, also known as grade 1." Forrest explained.

Just like in Pokémon Origins.

"You are allowed to use up to six Pokémon," Forrest continued. "The rules will be that both trainers can only use up to four moves from a Pokémon, doing more will gain you a penalty. One item per Pokémon use, and any illegal items will result in disqualification or an arrest."

"There are illegal items?"

"Yes, many items like Rare Candies are extremely harmful to a Pokémon's health; hence why they are banned."

Austin nodded slowly, processing the information. If Rare Candies level up your Pokémon in the games, what does it do when levels aren't a thing?

Forrest continued with the rules, "Any intentional act of violence on trainers or audience will result in disqualification."

"Like if I have Pikachu attack Brock?"

"Yes," Forrest replied, then added, "Using illegal strategies will also result in a penalty."

"Illegal strategies?"

"Any strategy that can be exploited and harms the basics of battling, like recalling Pokémon the moment a move is made to save it from harm," Forrest detailed.

"Got it."

"The matches will last until a Pokémon is knocked out or the trainer forfeits. These are the rules, any questions?"

"No questions."

Forrest glanced at Austin, who offered a confident smile.

"Good, this will be an official 2 vs..." Forrest trailed off.

"Let's say several Pokémon," Austin stated ambiguously, leaving the exact number open, which was within his rights since there wasn't any official rule requiring him to disclose the number.

For the first time, Brock felt an unease against a rookie.

It was unsettling to him that this rookie, who refused to brag about how many Pokémon he caught, could be such an enigma.

'This guy is different,' Brock thought, his heart rate picking up as he readied himself for the challenge.

Forrest moved to the referee zone with a clipboard in hand, his body language professional yet visibly more tense.

"Let's begin the Pewter City Showdown!"

Brock released his first Pokémon—a brownish-gray boulder Pokémon known as Geodude. Its bulging, rocky eyebrows and trapezoidal eyes with brown pupils gave it a formidable appearance, complemented by muscular arms ending in five-fingered hands. Unlike its portrayal in the anime, this Geodude clutched a smooth, partly crystalline rock in its left hand.

As the dust settled around the rocky terrain, it swiftly transformed into a swirling sandstorm. "Sand Veil," Austin murmured, his tongue clicking in slight annoyance.

"Pika," Pikachu voiced, sensing Austin's concern.

"Don't worry, I have a plan," Austin reassured, leaning down to whisper something to his partner before extending his hand for him to jump off.

Brock watched this with a frown. Given the electric type's disadvantage, he wondered, Did I overestimate this rookie?

"Forrest signaled the start of the match. "Hajime!"

Before Brock could issue a command, Austin shouted. "Jump and Thunder Wave!"

Brock observed without much worry as the nimble electric type leapt into the air, cheeks sparking. Pikachu released a wave of electricity, but not at Geodude. Instead, it aimed at the ceiling.

Ceiling? Brock puzzled over the target until he gasped in realization just a moment too late.

The electricity struck the sprinklers, triggering them to release water throughout the arena. The sandstorm was immediately quelled, and the rocky terrain began to turn muddy under the deluge of water.

Brock gulped as he caught sight of Austin's smile.

In a single calculated move, Austin had neutralized the advantages Brock's setup provided—the Smooth Rock that extended the sandstorm, Geodude's evasion boost, and the familiar dry terrain were all rendered useless.

'I was right, this guy isn't an ordinary trainer,' Brock thought, But how did he know about the sprinklers?

Brock shouted, "Rock Polish!" and Geodude slammed its fists together, causing the rocky skin across its body to glow white with increased speed.

"Quick Attack!"

Pikachu's response was lightning-fast, vanishing the instant it touched a rock, leaving only a yellow blur in its wake.

"Fire Punch!" Brock countered as Geodude's newly gained speed allowed it to catch up with Pikachu, thrusting an uppercut enveloped in flames towards the electric mouse.

"Iron Shield!"

Pikachu reacted with astonishing speed, twisting in mid-air just feet before Geodude's fiery punch could connect. The attack was intercepted by Pikachu's tail, which had taken on a metallic sheen, cushioning the blow and deflecting the force. Pikachu was thrown into the air, but the Pokémon seemed unfazed by the impact, thanks to its Iron Tail used defensively as an 'Iron Shield.'

"Roll out to dodge!"

Geodude curled into a ball and rolled forward, dodging just in time as Pikachu struck the ground where the Rock-type had been, mud splashing from the impact.

"Roll out!"

"Double team!"

Geodude spun rapidly towards Pikachu, flinging mud in its wake. Simultaneously, multiple figures of Pikachu ran from the other side; Geodude phased through the illusory clones, but its momentum carried it straight into a rock, sending it airborne.

"Sword Strike!" Austin's voice rang out clear.

"Sword Strike?!" Brock echoed, confused by the unfamiliar move. He watched as Pikachu, assuming a stance of a Quick Attack, charged as a blur towards where Geodude would land.

"Rock Tomb!"

Due to the move Rock Tomb, rocks flew towards Pikachu, attempting to envelop him. However, Austin had prepared the electric type for this exact scenario. Pikachu leapt, skillfully dodging some of the rocks, and used a swiftly approaching boulder as a platform to launch himself higher.

How?! Brock thought.

Pikachu's Quick Attack stopped abruptly, its inertia and momentum carrying into a spin. In a swift, fluid motion, Pikachu used Iron Tail like a sword, slamming it downward with the combined force of its Quick Attack momentum and gravity.

The impact was tremendous; Geodude slammed into the mud-covered ground, mud splashing everywhere from the force.

The arena fell silent for a moment before the referee declared Geodude knocked out, the Rock-type Pokémon lying motionless in the muddied pit it had created on impact.

Brock returned his Geodude as he noticed that Pikachu was inflicted with confusion, its head bobbing slightly from side to side. The flaw of your Sword Strike, the gym leader thought, seeing an opportunity to launch a free attack on Pikachu, since the rules prevented recalling a Pokémon under a status effect without waiting a turn.

Suddenly, Pikachu pulled out a bitter berry and ate it, immediately shaking off the confusion and sprinting back to his trainer, effectively dousing Brock's hopes for an easy advantage.

"An amazing performance," Brock conceded.

"Thanks, I have been training for it for like a week," Austin boasted, his tone deliberately arrogant. He wanted Brock to think he was overconfident; an arrogant opponent might be deemed prone to mistakes against a much more intimidating foe. Plus, Austin couldn't deny that it felt somewhat satisfying to brag a little.

"Well, then let's see how you'll perform against him," Brock said as he threw out his next Pokéball. In a flash of red, a Pokémon composed of a giant chain of gray boulders that became smaller towards the tail emerged. Its formidable size made it the tallest Rock-type Pokémon, with black eyes and a rounded snout topped by a rocky spine.

Intimidating was indeed an understatement.

As the giant Pokémon appeared, Pikachu took a hesitant step back, but Austin remained utterly calm. He knew that unlike in the games where battles could be resolved with a simple button press, here a lot of other factors mattered in a battle.

If he appeared scared, then his Pokémon's morale would falter.

With a steady hand, Austin released Spearow into the battlefield.

Brock raised an eyebrow, curious about the choice of Pokémon and the next move.

The commands came quickly.

"Double Team!"

"Leer!"

Onix moved like a snake burrowing into sand, disappearing into the muddy terrain with a swift, smooth motion. Suddenly, three Onixes burst from the ground, a common intimidation strategy that Brock employed. Austin, having been forewarned by Jimmy, quickly discerned the real Onix by noting which one actually emerged from a hole in the ground.

"To your right!" Austin shouted. Spearow spread his wings wide, catching the air displaced by Onix's massive form, and maneuvered like a kite in a gust of wind. The maneuver allowed Spearow to dodge the gigantic rock snake's attack gracefully. Spearow's eyes then glowed red, successfully lowering Onix's defense.

"Rockslide!"

Onix roared, its body glowing white momentarily before it summoned multiple rocks outlined in a white glow, hurling them at the flying Pokémon.

"Aerial Wing!"

Spearow became engulfed in streaks of white light, charging at the opponent with its wings aglow. The attack, resembling Aerial Ace but with the added strength of Steel Wing, wasn't as fast as the traditional move but potent enough to break through the Rockslide, striking directly on Onix's horn.

Brock watched as the impact momentarily stunned the flying type. "Bind!" he called out quickly. Onix wrapped its tail around Spearow, squeezing tightly.

Austin smirked, all according to plan. "Assurance."

"Onix, let that bird go!" Brock yelled, realizing too late the setup Austin had laid out.

Spearow's beak, glowing with a crimson black aura, slammed into Onix's tail, causing visible cracks in the rock snake's armor.

The speed at which Onix released its bind and roared for another Rockslide surprised everyone in the gym. Austin contemplated recalling Spearow, but he saw a defiant look in his Pokémon's eyes, a look of pride that refused to back down.

"Steel Wing!"

Almost humorously, Spearow used his wings like a bat, swinging at the rocks flying toward him, using the motion to inch closer despite his wings showing damage from the Bind attack.

"Fury Attack!" Austin yelled next.

Spearow descended with his talon aimed at Onix's right eye, missing narrowly but continuing the assault.

"Spear!" Spearow yelled as he twisted mid-fall, setting his second talon strike, which landed on the lower mouth of Onix as the flying Pokémon fell to the ground. Before Spearow fainted from the ordeal, he cast one last Leer at Onix, further reducing its defense.

"Your prideful son of a bitch, couldn't just take the easy way out," Austin muttered as he recalled the brave but injured Spearow.

Onix's segmented body was suddenly enveloped in a greenish glow, a clear sign of healing.

Austin noticed that the glow was particularly bright around its third segment, indicating the hidden location of the item—Leftovers which allowed Onix to gradually recover health, but the intense brightness of the glow betrayed its exact placement.

Austin had pieced together that Brock's Onix possessed an ability known as Weak Armor, which decreased its defense but increased its speed with every physical hit it took. Despite the rapid healing from Leftovers, the repeated strikes from Spearow had left Onix defensively weakened yet incredibly fast.

"I need to get rid of that item."

"Little lady, I call for your help!" He then sent Rattata onto a rock in the muddy terrain.

"You are a very unconventional trainer," Brock commented, crossing his arms in a pose that caught Onix's attention—a clear signal between trainer and Pokémon.

"Let's start off with Sword Strike!"

Rattata moved with astonishing speed, even outpacing Pikachu, and charged towards the rock snake.

Onix responded by glowing its horn, creating a sphere of white energy that plummeted to the ground.

As the energy sphere made contact with the ground, a distinct smell of ozone permeated the air. The sphere unleashed a massive wave of electricity that radiated outwards in an omnidirectional burst. The electrical discharge crackled violently, sending arcs of blue-white energy dancing wildly around the battlefield. The air around it seemed to vibrate with the raw power of the unleashed electricity, causing the hair on the back of Austin's neck to stand on end.

Hidden Power: Electric, Austin realized, recalling the information he had gleaned from Jimmy.

The battlefield was soon covered in a dense smoke cloud.

Suddenly, darting out from the concealing smoke, Rattata appeared, completely unscathed. Brock's jaw dropped in astonishment while Austin couldn't help but smirk; he had trained Rattata to use her iron tail to slam into the ground, effectively creating a lightning rod to counteract Onix's Hidden Power: Electric.

With swift agility, Rattata climbed up Onix's massive body, deftly snatching an item that resembled a half-eaten apple. She had removed Onix's Leftovers, which was critical for its recovery. As she completed her theft, she spun into a backflip, her tail whipping across Onix's face as she gracefully landed on the ground.

"Rockslide!"

"Sword Strike!"

Rattata executed the move combo perfectly, targeting the weakened spot where Spearow's Assurance had previously hit, causing Onix to scream in pain. The small purple Pokémon she leapt onto Onix's tail. In an instant, she scaled the rock snake's body again.

"Onix, shake it off!" Brock yelled, but it was too late.

Rattata opened her mouth, dark type energy swirling around her teeth as she bit down hard into Onix's horn.

The Pokémon roared in agony and then fell silent as its defenses crumbled.

The attack was too much, especially directed at the horn that seemed to magnetize each segment of the Pokémon. Onix began to crumble into boulders, the once formidable rock snake now defeated and knocked out.

"Pika Pi!" Pikachu cheered from the sidelines. Austin placed his hand on his rapidly beating chest, his breath catching with the thrill of victory as he saw Rattata stood proudly on the head of the defeated Onix, her posture one of triumph.

Austin stood in the middle of the arena, his mind a blank canvas, devoid of thought. The sound of the Pokéball returning Onix echoed sharply, the flash of red light momentarily blinding him. Before he could process the victory, Rattata and Pikachu, overcome with excitement, tackled him in a joyful heap. The reality that they had won—no, that they had won together—sank in.

With a wide smile, Austin wrapped his arms around the two Pokémon, pulling them into a tight embrace. The warmth of their bodies and the rapid beating of their hearts against his chest filled him with a profound sense of achievement.

After a moment, Austin collected himself, standing up to face Brock and Forrest, who were both watching him with amused grins. "Sorry about that."

"There is nothing for you to apologize for, you deserve this celebration," Brock responded warmly, as Forrest pulled out a box and opened it to reveal the Boulder Badge. The badge was a greyish silver, resembling a stylized rock with rugged, uneven shapes and angular edges.

"I thought my ID was going to be encrypted," Austin remarked, looking curiously at the badge.

"Oh, you don't know."

"Know what?"

"The encryption is just your proof for your win, the league will deposit your winning sum into your bank account."

Austin nodded, absorbing the information, his gaze lingering on the badge.

"The Boulder Badge, however, is a usable item that can increase your Pokémon's physical attacks."

Brock said enjoying Austin's shocked look.

'Okay, so badges work like they did in the Pokémon Adventures manga as stat boosters,' Austin thought, a new realization dawning on him.

Did Ash know about this?

Why wasn't it ever said in the anime?

This world isn't the anime, is it?

Brock's cough pulled Austin back from his thoughts.

"Sorry, I was just wondering how that was possible."

"Do you know the reason why Pokémon are so strong?" Brock asked, leaning in a bit as if sharing a secret.

"PP?"

Forrest chuckled softly, while Brock let out a short snort.

"Good guess, but Pokémon Power is just the term used in relation to their moves. In actuality, the energy that makes a Pokémon able to be so strong is called Aura," Brock explained.

Austin nodded, absorbing the information. "You don't need a giant lecture from me about the topic."

No, I think I do. Austin wanted to say, but he held back, listening intently as Brock continued.

"Aura is also found in nature and inside parts of Pokemon, hence why natural items exist. The aura allows them to display a special ability."

"Natural? So, there would be artificial items?"

"Yes," Brock nodded. "Items that are made in labs are called Artificial items like Choice Scarf whereas items from natural sources are called Natural Items."

"So, the Boulder Badge is a natural item."

"Exactly, but unlike most items, the Boulder Badge is special in the sense that any Pokémon can absorb its aura and increase their physical attacks."

"Awesome."

"Yep, now Forrest here will handle the rest while I take my Onix to the Pokémon Center," Brock said and quickly exited, a bit too hastily for a simple trip to the Pokémon Center.

"Nurse Joy," Forrest and Austin said simultaneously, turning to look at each other.

"How did you know that?"

"Rumors," Austin replied causing Forrest to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"He seriously needs to stop trying to bring a female presence into the home."

"What do you mean?"

"Brock is the primary guardian of the house, and he thinks that we need a female presence in our lives, especially for the younger siblings who didn't get to meet Mom. So, he tries to woo any female he meets. We know his intentions are sweet, but to everyone else, he just ends up looking like a creep."

Austin pursed his lips as he digested the sad reason behind Brock's simp gag.

"I'm sure he'll find someone."

"He'll get a restraining order before he ever gets a girlfriend," Forrest snorted, only half-joking.

Suddenly, both heads snapped towards the outside as they heard a shout from Brock and the sound of someone hitting the floor.

Austin and Forrest ran out and arrived at a shocking scene: Brock was on top of another man who resembled an older, more muscular version of himself.

It was Flint who was getting himself as Brock pummeled him.

Flint's nose was broken and bleeding, his lips were cut, and a dark bruise was forming on his face from Brock's punches.

Sally stood to the side, shaking uncontrollably. Forrest immediately ran to comfort his sister, his own face pale with shock.

Austin intervened, grabbing Brock to pull him away from the beaten man. Pikachu's cheeks sparked and Rattata flared her teeth, ears, and tail, standing firmly between Brock and Flint.

"Brock, stop it! He's your dad!" Austin shouted, struggling to hold back the furious gym leader. Brock's muscles bulged under Austin's grip, his anger making him almost too much to handle.

"He isn't my father!" Brock roared back, his voice thunderous, causing Austin to flinch. He had never seen Brock this angry.

Austin could barely hold the teen back; he skidded forward as Brock thrashed. Just as it seemed Brock might break free, a small, timid voice called out, "Big brother."

Brock froze, his body tensing as he turned to the source of the voice.

A crowd of siblings stood there, the younger ones scared and in tears, the older ones just staring in disbelief at the scene. "Is that dad?"

"No! This is just some... Nobody," Brock spat out the words with venom.

"Everyone go back to the playground," he commanded, his voice harsh. The siblings hesitated, their eyes wide and fearful. "Now!" Brock yelled, his shout causing the children to start crying.

"You," Brock pointed at Austin, his gaze steely and cold. "Drag that man out of my sight before I do something I'll regret."

Austin gulped, nodding silently as he approached Flint, who was now quietly looking at the ground, defeated and broken. "Flint, let's go," he said softly, helping the older man to his feet.

----------------------------------------

Austin handed a cold soda to Flint, who sat heavily on the sidewalk, looking worn and bruised. They sat in silence for a moment before Austin popped open his own can and Pikachu's, drinking deeply while Flint pressed the cold can against his bruised face.

"What happened?"

"I-I got what I deserved," Flint managed to say, his voice low and filled with self-reproach.

"Getting beat up by your son?" Austin asked, taking another sip of his soda.

"For my crimes, this won't cover it," Flint replied, shifting the can to his black eye, the chill of the soda providing a small relief from the pain.

"Flint, if you don't mind me asking, how did this mess start?"

Flint paused, gathering his thoughts. "I guess it started 6 years ago; I had everything I could have ever wanted—a loving family, my children respected me, my city respected me. I was expecting my 10th child, and I was the star of Pewter City," he began, his voice a mix of nostalgia and sorrow. Austin listened intently, taking sips of his soda as the story unfolded.

"Around that time, Pewter City's old gym leader died, and the position was open. When I gave Brock his starter, I told him that I would become Pewter's gym leader, and everyone supported my decision. I just had to prove to the league that I was eligible," Flint continued, his voice growing fainter.

"How do you become a gym leader?"

"A trainer has to have a minimum of 1000 Pokémon battle wins and then they apply to the league, where you'll fight an Elite 4 member alongside a challenge from the league," Flint explained, his eyes distant as he recalled his past.

Austin nodded.

"My challenge was to defeat the ace of an Elite 4, and I knew that I didn't have the capabilities to do so. I started my Pokémon journey to get stronger as I traveled from Kanto to Johto, training. And with that, fame began to form around me, and that fame got to my head. It felt more important than anything, and sadly, I neglected my family because of it," Flint confessed.

Before his crucial match against the Elite 4, Flint received a call that his wife, Lola, was going into labor. But as he sat in the locker room, he was intoxicated by the cheers of the crowd chanting his name. "I thought I could finish the match before going to my wife's side," Flint confessed, his voice cracking with guilt.

"Why?"

"Every time Lola went into labor, the process was extended and difficult," Flint explained. "I won the match just as the ace Pokémon fell, and I hurried back to Pewter with the good news. However, when I arrived, I learned that both my wife and my newborn had passed away due to excessive blood loss and eclampsia."

Tears streamed down Flint's cheeks as he choked on his words.

"I realized that my wife was alone, in pain... And my...youngest daughter..."

Austin sat quietly, a heavy silence enveloping them as Flint wept.

"I am a horrible father... a horrible husband... a horrible man."

Regret consumed Flint.

As Flint was celebrated as the new Pewter Gym Leader, his victory felt completely empty. The cheers and applause that should have made him happy instead felt meaningless. He was overwhelmed by fear and sadness, leading to many sleepless nights filled with painful visions of what he had missed. Each cheer from the crowd reminded him of the times his family needed him most, making him feel even more guilty.

"Brock had just completed his first Pokémon journey and was doing his best to help me navigate through my grief," Flint recounted, his voice barely above a whisper, thick with emotion.

"In a moment of vulnerability, I confessed everything to my son. The instant I saw the horror and disgust on his face, I regretted my honesty. The look in his eyes was more than I could bear."

Flint paused, gathering the strength to continue.

"That night, I ran. I ran from the disappointment in his eyes, from the unbearable weight of my guilt. I thought distance might dull the pain, might offer some semblance of forgiveness from myself. But it never did."

Flint's voice broke as he talked about what happened next.

"By the time I got back, Brock had already become the gym leader," he said, his voice thick with regret.

"He once told me that he really wanted to be a Pokémon breeder, but he gave that up to take over for me. I took that dream away from him because I wasn't strong enough to handle my own responsibilities."

Overcome by a wave of despair, Flint clutched his hair in his hands, tugging at the strands as if trying to physically pull away the unbearable pain suffusing his heart. His body trembled violently with sobs.

"I failed to be there for my wife in her moment of greatest need. I failed to be there for my son," he choked out.

"I—I—I don't deserve to live."

Austin, feeling overwhelmed and out of his depth, listened in silence, unsure how to comfort the older man.

"What made you come back?" Austin finally asked.

"You," Flint replied.

"Me?"

"Your words pushed me to realize that hiding like a coward won't help anyone. I need to step back into my role as a father, to take responsibility, and to move on from my grief."

"What do I need to do to help?"

"Nothing, this isn't your problem to deal with."

"But I can convince Brock to give you a chance." Austin said in the moment.

"Thank you, but I need to earn my way back into my family," Flint said firmly.

"How are you going to do that?"

"Every day, I'll go back to Pewter. I'll beg if I need to for one chance. I'll take multiple jobs, make money to help my family, and maybe one day... I'll earn the right to ask for their forgiveness," Flint resolved, his voice steadier.

Austin wanted to help, but he knew this family drama wasn't going to be resolved by simple anime clichés.

"I think this belongs to you," Flint said as he placed the TM for Hidden Power in front of Austin.

"Why?"

"Just think of it as my thank you," Flint replied.

"You don't have to do this," Austin said, feeling a sense of unease accepting such a gift under these circumstances.

"I don't, but I want to," Flint insisted, meeting Austin's gaze firmly. "Do this old man a favor? Take it and use it so that even if I fail, at least I did something right."

Austin looked at the cube, feeling a mix of gratitude and sadness that he couldn't do more to help the man.

Austin looked up at Flint, his gaze hesitant and searching.

He wanted to offer comfort or advice, something that might ease the heavy burden the older man carried, but he struggled to find the right words.

How could he, still a teenager in so many ways, provide solace in a situation so fraught with adult complexities and deep-seated pain?

'Why couldn't this be just like the anime,' Austin thought, where problems like these are resolved neatly and quickly?

Despite his inner turmoil, Austin managed a smile, an attempt to project a sense of confidence he didn't fully feel.

"I am sure that you'll succeed, Flint."

It was a simple expression of support, perhaps naive, but it was sincere.

Flint looked down at him, a complex mix of emotions playing across his face.

Austin's words, simple yet filled with earnestness, seemed to offer a small comfort, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there could be a glimmer of hope, a chance for change.

The boy might not have had the wisdom of years, but his support, untainted by cynicism, carried its own kind of power.

----------------------------------------

The store, a quaint, dimly lit sanctuary packed with racks of VHS tapes, welcomed Delia like an old friend. As she stepped through the door, a familiar tinkling bell sounded her arrival. She was immediately greeted by the store owner, Roger.

"Oh, it's you."

"Not stoked to see me?" Delia asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"I'd be stoked for a paying customer," Roger shot back, his eyes not leaving the magazine he was thumbing through.

"Well, I'll cough up the dough once the holidays roll around."

Roger rolled his eyes, but a smirk crept onto his face.

"So, what, now that the kid is off adventuring, you can finally morph back into a premium nerd?"

Delia feigned shock, dramatically placing a hand over her heart. "Me? A nerd?" she exclaimed, before breaking into a warm, genuine smile. "Guilty as charged. I binged like five flicks last night."

"Oh, the great movie goblin returns..." Roger teased. "By the way, we just got a fresh batch of flicks straight from the states."

"Pokestar Studios?"

"Of course," Roger confirmed with a nod, his hands deftly arranging a stack of tapes for her perusal.

Delia's eyes quickly scanned the titles, her attention caught by the one on top. "Men In Black by Hilda White," she read aloud, her fingers gently tracing the bold letters on the cover.

"Oh, this seems interesting."

She picked up a few more tapes.

"Diving deep tonight, huh?" Roger commented, a playful smirk on his face as he scribbled down Delia's rentals in his well-worn ledger.

"So, how's Ash doing?"

"Good, he's made it to Pewter City and should have won his first gym badge by now," Delia replied, her voice filled with a mix of pride and concern.

"Well, how about getting him a prize?"

"What do you suggest?"

"Mario Kart."

"The game where a man jumps on Squirtles?"

"Yep, that's the one," Roger chuckled.

"I'll take two."

"These are for kids, you know."

"Hey, being an adult doesn't mean I can't have fun."

"Try not to get too obsessed with this one."

"That was an accident," Delia responded quickly, her cheeks coloring slightly at the memory.

"Keep telling yourself that, nerd."

Delia hurried back to her quiet restaurant, noticing the answering machine's blinking light—a sure sign someone had called. She had set up the restaurant phone to connect to her home phone, allowing her to pick up any calls even when away from home. She pressed the playback button and was immediately greeted by her son's voice.

"Mom, I-I ... can you call me back, I want to talk to an adult. Hmm, okay, how do I turn this off?"

Delia noted that the call had been made just five minutes earlier. Hopeful that Ash might still be nearby a phone, she quickly dialed the Pokémon Center number.

"That was quick."

"Well, audio is easier. If you want a video call, that'll take a few more minutes," Delia responded.

"Nah, audio's fine."

"Oh, are you alright, sweetie? Is something wrong? Did you keep your underwear clean?"

"Yes, everything is alright, I just wanted to talk about a situation with an adult."

"Don't worry, I am an adult."

She heard her son let out a heavy sigh.

"I'm calling Oak."

"You used to laugh at mama's jokes," Delia said, feigning a sniffle.

" ...Do you want me to laugh at the joke?"

Delia paused, a distant look perhaps crossing her face.

'My baby boy is changing,' Delia recalled Oak's words, a smile warming her face at the thought.

"No, so what happened? Did you lose the gym battle? Did your underwear catch on fire?"

"No, I won but..." Austin's voice faded into a troubled tone, and over the next few minutes, he unraveled the complicated story of Flint and his family's struggles.

Delia exhaled deeply, her heart heavy with empathy.

"Sweetie, what do you want to talk about?"

"I don't know what I should do next."

"Baby, what can you do in this situation?" Delia prodded gently.

"I don't know, I could probably ignore it and leave or stay and try to do something... Anything."

"So you're unsure what to do next, and you wanted an adult to help guide you," Delia summarized gently. "Well, the only thing I can say is don't try to put yourself in a situation that you can't handle."

Austin sighed. Flint's family drama was indeed complicated, and even his wish to get Brock as a companion felt daunting.

"Sweetie, I know you're a kind boy."

Austin shook his head slightly. I'm more selfish than anything.

"But everyone has their own path... Like streams, sometimes some streams connect, sometimes they don't as we move forward through life. You are young, and you're kind, but you don't need to put yourself in other people's streams," Delia advised wisely.

"But I won't stop you if you want to connect your stream to this Brock's," she added, leaving the decision to him.

"This has... given me a lot to think about," Austin responded after a pause, his voice reflecting the weight of her words.

"Now, tell me, how did the Gym battle go?" Delia asked.

"Well, first I faced off against this..."

A few minutes after the call ended, Austin leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression settling over his features. Talking to Delia had provided some much-needed perspective, helping him to clarify his thoughts about his next steps.

Brock had played a significant role in Ash's adventures through Kanto in the anime, serving primarily as a mentor and a plot device to guide the inexperienced Ash.

But here, in this very real world, Brock was not just a character in a story; he was a person with his own set of responsibilities, history, and personal struggles. The realization dawned on Austin that he couldn't, and shouldn't, try to force Brock to reconcile with Flint.

Austin sighed deeply, looking down at his hands clenched in his lap. "This is my journey, right? I can learn all of Brock's skills on my own, no big deal," he muttered to himself, trying to muster confidence in his decision.

He slowly took off his hat.

Even though it was a tough choice, he knew that stepping back was probably the best thing for both Brock and himself.

The boy was beginning to understand that his actions had real consequences in the lives of others, and he couldn't simply act as he might in a game or a story. His journey was his own, and it was up to him to navigate it in a way that respected the autonomy and challenges of those around him.

----------------------------------------

Inside the rented room, Pikachu and the others were enjoying their meal after Nurse Joy had treated them. Spearow, with a cast wrapped around his wings, voiced his discomfort gruffly.

"I hate this."

"You were the stubborn one who wanted to continue the fight," Pikachu retorted, sprinkling some ketchup onto his food.

"Only cowards back up from a fight," Spearow shot back.

Pikachu merely rolled his eyes in response.

"At least we fought," Rattata chimed in, her voice laced with annoyance as she shot a glare at Vee.

Vee, feeling the weight of the stare, frowned. "What are you trying to say?"

"Does the freak not understand?" Rattata replied sharply, causing Pikachu to sigh inwardly. The girl really needs a filter.

"Understand what?" Vee asked, his ears spiking up, not appreciating Rattata's tone or the label.

"Look, all of us here train and fight for our human," Rattata said, turning to face the other two Pokémon.

"You don't, or haven't. Why is that?"

"I don't know because the human hasn't called me out," Vee countered.

"That's because our human knows that you need time to grow because of the pain of your ability," Rattata pressed on, strutting closer to the Eevee.

"And what's wrong with that?" Vee challenged.

"You don't need that ability to be strong. You can be strong even as an Eevee, yet you don't bother to do that. Why?" Rattata's words cut deep, leaving Vee without a response.

Pikachu was about to intervene, but Spearow beat him to it. "Bird brain, move."

"No, let the lady express her pride."

"Pride in what?"

"Pride in fighting for that human. That freak hasn't done anything to repay the human but only put him in danger," Spearow added harshly.

Vee recoiled, his heart racing as he realized the truth in their words. A wave of panic washed over him, his breathing quickened. He was paralyzed with the fear as the idea maybe he wasn't safe in his new home cemented in his mind.

"Shut up!" Pikachu finally intervened, jumping in front of Vee to shield him from the barrage of accusations.

Just then, the door slowly opened, and Austin paused on the threshold, taking in the scene.

"What's going on?"

"Pika Pi."

"Row!"

"Tatata!"

"E-V-Vee!" Vee managed, his voice small and shaken.

"Let's calm down," Austin said, raising his hands in a calming gesture that slowly quieted everyone. He looked at Pikachu, "Pikachu, tell me what's going on."

A few minutes later, Austin exhaled a deep sigh, his shoulders sagging slightly as he muttered to himself, "I need to teach you all about charades."

Despite the communication barrier, the young trainer had managed to piece together the gist of the conflict among his Pokémon.

"Okay, line up."

"Now then, Rattata, apologize to Vee."

The little Pokémon looked up at Austin, her eyes wide with shock.

"Don't give me that look; you were in the wrong. I know no one likes being in the wrong, but your actions were a little too much."

Rattata squeaked softly, her gaze shifting between the food on the floor and her Pokéball, a silent question in her eyes.

"Are you saying that you think since Vee eats my hard-earned food that he should fight?"

Rattata nodded once, firmly.

"Well, firstly, I enjoy making food for all of you, and that includes you, Spearow," Austin said with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood slightly. Spearow, however, only responded with a sharp glare.

"And second," Austin continued, his tone becoming serious again, "I decide the fights, and I have been intentionally keeping Vee out of them."

The declaration took everyone by surprise, and Vee looked up with a bewildered expression. Austin's next words hung heavily in the air. "The thing is, Vee, to help you in your quest, I need to make you evolve."

Vee shifted uneasily, his paws fidgeting and his ears flicking back and forth, betraying his anxiety.

"Flareon, Jolteon, Vaporeon, Espeon, Umbreon, Glaceon, and Leafeon—those are the evolutions an Eevee is capable of," Austin continued, stretching his hand towards Vee. "Due to the experiments, you are only able to evolve and devolve into three which are unstable. Your problem is solved when you evolve into a stable evolution like Espeon or Umbreon. I didn't include you in battles or the harsh training because I wanted you to feel safe. I wanted you to know that I am not going to exploit you. When I risked my life in the Viridian Forest, it wasn't because of greed; it was because I wanted to help. Do you trust me?"

Vee placed his paw on Austin's hand, his eyes meeting the boy's with a newfound understanding. Austin smiled gently.

"Good, because we are going to start training from tomorrow onwards. Get ready."

Vee nodded, his stance firmer as the boy turned to Rattata, his expression serious. "Little lady, I expect better from you next time."

Rattata looked down, her ears drooping slightly in shame.

"Now, you know what to do."

Rattata let out a series of apologetic squeaks to Vee as Austin glanced at Pikachu, who gave an approving nod.

"Good, apology done. If there is ever a problem, we'll talk, okay?"

The Pokémon nodded in agreement.

"We are a team."

The Pokémon looked at each other, slightly unsure of what their trainer expected next. "We are a team!" Austin repeated, this time louder.

Still a bit confused, the Pokémon hesitated until Austin yelled again, "We are a team!" This time, everyone shouted out their calls in unison.

"Shut up!" came a shout from the other side of the door, causing Austin to burst into laughter, with the rest of the team quickly joining in the mirth.

Austin decided to wait until everyone was fully recovered before moving on to Mount Moon, but what awaited on that mountain was going to change him—for better or for worse, only time would tell.

But one thing was for certain: blood would be spilled.