The next day after finishing up a new improved training for the little ones. I changed into travel clothes.

“Are you sure?” I asked, as I put on my hat and looked over at Lucario.

“Lu.” She agreed, giving me a firm nod. There had been a shift in dynamic after Riolu and I had battled together. Riolu had gushed so much about the battle despite our clashing that Lucario had surprised me last night.

She had asked to take part in a battle as well.

How could I refuse?

I had been planning an expedition anyway. I held out her pokeball, and she tapped it with her paw, disappearing inside.

“KukKuu.” A forlorn noise came from the porch and I looked over to see that Mimikyu was slumped despite still wearing his Milotic costume.

“Oh honey.” I whispered as I walked over, uncaring that I technically had a meeting scheduled. My little guy would always take my attention first. I walked over and sat down, and then pulled off my hat and flopped it down on top of him.

“Kuku?”

“I’m sorry.” I told him. “I know you want to come with me, but it’ll just be for a short time. I’ll be back before you know it.”

He peeked up at me from beneath my straw hat, and it was silent pouting saying that wasn’t true that made me reach down and pick him up.

“Forever and ever.” I reminded him with a whisper. Leaning into the hug of his shadow arms as he wrapped me in a hug. “I’ve gone home before. It’s just like that. You’ll see. I’ll be back soon, and we’ll have new stories to share, and I’ll be so happy to see you, I’ll hold my arms out and hug you so tight just like now.”

“KuKukKu?”

“Of course I promise! It’s just a short trip.A few days!” I pulled the hat off him and instead nuzzled my right into him. “You’re my friend. I wish I could take you with, but I can only take six pokemon with me for this.”

He slowly nodded into my chest but didn’t stop hugging me.

It was cute how dependent he was acting. He hadn’t seemed to worry when I was just going between home and stable, but when I told him I was going out somewhere else, it had freaked him out a little.

“Kkuk.” He finally, slowly untangled from me and hopped off, landing beside me, and sort of refusing to look at me.

So of course I had to figure out a way to perk him up…

“You know… There is something…” I said humming a bit as I considered it.

Well, you know what? I was basically pulling a full come at me bro. Why not take it a step farther?

“So, can you do that for me?” I asked, and Mimikyu this time puffed up. I smiled softly as as I patted him on the head.

He just needed some assurance, I would be back. It was silly, but he needed it. So with this he had it.

I rose releasing Arcanine who was practically buzzing. Jumping onto her back, I didn’t have to say a word. We were in sync for this. She was off, running across the city and then into a familiar mansion.

I stopped outside and walked up to the entrance, and just as I was about to knock I tilted backwards as something blurred past where my head had been.

“That’s really rude.”

“Had to see if your training has held.” Janine offered smirking at me. “You’re late.”

“I had a pokemon emergency.”

“Well you had better hurry then.” I nodded and stepped inside, leaping instantly over the tripwire then rolling forward only stopping to re-secure my hat. I moved on, rolling my eyes at the two ninja that had ambushed me upon entering. Trip wires and invisible glass I would smash my nose into was old hat.

I was totally prepared for this!

“Shoot, that’s the floor gone.” I cursed as the trapdoor activated below me making the floor literally disappear from one second to the next.

That was a new one! That hadn’t been there before! “That’s cheating!” I screamed up as I fell down the slide.

“That’s training!” Janine’s voice echoed from above.

“That’s training.” I mocked to myself as I kept sliding down until I fell into the ‘pit’ the basement of the compound. As I rolled hitting the bottom I looked around ready to jump, but realized I wasn’t going to be attacked.

Normally there would be a ninja down here to battle any trainer that fell inside.

I waited a moment and then Janine came sliding down behind me.

“That was mean.” I told her, and I could see her grin behind her mask.

“You allowed yourself to relax, and believe you were safe.”

“Yeah yeah. Never safe. Always be vigilant.” I grumbled at the ninja girl.

A moment later one of Janine’s pokeballs popped open, and I opened my arms to the leaping Venonat.

“Hey Venonat!” I greeted, happily spinning the bug around for a bit. “How are you? Has Janine been feeding you okay?”

“Vveno-nat!” It cheered up at me happily and nuzzled into my hug.

“Of course I have!” Janine said outraged, and I laughed at her. Knowing she was being honest. Janine was a good trainer after all.

“I’m just teasing.”

“Hmph! Well I see my Venonat still likes you.”

“Yeah, we were good partners during training. Weren’t we?”

“Veno-nonat!”

“Well you should hurry, Father is still waiting for you.” Janine reminded me with an impish glint in her eye.

“And whose fault is it that I’m later than I was?” I asked her. Venonat jumping from my arms and cheerily heading out of the room, happy to lead Janine and I out.

“I don’t know what you mean? Who would fall for such an obvious pitfall?” She mocked, and I scoffed.

“Obvious my as-nevermind.” I grumbled. At least I got to see Venonat again.

—--

“You are late.”

“I had a pokemon emergency.” I answered back and then bowed. “Koga.”

“Victoria.” He greeted me in turn, and waved me to sit. I settled onto the cushion and looked out over the courtyard we had once battled. It looked better, but there were still spots where Milotic’s tunnels had damaged the grass, or other damage remained.

“Everything has been settled. Here.” He handed me a small booklet, and I took it, checking it over and smiling at my own face looking back at me.

“Thank you Koga. I know this was probably not easy.”

“The opposite. I reached out to the Champion Lance, and he was quite amused. He ensured it was approved.” Koga looked to me, then with his face as blank as always. “Are you sure? You can still stop now, but once you begin.”

“Never step back. Never stop moving forward.” I decided to answer him after a moment snapping the little booklet shut. “This whole situation stinks, and the adults made it this way. So I’m going to cause enough of a shock that will throw everything into question.”

“Audacious.”

“It’s the only choice I have.” I answered back firmly. “I have to make a statement. I won’t be the first to win a Conference in their first year. Others have done it. But this?” I slapped the booklet. “I looked you know. No one has ever done this.”

“You’re time is not long.”

“Time? Koga I plan on finishing this basically without stopping. It’s about making a statement remember?” I rose up and he nodded, not agreeing with what I was doing, or denying me.

“You may fumble.”

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

“Then I take a rest, and hit them again.” I shrugged. “Doing it in one sweep would help, but no one can deny that just doing it is something else entirely.”

“Good. Don’t allow your expectations to cloud your judgment.”

I considered saying something smart, but instead I just bowed as I rose. “Thank you for your advice Koga-Sensei.”

He nodded, not saying anything else, as I threw out my second ride for this trip. Dragonite nodded to me, already filled in on the plan, but before I jumped on I stopped.

“Have you made friends with a Golbat enough to Evolve one into a Crobat?” I asked, and Koga sipped at his tea for a moment.

“I have not.”

I stared at Koga for a moment, wondering what I could say, and instead I decided to just be blunt.

“Take a walk with your pokemon with him on your shoulder… Or your arm depending on his preference. Golbat likes to hang right? Take him back to where you first met him. Tell him that you wish to deepen your bond, that you want to be his friend and grow stronger together… And find out his favorite food. Pokemon love that sort of thing.” I told the old ninja.

“You believe that will work.”

“It can work. There will be struggles, and dissatisfaction on both sides, but that’s how all friendships are. It takes time to build that bond, but when it firms… Amazing things can happen.”

He was staring back at me now. Our eyes meeting fully.

“I will consider it.”

“Tell Janine then. She has a Golbat too right? I bet she’ll do it before you do.” I said cheekily, and winked at the girl who had been listening the whole time. Hanging out in the rafters on the porch not far from us. “Alright I’m off! Seeya!” I cheered and jumped onto Dragonites back and we disappeared into the blue sky.

—--

It didn’t take us long to reach our destination. Once again showing just how fast Dragonite was in the air. Even with the mountain in the way.

Finding the right city wasn’t too hard either, there were plenty of markings to follow if you had a ninja tell you what to look for.

We landed right in the middle of the city, and I noted the difference between what a Dragonite landing would normally mean in Kanto, to what it was like in Johto.

Instead of gasps of shock and hands reaching for pokeballs before stopping. We got surprised looks, and then smiles.

I smiled back and waved, no need to be rude after all.

This was Violet City, Johto. I looked past Dragonite who turned to look at what I was focused on and I could see her wings twitch in excitement.

A gym battle. We had done more training, but the fact was, the one thing my team needed was experience. Just as I had explained to Riolu, strengthening my team too fast had stunted them in their experience.

So if I couldn’t go to the normal battle courts and enjoy some training? I’d go to the masters. Koga had settled everything. Registering my acceptance in the Johto Gym circuit, and confirming I had a passport for Johto in case of any trouble.

I also knew he hadn’t actually warned the poor bastards.

Dragonite turned to look at me, and I could see the eagerness in her eyes. She wasn’t a full battle maniac like Arcanine, but she liked growing stronger too.

I nodded, and returned her, heading inside.

The doors opened leading to a very open lobby. The glass building that was like a giant aviary had an open interior. I could look up, and see into the rest of the space. The chirp of birds could be heard as well.

“Hello! Welcome to the Violet City Gym!” The secretary greeted me with a pleasant smile as I stalked in. I was ready. My team were ready.

Time to sweep Johto.

“Hi! I’m Victoria Ferrous of Viridian City! I’m here to challenge Falkner to a battle! Please tell him!” And then I grinned a smile full of teeth spreading across my face.

“Let me fight your strongest team!”

—--

Falkner

He stepped out into the gym. A late battle request, far later than normal. His gym circuit rush ended months ago. He was culturally the ‘first’ gym that should be attempted in Johto.

Of course not all the trainers followed the course, and so he was still capable of handling everything up to seven badge matches normally.

Only Blackthorn handed out the eighth badge after all.

But that didn’t mean Falkner had never done matches at that level. Trainers looking to test themselves, conference matches himself, tournaments he had taken part in. There were many reasons why he would draw on his strongest friends.

A challenge from a Kanto Trainer? That was unusual. Especially one that was taking the badge challenge.

One that had no Johtan badges? Not unknown. It had happened before. The conflict between regions had caused plenty of arrogant trainers crossing over both sides over the years. Although Falkner had only heard his father mention it before. He had only been Gym Leader for a few years after all.

It could be why this Kanto trainer had chosen him first. Doubtful they had any respect for the Johtan order.

Then again Bugsy was even newer in his position.

But, he had been challenged, the girl was legally allowed to be here, Maka had checked, and so Falkner would battle.

The wind of his arena was already blowing his Kimono, letting him feel the air currents of the open topped battle area.

The girl was already in position… Interesting outfit. A farmer girl from Kanto it seems, but if he mocked her, it would only be to his own embarrassment…

And Whitney would kill him if she ever found out.

“I am Falkner! Violet City Gym Leader! Master of Flying Type Pokemon. You seek my Zephyr Badge?”

“I do! Please! Battle me with everything you have! Hold nothing back!” The girl shouted out eagerly.

She was young. Maka had checked, this was her first year, she hadn’t even had a first conference yet.

She believed she was capable of taking him at his full strength? Then he would dissuade her of this arrogance.

She asked for everything. So he would give it. To show her how high the winds carried to the very top.

Maka called out the rules for the battle. And Falkner as Gym Leader Began. “Pidgeot! Go!”

Falkner felt confident as the girl looked up at his Pidgeot, as one of his strongest pokemon took to the air.

Pidgeot for all their power were fairly common, many early trainers would capture a Pidgey, but a well trained Pidgeot was something altogether different.

“Lucario!” She called out, releasing… Falkner frowned, he had never seen a pokemon like that before. Fighting Type? It looked like it, that would be a disadvantage if true.

The girl and pokemon shared a glance and a nod together.

“Aerial Ace!” He cried out the moment the battle was on.

“Aura Sphere! Keep it between you and the Pidgeot!” She called out, but it was far too slow, his call had finished by the time Pidgeot had already begun.

His pokemon knew how to start a match after all. Pidgeot glowing with energy slammed into the pokemon, sending it rolling along the floor in a tumble.

Hmm. That was odd.

As the pokemon came out of its tumble, the girl didn’t offer any orders, instead the glowing attack in the Lucario’s hands blasted forth.

“Dodge!” He called, and Pidgeot swooped, without even focusing on the attack, trusting his word, his wings tucked in, he dropped and then soared back.

But the glowing Orb didn’t relent at all!

It was relentless. “Protect!” He called instead, and Pidgeot turned, the Aura Sphere had chased him down but a moment later it amounted to nothing. The white shield appeared and the orb exploded atop it with some power.

Falkner narrowed his eyes, that was a dangerous move. A homing move like that would be trouble to deal with.

“Lucario! Don’t let up! Again!” She called before the explosion had even finished. The blue dog-like pokemon crouched down and gathered another orb of power. It grew faster this time. Not having to deal with just being hit, the Lucario seemed more focused.

Falkner saw all of this, and gave an order.

“Swoop in!” He called, an order that Pidgeot would know means Brave Bird. He watched as Pidgeot dropped, energy already gathering on him once more before his wings opened, for half a moment redirecting his angle straight towards the Lucario.

The Aura Sphere had been launched as he spoke, and it had missed despite it continuing to track after the bird, but Pidgeot was now on the attack.

The trainer looked like she was following, just as she was about to order something. Lucario roared, and a Protect formed around her.

Falkner realized then that this girl's pokemon wasn’t in sync with her. There wasn’t a reliable breath of wind between them. It was discordant and fighting.

This girl thought she was going to come challenge him for his Zephyr Badge? He would teach her that the level of Johto Gym Leaders wasn’t any lower than Kanto!

Pidgeot struck the shield, the energy surrounding him vanishing as the energy simply couldn’t finish. It was a good thing in Falkners mind. No hit, no recoil.

Unfortunately it did stop Pidgeot long enough for the Aura Sphere to strike him. He cried out at the hit, but a moment later his powerful wings burst forth pushing all the smoke away in a moment.

Good, Falkner didn’t want this challenger to believe she had him for even a moment.

“Quick Attack!” She called out, obviously hoping to hit Pidgeot while he was close to the ground.

“Attack!” Falkner called in turn. The exact same white energy surrounded Pidgeot.

Both Pokemon used Quick Attack. It was a mistake on this girl’s part to think that Pidgeot would retreat!

Both pokemon rushed the other, and Falkner couldn't help but smirk.

The Lucario was slower, Not by a lot which was impressive and spoke of good training, but Pidgeot were legendary for their speed!

Pidgeot smashed into Lucario first, its wing nearly doubling her over, but she was tenacious.

The Lucario fought back, swinging a blow into Pidgeot’s back that caused Falkners bird to cry out.

They both spun off, Pidgeot taking to the air this time actually retreating, while Lucario fell to one knee.

“Lucario!” She called out, looking worried. Then the Lucario glanced back and nodded. And the worry melted confidence replaced it.

Where the confidence came from Falkner didn’t know, but if she wasn’t returning it was still an active battle.

“Tail Wind!” Falkner ordered and Pidgeot spun before flapping once and suddenly a wind started up, blowing over the building behind him across the arena and into the girls face. It was Falkners favorite method of reminding challengers the power of wind!

But the girl was un bothered. Reaching up and grabbing the goggles on her head over her eyes. She seemed completely unbothered by the move that Falkner had often gotten raged at for making.

Huh, he could respect that.

He refocused on the battle. The Lucario had already started creating another Aura Sphere without the girl saying a word. Was the pokemon one of her parents? Was she using it to try and gain the badge? But then why come to Johto?

None of this made sense.

“Pidgeot finish this!” Falkner called. The Lucario couldn’t take many more hits. Whatever the girl planned he would find out, and overcome it through skill. Pidgeot began glowing again as he dove into an Aerial Ace.

To Falkners surprise there was no hesitation in the girl. The moment he called the attack she started speaking as well.

“Lucario! Fire the Aura sphere to your left, and run to your right! Now!” Falkner frowned at her words, what was she planning? The Aura Sphere shot off, and Lucario started running.

Again the pokemons good fitness impressed Falkner, he had never seen these pokemon before, but they were strong. He noticed the Aura Sphere slowing and then turning back around, but scoffed. It wouldn’t reach in time. Pidgeot would strike first.

Lucario nearly made it to the outer edge of the arena Pidgeot flat with the floor, the wind shrieking at his passing. Then the girl gave her next order.

“Now! Quick Attack back!”

“What?” He asked aloud, wondering what she was thinking? But then he understood.

Lucario glowed white and blitzed back the way she had come slamming right into Pidgeot.

The Lucario came out the loser, smashing backwards into the arena wall, even as Pidgeot flinched from the strike, Quick Attack had landed first, and Pidgeot was regaining control when it happened.

The Aura Sphere that had already started shooting back towards Pidgeot as Lucario stalled her out struck.

“Pidgeot!” Falkner called out in shock the dust cloud of the explosion, keeping him from knowing.

“Lucario! Return!” The girl called out, surprising Falkner as his eyes had been on the dust cloud surrounding his own pokemon. The girl hadn’t hesitated. Simply pulling her pokemon off the field now that it couldn’t battle anymore.

Then the dust was blown away. Pidgeot cried out ruffled and battered, not in great shape, but still there.

“Good job Lucario, we both still have a lot to learn, but I think we might just be okay.” The girl said, speaking to her pokeball with a smile.

Hmm. What was her name again, Victoria? He supposed if she was kind enough with her pokemon he would remember her name. Kantonian or not.

“Now you know the power of Bird Pokemon! Pidgeot! Show them the power of the wind beneath your wings!” Falkner called out at the first round victory. He smiled, that was a good line. A bit different than his usual. He would have to remember them, maybe practice them a bit, polish them up and use them in future Gym battles.

Victoria just looked confused, then simply shrugged her tiny shoulders, and threw out a second pokeball.

“What?” Falkner asked, his voice carried by the wind rushing past him because that wasn’t right.

That was an Arcanine.

“Awoooooo!” The massive canine howled fire bursting from her, and the Tail Wind shifted, the entire flow of the arena altered at the heat coming off the Legendary Pokemon.

“What?”

Falkner hesitated too long, and Maka coughed into her fist. He nodded to her, signaling the battle begin.

“Pidgeot! Use-”

“Go!” Victoria called out, almost sounding like she was cheering, and then Pidgeot was down. Smashed into the earth, in the blink of an eye. Arcanine’s mouth wrapped around its throat. Then it looked up tail wagging happily as if just waiting to attack again.

“Pidgeot! Return!”

Falkner looked at that thing and had to wonder. What the hell was going on.