Bo felt a myriad of different emotions assault him in response to Gramps’ declaration. Within his spirit, the once calm auras of his team sparked to life with a new sense of tension. Without meaning to, the slow rolling of the crystal in his hand sped up until the orb was a blur atop his finger. His online guru insisted that slowly manipulating orb like objects was the best way to calm anxiety, but Bo had always found spinning them into a shifting blur more soothing. He rode out the wave of emotion, until one particular emotion stirred, a nearly forgotten hope he had held years ago. Forcing his emotions down, he attempted to think logically instead. That logic definitely hurt more, but listening to it would be better in the long term than going along with the storm of emotion. Probably.

“That’s not going to happen Gramps,” Bo finally said in as steady a voice he could. “Even if Blue finally got fed up and bailed, there’s no way the League will hand over Viridian to a nobody clan like us. They definitely wouldn’t just hand it over to me.”

“That’s exactly what the brat did and those desk jockeys wouldn’t willingly hand you a used roll of toilet paper,” despite seemingly agreeing, Bo could hear the triumphant smirk as the old man kept going. “If it was just Blue, we wouldn’t have a Charmander’s chance in a typhoon. But this time, it’s not just a little spark, we got a whole damn wildfire behind us. In the last ten years, challengers taking on the Indigo League have tripled. As it was, the major Gyms were barely keeping up and the minor Gyms were being overrun by all the stragglers hanging around. It was enough for the League to declare they were opening up the bracket for two new Gyms across Kanto and Johto. Hearing that, Blue’s officially booked it for Alola and that Battle Tower of his. On top of that, Blaine and Pryce both just announced that they were stepping down with no successor in sight. My boy, we’ve got five open Gyms, and not a single Leader in any of them. This is our time!”

Bo felt himself unwittingly clench as he processed this news. That was definitely a big deal, something that had never happened since the League was founded as far as he knew. It might just be big enough to mean what Gramps thought it did, but he needed to be sure. “Alright, so there are five open Gyms without a guaranteed successor to them. I hear what you’re saying but how exactly are we getting one of them? The Fighting Dojo, Yaz, and Kaz, have all been lobbying for official status for years now. They even have most of the infrastructure set up for it. What do we have?”

“We’re stronger,” the reply came quickly and abruptly. Gramps’ voice was more clear than he’d heard it in a long time. “It’s not just Blaine and Pryce stepping down. Lt. Surge and Jasmine are taking a sabbatical as well. Even if they’ve already choses successor, seven new Gym Leaders at once is too big a change to risk letting a weak Leader take over. They’re deciding on the remaining five new Gym Leaders with a tournament up in the plateau instead. Calling it the Indigo Pillars Tournament. Starts two months from now, as an opening act before the annual Conference finals. As long as you can put up the entry purse and you’re not actively wanted for a crime, you can compete. One type per competitor. Anyone in the top sixteen using the same type competes against each other. The top eight do a round robin to determine the five new Gym Leaders. No politics and no fancy talkin. I’ve already got the purse; all you have to do is win my boy.”

‘It’s not going to be that easy,’ Bo thought. ‘It never is.’ Aloud, he grasped desperately at what logic he had left on his side.

“None of that changes the fact that the village isn’t in a state to run a Gym, Gramps. Sure, back when official Gyms were just getting off the ground or even back in Dad’s heyday we could have done it. Nowadays, the village is a ghost-town and the people who are left don’t want outsiders around. You know you won’t be able to just force that kind of thing past them. Not to mention, where would we even put it?”

“Eh, you hit your head or something boy? We built a primo Gym facility years ago, remember? It’s a little run down now, but you can just fix it up with some elbow grease.” Before Bo could even respond to that idea, the old man barreled on without a care. “Don’t have any worries about the old fogies and whippersnappers here either, ya hear. I’ve been running this village since you were still crapping yourself. I know how to get people to climb on board. It’s like I said Bo, you don’t have to worry about anything but bringing home the win.”

Those stirring emotions were a full on rave now, bolstered by his pokemons’ own rising excitement. It was, it was… it was all really bad timing. He had put so much work into putting the past behind him and moving forward. He had gone someplace completely new and was on the verge of finding a new path in life. The research he was assisting with was rewarding, safe-adjacent, and no one here knew him from before. He’d even made new friends over time.

But even so, he had to admit that old dreams were still there. He hadn’t stopped feeling the urge for new challenges and harder battles. He hadn’t given up the idea of driving others towards greatness like his own mentors had driven him. He hadn’t let go of the desire to take a crazy risk for the chance at accomplishing something amazing. He hadn’t given up on building a place he and his dearest friends could turn into something amazing. He hadn’t dismissed the idea of being a Gym Leader as childhood fancy like he used to claim.

“If I agree to do this Gramps, if, there’s no guarantee I can win, you know that. A chance like this is going to bring every other ace in the area out of the woodworks.” Even as he said it though, he felt his team’s auras spark to life along with his own, a chaotic whirl of power spinning into a storm. They were ready – eager to meet the odds.

‘We can win,’ his comrades seemed to urge him. “We will win!’

Best of all, Bo knew it was true. His journey had taken a few too many turns South for him to have achieved everything he wanted to, but he knew he was strong. He’d put in the work over the course of his journey and built a team as good as any he’d seen over the years. He was confident that if he entered a league today, any league, they could go the distance this time. They could even win the whole thing. He’d already been on the verge of greatness before he’d fucked himself over and off a cliff. A chorus of ethereal protests from the pokeballs at his neck caused him to pause in his musings, the mix of support and condemnation originating from his two oldest partners’ stirring auras.

‘I mean before the actions I and others took had unintended consequences from which I accept and move forward from in a positive manner,’ he begrudgingly offered. ‘Even though it felt a lot like that time you two started playing with Confuse Ray and thought my nuts were racquet balls.’ The auras quickly changed from pleased approval to indignation, but it was drowned out by the amusement welling up from their younger compatriots. With a mild effort, Bo refocused on his grandfather’s response.

“Since when have I ever needed you to guarantee anything fool? The last time you guaranteed something was when your guilty lil face ‘guaranteed’ you, Baron, and Angel hadn’t been the ones to draw on me an Jumbo’s faces while we were sleepin’. Naw, I just need you to tell me you want this boy,” his voice once again took on a clear cadence Bo had rarely heard throughout his life.

“This has been our family’s dream since before official gyms even existed. This is what your father wept blood, sweat, and tears for. It’s what he left us for. This dream is what I trained you for since the day you could walk… It also has nothing to do with why I’m calling you now Bo. I’m calling you because I think this is what you dreamed about for a long time and I believe you can do it. As long as you tell me this is what you want, I’ll give it my all to make it happen.”

“Fuck, old man,” the exclamation came far higher and with mistier eyes than Bo really wanted, but the old bastard really knew where to hit him. This was worse than that time Gramps had tried to guilt him into using his full name during tournaments. Instead of answering right away, he nimbly transferred the spinning, pokeball-shaped orb to the top of his thumb, letting the familiar motion calm him. “You know I went to a lot of trouble to get to Paldea right? It’s gorgeous here, the research I’m helping out with is really starting to kick off, and I might even be able to get a teaching job here soon. I even managed to snag two whole new arms. My life is kinda awesome here Gramps.”

“Didn’t you sneak in illegally you dope? From what you’ve told me, the only reason you’re able to work now is cause that research you’re helping with is about as sketchy as Giovanni’s old ‘charity work.’ Hell, just have your crazy phone tell me where you are and I’ll get the rangers there to ship you back to Kanto myself.”

“Oh come on! They announced that they were joining the International League over a year ago and officially opened the border a couple of months ago. It’s not like sneaking in a few months early is a ‘crime’ crime. It’s more like a technicality at this point. And for the record, the research we’re doing isn’t technically illegal because the League here doesn’t know enough about it to ban it yet. That’s why I wasn’t arrested for catching Saber, remember?”

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“It’d be a bit hard to forget that nightmare you sent me. Had to keep them locked in their ball unless Princess or Storm was around to corral them. Also, I’m pretty sure if you haven’t figured out why those IP agents didn’t like you, I can technically explain it for yuh.”

“He-ha-hah! No, they were happy to tell me themselves! Hell, the bushier one shouted enough I was worried I had an uncle you never told me about.”

“Oy, don’t you go starting rumors! If my dear old axe is coming back from the grave to haunt me for something, it better damn well be for one of the messes I did make.”

‘Pfft!’ The familiar arguing with the old man’s curmudgeonly tone was enough to send Bo into a breathless laugh, finally letting go some of that last bit of tension. This, bickering with someone he genuinely loved, was definitely something he hadn’t had enough of recently. If giving his dream one last shot meant he could also keep doing this, then it might just be worth it. The imps in the back of his head were still whispering that it was a bad idea, but for the first time in a while his spirit truly burned with a will to fight for a dumb idea just to prove he could. After all, what did he have to lose. And if he pulls it off, well he might finally be able to put some wrongs he’d made right. “Alright, you old geezer. I’m in. Give me a few days to get things settled here and I’ll book it back to Kanto.”

“YESSS! IT IS TIME! You haul ass back here while I rally the troops. In two months’ time, we march for glory and the spoils of war! WA-HA-HA-HAH!”

“Glad to hear it. Just don’t… Wait a second,” Bo felt something cold slide down his spine as part of what the old man said sank in. “What troops are you rallying? Why do we need troops?”

“Huh? Clean out your ears boy. I just said the League’s not gonna let any weak Gyms take the slot. They don’t want any more of the nonsense they were having with Pewter or Cerulean way back when. A strong Gym ain’t just a strong Gym Leader, they need Gym trainers too to keep things running and teach others. That’s why they made it a team tournament. All the competitors are bringing in their own gauntlet. Each competitor needs at least a team of two other trainers willing to sign on at the Gym for three full seasons. Teams can go up to six people for the tournament.”

‘Do not throw the phone, Bo. Remember, the last time you so much as dropped him, Rotobi switched all your contacts to phone sex workers. You do not want to accidentally order another of “Dave’s deluxe sausage rolls” after you’ve been drinking. Comes with “spicy mustard” my ass.’

Taking yet another deep breath, Bo rapidly tried to think of a way to steer away from what he was starting to recognize as a cliff. “You definitely did not mention that part Gramps. I can win a tournament of one-on-ones, but there’s no way I can compete against six man teams with just you and me.”

“What I definitely did mention is that you need to clean out your ears. I’ve got the troops ready to go. While you’ve been gallivanting about, I’ve kept up the clan’s training grounds. Got a team of dedicated students ready and rarin’ to go.”

“Last I checked, most of the village’s best trainers had booked it for the Sevii Islands or Rota years ago and the last training camp you ran had three kids sign up. You still have five, ace level, type specialists training under you? Ones willing to actually work under a brand new Gym for the foreseeable future? We have Nuna, Uncle G, & Cecil pitching in on this, or something?”

The reply came immediately and without an ounce of hesitation.

“No Nuna, no Uncle G, and no Cecil. Nuna’s still only got the one pokemon. Your uncle’s still busy being a lazy degenerate. Also, Cecil’s dead again.”

“Fuck! Again?”

“Yup. I’d have told you, but we’re holding off on having the funeral for a bit this time.”

“Well, yeah, that makes sense. I mean, the first time he came back was a miracle. Even the second time he came back was pretty amazing considering we had already buried whoever’s body that was, but that third funeral was just fucking awkward.”

“Hah, yeah. Remember how much shit his family got for not doing an open bar at the wake?”

“Pfft. Of course I do. Cecil was the one giving them shit for it when he stumbled into the wake in the middle of the toasts. Only three people had drinks to raise.”

“Right? Apparently they promised to go big on the next funeral so they’re putting it off until we’re sure it’s his body we’ve got on ice this time.”

“Does it look like him?”

“Eh, the burned bits do but the crushed bits seem a little off.”

Bo shook his head in bemusement. It was little anecdotes like those that reminded him how much he missed hom-… ‘Wait, fuck!’

“Nice try, but you are not getting out of this, Old Man. If Nuna & G are out and Cecil’s sort of dead, then who do you have lined up for this tournament?”

“Alright, I got me, one student who’s nearing ace level, and two pancake brothers who know how to stand where they’re told,” came the confident reply. “How’s that sound?”

“Like we’ve got no chance in hell.” Bo released a sigh as he sought to ignore his grandfather’s response about having a chance of a boot up the ass. The fire that had stirred up inside him was still hanging on and his team still felt ready to try, but he knew it was only a matter of time until that faded. “Gramps, I’ll give myself even odds against just about anyone and I know you and Jumbo are good for a win. I can even work with a rookie or two, but there is no way we can beat entire high level teams with just us, a rookie, and whatever pancake brothers are. All someone would need is enough cash to hire a full team of ace trainers and we’d be screwed. We need actual competitive, pro trainers willing to sign on with us. I’m sorry, but without that we have no chance. It would just be a waste of money.”

“Shows what you know kid. If you’ve already coughed up the cash before making a decision it’s called a sunk cost, not a waste.”

“Please don’t tell me that means what I think it does.”

“Yessir, non-refundable and everything! Damn near cleaned out the reserves too.”

“Gramps, you, no, WHAT!?”

No matter how much Bo tried, he couldn’t seem to get the words to form. These types of conversations had to be how Pokemon first learned Self-Destruct. He knew the clan’s funds had been restored a little in recent years with the new business ventures and consistent moon stone & fossil sales, but it was risks like this that nearly bankrupted them in the first place.

“Oh quit your bellyaching. Everyone’s coughing up enough to give the winners a decent starting fund. We’ll get the money back and more when we win. The point is that you got no reason not to give it a shot. You already admitted you want to do this boy, so no backing out now. I’d have let you off the hook if you just didn’t want to do it, but I ain’t ever letting you back out of something cause it’s too tough. Get out of your own way.”

“It’s not about that Gramps. I can’t be any clearer. I’m not even sure what in Arceus’ name pancake brothers are but I’m 99% confident we can’t win battles with them. Especially if the only thing they can do is stand there. Don’t you know anyone who might be interested in a Gym trainer job and who can actually compete at this level?”

“What, like those hooligan friends of yours you used to get into trouble with? You actually think those two could do a better job than my personally trained pancakes?”

“Obviously!” the retort came on reflex. Even if it had been a few years, trusting the two friends he’d grown close as family to while on his journey came as easy as trusting his team. “Those two are elite trainers who could probably be Gym Leaders themselves. They’re at least as good as I am.”

“Great, call’em.”

“Huh?” The old man’s words seemed to pass through his ears and bounce alarmingly around his suddenly hollow chest.

“Two people as strong as you oughta work just fine. Call’em up and get them on board.”

The words were definitely pounding around his chest now. They were downright alive. They probably already ate his lungs and were moving on to his heart. It definitely wasn’t his team urging him to jump at the chance. They were just giving his spirit completely normal stabs with their auras. Even if Bo didn’t say anything, the spontaneous lack of internal organs would settle the issue any second now………

‘Fuck.’

Temporarily giving up on sudden death, he again tried to regain control of the conversation. Calling those two once he actually had something concrete to offer was one thing, asking them to join another insane scheme playing out for the public eye after the last time… Well it wasn’t happening.

“Gramps, I was being hypothetical. They’re both in different regions and I don’t think they’re even on any of the circuits anymore – ”

“Perfect, they’re not doing anything then.” Bo’s mouth shut at the abrupt cut-off.

“You call your friends and get them here while I get our last member up to speed. Quick thinking Gym Leader. You really managed to put a solid plan together on the fly. See you soon, kiddo. Wa-ha-hah!” – click.

With stiff motions, Bo managed to confirm that his gramps had in fact gotten the last word in. He rapidly thought through their conversation, taking in the ups and downs, the order of events, and ultimately, the resolution. With a sense of enlightenment, he looked to the still balanced but no longer spinning orb resting on his thumb. Staring at his own distorted reflection within the orb, he could only speak from the heart.

“You just got played, you dumbass.”

“Ryrr-hrr-hrr.”

Whipping around, Bo was met with the ever judgmental smirking of his oldest friend & starter. Before he could even speak, Baron leapt up and snatched the Rotom phone in his mouth before pressing it to Bo’s face. Whether he liked it or not, apparently Bo was going to be making some calls.

He couldn’t tell if he was laughing or sighing at this point. With little choice left, he was being strong-armed into to doing something he’d wanted to do for the last three years. Putting aside his doubts, Bo first directed Rotobi to the Indigo League website and all rules regarding the Indigo Pillars Tournament. If he was going to do this, he needed to make sure he knew what he was getting him and his friends into. It wasn’t until Bo had read through all the details of the tournament and the Gym regulations that he pulled up Carter’s number. Taking a quick breath, he –

‘Huh, I wonder…’