I smiled. "Pidgeotto, Return."

We had just successfully beaten another challenger, who was looking at his fainted Pokemon and absolutely dumbstruck. It was a Magnemite, and a strong little guy at that, but the trainer had gotten too cocky. The type advantage stuck in his head, and it was the reason he lost. Pidgeotto was insanely fast, and kept wearing the Pokemon down.

"Better luck next time, kid." I said with a reassuring smile. The kid looked at me a few seconds, surprised by the kindness. I didn't seem like the nicest looking individual at first glance. My default facial feature seemed to be a small frown, after all.

"Thank you." He said, scurrying off with his Pokemon in his hands to the PokeCenter. I had wondered vaguely if he was to be the next champion. I wondered that with every challenger that walked through the door, but I had reason to. They had to enter and challenge my Gym to have a chance at becoming the best trainer in Johto. They had to defeat me, and upon doing that, receive my badge.

"Mister Falkner. The Mail Pelliper arrived with a letter. It seems important."

The voice came from below in a shout. My gym was rather tall, having the battle field in the air. I looked down through one of the transparent tiles of the floor, and sure enough, one of my subordinates was waving an eggshell colored envelope. I could make out a small Pokeball sticker sealing it in the middle.

"I'll be down, Valerie." I called back. I had planned to do some night training, now with the sky turning a beautiful shade of scarlet. I supposed it would have to wait a moment. I walked across the clear glass path to an elevator, and descended to the ground. It was whirring softly during this time, and the sound seemed rather nice. It assured me that I didn't have to call a mechanic to fix it any time soon. It brought me back to the day when a challenger got stuck in it mid ascent. I had to use my flying Pokemon to get him up and back down.

The elevator made a satisfied fft, and the doors in front of me opened to show Valerie and the letter. She outstretched her arm to me.

"Thank you." I said with a smile, again something that would have surprised anyone who hadn't known me. I was a solemn person, but not a bitter one. Such a pity how first impressions meant so much. "You may pick up your paycheck up front and leave. I'll close the gym."

She bowed, a usual custom in this town. We at Violet City were a traditional people, who mixed metropolitan and old customs in an interesting and nice way. The town was only about five square miles in perimeter, which was considered small in comparison to places like Olivine City, and miniature to Goldenrod.

I took a look at the letter in my hands. It was a Pokeball sticker, as I had suspected. I carefully peeled it off, and lifted the envelope. A very decorative paper was tucked in it, neatly folded. I gingerly opened it. A picture of a large building, decorated at the front with the regional flags, was at the bottom. A golden trim, with pictures of contest ribbons and Pokeballs intertwined, outlined the paper. The words were typed out in jet black cursive. They read:

"Dear Recipient,

The fact that you got this letter means you have been invited to the most prestigious battling competition in the world. My name is Cynthia, and I am the current champion of the Sinnoh Region

Next Saturday, on March 5, I am going to start something called the Pokemon World Tournament. Here, the best of the best will battle it out to be crowned the World Champion of Pokemon. Every Gym Leader will be present, as well as great trainers around the world that I have noticed in my researching. It will be a full on tourney.

Of course, if you do not decide to go, I understand. It will be held in a battling facility south of Driftveil City, in Unova.

Thank you, and happy battling~

~Cynthia"

I stared at the paper for a while, taking in what I had read. Pokemon World Tournament, huh? In Unova? At first I thought it was impossible to abandon the Gym to attend this. Of course, though, I then remembered that most of the Gym Leaders will probably attend this, casting their strongest subordinate as the temporary Gym Leader.

I also had never been the Unova. It was so far away from Johto, but it had some interesting Pokemon in it. I could catch some flying type Pokemon, and maybe have a chance at winning.

Falkner. Pokemon World Champion. It had a nice ring to it.

But I dreadfully remembered the strong trainers that would probably be there. Lance, my region's champion. Clair, Blue, Lt. Surge. Red.

I cringed at Red's name. That guy was insanely strong. Although he never challenged the Johto Gyms when I was leader, I heard of his achievements. What a breathtaking individual.

My father died. I am sorry if I had to suddenly bring up such news, but this happened a year ago. He was the old Gym Leader, and he was the one who fought Red 2 years ago. After he passed away, I filled in, and since then, I have been striving to become stronger. My Pidgey became a Pidgeotto a few months after I became Gym Leader, but he never evolved after that. I have trained him for so long, but no Pidgeot.

I dreamt of that day.

Back to reality, Falkner. I would sleep on the possibility of attending the World Tournament, and have my answer by morning. Hopefully…

Sighing and slightly irked, I turned off the Gym's lights, and locked the doors.

Eheh. You could see my writing muse flowing down the toilet at the end there. ;u; This still seems like an interesting story to write. I have been wanting to write of this all day, and only just came up with who I wanted for the main character. There are not a lot of good Gym Leaders who are males. D:

Well, see you all later. Thank you for being interested in my story and stuff~

~Jay