"Status report!"

The Rocket grunt standing before Giovanni's desk flinched slightly under his bosses harsh tone. He quickly saluted to try and hide his unease.

"Sir, the tracking of Target Alpha is going well. While the targets potential mobility makes continued surveillance difficult, our teams have nailed down most of the targets usual movement patterns and we are able to re-establish the targets location within 1 minute of losing contact over 75% of the time."

Giovanni nodded. Given exactly who they were tracking this was a very reasonable achievement. He hadn't gotten where he was by having reasonable expectations. "I want that rate up to 90% at the least in the next two weeks. Target Alpha is crucial to the plan and we need to know where it is and what it is doing as much as possible."

The Grunt nodded before continuing, "As for Target Beta," he paused for a moment, working up the courage to continue. "We have had much less success. We can confirm they had contact with Kanto G-Men earlier in the year, but after that any information becomes very spotty. All contacts indicate that Target Beta is not within any of the usual G-Men safe houses, nor are they in League custody at this time."

Giovanni slammed his fist down on the desk in front of him. "This is unacceptable. Target Beta is to be found and brought in with the week or head will roll. Am I clear?"

"Sir, given how much she knows about us, it might not be…"

"AM I CLEAR?" Giovanni roared, gaze sharp as a blade on the Grunt in front of him. The man was shaking, clearly afraid for his life. It took the Grunt several seconds to find his voice.

"Yes Sir! Crystal clear."

Giovanni settled back down into his chair and tapped his chin with his forefingers. Calmly, as if the previous outburst hadn't happened, Giovanni motioned for the Grunt to continue.

"Project: Swarm is continuing on schedule. We predict that we will have full production run complete well before the target date."

Giovanni nodded, "And the beneficial mutation?"

"Only one subject has remained viable, but it appears to be stable. Currently the doctors are attempting to isolate exactly what made this specimen unique, but they believe that only a full autopsy will be able to give us the information we need."

Giovanni furrowed his brow in thought. The mutation that had shown up was an unexpected windfall for the project and with so many moving parts, he didn't feel like gambling with this one. "No, that won't be necessary. A full ball is worth two empties, especially in this case. Anything else to report?"

"Project Dominance wished to know what you want done with the second catalyst."

Giovanni gave a dismissive wave of his hand, "Keep it with the first. No sense is wasting a resource just because I don't need it right away. If that is all, you are dismissed. Make sure to relay my orders to the correct departments. I want updates in 24 hours, sooner if there is a breakthrough." Giovanni turned, not even bothering to look at the Grunt's perfect salute. He smiled briefly, overall please with how things were going. Just a few more weeks and his pieces would be in place. Then the endgame would begin.

"So with Sinnoh confirmed, we now have 5 regions agreeing to compete in the upcoming World Tournament?" Charles Goodshow addressed the various champions assembled at the meeting, some physically, some via video call.

Cynthia nodded, confirming that her region and its top trainers had agreed to participate. "That's correct. We've had a few other regions, such as Orre, Almia, and Kalos, express interest, but for various reasons they can't come this year."

Goodshow stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes in thought. "Well, now that we know who will be coming, we need to iron the specifics for all the events. So far we have three major tournaments: The Junior, Expert, and Master Cups, lined up. We also have a Grand Contest scheduled to take place. Anyone have any other ideas?"

Wallace Shawn cleared his throat, "Well, trainers always enjoy watching League professionals cut loose and show their skill. What about a competition between the various regional Elite 4? Perhaps a 4v4 battle where each selects 1 pokemon to take with them?"

Alder grinned at the video screen showing the Hoenn champion. "Not a bad idea Wallace. That said, we need something a little new, a little fresh." The older man paused to think for a second, then snapped his fingers. "I know! How about a 4 way battle royal between the 4 attending Champions. That's sure to get people's attention.

The champions around the room thought about the idea for a bit. It wasn't something that people got to see very often. Plus it was different from a usual battle between champions, there was a chance to show off some new and unique battle strategies. One by one they all nodded.

"What about the Gym Leaders?" Lance spoke up, having spent most of the meeting rather quiet. "Part of the reason for the tournament is to advertise the various regional Leagues and their strengths. When you think about it, the Gym Leaders are the first thing any trainer experiences of a League. We should have a way for them to show off."

"I don't think we could do another tournament with them," Cynthia added, "Co-ordinating a bracket so that one leader didn't have a total miss-match would be near impossible."

"True," Lance agreed, "What about some exhibition matches? Each leader pulls out some of their best and battles another trainer. Same trainer each time, no two Pokemon of their team sharing a primary type just to keep things interesting. See if we can have locals face off against them, really show the regional strength."

"I love it," Charles exclaimed, "Perfect way to start the event. Plus it should convince some other regions to get involved next year once they see what a good chance to show off it is. But who would you get for the battles?"

"I battled a boy a few weeks ago in Johto named Ethan Gold. He would be an exceptional representative for the region." Lance said, folding his hands in front of his face. "He has quite a team and would enjoy the spotlight I think."

"I know a young man as well, a Brendan Birch. He's professor Birch's son, but much more of a battler than his father." Wallace said, adding his voice to the conversation. "I've only met him a few times, but Steven has a good impression of him."

Alder gave a low chuckle, "I know just the girl to make things interesting. Hilda White, the undisputed Subway champ. You all know how good my Grandson is and she thrashed him up and down that tree he loves to battle in."

Cynthia hummed in thought. "I know of a few. Paul Rebolledo and Lucas Pearl come to mind, I'll have to see if either one would want to participate. So that just leaves Kanto."

The eyes in the room back shifted to Lance, the dual-region champion. He shrugged his shoulders, "The few that I know of that fit the criteria aren't going to be able to make it to Unova to participate. It will take me some time to track down someone suitable."

"You know," Alder interjected, looking thoughtful, "I met a boy from Kanto a little while back. Seemed like a good kid. Name escapes me but I remember he had a Pikachu with him everywhere he went."

Cynthia raised an eyebrow. Did he mean Ash? Lance started talking before she could say anything.

"Was he wearing an official Pokemon League hat?" Lance asked.

"A Unova one, yeah." Alder responded.

Lance nodded. "I know him. Met a few time while I was on official business. Ash was his name, correct?"

Alder shrugged his shoulders "Maybe. That seems right."

Cynthia spoke up, "I've met Ash as well. In fact he competed in the most recent Sinnoh league. He was the only trainer there to knock out Tobias' Darkrai." That sent a shock through the room. Tobias had become rather famous for his Sinnoh League championship, having completely swept the competition with Darkrai. "He defeated Tobias' Latios as well, but it took 6 of his to take out those 2."

"I'd like to see that, if we can," Wallace asked, looking at Goodshow. "Tobias' reputation proceeds him. Anyone that can give him a challenge should be an impressive trainer."

"I should be able to pull up the League recording of that match." Goodshow said, turning to face his computer. After a few minutes of typing, he pulled up a video on the screen he had been using to take notes for the meeting. For the next 20 minutes the Champions watched Ash and Tobias battle, their well honed senses keeping careful track of how well each trainer had done. After it was finished Lance spoke up.

"Well, I think that answers our question. In the Kanto Gym Exhibition matches, the League will be represented by…

...Ash Ketchum, should he choose to accept. Please contact the League Office at the number provided at your earliest convenience to accept or decline. It is important you get back to us as soon as possible."

Ash, Cilan and Iris blinked at the letter in front of them, clearly stunned by the contents. After a few seconds, Ash spoke up.

"WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!"