Fuchsia City: Day…
Most people would look at Ike, Genesis, and Arcana only to figure them as quite the odd group. In truth, it was rather strange to see these four together in a city that wasn't even Saffron. The truth is that each of them had a reason for being here.
Ike was set to meet his granddaughter here who he was worried about and needed a confidant which was where Arcana came in. Genesis wanted to be here because of his want to catch a third teammate. Training Kubfu and Rampardos was great, but he wasn't going to stop there.
The trio were approaching the pokemon center when Ike looked to the gym leader. "Thanks again for coming Arcana."
"Honestly, I'm surprised you wanted me since I only now have a decent relationship with my own daughter." Arcana stated.
"Besides the fact that you're a friend, I think it's your experiance with Sabrina that might help me with Giselle." Ike replied.
"I don't think she's in an evil organization." Arcana stated.
Ike sighed. "At this point, I wouldn't doubt that."
Arcana went wide eyed. "Things are really that bad?"
He knew things were bad from their prior discussions about their children, but to think that his friend's daughter could potentially be mixed up with a bad crowd as well.
"I just… don't know Arcana." Ike sighed forlornly. "Giselle tries to present herself as that same, kind, caring child I remember, but you don't get where I am without being able to see when someone is acting. She has a sense of entitlement that wasn't there before."
"If what you say is true, there's no telling what else she's picked up." Arcana reasoned.
"Exactly." Ike shook his head. "Whether it's the fact that I haven't been there for her as her guardian, Pokemon Technical's doing, or some combination of the two, I'm worried about her."
"Back when I was in Team Rocket, I heard five kids left Pokemon Technical, before Wes shut it down, for their lack of knowledge and propping up the wrong trainer." Genesis chimed in. "A few grunts who dropped out even spoke about them instilling poor values in certain students."
"That does bring up an apt question." Arcana rubbed his chin. "If Pokemon Technical shut down, what did Giselle do after? I don't recall seeing her in Saffron after she left home."
"The letter before her last said she'd been training to take on the Pokemon League Exam to earn her qualification for the league." Ike stated. "The last one informed me she got it and wanted me to see it. Now, she'll arrive in two hours, and I'd like your input after the meeting."
"Well, you can count on me." Arcana stated firmly.
"Thank you, my friend." Ike smiled. "Anyways, she won't be here for a couple of hours at least, so why don't you take young Genesis to the Safari Zone to see what he'll catch?"
Arcana looked to Genesis. "Think you could find a pokemon in a little less than two hours?"
"It'd certainly be worth a shot." Genesis stated. "Worse comes to worse, we can go back later."
Safari Zone: Main Building…
Arcana and Genesis arrived at the Safari Zone and walked into the main building where Kaiser was located behind the desk. "Welcome to the Safari Zone." He tipped a hat he was wearing. "My name is Kaiser, and I'm the caretaker. What can I do for you?"
"Genesis here came to take part in the Safari Zone while I accompany him." Arcana informed.
"Any trainer wanting to capture a pokemon is welcome here." The warden laughed cheerfully. "Just let me get your stuff." The warden pulled out a bucket containing thirty green pokeballs with the letter S above the central button. "All I need is five hundred pokedollars."
Genesis handed it over and was given the bucket. "Before you enter, there are a couple of rules. The first is no battling wild pokemon. Battles between trainers are acceptable, but the moment you attack a Safari Zone pokemon is the moment you're out of here. Got it?"
"Understood." Genesis stated.
"Secondly, you can only catch pokemon with safari balls." Kaiser continued with a nod. "Observe these two rules, and you should have no problems."
"We understand." Arcana stated.
Kaiser then let the pair out the door into the Safari Zone.
Near the Safari Zone
Giselle was getting in some last-minute training with her team before meeting with her grandfather since she wanted everything to be perfect. He team consisted of a Golem, Beedrill, Tentacruel, Wigglytuff, Rapidash, and Deino.
The first five were pokemon were acquired when Pokemon Technical was unfortunately shut down. As for Deino, he was proving to be another example of a crybaby pokemon her grandfather gifted her. She was sick of it not improving just like that dumb Marowak.
"Deino, knock off the water works!" Giselle shouted angrily causing the pseudo legendary to recoil. "We'll soon meet with my grandfather, and I refuse to let you make me look bad!"
"Dei… Deino!" Deino cried before running off.
He was heading right for the Safari Zone.
"What did I do to deserve such a pokemon?" Giselle sighed before returning her other pokemon and giving chase to the dark/dragon type. "Get back her Deino!"
Safari Zone
It's been roughly half an hour and none of the pokemon they'd seen were really catching Genesis' interest. So far, Arcana and he had seen Nidoran (male and female), Nidorina, Nidorino, Paras, Execute, and a Rhyhorn.
While the rock/ground type looked a little promising, he didn't really want to catch another rock type since his second pokemon was Rampardos. If he were honest, the clone wanted something like a Kangaskhan or a…
"Taur!" A pained voice called out. "Tauros!"
Arcana and Genesis shared a look before running to the source of the pained cries. They eventually found Tauros laying on the ground in pain. His horns were all scratched up from countless battles and there was an x shaped scar on his forehead.
He looked like he's been put through the wringer. The humans looked around and spotted a heard now headed by a shiny Tauros looking at them. The shiny snorted before turning away and leaving with the others.
"Looks like this one was the leader of the heard until a younger, stronger Tauros took his place." Arcana informed. "We must have just missed the battle."
"Even if the new leader won, he shouldn't abandon one of their own like they're garbage." Genesis stated as he knelt beside the normal type without hesitation, got out a super potion, and began administering it. "It isn't right."
Tauros looked at the trainer while seeming down. "I know how you must be feeling." That got the normal type to look at him. "In my opinion, you were running with the wrong crowd. Any group that only values you for your strength isn't a crew worth your time.
With them, you were replaceable the moment the next, stronger Tauros came along. In the end, this defeat doesn't have to mean anything. Life doesn't end just because you can't identify yourself as belonging to a group. You can…"
"Deino!" Deino cried out as it jumped.
The pseudo legendary landed on Genesis taking him to the ground which concerned a now standing Tauros and Arcana. Genesis just groaned from his place on the ground.
"Deino, you crybaby!" Giselle shouted as Genesis recovered and said pokemon coward behind this trainer hoping he'd help. "Get back here or my…"
"Giselle?" Arcana asked shocked.
"Arcana?" Giselle was shocked and quickly tried to recover with a laugh. "I mean, come here Deino and tell me what's wrong." Genesis looked back at the pseudo legendary who only continued to cower behind him. "Come here little guy."
"Cut the act." Genesis declared. "It might be good enough to fool some common trainer, but I've seen people better at acting than you. Besides, do you even think you're fooling Arcana after we just heard you insulting your pokemon?"
"Well, what does it matter if you heard me?" Giselle crossed her arms. "Arcana's a failed gym leader that let his criminal daughter take over, and I know you were an elite member of Team Rocket. Who would believe you two over the granddaughter of the president of Silph Co.?"
"Giselle…" Arcana went wide eyed at the fact that the sweat, little girl he used to know could be this nasty.
"It's not a question of believing." Genesis crossed his arms. "Officers work with pokemon who could easily question this Deino, your Deino, to find out the truth. Considering he doesn't want to go back with you, it's a safe bet he'll tell the truth."
Giselle grunted at that. "You…"
"How about I cut you a deal?" Genesis asked. "You and I will battle one on one. If I win, you'll hand over Deino's pokeball. If you win, you can run off, and we won't say a word to anyone; however, you'll still be required to leave behind the pokeball for Deino."
"Fine, you're on." Gisselle scoffed. "Like a criminal could ever beat someone like me."
"Genesis, are you sure about this?" Arcana asked.
"Oh, I'm sure." Genesis walked on over to stand across from Giselle as Deino did his best to stand behind him. "Someone needs to give this girl a wake-up call, so let's see if that's me."
Tauros stood off to the side feeling impressed with this trainer. One moment he was kind and caring to him while now he was intensely focused. While he was perfectly healthy, the normal type found himself wanting to stay and watch this battle.
"Let's make this quick." Giselle commented as she threw her pokeball. "Go, Wigglytuff."
"I was thinking the same thing." Genesis declared. "Battle, Rampardos!"
Genesis vs Gisselle
"Wigglytuff, use sunny day." Giselle instructed.
"Rampardos, use rock polish." Genesis commanded.
Wigglytuff sent an orb of sunlight into the air which would power up all fire type moves while Rampardos sheened raising his speed by two stages.
"Now, use solar beam." Giselle commanded.
"Predictable." Genesis stated. "Rampardos, dodge and use iron head."
Wigglytuff fired off the beam of grass energy only for Rampardos to deftly dodge and charged in with his head sheening with metal energy. He slammed into the balloon pokemon knocking her back across the field from the super effective hit and making her reel from the damage.
"Let's wrap this up with a fire blast." Genesis ordered.
"Wigglytuff, use focus blast." Giselle tried.
The normal/fairy type only just recovered as Rampardos fired off the enhanced fire type move knocking her flat on her back. The balloon pokemon had swirls in her eyes indicating she'd fainted.
Safari Zone
"This is impossible! I refuse to believe that a criminal like you could beat someone like me!" Giselle declared angrily. "There's no way!"
"Believe what you want, but I want Deino's pokeball." Genesis stated.
"I won't do it." Giselle denied. "Someone like you will only mistreat him."
"The one who mistreated Deino was you." Genesis retorted. "I have no idea who you were, but I can piece together the fact that you've changed. You're willing to blame others rather than reflect on a lose like any good trainer should. You know what, let's make a new deal.
You give me Deino's pokeball for now and leave Fuchsia City. We've arrived with your grandfather and either way we're telling him about this. Come the Indigo League, if you place in the top eight, you can have Deino back. If you lose, I think you'll receive a reality check."
"Fine." Giselle took the pseudo-legendary's pokeball and threw it to Genesis. "It sounds like I don't have much choice now, but I expect to get that pokemon back when I've done as you've requested."
"Sure." Genesis had caught the thrown pokeball. "If you place in the top eight, you can have him."
Giselle merely grunted before taking off.
Arcana approached the boy. "I'm not entirely sure you made the right choice."
"Just like me, she's too far gone for mere words to reach her." Genesis stated from experience. "What she needs is a wakeup call and losing on the grand stage that is the Pokemon League is the best one I can think of for her. Believe me, she'll loose well before the top eight."
"Well, I suppose that makes sense." Arcana admitted. "Yeah, I'll believe in what you want to do here and hope for the best."
"At the very least, Deino is now safe from her." Genesis stated.
He noticed the pseudo-legendary was gently nudging his leg, so he bent down to pet him.
"Taur!" Tauros had approached the trainer and stamped his hoof. "Tauros!"
Genesis stood before smiling. "You want to join me?"
The normal type was truly impressed by the trainer. "Ros!"
"Alright then." The clone held out a safari ball. "Welcome to the team."
Tauros put his head against the safari ball and was sucked in before it dinged signifying a successful capture.
Genesis gave a small smile to the safari ball before looking to Arcana. "Let's go inform Ike what his granddaughter has been up to."
Fuchsia Pokemon Center
Genesis handed over Deino's pokeball to Ike before he, Arcana, and Deino, who confirmed it even though he couldn't speak, told Ike what they experienced within the Safari Zone.
Once they were done, the president knelt before the pseudo legendary and bowed his head. "I'm sorry I put you through that Deino." He stared into the pokemon's eyes. "If there is anything I can do to make up for my mistake, let me know."
"Deino?" The pseudo legendary heard that and immediately knew what he wanted as he ran back to Genesis. "Deino!" He got on his hind legs and put his front legs on the trainer's leg. "Deino! Deino! Deino!"
"I understand." Ike approached Genesis and gave him back the pokeball. "Young man, I will believe in your idea to teach my granddaughter a lesson, so I would like for you to be Deino's new trainer."
Genesis held out the pokeball. "Return Deino."
"Deino!" Deino happily exclaimed.
Genesis was the type to never make a bet he wasn't certain about, and he knew there was no way Giselle could crack the top 8. Top 16 if she were lucky in never facing competent trainers, but her defeat was inevitable. All he could hope for was that loss turning her bad attitude around.
Pummelo Island: Day Before the Orange League, Night…
After a couple of days of rest, Lock decided to set off for Pummelo Island with Ash and his group. The former took Luxray, who used his grass type hidden power to move over the water, and the later took Lapras. Of course, Ash, Serena, and James got their teams in order.
As great as having all his pokemon with him was, Ash enjoyed only having a maximum of six at a time. It was more manageable even if the training was pretty good. Ash's current team consisted of: Pikachu, Lapras, Hisuian Onix, Galarian Rapidash, Alakazam, and Umbreon.
James decided to make most of his team out of the pokemon he wanted to train now. It consisted of: Growlie, Togepi, Spheal, Chimecho, Croagunk, and Ditto. Serena's team was comprised of the three pokemon she planned to use against Rui and three pokemon to help train them.
Her team consisted of: Sylveon, Machamp, Dodrio, Blastoise, Bellossom, and Marowak. After Ash and Lock registered for the competition, they parted ways. Ash and his friends spent what remained of the day looking around the island before adjourning to the room.
"So, how does it feel finally being here Ash?" James asked.
"Honestly, it hasn't quite set in." Ash admitted. "Even though I know a journey doesn't go as expected, I still imagined my first league would be the Indigo League. Now, I'm here, so I'm going to give my all to win it."
"In that case, what do you think the league will consist of?" Serena asked.
"Typical leagues consist of tournament style matches with rules dependent on the region." James replied. "From what we've seen, the Orange Islands aren't your typical league."
"That's true." Ash nodded. "I'd put money on there being a challenge style round somewhere in there. In the end, all I can do is go with what's worked." He smiled. "Plan a little and trust my gut even above that plan."
Serena, James, and Pikachu smiled with him before everyone eventually fell asleep. Tomorrow, the Orange League would begin. Surprisingly, the only competitor the group had met thus far was Lock, but Ash was confident the other six were here or making their way to the island.
Pummelo Stadium: Morning…
After a hardy breakfast, it was off to the stadium. Serena and James were directed into the stands while Ash was directed into his own locker room. It wasn't long after that the event started.
"Welcome ladies, gentleman, children, and pokemon of all species." The announcer spoke through the microphone as the crowd cheered. "It is time to meet the competitors who have proven themselves by earning the four gym badges of the Orange Islands.
That is not all for this is the first time, since our own Champion Drake took the title, that all eight participating trainers managed to collect the required badges." Even in the locker room, Ash could hear cheering. "First, Marley Rainer from Sinnoh."
The crowd cheered as the Sinnoh native walked on out with her Hisuian Arcanine by her side. From what Ash knew, she defeated Zinnia who in turn defeated a Galar gym leader. She may very well be one of the trainers to look out for.
"Next, is Harrison Hazuki from Hoenn." The announcer declared.
The Hoenn native took the field with his Blaziken. Based on how quickly he took down Lock, who the Pallet native had been beaten by before, it was likely he was another trainer to really watch out for.
"Next, is Tad Sharp from the Orange Archipelago." The announced informed.
As the Orange Island's native took the field with his Flygon, the crowd cheered the loudest which made sense considering it was mostly Orang Island natives. Even though Ash defeated him before the start of this, he'd seen firsthand how much Tad had improved.
"Next, we have Veronica Taylor representing Johto." The announcer informed.
As the Johto representative walked out with her Granbull, the crowd cheered. Even though Ash got the chance to battle her during the Mandarin Tournament, he'd gladly take the chance to battle her again here.
"Next, is Cheren Servine from Unova." The announcer declared.
The Unova native walked out with Stoutland by his side, and this was the last trainer to watch in Ash's opinion. None of that meant Ash would underestimate anyone, but to him Harrison, Marley, and Cheren seemed like the strongest out of the eight of them. To the Pallet native, Cheren was the trainer he wanted to battle the most out of the lot after his prior loss.
"Next, is Lock Jackson from Alola." The announcer declared.
The Alola Native took the field with his Frogadier by his side. This was a trainer Ash was hoping to battle for the sole factor that they were now tied at one win a piece. It'd be nice to settle the score regardless of who won in the end.
Next, we have Zinnia Forebear from Kalos." The announce stated.
Zinnia walked out onto the field with only Aster, the Whismur, by her side. Despite losing to Marely, that didn't dimmish the fact that she still defeated a Galarian gym leader. All in all, Ash felt she'd be an interesting opponent.
"And our final competitor is Ash Ketchum from Kanto." The announcer informed.
As Ash walked out onto the field, with Pikachu by his side, he felt pride in himself. Sure, all eight of them had collected the needed badges, but that didn't change the fact that he had the chance to compete. He had the chance to battle Drake and become the next champion.
The crowd cheered the trainers who are now stood on the field. Harrison, Cheren, Marley, Veronica, and Lock simply smiled and waved. Ash, Zinnia, and Tad were more expressive as they gave huge waves to the crowd. Soon, the announcer came back as the crowd settled down.
"Alright, let's get this league underway." The announcer declared. "The first round shall consist of four competitions with each one narrowing down who the top four trainers are. Those trainers shall move onto the battles you'd expect from a league. Now, turn your attention to the monitor."
Everyone looked at it and saw four rows of questions marks before each one shifed to reveal a string of words.
1. Racing Battle
2. Sunken Search
3. Team Points
4. Timed Obstacles
"Many of you might be confused on what these names mean, but I promise you will learn about them as each competition becomes important. Firstly, each of these four competitions comprise the first round of the Orange League, and only one winner, from each competition, can emerge.
In other words, the four winners of round one will go onto face each other in the semifinals. Our first competition is Racing Battle. It is a competition that uses Pummelo Island, divided into four quadrants, itself.
Each of our eight competitors will be randomized into one of these four quadrants where they will compete in a pokemon battle. When one trainer faints an opposing pokemon, they become eligible to cross the finish line at the other end of their quadrant.
For the opposing trainer, all is not lost. Both trainers must always keep out one pokemon, so it becomes a race for the victorious trainer with the opposing trainer becoming an obstacle to your victory. If they faint a pokemon, then they can cross the finish as well turning it into a race.
Do not worry if you do not have the right team composition for any given event as every starting point of any competition has portable video phones where you can contact people to make the appropriate chances. Now, let's randomize those trainers!"
The eight competing trainers were displayed on the monitors before their pictures flipped and moved all around the screen. Eventually, the four matches were made with the appropriate quadrant displayed.
Quadrant I Tad vs Veronica
Quadrant II Ash vs Zinnia
Quadrant III Harrison vs Lock
Quadrant IV Cheren vs Marley
"To make all Quadrants different, pokemon have used moves to change the climate. Quadrant I is sandy with a sandstorm, Quadrant II is snowy with hail, Quadrant III has an intense sunlight, and Quadrant IV has no change."
As the announcer spoke, the monitor shifted to reveal each quadrant before displaying a map of Pummelo with the quadrants. "The first competition begins in half hour. All competitors will be led to their appropriate quadrant by our wonderful staff."
The eight competitors were led out of the stadium while monitors all over the stadium appeared ready to display the various battles of the first competition.
Stands
"Looks like Ash was right one the money." Serena commented. "There was a challenge round."
"True, but I doubt even he knew to what extent a challenge round would be utilized."
James smiled. "Still, this seems fairly apt for a league where half of its badges are won through challenges."
Nate, who ended up joining them, nodded. "It only makes sense that they'd want the best bonded trainers to compete in the battle portions."
Fula Research Center
Torin was in the break room with the TV tuned to the Orange League. He couldn't be on Pumelo since there were projects that needed his attention, but he still wanted to cheer a new friend on in some form. Hey, he wasn't the only one.
Margo had showed since she knew Zeraora would be here to. In the brief time he's been Ash's pokemon, the mythical had taken a shine to Torin likely because Ash liked the researcher well enough. She was right; however, the electric mythical was keeping to himself when she arrived.
Now, Margo was pushing the pokemon closer to the TV. "Come on Zeraora!" The thunderclap pokemon muttered to himself angrily but made no move to get away from her. "Don't give me that! You can't watch your trainer win the Orange League from back here!"
Torin chuckled at them as he looked to the screen. "I sure hope her faith in your victory is true Ash." He nodded. "You're care for and bond with your pokemon is just as good as Drake's in my opinion. Someone like that deserves to be a champion of this region."
Margo got Zeraora closer to the TV before plopping down at his side ready to watch the coming challenges.
Before I explain some choices regarding this chapter, I wanted to address how I view Vital Info, Elemental-Aura, and the others who've contributed more minorly than them. Each of them gives me suggestions, but they are just that. Suggestions. We know I don't have to do anything they suggest, but I will say I'm thankful to them. They have genuinely good ideas that I've made use of in this story.
I strongly believe a good 15 to 25 percent of the content in this story wouldn't exist without them. So yeah, we know I don't need to do anything they suggest, but when they give a genuinely good idea, I tend to use it because they are just that. Genuinely good ideas that have elevated this story. I want to thank all of you for everything you've contributed and might very well contribute to the future of this series. Thank you.
When it came to this chapter, I didn't quite want to get into the Orange League just yet, and Vital Info did make a suggestion that Genesis get a pseudo-legendary; however, I think he expected it to be later than this. Beyond that, I know not every character needs to come back into play, but I did have Wes say he'd be looking into Pokemon Technical. The only character we know that could still follow up that plot line in this story is Giselle since Joe, Ice, and the other boys left already.
As for the Orange League, I actually ended up discussing it with Vital Info, and it's thanks to his suggestion that a full-on challenge round exist. Without him, I was just going to run the Racing Battle portion. Now, I feel the Orange Leage can accurately represent the Orange Island. Two of four badges didn't include battling as a focus, so I feel the first round being four challenges fits.
Note: Now, the Orange League really gets underway next chapter. All I ask is that you all bear with me because there is a lot of work ahead to make this league shine. Chapters might be slow coming, but hey they will clearly come. Thank you.
lrbrenneke: Thank you.
Vital Info: Saffron's reconstruction opens many possibilities. Come the next region, it shows many possibilities for new rivals that are simply familiar faces. While this pseudo might not be the one you had in mind or even at the right time, I am hoping you can at least enjoy the story if you ended up not liking the capture. I am glad you liked the Kubfu and Rampardos for Genesis. The typing's are because I, and I believe Genesis, wouldn't want to go around just copying Red's success.
Genesis might be a clone of Red, but he can still be his own person. It's not like he won't potentially catch an actual starter or any of the main types Red had used. I just wanted his initial pokemon to be different from those commonly associated with Red. Them being pokemon from different regions is just because I wanted to do something unique here. Yeah, I hear ya on the legend/mythical thing. I honestly was thinking along the same lines until I decided to adapt in the Power of Us movie.
That was a decision that was not in my rough draft, but I went full tilt into it. It made me realize that this was one of the perfect first legendary/mythical capture for Ash. It allowed for an organic capture of an electric mythical suggestions. the start to something great just like how he initially received Pikachu. When it comes to Croconaw, dancing is just too much in his blood to let it slip to the wayside. Ash will find a way. Of course, suggestions are touched on above.