Welcome to the world of pokemon!

What this story is: A fan reboot based on series 1/generation 1 that will have a clear ending, alternate universe, reimagining of the world of pokemon, gen fic.

What this story is not: Novelization of canon (different worldbuilding among other changes, eventually goes in a different direction plot wise), Ash MC story (Ash gets focus but so do many others), "ship" fic (friendship yes, but only one chapter with major romantic relationship moments way later on).

Weekly updates! This story is complete in draft form which makes keeping up with that quite easy. Thanks for reading!

Into the World of Monsters

1: Pikachu vs. Pallet Town

Pikachu caught its breath as it finally set foot on the well established dirt path that signaled it was finally back in the familiar small town. The journey to get there had seemed endless. First, there had been the nest of magmar in the dangerous place it had been left waiting. Then, the regular bridge away from the area had been broken. Though finding out from another pokemon that it was soon to be fixed, Pikachu was eager enough to get to its destination that it jumped in and swam. No one came to help it, and it didn't expect anyone to, just moved its small limbs as fast as it could until it was finally to the other side, away from the familiar route. Already off the beaten path, a shortcut through a sparse field seemed the way to go. But that had led to a maze of a forest, and Pikachu had gotten lost for days on end.

But now, it was finally back in a familiar place. Though tired before, Pikachu now dashed with a rush of energy down the road toward the backwater town. With luck, there looked to be a gathering of people nearby, many pokemon present. Trainers battled with plenty of onlookers. Pikachu was sure it would be able to find the person it was looking for at such an event.

"How cute! How cute!" a young girl's voice became louder as she ran toward Pikachu. Before the pokemon knew it, it was face to face with the child, being pat on the head and cooed at further.

Two other girls soon followed, running Pikachu's way. The three of them looked like sisters, their hair a similar style and color, all wearing matching skirts. "No, wait!" the oldest one said. "You can't just approach a pokemon like that, it's dangerous!"

"It doesn't look that dangerous," the middle sister commented, since Pikachu had just calmly allowed the little girl to be near it.

"Right, isn't it cute?" the youngest said, patting Pikachu's head a little harder this time.

"Pi..." Pikachu tried its best to not get too annoyed with the little girl stopping it from getting to its true destination. It usually was happy to pay mind to human children, but today it was busy. Where was its trainer?

Thankfully, the oldest sister soon pulled Pikachu's fan away. "Of course it's cute," she said. "But you never know... All the pokemon here have trainers and are probably fine, but they are dangerous. If you run across the wrong one, it's the end. Understand?"

"Yeah," the youngest sister said, frowning as she looked back at Pikachu.

Pikachu dashed off. "I guess it knows where it's going," the middle sister commented.

"Right, its trainer is probably here. It shouldn't be just left to wander around," the oldest said.

Pikachu ignored them. Their commentary was meaningless. It wasn't going to cause trouble, especially not when the person it wanted had to be nearby. A few other people paid it a little mind, but mostly left it alone. The people of this town were accustomed to pokemon trainers and pokemon, and most weren't nearly as cautious as the girl from before was. Pikachu could wander around like it was normal.

Finally, it caught sight of the person it had been searching for. A tall, lanky, awkward kid who could ramble on at times. He could be bad tempered, but was overall good company. Pikachu was sure he would be overjoyed to see the pokemon he'd mistakenly left behind as well. Pikachu had to have grown so much stronger, just from all the practice and training using its techniques on the way home. "Pikapi..." Pikachu called, about to repeat itself louder when people stepped in front of it, cheering.

"Graveler," Pikachu could only hear its trainer's voice at this point. "Use that rock attack! Go!"

The shouts became louder, and the humans in front of it jumped, causing Pikachu to step back to avoid them. It scurried around the crowd, hearing various humans talk as it made its way toward the person it had heard. Finally, the sought person was clearly in sight, arms folded, a smirk on his face, looking away from the person who was speaking to him. "You did it, Zack! Three in a row? That's a lot better than last year!"

"Oh, yeah?" the boy being spoken to seemed pleased. "Yeah. I have gotten better, huh?"

"Your team is the best!"

"They're all super evolved, huh? I'm gonna have the ultimate evolution team."

"Is that gonna make you better?"

"Yeah, a'course. How else? This super evolution power is what makes the best trainers best, huh?"

"I don't know, maybe. Don't you have some other powerful pokemon that aren't evolved?"

"No."

Pikachu stopped its approach, freezing at just that short response.

"What about that one pikachu? Did it evolve too?"

"That one? It's gone."

"Where?"

"Who knows. It's not worth keeping track of." The boy shrugged. "Wanna battle?" he said to the boy next to him.

Was that it? Was that all he'd say? Pikachu ran away before it could continue to hear the conversation. It ran into a charmander, the two of them tumbling from the collision. "Char char? Char!" the other pokemon called, getting into a defensive position and baring its teeth.

Pikachu understood the question along with the threat, but couldn't bring itself to respond at all.

"Char?" the charmander called with less energy this time, relaxing its posture in response to Pikachu's depressed stance.

Pikachu looked back from where it had run, sniffling. "Pi." It expressed its sorrow. That didn't answer the question that had been posed completely, so it continued. "Pikapi. Pikachu! Pi pika!" Pikachu put extra emphasis on how it felt, hoping it would be understood, especially by its fellow pokemon.

"Char?" Charmander at first expressed concern, perhaps a bit of empathy. Then it threw its head up, looking away. "Char, charmander! Char, char!"

Pikachu took in the charmander's message. Pokemon existed to help humans. Pokemon who didn't help humans enough got what they could and should expect. If Pikachu wanted to be cherished, it ought to do its best to actually be useful.

Before Pikachu could respond, the pokemon gave a cheerful wave and walked off to a boy who pat it on the head and gave it a treat. Pikachu stood numbly, watching as they got into a battle, the charmander losing. Its trainer still pat it on the head and praised it for its efforts. That fire type had to be happy with a trainer like that, one that was consistently talking to it, paying it mind, giving it all kinds of affection while not dropping it in the middle of some hell and walking off. That weak fire type wasn't even that useful, was it?

Pikachu was much more useful than that, and tried so much harder than just some baby ember attack once before running back to its trainer. Pikachu knew the thunder shock technique, and was well practiced at using it again and again as needed, both in battle and just to protect its trainer in general as he needed it. Wasn't that 'useful', or what did that idea of being 'useful' even mean? Did trainers have to be useful? Pikachu had never once complained about how useless its trainer was, though the boy certainly was. Couldn't he give better orders? How about some warning every once in a while? Perhaps the trainer could just not leave Pikachu to fend for itself in the middle of some overheated place he'd heard was good for training!

"Pika," Pikachu barked at the next pokemon that stepped near it. The rattata glared its way without comment before walking off, then happily greeted by its young trainer.

Pikachu had imagined its own trainer might greet it as such. He might not admit how badly he'd messed up, being embarrassed about it, but surely he'd be overjoyed to see his lost pokemon. Then Pikachu could rest by his feet, listen to his voice, and catch up with his other pokemon, back in the place it belonged.

None of that would happen, of course. The reality was as cold as the river that Pikachu had desperately swum through on its way back before getting lost. Except, it really seemed like this was only Pikachu's reality. Pikachu was a lone little dot of despair in a jovial get together where human and pokemon celebrated their harmony together and played through battle. Why couldn't Pikachu also have that reality?

There wasn't one shred of usefulness left inside it. It had given everything already. Though it had been happy to do so, did the person Pikachu still wanted to see really deserve it?

Pikachu ran through the people, ignoring both their cheers and shouts of caution and concern. It found a place where fighting types were getting ready to test their strength, using a hammer on some device to try and ring a bell. "You next, machoke," a trainer said, nodding with confidence at his pokemon. A machop stepped aside for the larger, more muscley to have a turn.

Seeing the other pokemon approach the test with the hammer held high, Pikachu smirked and leapt out. As the hammer came down, Pikachu shocked the metal, which conducted into the fighting type pokemon. The other pokemon's surprise at the literal shock was worth several laughs. "Pi, pikachu," Pikachu called out taunts throughout its laughter.

"Machoke?" Pikachu's victim glared at it, coming closer.

"What is it?" Machoke's trainer came closer. "A pikachu? Get out!" The boy shooed his hands toward the pokemon.

"Pi." Pikachu scowled as the trainer and pokemon pair walked away. It watched as the next pokemon, a hitmonchan, walked forward. It also began the test of strength. Again, as the hammer fell onto the metal target, Pikachu shocked it. It then fell over laughing as Hitmonchan's eyes went wide, not expecting this even though it had to have seen what happened before. The latest victim even made a funny noise, making things all the more hilarious.

"What's this pokemon?" Another boy stepped forward, putting his hand on the hitmonchan's shoulder before glaring Pikachu's way. "Who's its trainer? Huh? Get it back in its pokeball."

"Pi." Pikachu hopped on the strength test, defiantly staring at all the trainer-pokemon pairs waiting their turn.

Hitmonchan stood up, carrying the hammer. "Standing there is dangerous," its apparent trainer warned, staring Pikachu's way.

Pikachu was hardly threatened. Sparks flew from its cheeks. "Pika, chuu!" it shouted as it began the thunder shock attack, aiming it at the pokemon with the hammer. Other trainers stepped forward, letting their pokemon out of their pokeballs. Did they really think they could win just by outnumbering it? Pikachu grinned. It had plenty of energy to fight them, and was definitely in the mood to continue. "Pika CHU!" it began its thunder shock attack again.

Across the festival ground, Gary Oak sighed, listening to the shouting and seeing his grandfather hustling over to whatever the mess was. Gary looked at the boy next to him, then shoved his shoulder. "Hey, Ash," he said. The other boy made a sound, but then didn't stir. Gary glanced to the growing crowds, but still couldn't make out what all the fuss was about. It had to be something unexpected. Gary shoved his friend again, harder this time. When that didn't work, he held his water bottle in one hand, the opening spilling water onto Ash's hair and down his head as Gary tried to make out what was going on. Could it be something exciting they were missing out on?

"Hey... Hey! What are you doing, Gary?" Ash was now finally awake and wiping his face, as fiery as he often was in his awake state.

Gary shrugged. "Oops," he said, capping the bottle with a smirk, just staring at Ash and shrugging. "You just gonna sleep through everything?"

"You mean, they finally started? No way! I can't miss it. Who's battling? Did you see-"

"You missed a whole bunch of battles. That's what you get for being such a sleepy-head." Gary shrugged to himself, only growing more amused as Ash became more annoyed. "I'm getting more and more ahead of you, seeing everyone's techniques."

"Well, I'm gonna see the next battle," Ash declared, looking around the area and seeing no one nearby. "Um, where's a good one?"

"Looks like everyone broke things up for something happening over there," Gary said, gesturing toward where the crowd had gathered. "I'm holding myself back by making sure you're awake."

"Don't worry about me. I'll find some tips my own way," Ash said.

"Me too," Gary said. Despite the boys' conversation, they still walked side-by-side through the crowds, which were then dispersing from whatever had caused the controversy before. "Hey Gramps!" Gary called, waving at his grandfather, who appeared frazzled. "What happened?"

"Oh, Gary, Ash," the professor smiled as he saw them. "The problem's solved now. It was an unruly stray."

"Oh, scary," Gary drawled with a laugh.

"It must have been surprised with all these trainers around," Ash commented.

"It must have indeed. Well, how are you boys enjoying the show?" the professor asked.

"It's alright, but the battles aren't really that fun," Gary commented.

"Next year we'll be using our own pokemon, right?" Ash asked, clenching his fists as he glanced around at the various trainers with their pokemon.

"You'll have the option, since I know you'll both be one of my choices for new trainers," the professor said. "But you know, there really wasn't that much of a showing this year compared to others. A lot of trainers are too caught up with other things to return home."

"Or too embarrassed about their failures," Gary scoffed.

"Well, there is some of that too. But you should live up to your own history, whatever it is. Remember that," Professor Oak lectured. "In any case, perhaps you'll both also be too busy setting off on your journey for our spring battle festival. I hope you make it some year."

"Our journey? Earning badges, catching pokemon, seeing all the new cities, all the cool battles, I can't wait," Ash said, grinning.

"It's exciting to have all the possibilities of the future in front of you, isn't it?" the professor mused with a smile before he sighed. "Well, if you don't mind, I'll need some help after all the festivities are over. Would you both sign up?"

"Sure," Gary said with a shrug to his grandfather's request, Ash also nodding in agreement.

"Stop by my ranch then. Enjoy in the meantime."

Gary and Ash waved to the professor before going on their own, wandering around and watching the battles. "Hey," Gary began as they saw two charmander fighting. "You thought about what your first pokemon will be?"

"Squirtle sounds best. You can even surf around with it, huh?" Ash said.

"It has to learn the 'surf' technique," Gary pointed out. "Yeah. I've been thinking a lot, and I'm pretty sure a bulbasaur would be best. It even has the dual typing."

Ash spun around, surprised as he realized the implications that would have for their first battle. "Oh yeah? Squirtle's fine, but now that I'm watching them." Ash motioned toward the dual charmander battle. "I think charmander might be better. Charizard is really cool. You can even fly around on it, huh? Yeah, it's a dual type too."

Gary chuckled. "You're assuming you can even evolve the pokemon at all. Well, if we're talking about the later forms too, maybe I'd like a squirtle after all. Blastoise's cannons look like they could take out anything."

"W-Well then, maybe-" Ash began, but was interrupted as Gary pushed him out of the way, remnants of one of the charmander's attacks landing nearby.

"Hey, you kids!" the trainer called. "Stay out of our way, huh? It's dangerous."

"Kids?!" Ash exclaimed. The trainer was only about a year older than them, having just got his license and first pokemon the other day.

"Yeah, whatever," Gary said, pulling Ash's sleeve. Once they were far enough away, he turned to his friend. "He's right, you know. Charmander are weak compared to others, but pokemon attacks are dangerous."

"I know," Ash almost whined, hating to be lectured. Besides, he'd heard this over and over again from adults.

"If you really want to be a trainer, you should," Gary asserted. "You've got to protect yourselves, and other people too."

"Of course I'll do that," Ash said, becoming even more cross. "I know people can't handle pokemon attacks like pokemon do."

"Well, great for you, Ashy-boy," Gary said, slapping his friend's back. "Maybe you'll have the basics in a year after all." Gary started to laugh.

Ash tripped forward, then scowled, straightening his collar as he stared Gary's way. There was no way he wouldn't. His goal was to be not just any trainer, but one that could be considered a master.

As the sun started to go now, Professor Oak ascended the stairs to the entrance to his ranch. His new assistant recognized him, waving before greeting him up close. "How did things go, Professor?" he asked.

"Just fine. And how are things here, Tracey?" the professor asked.

"I was able to handle everything. The grass types-"

"Good, good," the professor interrupted before Tracey could get into any kind of detailed report. "I've got something to deal with right away. You can help."

Tracey followed as the professor quickly walked through. Reaching a room inside, he took out a pokeball. "Is it an electric type, professor?" Tracey asked tentatively.

"Yes," the professor confirmed. "Let's get the data."

Tracey took the pokeball and put it on a censor near the computer. He read the data as it appeared. "I see it's a pikachu. It's listed as belonging to one of your registered trainers. I see he's here today, should we return it to him?"

"Who?"

Tracey glanced back to the screen before turning to Professor Oak and answering the question. "Zack. I saw him earlier. Maybe he's still here, should I just go and-"

"No," the professor shook his head. "I've already spoken to Zack. He says it's not his pokemon, so that must be a mistake. Clear the information."

Tracey's eyes widened in surprise. "But Professor, there shouldn't be any kind of mistake," he said.

"Go ahead," the professor said. "Things like this happen."

"Alright," Tracey agreed, though he shook his head as he turned back to the computer, going through the security measures to get this pikachu registered as a trainerless capture. "I'll put Oak Ranch as being responsible for it."

"Of course. I've just captured it today, and we'll have to do something with it." The professor stared at the screen as the new information was assigned to this specific pokemon. Eventually, the door opened.

"Hey Gramps!" Gary had appeared with his friend. "You need some help or what?"

"Oh, yes. Tracey's been handling everything on his own all day, so I'm sure there's some backlog," the professor said.

"Yes," Tracey confirmed. "The bug types on the list need to be brought in. Oh! And the water types still need to be fed. That's the first thing."

"Okay, let's go then," Ash said, following Gary down the hall.

As the boys left, the professor grabbed the pokeball, putting it in the enclosure. He sealed the area and pressed a button, causing Pikachu to be released behind the barrier. "Pika," it called, looking around the opposite way before finding and facing its current captors. "Pikachu," it called more harshly. Its cheeks sparked as it frowned.

"You really caused a scene out there," Oak responded, a smile on his face. "You're quite the troublemaking little pokemon."

"It's pretty cute," Tracey commented. "But I don't think it's too happy, Professor."

"Pika!" Pikachu confirmed, turning its head from them as it scowled further.

"Yes," the professor said. "Pikachu communicated that clearly. Can't we do anything for you, Pikachu?"

Pikachu glanced over its shoulder at the seemingly concerned humans before turning away, its nose in the air. "Pi!"

"Well, would you like to go with the other electric types, then?" Tracey suggested, reaching to the door of the enclosure.

Pikachu turned and looked through the glass, smiled as it saw the various equipment around it might poke or shock to see what would happen. It looked past the humans, and then at the exit as Tracey opened the door that sealed the area.

"Wait, don't!" Professor Oak warned, easily noting Pikachu's intent. He closed the door, knocking the would-be escapee over, back into its enclosure.

"Pika." Pikachu scowled further, embarrassed that it had been caught off guard. "Pikachu!" it declared, swinging its tail to knock the pokeball from its place inside, then pushing it until it opened. Pikachu ran up to it, first using its electricity, and then chewing the side of the device, eventually biting off a part of it.

"Um, Professor?" Tracey turned to Professor Oak, horrified at the sight.

However, the professor just smiled with amusement. "Well, it seems we've got our work cut out for us, don't we?"

Professor Oak sighed as he entered the sitting area, starting to make himself some hot tea. He perked up as the two boys ran in, having been looking forward to speaking with them. "Thanks for your help today," the professor said. "I imagine you both enjoyed the annual battle festival."

"Yeah. There's more after battles going on still, so unless you need us-" Gary began.

"You know, Gary, there's more to pokemon than just battling," the professor interrupted.

"Of course," Gary said. "But battling is what people really care about. And what pokemon care about most too, I guess. Those water types started it right up after they ate."

"What an excellent observation," the professor praised, though his grandson did nothing but raise his eyebrow at the compliment. "Pokemon do love to battle. But why? Based on their resiliency, it's not necessary for survival."

"It's not?" Ash said.

"No, pokemon are much more resilient than humans or even other creatures, the professor began. "Their attacks might kill us, but usually don't permanently damage each other. Even more imposing animals likely couldn't do much damage."

"Pokemon are really tough." Ash stood up, staring at a picture of the three species that Professor Oak offered to beginning trainers. "I bet any one of these could be powerful," he said, glancing back at Gary.

"Yes, indeed," Professor Oak said. "All pokemon seem to have a potential for incredible strength, through learning new techniques as well as pokemon evolution. The trainer seems to make a difference too, though I only have anecdotal evidence to support that."

"You hear that, Ash? You can't just expect your pokemon to carry you as a trainer. I guess we know whose are going to be more powerful," Gary said with an exaggerated shrug.

"You know? Yeah, we'll see."

"Boys," the professor interrupted firmly. Ash sat down next to Gary, now paying closer attention. The professor smiled. "It's wonderful that you're both as passionate as I am about the topic, and I will choose you as my trainers next year, but there's more to consider than just battles. There's so many mysteries we haven't discovered the answers to. I expect trainers I support to help me investigate the questions."

"What do you want to know?" Ash asked.

"I'm glad you asked," the professor said happily as Gary sighed. "Pokemon have only been around a hundred years or so. So where did they come from? Why do they evolve so much faster than other life? Not that what we call pokemon 'evolution' functions the same as evolution of other life. Even so, they've massively outmatched other species by far, in such a short period of time. Despite that, all the research has these monsters wanting to co-exist rather than overtake us. Thank goodness, hm? It's quite frightening to think about if they were aggressive toward us!"

The two young boys appeared bored by the speech, Gary shrugging slightly while Ash looked to the ceiling before he frowned. "Professor, what do you mean, 'monsters'? We're talking about pokemon, right?"

"Come on, Ash," Gary playfully pushed his friend's shoulder. "You have to know this much, right? Pokemon is short for pocket monster. They were just monsters before we started putting them in pokeballs in our pockets."

"Oh." Ash frowned again, appearing perturbed.

"What else should the people in old times think, these tough things with special super powers suddenly appearing?" Gary shrugged again. "They were just monsters to them, but we know better now, right Gramps?"

"Do we." The professor paused, then noted both boys giving him their full attention. "Well, I'm surrounded by pokemon and not too worried. But there is still the question of how they appeared, which hasn't yet been explained by science. I send trainers out to observe the world for me and help me find the answers. So you ought to keep the mysterious origins of these monsters - pokemon in mind. It may be something dangerous to humans if left unchecked." The professor again paused, seeing the boys starting to look worried. "Well, know the answers may not appear in our lifetime, so just enjoying our time with pokemon can also be important. I'll appreciate your input next year when you both get started on your journey. In the meantime, battles certainly are fun, aren't they?"

"Yeah!" Ash nodded, smiling. He glanced out the window, unable to see any of the current battles from where they were before looking back at Professor Oak.

"So, I won't keep you. Do go out and enjoy what's left of our festival, hm?"

Ash was at the door as soon as the professor had spoken. Gary grinned and waved before following. "Thanks Gramps. Later!"

The professor chuckled. Were they really almost the age that had been decided was appropriate for children to become independent, in some ways though not others, and go out and train pokemon? They were too young, but seemed years from ready rather than months from when they'd depart. Just that little introduction to concepts had seemed too much. Though of course many people, especially children, learned better hands on, so they'd probably be fine.

The professor wandered through his ranch to where he knew Tracey had gone. In the back by their electrical generator, a nice area had been set up. Nearby trees provided shade, while the electronic equipment allowed pokemon to both share electricity and consume it. The professor noted his amateur assistant frowning, a hand up on his forehead. "Come on, Pikachu," the assistant muttered.

"Is it still not happy?" the professor asked. He'd expected the rogue electric type might relax when it was in a place designed for pokemon like it to be comfortable.

"No," Tracey informed, pointing to where Pikachu stood by the generator. "Are you hungry?" he asked, forcing a smile and giving an awkward laugh. "Have some electricity, or apples right over there."

Pikachu was hungry, but didn't feel much like taking what was offered. Instead, it approached the two humans slowly, seeing them both back away as it did. "Pi," Pikachu laughed. It turned to the black and yellow pokemon laying in front of the generator, long arms splayed out, a happy smile on its face. What could that napping pokemon be so happy about? There was nothing to really be happy about at all, was there? Pikachu fired its attack immediately. "Pika CHU!" it cried.

The pokemon had a funny cry at being attacked while it was asleep. It sat up and glared Pikachu's way. "Electabuzz! It's okay!" Tracey assured. The pokemon didn't listen, rushing at Pikachu in a quick attack.

As Pikachu was hit, it just sat up, cheeks sparking as it frowned. "Pika..." it began, getting ready for the next attack.

"Tracey, return it," the professor ordered seriously.

"Of... Of course," Tracey said, fumbling briefly as he looked for the button, then pointing the pokeball at Pikachu to bring it back. He did so before the pokemon could attack again, then sighed in relief, giving the device to Professor Oak.

"I hope that calms you down, Pikachu," the professor said, speaking to the pokeball.

"Electabuzz, I'm sorry," Tracey said, holding out an apple to the pokemon.

"Electabuzz!" the pokemon replied. It calmed as many pokemon would after a threat had disappeared, taking the offered food and eating happily, seemingly having forgotten the encounter before laying back down in the sun.

As they went inside, the professor placed the pokeball in a device, closing his eyes.

"That's not normal, is it professor," Tracey stated, staring at the pokeball, relieved the pokemon inside could no longer release itself.

The professor nodded. "I haven't seen it before. All the research shows that while some pokemon can be territorial, they respond well to positive human intention, especially if the human wants to help them. It doesn't appear our sentiments got through to this pikachu."

"I tried, Professor. I really did. I gave it anything it might need," Tracey explained.

"I know." Professor Oak paused in thought. His assistant, though relatively new, wasn't hired for nothing, and could be very attentive, eager to impress. He wouldn't want to botch this. This pikachu hadn't responded to either of them at all, and seemed intent on destruction. The professor closed his eyes and winced as he thought of the implication. As he opened them and looked over, smiling for the sake of his assistant. "Well, pikachu is a very cute species, isn't it?"

"It is!" Tracey affirmed.

"I'm sure we'll make headway with this one. Are you ready to keep trying?"

"Of course," Tracey said.

"Let's discuss it in the morning, then. I hope we'll be full of fresh ideas then."

"Right!" Tracey said. And of course, they still had plenty else to consider. The semiannual Kanto gym leader meeting was going to start soon. He'd have to at least keep an eye on that. Despite its prestige, the whole gym circuit was becoming quite a mess.

The professor shook off his various worries, going to rest for the day.

Next Chapter: Misty vs. Giovanni
(Team Rocket isn't in this chapter, but will end up a huge part of this series. Stay tuned!)