[Cues: Climb Up! and Get the Last Chance! ~ White Land [F-ZERO X]]

The Outsider's Insurrection

Indigo Iliad

Chapter 99: Road to Finality

Translated Pokémon Speech

Pokédex Entries/Computerized Voices/Flashbacks

Reference to an Accessory in the Games

-o-

(Scarlet City, Outlaw Island | June 7th | 6:00 a.m.)

Crimson woke up ready for action. While he really wanted to go home with Misty, he had not opted to do that as he wanted to walk up well-rested and ready for action. A quick shower and he moved to his closet. He got on a red Splatter Paint T-Shirt under his Black Dragon jacket, his belt, a pair of blue Cuffed Jeans, his Air Jordan 1s over blue socks, a pair of silver rimmed aviators, and his red Logo Cap having tied a Hachiman around his right shoulder. He got his gear in order and his new backpack, a black Alolan Sporty Backpack. He slipped on his black Leather Palm Gloves and went downstairs for breakfast.

He tersely ate before turning to Amelia.

"I'll be leaving today. It's time." Crimson said.

"I'll keep watch on the house and your charges." Amelia said as he finished.

"Thanks, Amelia." He said before leaving the house.

He bid goodbye to the rest of his Pokémon who were out of the active party. The helicopter came to pick him up to take him to Viridian City. The ride was uneventful, what was…was coming down in Viridian to see the place in somewhat of a chaotic state. Former students of Pokémon Tech were in a panic over how they were going to qualify for the League and such.

Crimson simply walked on his merry way thanking the pilot as the chopper went up to go back to the Triton. As much as he wanted to stick around to watch the fallout, he had a mission. Out Red Bullet was sent out of his capsule as he got on it to speed off for the city limits.

-o-

(Valencia City, Five Island | June 7th | 6:45 a.m.)

"You know him?!"

Joe had said that to Ivy. Joe and Sissi came over to Ivy's to visit and for him to vent a bit.

"Yes, I did. Went to college together, he was a quite the womanizer and a chain smoker. Though he smoked cigarettes. Acted snooty and had a high-class accent being from Kalos." Ivy said shaking her head.

She showed him an old photo and they balked at how similar they looked.

"I would say you're far kinder than he was. He always acted stuck up and entitled. Tried to get my pants, and I politely declined. Attractive he was, he was a total asshole. But a connected one. His death was always something of a mystery. They say he died in an explosion five years ago, but I have my doubts. He was being investigated for corruption by Internal Affairs." Ivy said seriously. "They think he's dead, I'm skeptical. Anniversary of it is today actually."

"Damn." Rusty said quietly.

"It's also the birthday of his son." Charity remarked getting an old newspaper. "He left behind a wife and a newborn son. Linda Bateman and Jeremy Bateman."

"So, I have a half-brother." He remarked.

"The exposure of this affair is going to have them return to the investigation. Are you going to seek out your…"

Joe cut Hope off.

"No." Joe said firmly. "Not my place. If they want to look for me, that's fine, but I will not seek them out."

"So, what's the plan then?" Sissi asked.

"Get back on the journey." Joe remarked. "I have to head to Fuchsia City. Getting my last badge there."

"Then I'll have to remain here to battle Selphy for my final one." Sissi said as Rusty looked thoughtful. "Something up?"

"I'll be heading back to Kanto with you. Vermillion is my next target before Pewter. It'll be like the old days of you and me." Rusty said getting his bag and his hat on. "Hope, Faith, Charity, I'll be back soon."

"It was so good to have you around." Hope said sweetly.

"It didn't suck at all." Faith remarked with a small smile.

"We could come with. I got this idea from seeing a gym match." Charity said bubbly as she revealed cheerleading outfits. "You should use a cheer squad."

Rusty's cheeks were red as the idea had his heart pumping.

"I'd never wear that!" Faith said cheeks hot.

"I even got one for Ivy." Charity said as Rusty and Joe sputtered.

Blood dripped from Joe's nose before he fell over which his mind actively picture that and Sissi. Rusty was frozen like a statue and Sissi facepalmed.

"Sounds like fun." Ivy said as Faith looked at Ivy with irritation.

-o-

(Indigo Plateau | June 7th | 8:00 a.m.)

He got through the Pokémon League Front Gate and through each badge check. Now he was standing in front of the road to the Indigo Plateau. He had simply flown over the Victory Road cave as there was no reason why not to do it. He wanted to save his energy for the reason why he was here. He found that between the end of Victory Road and the Indigo Plateau was a small town with connecting roadways. However, his focus on the Indigo Plateau. He had Kimiko fly him down before returning her.

There were even reserved parking spots for the Elite Four and staff. A sports car sat in Lorelei's spot, a mountain bike in Bruno's, a classic sports car in Agatha, and Drake's spot was empty. He wondered why but shrugged before going in the building.

[Cues: Pokémon HGSS OST - Indigo Plateau]

The place looked like how it was in Gen III. It was obviously a slow day and they noticed Crimson. He made some purchases as the Mart there before coming up to the two Ace Trainers guarding the way forward to the Elite Four.

"I'm here to face the Elite Four." Crimson said firmly. "I'm aware this is the old way, and it doesn't have the benefits of the new way. That's fine, some things have to be done this way."

The two looked at each other and stepped aside with one instructing him to scan his trainer card on the reader. Once Crimson did, they wished him luck as they entered. The first one hit the hidden button…declaring that a challenge was declared. The news media would be alerted as it had been a long time since this had happened. All over…reactions were varying.

Misty closed the gym that morning.

Most of the Viridian kids were at Coco's café.

Ash and his traveling companions settled in at the nearest place to watch on television.

Mary and Amelia got the popcorn ready.

Joe and Rusty were in disbelief.

Gary was simply fuming that Crimson was one step ahead of him. His group were all excited to work.

Jessie, James, and Meowth watched with intrigue.

All around the world would be watching. He walked the staircase and entered the first room with the door closing behind him.

[Cues: Sonic Advance OST – Ice Mountain Zone Act 1]

The first room was a massive room with an icy lake surround the arena and the ways in and out of this place. The place had an icy blue color scheme, with cold vapor floating in the air and six stylized ice pillars surrounding the battlefield. The place was cold leaving Crimson to close up his jacket and walk on the pathway to the arena where Lorelei herself was there sitting on her Lapras. He swapped his hat for a black Knit Cap.

"So, you're finally here, Crimson." Lorelei said. "Welcome to the League, but I never thought you'd want to do things this way. It's been years since anyone has do it this way."

"That doesn't matter, I know the risks and I felt I could take it." Crimson said.

"Well, let me make this official." She said getting off her Lapras. "Welcome to Pokémon League! I am Lorelei of the Elite Four. No one can best me when it comes to icy Pokémon. Freezing moves are powerful. Your Pokémon will be at my mercy when they are frozen solid! Are you ready?"

Crimson cracked his knuckles.

(A/N: By now, who Joe's father and half-brother would be clear, but nobody expected a subtle showing of Team Fortress 2. This chapter had two purposes, put a bow on Joe's parentage and ready Crimson's fight against the Elite Four. Each Elite Four member will have their own room theme and battle theme, with the exception for Lance for special reasons.)

[Cues Ending Theme - Pokémon HGSS OST - Indigo Plateau]