Meeting a Leader

Viridian Forest had told many stories about the Kanto Region for several decades now, and still remained the most natural landmark through conservation and maintenance. Pokemon Rangers, Environmentalists and even some Pokemon Researchers had gained success over their constant studies of the mysteries of why the forest was there and the rare Pokemon that were within. Pokemon Trainers made it a rite of passage to engage the area, and the adventure and thrills within would always be something spoken about for many years to come. However, recent years had led to decline and the tourism industry in Kanto had caused erosion and the removal of some trees for further infrastructure and development. This led to protests, but did lead to the erection of a single Pokemon Centre to aid trainers and their partners alike. On this particular summery day, Rod would finally reach the Centre completely exhausted from his day of walking and travel so far.

Taking his sweaty headband off his damp hair, and placing it on the wooden table, Rod leaned back taking a sip of well-earned cool water. Viridian Forest was truly massive, and he had gotten lost several times but with Pewter City only another half-days walk away, there was plenty of confidence within him to continue. He had arrived only a couple hours ago and gave Nurse Joy and her partner Chansey his Pokemon for their first ever checkups. Being a trainer allowed him to access many more of the Centre's rooms and benefits including access to the compulsory battlefield behind, where he could refine the skills of his Pokemon further. Already he could hear the crackling attacks and calls of trainers battling out, and he was itching to continue gaining experience. Ever since his loss to Damon, Rod had challenged a couple other trainers also traversing the Viridian Forest and had managed to stay undefeated, although most of his efforts ended in heavy draws. However, he had learnt a lot about his Pokemon team so far and his Shinx was by far the most experienced and diverse. Being trained by his Father, a Gym Leader, it was able to dodge and maneuver attacks much better than Bulbasaur who was more defensive and slow. Each of his partners were still learning, and even himself was trying to take in every battle style in home to reciprocate them when it mattered: in Gym Battles.

Finishing his cup of water, Rod picked up his bag and wandered through the small crowd of trainers and visiting individuals before entering the main lobby area. Due to the sun dipping towards the west in the late afternoon, most people still remained outside, and the cool air-conditioning sent ripples to dry the sweat on his arms and legs. Rod approached the main administration desk again as Chansey turned around and instantly smiled calling out for Nurse Joy as its large Egg, in pouch, wobbled slightly.

A door to the right side flickered open as Nurse Joy appeared with her usual smiling face, her red hair perfectly tied up and white apron clean. She passed Rod his three Pokeballs exclaiming: "They are in tip-top shape! You must know what you're doing as a trainer!"

Rod chuckled, blushing slightly, as he took the three Pokeballs and placed them away: "I've been feeding them a lot of Berries, natural things. Hopefully that helps their growth further!"

"Absolutely! Keep up the good work!"

Rod smiled again and walked out the door behind the desk to the open backyard of the Centre as an intense Pokemon Battle flashed into view. Trainers were surrounding the battlefield, holding various Pokeballs in their hands, as they cheered and called chants and advice. Rod wriggled his way through to see a trainer similar to his age, spiky brown hair and hiking clothes, command a strong looking Geodude. The Rock Pokemon roared loudly, sending the ground into a mere shake, as it charged down an oncoming Pidgey with ease. The type advantage seemed to dominate the battle as the opposition trainer struggled to land any significant hits. The crowd looked away, unimpressed, as the young female trainer desperately cried for Gust and Tackle attacks to no avail. Rod already tasted victory, and several others sensed the same, as Geodude flashed white with a Rock Throw attack forming around Pidgey. The Bird Pokemon screeched, with finality, as it collapsed from the smoke and sand above as the crowd clapped sympathetically. Both trainers shook hand as Rod felt excitement enter his body, and before he knew, it he had pushed past the first row of trainers, onto the battle field.

Rod called, pointing at the victorious trainer: "Battle me next! I challenge you!"

Heads were instantly turned, as some 'oohs' were called to Rod's confident smirk. He knew he could defeat this trainer, and if he had more Pokemon like Geodude, then strategies were already ticking his mind. The trainer turned around with a smile and replied: "Sure. One on one, bring it on."

Rod walked past him, into the same spot the losing trainer was only seconds before as the crowd seemed to get larger. Both trainers took a Pokeball out of their pockets and prepared to begin battle.

…

Blaine had reached Pewter City after another hefty meeting with Team Rocket boss Giovanni. He and Koga had split up under command to search the whole of Kanto not only for Gym Leaders, but for the elusive Red and his known rival Blue. After the final solution to seek Blue's only child, and hold him hostage to pull out the strongest trainers, things had begun to get more interesting. In his younger years, Blaine would have never seen himself to be hunting down trainers using the skills he had spent years refining, but now Kanto was falling apart. The Government had caused his own Gym and home town to burn to nothing, Cinnabar Island was underwater, and his newly set up Gym in the Seafoam Islands were non-existent as no trainers ever visited. Team Rocket was the only release from it, and the one organisation, despite their history, who seemed to truly want to reach their goals. Blaine now was getting older, and this last bit of adventure sent a rare jolt of adrenaline through him.

Pewter City was one of the oldest cities in Kanto, but now one of the most technologically advanced. A Museum that had become world famous due to its discovery of Pokemon Fossils, and the reviving of rare Pokemon of the ancient times. Trainers, if they had the money, could gain the ability to train and battle with such Pokemon and that price had continued to rise annually to the point to where it became near impossible. The rest of the city was bound with endless concrete jungle and the well-known Pokemon Gym was home of the leader Forrest. His brother, Brock, had left home many years ago and now was apparently still travelling in a land very far away. But Blaine had no interest in past stories, historical discoveries and lore. His attention was fully on getting Forrest on the side of Team Rocket, and with Viridian City the next step after, the young child of Blue would be forced out.

The afternoon sun beat down above him as Blaine adjusted his black tinted glasses and stood up from the park bench with children and trainers talking and playing nearby. Their parents watched on with smiles that would soon be frowns and emotions of horror would hit. Pewter City was to be brought to their knees, and Blaine would be the man to instigate it right now. Nobody knew who he was anymore, and as he stuck his wooden cane to the ground and standing up, Blaine took a Pokeball out of his pocket. He felt the heat of the Pokemon within as it encapsulated his hand feeling the emotions of power and rage within it. The days of giving trainers a badge for their battling skills were gone, and the rise of reality and a true test of survival was to come. Kanto would fall, and his name would be back in the limelight where it was truly deserved.

He growled: "This world has turned to hell, but the heat isn't at its full course yet. Why don't we give this place something really to scream about?"

Licking his lips, tasting a slight bit of blood, Blaine chucked the Pokeball high into the air as it flashed into life. From within, an inferno of fire seemed to appear as a large Pokemon appeared from within, landing on the grass heating the area up naturally. The Blast Pokemon, Magmortar, as it roared loudly, its arm cannons releasing sparks of fire that ignited the grass immediately. Its power could be felt and Blaine began to chuckle maliciously, his voice beginning to echo around. Parents turned their heads as horror struck them, grabbing their children they screamed running from the fire as the world turned red.

Blaine roared, his white hat falling to the ground where it caught fire: "Magmortar, let's begin havoc! Use Blast Burn, ignite the world! Destroy everything!"

The Blast Pokemon flashed red, its body beginning to smoke as it fired random purges of fire into the surrounding park and random parts of the city as smoke began to erupt. Within seconds the sirens of Police Cars and Fire Engines were heard, their lights igniting the darkest of alleyways. Screaming wrecked the air along with the dying sunlight as smoke took over, causing clouds and ash to fall all around. Blaine smiled, the remains of fire missing him by millimetres as he wandered forward taking another Pokeball from his pocket and throwing it into the air.

"Talonflame! Use Will-O-Wisp!" Blaine roared once more, his Scorching Bird Pokemon bursting into flames above him. "Set this city alight!"

Talonflame took off above the city firing blue balls of fire as they hit the concrete as cars caught fire and the resultant explosions causing windows to shatter and fall. This was the destruction he had wanted to see, and now the true power of Team Rocket could be seen properly. Blaine heard footsteps suddenly behind as he wheeled around, and was forced to take a step to one aside a jet of cool Water missed him by seconds. Magmortar was hit head on as it doubled back, shaking its head with the water evaporating instantly off its body. Looking up, Blaine smirked as a team of Fire Fighters appeared in front of him with furious looks in their faces. A team of Wartortle stood in front ready to fire another bout of attacks.

The leader cried: "I don't know who you are, but this is out of order! Squad, prepare Hydro Pump!"

Blaine retorted, furious: "Don't know who I am? Well you will now! Magmortar, Overheat now!"

The five Wartortle flashed blue as they unleashed a well correlated Hydro Pump attack as Blaine looked on smiling. Magmortar replied, using both cannons to respond as the attacks collided together with steam appearing. A bead of sweat carried down Blaine's neck as his roared his Pokemon onwards as more power appeared heating the world around them up. The Leader of the Fire Fighters looked terrified as they were completely overpowered, the Overheat making clear contact and sending them flying.

Blaine took a step forward, smacking his cane to the ground as he spoke: "Never cross my path again. Magmortar, Flamethrower!"

The Leader looked up, feeling the oncoming heat and blacked out. Fire was the last thing he would ever see…

…

The battle was heating up in Viridian Forest as Rod commanded: "Bulbasaur, use Tackle once more!"

The crowd groaned as his choice of move as the Seed Pokemon slammed head on against the oncoming Geodude as minimal damage occurred. He knew just as well that a Normal type move would have little effect, but Bulbasaur had a very limited set of moves despite its type advantage. His opponents was extremely skilled, and the amount of speed his heavy Rock Pokemon had surpassed anything Rod could have expected and the power of its moves were mindblowing. Bulbasaur was charged backwards once again by another Mega Punch as the crowd began to laugh at Rod's refusal to use Grass Type moves so far, but he had to wait for the perfect opportunity to strike.

His opponent pointed, a slight twinkle in his eyes, as he cried: "Geodude, let's finish this fast! Mega Punch once more!"

Rod expected another physical attack as he responded: "Don't give up, Bulbasaur! Use Vine Whip on the ground!"

The Seed Pokemon roared loudly as it's small vines appeared from under its bulb, smacking the ground hard as it elevated into the air. Rod had used this move against Damon the previous day, and it had worked once again as Geodude completely missed. Its trainer gasped in surprise as the crowd of trainers were instantly silenced from their laughter, their eyes in awe at the technique. Bulbasaur was now high above the battlefield, ready to strike again and Rod called for another Tackle Attack with hope that it could keep balance this time. Bulbasaur looked determined as it picked up speed due to the altitude and landed a powerful head on Tackle with Geodude screeching in pain as it hit the ground hard. Bulbasaur roared loudly as it bounced off and landed, unscratched from the move, as the dust cleared with suspense ensuing.

Rod first saw his opponent, now bleary eyed and shocked at how the battle had changed from something so one sided, to the unexpected. Claps began to echo from around the area as Geodude appeared, shaking from the damage taken, as it fell to one side breathing heavily as cracks off its rocky body fell to one side. Bulbasaur growled, ready to attack once again but Rod raised his hand calling the battle to a halt knowing both Pokemon were exhausted and Geodude unable to battle on successfully. Euphoria erupted within him as the crowd clapped, as whispers took over wondering how he had come up with that strategy. Rod ran forwards, and bent down to Bulbasaur as he smiled congratulating it on the victory and also how it learned to keep balance falling from high above.

Rod returned his Seed Pokemon as his opponent walked over, the crowd now dissolving back into the Pokemon Centre as the evening coolness hit Viridian Forest. Shaking hands he spoke with a smile: "You had tremendous technique there, I didn't expect it! Have you been a trainer for long?"

Rod shook his head looking down, slightly embarrassed: "I only left Viridian City a couple of days ago, you are really good as well though! I never knew Geodude could move so quickly!"

"Couple of days? You have a big future! I've had Geodude for a long time, and never have I seen a Bulbasaur battle like that! The name's Forrest by the way!"

"I'm Rod, thanks for the compliments! So where are you off to now?"

Scratching his head, Forrest turned around looking into the distance of the trees as he muttered: "Probably head back to Pewter City, and see from there. I was actually thinking of traveling abroad!"

Rod smiled exclaiming: "I'm heading there for a Gym Battle! Do you know who the Gym Leader is? Is he strong?"

Rod had been trying to find information on Gym Leaders ever since he reached the Pokemon Centre, but they were so hard to research and discover about. All he knew was that the Gym had a history of being Rock Type orientated, but had changed a few times to more variety. The battles got harder, and that had excited him more with the idea of challenging different Pokemon.

Forrest turned around, chuckling slightly: "Oh I hear he is an interesting one! I reckon you would put up a good challenge, if you have tricks like that up your sleeve!"

They both laughed before the scent of smoke caused them to cough, their noses blocked up. Out of nowhere, black smog seemed to fill the area from the trees as they both sank to the ground coughing loudly into the area. The fire alarm of the Pokemon Centre burst into life as Rod desperately picked up a Pokeball from his pocket and chucked it into the air completely taken by surprise.

He cried, his eyes burning in the rising heat as Starly appeared: "Starly! Whirlwind!"

The Starling Bird Pokemon screeched loudly unleashing a powerful drive of wind as the smoke disappeared instantly into the sky and atmosphere. Forrest looked up and called, his voice in horror: "T-that's fire!"

Rod looked ahead where he was pointing and instantly saw bellowing black smoke appearing in the distance past the trees in the forest. He replied as Starly used Whirlwind once more to push the smoke away: "Isn't Pewter City up that way?"

"Something's wrong! I have to get back there!" Forrest took off into the trees as the fire alarm bells got louder. Rod nodded and followed after, jumping the rocky fence around the battlefield into the green shrubbery as Starly followed from above dodging the ash coated branches. Something terrible was happening, and as the smell of smoke got more and more intense, Rod heard the sudden distant screams of not only people, but Pokemon as well…