Heyo, I wanted this chapter to actually be a story chapter but I'm experiencing a bit of plot issues I'm hammering out, so while I deal with that I have some small chapters to hopefully make it up to you guys. Hopefully the next chapter is the story chapter.
"Heh, look at that Red, your little protege made it to the finals." Blue nudged his stoic husband, a rare smile gracing his lips as he looked at the young girl with the bizarre red hat hugging her Incineroar. Her opponent was a man that Blue knew quite well, Brock had definitely come a long way since Blue had first started his journey. The Former Gym Leader of Pewter had taken Bruno's post in the Elite Four and became a leading figure in the Pokemon Breeding and Health Science communities. He watched as he shook the girl's hand, the crowd applauding at the veteran trainer's humility.
"She did well, but I've heard great things about her opponent, Leon's not an easy person to beat and Gloria managed it so early in her career." Blue nodded as he thought of the young Galarian champion. He knew just how strong Leon was, the 21 year old had held an impressive 11 year reign as champion and had looked ripe to continue that dominance, "This next generation of trainers are turning out to be diamonds, never thought we'd find more people with our level of dedication to training." Blue had to agree. Gloria and Selene had faced some tough challenges that he was sure even he and Red would have been left defeated by. Both had repelled a major Ultra Beast threat, both led their regions out of isolation and into the ever expanded world. It was amazing to watch the young trainers learn from their elders as well as employ their own ideas.
"Still surprised the International Police didn't raise more of a fuss at the Aether family retaining control of Aether Island, by all rights they could have claimed the whole place due to Lusamine's actions endangering the world." Red frowned at that particular spat with the I.P.
"Absolutely not!" Red sighed as he looked at the livid trainer he had taken under his wing. She glared heatedly at Agent Looker who matched her glare with his own, his partner Anabel trying to calm the newly crowned Champion of the Alola region, "Lusamine, and those who supported her actions, will be held accountable but I won't let you rip the Aether's from their childhood home, have you even talked to Lillie and Gladion?!"
Looker dropped two files on the table each sporting a picture of one of the Aether siblings, Gladion's being noticeably thicker than that of Lillie's. He wondered if he was going to have to spirit his new protege out of Alola, she looked like she wanted nothing more than to set her Vikavolt on the brown hair agent. "Young Gladion was a enforcer for Team Skull-"
"Team Skull, for all of Guzma's bluster, were nothing but neighborhood nuisances!" Selene yelled incredulously at the agent, "You can't possibly be trying to play them off as some Team Magma or Galactic level threat!." Red remembered running into some of Team Skull's crew, they were rather amusing if he was to be honest. They mostly ran around the Alolan Islands making fools of themselves or being good battle experience for rookie trainers. Even Alola's police didn't consider them so much a threat that they needed to be arrested, simply ushered back to Po Town.
"Team Skull took a whole town by force, young lady, they could have become Team Rocket reborn had they not been stopped!" Red nearly choked at that statement. Team Skull was nothing like Rocket, Team Skull was barely organized and made up of misfits looking for a home. Team Rocket could spread gangsters across whole regions, it could infiltrate whole governments, Team Rocket had Kanto and its League in a vice until he, Leaf, Blue and Yellow showed up. What's worse Team Rocket just didn't die, no matter what a new sector would raise from the grave, Alola had just faced that problem. Sakaki Giovanni would never rest until he was dead, of which Red was sure, and it seems that not even Time and Space wouldn't stop Giovanni's lust for power. No, Team Skull was nothing like Team Rocket.
"Looker, this is a champion you are talking to, please show the proper respect." Anabel admonished, "Champion Selene, the International Police have already pardoned Guzma and his associates in Team Skull, including Gladion Aether, but we can't in good conscious just allow a former member of a Team whose leader assisted in bringing about a Ultra Beast invasion to now lead the Aether Foundation."
"Gladion has the endorsement of Alola's champion and professor, surely that will ease the minds of many in the I.P." Looker shook his head.
"Not at all, many will feel that you are biased since you are romantically involved with Gladion's sister, Lillie Aether, you will not be able to give a non-partial statement on Gladion's morality nor his ability to lead the Aether Foundation." Selene nearly leaped at the Agent, but Red's firm hand on her shoulder holding her in place.
"Agent Looker, even if Gladion isn't considered a viable successor to Lusamine her daughter Lillie still is the next in line, there is nothing that can be used against her to keep her from being the next President." Selene looked at Red, her eyes shining with appreciation. Looker nodded to the former Kanto champion.
"It's true that young Lillie Aether would be next in line, and many in the IP have argued that she would be the best choice, but she has a reckless streak about her that Professor Kukui and Champion Selene have only worked to encourage." Red frowned, and Looker continued, "I know that this is hardly a precedence to withhold the position from Ms Lillie, but the Aether foundation is on the cusp of collapse after Lusamine's fall and the Rainbow Rocket incident, they need strong leadership if it is going to survive and I don't believe Lillie is the right person to save the company."
"So what, the International Police would absorb the Aether Foundation?!" Selene snarled as Anabel sighed.
"Yes that is one of the leading decisions that we've been told to discuss with you, in time the Foundation could be returned to the Aether family, but it would be purely their conservationist departments, any RD facilities as well as all information regarding the Ultra Beast and Ultra Spacians would remain in the control of the International Police."
"Denied." Selene snarled, a look that sat surprisingly well on the young woman's face. "I appreciate the IP's promptness in assisting Alola in its trials but that doesn't mean I will essentially give you a whole swath of land in Alola to do with as you please, especially that land being the hub of technological discovery in Alola." Red smirked, it seemed that Selene had learned much about the region in her small time as champion. "If the people of Alola wouldn't run me out, the Tapus will!"
Selene looked down at Lillie's file and gave a small smile, "Lillie is much stronger than you are giving her credit for, I won't contest temporary reasonable sanctions being placed on the Aether foundation but there will remain a Aether at it's head as long as there is an Aether alive."
Red inwardly smiled at the memory of the little firecracker, she had grown so much in the last few years. He never thought he'd be a good teacher, then again he never thought he'd get married either and yet here he was married to the man who he competed with since diapers. He had done well for himself, lived a fulfilling life.
"Red, Blue it's been so long!" Red's eyes jolted to the familiar voice, a group was making their way to the champions box. Most consisted of the aliens, none he particularly recognized or interested him, but the woman traveling with them brought an inward smile. Her signature buns sat on either side of her head, each having a long ponytail trailing behind them. The black dress she wore hid her slender neck, and the pink heels she wore matched well with the unusually dainty handbag she was carrying. "Every meet Champions Satoshi Oak, and Blue Oak, guys these are diplomats from the Citadel races."
Red nodded and extended a hand to a slender frog-like alien, the fast speech coming out in barely audible jumbles. Blue sighed as he smiled at them, "Sorry about my husband, he is selectively mute, as Rosa said I'm Blue Oak the current Pokemon Professor of the Kanto region." He shook the hand of one of the blue skinned ladies.
"Selectively mute you say, hm bizarre, does that not impede your duties as a champion Mr Oak?" Red grew red slightly at his name.
"Not necessarily, the Indigo League champion isn't required to attend PR meetings unlike the Galar league Champion, the champion prior to me also lived a solitary life." He said, "Also please just call me Red, I don't use my name much anymore." He smiled and introduced himself as Tolon.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF UNOVA, AND ALL WATCHERS FROM ABROAD, IT IS NOW TIME FOR THE POKEMON WORLD TOURNAMENT FINALS!" Red and the new guests' attention were brought to the field, where the announcer was being flown around by a rotom-drone. "YOU ALL KNOW THE DRILL, THIS WILL BE A 3V3 BATTLE LAST WOMAN STANDING IS THE WORLD CHAMPION, NOW PEOPLE OF GALAR, LET US HEAR YOU!"
Red smiled as he heard the chanting around the arena, the Galarians were certainly a lively people. "OH YEAH, THAT WHAT I LIKE TO HEAR, PEOPLE OF ALOLA WHAT ABOUT YOU?!" Red added his own voice to the roaring crowd of Alolans, some even sang some Alolan sporting songs
"YOU ALL KNOW WHY WE ARE HERE SO LET'S BRING THEM OUT: FROM THE BEAUTIFUL ALOLA REGION, GIVE US A YEAH FOR THE PRINCESS OF THE ISLANDS, THE FIRST ALOLAN CHAMPION SELENE LUUUUPIIIN!" Red watched as Selene strode out from the tunnel, a huge smile plastered across her face, as she waved to the cheering crowd.
"So young to have achieved such a prominent position in your government, does that never concern you?" Tolon asked, "The codex says your species doesn't reach full mental maturity until around 21 to 25 years of age."
Blue nodded, answering "It's a pretty young development, spurred on by mass loss of life in the last war, many kids had to grow up fast and fill the holes left in society including league positions." He pointed at Red, "This guy was only given actual Champion responsibility after Lance deemed him ready for it, most prior champions will maintain power if the new champion is young, mentoring them to inherit their position."
"Has there ever been a situation where the prior champion didn't pass on the position willingly?"
"Besides the issue with Champion N Harmonia some years ago, no thankfully people understand the need for the system in such a fragile time in our history." Tolon nodded as he happily typed away at his omnitool recording the information for later use.
"PEOPLE OF GALAR, STAND TALL FOR YOUR CHAMPION!" The crowd roared with excitement as the announcer floated around the area, "FROM POSTWICK TOWN, THE SLAYER OF LEON, THE SWORD OF GALAR GLORIA CALAHAAAAAD!" from the tunnels came a brown haired girl, wearing a white uniform and a red cape with brown fur trim trailing behind her. Both trainers met in the middle of the battlefield, confident smiles on each of their faces.
"I'm calling it now Red, this is going to dethrone our last match as the best battle in history." Rosa said as she looked down at the two trainers, Red nodded as he placed his hand on Rosa's shoulder.
"These kids are the future, let them show the world why they are worthy to inherit the title of champion from us."
"BEGIN!"
--
Benezia watched as the two young women, barely old enough to be Maidens, separated as they prepared for their inevitable clash. It still astounded her that these two girls held a position in their world that was the equivalent to an Asari Matriarch, with much of the same influence, but like Champion Red had stated the cost of war wasn't just loss of life but loss of childhood. The cheering began to reach a fever pitch as the announcer stated for the battle to begin and the two girls tossed their pokeballs to the field.
"Toucannon and Sirfetch'd huh, interesting choices." Benezia was slightly taken aback by the fierce gazes of Red and Rosa, it was like they were making tens or hundreds of plans in seconds just by seeing those two creatures. Blue laughed as he beckoned us forward.
"Yeah most of the champions are like that when it comes to battles, unmatched battle instincts is kind of a requirement."
--
Selene hadn't been this nervous since her last battle against Hau. She had been frightened, terrified even in some of her worse battles, but the gut gnawing feeling that came with anxiety she hated almost as much. She didn't even fully understand why she was so nervous, she had faced so much worse in her young career, but this battle was giving her Torchic skin?! Sure she had the utmost respect for Gloria, she would even call the girl a friend since they were the only champions in their age group, but there wasn't a huge skill gap between the two trainers that would put her on edge. She felt her pokeballs vibrate, small tugs on her aura calming her as her pokemon mentally tried to get her to focus.
She smiled as she palmed one of the balls, with her team, her family there was nothing she couldn't face. Even Gloria. The caped girl watched Selene in interest, bouncing a pokeball in her hand as she waited. 'This is it, this is where I make Alola's future a reality!' At the cry of 'begin' she tossed Toucannon's pokeball, the perpetually angry looking bird cawed as it took to the air. Across from them stood a white feathered bird, holding a long, sturdy leek as if it was a lance and a shield made of leaves.
"Toucannon give him hell!" The large bird cawed again, saying the word 'victory' as it circled above, "Acrobatics!" Toucannon dived down, flitting around trying to hit Sirfetch'd who held his shield in place despite the onslaught. The shield glowed a bright red before Sirfetch'd bashed it into Toucannon who had come in for another attack. Stunned by the counter, Toucannon was unable to dodge the leek, the force knocking him back to his side of the ring. "You okay Toucannon?" the bird shook itself off before cawing, the fight in its eyes having never dwindled.
"That was a greeting from Galar, Selene, now let's get serious." Gloria said a smirk plastered across her face, Selene nodded and they both ordered their pokemon forwards. They watched in silence as the two pokemon clashed, prodding eachothers defenses, trying to create an opening for some meaningful offense. Sirfetch'd continued to try and catch the nimble bird with its lance, but Toucannon learned fast from its last encounter and stayed well from the weapon's reach.
Selene smirked when she saw a small opening created from Sirfetch'd last attempt at a strike, "Toucannon use Brave Bird!". Coating itself in Flying type Aura, Toucannon locked its wings in place and dive bombed the duck. The shield buckled under the pressure and was thrown from Sirfetch'd grasp. Many in the crowd winced as the Duck was thrown backwards from the force, the dust thrown into the air obscuring it from view.
Selene didn't have time to warn Toucannon of the incoming danger. Bursting out of the smoke like a missile was Sirfetch'd lance, the sturdy leek brimming with red energy as it collided with the airborne Toucannon. The smoke finally settled and the crowd could see the stalwart duck standing proud, the bruising and scuffs from the battle on proud display.
"Good job Sirfetch'd, end this with Meteor Assault!" The duck cried out in challenge and charged forward, reclaiming its lance from the ground. Toucannon growled as glared at Sirfetch'd, its beak glowing a bright red. The knightly duck drove its lance into the Toucannon without mercy, the Alolan bird being thrown into a wall behind Selene who looked on with concern.
The announcer floated over to where Toucannon had fallen, the Pokemon unmoving but otherwise ok. "Toucannon is unable to continue, winner is Sir-" he stopped when he noticed Sirfetch'd wobbling, clutching one of its wings that sported heavy singing. The duck tried to hold its stance but it fell to the burns. "Sirfetch'd has fainted from Burn damage, this round is a draw, both trainers send out new combatants."
Selene smiled softly at Toucannon as she returned to her PokeBall, "Golisopod let's go!". The giant shellfish chittered excitedly, as it nibbled at Selene's hat. The crowd laughed at the interaction as Gloria sent out her next pokemon. A gray goblin like cat, that growled menacingly at the shellfish who looked on in interest.
The Perrserker roared challengingly, its eyes glowing red and its nails closing together to look like a wicked blade. "A battle of the blades, round two begins!" Perrserker didn't need any further orders as it charged forward with its claws set to pierce into its opponent. Golisopod brought its arms forward, the wide carapace blocking the strike with sparks flying where contact was made.
--
Benezia watched the clashing creatures in rapt attention, the sparks are the sharp metal like claws met giving the deadly dance a certain flare. She turned to the Turian next to her who was watching the battle with an eagle's eye, it seemed like he was picking up every minute detail of the fight.
"They are well trained, extremely so, with Turian air support ground battles would be near impossible to lose." He murmured and that worried Benezia because she could see the truth in it. Humans and Turians, even this early in their relationship, shared a strong bond forged in the ruins of Shanxi. Already regional professors were working with Turian ecologists to see what Pokemon could be added to Palaven's ecosystem, it wouldn't take the Turians long to also gain an acceptable mastery over Pokemon where they could be a military power so great they couldn't be contested.
She knew that the Salarians were hoping to put sanctions on Pokemon battling and Pokemon use in Militaries, but she knew that such motions would die in the crib. The Turians would never agree on hampering their new Human clients, and the Humans were culturally dependent on Pokemon, uprooting such an institution would be harder than uprooting slavery in Batarian space. Certain sanctions could be placed to make sure the sport was as safe as possible, but Pokemon and the battling aspect of rearing them was going to become the new norm in the galaxy. Her attention was brought back to the field when the cheering of the crowds picked up, the Perrserker was using its speed to try and outmaneuver the Golisopod, but the goliath crustacean used the denser pieces of its shell masterfully blocking any slashes sent its way.
Benezia wasn't sure what made Selene decide she had seen enough, but her voice rang loud through the speakers, the single word she spoke spurring the Golisopod out of its defensive shell. "Lunge," Golisopod acted as soon as the order was issued, coating its claws in a light green aura and jabbing the Perrserker in its gut, sending it tumbling into the dirt. Perrserker had barely pulled itself up from the ground before Golisopod was on top of him, its claws once again looking to strike. The scrappy cat yowled and used its claws to block, its arms burned as it struggled to hold back the much bigger opponent.
"Iron Head!" Perrserker smirked and coated its head with its Steel Aura before bringing it crashing down on the arm of the Golisopod chipping its claw, earning an angry chittering from it, "Keep up the pressure with Metal Claw!" Perrserker growled as it swiped angrily at the Golisopod who was still shaken from their earlier exchange.
"Meet its blows with Liquidation!" A great sword made of water formed at Golisopod's side which he used to overpower the weakened feline.
"Metal Burst!" A bright silver beam ripped from Perserkker's forehead gem, engulfing Golisopod entirely. Gloria smirked at Selene, "Lunge may have lowered Perserkker's Attack power, but Metal Burst doesn't care about that."
Selene sighed as she watched the Golisopod try to stagger back to its feet before finally fainting, "GOLISOPOD IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE, PERRSERKER IS THE WINNER!"
Selene returned Golisopod, thanking it for trying so hard, before grabbing her last pokemon, "Let's snatch victory for Alola, Incineroar!" She smiled as the hellcat roared at the Perserkker who met the challenge with its own. "Let's end this convincingly, Flame Charge!"
Perserkker didn't have time to react before the bipedal tiger slammed into it, the fire surrounding its body reacting badly with the metal coating on the hellcat. The hellcat tried to come back to her feet, growling balefully at the Incineroar, but fell unconscious soon after.
"AFTER A THRILLING BOUT WITH GOLISOPOD, PERSERKKER IS KNOCKED OUT BY INCINEROAR!"
Gloria smiled a genuine smile as she unclasped the cape from her shoulders, the heavy fabric falling to the ground, "This has been a great battle Selene, but now I'm about to have a champion time!" At her declaration the galarian crowd began chanting, and Benezia watched in fascination as the band on her wrist began to glow the light encasing her last pokeball and causing it to expand.
"Come on out, Cinderace!" Benezia watched in shock as a large rabbit was released from the ball, its head just shorter than the arena itself, standing atop a large ball of fire. By now the chanting had reached a fever pitch, she even noticed that some of her colleagues had joined in unknowingly.
Blue smiled down at the field, "You are about to witness two of the strongest forms of artificial Aura Manipulation, Dynamax and Z-Moves." Benezia took her eyes from the rabbit goliath to see a bracelet on Selene's arm also glowing. Unlike Gloria's band, in Selene's rested a black diamond shaped gemstone. A black energy seemed to connect the bracelet and the Incineroar.
"Incineroar, Malicious Moonsault!"
"Cinderace, G-Max Fireball!"
As she watched the two creatures, cloaked in their intense energy, throw everything they had at the other she knew that the galaxy was in a new age. She covered her eyes just as the two moves collided, but the explosion of light still made itself known to her.
