The bus arrived in Goldenrod City just before lunchtime, and Red opened his Pokégear's map function, checking the route. The meeting was in a small government office close to the Pokémon Center, and Janine and Surge should already be in place. He hurried over, making sure Mew and Celebi's Pokéballs were secure and well hidden in his clothing.

"Hold it," an official looking man said, as he approached the semi-hidden door. A guard, obviously. "Hand over any Pokémon you carry with you, and prepare to be searched."

"No need for that," came Green's voice from inside the building. "We've no time for that... Security override code Green VXX14."

The guard looked at a small device on his wrist, then nodded and waved Red through. He greeted Green and then followed him through a set of corridors, down at least two floors in an elevator, and then through another corridor, before stopping at a heavy door.

"Are all your meeting places this secret?" Red asked, feeling uncomfortable. If Green had someone found out, if this was somehow a trap... Surge and the others would not be able to give him any support down here.

"This one and a few others," Green replied, shrugging. "Extra security's always good to have when there's a crisis going on. Come on, just through this door... We'll make it just in time before today's meeting starts, and we can start with the issue regarding yourself so you don't have to stay too long... If you're busy, that is."

"Don't rush it on my account," Red said, waving his hand vaguely.

"No worries," Green told him, smiling. "Everything has been decided and cleared, so all we need is to fill you in and get you to accept our suggestion."

"'Our' being the Pokémon Association?"

"Yes."

"What is this suggestion you're talking about?" Red asked, frowning, but Green just shook his head and pulled him by the arm onto the edge of a stage. Several rows of seats overlooked the stage, and at the center stood a man Red recognized from the news.

"Welcome, trainer Red!" the man said, smiling brightly. "I'm Didrick Young, head of the Association, though I suspect you already know that. Green has told me you're quite perceptive."

"I follow the news," Red replied. This was obviously not a trap, though still a surprise. He did not like surprises. They were rarely any good.

"Welcome to the PA high sec chamber. I would've preferred to gather the gym leaders here as well, but we'll have to make do with those that were able to come. A majority of them have already given their support for our plan, though, so we figured it was better for them to remain in their gyms, for now."

"What plan?" Red asked, feeling off balance and disoriented for the first time in months. Not even his Association spies had told him about this place, and it made his skin crawl to not be in total control of the situation.

"You'll see," Green told him, giving him a wink before leaving the stage to sit in the front row below it.

"Fellow Association members," Young started, looking out over the audience. "This is Trainer Red, whom we've discussed over the past three days. A man of tremendous talent and courage, as we all know." This was met by some murmuring, but not much surprise. "Without further ado, I'm leaving the stage to Professor Samuel Oak, who will present our suggestion to this young trainer, and explain our reasoning."

"Hello Red," Oak said, and Red flinched at how close the man was to him without him even having noticed his presence. If Oak had been an enemy, Red would have been dead by now. However, Oak simply put a hand on his shoulder and entered the spotlight next to him. "These are grave times indeed," he said, adressing the audience as much as Red himself. "Kanto and Johto are being torn apart by two enemy groups, while Hoenn and Sinnoh are obviously afraid that this destruction may spread to their regions as well."

"Understandable," Red said, nodding. He felt uncomfortable standing there, not being able to see the people gazing down on him, not knowing what was coming.

"It has been over two hundred years since the Pokémon Nation had a standing army," Oak said, with a sigh. "We've had relative peace, in the years since. However, recent fighting has forced the Pokémon Association to once again revive this group – the Pokémon Nation Defense Authority. As the inner circle of the Association, we have decided that you, Red, would be most suitable to lead the new iteration of this group."

Red froze in shock, having to work very hard to keep from laughing out loud. Not only was in not a trap, but they were handing everything to him on a silver platter! These forces, if he built enough trust in them, would become more loyal to him than to the Association. Given the right chance, he would be able to overthrow the current reign and install himself as the leader of the entire nation. Especially if he could find a way to dishonor Young, Oak and anyone else that might stand against him.

"You want me to command an army?" he asked, not having to try very hard to sound shocked and humbled.

"If you accept the responsibility, yes," Oak said, nodding. "We've got Green leading the intelligence networks already, and Jenny at the head of the police. We need something stronger to strike against the two Rocket teams, and we want it seperate from the police."

"It's a great honor that you would choose me," Red said, bowing his head. "I would gladly accept, though there are some conditions that I need to be met first."

"Of course," Young replied, appearing on the stage again. "You will recieve any assistance we can offer."

"I need some good intelligence gatherers, reporting directly to me. At least two hundred trainers with strong Pokémon, as well as some replacements in case of injuries. I want to be able to contact the gym leaders right away."

"We've already decided to give you two hundred and fifty trainers to command. We'll vote later today to add another fifty as possible replacements. Green has agreed to provide you with intelligence, and I am sure he could spare a couple of his men. Anything else you can think of, right away? You'll be able to submit requests for further materials once we've established your home base and everything, of course."

"One more thing," Red said, trying to look like he just thought of the idea.

"Yes?"

"I want locations and security clearance for all secret bases, like this one. Also, acts on all Association members, including the gym leaders."

"Security clearance and such comes with the job," Young said, frowning slightly. "The acts, however, we'd have to vote on. Why would you need them?"

"Well, knowing who all Association members are would make it easier for me to investigate things. For example, if I find out that Team Rocket are smuggling certain wares, I could contact any member that works with trading in that area and ask if they have seen anything suspicious. Also, it would make it easier to know which Association members may need extra security."

Young nodded. "A reasonable request. We'll add it to the list of things we need to vote on today. Do you have any other requests?"

"None I can think of now."

"Very well then, Commander Red. The decision has been made, and Green will help you settle in while we continue our meeting here. If you have any specific request for where you want your headquarters to be, please tell Mr. Oak about it before the end of the day. If you do not, we've already got a base set up here in Goldenrod City. Thank you for accepting the role."

"Thank you for trusting me with it," Red replied, bowing his head. "I promise I'll do what is best for the nation, no matter what."

There was some applause, and Red allowed himself a little smile. In just under half an hour, potential disaster had turned completely in his favor. He would now have a stronger force than any other trainer, on top of the Team Rocket resources, Mew and Celebi. Even better, he would have a list of people to dig up dirt on, or simply make disappear if they were too problematic. In essence, they had handed him the weapon of their own destruction... and painted a big bullseye on their own weak spot.