53: AJ vs. The Gym Leader Conference

AJ arrived early the day of the gym leader conference, pausing at the bottom of the marble steps of Viridian Gym. The cool October wind blew around him as he saw several uniformed Team Rocket members pass by, heading out of the gym and in the opposite direction without comment. Was it really safe to go in? Misty had seemed to think so based on the last conversation they'd had, but there was still plenty of reason to hesitate, so he did so, until footsteps behind him interrupted his apprehensive rumination.

"Hello," a cheerful woman dressed in a kimono greeted. "Are you looking to sign up to challenge the gym? I could help you find the log."

"No, ma'am," AJ said, recognizing the woman who was certainly there to attend that day's conference right away. He bowed to her politely. "You're Erika, the Celadon gym leader, aren't you?" he said.

"So you know of me," Erika said.

"Yes, ma'am. It's nice to meet you. I'm AJ. I'm actually here to apply to be a gym leader myself today."

"Oh! How exciting. Of course, you must also be nervous. Why don't I show you the location of the conference?" Erika offered.

"I'd appreciate it, ma'am. Thank you," AJ said with a nod. He followed her to the front of the imposing building. As they walked in, several suspicious people could be seen in the halls, most in Team Rocket uniforms. They overall paid the entering party no mind. Erika nodded to the receptionist before leading AJ down the hall to a meeting room.

Inside, there was a chorus of loud laughter. A foreign man sat with two others dressed in camouflage. Though AJ hadn't seen them before, in pictures or otherwise, it was safe to assume where this group was from, and who the large foreigner was. "Oh, Mr. Surge!" Erika said with a grin, confirming the suspicions.

"That's Lt. Surge," the man next to the foreigner corrected.

"Oh yes, my mistake," Erika said.

Surge laughed. "I don't mind either way," he assured. "Maybe my complete stage name is better, since we came in full costume. I can see there's a lot of that around here."

"Well, it's good to see you. And you're here even earlier than myself," Erika said.

"I told you I'd be here, didn't I?" Lt. Surge spoke with a grin. "So here I am. The group of us made a business trip of it, why not? Hey, who's the kid with you?"

AJ introduced himself, then Surge and his hangers-on did the same. "Good luck today," Surge said after they had. "I'm here early to challenge our chairman himself to a friendly battle, but they say he's too busy. You're going for a ground type gym too? Maybe you could take his place!"

"Perhaps you'll save any friendly battles for next time," Erika said. "As an applicant, I'm sure he has much on his mind."

"Hey, sure," Lt. Surge agreed. "We'll save the fun for a different day. My raichu's ready for a one-on-one anytime."

As they spoke, others entered. AJ took his time to introduce himself to them as well. Eventually, he saw two very familiar faces. "AJ! You're here!" Misty greeted happily. Next to her was Brock, with them a man with a strong family resemblance to the boy. They greeted each other, the man introducing himself as Flint, co-leader of the Pewter Gym and Brock's father.

"AJ was really impressive at his unofficial gym, and that was over a year ago," Brock explained to Flint. "I know he's been training more since then. He ranked highly in the league this year as well."

"We'll have to seriously consider him, then," Flint said.

"I already know my vote," Misty said with a grin.

AJ talked more with Misty as they waited, catching up on what they'd both done since the league several months ago. Before too long, the chairman of the gym leaders entered. By that time, the room was quite crowded. Giovanni observed them without showing much reaction. "It's quite the group here today," he eventually said.

"I think there's more people on their way, too," Misty commented.

Giovanni focused on her, seeming to notice her for the first time. "Misty, correct? You haven't been here a while."

"Buongiorno! It's good to be back," Misty said. AJ raised her eyebrows at the girl's bubbly demeanor, but said nothing himself.

"I can see we'll have to move to a different room," Giovanni said as he exited. He eventually returned along with some men sans the Team Rocket uniforms, who led everyone to the gym's battle arena. They sat in the spectator's area before several large tables were pushed together in the middle where a battle would typically take place. Everyone went to find a spot, AJ sticking by Misty and Brock just based on familiarity. As Giovanni stepped in, a long-haired woman entered behind him.

"Hello," the woman spoke curtly with a simple nod at the Viridian gym leader. "You're Giovanni, our chairman, correct?"

"Correct," Giovanni confirmed. "And you are?"

"Sabrina," the woman replied. Though she didn't add anything else to the introduction, she was well known by just her given name as the talented gym leader from Kanto's most populous city. There was often talk of her extrasensory skills beyond training and battling with pokemon.

"So you're the psychic?" Giovanni said, apparently also having heard of her.

"Do you believe in such things?" Sabrina neither confirmed nor denied the inquiry, countering with her own question.

Giovanni ignored it. "Is there something I can help with before we begin?"

"I just wanted to make sure you received my message and have me on the agenda," Sabrina said.

"Right." Giovanni nodded. "I did receive the message. It seems there's multiple people who want a say this meeting. We'll see if there's time for you."

"You will find time on your agenda for me, or I will make sure there's time," Sabrina said hotly.

Giovanni stood up straighter, glaring at Sabrina a moment in shock of getting such an abrupt command from this woman. Erika ran over, speaking up before he could respond. "Oh dear, oh dear, Sabrina must be so tired, making her way all the way from Saffron."

"I am," Sabrina said, tossing her hair back. "Events like this are exhausting. It must be especially so for a chairman. Would you say so?" She glanced toward Giovanni.

"I would," Giovanni said.

"Why don't you come sit with me," Erika offered Sabrina.

Sabrina peered to the seat nearby, closest to the door. "I prefer to sit at the end," she explained.

"Go ahead, go ahead," Erika invited, her hand out. Sabrina sat down closest to the door, joining a now nearly full table.

As Giovanni made his way to the other end, the receptionist came, an older man in sunglasses and a hat next to her. He hooted jovially as he entered. "Look at all these young ones! It's been some time since I've been here!" he said. "I'm not sure I can keep up with all your energy."

Lt. Surge laughed. "Don't go act like you're some decrepit old man. You're still young enough, and in good shape," the foreigner goaded.

"Too kind, too kind," the older man said, taking off his sunglasses. "I'm afraid I've been lagging behind you young ones more in recent years..."

"Blaine of Cinnabar?" Giovanni also recognized this gym leader. "Please take your seat. We're about to begin, and like to be prompt."

"Oh, no, no, no, I'm not here to hold anyone back!" Blaine walked to the front, sitting closest to Giovanni on the other side of Flint nearby the head of the table. "I'm here to see how the gym system I helped found is holding together." Blaine held out his hand to the chairman. "You're Giovanni that runs this very gym, aren't you?"

"Yes," Giovanni confirmed, shaking the other man's hand.

"Then I can't thank you enough! You've really been running the show here while the rest of us neglect it." Blaine stood again, nodding to the rest of the table. "There's been some murmur about the rest of us picking up the slack, that's why I'm here again. Just know how much we all appreciate you. I'll thank you on behalf of everyone."

Giovanni silently nodded in response. "Yes, well, I know we're all busy, so I'll complete this meeting as soon as possible."

"What's the rush?" Lt. Surge barked.

"We blocked off the whole day!" Bolt informed.

"I've canceled all of my classes and have no battles scheduled," Erika informed.

"Brock and I have also dedicated our entire day to this," Flint informed.

"I see," Giovanni continued before anyone else could chime in, straightening some papers before clipping them back on a clipboard. "I'm sure we all appreciate each other's dedication, but these conferences typically don't take anywhere close to the entire day. It will only take as long as it needs to."

"There should be time for me then," Sabrina said from the far end of the tables.

"Of course," Giovanni said.

Everyone was now at the table at attention. AJ got ready for a wait. There seemed to be a lot of business, and he knew that the matter of applicants was usually saved for the end. He sat up straight, taking the cues of everyone else there.

"Let's start with attendance," Giovanni said, looking from the list on his clipboard out into the audience and back again several times. "Nearly everyone is here. Missing is Koga of Fuchsia, though he did RSVP-"

A sudden puff of smoke erupted. AJ couldn't help but jump as two figures in ninja armor seemed to crawl from out of the wall. "We've been here," the man announced. "Koga of Fuchsia Gym, along with my sister, Aya, who is also my apprentice for gym leader and ninja both."

"Magic tricks!" Surge exclaimed, clapping his hands.

"It's ninjutsu," Storm informed.

"Who knew these conferences were so fun, eh? Gotta show me some more of that sometime, will you Koga?" Lt. Surge asked.

"If everyone present could make their presence known," Giovanni requested tersely.

"You truly didn't notice us?" Koga said, taking an empty spot near the middle.

"I did," Sabrina commented, her brow furrowing.

"This isn't an event for us to hide from each other," Giovanni informed.

"Apologies," Aya said as she found the last empty chair, which happened to be right next to the current chairman. "I'm not just a pokemon trainer, but in training myself as a ninja. I thought this would be an opportunity to practice this particular technique. I must have really improved. I didn't think I'd be able to hide from all the sharp eyes here for so long."

"It's fine," Giovanni said, his tone unable to mask his impatience. He went on this the attendance, naming just one more gym leader, then pausing as if the man might appear. When no one did, he went to the next item on the agenda. "Here are the win ratios for the semester," he said, passing around a paper with the photocopied list. "I see the two from the bottom last semester have improved. I'll send one of my people to check on the current bottom two. I recommend no further action at this time. Are we all in agreement?" Giovanni looked up, seeing one hand raised. "Erika of Celadon Gym, go ahead."

Erika stood. "I'm so happy to hear about your improvement," she said, nodding to the two who had previously been at the bottom. "Chairman Giovanni must have helped you." When the two nodded in agreement, Erika turned back to Giovanni. "You've done so much, this is the least I can offer. I volunteer to be the one to check on the current struggling bottom two several times throughout the coming semester."

"I see no issue with that," Giovanni said in response to the offer. "Does anyone have any objections?" He paused, and when no one did, he flipped the paper. "Good. Let's move on. Next is budgeting. You all should have received the proposal in advance. It's the same as last fall. Any comments, objections, or suggestions for revision?" Again, there were none.

AJ breathed out slowly in relief. This was moving right along. Maybe he wouldn't have to wait much longer.

"Good," Giovanni said. "The current budget will carry forward. Make a note," he said, nodding to the apparent secretary across the table. "As far as complaints go..." Giovanni paused, flipping through several papers before he clanked the clipboard back on the table. "There are none," he declared. "So I suppose the rest of our time will be dedicated to other business."

"Don't forget the applicant," Erika pointed out.

AJ's shoulders declined as relaxed further. He hadn't been sure how he might bring attention to himself if he were forgotten at the end.

"Yes, we'll discuss the applicant after the other business," Giovanni affirmed. "There were several who wished to speak. Flint of Pewter Gym, would you like to begin?"

"Yes." Flint stood. "I'd like to discuss something I know most of you are well aware of," he began, pacing briefly. "But I still felt the need to say something here, with all of us present."

"Some things need to be said, but one ought to choose their words carefully, since consequences always apply," Giovanni warned.

Flint just nodded calmly at the possible implied threat. "I've thought about it, and I'll do my best to choose the right words," he promised, then stared toward the rest of the audience. "There was a spring... Not this past spring, but one before. That's when I gave up my journey to be a top trainer and returned to my neglected family." Flint paused. "I know most of you are aware of my poor choices and their consequences. I won't defend myself, except to say I did return to my family. That left my eldest son free to start his own pursuits in life. I was happy to see him go off and travel some, even visiting some of you." Flint nodded to several at the table. "He checked in with us all at home often. But then one day, the phone call didn't come. I figure he'd been caught up in the excitement of the league and forgotten to call. But then... Instead of hearing from him, I received a call that my son was dead."

As Flint again stopped, his eyes tearing up, there were some gasps. Others looked to Brock with some confusion. "The news was completely crushing, both to me and his siblings," Flint continued, then paced toward his son, patting Brock's shoulder as a pained smile came to his face. "Of course, here he is, alive and well. His friend Misty of Cerulean Gym right next to him, who had supposedly died with him, is also here with us today. Do you all want to know why?" Flint paced back toward Giovanni, then motioned toward their chairman. "This man. Even though the police said my son and his friends were dead, this man refused to give up on them. He used all the resources of his organization to find them, along with their other friend, who's even younger than these two. Without our chairman here, all three of these children may likely have really perished. Sir." Flint paused, holding out his hand. "I can't thank you enough. I'm sorry it took so long for me to do so. Thank you so much, from me, my family, and for the families of Misty and their other friend as well."

Giovanni stood and shook Flint's outstretched hand as the current Pewter Gym leader wiped his eyes. Lt. Surge inadvertently kicked the table in front of him as he stood up in excitement. "This man is a hero! Our chairman the hero!" he declared, starting to clap his large hands. His assistants joined in, followed by others. Though it seemed something was off, AJ joined in as well. He recalled the story about the children that had been on the St. Anne, thought to be dead before they'd been recovered, but didn't keep up with the news much and hadn't realized that Brock and Misty had been two of the missing. Team Rocket being the ones to save them was a real surprise.

Lt. Surge's assistant Bolt stomped his foot once the applause had completed. "Can you believe all the hateful rumors around this guy? When he's done all this? None of you say anything against him! Not one more damn word! I don't want to hear it!" Bolt declared, shouting.

"Calm down," Lt. Surge said, holding out his arm.

Suddenly, Misty made a loud sound, perhaps sobbing as she buried her head in her arms on the table in front of her. AJ briefly shuddered in surprise at the sudden motion and noise next to him, never having seen such an outburst from the girl. It didn't seem natural. "Misty, please, it's alright," Brock said, patting his friend's back.

"It's not alright!" Misty shouted as she picked up her head, some tears in her eyes. "I'm one of the ones Bolt is talking about," the Cerulean gym leader admitted. She sniffled and looked at Giovanni. "I spread the rumors, even after you saved my life. That's why my friend yelled at you during the league. He just believed it all. I shouldn't have believed it myself! I was just angry and scared, since I've been attacked by the fake Team Rocket on the St. Anne and even before then. But it was wrong. You've done so much, saving us like you did, and everything else... But I believed you were bad anyway. I was wrong, I'm really sorry."

The rocket boss hardly seemed moved, but didn't take the opportunity to speak before Bolt did so for him. "What a guy he is!" Surge's assistant cheered. "He'll forgive a scared kid's dumb words without another thought!"

"He sure will," Lt. Surge agreed. "Makes you think about us. This guy's been saving children, running a philanthropic organization, getting back those pokemon he was blamed for stealing at the league, and then taking care of all our gym shit on top of that. What have we been doing, huh?" Lt. Surge demanded before grinning at Giovanni. "Me and my assistants will scrub this whole place down when we're done if you'd like. Anything to help. Just give the order!"

"That won't be necessary," Giovanni said coolly. He nodded to Flint, who sat. "I just did what was necessary after the St. Anne disaster."

"Don't be modest!" Storm called out.

"If the group from Vermilion could refrain from further outbursts," Giovanni requested. "Let's just move on. Next, wasn't it Blaine of Cinnabar?"

"Yes." Blaine stood, hand on a cane as he shuffled over nearby Giovanni. "First, a quick quiz: Who was the youngest founding gym leader?"

"It was you, wasn't it?" Aya said.

"Exactly correct!" Blaine confirmed, his cane thudding once on the floor. "But now I'm one of the oldest here... I'm really getting on in years." Blaine hunched over with a sigh, leaning more on his cane. "This all leads into my request, for this old man so close to retirement. It also answers the Vermilion crew's concerns. You see, I never felt like I had a full seat at the table when I was a boy. So now, I'd like to request an opportunity to be more involved, be chairman. It can also give our boy here a break from all he's done for us, you see."

Giovanni spun around to face the older gym leader. "It won't be necessary. I'm perfectly capable of continuing my duties as chairman."

"Yes, of course." Blaine waved one hand, leaning on his cane with the other. "We all know you're very capable and dedicated. If I hadn't I would have learned from all the accolades you've gotten today. I'd just like a chance myself before I retire. You'd offer this old man a chance to lead, wouldn't you? I'm sure you'll take over right after my short stint when I retire, but this'll give you a break."

"Finally, someone's willing to help this guy!" Lt. Surge's voice boomed.

"Why don't you all vote on it?" Bolt suggested.

"I know the boss's vote," Storm said.

"Oh yeah, let's put it to a vote!" Lt. Surge pumped his fists.

"If the party from Vermilion Gym would quiet down," Giovanni said.

"Yes, sir. My mistake, sir," Lt. Surge's voice boomed from across the table.

"Apologies, sir," Storm added in her own shout.

"No more interruptions from us, sir," Bolt added, almost seeming to try and outdo the others in volume.

Giovanni grimaced at the intensity of their voices before Erika spoke up. "Well, of course, what's being suggested is the correct course of action. This kind of thing would normally be put to a vote. So shall we vote on allowing our current chairmen a break by instating Blaine? I suggest we raise our hands if we're in favor," she said.

There was no more noise, from Vermilion Gym's group or anyone else. The main gym leaders from each gym all raised their hands. The only ones abstaining would be the understudies, apprentices, and assistants, who didn't get a vote to start. And of course, Giovanni, who hardly looked pleased at the results, though that seemed to be his default expression. "You've earned this break for all the work you've done for us," the secretary said to the rocket boss before writing in the log.

"Congratulations, to both Blaine and Giovanni," Erika said, clasping her hands together.

"Thank you!" Blaine said as he sat back down.

Giovanni said nothing a moment before he spoke. "I believe there was one more party with extra business for us," he said.

"That would be me," Sabrina said, stepping up and then backing away from the table. She folded her arms and looked away before staring back at the group. "I'm Sabrina, leader of Saffron Gym. It was suggested to me to offer my own gym as a venue for these conferences. I'm willing to do that. We have the space, a large conference room so we all aren't sitting in a dusty battle arena. There's also space to stay on grounds for anyone who has to travel too far so you don't have to rely on a Pokemon Center."

"That won't be necessary. I'll continue to offer this gym as the venue," Giovanni said.

Sabrina swung her head to the Viridian Gym leader, scowling at him. "Why would you insult me by rejecting my offer?" she demanded. "Saffron Gym is obviously the better choice!"

"Now, now," Erika interrupted calmly. "I'm sure Giovanni just wants to do everything he can for us, like he has been. It's not an insult to you, Sabrina. I'm sure if Giovanni considers it, he'll realize this change doesn't just save him the trouble, it's better for everyone. Not only does your institute give more space, but it's a more central location for everyone."

"As my first action as the new chairman, let me start the vote. Raise your hand if you're in favor!" Blaine said. The new vote went exactly the same as the last. Blaine hooted. "It's about the same trouble for me, getting off my island and back to mainland, but I'm glad this is best for everyone! Especially our former chairman. So," Blaine continued. "Now that all the extra business is settled, there's just the applicant, hm? Would the former chairman send his application around?"

Giovanni shuffled through the papers and did so. Each gym leader looked, some spending more time than others. Erika seemed to spend the most time going over the information, then handed the documents to Blaine to finish. "Everything seems to be in order. He's more than qualified, and his location doesn't interfere with any others," she said. There were no other objections or other comments.

"I hereby give you official status as a gym, temporary with the potential to be made permanent after a vote at two years review," Blaine said, pounding his cane on the ground. "Now I think we're done, aren't we? You were right, Giovanni. This didn't take too long! I hope we were able to ease your burden."

As the gym leaders started to clear out of the room, AJ was able to breathe easier. His acceptance had been very easy, but of course, AJ had looked into common objections for other applicants and avoided those issues, along with building himself up with various successes. Even so, no real discussion at all was surprising. Of course, there was still the review period to finish.

AJ stayed and talked to Blaine a while, talking about the regular paperwork and other start up tasks, such as how and where to have badges made. Other gym leaders would be observing him throughout the review period. Erika volunteered to be the first, while she was on the road helping other gym leaders. AJ tried to take notes, but also took their phone numbers, figuring he'd have more questions later.

On his way out, he noted Sabrina with some hooded people that hadn't been in the meeting. "Hurry up and take all the documents he has... Damn, I guess I should come with you, make sure we get it all," the rumored psychic said.

AJ tried not to eavesdrop, instead going outside, where he saw Misty talking animatedly with Brock and Flint. "Hey, AJ, congratulations," she said.

"Yeah. Thanks," AJ said. "So... What was the rest of that?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Hehe... Hehehe..." Misty giggled, turning away.

"You couldn't tell?" Brock said.

"Come on," Misty said, glancing around warily, though the grin on her face didn't disappear. As they went away from the gym, and further into Viridian, she finally turned back around. "We did it! Finally!" she cheered. "Diplomacy worked. Team Rocket has no more power, at least not in our gym circuit."

"Was that what that was all about?" AJ said. "I mean, I guess that's what happened. But y'all really seemed to be talking that guy up."

"Not everyone was going to be easy to convince we shouldn't just let sleeping dogs lie as far as Giovanni was concerned," Brock explained. "So we had to try and make it seem like everything was being done for him."

"That was it?"

"Yeah. How was my big moment?" Misty giggled. "Did you like my acting?"

"Pft. It was terrible, really. I wasn't sure if you were bawling or just making noise," AJ commented.

Though the assessment was negative, Misty just laughed. "Oh well. It was really a stretch. But at least it worked, right?"

"Guess so. But did that stuff you talked about really happen?" AJ turned to Flint.

"Biggest scare of my life," Flint said, shaking his head.

"So y'all were the St. Anne kids? And Team Rocket saved you?" AJ asked.

"Yeah, Team Rocket agents were the ones that found us," Misty began. "I really do appreciate that. But I also know it was only after they tried to steal all our pokemon and almost drown us. Giovanni was responsible." Misty frowned before forcing a smile on her face. "But now that's done!" she declared. "Now the gym circuit is ours again, and not Team Rocket's! It's awesome! You joined just in time."

"That's a relief," AJ said. "But Team Rocket can still do stuff, can't they?"

"Yeah, I guess they can, but not through us. And any complaints can't just be thrown away by him," Misty said. She picked her head as they approached a park and saw a pokemon battle in progress. "Maybe there's still more they can do, but I'd rather talk about our success. Let's celebrate. And also, I'd like a rematch from before," she said, taking out a pokeball.

"Sounds good. I'll gladly oblige," AJ said, taking out his sandslash's own pokeball. In the park, they had a quick battle. Misty sent out a pokemon of hers AJ hadn't seen before, a large gyarados. The girl AJ had defeated before ordered her pokemon quickly and expertly, and the large dragon-like water type finished off poor Sandslash fast. Even so, AJ couldn't help but still feel chipper as he thanked her for the battle. There was a lot of good energy and successes to celebrate that day.

End notes: Misty's favorite chapter? An easy conclusion? Perhaps this is the calm before the storm.

Next chapter: Team Rocket vs. Giovanni