Saffron City: Morning…
Considering they were in Saffron, the gang decided they'd go to Saffron Dojo together. It was mainly for Serena and Ash to show Kiyo what they'd been able to do with the fighting types they were given. Once they were done there, the plan was to split up.
It'd be like what was done in Vermillion City and on Moro Island. Ash and Serena did need to prepare for their upcoming battles, but it'd be more about seeing what else was different with the city from the last time they were here.
With the gym battle done, Ash did rotate around his team once again which meant it now consisted of: Pikachu, Hitmonchan, Alakazam, Venusaur, Croconaw, and Dragonite. Once that was done, the group set off.
Saffron Fighting Gym
Upon arriving at the Dojo, it looked like it had the last time; however, it had back its official features declaring it a gym once more. Naturally, the trio had heard the dojo had regained official gym status, yet it'd still fulfill the same role it had taken on after losing that status prior.
It was now a gym as well as a place where people could train. Additionally, you could issue a different challenge where you could gain a Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, and the newly added Hitmontop rather than the badge.
Naturally, a new fighting type added to that selection, even if from the same line as the prior two, meant the dojo was more prosperous than it had been before. More students had flocked here with the new changes adding plenty of people willing to train a Hitmontop.
It was a sight to behold even if the gang expected to see it. What no one had expected to see, more like catching a glimpse of, was Sabrina pushing a cart with pokefood into a storage section of the dojo. They also saw Kiyo approaching them who noticed what the group was staring at.
"Ever since we reopened, she's made a little time near every day to help out around here." Kiyo informed knowing they were curious.
"Why?" Serena asked.
"Back when she allowed her powers to dictate how she lived, she wasn't the best to the Saffron Dojo." Kiyo responded genuinely thinking he didn't need to go into detail. "Mind you, Arcana took over as Saffron's gym leader long before she came around.
Still, she was always particularly harsh with me and my students. After Genesis helped her, she's been putting in the work to make up for her past. If there's one thing anyone here recognizes to any capacity, it's hard work."
It was certainly something to note. Despite the varying levels of dislike they had for Team Rocket, none of the gang blamed anyone who truly turned away from that. At the same time, they recognized a lot of people would.
That meant this was probably a necessary step in more people coming to accept this. Even with Wes being a prime example of a former Team Rocket member, that didn't change that fresh wounds would be harder to overcome than those committed in the past.
"Anyways, it is nice to see you three again." Kiyo finally greeted them with a genuine smile after satiating their curiosity. "Ash, I heard from Arcana yesterday that you earned his badge making it your seventh. Would you perhaps like to earn my badge? It is an officially recognized one."
"Sorry Kiyo, but I'm only looking to challenge one gym for my eighth badge." Ash declared. "That's my Uncle Blue back in Viridian. Maybe if this journey hadn't gone the way it has, I'd accept. Now, I want to enter the Indigo League with the badge from the strongest as my last."
"I can certainly respect that mentality." Kiyo stated. "Besides, I got a taste of your battling prowess back when you and Ritchie took me on. It was merely wistful thinking. Pray tell, what are you three doing here if not for you to battle me for your last badge?"
Serena smiled. "We're here because we wanted to show you a couple of pokemon."
At that, her and Ash released their fighting types.
"Come on out, Machamp."
"I choose you, Hitmonchan."
The two fighting types appeared causing Kiyo to go wide eyed. That quickly faded into a smile as he came to look at the fighting types from his dojo. As a fighting type expert/teacher, he knew the signs of well taken care of and truly powerful fighting types.
"You two have done remarkably well with them." Kiyo complimented. "Ash, I can now see how a fighting type like this overcame one of Arcana's gym rematch pokemon. Serena, you've proven how right a trainer you were for that Machop."
While Ash and Serena didn't doubt they were good trainers, given the many things their fighting types have achieved, the pair were still glad to have it confirmed by the man who gave them these pokemon. The two fighting types were happy they impressed for their current trainers.
"I think this is all we really wished to do." James spoke up. "From here, the three of us have planned to split up for a while to check out the rest of the city."
"I think on that note, I'd actually like to stay here." Serena commented. "After all, what better place would there be for me to prepare for my battle with Rui?"
"As I once told you all before, you're welcome back here to train any time." Kiyo informed.
"Serena, you make a good point." Ash agreed before nodding. "Alright, train hard."
"I will." Serena assured him.
"See you when we're ready to leave." James added.
With not having much reason to stick around now, the guys walked back out the entrance. Serena followed Kiyo deeper into the courtyard ready to bring out the rest of her pokemon for training.
Outside Silph Co.
After parting from James, Ash was walking along the streets seeing if anything caught his interest from a stray pokemon to a trainer. So far, all he's seen is the repaired and renewed city. While a good sight to see after how they'd left it, it wasn't what he was looking for.
Then, he ended up spotting Genesis who was staring at Silph Co. in a contemplative manner. "Hey Genesis." He approached the clone since this was something. "What are you doing?"
"Thinking." Genesis replied simply.
Ash and Pikachu looked at one another. "About what?"
"About what I do now." Genesis responded before finally looking at him. "Once this current gym season wraps up, Sabriana and I are expected to go on a journey. It's something that was started back when Red gave Wes a chance."
"That's great." Ash smiled. "Going on a journey, while not as I expected it, is an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. In fact, I think no matter the results of the coming Indigo League, I wouldn't be ready to simply stop at one." He looked at his starter. "Isn't that right buddy?"
Pikachu completely agreed. "Pika!"
"That's not the problem." Genesis turned back to the building. "This deal Red worked out, when Wes was a case, says this journey is for someone strong enough to keep us in line looks over us. I have no problems with that aspect, but hearing what his goal will be…"
He sighed. "Sabrina and I are meant to travel with Lance as he takes on the Johto League. Upon hearing that, I felt like I wanted to take it on as well. Then, I stopped because is that what I really want, or is it simply what Red would have wanted?"
"Oh, I see." Ash nodded. "You know, I don't entirely know what you must be going through, but I can relate a little considering I am his son. I suppose in some ways, you'd…"
"My father is Arcana." Genesis clearly still had issues he was going through, but he took a deep breath to calm his rising anger. "Still, I suppose you are theoretically the closest to understanding so proceed."
Of course, given what Ash had thought of his father before learning as much of the truth as he could, he understood where Genesis had come from. "I'm just saying that you and I both come from him. For me, all I ever wanted was to be a trainer that could surpass him.
Even when I was angry with him, that's all I wanted meaning taking on the gyms was my goal. Maybe there will be people that see you doing that because he would, but you can know for certain. In many ways, you are like him, but there are also many ways you are not.
I think the only way you'll know where this desire to take on a league comes from is to have a battle." Genesis now looked at him. "To me, everything makes sense when I'm having a battle. Despite you giving back my father's team, I don't think you're the type to go without pokemon."
"You might be onto something." Genesis nodded. "Alright, you and I will have a two-on-two battle."
Genesis might have four pokemon on deck, but he didn't feel Kubfu and Deino were quite ready to face a trainer like Ash. Rampardos and Tauros, on the other hand, seemed to be.
"I'm in." Ash patted his arm. "Let's head on over now."
Saffron Psychic Gym
James decided to pay another visit to the psychic gym considering coming for a badge did not lend itself well to showing Chimecho to his prior owner. The breeder got the sense Arcana recognized this yesterday which is why he likely didn't ask about her then.
Upon entering the gym, he found Arcana with some of his other gym trainers. "We'll be receiving the last of our gym pokemon who've healed from Team Rocket's actions, so we'll need to keep in mind what we order from our suppliers."
"Understood."
"I want you three to go to our files and withdraw records of prior deliveries from before we reopened." Arcana instructed. "Cross reference those with our current inventory to get a more solid number for the next order."
"We'll get right on it, sir."
The three gym trainers then took off to fulfill his wishes before Arcana noticed James. "Ah James, I was hoping you'd come see me soon."
"I had a feeling." James admitted as he approached.
"So, how has Chimecho been since I entrusted her to you?" Arcana inquired.
"Great." James explained. "Whenever she's not with me, she's with Professor Oak or my grandparents who are some of the kindest people I know." He then took her pokeball off his belt. "Of course, I have her right here as well. I choose you, Chimecho."
"Chime. Chime." Chimecho declared as she appeared.
"I see she has indeed been flourishing under you." Arcana smiled as he looked at the psychic type. "Chimecho, are you really happy with James?"
In response, Chimecho wrapped her tail around James' eyes, like she tends to do, and happily declared, "Chimecho."
"That is wonderful to hear." Arcana declared.
With Chimecho shown to her former trainer, James would allow her to spend more time with him while he went to find Jessie, Meowth, and Mondo. He would spend a lot of time with them up until the day they had to depart for Viridian City.
Saffron Fighting Gym
Serena had her pokemon working with the toughest fighting types she could when she noticed Sabrina coming out of the store room. She left the cart by the doorway and wiped her forehead with her arm. The Pallet native decided to approach the psychic.
"Oh, hello there." Sabrina greeted. "You came with that challenger, Ash, yesterday."
"Yeah, I did." Serena nodded. "My name is Serena."
"It's nice to meet you." Sabrina nodded. "I am Sabrina, a psychic specialist. What can I do for you?"
"Well, I noticed you were working here, and I guess I wanted to make sure everything was alright." Serena voiced causing Sabrina to tilt her head. "That other person with Ash and I, James, could be a bit hard at himself early on into our journey at times."
"Ah, I understand." Sabrina nodded. "I will admit that after getting my head on straight, I didn't feel particularly good about who I had been, but my brother and father have been supportive." She laughed a little. "Well, Genesis just shows it a little differently than you'd likely expect.
Still, I've been doing this because I personally want to. Back when I was who I was, I'd crushed whatever good will there was between my father and Kiyo after he won the right to run the only gym at the time. I do this now because I want to be and present myself better."
"I see." Serena nodded. "Sabrina, I don't know how much this might mean coming from someone you've only really met today, but I believe you can be this better person you're aiming for. While you might not be doing it now, don't push yourself too hard to make it happen."
The simple fact is that hearing those words from someone who didn't know her, but knew a great deal about what she did, meant quite a lot to the psychic specialist. It got to the point that Sabrina's eyes were watering a bit as she hugged Serena, surprising her.
"Thank you." Sabrina voiced.
The psychic specialist didn't linger long and parted from the Pallet native before she wiped her eyes. With a nod, which Serena returned, Sabrina walked off with relatively high spirits. Serena smiled at that as she didn't really think much would come from just her words alone.
"Words can't fix everything, they certainly haven't here, but sometimes the people going through times like these may need a few kind ones to help them along." Serena thought before ultimately deciding to return to her pokemon.
Center Battlefield
Ash and Genesis took to their respective trainer boxes across from each other.
"If you're hoping I find an answer, then don't hold back." Genesis commented.
"Wasn't planning on it." Ash smiled. "Any pokemon I choose to take you on is ready for it."
"I choose Tauros." Genesis declared as he threw his pokemon out.
"I choose you, Croconaw." Ash declared as he then choose his pokemon.
Ash VS Genesis (P. I)
"Alright, let's get to it Croconaw." Ash instructed.
Croconaw immediately began dancing, just as he had in the Orange League. Considering Genesis had seen this performance, he wasn't going to allow this to continue, nor would he play into it. All things considered; he might as well take from Ash's own catalogue of strategies.
"Tauros, freeze the field with ice beam." Genesis ordered.
"Croconaw, dig into the ground." Ash commanded.
Tauros fired ice on the field, but Croconaw managed to tunnel into the field resulting in the hole he created being iced over. Not like that was going to matter since the middle stage evolution was more than strong enough to break free. Break free he did almost as soon as Tauros was done freezing the field. The water starter came up underneath Tauros slamming him into the air.
"Now, dragon claw." Ash ordered.
"Wild charge." Genesis ordered.
While Tauros couldn't move in midair, falling as Croconaw came up was a decent substitution. The normal type cloaked himself in electricity and met the water starter's dragon energy coated claws head on. The normal type managed to bust through dolling out a super effective blow.
He was then met with recoil which resulted in both pokemon pokemon crashing into the ground rather hard completely cracking the ice. This would allow them to move, but dancing was still a rather risky affair that wouldn't play out in Croconaw's favor should he try.
"Return Croconaw." Ash returned his pokemon figuring his next one could clear the field while battling, so he swapped pokeballs. "I choose you, Dragonite."
"Hydreigon would be useful right about now." Genesis thought a touch frustrated and agitated.
Genesis may wish he had one, but he wasn't frustrated with Deino for not being one. After all, pseudo legendaries typically took the longest to evolve. He was simply frustrated and agitated that nothing was clearing up for him.
Still, Genesis was willing to take this a little further. "Tauros, use ice beam."
"Dragonite extreme speed." Ash ordered.
The dragon type blitzed forward ramming into Tauros before he could even begin generating ice type energy.
"Now, follow it up with a brick break." Ash commanded.
"Tauros, use zen headbutt." Genesis ordered.
Tauros lunged forward with his head coated in psychic energy while Dragonite moved to meet him head on with fighting type energy cloaking one arm. They clashed, and while neither pokemon had stab, Dragonite's overwhelming power was enough to overcome Tauros.
The pseudo legendary of Kanto smashed the psychic energy around the normal type's head and nailed him. With all the prior damage Croconaw managed to dish out, this was enough to put the wild bull pokemon on the ground with swirls in his eyes.
Center Battlefield
"You gave it your best shot." Genesis stated as he returned the normal type before looking at Ash. "I don't think this is helping."
"Genesis, it might if we just keep battling." Ash tried.
"No, I'm done." Genesis retorted simply as he began to walk away. "Maybe this works for you, but it's not doing anything to resolve my problems. I'll just figure this out."
The clone was clearly done, and Ash recognized that pushing this path probably wasn't going to help anything in the long run. That said, he didn't like leaving things like this. Ultimately, he could only come up with one last solution that might do something for the guy.
"Genesis." Ash ran after him, but the guy wasn't stopping. "Genesis!" He put a hand on the clone's shoulder which made him stop, but he wouldn't turn to face the Pallet native. "Look, I'm sorry battling didn't help you like it does me, but I have one last idea."
Genesis was silent for a moment before sighing and looking back at him. "If I decide to walk off at any point, you got to let me."
"Agreed." Ash stated.
Genesis turned around. "Alright, what's this idea of yours?"
Ash looked around before ultimately deciding there were too many people around.
"First, we need to find an alleyway where no one will see us." He leaned in and was speaking quietly. "What I'm about to discuss with you is something my friends and I agreed we wouldn't really talk about."
All Genesis could do was raise an eye brow at that wondering just what in the heck this group found that would make them all agree to keep it a secret.
Saffron Alleyway
Ash knew he wasn't the brightest guy on certain things, such as recognizing how Serena felt, but he at least knew the purpose of the secret they all agreed to after their time on New Island. As such, he made certain he was alone with Genesis before speaking.
"Before I tell you this, I need your word that you won't share this secret with anyone else." Ash stated firmly yet quietly.
"Alright, you have my word." Genesis agreed.
So, Ash told Genesis everything. How he, Serena, James, Misty, and Gary ended up on New Island, revealing the truth of Mewtwo, and what happened at the end with what that cloned pokemon realized.
Genesis didn't quite get what Ash was saying even if he understood it. "Alright, there's another clone out there. Bigg whoop. It's just another lost soul tainted by Giovani's handywork."
"No, that's not what I'm getting at." Ash sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "Look, I sacrificed myself to stop the fighting while he had pitted them against each other. When they set aside their differences, he saw what we all share no matter how we were born.
You, me, him, and every being on this planet; it doesn't matter how any of us were born. What matters is what we'll go onto to do with our time here. That is what determines who we are. You're so transfixed on where you come from that I don't think you stop to realize that.
Sure, you come from Red, that's always going to be part of you, but it's not everything that comprises you. Whether or not you decide to take on a league, it's your choice. At this point, the only one holding you back from a true decision is yourself."
Genesis was silent after those words Ash said before he ultimately proceeded to walk away.
"Genesis?" Ash asked.
"I'm leaving." Genesis replied simply.
"Genesis…" Ash began.
"You agreed to let me leave this ally at any point I want, and this was your last idea." Genesis interrupted. "Just…let me go."
Ash frowned but he said nothing as Genesis left.
Pikachu comfortingly patted his trainer's shoulder. "Pika."
"Thanks buddy." Ash managed a small smile at his starter.
Ash did the best he could to help Genesis, and he's found sometimes that's all he could do. After giving everything he could, it'd be up to the other person to decide what they were going to do.
Saffron Psychic Gym: Evening…
"He's been on the roof since he game back." Mondo stated concerned.
"It is what he does when he needs to think." Jessie reminded.
"Yeah, but it's never been this long Jess." Meowth retorted.
The three of them were peeking out the doorway to the roof of the gym at Genesis who was staring out at the city deep in thought. The three of them were so transfixed on this that they didn't notice Arcana had come up behind them and looked out himself.
"Alright you three." Arcana spoke up causing them to jump. "Go down and help the gym trainers feed the pokemon." He walked past them. "I'll handle this."
"Right away sir!" The trio quickly stated before retreating into the gym.
Arcana then walked on out to the roof and took a seat next to Genesis. "So, rough day?"
Genesis didn't immediately reply, and Arcana didn't force him. He may not truly understand his children, if he had then things never would have gone the way they had with Sabrina, but he was putting his all into trying to be there for them.
Be there like he should have for his daughter prior and trying to help the child he had taken in now. While it certainly wasn't easy, Arcana was determined too always be there for them and never again repeat those mistakes.
Eventually, Genesis spoke. "I suppose you could say that." He shook his head. "Today, I've thought a lot about this journey I'm expected to go on, and while it doesn't have to mean anything, I want it to mean something. I want there to be a point.
I don't know what the point is. Part of me wants to take on the gyms over there, but another part of me thinks that's just because it's what the person I was created form would have wanted. Even though I tried to figure this out earlier, received some good advice, I still don't know."
Now, it was Arcana's turn not to speak as he internalized everything his adopted son said and attempted to come up with the right word. Eventually, he landed on the best he had.
"I suppose it'll always be difficult for you knowing what you are, but many don't see Red when looking at you." Arcana put a hand on his shoulder. "To the people that matter, you're you and not him. You're just as able to make your own choices as he is.
If part of you wants to take on the gym, then maybe you should listen to it. Ultimately, if you want another point to this journey, then think about what's truly important to you. I know you're being forced into this but try to think why you would journey."
"Why I would journey…" Genesis muttered.
That became a loaded question which brought forth quite a bit of his own memories rather than those he'd inherited from Red. Looking back at it, he'd at one point had the strength to compete with Giovani. Stopping him gave the people he'd come to trust a chance at a new life.
It allowed his family a chance to start anew and returned them to their home. Sure, he still had aura abilities, but he'd had to give up the other half of the equation to his strength by giving back the team that wasn't truly his. Looking at it in this context, there was an answer.
"I want to be stronger than I was." Genesis declared. "Giovani isn't a one and done bad person in an otherwise kind world. The fact that someone like him existed before is proof enough. If someone like him threatens the good people, I want to be strong enough to help stop them."
"Then, choose your profession as a trainer based around that desire." Arcana stated. "Pick the path you think will grant this desire and never again think you're simply doing it because it's what Red would have wanted."
Genesis understood what Arcana meant. The fact is his desire to take on a league wasn't derived from Red. It was derived from this desire he could only now put into words. While other professions had strong people, he truly believed acquiring badges was the best path for him.
Genesis released a deep sigh as he felt a rather large wight lifted off his shoulders. "Thanks…father."
This was the first time Genesis referred to him as anything beyond his name. Considering he didn't like people making a big deal of things, Arcana simply ruffled the clone's hair before standing up.
"Come on, let's go join your sister for dinner." Arcana voiced.
Genesis did appreciate the man for not making a big deal of it. "Yesh, let's go."
Outside the Pokemon Center: Day's Later, Morning…
Ash, Serena, and James had eaten breakfast together before Ash swapped out Dragonite and Hitmonchan for Pidgeot and Charizard. Dragonite hasn't had the practice carrying people that these two have had, so it was best to make the swap for the trip.
Of course, Ash didn't feel particularly good leaving things as they were with Genesis, but he couldn't force anything. That was a viewpoint James and Serena helped him reinforce as they talked about it, and the pair had agreed that Genesis should know the secret.
So, there were no hard feelings there. Ultimately, Ash supposed he'd just have to wait and see what Genesis ultimately decided for himself. Now, the trio boarded Ash's flying pokemon and were off to Viridian City.
kennymadison11(Ch. 3): If you ever end up seeing this, I've really enjoyed how I've utilized James here.
Nightshadegirl: After the final badge, there is the battle with Rui to look forward to, but it won't truly be onto the Indigo League just yet. I'd like to spend one last chapter in Pallet Town, and another chapter after dealing with a particular loose end. Someone Brock fought prior on this journey, and I feel would be a great way to bring Brock back into the group for the Indigo League. After all, he said he wouldn't miss Ash competing there.
Vital Info: You do make a point, but James isn't all knowing about his profession. While traveling clearly helps him learn, he does fall short of the structure a school environment would have had for this particular path. Of course, traveling is the best path forward for James, but it does mean what he learns is rather varied. At this point, if Hitmonchan were to fight that Mr. Mime, from all those chapters ago, it'd just be unfair for that Mr. Mime.
What you got to remember is that gyms are typically type specific unless you're Diamond/Pearl(which had a lack luster pokedex compared to Platinum), or a specifically type diverse gym like Blue. Since Arcana is the psychic gym leader, he had to use the Kantonian Exeggutor as the Alola one trades in psychic typing for Dragon. I also typically want the type specialist to represent the region, but there will always be exceptions.
For instance, Loreli who is supposed to be an ice specialist, yet the lack of enough ice types really made her more a water specialist. That said, Alolan Exeggutor will be going to Blue considering it'll be a nice allusion to the Sun & Moon games where he and Red went to Alola. As for number of pokemon at a gym, I personally believe no gym should exceed five pokemon, as that's the number the Elite Four uses, unless they are truly being challenged to a gym rematch.
Only a trainer who has eight badges from that region can challenge a gym's rematch team. Since Ash only had six, now seven, badges, the best he could get was the gym leader dipping into their gym rematch pokemon. That said, from the next region onwards, gyms 1-5 will remain three pokemon while gyms 6-8 will be four pokemon just to ramp up the difficulty. As for Genesis, he just hasn't worked out all his problems, so he's left with some aggravation and rudeness. He'll work it out.