Asher's Team:

Lago - Rhydon

Crust - Golem

Sebastian - Nidoking

Selena - Nidoqueen

Seraph - Clefable

Barret - Dugtrio

Sonic - Sandslash

Death - Marowak

Colossus - Steelix

The title of Champion. That was something that Lance had considered taking up for a long time.

Whilst he didn't think of himself as an arrogant person, in the end, he was a dragon master. Pokemon tend to affect the mindsets of their trainer's, so it was only natural for him to have some pride when he'd been surrounded by such pokemon his whole life.

He knew that he was strong enough to beat Pryce, even against a team full of ice-types, and the idea of being known as the strongest trainer in two whole regions made something inside him preen at the concept. Champion Lance did have a nice ring to it afterall.

However, he wasn't blind to the various responsibilities he'd have as a Champion when compared an Elite Four member. His hours would be longer, his vacations shorter, and the pressure higher. As a Champion he'd be hailed as the most famous man in two regions, so literally everyone would be aiming for the spot which he himself held.

Then there was the Blackthorn elders. As the Champion they'd practically demand he use his influential position to aid them in their extorts and expand their influence. Even as an Elite Four they already did that. They weren't evil, but they could be far too greedy for their own good at times.

But, in the end, they were his elders. They helped mould him into the master trainer he was today, so he couldn't really refuse them.

However, past all his doubts and the downsides of holding the position. Lance knew one thing. Pryce didn't deserve the title.

Pryce had sat on the throne as a pokemon Champion ever since Samuel Oak resigned, and in that time he'd done next to nothing that would solve Indigo's problems. His blatant favouritism of Johto, to the point where he wouldn't even make the trip out to help solve the problem of Team Rocket, only made Lance's resolution clearer than ever.

In the near future he would defeat Pryce and claim the title of Champion for himself. Even if he went about it for selfish reasons he thinks- no. He knows that he could do a better job than Pryce.

So, he would continue to serve his region by defeating the leader of Team Rocket and ending the blight that Team Rocket posed to his home. It was his duty not as a future Champion, not as an Elite Four member, but simply as a trainer that loves his region. That loves Indigo.

He would do his region proud.

Viridian City wasn't a pleasant place, at least not for the most part. There were safe areas within the borders of the massive city, however there was also a disturbing amount of criminal activity going on under the surface of the somewhat friendly looking city.

Be it the smuggling of rare pokemon, the trade of illegal substances, or even the gang members that lurk behind every closed door in the city, ready to pounce the moment you let your guard down. It was a hostile place to put it simply.

But, most of the city's faults could be attributed to a single organisation. Team Rocket. Their leader Giovanni poisoned his own city with the intention of earning enough capital to get the ball rolling on his more expensive investments. He had the choice to either ignore the means as long as he could get the ends, or abandon his horrifying ways and follow his moral compass.

As a result of his choice, Viridian City had a massive problem with gang members due to lack of policing and high crime rates. Giovanni also made no moves to prevent this rise in crime, and the Pokemon League was too busy trying to improve the region's economy to bother with improving the condition of a single city.

Though, that wouldn't be a problem forever.

Within the depths of the Viridian sewer system the concrete walls began to give way, spider web-like cracks rapidly spreading across a point in the walls, before bursting open from the might of a Sandslash.

"Slash!" They poked their head out of the tunnel they'd created, and gestured within the cave for someone to follow them out.

Hopping out of the cave, the Sandslash was soon followed by a suited man, who crawled out of the tunnel his ground-types had made and glanced around cautiously before he exited his escape route and stepped into the murky paths of Viridian's sewer system. Being followed by both his Dugtrio and Marowak.

Giovanni had his ground-types dig a tunnel through the ground in order to escape the Viridian Gym. Most pokemon would be exhausted after such a task, but his pokemon were hardly even winded, which only showed their extreme proficiency in the move Dig. They'd carved a safe tunnel for him to pass through that stretched on for a few kilometres.

He returned both his Dugtrio and Marowak, keeping Sandslash out as a bodyguard, and gave them a simple order." Dig to the surface."

Immediately responding to the command the quill covered ground-type leapt into the wall, and quickly got to work digging a hole towards the city above, and Giovanni couldn't help but let his thoughts wander to what happened back at the Viridian Gym.

He didn't know exactly what was going on, but he could get an idea from what his pokemon picked up, especially his Dugtrio due to their uniquely powerful ability to sense objects through the grounds vibrations. It was a given that he'd probably have been in trouble if he stayed.

He might have been a Gym Leader, and former Elite Four member, however he did have his limits, and something in his gut was telling him that he wouldn't have been able to defeat whoever was coming for him. Or, more precisely, the multiple people coming for him.

Few people in Indigo could threaten him, even fewer actually defeat him, so what could make his instincts flare like that?

"Sandslash!"

The cry of his partner cut his thoughts off, and he shook his head off before starting to crawl through the newly carved tunnel his partner made, and crawled out through the tunnel into an alley in his home city.

Brushing the dirt off his suit's sleeves, he easily recognised where he was due to the graffiti patterns on the walls. He wasn't actually very far from the Viridian Gym, so it'd be smart to check what was going on and find out his reason for fleeing.

So, with that in mind he returned his Sandslash and began to blend into the shadows, making his way towards the unknown problem he needed to solve.

Unaware that he was being watched.

Giovanni had no words for the sight in front of him. Looking from the safe distance of an empty street, he could see that his Gym was completely surrounded on all sides by vehicles. Multiple men were standing besides them, along with their Growlithe partners, as though they were waiting for him to come out so that he could apprehend him.

He felt shock at the revelation of what was going on. It was the police! He was being raided by the league's forces! Just why were they-

Actually that was an incredibly stupid question. They must have found out he was the leader of Team Rocket some how. But, how could they have known?!

Despite Team Rocket being so large, very few members of the organisation actually knew he was their leader. Afterall, he couldn't risk being found out by any spies, people who he was admittedly very susceptible to due to the way his organisation recruited people. So, only his Executives actually knew his identity, he was the leader of Team Rocket with hardly any members actually knowing who he was.

S- just how was he found out?! As much as the idea seemed logical, his Executives wouldn't betray him, he could confidently say that much. They were loyal to a fault, and hated Johto as much as he did. It was unlikely he was betrayed by any of them.

Backing away Giovanni felt a sudden need to leave, however he was stopped when he heard a voice speak from behind him.

"Hey shithead, not having a great day are ya? Too bad. Glad I could find you at least. Missing the look on your face would ruin my day."

Giovanni froze when he heard that familiar accent. That unique slur to the voice that he'd heard only a few times, but could distinguish very easily.

Turning around, Giovanni was met with the sight of a golden eyed teenager with a Clefable by his side. He was stoic, yet and the confidence at which he held himself was enough that it bordered on arrogance. He was strutting through the alley and out into the open, and Giovanni could only feel confusion when his brain registered who was staring him down.

Asher. The trainer who he was sponsoring.

"Asher, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at Indigo Plateau celebrating your victory."

His words were answered with a snort." I think you already know the answer to that. Afterall, who do you think leaked that you were Team Rocket's leader."

Narrowing his eyes, Giovanni spoke with an underlying threat in his tone." I think I know what this is. And, it's a horrible idea Asher. Thinking you can defeat me here is pure arrogance. So, why don't you just walk away and no harm will come to you?"

He was already considering crushing Asher just for the implications of what he'd done in tipping off the Pokemon League. But, in the end, he just needed to flee with as little attention as possible coming his way. He was certain he could defeat Asher, but not whoever was sent to defeat him.

Besides he was just a boy, not even fifteen. He had no desire to fight, let alone kill, a naïve child.

Yet, Asher disregarded his warning." I'm afraid that isn't what I have in mind Giovanni. This is my home city, and it's no wonder this place has gone to hell with you in charge of it."

He gestured to the abandoned and mistreated area around them." Just look at this. Viridian City is a shithole. One you're responsible for creating. This is the place where a lot of people grow up, where those kids grow up. I can't let you just walk away Giovanni, even ignoring all your other crimes."

Giovanni felt a swell of indignation writhe within him at those words." You don't know what you're talking about, Asher. You're just a child, you don't understand how this world works. So, just do what I say and walk away. I won't ask again."

Asher responded with admittance in his tone." Maybe not entirely, but I do know that treating pokemon like property, committing so many horrible acts, and corrupting a region like this is wrong. Giovanni, I have no plans of letting you continue your plans."

Losing some of his composure, Giovanni yelled out." That's a short sighted way of thinking! Don't you see why I do what I do?! This is all for the greater good of Kanto! This is all for the good of my people! This is all so that Johto won't be able to continue their suppression! I want to liberate my people Asher!"

Asher narrowed his eyes." Is that why you started Team Rocket? Why you do all this?"

Hardening his eyes, Giovanni responded." Of course. The rest of Kanto might be content to let Johto conquer us, to exploit us, but I'm not! I will destroy Johto and wipe out every last one of it's people, that is the only way forward for Kanto to win her freedom!"

Asher looked a little shocked at his outburst, but sighed and just spoke." It seems that you're set in your ways. I can't let this continue Giovanni."

Pulling out a pokeball, Asher threw it forward and it burst into the form of his Rhydon. The massive grey giant set his gaze on Giovanni and snarled." Lago! Let's show them how far we've come!"

Hearing this, Giovanni smirk with restrained anger. What arrogance the youth had these days. He thought that Asher was excused from that majority. But, reality was often disappointing.

Pulling out a pokeball of his own Giovanni threw it forward to start their battle in the abandoned section of the city.

"Show that child what a real Rhydon can do!"

In a burst of light his own starter was released. His Rhydon didn't quite possess the size of their younger opponent, but they possessed an aura of strength that dominated that of their opponent.

Asher might have been a traitorous brat. But, he was a talented and strong opponent if nothing else. Maybe he could make Giovanni work for his victory.

With an insane glint in his eyes, Giovanni's voice boomed through the streets." Get ready, Asher-"

His Rhydon responded to his words, the experience ground-type burst forward with a mighty roar.

"-Your final lesson is at hand!"

I had to resist the urge to curse under my breath the moment Giovanni brought out his own Rhydon to battle with Lago. They might have been smaller, but other than size I could tell we really didn't have anything that boded well for us. The scars on it's body already told me everything that I needed to know, and I really didn't like what it showed.

I'd heard that his Rhydon was his starter and his strongest pokemon, and it really did show. The sharpened point of their horn, those hardened eyes that screamed experience, and the aura of calm confidence and power they excluded told me all I needed to know.

I was outclassed. Badly.

That was fine to be honest. I didn't need to win afterall, just bide enough time for reinforcements to arrive.

I can do this.

"Get ready Asher, your final lesson is at hand!" After those unhinged words, the enemy Rhydon started to rush Lago down, the road cracking ever time it took a step as it locked eyes with my starter.

"Use Hammer Arm, you're bigger than them, use your weight to your advantage!"

Lago acknowledged my words by bursting forward. His arms were alight with Hammer Arm, and he was glaring at his opponent. However, out of complete nowhere, the ground violently shook and splintered beneath him!

Lago roared in pain as an Earthquake assaulted him, almost toppling over, and only managing to regain enough footing to hastily block a Hammer Arm that was powerful enough to send him skidding backwards, the rocky armour where he blocked that strike cracked and brutalised.

Seeing what just happened, my mind was racing in complete panic at what my opponent just did. What the hell was that?! Earthquake is a move that requires a pokemon to touch the area the attack comes from, but that move just randomly happened without warning! Did Giovanni have a second pokemon hidden somewhere around here?!

Giovanni seemed to smirk at my panic." I'll admit it, you're a talented trainer Asher. But, you are nowhere near good enough to compete with the best this world has to offer. The Elite Four are the best of the best, and I was amongst them for a reason. You'll see that reason right now! Use Stone Chain, then Rock Blast!"

Immediately analysing his words, I pulled out two pokeballs at lightning fast speeds and knew what I should do immediately. What? You don't need to be a genius to figure out what a move called Stone Chain does.

The ground suddenly exploded with a dozen chains made of stone, and every single one of them latched onto Lago. My starter fought against the binds, but his movements were hindered and his position wasn't ideal to break free.

But, unluckily for Giovanni, I had an easy solution.

"Sonic, Death help Lago out!" I yelled as I threw two pokeballs towards my starter.

In two flashes of light, both my Sandslash and Marowak landed on the battlefield, and immediately got to work in countering the situation.

Death, in a skilful display of swordsmanship, began to weave and cut through the volley of Rock Blast's shot their way. Pebbles sprayed everywhere as his dual clubs became a blur with masterful use of Bone Rush.

Whilst Death shielded them from harm, Sonic quickly blitzed through and shattered the chains holding Lago down with a Rollout.

Then, once the assault relented, Death re-joined with my other two pokemon as they faced down their common foe.

With new confidence at the sight of my team handling that so well, I gave my next order with a rushed tone.

"Sonic use Pin Missile, Death use Flamethrower, Lago use Earth Power!" No way in hell he can dodge this.

In an instant my team followed their individual commands. Shining green quills were fired to rain down on the opposing Rhydon, Death unleashed a stream of flames that would set him alight, and finally the ground beneath the enemy began to burst before it exploded and made his Rhydon roar in pain.

Giovanni was not idle however. In fact, he made the choice to release another pokemon by throwing a pokeball over his Rhydon that opened up to reveal a Golem!

Shit.

"Golem, defend Rhydon with Stone Edge! Rhydon use Horn Drill!"

I watched on as some frustration built up in my chest at the complete lack of damage. The ground ruptured with rocky spikes that completely blocked the flames coming from Death's attack whilst halting the Pin Missiles coming from Sonic.

"Use Earthquake, stop those bastards!" I needed to stop that fucking Rhydon! Horn Drill is a move that was made illegal because, unlike in the games, that move is literally lethal in this world! It doesn't just knock a pokemon out, it can murder them!

My team nodded as they touched the ground and proceeded to unleash a unified wave of seismic tremors that cracked the roads and shook the infrastructure surrounding us. It was an impressive display of power that would make most trainers freak the fuck out.

Giovanni though? He laughed at my attempts.

Laughing mockingly, Giovanni just gave one simple order to his pokemon to follow. He didn't even need to raise his voice." Stop your advance, then use Surf."

I clicked my tongue in annoyance as the enemy Rhydon cancelled their Horn Drill and water quickly built up underneath them. Then, in a mere second, his Rhydon was riding a massive wave that was poised to wash my ground-types away.

Feeling the pressure, I just called out." Lago use Stone Edge to split that thing up. You two, engage them!"

They all gave a light nod. Lago stomped on the ground and a series of spikes suddenly split out of the ground and parted the waters. This knocked the Rhydon off balance as they began to fall to the ground.

Seeing that their enemy was vulnerable, both Sonic and Death quickly raised their claws and clubs to strike at the Rhydon... but their attempts were in vain.

Because Giovanni's next pokemon burst onto the scene.

He threw an Ultra ball that soared through the air and unleashed it's contents, and when it did any feeble amount of confidence that I'd managed to maintain was instantly shattered.

Because I recognised the monster he'd let loose.

To say that I was shell shocked at what his next pokemon was would be an understatement, because it just shouldn't have been possible.

What soared in the air and stared down at me with cold golden eyes was a dragon. They were tall, and they had several shark-like fins prodding from different areas of their body, like their back and the bottom of their forearms, along with a shark-like tail. Their underbelly was red and partly yellow whilst their head had a few jet-like features poking off both sides of their temples.

It was a-

"Garchomp, use Brick Break to swat them down!"

I was hardly even given a moment to process those words as the dragon glided forward and, raising both their arms, chopped down on both my smaller ground-types. The power behind the blow made me wince as the two of them both hit the ground with an uncomfortable amount of force. Their groans of pain hurting my ears as I thought of a solution.

How the fuck did Giovanni have a Garchomp?! Those things are from Sinnoh, and pokemon aren't just traded between them, right?!

So, just how did that guy-

"Surprised are you? Well, that makes sense, after all, you never have seen any of Sinnoh's pokemon before have you?"

I snapped out of my daze, my eyes finding the smug face of Giovanni as he began to explain, pointing towards the intimidating dragon as he lorded over Sonic and Death." Garchomp over here is a pokemon from the Sinnoh region. A pokemon Team Rocket managed to acquire because of the connections we formed in that region. Give up, Asher. You cannot win and we both know that. Quit wasting my time."

I sneered at his words." Like hell am I gonna let a bastard like you just walk away! Just how many pokemon and people have you hurt with your actions?! How much harm have you done to so many people?! Why do you insist on so much pointless violence?! The Indigo war ended years ago, by holding onto that anger you're only-"

"BE QUIET YOU INSOLENT BRAT!"

A yell that nearly made my eardrums pop cut me off, and I was left jarred to see Giovanni looking more angry than I'd ever seen him before. His eyes were bloodshot, his face was contorted with rage and insanity, and his fists were clenched uncomfortably tightly.

It looked like I'd hit a nerve.

"What are you talking about 'it ended years ago'? It didn't you ignorant fool! Even today Johto still exploits Kanto as it did before the war even began! They still poison Kanto with their Johtonian filth, they still haven't apologised for killing thousands upon thousands of our people, and they still haven't learned a damn thing! They've got Kanto under their iron grip and nobody is even noticing! I know what they can do, and I'll cut that hand off before they take us over completely! I'll ERASE Johto from this world before they have control over us! That is the reason for my actions! You dare call that pointless?!"

He suddenly questioned me." Just what is Kanto supposed to do?! Is she meant to yield to Johto's tyranny?! What other way forward is there?! As long as Johto exists Kanto will never earn her freedom! And I'll be damned before I see my region descend into darkness again! So tell me Asher, just WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO OTHER THAN THIS?!"

Giovanni's words resonated with me, and I found myself stunned silent for a second. And, for a solid minute, I just didn't know how to react to his line of questioning. What are you even meant to say to that?

A look that dripped with bitterness crossed Giovanni's face, and he proceeded to sneer at me with distaste." You could never truly understand just how horrifying Johto truly is. You're just a naïve boy after all. Don't get in my way."

Suddenly raising his voice, I snapped back into action as Giovanni gave his next order." Garchomp, crush them all with Draco Meteor!"

Knowing exactly what to do, I snatched a pokeball from my belt as a purple orb of dragonic energy built up in Garchomp's mouth, and I threw it forward and called to make the one move that would save me from this next attack.

"Seraph, use Follow Me!"

My Clefable landed on the scene right as Garchomp released the strongest dragon-type move and let the orb they were building up soar into the sky before exploding in a rain of comets.

However, very unnaturally, they all became attracted to Seraph once he held his shining white hand upwards. With the use of Follow Me, Seraph attracted all the meteors onto him like he was a magnet, and they proceeded to crash onto his skin where they all shattered like glass. Leaving him undamaged.

"What?!" Giovanni showed visible surprise at what my Clefable just did." How did you do that?!"'

"Moonblast! The rest of you, use Rock Slide!" I ignored the question in favour of ordering my pokemon to move.

Our talk was good for one thing. It gave my pokemon a chance to rest, so they all executed their commands perfectly.

Giovanni was quick to recover though." Rhydon obliterate them with Hyper Beam. Golem, Earth Power. Garchomp use Dragon Pulse!"

Giovanni's Rhydon opened their mouth, which oozed with inky black aura, before being released in a humungous stream of black aura that wiped out any boulders unleashed their way. If that didn't terrify me enough, then the huge eruption that split my team apart certainly did. The only thing that reassured me was when Seraph utterly tanked the multi-coloured beam that was fired for my team. Thank fuck for fairy-types.

I was losing though. Slowly but surely, I'd get picked off. I just needed to hold out though, hell the police were probably coming over to arrest the guys fighting in a city like morons.

Unfortunately, Giovanni looked done playing with his food. He pulled out six pokeballs from his suit jacket, and gave me a few cold words before releasing his team." I'm done playing with you Asher. Just know this, I gave you a way out and you refused."

Not showing an mercy. He finally unleashed his team of monsters. A Kangaskhan, a Nidoking, a Nidoqueen, a Marowak, a Sandslash, and finally a Gastrodon.

The wave of power his team emitted when they stood as one was entirely overwhelming, and it was in that instant I knew-

I was fucked.

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