Asher's Team:
Lago - Rhydon
Sebastian - Nidoking
Selena - Nidoqueen
Seraph - Clefable
Death - Marowak
Colossus - Steelix
Clamps - Gligar
Ivor - Mamoswine
Jet - Flygon
I took in a deep breath and appreciated the freshness of the air because, despite being in the middle of a city, pollution was hardly a problem when people scarcely decided to use cars to begin with. Death was walking by my side, like a bodyguard, keeping a vigilant eye on his surroundings as I fiddled with the strap of the bag I had on my shoulders.
Viridian City has improved a lot in just two short years. Before, it had a crime problem in the less populated areas, and the police force's lack of funding meant that said criminals essentially went unchallenged for the most part since, whilst decent enough, the police weren't especially powerful trainers.
So, I decided to aid the police force in their efforts. I'd help to train any pokemon that they used for crime busting to an acceptable level in order to prepare them for battling against stronger opponents, mostly Machokes and Growlithe, and they would use said pokemon to fight against the criminal population in the city.
And... it worked weirdly well. Giovanni had been limiting the activity of police in Viridian, but with me in place they just ended up needing that little push to get back to work, and Viridian City was now practically unrecognisable from when I first took charge, but-
A few rough looking men with pokeballs clenched in their hands suddenly walked out into the middle of the street, glaring at me with clear malicious intent, and I couldn't help but narrow my eyes as I checked over my shoulder to see another group mimicking the actions of who I assumed were their friends.
-It wasn't a complete safe haven either.
I couldn't help but sigh in annoyance at the sight of them." Can I help you fine gentlemen tonight?" I asked with more than a hint of tire in my tone. I was mentally and physically exhausted from the day, and I really just wanted to complete my final task and turn in.
But, apparently that privilege would be taken from me, since the man who I was assuming was their leader stood forward and spoke in a vicious tone, one I assumed was just a method of intimidation." Yeah, you know what you can help us. By giving us your pokemon and letting me slit your fuckin' throat." He pulled out a knife and pointed it at me, stabbing the air a few times as though gesturing what he was going to do to me.
I met the eye of my Marowak, and smirked before looking up." Sorry, I can't help you with that. I've had a really long day, so can you just put down your pokeballs and come visit officer Jenny with me? They've got some really comfortable cells reserved right for you."
He gave a forced laugh at that, his underlings joining him, before he stopped and stared really hard at me." You think your fuckin' hard don't ya?! Well, you can tell officer whore that she can go die in a ditch, and if you think-"
"Yes, I do think. Unlike you lot. Because, anyone with two brain cells to rub together could tell that this little macho act you've got going on is just that, an act. Now, I'll repeat myself. Put down your pokeballs, and turn yourselves into the police." I quickly glanced above my head, meeting his eyes, before turning my eyes back onto the gang leader.
But, he didn't heed my advice, instead he threw his pokeball on the ground in front of him rather harshly and released his pokemon.
The rest of them released their pokemon, and I instantly felt any miniscule amount of worry in my chest melt way. Just a glance and I could see that none of them could even be considered bugs next to one of my pokemon. There were only a dozen or so of them as well, so I probably didn't even need two of my pokemon to beat them all.
Still though, at least they were only semi-idiots. There were groups of just three or four who tried to jump me at night, as if that would be enough to take me on.
The men were all grinning like fools and weirdos, seemingly enjoying themselves, as the leader spoke." Well, shaking in your boots yet?"
I just gave a bored expression as I looked above and nodded up at Clamps.
"No."
Jane placed handcuffs on the final gang member of the lot, the ones which Asher had defeated, and proceeded to lug their unconscious body into the police van to be locked away, she turned to said man himself and asked him." You really can't keep away from trouble can you?"
And, Jane was asking that question in earnest. Not even eighteen years old, yet he was a Gym Leader and dealing with gang members and thugs on a weekly basis. She couldn't even call him a child at this point, at least not in the sense that matters. For all intents and purposes, he was an adult.
He gave her a tired look as he took the bag strewn over his right shoulder and practically shoved it into her arms." Here, I was going to drop them off anyway, if you're here I might as well just give them to you."
Jane quickly peeked inside, and was surprised to see a dozen or so pokeballs in the bag." Is this-"
"The pokemon you wanted? Yeah. They were an eager lot, and they'll be up to whatever job you give them. Though, please, don't give me anymore of these guys. I'm leaving the region next week, so don't expect my help for a while."
Jane easily answered." Of course, the city is safe enough that we don't really need your help that much anymore." She wasn't lying either. Asher had done a stellar job as a Gym Leader and, at this point, they really didn't need the extra help to keep their citizens saf-
Wait a minute!
"You're leaving the region?!" She yelled just a little too loudly, getting the attention of the other police officers on duty, and making Asher flinch away in his drowsy state, briefly looking annoyed before he let out a deep breath and explained calmly.
"The pokemon league are sending me away for a month to another region starting next week. I'll be back next month. The trip is most certainly not permanent. You should be alright without me, yes?"
Jane held back her embarrassment at her behaviour and just nodded." Good. I'm going to bed now, it's been much too long of a day."
He started to walk away, his Marowak in tow, but stopped when Jane called out." Wait! You still haven't-"
"Jesus Christ- it's just another group of gangsters that wanted to take a crack at me Jane! It's not fucking hard to write that down, so don't bother me! Please."
Jane could only huff out at his rudeness as Asher began to leave, apparently going back to his home to rest, even though it was only nine O'clock.
Still though, she supposed he'd earned his right to be a tad rude.
After returning Death to his pokeball, I proceeded to all but throw my shoes off as I gazed around my home in my drowsy state of mind.
Money was nowhere near close to an issue for me, so I just decided to buy myself somewhere to stay in the city. It didn't need to be all that big, but having a massive garden was a necessity considering how big some of my pokemon were. The furniture was a bit bland, but then again I'd never been one to care about things like fashion, it didn't really matter all that much considering that I hardly spent much time at home.
I yawned as I walked up the stairs of my home, not even bothering to turn on the lights, and crawled into bed after I placed my belt, which contained all my pokemon, onto my night stand and changed into my pyjamas.
This world was a strange place. It had sent me hurdles, rough patches, and hardship in these past two years. Yet, I'd managed to overcome it all and grow stronger in the process. I did it.
I let out a deep breath, burrowing my eyebrows as I stared up at the dark ceiling, thinking through the events of the day as my suspicions grew.
Back in that meeting, Lance had selected me to represent Indigo as some sort of envoy, but there had to be more qualified candidates than me. True, I was pretty sure I was up to the task. But, there's always that chance-
I turned my head. Facing to the side as I tried to just fade away into sleep. Letting all my worries fall down with my consciousness.
Lance sat down on a bench, relaxing slightly, as the bright white moon above him illuminated the grassy field in front of him. The grass practically shone emerald with the light of the moon washing over it. It was a nice view for him.
But, he wasn't there to enjoy himself.
He didn't react as a man in a brown trench coat sat besides him, a strange blue frog pokemon standing by his side, and for a few minutes they just sat there, in silence.
"So, you decided to send the boy to Sinnoh." He remarked, his voice neutral with zero hints of an opinion whatsoever.
"Yes, he is more than capable of handling the task, and given his... history with Giovanni, perhaps it would be best to keep him in the dark about what we're going to do about them. It's better for everyone if he stays away when we act against them."
He hummed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with his words." Either way, this would be a good way of easing the people into the idea of aligning with Kanto and Johto. Asher simply needs to show himself, to show Indigo, to the world and the rest will be simple. Besides, even if he somehow screws it up, you can always use your position as Champion to figure something out. Bertha is much the same."
Hearing that, Lance spoke diplomatically." Looker, the Champion is simply the face of a region, not the ruler. Whilst I might hold a lot of sway over the people, as far as power goes I actually hold much less than you might think."
That was a lie, a rather pointless one too since they both knew his words were untrue.
Looker simply gave a laugh at that." Of course, of course. At any rate, have you found the locations of the legendary birds? Team Rocket is supposedly after them, it would do you well to find them first."
"They don't exactly stay in a single place for long, but we have a few ideas. One of them would namely be an abandoned power plant."
Looker just nodded." Good. For what it's worth, I hope you manage stop Team Rocket. It wouldn't do us Sinnohans any good if Kanto died. Croagunk, lets go."
Lance remained staring forward as Looker walked away into the shadows, and let out a deep sigh as he contemplated how long it would be for him until Team Rocket were finally put down for good.
If you enjoyed reading this story and want to read more then just head to my P atreon at The Magician 565 to read 8 Chapters in advance.
