Hard Enough - Pokemon SI
- Thread starter Viva01
- Start date
- Users' Choice!
-
- Tags
- pokemon self insert
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
It also likely didn't help that they have three (Four) gym leaders who've likely been spending their funds and not pooling all of the receipts and bills together for record-keeping.
Misty might get recalled early for the ridiculous fact that she was the most -serious- of the sisters in maintaining the Gym and its image while her sisters have to go through a six or eight week recertification program.
Too many cooks in the kitchen, as it were.
Misty might get recalled early for the ridiculous fact that she was the most -serious- of the sisters in maintaining the Gym and its image while her sisters have to go through a six or eight week recertification program.
Too many cooks in the kitchen, as it were.
Isiri Pudireach
Predictive text can go duck itself
If she does, Brock may well take her under his wing. Might make a neato dynamic, especially in contrast to their canon one.
Bakkasama
There is always a greater fool
- Location
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Pronouns
- He/his
Or they flubbed the pokemon battle audit instead of the financial one.
I don't think it's that. I think someone in the Government side got butthurt when he won the fight against Lance and they did not get anything out of it.
TimEd
Meteor maker
It could also be both. Double suck to be them. They just might have lost their gym license, or in the range of losing it at the least.
- Location
- Neptune Beach Florida
So far it seems like a bureaucratic move to do a power check, Gym leaders are guardians of their cities but typically only have so much power. Then with the battle with Lance going down the way it did that perspective of weakest gym leader has flipped the board. Not only did it reveal how powerful he can be it also revealed his finances that put him in the big leagues, as well his connections with other trainers of high positions, & altogether that's a lot of political power. It's unprecedented and I imagine those in politics are freaking out and using the audits to see if anyone else has been flying under their radars. If all the main Kanto Gym leaders were audited it begs the question besides the minor gym leaders if any other trainers of note were targeted. The professors, Frontier Brains, or even the Elite Four could be getting visits. Hell with how public the match was, is this only happening in Kanto? The ripples are building up and I'm loving every bit of this!
Of them all, I suspect Giovani was the single most prepped to deal with any surprise audits and his own gym is likely squeaky clean.
I imagine Misty's sisters in Cerulean probably had poor records/accounting because of inexperience and likely were breaking some rules unintentionally that's landed them in hot water.
nmWarden
Webcomic Glutton
- Location
- Texas
Alternatively Cerulean will be downgraded to a Minor gym and one of the four/five will take its place. Perhaps someone Brock battled during his journey...? Hard to say.
- Location
- Dallas
I'm gonna guess the League President had some thoughts about making sure all of the gyms were "up to snuff" and not at all about asserting League power over any potential uppity gyms.
Giovanni likely just took advantage of the power play to send out feelers and track reaction time.
Giovanni likely just took advantage of the power play to send out feelers and track reaction time.
Bakkasama
There is always a greater fool
- Location
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Pronouns
- He/his
It could be related to the fact that they had four Kanto gym leaders show an united front, since Erika was worried about rising tensions with Johtoh, there was a war recent enough that Surge fought in it and there was mention about the gym pokemon limit being about not having them have an army. Both kinds of audits to all gyms can point out if they are investing in similar ventures and can be an alarm if they try to increase their number of pokemon.
Or they could simply not like the idea of gym leaders getting uppity and not following the script.
Or they could simply not like the idea of gym leaders getting uppity and not following the script.
- Location
- Scotland
@Bakkasama It could very well be both after all since the Chairman might very well be trying to cover as many bases as possible with this audit. Giovanni, on the other hand, will present an impeccable front with all of his little illegal side-businesses kept as far away as possible from his legal ones and will most likely try and use the situation to his advantage.
Chapter 30 - Celia's Triumph
Viva01
Uncomfortable with all the hugs he is given
- Location
- Australia
I made sure the kids were out of the way for Celia's return home to the Gym. It wasn't too hard with last night's snow. The kids had been eager to sprint outdoors. I'd stood in their way in the mudroom carrying a small mountain of scarves, gloves, jumpers and beanies.
"Broooooooooock!" They whined as they each ran for the door only for my much longer arms to snag them and ensnare them with the missing articles of clothing for each child.
When Yolanda didn't appear I had to go looking for her. I found her in Forrest's room cradling the incubator with a look of contented peace that I backed off instead of announcing myself.
When I was a few rooms away I rubbed my brow and played back the egg's arrival to the house. Yolanda had been… not angry. Yolanda always remained composed, but she had been ruffled at the arrival of the egg. My gifting it to Forrest hadn't slighted her… had it?
He was the next eldest in our family.
On the other hand, Forrest's reaction to receiving a potential Pseudo-legendary, to use the game terms, had been extremely… Well, lacking was perhaps the best way to put it. He hadn't been very enthused, and neither had he sought me out about how to look after a young Larvitar.
I tapped the wall and decided that this was not something that I should leave be. Instead, I was going to pry into Forrest's thoughts. A tug at my pants had me looking down to find Munchlax with a scarf and beanie held out towards me.
"Munch!" he said with a big grin. I chuckled and set him to rights.
"You go have some fun out there Munchlax," I said while patting the beanie onto his head. He hugged me and ran off. Amused by his antics, I walked to a window overlooking the front entrance. Munchlax ran out the front door and straight into a snowbank creating a perfect divot of his body before he popped his head up and trudged towards the closest family member. I snorted and headed towards the front of the Gym through the back of our house.
I settled into the trainer lounge and made myself a hot chocolate as I waited.
A few minutes later the bell at the front of the gym chimed and I walked out to find a shivering Celia at the doorstep. My big brother instincts kicked in without any conscious input, and I dragged her into the lounge to plop her down in front of a heater. A blanket swaddled her and a hot cup of chocolate was pushed into her hands.
"T-t-t-t-thanks Br-br-br-brock!" she said through chattering teeth. I patted her on the shoulder.
"You flew from the conference? You know it might have been smarter to just catch the bus that would have come with the rest of the Pewter trainers, right?" I said as if I didn't have blankets, a heater and a warm cup of cocoa already set up. When I'd been told about the bus I'd bet Officer Jenny twenty pokedollars Celia wouldn't be on it.
"Ii-itit—" I held up a hand. "Alright, you just worry about warming up before you worry about talking. I can't talk to you while you're shivering like a Dragonite in winter."
That got a giggle out of her rosy cheeks. While she was lulled into the warmth, I toggled my transceiver and fired off a quick message to Officer Jenny notifying her that Celia had turned up here while asking when the bus was due to arrive at the transit centre.
I traded a few messages back and forth and made some plans for later. When Celia perked up and let the blanket fall off her shoulders I stopped and sat up myself.
"Alright, first of all, don't ever fly into the winter wind. Pokemon trainers that are experienced flyers are leery of doing it, and it's the sort of idea that results in search parties out in the mountains. You got your flying license but don't think for a moment I'm not informing Officer Jenny and making you sit through remedial lessons on weather conditions."
"But! But! I wanted to come back as fast as I could, and Pride and I could take it!"
I merely gave her an unimpressed look before making a show of sending off another message to Officer Jenny.
She pouted at me, but as always, it wasn't very effective.
I clapped my hands to snap her out of her pout. "Right! With that chastisement out of the way for now," she slumped a little. "Congratulations on making it to the top eight in your first tournament! You did incredible!"
She shot back at my exuberant tone before beaming. "You mean it? I thought you might have been playing it up since I was so…" She waved and made a vague pushing gesture that I took to mean her despondency after her loss.
"Celia, I will say it again. You, a first-year trainer, making the top eight in your first big tournament that also features some master-level opponents, is beyond incredible." I held my stoic expression until she blushed and couldn't meet my gaze. Then I grinned. "Now c'mon. Tell me you didn't get multiple sponsorship offers from practically everyone!"
Celia giggled before shaking her head, "I can't, I got so many! I… what am I supposed to do with all of them?" She said waving her hands about.
I snorted. "Accept, reject, and send back emails with your own counter-offers if you have them." My shoulder shot up and down as I sat back in my chair.
"Well, it's just that… I want to stay with you and the Pewter Gym…" She shot me a shy look, watching for my reaction. I rubbed the back of my head.
"Well thanks, I was worried 'cause I don't doubt that you would have a ton of great offers now." I tilted my head. "Are you sure this is the best idea for your own growth?"
I shifted back and forth. "I can't really ask you to share what offers you got because that's very much a con—" I stopped as she reached into her pack and began to lay out a pile of written notes and offers. "And you're just going to give them up to me," I said with an amused tone.
"That's very loyal of you Celia, but sometimes it might be better to keep some of your cards closer to your chest for future negotiations, yeah?"
Celia scratched her cheek. "Ehehe? But I know you won't take advantage of me?"
I sighed at her. "That's not the point, you should learn how to handle discussions like this." Not that I could talk as it did please me to have such a loyal trainer attached to the Gym. I'd still have to teach her to negotiate for her own good. It wouldn't do to stifle her potential.
I gestured to the pile and when she nodded her assent I began to read through a few. I reached out and grabbed a notepad I had sitting next to my, now cold, drink. I began to note down the various offers and sponsor deals that she was receiving, organising them into a few different piles based on topic. I pointed to one pile.
"You might want to think about some of those first. Offers for sponsorships with clothing, equipment, cosmetics, or even a small appearance in a television show would be a great idea to look into." I tapped the pile. "It's probably something that we should talk with Rachel about."
"Who?"
I blinked before remembering that I had hired on, technically, three new employees for the Gym with Rachel, Lawrence, and Georgina.
"Well, after I got audited I hired Rachel as a Public Relations Manager. She's really switched on about the job and has some great ideas. She'd love to go through these with you, and there might be some synergy for the Gym as a whole that makes this more appealing." I pat the stack affectionately. When I didn't get a reply I looked up and found an enraged-looking Celia staring at me.
"When were you audited and why is this the first I've heard of it!?"
I chuckled at her reaction. "Huh guess I have a lot to catch you up with." I scratched my chin. "Right, well it all started with a knock on my front door—"
By the time I was done regaling Celia about what had happened and how it was all wrapped up nice and neat now, she sat listlessly.
"I can't believe you were audited!"
"It's fine, the battles were no trouble. I was honestly more bothered by the audit of the accounts."
"As if they could have canned the Gym because of that! The whole idea that the Pewter Gym needs an audit after you beat Lance is ludicrous! You could have failed it ten times over and it wouldn't be possible to uphold the ruling!"
I pointed a finger at her, shaking my head. "Now that thought is exactly the type of thinking that we need to make sure doesn't sneak in. It's complacency and pride speaking, and it has no place with the good management of my Gym."
Celia was flabbergasted a moment but ducked her head. "Sorry."
I waved it off before gesturing at the other stacks. "The rest of these—if you're serious about sticking with Pewter," Celia shook her head frantically so I continued pulling out a notepad and jotting down some notes regarding each as I read through them. "—are probably not something you need to look into. It's more interesting to see who offered you sponsorships. There's a pretty compelling offer from Growing Strong Stables; a free year's stabling rights for twenty pokemon is nice. Combine that with another offer from one of these corporate—" "Brock! I'm not going to accept those deals!" Celia said hotly.
I raised my hand "Sorry! Sorry! Just pointing things out." I rifled through and selected a paper that had stood out in light of the recent news Surge had mentioned. "It's just very interesting to see an offer from them. Neon City's Gym is now one of the twelve accepted badges that allow qualification for the Indigo Conference from Kanto."
Celia growled rather cutely, likely misreading my comments of interest as trying to push her off on these other Gyms. I waved a hand at her. "No, it's just interesting, I swear! I learnt about them getting their new status yesterday… that's all."
I put the paperwork back on the pile and turned my attention fully onto her once more. "Right! With that said, the circuit is over but your work is just beginning. Now comes the time to consolidate the lessons you've learnt over the entire course of not just the Conference but also the circuit in general." I turned the notepad over to her along with a pen.
"In the coming days, I'm going to have you talk with Rachel about some of these offers. I'm also going to have you write up a report for each of the three quarters that the circuit takes up. What did you do well during these periods, what could you improve on, and what would you avoid doing in future? I'm very interested in your thoughts with the entire year's perspective. Some things that might not have stood out to you in the moment, might do so now with the benefit of hindsight." I rolled my hand about, "We'll focus on that for now and then in a few weeks we'll start considering where to go for next year, alright?" I stood and clapped my hands together, finishing my impromptu lecture. "Until then, you're on light duties with the Gym if not outright on holidays to let yourself relax. You've done it hard for a long time, and now it's time to just sit back and recover."
Celia grinned at that. "I like the sound of that!"
I chuckled. "Before you go running off for a nap, I need you to get changed into some cold gear and join me for a walk into town. There's one more thing we have to handle."
Celia promptly tossed the blanket aside and slipped into a bigger jacket that she had stashed away in a nearby locker. I resisted the urge to wrap a scarf around her neck and pat her on the head. Instead, I settled for a nod and waved her to follow me out of the Gym. Outside the Gym, a number of snowmen had been assembled while I'd been busy.
Celia glanced around looking for my family, but I could tell they weren't around. The tire tracks leading into town gave away the culprit, but Celia didn't notice them. Or if she did she didn't make mention of them. Instead, she happily bounced along next to my much longer strides.
When I led her into the middle of town she perked up as we walked past a number of cafes and restaurants. Her mind was obviously turning back to her previous reward of a huge snack. Ice cream wasn't something I'd suggest in this weather, but what I had planned should be even better.
It wasn't much longer before we reached a building that connected to the main road for buses and trucks to enter the city. I spotted a certain cross-looking Officer Jenny standing in front of the transit building's doors with her arms set at her hips.
Celia continued to bounce along for another few meters, her eyes locked onto the cafes. "How come all the cafes are closed? They should be open!" She said petulantly.
"They all have somewhere to be," I grinned.
Celia turned her head to frown at me but in doing so spotted the scowling Officer watching our approach. Celia stiffened like a Vulpix that had just encountered a Mightyena. When Officer Jenny didn't advance on us but held her ground and waited for us to continue approaching, Celia whirled onto me with huge, watery eyes that would make an expert of Baby-Doll Eyes proud.
"Brock! I said I was sorry, I won't do it again! I can't believe you're making me do this on the day I came back!"
I pinched my side to stop myself from laughing. Despite this, my face twitched and I had to struggle not to smile as I said stoically. "This is for your own good Celia. Face the consequences of your actions."
"But-but-but-!" She whined plaintively before reaching out to grasp at my arm to tug me away. I was amused that she wanted to run off but she didn't even think of doing so on her own, instead trying to have me 'forgive her' and offer her protection.
Officer Jenny saw this and turned her head away to snort before looking back. We both shared an amused look before she gave Celia a stern expression.
"Celia Shardness! Do you have any idea what you might have done, young lady?" She demanded.
Celia wilted, turning to offer a meek. "I'm sorry! I was just so excited to get home…"
Jenny approached her and loomed over her. "Young lady, there are a lot of people that were extremely worried for you when you flew off like that." She held her stern expression for all of a moment before breaking out into a smile. "We were so worried we wouldn't get to hold your welcome back party!"
Celia blinked. "I… wait, what?"
Jenny turned to the side and waved a hand towards the doors of the transit building. I nudged Celia forward and she stumbled a step. When we reached the doors Jenny and I dropped back so Celia could tentatively open them herself, entering into a large watching area that usually served as a waiting room with rows of chairs. The chairs had been stacked neatly to the side and in their place a crowd stood under a banner.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" Shouted the crowd at Celia's entry. Celia took a step back and gaped as the horde surged forward to drag her into hugs and pats on the back, all while a babble of noise washed over her. Trainers that had taken the bus or flown and likewise been directed to the transit building were all grinning at Celia. Around them, locals and notable people for the community were mixed in such as the Mayor, Nurse Joy, and a few workers from the pokemart. My own family were some of the fastest off the mark and Celia was almost overwhelmed as my siblings swept over her.
A number of people that couldn't reach Celia instead clapped me on the back. I glanced up at the banner that read 'Congratulations Pewter City Trainers!'. I chuckled and shook some hands in introductions as people mingled with the newly returned trainers that were still walking around, many of them still stunned at the reception they'd gotten upon coming home.
Celia seemed the most stunned. When she eventually got to emerge from a group of people that wanted to shake her hand minutes later, she hovered next to me. "This is crazy. I barely know half these people!"
"Welcome to fame. You don't know them, but a lot of them know and like you. These are your fans, Celia." I swept an arm about, gesturing at large to the banners, the balloons, and the small stage that had a DJ whom people could request music from. And of course, the tables that were stacked with food around the edges.
The few elderly that had come had claimed a corner for themselves with chairs and tables while sending out younger relatives to either gather choice selections of food or bring someone over to talk with them.
I snickered when most of the relatives disappeared into the three hundred-plus strong crowd and only returned much later.
It featured people such as the wealthy gentlemen and ladies that liked to experience a bit of excitement with high-stakes matches with young up-and-comers, the local bug enthusiasts, and the hobbyist parents that liked to try their hand with friendly matches. They and more had all been invited openly with a community billboard announcement along with a quiet word in the right ears. Celia and the other trainers deserved this for their wonderful showing. If we did it right, we might have more of these in future.
Having a breather, Cela was finally able to take in the room with an air of wonder. "I can't believe this was organised for us…"
I patted her on the head. "You're not the only person who can surprise people by rallying the hometown." I shot her a wink. She stared at me before grinning. She opened her mouth to say something else but was cut off as someone tapped a microphone, the loud reception cutting through the air.
"Alright, people, alright!" Shouted a voice into the microphone. I turned and sighed explosively as I spotted Mayor Jonathan standing atop a small platform that definitely hadn't been there a few minutes ago.
"Who gave him a mic? People should know better with a politician." I stage-whispered to Celia. The people around me heard my less than subtle comment and laughed at my joke.
Jonathan beamed out at the crowd, happy as only a politician can be when they're handed a microphone, a crowd, and an agenda to fulfill. "Alright, folks, we're all here to congratulate the young trainers that have collectively brought pri—" I sighed and settled into having to listen to Jonathan as he waxed on about the importance of Pewter coming together to support its young trainers and how this boded well for the future. A future that he would certainly support. I turned my attention away to people watching.
Maybe a quarter of the crowd of people actually stopped what they were doing and listened to the Mayor. Everyone else treated it like background music and continued as they were. The DJ hadn't stopped either, I noted with amusement.
A tap on the shoulder got my attention, and I turned to see a smiling Nurse Joy. "Oh hey, Nurse Joy," I said, happy to see she wasn't avoiding me after the last time we'd talked.
I glanced around and saw a number of rather amusing reactions from my family that were nearby. All of them waved so she must have left them with a good enough impression to overshadow the 'horror' of her being an auditor in their minds. Celia was giving Nurse Joy a rather weak glare from the midst of the crowd that was congratulating her. I… hadn't told Celia that Nurse Joy was an auditor, had I? I hummed to myself but didn't get the chance to play it back over in my mind as Joy stepped up next to me.
"Brock! This is a wonderful event! I'm surprised we haven't done something like this before!"
"Hmmm, I don't think we've ever had a group of young trainers come together like this year's group. I agree there is something here though that I'd love to see continue."
"Oh? What were you thinking?"
I began to outline some ideas of having training camps in the lead-up to the League along with some generalised mini-tournaments with breakdown discussions and lessons. Joy pointed out a few areas I'd need to tighten up or expand on and I found myself rather liking the idea. I made a mental note to jot all these suggestions down when I got home. I'd have to set something up towards the middle of the circuit next year… I hummed to myself and shook my head. That was… If I was even still here with the next circuit.
"Something wrong?" Joy said, suddenly leaning in to inspect me. I blinked, realising I'd begun frowning.
"Just… started thinking some heavy thoughts is all… I'm fine." My words did nothing to calm her and instead her eyes squinted a little more in suspicion. "Joy, really, I'm fine. Just some stuff coming up that will be resolved. One way or another."
"Ah… you've seen him, then?" I didn't need to clarify who 'him' was referring to but I didn't want to talk about that now. So instead I grunted and nodded. Thankfully a distraction presented itself in the form of an approaching Officer Jenny. In each hand, she held a plate.
"Can I interest you in some cake?"
"Don't think I'll say no to that!" I said cheerfully. For some reason, Joy turned her head away and giggled into her fist. Jenny gave the nurse a glare while I spooned some of the delicious cake into my mouth.
Joy giggled to herself. "Oh Jenny, you know it's rather forward of you to offer up—"
Jenny groaned "Oh Ho-oh! Is this about that stupid nickname?! I told you that privately!"
I glanced between the pair of them. "So this is some in-joke?"
"No." "Yes!" said Joy and Jenny over the top of each other. Jenny glared at Joy. "It's not all that interesting so don't worry about it."
Joy grinned as she turned her focus to me. "Enjoying Jenny's cake, Brock?"
I blinked before a lightbulb flashed on as I realised the nature of the joke. I grinned and Jenny blanched as she saw me swivel onto her, joining Joy in teasing her.
"Is there something special about your cake?" Enjoying the turn of phrase as much as I enjoyed Jenny's now red face.
Jenny coughed and mumbled something about winning a prize in the local fair for it only to then learn she'd also won a vote on best 'cake' in Pewter city as voted by her fellow officers. She'd only learnt of this when she'd encountered a form detailing who people could vote for.
"—I didn't even realise what people were voting for until a week later when I realised that Joy's never baked a thing in her life!"
Joy giggled. "Oh, you're so innocent." I laughed along and finished my treat.
"Soooo, out of… professional interest, who else was listed on there?"
"I'm not dignif—" said Jenny only for Joy to tick off her fingers as she listed off names, "Myself, Jenny, Macey Meadows, Mary-Sue Lonlon, Trixie, Samantha Summers…" Joy clicked her tongue. "I think those were the serious contenders?"
Jenny groaned, her hand cupping her face. "Why am I friends with you?"
"I make your life interesting in the best of ways!" Chirped Joy without a hint of shame. I chuckled at them, more than happy to be included in their back and forth.
I eventually was dragged away to talk with other people. I made sure to talk with each of the trainers that had completed the circuit and congratulated them on making it to the conference and being wonderful examples of Pewter City trainers. I liked to think that they left these conversations with their heads held high from the praise, but also with a few ideas of things to work on that would see them grow.
Eventually, the party had to end, and I had to lead my family back home along with Rocko, and Celia who lived in the Gym's accommodation built for live-in trainers.
"Bye-bye!" said Suzie as she walked backwards away from the transit building. My big brother instincts, honed to a razor's edge from having so many little siblings, flared up and I leaned down in time to catch her before she could trip and fall more than a short distance.
"Careful now!" I demanded, using my hand to spin her about which only made her giggle. She decided to continue the spin and began to twirl as she walked. I sighed as my instincts demanded that I stay close and catch her when she inevitably fell again. Sadly her antics inspired the rest of my family to join in. Yolanda spun like a graceful ballerina past me with her tongue stuck out. I huffed when Salvadore tried to copy her, only to trip instantly.
I lunged and grabbed him before he hit the ground, shaking my head at their antics. He got up and continued without so much as a 'thank you'. I threw my hands up. If this was how they were going to be then it was time to let them fall and let the tears come.
Forrest merely walked along next to me, 'too cool' to take part in twirling around like his brothers and sisters.
Seeing him reminded me that I had a very pressing issue to talk to Forrest about. I grimaced and searched around for a method to break the ice. Sadly not finding any, I had to resort to the standard big-brother/parent mode of making conversation.
"Did you clean your room before you left for the party?" I asked. Mentally facepalmed.
He spluttered at me and grumbled something inaudible.
"Hmmm, what's that? An excuse? I'm sure Backpack the Geodude will love to listen to those tomorrow morning!"
"I said I couldn't 'cause Yolanda was in there!" I nodded, thankful for the link. Then my mind connected some dots as to what Forrest would need to clean up that he couldn't while she was in the room.
I swatted the back of his head. "Hide your magazines better in the future." He blushed and didn't meet my eyes before I clapped a hand on his shoulder. I swallowed and sighed to myself.
He gave me a confused look when I squeezed his shoulder lightly. This next part wasn't going to be fun.
"Also… we need to talk."
It was rather telling how young and innocent he was that he didn't blanch at the mere use of those words. No one that has gone through their teenage years likes hearing 'we need to talk' said to them.
Ever.
He gave me a clueless look while I internally cringed.
"Alright? What about?" he asked, watching me.
I gave his siblings, still pirouetting around us and miraculously without casualty, a pointed glance. "Can you stay up? I'll come to talk with you about it before you go to bed, alright?"
"Sure, no problem," he said with a careless shrug. I nodded and upon reaching home set about bustling through the various tasks that I had to do. I made up a light snack to curb any hunger for my family. Then it was into the shower. Then bed and story time for the younger siblings.
This time I had a new book to show support for Samurai Furrett. All the kids loved the story, and I was more than happy to encourage them to read. When I swept through the rest of my siblings' rooms, it was to give a perfunctory check-over. They didn't have anything that needed handling and so I finally entered Forrest's room.
"Brock!" He said, jerking in surprise while sitting at his desk due to my entrance. "Knock next time!" I heard something thrown underneath his desk but chose not to comment.
I made a show of sniffing haughtily. "I'm your big brother, I don't have to." I pointed at him. "Also, this is my house!" That got some grumbling from him and I rolled my eyes and nudged him over to make some space on the bed. I swept my eyes over the room. The room featured the typical features of any teenage boy. He had some band posters, a provocatively posed trainer reclining next to a pool in a bikini. I let my gaze linger on the unmade bed, the discarded clothes, snack wrappers, and what looked like a stack of books with some homework that still needed to be finished.
I gave him a very unimpressed look.
"What? I didn't have time to clean it!"
I held the expression and shook my head. If I had time to shower two sets of our siblings, then dry them off and read them stories… I shook my head again. "Whatever. Get it clean by tomorrow."
"Sure, sure," he said, shifting in his seat and turning around to face me properly. "So what's up? What did we need to talk about?"
I clicked my tongue a little and sighed before directly looking at him. "Do you actually want that egg?" I said pointing towards the Egg that was sitting in the only clean corner of the room in its incubator.
For a moment Forrest sat without really comprehending what I was saying. Then he blinked and leaned back. "Yes! Of course I do!" His eyes wouldn't meet mine. "Who'd give up a pokemon that could one day fight a Dragonite?"
"Alright… Let's say that's so, how come you haven't been walking around with the incubator?"
"I don't want to seem lame around my friends!" He said.
"Your friends would die of jealousy if you ever turned up with an egg that you knew contained a Larvitar." I gave him an unimpressed look. "What's your next reason?"
"It's heavy?"
"You regularly carry Backpack around, and he's just as heavy and way more awkward to lift 'cause he fights against you," I stated, ruthlessly striking out his second excuse.
"I… I…" He slumped. "I wanted Dad to give me my starter… I remember he used to be really bummed out when he didn't get to give you an Onix. He had one selected and everything and then you came back from that camp with Titan…"
"Oh," I said, not really sure whether I should strike that down or let it stand. I shifted on the bed. "I knew he wanted to gift me an Onix, but Titan was a way better fit for me."
"And it's not that I don't want to have a super-strong pokemon one day… It's just… I want Dad to give me my starter. I can just rent pokemon from the Gym until he's ready to give me my own personal starter pokemon, y'know?" Forrest flexed his hands. "I know it's dumb 'cause who gives up one day having a Tyranitar? But…" He gestured helplessly and I nodded understanding the dilemma he was facing.
"I… kinda get it." I didn't hold as much stock with Flint, but I could recall trying to reach out to my dad from my past life. I'd offered simple things like asking to learn how to shave, or how to polish boots only to find he didn't have the time right then. It had stung. It hadn't been about just learning the skill. It had meant to be about having something that brought me and my dad together.
Forrest nodded slightly. He probably thought I had some similar experiences with Flint. Sadly he was wrong, and for some reason that made me want to squirm. I didn't though and instead, I looked to the side, recalling how sometimes it was better when talking to another 'male' to not look them directly in the eyes when talking through sensitive topics. Sometimes you needed to lock eyes but right now we needed the perception of space. To look past or away from each other instead of being overly conscious.
At least that was my reading of Forrest right now.
"This egg," I waved towards the egg in its incubator. "It was a surprise for me as well. I went to Mt. Silver just to give Titan something nice after his victory. He appreciated it, but his Mum… She might have been way more impressed with me and him than I really understood at the time. I think she wanted to offer the same to one of my siblings, in the hope her children would each grow strong… The timing though… It really put me on the spot."
I scratched at the back of my head. "I half thought of sneaking in the back and hiding it, but then that would have been like me saying I didn't think you deserved this."
"Oh," he muttered eloquently. I grunted back at him. We let the quiet moment linger before I decided to speak up once more.
"I do think you're capable," I said before rushing out the next words, "Of raising a strong pokemon like Tyranitar… But I think your idea isn't that bad either. Having something like that with him…"
Forrest sighed and I could tell that he preferred the idea of not having to claim the egg as his starter. The clinical, cold part of my mind wanted to scoff, but the emotional side understood where he was coming from. Giving a starter to another was a big deal and they, at the very least, would always remember the day. They'd remember the person, what they wore, and how it all played out in their memories for the rest of their lives.
In a way, I had denied Flint that chance to do the same for me when I'd staggered home with Titan.
Not that I could ever regret finding and taking in Titan all those years ago. He was the first and best thing to happen to me upon arriving in this life.
I coughed to signal that I was done getting lost in my thoughts. Forrest also jolted before chuckling nervously. "So what should we do? I don't think it would go down well if we gave the egg back, would it?"
I gave him an amused look. "Forrest, think about this for a moment. You might not want the egg, but who's shown a lot of interest in it since its arrival?"
Forrest blinked at me, not comprehending what I was getting at.
Arceus, had I ever been this slow? I didn't think I wanted to know. Perhaps all young teenage boys were this sluggish in their processing? I could almost hear the cogs in his mind thunking along. He squinted at the egg.
"Yolanda?"
I nodded. "Yolanda," I agreed. I grinned at him. "You know what might be really cool for a big brother to do?" He tilted his head at me as I stood, taking up the incubator. I placed it into his hands. "Be the one to give it to her."
His eyes widened and he stared up at me. "But! But-you're!?"
"I'm the eldest, yes, and I gave it to you. And you have thought about it and come to… an admittedly very mature and well-reasoned decision. Do you agree with me that Yolanda deserves this?"
"Yeah, yeah she does!" He said standing up. I grinned at him and let him lead me to Yolanda's room. When we reached it I knocked on her door.
Forrest stopped and scowled at me. "Why'd she get a knock?"
"It's different for girls," I argued.
"You don't knock on my door but you do for her? That's not right!" he whispered hotly.
"You'll find it is, little bro. You'll find it is," I said, putting a hand on his head and ruffling his hair. He glared at me, obviously not understanding the difference. I didn't elaborate.
"Come in!" said Yolanda.
I opened the door and prodded Forrest to enter first.
"Forrest? Bro—" She fell quiet when her eyes landed on the incubator in Forrest's hands. If it hadn't been extremely obvious to Forrest now he must have fully realised how much Yolanda wanted that pokemon. She licked her lips. "W-what's up guys?" She said while letting her face fall into a placid expression to cover up her prior expression.
Forrest shifted from foot to foot. In doing so he drew Yolanda into a ready state. I could see she was coiling up in readiness in case he slipped with his grip like the first day. I decided to progress things along.
I clapped Forrest on the shoulder. "Forrest and I have been having a talk about how things played out, and we've come to a decision. Forrest would like to say something."
"Huh? Oh right… Yolanda, I've decided that… I don't want this egg." I held in the grimace. That was a poor choice of wording. He barreled on, not realising his slip. "But you do, and you deserve it. I think… I think it would be better suited if you raised this little fella," He raised his hands and offered her the incubator.
Yolanda didn't say a word but she did raise her hands and take the incubator. She drew it in and smiled hugely. "Girl, it's going to be a girl." She stared at it for a long moment before looking up. "You really mean this Forrest? You're giving up this egg for me?"
"You wanted it, right?" I squeezed his shoulder in warning.
"I think he means you deserve it, and it would be a wonderful starter that he wanted to give to you." She giggled at my interruption. Forrest merely gave me a confused look, obviously not understanding how what I'd said was different in any way. I held in my sigh. I'd talk him through it later.
"So," I waggled my eyebrows, "You looking forward to training with me on how to handle the Tyranitar evolution line?"
She beamed a huge grin. "Yes!" She said. She didn't leap up to hug us like she wanted to but she did stand after putting the egg safely to the side. Then she gave Forrest the biggest hug I'd ever seen her give him. He blushed as she whispered into his ear.
"Thank you so much for this Forrest! I love you, big brother!"
"It's nothing." I rolled my eyes at his words. Yolanda giggled into his side knowing what he was like. I held in the urge to cuff him. The book on parenting was adamant I not cuff him about the head, no matter how stupid his words were.
Yolanda broke the hug and rocketed in to hug me. "Love you too Brock,"
"Love you too Yolanda." I leaned down to whisper into her ear, "I'm sorry I didn't offer it to you first… I was dumb. I didn't mean to hurt you by snubbing you."
"No, I understand," she whispered back to me.
I patted her on the back and stood. Forrest watched us and I nodded to him. "Well, I'll leave it to you but we'll talk more about this tomorrow, hmmm?"
Yolanda's head bounced up and down, whereas Forrest merely grunted. I let him exit first. Before I departed, I watched Yolanda curl her blankets and pillows into a pseudo-nest for herself and the egg to be cradled in. I chuckled and waved at her. "Night Yolanda, sweet dreams."
"Night Brock." She called out to my back. I walked back to Forrest's room and knocked on his door frame.
When I opened the door a second later Forrest was on the bed looking at me. "Now you knock? What is up with you?"
"You showed some maturity so I think you deserved it," I said offhandedly, not wanting to admit I'd done so out of habit. It also sounded wise and played into reinforcing positive behaviour. I nodded at him. "Good work." I decided not to mention how he'd been too rough in his delivery, I'd do that later. For now, it was better to stick with the positives.
"Thanks, it felt good. She'll be great with that as her starter, and with dad coming home I won't have long to wait for my first pokemon. Think dad will have something strong?"
".." I held my thoughts to myself before adopting a smile that felt all too fake. "He might, yeah." I walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. "Still, nice work tonight. Have a good night bro."
I turned and in doing so spotted what he had hidden under his desk that was hidden with most of the litter around his room. I turned around. "Also? " He gave me a curious look, "Clean your room little bro." I pointed at the magazines with ladies in various states of dress or undress, clearly visible. He blushed hugely and I waved off his splutters.
"It's a friend's and I'm holding it for him!"
"That just makes it kinda grosser. I don't want to know. Just… clean your room and hide your magazines. Yolanda was in here earlier. The other little ones probably wander in here all the time as well. You want them reading that willy-nilly?" I shook my head and chuckled at how things had turned out.
I fell asleep just as another body pressed itself into my side.
It reminded me of another night's sleep almost a month ago now. The sleep was at least as good if not better. Once again though I woke up to only an indent. I shook off the mild feeling of loss and instead fired off a message to Sabrina. She was obviously feeling better. I'd be seeing her in an official capacity soon anyway.
A.N. Special thanks to all my Patreons.
Also thanks to the James-Team Rocket crew who serve as my Beta's and Editors in Raikor, Elnoorz, and TheFood.
"Broooooooooock!" They whined as they each ran for the door only for my much longer arms to snag them and ensnare them with the missing articles of clothing for each child.
When Yolanda didn't appear I had to go looking for her. I found her in Forrest's room cradling the incubator with a look of contented peace that I backed off instead of announcing myself.
When I was a few rooms away I rubbed my brow and played back the egg's arrival to the house. Yolanda had been… not angry. Yolanda always remained composed, but she had been ruffled at the arrival of the egg. My gifting it to Forrest hadn't slighted her… had it?
He was the next eldest in our family.
On the other hand, Forrest's reaction to receiving a potential Pseudo-legendary, to use the game terms, had been extremely… Well, lacking was perhaps the best way to put it. He hadn't been very enthused, and neither had he sought me out about how to look after a young Larvitar.
I tapped the wall and decided that this was not something that I should leave be. Instead, I was going to pry into Forrest's thoughts. A tug at my pants had me looking down to find Munchlax with a scarf and beanie held out towards me.
"Munch!" he said with a big grin. I chuckled and set him to rights.
"You go have some fun out there Munchlax," I said while patting the beanie onto his head. He hugged me and ran off. Amused by his antics, I walked to a window overlooking the front entrance. Munchlax ran out the front door and straight into a snowbank creating a perfect divot of his body before he popped his head up and trudged towards the closest family member. I snorted and headed towards the front of the Gym through the back of our house.
I settled into the trainer lounge and made myself a hot chocolate as I waited.
A few minutes later the bell at the front of the gym chimed and I walked out to find a shivering Celia at the doorstep. My big brother instincts kicked in without any conscious input, and I dragged her into the lounge to plop her down in front of a heater. A blanket swaddled her and a hot cup of chocolate was pushed into her hands.
"T-t-t-t-thanks Br-br-br-brock!" she said through chattering teeth. I patted her on the shoulder.
"You flew from the conference? You know it might have been smarter to just catch the bus that would have come with the rest of the Pewter trainers, right?" I said as if I didn't have blankets, a heater and a warm cup of cocoa already set up. When I'd been told about the bus I'd bet Officer Jenny twenty pokedollars Celia wouldn't be on it.
"Ii-itit—" I held up a hand. "Alright, you just worry about warming up before you worry about talking. I can't talk to you while you're shivering like a Dragonite in winter."
That got a giggle out of her rosy cheeks. While she was lulled into the warmth, I toggled my transceiver and fired off a quick message to Officer Jenny notifying her that Celia had turned up here while asking when the bus was due to arrive at the transit centre.
I traded a few messages back and forth and made some plans for later. When Celia perked up and let the blanket fall off her shoulders I stopped and sat up myself.
"Alright, first of all, don't ever fly into the winter wind. Pokemon trainers that are experienced flyers are leery of doing it, and it's the sort of idea that results in search parties out in the mountains. You got your flying license but don't think for a moment I'm not informing Officer Jenny and making you sit through remedial lessons on weather conditions."
"But! But! I wanted to come back as fast as I could, and Pride and I could take it!"
I merely gave her an unimpressed look before making a show of sending off another message to Officer Jenny.
She pouted at me, but as always, it wasn't very effective.
I clapped my hands to snap her out of her pout. "Right! With that chastisement out of the way for now," she slumped a little. "Congratulations on making it to the top eight in your first tournament! You did incredible!"
She shot back at my exuberant tone before beaming. "You mean it? I thought you might have been playing it up since I was so…" She waved and made a vague pushing gesture that I took to mean her despondency after her loss.
"Celia, I will say it again. You, a first-year trainer, making the top eight in your first big tournament that also features some master-level opponents, is beyond incredible." I held my stoic expression until she blushed and couldn't meet my gaze. Then I grinned. "Now c'mon. Tell me you didn't get multiple sponsorship offers from practically everyone!"
Celia giggled before shaking her head, "I can't, I got so many! I… what am I supposed to do with all of them?" She said waving her hands about.
I snorted. "Accept, reject, and send back emails with your own counter-offers if you have them." My shoulder shot up and down as I sat back in my chair.
"Well, it's just that… I want to stay with you and the Pewter Gym…" She shot me a shy look, watching for my reaction. I rubbed the back of my head.
"Well thanks, I was worried 'cause I don't doubt that you would have a ton of great offers now." I tilted my head. "Are you sure this is the best idea for your own growth?"
I shifted back and forth. "I can't really ask you to share what offers you got because that's very much a con—" I stopped as she reached into her pack and began to lay out a pile of written notes and offers. "And you're just going to give them up to me," I said with an amused tone.
"That's very loyal of you Celia, but sometimes it might be better to keep some of your cards closer to your chest for future negotiations, yeah?"
Celia scratched her cheek. "Ehehe? But I know you won't take advantage of me?"
I sighed at her. "That's not the point, you should learn how to handle discussions like this." Not that I could talk as it did please me to have such a loyal trainer attached to the Gym. I'd still have to teach her to negotiate for her own good. It wouldn't do to stifle her potential.
I gestured to the pile and when she nodded her assent I began to read through a few. I reached out and grabbed a notepad I had sitting next to my, now cold, drink. I began to note down the various offers and sponsor deals that she was receiving, organising them into a few different piles based on topic. I pointed to one pile.
"You might want to think about some of those first. Offers for sponsorships with clothing, equipment, cosmetics, or even a small appearance in a television show would be a great idea to look into." I tapped the pile. "It's probably something that we should talk with Rachel about."
"Who?"
I blinked before remembering that I had hired on, technically, three new employees for the Gym with Rachel, Lawrence, and Georgina.
"Well, after I got audited I hired Rachel as a Public Relations Manager. She's really switched on about the job and has some great ideas. She'd love to go through these with you, and there might be some synergy for the Gym as a whole that makes this more appealing." I pat the stack affectionately. When I didn't get a reply I looked up and found an enraged-looking Celia staring at me.
"When were you audited and why is this the first I've heard of it!?"
I chuckled at her reaction. "Huh guess I have a lot to catch you up with." I scratched my chin. "Right, well it all started with a knock on my front door—"
By the time I was done regaling Celia about what had happened and how it was all wrapped up nice and neat now, she sat listlessly.
"I can't believe you were audited!"
"It's fine, the battles were no trouble. I was honestly more bothered by the audit of the accounts."
"As if they could have canned the Gym because of that! The whole idea that the Pewter Gym needs an audit after you beat Lance is ludicrous! You could have failed it ten times over and it wouldn't be possible to uphold the ruling!"
I pointed a finger at her, shaking my head. "Now that thought is exactly the type of thinking that we need to make sure doesn't sneak in. It's complacency and pride speaking, and it has no place with the good management of my Gym."
Celia was flabbergasted a moment but ducked her head. "Sorry."
I waved it off before gesturing at the other stacks. "The rest of these—if you're serious about sticking with Pewter," Celia shook her head frantically so I continued pulling out a notepad and jotting down some notes regarding each as I read through them. "—are probably not something you need to look into. It's more interesting to see who offered you sponsorships. There's a pretty compelling offer from Growing Strong Stables; a free year's stabling rights for twenty pokemon is nice. Combine that with another offer from one of these corporate—" "Brock! I'm not going to accept those deals!" Celia said hotly.
I raised my hand "Sorry! Sorry! Just pointing things out." I rifled through and selected a paper that had stood out in light of the recent news Surge had mentioned. "It's just very interesting to see an offer from them. Neon City's Gym is now one of the twelve accepted badges that allow qualification for the Indigo Conference from Kanto."
Celia growled rather cutely, likely misreading my comments of interest as trying to push her off on these other Gyms. I waved a hand at her. "No, it's just interesting, I swear! I learnt about them getting their new status yesterday… that's all."
I put the paperwork back on the pile and turned my attention fully onto her once more. "Right! With that said, the circuit is over but your work is just beginning. Now comes the time to consolidate the lessons you've learnt over the entire course of not just the Conference but also the circuit in general." I turned the notepad over to her along with a pen.
"In the coming days, I'm going to have you talk with Rachel about some of these offers. I'm also going to have you write up a report for each of the three quarters that the circuit takes up. What did you do well during these periods, what could you improve on, and what would you avoid doing in future? I'm very interested in your thoughts with the entire year's perspective. Some things that might not have stood out to you in the moment, might do so now with the benefit of hindsight." I rolled my hand about, "We'll focus on that for now and then in a few weeks we'll start considering where to go for next year, alright?" I stood and clapped my hands together, finishing my impromptu lecture. "Until then, you're on light duties with the Gym if not outright on holidays to let yourself relax. You've done it hard for a long time, and now it's time to just sit back and recover."
Celia grinned at that. "I like the sound of that!"
I chuckled. "Before you go running off for a nap, I need you to get changed into some cold gear and join me for a walk into town. There's one more thing we have to handle."
Celia promptly tossed the blanket aside and slipped into a bigger jacket that she had stashed away in a nearby locker. I resisted the urge to wrap a scarf around her neck and pat her on the head. Instead, I settled for a nod and waved her to follow me out of the Gym. Outside the Gym, a number of snowmen had been assembled while I'd been busy.
Celia glanced around looking for my family, but I could tell they weren't around. The tire tracks leading into town gave away the culprit, but Celia didn't notice them. Or if she did she didn't make mention of them. Instead, she happily bounced along next to my much longer strides.
When I led her into the middle of town she perked up as we walked past a number of cafes and restaurants. Her mind was obviously turning back to her previous reward of a huge snack. Ice cream wasn't something I'd suggest in this weather, but what I had planned should be even better.
It wasn't much longer before we reached a building that connected to the main road for buses and trucks to enter the city. I spotted a certain cross-looking Officer Jenny standing in front of the transit building's doors with her arms set at her hips.
Celia continued to bounce along for another few meters, her eyes locked onto the cafes. "How come all the cafes are closed? They should be open!" She said petulantly.
"They all have somewhere to be," I grinned.
Celia turned her head to frown at me but in doing so spotted the scowling Officer watching our approach. Celia stiffened like a Vulpix that had just encountered a Mightyena. When Officer Jenny didn't advance on us but held her ground and waited for us to continue approaching, Celia whirled onto me with huge, watery eyes that would make an expert of Baby-Doll Eyes proud.
"Brock! I said I was sorry, I won't do it again! I can't believe you're making me do this on the day I came back!"
I pinched my side to stop myself from laughing. Despite this, my face twitched and I had to struggle not to smile as I said stoically. "This is for your own good Celia. Face the consequences of your actions."
"But-but-but-!" She whined plaintively before reaching out to grasp at my arm to tug me away. I was amused that she wanted to run off but she didn't even think of doing so on her own, instead trying to have me 'forgive her' and offer her protection.
Officer Jenny saw this and turned her head away to snort before looking back. We both shared an amused look before she gave Celia a stern expression.
"Celia Shardness! Do you have any idea what you might have done, young lady?" She demanded.
Celia wilted, turning to offer a meek. "I'm sorry! I was just so excited to get home…"
Jenny approached her and loomed over her. "Young lady, there are a lot of people that were extremely worried for you when you flew off like that." She held her stern expression for all of a moment before breaking out into a smile. "We were so worried we wouldn't get to hold your welcome back party!"
Celia blinked. "I… wait, what?"
Jenny turned to the side and waved a hand towards the doors of the transit building. I nudged Celia forward and she stumbled a step. When we reached the doors Jenny and I dropped back so Celia could tentatively open them herself, entering into a large watching area that usually served as a waiting room with rows of chairs. The chairs had been stacked neatly to the side and in their place a crowd stood under a banner.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" Shouted the crowd at Celia's entry. Celia took a step back and gaped as the horde surged forward to drag her into hugs and pats on the back, all while a babble of noise washed over her. Trainers that had taken the bus or flown and likewise been directed to the transit building were all grinning at Celia. Around them, locals and notable people for the community were mixed in such as the Mayor, Nurse Joy, and a few workers from the pokemart. My own family were some of the fastest off the mark and Celia was almost overwhelmed as my siblings swept over her.
A number of people that couldn't reach Celia instead clapped me on the back. I glanced up at the banner that read 'Congratulations Pewter City Trainers!'. I chuckled and shook some hands in introductions as people mingled with the newly returned trainers that were still walking around, many of them still stunned at the reception they'd gotten upon coming home.
Celia seemed the most stunned. When she eventually got to emerge from a group of people that wanted to shake her hand minutes later, she hovered next to me. "This is crazy. I barely know half these people!"
"Welcome to fame. You don't know them, but a lot of them know and like you. These are your fans, Celia." I swept an arm about, gesturing at large to the banners, the balloons, and the small stage that had a DJ whom people could request music from. And of course, the tables that were stacked with food around the edges.
The few elderly that had come had claimed a corner for themselves with chairs and tables while sending out younger relatives to either gather choice selections of food or bring someone over to talk with them.
I snickered when most of the relatives disappeared into the three hundred-plus strong crowd and only returned much later.
It featured people such as the wealthy gentlemen and ladies that liked to experience a bit of excitement with high-stakes matches with young up-and-comers, the local bug enthusiasts, and the hobbyist parents that liked to try their hand with friendly matches. They and more had all been invited openly with a community billboard announcement along with a quiet word in the right ears. Celia and the other trainers deserved this for their wonderful showing. If we did it right, we might have more of these in future.
Having a breather, Cela was finally able to take in the room with an air of wonder. "I can't believe this was organised for us…"
I patted her on the head. "You're not the only person who can surprise people by rallying the hometown." I shot her a wink. She stared at me before grinning. She opened her mouth to say something else but was cut off as someone tapped a microphone, the loud reception cutting through the air.
"Alright, people, alright!" Shouted a voice into the microphone. I turned and sighed explosively as I spotted Mayor Jonathan standing atop a small platform that definitely hadn't been there a few minutes ago.
"Who gave him a mic? People should know better with a politician." I stage-whispered to Celia. The people around me heard my less than subtle comment and laughed at my joke.
Jonathan beamed out at the crowd, happy as only a politician can be when they're handed a microphone, a crowd, and an agenda to fulfill. "Alright, folks, we're all here to congratulate the young trainers that have collectively brought pri—" I sighed and settled into having to listen to Jonathan as he waxed on about the importance of Pewter coming together to support its young trainers and how this boded well for the future. A future that he would certainly support. I turned my attention away to people watching.
Maybe a quarter of the crowd of people actually stopped what they were doing and listened to the Mayor. Everyone else treated it like background music and continued as they were. The DJ hadn't stopped either, I noted with amusement.
A tap on the shoulder got my attention, and I turned to see a smiling Nurse Joy. "Oh hey, Nurse Joy," I said, happy to see she wasn't avoiding me after the last time we'd talked.
I glanced around and saw a number of rather amusing reactions from my family that were nearby. All of them waved so she must have left them with a good enough impression to overshadow the 'horror' of her being an auditor in their minds. Celia was giving Nurse Joy a rather weak glare from the midst of the crowd that was congratulating her. I… hadn't told Celia that Nurse Joy was an auditor, had I? I hummed to myself but didn't get the chance to play it back over in my mind as Joy stepped up next to me.
"Brock! This is a wonderful event! I'm surprised we haven't done something like this before!"
"Hmmm, I don't think we've ever had a group of young trainers come together like this year's group. I agree there is something here though that I'd love to see continue."
"Oh? What were you thinking?"
I began to outline some ideas of having training camps in the lead-up to the League along with some generalised mini-tournaments with breakdown discussions and lessons. Joy pointed out a few areas I'd need to tighten up or expand on and I found myself rather liking the idea. I made a mental note to jot all these suggestions down when I got home. I'd have to set something up towards the middle of the circuit next year… I hummed to myself and shook my head. That was… If I was even still here with the next circuit.
"Something wrong?" Joy said, suddenly leaning in to inspect me. I blinked, realising I'd begun frowning.
"Just… started thinking some heavy thoughts is all… I'm fine." My words did nothing to calm her and instead her eyes squinted a little more in suspicion. "Joy, really, I'm fine. Just some stuff coming up that will be resolved. One way or another."
"Ah… you've seen him, then?" I didn't need to clarify who 'him' was referring to but I didn't want to talk about that now. So instead I grunted and nodded. Thankfully a distraction presented itself in the form of an approaching Officer Jenny. In each hand, she held a plate.
"Can I interest you in some cake?"
"Don't think I'll say no to that!" I said cheerfully. For some reason, Joy turned her head away and giggled into her fist. Jenny gave the nurse a glare while I spooned some of the delicious cake into my mouth.
Joy giggled to herself. "Oh Jenny, you know it's rather forward of you to offer up—"
Jenny groaned "Oh Ho-oh! Is this about that stupid nickname?! I told you that privately!"
I glanced between the pair of them. "So this is some in-joke?"
"No." "Yes!" said Joy and Jenny over the top of each other. Jenny glared at Joy. "It's not all that interesting so don't worry about it."
Joy grinned as she turned her focus to me. "Enjoying Jenny's cake, Brock?"
I blinked before a lightbulb flashed on as I realised the nature of the joke. I grinned and Jenny blanched as she saw me swivel onto her, joining Joy in teasing her.
"Is there something special about your cake?" Enjoying the turn of phrase as much as I enjoyed Jenny's now red face.
Jenny coughed and mumbled something about winning a prize in the local fair for it only to then learn she'd also won a vote on best 'cake' in Pewter city as voted by her fellow officers. She'd only learnt of this when she'd encountered a form detailing who people could vote for.
"—I didn't even realise what people were voting for until a week later when I realised that Joy's never baked a thing in her life!"
Joy giggled. "Oh, you're so innocent." I laughed along and finished my treat.
"Soooo, out of… professional interest, who else was listed on there?"
"I'm not dignif—" said Jenny only for Joy to tick off her fingers as she listed off names, "Myself, Jenny, Macey Meadows, Mary-Sue Lonlon, Trixie, Samantha Summers…" Joy clicked her tongue. "I think those were the serious contenders?"
Jenny groaned, her hand cupping her face. "Why am I friends with you?"
"I make your life interesting in the best of ways!" Chirped Joy without a hint of shame. I chuckled at them, more than happy to be included in their back and forth.
I eventually was dragged away to talk with other people. I made sure to talk with each of the trainers that had completed the circuit and congratulated them on making it to the conference and being wonderful examples of Pewter City trainers. I liked to think that they left these conversations with their heads held high from the praise, but also with a few ideas of things to work on that would see them grow.
Eventually, the party had to end, and I had to lead my family back home along with Rocko, and Celia who lived in the Gym's accommodation built for live-in trainers.
"Bye-bye!" said Suzie as she walked backwards away from the transit building. My big brother instincts, honed to a razor's edge from having so many little siblings, flared up and I leaned down in time to catch her before she could trip and fall more than a short distance.
"Careful now!" I demanded, using my hand to spin her about which only made her giggle. She decided to continue the spin and began to twirl as she walked. I sighed as my instincts demanded that I stay close and catch her when she inevitably fell again. Sadly her antics inspired the rest of my family to join in. Yolanda spun like a graceful ballerina past me with her tongue stuck out. I huffed when Salvadore tried to copy her, only to trip instantly.
I lunged and grabbed him before he hit the ground, shaking my head at their antics. He got up and continued without so much as a 'thank you'. I threw my hands up. If this was how they were going to be then it was time to let them fall and let the tears come.
Forrest merely walked along next to me, 'too cool' to take part in twirling around like his brothers and sisters.
Seeing him reminded me that I had a very pressing issue to talk to Forrest about. I grimaced and searched around for a method to break the ice. Sadly not finding any, I had to resort to the standard big-brother/parent mode of making conversation.
"Did you clean your room before you left for the party?" I asked. Mentally facepalmed.
He spluttered at me and grumbled something inaudible.
"Hmmm, what's that? An excuse? I'm sure Backpack the Geodude will love to listen to those tomorrow morning!"
"I said I couldn't 'cause Yolanda was in there!" I nodded, thankful for the link. Then my mind connected some dots as to what Forrest would need to clean up that he couldn't while she was in the room.
I swatted the back of his head. "Hide your magazines better in the future." He blushed and didn't meet my eyes before I clapped a hand on his shoulder. I swallowed and sighed to myself.
He gave me a confused look when I squeezed his shoulder lightly. This next part wasn't going to be fun.
"Also… we need to talk."
It was rather telling how young and innocent he was that he didn't blanch at the mere use of those words. No one that has gone through their teenage years likes hearing 'we need to talk' said to them.
Ever.
He gave me a clueless look while I internally cringed.
"Alright? What about?" he asked, watching me.
I gave his siblings, still pirouetting around us and miraculously without casualty, a pointed glance. "Can you stay up? I'll come to talk with you about it before you go to bed, alright?"
"Sure, no problem," he said with a careless shrug. I nodded and upon reaching home set about bustling through the various tasks that I had to do. I made up a light snack to curb any hunger for my family. Then it was into the shower. Then bed and story time for the younger siblings.
This time I had a new book to show support for Samurai Furrett. All the kids loved the story, and I was more than happy to encourage them to read. When I swept through the rest of my siblings' rooms, it was to give a perfunctory check-over. They didn't have anything that needed handling and so I finally entered Forrest's room.
"Brock!" He said, jerking in surprise while sitting at his desk due to my entrance. "Knock next time!" I heard something thrown underneath his desk but chose not to comment.
I made a show of sniffing haughtily. "I'm your big brother, I don't have to." I pointed at him. "Also, this is my house!" That got some grumbling from him and I rolled my eyes and nudged him over to make some space on the bed. I swept my eyes over the room. The room featured the typical features of any teenage boy. He had some band posters, a provocatively posed trainer reclining next to a pool in a bikini. I let my gaze linger on the unmade bed, the discarded clothes, snack wrappers, and what looked like a stack of books with some homework that still needed to be finished.
I gave him a very unimpressed look.
"What? I didn't have time to clean it!"
I held the expression and shook my head. If I had time to shower two sets of our siblings, then dry them off and read them stories… I shook my head again. "Whatever. Get it clean by tomorrow."
"Sure, sure," he said, shifting in his seat and turning around to face me properly. "So what's up? What did we need to talk about?"
I clicked my tongue a little and sighed before directly looking at him. "Do you actually want that egg?" I said pointing towards the Egg that was sitting in the only clean corner of the room in its incubator.
For a moment Forrest sat without really comprehending what I was saying. Then he blinked and leaned back. "Yes! Of course I do!" His eyes wouldn't meet mine. "Who'd give up a pokemon that could one day fight a Dragonite?"
"Alright… Let's say that's so, how come you haven't been walking around with the incubator?"
"I don't want to seem lame around my friends!" He said.
"Your friends would die of jealousy if you ever turned up with an egg that you knew contained a Larvitar." I gave him an unimpressed look. "What's your next reason?"
"It's heavy?"
"You regularly carry Backpack around, and he's just as heavy and way more awkward to lift 'cause he fights against you," I stated, ruthlessly striking out his second excuse.
"I… I…" He slumped. "I wanted Dad to give me my starter… I remember he used to be really bummed out when he didn't get to give you an Onix. He had one selected and everything and then you came back from that camp with Titan…"
"Oh," I said, not really sure whether I should strike that down or let it stand. I shifted on the bed. "I knew he wanted to gift me an Onix, but Titan was a way better fit for me."
"And it's not that I don't want to have a super-strong pokemon one day… It's just… I want Dad to give me my starter. I can just rent pokemon from the Gym until he's ready to give me my own personal starter pokemon, y'know?" Forrest flexed his hands. "I know it's dumb 'cause who gives up one day having a Tyranitar? But…" He gestured helplessly and I nodded understanding the dilemma he was facing.
"I… kinda get it." I didn't hold as much stock with Flint, but I could recall trying to reach out to my dad from my past life. I'd offered simple things like asking to learn how to shave, or how to polish boots only to find he didn't have the time right then. It had stung. It hadn't been about just learning the skill. It had meant to be about having something that brought me and my dad together.
Forrest nodded slightly. He probably thought I had some similar experiences with Flint. Sadly he was wrong, and for some reason that made me want to squirm. I didn't though and instead, I looked to the side, recalling how sometimes it was better when talking to another 'male' to not look them directly in the eyes when talking through sensitive topics. Sometimes you needed to lock eyes but right now we needed the perception of space. To look past or away from each other instead of being overly conscious.
At least that was my reading of Forrest right now.
"This egg," I waved towards the egg in its incubator. "It was a surprise for me as well. I went to Mt. Silver just to give Titan something nice after his victory. He appreciated it, but his Mum… She might have been way more impressed with me and him than I really understood at the time. I think she wanted to offer the same to one of my siblings, in the hope her children would each grow strong… The timing though… It really put me on the spot."
I scratched at the back of my head. "I half thought of sneaking in the back and hiding it, but then that would have been like me saying I didn't think you deserved this."
"Oh," he muttered eloquently. I grunted back at him. We let the quiet moment linger before I decided to speak up once more.
"I do think you're capable," I said before rushing out the next words, "Of raising a strong pokemon like Tyranitar… But I think your idea isn't that bad either. Having something like that with him…"
Forrest sighed and I could tell that he preferred the idea of not having to claim the egg as his starter. The clinical, cold part of my mind wanted to scoff, but the emotional side understood where he was coming from. Giving a starter to another was a big deal and they, at the very least, would always remember the day. They'd remember the person, what they wore, and how it all played out in their memories for the rest of their lives.
In a way, I had denied Flint that chance to do the same for me when I'd staggered home with Titan.
Not that I could ever regret finding and taking in Titan all those years ago. He was the first and best thing to happen to me upon arriving in this life.
I coughed to signal that I was done getting lost in my thoughts. Forrest also jolted before chuckling nervously. "So what should we do? I don't think it would go down well if we gave the egg back, would it?"
I gave him an amused look. "Forrest, think about this for a moment. You might not want the egg, but who's shown a lot of interest in it since its arrival?"
Forrest blinked at me, not comprehending what I was getting at.
Arceus, had I ever been this slow? I didn't think I wanted to know. Perhaps all young teenage boys were this sluggish in their processing? I could almost hear the cogs in his mind thunking along. He squinted at the egg.
"Yolanda?"
I nodded. "Yolanda," I agreed. I grinned at him. "You know what might be really cool for a big brother to do?" He tilted his head at me as I stood, taking up the incubator. I placed it into his hands. "Be the one to give it to her."
His eyes widened and he stared up at me. "But! But-you're!?"
"I'm the eldest, yes, and I gave it to you. And you have thought about it and come to… an admittedly very mature and well-reasoned decision. Do you agree with me that Yolanda deserves this?"
"Yeah, yeah she does!" He said standing up. I grinned at him and let him lead me to Yolanda's room. When we reached it I knocked on her door.
Forrest stopped and scowled at me. "Why'd she get a knock?"
"It's different for girls," I argued.
"You don't knock on my door but you do for her? That's not right!" he whispered hotly.
"You'll find it is, little bro. You'll find it is," I said, putting a hand on his head and ruffling his hair. He glared at me, obviously not understanding the difference. I didn't elaborate.
"Come in!" said Yolanda.
I opened the door and prodded Forrest to enter first.
"Forrest? Bro—" She fell quiet when her eyes landed on the incubator in Forrest's hands. If it hadn't been extremely obvious to Forrest now he must have fully realised how much Yolanda wanted that pokemon. She licked her lips. "W-what's up guys?" She said while letting her face fall into a placid expression to cover up her prior expression.
Forrest shifted from foot to foot. In doing so he drew Yolanda into a ready state. I could see she was coiling up in readiness in case he slipped with his grip like the first day. I decided to progress things along.
I clapped Forrest on the shoulder. "Forrest and I have been having a talk about how things played out, and we've come to a decision. Forrest would like to say something."
"Huh? Oh right… Yolanda, I've decided that… I don't want this egg." I held in the grimace. That was a poor choice of wording. He barreled on, not realising his slip. "But you do, and you deserve it. I think… I think it would be better suited if you raised this little fella," He raised his hands and offered her the incubator.
Yolanda didn't say a word but she did raise her hands and take the incubator. She drew it in and smiled hugely. "Girl, it's going to be a girl." She stared at it for a long moment before looking up. "You really mean this Forrest? You're giving up this egg for me?"
"You wanted it, right?" I squeezed his shoulder in warning.
"I think he means you deserve it, and it would be a wonderful starter that he wanted to give to you." She giggled at my interruption. Forrest merely gave me a confused look, obviously not understanding how what I'd said was different in any way. I held in my sigh. I'd talk him through it later.
"So," I waggled my eyebrows, "You looking forward to training with me on how to handle the Tyranitar evolution line?"
She beamed a huge grin. "Yes!" She said. She didn't leap up to hug us like she wanted to but she did stand after putting the egg safely to the side. Then she gave Forrest the biggest hug I'd ever seen her give him. He blushed as she whispered into his ear.
"Thank you so much for this Forrest! I love you, big brother!"
"It's nothing." I rolled my eyes at his words. Yolanda giggled into his side knowing what he was like. I held in the urge to cuff him. The book on parenting was adamant I not cuff him about the head, no matter how stupid his words were.
Yolanda broke the hug and rocketed in to hug me. "Love you too Brock,"
"Love you too Yolanda." I leaned down to whisper into her ear, "I'm sorry I didn't offer it to you first… I was dumb. I didn't mean to hurt you by snubbing you."
"No, I understand," she whispered back to me.
I patted her on the back and stood. Forrest watched us and I nodded to him. "Well, I'll leave it to you but we'll talk more about this tomorrow, hmmm?"
Yolanda's head bounced up and down, whereas Forrest merely grunted. I let him exit first. Before I departed, I watched Yolanda curl her blankets and pillows into a pseudo-nest for herself and the egg to be cradled in. I chuckled and waved at her. "Night Yolanda, sweet dreams."
"Night Brock." She called out to my back. I walked back to Forrest's room and knocked on his door frame.
When I opened the door a second later Forrest was on the bed looking at me. "Now you knock? What is up with you?"
"You showed some maturity so I think you deserved it," I said offhandedly, not wanting to admit I'd done so out of habit. It also sounded wise and played into reinforcing positive behaviour. I nodded at him. "Good work." I decided not to mention how he'd been too rough in his delivery, I'd do that later. For now, it was better to stick with the positives.
"Thanks, it felt good. She'll be great with that as her starter, and with dad coming home I won't have long to wait for my first pokemon. Think dad will have something strong?"
".." I held my thoughts to myself before adopting a smile that felt all too fake. "He might, yeah." I walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. "Still, nice work tonight. Have a good night bro."
I turned and in doing so spotted what he had hidden under his desk that was hidden with most of the litter around his room. I turned around. "Also? " He gave me a curious look, "Clean your room little bro." I pointed at the magazines with ladies in various states of dress or undress, clearly visible. He blushed hugely and I waved off his splutters.
"It's a friend's and I'm holding it for him!"
"That just makes it kinda grosser. I don't want to know. Just… clean your room and hide your magazines. Yolanda was in here earlier. The other little ones probably wander in here all the time as well. You want them reading that willy-nilly?" I shook my head and chuckled at how things had turned out.
I fell asleep just as another body pressed itself into my side.
It reminded me of another night's sleep almost a month ago now. The sleep was at least as good if not better. Once again though I woke up to only an indent. I shook off the mild feeling of loss and instead fired off a message to Sabrina. She was obviously feeling better. I'd be seeing her in an official capacity soon anyway.
A.N. Special thanks to all my Patreons.
Also thanks to the James-Team Rocket crew who serve as my Beta's and Editors in Raikor, Elnoorz, and TheFood.
Man Brock is really on top of handling any family issues. Nicely done. And embarrassing younger siblings is the right of all older brothers!
Once again Brock proves that he is the best Big Bro/Sibling Promoted to Parent ever. I really love how much impact that Brock's various roles have on him and how he keeps pushing on and thriving at all of them even while setbacks come in. He is dealing with the whole Audit thing and Team Rocket from his life as a Gym Leader and Pokemon trainer, and he is dealing with the Egg as well as various issues that his siblings have. Well done Brock, seems like he's gotten through the first bit of the rough times with grace, but of course there will be more to come.
Really Sabrina? What would Lt. Surge say if he heard you like to sleep with Brock?
Your innocent explanations are ineffective, so don't even bother.
Is this how Forrest gets what was supposed to be Brock's Onyx, just like he did in the anime?
Brock should find a Metal Coat for him.
Your innocent explanations are ineffective, so don't even bother.
Is this how Forrest gets what was supposed to be Brock's Onyx, just like he did in the anime?
Brock should find a Metal Coat for him.
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That's something nice that Flint can do for his family. It'll also help him feel accepted to know Forrest turned down a Larvitar as a starter in favour of waiting on one from his father.
With the Celadon gym I'm half expecting Brocks mother to take it over and then be upset that her family doesn't want to move to Celadon.
For the Waterflower sisters Brocks Lapras could probably be the ace of their 8 badge team if he loaned him to them or just the 8 Badge challenge all on his lonesome. Though Brocks Lapras may be too strong for the 8 badge line-up.
With the Celadon gym I'm half expecting Brocks mother to take it over and then be upset that her family doesn't want to move to Celadon.
For the Waterflower sisters Brocks Lapras could probably be the ace of their 8 badge team if he loaned him to them or just the 8 Badge challenge all on his lonesome. Though Brocks Lapras may be too strong for the 8 badge line-up.
- Pronouns
- She
Brock making that mistake, and then the effort he put into recovering from it, was fantastic. It let him be real, he's not flawless, but it didn't blow up into a sore drama point. Balancing that is hard, and seeing this little arc resolve felt so worth it!
I don't think he's cosplaying. He is a bum right now, homeless (though this is Pokemon world so being homeless for a portion of your life is kinda normal) and everything.
Also, we aren't given ages for them but I figure Joy and Jenny are older than Brock by enough that including him in a conversation about their Cakes seems a bit inappropriate, if entertaining. I'm not sure what my feeling on this development are.
TimEd
Meteor maker
'twas a joke.
On cakes, a chapter mentioned that a Journey is basically the pokeverse's rite to adulthood. So Brock is basically already seen as an adult. That isn't even including his image of being both a family man and a gym leader.
Modus_Tollens
SCREAMING.
- Location
- ALSO SCREAMING.
I admit that, if I was there, it would be really goddamn hard for me to not just classify him as the dad rather than the older brother. I'd have to watch myself like a hawk in order to avoid making it into a freudian slip every time he comes up in conversation.
nmWarden
Webcomic Glutton
- Location
- Texas
I have a prediction. The Cerulean Sisters fear that they will fail their battle audit like they failed their financial audit. In particular, their Pokémon lack the training and they lack the mindset to properly challenge trainers with six or seven badges. So they will reach out to Brock affffter studying his battle with Lance for a bit. In order to give them a proper lesson Brock will reach out to Lance and request a dragon trainer to join him for the high level battles. I'm not expecting the Blackthorn clan to have a bunch of Elite Four tier trainers and 'mon, but the strongest are likely to have at least one 'mon at the level of Aerodactyl and Selene. And in order make a good impression on Misty- I mean, help the Sisters salvage their pride he'll bring his Lapras along.
I'd really like to see a Lapras vs a water specialist's Dewgong battle, even if Brock's Lapras holds back.
I'd really like to see a Lapras vs a water specialist's Dewgong battle, even if Brock's Lapras holds back.
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Chapter 31 - Meeting of Gym Leaders
Viva01
Uncomfortable with all the hugs he is given
- Location
- Australia
I had a good sweat going on as I dodged another jostle from a Rhyhorn. "Ole!" I shouted while slapping the pokemon's rump.
It had been a few days since talking with Surge about the Gym Leader meeting. Nothing of note had happened beyond day-to-day tasks for the Gym and family. Only now with the added spice of occasionally having some reporters tripping over themselves to snap pictures of me as there wasn't the draw of the Conference. So they sought out other stories.
The Rhyhorn that was currently serving as my sparring partner snorted. Then he gouged out some dirt as he dug his feet into the ground. I adopted a sumo stance paired with a cocky smirk.
"Rhyhorn!" He bellowed before charging. I shifted posture to spin away. This time I didn't slap him on the rump but rather caught him and flared my aura into my muscles. I felt energy surge through me and for a judicious application I was able to throw my weight with a tackle directly into Rhyhorn's side. He buckled around my tackle and was thrown out. I released my hold on as he continued to barrel further out.
Rhyhorn skidded to a halt and blinked before groaning as the other watching pokemon slumped a little and chastised him for his hot-headedness. Rhyhorn turned "Rhyhorn!" He growled.
I shrugged. "Learn from it buddy. You outweigh me by at least twice my weight. I have to dodge and you have to land a hit."
"Rhy! Rhyhorn!"
"No, I'm not going to stand there and take it. Just 'cause I can doesn't mean I should." Aura allowed for some great tricks but it wasn't worth depleting my reserves trying to tank a takedown from a Rhyhorn just to show off. This was supposed to be a workout for me. I'd work on my aura as best as I could after the next match.
I glanced around the circle of pokemon. "So, last match before I cool down. Who's going to try and win those treats I offered?"
Sanchez vibrated in places pointing at himself while nodding vigorously. I rolled my shoulders and shook my head at him. "I'm not wrestling you, Sanchez. This is supposed to be possible for me to win." I had no thoughts regarding my chances if I fought one of my Elites. If I could beat them, I'd be seriously reviewing their training.
To incentivise a harder training session today I had announced that if I lost I'd grant everyone treats. This had resulted in multiple matches against highly motivated pokemon. They were showing good attitudes and bonding well with me as the 'enemy' in this instance. They all cheered each other on and after each loss I handed out, there were more than a few pokemon sharing tips. Honestly, I'd give them the treats anyway but for pokemon, pride was a big factor.
A Graveler stepped into the ring with her smaller arms set into karate punch positions. It made me think she was posing on me. I tilted my head as I spotted the small markings and smudges that indicated that this was the Nanny Graveler that liked to work in the house rather than fight.
I shrugged. "Alright Graveler, ready to wrestle?"
I got my answer when the Graveler sank into a low stance that would have made a linebacker in the NFL proud. She started things with a charge before digging her hands into the ground to adjust as I sidestepped. I got a solid shove in before she rounded on me. Her arms swung about and I swiftly dodged her pushes only for a smaller arm to swing up carrying something in it.
A Mud Shot to the eyes was enough to blind me. I usually didn't use the method, but my pokemon clearly understood that it was a valid tactic.
Graveler was on me in an instant. From there I couldn't get a leverage point, and while blinded as she held me down. Around the circle, pokemon began tapping the ground. They all chanted out in excitement. I squirmed and writhed but couldn't seem to escape the Graveler's four-armed grasp. It didn't help that she was using her smaller arms which made for less throwing points for me to exploit. Her larger arms were spread and dug into the ground and I uselessly batted at them for a moment before shifting focus.
I drew on my aura and pushed against her. She strained, her muscles bulged as I began to loosen her grip. She stared in shock but grit her teeth. She just had to last just a moment—
The third tap hit the ground and I went limp, lungs burning from the harsh strain I'd demanded of them to break the hold. If I'd started straight off with enhancing myself further with aura, would I have been able to match her? It was something I was only just starting to work on. It showed how the moment's usage was enough to have me feeling winded like a harsh sprint.
Graveler shifted off me allowing me to wipe the mud from my eyes. "Nice shot, although you're really not supposed to use pokemon moves like that during our spars."
Graveler nodded but still crossed her arms with a smug look. She looked to the crowd of other pokemon and raised a fist. This got a chorus of cheers, as if she was a returning champion from some mighty conquest.
Sanchez was being his usual hammy self. He was on his knees looking betrayed at me as he handed over a few pebbles to a smug-looking Geodude.
I had no idea who taught them how to gamble, but then again pokemon are more perceptive than people understand. I was of the opinion that they worked on a scale. If something interested them, they would pick up on it but other concepts or acts would be ignored.
I was nudged a few times and had to push off a Rhyhorn. I had been too confident in myself it would seem. I adopted a fake obedient pose. "Ah! I was too conceited! I could not see Mt. Moon, Fierce Lady!"
Around me the pokemon cheered, feeding into the silliness of the scene. Graveler rolled her eyes at my antics before cuffing me on the leg.
I chuckled, heading towards a shed where I unlocked a few bins that contained rich minerals that are tasty for my Rock types. I began divvying up the treats to my pokemon while faking a sigh of regret at having to hand the treats over. I'd have to buy another round of supplies, but honestly it didn't bother me at all. I worked through my pokemon, patting and feeding them. When some greedy types tried for more, I gently scolded them.
I made sure to toss some treats for the pokemon I had hidden in the swamp next to my sectioned-off land. A loud croak of thanks indicated that they'd been spotted. Then I turned towards the dark cave that Titan liked to inhabit. He gave me a curious look when I offered him a treat. "Ty?"
"I offered the gang treats for everyone if they could beat me."
"Ty? Ty-Ty-Ran?"
"Graveler did, the one that looks after my siblings."
"Tarrrrrr," said the Pseudo-legendary before giving me another curious look.
"Your little sibling hasn't hatched. Doesn't look to be anytime soon." Tyranitar only nodded at this. He patted the rock next to him, his pose shifting into a relaxed position that made me compare him to a Guru of my past life.
My own Guru of Darkness. Arceus, that is so edgy. I hated that I loved it a little. Titan gave me a pointed look, his own way of telling me that he was aware I was distracted. I coughed into my fist before shutting my eyes and focussing my attention on the two pools of energy that I had within me. It made me think of tales of cultivation. There was no option of developing a mixed core from my Rock and Dark energies. In truth, it was more like a pair of reservoirs that I could slowly grow. It was slow progress, but it was noticeable. It also became easier the more I worked at it.
I hadn't been taught anything formally regarding aura. There were precisely zero texts even stating that it was possible. I had looked.
There were old myths that spoke of heroes able to channel the power of their pokemon, but that was a single line of text that most people associated with training your pokemon as best you could. I hadn't started 'looking within' from day one but I had started within the first week. Which had been around the time that I received Titan.
It's what made me so curious regarding the offer that Agatha had sent. Perhaps there was a secret society of aura users that could bolster my efforts. But the thought of having a pokemon Illuminati contact me had me checking my surroundings a lot more of late.
"Ranitar!" barked Titan.
"Sorry!" I said bowing to my Darkness Guru before beginning to channel the energies like I was supposed to be doing. I couldn't worry about Agatha. I had other issues like the coming Gym Leader meeting later today. Today's cool-down was all about getting me in the best head space possible for that.
I pushed those thoughts aside when Titan growled at me. I settled in for the moment and readied myself for the coming day by not thinking it out right now.
The meeting ended up being held in Celadon City. It had been determined as the most central location for all involved. I'd mounted up on Zephyr and taken all of half an hour to get there thanks to a beneficial tailwind. This had seen me arrive among the first of the Gym Leaders of Kanto.
But not the first. Erika had the honour of hosting, but she looked very out of her depth in the conference room. Notably, she had not taken the head of the rectangular table, and instead Giovanni had laid his claim already.
He was seated looking as casual as you please, like this was merely an extension of his Gym and not another Gym Leader's City. With his slicked-back hair and his suit, he looked the part of a CEO. Or a mafia boss. I happened to know that both were true. He must have used a pokemon to teleport here or arrived the day before. He didn't have a hair out of place, or a mark on his expensive suit so I doubted he had ridden a pokemon here or even driven.
"Ah, Kanto's golden boy. Brock, welcome, welcome." He had a rich low baritone that made me think he spent a lot of time speaking softly with a glass of scotch close at hand. "Let me offer my congratulations in person. I was quite impressed with your performance against the Champion."
I offered back a nod, noting that Giovanni did not rise from his seat. Addressing someone from a position of power somehow suited the bespoke man.
"My thanks. It's a nice sentiment. Weren't you there at the start of the event though? I could have sworn I saw you?" I chose not to comment on the fact that he had portrayed me as subordinate, with how my having his pleasure was something of value.
I felt a little oily just talking with him. I really needed a plan for what I should do with regards to Giovanni. I hadn't yet found a 'good' idea. Plenty of possibly terrible ideas, though. So for now, I had to endure him.
"I ended up having some business to attend to, but I didn't miss your fight. In fact, I have it saved and have taken great pains to analyze it since that day."
In a way, that was both a threat and a complement. To have another trainer acknowledge that they saw worth in your strategy was a huge compliment, but it usually preceded a demand to fight with you knowing they'd seen some of your cards. The small uptick in Giovanni's smile let me know he knew how his double-edged words were landing.
I decided to merely nod and move away from him for now.
I turned to the rest of the room. Giovanni had brought his signature Persian. There was also an assistant, dressed very appropriately in a smart vest. I chose not to linger on the fact that they were likely a plant from Giovanni that would offer another perspective. A small glint on the collar let me know that Giovanni also had a camera on his Persian. That or I was being paranoid and it was just a diamond, but I was confident in my observation.
I quickly checked over the rest of the room. To the side, Erika was talking with all three of the Cerulean sisters. Daisy, Violet… and Rose? I think there was a flower motif, much like the Evans family from Harry… oh wait, it was Lily. The three of them were all talking rapidly and the sisters were listening as Erika spoke of her own experience. Her usual style of dress saw her long sleeves flap about animatedly in her retelling. The Cerulean Sisters were all actively listening and occasionally dodging as Erika spoke. I noted the dark irises and the less than clean applications of make-up they sported. It seemed the Sisters had been caught out.
If I held the anime as canon, then perhaps they had been the least prepared for the audit. I couldn't see the other Gym Leaders being too affected. Erika turned and waved at me, much more sedately, which I returned.
Hmmm, with just the girls here I didn't feel confident on calling Giovanni out on his Persian just now. Conveniently enough, the door opened behind me and Surge entered the room. I chuckled when he had to stoop to get through the door. The man truly was huge and with his fuzzy, patch work beard he was only larger than ever. I noted that Surge had a hand on a small dark-haired man that looked troubled with the loud entrance and his position next to Surge.
"Look what I found loitering around in the dumpster! Fresh meat!" Surge's mischievous grin was enough to inform me that this was likely 'Grey', the Neon City Gym Leader, and one of the minor Gym Leaders that was approved to grant accepted Indigo Conference badges.
Across the table, Erika and the Cerulean Sisters stared at Surge. The sisters all had confused expressions.
"Is that…" "What's up with his face?" "Shhh! He's very self-conscious about it!" The girls whispered between each other.
Grey shot Surge a smug look. "Oh? Is this rough hobo look not the norm for you Surge?"
"Nonsense! Good things just take time to grow. You'll understand that one day but, for now, let's talk about what you need to do to make sure you're officially recognised as Gym Leader of Neon City!"
I snorted and was about to approach only for the door to open once more. Blaine stepped in with an assessing gaze. His glasses and bald head glinted in the light while he stroked his long moustache. He nodded at Giovanni, dismissed Erika and the Cerulean Sisters with a single look, and locked upon me. He stalked forward with a large smile, his lab coat opening as he marched straight up to me.
"Gym Leader Brock, good fight the other day!" He reached out and shook my hand, the other encircled me to clap on my shoulder. Then he leaned in as his moustache twitched upwards and the glint on his head and glasses became slightly ominous. "I enjoyed watching that young whelp being smacked around. Tell me, though. Wherever did you get those ancient pokemon of yours?" There was a certain tone that I couldn't quite place in his words. Like a hint of accusation? The hand resting on my shoulder felt decidedly less friendly now.
Still, I couldn't let this hinder me. "I have a lab in cinnabar that is heavily invested in researching such developments and we've only just recently begun testing the technology with pokemon genetic samples." His gaze over the top of his dark sunglasses held repressed anger. "We recently had a break into our lab, did you know?" He said all too casually. He thought I might have stolen something from him?
"I found them during my journey."
"Found them, did you now?" Blaine continued to smile as his gaze bore into me. "Wherever did you find them?"
I stared straight into his eyes. "Oh, around. I didn't find them as genetic samples, but as living, breathing pokemon. Shin, Don, and Shelly were all very much active in their little part of the world. It pays to be interested in spelunking and mountain climbing, and I'll leave it at that."
He searched my expression. Eventually, he clicked his tongue. "Hmmpf. if you say so." He looked aside for a moment before tilting his head, his hand came off my shoulder. "Wherever did you come up with the Golem?" The edge of his previous tone had been dropped and now only raw interest filled his voice.
"Oh, I very much bred for him within a controlled setting," I said flippantly like it hadn't taken three years of keeping a Geodude community within a specialised cavern that had lots of electricity arcing through it.
He turned and his interest was palpable. He almost looked hungry. I swallowed, feeling at once that perhaps being so cheeky in my response had not been the best approach. "Did you now? How did you come up with that idea? Have you ever considered publishing your methods and findings? Such research into variants on typings and natural developments would be something quite a few people would be interested in. It would also gain you a lot of clout in various intellectual circles."
"Mostly it was something that made sense to me. There are notable differences in different pokemon depending on their environment, or the energies that they're exposed to."
When he continued to stare without offering his own thoughts I felt I needed to reach for an example as to how I could have made such a leap in logic. "Eevee of course being the prime example of this."
"Ah, of course. You really should write up a paper on this. Do you have much experience in research articles?"
"Not as such, no." My mind cast back to a lifetime ago at a university.
"Might I offer my support then? I'd love to see your setup, and the scientific community would be greatly improved from your contributions!"
"I'll think about it, I'm in talks with some people."
"Oak, I should presume?" Said Blaine. When I nodded he stroked his moustache. "Brilliant man, don't let his affable nature fool you though. I'd like you to consider myself. I'm less well known with my self-imposed reclusion on Cinnabar for science, with most people only thinking of me as a former Elite Four member, but I would be greatly interested in reviewing any studies you produce."
"I'll consider it," I said. I didn't really want to make an enemy of this man, but I also didn't want to draw him in. I had my suspicions, suspicions that deepened when Blaine nodded at me and marched over and sat right next to Giovanni, at his right hand.
I glanced up to find Grey still being hounded by Surge, with the much larger man talking about something with wide gestures.
"Surge! Surge! Would you please explain to the sisters what you were talking to me about? I'm afraid I didn't understand all of it and am doing a poor job conveying it to them!" Erika said loudly, drawing Surge out of his conversation. Grey used that moment to duck away from Surge.
Surge turned to say something, only to flinch when the room filled with a flash of light.
"We don't have the time for that, Erika. All of us are now here. We can discuss you and the Cerulean Gym Leader's issues as an item later." The woman paused and swept her eyes over the three girls, causing them to wilt before continuing. "We should be able to resolve it easily enough."
I held in a whistle. Huh, Sabrina was being nice to them. The four other girls didn't seem to know what to think of it however. Erika bowed politely and bustled up to the table to claim a seat. I frowned and was about to ask about Koga, only for me to blink in disbelief.
Koga was already there at the table. Daisy and Lily shrieked in surprise at the man's appearance. Koga merely snorted at them before looking over the assembled group. His eyes lingered on me before he nodded once. I swallowed before returning the nod. There hadn't been any noise or even anything to indicate movement. One moment nothing, then he was seated comfortably.
How had he done that?
I glanced at Sabrina. She'd known somehow that he was here, but that was more a testament of her skills as a psychic to be able to detect the ninja. Everyone claimed a seat. Grey sat next to Giovanni and Surge grumbled before smirking and claiming the seat next to Grey. The man blanched slightly and looked to Giovanni for help only for the businessman to ignore him. Instead, Giovanni only had eyes for Koga who had set himself directly on the opposite side of the room.
The Cerulean Sisters practically claimed an entire side of the conference table for themselves while Sabrina claimed a seat to Koga's right hand. The seat between Koga and the Cerulean Sisters remained open, as did the spot between Erika and Sabrina.
"Are we not—" "Alright you punks! I'm here! You all thought you were going to start without me!?" Roared a man wearing a karate gi as he bashed open the door. The man was extremely muscled, beyond merely conditioning with martial arts. This man obviously sought to hone his body. His face was tensed up into a furious scowl as his dark eyes roamed.
He glared around at the room before locking onto Sabrina… who ignored him. He bared his teeth at that. I watched them quietly. I didn't know much beyond what Sabrina had mentioned off-handedly years ago about her father ousting Kong's gym as the premier Gym of Saffron. When Sabrina had taken over from her father, Kong had been rather at a loss as to what to do with the 'pipsqueak running the Gym'. Sabrina had offered him a match and he'd decided to accept. I wasn't sure if he'd fought half-heartedly but, even as a child, Sabrina hadn't pulled her blows. Supposedly he'd been humiliated again and faced some public backlash at accepting the match in the first place.
Sabrina deigned to look at Kong when he stood in the doorway. "We did not start yet. You were merely waiting outside the door for a dramatic moment to enter. Take a seat," she said.
"Heya Kong!" Surge said, perking up and waving at the other man. Kong grunted at him, but remained looking at Sabrina. If looks could kill… which with some pokemon… I was about to move up next to Sabrina before a polite cough had everyone looking to Koga.
"Sit," he said simply to Kong. The man sat.
Koga turned his head and regarded me. A quirked eyebrow informed me that I too should follow suit. Instead I made use of having the group's attention on me, making a show of glancing at Persian, and sauntered over with as natural a gait as I could manage. I made to pet Giovanni's Persian. It glared at my approach but I ignored their baleful eyes to rub its head, allowing my hand to turn the collar slightly. I then pointedly hum thoughtfully.
"Nice cat, Giovanni. But I think you should return it before the meeting starts."
Everyone instantly looked down at the collar to see me pinching the small camera. Surge's eyes widened as they landed on the collar. Giovanni didn't react beyond a small shrug.
"Ah, that's just Persian's tracker. I left it on for his training session earlier. I like to sometimes see matches from my pokemon's perspective. Gives me a better understanding of what they're dealing with." He lifted a pokeball and returned his Persian without any further comment but he did watch me as I moved behind Erika to claim my seat.
Blaine merely chuckled at what just happened while giving Giovanni a look.
Koga didn't move, but in some way our attention was drawn to him. He projected his voice, "Young man, thank you for preparing the room for us, but I will have to ask you to depart for now. This is only for Gym Leaders," Koga said, not even looking at the assistant in the corner. The man stiffened but instead of saying anything, or looking toward anyone specifically, he bowed and departed without comment.
When the door clicked shut no one spoke for a long moment. Glances were exchanged from the people on the sides while Koga and Giovanni stared at each other. Koga snorted after a long moment and gestured to Giovanni.
The proctor of the Earth Badge smirked before nodding. "Very well. I'll be chairing this meeting. No notes will be taken at this time, as this is not an officially scheduled meeting of the Gym Leaders of Kanto, which would require such an accounting. Something I'm sure none of us wants to be caught out on with how we've all been audited of late."
Everyone nodded with a few agreeing murmurs from some. Everyone but Kong and Grey, who frowned. Giovanni noticed this. "Not you Kong? Or you, Grey…. Hmmm, it wouldn't be possible for them to audit you, Grey. You've not even completed a circuit yet."
Grey perked up at that and relaxed. Surge elbowed him and I felt my kidneys cry out in sympathy as the smaller man hunched over.
"Did none of the smaller Gyms receive audits?" I asked, curious if they rated such attention.
Kong bristled. "They're going to get to us eventually, and we'll have the best rating out of all of you!" He shot a glare at me before turning it upon Sabrina, as if she'd been the one to speak.
She pointedly didn't look at him.
Giovanni scoffed while Blaine snorted derisively. "The small Gyms can't be held to the eight's standards, Kong. Don't fool yourself. The agency has different standards for such."
"Really?" Grey said with interest. I turned to observe the new Gym Leader from Neon City. He had been happy to remain quiet prior to this.
"Small Gyms are only held to the requirements of needing twenty pokemon on their roster at any time for challengers. Most of that is their elite team. Or they have trainers that serve for an extended gauntlet," Giovanni explained.
Kong twitched at this and grumbled before eyeing Sabrina. "Has she got an extended gauntlet challenge!?"
"Yes," said Koga simply, "She also has Standard four-badge challenge or more, Gauntlet, and even an Elite Challenge if people request such of her Gym.
I hummed, interested but not surprised that there was so much dismissiveness shown to the smaller Gyms.
Giovanni rapped the table in front of himself with a simple golden ring. "Let us return to the issue at hand. If we pool our information, we should have the most appropriate response available to us."
I held myself still and watched as Giovanni outlined the timeline of events, with my Gym being the first to be approached by agents of the Auditing Department.
"Talking with some of my friends in the agency, I have determined that most of us have passed." He then outlined how things had progressed that once they had finished auditing me they made a move on the other Gym Leaders of Kanto; or at least the major ones.
There was a pointed moment of quiet where most people didn't look at Erika and the Cerulean Sisters. Kong excitedly looked at Sabrina like a little boy hoping for his journey's start day to come early, while also hoping his rival had fallen down a set of stairs.
Giovanni inclined his head. "That being said, there are some of us that have fallen short. Ladies, I feel one of the objectives of today's informal meeting is to set you all up with steps that should be taken to resolve your clerical errors."
Erika and the Cerulean Sisters eventually cracked. They bow their heads. " " " "Sorry!" " " " they all chimed.
When they straightened up, Erika slumped into her formal dress, hiding like a Victrebel waiting to pop out on its predator. The Cerulean Sisters slumped into their seats as if all the weight they had been under had been removed.
I glanced between them all, and decided to say what I could only assume most of the other gym leaders were thinking, "How bad was it, if I may ask?"
Erika coughed, "Ahem! I made some mistakes with my finances. it seems I… miscalculated, and ended up having to pay some more taxes." She then nodded toward Sabrina. "Sabrina has recommended a good accountant for me to work with. I also need some more depth with my pokemon, along with some more four badges and up fighters."
"A straightforward solution," said the ninja in the room. Everyone paused at the words Koga voiced before nodding along with him. Koga then turned his attention to the Cerulean Sisters. He merely emoted an eyebrow at them.
Daisy ended up being the speaker for the girls. "Ah, ehehe… We've, ummm, been focussing on developing more contest styles and holding things down… Our sister, our youngest, has been the one that actually wants to run the Gym, but she hasn't yet gone on her journey. We're pushing her out this year, to get her some experience in the world first, but, ummm… We've let things lapse since Mum and dad…" She murmured something that I couldn't hear.
Koga scoffed, "If you are entrusted with your family's establishment, and plan to hand it over to your sister, you do her no favour handing it over poorly maintained and damaged." Daisy flinched as though struck. Her eyes watered for a second but she nodded tightly.
"What is the extent of your failures?" He continued, his words driving the dagger in and causing Lily and Violet to flinch and huddle up to each other in some perceived notion of safety.
Daisy visibly gathered herself. "We don't have enough depth in our roster. Typically, we haven't had to worry about middling badge challengers, so we had let this lapse apart from our own Elite teams, but the audit was very thorough and went through all of our test levels. We need to train up another thirty to forty pokemon at least."
I blinked in surprise. It might not sound like many, if you used the games as a reference, but to get the right pokemon to the right levels was actually a lot of work. You typically had to catch and check the temperaments of at least two to three pokemon for each pokemon that you eventually kept for an official team. So they actually had to catch and test, close to or over, one hundred pokemon. That initial phase would take at least a month or two depending on how skilled they were and how broad they were willing to go for their pokemon pool.
"I can ask the Lapras Reserve if any of Tide's mates have eggs they could give you?" I offered.
Daisy glanced at me. "Tide?"
"Ah sorry, during my journey I went to the Sevii and Orange Islands. I ended up catching a Lapras. He's a big boy and ended up getting pretty strong, but with Pewter being landlocked, and my Gym's typing, I didn't think it was fair on him so I have him held in trust at the Lapras Reserve near Fuschia."
Koga weighed in. "Tide is a powerful pokemon. I have witnessed him fighting off a pod of Gyarados. His progeny would be a strong addition if his strength breeds true."
I blinked in surprise at the praise offered from Koga. I gave him a short bow in thanks before looking to see Daisy giving me a hopeful look. Violet was giving me an assessing, albeit slightly hungry, gaze while Lily was looking more serious.
"You will still need to find other pokemon," Sabrina stated pointedly. I glanced at her, but she was looking straight at the sisters with slightly narrowed eyes. I almost wanted to offer the services of another water type I owned that was closer to home, but I didn't want to reveal that pokemon with Giovanni in the room. My Shrek served as a useful hidden guard for the perimeter that most people wouldn't expect me to have.
"You will need to expand your efforts. You will most likely receive a failing grade from—" "Actually, we got the Agent to agree to give us another assessment at a later date," Lily said while not meeting anyone's eyes.
Koga tilted his head, "How did you secure this boon?"
"Violet offered him a date."
Everyone turned to give Violet a look only for the girl to shrug. "It's just a date."
Giovanni rapped the desk with his ring in some kind of clear habit, "Ignoring the… unconventional method of avoiding a failure on your Gym's record, you'll need to spend the rest of the off-circuit period picking up your Gym. I have some specialists that can assist. Do you have enough assistants for Gauntlet challenges?"
"It'd probably be better if they found some local trainers, or retired rangers," I quickly said to shut down Giovanni's offer. It was bad enough the sisters had just handed blackmail over to Giovanni with how they had 'bribed' an official. Suddenly, I was very glad that the Persian was not in the room and the waiter had been asked to leave. I didn't look at Koga. Had he done that deliberately in expectation? Had been acting against Giovanni?
Said man gave me a pointed look as the girls gained thoughtful expressions.
I gave Giovanni a small raised brow before directing my attention towards the sisters.
"More than any Agency telling you how well you're doing, you need to get the support of your community. From what I hear, most of your support is based on your shows. If you convert that into proper contests you'd probably do well. That's not something Kanto is well known for, after all."
"It's not something Gyms are known for," Surge weighed in.
I wavered my hand in a gesture to indicate a maybe. "They've already done most of the work that they're known for in such events. I'd not let that work go to waste. Focus most of your attention on fixing your faults, but you have a large advantage over everyone else here with your Gym."
The girls perked up. "Our shows are that good?!"
"Nah, not really," Surge replied like a proverbial battle axe of truth. The sisters all slumped. "I mean I hear things about people heading up your way for them, but yeah, there's not yet pull from the entire region, ya hear?"
"Thanks, Surge," I said, redirecting the conversation with a more positive tone. "What I meant was that there are three of you. You can divide and conquer, no?"
The girls gave me sheepish looks. "We usually get distracted…"
I rubbed my forehead and sighed into my palm. Sabrina took over with a frosty glare. "Get a handler if you can't focus. I suggest you follow Brock's suggestions and get yourself an old Ranger to assist your Gym."
"Alright, alright! We'll do that!" said Violet before shivering. "No need to look at us like that."
I leaned forward to see what Sabrina was directing at them. "Oh, that's just her resting face actually."
Violet shook herself. "Could have fooled me. I thought we were sitting across from Lorelei. RBF much?" She then flinched. "Ow! Daisy, don't pinch me!"
"I didn't though?" Said her sister.
I hummed at their byplay, pointedly not looking at Sabrina as I glanced towards Koga. "Any news on movements for trainers taking up the Elite four positions for Lance? He only has three right now."
Koga huffed, "You rejected his offer before it could ever be made." I blinked at that. "Yes, you were potentially a candidate, young Brock." He let the room contemplate that for a moment before continuing, "I can announce that Agatha will be looking to retire, her position is being sought after by her apprentice."
"Feh! That old woman needed to retire before I did! But she was stubborn! Always has been!" Blaine said with a cackle.
Surge leaned forward. "Her apprentice? Who's that?"
"A young Dark-type specialist by the name of Karen," Koga informed us. I glanced at Sabrina, feeling her annoyance more than seeing it. Did she know Karen?
"Lance will still be scouting others. The League has stated that the audit was specifically to assist with this," Giovanni interjected. He tapped his ring on the table. "I happen to know that Lance made no such order. Also of note, is that the League has not conducted any audits on the Johto side of the Silver Mountains."
"Should we request that an audit occurs on the Johto side as well?" Surge asked while scratching his approximation of a beard. "Doesn't seem fair we're getting so much attention. I doubt little Falkner would do any better than the sisters here, and while Morty's decent, I don't hear him being too consistent."
I shrugged, "Might be nice, but it would seem like we're just flinging dirt around if we did that."
Erika nodded along. "I agree. In the end, it is for us to resolve, and not try to use it to drag others down."
"Hmph, if you say so!" Surge huffed.
I glanced at the others, but there didn't seem to be much else to talk about.
Giovanni chose to rise and nod to the room at large. "I think this has been a very productive meeting for us all. Should an official meeting be called, I will look forward to formally hearing how things are for each of you. Not that I expect such an occurrence, usually we only have one of those every two years. But, as we all know, being a Gym Leader doesn't provide for much time to socialise. Perhaps we can change that this year?" This got a round of murmurs from a few people but no large shows of support.
Kong straightened out of his perpetual glower at Sabrina to take in the room. "Wait, you're all just rolling over? I thought you were coming together to solve this issue!"
"The issue is something that is legitimately raised and something the League is within their rights to act on. It is notable that the audit occurred for the entirety of Kanto Gyms—" "The important ones at least," Sabrina said, cutting off Giovanni. He frowned at her but Kong reacted by shooting upright.
"Screw you and your daddy! I can't believe I let that man set up his Gym all those years ago! First there was him and then you! You think I'm afraid of you!?"
Sabrina laced her fingers together and for a moment I saw a vision of a much different Sabrina. One far colder and so much less than she was now.
"If you feel you can challenge my Gym, I welcome it. But I will not restrain my pokemon when you challenge me. I am not my father." She flicked her eyes up and down. "You still have much to work on if you have failed to realize the gulf dividing us."
"Consider it done then. I will be challenging you soon!" He snarled, slamming his fist into the table. He gave the room at large a sneer. "I see you're not going to do anything so I'm out of here." Not even Koga's disapproving stare stopped him from turning and storming out of the room.
We all watched him go. I rubbed my chin. For Sabrina, that had been actually rather amicable to the challenger. She'd tried to warn him off. Kong… didn't strike me as the type to understand that, however.
Surge chuckled, "Nice one Sabrina, but we need to work on your smack talk."
"I do not boast," Sabrina said.
Surge chuckled again and turned to grin at Grey, who swallowed loudly.
Giovanni rapped his ring once more on the table to redirect attention. "Well, that was not how I wished to finish the meeting. However, Kong did raise an interesting point. I will be making a formal complaint to the League and I suggest you all do likewise." He glanced at me. "While it might appear to be mud-slinging, having fair treatment for all Gyms under the League's purview is important. I will be applying for audits to all Gyms if this is going to be their stance."
Erika shifted and chewed her lip like she wanted to say something but she kept it to herself.
When no one offered any rebuttal of this comment Giovanni nodded once more and extended a hand to the Cerulean Sisters. "Very well. Ladies, I will be giving you some contact details, otherwise, I wish you all a good day." He turned and walked out without a backwards glance.
I watched him go before nodding to Surge as he got up to depart as well.
I remained sitting. I had half a mind to stay and talk with Erika but before I could announce my intentions Koga coughed from next to my seat. "Young Brock, would you escort me on a walk in the nearby gardens?"
I struggled to contain my shock that he had just repeated his no-movement trick. Had I been distracted, or had he done instantaneous movement without causing a flash as Sabrina had?
I shook myself off and rose from my seat at his politely phrased order. "I'd be delighted to." Koga gestured to the door and walked at my side out of the meeting room, a number of eyes following after us with vague interest. Sabrina made to stand, only for Erika and the Cerulean Sisters to close in around her.
So. I was going to traipse through the tulips with Koga?
This…. Was not how I was expecting my day to go.
A.N. Thanks to all my patreons for your support as always!
Special thanks to Raikor, Ab9999, and Elnoorz who're acting as Betas and editors.
It had been a few days since talking with Surge about the Gym Leader meeting. Nothing of note had happened beyond day-to-day tasks for the Gym and family. Only now with the added spice of occasionally having some reporters tripping over themselves to snap pictures of me as there wasn't the draw of the Conference. So they sought out other stories.
The Rhyhorn that was currently serving as my sparring partner snorted. Then he gouged out some dirt as he dug his feet into the ground. I adopted a sumo stance paired with a cocky smirk.
"Rhyhorn!" He bellowed before charging. I shifted posture to spin away. This time I didn't slap him on the rump but rather caught him and flared my aura into my muscles. I felt energy surge through me and for a judicious application I was able to throw my weight with a tackle directly into Rhyhorn's side. He buckled around my tackle and was thrown out. I released my hold on as he continued to barrel further out.
Rhyhorn skidded to a halt and blinked before groaning as the other watching pokemon slumped a little and chastised him for his hot-headedness. Rhyhorn turned "Rhyhorn!" He growled.
I shrugged. "Learn from it buddy. You outweigh me by at least twice my weight. I have to dodge and you have to land a hit."
"Rhy! Rhyhorn!"
"No, I'm not going to stand there and take it. Just 'cause I can doesn't mean I should." Aura allowed for some great tricks but it wasn't worth depleting my reserves trying to tank a takedown from a Rhyhorn just to show off. This was supposed to be a workout for me. I'd work on my aura as best as I could after the next match.
I glanced around the circle of pokemon. "So, last match before I cool down. Who's going to try and win those treats I offered?"
Sanchez vibrated in places pointing at himself while nodding vigorously. I rolled my shoulders and shook my head at him. "I'm not wrestling you, Sanchez. This is supposed to be possible for me to win." I had no thoughts regarding my chances if I fought one of my Elites. If I could beat them, I'd be seriously reviewing their training.
To incentivise a harder training session today I had announced that if I lost I'd grant everyone treats. This had resulted in multiple matches against highly motivated pokemon. They were showing good attitudes and bonding well with me as the 'enemy' in this instance. They all cheered each other on and after each loss I handed out, there were more than a few pokemon sharing tips. Honestly, I'd give them the treats anyway but for pokemon, pride was a big factor.
A Graveler stepped into the ring with her smaller arms set into karate punch positions. It made me think she was posing on me. I tilted my head as I spotted the small markings and smudges that indicated that this was the Nanny Graveler that liked to work in the house rather than fight.
I shrugged. "Alright Graveler, ready to wrestle?"
I got my answer when the Graveler sank into a low stance that would have made a linebacker in the NFL proud. She started things with a charge before digging her hands into the ground to adjust as I sidestepped. I got a solid shove in before she rounded on me. Her arms swung about and I swiftly dodged her pushes only for a smaller arm to swing up carrying something in it.
A Mud Shot to the eyes was enough to blind me. I usually didn't use the method, but my pokemon clearly understood that it was a valid tactic.
Graveler was on me in an instant. From there I couldn't get a leverage point, and while blinded as she held me down. Around the circle, pokemon began tapping the ground. They all chanted out in excitement. I squirmed and writhed but couldn't seem to escape the Graveler's four-armed grasp. It didn't help that she was using her smaller arms which made for less throwing points for me to exploit. Her larger arms were spread and dug into the ground and I uselessly batted at them for a moment before shifting focus.
I drew on my aura and pushed against her. She strained, her muscles bulged as I began to loosen her grip. She stared in shock but grit her teeth. She just had to last just a moment—
The third tap hit the ground and I went limp, lungs burning from the harsh strain I'd demanded of them to break the hold. If I'd started straight off with enhancing myself further with aura, would I have been able to match her? It was something I was only just starting to work on. It showed how the moment's usage was enough to have me feeling winded like a harsh sprint.
Graveler shifted off me allowing me to wipe the mud from my eyes. "Nice shot, although you're really not supposed to use pokemon moves like that during our spars."
Graveler nodded but still crossed her arms with a smug look. She looked to the crowd of other pokemon and raised a fist. This got a chorus of cheers, as if she was a returning champion from some mighty conquest.
Sanchez was being his usual hammy self. He was on his knees looking betrayed at me as he handed over a few pebbles to a smug-looking Geodude.
I had no idea who taught them how to gamble, but then again pokemon are more perceptive than people understand. I was of the opinion that they worked on a scale. If something interested them, they would pick up on it but other concepts or acts would be ignored.
I was nudged a few times and had to push off a Rhyhorn. I had been too confident in myself it would seem. I adopted a fake obedient pose. "Ah! I was too conceited! I could not see Mt. Moon, Fierce Lady!"
Around me the pokemon cheered, feeding into the silliness of the scene. Graveler rolled her eyes at my antics before cuffing me on the leg.
I chuckled, heading towards a shed where I unlocked a few bins that contained rich minerals that are tasty for my Rock types. I began divvying up the treats to my pokemon while faking a sigh of regret at having to hand the treats over. I'd have to buy another round of supplies, but honestly it didn't bother me at all. I worked through my pokemon, patting and feeding them. When some greedy types tried for more, I gently scolded them.
I made sure to toss some treats for the pokemon I had hidden in the swamp next to my sectioned-off land. A loud croak of thanks indicated that they'd been spotted. Then I turned towards the dark cave that Titan liked to inhabit. He gave me a curious look when I offered him a treat. "Ty?"
"I offered the gang treats for everyone if they could beat me."
"Ty? Ty-Ty-Ran?"
"Graveler did, the one that looks after my siblings."
"Tarrrrrr," said the Pseudo-legendary before giving me another curious look.
"Your little sibling hasn't hatched. Doesn't look to be anytime soon." Tyranitar only nodded at this. He patted the rock next to him, his pose shifting into a relaxed position that made me compare him to a Guru of my past life.
My own Guru of Darkness. Arceus, that is so edgy. I hated that I loved it a little. Titan gave me a pointed look, his own way of telling me that he was aware I was distracted. I coughed into my fist before shutting my eyes and focussing my attention on the two pools of energy that I had within me. It made me think of tales of cultivation. There was no option of developing a mixed core from my Rock and Dark energies. In truth, it was more like a pair of reservoirs that I could slowly grow. It was slow progress, but it was noticeable. It also became easier the more I worked at it.
I hadn't been taught anything formally regarding aura. There were precisely zero texts even stating that it was possible. I had looked.
There were old myths that spoke of heroes able to channel the power of their pokemon, but that was a single line of text that most people associated with training your pokemon as best you could. I hadn't started 'looking within' from day one but I had started within the first week. Which had been around the time that I received Titan.
It's what made me so curious regarding the offer that Agatha had sent. Perhaps there was a secret society of aura users that could bolster my efforts. But the thought of having a pokemon Illuminati contact me had me checking my surroundings a lot more of late.
"Ranitar!" barked Titan.
"Sorry!" I said bowing to my Darkness Guru before beginning to channel the energies like I was supposed to be doing. I couldn't worry about Agatha. I had other issues like the coming Gym Leader meeting later today. Today's cool-down was all about getting me in the best head space possible for that.
I pushed those thoughts aside when Titan growled at me. I settled in for the moment and readied myself for the coming day by not thinking it out right now.
The meeting ended up being held in Celadon City. It had been determined as the most central location for all involved. I'd mounted up on Zephyr and taken all of half an hour to get there thanks to a beneficial tailwind. This had seen me arrive among the first of the Gym Leaders of Kanto.
But not the first. Erika had the honour of hosting, but she looked very out of her depth in the conference room. Notably, she had not taken the head of the rectangular table, and instead Giovanni had laid his claim already.
He was seated looking as casual as you please, like this was merely an extension of his Gym and not another Gym Leader's City. With his slicked-back hair and his suit, he looked the part of a CEO. Or a mafia boss. I happened to know that both were true. He must have used a pokemon to teleport here or arrived the day before. He didn't have a hair out of place, or a mark on his expensive suit so I doubted he had ridden a pokemon here or even driven.
"Ah, Kanto's golden boy. Brock, welcome, welcome." He had a rich low baritone that made me think he spent a lot of time speaking softly with a glass of scotch close at hand. "Let me offer my congratulations in person. I was quite impressed with your performance against the Champion."
I offered back a nod, noting that Giovanni did not rise from his seat. Addressing someone from a position of power somehow suited the bespoke man.
"My thanks. It's a nice sentiment. Weren't you there at the start of the event though? I could have sworn I saw you?" I chose not to comment on the fact that he had portrayed me as subordinate, with how my having his pleasure was something of value.
I felt a little oily just talking with him. I really needed a plan for what I should do with regards to Giovanni. I hadn't yet found a 'good' idea. Plenty of possibly terrible ideas, though. So for now, I had to endure him.
"I ended up having some business to attend to, but I didn't miss your fight. In fact, I have it saved and have taken great pains to analyze it since that day."
In a way, that was both a threat and a complement. To have another trainer acknowledge that they saw worth in your strategy was a huge compliment, but it usually preceded a demand to fight with you knowing they'd seen some of your cards. The small uptick in Giovanni's smile let me know he knew how his double-edged words were landing.
I decided to merely nod and move away from him for now.
I turned to the rest of the room. Giovanni had brought his signature Persian. There was also an assistant, dressed very appropriately in a smart vest. I chose not to linger on the fact that they were likely a plant from Giovanni that would offer another perspective. A small glint on the collar let me know that Giovanni also had a camera on his Persian. That or I was being paranoid and it was just a diamond, but I was confident in my observation.
I quickly checked over the rest of the room. To the side, Erika was talking with all three of the Cerulean sisters. Daisy, Violet… and Rose? I think there was a flower motif, much like the Evans family from Harry… oh wait, it was Lily. The three of them were all talking rapidly and the sisters were listening as Erika spoke of her own experience. Her usual style of dress saw her long sleeves flap about animatedly in her retelling. The Cerulean Sisters were all actively listening and occasionally dodging as Erika spoke. I noted the dark irises and the less than clean applications of make-up they sported. It seemed the Sisters had been caught out.
If I held the anime as canon, then perhaps they had been the least prepared for the audit. I couldn't see the other Gym Leaders being too affected. Erika turned and waved at me, much more sedately, which I returned.
Hmmm, with just the girls here I didn't feel confident on calling Giovanni out on his Persian just now. Conveniently enough, the door opened behind me and Surge entered the room. I chuckled when he had to stoop to get through the door. The man truly was huge and with his fuzzy, patch work beard he was only larger than ever. I noted that Surge had a hand on a small dark-haired man that looked troubled with the loud entrance and his position next to Surge.
"Look what I found loitering around in the dumpster! Fresh meat!" Surge's mischievous grin was enough to inform me that this was likely 'Grey', the Neon City Gym Leader, and one of the minor Gym Leaders that was approved to grant accepted Indigo Conference badges.
Across the table, Erika and the Cerulean Sisters stared at Surge. The sisters all had confused expressions.
"Is that…" "What's up with his face?" "Shhh! He's very self-conscious about it!" The girls whispered between each other.
Grey shot Surge a smug look. "Oh? Is this rough hobo look not the norm for you Surge?"
"Nonsense! Good things just take time to grow. You'll understand that one day but, for now, let's talk about what you need to do to make sure you're officially recognised as Gym Leader of Neon City!"
I snorted and was about to approach only for the door to open once more. Blaine stepped in with an assessing gaze. His glasses and bald head glinted in the light while he stroked his long moustache. He nodded at Giovanni, dismissed Erika and the Cerulean Sisters with a single look, and locked upon me. He stalked forward with a large smile, his lab coat opening as he marched straight up to me.
"Gym Leader Brock, good fight the other day!" He reached out and shook my hand, the other encircled me to clap on my shoulder. Then he leaned in as his moustache twitched upwards and the glint on his head and glasses became slightly ominous. "I enjoyed watching that young whelp being smacked around. Tell me, though. Wherever did you get those ancient pokemon of yours?" There was a certain tone that I couldn't quite place in his words. Like a hint of accusation? The hand resting on my shoulder felt decidedly less friendly now.
Still, I couldn't let this hinder me. "I have a lab in cinnabar that is heavily invested in researching such developments and we've only just recently begun testing the technology with pokemon genetic samples." His gaze over the top of his dark sunglasses held repressed anger. "We recently had a break into our lab, did you know?" He said all too casually. He thought I might have stolen something from him?
"I found them during my journey."
"Found them, did you now?" Blaine continued to smile as his gaze bore into me. "Wherever did you find them?"
I stared straight into his eyes. "Oh, around. I didn't find them as genetic samples, but as living, breathing pokemon. Shin, Don, and Shelly were all very much active in their little part of the world. It pays to be interested in spelunking and mountain climbing, and I'll leave it at that."
He searched my expression. Eventually, he clicked his tongue. "Hmmpf. if you say so." He looked aside for a moment before tilting his head, his hand came off my shoulder. "Wherever did you come up with the Golem?" The edge of his previous tone had been dropped and now only raw interest filled his voice.
"Oh, I very much bred for him within a controlled setting," I said flippantly like it hadn't taken three years of keeping a Geodude community within a specialised cavern that had lots of electricity arcing through it.
He turned and his interest was palpable. He almost looked hungry. I swallowed, feeling at once that perhaps being so cheeky in my response had not been the best approach. "Did you now? How did you come up with that idea? Have you ever considered publishing your methods and findings? Such research into variants on typings and natural developments would be something quite a few people would be interested in. It would also gain you a lot of clout in various intellectual circles."
"Mostly it was something that made sense to me. There are notable differences in different pokemon depending on their environment, or the energies that they're exposed to."
When he continued to stare without offering his own thoughts I felt I needed to reach for an example as to how I could have made such a leap in logic. "Eevee of course being the prime example of this."
"Ah, of course. You really should write up a paper on this. Do you have much experience in research articles?"
"Not as such, no." My mind cast back to a lifetime ago at a university.
"Might I offer my support then? I'd love to see your setup, and the scientific community would be greatly improved from your contributions!"
"I'll think about it, I'm in talks with some people."
"Oak, I should presume?" Said Blaine. When I nodded he stroked his moustache. "Brilliant man, don't let his affable nature fool you though. I'd like you to consider myself. I'm less well known with my self-imposed reclusion on Cinnabar for science, with most people only thinking of me as a former Elite Four member, but I would be greatly interested in reviewing any studies you produce."
"I'll consider it," I said. I didn't really want to make an enemy of this man, but I also didn't want to draw him in. I had my suspicions, suspicions that deepened when Blaine nodded at me and marched over and sat right next to Giovanni, at his right hand.
I glanced up to find Grey still being hounded by Surge, with the much larger man talking about something with wide gestures.
"Surge! Surge! Would you please explain to the sisters what you were talking to me about? I'm afraid I didn't understand all of it and am doing a poor job conveying it to them!" Erika said loudly, drawing Surge out of his conversation. Grey used that moment to duck away from Surge.
Surge turned to say something, only to flinch when the room filled with a flash of light.
"We don't have the time for that, Erika. All of us are now here. We can discuss you and the Cerulean Gym Leader's issues as an item later." The woman paused and swept her eyes over the three girls, causing them to wilt before continuing. "We should be able to resolve it easily enough."
I held in a whistle. Huh, Sabrina was being nice to them. The four other girls didn't seem to know what to think of it however. Erika bowed politely and bustled up to the table to claim a seat. I frowned and was about to ask about Koga, only for me to blink in disbelief.
Koga was already there at the table. Daisy and Lily shrieked in surprise at the man's appearance. Koga merely snorted at them before looking over the assembled group. His eyes lingered on me before he nodded once. I swallowed before returning the nod. There hadn't been any noise or even anything to indicate movement. One moment nothing, then he was seated comfortably.
How had he done that?
I glanced at Sabrina. She'd known somehow that he was here, but that was more a testament of her skills as a psychic to be able to detect the ninja. Everyone claimed a seat. Grey sat next to Giovanni and Surge grumbled before smirking and claiming the seat next to Grey. The man blanched slightly and looked to Giovanni for help only for the businessman to ignore him. Instead, Giovanni only had eyes for Koga who had set himself directly on the opposite side of the room.
The Cerulean Sisters practically claimed an entire side of the conference table for themselves while Sabrina claimed a seat to Koga's right hand. The seat between Koga and the Cerulean Sisters remained open, as did the spot between Erika and Sabrina.
"Are we not—" "Alright you punks! I'm here! You all thought you were going to start without me!?" Roared a man wearing a karate gi as he bashed open the door. The man was extremely muscled, beyond merely conditioning with martial arts. This man obviously sought to hone his body. His face was tensed up into a furious scowl as his dark eyes roamed.
He glared around at the room before locking onto Sabrina… who ignored him. He bared his teeth at that. I watched them quietly. I didn't know much beyond what Sabrina had mentioned off-handedly years ago about her father ousting Kong's gym as the premier Gym of Saffron. When Sabrina had taken over from her father, Kong had been rather at a loss as to what to do with the 'pipsqueak running the Gym'. Sabrina had offered him a match and he'd decided to accept. I wasn't sure if he'd fought half-heartedly but, even as a child, Sabrina hadn't pulled her blows. Supposedly he'd been humiliated again and faced some public backlash at accepting the match in the first place.
Sabrina deigned to look at Kong when he stood in the doorway. "We did not start yet. You were merely waiting outside the door for a dramatic moment to enter. Take a seat," she said.
"Heya Kong!" Surge said, perking up and waving at the other man. Kong grunted at him, but remained looking at Sabrina. If looks could kill… which with some pokemon… I was about to move up next to Sabrina before a polite cough had everyone looking to Koga.
"Sit," he said simply to Kong. The man sat.
Koga turned his head and regarded me. A quirked eyebrow informed me that I too should follow suit. Instead I made use of having the group's attention on me, making a show of glancing at Persian, and sauntered over with as natural a gait as I could manage. I made to pet Giovanni's Persian. It glared at my approach but I ignored their baleful eyes to rub its head, allowing my hand to turn the collar slightly. I then pointedly hum thoughtfully.
"Nice cat, Giovanni. But I think you should return it before the meeting starts."
Everyone instantly looked down at the collar to see me pinching the small camera. Surge's eyes widened as they landed on the collar. Giovanni didn't react beyond a small shrug.
"Ah, that's just Persian's tracker. I left it on for his training session earlier. I like to sometimes see matches from my pokemon's perspective. Gives me a better understanding of what they're dealing with." He lifted a pokeball and returned his Persian without any further comment but he did watch me as I moved behind Erika to claim my seat.
Blaine merely chuckled at what just happened while giving Giovanni a look.
Koga didn't move, but in some way our attention was drawn to him. He projected his voice, "Young man, thank you for preparing the room for us, but I will have to ask you to depart for now. This is only for Gym Leaders," Koga said, not even looking at the assistant in the corner. The man stiffened but instead of saying anything, or looking toward anyone specifically, he bowed and departed without comment.
When the door clicked shut no one spoke for a long moment. Glances were exchanged from the people on the sides while Koga and Giovanni stared at each other. Koga snorted after a long moment and gestured to Giovanni.
The proctor of the Earth Badge smirked before nodding. "Very well. I'll be chairing this meeting. No notes will be taken at this time, as this is not an officially scheduled meeting of the Gym Leaders of Kanto, which would require such an accounting. Something I'm sure none of us wants to be caught out on with how we've all been audited of late."
Everyone nodded with a few agreeing murmurs from some. Everyone but Kong and Grey, who frowned. Giovanni noticed this. "Not you Kong? Or you, Grey…. Hmmm, it wouldn't be possible for them to audit you, Grey. You've not even completed a circuit yet."
Grey perked up at that and relaxed. Surge elbowed him and I felt my kidneys cry out in sympathy as the smaller man hunched over.
"Did none of the smaller Gyms receive audits?" I asked, curious if they rated such attention.
Kong bristled. "They're going to get to us eventually, and we'll have the best rating out of all of you!" He shot a glare at me before turning it upon Sabrina, as if she'd been the one to speak.
She pointedly didn't look at him.
Giovanni scoffed while Blaine snorted derisively. "The small Gyms can't be held to the eight's standards, Kong. Don't fool yourself. The agency has different standards for such."
"Really?" Grey said with interest. I turned to observe the new Gym Leader from Neon City. He had been happy to remain quiet prior to this.
"Small Gyms are only held to the requirements of needing twenty pokemon on their roster at any time for challengers. Most of that is their elite team. Or they have trainers that serve for an extended gauntlet," Giovanni explained.
Kong twitched at this and grumbled before eyeing Sabrina. "Has she got an extended gauntlet challenge!?"
"Yes," said Koga simply, "She also has Standard four-badge challenge or more, Gauntlet, and even an Elite Challenge if people request such of her Gym.
I hummed, interested but not surprised that there was so much dismissiveness shown to the smaller Gyms.
Giovanni rapped the table in front of himself with a simple golden ring. "Let us return to the issue at hand. If we pool our information, we should have the most appropriate response available to us."
I held myself still and watched as Giovanni outlined the timeline of events, with my Gym being the first to be approached by agents of the Auditing Department.
"Talking with some of my friends in the agency, I have determined that most of us have passed." He then outlined how things had progressed that once they had finished auditing me they made a move on the other Gym Leaders of Kanto; or at least the major ones.
There was a pointed moment of quiet where most people didn't look at Erika and the Cerulean Sisters. Kong excitedly looked at Sabrina like a little boy hoping for his journey's start day to come early, while also hoping his rival had fallen down a set of stairs.
Giovanni inclined his head. "That being said, there are some of us that have fallen short. Ladies, I feel one of the objectives of today's informal meeting is to set you all up with steps that should be taken to resolve your clerical errors."
Erika and the Cerulean Sisters eventually cracked. They bow their heads. " " " "Sorry!" " " " they all chimed.
When they straightened up, Erika slumped into her formal dress, hiding like a Victrebel waiting to pop out on its predator. The Cerulean Sisters slumped into their seats as if all the weight they had been under had been removed.
I glanced between them all, and decided to say what I could only assume most of the other gym leaders were thinking, "How bad was it, if I may ask?"
Erika coughed, "Ahem! I made some mistakes with my finances. it seems I… miscalculated, and ended up having to pay some more taxes." She then nodded toward Sabrina. "Sabrina has recommended a good accountant for me to work with. I also need some more depth with my pokemon, along with some more four badges and up fighters."
"A straightforward solution," said the ninja in the room. Everyone paused at the words Koga voiced before nodding along with him. Koga then turned his attention to the Cerulean Sisters. He merely emoted an eyebrow at them.
Daisy ended up being the speaker for the girls. "Ah, ehehe… We've, ummm, been focussing on developing more contest styles and holding things down… Our sister, our youngest, has been the one that actually wants to run the Gym, but she hasn't yet gone on her journey. We're pushing her out this year, to get her some experience in the world first, but, ummm… We've let things lapse since Mum and dad…" She murmured something that I couldn't hear.
Koga scoffed, "If you are entrusted with your family's establishment, and plan to hand it over to your sister, you do her no favour handing it over poorly maintained and damaged." Daisy flinched as though struck. Her eyes watered for a second but she nodded tightly.
"What is the extent of your failures?" He continued, his words driving the dagger in and causing Lily and Violet to flinch and huddle up to each other in some perceived notion of safety.
Daisy visibly gathered herself. "We don't have enough depth in our roster. Typically, we haven't had to worry about middling badge challengers, so we had let this lapse apart from our own Elite teams, but the audit was very thorough and went through all of our test levels. We need to train up another thirty to forty pokemon at least."
I blinked in surprise. It might not sound like many, if you used the games as a reference, but to get the right pokemon to the right levels was actually a lot of work. You typically had to catch and check the temperaments of at least two to three pokemon for each pokemon that you eventually kept for an official team. So they actually had to catch and test, close to or over, one hundred pokemon. That initial phase would take at least a month or two depending on how skilled they were and how broad they were willing to go for their pokemon pool.
"I can ask the Lapras Reserve if any of Tide's mates have eggs they could give you?" I offered.
Daisy glanced at me. "Tide?"
"Ah sorry, during my journey I went to the Sevii and Orange Islands. I ended up catching a Lapras. He's a big boy and ended up getting pretty strong, but with Pewter being landlocked, and my Gym's typing, I didn't think it was fair on him so I have him held in trust at the Lapras Reserve near Fuschia."
Koga weighed in. "Tide is a powerful pokemon. I have witnessed him fighting off a pod of Gyarados. His progeny would be a strong addition if his strength breeds true."
I blinked in surprise at the praise offered from Koga. I gave him a short bow in thanks before looking to see Daisy giving me a hopeful look. Violet was giving me an assessing, albeit slightly hungry, gaze while Lily was looking more serious.
"You will still need to find other pokemon," Sabrina stated pointedly. I glanced at her, but she was looking straight at the sisters with slightly narrowed eyes. I almost wanted to offer the services of another water type I owned that was closer to home, but I didn't want to reveal that pokemon with Giovanni in the room. My Shrek served as a useful hidden guard for the perimeter that most people wouldn't expect me to have.
"You will need to expand your efforts. You will most likely receive a failing grade from—" "Actually, we got the Agent to agree to give us another assessment at a later date," Lily said while not meeting anyone's eyes.
Koga tilted his head, "How did you secure this boon?"
"Violet offered him a date."
Everyone turned to give Violet a look only for the girl to shrug. "It's just a date."
Giovanni rapped the desk with his ring in some kind of clear habit, "Ignoring the… unconventional method of avoiding a failure on your Gym's record, you'll need to spend the rest of the off-circuit period picking up your Gym. I have some specialists that can assist. Do you have enough assistants for Gauntlet challenges?"
"It'd probably be better if they found some local trainers, or retired rangers," I quickly said to shut down Giovanni's offer. It was bad enough the sisters had just handed blackmail over to Giovanni with how they had 'bribed' an official. Suddenly, I was very glad that the Persian was not in the room and the waiter had been asked to leave. I didn't look at Koga. Had he done that deliberately in expectation? Had been acting against Giovanni?
Said man gave me a pointed look as the girls gained thoughtful expressions.
I gave Giovanni a small raised brow before directing my attention towards the sisters.
"More than any Agency telling you how well you're doing, you need to get the support of your community. From what I hear, most of your support is based on your shows. If you convert that into proper contests you'd probably do well. That's not something Kanto is well known for, after all."
"It's not something Gyms are known for," Surge weighed in.
I wavered my hand in a gesture to indicate a maybe. "They've already done most of the work that they're known for in such events. I'd not let that work go to waste. Focus most of your attention on fixing your faults, but you have a large advantage over everyone else here with your Gym."
The girls perked up. "Our shows are that good?!"
"Nah, not really," Surge replied like a proverbial battle axe of truth. The sisters all slumped. "I mean I hear things about people heading up your way for them, but yeah, there's not yet pull from the entire region, ya hear?"
"Thanks, Surge," I said, redirecting the conversation with a more positive tone. "What I meant was that there are three of you. You can divide and conquer, no?"
The girls gave me sheepish looks. "We usually get distracted…"
I rubbed my forehead and sighed into my palm. Sabrina took over with a frosty glare. "Get a handler if you can't focus. I suggest you follow Brock's suggestions and get yourself an old Ranger to assist your Gym."
"Alright, alright! We'll do that!" said Violet before shivering. "No need to look at us like that."
I leaned forward to see what Sabrina was directing at them. "Oh, that's just her resting face actually."
Violet shook herself. "Could have fooled me. I thought we were sitting across from Lorelei. RBF much?" She then flinched. "Ow! Daisy, don't pinch me!"
"I didn't though?" Said her sister.
I hummed at their byplay, pointedly not looking at Sabrina as I glanced towards Koga. "Any news on movements for trainers taking up the Elite four positions for Lance? He only has three right now."
Koga huffed, "You rejected his offer before it could ever be made." I blinked at that. "Yes, you were potentially a candidate, young Brock." He let the room contemplate that for a moment before continuing, "I can announce that Agatha will be looking to retire, her position is being sought after by her apprentice."
"Feh! That old woman needed to retire before I did! But she was stubborn! Always has been!" Blaine said with a cackle.
Surge leaned forward. "Her apprentice? Who's that?"
"A young Dark-type specialist by the name of Karen," Koga informed us. I glanced at Sabrina, feeling her annoyance more than seeing it. Did she know Karen?
"Lance will still be scouting others. The League has stated that the audit was specifically to assist with this," Giovanni interjected. He tapped his ring on the table. "I happen to know that Lance made no such order. Also of note, is that the League has not conducted any audits on the Johto side of the Silver Mountains."
"Should we request that an audit occurs on the Johto side as well?" Surge asked while scratching his approximation of a beard. "Doesn't seem fair we're getting so much attention. I doubt little Falkner would do any better than the sisters here, and while Morty's decent, I don't hear him being too consistent."
I shrugged, "Might be nice, but it would seem like we're just flinging dirt around if we did that."
Erika nodded along. "I agree. In the end, it is for us to resolve, and not try to use it to drag others down."
"Hmph, if you say so!" Surge huffed.
I glanced at the others, but there didn't seem to be much else to talk about.
Giovanni chose to rise and nod to the room at large. "I think this has been a very productive meeting for us all. Should an official meeting be called, I will look forward to formally hearing how things are for each of you. Not that I expect such an occurrence, usually we only have one of those every two years. But, as we all know, being a Gym Leader doesn't provide for much time to socialise. Perhaps we can change that this year?" This got a round of murmurs from a few people but no large shows of support.
Kong straightened out of his perpetual glower at Sabrina to take in the room. "Wait, you're all just rolling over? I thought you were coming together to solve this issue!"
"The issue is something that is legitimately raised and something the League is within their rights to act on. It is notable that the audit occurred for the entirety of Kanto Gyms—" "The important ones at least," Sabrina said, cutting off Giovanni. He frowned at her but Kong reacted by shooting upright.
"Screw you and your daddy! I can't believe I let that man set up his Gym all those years ago! First there was him and then you! You think I'm afraid of you!?"
Sabrina laced her fingers together and for a moment I saw a vision of a much different Sabrina. One far colder and so much less than she was now.
"If you feel you can challenge my Gym, I welcome it. But I will not restrain my pokemon when you challenge me. I am not my father." She flicked her eyes up and down. "You still have much to work on if you have failed to realize the gulf dividing us."
"Consider it done then. I will be challenging you soon!" He snarled, slamming his fist into the table. He gave the room at large a sneer. "I see you're not going to do anything so I'm out of here." Not even Koga's disapproving stare stopped him from turning and storming out of the room.
We all watched him go. I rubbed my chin. For Sabrina, that had been actually rather amicable to the challenger. She'd tried to warn him off. Kong… didn't strike me as the type to understand that, however.
Surge chuckled, "Nice one Sabrina, but we need to work on your smack talk."
"I do not boast," Sabrina said.
Surge chuckled again and turned to grin at Grey, who swallowed loudly.
Giovanni rapped his ring once more on the table to redirect attention. "Well, that was not how I wished to finish the meeting. However, Kong did raise an interesting point. I will be making a formal complaint to the League and I suggest you all do likewise." He glanced at me. "While it might appear to be mud-slinging, having fair treatment for all Gyms under the League's purview is important. I will be applying for audits to all Gyms if this is going to be their stance."
Erika shifted and chewed her lip like she wanted to say something but she kept it to herself.
When no one offered any rebuttal of this comment Giovanni nodded once more and extended a hand to the Cerulean Sisters. "Very well. Ladies, I will be giving you some contact details, otherwise, I wish you all a good day." He turned and walked out without a backwards glance.
I watched him go before nodding to Surge as he got up to depart as well.
I remained sitting. I had half a mind to stay and talk with Erika but before I could announce my intentions Koga coughed from next to my seat. "Young Brock, would you escort me on a walk in the nearby gardens?"
I struggled to contain my shock that he had just repeated his no-movement trick. Had I been distracted, or had he done instantaneous movement without causing a flash as Sabrina had?
I shook myself off and rose from my seat at his politely phrased order. "I'd be delighted to." Koga gestured to the door and walked at my side out of the meeting room, a number of eyes following after us with vague interest. Sabrina made to stand, only for Erika and the Cerulean Sisters to close in around her.
So. I was going to traipse through the tulips with Koga?
This…. Was not how I was expecting my day to go.
A.N. Thanks to all my patreons for your support as always!
Special thanks to Raikor, Ab9999, and Elnoorz who're acting as Betas and editors.