The end of the season was in the air, and with it, the rarest winds blew in from across the Kanto Region. All roads now led to the Kanto Plateau, the towering summit where the region's greatest trainers gathered to face off in battle. Unlike the mythical Indigo League spoken of in other canons, this tournament stood on its own—grittier, leaner, and reserved only for those who had earned their place in the crucible of Gym challenges.
From the upper balcony reserved for Gym Leaders, Giovanni leaned forward, his arms folded on the railing as his sharp gaze scanned the packed stadium. Below, tens of thousands of fans roared with anticipation, flags waving, horns blaring, and spotlights dancing across the battlefield like the breath of a dragon.
"This crowd's got teeth," Lt. Surge muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Hope the kids don't freeze under pressure."
"I hope they burn," Erika said with a smile, sipping matcha. "Pressure reveals character, or so the poets say."
"Let's see what they've got," Giovanni replied. "We've had too many disappointments this year. Half of the six-badge challengers couldn't handle my Sandslash."
"Or my Weepinbell," Erika added dryly.
The Knockout rounds had begun. Each trainer had to fight in a random biome against another trainer. There were four biomes: Rock, Ice, Water, and Grass. Trainers had to adapt three Pokémon based on the biomes and win in all four to qualify for the round of 16.
Currently at the Ice Biome
Ken Addams vs. Raisen Kuga
A wave of cheers greeted Ken Addams as he stepped onto the field, calm as ever. Across from him stood his opponent—Raisen Kuga—a shaven-headed fighter with sharp eyes and a samurai-like demeanor. He was a Fighting-type specialist, judging by the Hitmonlee at his side.
"Battle start!"
Ken: Blastoise Raisen: Hitmonlee
Raisen struck first. "Fake Out!" Hitmonlee blurred forward, striking Blastoise hard enough to make him flinch.
Ken didn't react. "Withdraw."
Blastoise slipped into his shell, bracing himself as Hitmonlee launched a High Jump Kick. It collided—CRACK—shell to knee. Hitmonlee stumbled, grimacing.
"Hydro Pump, point blank."
Blastoise unleashed a devastating blast that sent Hitmonlee skidding back, steam rising from the impact. Raisen barked a command: "Reversal!" But Ken was faster.
"Iron Defense. Then Ice Beam."
Hitmonlee leapt—but the Ice Beam froze him midair. Ken gave a small nod as the referee called it.
Winner: Ken Addams.
Giovanni tilted his head. "Efficient. Controlled. Like he's saving his strength."
"Ken Addams…" Erika mused. "He's aiming for the final."
At the Rock Biome
Fubuki Onzai vs. Margo Drift
Fubuki wore a long, pale coat trimmed with icy blue. His hair was silvery and always fluttered as if touched by the wind. He was a specialist of the cold.
Margo Drift, in stark contrast, was a flame—she sported short orange hair, a red leather coat, and goggles. A Fire-type trainer; a perfect balance to Fubuki.
Fubuki: Glaceon Margo: Magmar
"Sunny Day!"
Fubuki didn't blink. "Hail."
The field shimmered as sun and ice clashed, creating opposing weather patterns. Glaceon danced across the frost while Magmar waded through the heat.
Magmar opened with Flamethrower, but Glaceon used Mirror Coat, reflecting the attack back with icy amplification. Magmar staggered, its flames dimming.
"Now—Blizzard."
The stadium howled with winter. Magmar tried to dodge, but hail and snow reduced its visibility. It collapsed under the storm.
Fubuki flicked his scarf. "Unbalanced offense leads to collapse."
Winner: Fubuki Onzai.
Giovanni raised an eyebrow. "That one's cold-blooded."
Lt. Surge laughed. "Looks like a drama kid."
Jouta Kisaragi vs. Baro Smash
Jouta wore a vest covered in pins from every Kanto Gym, and his belt carried six Poké Balls—all with polished clips. His specialty? None. He was a generalist, and that made him dangerous.
Baro Smash looked like a wrestler who had gotten lost on his way to a Steelix match, muscles on muscles.
Jouta: Electabuzz Baro: Aggron
The battlefield cracked with their first clash.
Aggron used Head Smash—Electabuzz caught it with both arms, skidding back. "Thunder Wave!"
Aggron shuddered as paralysis set in.
"Brick Break!"
Electabuzz's punch rang like a gong. Aggron countered with Earthquake—but Jouta had anticipated this.
"Switch—Dragonite!"
A blue blur flew into the air. Dragonite dodged the ground-type wave and descended with Dragon Claw.
The fight was long and hard. In the end, Jouta won with three Pokémon still in reserve.
Erika clapped politely. "He's one to watch."
Giovanni nodded. "He's dangerous. A generalist with strong pokemon."
Aira Mikazuki vs. Yamato Flint
Aira looked like she'd stepped out of a summer festival—wearing a red kimono, carrying a parasol, and donning wooden sandals. Her hair was tied with bells that chimed as she moved.
Yamato Flint was a brute with tattoos and a Houndoom.
Aira opened with Espeon, calm and radiant.
Houndoom used Dark Pulse, but Espeon countered with Protect and countered with Moonblast.
Yamato roared, "Sludge Bomb!"
Espeon teleported above it and fired Psychic straight down.
Aira's moves were elegant, full of feints and grace. She wore her opponents down emotionally as well as physically.
Espeon eventually won the match. Aira curtsied.
"Delightful," Erika whispered.
In the Stands
"Did you see that Psychic?" James squealed. "So pretty!"
Jessie rolled her eyes. "I could beat them all once I become a trainer."
Meowth adjusted his binoculars. "That Ken kid's hiding moves. He's testing reactions, not going full power yet."
They nodded in agreement.
Post-Battle Room – Gym Leader Lounge
Koga stood silently, arms folded.
"Most of these trainers aren't that good, but I can see a few who have potential," Blaine remarked.
"Ken," Giovanni said. "Jouta, maybe. Fubuki has type mastery but lacks adaptability. Aira's team is too elegant; it needs grit."
"I thought you liked elegance," Erika teased.
"I like results."
"Spoken like a man who uses Earthquake six times in a row," Master Roku said, sipping tea.
Giovanni smirked. "Give me a year or two. I'll stabilize the badge tiers. My main team shouldn't face six to eight badge challengers. If they can't beat me even then, they shouldn't be here."
The camera panned out, showing the giant Plateau, night falling, and stars blinking into view.
The tournament had begun, and only the strongest would survive.
Comic Strip: "Team Rocket's Expert Analysis"
[Panel 1]
Scene: Jessie, James, and Meowth are crammed in the cheap seats, binoculars out, snacks everywhere. The big screen shows Ken vs. Raisen.
Jessie (smug): "Ken's gonna wreck this chump in five moves tops. Bet he opens with Earthquake!"
James (dreamy): "Or a dazzling Hydro Pump with a twirl!"
Meowth (deadpan): "Or maybe he's got a brain and won't waste energy showboatin'."
[Panel 2]
Scene: Ken's Blastoise uses Withdraw, tanking Hitmonlee's kick.
Jessie (spitting out drink): "WHAT KIND OF BORING CRAP IS THIS?!"
James (clutching head): "NO TWIRLS?! NO DRAMA?!"
Meowth (grinning): "Told ya. Dis guy's playin' 4D chess."
[Panel 3]
Scene: Fubuki's Glaceon freezes Magmar solid. Crowd gasps.
Jessie (suddenly inspired): "Now* THAT'S how ya win! Freeze 'em, pose, leave 'em shattered!"*
James (dramatic tear): "Like a tragic ice statue of defeat…"
Meowth (flat stare): "No idea how that worked Magmar are generally at high temperatures."
[Panel 4]
Scene: Aira's Espeon wins. James is weeping. Jessie is seething.
James (sobbing): "It's… sniff… art!"
Jessie (fuming): "I* could do that if I wanted to!"*
Meowth (to audience): "She'd trip on her own scarf."
[Panel 5]
Scene: The trio suddenly lock eyes with Giovanni in the Gym Leader box. He's staring at them.
Jessie/James/Meowth (instant panic): "ACT NATURAL!"
(James salutes with a hot dog on his head. Jessie "casually" hides under a hat. Meowth plays dead.)
Giovanni (facepalming): "What are those idiots upto."