“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the final match of this year's Pokemon League competition!!” the announcer began, his voice clear through the speakers.

The stands were stuffed beyond any other time during the Pokemon League, the crowd's cheering an uncontrolled roar of joy and hyperactive energy.

June, Raichu, Gary, Robin, and Aly stood next to each other, excitedly screaming with everyone else.

“This has been a long time coming!” the announcer continued. “We've seen some of the most fantastic, overheated battles ever; and now, we are here together at the finale! The best two Pokemon Trainers of this competition will be battling here today, having overcome incredible opponents and close matches, now facing off to prove who indeed is the most powerful Trainer here! Watch closely, fans, for the winner of this match may very well turn out to be the future Pokemon Champion of the Kanto region! After winning in the Pokemon League, the winner will be permitted to officially challenge the Elite Four of Kanto! Should that Trainer be so lucky as to defeat those four Pokemon Masters, they will be granted permission to officially challenge Kanto's Champion and battle for that very title!!”

The crowd exploded at these words.

Gary smiled broadly, but this faded as he stared down at his phone.

An image of a smiling blonde man in a blue suit had a wink and a raised thumb. Above him were the words: When you’re a Pokemon Professor and the ten year old chooses the worst Starter but you have to keep things professional.

Gary smirked a little and turned the phone off before slipping it in his pocket, squinting at the currently empty battlefield as the sun beamed high above. It was too hot and beautiful out for even his light jacket. He had on a red T-shirt, thin gray jeans, and black sneakers. That guy’s annoying, Gary complained to himself.

“Is that Scientist Gary again?” June asked, a sympathetic smile on her face.

Gary rolled his eyes.

“Another meme, huh?”

Gary sighed. “I mean, they’re kind of funny I guess, but geez! How many can you send me? This is the tenth one in the last two hours!”

“Did he ask if you’ve seen that Kangaskhan theory video again?”

“And now, without further ado, we introduce you to our finalists!” the announcer started to everyone's pleasure.

A Trainer from the far end of the stadium stepped into the sun wearing a button up, black blouse over a black skirt that stopped at her knees. Her feet were in black, high heels, her black hair atop her head in a bun. A large jewel sat in the middle. She stepped up to her place on the field, smiling as she stared straight ahead.

“And entering the field is the Green Trainer, Teacher Layla, from Ha... Damn it... Sorry, Hau’...oli? City, in the Alola region! I love it there!” the announcer laughed.

Everyone showed massive, loud support.

“Way to butcher that up,” Gary shook his head while Robin was laughing.

Another Trainer entered from the other end of the field, wearing white sneakers and blue shorts with a collared, white shirt. He smiled, stopping and staring at the teacher.

“And here is the Red Trainer, Mario Fore, from Twinleaf Town in the Sinnoh region!” the announcer's voice echoed as further applause came for Mario.

“Good luck to both of our Trainers!” the announcer said as mostly everyone took their seats. “This promises to be the match to watch!”

The referee stood with both flags in the air. “Trainers! You may now begin the battle!”

Mario brushed through his thick, wavy brown hair. He then scooped up a Poke Ball and sent out what was within, hurling it into the air.

The Poke Ball burst open midair and a Pokemon was sent out.

“Skaaaaar!” Skarmory cawed.

“It’s Skarmory!” Gary exclaimed.

“He’s starting with Skarmory this time,” Aly said.

The teacher, Layla, smiled and grabbed a Great Ball. “Slaking, present!” She threw the ball.

Gary found himself grinning big. He found that Layla looked awfully nice.

Her shape in her outfit was mesmerizing. From her hefty chest in her blouse, to the curves of her hips and protruding backside.

“Slaaaaaaaa!” Slaking was sprawled out on its back. Whether it was awake or not was entirely up to interpretation.

“Starting off this match is Skarmory versus Slaking! The advantage here is quite tough to make out, but it should be expected to be an interesting battle!” the announcer deduced.

“Skarmory, Spikes!” Mario started.

Skarmory spun in a blur, dropping red Spikes into the ground.

Teacher Layla grinned and nodded. “Slaking, Swagger!”

Slaking yawned and its body glowed red.

Skarmory’s eyes then glowed red. “Skaaaar... Skaaaar...” Skarmory waved in the air crazily. It then started attacking itself, swinging its wings at its own body! Then it dropped, pecking and swiping at the ground and staggering about.

“Slaking is relaxing right now, unable to attack due to their Ability, or, just lifestyle, Truant!” the announcer brought up. “Slaking won’t attack all the time, but it seems the idea here is to Confuse Skarmory so that when Slaking decides to attack doesn’t really matter!”

“Skarmory, use Spikes again!” Mario insisted.

Skarmory called out. It then beat at the ground, damaging itself further!

“Skarmory’s out of control!” June cried. “At this rate, she’ll just knock herself out!”

“Alright, time to attack, eh?” Teacher Layla kept her smile. “Hammer Arm!”

Slaking grunted, getting up.

Somehow, this act startled Gary and he gasped.

June grabbed Gary’s arm with a gasp.

Robin grabbed June’s shoulder.

“Rai!” Raichu ended up on Aly’s back somehow, Aly screaming out in surprise and complaining angrily.

Slaking stomped after Skarmory and raised an arm glowing white. It slammed the arm down on Skarmory as Skarmory kept on injuring herself.

Skarmory screamed out, remaining laid out under Slaking’s fist.

Slaking then laid down and yawned, resting next to Skarmory.

“Skarmory is trying to set up some tricky schemes for the future Pokemon Teacher Layla will likely have to send out, but in the meantime, the lazy Slaking is dominating Skarmory!” the announcer detailed.

“Skarmory, I need a Spikes!” Mario pushed on.

“Skaaaarrrr...” Skarmory got back up and the red in her eyes vanished. She then got into the air and used Spikes again.

“That’s two...” Aly muttered.

“Yawn!” Teacher Layla told Slaking.

“Slaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!” Slaking Yawned, and a large, pink bubble came out of its mouth.

The bubble reached Skarmory’s face and popped.

“Skaaaar... Skaaar?” Skarmory landed gently and then stumbled tiredly.

“Skarmory, use Steel Wing!” Mario shouted.

Skarmory’s wings glowed white and she slammed into Slaking.

Slaking didn’t react in the slightest, its eyes closed.

After flying past Slaking, Skarmory then dropped. She slid on the ground, snoozing.

“Yes! Now use Focus Punch!” Teacher Layla told Slaking.

Slaking stood up and raised a glowing white fist.

Skarmory continued snoring.

Slaking then punched Skarmory.

Skarmory’s eyes popped open and she bounced on the ground. She then laid out still.

“Skarmory is unable to fight! Slaking wins the match!” The referee raised the green flag.

Everyone was cheering for this, Aly hugging Raichu now.

“Teacher Layla takes over this class with a grade A tactic to completely stomp out Skarmory with Slaking!” the announcer commended. “However, she really didn’t have to use that Focus Punch as she’d already won the match with Skarmory Sleeping! But, the rules of the Indigo League do differ from regular battle, so forgetting these specifics is quite common! Now, let’s see what Mario has to bring out next!”

“He just uses that thing to set up Spikes. It’s like a fall Pokemon,” Gary remembered in the match with Mario and Aly.

“That’s terrible!” Aly fumed. “He doesn’t deserve to win with a strategy like that!”

“Honestly, it’s not that unheard of,” Robin said nonchalantly, keeping his eyes on the field. “It may seem a little messed up, but it’s not that bad, I don’t think.”

“You’re wroooong! He’s sending out a Pokemon just to faint, and using its-!”

“Hey, look, his next Pokemon!” Gary purposely interrupted Aly, pointing.

A Poke Ball popped open and Aly screamed with delight.

“Venusaaaaaaur!!” A Venusaur stomped on the ground once.

“And Mario’s second choice, is a Venusaur! How this will play is anyone’s guess! Venusaur has a great array of ways to put Slaking in a bind!” the announcer spoke.

“Let’s start simple enough! Toxic!” Mario smiled.

“Slaking, watch out!” Teacher Layla gasped.

Slaking scratched at its stomach, but didn’t move.

Venusaur’s flower glowed white and then messily sprayed out a thick, purple liquid that coated Slaking’s face!

Slaking reacted to this, falling over onto its back and smacking at its face.

“Slaking, please use your Yawn again!” Teacher Layla pleaded.

Slaking shook its head and started breathing harder. Its face was flushed purple. The Pokemon wasn’t attacking.

Teacher Layla sucked her teeth, snapping her fingers once.

“Even Badly Poisoned, Slaking is still not inspired to get up and attack back!” the announcer stated.

“Venusaur, finish up with Venoshock!” Mario continued.

“Venuuuuuu! Saur!” Venusaur’s bulb glowed white again and several purple chunks of goo came out, hitting Slaking.

Roaring, Slaking finally got up.

“There it goes again!” Gary said.

“That’s it, Slaking! Use your Giga Impact!” Teacher Layla commanded.

Slaking bent its knees and then surprised the audience, causing numerous gasps, as it leaped high into the air! Its body was surrounded by an invisible energy. It stared down at Venusaur and its body was covered by a yellow light. It shot itself at Venusaur and its body became covered by a purple orb with yellow streaks around it. Slaking collided into Venusaur.

“VENUSAUR!!” Venusaur called out as it dropped down.

Slaking fell over and laid itself out.

“What brilliant work from both Trainers so far!!” the announcer yelled. “Mario used Venusaur wisely, getting over Slaking’s known bulk with Toxic to slowly weaken it down, and then using Venoshock, a move that doubles in damage if the target is already Poisoned! To retaliate that, Teacher Layla went with Giga Impact to at least do substantial damage while Slaking will continue to attack as it pleases! Hit hard while you can seems to be the plan, and I can guess what’s gonna be Slaking’s next move!”

“And two can play that! Solar Beam!” Mario ordered.

“Slaking, please just get up!” Teacher Layla frowned, her head lowered, eyes closed.

Venusaur got up, and the inside of its flower glowed white as it absorbed energy from the sun.

Both Pokemon were still, as if Frozen.

The only sound came from the cheering crowd.

Slaking twitched, suffering from the Poison.

“VENUSAAAAAUURR!!” Venusaur’s entire bulb glowed white.

“BLAST IT!!” Mario had a wild smile.

Venusaur launched a white beam at Slaking.

“SLAAAAAAAKIIIIIIIING!!” Slaking roared as it rolled along the ground after being hit. It cringed from the Poisoning, but then stood tall!

“Giga Impact!!” Teacher Layla insisted.

Slaking leaped high again.

“It’s crazy seeing that big old lazy thing move like that!” Gary smiled.

“This one’s gonna hurt for sure!” Robin mentioned.

“You can do it Venusauuuur!!” Aly supported.

“Rai! Raaaaai!” Raichu joined in, sitting beside her instead of June now.

June smirked at Raichu, raising a confused eyebrow.

Slaking rammed itself into Venusaur.

Venusaur stumbled for a bit and then came crashing down again.

“Venusaur, Giga Drain, then! Recover yourself!” Mario urged.

Teacher Layla remained silent, her fists balled.

Venusaur’s flower glowed white, and a bright green beam came out and hit Slaking, making it glow green as well.

Slaking shouted out in its deep voice, but didn’t move much or try to get away.

Venusaur’s body was glowing and sparkling green as it recovered energy.

“Yeah, that’s the way! That’s how you use your Pokemon! Take care of them! Maybe this guy isn’t so bad,” Aly considered. “Maybe he made a mistake. Skarmory wasn’t a throwaway Pokemon.”

Gary smiled, rolling his eyes.

Robin chuckled lightly.

Slaking still wasn’t attacking or doing anything but having its energy drained.

Venusaur was recovering from the energy being leeched off of Slaking.

“Don’t stop ‘til it’s ready to fight back!” Mario instructed.

“Venusaur!” Venusaur didn’t stop.

“Slaking... SLAKIIIING!!” Slaking moved, climbing back to its feet, and slammed both fists to the ground.

The Giga Drain stopped, both Mario and Venusaur looking shocked.

“SLAKIIIIIIIIIING!!!” Slaking roared to the skies.

“He’s back!” June cried out.

“And just when it looked like this was going to be Mario’s first win, Slaking has shown it’s finally had enough and is ready to keep this match going!” the announcer said to a roaring crowd.

“But Venusaur’s recovered, and he’s weakened!” Gary pointed out.

“Slaking, are you ready, then?” Layla smirked.

She’s so gorgeous, Gary thought, staring as her face made a look he found so cute and enticing.

Slaking looked back and nodded. He flinched and kneeled down, succumbing to the Poison.

“THEN REST!”

Slaking sat down and then laid out on his back. His eyes closed, and soon, he was snoring. The purple on his face went away. His mouth was wide enough to fit a number of things in it. One of his enormous mitts rose high over it. His hand then fell into his mouth, and something else was revealed going in with it.

The object was blue and hard to see in the moment, disappearing inside.

Slaking chewed casually in his Sleep. His hand came out of his mouth and slapped to the ground as he kept on eating. He swallowed.

The referee had hardened eyes on Slaking.

“What’s he waiting for?” Aly questioned, basically saying what Gary was thinking. “Isn’t Slaking out? It’s Asleep!”

“Maybe, but...” Robin muttered.

Slaking opened his eyes and sat right up! He yawned and laid out casually on his side.

Mario gasped, his eyes bulging.

“And Slaking has just made a full recovery!” the announcer sounded stunned, but happy. “By using Rest to fully recover health, and then having a Berry ready to wake up Slaking, Teacher Layla really puts herself in a prime power position right now! However, Venusaur is still active and can just repeat the past moves all over again!”

Teacher Layla nodded cooly, her smile fading, but keeping herself together.

“That’s right! Now, Toxic again!” Mario demanded.

“Venusaur!” Venusaur used Toxic, covering Slaking’s face in Poison again.

“Then we can still do the next best thing! Whenever you’re ready, Slaking...” Teacher Layla sighed.

“Slaaaaaking...” Slaking yawned, Badly Poisoned again, but kept staring at Venusaur. He scratched at his stomach.

“And we’ll proceed with Venoshock, again!” Mario decided.

“Venusaur!” Venusaur attacked, further weakening Slaking.

“Facade!” Teacher Layla yelled out.

Slaking stood and his body was covered in an orange aura. He then roared like a beast and charged at Venusaur.

“Saaaaauuurrr!” Venusaur yelled out. It was taken down and slid on its side.

“Wow! What power!” Gary uttered.

“It’s Facade. The damage is okay, normally, but when under a Status effect, it’s doubled!” June informed him.

“So that’s why it hit so hard. But, why’d she change up her Giga Impact strat?” Gary asked.

“Because under the Status condition, Facade hits nearly as hard as Giga Impact,” Robin informed him.

Gary, June, and Aly gasped, looking to him.

Raichu also turned silently.

Robin stared back at them. “Maybe she doesn’t want to risk something with Giga Impact needing recovery time, added with how that Truant Ability is hurting her. She’d totally have won by now if not for Truant.”

“Slaking is tricky to use,” June added.

“Venoshock!” Mario told Venusaur.

Slaking screamed out as he was attacked. He didn’t move afterwards, just watching the opponent.

“Venoshock!” Mario repeated.

Slaking was beaten up further.

“VENOSHOCK!!”

Slaking was taken down, wailing out helplessly.

“Layla attack!!” Gary cried out desperately. “Huh?” He froze, his eyes wide, a presence taking over him. He looked over, seeing Hitmonchan!

Hitmonchan was standing, his eyes on the match below, his arms crossed over his chest.

Seeing him made Gary very uncomfortable, a warning saying his appearance wasn’t for this match at all. He inhaled cautiously. “Hey, there...”

“Hitmonchan,” Hitmonchan nodded, not looking away from the fight.

“Hitmonchan?” Aly said.

“Hitmonchan?” Robin joined in.

“Raichu?” Raichu questioned.

June covered her mouth and giggled.

“This is all we have left, then! GIGA IMPACT!!” Teacher Layla screamed out.

“SLAKIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!!!” Slaking roared, leaping up. His body covered in a purple orb with yellow streaks, he came back down and slammed into Venusaur.

Venusaur slid on the ground, groaning.

Slaking flinched in pain from the Poisoning before getting into his cozy position.

“Venoshock!” Mario chose.

“SLAAAAAAAA!!” Slaking was pummeled by the move and then rested on his back.

The red flag was raised. “Slaking is unable to battle! Venusaur wins the match!” the referee determined.

The crowd went crazy for this win, Gary and his friends not as enthusiastic but applauding respectfully.

Gary sighed, and then his eyes widened, moving to Hitmonchan.

The two were staring at each other.

Hitmonchan had serious eyes.

Gary’s were frightened. “Good round, eh?” he smirked, his mouth twitching nervously.

“Hiiiiit...!” Hitmonchan nodded.

Gary swallowed.

“And Slaking is out after such a big try on the part of Teacher Layla! Now, both Trainers have faced one loss each!” the announcer was saying.

“This is a tough match, for sure,” Robin said. “One down on each side. There’s no telling who’s going to go down next.”

“Slaking, you were so exceptional! A leader of the new school!” Teacher Layla returned Slaking but scooped up a new Poke Ball. An Ultra Ball. It was enlarged before she stated with a determined smile, “Now for another model pupil of mine!”

The Pokemon was released, twirling in a rapid blur. It stopped, revealed to be standing on a pointy head. He bounced off of his head and landed on his feet.

“She’s got a Hitmontop! Cool!” Gary smiled.

Explosions went off under Hitmontop, injuring the Pokemon.

“It’s gonna be Hitmontop versus Venusaur!” the announcer called out. “Fighting versus Poison is not good, but this teacher must have sent this Pokemon out for a reason!”

“Hitmontop...” Hitmontop groaned, standing again.

“Use Rapid Spin, Hitmontop!” Teacher Layla told her Pokemon.

Hitmontop jumped on top of his own head and spun in a blur, resembling a spinning top.

Several little explosions went off around Hitmontop!

“What’s going on??” Gary asked.

“Rapid Spin!” Robin responded.

The explosions ended, and Hitmontop flew off, crashing into Venusaur’s face.

Venusaur didn’t move its feet but shook its head once, seeming just fine.

Hitmontop hit the ground, on his feet again. “Hitmontop!”

“It got rid of Spikes!” Robin nodded, smiling.

“The Rapid Spin??” Gary turned to him.

Robin looked back and nodded. “If anything, this is what I was trying to tell Aly.” He then looked at her, and she looked back. “You may call it sacrificing, but Skarmory did for Mario what Hitmontop did for the teacher! They each took a big blow to help out the team!”

Aly’s face puffed out angrily, and she let out an impatient noise, but she didn’t have any words to argue.

“And the little fighter Hitmontop gets rid of a pesky Spikes set up, making things easier for-hey! Wh-who are you?! WHAT IS THIS?! LET G-!!”

The teacher and opponent Trainer continued giving orders to their Pokemon, the crowd caught up in the battle, rooting for who they wanted to win.

But Gary turned around at the strange words he heard the announcer yell. He looked at June, who was looking around herself.

Robin had a confused face with a smirk. “You guys hear that?” he snickered.

“It sounded like something happened to the announcer,” Aly said, looking upward.

“Raichu?” Raichu’s ears were perked up, and he was looking above.

A noise grabbed Gary’s attention, and he joined Raichu in turning up to the sky.

“Hit?” Hitmonchan was also staring up.

Gary became certain it was the sound of a helicopter, and it was getting closer.

An airplane quickly flew by overhead, its bottom black, the top a shiny silver.

Gary stared at the familiar colors, realizing it wasn’t just an airplane. His eyes widened as a strange, dark gas floated down from the bottom of the flying craft and descended upon the stadium. He stood up quickly, his mouth open in shock and confusion. What is that? he wondered.

The entire audience was now quieting down and looking up at the sky as it became clouded with a dark spray that was descending upon them.

The competitors, Teacher Layla and Mario, and their Pokemon, were also looking up in confusion.

BANG!

Gary gasped and looked around as the echo rang through the stadium from the speakers. The announcer? His heart was beating sharper as fear began to take over.

“What's going on here?” Robin questioned, his eyes up. “What is that?”

“Let's get out of here!” Gary started pushing past the people in the stands to try to escape.

Several others tried to get out as well, but many people were blocking the way, looking up as the strange powder started to make contact with everyone.

A familiar melody was being hummed over the speakers now, its lighthearted tone contrasting with the frightening situation.

“Hey! Come on! Move it!” Gary tried to push his way out. As the powder touched him, his breathing got heavier and he felt weaker. Desperately, he tried to rub it off, but it vanished into his skin. “No...” he breathed, feeling his legs quake.

“Gary!” June cried.

Gary turned to her as she collapsed on top of him, and Robin dropped to his knees, Aly falling over him as Raichu curled up in a ball.

Under June's light weight, he found himself unable to push her off for some reason and his eyelids got heavy, slowly closing.

The baby’s tune continued to be hummed over the speakers, repeating itself.

Using the last of his strength, Gary stared up into the sky and finally saw the helicopter above the stadium, its bottom painted black, its top shining silver under the sun. A white S painted on the front. “S-S-Solace...” he weakly whispered as his eyes closed and everything went black.

*

There was nothing but blackness to be seen. Gary’s eyes tightened, and this made him realize that they were closed.

There were groans, moans, and yawns all around him.

His eyes slowly opened, closing and opening repeatedly at first, and then finally staying open as he gazed around.

The sky was dark, a few stars twinkling in them.

Huge, bright lights from the stadium were on, lighting the arena.

Gary sat up and groaned, his body feeling sore and tired, and he stretched his arms, twisted his back, and moved his neck around.

Other people were doing the same, stretching out their bodies, moaning, and waking.

“Gary, you’re finally up! You sleep like a log!” Aly said with irritation, her energy startling Gary.

“Aly?” he squinted at her tiredly and then looked around.

June was on her hands and knees, arching her back, and looked weakly at the ground.

Robin was standing up, rubbing his eyes with his hand.

There was a distant rumbling of what sounded like propellers that reached Gary's ears. “You guys,” he croaked weakly and then cleared his throat. “You okay?”

Robin and June turned to him.

“We’re okay, but something must be going on.” Aly looked up as the propeller noise got louder. “And they’re coming back.”

“Who?” Robin groaned tiredly.

June stood up with a weary sigh, also squinting into the air.

Gary tried to see what was approaching, trying to understand what was happening. Trying to remember anything.

“There was the League match taking place, and then some weird stuff fell from that plane and...” Robin recalled. “Oh, wait!” he suddenly burst out.

“TEAM SOLACE!” Gary’s eyes shot open on the dark, empty sky, his mind now focusing on the sound getting closer, dread filling his body. “Oh, no...”

The helicopter came into full view just a few seconds later, the sound from the spinning blades above beating loudly. The pitch black bottom half. The silver upper half. The S painted in white on the front.

“Team Solace!” Gary got to his feet and pointed up at the helicopter.

Everyone was looking up at it, crying out and shouting.

“That's them?!” Robin gasped.

“This is Team Solace?” June whispered, her voice shaking.

“I can’t believe they’re here!” Aly cried. “Why?!”

The helicopter hovered above the stadium.

“These guys have been killing Pokemon and wrecking the entire planet??!” Robin barked, now enraged. “They would dare bring their presence to the Pokemon League! It’s time to show them once and for all what Pokemon are all about!!” He reached for his belt. “Hey!” He looked down. “Where are my Pokemon??”

“Huh?” Gary looked down at Robin’s empty belt and quickly looked at his own. “My Pokemon!!!” His belt was empty as well!

June gasped and looked around. “My bag with all my Pokemon is missing!! RAICHU!!” She crawled on her knees, searching.

“Where’s my Mighty Ivy?! My Persian!!” Aly sounded distraught. “My Pokemon!!” She whipped around, as if someone would be closeby to assure her they had her Pokemon in a safe place. She ended up joining June on the ground, trying to locate her Poke Balls.

“And Hitmonchan!!” Gary remembered his Pokemon had come out of his Poke Ball and he turned in a slow circle, failing to see his Fighting type.

Cries of confusion infiltrated the air as other people began looking for their Poke Balls, finding that theirs were missing as well.

Two planes flew by, painted exactly like the helicopter.

Gary gasped, recognizing what they were. The attack aircrafts! Like in the Pokemon Preservation Area when they attacked me and Officer Jenny! he recalled. And when they attacked the Safari Zone!

The aircrafts flew past the helicopter and out of view.

The door to the helicopter opened and someone stepped close to the edge, looking down at everyone with a smile as he gripped tightly to the side of his vehicle. He brushed back his long, black hair with his free hand as it was blown in the wind around him. His chest was puffed out proudly, his blue, button up shirt tucked in his black slacks and stretching out just slightly under a little bit of belly he had, his feet in black shoes. He placed his free hand behind his back as he surveyed the area through squinted eyes.

“It's Isaac!” Gary called out to the man.

“Who's Isaac?” June asked in fear.

“The leader!” Robin remembered.

“That loser!” Aly chimed in. “I’ll never forget that creep! He nearly had me killed!!”

Isaac turned behind him for a moment before turning back around, a microphone now in his hand, and three more attack aircrafts flew by, one from one direction, and the other two from the other side. He cleared his throat and his voice echoed through the speakers in Indigo Stadium. “Hello, young children,” he said in his deep voice.

He was greeted with silence from the crowd below.

“I am aware that some adults are in the stands tonight, but this... is for the children.” Isaac eyed the crowd sternly; coldly. “For it is the children who hurt me tonight. The children! The majority of Pokemon Trainers in this world.” He spat out the word “Pokemon” in disgust. “I have come here with a message. A message to save everyone on this planet from the evils of these monstrous creatures you have been brainwashed into believing are your friends. And what better time and place than during the finals of the annual Pokemon League competition? The most televised Pokemon event in the entire world is the finals of any region's Pokemon League. This is when the stadium is most packed. The only true time to save the world. When the people are most paying attention. When they are best primed to receive the truth of their misguided lifestyle and support of Pokemon!” His voice was getting erratic, but it quickly calmed down. “When the most powerful of Pokemon are all in one spot.”

There was a shout from far away from Gary and his friends, from someone in the crowd.

While Gary couldn’t hear the words, this seemed to cause a reaction in the audience as they began to yell and curse up at Isaac.

“YEAH!! YOU SSSSUCK!!” Aly yelled up.

“COME DOWN HERE AND SAY THAT CRAP!!” Robin jumped in, waving a fist up.

“YEAH GET OUT OF HERE!!” Gary joined in, forming fists.

June watched frightfully in silence, her hands to her chin.

Another pair of aircrafts flew by Isaac's helicopter.

Isaac looked through the crowd, squinting through the strong winds blowing at him. “I see there are upset and otherwise confused feelings regarding what I am doing tonight. This is the sad part of it all. You all must be sacrificed in order to save the entire world.”

The crowd got silent at these words.

“You'll all be regarded as heroes in the end,” Isaac spoke. “Your deaths will not go down in vain, but shall instead be the light to awaken those in the darkness.” His face broadened into a smile. “You'll be forever remembered for your selfless act in saving your loved ones and the entire planet as we know it!”

“He's mad!” June burst out.

“Did he just say, 'our deaths'?” a woman questioned behind Gary.

“Is he going to kill us?” a boy asked in fear.

The crowd started freaking out, shrieking and pushing past Gary and everyone else, trying to escape.

Gary was frozen in place, unsure of what to do.

An extremely loud ZZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!! startled him, ringing out from different directions all across the stadium.

It became complete chaos. Screams rang from everywhere as people were now running away from the exits! They became a problem for those still trying to reach the exits!

The electric sound kept going off harshly every several seconds.

This cycle of terrified people seeking freedom and others running away from it repeated for a while before the exits were finally cleared, everyone seeming to be afraid of approaching the doors now.

Isaac chuckled lightly. “I wouldn't try to use the exits,” he said gently. “I don't think over one hundred thousand volts of electricity is something any of you would like to experience.”

The crowd flipped out over this furiously, others gasping in shock.

“Try to understand,” Isaac said smoothly. “Well, unfortunately you cannot because of your brainwash. It’s okay, though. I need to keep you all in here for the grand finale. No one is allowed to escape. You all will be worshiped in your death. Including them.” Isaac pointed down below.

Everyone's attention turned to the field and almost instantly, horrified screams arose.

June and Aly shrieked shrilly.

Robin yelled out in horror.

Gary covered his mouth and turned away.

Nobody seemed to have seen it before, too delirious from being knocked out and preoccupied by Isaac, but the field was littered with dead bodies. And every one of them seemed to be a police officer. They were all covered in blood.

“I guess word got out during the last battle that something was going on, and the police tried to interfere,” Isaac explained. “You can see how thorough my security is compared to the Kanto police force. With the exits also ‘secured,’ there are very limited ways in or out of this stadium. The sacrifices made tonight shall not be forgotten. Including yours.”

“I don't wanna be worshiped!!” a girl screamed shrilly. “I just wanna go home to my mom!!”

This triggered several protests from everyone, begging to be released.

Isaac’s face hardened, listening to the demands from everyone to let them go.

June, Robin, Gary, and Aly seemed to be the only quiet ones, Robin, Aly and Gary looking around and glaring back up at Isaac, June fearfully glancing at the crowd.

Three aircrafts flew by Isaac from different directions, flying out of view.

Isaac raised the microphone to his mouth and waited for the crowd to be silent. “Do you not think this does not come with a feeling of regret?!” Isaac said in a somewhat sad, insistent voice. “I do not take joy in having to do this! I sympathize with your fear!” Isaac paused and sighed. “As a child myself, growing up in Johto's own Azalea Town, I once did love Pokemon. I never agreed with being a Pokemon Trainer. I never wanted to keep them captive and force them into battling. I just wanted to play with them.”

Aly gasped.

“I once befriended a Mythical Pokemon. I believe they call it, Celebi. I knew other Pokemon as well, but Celebi always felt special to me, for some reason. It became my favorite Pokemon, and best friend. Little did I know at the time, it was a Legendary Pokemon with great powers of time travel. One day, I couldn't find it. I searched for it for several days before giving up. Having been deserted by my best friend, I began to loathe all things. I stopped playing with the other Pokemon in the forest so close to my home. I isolated myself from them, no longer trusting them. I fled from the entire world. I trusted no one. I locked myself in my room, not coming out to eat, even at my family's request. I refused to come out for school. I refused to come out even for my human friends. But it also hurt my heart to be so cold to the warmth offered to me from the world. I could no longer deal with the burden of deserting my Pokemon friends, knowing they missed me as much as I missed them deep down. How could I abandon them like Celebi had done to me? I stepped out of my room, hugged my mother, father, and twin sisters, and went back to Ilex Forest and found the Pokemon I had betrayed. We had fun together like we used to. But never again did I see the Celebi.”

It was quiet, Isaac lowering his head. He made a deep inhale heard clearly through the speakers, the only noise to be made until a pair of the attack aircrafts flew by again before disappearing. “Rita...” Isaac’s voice lowered. “The love of my life. My wife.” He cleared his throat and spoke more strongly, but still weakened. “We had a daughter together. The person I cherished more than anyone else on this planet. My daughter, Flora.” Isaac paused and exhaled sharply as he covered his eyes with the hand holding his microphone.

“I hope this liar isn’t trying to sell us a sob story to make us sympathize with him or some corny crap like that,” Aly snapped.

“Yeah, I-!” Robin started.

Isaac lowered his hand and stopped at his mouth so he could speak into the microphone, gazing out to everyone. “Flora wanted to be a Pokemon Trainer at ten, and I let her go off into the world to try her hand at raising Pokemon. I wasn't happy with her request, but I allowed it. There must be worse things out there than being a Pokemon Trainer, right? I'd seen Pokemon Trainers and their Pokemon together, and they seemed to be happy. Plus, Flora was my little princess. I couldn't say no to my child. And, Celebi... To allow my daughter to experience the love I had felt at around her age from Pokemon... What option did I truly have? Maybe... she’d even meet my Celebi and...” Isaac started uttering tearful chokes. His head buried itself into the arm that was holding the side of the helicopter. He gasped, stuttered, and sniffled hard.

“Oh, cut the crap!” Aly shouted.

Gary quickly waved an arm at her. “Sshhh!”

“Don’t tell me you’re falling for this stuff, Gary!”

“No, but let him finish,” Gary told her. “True or false, let’s know what he’s trying to push on us. This is really confusing me, and that is frightening me more than anything else.”

“He should be in jail!” Aly insisted.

“But I should have...” Isaac paused, and his head fell, his chin in his chest. His words were now mumbles. “She was killed. Killed by a Pokemon. I'll never forget which one... Roserade. Flora, killed by a Bouquet Pokemon who apparently hunt by luring prey over with their sweet aroma, and then stabs the prey with the thorns in their bouquet. Of all the most sickening of coincidences...”

The crowd murmured at Isaac's words.

Isaac took a deep breath. “She was found,” he spoke louder. “She was poisoned less than an hour before being found, and taken to the hospital. Arriving two hours later...” Isaac seemed to grunt. “Nearly three hours of torture... Three. Hours...” Isaac snorted hard. “And I arrived five minutes too late to even say goodbye,” he whispered. “GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!”

His bellow brought a cry of shock out of the audience.

“I had heard the news reports of death by the hands of Pokemon or involving Pokemon in some way, since I was a little boy, but I had ignored them!” Isaac spoke with renewed energy. “Foolish! Foolish even to the point of sending my own daughter into the world of Pokemon! Losing Flora is what opened my eyes. Too late, but better late than never. I can keep Flora's name alive forever through this sacrifice to save other children like my Flora. To awaken the brainwashed masses and bring about a world where Pokemon no longer exist! And anyone who stands in my way, such as you children here, will be eradicated!” Isaac paused, seeming to scan the crowd slowly, and he spoke more lowly, darkly. “My Rita learned that when I told her of my plans to save the planet and she refused to join me. Going as far as to threaten to call the cops if I didn't seek help.” Isaac’s voice hardened further into a growl. “Anyone who tries to stop me will be slaughtered in cold blood!”

June gasped. “He killed his wife?”

“He has to be stopped!” Robin said loudly.

“And now, it is time to implement Team Solace's greatest plan ever!!!” Isaac yelled hysterically over the microphone. “The plan to end all plans! To end all violence! To stop the killings! To stop the tears! To stop the pain! In case you have not noticed, all of your Pokemon are missing! But none of you need to worry! I have them all!”

The crowd immediately demanded for the release of their Pokemon, Aly and Robin included, Gary joining in after them.

Only June remained silent.

Isaac raised a hand in the air, and the crowd quieted down. “Of course! Your Pokemon will be returned,” Isaac spoke in a calmer tone, nodding. “Right away...” A smile spread across Isaac's face and he backed away from the edge of the helicopter.

The crowd began to mutter with concern as a huge hose was shoved out of the helicopter door. A loud sound like that of a vacuum roared and items flew out from the hose towards the ground.

“Poke Balls!” Gary exclaimed as the crowd got excited.

Poke Balls of all kinds were falling from the hose, being forced out and landing on the ground by the dead bodies of the Officer Jennys. Many Poke Balls opened as soon as they hit the ground, while others opened in midair, sending out a variety of different Pokemon into the field. Before long, the entire field was filled with Pokemon.

Trainers called out as they recognized their Pokemon.

The Pokemon all looked around in confusion, some scratching their heads.

Gary couldn't see any of his Pokemon in the mix, but he did see something else. “HEY! What's that on their backs?!”

Some kind of large, black box was attached to the backs of the Pokemon!

“And now!” Isaac yelled gleefully. “IT BEGINS!!!!”

Gary and many others looked up to see that the hose was gone from the helicopter door.

Isaac was now standing in its place, a microphone in one hand, a black object that looked like a remote in the other. He pressed something on the rectangle, laughing loudly, his voice echoing throughout the stadium.

Several Trainers ran from the bleachers, landing in the field, and headed happily for their Pokemon.

“NOOO!!” Gary tried.

The boxes on the backs of the Pokemon sparked.

A collective, deafening roar rose up from the Pokemon in the field as they were electrified. Many Pokemon collapsed from the jolt.

The Trainers who had run to their Pokemon stopped and uttered multiple, differing shouts as the Pokemon wailed out and began swinging about dangerously.

“IT IS TIME TO DEMONSTRATE THE DANGERS OF POKEMON!!” Isaac called out. “ONCE AND FOR ALL!! And everyone here will be sacrificed for the entire world to see, LIVE! TEAM SOLACE SHALL REIGN FROM HERE ON!! FOREVEEERRRRRR!!!” Isaac cackled maniacally.

Dewgong jabbed the horn on its head at a Scyther’s abdomen as both Pokemon struggled from the shock running through them.

Scyther dodged and swung back at Dewgong with its sharp scythes, cutting into its face. Blood was shed from this act.

A Kingler and Seviper were fighting in confusion and rage, Kingler gripping Seviper’s head in one tremendous pincer, Seviper screaming as it jabbed at Kingler’s body with its tail glowing purple. Kingler’s face was purple, showing signs of a Poisoning.

The entire field quaked, the stands rocking as well, as a tall Pokemon roared.

The people screamed and everyone dropped.

“What’s going ooooonn?!!” Robin called out.

Gary, June, and Aly were just screaming.

The Pokemon on the field were taken down by the Earthquake, but they all returned to battle soon after, attacking in a frenzy.

A Tangela was wrapping a Steelix with its vines as Steelix laid on top of it. It seemed like Tangela was struggling with the weight of Steelix but keeping up a fight.

A Gyarados on the other side of the field roared and caused an explosion with its Hyper Beam as it blasted the field, but when the smoke cleared, the Pokemon were all still fighting.

A Pidgeot flew out at Gyarados, clawing with its talons at Gyarados’ eyes! Gyarados went down, Pidgeot cawing and not letting go!

A Stantler was down on its side.

The Tyranitar that had used Earthquake earlier was standing on its horns. It raised a foot and stomped down, smashing the horns on Stantler as Stantler let out a high pitched screech in pain.

Stantler’s body sparked, and Electric bolts shot out from it and zapped many Pokemon, including Tyranitar.

Tyranitar kicked out and sent Stantler flying into another Pokemon.

A big black dog Pokemon Gary didn’t recognize was biting into a Dusclops.

Around Dusclops’ neck was... an Eviolite!

It’s that guy’s! Gary realized. Mario!

The dog Pokemon took down Dusclops, Dusclops reaching out helplessly.

But, where are my Pokemon?! Gary looked around through the countless amounts of Pokemon, unable to spot even one of his own!

A Rhydon was using Horn Drill to force a Kangaskhan against the wall, drilling through the now dead baby in her pouch, into the mother's stomach, as the Kangaskhan let out a sound of torment no living creature should, blood splashing onto herself and Rhydon.

The Trainers who had entered the field ran away in terror now, but a Jolteon leaped in front of a few of them, stopping a small group as the others got away, and Jolteon electrocuted the kids it had stopped, causing them to scream and fall.

A Machoke had both powerful hands pressing against... Gary’s Hitmonchan’s head!

The Yellow Scarf was clear as day.

Hitmonchan was punching rapidly at Machoke’s ribs, his eyes wide in panic, but Machoke wasn’t budging, looking ready to completely crush the skull of Hitmonchan between its hands!

“HITMONCHAAAAAAAN!!” Gary ran forward, grabbed the stand wall, and leaped down for his Pokemon.

Robin landed right by his side.

“GARY! ROBIN!” June called down to them.

Other battling Pokemon flew across their field of vision, causing both boys to jump and gasp.

“THAT’S MINE!!” Aly jumped down as well and ran to the battlers that had frightened Gary and Robin.

There was an Ivysaur and Persian!

Ivysaur had Persian by the throat using her vines, and was also spraying out a purple powder with purple sparkles in it.

Persian’s claws glowed white and it sliced right through the vines!

Ivysaur yelled out in shock.

The vines around Persian’s neck fell off, but it started choking from the Poison Powder and its face went purple.

Gary could see that his Hitmonchan was freed from the Machoke and he was now throwing blazing punches at its face.

“Rob, how do we stop this??” Gary asked him shrilly.

Robin was taking things one step at a time, looking through the dangerous, feuding crowd.

“ROBIN!! PLEASE!!”

“CATHERIIIIIIIIIIIIINE!! LAUNCHEEERRRRRRR!!! CONFUCIUUUUUUS!!! WHERE ARE YOU GUUUUUUUYYYSS?!!!”

Gary shot him a quick look before turning back to Hitmonchan. “I’ve got to save Hitmonchan! And where are my others?!”

Aly was begging for her two Pokemon to stop, tears flowing out of her eyes.

Robin continued calling out, bravely moving through the crowd of Pokemon, soon out of sight of Gary.

Gary watched as Hitmonchan and Machoke seemed to not just be fighting, but literally pummelling each other to a surely brutal end. Just like the Charizard that went rampant in Native Village, he realized with horror as the two Pokemon disappeared into the crowd of many other pained, frightened battlers around them. The black boxes must be the same device they used on that Charizard when they let it loose in Native Village, suffering!

There was a loud scream, and then something flew across the sky, tossed by something on the ground.

“Electivire...” Gary’s eyes widened on the Pokemon that threw the other one. Whose...? he questioned nervously, his heart jumping.

Electivire turned and now had its eyes on Gary.

Ffffuck... Gary panicked. Please, not June’s...

Electivire took a step towards Gary, and was soon deliberately approaching him.

Stumbling backwards, on instinct, Gary grabbed at his belt. But there were no Poke Balls on it. “Sshhiiiiiiiiit!” He screamed as someone ran in front of him, arms outstretched. “JUNE!!”

“Electivire!” June spoke, running to the Pokemon.

“JUNE, DON’T DO IT!!” Gary grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back. “It’s bad enough it’s Electivire. But with those electric things on their backs, they’re out of-!” Gary stopped talking.

June even looked back to him. “Electric...”

Gary’s heart was in his throat now, his eyes widening as he realized something terrible. “They’re not electric...”

“Motor Drive! Then...” June turned back to Electivire. “The shock is something else! It’s not electric!”

“Doesn’t matter much, now, does it? It’s got them going berserk! Whatever it is!”

Roaring, Electivire jumped!!

June and Gary shrieked at the top of their lungs!

Electivire went over their heads and landed behind them!

The kids turned around to see Electivire was trading fist blows with a Lucario!

To June’s surprise.

To Gary’s surprise.

Lucario swept Electivire off of his feet!

Electivire yelled out angrily.

The spikes on Lucario’s hands then turned to iron and grew into their own pair of claws! It started swiping at Electivire’s face!

“Lec! Elec! Lec!” Electivire was grunting in pain, blocking his face with his arms. It was almost instantly that his raked arms were running blood. He sounded really bad, a weakened, pitiful voice not usually heard from the powerful fighter!

“GARY!”

Gary turned to June, quivering in place.

“We need a plan!” Her eyes were full of sorrow and fear. “Gary, what do we do? This can’t be it!”

“There isn't anything we can do. Coming down here was a big mistake. We have to get back to the bleachers until we have a real plan!”

She nodded. “But Robin and Aly!”

Gary turned to see Aly still trying to plead with her unruly Pokemon.

Robin was nowhere in sight.

Gary ran to Aly. “ALY!! COME BACK WITH US!!” He grabbed her shoulder.

She forced herself from his grasp. “I’m not leaving my Pokemon!!!”

“We're not leaving them!!” I knew she’d be like this! Gary thought with frustration. “We can't even return them to their Poke Balls, or get near them! Being here, we're just gonna die!”

“Then I’ll die!” Aly barked at him and then ran to her two Pokemon. She stopped short of them. “STOOOOOOOOOOP!!!”

June and Gary faced each other, not wanting to leave behind their friends, but not wanting to die in the middle of a war. Not like this, at least. They looked away from each other to the mayhem.

It was just a mix of blood, Pokemon, and smashed Poke Balls everywhere.

An unstoppable mess.

Isaac was above in his helicopter, smiling proudly over what he had created.

As Gary and June looked down at the madness around them.

Gary came to realize with terror that Isaac was smiling over his.

Team Solace's.

Victory.