Chapter 303: Gym Leaders Gather
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Later, Lavaridge Town]
The humid air of Lavaridge Town clung to Azure like a second skin, as he arrived in Lavaridge Town thanks to the courtesy of Gardevoir's swift Teleport, a familiar echo of a past promise to Ruby, the young Dex Holder.
Ruby, ever the enthusiastic proponent of Pokémon Contests, had needed a quick passage to Fallarbor Town, the next stage in his quest for Super Rank glory in the Cool, Cute, Smart, and Tough categories.
Ruby, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, had departed with a wave. Ruby had called out, a question that hung in the air, "Where to next, Azure?"
Azure chuckled, Pikachu nestled comfortably on his shoulder, and Eevee had a fuzzy crown atop his head. Azure replied, his voice a low rumble, "Mt. Chimney. But first, my team deserves a thorough check-up."
Ruby had nodded, accepting the answer. But in his mind, a different agenda was brewing. Mt. Chimney. Jagged Pass.
Team Magma's base. He'd already dismantled Team Aqua's stronghold in Lilycove City; it was time for the other half of Hoenn's menacing duo to feel the sting of his determination. He'd need a day, though.
A day to meticulously plan his approach, to ensure his victory was as decisive as it was swift. Turning to the Pokémon Center, he murmured to himself, "After that stunt with Courtney? Time for Team Magma to feel the pain…"
/////
[Hoenn Region, Next Day, Lavaridge Town – Gym]
The next day dawned over Hoenn, and across the region, a peculiar phenomenon was unfolding. Gym Leaders, from the rocky terrains of Granite Cave to the bustling heart of Mauville City, found their Rotom Phones buzzing simultaneously.
The calls came from Flannery, the fiery Gym Leader of Lavaridge Town, her voice urgent, summoning an emergency meeting of the Hoenn League's Gym Leaders, "Hello?! This is Flannery, the Gym Leader of Lavaridge Town!! I'm calling every gym to the gym leaders hotline!! It might seem presumptuous for a rookie gym leader to be making this request, but… This is a matter of the utmost importance! It's a level 7 emergency!! Therefore, according to Article 118 of the Pokémon Association rules… I'm initiating an urgent meeting of all the Hoenn Gym Leaders?!!"
Making her words clear, almost all the gym leaders listened. They would all meet at Fortree City Gym to discuss the meeting further…
/////
[Hoenn Region, Later, Fortree City – Gym]
In Fortree City, a verdant metropolis perched amongst the trees, the Gym Leaders began to converge, each employing their unique methods of travel. Roxanne, the strict teacher, arrived with a rumbling grace atop her sturdy Graveler.
Brawly, the energetic martial artist, demonstrated his agility by scaling the towering trees with the assistance of his powerful Machoke. Wattson, the eccentric inventor, zipped through the streets on the back of his swift Manectric, sparks trailing in his wake.
Norman, the stoic father and skilled Pokémon Trainer, arrived with a casual confidence via his motorboat, cutting through the city's waterways. And Flannery herself, with a dramatic flourish, descended from a towering elevator.
From high above Fortree City Gym, Winona saw the Gym Leaders arrive and muttered, "They've arrived…"
*TADA*
All 6 out of the 8 Gym Leaders of Hoenn arrived. As the gathering solidified, a sense of unease settled over the assembled leaders.
Roxanne, ever the pragmatist, noted with a sigh, stating out loud, "Where are the others?! Only 6 of the 8 Gym Leaders are here. That's 2 Absent…"
Then she turned to Flannery with a stern expression as she added, "This is a level 7 emergency, you know! What is the meaning of this, Flannery?"
*Rattl*
*Rattl*
Just as Roxanne asked her question, the floor beneath them activated, taking them to a secret room for they're meetings. Flannery's brow furrowed as she explained, "Well… I couldn't get in contact with Tate and Liza. Wallace is over at Fallarbor Town doing some kind of research… but he'll take part in the meeting over the video phone."
*KLTTR*
The elevator soon took the group of Gym Leaders to the meeting room prepared with screens and tables. A video screen flickered to life, projecting Wallace's calm, distinguished visage as he said cheerfully, "Hi, everybody. Sorry, I couldn't make it in person."
With that, all the Gym Leaders available took their seats, with Winona starting things off as she said sternly, "That's fine. Now, could you explain what's going on… Flannery?"
With a nod of reassurance, Flannery launched into her presentation, her voice charged with a growing urgency. Flannery, taking a deep breath, launched into her presentation, her voice laced with concern as she said, "My friends…"
*Blip*
She began, her gaze sweeping across the faces before her with an emblem of Team Aqua's 'A' shown, explained, "… an unprecedented attack has occurred on Mt. Chimney. It was…unnatural. Carried out by a truly evil group. And this organization that executed this attack is endangering the entire Hoenn Region!!"
She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in before she continued further explaining, "I believe it is imperative that we, the Gym Leaders of Hoenn, unite to combat this burgeoning threat. If we're going to stop them"
Winona, the Flying Type Gym Leader of Fortree City, spoke up, her voice a gentle breeze, "Was it Team Magma, Flannery?"
Flannery shook her head, her fiery red hair swaying. She hesitated, then continued, her tone shifting to one of conviction, "No, the force I faced was Team Aqua. And I was aided by two remarkable trainers – Azure and Sapphire. Based on my experience, I believe Team Auqa is the group we should be concerned about."
A thoughtful frown creased Brawly's face as he stated calmly, turning towards Wallace's video screen, "Team Aqua, you say? Perhaps they're the better team. I could certainly do with more ocean to swim in if they were to expand the seas. Hey, Wallace – You're a Water Type Expert too. You agree, don't you?"
Wallace kept a calm expression as he said honestly, "Well… I guess so."
His words, however, ignited a spark of anger in Wattson. He exclaimed, his voice crackling with indignation, "What are you talking about?! Land is far more important than water!! More ocean? My city, Mauville, is already suffering from the lack of land!"
*SMACK*
Roxanne, her eyes fixed on the screen displaying Wallace, interjected, her voice tinged with sympathy for Professor Cozmo, a scientist known to be associated with Team Aqua, "Given Professor Cozmo's involvement and my friendship with him, I believe Team Aqua might be the ones acting for good."
However, Winona spoke up for Flannery as she said calmly, "But I find it hard to believe that we can't trust Flannery's observations…"
Winona, after a moment of consideration, declared, "I shall side with Flannery. My judgment leads me to believe Team Aqua is the true antagonist."
The division was clear, the opinions split. The weight of the decision fell upon Norman, the patriarch of Petalburg City. Wattson, his voice laced with a desperate plea, announced, "Norman, your vote will have to decide this."
But Norman, his gaze distant, his expression unreadable, simply shook his head. He stated, his voice firm, "I choose to remain neutral. I won't side with either organization that threatened my friend's kid, Sapphire Birch, nor my son. Now, if you excuse me…"
He began to rise, preparing to depart. Winona, her eyes widening in disbelief, reached out a hand as she said, "Norman, wait! You are a member of the Pokémon Association! This is an official meeting; in other words, you have a responsibility here!! Does this mean you're abandoning our meeting?!"
*YANK*
Norman paused, a flicker of something akin to irritation crossing his face. He replied, his tone clipped as he yanked her arm off his shoulder, "Indeed. I'm not abandoning anything. I've given you my opinion on this matter. I won't take either side. That's where I stand."
He then turned and, with a decisive stride, began to walk away. However, this infuriates Winona as she exclaimed, "That is not an acceptable answer! We're Gym Leaders, chosen by the Pokémon Association to represent our Towns and Cities. It's our obligation to keep the peace when anything happens to disturb it! That goes for you too, right?!"
Norman paused at the door, looking disdainfully, uttering under his breath, "The Pokémon Association, huh…?"
*FSSST*
With that, he left without saying another word. The other Gym Leaders exchanged exasperated glances, their frustration with his aloof attitude palpable.
Wattson, however, made a move to placate him, "Norman, hold up a minute!!"
/////
[Hoenn Region, Fortree City – Gym (Entrance)]
As Norman neared the edge of the gathering, a sudden, guttural roar shattered the air. A wild Shiftry, its leaves rustling with aggression, burst from the surrounding foliage, launching a ferocious attack.
*Wooosh*
The Pokémon knocked Norman clean off his bicycle, sending him tumbling to the ground. In a flash, Norman reacted as he was tossed into the air, grabbing a nearby tree branch, making a counterattack, "A wild Shiftry! Go, Slaking!!"
*Pop*
Norman's Slaking, a colossal force of nature, materialized from its Poké Ball. The Shiftry tried using its fans to blow away the Slaking.
*Fwp*
*WOOOSH*
But to its utter shock, Slaking casually walked through the breeze it produced with no issues. With a single, effortless swipe of its massive paw, the Shiftry was dispatched, its rampage abruptly ended.
*KRAK*
With one placed Mega Punch, the Shiftry fainted on the spot. Norman jumped down as he stated the obvious, "Shiftry… a Pokémon that uses the fans in its hands to create a powerful wind blast. But Slaking's weight is over 280 pounds!! It won't be blown away that easily… even by a blast that strong!"
*Clap*
*Clap*
*Clap*
However, the sounds of clapping were heard alerting Norman. He turned to see Wattson, awed by the performance, and exclaimed happily, "Wonderful. Just wonderful! You certainly are powerful. Without a doubt, the strongest Gym Leader in Hoenn!"
Norman, however, sighed as he said softly, "Please don't flatter me, Wattson."
Wattson sighed as he said calmly, explaining himself to Norman, "I'm not. We all recognize what a skilled Gym Leader you are. Since the situation calls for it, isn't it about time you demonstrated your skills to the others?"
Norman simply stayed silent, hearing that. Wattson then turned back to the remaining Gym Leaders, his voice softer, bowing his head slightly, "Please, forgive our… insensitivity earlier. I apologize for the other Gym Leaders' lack of manners… but you must understand they don't know about your past… about your troubles with the Pokémon Association and what happened 5 years ago…"
Before he could elaborate further, Norman, now back on his feet and brushing himself off, offered a quiet response, "It's fine, Wattson. You don't need to explain."
With another curt nod, he resumed his departure, leaving a lingering sense of unspoken history in his wake. Wattson could only sigh, rubbing his temples, "Oh boy… hopefully Norman knows what he's doing…"
With that, he turned back, returning to the conversation with the other Gym Leaders. But a thought occurred to him as he muttered, "Right… the boy Azure mentioned how both Team Magma and Aqua are causing trouble in Hoenn. We can't be split in such a dire moment… not only that, I owe the boys and girls for showing me New Mauville City."
/////
[Hoenn Region, Fortree City – Gym (Meeting Room)]
Back in the meeting room, the remaining Gym Leaders felt the sting of Norman's departure. And the weakened numbers were a cause for concern. Flannery looked over to Winona, her senior, as she asked, "What should we do, Winona?"
Winona, taking the lead position, suggested calmly, gazing at her fellow Gym Leaders, "Hmm… there aren't enough of us."
Hearing this, Flannery's eyes widened as two people came to mind. Flannery, ever resourceful, suggested, "Perhaps we should seek assistance from trainers I know, Azure and Sapphire? They helped me at Mt. Chimney. They are certainly skilled and trustworthy enough for me to use Mega Evolution."
Brawly and Winona's eyes briefly widened in surprise. But Brawly, with a knowing grin, could guess Azure, but thought, 'And Sapphire gotten that strong under him, huh? Now that's interesting to hear…'
Roxanne, however, had her arms crossed, dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand, "An ordinary trainer will only slow us down, Flannery. It's clearly out of the question!!"
Winona, ever the dutiful representative, decided on a different course of action. She paused, a note of concern entering her voice, "I will contact the Pokémon Association headquarters in Lilycove City. We must report our decision to the chairman… And I shall inform him that Norman left early."
*Beep*
Winona goes to another room as the Gym Leader argues, calling the Hoenn Pokémon Association Chairman with her Rotom Phone, "Hello, Mr. Chairman?"
The Chairman, residing in the Lilycove City Pokémon Association HQ, responds, "I'm here. Speaking in."
Hearing his voice, Winona began to explain to the Chairman what had happened in a neutral tone, "Everyone apart from Tate and Liza attended the meeting. However, we haven't reached an agreement yet. And Norman, the Gym Leader of Petalburg City, abandoned the meeting midway through."
As Norman cycled back towards Petalburg City, the chairman's frustrated reaction to his early departure echoed in his mind as he uttered, "I see. Norman… him again…"
Just then, Wallace's calm voice interrupted Winona's call. He said, his image on the screen unwavering, "Winona, may I talk to you…?"
Hearing this, she told the Chairman, momentarily holding the call, "Oh! Excuse me a moment, Mr. Chairman."
Holding the line, she turned her attention to Wallace through the video screen as she said bluntly, "What is it, Wallace?"
Hearing her turn face in his direction, he began to explain calmly, "The attack on Mt. Chimney has not only disrupted the criminal balance of Hoenn but has also had a profound effect on Sootopolis City. The reckless actions of both Team Magma and Team Aqua are directly contributing to this."
He continued, his gaze steady with a hardened expression, "My journey to Fallarbor Town was not solely for the Contests. I am also gathering crucial information from Professor Cozmo. And I have learned something most alarming: the sudden rise of sea levels."
Winona, her pen poised, listened intently before responding in a serious voice, "Got it. Let me know what you find out."
Wallace nodded as he ended the call. She turned to her Rotom Phone that was listening intently as she said, "Did you hear that, Mr. Chairman?"
The Chairman nodded gravely with a stern expression as he stated in a solemn tone, "I did. Sounds like the worst is about to happen. The time for the ancient Pokémon to awaken is drawing near. Most people think it's just a legend. But the truth is…"
Winona looked shocked, hearing the news. She couldn't help but utter, "You mean… they really do exist? The Legendary Ancient Pokémon Kyogre and Groudon?"
The chairman, his voice a distant murmur through Winona's Rotom Phone, confirmed the dire prediction as he said gravely, "Yes. They're real all right. And judging by the rising sea level, the one that will awaken first is… Kyogre!"
The Gym Leaders, their opinions still starkly divided, were now faced with a threat far greater than any they had imagined. Their opinions, once divided by personal bias and limited information, now had to contend with a threat that transcended their petty squabbles.
The fate of Hoenn hung precariously in the balance; their ability to overcome their differences and unite against a common enemy was now the only hope for their beloved region at stake. The Gym Leaders, despite their differences, were the region's last line of defense.
The whispers of legendary power, of ancient forces stirring from their slumber, filled the air, a prelude to the storm that was about to break. They would have to find a way to unite, to sublimate their disagreements, and to face the dual threat of the ambitious villainous teams and the impending awakening of ancient, god-like Pokémon…
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!