Janine had long accepted that she'd never be her father.
And that was fine.
Koga was a legend, a poison master, a ninja prodigy, an Elite Four member now with a face carved into the League's history. People walked into her gym expecting a ghost. Some came for the badge. Most came to compare.
Let them.
Because what they didn't see—what they didn't bother to see—was how many hours she had bled into these walls. How many nights she'd spent perfecting formations in this fog-heavy dojo. They didn't see the weight of the legacy she carried in her every breath.
But today?
She wasn't thinking about legacy.
She was thinking about getting her damn Ariados to stop dragging its webs across the roof tiles again.
"You're a spider, not an interior designer," she muttered, brushing aside another sticky thread as she stepped into the main chamber. Her boots made no sound against the floor. That was by design. Ninja gym. Stealth over style.
Well, most of the time.
Her mornings always started like this. Rise with the sun. Meditate until her mind felt like still water. Train with her Pokémon in the fog, throwing kunai between drills just to stay sharp. Then came the gym prep, checking the illusionary walls, replenishing the fog machines, and making sure the poison traps were properly labeled for legal reasons. Something about child safety. She rolled her eyes just thinking about it.
Still, it was routine. Comfortable.
Until her PokéNav buzzed.
Janine blinked. Her fingers flicked it open.
[Group Chat: Kanto Gym Leaders] [Currently Online: 💪🌸⚡️🌊🧠☠️]
Misty: Hey, Janine, is he there yet?
Janine frowned at the screen. She didn't need to ask who she meant.
Janine: No, not yet...
She sighed, leaning back on one of the gym's training benches. It had all started a couple of weeks ago when Brock dropped a random message in the group chat.
Brock: Heads up, there's a new challenger heading your way. Beat my Onix with a Pidgey. Well, it evolved mid-fight, but still.
At first, Janine had laughed. No one beats Brock's Onix with a flying-type. That sounded made up. But Brock didn't joke about battles.
Then, after a few days, Misty chimed in.
Misty: Ahh, He beat my Starmie too.. He was strong, though he was holding back, and guess what, he has a Master Ball.
That got everyone's attention.
Erika: A Master Ball? Are you sure it wasn't just painted to look like one? Those knockoffs from Celadon Game Corner are everywhere these days.
Misty: No way, I know what I saw! purple top, white bottom, that M on the front. definitely real.
Lt. Surge: Well damn! That guy must have connections. Or deep pockets.
Janine put the PokéNav down and stretched. A Master Ball.
Her dad had only ever seen one in person.
Her device buzzed again.
Brock: Hey, don't underestimate this trainer. There's something different about him. Feels like that guy all over again. You know who I mean.
Everyone knew who Brock meant. No need to say the name.
Red.
Lt. Surge: Took out my Raichu with his Pidgeotto. That guy is strong.
Janine raised an eyebrow. Lt. Surge didn't throw those words lightly.
Erika: He defeated me without breaking a sweat.
The PokéNav kept buzzing. Janine couldn't remember the last time all the gym leaders were chatting at once. Usually, it was just announcements about League meetings or warnings about Team Rocket activity.
Sabrina: He beat me. My full power.
Janine nearly dropped her device back then. Sabrina? In the group chat? The psychic never participated in these conversations.
That message had quieted the chat for a while. They know how strong she was, out of the Kanto Gym Leaders, she was easily the second strongest after Blue.
Back to the present, she set the PokéNav aside and walked to the center of her gym. The fog swirled around her ankles as she tried to focus. A trainer with a mysterious Pokémon. Someone who had taken down Sabrina without breaking a sweat.
Part of her was nervous. The other part—the part that had grown up in her father's shadow—was excited. Finally, a real challenge.
A few days later, he arrived.
Aiden Leonhart.
He walked into the gym. Calm. Collected. As if this were just another task on a to-do list.
She instantly knew who he was.
He looked exactly how Misty had described him: tall, older than her, probably in his early twenties. Blonde hair and an effortless kind of charm.
Janine didn't stare. She studied.
There was a difference.
She noticed it in the way he moved. It wasn't just his confidence; it was also the smoothness of his movements. He stood tall and walked lightly. Every part of him moved with purpose—nothing was extra or wasted. He didn't seem arrogant.
He was strong. Really strong.
"And it wasn't only about his Pokémon."
As a child, her father taught her how to be a ninja. She was stronger than many others, able to fight some Pokémon and even win against a few in battles.
Yet, this was something else entirely.
She could feel it. Her instinct was even screaming. He was strong, and not just in Pokémon battles, but also combat-wise.
He could easily win against her if they chose to fight.
Janine's fist clenched before she realised it.
This wouldn't be one of those quick, "teach them a lesson" battles.
No. This was going to be a real fight.
And she was gonna make sure of it.
"Welcome to Fuchsia Gym," she called out, her voice echoing through the mist-filled chamber.
"I'm Janine, the poison master."
"Aiden Leonhart. Challenger." His voice was calm.
"Battle will be three-on-three," she said, flicking a Poké Ball from her belt with a practised motion. "Standard League rules. No substitutions once the battle starts. Victory by knockout or surrender."
He nodded once, already holding his own Poké Ball.
"Understood."
"Crobat, go!" Janine called, releasing her fastest Pokémon first. The four-winged bat materialized with a screech, instantly disappearing into the fog.
Aiden followed, stepping forward just enough to toss his ball. "Blaze. Let's start strong."
The Poké Ball hit the ground, cracked open, and out came an Arcanine.
Janine squinted her eyes as she looked at it.
It was larger than any other Arcanine she had ever seen. This one had a strong presence that made it stand out.
"Crobat, Air Slash!" she commanded.
Crobat dove, its wings glowing with wind energy, blades of compressed air hurling toward its target.
"Flame Wheel," Aiden said simply.
In a blink, Arcanine ignited—body wrapped in spiraling fire—and charged forward like a comet tearing through the mist. The Air Slash hit mid-run, slicing across its flank, but it didn't stop. Didn't even slow down.
"Dodge—!"
Too late.
The fire smashed into Crobat midair. The blast lit up the gym like lightning in a storm—fog vaporized in a flash, the sound of impact echoing through the chamber. Crobat screeched as it was thrown back, wings flailing before it caught itself just above the ground.
Janine exhaled sharply. That hit was solid.
"Recover altitude!" she ordered. "Then Confuse Ray!"
Crobat zipped up, shaking off the blow, eyes glowing as it released a pulse of flickering light. The rays danced through the fog—erratic, dizzying.
But Arcanine didn't flinch.
"Extreme Speed."
That one word hit like a gut punch.
The Arcaninze vanished.
One moment he was there—then nothing but blur and pressure.
THWACK!
He collided with Crobat from above, dragging the bat down like a meteor, slamming it into the gym floor. The fog exploded outward from the impact, shockwave rattling the walls. For a second, all Janine could hear was her own pulse.
Crobat didn't get up.
Janine held her breath, then clicked her tongue sharply. Crobat twitched, groaned—and went still.
She recalled it with a grim nod.
'Strong." Janine thought as she fought him. "He is really something!"
What followed could only be described as overwhelming.
Aiden didn't shout. He didn't hesitate. He simply commanded, and his Primeape followed with brutal efficiency.
A blur of fists. A flurry of motion.
Just a handful of moves, her Ariados tried to counter, but it wasn't enough.
A heartbeat later, Ariados hit the floor, legs twitching, its energy spent.
Down.
Janine stared across the battlefield, her heart pounding.
'Feels like that guy all over again.'
Brock's voice rang out in her mind once more.
She recalled Ariados without a word, eyes never leaving her opponent.
This wasn't just another strong challenger.
No.
This was a force.
A champion in the making.
And she was only one move away from being swept.
But she wasn't done yet.
"Last one," she said, drawing her final Poké Ball. "Venomoth, go!"
The poison moth appeared with a flutter of powdery wings, immediately taking to the air.
Aiden recalled Primeape. "Pidgeotto."
The bird Pokémon emerged with a proud cry, stretching its wings.
This would be her chance. Flying against flying, but she had the poison advantage.
"Venomoth, Stun Spore!"
Golden particles filled the air around Pidgeotto.
"Blow it away. Gust."
Pidgeotto's wings created a powerful windstorm that sent the paralyzing spores back toward Venomoth.
"Dodge and use Psybeam!"
Venomoth spun away from its own spores and fired a rainbow-colored beam.
"Mirror Move," Aiden commanded.
Pidgeotto's eyes glowed, and suddenly it was firing its own Psybeam back at Venomoth. The attacks collided in mid-air, exploding in a shower of psychic energy.
"Venomoth, Quiver Dance!"
Her Pokémon began to shimmer and sway, boosting its special stats.
"Quick Attack into Wing Attack," Aiden ordered.
Pidgeotto streaked across the gym like a bullet, slamming into Venomoth before it could finish powering up.
"Sludge Bomb!"
Venomoth recovered quickly, firing a blob of poison that caught Pidgeotto's wing. The bird faltered, its flight becoming unsteady as the poison took effect.
For the first time, Janine saw a flicker of concern cross Aiden's face.
"Pidgeotto, shake it off."
The bird struggled, the poison clearly taking its toll.
"Now's our chance, Venomoth! Sleep Powder!"
A cloud of blue spores drifted toward the weakened Pidgeotto.
"Pidgeotto..." Aiden's voice was steady, but intense. "It's time."
Something strange happened then. The Pidgeotto's eyes met its trainer's, and Janine could have sworn some understanding passed between them.
"It's okay," Aiden's expression seemed to say. "You've done this before."
And the bird, it actually nodded. Like, it understood perfectly.
Suddenly, Pidgeotto began to glow with brilliant white light.
"No way," Janine breathed.
Her gym trainers gasped from their hiding spots. Evolution during battle wasn't unheard of, but the timing... it was like they had planned it. Like they knew exactly when it would happen.
The glowing form grew larger, its wingspan extending, its crest lengthening. When the light faded, a majestic Pidgeot hovered in the air, its poison completely healed by the evolution.
"Hurricane," Aiden said simply.
The newly-evolved Pidgeot beat its powerful wings, creating a devastating windstorm that tore through the gym. Fog machines toppled. Training equipment scattered. And Venomoth, caught in the maelstrom, was thrown against the wall before dropping to the floor, knocked out.
"Venomoth is unable to battle," Janine said quietly, recalling her final Pokémon. "The match goes to the challenger."
Aiden nodded, recalling his Pidgeot. He walked across the gym floor, steps still silent despite the debris.
"That was a good battle," he said, extending his hand.
Janine took it, surprised by the genuine respect in his eyes. "You beat me fair and square. Here—the Soul Badge is yours."
—
Aiden's POV
I breathe a sigh of relief as Janine hands over the Soul Badge: six down, two to go.
"That was closer than it looked," I tell her, accepting the heart-shaped badge with a small bow of respect. I'd learned early on that Kanto gym leaders appreciated the gesture.
Janine's eyes narrow slightly, trying to gauge if I'm being sincere or condescending. "Was it?"
"Your Venomoth almost had me. If Pidgeotto hadn't evolved when it did..." I trail off, pocketing the badge alongside the others.
The truth is, I'd been preparing for this battle for days. According to most trainers on the circuit, Janine might live in her father's shadow, but I'd done my research. She was dangerous, more dangerous than most realised.
Where Koga was theatrical with his poison mastery, Janine was efficient and practical. She fought like someone with something to prove, which made her unpredictable.
And unpredictable opponents were always the most threatening.
I was glad that I evolved Blaze before I challenged the gym. It was the right moment, especially since Blaze was already level 35. I chose the best Firestone from my inventory for the evolution.
Unlike in the games, where all elemental stones seem the same, the quality of these stones really matters. Different qualities can have a big impact on how a Pokémon evolves. I wanted to make sure I gave Blaze the best chance possible. The evolution had been magnificent as he transformed from the loyal Growlithe I'd raised into this majestic creature.
I notice her glance down at her PokéNav as it buzzes insistently. She seems torn between checking it and continuing our conversation. Professional courtesy wins out, and she ignores it for now.
"Your Pidgeot's evolution," she noted, folding her arms. "It's… unusual."
I gave a small smile. "Yeah. It was supposed to evolve a few days ago, but maybe it needed a little push. Looks like your gym was the perfect catalyst."
Janine's expression softened. "You have a strong bond with your Pokémon. That's rare—especially with ones that evolve under pressure."
"Thanks," I said, sliding the badge into my case. "That means a lot."
She nodded once, then tilted her head. "You heading to Cinnabar next?"
"Yup," he replied without hesitation.
A smirk tugged at her lips. "The old man won't make it easy."
"I'm counting on it."
We exchange a few more pleasantries about battle techniques. She asks about my training regimen, and I give her enough details to be polite without revealing everything. Some secrets need to stay buried after all.
Her PokéNav buzzes again, more insistently this time.
"Go ahead," I say, nodding toward the device. "It sounds important."
Janine hesitates, then checks it quickly. I catch a glimpse of the group chat interface before she can hide it.
"Gym leaders' group chat?" I ask with a small smile. "Let me guess—they're asking about me."
Her eyes widen slightly, surprised at my insight. "You've made quite an impression on us," she admits. "Six badges in record time will do that."
"What are they saying?" I'm genuinely curious.
Janine seems to consider whether sharing would be appropriate, then shrugs lightly. "See for yourself," she says, turning the screen toward me.
[Group Chat: Kanto Gym Leaders]
[Currently Online: 💪🌸⚡️🌊🧠☠️🔥]
Misty: Janine? What do you think? Did he impress you too?
Lt. Surge: She's probably still battling. Kid's good.
Brock: My money's on Janine giving him trouble. Poison types are tricky.
Sabrina: I am here. Awaiting the outcome.
Blaine: Keep us posted! He's heading my way next if his badge route is standard.
"They're very invested in your journey," Janine observes, taking back her PokéNav.
Then she typed something quickly.
Janine: He won. 3-0, but it was closer than the score suggests. His Pidgeotto evolved mid-battle. Again.
The responses come instantly:
Brock: Again? That's the second evolution during a gym battle!
Lt. Surge: Kid's got timing, I'll give him that.
Misty: Ask him where he's headed next!
Sabrina: Predictable. Of course, he would win.
Blaine: So I'm next! My Magmar is ready for a challenge!
As I turn to leave, she calls after me. "Leonhart."
I pause at the doorway.
"Whatever brought you to Kanto... whatever you're chasing... good luck."
I nod once, not turning back. "Thanks. "
After that, I went to the Pokémon Center.
While I was waiting for Nurse Joy to examine my Pokémon team, I noticed the TV in the corner of the room. It showed interesting shows and videos about different Pokémon adventures and trainers, so I decided to watch while waiting for them/
Then the show on TV changed.
Big red text. Emergency news.
"Unidentified Pokémon Attacking Across Kanto"
I leaned forward, watching as a video started playing; shaky camera footage, like someone had filmed it while running for their life. The angle was garbage, but I could still make out the shapes.
And that's when my stomach dropped.
Paradox Pokémon.
I knew them immediately.
One of them looked like Iron Thorns, stomping through a building like it was made of paper. Another zipped past the camera, looking suspiciously like Iron Valiant. And then there were others, ones I didn't recognize from the games.
One had wings made of stone, glowing like molten lava. Another looked like Ampharos, if it had been reassembled in a junkyard and powered with a nuclear battery.
I didn't know what their names were, but there was one thing I was sure of: they were not meant to be here.
The video cut off with an explosion. Then static.
Then the ground shook.
At first, it was just a low rumble, like a heavy truck passing outside. No one reacted. People here are already used to small tremors in Kanto. Comes with the whole volcano and psychic Pokémon territory. But this wasn't that.
But then the shaking got stronger. Everything around me vibrated violently. I knew this wasn't normal; it felt unnatural, more than just a simple earthquake.
Yeah. This was bad.
Still, what the fuck was happening?!
Author's Note:
I'm really enjoying writing this final arc
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