Chapter 20 - A Peek into History (3): The Road to Unification
The war had reached a critical stage. Alex focused on the final entries of the historical article.
Part 4: The Goldenrod Stalemate
Despite the setback at Ecruteak, Kanto's primary strategic objective remained Goldenrod City. Forces led by Giovanni and Champion Oak converged on the metropolis. The ensuing Siege of Goldenrod was prolonged and brutal. Johto, now bolstered by the occasional intervention of Raikou and Suicune, mounted a tenacious defense led by figures like Goldenrod's Gym Leader (Whitney's grandmother). The city suffered significant damage, but neither side could secure a decisive victory. The presence of the Legendary Beasts made a full Kanto takeover costly and uncertain.
Recognizing the devastating stalemate, leaders from both sides agreed to a temporary cessation of hostilities in Goldenrod to determine the war's outcome through a final, decisive engagement between their champions. The chosen location: the remote and neutral ground of Mt. Silver.
Part 5: The Champions' Duel at Mt. Silver
The fate of both regions rested on the battle between Kanto Champion Samuel Oak and Johto Champion Drasion Wataru. On the harsh slopes of Mt. Silver, the two legendary trainers met. The battle was reportedly fierce, a clash of strategies and powerful Pokémon, including Oak's signature Charizard and Alakazam against Drasion's mighty Dragon-types like Dragonite and Kingdra.
Ultimately, Kanto's Champion emerged victorious. Accounts credit Oak's superior strategy and the endurance of his team for securing the win, defeating Drasion and effectively ending the war.
Part 6: The Treaty of Saffron and the Unified League
With Johto's Champion defeated, peace negotiations commenced in Saffron City. Despite the conflict's bitterness, both sides recognized the need for a lasting resolution. Led by Oak and a now more diplomatic Giovanni for Kanto, and the respected Drasion for Johto, the talks resulted in the landmark Treaty of Saffron.
Key Terms included:
Unified Indigo League Conference: Kanto's and Johto's leagues merged. Trainers would now need sixteen Gym Badges (eight from each region) to challenge the Elite Four at the Indigo Plateau.
Economic Reconstruction: Kanto provided aid to rebuild Johto, while Johto shared resources.
Territorial Compromise: Goldenrod City remained under Johto sovereignty, but shared tax revenue and accepted Kanto-led infrastructure projects (like the Magnet Train).
Demilitarization & Exchange: Borders were eased, forces reduced, and cultural/research exchanges encouraged.
This treaty ushered in the current era, establishing the framework for peaceful coexistence and the expansive Pokémon League challenge known today. Monuments were raised, but the war's legacy serves as a reminder of the cost of conflict and the value of unity.
Alex finally leaned back, processing everything. Sixteen badges. A war involving legendary Pokémon. Oak, the kindly professor, as a victorious war champion. Giovanni... involved at a high level. It explained the current structure, but the Kanto-centric narrative felt strong throughout the article. The "official history" was clear, but his encounter with Ho-Oh and the Ecruteak account made him wonder about the parts left unsaid, the perspectives silenced by the victors. He now understood the challenge ahead – a journey across two war-scarred regions under a unified, demanding League. And somehow, woven into this complex tapestry, were Project Eclipse and his search for Emma.
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Chapter End