"Prof. Oak, everyone is waiting for you in the meeting. Please come inside.", said a beautiful receptionist. Oak slowly walked towards the door and opened it. The room was a big meeting hall. 13 people were seated in this meeting excluding Oak. All of them looked powerful and experienced.
Those 13 people were the 8 gym leaders, 4 elite 4 members and the champion of the Kanto region. Oak slowly walked over to the room and took over the only remaining seat available.
"Took you long enough. What were you doing? Sleeping?", said a mature old woman.
"I am not old like you. I need my rest", replied Oak.
"You and I are of the same age!!!", shouted the old woman.
"Enough lady Agatha. Now is not the time for this. Prof. Oak it is nice to have you back.", said the man with the red hair.
"Thanks, Charles.", replied Oak.
Charles was currently the champion of the Kanto region. While Oak was the Pokemon master of the whole world. Though Oak was the Pokemon master of the whole world, his allegiance was still to the Kanto region. With his position, Kanto progressed a lot. It was the most powerful region in the Pokemon world right now.
"Ok, let's start the meeting. Prof., why did you suddenly announce this successor of yours? None of us had heard about it. Is he really the one you are looking for?", asked Charles.
"I read about it. The kid had just started his journey a little under a year ago. This decision cannot be rushed.", said another member of elite 4.
"I have met Axel. I think he is pretty good. I like the kid", said Kent supporting the statement.
"What do you think Flint? He had won the gym battle from you? You must know him more than us."
"I can say that Axel is a good trainer. He is different that other trainers and in a good way."
"However, none of us know about the future. Oak, you took that decision really fast. The kid would have to take the burn. He had not grown up.", said Agatha.
"Are all of you done? Can I say my peace now?", said Oak with an annoyed voice. This was the reason why he never went to the league. The politics.
"Please Prof. Oak. Tell us your reason.", said Charles calming Oak down. Among the 13 people here, Charles was the only one who could calm Oak down.
"I think you must have forgotten who I am since I don't like attending to the league matters nowadays. I am the Pokemon master and he is my successor, not yours. Koga recommended about the kid and I tested him and he passed with flying colors."
"Even if he passed why did you announce it too soon? Isn't it bad for Axel?"
"I was planning to announce it after he had won the 5th badge but something came up."
"What?"
"Red has decided to quit being the Pokemon master."
"What???" shouted all of them at once. Most of them stood up in surprise at the news. No one could believe it.
"Yes, he just told me a couple of days ago. Being a Pokemon master is not an easy job. You people should know about it. I am not going to disclose his reason for quitting but he is quitting. Red was our only hope for the Kanto region. Now without him, there is no one to hold it. I am getting old and there is not much left in me."
"But do yo.."
"Enough!! The decision has been made. As of right now, our region doesn't have anyone who could become the Pokemon master except for Axel. The other regions also don't have anyone. I don't want any incompetent person to be the next Pokemon master. Axel may have a hard way ahead but he would have the support of us. This would also rile up other regions to hurry."
"Alright. Now, on the next issue…."
###
"What do you mean he is kidnapped?", asked Axel horrified. How could a genius trainer from the league get kidnapped? It was not possible.
"He is not kidnapped per se but I guess he is lost in the forest?"
"What do you mean Lorelai, I just don't get it."
"Lance with other trainers went on a mission. They were 5 of them. Only 1 of them returned saying that the Pokemon intentionally attacked them. As if they were trained. So, I need your help to rescue him.", said Lorelai.
"Why do you need my help to rescue him? Don't you have anyone from the league that could do it? There must be someone more powerful than me in the league to do the job."
"There are plenty. But they could not help us due to 2 reasons. First of all, we want to keep Lance kidnapping a secret. If any other region heard about this, we would be a laughing stock. And second, Lance was last seen in a place where only Pokemon up to elemental rank could enter. So, we need your help finding him. The league has promised you to reward handsomely after you find Lance."
Axel was god-smacked. He knew that there are certain places where Pokemon with higher ranks cannot enter but didn't know that one of them was so close to the league. He didn't know if he should accept the mission.
Lance was his friend but the risk were higher. Axel's Pokemon had just evolved to elemental rank and there were only 2 of them. The phone was silent for 2 minutes and then Axel said..