PHAT!!
"Ouch! That hurts. What the hell are you doing?"
"What the hell were you doing? You have made a problem for all of us!!"
"Pyrce, don't start a fight. We need to discuss how to get out of this situation."
"Yes sir. But what are we going to do? Things are already getting out of hand."
"I know. Now can you tell me Roy, why did you do such a stupid thing?"
This was a high level meeting of gym leaders, elite 4 and champion of the Johto region. The current champion of the Johto region was Danny. He was a very powerful trainer and a couple of champion-rank Pokemons. As of right now, they were talking about the media fiasco that Axel and Roy had caused.
"Sir Danny, that guy really made me angry. He had a habit of getting on my nerves. I thought to humiliate him and show him his place."
"But the opposite happened. How could you not know that he had a tier 3 king-rank Pokemon that was registered in the Johto region."
"Sir, if that is true then, something bad might happen."
"What do you mean Chuck? Care to explain?"
"Sir, if Axel really wants, then he could directly start to challenge the gym of our region and within a couple of weeks, he could get all the 8 gym badges with that tier 3 king rank Pokemon. As per the rules, even the 8th gym leader could only use pseudo-king rank Pokemon. If Axel really thought to do that, then our reputation would go down much more."
"Hmm, that is right but I don't think that Axel is going to do such a thing.", said Roy.."
"What do you mean, Roy?"
"Battling in the gyms is one of the few ways to raise a powerful Pokemon. The pressure and the timing of commands could only be trained in places like gym battles. Axel knows that. That is why he didn't use that tier 3 king rank Pokemon at the beginning of the battle.
I hate that guy but Axel is a capable trainer and he would not do such a thing.", replied Roy.
"That is a good answer. But that is a big IF. If one of us acted like Roy then we are going to face the wrath of a 16-year-old kid. I am starting to hate this kid.", commented Pyrce.
"See, now you understand why I did it.", said Roy.
"Shut up, your actions are the reason we are having this meeting in the first place."
"Enough!! That is not the only thing that we are here to discuss. From now on, you should act well when you are facing that kid. That kid is famous and has the power to rile up the media. As of right now, we don't want to do that.
Now, coming on to the Kanto, what are the impacts that the news caused?"
"Sir, the impact is not so good. At first, Kanto news and the Johto news were just telling their own side of the story. Kanto took Axel's side and Johto too Roy's side. However, when the video started to surface, it took a drastic turn.
Almost 20% of the flights have been canceled for tomorrow. Whitney's milk sales are also expected to decrease by the same amount. There have been other things too. All in all, we are suffering a lot."
"Damn! If such a thing happens, then we might have to sell all of the Johto region to other regions. Kanto will come bitting back.", said Danny
Now, all of them were looking at Roy with angry expressions. Roy didn't know what to do.
"Sir, I think we should fire Roy as a gym leader?"
"You dare to a say such a thing?", roared Roy.
"Shut up, all of you. Now is not the time to fight among us. Even if I fire Roy, who would be the gym leader of the Johto region? Is there anyone capable?"
Nobody had a good answer for that.
"Clair, how come your brother started the journey from the Kanto region? Couldn't he have done from the Johto region and supported the Johto region?"
"Don't bring my brother's name in this. He does what he wants and I will fully support him. He doesn't have to take all the responsibility for this region. He is a kid and I don't think that we have given him any help. So why would he do anything to us?"
"Let's leave Lance out of it. I just want to know why don't we have good talents in this generation. Clair, can we do anything about it?"
"Well, if we want to have a good talent, I think we should invest in them. We have not made any investment in the young talent. So, naturally, we don't have any of them."
Johto region has been facing a lot of financial problems lately. It started with small frauds and stealing. Then it started to get bigger and others started to lose respect and trust in Johto region.
After that, the previous champion resigned and Danny took over. However, he took over at the worst possible time. Whitney's business was the only thing that was keeping Johto alive. However, how could a business take the burnt of the whole region?
That was why Johto had to sell some of the islands to the Kanto region and now they were facing such a problem.
"Can anyone tell me the reason why we are facing such a problem?", asked Danny but none of them responded.
"Ok, if none of you want to talk, then let me tell you. We have started to lose trust and respect. Due to the previous incident, the people are wary of us and they don't want to do business with us. If it starts to go down then we might lose this region and I won't let that happen during my time."
"Then what do you propose that we do?", asked Clair.
"We will start with simple things. First of all, we will let out a lot of governmental employees."
"Sir, we are the ruler of this region. We don't have that power."
"Oh, don't worry, I have got that covered. Then we will let out a lot of our employees."
"What type of employees?"
"Many types:
Those who are stealing money from us and are corrupt. Those who are too old for their jobs and are still sitting there due to their experience. We will ask them to become consultants but not more than that. Those that are from the other regions. I don't want to be too harsh on it. So, give me the list and I will select those that are not doing good for us.
4 and finally spies."
"Sir, that would be a lot of employees, and where will be hiring their replacements?"
"Sir, there will also be another problem with this. Just now, Axel made the news and everyone is watching us. If we start to fire people like that, then the world will think that Axel was right and our people are not doing their job. That might affect us even more."
"I know that will happen but we cannot wait for it. We were in the wrong. Roy was wrong about that. I know we will start to suffer some black lash but it would only be for the short term.
We will have to bleed if we want to survive.", said Danny.
None of them had any rebuttal for that. However, none of them had any idea that this was going to be one of the historical moments that saved and nearly destroyed the Johto region.
###
Red had said to Axel to be in his own room for the whole day. The news was hot and he could be in trouble outside. Axel ordered the food to his room and but he could not feed all of his Pokemons. His room was too small for some of the tall Pokemons and he had to go to the lobby and Pokemon feeding area to feed the Pokemon. However, he could not take out Slowemperor. Slowemperor was too noticeable.
After eating, he called Blue about the expedition.
"Hey Axel, did you have a talk with Red?"
"Yes, I did. He looked very angry."
"Well, you will rile up the whole region. So, that is expected. So, why are you calling me?"
"I have 2 questions to ask as Red is too angry to answer any of them."
"Ok, go on."
"First of all, which gym do you think that I should challenge next?"
"Oh, are you planning to go to the second gym right away? I don't suggest that you do it. Your Pokemon still needs some experience and you are very hot in the news. This might not turn out to be good."
"Oh, don't worry. I will challenge one after a month or two. I was thinking of talking about Goldenrod city gym. I find that interesting."
"Hmm, Goldenrod City Gym is the second strongest gym in the Johto region. It is very special. However, I think that you will need some time to challenge it. Your Pokemons don't have a good amount of experience. You might lose and now you cannot lose."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you pulled out such a big stunt and if you go and lose the next gym battle, you will be humiliated. So, from now on you cannot lose any gym battles in the Johto region. If you do, the media will turn against you."
"Damn!! I can't catch a break, can I ?"
"Well, that is the curse of being famous. I also hated it. I suggest that you challenge that gym after your Pokemon reaches elemental rank. Your Pokemon still need some experience.
However, do remember. Don't challenge Goldenrod city gym and Blackthorn city gym as your final 2 gyms. They are not like Kent and they will not hold back. You might lose that gym battle."
"I will keep that in mind."
"Now, what is the other question?"
"You must know that I once went to an unknown island with Lance and have also occupied one part of the land of that island. I want to go there again and I might need the help of your team."
"Oh, you mean that island. Of course, I remember. But why do you need the help of the expedition team? You are strong enough to go there alone now."
"I have a feeling that the place I selected is filled with dangers. I just want to be safe."
"Ok, if you think so. But that is going to cost you. The expedition team would not go with you unless you pay them a good amount."
"How much would it cost?"
"It depends on how powerful a team you really want and also how much time you have to spend there."
"Around a month and I need someone who had at least a tier 3 king rank Pokemon."
"Oh, that is interesting. Now, let's talk about the price.", said Blue with an evil smile.