Apart from the checkpoint at the border, Leaf and the two girls didn't encounter any other Indigo League trainers who came up to question them afterward.
Upon arriving at the pier, Leaf recalled Lapras. Serena and Dawn suggested heading to the Cinnabar Gym first—they had made a reservation last time. After four days, the new Gym Leader should've returned by now...
That's what they thought. But when they reached the Gym and saw the same old man guarding the entrance, only to be told that the new Gym Leader still wasn't back, Leaf began to feel puzzled.
Although they received word that the Gym Leader would return the day after tomorrow, it didn't stop Leaf and the girls from complaining.
She couldn't possibly be unaware of the appearance of a Mythical Pokémon on Cinnabar Island. As the Gym Leader of Cinnabar Gym, that level of negligence was simply irresponsible.
"Perhaps there are unspeakable reasons," Dawn said, trying to give the benefit of the doubt.
"It could also be because of other League missions. Otherwise, with the Gym frequently unattended, the Indigo League would have surely stepped in by now."
Since they couldn't challenge the Gym, the three decided to wander around.
Compared to a few days ago, Cinnabar Island was noticeably quieter. There were hardly any pedestrians on the roads now. Unlike before—especially around the Cinnabar Gym—there were no longer groups of Pokémon trainers gathered everywhere.
"Boss, give us three sodas."
After walking for a while, the three of them were feeling thirsty. Leaf, being the only guy and a highly paid trainer with a monthly salary of a million Poké Dollars, naturally offered to treat them.
"Are you Pokémon trainers from out of town?" the stall owner asked, handing over the sodas and pocketing the money.
"Yeah, we just came from the Orange Archipelago," Leaf said as he looked around.
"Business has been slow lately, huh?"
"Today, you're my only customers," the boss replied with a wry smile.
"Everything's been sealed off. The trainers who heard about the Mythical Pokémon appearing—those who could leave, left."
"How'd you guys get here?"
"We have a pass," Leaf said without hiding anything.
"A lot of Indigo League trainers came too, right?"
Serena and Dawn weren't sure why Leaf was engaging the stall owner so much—until they realized he was gathering intel.
"Yeah, a whole bunch came," the boss replied, now sounding a bit disgruntled.
"The trainers sent by the League are so arrogant. To tell you the truth, young man, I'd rather not do business with them. The way they act when paying... can't even describe it, but it just rubs me the wrong way."
"Not like you, young man. Real easy to talk to... Say, want a few more sodas?"
Leaf was a bit speechless. The compliments were obviously just a sales pitch. Still, he wasn't stingy. Knowing too much soda wasn't healthy, he bought a few loaves of bread instead—they could eat them later if they got hungry.
After gathering some information, Leaf and the two girls headed for Cinnabar Cave to check things out.
Unexpectedly, there were quite a few people around Cinnabar Cave. From afar, Leaf saw two teams of Pokémon trainers stationed on either side of the cave entrance. More shockingly, the entrance was completely blocked by rocks, with workers using cement to fill in the gaps.
"Damn it! What the hell are they doing—trying to seal off the entire Cinnabar Cave?!"
Upon seeing the scene clearly, Leaf was enraged and rushed straight toward the cave. Serena and Dawn were also angry, but remained calmer. They wanted to discuss what to do—but Leaf charged ahead before they could stop him.
"Indigo League business. No unauthorized personnel allowed."
Just as they were about to reach the cave, two young Pokémon trainers stepped forward and blocked their path.
"Out of the way!" Leaf shouted in fury, ignoring their warning.
"You refuse the easy road to heaven and choose the gate to hell?" one trainer sneered, clearly used to confrontations.
"Come out, Machoke."
"Come out, Onix."
"Kid, one last warning," the trainer said sternly.
"If you take another step, we'll consider you obstructing a League mission. Even if we beat you down, it'll be justified."
"Come out, Lapras!" Leaf ignored him and released his Pokémon.
"You really don't know what's good for you!"
"Machoke, attack!"
"Onix, attack!"
The Indigo League trainers scoffed, thinking Leaf was overestimating himself—and gave the order to strike.
"Wah—!"
Lapras had just emerged and was still unaware of the situation when it saw two Elite-level Pokémon charging at it.
But as an Elite Four-level Pokémon, how could Lapras possibly flinch?
"Lapras, Water Pulse. Save your strength—we've still got a big battle ahead."
Lapras had been about to launch a Hydro Pump, but Leaf's timely command changed its course.
"This kid's got guts! Telling his Pokémon to hold back against us? Does he think he's some Elite Four-level trainer..."
Pfft—
Before the trainers could finish mocking him, Lapras's Water Pulse hit Onix squarely.
As a Ground-type and lower level than Lapras, Onix was instantly one-shot.
"Onix! No way—how could it go down in one hit?!"
"Damn it! That Lapras is strong—Machoke, be careful!"
But it was already too late.
Lapras released another Water Pulse.
Boom—
Machoke dropped to the ground with a heavy thud. As a Fighting-type, Machoke fared no better against the powerful attack.
Even someone without battle sense could now see that Lapras was on an entirely different level—Elite Four-tier without a doubt.
"You... you're an Elite Four-level trainer? Even so, you've just offended the Indigo League! There won't be a place for you in the whole Pokémon world. Be smart, put your hands on your head, and wait for the enforcement team—"
"Lunatic," Leaf sneered.
"You think the Indigo League means something to me? In my eyes, it's nothing but hot air!"
"Lapras, deal with them!"
The two trainers hadn't expected Leaf to actually order an attack on them. This kind of thing rarely happened in Pokémon battles.
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Come out, G—"
Pew pew—
Before they could even throw their Poké Balls, two Water Guns hit them square in the abdomen.
Even a basic move like Water Gun, when fired by an Elite Four-level Pokémon like Lapras, packed terrifying force.
The trainers' faces turned pale as they dropped to their knees, vomiting.
"Who are you people?!"
The commotion caught the attention of the rest of the trainers at the cave entrance. Five more came rushing over.
They saw the collapsed Machoke and Onix and immediately understood—someone was forcing their way in.
"Come out, Pidgeot."
"Come out, Pinsir."
"Come out, Raticate."
"Come out, Sandslash."
"Come out, Nidorina."
In a flash, five Pokémon stood ready for battle.
Leaf was about to summon another Pokémon, but Serena and Dawn stepped forward.
"Aren't you being shameless? Does the Indigo League always bully people with numbers like this?"
"Who exactly are you? Tell us the truth!" barked the middle-aged man leading the group. He wasn't softened by Serena and Dawn's beauty—his expression remained grim.
"We're all Pokémon trainers from the Orange Archipelago, and this gentleman..."
"...is the Chief Trainer of our Orange League," Dawn said honestly.
"I suggest you withdraw your Pokémon right now. Otherwise, you're provoking the entire Orange League."
"Heh, the Orange League?" one trainer behind the leader mocked.
"You make it sound like it's a big deal."
"That tiny little League?"
"Whatever—let's just take them down. Let the Orange League come redeem them later."
"Try it if you dare!" Leaf challenged coldly.
"No matter how small the Orange League is, it's still a League. You think the Indigo League wants a conflict with another League because of you? With your already lousy reputation, are you trying to make front-page news?"
The Indigo League trainers glanced at one another, momentarily speechless.
Clap clap clap—
Just then, the sound of applause rang out.
A middle-aged man dressed like a ninja stepped out of the forest.
"Young man, using the Orange League to scare people... interesting move. But if it were me, I believe the League would protect me..."
"Protect you?" Leaf sneered.
"In this place, no one can protect you."
"I'm not in the mood to talk. If you want to fight—then bring it!"
"All of you, come at me! I'll take you on!"
-----------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter