The Indigo Plateau's central conference hall was quiet for the first time in weeks. The grand room, usually reserved for league strategy meetings and Champion ceremonies, now held only six people. The massive oak table gleamed under soft overhead lights. Outside, the stadium still echoed with distant cheers and fireworks from the finals, but inside these walls, the atmosphere was heavy with calculation and power.
Chairman Charles Goodshow sat at the head of the table, his white beard neatly trimmed, eyes sharp despite his age. To his left sat the Kanto Elite Four Lorelei, Bruno, Lance, and Agatha each one a living legend in their own right.
Lorelei sat with perfect posture, arms folded, her expression a mask of cold indifference. Her ice-blue hair was immaculate, but her fingers gripped the edge of the table a fraction too tightly.
Inside, she was seething. Her niece Giselle the spoiled princess of Celadon had been humiliated on live television. Not only defeated, but forced into a six-month maid contract with that Pallet Town upstart.
The thought made her blood boil. She cursed Ash Ketchum silently in her mind, imagining every painful way she could freeze him solid. But outwardly, she remained the picture of Elite Four composure.
Bruno leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his massive chest, laughing heartily. "Hah! I knew that kid was different! Remember when he challenged me in that 1v1 match back in the early days? The boy had fire in his eyes even then. Now he's Champion with a team that could shake the mountains. Good for him!"
Lance sat straight as a blade, red cape draped over the back of his chair. His dragon-like gaze swept across the table, assessing every reaction. He spoke first, voice low and commanding, turning directly to Lorelei.
"Elite Four Lorelei," he said, tone ice-cold. "Explain to me why you lent your personal Pokémon including Cloyster and dewgong to your niece for the finals."
Lorelei's mask didn't crack, but a single bead of sweat traced down her temple. She kept her voice steady. "It was a clan decision. The family felt it necessary to ensure victory. As a member of the Elite Four, I had no authority to refuse the request."
Lance's eyes narrowed. He didn't raise his voice, but the weight of his stare was heavier than any Dragon Pulse. "If you misuse your position or authority again for personal or clan gain, there will be severe consequences. The Elite Four exists to protect Kanto, not to prop up spoiled relatives. Do I make myself clear?"
Lorelei swallowed hard. She nodded once, stiffly. "Crystal clear, Champion Lance."
Goodshow cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Now, now… let's focus on the future. We have a new Champion a rookie, no less. Ash Ketchum has won the Indigo League in his very first attempt. With a team that includes not only powerful standard Pokémon but… well, you all saw the broadcast. Three legendary birds. This is unprecedented. How do we nurture this rising star? We cannot let such talent go to waste."
Agatha, the eldest of the Elite Four, tapped her cane against the floor, a sly smile on her wrinkled face. "The lad is too powerful for a mere rookie. That kind of strength at his age is dangerous both for him and for Kanto. I say we give him serious tasks immediately. Test him properly. Recruit him into high positions within the league structure. Keep him close, shape him before he becomes too independent."
Lance nodded slowly, fingers steepled. "I agree with Agatha's caution. But I will handle Ash personally once we meet face to face. He has potential that could rival even the greatest Champions. We cannot afford to waste it… or let it turn against us."
Bruno laughed again, slapping the table. "Let the boy breathe first! He just won the whole damn league! Give him a week before you start throwing Elite Four missions at him!"
Goodshow smiled faintly. "Very well. We will monitor the situation closely. The league will extend every support to our new Champion. Meeting adjourned."
The Elite Four rose. Lorelei left the room first, her steps measured, but the moment the door closed behind her, her expression twisted into pure venom. She whispered under her breath, "That boy… I will make him pay for humiliating my family."
The others filed out in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the new Champion who had shaken the very foundations of Kanto.
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Far beyond the borders of Kanto, the world was watching and the reactions were immediate and intense.
In Undella Town, Unova, the young Dragon Master Iris sat on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea, while she was polishing an pokemon egg on her lap like it was her most precious thing in the whole world. She had watched the entire finals on a portable TV her grandfather had given her. Her eyes were wide, mouth slightly open.
"Three legendary birds… Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres… all at once! That Ash guy… he's not just strong he's like a Dragon Master from the old stories! I wanna meet him someday and battle him!"
In the Unova Elite Four chamber, the members gathered around a large screen. Shauntal (Ghost-type) pushed up her glasses, scribbling notes furiously. "Three legendary birds under one trainer's command… the psychological and strategic implications are enormous. This Ash Ketchum is a walking phenomenon."
Grimsley (Dark-type) leaned back with a lazy grin. "He plays dirty with those birds. I like it. A rookie who can make legends obey him? Dangerous. I want to see how he handles a real gamble."
Caitlin (Psychic-type) sat elegantly, eyes half-closed. "His aura… even through the screen, it's overwhelming. He is not a normal trainer."
Marshal (Fighting-type) slammed a fist on the table. "Strength! Pure strength! I want to fight him myself!"
Unova Champion Alder watched from his home in the mountains, smiling broadly. "A rookie Champion with three legendary birds… the world is changing. That boy has the heart of a true Champion. I hope our paths cross one day."
In Johto, at the Indigo Plateau's sister league in Blackthorn City, Clair — the Dragon-type Gym Leader — watched the replay with narrowed eyes. "Three legendary birds… and that Dragonite of his… he dares to command dragons like that? I must test him myself one day."
In Sinnoh, at the Pokémon League, the Elite Four reacted strongly. Aaron (Bug-type) whistled. "That Aerodactyl and those birds… his team has serious firepower!"
Flint (Fire-type) laughed. "The kid's got guts! Using legendaries like that in a finals match? Respect!"
Lucian (Psychic-type) adjusted his glasses. "The control he exerts… it's almost psychic in nature. Fascinating."
Bertha (Ground-type) nodded slowly. "A rookie with that kind of power… he'll either become a legend or a threat. We should keep an eye on him."
They are still unaware that the boy they were talking about is their own bosses husband and soon to be father of their bosses kids.
In Kalos, at the Lumiose League headquarters, Champion Diantha watched the broadcast with elegant poise. "Three legendary birds… and that level of command at such a young age. This Ash Ketchum is going to shake the entire world. I look forward to the day our regions meet."
Kalos Elite Four member Siebold (Water-type) raised an eyebrow. "His Gyarados and those birds… the water mastery is impressive. A worthy rival perhaps."
In Hoenn, at the Ever Grande Conference hall, Wallace former Champion watched with a thoughtful smile. "Legendary birds… and that level of harmony. This boy is special."
Steven Stone, Hoenn's current Champion, stood in his personal study surrounded by rare stones. "A rookie with three legendaries… and that Dragonite's aura… I must meet him. He could be the key to understanding ancient bonds."
In the shadows of various regions, darker forces stirred.
In Unova's Shadow HQ, a Team Plasma remnant watched in silence. Their leader muttered, "Three legendary birds… if we could control a trainer like that…"
In Team Magma and Aqua's hidden bases in Hoenn, leaders Maxie and Archie both stared at the screen with calculating eyes. "A trainer with that much power… he could tip the balance of the world."
Giovanni in Viridian headquarters swirled his wine, Persian purring on his lap. "Three legendary birds… the boy continues to exceed expectations. He will be mine one way or another."
The world was no longer watching Ash Ketchum as just another trainer.
They were watching a force of nature.
A rookie.
A Champion.
A trainer with three legendary birds.
The legend had only just begun.