To be the Very Best (Pokémon X Male Reader)

MissingNo. Arc Chapter 4 - Future Foundation Protocol

The trek from Johto to the Kanto entrance had been surprisingly uneventful, which only heightened the tension among Nemona, Hope, Cynthia, Zinnia, and Lance. They had caught a few basic Pokémon along the way, knowing it wouldn't be enough against the threats they were bound to face, but they had no choice. They had to make do with what they had.

The entrance to the Pokémon League stood imposing ahead of them, a gate that marked the border between Johto and Kanto. The silence was unsettling, with not a single guard or challenger in sight. Nemona exchanged a wary glance with Hope, who was unusually quiet, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.

As they approached, Lance's face lit up with relief when he spotted a familiar figure standing at the gate. "Bruno!" Lance called out, quickening his pace. "Bruno, it's good to see you!"

Bruno, the powerhouse of the Elite Four, stood in his usual meditative pose, but something was off. His gaze was distant, his expression blank as he clutched a Poké Ball tightly in his hand.

Lance, still a few steps ahead of the group, slowed down as he reached Bruno. "We've been through hell, Bruno. Pasio... it's been taken. We're going to need all the help we can get from the League. We need you."

But Bruno remained silent, his eyes never meeting Lance's. The usually stoic Elite Four member had a coldness in his demeanour that sent a chill down Lance's spine. He took a step back, confusion and concern creasing his brow. "Bruno... what's wrong? What do you think you're doing?"

Before Bruno could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed around them. Nemona, Cynthia, Hope, and Zinnia turned to see they were no longer alone. Emerging from the shadows were more familiar faces—Karen, Morty, Pryce, Sabrina, Lt. Surge, and others. All were well-known Gym Leaders and Elite Four members, each holding a Poké Ball, their expressions unreadable.

Zinnia's hands balled into fists, her eyes narrowing as she muttered under her breath, "Never trust a damn Gym Leader or Elite Four member..."

Cynthia stepped forward, her voice firm but calm. "Hold on. We're all allies here. Teammates. We may not be from the same region, but we all share the same respect for what it means to be a Gym Leader or an Elite Four member. We know the skill, the power, the will it takes to reach that level."

Hope, standing close to Nemona, whispered, "What if they've already been brainwashed to join Rainbow Rocket?"

Before Cynthia could respond, Karen interrupted. "We're not with Rainbow Rocket."

Sabrina's voice followed, eerily calm and steady, "I've seen the future. And it's not Rainbow Rocket that ruins the world. It's you."

The statement hung heavy in the air, a knife cutting through the fragile tension. "That's why we can't let you pass," Lt. Surge said, his voice gruff as he stepped forward, his stance ready for a fight. "This is your last warning. Turn back now."

Nemona's voice rang out, defiant and unyielding, "Says who?!"

Morty stepped forward, his eyes hollow as if he'd seen too much. "Says the Future Foundation Protocol. We can't allow you to move forward."

The group was surrounded, with no escape in sight. The harsh reality of their situation settled in as they each clutched their Poké Balls, readying themselves for the fight of their lives. They were up against the best of the best, with only the weaker Pokémon they had managed to catch along the way.

Cynthia, ever the strategist, moved closer to the others, her voice low and commanding. "Stay close. We work together, back to back. We might be outmatched, but we can't afford to let that stop us."