A New Line Through The Lives Of Kanto

Round Five: Going The Distance

"Prof. Burnett has been caught cheating for a third time, and this seems to be the final straw for her husband, Prof. Kukui," a newswoman spoke, a slight smirk on her face mixed with a serious look.

On the screen, a picture of two people took up a section of the upper right corner. To the left was an older, but good looking, healthy man in a white cap with a rainbow on it and a white lab coat that was open, revealing a powerful upper body. He had a big smile on his face.

A woman was also smiling beside him, her skin almost as pale, or maybe just as pale, as her white hair. She also looked aged, but also in good shape and health considering that. She was a slim woman in a pink tank top.

"After the first scandal involving another man, Prof. Burnett was forgiven after claiming both intoxication and that the man, previous Gym Leader Brock, had misled her into thinking he was Prof. Kukui," the news went on. "A heated lawsuit had Brock defending himself, saying he was unaware of who Burnett was due to his own intoxication, and insisted he never claimed to be another man and was in fact the one being hit on. Brock was infuriated at the hit to his reputation over this and fought tooth and nail for the sake of his long respected Gym. Never once denying the affair happened, he only wished for the truth about why it happened to be made clear. The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court."

Geez, what a... Gary just shook his head. That's so sad. Crazy. He looked from the hanging flatscreen TV in the building, to the floor. I can't let this distract me. I've got a three-on-three Pokemon battle coming up against Aly. A freaking three-on-three! At the League! Gary was getting angry, and he could feel it becoming tears. It's not fair! Three-on-three?! Me versus Aly?! How is that right?? Gary closed his eyes and shook his head. It was supposed to be all of us at the top four... With no Kiwi... it still shoulda been us at top three! Sheesh, at least in the Full Battles!!

"And now, the next battle of the Indigo League is about to begin!!" the voice from an announcer boomed throughout the building.

Gary gasped and jumped to his feet. "This is it!" He took off.

"Good luck, Gary!"

"Good luck!"

"Do your best!"

Gary waved at the voices from those behind booths. He looked back to show them his smile, not wanting to be rude. "Thank you!" he called, and ran down an empty, dark hallway with a lit up opening at the end. He swallowed as he got closer to the light. There's no turning back. Aly is DONE!

"And here comes our two Trainers, both representing Pallet Town!!" the announcer burst out. "The Red Trainer, Gary, facing off against the Green Trainer, Alyssa Say! This is going to be a right hometown showdown! It is highly likely these two know each other! This match will settle some scores for certain! May the best Pallet Town representative win!"

The weather was so beautiful, a gentle breeze blowing the warm, clean, fresh air around.

Gary walked the dirt field. There was no rising platform for him this time.

Aly was on her way over as well, stopping several seconds after Gary.

The two Pallet Town Trainers glared at each other.

"You're cray cray if you think you're gonna beat me, Gary!" Aly leered. "I'll lose to anyone else before you!"

She's trying to act tough, Gary realized, not changing his expression. She's usually a pain being tough. But now, she's acting tough. She's not being herself. She can't possibly beat me like this! Who's gonna send out the first Pokemon, though?