Top secret

Leaf is inside one of the Pokémon Center rooms, sitting on a bed. Nidoran♂ and Eevee are both sitting next to her, scooting away from each other.

Leaf: Sorry Nidoran♂, about yesterday. We could’ve won, but I messed up. (Sighs) Gary was just ahead of us. I played right into that Bulk Up and forgot about his Guts ability.

Nidoran♂: (Shyly) Nido.

Nidoran♂ cowers, looking down in shame. Eevee stares at the two.

Leaf: Gary was just… the better trainer, with the... better Pokémon. Statistically, you were outclassed. I realistically couldn’t have relied on you.

Leaf’s Gloom, Poliwag, and Zubat let themselves out of their Pokéball. Slowpoke takes a couple of seconds to exit it’s Pokéball. Zubat nuzzles Leaf.

Zubat: (Curious) Zu? Zuu…

Leaf: Aw, it’s alright. No need to worry, alright?

A knock is heard on the door.

Leaf: Come in.

Khoury opens the door, entering the room with Cubone. Emerald and Beedrill follow inside.

Khoury: H - hey!

Leaf: (Waves) Hey. What are you guys doing?

Emerald: You were super sad yesterday and didn’t even talk to us since Gary beat you! I have to battle Sabrina soon, and you’re just moping around

Leaf: Sorry, but I can’t help it. Gary and I were equals before the battle, and I messed it up when I could’ve won.

Khoury: Y - you still made it to the Top 16. That’s way higher than us, everyone still lost.

Emerald coughs, and Cubone pouts.

Leaf: But I didn’t win, which was what mattered to me.

Emerald: Yeah, well, Bruno said something about how winning isn’t everything! (Shrugs) Or something like that.

Leaf: Easy for you to say, you’ve lost a ton. It just reminds me that I’m behind on my goal of being the best evolution researcher when I’m unable to keep up with someone like Gary. Professor Oak always spoke so highly of him back in Pallet Town...

Emerald: Huh?! (Grimaces) Me, lose?! No way! Besides, whatever happened to you saying that winning wasn’t everything huh?

Leaf: (Mutters) How can I be friends with my Pokémon when I’ve failed them?

Emerald: I’ll show you how! I challenge you to a battle!

Khoury: H - huh? E - Emerald, we came in here to cheer her up…

Emerald looks at Nidoran♂, who looks sad.

Emerald: Yeah, well, consider this me cheering her up!

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Scene change

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Gary walks behind Grings Kodai in Silph Co.’s building, passing many workers such as scientists. Spearheaded rides his shoulders, looking keenly at the workers. They’re in the middle of a conversation.

Kodai: I’ve seen some of your gym battles, and the level of strength you have with just four gym badges… I believe you have strong promise as a trainer.

Gary: (Smirks) Only to be expected, given it's me we’re talking about.

Kodai: However, you still lost to Sabrina and your battle with Bruno yesterday shows you’ve got a long way to go.

Spearow shrieks, bitter with the loss.

Gary: I beat Sabrina a few days ago, though.

Kodai: An impressive battle, might I add, but if she used her personal team you would’ve been crushed.

Gary and Spearow frown. They arrive before a room with a glass door, finding a woman seated at a desk.

Kodai: Don’t take this the wrong way - you’re a decent trainer, as it is you’ll be fine. But think of it like this, you don’t want to just be a fine trainer, you want to be the best. Think of all those trainers you faced and what they’ll amount to. That one kid you fought? With the green eyes? An average trainer who, if he even gets all eight badges, will likely make it far enough into the league that it’s impressive. Top 128, top 64 at most. But you don’t want to settle for any less than first, do you?

Gary: (Scrunches nose) Ha, as if. If Gramps can win a league and become Champion, so can I

Spearow: (Nods furiously) Rowww!

Kodai: So you’ll need to get to that level. Beat not just the gyms, but beat everyone at the Indigo League, Elite Four, and Lance himself. Which is why we’re here. We’ll set up your ACE training.

Kodai opens the door, allowing Gary in. Kodai waves at his secretary, a red-haired woman with a white dress.

Secretary: Hello, Kodai.

Kodai: Ariana.

Ariana: (Nods) Is this the young Oak you’ve mentioned?

Gary: (Smirks) One and only! Gary. (Grumbles) Besides my sister… and Gramps…

Ariana: Nice to meet you. I’ve heard much of your family.

Kodai: Gary just won the P1 Grand Prix yesterday, however lost to Bruno. I’m giving him an introduction to the ACE program and a tour around Silph Co. Speaking of introduction, I had a welcoming gift for you, Gary.

Gary: (Cocks head) Eh?

Kodai: Think of it as a prize for winning the P1 Grand Prix.

Kodai grabs a small container on Ariana’s desk. He hands it to Gary.

Gary: What’s inside?

Kodai: Open it, and you’ll see.

Gary opens it, finding a Pokéball. Inside of it is a brown, quadruped Pokémon.

Gary: Woah, an Eevee? I remember asking for one before Gramps made me train abroad. (Focuses) But they’re incredibly rare, you have to spend hundreds of thousands to get one.

Kodai: (Dryly) You must’ve forgotten I’m CEO of Silph Co. Do you have any plans on what you'll evolve it into?

Gary: Eh? Haven’t thought about that, didn’t expect to get an Eevee. I’m not exactly hurting for fire types, since I have two now that I’ve caught a Vulpix. I don’t need a Vaporeon either, so I guess Jolteon.

Kodai: I’ve heard from Bill in Cerulean some interesting revelations about the Eevee family. They’ve rediscovered more evolutions than just those three. That may be something worth noting, I recommend talking to him once you reach there.

Gary: For now, I’ve gotta register this Eevee. (Flashes a cocky grin) No point getting a gift if you don’t use it.

Gary whips out a blue Pokédex, scanning the Pokéball. The Pokéball locks up.

Gary: Full team? Looks like I’ll be sending back Machoke.

Kodai: A wise decision. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got business to attend to. Ariana will help you set up for the ACE program.

Ariana looks up from her laptop.

Gary: Okay, but I’ve gotta call my sister. Haven’t talked with her in a few days, (grins) gotta tell her that I’m now an ACE trainer.

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Scene change

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Emerald and Leaf settle themselves on a battlefield behind the Pokémon Center, Khoury refereeing. Beedrill stays on the sidelines.

Emerald: I’ve gotta make this quick, so, let’s go…

Emerald rumbles his hand through his pockets, looking for a random Pokéball.

Leaf: Not gonna think this through? Surprised you aren’t just using Beedrill.

Emerald: I’ve gotta shake things up! (Throws a Pokéball, releasing Frisk) Let’s go, Frisk!

Frisk hovers around on the battlefield.

Frisk: (Sticks out tongue) Gaa!

Leaf: Frisk, hm? (Thinking) Ghost and poison type, so my best bet is another poison type or a Pokémon who has an advantage against it. That leaves Gloom, Zubat, Slowpoke, and Nidoran♂. He’s seen each of them in battle except… (throws a Pokéball) Slowpoke!

Slowpoke appears on the field. It takes a few seconds for it to realize it was released.

Slowpoke: … Slow?

Khoury: With both Pokémon sent out, this match will be, erm, be over when a Pokémon faints or, uh, is unable to battle. You may begin!

Emerald: (Grins) This’ll be too easy! Curse!

Leaf: Not attacking first? Hm, okay. (Pulls out Pokédex) Alright, I can work with these moves. Amnesia.

Frisk releases rings of blue spectre at Slowpoke. Slowpoke takes the hit, its reaction delayed as it grimaces. It then glows purple from Amnesia, staring dumbly.

Emerald: Shadow Ball!

Leaf: Confusion!

Frisk releases a dark violet ball of energy at Slowpoke. Slowpoke’s eyes glow blue as it halts the Shadow Ball attack inches away from its face, throwing it back.

Emerald: (Grins) Payback!

Frisk takes the Confusion-enhanced Shadow Ball attack, being knocked back from the attack.

Frisk: (Groans) Ga, ga!

Frisk releases multiple colorful rings of energy at Slowpoke. Slowpoke is flown back from the attack, grunting in pain.

Leaf: Payback, huh? Confusion again.

Emerald: Frisk, dodge and use Shadow Ball!

Slowpoke’s eyes glow blue. A ball of energy is created above its head, shot at Frisk who dodges with ease. Frisk creates another Shadow Ball attack, however it’s halted again by Confusion. The Shadow Ball attack is thrown back at Frisk, who doesn’t dodge fast enough ironically. Frisk collapses on the ground, forming hands made of gas to get back up.

Emerald: Gahh, Frisk, do you have any other moves?

Frisk nods, shooting hypnotic waves at Slowpoke. Slowpoke falls asleep.

Khoury: Erm, does that count as a loss?

Leaf: (Sighs) I guess so. That was Hypnosis, and since Slowpoke’s asleep and doesn’t know Sleep Talk, it’s unable to battle.

Emerald: Sweet! (Throws fists in the air) Way to go, Frisk!

Frisk disappears. It reappears behind Emerald, licking the back of his head.

Emerald: G - gah!

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Scene change

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Emerald, Beedrill, Leaf, Eevee, Khoury, and Cubone are in the Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy hands Emerald and Leaf their Pokéball.

Nurse Joy: Here are your Pokémon. Good luck on your travels!

Leaf: Thank you.

Leaf and Emerald grabs their Pokéball. Emerald sends out Frisk.

Emerald: You feeling good, Frisk?

Frisk: (Laughing) Gagaga!

Emerald: Then let’s go beat Sabrina!

Khoury: Do - do think you can beat her?

Emerald: (Grins) I could beat her with my Meowth! She can’t stop us!

Leaf: You did catch Frisk to beat her and it’s been one of your strongest catches. Although most of your team have a weakness to her, the only exceptions being your Wartortle, Charmander, Meowth, and Rhyhorn. And Meowth can’t even battle yet.

Emerald: Well, so what? I beat you! Sabrina has nothing on my team! Right, Beedrill?

Beedrill: (Shrugs) Bee.

Leaf: I’m just saying, you’re going to need to prepare.

Khoury: Y - you did lose to a gym trainer. It couldn’t hurt to prepare a little more.

The group arrives before the Saffron Gym’s doors. Emerald turns around, sneering.

Emerald: You guys think I can’t win, huh?! Well guess what, I’ve only lost… (trails off)

Leaf: Two times. (Deadpans) Out of three gym battles.

Emerald: Well it’ll stay that way after I beat Sabrina!

Male voice: After some training.

The group turns to the source of the voice, finding Giovanni. Beedrill briefly tenses up, before carrying a more laced stance.

Emerald: Dad?!

Leaf: How’d you run into us?

Khoury: Giovanni...

Giovanni: I was visiting Saffron since I have to participate in an event at Lavender Town. To my surprise, I found you three.

Emerald: I was just gonna go in and beat Sabrina!

Giovanni: Your friends are right. If you’ve lost to two out of three gym leaders and don’t have any counters to Sabrina, one of the hardest gym leaders there are, your loss is inevitable.

Emerald: (Grits teeth) I have Frisk! Right buddy?!

Frisk nods aggressively.

Frisk: Gaa! Ga, ga!

Emerald: And I can use Beedrill to beat Sabrina! I beat Lt. Surge and Erika with Beedrill!

Giovanni: (Mutters) Like father, like son. Emerald, while I’m still in Saffron, how about this? We’ll stop by Mr. Psychic’s house and train your team.

Emerald: (Thinks) Gary mentioned teaching his Abra some moves there. Fine with me! But not cause I need training!

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Scene change

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Giovanni leads the group to a small house isolated from other buildings within Saffron City. Giovanni knocks on the door. A youthful, high-pitched voice is heard from the other side.

Girl voice: Who is it?

Giovanni: It’s me, Giovanni.

Emerald: And me! Emerald! The strongest trainer you’ll meet!

Leaf: (Rolls her eyes, smiling) So strong that he’s in risk of losing a gym battle.

The door opens, revealing a young girl. A Ditto rests on her shoulder.

Girl: (Yells) Daaaad! Giovanni and some kids are here!

Emerald: (Grits teeth) Some kids?! I’m not a kid!

Giovanni rests a hand on Emerald’s shoulder. The girl’s dad arrives at the door, wearing a green jacket and a hat.

Khoury: Mr. Psychic…

Mr. Psychic: Oh, hello, Giovanni. What a surprise seeing you here.

Giovanni: (Nods at the girl) Your kid?

Mr. Psychic: Yep, the infamous Copycat Girl. Any of those kids yours?

Emerald: (Thrusts a fist in the air) I am! Emerald Corazòn, son of Giovanni! I’m here to train!

Mr. Psychic and Copycat take a step to the side, allowing the group into the house. Emerald and Frisk barge in, while the others enter in normally.

Mr. Psychic: So you’re here to train for a match against Sabrina, aren’t you?

Emerald: H - huh?! How’d you know?! Cause you’re psychic?

Mr. Psychic: No, I’m not psychic. My services are just more marketable by referring to them as psychic. It was simply obvious given you’ve got a ghost type with you and need to train in Saffron. Most people need to when facing Sabrina.

Giovanni: Sabrina does have quite the reputation. She’s on par with both Blaine and Koga, she’s one of the strongest gym leaders there are.

Emerald: (Scoffs) I beat Koga! Frisk helped me beat Koga, and it’ll help me beat Sabrina!

Giovanni: A good attitude to hold.

Khoury: (Mutters) If you wanna develop a huge ego.

Mr. Psychic: We’ll see if you’ll be able to beat Sabrina. First, come with me to the park. We’ll train there.

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Scene change

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Mr. Psychic stands in front of a bench, with a Drowzee beside him. Emerald and Beedrill stand across from him. Leaf, Khoury, Giovanni, and Copycat sit on benches, watching.

Khoury: (Whispers) Mr. Psychic hasn’t said anything yet…

Leaf: (Whispers) It’s… been silent.

Giovanni: (Overhears) He’s assessing Emerald and his Beedrill, likely using his psychic abilities.

Mr. Psychic snaps.

Mr. Psychic: Send out your entire team.

Emerald: Huh? How come?

Mr. Psychic: You’ll likely face Sabrina in a four-on-four match. Who you bring into that match is vital.

Emerald: Fine.

Emerald releases his entire team: Fuji the Bulbasaur, Luma the Charmander, Wartortle, Frisk, and Mizaru the Mankey. Fuji lies around lazily while Luma and Wartortle pay attention. Frisk goofs around with Mizaru, who sits cross-legged with contemplation.

Mr. Psychic: (Frowns) Your team is not well trained.

Emerald: Huh? (Grits teeth) My team’s great, what do you mean?!

Mr. Psychic: Half of your team is unfocused, and you have four Pokémon with glaring weaknesses to psychic types. Do you have any other Pokémon?

Emerald: Coronet! He’s a Rhyhorn. Oh and Meowth! But it can’t battle.

Leaf: (Mutters) But he never uses Meowth.

Mr. Psychic: Hm. There’s no hope for you. Your team doesn’t have what it takes, and neither do you.

Luma and Frisk look shocked upon hearing Mr. Psychic.

Mr. Psychic’s Drowzee nods. Mr. Psychic then turns around, causing Emerald to get angry. Emerald shifts, his posture becoming tense with balled up fists.

Emerald: My team can beat anyone! I don’t need your training, because I know I have what it takes!

Emerald’s team nod and make noises of agreement. Beedrill and Fuji step up, the latter frowning intently at Mr. Psychic. Mr. Psychic turns around.

Mr. Psychic: Hm. Quite the intense aura you share with your team. Interesting.

Emerald marches up to Mr. Psychic.

Emerald: Huh? Well, whatever, I can beat your Pokémon, right now!

Mr. Psychic’s eyes begin to glow blue, Emerald being outlined in a similarly colored aura. Emerald is flown back into a tree, landing on his knees.

Emerald: (Clutches stomach) Ow! I can’t, I can’t move!

Mr. Psychic: Ah. For a second, you made me hopeful.

Emerald grits his teeth. He begins to push himself up onto one knee, resisting against the aura. A wave of aura pushes down on him, causing him to grit his teeth and groan out in pain.

Leaf: This is way too much…

Khoury: (Nods) He’ll get seriously hurt, someone has to help him.

Giovanni: (Laughs) Don’t worry.

Mr. Psychic walks over to Emerald, looking down.

Mr. Psychic: There’s no hope for you defeating Sabrina on your own. You’re not strong enough to resist her abilities.

Beedrill: (Harshly) BEE!

Beedrill flies over to Emerald. It grabs his left arm and picks it up, fighting against the aura. Fuji also runs over, using her vines to help pick his right arm up. Slowly, his whole team pushes him back up. Wartortle carries Emerald by the legs, using an extreme amount of strength to hold him up. Luma and Mizaru help Wartortle, using their arms to help push him up. Frisk surrounds Emerald with a spectral energy, overcoming Mr. Psychic’s aura.

Khoury: Amazing…

Leaf: His team’s devotion to him is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.

Giovanni frowns. Emerald opens his mouth, mustering the energy to speak.

Emerald: (Wincing) You’re wrong!

Mr. Psychic: (Smiles) As I said, there’s no hope for you… on your own. But with your team’s love, there’ll always be some hope. Meet with me later today, and we’ll start training these next few days.

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Scene change

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Professor Oak is at his laboratory, reading through emails on his computer. He notices an email from Elite Four member, Agatha.

Professor Oak: Hmm? This is interesting.

The title of the email reads, “trainer from Dark City”. He clicks on it.

Professor Oak: (Reading) “Hello, Sam.” (Sighs) Samuel, not Sam. When will she learn? “I had heard reports of a strong trainer specializing in the dark type, from the city… aha, Dark City. A lot of the studies on the dark type have been wiped out, and so I’m sure the existence of a dark type specialist would interest you. I hope to sponsor her, the few battles I’ve caught from her have interested me.” (Confused) Agatha has never taken a trainer under her wing before. Why now?

Professor Oak: (Continues) “I’ve also spoken with Mr. Fuji lately for advice. I’m considering stepping down from my Elite Four position. I haven’t made any official decisions yet, but I don’t feel it in me to continue much longer. Our generation of trainers have all settled down, and truth be told, I’m tired. I’ve been a competitive trainer for most of my life. I hope that this dark type trainer will be able to continue on with my legacy, while paving forward the talents for this new generation.”

Professor Oak finishes reading. He doesn’t say a word, taking a moment to think over her words. He remembers the ridicule she gave him for retiring from Champion. How ironic that she turns to him regarding retirement.

Daisy: Gramps!

Daisy runs over to Professor Oak. She holds Emerald’s baby Meowth.

Professor Oak: Hm?

Daisy: Gary called!

Professor Oak wonders why Gary didn’t call him.

Professor Oak: Oh? And what’d he say?

Daisy: He’s been up to a lot lately! He got sponsored by Silph Co. for beating Sabrina and winning the Grand Prix tournament. He was even given an Eevee!

Professor Oak: Quite an eventful past few weeks, eh? (Looks back at the email and thinks) *Oh, Agatha… wanting to sponsor another trainer just after Gary was sponsored.* How are Emerald and Leaf doing? I haven't heard from the two in a while either.

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Scene change

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Emerald finishes up a training session with Mr. Psychic, returning Frisk back to its Pokéball. Giovanni is watching the session. He walks over to Mr. Psychic, as Emerald goes off to talk with Leaf and Khoury.

Mr. Psychic: The boy's interesting. Has a lot of potential.

Giovanni: I realize that. (Frowns) Which is why I don't appreciate the purpose of this training. I assumed he would be going through something similar as I did many years ago. That's why I turned to you for help, since you made me a stronger trainer.

Mr. Psychic: I see. I don't do things that way, however. I do what I think is best for the individual.

Giovanni: And I'm his father, I know what's best for him. He's not on par with his peers, and the Indigo League's not too far away. He's behind, he needs to get stronger. You've been giving him all these menial tasks.

Mr. Psychic: I've been giving him tasks that emphasize his mental state. Sabrina's a strong trainer, however, she relies upon exploiting mental weaknesses. Fear.

Giovanni: (Grits his teeth) You and I both know that Sabrina's a capable trainer with or without her abilities, she'd steamroll Emerald as he is right now.

Mr. Psychic: We'll see. I believe in the boy.