Chapter 172: Elite Four Reaction and Curious Lorelei

After his defeat, Bruno trudged through the winding paths of the Indigo Plateau, his mind replaying the battle against Ash Ketchum. Determined, he sought out Lance to report his loss and share his impression of the young trainer. "This kid's got fire," Bruno muttered, his respect grudging but genuine. "Lance needs to know—Ash Ketchum's a promising rookie to watch in this year's Kanto League."

---

Scene: Kanto League Headquarters, Indigo Plateau

The meeting chamber at the heart of the Indigo Plateau buzzed with an electric tension, its stone walls adorned with banners of past champions. Seated around a polished oak table were four figures, their presence commanding the room's attention like a storm gathering on the horizon.

First was Bruno, a muscular titan whose open vest revealed a chiseled physique honed by years of rigorous training. His arms, thick as tree trunks, rested on the table, his expression a mix of determination and lingering frustration from his recent defeat.

Next to him sat Agatha, a diminutive old woman whose cane tapped rhythmically against the floor, her sharp eyes glinting with a mischievous, eerie aura. Despite her frail appearance, her presence radiated authority. Known for her volatile temper and mastery of Ghost-type Pokémon, Agatha believed Pokémon were born for battle. Whispers of her past as both a rival and love interest to former Champion Samuel Oak—now Professor Oak—lingered like shadows, adding depth to her formidable reputation.

Across the table stood Lance, a tall young man with an athletic build, his carmine-colored spiky hair catching the light like a flame. His brown eyes burned with intensity, and his flowing cape only amplified his commanding presence. As the dual regional Champion of Kanto and Johto, leader of the G-Men International Police, and renowned Dragon Master, Lance carried an air of unshakable confidence, his every gesture hinting at the power of the dragons under his command.

Last but not least was Charles Goodshow, the president and chairman of the Pokémon League Association. Despite his short stature and advanced age, his calm yet energetic aura filled the room. Clad in a cape that fluttered lightly, he exuded wisdom and enthusiasm, his eyes twinkling with a youthful spark that belied his years. As the overseer of the League, his presence grounded the group, a steady hand guiding the future of Pokémon battles.

The conference chamber at the Indigo Plateau hummed with tension, the air thick with the weight of the urgent meeting called by Bruno. The polished oak table gleamed under the flickering light of chandeliers, casting shadows across the stone walls adorned with the crests of past champions.

"Before we begin this urgent meeting Bruno called, can anyone tell me where Lorelei is and why she's not here?" Agatha's voice cut through the room, sharp and annoyed, her short temper flaring as her cane tapped impatiently against the floor.

Lance, leaning back in his chair with his carmine hair catching the light, answered with calm authority. "Lorelei's off training her relative for the upcoming league. She says the girl, Giselle, has real talent and could take the Kanto League by storm this year."

Bruno snorted, folding his muscular arms, his open vest revealing a physique carved from years of battle. "Lorelei's wasting her time on that girl. I'm one hundred percent sure I know who's winning the league this year."

Lance raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his brown eyes. "Oh? That's a bold claim, Bruno. Care to explain why you're so certain?"

Bruno leaned forward, his voice brimming with conviction. "I was at Mt. Hideaway near Pallet Town, chasing a rumor about a giant Onix in the mountain range. I'd been waiting months to catch it. Yesterday, I got a surprise visit from a group—Sinnoh Champion Cynthia, a rookie trainer, and two gym leaders in training." His words sparked curiosity around the table, and he continued, his excitement growing. "That rookie was Ash Ketchum. The kid challenged me, saying he could catch that Onix with a tiny Krabby. I took the bet, thinking it was a joke. But that pint-sized Krabby took down the behemoth Onix and evolved into a massive Kingler right before my eyes!"

The room stirred with intrigue. Charles Goodshow, the Pokémon League president, leaned forward, his energetic aura lighting up his weathered face. "Cynthia, you say? What's she doing in Kanto? I thought she was digging into archaeological research in Celestic Town. I'll have to ask Carolina about that later." He waved a hand dismissively, then grinned. "But this Ash Ketchum… the name rings a bell. Isn't he the one who resolved that giant Tentacruel crisis with a massive Dragonite?"

Lance's eyes lit up, his cape rustling as he shifted in his seat. "That's right! I've been eager to meet this kid and introduce him to that giant Dragonite. There's something special about him."

Bruno dropped the real bombshell, his voice thick with grudging respect. "Here's the kicker: we had a bet. If he caught the Onix, I'd give him a one-on-one battle. Damn, that kid's got monstrous potential. He took down my Hitmonchan with an Eevee!"

The room fell silent for a heartbeat, then erupted with excitement. Lance's grin widened, his dragon-master aura practically sparking. "An Eevee? Against your Hitmonchan? That's no small feat, Bruno!"

Goodshow chuckled, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. "This Ash Ketchum is shaping up to be quite the contender. The future of Pokémon battles is looking bright!"

Agatha huffed, her cane tapping sharply. "Hmph. Always Samuel's prodigies," she muttered, her voice dripping with her usual disdain, though a glint of curiosity flickered in her eyes. "I'll see this kid myself when he's proven his worth. Let's see if he lives up to the hype."

Lance stood, his cape billowing as he gazed out the window, the Indigo Plateau stretching below like a battlefield awaiting its next legend. "Ash Ketchum, huh? Maybe one day you'll take on the mantle of Kanto Champion. Your first hurdle is the Indigo League—let's see how far you go."

Goodshow smiled, his weathered face alight with hope for the next generation. The room buzzed with anticipation, the name Ash Ketchum echoing like a promise of battles yet to come.

Scene change:-

Ash stood on a rocky outcrop overlooking the vast Kanto wilderness, his gaze fixed on his massive Kingler, its gleaming claws catching the sunlight like polished steel. A grin spread across his face as he imagined adding another legend to his team. A Crystal Onix on Sunburst Island in the Orange Archipelago… The thought sent a thrill through him, his mind racing with the challenge. Suddenly, a familiar chime echoed in his head, and a translucent system panel materialized before his eyes.

[Ding! Mission Triggered: Catch the Crystal Onix]

[Task Completion Reward: Crystal Coat (Crystal Onix Exclusive Evolution Item), Team Random Pokémon Level +3]

Ash's grin widened, his heart pounding with excitement. Not only could he capture the elusive Crystal Onix, but the exclusive Crystal Coat could unlock a new evolution, and the random level-up boost might skyrocket one of his heavy hitters—maybe his monstrous Charizard, the legendary bird trio, or even Dialga or Palkia, still slumbering in their Master Chrono Capsule and Void Prism Capsule, waiting to be awakened. The possibilities set his spirit ablaze. "Let's do this!" he declared, fist pumping the air, his voice echoing across the cliffs.

Scene: Coffee Shop in Viridian City

Inside a cozy coffee shop, the scent of roasted beans mingled with the chatter of trainers. Giselle, a burgundy-haired young woman in a stylish black hip-hugging skirt and a youthful JK uniform, sat across from her cousin, Lorelei. Her face, still carrying a hint of childish charm, glowed with pride as she laid out her eight Gym Badges on the table, each glinting like a trophy of her journey. "Look, cousin! These are the eight Gym Badges I've collected since I started traveling. I'm officially qualified for the Indigo Plateau Conference!"

Lorelei, the ice-type Elite Four member, leaned back in her chair, her cool gaze softening with a proud smile. "Giselle, I've told you before: the truly powerful trainers are the ones who travel, not those stuck in Pokémon Academies. Even the best academy students only lay a foundation early on. It's the journey—the battles, the bonds—that shapes an exceptional trainer." She paused, her tone turning teasing. "But you never listened. You always found it annoying. So why the sudden change? Why drop out of Pokémon Academy to hit the road?"

Giselle's cheeks flushed, her pretty face betraying a mix of embarrassment and determination. She fidgeted with a badge, her voice low but firm. "There's this trainer from Pallet Town, Ash Ketchum. He uses a Pikachu. I battled him once, and… even with type advantages, my Pokémon didn't stand a chance." Her eyes hardened, a spark of resolve flaring. "That defeat woke me up. I dropped out, started traveling, and collected these eight badges. I'm not the same weakling I was. If I meet Ash at the Indigo Plateau Conference, I'll crush him to repay that humiliation!"

She clenched her fists, her voice turning playfully fierce. "I'll make him my personal servant—fetching my tea, carrying my bags, maybe even washing my feet!" She grinned, imagining her triumph.

Lorelei chuckled, sipping her coffee, though her face twitched briefly at the bitter taste—she'd forgotten the sugar again. Masking it with her signature icy composure, she tilted her head. "This Ash Ketchum, huh? Sounds like I owe him for sparking this fire in you." Her tone was light, but her mind raced. Ash Ketchum… why does that name sound familiar? She brushed it off, focusing on Giselle's enthusiasm. "But let's be real, cousin. Making a cute boy your servant? That's less humiliation and more… reward for most guys your age."

Giselle's face turned crimson, and she waved her hands frantically. "That's not what I meant! It's about pride! He's just a rookie trainer, probably scraping by like those bug-catching kids. I come from a big family with resources—he can't match me! If we meet at the conference, I'll teach him a lesson."

Lorelei hid a smile behind her cup, her thoughts drifting. A passionate kid like that might not be as 'simple' as you think, Giselle. As an Elite Four member, she knew talent wasn't about wealth—it was about heart. Still, she decided to let her cousin dream big for now. Let's see how this plays out at the Indigo Plateau.

Scene: Indigo Plateau, Alliance Headquarters, Night

The Alliance headquarters glowed under the starlit sky, its towering spires a beacon of Pokémon League authority. Lorelei, summoned for urgent business, strode through the halls, her icy aura parting the crowd. She spotted Bruno, the Fighting-type Elite, fresh from his dojo training, his muscular frame still radiating heat from exertion.

"Lorelei!" Bruno called, his voice booming. "You won't believe what happened at Mt. Hideaway. I got defeated by a rookie trainer and lost my shot at a giant Onix!"

Lorelei's eyes widened, her cool facade cracking. "Wait, what? You, Bruno, lost to a rookie? And the giant Onix?" She leaned closer, intrigued. "Spill it. Who's this kid?"

Bruno rubbed the back of his neck, a mix of frustration and respect in his grin. "Name's Ash Ketchum. The same kid who made waves during that giant Tentacruel incident in Lampulqi. Summoned a Dragonite with Champion-level strength, and get this—he's got a shinny Gyarados and now that giant Onix, An krabby evolved into a huge Kingler!"

Lorelei froze, the pieces clicking into place. Ash Ketchum. That's why his name sounded familiar. She recalled Giselle's story from earlier, her cousin's fiery vow to defeat this very trainer. A slow smile curved her lips. "Shinny Pokémon in his first year? And a Gaint Dragonite connection? This kid's no ordinary rookie."

Bruno nodded, his eyes gleaming. "He took down my Hitmonchan with an Eevee. An Eevee! The kid's got monstrous potential."

Lorelei's smile turned predatory, her curiosity piqued. A heterochromatic Gyarados and a Crystal Onix in his sights? Interesting. She licked her lips unconsciously, her mind already picturing the battles to come. "Giselle's got her work cut out for her," she murmured, silently praying her cousin could handle the storm that was Ash Ketchum. "This Indigo Plateau Conference is going to be one for the ages."