The Battle Frontier in the games was a small island that housed several high end battle facilities that were supposed to be in Hoenn.
In this world, it was a buffer zone between Kanto, Rota, and Fiore.
A unique buffer state that was governed by three regions with Indigo and Fiore having the Arcanine's share of governance, while Rota had a smaller but still important say in the region.
The Battle Frontier both raised tensions while alleviating them in other ways that might have arisen had Fiore been directly on the border of either nation.
It required several adjustments with the laws that normally governed a pokemon region.
One of the biggest changes was that you were only allowed to capture one pokemon within the Battle Frontier as opposed to multiple in any other region.
When we'd crossed over into the Battle Frontier, one of the requirements had been that we have our capture transfer details changed to accommodate this.
It was also one of the duties that Sabrina and I would need to fulfil while we were on patrol, it would be to passively scan trainers of this alteration through their trainer I.D.s. If we found anything, we were to correct the issue, along with investigating the recent pastures of any pokemon.
Anything beyond the one pokemon limit would be grounds for release and further punishment depending on how much the law had been breached.
One of the other suggestions for the Battle Frontier was that pokemon trainers were to be allowed to have their entire teams out and about with them if they desired.
This helped reduce tensions with Fiore as any of their people could witness trainer bonds and see if pokemon were being mistreated.
If there were clear signs of abuse, well it wasn't only Fiorians that bad trainers would have to worry about as most regions held trainers that abused their pokemon in poor regard.
More often than not it resulted in trainers challenging the abuser on behalf of the wronged pokemon.
The way this was often facilitated was that there were several facilities that catered specifically to pokemon of all sizes. This allowed pokemon to relax and for trainers to let their guards down while those who skipped such luxuries, especially when they were free to use, were made note of.
The other tasks were similar to what normally happened on patrol with pokemon needing to be pushed back away from the roads and towns to stop damage to the infrastructure.
Grass types were typically the worst for this as all it took was a dedicated garden of Bellosom or Oddish to seed an area and you could have blocked roads.
"Xatu!" called Xatua as Sabrina's bird drifted on the wind above.
Don in the meanwhile ranged far and wide, seeking out and dispatching any challengers that he might encounter.
"Tar! Larvitar!" growled the Larvitar trio as we walked along.
The trio were all equally glancing around, hoping for a pokemon to appear and challenge them.
Sabrina and I shared a look. 'Think I should tell them?" I asked only for her to shake her head.
I glanced back at Empress, and Titan who were stalking along with Ursaring. With Alakazam floating along conversing with them, our group of pokemon looked intimidating from a distance.
More than a few trainers and pokemon had caught sight of us and backpedalled away.
Smart pokemon.
It was the ones that Sabrina paused to watch that slunk away, eyeing the triplets position that had me on edge.
Those pokemon were waiting around and watching for a moment of weakness. It spoke of cunning that most pokemon didn't possess. If they'd been dark types I might have understood as it was in their nature, but for a Pidgotto, or a Weepingbell to do it?
It spoke of a pokemon that had experience doing such acts.
Sometimes we beat the pokemon up and relocated them with Ranger balls, sometimes we merely chased them off, sending Don or another pokemon to harass them well away.
Other times, if they were quick to escape and evade us, we posted signs warning trainers that a dangerous pokemon had been sighted in the region and to keep only their strongest or most observant pokemon out.
When we rolled into the first town which we planned to stay at, I gave the dominant feature of the town a long and considerate look.
The Battle Pyramid was a daunting prospect with how it was cut from stone and arranged like a wonder of the world. It rested atop a small plateau that allowed it to overlook the town while conversely also being visible to all.
The lead-up to the Pyramid was marked with tall reddish obelisks
When a beam erupted out of the ceiling, I whistled in surprise. "Seems like someone is giving Pyramid King Brandon a run for their money," I murmured.
Sabrina considered the distant building. "Well this is interesting, Sophia the Gym Leader is in town," she announced.
"The same Gym Leader who operates on the cycling path?" I asked, intrigued by this development.
"Yes. I have to admit to being impressed by this. Most of her pokemon are bug types, with local pokemon making up her roster. Despite the type disadvantage she is standing up well."
"Want to go watch?" I asked only for Sabrina to shake her head.
"She's already lost. That blast was an exchange between her Scizor and Brandon's Regice."
"Damn, I wish I'd known in advance. I might have pushed to get here earlier," I muttered.
"Sophia wouldn't have liked that," Sabrina replied. "Also it was important that we push back some of those pokemon. Several of them weren't hunting for food, remember?"
I grimaced, recalling several pokemon that Sabrina had pointed out to me to capture and send to the Rangers with 'Danger' markings on the ball.
"Well, shall we check our pokemon into the local park and grab something to eat?" I suggested as I checked my watch. "I believe Brandon will be on a break for lunch now?" I asked.
"That sounds agreeable," Sabrina replied as we turned towards one of the nearby parks that reminded me of the pokemon short that accompanied the first pokemon movie with Pikachu getting in a fight with a Raichu.
When we dropped our pokemon off several other pokemon enjoying the park all shrank back only for the Larvitar trio to sprint towards the slides, bouncing apparatus and jungle gyms while Ursaring trudged after them.
Empress followed with a small smile as Titan and the others made for the feeding area to get something for everyone.
The attendants that were manning the feeding area were rather surprised when instead of eating out of troughs or bowls my pokemon grabbed up plates and dishes before creating a small table to sit at and enjoy their meal.
Don of course looked like he was trying to goad a fight from some other pokemon only for Selene to drag him out of the air and sit him down in front of a bowl of food.
"I feel like I should seed the Pyramid with evolution stones and then have Regirock 'meet' with their fellow golem pokemon," I mused, watching all of my pokemon's antics from a shaded verandah.
Sabrina hummed. "It has potential, but I doubt Brandon would be willing to 'farm' Mega stones like that," she murmured. "From what I've read he's a rather hidebound man."
"It's not like it would be illegal," I replied. "We just have Titan and Empress sit on a stack while the Legendary pokemon duke it out near them."
"Somehow I doubt four Legendary pokemon, even with them expressing lots of energy would match that of the ten Legendary pokemon that were present at Shamouti."
"Point," I admitted. "Man, for once in my life I kind of wish I could invite Mewtwo along," I muttered.
"He'd be even less impressed…" Sabrina trailed off and gave a nearby table a pointed look.
Underneath their table something scrunched and the trainer flinched, pulling their hand back to reveal a broken transceiver.
"My transceiver!" they wailed only to glance at Sabrina and blanche.
They took off running a moment later.
I straightened, more than ready to run them down only for Sabrina to wave a hand. "They were just recording us. They didn't have nefarious intentions but I didn't want to encourage such behaviour. Also we're not going to be able to talk about our theories like this going forwards," she stated as she gestured around us.
I gave the other tables of trainers a thoughtful glance only to sigh. "Fair," I replied.
I wanted to ask about what her thoughts were for Noland being more amiable to my idea, but I decided to hold off until we were in private once more. Spending a day on the road where it was just Sabrina and our pokemon to talk with had made me relax a bit too much it would seem.
"Your pokemon seem content," I mused, watching as Kirlia twirled and danced about, putting on a performance that no one had asked for but that many seemed to be enjoying.
"For them, this is just another trip. It isn't like with your pokemon, who are all large, so they are allowed to travel freely inside or around Saffron. Psychic pokemon have much greater rights than most other pokemon."
"Makes sense," I reply.
"Ahem!" declared a rough sounding voice causing Sabrina and I to glance over our shoulders to find the man that we'd been interested in meeting standing behind us.
"Gym Leader Brock, Gym Leader Sabrina," Brandon declared with a nod.
"Pyramid King Brandon," I replied, only to spot his shoulders tensing and relaxing. "Is something the matter?" I asked.
He sighed and marched up to our table to claim a spare seat. "Just that the League was trying to push a ridiculous title on me."
"What title?" I asked.
"Pyramid… Brain…" he grumbled only to perk up as a waitress approached our table. "Ah! Sally! I will have the usual and I will also cover our guests' lunch!" he declared.
"Gotcha, Brain!" she replied cheekily before skipping away.
Brandon sighed. "It still got out to some parties," he said as Sabrina turned her head away while biting her lips.
I just nodded in commiseration. "So? You usually have lunch here, I take it then?"
"Indeed!" he replied. "This restaurant has the best sandwiches! Pies! And drinks!" he waved a hand towards the nearby pokemon park. "It also offers an interesting view. Most people will spend at least a day or two, so I come and get a bit of a heads up on some trainers' pokemon before I face them."
He considered the park for a few moments. "Hmmm, certainly would have been making some calls if I wandered down here and spotted these pokemon mucking about." He narrowed his eyes and stared hard at each pokemon only to drift back and forth.
The laser focus observation of our pokemon teams continued for another minute and he hummed. "Hmmm, if the typing hadn't given it away, I would have been a bit curious about how the two teams are both interacting with each other so comfortably. Haven't seen that much."
He rubbed his jaw before chuckling. "Not since your brother came through with young Misty from Cerulean at least!"
That got a smile from me. "Yeah. That makes sense to me. They're pretty close friends these days." I was still waiting for an actual announcement from Forrest that they were dating.
Something that I think both Lola and Yolanda were also waiting on.
Brandon nodded, and when our meals came around, he nodded his thanks and tucked in without a moment's hesitation. With four huge bites his sandwich was gone and he was dusting off his fingers.
"Hope I'm not being too forward, but I got forwarded something by young Lance," he declared as he pulled out a stack of papers that had me blinking in surprise.
Megastone creation via saturation of Legendary Energy.
The title of the stack stared back at me.
This entire document was something Sabrina and I had discussed while Alakazam sat off to the side on my computer. We'd ended up getting the entire document written up during the breaks between binge-watching her television show.
While Sabrina and I had discussed the Shamouti incident, it had been Alakazam combing through the data. Geological surveys, photographs, and even written testimonials from various trainers that had discovered stones in the past before selling them on to Devon Corp, were all compiled against historical data regarding the movements of Legendary pokemon.
In the end we'd been able to scratch out a theoretical study that ended with a call for more information.
The study was very much meant to stay within Mega Rock and its employees.
The problem was that the League had access to Mega Rock files.
"Lance gave you this?" I clarified as a tinge of annoyance shot through me.
"Indeed he did," Brandon replied. "He sent it through and asked that I keep it to myself but that I should talk with you about it." He thunked a finger down heavily causing an echoing tap that sounded like a hammer.
I rubbed my temple in annoyance. "It was meant to be an internal memo," I muttered.
Brandon nodded. "Can't say I was too pleased to be given this… 'suggestion'."
He shook his head. "For all that Lance is Champion these days there are times when he still seems like the rookie Ranger that stepped into my camp looking to boost his prestige."
Sabrina raised an eyebrow. "I thought Lance's time in the Rangers was nothing but complimentary?"
Brandon snorted. "He got results, but back then he pushed hard. Set expectations for himself and others that worked when he was there. When he wasn't I had to step in a lot and drag the entire cohort back through basic to humble them. Exploring the wilds wasn't enough for him. He needed to conquer and be heralded far and wide."
His jaw clenched. "It was exciting and I understand the appeal for young ones like you, then it can even be good, but flash isn't what you should be aiming for in the Rangers. The bandits groups he found weren't anywhere near as big an issue as people made out. They raided Ranger depots sure, but that was just for food and other things. They had a way of life that we were just starting to understand and adapt to."
"Then Lance came along?" I prompted.
"Lance drove them off, got into a lot of fights and caused a lot of attention to come our way. Got promoted fast. As quickly as I could I had him reassigned to a different group, but he found ways to get into the thick of it."
Brandon grunted. "He isn't the worst sort you can have as he didn't create the trouble, but he certainly went looking for it."
Brandon chuckled. "I'm still not sure if him advocating for me was him getting back at me, or an actual complement on his part."
"Guess Lance can play the game when he has to," I mused. Tapping the document between us I tilted my head. "So, what are you going to do with this?"
He raised a finger. "First, I'm going to set up some long term plans with evolution stones around the arena so that anything ambient will be collected from the three Legendary pokemon I have in my roster."
That got a nod from Sabrina and I. "Any chance you might open challenges to run triple battles?" Sabrina asked only to get Brandon shaking his head.
"No," he stated flatly. "Those pokemon are too strong as is. I'm not going to start breaking young trainers and their pokemon." His eyes slid to me. "I'm sure you understand," he said.
I nodded, fully aware. "Have they gotten the improved shield technology to you yet?"
"Not yet, I've had to play things carefully," he rumbled, his fingers curling and relaxing as he spoke.
"I'd suggest getting a few psychic trainers on hand as a back-up," Sabrina prompted. "I have several promising students that I could offer up?"
"That… would be appreciated," he replied with a sigh. "Been too close… far too close." His gaze turned distant, and Sabrina and I allowed him his moment of reflection.
I took a look at his hands, noting the numerous scars. Some were small scratch marks, others were burns, but there were a few perfectly circular holes along his forearms.
Were there exit wounds on the other side? He shifted to grab something and I spotted a few, but not as many as there were.
The old man certainly had a lot of stories on display.
"Hmmm, what were we talking about?" Brandon asked.
"The two points you had to… attempt production of Megastones," Sabrina stated.
"Ah, yes," he replied. "The second point."
He rose to his feet and locked eyes with me.
A hush fell over the restaurant and I knew what he was about to say before he spoke.
"You and I young Brock, let's fight!"
I wouldn't have been able to stop the smile forming on my face if I tried.
Like the sun rising, my response was inevitable. "I accept."
________________________
With how Brandon had thrown down his challenge in the middle of a public space, word spread quickly.
From there, it was all but guaranteed that the rumour spread out across the pokenet faster than a swarm of starving trapinch.
Trainers that had been in nearby rest stops or towns with established teleportation facilities came pouring into Pyramid town.
There was just enough time for me to trade out Don for Regirock before I got caught up in the wave of people that were arriving.
It resulted in Sabrina and I marching towards the Pyramid at the head of a crowd of people and our pokemon.
Unlike in Indigo, I had them all out and we created quite the procession.
Regirock held everyone's attention as with each step, the earth shook.
The walk itself, I couldn't remember.
People running or jogging to get ahead and take pictures became like a faceless mass to me. They called suggestions and challenges, but I ignored them one and all.
I was vaguely aware of the obelisks and the text written upon them. The road was smooth, I think, but I only had eyes for the Pyramid itself and what it signified.
It was the home base of a man who had laid down a challenge against me.
Stalking into the reception ,I noted it to be a sparse set up with barely a single table set up with a single computer. The waiting room wasn't much to look at either, but there was a huge set of doors that led downwards while another set led upwards to what had to be the stands.
People nudged each other as my pokemon and I took the low road.
Sabrina squeezed my hands and stole enough of my attention from the fight to claim a kiss only to step back.
"Go all out," she said. "I'll see to the Barriers," she stated.
I nodded and smirked as she sauntered away, showing off just as much as I.
The arena itself was a simple rocky expanse with the mechanisms that allowed the podiums, and other various utilities to work being hidden from sight.
Around the edge of the arena the shields were already flashing through testing sequences.
Brandon stood on the far side, with his three Legendary pokemon already out in a silent flex of power.
Empress and Titan both growled lowly.
Regirock stepped forward and for a moment, I thought I saw an actual emotion flicker across its blank features as its eyes lit up before returning to their dull base setting.
If I hadn't Journeyed with Sabrina of all people I might have missed it.
Interesting.
"Gym Leader Brock!" Brandon called out. "I wish to test your mettle and understanding of your pokemon! Select two others!" he called.
Titan all but demanded that I select him first through the bond. I turned to him and put my hand on his chest while everyone looked on.
"You've already proven that you can beat a Legendary pokemon," I announced to the crowd despite facing Titan. "Bertha is the same. May I test two others?" I asked.
Titan rumbled, saddened that he'd miss his chance to fight another Legendary but also understanding my desire to test two others. He bowed his head and stepped back.
A wave of murmurs rose from the crowd at my action, but I ignored them, instead looking to my other pokemon.
"Knight," I called out, silencing the crowd.
My Aggron stepped forward with a glint in his eyes. As he moved up next to me, I tucked a Hard Stone and a Rock Gem into the small necklace he wore. Only one would 'empower him' but that wasn't the goal.
When he glanced down, I winked at him and he smirked.
Then I turned back to the rest of my team in consideration.
"Shrek," I followed up with, causing my Swampert to perk up in surprise. "You've earned this buddy," I declared as I tacked a water stone into his own necklace.
A few of my other pokemon shifted, and I took a moment to lock eyes with them. Empress held my gaze, and I raised an eyebrow at her.
"I have no doubt that you could win, but I need to let others step forward," I said as I shifted to looking at Selene and Ursaring.
Out of the three pokemon that truly missed their chance today, only Selene was a contender. I wanted to test myself and my pokemon, not constantly grab for the biggest stick option.
Ursaring… would be the hardest, as while he was able to fight well, he still wasn't at what I'd call an Elite level.
I needed some of my stronger pokemon to step forward right now.
Once again, I handed off some stones to Titan, Empress, Selene and even Ursaring, just in case we had enough Legendary energy released to trigger a shift in the stones.
Titan chuckled at the stone as he tucked it away. Then he rumbled a suggestion and the other pokemon stalked to the side and up the stairs where they claimed a seat in the crowd.
The triplets all stared at Knight in surprise and rather than give them a playful wave he kept his focus forward. Huh, he really was locked in right now, wasn't he?
Brandon narrowed his eyes. "You're not bringing your starter or your Mega Steelix against me?" he growled.
That got me to turn and lock eyes once more. "You're asking for the pokemon that will fight their best, no?" This would not be like Agatha. I was going to take him seriously. I couldn't afford not to.
Brandon nodded slowly.
I gestured to Shrek and Knight who both stood a little taller. "These two will bring their best," I declared.
"Hmmm, very well," he replied before waving a hand.
Regirock strode forward on his side and I matched him with a wave of my own. "Regirock, go!"
As both pokemon marched out a silence fell over the crowd.
Straight away something stood out to me, but I decided not to voice it as it would be rude.
That didn't stop someone in the crowd from shouting, "Brock's is bigger?!"
I smirked even as I bit back a laugh. Brandon just snorted. "Children," he muttered.
We spared a glance towards the referee for the match who nodded and ran through the standard spiel. Then he dropped the flags and got us underway.
"Superpower!" roared Brandon and his pokemon surprised me by leaping into the air.
"Bulldoze to the left!" I shouted in response, annoyed that Brandon's Regirock had the jump on us in speed.
Despite the earlier reactions, my pokemon was able to surge out of danger and as it began to slow, I ordered a twist. "Spin into Earthquake!"
"Match it with your own Earthquake!" Brandon calmly replied.
Both pokemon performed the same move with Brandon's slamming into the field and creating a slightly bigger wave but my pokemon's greater size came into play as with a twist they created the same effect.
Both attacks caused the field to buckle and heave with me having to flex and sway to avoid toppling over while Brandon clamped a hand onto the railing.
Through the bond, I urged Shrek to dampen the field around himself as I spotted both Regice and Registeel shifting. Hmmm, Brandon had forgotten about them?
He glanced back for a moment and clicked his tongue at what he saw, "Use Hydro Pump Regice!" he ordered, copying my pokemon's move.
The slight delay and lapse in attention were enough for me to snap my hand out. "Lock On!" I called.
Brandon snapped around with a scowl before jerking his head. "Superpower again!" he ordered.
Once more, his Regirock went soaring through the air with a fist pulled back, but this time I was ready for it. "Hyper Beam!' I ordered.
Regirock beeped through its sequence rapidly only to fire a huge blast of energy that caused the oncoming Regirock to be struck in the air.
This time I was more than confident in landing a powerful blow. When the smoke cleared I was proven right as Brandon's Regirock was shown flat on its face having only made it halfway to my Regirock.
Brandon hummed but didn't look all that concerned.
He was proven right when with a series of beeps and chirps, his pokemon rose from the ground.
"Explosion," he called suddenly, and I snapped my head up in shock.
Shit really? If a regular attack by a Legendary pokemon was stronger than average, I didn't want to think about what an Explosion was going to be like.
Around the stadium, people shrieked as Brandon's Regirock began to glow.
I flashed a warning to Shrek and Knight as I rolled off the podium and covered my ears.
Brandon I noted, had done precisely the same. "Pokemon to me!" he ordered, calling his other two behind cover a moment before the Explosion discharged.
"Regirock! Hold out!" I ordered in a valiant hope a second before the world bucked and I felt my grip on the rock beneath me weaken and vanish as I was tossed into the air despite 'digging' in with my aura.
I landed on my side and grunted, standing quickly only to have to shake off a wave of dizziness that came with my ringing ears.
"You old bastard," I growled as I grabbed the nearby ladder and dragged myself back up onto the top of the podium.
The dust and haze that had been spread across the field wafted away slowly with there being no handy fans to drag it away unlike my own state-of-the-art gym.
I rose and coughed. "You dead Brandon?" I called, a dark part of me rather hoping he'd at elast been maimed. A little.
"Ha! Like that would do me in!" he called back from the other side of the dust cloud.
"Are you crazy then?" I called.
"Eh, that's up for debate. Guess I just wanted to see if you were up for it. You got me good with that Lock On Hyper Beam combo. I was hoping to have you dodge with Dig the first time!"
"I know what a Regirock is capable of!" I replied. "Weren't you worried the shields might break?" I shouted as the dust, which had finally resolved enough to show that both our Regirock's were still standing, albeit mine had a glint of life in its eyes.
"You still in the fight Regirock?" I asked. Regirock's eyes flashed through a slow sequence. I worked my jaw, knowing I could get it to keep fighting, but I wasn't about to demand that of it.
"Right, you won in the exchange between Regirocks, but I'm calling you back," I announced, raising my pokeball to return my Legendary.
Brandon grunted. "Why not wait until I send my next pokemon out? Take the safe road?"
"This is the safe road," I replied with a shake of my head. "I'm not playing with Shrek or Knight's entrance to the field. I'm going to give them just as much a chance as I've given others, if not more. I'm not playing around."
Brandon smirked. "Hmm, so you say, but you realise I'm counting this as your attempt at the Brave Symbol, right?"
"Honestly?" I raised my chin. "I don't care. This is a fight for my pokemon. I came to the Battle Frontier to patrol it, not win symbols."
"Heh, your mistake then. You think the other Kings or Brains or whatever titles they use won't want to throw down? Fiore's Noland is itching to challenge the best," he replied and I narrowed my eyes at him.
Was that a warning?
Brandon's eyes flickered to Sabrina a moment later. Ah, I was right. He was 'warning' us in his own way and making us stand up.
Well, that and trying to put me off my game with self-doubt.
So I gave it the response it deserved.
A derisive sniff as I settled into my signature pose, arms crossing over as I began to channel my aura into my pokemon. On my belt, my Regirock's energy shifted slightly and I became aware of it offering up its own, still significant, if dwindling reserves.
Shrek and Knight both felt the addition, and their surprised feelings flowed through the bond, only for something minor to flutter up from my pokebelt from Regirock.
A silent desire to help, even if in a small manner.
Well, look at that. Even with Brandon messing up my rhythm, I was going to come out ahead.
I held back a smirk as I replied to Brandon properly. "Be that as it may, but me and my pokemon decide how we fight, not you. And I'm recalling my Regirock. It fought well," I stated, sticking with and feeling much better about my decision.
A small glint of respect entered Brandon's eyes at my words and he offered me a nod. Then he waved a hand and his Registeel marched out. "Very well, let's see if your words hold true and you don't come to regret not sending out your starter or one of your more powerful pokemon!"
"Don't start fights you can't win old man," I replied as I waved a hand and sent forth Knight to answer his Registeel.
_____________________
A.N. Thanks got to my Patreons for your continued support!
I was seriously toying with the idea of who Brock should go to first with Lucy, Anabel, Spenser, or Noland going first instead of Brandon but then I decided to make something extra than what I had planned for the Battle Frontier.
Aka, the Frontier Brains counter challenge Brock.
Do people also want Sabrina to throw down I wonder?
Throw me your thoughts in the comments! What scenes do people want to see?
Thanks go to Twmmy for proofreading this chapter!