"So, you're the only one left of the 'Triad'? Worthless," High Priest Shaka's voice cut through the damp air of the underground cathedral like a serrated blade. "The three of you combined were supposed to be capable of assassinating Elite Four-level trainers. And yet, you tell me you failed?"
Shaka leaned forward, his eyes burning with a localized, hellish black flame. "You know the price of failure, Maki. The Fires of Purgatory will sear your flesh for three days and three nights. Every inch of your skin will crawl with agony."
Maki knelt, her forehead pressed against the freezing stone floor. She could feel Shaka's cold, spindly fingers lift her chin, forcing her to look into that void-like gaze.
"Are you hiding something from me?" he hissed.
"I... I am only afraid that I have failed your expectations, Great Priest," Maki stammered, her voice trembling.
Shaka studied her for a long, agonizing minute before abruptly releasing her. "I will give you one more task. Succeed, and your punishment is rescinded. Fail, and it will be doubled. Ando Kinji will brief you on the details."
With a flare of black fire, Shaka vanished. Maki remained on the floor, her legs numb, gasping for air as the lingering scent of sulfur filled the hall. "That was... too close."
Two Months Later: Viridian City
The atmosphere in Viridian City was electric. Nearly half the population had gathered at the outskirts of the Viridian Forest to witness the official inauguration of the new Viridian Gym.
The opening ceremony was a masterclass in aerial choreography.
Whimsicott drifted through the sky, performing a rhythmic "wind dance."
Chatot sang harmonic melodies that echoed across the plaza.
Cramorant sprayed a fine mist into the air, which refracted the sunlight into a dozen shimmering rainbows.
A majestic Pidgeot cut through the clouds, landing gracefully on the Gym's spire.
Sigilyph and Hisuian Braviary used their psychic powers to sculpt water into floating geometric shapes.
Trumbeak and Toucannon fired seeds into the dirt; moments later, thanks to the Gym's rich soil and the "Power of Viridian," flowers bloomed instantly across the grounds.
Feng Che stepped onto the podium, looking out at the cheering crowd. "Thank you all for coming. I am Feng Che, the new Gym Leader of Viridian City. From this day forward, I pledge to protect this city. My Flying-type Pokémon will conduct daily patrols; if there is an emergency, we will be the first to respond. I hope for your continued support."
The applause was thunderous.
"Leader Feng Che!" a voice shouted from the crowd. "What are the requirements to challenge you? Is there a badge limit?"
"As one of the premiere Gyms of the Kanto region, we require challengers to have at least four badges from other cities before they can step into this arena," Feng Che replied firmly.
"The 'strongest Gym in Kanto'? Talk is cheap," a young man stepped forward, pushing through the crowd. He looked strikingly similar to Sasaki Taro. "My name is Sasaki Sho. I have six badges. I assume that gives me the 'privilege' of testing your strength?"
Feng Che's eyes narrowed. Sasaki Sho. A side-branch member of the Sasaki family. It seems they've come to kick the door down on day one.
"Certainly," Feng Che said, his body glowing with a faint blue aura as he used his telekinesis to float onto the battlefield. "To the arena, then."
Sasaki Sho smirked. I've done my homework. You only use Flying-types. Between my Electric and Ice-types, this will be a massacre. You think being a tutor to Sasaki Tenshi buys you the clan's respect? I'm here to show you that a mere Gym-level trainer is nothing to the Sasaki lineage.
The Battle Begins
As the crowd surged into the stands, they were stunned by the sheer luxury of the facility.
High-Definition Screens: Huge monitors hovered above the field, ready to replay highlights.
Premium Seating: Instead of plastic bleachers, the audience sat in plush, high-grade sofas.
Digital Archives: Fans could pay a small fee in League Credits to download a recording of the battle immediately after its conclusion.
"This match will be a 3-on-3 challenge," Feng Che announced. "The battle ends when one side's Pokémon are all unable to fight."
He gestured to the screen, which displayed the new Viridian Badge. It was a work of art: a silver tree representing the Viridian Forest, with white crystalline "stars" representing the Pokémon within its canopy.
"Now," Feng Che said, his coat billowing in the wind. "Show me what the Sasaki family considers 'strength'."
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