The Elite trainers all touched down on the ground. Cerulean City seemed peaceful enough, except the entire town was empty.

They were in front of the PokéCenter. The foreign guests eyed the city in awe.

“It’s so beautiful!” N said, taking out his camera and snapping a picture. N wasn’t normally one for technology, but the camera was simple enough to operate. The greenet found taking pictures to be a joyous experience. The camera – named Annabelle – was his new best friend.

Suddenly, the PokéCenter doors opened.

“Hey guys!” Gym Leader Misty greeted the trainers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is Misty Waterflower, the Gym Leader of this City and a water-type specialist.” Lance introduced.

Everyone greeted the gym leader, either with a wave or a simple nod. N happily hugged the Gym Leader on the other hand- He’s very friendly.

“Alright, all formalities aside… if you’re wondering why the town in completely deserted, is because we have evacuated the residents to avoid any harm. I’m sure the Rockets have surveillance on the outside of the cave and have seen the evacuation, so you don’t have the element of surprise.” Misty said, her face stern.

“That wasn’t our intention in the first place, Ms. Waterflower.” Ruby said, smirking.

“Yep!” Jun said, wearing his signature boyish smile.

“Ya see…” Sapphire trailed off.

“We wanted to make our presence known.” Green ended with his trademark smirk.

Lance smiled. The trainers were really coming together as a group. They were even finishing each other’s sentences! He was so proud.

Misty let out a laugh. “I see. You guys are total daredevils, huh? I like that!” She raised her fist in the air, shaking it.

She silenced soon enough. “Heh, sorry… laughing in a situation like this…” She scratched the back of her neck.

“It’s fine, really. If anything, we need the enthusiasm.” Lance smiled.

“Alright, so you guys do what you gotta do. I’ll go to the sector where they’ve evacuated my city’s residents. At a time like this, they’ll really need their Gym Leader. See ya guys, kick some Rocket butt!” Misty waved and released her Pelliper. Then the water-type gym leader disappeared into the sky’s vast horizon.

“Right… so what’s our game plan?” Green asked, raising his eyebrow.

Silver let out a scoff. “I doubt if we even have one.”

“Negativity is not good for you. You’ll age faster.” Ruby said in the most serious tone he could muster.

“That’s what I keep telling him!” Kotone beamed at Ruby.

“Focus, you guys.” Hikari said, crossing her arms.

“Thank you, Ms. Platinum. Now, there is only one entrance into Cerulean Cave. But unfortunately, there’s been a cave-in a few days ago, sealing the entrance. At first we didn’t think it as anything suspicious, since these things happen all the time… but after finding out that the Rockets have set up base there, this must certainly be there doing.” Lance explained.

“Looks like we’re going to have to make our own door.” White smirked.

“Indeed. Now, there is something you need to know about Cerulean Cave… even though it is currently quite an aquatic set up, I should let you know that the entire mountain that accommodates the Cerulean Cave is actually a dormant volcano. It hasn’t gone off for several hundreds of years, but rarely there is some miniscule volcanic activity which makes geologists not able to classify the volcano extinct just yet. That’s why once you go in, all of you have to be careful… anything might set off the volcano…” Lance closed his eyes and gave a serious sigh.

“So basically… even the slightest tick and the volcano might be triggered?” Kotone asked, her face shrouded in worry.

“I’m afraid so.”

“Why did the Rockets choose such an explosive place? Especially to keep a bunch of cloned and angry legendaries! It’s just going to wreak so much havoc!” Hikari protested.

“They’re not thinking straight. The Rockets never have. They’re just too fucking blinded by their thirst for power to ever notice the gravity of their decisions.” Silver said, anger all over his face.

“It’s always been like that. Ever since I could remember…” Silver trailed off, remembering his painful childhood memories of when his father was too concerned over his Arceus-damned organization than his own family.

Kotone then held the redhead’s hand and gave a slight squeeze. As if to say: ‘Everything will be just fine.’ And oddly enough- that simple gesture- put Silver back at ease.

“Alright… you guys are going to have to go in on your own. I’ll stay outside and keep in contact with you through these ear devices. You can use them to communicate with each other as well; they are all fitted with microphones. You tell me what’s going on inside, while I update you on whatever’s happening outside.” Lance handed each and every one of the Elite trainers an ear piece.

He wished them good luck and sent them on their way.

‘Can all of you hear me?’ Lance tested the ear pieces.

“Yes.” All the trainers replied in unison.

“So… looks like we’re gonna have to bang this mountain up.” Sapphire said, eyeing the huge mount.

Swiftly, all the trainers released all their Pokémon.

The teams of six Pokémon each stood behind each of their respective trainers.

Now all the trainers took a turn to look at each other.

Green and Red locked gazes, Silver and Kotone both took deep breaths, Ruby and Sapphire both nodded in each other’s direction, Jun gave Hikari a thumbs up which made her smile, N gave White a reassuring smile.

They Pokémon also look a few moments to acknowledge each other. N’s Reshiram and White’s Zekrom being the only two legendaries in the bunch. The two twins weren’t going to miss out on this.

Now, all the trainers took a deep breath.

Then commanded all their Pokémon to use their most powerful attacks, and aim it at the rocky wall of the mountain.

BOOM!

The large explosion rattled the very ground, the area surrounded by dust and rubble.

Hikari commanded her Straptor to flap its wings, clearing the dust. The trainers coughed, and dusted themselves off at the result of the explosion.

But they all wore a smile at the sight of the large hole that was created in the mountain’s wall.

“There’s your door…” White gave a slight chuckle.

‘Well done, you guys!’ Lance said over the ear phones.

“Don’t mention it.” Silver said, still dusting sand from his sleeves.

The trainers called back their respective Pokémon.

‘Are you guys ready?’ Lance asked.

“Yeah.” Said Green, while Red nodded.

“Born ready! Right Kari Kari?!” Jun said with enthusiasm, replied with an acknowledging smile from Hikari.

“Yup, I and Sapph are good here too.” Ruby answered.

“Same here with Silv.” Kotone smiled.

“N and I as well.” White said, adjusting her cap.

Even though the trainers couldn’t see him, Lance wore a confident smile.

‘Alright guys, GO!’

And with that said, all the ten Elite trainers ran inside, raring for a fight.



Little did they know… things would get complicated sooner than they thought.