CHAPTER ONE: BLAKE 1

And the Wheel Starts Turning!!

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21st January, 1998, Cinnabar Island

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"Poliwrath, quick, dodge! Then hit it with Hydro Pump—full power!" The trainer's voice trembled with urgency, knowing that this was his last chance. Across the battlefield, a calm young man issued his orders with quiet confidence.

"Extrasensory to redirect it, then Energy Ball to finish." His voice was steady, almost detached, as he spoke to his Ninetales.

With a graceful flick of its tails, Ninetales used Extrasensory to twist the Hydro Pump's path, sending it harmlessly off-course. Poliwrath, exhausted from the previous move, struggled to regain its footing. Meanwhile, Ninetales' fur shimmered as it gathered energy—its mouth glowed a vivid green, and a sphere of concentrated Grass-type power formed in front of it. In an instant, it launched the Energy Ball with pinpoint accuracy.

A blinding flash of green light filled the air, followed by the unmistakable thud of Poliwrath hitting the ground, unconscious.

The referee called out, "Poliwrath is unable to battle! Gym Leader Blake wins!" A burst of applause erupted from the crowd, and Blake offered a graceful smile, acknowledging their cheers with a quiet nod.

The challenger stood silently, his gaze lowered, shoulders heavy with both shame and exhaustion.

Blake glanced at his defeated opponent, then turned to address the crowd. "Thank you all for coming to today's match," he said with a charismatic smile. "We won't have another battle until Wednesday, but if you want the best seats, be sure to grab your tickets early." With a playful wink, he waved to the crowd and departed, leaving the challenger without so much as a word.

…

As Blake passed the Gym Trainers' room, three of his trainers greeted him hurriedly. To them, Leader Blake was both an idol and a mentor. But his calm face and gentle demeanor—which usually masked the storm within—kept them on edge.

He returned their greetings with a polite nod and handed one of the Gym Trainers the Pokéballs he'd used in the battle before heading toward his personal lounge.

To his surprise, he found someone waiting for him there—his grandfather, lounging with a drink in hand.

Raising an eyebrow, Blake retrieved a soda from the fridge before addressing the old man. "What brings you here, Gramps?"

His grandfather chuckled, a nostalgic gleam in his eye. "Oh, just came to watch my brilliant little grandson make a fool out of another Elite Trainer. Ah, I'm so glad you took over this boring job... I remember when I had to hold back every time. Those were the days!"

Blake's eyebrow twitched as he leveled a cool glare at his grandfather. "Seems like your memory's fading, Gramps. Maybe you should pay Dr. Jones a visit, yeah? I distinctly remember the Gym Leader role being forced onto me by a certain old fool. Ring any bells? Not to mention all the mess that led to it… Ugh." Blake sighed as he collapsed onto the couch, visibly annoyed.

The old man only cackled in response.

Blake's grandfather, Blaine, was the previous Gym Leader of Cinnabar Island and had been a gatekeeper for Champion Pryce, a member of the Elite Four. Most people knew him as the Hotheaded Quiz Master, but in this world, he was known as Blaine the Fire Tyrant.

"Ah, good times, good times," Blaine reminisced with a grin. "But you know as well as I do, it was the best way to avoid owing the Blackthorns. So what's got you all grumpy? So what if you can't challenge the Dragon kid for another five years? You got an Alpha Dragonite's egg out of it. Last time I checked, you trained that damn lizard into another monstrosity."

Blaine mumbled under his breath, "Weird kid... weird Pokémon training methods..."

Blake wasn't impressed by his grandfather's half-hearted compliment, but he had to admit, Blaine had picked the best dragon from the clutch during the negotiations.

And Blake wasn't one to brag, but he knew he had the strongest Dragonite in all of Indigo. Lance's starter could suck it for all Blake cared. Meta knowledge went a long way, after all. The primitive methods the Blackthorns used to train their dragons could never match the level of his own Dragonite. While still young, Alduin was already proving himself worthy of the title of World-Eater.

Blake shook his head, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. "Yes, yes, Alduin is incredible, monstrous even, but don't forget how all of this happened! It didn't just cost me the title of Champion; I've got to follow that damn lizard's orders now... It's good that the idiot knows better than to think he can control me, and at least he doesn't go overboard with his demands. But it still grates on my nerves."

Blaine chuckled, deliberately ignoring the latter part of Blake's rant. His tone shifted as he locked eyes with his grandson, his face hardening. "Confident, are we?"

He paused, the smile vanishing from his lips as his voice grew low and serious. "Never underestimate anyone... especially not the Dragon Clans. Those people can—and will—be brutal if their tails get stepped on. And don't forget the generations of knowledge and wealth they've hoarded. You may be one of the strongest trainers alive, but that doesn't make you invincible. Don't underestimate anyone, Blake. I've seen my colleagues pay the price during the wars..." He trailed off, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the room. The cold emptiness in his eyes betrayed memories of battles long past.

Blake fell silent, the tension thick between them. His gaze shifted away, unwilling to dive deeper into those memories. Being reincarnated, he knew far more about the world than most, but his new life had given him firsthand experience of the wars. In his past life, wars had been distant, abstract concepts—either trivial details in history books or vague references in games. Here, though, war was a lived reality. The season never ending...

In this world, the wars weren't just between Johto and Kanto—they had spanned much farther, far more complex and devastating than he'd ever imagined. But now... the fighting was over. Peace had settled, but it felt fragile. Temporary.

'War... the freaking Season Never Ending,' Blake thought bitterly, his mind wandering to darker memories of conflict, death, and destruction.

Despite the outward appearance of peace, Blake knew it was an illusion—especially when it came to a certain household. He thought of the single mother and her 10-year-old son, who had begun his journey last year and would soon attend the Indigo Plateau Conference. He was still a massive idiot, a novice—a Pokenoob—but Blake knew that kid was destined for greatness. One day, that clueless boy would go on to become a legend in his own right.But… What will he leave behind in his path to greatness?…

Blake let out a long, tired sigh, shaking his head. The world wasn't finished with its games yet.

Blake knew Ash would soon arrive in Cinnabar to challenge him for a badge. But, with every passing day, the world seemed to shift further from the path it once followed, all thanks to his presence.

The Pokémon Mansion raid had been a turning point. When he was 15, the Mansion had been attacked, and Professor Fuji was arrested, sent to the League's detention center. Blake had made sure that Fuji's mind was crippled before that happened. As much as he tried to hold on to his sense of morality, Blake understood that the knowledge of cloning Mew was dangerous—especially in the hands of someone working under Giovanni.

In the aftermath, Blake had confronted his grandfather about his involvement in the Mew cloning project. What started as a conversation quickly escalated into a battle that nearly destroyed their relationship. Blake emerged victorious, proving his strength with his Starter, and, in doing so, opened Blaine's eyes to the true power of the Pokémon he had raised. It was then that Blaine finally confessed his ties to Team Rocket, Giovanni, and the cloning project.

With the truth revealed, Blake used his influence to shield Blaine from the worst consequences. Blaine was given a permanent restriction to stay in Cinnabar, but at least he was alive—and Blake ensured his grandfather still had access to the cutting-edge technology he craved. In return, Blake secured prestige, control over the island system, and vital sea routes. But, like everything in life, there was a price.

The first cost was the deal with the Blackthorns. Blake was barred from pursuing the Champion title for ten years. That stung—the world had already pegged him as the next Champion, the prodigy who would rise to the top, especially with his natural advantage over Champion Pryce. The second deal was even worse. He had to support Lance's ascension to the Champion's title. While Blake had reluctantly accepted that, it wasn't without benefit. From the arrangement, he had secured Alduin's egg, a powerful legacy in its own right.

Blake's third deal was with Agatha of the Elite Four, a woman whose very presence seemed to blur the line between ghost and witch. There was something about her—an unsettling, spectral energy that Blake couldn't quite place. The deal was simple: she would erase the memories of the scientists involved in the Mew cloning project and help protect Blaine. In exchange, Blake owed her three favors. It was a dangerous pact, but sometimes you had to make deals with the devil to get what you wanted.

Agatha had already cashed in one of her favors, forcing Blake to battle a powerful Spiritomb that had become an ancient remnant of a tomb—one that had been terrorizing a nearby village for centuries. It had been a brutal fight, and Blake had nearly lost his sanity dealing with the twisted monstrosity. Agatha, as usual, had reaped all the rewards, and her manipulative nature hadn't stopped there. She even tried to set him up with her apprentice, a woman named Karen.

Blake's expression soured at the thought. He didn't care about Agatha's schemes, and he certainly didn't care about her apprentice. Karen? No thanks. He wanted nothing to do with anyone who had ties to Agatha, least of all her protege.

Blake leaned back, rubbing his temples as the weight of everything pressed down on him. It wasn't just about the badge challenges or the upcoming war for dominance—it was about the complex web of debts and deals that tied him to forces beyond his control.

…

After exposing Team Rocket and securing Blaine's safety, Giovanni was hunted relentlessly by every available force. But the bastard… he had vanished, slipping through the cracks as though he had never existed. He erased all traces of himself—no sign, no scent. That was a problem. Giovanni's plans had been dangerous, and his escape meant something even worse could be brewing in the shadows. Blake knew if that man wasn't stopped, it could lead to another war. This time, however, it wouldn't just ravage the battlefields. It would impoverish the regions of Indigo, leaving them destitute and broken.

But Blake had another, more personal concern. The ripple effect of his actions had already begun. A butterfly had flapped its wings, and now the storm was inevitable. What would happen to the storylines he had once known? Would Mewtwo still come into existence? Would the rest of Team Rocket's operations unfold as history had dictated? Or had Blake's interference already altered the course of the future?

He didn't know the answers, and that uncertainty gnawed at him. What he did know was that Ash's journey, the very existence of that naive, determined boy, meant nothing would stay quiet for long. Things couldn't stay peaceful—not with Ash out there, not with the storm brewing on the horizon.

Blake sighed deeply, taking a long drink from his glass. He raised it slightly, as if toasting to the peace while it still lingered.

A voice broke his thoughts. Blaine spoke up, his tone casual, almost too carefree. "Oh, before I forget, we managed to resurrect a plant with the resurrection machine. Interested?"

Blake blinked a few times, confused for a moment, before shaking his head. "I'll look at it later. Right now, I need to check on my Pokémon. I've got a feeling I'll need them soon enough."

Blaine raised an eyebrow, his gaze following Blake's retreating form as he made his way toward the private Ranch. The old man didn't speak, but his eyes lingered on Blake, watching the younger man's every move with an unreadable expression.

Blake paused at the door, casting one last glance at Blaine. There was a picture framed on the wall—an old, faded photo of a younger Blaine standing beside a Pokémon that had long since passed from memory. Blaine's eyes softened as he stared at the image, his face betraying a brief, almost imperceptible sadness. Then, with a sigh, he turned his attention back to his drink, the weight of his own unspoken regrets hanging in the air.

...

...

Blake walked through the Ranch, greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of his Pokémon. Some were the battle-hardened veterans of his Gym, while others were wild, drawn to the peaceful haven of his land. He didn't mind feeding them or providing the space they needed to grow, and, when appropriate, he even helped them breed—always with their consent, of course.

He exchanged brief pleasantries with the Ranch workers before making his way toward the volcanic mountainside, where his main team resided. The atmosphere was heavy with Fire Energy, and the terrain reflected that. Lava flows through crevices, Fire Stones scattered like gems across the landscape—it was a paradise for Fire-types. Only the strongest Pokémon dared to venture this close to the heart of the volcano.

Reaching the mouth of a large cavern, Blake paused. His dark Red eyes narrowed in focus as he called out, "Gou, come out, boy. Time for some special training."

In the blink of an eye, a blur of black shot from the cavern, stopping just in front of him with shining, dark eyes. Blake grinned, scratching the back of his Houndoom, who was named after the legendary dog TianGou—known for wanting to swallow the moon. Blake's own Houndoom had a similar fire in his eyes—ready to destroy anything that stood in his path. Fairy-types? He didn't stand a chance. Gou was built to burn them down with his overpowered Sludge Bombs.

Blake turned toward the eastern cliffs, where a treacherous uphill climb led to another cave—a place where his Blaziken, Hestia, made her home. Hestia spent her time raising her brood, nurturing her chicks until they evolved into Combusken. It was clear she was a fierce fighter, but at her core, she was a mother.

Blake smiled warmly as he entered the cavern. "Looking good, Hestia. How are the chicks?"

The Blaziken trilled in response, basking in the affectionate petting from her trainer, her fiery plumage glowing in the low light. Blake chuckled, well aware of the dual nature of his Pokémon—strong, yet full of warmth and care.

After giving Hestia her due attention, Blake scaled the volcanic slopes to reach the fiery peak of the mountain. Near the summit was another cavern, where his powerhouse Pokémon resided. He wasn't surprised to find Vesuvius, his Camerupt, and Mustang, his Magmortar, lounging in a pool of lava. As soon as Blake called out to them, the two Fire-types rose eagerly, shaking off the molten heat and approaching their trainer with enthusiasm.

Blake raised an eyebrow, his thoughts shifting. "Any idea where Alduin and Acnologia are?"

Mustang, always the talkative one, pointed his massive arm toward the peak. Blake followed the gesture, and there they were—Alduin, his Dragonite, locked in an epic wrestling match with an even larger Charizard. This Charizard wasn't just any Charizard—its body was adorned with distinctive birth markings, which some might have called defects. But to Blake, those markings only made the Charizard look more formidable, more battle-worn. The flame on its tail was unique too—flickers of black embers mixed into the red-hot blaze, a symbol of its inner power.

Blake's smile curled slightly, a knowing pride swelling within him. This Charizard, Acnologia, had been special from the moment he'd chosen it as his starter.

He called to the pair of dragons, and with a shared, tacit understanding, the two massive creatures stopped their wrestling match. In an instant, they descended from the peak, landing in front of Blake, their eyes shining with excitement.

"Alright, everyone," Blake said, his voice steady but filled with determination. "Let's get some advanced training in. I have a feeling we'll need to be at our best very soon. I can feel it... the winds of change are coming."

The Pokémon roared in unison, the sound reverberating through the air like a thunderous declaration. Blake stood still, his gaze turning toward the horizon, the chill of both apprehension and exhilaration creeping over him. He wasn't sure what lay ahead, but he knew one thing for certain—the upcoming battles would test him and his team like never before.

...

...

3rd February, 1998, Cinnabar Island

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It was a day like any other.

*THUD* 

*Smoke billowed upwards*

"Nidoqueen is unable to battle. With no Pokémon left, the winner is Gym Leader Blake!"

Cheers filled the air.

Blake glanced up, his gaze drifting over to his last opponent of the day—heartbroken and defeated.

He couldn't help but sigh. Crushing random trainers wasn't something he enjoyed. Not really. But with his Fire-types, the gap in strength was so vast that no matter how much he mixed up his lineup or let his Pokémon battle on their own, the result was always the same.

His Pokémon had been trained by the finest, his standards high, and his skill in battle unparalleled. The reputation of his Gym demanded it, even if it meant a little subconscious sadism every now and then.

These days, earning the Volcano Badge had become more than just a symbol of victory—it was a mark of excellence. Only the truly determined dared to challenge it. But still, the lack of real competition was starting to get to him.

Blake turned to one of his Gym Trainers, a frown tugging at his lips. "This is getting out of hand... How many badges have I handed out this month?"

The girl looked flustered, her voice shaky as she replied, "Sir... you haven't given out a single badge in three months... the last one went to that boy from Johto who managed to beat one of your Pokémon..."

Blake blinked in surprise, his frown deepening. He let out a heavy sigh, then nodded at the girl, signaling her to return to her duties. He needed a break from this routine, a moment to relax in the hot springs and clear his head. But before he could leave, the door opened, and in walked Blaine with three kids in tow. Blake's heart sank.

'Why the hell is he bringing them here now?' Blake thought, resisting the urge to groan. Instead, he kept his composure and shot Blaine a questioning look.

Blaine, always enjoying a good tease, grinned from ear to ear. "I found a very interesting trainer while I was out on my daily stroll around the island. Thought he might just give you the challenge you've been waiting for."

Blake couldn't help but smile in response, though he didn't challenge his grandfather's words. He knew exactly who Blaine meant.

In this world, Ash Ketchum was the main character, and with him around, anything was possible.

Avoiding any hint of arrogance, Blake teased, "Oh? You seem pretty confident about him, but he looks like a rookie." He turned to Brock, adding, "And if I'm not mistaken, you're Flint's kid, right?" Then he glanced at Misty. "Ah, Misty! It's quite a surprise to see you all together here. How's your sister doing?"

Brock and Misty exchanged surprised looks before responding respectfully. Brock recognized Blake from his father's time as a Gym Leader—a prodigy who had outshone everyone in Kanto and Johto. The first time Blake had challenged his father for a badge had left a lasting impression on him, and he had been a fan ever since. Brock still vividly remembered watching Blake lift his first League trophy that same year.

As for Misty, she had a more personal connection to Blake, recalling the time he had dated her sister, Daisy a few years back. They were broken up now, but she remembered how well Blake had treated her back then.

While Misty and Brock greeted Blake politely, Ash, ever the hothead, shouted, "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, and I'm here to take you down!"

"Pika, pi!" chimed Pikachu enthusiastically.

Brock and Misty's faces paled, while Blaine wore a look of amusement. Blake, however, didn't get angry. Instead, he grinned. "My, my, aren't you confident, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town. So, I take it you want to challenge my personal team with that kind of confidence?"

Ash looked puzzled. "Well, yeah! What other team would I challenge?"

"Pika?" Pikachu echoed, its eyes wide.

Blake's smile widened even more at Ash's response. The surrounding crowd fell silent, including Blaine, who felt a bead of sweat trickle down his back. He gently nudged Blake. "Oi, boy, calm down. He's just a kid; he didn't mean anything by it. It's his—"

Blake cut him off, his tone calm but firm. "Yes, I know, but the choice is his. After all, he's the challenger, and he has the right to decide which team he wants to face." The smile never left his lips.

Brock and Misty attempted to explain the difference between personal teams and Gym challenge teams to Ash, but he remained undeterred.

"Who do you think you are? I want to be a Pokémon Master, and I'll start by beating you!"

"Pi pika pi, Pikachu!" chimed in Pikachu, matching Ash's confidence.

Fire burned in Ash's eyes, and Blake's grin showed no signs of fading.

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Hey everyone, Lumi here xD

Welcome to my new fanfic, or welcome back to reading my fanfics.

Yes, I know I've been absent for a while—life threw a lot at me. If you're curious about the details, stick around for the Author's Thoughts at the end.

You can expect three chapters a week from me, each clocking in at 3k words or more (usually closer to 4k). This will be a short story format, totalling around 30 to 40 chapters—more like a movie, I guess. If you enjoy what you read and show me your support, I'll definitely consider writing sequels.

As for my Naruto fanfics, I'll be posting 3 chapters of Shadows and Sharingan next week. The schedule for that isn't set yet, but it'll be the next week. Regarding the other Naruto story, well, it's going to take a backseat for a bit longer. I just don't feel I can write Mitsu's character the way I used to, given how much I've evolved as a person and a writer. I apologize for that, but I plan to write a closure chapter that outlines what would have happened and how the story might have ended—if that's something you all would like to see!

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