Red

It was now time to say goodbye to another member of his team. Shedinja was the shadow of Axel and he didn't know what he would do without it. It would always warn about the dangers around him and he felt safe. That was one of the reasons why he took this quest to travel in the forest. 

However, it also had to grow and Gengar was the best thing for it right now.

"Marcus, I know you want to grow stronger and be the knight for us. But also think about taking a rest. You tend to train till you hurt yourself. 

You should train your body stats but focus more on darkness and shadow-type energy. Also, think of a powerful ghost-type attack cause we are lacking in that department...."

Axel started to give advice to Shedinja. He had made some plans on its further training and he told all of it to Shedinja and Gengar. 

"I would meet you after some months. It is only 7 months, it is not a long time. Think of training and nothing more. I would also talk to Gengar twice a month and also talk to you. 

You think that you can do this buddy?", asked Axel.

Shedinja was really excited at first to train under Gengar. It had not thought of being alone. However, it was now realizing that it would miss its trainer. 

It had been with Axel for more than a year now and its life had totally changed. Axel had been loving and caring and a good trainer. It also loved the company of other Pokemons on Axel's team. It had become used to such a family atmosphere. 

Shed.. Shed….Shedinja….

It was determined to train harder and reach a higher stage. 

###

3 days later,

"Axelll, come over for lunch now.", his mother. 

"COMINGGG!!!!!!", replied Axel. 

Axel reached towards the garden to see all of his family members. Agnes, his uncle Noah, his mother, and father. Agnes was assisting her mother in setting the tables and they were getting ready for lunch. 

It had been a day since he reached his home. He had done no training and only spent his time with this family. His father also allowed his daughter to take 2 days leave from school. 

"So, how do you feel after getting all the gym badges?", asked Noah.

"The moment I feel that I am now strong enough, something happens and it makes me realize that I am still so weak.", replied Axel.

"Well, that is good. At least it is keeping you on your toes. But when you feel down, you should think and also realize that you have achieved a lot. Not many people could say that they have 8 pseudo-king rank Pokemons with them."

"You are right, I guess. I see that Scizor is going to rank up to pseudo-king rank."

"Yes, after it was cured, it has been training very hard. It might reach the next rank within a year."

Axel had told Noah to do the same thing as he did with Agnes's Dragon Air. It had also become a member of the forest and 50% of Axel's talent applied to it. It was now on the verge of reaching pseudo-king rank. 

"You said that you want to be at home till the league battle starts. Do you have any plans?", asked Arron, his father. 

"I do and I might need your help.

I plan to make a lot of training grounds where I could train my Pokemon. These training grounds would be for every type of Pokemons. There would also be a separate training ground for each of their body stats so there would be at least 23 training grounds. There could be more."

"Axel, I don't think we have that sort of land for these training grounds. I don't even think that the city has so much land for it. And how do you plan to deal with the money issue? It would cost billions of Poke dollars."

"I would go to the mayor and talk about it. I also plan to commercialize it after the league battle and the mayor can invests half of the money. Then I plan to buy it slowly and make it fully mine.", said Axel.

Money would be a huge problem for this massive project. Axel had seen some of the training grounds from the Charicific Valley and Venu family. He didn't have the full idea of all the training grounds. He also didn't know where he would get all the equipment.

"Tell me if there is anything I can do. But I don't think that I can do much.", said his father. 

They had a hearty lunch and now it was time for Axel to focus on training grounds. Axel realized the importance of training grounds from Charicific Valley. He knew that he would have to have such training grounds for the future. So, why not do it now?

The first one he called was Angela. He told all the things that he want in a training ground. 

"Axel that would be a massive project and I don't think you have the money or land for it." 

"That is why I thought to ask Mayor for some of the money. I would also invest in some of them."

"Axel, you don't understand. Training ground is very expensive to make. You are planning to make at least 23 training grounds. By the time you finalize the plans, it would be around 30. 

Even we don't have 30 training grounds in Venu family branches. Only headquarter have more than 30 training grounds and it took us decades and decades to make it."

"So, how much money are we taking here?", asked Axel.

"At least a trillion Poke dollars.", replied Angela.

"A trillion? Seriously? A trillion dollars?", asked Axel again. He just could not believe it. 

"You think that all the equipment that comes with training grounds is cheap? NO. It is very expensive."

"Ok, I will deal with the money problem later. Do you have anyone who knows the ins and outs of how to make and structure a training ground?", asked Axel.

"Yes, we have Mark. He is the one that did all the things around here."

"And on a side note, how do you feel about investing in this massive project on mine? You know that I don't have the money and selected Venu family members could come here to train. 

You know that the training grounds that I am trying to make would be very helpful."

"I would want to invest in this project but I have a condition. You cannot let the mayor of the city invest in it. You can ask for other private investors but not the mayor.", said Angela.

"Can you tell me why?"

"Axel, the mayor works for the government and I don't trust the government. I would rather have other private investors invest in it."

"That could be done. I will talk to Mark now."

###

Axel talked to Mark about the issue and Mark was knowledgeable. However, he was not so updated about this topic. Venu family's training grounds were outdated and Mark didn't have knowledge about the new equipment of training grounds.

He then talked to Lance about the investment and the knowledge about it. Lance said that he would have to ask his father and Agatha about it. 

Lance replied within an hour and said that they were also ready for investment. Lance's family also had some people dedicated to training grounds. He linked them to Mark and told them to study on it. 

Lance's family was from the Johto region. They also had a branch in the Kanto region. They had a gym in the Johto region. It was a Blackthorn City gym. Agatha was also a part of the family and she was the elite 4 of Kanto region. 

However, when asked which region they belong to, Lance always answered saying that he belonged to the Kanto region. Lance also started his journey from the Kanto region. He always had a familiar vibe from Kanto. He didn't know why.

However, his father, Dragon was from the Johto region. He was the previous gym leader of Blackthorn City. It was weird to have a home in 2 different regions but they were an influential family. 

"Lance, do remember that this is a private investing project. There would be no government, or gyms involved in it.", said Axel.

"Don't worry. I have already said that to my dad and he is okay with it."

Dragon had decided to do the investment for only 1 reason and that was Axel. Axel was the successor of Oak, the mighty Pokemon master, and Axel was also a powerful trainer. He wanted to make a good connection with Axel through this project. 

Axel then called Oak about it. 

Naturally, Professor Oak had knowledge about training grounds. He also had all the files and documents on interesting concepts of training grounds. His knowledge of this topic was more than Mark and Lance's family combined. Axel stomped his foot in stupidity. Why didn't he ask Oak first?

"Do you want to invest in this project?"

"Axel, I have no need of this project but as your teacher, if you need any monetary help, I would provide it to you.", said Oak.

"How much could you give me?", asked Axe hopefully.

"I could provide you with all the money that you would need for this project but I would not. That would spoil you a lot. You need to learn hardship. So, I would send you 1 trillion Poke dollars for this project. Use it well.", said Oak.

1 trillion Poke dollars was a huge amount and Oak was saying that it might still not be enough. 

"Thanks, Oak. That would help me a lot.", said Axel with gratitude. 

"Hey, that is what I am here for. If this could make you stronger, then I would help you. 

Wait a second, Red wants to talk to you." Said Oak and gave the phone to Red.

"Hello, Axel."

"Hey Red, how are you? Enjoying the vacation time?"

"No. It was good at first but now I am getting bored. Blue is busy with this expedition thing and now I have to take care of 2 kids. It is very tiring."

Red had forgone to pursue his dream of becoming a Pokemon master. He had nothing to do now. He was trying to find out something that he would love to do. Axel never asked why Red gave up cause it was a delicate topic.

"Hey, I have been thinking of training Ash and Gary when they get older. What do you think?"

"I would be happy. I don't know about Blue but he would agree to it. You are a strong trainer now with your head on your shoulders."

"Thanks."

"Hey, I have been meaning to ask, I want to come to Hakone City to visit you. I am very bored out here. Are you free?"

"Yes, I have all the time that you want. When would you come here?"

"I will arrive there tomorrow."

"Ok, it's a deal.", said Axel.

They talked about Ash and Gary for a few minutes and Axel hung up the phone. 

Red coming to his city would help him a lot. He could ask for advice on how to train and how to battle champions. 

Red had the title of winning 6 champion battles from 6 regions. The guy was already a half-Pokemon master. Red's experience would come in handy. 

Axel would have loved to ask Oak for advice but Oak never told him a thing. He only told Axel to walk on his own path. 

It was already night when he completed the calls. Thinking of all the things that he would do in later days, he went to bed.

###

Next day,

"Axel, AXEL. Wake up fast.. Wake up right now.…", said his mother.

"Umm… what time is it?", asked Axel rubbing his eyes.

"It's already 6: 30 a.m. You are late today."

"Ok, just give me 5 minutes. I would wake up.", said Axel.

"Well, we have a guest here that wants to meet you. So, wake up fast!!!", said his mother.

"Who?"

"Red Ketchum."

Axel jumped out of his bed throwing his blankets and ran towards the bathroom. He did the deed, showered, and changed his clothes to get ready to meet Red.

Even though Red and Axel were on friendly terms, he was still the holder of 6 champion titles from 6 different regions. Axel didn't want to be rude and make him wait for long. 

He got ready and went to meet him. 

Red was sitting on a chair in the kitchen and eating breakfast that his mom had made for him. 

Everyone was looking at Red with wide eyes. His sister and his uncle were practically staring at Red while standing in the corner. 

That was Red fucking Ketchum. 

The former champion of the Kanto region and the current champion of the Unova region. Unova region was the recent region he had acquired. He was one of the most famous trainers in the whole wide world. 

His family was not accustomed to meeting such huge celebrities.

"Oh hey, Axel. It is nice to meet you."

"You came here pretty fast Red. I was not expecting you till afternoon."

"Well, what can I say? I just wanted to get out of the house as fast as I could."

"Your wife was okay with it?"

"I would deal with her when I go home. I actually came here for a reason."

"Oh really?", said Axel as he was sitting on the chair. 

"After I gave up my dream to become the next Pokemon master, I had nothing planned for the future. I thought to raise my child but I know I am not that kind of man. I care about the kid but I cannot waste all my time doing it. 

I still don't know what I would like to do but I figured I should start something."

Red then directly looked at Axel's eyes and stared at him for a few seconds. 

"I would like to train you, Axel."