Cynthia

"When are we leaving?", asked Axel.

"Just a couple of hours now. My cousin, Clair is also coming. My father and my grandmother are also coming. We would reach there in 20 hours. So, we have a day to spend."

Axel was excited to meet the new generation of young trainers. Lance also told him that Steven and Wallace would also be there. Lorelai was also going cause she was also a powerful young trainer. Surprisingly, Ryker was also going there. 

Ryker was a member of the Zard family and Axel had met him during the unknown island time. He was excited to meet his old and upcoming friends. 

###

Next day,

"Ahhh, finally we are here.", said Lance stretching his body. They had finally reached their destination. 

"Where are we?", asked Axel.

"Oh, this is a private island owned by all of us. There are many members of this elite group. You would meet a lot of new faces today.", said Lance with a smile.

Axel didn't ask the name of this island cause the name of the island was everywhere. 

It was called 'Concrete' 

'Who the hell named it? This is so stupid.', thought Axel but he didn't voice it out loud. 

The island was big. It was not as big as the Kanto League City cause that would be ridiculous. But it was a big island. There was a huge forest, roads, hotels and even shops. 

"Lance, you said that it is a private island right?", asked Axel.

"Yes"

"Then why is there a hotel, road, and shops."

"Then where would we live? The ladies also need to shop.", said Lance.

"But, you guys come here once every 2 years. Isn't that a waste of money?"

"It is. But this island is owned by a lot of families. So the money is not very much. It is doable."

Axel was astounded by this statement. The money that these families waste was not something he could comprehend. It would take billions of dollars every year to maintain this island. Even if a lot of families invested in it, each family would have to contribute millions. 

That was a lot of wasted money. Axel knew how hard it was to earn some money. He was in a comfortable position now but he had worked hard to earn. 

"Lance, you said that the starter families are not included in this family meeting. But why is that? They are also influential and powerful."

"Well, I don't know much about it but they just are not. Starter families are also very arrogant."

"So, when is Ryker coming?"

"He must have already arrived. We will meet him at the hotel. So are you excited to meet everybody?", said Lance.

Lance, Axel, and Lorelai were now going to the hotel with Dragon, Clair, and Agatha. A car came up to pick them up. All of them sat in the vehicle and then reached the hotel premises after 20 minutes. 

Their rooms were booked. They were not charged as this was their hotel. Ryker was part of the Zard family, one of the starter families of the Kanto region. Zard's family was not a part of this family meeting but Lance had also invited him and he had agreed.

"It's been a long time guys.", said Ryker and greeted all of them. He looked at Axel for 2 more seconds. Everyone knew the power of Axel's Pokemons cause all of them had seen the league battle including Ryker. 

A family could bring out 2 outsiders in the meeting and Lance's family had brought Axel and Ryker. Everyone was excited to meet Axel. They wanted to see how powerful Axel really was. This included Cynthia too. 

They were given a room. Axel had been alloted his room. Axel went to his room to unpack. He also took a shower and lay on the bed. The meeting was to be held in an hour and most of the families had yet to arrive. 

###

After an hour, Lance, Lorelai, Dragon, Clair, Agatha, Axel, and Ryker arrived at the meeting point. There was a long dinner table and it was in the middle of a big garden. The garden had green grasses and it was nicely cut. Axel could also see a beautiful view of the ocean. 

The place looked majestic and Axel could see a lot of young and old faces already sitting on the chairs. All of them followed Agatha and reached the dining table. 

Everyone was present there. Axel could also see Steven and Wallace. Both of them waved their hand to greet Axel and Axel did the same. On the side corner, Axel could see a tall girl with long blond hair. The girl was beautiful. She was wearing black pant and black T-shirt with a red jacket. Her fashion sense was very unusual and the girl was staring at Axel with she was going to eat him up.

"Welcome everyone. All of you know me but I see a lot of new faces today so, I will be introducing myself. My name is Gordon Whitney and I am the leader of the Whitney family. As per the traditions, the Whitney family will be hosting this year's family meeting and I welcome you all.

Unfortunately, some of the families could not attend this meeting and all of them are very apologetic. Before we begin the meeting, let me first introduce to all of you.

You already know my name. This is my daughter, Akane Whitney and she is 14 years old. She had recently started her journey. 

We also have Sorn Stone and Steven Stone, Dan Mikuri and Wallace Mikuri, Volo and Cynthia, Norman, Mr. Moore, Graymond Denzi and Volkner Denzi, Fantina, Drayden, Sogan and Elesa Shinning and finally, Dragon, Agatha, Lorelai, Lance, Axel, Clair and Ryker.

Now, the meeting would be confidential and those who are outside of the family are not allowed to participate. So, if you are an outsider please let yourself out.

The children are also allowed to leave if they want to."

Axel was trying to remember all these names. There were many famous people at this meeting. He didn't want to meet with all of them but there were some of them that interested him. 

One of them was Cynthia. 

Since Axel was an outsider, he went out of the garden. Lance, Lorelai, and Ryker also followed him. Slowly, other youngsters also went out of the meeting. The meeting was boring for them and none of them wanted to attend it. 

Axel would not blame them for it cause these types of meetings were very boring. It was just a place to meet your competitors and brag about what you had done in 2 years. 

So, there were 10 youngsters including Axel that had come out:

1. Axel

2. Lance

3. Lorelai

4. Ryker

5. Steven

6. Wallace

7. Cynthia

8. Akane

9. Volkner

10. Elesa

All of them gathered together and all of them were staring at Axel with angry eyes. Axel could feel all their stares and he knew why they were looking at him in such a manner.

###

Flashback, to 2 days ago.

"Remember Axel, you must tread carefully there.", said Lance.

"Why?"

"Cause none of the young generation likes you. All of them hate you to their core."

"What? But why? What did I do?", asked Axel.

"When you became the zone commander of that first tide, all of these young trainers were forced by their families to join the tide. Even I did. You know that. None of them have pleasant memories of that tide. I heard that Volkner also lost one of his Pokemons in that tide."

"But that is not my mistake. Are they so petty?"

"I know that it is not your mistake and yes they are that petty. All of them grew up in prominent families. Money is not a problem for us. So when they were forced into such a situation, they didn't like it. A lot of trainers would challenge you, but deny their challenges cause you could not beat all of them."

Flashback end.

###

Axel looked at all of them and asked, "What? Why are you all staring at me? Am I that handsome?"

Lance wanted to laugh but he held it in. Even though they met every 2 years, none of them were his friends and he didn't want to act friendly with them. So he kept his stoic expression. 

"Bitch! My Pokemon died because of you", shouted Volkner.

"I don't think that I have met you before.", replied Axel.

"Because of you, all of us had to go through that tide and none of us are happy about it.", said Akane.

"And how is that my problem?", asked Axel.

"YOU!!!! All of this is your problem. I want to crush you right here right now", shouted Volkner and started to walk towards Axel with heavy steps. Lance stood between them to defend Axel.

"Lance, move out. This is not your place."

Axel was acting a bit different from his regular way and there was a reason why.

###

Flashback,

When he was in the previous world, his father always gave him speeches and lectures. He still remembered one of them.

"Axel, do you know why Lions are called the king of the Jungle?"

"Cause they are powerful?"

"No. There are many animals that could defeat a lion. An elephant is bigger and stronger. A tiger could defeat a lion. Polar bears are definitely stronger than a lion and rhinos have good defense."

"Then why is it?"

"Because Lions sleep 21 hours a day. Let that sink in. There are animals who may not have slept for 2 days cause their mother or brother was killed a day before and they fear that they would be the next. 

But lions sleep 21 hours a day.

So, it is not about being stronger or having a good IQ or good strategy but it is having that Attitude!!

A normal animal doesn't sleep for 2 days cause they are afraid but lions don't give a fuck about it.

That is why even elephants, tigers or rhinos don't mess with them.

That is why we say 'Pride of lions'. There are only 2-3 male lions in a group and there is always an alpha lion cause there could only be one king!!

So, always have that attitude."

Flashback end.

###

Axel looked at all the angry faces and started to laugh hysterically. 

"Why are you laughing?", asked Volkner.

"Weaklings, all of you. You have been sucking on your mama's milk for so long that you don't even know how the outside world works. I thought that the young generations of the prominent families must be someone amazing but all I see are weaklings.", said Axel with an evil smile.

"Then why don't we battle? I will show it to you if I am a weakling or not?", shouted Volkner. He was fuming with anger. Axel could see his heavy breaths from where he was standing.

"Didn't you hear me before? I called you a weakling. So why would I waste my time for a weakling?"

"Ohhhh, you think that all of us are weaklings huh?", came a voice from behind. The voice was very sweet and it was the voice of a lady. 

Axel followed the voice to see who was speaking and smiled.

"Yes."

"You think I am a weakling too?"

"If you are surrounded by such idiots then yes, you are also a weakling.", said Axel.

"Then why don't you battle me? Only 1 Pokemon. Your best with my best. If you win, I will give you 1 trillion dollars for wasting your time. I think that would suffice.", said the lady.

"Axel, don't battle her. It is a trap.", said Lance immediately.

Axel looked at Lance and gave a smile. Then he looked at Cynthia and said, "Money has never been a problem for me. If you have anything else, then feel free to say out loud."

"Ok, all of us youngsters are going to get selected for getting a Togepi egg. If you win or even manage to come out draw, you will also get one spot.", said Cynthia with a smile.

"What is your best Pokemon?", asked Axel.

"Why? Got scared?"

"No, just curious. I don't want to have an unfair battle with you."

"It is Garchomp."

"Sigh, then it would be an unfair battle for you. My best Pokemon is Shedinja and it would be immune to dragon and ground-type attacks."

"Do you think that I care?", asked Cynthia.

"No, but I don't want your group to label me as a cheater when I beat your ass. I have already been awarded the most hateful person award already."

"Haha, you are funny. Then how about our best pseudo-king rank Pokemon battle? Only 1 Pokemon battle. Lance would be the referee.", said Cynthia.

"Hmm. That is doable. Tell me the time and place and I will be there.", said Axel with a smile.

"The time would be right now and the place is where we are going to now.", said Cynthia.

"OK deal."