Chapter 1

Ace Tomlinson woke to the same grating Dodrio cry that had plagued Pallet Town mornings for years.

“Fucking hell,” he muttered into his pillow.

He had just arrived back in Pallet Town the previous night after a long journey from the Paldea region. It had been a while since he’d last visited his small hometown, yet it still felt like home. He planned to go see his parents who lived just down the street from him sometime today. First however, he had to go see Professor Oak.

The whole reason he came back to Pallet was because the Professor had urgently called him to come back as soon as possible since he had something massively important to share with him. Oak seemed especially serious when they had last spoken on the phone and mentioned that he had also called Ace’s two friends and longtime rivals, Phoebe Hallow and Phillip Cole to meet them.

Ace, Phoebe, and Phillip all began their journeys in Pallet Town on the same day nearly ten years ago. The three of them were the top three graduates from Kanto Pokémon Academy that year.

All trainers were and still are required to complete one year of Pokémon Training School and pass the final exam prior to becoming certified as a Pokémon trainer and receiving their first Pokémon. As the top three graduates that year, Phoebe, Phillip, and Ace each earned the right to be given a starter Pokémon from the world-renowned Professor Samuel Oak himself. They also each received an extremely rare and expensive hi-tech Pokédex as well as monetary sponsorships from the Professor’s foundation to get them started on their journey.

Ace recalled Phoebe, being the number one ranked trainer in the class, snatching up Squirtle without hesitation, Phillip taking Charmander second, and Ace grinning because Bulbasaur had been his first choice all along.

In the distant past, children as young as ten years old could begin their journey as a trainer, however, due to the dangers of navigating the world of Pokémon and the mounting number of deaths related to Pokémon training, the age requirement was eventually raised to 18 years old worldwide. The mandatory completion of one year of training school was also added as a requirement before receiving a Pokémon training license.

Ace, now unable to go back to sleep, begrudgingly got up still cursing the Dodrio under his breath. He showered, got dressed, and made himself breakfast. Shocker, his Raichu, nuzzled his leg as Ace ate his cereal. A while later, Ace’s PokéNav buzzed. It was a text from Professor Oak.

Professor Oak: “Be at my lab by 10 AM. Everyone will be here.”

Even Oak’s text message sounded tense. He wondered what could be having the Professor so worked up like this. Was there a new threat? A new Pokémon discovery? Also, who exactly was “everyone”? It sounded like he was referring to more than just he, Phoebe, and Phillip.

Ace had seen his fair share of extraordinary phenomena during his Pokémon training career. Things that the average trainer could only imagine seeing. Oak was well aware of this of course. Maybe he had made a discovery based on some of the things he’d seen.

The sun had fully risen by the time Ace had gathered his mass pack (a pack capable of storing a large number of items equivalent to a large storage room by making the item mass shift to a smaller size while in the bag) and his Pokémon team, including Shocker who was now back in his Poké Ball. After one last check, He headed out to Professor Oak’s lab. The lab was the featured attraction of Pallet Town and was the main reason people outside of Pallet came to visit.

It was about a thirty-minute walk to the lab, but Ace didn’t mind. As he passed by some of the townsfolk who were outside, some waved to him, and a few kids even came up asking for pictures and autographs. Ace was known as a bit of a Pallet Town hero and legend for his exploits during his Pokémon journey. He had traveled all around the world training his Pokémon and competing in the local leagues.

Some of the kids whispered “Paldea Champion” like it was a title from a storybook making Ace smile. Ace had been crowned Region Champion three separate times in his career, most recently in Paldea where he was currently the reigning champion after recently defeating the prior champion, Geeta.

As Ace got near the lab, he saw Phillip Cole approaching from the opposite direction.

“What up, loser!” Phillip called out humorously.

“Not your skills, that’s for sure.” Ace replied, smiling.

“Oh, so mister Paldea Champion thinks he’s hot shit now, huh?” Phillip teased.

“I’ve been hot shit. You better catch up.” Ace replied.

All jokes aside, Ace knew that Phillip was no slouch himself. Phillip had competed in almost as many leagues around the world as Ace and was a two-time region champion himself, including currently being the Champion of the Kalos region.

“So, you have any idea what the Professor wants?” Ace asked.

“No idea.” Phillip replied, shrugging. “Not gonna lie, I’m kinda anxious to find out though, so let’s hurry up and get inside.”

Ace nodded, and they walked up to the lab together. As they walked, they saw all kinds of Pokémon wandering around and being tended to by Oak’s staff. Some of the staff were doing the morning feeding while others were taking notes and doing checkups on some of the Pokémon. They reached the large front double doors and rang the doorbell. A few seconds later, the door opened, and one of Professor Oak’s aides greeted them.

“Ace! Phillip! Welcome! You’re just in time. Oak and the others are waiting for you.

Ace couldn’t help but notice that the lab wasn’t its usual quiet hum of machines and murmuring assistants. They walked down the hall, a faint chemical smell from preservation tanks in one of the rooms reached their noses. They reached the elevators and took it to the fourth floor. There they exited and walked all the way down the hall and entered Professor Oak’s office suite. As Ace and Phillip stepped inside, the air felt heavy, thick with the kind of tension that made even the fluorescent lights seem dimmer. Every eye in the room turned toward them.

Phoebe Hallow was already there seated on one of the couches in the study area, her long, layered brown hair cascading down her shoulders with natural golden highlights at the tips. She had the aura of a woman ready for anyone and anything. Her mustard yellow bag laid next to her.

Professor Oak stood in the middle of the room, but that wasn’t all who was there.

Seven of the world’s most renowned Pokémon Professors were gathered in one place: Oak, Elm, Birch, Rowan, Juniper, Sycamore, Kukui. Their faces lit only by the flicker of holo-maps. Each of them had the same grave look. The kind of expression people wore when speaking of wars or disasters.

Ace exchanged a glance with Phillip and Phoebe. This wasn’t a social call.

“Hello Professors.” Ace said a little nervously given the ominous vibe in the room right now.

One by one, each professor greeted them. Ace and Phillip then turned to Phoebe who was still sitting on the couch.

“Bout time you chumps got here.” She said but with an air of amusement in her voice.

“Ace. Phillip. Thank you for coming. Please have a seat. There are refreshments by the bar if you’re hungry or thirsty.” Professor Oak said.

Ace declined the refreshments and sat down. Phillip went and grabbed a bagel and poured himself some orange juice before joining him. Once everyone was situated. Professor Oak then began the meeting.

“Thank you all for coming on short notice. We wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t of extreme importance. Ace, Phillip, Phoebe..., what we have to tell you may have lasting implications that could affect the entire world. We need your help.”

Professor Rowan from Sinnoh cleared his throat. He then spoke, his voice low but carrying weight.

“During your travels, you three have all encountered and captured not just powerful Pokémon, but Pokémon considered to be legendary. What you’ve accomplished ... it’s not just remarkable, it’s unprecedented.”

“Yeah, we’ve sure cleaned up a lot of messes.” Phoebe muttered.

Rowan gave her a stern look but continued. “You’ve taken steps toward understanding mysteries that have eluded humanity for centuries. Mysteries about Pokémon, our world ... even the nature of the universe itself.”

He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But there is still more to uncover. Much more.”

Professor Oak stepped forward. His usual warm demeanor was replaced by something sharper.

“We believe there are more legends out there to be found, and more importantly, waiting to be found before the wrong hands reach them. You three have proven you can stand against powers most trainers wouldn’t survive seeing. Demi-gods, in some cases. You’ve done it and walked away stronger.”

Professor Birch from Hoenn leaned in as he sat on the opposite coach, his tone heavier.

“Which is why you’re the only ones we can trust with this. There’s an old legend in my region, one so ancient it predates the League’s founding...”

“The Regis.” Phillip cut in.

Birch gave a sharp nod. “Precisely. Regirock, Regice, and Registeel. We believe they still exist, entombed, waiting, and when united, they can be taken to Snowpoint Temple in Sinnoh ... to awaken their master.”

“Their master?” Phoebe inquired.

“Regigigas.” Professor Rowan answered.

The name hung in the air. Professor Elm from Johto shifted uncomfortably.

“Great. Another god-tier Pokémon with the potential to wreck civilization. Just what I needed.” Ace thought bitterly.

Rowan spoke again, his voice now edged with warning. “Understand this. These are not trophies. These are weapons of war. If Regigigas falls into the wrong hands, entire cities could be erased. Nations could crumble. That’s not a theory. That’s history.”

Oak’s eyes locked on Ace, then Phillip, then Phoebe.

“Normally, we would discourage the disturbance of such powerful and ancient Pokémon, but we have reason to believe that there are those who currently seek them that wish to use their power for selfish and dangerous reasons.” Oak then looked more sternly. “Find them, secure them, and make sure no one else gets to them.”

The room was silent except for the low hum of the lab’s servers. Outside, a breeze rattled the glass, but in that moment, it sounded almost like the first rumblings of a storm.

“Who are these people you mentioned seeking them out to use them for selfish and dangerous reasons?” Ace asked.

“I will explain that in due time, Ace, I promise,” Professor Oak replied, “The truth is, we’re not entirely sure who it is, but we need to move immediately.”

“Reports of strange activity have been coming in from Hoenn’s deserts and caves. We think they’re scouting tombs already.” Professor Birch added.

Professor Juniper from Unova finally spoke up.

“You saw first-hand what happened with the incidents in Sootopolis City, at Spear Pillar and at Dragonspiral Tower.” Professor Juniper took a breath before continuing. “I could go on, but my point is, that there are people out there with bad intentions that are trying to meddle with forces that they don’t truly understand.”

Professor Sycamore from Kalos now joined in. “Professor Juniper is right. You all were able to stop each one of those potentially catastrophic events and even pacify and capture the legendary Pokémon that were involved.”

Phoebe, Phillip, and Ace looked at each other but their faces remained expressionless.

“Professor Kukui from Alola stepped forward. “I too have seen what you all are capable of, and after hours of discussion it’s very clear to us that the only ones we could possibly ask of this, is you three.” Kukui’s easy grin was gone, replaced by rare seriousness. “This will be dangerous. It is, of course, your choice.”

Phoebe, Phillip, and Ace looked at each other again, but this time their faces were more serious.

Phoebe snorted. “Choice? Please. You Professors basically dragged us in here. That’s not a choice, that’s a setup.”

Ace cracked a faint smile despite himself, and then he stood up.

“I’ll do it.” He said firmly.

“Ace are you su-.”

“Yes, Professor.” Ace said, cutting him off. “You all said it yourself, we’re your only option and if the world could be at stake, then I’m in.”

“Me too.” Phillip said, now standing as well.

Phoebe smiled, although she didn’t stand up. “Someone needs to watch these two boneheads, so I guess I’m in too.”

The Professor’s expression all began to change. Their faces relaxed and some of them smiled in appreciation. It became clear that their tones and demeanors came from the weight they felt of asking the three of them to take on such a dangerous and monumental task. Now seeing these three champions accept the mission pretty much without question was a huge relief for them.

“Right,” Professor Birch said. “You’ll need to leave for the Hoenn region immediately. I suggest you try to contact and set up a meeting with Steven Stone. He will likely know more about the Regis than anyone.”

“If you manage to catch them, we can keep them safe here and study them safely.” Professor Elm said.

Professor Oak took a step forward. “Phoebe, Ace, Phillip. We can’t begin to tell you how much we appreciate the sacrifice you are making right now. We’ll be here to support you in any way you need.” He sighed before continuing. “Remember, treat these Pokémon and their environments like they are the most dangerous thing you’ll ever encounter.”

Phillip shrugged. “Guess we’re still cleaning up the world’s messes.”

Phoebe shook her head. “Story of our lives.”

Ace just smiled. “Then let’s get to work.”

Ace, Phoebe, and Phillip boarded the first flight out of Kanto 24 hours later. Ace spent most of it staring out the window, watching his home fade behind clouds, the weight of what lay ahead pressing in. Phoebe was on her laptop looking up whatever she could find on the Regis, while Phillip was polishing his Charizard’s Poké Ball. The plane touched down in Lilycove under a gray sky that threatened rain. Even from the air, Ace had caught glimpses of the wild, jagged coastlines and sprawling ocean that defined Hoenn. It was beautiful, but dangerous in a way that reminded him why so many trainers went missing here every year.

They didn’t waste time sightseeing. Ace, Phillip, and Phoebe moved quickly, their goal clear: get answers before anyone else made the same connections the professors had. Ace was the first to bring it up as they walked along the dock toward their hotel.