Pokémon: Dragons, Dragons, & Dragons.

Ashlyn Ketchum. Short black hair styled into a pixie cut.... Hella spiky though.

Big blue eyes. Pretty. Very pretty. She had her mother's looks and her father's height. Ashlyn was tall. Taller than most girls her age. At least six feet, which made her a bit taller than her friends. But it wasn't only her height that set her apart, but also her body. The tomboy was inhumanly stacked, with huge breasts that looked more appropriate on an hourglass bombshell than a spunky girl. They were enormous. Huge. Massive. Ginormous. The only thing larger than her melons was the smile on her face, and that smile was as bright and warm as the California sun.

But, of course, the outfits she wears are downright slutty. A white, button-up shirt with only one button actually done, exposing a lot of cleavage, and a pair of tiny jean shorts that hugged her ass.

Eighteen, holding a rookie trainer's license, and already very, very late to her journey.

Gary had long set off with his annoyingly smug Squirtle and was probably blazing through the first few gyms. He might already have the Pewter badge in hand—or worse, he could be on his way to Cerulean, depending on if he was sticking to the Original Eight.

The League's requirements weren't exactly straightforward. Trainers had to earn at least one of the original eight badges—Pewter, Cerulean, Vermilion, Celadon, Fuchsia, Saffron, Cinnabar, or Viridian—alongside seven others from lesser gyms to qualify for the Indigo League. It was designed to weed out the less serious trainers, but Ashlyn was determined to push through, even if she was off to a late start.

The Pewter Gym, her first goal, was notoriously brutal. About eight percent of challengers couldn't get past even the Regular level. Gym challenges weren't just one-size-fits-all; they had three difficulty levels—Regular, Advanced, and Elite—that ramped up based on a trainer's badges and experience. The harder the level, the better the prizes: rare items, TMs, HMs, and even Pokémon you'd only find on the League circuit.

Regular Battles operated on the typical rules, where Gym Leaders were restricted from switching out Pokémon, though challengers could. The number of Pokémon a Leader could use depended on the challenger's experience and badges, making it balanced for regular trainers.

Advanced Battles took it a step further. Gym Leaders used stronger Pokémon and more advanced moves, packing each fight with tricky maneuvers and plenty of chances for a rookie to slip up. Most trainers had to try multiple times to win here—95% failed on their first go. Even Champion Red had needed nine attempts over a year to beat this tier back in his rookie days. 

Elite Battles were a whole other world. Only the most seasoned trainers dared to attempt this level, where leaders could use fully EV, IV-trained, item equipped, Pokémon, and with unlocked aura. These six-on-six matchups allowed the Leader to switch at will and use their absolute best, making the battlefield a high-stakes arena where every move counted. Fewer than 100 trainers attempted the Elite tier each year, most of whom were veterans.

Ashlyn had learned just how brutal this tier could be through her Uncle Red's story. When he'd started, he'd taken on Flint in an Elite Battle, only to be absolutely crushed. The tale had become family lore, a funny, brutal reminder of the gap between rookies and seasoned Leaders. The team his son shares. 

Pewter Gym's no-badge Elite team included:

Sandshrew: Sandstorm, Rock Slide, Rapid Spin, Earthquake, Brick Break, Knock Off, Iron Tail, Dig, Slash, X-Scissor, Rock Tomb, Poison Jab

Sandshrew opens the battle, setting up an almost permanent sandstorm with its Smooth Rock item, which boosts its own speed thanks to Sand Rush. Rock Slide and Earthquake take advantage of the sandstorm's boost to Rock-type defenses, while Rapid Spin and Knock Off add disruption. With diverse coverage moves like Iron Tail and Brick Break, Sandshrew can break through a wide range of challengers.

Onix: Stealth Rock, Dragon Tail, Earthquake, Rock Polish, Rock Slide, Iron Tail, Crunch, Stone Edge, Bind, Screech, Sand Tomb, Heavy Slam

Onix is a massive tank with Sturdy and Weakness Policy, combining Stealth Rock for field control and Dragon Tail to force switches. Earthquake and Rock Slide offer reliable STAB moves, while Rock Polish catches foes off guard by boosting Onix's speed. Enhanced Attack and Defense make it a solid wall, with Iron Tail and Heavy Slam offering extra force against challengers.

Geodude: Double-Edge, Earthquake, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Rock Blast, Rollout, Counter, Toxic, Brick Break, Protect, Bulldoze

With Rock Head and Eviolite, Geodude becomes a wall that can throw powerful moves without recoil. Its Enhanced Special Defense and Speed make it surprisingly tough and agile. Double-Edge is its main attack, while Earthquake and elemental punches give it unmatched versatility. Counter and Toxic add a strategic edge, allowing Geodude to punish opponents who rely on brute force.

Rhyhorn: Stone Edge, Earthquake, Crunch, Megahorn, Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, Poison Jab, Stomp, Bulldoze, Iron Tail, Drill Run, Ice Fang

Rhyhorn's Assault Vest strengthens its defenses against special attacks, and Lightning Rod protects the team from Electric moves. With Enhanced Attack and Special Defense, it can dominate with Stone Edge and Earthquake, while Megahorn and the elemental fangs allow it to counter multiple types. Iron Tail and Drill Run add to its versatility, making Rhyhorn a force to be reckoned with.

Bonsly: Rock Slide, Sucker Punch, Counter, Toxic, Fake Tears, Rock Tomb, Bullet Seed, Low Kick, Flail, Sandstorm, Protect, Brick Break

Bonsly utilizes Sturdy and a Focus Sash to survive hits and retaliate with Counter or Sucker Punch. Enhanced Attack and Special Defense make it surprisingly bulky for a first-stage Pokémon, and moves like Toxic and Fake Tears allow it to weaken opponents. Rock Slide provides consistent damage, while Low Kick and Bullet Seed counter heavy or Water-type opponents, giving Bonsly a diverse and disruptive toolkit.

Aron: Head Smash, Iron Head, Protect, Bulldoze, Rock Slide, Iron Defense, Sandstorm, Rock Polish, Metal Claw, Body Slam, Superpower, Double-Edge

Aron's Rock Head allows it to use Head Smash without recoil, while Berry Juice keeps it in the game longer. Enhanced Attack and Defense make Aron a formidable tank, with Iron Defense boosting its physical resilience further. Rock Polish can surprise opponents with a speed boost, and moves like Superpower and Double-Edge add to its offensive arsenal, making Aron a powerful last-line defender.

"Ashlyn?"

The familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she turned to see Professor Oak walking toward her.

"Professor!" She jogged over, smiling.

"How are you, Ashlyn?" he asked, his kind face lighting up with a grin.

She frowned. She'd been waiting over a month for her starter, and with each passing day, she was itching to hit the road. "Ready to get my Pokémon, kick Gary's punk ass, and destroy Gazei!" Her dream of humbling her rivals spurred her on.

Ashlyn's Imagination: The Kanto League Finals

"Steelix, end this with Earthquake Rush!" Ashlyn commanded, her voice echoing through the stadium as she imagined herself at the League Finals, going head-to-head with Gazei.

Her massive Steelix charged forward, each step shaking the ground as it picked up speed. Then, with a final, earth-shattering blow, Steelix struck Gazei's Dragonite, sending it crashing down in a storm of stone and sand.

The scoreboard flashed her victory:

Ashlyn - 1/6Gazei - 0/6

Winner: Ashlyn

She saw Gazei now, on his knees in front of her. "You win, Great Mistress of Steel! I'm sorry I ever doubted you! Here, please accept this shrimp I cooked for you!"

Ashlyn took a triumphant bite. "Mmm, this is delicious. Thank you, Gazei."

"I live to serve you!" Gazei replied humbly, his eyes filled with admiration.

End of Ashlyn's Imagination: The Kanto League Finals

"Uh… Ashlyn?"

The familiar voice yanked her out of her daydream, and she looked up to see Professor Oak standing there, eyebrow raised.

"Yes?" 

Professor Oak chuckled. "You know, given all the… delays, and your mother's threats, I pulled some strings to get you a special Pokémon."

Ashlyn raised an eyebrow. "Special? From Kalos?"

"Not exactly. It's a Sinnoh Pokémon, actually, but it'll take some special care," he said with a knowing look. "How would you like a Shiny Piplup as your starter? And by the way, Rin left you some extra Pokémon as well."

Ashlyn's eyes practically sparkled. "A shiny Piplup? Are you kidding me?!"

Oak smiled. "Not kidding at all. And… She even paid me to say, 'The Queens need slaves.'". I feel bad for my grandson and Gazei, honestly.

 [XXXX]

Pulling out her sleek silver Nano-Dex, a gift from the professor, Ashlyn scanned her Piplup. The screen blinked to life.

"Piplup, the Penguin Pokémon. Piplup is very proud and doesn't like accepting help. A skilled swimmer, it can dive for over ten minutes to hunt for food."

The Nano-Dex continued, "This Piplup is female and has the abilities Defiant & Competitive—error: dual ability detected."

A shiny Piplup with dual abilities? Ashlyn's jaw dropped. This was next-level awesome.

She crouched down, trying to keep it cool as she introduced herself. "Hey there! I'm Ashlyn Ketchum, your new trainer. You already look tough, so let's get you fed and trained up, yeah? We're gonna turn you into the badass you were born to be!" Piplup puffed up, letting out an excited chirp.

Ashlyn melted. Awwwwww! No, gotta focus! This was just the beginning.

Looking over, she spotted three more customized Pokéballs—definitely a gift from Rin, who never did things halfway.

She held up one Pokéball and pressed the button, releasing a small but fierce-looking Mawile.

"Mawile, the Deceiver Pokémon," her Nano-Dex chimed in. "It uses its steel jaws to bite through almost anything, luring foes with its innocent face. This Mawile has the ability Intimidate. Lowers the attack stat of the opponents when entered in battle"

Next, she released a shiny Beldum, floating in the air with an unusual silver-blue sheen.

"Beldum, the Iron Ball Pokémon. It communicates with magnetic waves and moves in groups as if one being. This Beldum has the ability Clear Body. Which prevents stats from being lowered."

She finally scanned a small copper-colored elephant Pokémon—a Cufant.

"Cufant, the Copperderm Pokémon. It lifts heavy loads with ease. This Cufant has the ability Heavy Metal, which doubles its weight."

Grinning from ear to ear, she looked over her new team. "Well… FUCKING A!"

 [XXXX]

Two weeks later...

The worn-out, dirty road that led to Route 1 left Ashlyn near the forest entrance that outlined the northwest boundary of Viridian City. Normally, trainers took Caravans to travel between routes, but Ashlyn felt that cheapened the journey and opted to travel by foot.

Ashlyn had released Amphitrite, her Piplup, from its Pokéball, allowing the proud little penguin Pokémon to walk beside her. Amphitrite, with her chest, puffed out, marched confidently, keeping an eye on her surroundings while staying close to Ashlyn. The nickname, inspired by Amphitrite—the wife of Poseidon—was a nod to the goddess of the sea.

"Amphitrite, have I ever told you about my dream to become the greatest Steel-type Pokémon Master?" Ashlyn asked. "And to give Gazei the trashing he deserves! The annoying tall bastard!" she nearly growled. Yes, she did have a friendship with him, but puberty hit both of them like a drum, and somehow, he became vastly more irritating than Gary.

Well, not really. Gary just teased Leaf instead of her, but Gazei was so damn infuriating. Arceus, it would feel so good beating him in a Pokémon battle! The sheer joy of it.

Amphitrite glanced up with a slightly exasperated expression. She had heard this story a few times in the past two weeks, but Amphitrite didn't mind too much despite the repetition. She enjoyed the excitement and bloodlust in her mistress's voice whenever she spoke about her ambitions and her so-called "rival."

Amphitrite couldn't help but notice that every time her mistress mentioned Gazei, her tone shifted, and her body language became subtly more animated. To Amphitrite, it almost seemed like Ashlyn was smitten by Gazei despite her obvious bloodlust for him.

Humans are weird. 

The way Ashlyn's energy spiked whenever she talked about him made Amphitrite wonder if this "trashing" Ashlyn envisioned might have layers even her trainer hadn't yet acknowledged.

 [xxx]

Ashlyn's Team

Amphitrite (Piplup, Shiny)

Gender: Female

Type: Water

Ability: Defiant & Competitive

Aura: Locked

Level: 8

Moves: Moves: Aqua Jet, Pound, Growl, Bubble, Roost (Egg Move), Feather Dance (Egg Move), Agility (Egg Move), Supersonic (Egg Move)

Helena (Mawile)

Gender: Female

Type: Steel/Fairy

Ability: Intimidate

Aura: Locked

Level: 6

Moves: Play Rough, Iron Head, Fake Tears, Sucker Punch, DynamicPunch, Fire Fang (Egg Move), Thunder Fang (Egg Move), Ice Fang (Egg Move), Poison Fang (Egg Move), Ancient Power (Egg Move), Seismic Toss (Egg Move), Metal Burst (Egg Move), Power-up Punch (Egg Move)

Argent (Beldum, Shiny)

Gender: Genderless

Type: Steel/Psychic

Ability: Clear Body

Aura: Locked

Level: 3

Moves: Hold Back, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Iron Defense

Ferra (Cufant)

Gender: Female

Type: Steel

Ability: Heavy Metal

Aura: Locked

Level: 7

Moves: Tackle, Growl, Rock Smash, Rollout, Double-Edge (Egg Move), Slam (Egg Move), Fissure (Egg Move), Whirlwind (Egg Move), Defense Curl (Egg Move), Body Press (Egg Move), Stomp (Egg Move), Counter (Egg Move)