Pokemon: Sandstorm Elite

"Five Rocket members are in critical condition, unconscious, and most of their Pokémon are still undergoing emergency treatment. One of them hasn't even made it past the danger zone yet… Klein, you really are brutal."

As the battlefield was assessed, Bruno took in the carnage before him—the wounded Pokémon strewn across the ground, the unconscious Rocket members barely clinging to life. Seeing Klein's methods up close, he now had a clear impression of the young Elite's combat style. This guy fought like an absolute madman—honestly, he seemed more like a Fighting-type Elite than Bruno himself.

"Rocket agents were infiltrating our ranks, yet due to some… unspoken agreements, they were left unchecked. That, I cannot tolerate."

Klein's response made Bruno shake his head helplessly. In Kanto, the Elite Four and the Champion held great authority, but above them stood the Kanto League Council and the high-ranking officials at League Headquarters. In truth, their power was limited.

As the two conversed, a swarm of reporters flooded the area, eager to capture the aftermath of the battle.

"Mr. Klein, can you confirm that you were responsible for the destruction at this site?"

"It wasn't entirely my doing. Team Rocket escalated the conflict with their aggressive resistance."

Escalated the conflict?

The reporters exchanged glances. The battlefield was an absolute disaster—yet while not a single one of Klein's Pokémon was injured, the Rocket members were all beaten to the brink of death. And that was what he called an "escalation of conflict"?

"Please take this seriously. This is a live broadcast."

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Klein turned to face them, his expression one of genuine confusion. The moment was instantly screenshotted and spread across online forums. His devoted fanbase erupted once again, flooding social media with praise, while skeptics criticized the sheer brutality of his actions.

Why did groups like Team Rocket continue to thrive? Why did so many homeless children end up joining them, only to be mercilessly crushed by the League's Elites?

The long-silent activist Sally reappeared, posting an emotional plea online. Her words resonated with many, stirring debates among those who lacked a full understanding of the situation.

In this digital space where free speech flourished, one popular stance was to attack the League—condemning its rigid structure, accusing it of stifling independent trainers, and fostering a system that left its young hopefuls trapped in a never-ending cycle of immaturity.

But what these privileged voices often ignored was history—before the League was established, regional resources were hoarded by the nobility, leaving commoners to struggle at the very bottom, fighting wild Pokémon just to survive.

One of the League's greatest reforms was the expansion of Pokémon Centers, stretching across regions like an intricate web. This initiative shattered the grip of elite families, democratizing access to training and care. However, many of those same privileged figures had since infiltrated other industries—including the media.

As Klein's ruthless image solidified, the League's higher-ups grew increasingly concerned. They couldn't ignore the signs—this Sandstorm Elite had the makings of a loose cannon.

Youthful passion was good—but now was not the time for him to act so recklessly.

With that in mind, Lance and several other top officials convened.

"Let's shift his focus to the upcoming Kanto-Johto exhibition match in a week."

"But Johto is sending their Psychic-type Elite, Will. And we're sending a rookie?"

The Kanto-Johto Elite Exhibition Match was a prestigious seasonal event—a friendly 3v3 battle between top-ranked Elites from both regions. The match was always broadcast live, drawing viewership comparable to the regional championships or even the Elite Challenge battles.

"You're worried we'll lose?"

A female council member shook her head. "His strength rating has already been adjusted higher. Honestly, I'm more concerned that Will will underestimate him."

"Well, that just makes things more interesting."

With that, the decision was finalized. The discussion shifted to other matters, and no one even mentioned the Rocket members Klein had left crippled. It was as if the entire incident was a minor inconvenience, unworthy of discussion.

Pallet Town – The Breeding Grounds

Pallet Town was home to Kanto's largest natural wildlife reserve. Aside from the famous Oak Research Lab, dozens of Pokémon breeding facilities were established there—including Klein's personal Elite Breeding Grounds.

Accompanied by several League staff members, Klein arrived at his facility. As he stepped inside, he took a deep breath, letting the fresh air wash over him. His tense body finally began to relax. Swiping his electronic key card, he unlocked the gate, which opened with a slow, mechanical hum.

Following the Mt. Moon operation, Klein's schedule was packed. Aside from preparing for the Elite Exhibition Match in a week, he had smaller tasks to handle—accompanying Agatha for gym inspections, joining Lorelei for a Pokémon Center grand opening, and a handful of other minor obligations.

As an Elite, he had access to top-tier accommodations at Pokémon Centers. However, in Pallet Town, the League had also assigned him a dedicated team of professional caretakers to assist with his Pokémon's development.

This breeding ground—one of several massive facilities built exclusively for Elites—was fully funded by the League. The resources provided here were unparalleled.

Most Elites maintained around thirty Pokémon at any given time. Klein, however, had a staggering seventy-eight, with over fifty specialized in Ground, Rock, or Steel types. Managing such a force required highly trained personnel.

The moment Klein entered, a Nidoking came charging toward him like an excited child, wrapping him in a powerful embrace.

The staff members accompanying him were stunned. The infamous Sandstorm Elite—being hugged by his own Pokémon?

Even more surprising, Klein made no effort to resist. Instead, he embraced Nidoking just as naturally, engaging in soft conversation.

This Nidoking had been with him since it was a Nidoran, traveling across Unova together. It had seen everything Klein had been through, and its eyes reflected deep concern. As it held onto its trainer, it let out a few low, affectionate murmurs.

"Don't worry. I'm fine."

Klein's gaze softened. He gently stroked Nidoking, his hands expertly finding the precise pressure points to massage its muscles.

"I have seventy-ni—no, seventy-eight Pokémon now. I'll be spending the entire day here giving them all their weekly massage sessions."

These Pokémon weren't just battle partners—they were family. No matter how busy he was, Klein made sure to personally tend to them every week, knowing each of their preferred pressure points and massage techniques.

One of the privileges of being an Elite was the convenience it provided in Pokémon care. In the past, he had relied on his personal professor for assistance, but the distance had always been an issue. Many of his non-Unovan Pokémon struggled with adapting to different climates.

Pallet Town's ideal environment was what made it the perfect location for these breeding facilities.

Additionally, he had to carefully adjust the daily diets of his Nidoking, Swampert, Aggron, Scizor, and Tyranitar. Managing such a large team was a demanding task, requiring constant data analysis and dietary fine-tuning. His AR visor displayed real-time nutritional feedback, while a dream realm system tracked their sleep patterns to further refine their care.

One by one, his massive Pokémon patiently lined up, waiting for their turn. As he worked on Nidoking, Klein casually asked it about its daily routines and well-being, occasionally giving instructions to the attending staff.

Despite his fearsome reputation on the battlefield, here, among his Pokémon, Klein was just their trainer—the one they had chosen to follow, and the one who cared for them more than anyone else.

(End of Chapter)

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