The War Council
The war had reshaped not only the way battles were fought but also how they were commanded. With key figures spread across Kanto, gathering in person was impossible. Instead, a secure radio channel had been established, its frequencies shifting constantly to evade Johto's interception. Devised by Samuel Oak and his team, this channel became the foundation of what was now known as the War Council.
This council was not limited to Gym Leaders or the Elite Four. The war demanded warriors, not just politicians. Among them were Koga, a rising force from Fuchsia City; Bruno, a formidable martial artist holding Saffron in place; and Giovanni, the de facto leader of Viridian's defenses.
As the council session began, Oak's voice cut through the static.
"First, I want to acknowledge the efforts of our commanders. Koga, your father's sacrifice will not be in vain. You held Fuchsia against impossible odds. Bruno, your discipline has kept Saffron from falling into chaos. And Giovanni… good work in Viridian."
There was a pause. Giovanni remained silent, awaiting Oak's true intentions. The professor was not the type to throw around idle praise.
"The former Gym Leader of Viridian is either dead or has fled," Oak continued, his tone measured. "Regardless, the city stands because of you. I did some digging—you're an elite trainer. Not quite on the level of an Elite Four, but certainly in the upper tier of Gym Leaders. As such, I'm officially appointing you as the Viridian City Gym Leader."
There was a murmur among the council members. Some had suspected this might happen, but Oak making it official was another matter. It wasn't just a title; it was a war promotion. Giovanni would now be responsible for the Viridian forces under the banner of the Kanto Liberation Army.
"I accept," Giovanni finally responded, his voice steady. He was many things, but a fool was not one of them. Refusing Oak's offer would have been a mistake. This was an opportunity—one he could not afford to waste.
Oak nodded, as if he expected nothing less. "For now, our priority is holding the cities. Saffron will remain under Bruno's protection, and Viridian under Giovanni's. Our forces are stretched thin, but stability is our greatest asset."
The council members voiced their agreements, each recognizing the importance of fortifying their own regions before making reckless moves. But then Oak's voice shifted slightly, a hint of steel behind his words.
"That said, we cannot remain on the defensive forever. I will personally attack Mahogany with our forces—Pryce's hometown."
Silence followed.
They all knew what this meant. A counterattack was coming.
The Assault on Mahogany
The night was cold over Mahogany Town, but the air crackled with tension. Johto's forces were prepared, expecting another skirmish, but they had no idea that what was coming was not just another battle—it was annihilation.
Samuel Oak stood at the head of his army, the icy winds whipping his coat as his Alakazam hovered at his side. The psychic Pokémon's eyes glowed faintly as it linked the minds of Oak's key officers.
"Samuel… are you certain about this?" Alakazam's voice echoed in Oak's mind, laced with uncharacteristic hesitation. "What happens here will be remembered. You will be remembered."
Oak took a slow breath. He understood the weight of his actions. The world saw him as a researcher, a kind champion, a builder of bridges. But Johto had forced his hand.
"I know," Oak murmured. His gaze hardened as he turned toward Mahogany's walls. "But this war ends with our victory, not our destruction."
Without another word, he raised his hand.
"Attack."
A deafening roar split the sky as Oak's Charizard and Dragonite took flight, flames and lightning illuminating the darkness. The Kanto forces surged forward, a wave of steel and fire crashing into Mahogany's defenses.
Johto's forces scrambled into position. Pryce himself emerged, his coat billowing as he sent out his Mamoswine, its tusks gleaming under the moonlight.
"Hold the line!" Pryce's voice carried over the chaos, but the fear in his eyes was unmistakable.
It didn't matter.
Oak was faster.
"Flamethrower."
Charizard exhaled an inferno, the sheer heat melting through ice and earth alike. Mahogany's frontline crumbled as Kanto's forces pressed forward, pushing Johto into a full retreat.
Pryce barely had time to react before Dragonite crashed into his Mamoswine, the impact shaking the ground. The dragon roared, electricity surging through its scales as it unleashed a devastating Thunder attack. The battlefield was bathed in white light as Mamoswine was thrown back, unconscious before it even hit the ground.
Pryce staggered. He had never faced power like this.
Oak strode forward, unchallenged. "This ends tonight."
Pryce clenched his fists. He could fight and die here—or flee and ensure Johto had a future.
Gritting his teeth, he turned and ran.
The retreating Johto soldiers saw their leader fleeing, and panic spread like wildfire. Kanto's forces capitalized on the chaos, cutting down resistance as Mahogany burned.
The Blackthorn Clan's Perspective
Far from the battlefield, the Blackthorn elders gathered in their council chamber. Their faces were grim as they listened to the reports from Mahogany.
"This… is impossible," one of them muttered. "No trainer outside of our bloodline should command Dragonite with such mastery."
A younger member clenched his jaw. "And yet Oak does. He commands both the dragons and the fire. If Johto has angered such a man—"
"Then we must reconsider our loyalties."
Silence followed. They had always been Johto's greatest warriors, but Pryce had failed them. If Johto could not protect its own cities, could Blackthorn afford to remain blindly loyal?
Lance, still young but already formidable, stood among them, silent and thoughtful. He had always believed in Johto's strength. But tonight, for the first time, doubt crept in.
As Mahogany burned, so too did Johto's illusions of victory.
Aftermath
By dawn, Mahogany Town was no more. Its once-proud streets lay in ruin, its defenders scattered. Johto's forces had been shattered, and the world had witnessed what happened when Kanto's patience ran out.
Samuel Oak stood among the wreckage, his coat stained with soot. His Alakazam hovered beside him, silent for the first time in their long partnership.
"It is done."
Oak exhaled. "Yes."
He turned his gaze across the smoldering remains of Mahogany. Victory had come at a cost. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear the cries of survivors, the whispers of the wounded. This was not what he had envisioned when the war began.
He had won. The war would soon be over. But history would not forget what he had done.
Neither would he.
Blaine had been right. They were getting too old for this.
Maybe it was time to put down the sword and pick up the research notes once more.