The Great Pokémon War took place thirty years ago, way before I was even born. The story of my father Autumn is no ordinary one.

The world was at war, people and Pokémon were fighting for supremacy against a powerful fascist organization known as LOVE. Which controlled Pokémon with mind altering technology.

In order to breed the best Pokémon outside of their nature. They fought against the Pokémon International Government in order to prove the world that they had unlocked their vast potential.

This recourse of altering the Pokémon's nervous system. Violated an International Treaty of Ethics made between the International Order inside the region of Kalos. Which was the home of the new government LOVE. And millions of people that fought against the organization in Kalos, perished countless deaths by their hand. Many were even enslaved, and Pokémon were utilized as tools for destruction.

LOVE had conquered most of the tropical island territories. Including the closest islands near the Pokémon International Governments territories, both Kanto and Johto respectively. The Sevii Islands and Whirl Islands, were but a few of those territories already claimed by the team members of LOVE and my father fought against them on a daily basis.

Major Autumn was a brave soldier, stalwart and charming. Who fought brazenly in this long war for seventeen years since he was drafted at a young age.

I can see now why my mother took such a liking to him for the longest time. He was a charming and stalwart man.

He wore a dark brown uniform. With black wavy hair and blue eyes. Before he was a decorated soldier, he was a Cadet. Ranking in many battles against other soldiers. He lead his squad as Captain against an invading LOVE Marine force with his Arcanine during the Battle of Olivine which began around February 22, 1990 until the time of his MIA around May 30, 1990.

This intense battle had granted him the title of Major and stationed him in for the final confrontation that shook the very foundation of Ecruteak City.

This is his story.

Autumn had many strong members that he worked alongside with outside the front-lines. Among those members were Imako Sano a Lieutenant Colonel, Takeshi Matsumoto
Colonel of the Pokémon International military. And Pryce the Brigadier General and long time friend of my father. Worked in a tower built alongside a religious group called Brass Tower for gathering Intelligence on the leader of the organization Ensign Drake.

Ensign's plan was to control the worlds Legendary Pokémon and harness their potential to submit both humans and Pokémon to their whim. Little did the enemy know however. My fathers plan was to halt Ensign from taking over the nest of the Legendary guardian of Johto.

"Brigadier General," saluted Autumn.

"I just received word that Ensign is about to send his troops into Ecruteak and use his MK device to control Ho-Oh's power."

"How far away is he from our location?" Inquired Pryce.

"Not far, just a few miles North-East of our current position. His troops are about to make landfall soon on Tin Tower where the Legend resides."

"We tried to move them back with our defenses, but there's no telling when they'll arrive to Tin Tower if we can stave them back in time."

"Ho-Oh is our most valuable guardian in this war, if we can have more of our cadet troops move towards the North-West side of town to protect the tower they will have an even difficult time breaking in to the top of it." Informed Pryce.

"We'll move our troops to that location immediately," said Imako.

"Autumn go with the Lieutenant Colonel to that location immediately. We'll secure a perimeter with our Pokémon. LOVE absolutely cannot get through the barrier! If anyone comes close to those quarters. Your Pokémon must be prepared to eliminate them." Commanded Pryce.

"Sir," They saluted in unison.

My father joined with the rest of his platoon. His senior officers went with their groups. Conditions in Ecruteak were poor, many people were without a home. And the war effort destroyed infrastructure beyond repair.

The skies were gloomy and grey that day. Bombs were being dropped by aircraft on all sides of the city. Soldiers did their best to fend off incoming enemies on both the east and west sides of town. Ecruteak's walls were weak and they couldn't hold for much longer.

My father looked up to an unforgiving storm that danced across the sky. He could faintly see a Pokémon crossing over the borders. Was it Ho-Oh returning from his nest? He couldn't make out the detail.

However as the Pokémon approached visibility the lightning reflected a rider a top what appeared to be a colossal Charizard. One that looked bred for war. Fluttering his wings aggressively as the man swept overhead.

My father called out to Imako, to divert his attention.

"Ensign is on Charizard!"

All eyes had turned toward the Leader. While he gracefully flew overhead them. Not heeding other soldiers tracking below him. The man was tall, he wore a white and blue striped shirt. With blue hair and piercing gold eyes. Laughing to himself as he approached swiftly toward the top of Tin Tower.

Several Cadet members called out their flying bug Pokémon to attack the Charizard from above them.

"Fury-cutter Beedrill!"

The giant school of bees raced towards Ensign with vehemence. They were not going to let him get away without a fight. Zipping up towards the man, each Beedrill raised their sharp twin-needle arms. Spinning them indiscriminately for the kill. Like that of a power drill seeking to create a deep incision.

The Charizard patiently waited for his master to christen an order. The swarm of about fifteen or more Beedrill's wrapped swiftly around the beast like a hive-mind.

"Blast-burn!" Roared out Ensign insidiously.

A powerful encapsulating shield of fire, had ignited from the flying lizard. Discharging powerful flames. Setting ablaze any Beedrill attempting to impede his path. Ensign grimaced with a wicked smile, feeling phlegmatic that he was about to arrive at the tower for his prize. Leaving many Cadet members shocked that he had so easily finished off the elite ranking Pokémon they both bred and trained.

My father pushed passed everyone. Racing towards the front doors of the Tin Tower building in a full out sprint. He blasted the doors open. Father charged desperately up the stairs in a gallop.

The building inside was old, decrepit. Never had a human soul set foot in its hollowed walls for hundreds of years. As each step of the wooden platforms creaked. His heart beat pumped rapidly in his chest.

Racing despairingly up passed the balcony doors. Father pounced them open to reach the rooftop. However when Ho-Oh the massive Legendary bird nestled along the roof tiles. It was already too late. Ensign had already placed the MK device inside the birds mouth.

"Major Autumn!" Smirked Ensign while he rang a tiny silver bell.

"No, no, no!—"

"How did you—"

The man laughed with a shrill wicked spry.

"I have the Clear Bell. An ancient item which summons the guardian diety. Ho-Oh!" He responded.

"That's impossible! The elder monks are the ones that carry this bell! How did you obtain it?"

"Simple, the Clear Bell was handed to me by one of your soldiers, Major Autumn." He chuckled with pity.

"Such a fickle thing betrayal is. You never know until it's too late."

Ho-Oh arched his wings in the air. Bellowing an abhorrent screech that perforated the ears of all around it.

"Upon this rock I will build my church, it shall be an Ensign to the nations for all to see!"

"You're insane," said father

"You lost Major Autumn! And I know just the Pryce a man is willing to pay for your destruction. He'll be an apostle for the love of my light."

My fathers eyes widened, he couldn't believe it all. The truth was with him, but he never suspected anything like this.

"The Brigadier—"

"Nah-uh-uh, don't test me Major! You thought you had a vice grip on us when we invaded Olivine City. Well, you were wrong! A native Johto warrior such as yourself should have known before you opened your big mouth to people you trust!" Yelled Ensign, gesturing with grandiose posture. Initiating Ho-Oh in flight.

The massive red bird howled like a trumpet in the windy storm. Rising up graciously towards the bleak heaven. Flapping his massive wings the prodigious bird jolted in fury!

Releasing massive talons the bird swooped down toward everyone. Bellowing massive flames that set alight every building that stood a top their foundations. Including the magnificent Brass Tower that headquartered the International Pokémon Military. Was humiliatingly burned to cinders. 

Townspeople, and soldiers howled and screeched horrifically as the pure flame that once protected them, scorched them out of oblivion.  Brass tower, everyone, including his comrades, Takeshi and Imako were smoldered into ash by Ho-Oh's power.

My father watched in trepidation as the entire city he once protected all those years and all of his friends. Became consumed by fire.

My fathers tears flowed down his messy charcoaled face. Yelling against the God of this world in defiance. My father vowed to avenge his fallen comrades.

Father swiftly pulled out his Poké Ball. Releasing his Arcanine the massive orange and black striped dog. Commenced to battle Ensign a top the only structure left standing.

"Flamethrower!" He commanded furiously

Grinning widely, Ensign pulled out his Ultra-Ball from his back pocket. An elite upgrade from the regular Poké Ball catching. The device was much more advanced and would encourage a higher catch rate for obtaining Pokémon. Retaining the traditional look of the normal red and white Poké Ball. The device's color around was charcoal black with a yellow stripe band encased along the top and out of that capsule appeared a bat like creature with four wings. The color was a darker shade of purple according to my fathers observation. It had a bit of a frowned look. And it's wings flapped faster than a humming bird.

"Crobat, Air Cutter!" Grunted Ensign.

Crobat swiftly used its speed to cut through the turbulent flame tunnel released from Arcanine's mouth. The bat slashed through the canine and the Pokémon's energy swiftly deteriorated. The mammoth pup flopped to its side and fainted from exhaustion.

"Arcanine, no!"

Ensign grinned and laughed maniacally as the flames below my Father. Arose towards the firmament.

Heat and smoke billowed continuously, while Crobat flew ruthlessly towards my Father. Affixing his sharp protruding claws from his wings to my his throat. Crobat inched Father further towards the ledge. Autumn tried desperately to keep a good footing along the edge of the roof as he was pressed toward an inevitable doom.

"This is the end for you, and the beginning of a new era, Autumn." Smiled Ensign grimly.

"This is where you fall...."

"You will fail, Ensign," shouted father.

"Fury Cutter!"

Crobat sliced across my Father's chest, propelling him off the rooftop. Tumbling significantly toward the raging fire's below he was never to be heard from, nor seen again.

My father was a hero. He tried desperately to protect the people of Johto when LOVE nearly had its grip on society.

Till this day, they could not recover, nor find his body. He was missing in action and I still have no idea on whether he lived to be a hero or died as one?