Twenty years after Ash Ketchum became a Pokemon Master, the Kanto region fell to the hands of Team Rocket. Under the guidance of a new leader, Team Rocket took over the Kanto Region, kidnapping trainers, executing those who opposed them, stealing Pokemon from their trainers and killing those who refused to obey. The Gym leaders were defeated and taken from their positions, their Pokemon were killed, and with the gyms gone, they were replaced with harsh overlords to run the cities and towns, to make sure no one would oppose Team Rocket.
Due to the chaos in Kanto, the age that a child could leave and become a trainer was bumped up to sixteen, though many families fled the Kanto region altogether, fearing what would happen if their children became trainers in the violent region. However, after reaching the age of sixteen, many trainers have decided to travel the Kanto region, not for the badges or for the glory, but for justice for their Pokemon friends and to attempt to stop Team Rocket before they can spread their evil to other Regions.
Due to the chaos in Kanto, the age that a child could leave and become a trainer was bumped up to sixteen, though many families fled the Kanto region altogether, fearing what would happen if their children became trainers in the violent region. However, after reaching the age of sixteen, many trainers have decided to travel the Kanto region, not for the badges or for the glory, but for justice for their Pokemon friends and to attempt to stop Team Rocket before they can spread their evil to other Regions.