>>26515508Surge is from unova.
I guess unova and kanto were allies
Here is my theory:
Kanto and johto battled time ago (20 years prior gen 1), so, they closed the borders and Kanto deleted any Johto reference. After 3 years, Kanto and Johto re-opened the borders and are friends again, they expanded the pokedex and agreed to help each other (gym leaders)
Kanto won, Johto had a depression and that explains why gyms are low-leveled and brand new, also why they are very rural.
Unova supported Kanto, sending Lt. Surge, their best soldier. Thanks to his help, he was named gym leader.
What about Hoenn, Sinnoh and Kalos?
I think the Pokemon Nation (National Dex) is like UN, and was funded after the war. Maybe Hoenn supported Kanto (Gen 1 and Gen 3) and Sinnoh supported Johto (Gen 2 and Gen 4). Kalos was neutral (After the Great War, they prefered to be peaceful).
Just an sketch, not final.