Gwen and Gladion appeared in a flash of psychic light just outside the grand League Hall.
The massive building was right before them. Trainers, officials, and fans stood outside waiting for the champion to address them after his coronation.
"Brother, couldn't you have teleported us
inside the League Hall?" Gwen grumbled, brushing dust off her purple dress. "Now we have to deal with them." She shot an irritated glare toward a swarm of reporters already rushing their way.
Gladion adjusted his tie, unfazed. "I can't teleport inside. There are psychic barriers everywhere for security. Even if I overpowered them, alarms would blare, and we'd have a dozen Pokémon attacking us, Gardevoir, Alakazam, you name it. Besides, you need to get used to reporters. When you're Elite Four, they'll be a daily thing and you need to know how to handle and answer their questions because it would be very good for your outside image."
Gwen snorted, crossing her arms.
"Easy for you to say."
She did not care much about public image and considering Agatha was her mentor, it was justified. Agatha herself had a very negative image of a very scary old woman who would haunt you in your sleeps and imprison your ghost when you die.
The reporters descended like a flock of Pidgeot, cameras flashing, microphones thrust forward. There first questions were for Gwen.
"Gwen! Gwen Vortex! As a future Elite Four member, what do you think of Lance? Will you work well with him?"
Another shouted, "There are rumors you're replacing Blaine because you want to push a Kanto agenda—true or false?"
A third, grinning mischievously, asked, "Be honest, Gwen—do you find Lance sexy? Would you marry him if he asked?"
The last one made a few reporters chuckle, but Gwen's face turned red. "What kind of question—?!" Before she could finish, her body shimmered and turned intangible. She dropped straight through the ground like a Ghost-type, vanishing into the earth and speeding toward the hall.
The reporters blinked, staring at the spot where she'd been. One scratched his head. "Uh… did she just… ghost us?"
They turned awkwardly to Gladion, who acted like nothing happened, smoothing his jacket with a calm smile. 'Don't embarrass me, sister,' he thought. I'll have to do some PR to clean up the mess you just made. Nothing a few bribes and Pokédollars can't fix though.'
He'd dealt with worse, reporters loved drama, but they loved exclusive tips and "anonymous donations" more.
The questions shifted to him. "Gym Leader Gladion! You and Lance both defeated Pryce, would you challenge the new champion? Who do you think is stronger?"
Gladion recognized the trap. A wrong answer could spark headlines about rivalry between them or disrespect to the new champion.
He kept his tone light. "I'm not looking to challenge Lance anytime soon. But a friendly battle? That sounds fun. My Tyranitar, Collosus, is itching for a rematch with Lance's ace Dragonite. Two alphas clashing, don't you think it'd be a show worth watching?"
The reporters nodded eagerly, scribbling notes. Another jumped in: "Would Lance be a better champion than Pryce?"
Gladion didn't hesitate. "Pryce was a legend in his time, but the region needs fresh energy. Lance brings unity, strength, and vision. He'll focus on fairness between Kanto and Johto, something we've needed for years. Yes, he'll be better."
"What's one policy change you'd ask Lance for?"
Gladion smiled. "I'd push him to invite more regions into the Pokemon League."
The crowd erupted in gasps and murmurs. "More regions?!"
He continued, raising his voice over the noise. "Think about it, Sinnoh, Unova, even Kalos joining our circuits. New business opportunities, like gyms expanding franchises or contest halls opening branches. Trainers could compete in foreign leagues without starting over, earning badges across borders. We'd discover new Pokémon, new evolutions, new strategies. Tourism would boom, imagine Pallet Town packed with international visitors wanting to see Professor Oak's lab or my gym's general type challenges. It'd put Indigo on the global map, create jobs, and much more."
The reporters went wild, shouting follow-ups, but Gladion raised a hand. "Alright, I'm late for the ceremony. Great talking to y'all, as always." He waved and strode toward the hall, security parting the crowd for him.
Inside the ceremony hall, Gladion spotted Koga and Agatha in a corner, deep in conversation. Koga, dressed in his ninja garb, didn't even turn but raised two fingers in a subtle gesture that meant 'Come here.'
Gladion approached, muttering under his breath, "Does he have a Byakugan or something?" Koga's senses were unnaturally sharp, like he could see through walls.
"Stay alert," Koga whispered as Gladion joined them. "This ceremony will bring big changes. We need to know Lance's stance on the Aura Guardians."
Gladion nodded, 'Champions can really affect independent units like the Aura guardians,'he thought.
'The Aura Guardians operated outside normal League rules, handling threats too dangerous for regular trainers, rogue legendaries, criminal syndicates, etc.'
Pryce had tolerated them because he couldn't match the combined strength of Koga, Agatha, and the other Guardians.
Koga continued, his eyes narrow. "Pryce agreed to our autonomy because he had no choice. Lance has personal power and the Blackthorn Clan. He could restrict our operations, demand oversight, or worse....try to control us."
Gladion leaned in, curious. "What do you suggest?"
Agatha answered first. "If he threatens the Aura Guardians and thus Kanto's safety, we'll try to replace him politically first. Spread doubts, rally Gym Leaders, expose any weakness."
Koga's voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "And if that fails… we'll have no choice but to remove him forcefully."
Gladion felt a chill crawl down his spine, like a Haunter's icy breath. These weren't empty threats. Koga's shinobi had ended wars in shadows; Agatha's Ghost types could drain life before you blinked. Though, Lance was not to be underestimated either.
"Scary old people… the kind who'd poison your tea with a smile and haunt your dreams forever if you crossed them." Gladion murmured.
-----Author Notes------
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