Subject: Meeting
From: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
To: trekkie-at-unovaleague
CC: mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague, rockmanic-at-hoennleague, dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
Dearest Fellow Champions,
I propose a little get together sometime soon at the Unova league. It's been far too long.
~*Wallace~*
…
Subject: RE: Meeting
From: rockmanic-at-hoennleague
To: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
CC: trekkie-at-unovaleague, mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague, dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
Wallace.
I'm not even a champion anymore, leave me out of this.
-Steven Stone
…
Subject: Can't Do It
From: trekkie-at-unovaleague
To: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
CC: rockmanic-at-hoennleague, mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague, dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
Everyone:
My dear Volcarona has been down lately. As he is my first and greatest partner, it is my duty to take care of him. I decline your invitation.
. .
…
Subject: (Sigh)
From: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
To: rockmanic-at-hoennleague
CC: mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague, dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
Dearest but Mildly Frustrating Fellow Champions,
Steven, you will be coming if I have to go drag you from the caves myself. With full media coverage if need be.
~*Wallace~*
…
Subject: Awful
From: mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague
To: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
CC: rockmanic-at-hoennleague, dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
What an awful thing to threaten, Wallace. Leave the man to his caves.
On that note, I will also be declining your invitation. I do not see the point of this meeting, nor do I feel the need to leave the Sinnoh region.
Champion Cynthia
…
Subject: Good Idea
From: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
To: mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague
CC: rockmanic-at-hoennleague, dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
Dearest Antisocial Ones,
A lovely idea, Miss Cynthia! Let's have our meeting in your region, at that lovely little Victorian flavored castle of yours.
~*Wallace~*
…
Subject: RE: Good Idea
From: mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague
To: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
CC: rockmanic-at-hoennleague, dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
Absolutely not, and I have mixed feelings about you saying that my building has a flavor. I shudder to think of you nibbling on the walls like a Bidoof.
Champion Cynthia
…
Subject: Other Leagues
From: dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
To: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
CC: rockmanic-at-hoennleague, mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague
Guys,
What's so wrong with using the Hoenn League building or the Indigo Plateau exactly?
:Lance the Dragon Master:
…
Subject: RE: Other Leagues
From: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
To: dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
CC: mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague, rockmanic-at-hoennleague
Dearest Ones With Poor Aesthetic Taste,
While I love my Hoenn League Building, it is too dull for such a meeting. Until I get permission to make the changes I need, it will never be fit for my grandeur. The Indigo Plateau is very nice, but it is not a castle.
You are all starting to upset me. Cynthia, I'm going over your head.
~*Wallace~*
…
Subject: How
From: mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague
To: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
CC: rockmanic-at-hoennleague, dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
I can't help but to be curious as to how you will go over the Champion's head in regards to her own building…
Champion Cynthia
…
Subject: Antisocial
From: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
To: grounded-at-sinnohfour
CC:
Dearest Bertha,
Cynthia's being antisocial again. Would you terribly mind if four of the Champions stopped by for a meeting sometime?
~*Wallace~*
…
Subject: RE: Antisocial
From: grounded-at-sinnohfour
To: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
CC: mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague, walkinglibrary-at-sinnohfour, bugboy-at-sinnohfour, firestarter-at-sinnohfour
Why, I don't believe any of us would mind one bit. We'll help Cynthia set up and leave you to your privacy.
Bertha
…
Subject: Horrible
From: mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague
To: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
CC: rockmanic-at-hoennleague, dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
Wallace, even though you have forced Bertha's hand upon me I refuse to be happy about this forced event of yours. I don't forget, pretty boy. I'll never forget.
Champion Cynthia
…
Subject: Oh Dear
From: rockmanic-at-hoennleague
To: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague
CC: mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague, dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
Now you've gone and done it.
-Steven Stone
…
Subject: RE: Oh Dear
From: dragonmaster-at-indigoleague
To: rockmanic-at-hoennleague
CC: gowiththeflow-at-hoennleague, mythandlegend-at-sinnohleague
Guys,
If she lets her Garchomp eat him I won't say a thing.
:Lance the Dragon Master:
…
Due to that conversation, Wallace's coveted meeting was planned.
Even with a good show of cooperation from Steven the story still leaked to the press. Besides Steven Stone himself, who hated being in the public eye, no one thought it was an issue. According to Wallace it was fun. Cynthia found it to be tolerable. Even Lance didn't care so much so long as the attention was positive.
Unfortunately, this time the information reached the ears of a disgruntled genius.
A genius that wasn't a terribly big fan of Champions.
Each Champion arrived at the Sinnoh Castle in different ways.
Wallace coveted media attention, and arrived first on his Gyarados named Marc. Even though the flying and water type could not use Fly, Wallace had discovered how to manipulate the move Bounce as if it could. Such were the talents of a coordinator.
As he circled around to land above all of the reporters and their cameras Wallace commanded Marc to use Hail and Rain Dance in quick succession. The dragon landed in a shower of sparkling ice and glistening rain.
The enigmatic Champion smiled widely and slid off of the Gyarados' tail flippantly before landing on the ground with a dramatic bow. The cameras flashed and even the Gyarados hummed its approval.
After a few pictures, Wallace returned Marc into the Gyarados' dive ball and sauntered inside.
Lance the dragon master flew in on his trusted partner of so many years, Dragonite. The cameras clicked away as the pair landed but aside from wincing from all the flashes Dragonite was unaffected.
The orange dragon waved a bit for the cameras. Noticing his pokemon's friendly gesture Lance copied its friendly stance to the situation.
After a minute or two Lance pulled out his luxury ball. He rolled it in his palms for a moment before returning it to his belt and signaling to Dragonite to follow him inside. His partner complied happily and the pair began walking for the entrance.
They paused at the arrival of Steven on his Skarmory.
Lance winced, uneasy. He knew that Steven wasn't well adjusted to media attention from how good he was at avoiding it. On that note, choosing Skarmory was the worst possible pokemon to handle it. That bird was the single most hostile thing Lance had ever seen.
Even Dragonite tilted his head in concern as they watched Steven descend.
In Steven's defense, Skarmory was well trained enough to stay still so Steven could climb off of its back.
It then immediately let out a roar that screeched and grated, popping a few camera lenses. Blushing in total and utter embarrassment Steven commanded his Skarmory to stop.
To be honest Skarmory was well trained enough to know when to listen. But Skarmory was stubborn and was resolved to do what it felt was most appropriate. At that point it apparently felt the need to continue being aggressive with these reporters.
This was bad.
In the end, Steven decided to return Skarmory to its friend ball, sending out his trusted Metagross to soothe over the damage. It let out a much more moderate and pleasant metallic hum, drawing up its legs and levitating as Steven climbed onto its back.
They followed a chuckling Lance into the Sinnoh Pokemon League.
There was a knock on the door once the meeting had started.
"What was that?"
Cynthia looked annoyed. "We never close those doors," she grumbled, "so when they are closed you are not meant to knock on them."
"I wonder who it could be?" Wallace wondered out loud.
Lance stood up and made his way over to the door. After a few more knocks and scanning the door's surface he turned to Cynthia. "No peephole?" he asked somewhat critically.
The only woman in the room shook her head. "There's never been a need for one."
With a shrug the dragon master opened up one of the solid doors, glancing at Garchomp, Milotic, Metagross, and Dragonite in the corner for security. Right. No one was going to be dumb enough to attack four Champions and their pokemon.
Winona was standing at the door next to her Altaria.
The Champions sighed and glared at Wallace.
"I didn't invite her here!" he sputtered.
Winona invited herself in and her Altaria followed, twittering happily at its surroundings. Wallace's Milotic recognized its friend and sang happily. It stretched its neck out for a better look and to catch Altaria's attention. The bird noticed the creature's efforts and sang in response before fluttering over.
"He's telling the truth," the gym leader said as she pulled out her own chair and sat down, "but Alder got a hold of me and suggested I come. He doesn't trust Wallace."
"For good reason," Cynthia smirked. "Good to have another girl here."
Wallace sank back in his chair with a huff while muttering about how while Winona was in charge of the other gym leaders to a point, she wasn't supposed to be babysitting him. His blush was noticed by the other boys who took the opportunity to laugh at the drama queen's expense.
Eventually the trainers at the table fell into companionable conversation. Cynthia knew of Winona from Steven because Wallace didn't talk about her much. Steven liked to point out subtly that the two had some type of history. The blond guessed that it was of the romantic sort.
The chitchat was again interrupted by knocking on the door, much softer this time. Cynthia frowned deeply before getting up to answer it. "More unexpected visitors?" she grumbled as she heaved open the oak.
It was an old man at the door.
Much less annoyed and a lot more confused, Cynthia opened the door wide enough for the man to step in and closed the door behind him. A Slowking waddled in behind the old man on its stubby legs.
"Hello," Cynthia began awkwardly, "the League isn't open today."
The old man shook his head as if to clear the cobwebs. His Slowking spotted the other pokemon and tottered over to them. "This old brain of mine," he said as an apology. "The league's closed today?"
Steven nodded and narrowed his eyes. "That would be the case."
Cynthia cocked her head in thought. "Do I know you?"
"I'm-" the old man began before a few low rumbles were heard. The Champions all turned their attention to their pokemon who were now slumped against each other in sleep.
Dragonite was snoring quietly, his head resting on one of Altaria's fluffy wings. Metagross looked no different than normal except for its closed eyes. Milotic had wrapped around its fellow pokemon a couple of times before resting its head on Altaria's other wing. Garchomp snapped at the air in its sleep, seemingly disturbed.
The Slowking waddled back to his master.
Alarmed, Steven, Winona, and Lance reached for their pokeballs. Cynthia glared at the old man. "I know you," she muttered. Wallace sat back, quiet for once and staring.
In turn, the lights on the ceiling began to flicker, causing the Champions to look up in alarm. Each of the lights blew in quick succession. A figure formed from the broken glass and darkness.
"Rotom," Cynthia breathed. This was far from a friendly pokemon. The imp-like creature had lived quietly at the Old Chateau for a number of years after causing havoc wherever it could find electricity. The ghost was smiling a little too widely for her liking.
"Use Thunder Wave," the old man commanded with his voice now quiet but steady. Rotom nodded and Cynthia's pupils dilated even as her eyes widened before the little creature discharged. Her eyes were then squeezed shut in pain.
None of the trainers had time to release their pokemon as the jolt of electricity pumped through each of the human's veins. It hurt more than they wanted to admit. Each nerve was on fire as the pain spread outwards. They slumped to the floor, unable to control their limbs.
The boys grit their teeth as their vision and consciousness began to desert them, but Cynthia lost her nerve and shrieked as she folded in upon herself.
They could only watch helplessly as their pokeballs rolled out of their hands. Each trainer shook and convulsed on the floor helplessly.
"Rotom," the man commanded, "use Trick."
Their bodies felt as if they were being torn apart and sucked into a vacuum. The bottom dropped out from underneath them as if they were falling. Their minds gave out. All was silent.
It had gone well.
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