[2]
-Sinnoh-
"…when questioned, Professor Rowan declined comment, stating only that he hoped justice would win out. For Jubilife TV, I'm-"
The television switched off abruptly. Standing in front of it, completely motionless, was a tall woman with long, blond hair, clad completely in black. "This is preposterous," she said, fuming. "How in the world can they arrest Gym Leaders like this? It's unfathomable."
"I know, Cynthia, but there's nothing we can do from here. If you go out there, you'd be arrested just as they were. Or else, like Flint and Volkner, be on the run," an older woman said. "The only thing you can do for now is to lay low. Unfortunately, it means your Pokémon will have to remain in their Poké Balls for right now."
"That's unfair. There should be some sort of way to combat this," Cynthia said stubbornly. She pursed her lips, thinking, and added, "Something is wrong with this. There's never been any one person who made decisions for the entire Sinnoh Region before. Not even I, in my tenure as Champion, would dare make this kind of judgment call."
"I know, dear," the older woman answered. "But as I said. The only thing for it is for you to stay in hiding for now. We can keep you safe here. "
"Safe didn't make me Champion of the Sinnoh League, and safe didn't help me when I went against Team Galactic," Cynthia responded. "Personally, I don't think it's going to keep me safe now. I have to at least try to contact the other Champions and make sure they're alright."
After a few silent moments, the old woman sighed. "Very well," she said. "But make it short. I fear to think of what will happen if you're found out…"
-Hoenn-
"Mr. Stone? There's a call waiting for you from Sinnoh," the young woman's voice said over the intercom.
"Thank you, Madeline. I'll take it in here," came the reply. Turning around in his chair, the blue-haired man looked at the large wall TV mounted behind him. The screen flared to life, revealing a black-clad blond wearing a look of desperation. "Steven? Steven, are you there?" she asked.
"Cynthia! What a surprise. And here I thought you guys in Sinnoh were never going to speak to anyone ever again," Steven said, smiling.
"Steven, this is serious," Cynthia snapped. "Have you been watching the news today?"
"Today? No, I've been in meetings most of the morning," Steven answered. "What's happened?"
"A lot. Some organization has been put into power, even over the Pokémon League. Members of the Elite Four and Gym Leaders are being arrested here," Cynthia answered. "You need to watch yourself. Something similar may be happening there."
Steven was on the verge of a reply, but heard Madeline's voice from her office. "I'm sorry, he's in a conference call right now. You can't go in there."
"Looks like you're right," he said.
"You have to get out of there. Right now," Cynthia said. "Go into hiding. I'll find a way to get in touch with you. Warn the others if you can."
Steven nodded and switched off the monitor. He barely had time to turn around before his office door crashed inward, bowled over by a blue, muscular Pokémon, Machoke. "What the-"
"Steven Stone," a voice said from behind the Machoke. Stepping out from behind it was a man dressed in mostly black, with a red cloak draped around his shoulders. "You are under arrest. You are going to come with me right now."
"Well, well. If it isn't Maxie. And back in charge of Team Magma, I see," Steven said. "Here I thought you were safely behind bars after the Sootopolis incident. It appears I was mistaken."
"Indeed I was, but no longer. With much thanks to my partners, it will now be you who is placed behind bars, you who condones the inherent violence of Pokémon battling, Gym challenges, and nonsense like that," Maxie said.
"What're you talking about, Maxie? You tried to control Groudon and make it create more landmasses to suit your needs. That's a gross abuse of a Pokémon's power. You have no right to talk to me about things like that. And I am most certainly not going with you. At least, not without a fight."
"Very well, then. Camerupt, come out!" Maxie said, tossing a Poké Ball. A large, camel-like Pokémon emerged. "Use Yawn. Make him realize just how tiring his job is."
The Pokémon opened its mouth wide, letting out a long sigh of air that caused Steven to grow oddly warm. His eyes began to droop, despite his best efforts to force them open. His mind half-obscured, he tried to formulate a means of escape, but could think of nothing before sleep claimed him.