Mellanie strode into the room. She swept up the table before taking her place at the head of the table. At her side were four chairs. Steven sat in one, Lance in another. Sam had a third whilst the fourth, embossed with the symbol of Sinnoh, was conspicuously empty. Around the table were the gym leaders from all four regions. The Elite Fours did not take part instead, being left to run the regions for however long it took. As Mellanie looked around she felt a hint of triumph. Inside the room was a concentration of almost all of the power in the four regions, summoned at her call. And justice would now be served.

Her only worry was the impact of Ash's interview with Zane Zito. She had never expected him to do that, and the way that he admitted that Cynthia broke the law, whilst defending her was ingenious. It worried her though; she didn't know what the impact would be on the Gym Leaders voting.

"Let's get started," Mellanie said into the silence that hung over the room. "As Pokémon Master, I have assembled you all to consider the impeachment of Cynthia Shirona, Head of Sinnoh. By the time we are finished, we must come to a decision. Either Cynthia will be found guilty and removed from her position or Cynthia will be found guilty and will continue to lead Sinnoh."

There were nods around the table as Mellanie turned to Steven. "Steven?"

"Thank you, Pokémon Master," Steven said, deliberately using the title. "For those who are unaware, the procedure is very simple. Evidence may be submitted to the group as a whole and discussed. As the impeachment was requested by the Pokémon Master, she is unable to chair. As the senior regional leader, I will be chairing the panel instead. When we have considered all evidence, you will vote. There may be no abstentions. If there are more than 20 votes in favour of impeachment, Cynthia will be removed from her position as leader of Sinnoh.

There was quiet in the room as Steven reached out to the folder in front of him. Identical folders had been in front of each of the gym leaders.

"Let's go," Steven said, opening his folder. "Cynthia is charged with conspiracy to unlawfully remove a public figure. We will start with the arrest report of Ash Satoshi Ketchum."


Misty didn't look up as she heard the door open. She had claimed Sam's office for the duration of the investigation into Cynthia, giving a level of continuity in Kanto. The office was where the leader of Kanto sat, and at the moment it was effectively hers.

"Remind me never to challenge you." Misty said to the person who had entered. "I don't want this job full time."

"Well beating me wouldn't give it to you, even if you could."

Misty's head snapped up so fast she heard her neck crack. Stood in front of her, looking thoroughly amused was Ash Ketchum. Not the Sam Fernandez she had expected.

"Ash?"

Ash grinned down at her. "It was definitely worth coming here just to see the look on your face."

Misty glared at him, causing him to laugh.

"May I sit?" Ash asked her.

"Sure."

Ash chose a seat and leaned back, regarding Misty carefully over the desk.

"You've done well Mist," Ash said. "You wanted to become the greatest Water- Pokémon trainer and I'd say you've probably achieved that."

Misty flushed slightly. She was used to praise, but from Ash, it meant more.

"I still couldn't beat you," Misty said. Ash chuckled.

"You aren't the only to try, and you definitely aren't the only to fail," Ash said. "Even our esteemed Pokémon Master couldn't beat me."

"Why did you thrash her?" Misty asked. "You said you wanted to get to grips with her, so how did thrashing her help?"

Ash considered it for a moment. "Does Newton's third law mean anything to you?" he asked eventually.

"Newton's… what?" Misty asked, slightly baffled.

"Newton's third law of motion," Ash said. "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."

Misty stared at him. "Where did you learn about that?"

Ash shrugged. "Somebody taught me in my first time away from civilisation."

"You actually learned something?" Misty teased.

Ash smiled. "Who knew? It was possible. But we digress. The law can be adapted to interactions, especially human interactions. When you do something, no matter how small it seems…"

"There will be a reaction." Misty finished for him. "That I understand, especially from the political game."

"Quite," Ash said. "But by thrashing Mellanie I made a move. I wanted to see what the reaction was to it."

"And was it what you expected?"

"I wasn't necessarily expecting anything. At the most, I was hoping to get some insight into how she might react to things. In that sense, it has been very revealing."

"Oh?"

"Suffice it to say, Mellanie's response was to throw more inertia against Cynthia. Her impeachment came from me blocking some of Mellanie's other moves."

Misty sat and contemplated Ash's words for a moment. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because something is wrong," Ash said softly. "Something doesn't add up with all of this."

"What?" Misty asked, her voice betraying her frustration at how slowly Ash was telling the story.

Ash reached up and placed a newspaper on the desk between them. Misty blinked, she was sure that hadn't been in his hand a moment earlier. She glanced down at the headline.

"So there have been protests against the Pokémon Master," Misty said. "So what? She is impeaching a popular regional leader."

"I don't think you understand the scale of them," Ash said. "There are thousands of people protesting. And some of them are dangerously close to riots."

"And?"

"It doesn't make sense," Ash said. "I'm missing something. And it makes me concerned that I made a mistake three years ago."

Misty took a sharp intake of breath. Ash admitting that he made a mistake had almost never happened when he was an incompetent ten-year-old that made hundreds. She hadn't ever imagined the ultra-composed man that he had become even making a mistake, let alone admitting to the fact.

"Three years ago." Misty mused. "When you left?"

"I left because I thought it was the best for the world," Ash said. "I had seen problems erupting everywhere and they all seemed to come back to me. I thought that if I let Cynthia consolidate her power, any troubles could be avoided."

"And they are back."

"Yes," Ash sighed. "It doesn't make any sense. Mellanie is acting like a dictator, but this has happened before. The reaction from Sinnoh is far greater than it should be. I'm starting to think I should never have left, and that is very concerning."

Misty took a deep breath. "What do you want from me?"

"You are currently running the Kanto region," Ash said. "Keep an eye open on anything out of the norm."

"You think that there will be protests here?" Misty asked in surprise.

"I'm not sure. But I want to be ready."

"Why?" Misty asked as Ash rose from his seat. "I mean, you're not Pokémon Master anymore. You don't have to do this."

Ash smiled sadly from the doorway. "You're right, I don't. But I spent years fighting for the stability and peace and I'm damned if I'm going to let it fall apart now."


As the room cleared, Sam waited behind with Lance, Steven and Mellanie. It had been a long day but under Steven's patient guidance they had made good progress. To review all of the evidence shouldn't take them more than a few days. Then it would be time for Cynthia to be questioned and a decision to be made.

Lance engaged Steven in a conversation about a planned extension of the railway in Johto. While the other regions had built their own, Lance's region was still the pioneer of the use of passenger trains, and Steven always had an input. As the two of them left the room deep in conversation, Sam looked up at Mellanie. For the first time in a long time, she didn't look mad at him.

"Can I do something for you, Sam?" Mellanie asked.

Sam was about to shake his head but then changed his mind. "I was wondering if you wanted to join me for dinner tonight. I'm happy to cook."

Mellanie looked at him slightly pityingly. "We've been down this road years ago."

"Not like that," Sam said. "Just as friends. You look like you could use one."

Mellanie shrugged. "I'm fine."

Now it was Sam's turn to look pityingly. "I know you better than that Mellanie." The name sounded weird on his tongue, but it caught her attention. "I know that while you can put up a strong outer shell you won't be happy inside."

Mellanie sat back down and gestured for Sam to do the same.

"It isn't easy Sam," she admitted. "For years I wanted to bring Ash back, but when he came it wasn't what I expected. For him to challenge me was a shock, and he blocked the trial of Officer Jenny."

Sam raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"You didn't know?"

"It was a Hoenn matter and Ash didn't tell me."

"Have you seen him recently?"

Sam shrugged. "Not really, not since the battle."

Mellanie didn't need to ask which battle Sam was referring to. Just the thought of it was enough to raise her ire. Although when she had been to Mystery Island, she found that it didn't matter so much. For the first time since Ash had returned she had felt the possibility of a life there again. She had trained with her team for a few hours before heading back to Indigo Plateau. Although none of Ash's Pokémon had been around, it had been one of the most relaxed training sessions in a very long time.

"What about you?" Sam asked.

"I've seen him a couple of times. Neither have been particularly cheerful discussions."

Mellanie abruptly rose from her chair, cutting Sam off as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Thank you, Sam, but I'm not able to join you tonight. Perhaps another time."

And with that Mellanie swept out of the room, leaving a thoroughly perplexed Samuel Fernandez in her wake.


That evening Sam was sat at the official residence of the leader of Kanto. He had spent a good chunk of the evening cooking and cleaning, something remarkably therapeutic after the day looking at various documents. He was contemplating moving to get some sleep when the doorbell rang. Surprised, Sam rose from his seat and went to the front door. He opened it to find Ash waiting for him.

"Good evening," Ash said as he smiled down at his former tutee. "May I come in?"

"Sure," Sam said, turning and leading Ash inside. "Drink?"

Ash chuckled. "Are you even old enough for that?"

"Yes," Sam said slightly grouchily as he tried to laugh it off. "I'm nineteen as you well know. And I could always have changed the law."

Ash laughed. "Indeed, you could. And yes, I would take a drink."

A few minutes later Ash sat with a drink in his hand, looking across the room from Sam who was waiting nervously.

"Was there something you came here for?" Sam asked after Ash was settled in the chair.

Ash sighed. "Always, unfortunately. I need to know how Cynthia's trial is going."

"It's been one day." Sam protested.

"And yet you are smart enough to know which way it is likely to go," Ash said, eyes never leaving Sam's. "So?"

"It is privileged information."

Sam recoiled slightly as he saw a glint enter Ash's gaze, although Ash didn't move a single muscle.

"So you won't tell me?"

"I didn't say that," Sam said nervously. He waited for a moment as he looked at Ash, the former Pokémon Master meeting his gaze. "But why do you need to know? Surely you know the kind of evidence we are reviewing? Most of it is based on events involving you."

"Knowing the evidence is very different to knowing the outcome. Political trials are far more than who is right in law."

"What will you do with the information?"

Ash's lip curled slightly. "You are angry at me Sam. Why?"

"Answer my question and I'll answer yours."

"Very well," Ash put his untouched drink down and leaned forwards. "There are protests in Sinnoh against the impeachment of Cynthia. Some of them could lead to riots. I need to know how the trial is going so I can plan for what the outcome will be."

Sam nodded slowly. "Very well. Then yes, Ash, I am angry at you."

"Mellanie?"

"Yes." Sam snapped. "You didn't just challenge her. You destroyed her."

"What did you expect when we fought?" Ash asked softly. "She cannot beat me."

"You made it worse!" Sam burst out. "She was already distant, but you made it so much worse! How did you get it so wrong?"

"Get it wrong?" Ash asked. "She would have been angry about it afterwards, but she will get over it."

"I doubt that." Sam grouched. "She was the first Pokémon Master to ever lose in the month of battling. There are even calls for her to step aside for you, even though she doesn't have to."

"And yet in the time since she will have mellowed towards you."

Sam was about to protest. He wanted to protest. He knew that Ash was wrong, that Ash had made a mistake. Mellanie hadn't mellowed or anything else. She was still as distant as ever. Except… She had. The short conversation earlier. It had been the closest to his old friend that he could remember seeing in years.

"Arceus damn it," Sam growled eventually. "Why are you always bloody right."

Ash smiled sadly. "I'm not. Not even close. But this time I am."

"Not for you though." Sam pointed out. "She will hate you."

"She will get over it one day," Ash said. "I can wait."

"You blocked her inquest into Officer Jenny."

"I did. It also sparked the impeachment of Cynthia."

"Can you stop that?"

Ash sighed. "Probably not."

"Will you try?"

"I'll do my best to prevent Cynthia's reputation being destroyed, but she is plainly guilty and there is nothing I can do about that. There is nothing I even want to do about that. While Cynthia may have some moral justification, legally she could not be more wrong. Mellanie won't have to work particularly hard to get the outcome she wants. And if I'm being truly honest with myself, it is the outcome that Cynthia deserves."

"And it is the verdict we will most likely reach," Sam admitted.

Ash's eyebrows raised slightly. "Thank you, Sam. I suppose that Cynthia will have the reckoning that I promised her three years ago."

"Wait, you told her that?" Sam asked.

Ash nodded, a slight smirk on his face. "I warned her about her actions. It meant that she was looking over her shoulder for three years. A slight indulgence on my part, but it did at least mean that Cynthia didn't have Mellanie blocked from ever challenging her."

"Because she thought you'd come back and she'd have to face you."

"Absolutely."

"But what could the Cynthia have done to Mellanie?"

"The Pokémon Master has a great deal of power and authority," Ash said quietly. "And Cynthia was far better at wielding the sword than anybody ever gave her credit for. Mellanie could have found that she was investigated for the way that her Pokémon got injured in her time away from the regions. She could have had her trainers license suspended for one of a dozen reasons. All Cynthia would have to do would be to feed some information to the police and let Mellanie's determination unhinge her. At least this way Cynthia couldn't touch Mellanie, no matter what she did."

"Does Mellanie know?"

"Of course not," Ash said. "And she won't find out either." The last sentence was accompanied with a stern look at Sam who nodded assent.

Ash stood up, drink still untouched. Sam rose to his feet to match him.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to go to Sinnoh. If the protests don't calm down I will have to see Mellanie tomorrow. She might be able to calm things down."


Lucian stood nervously, watching as the crowd marched past the office. He hadn't appreciated how large they would grow, but he couldn't stop them protesting. Thus far it had remained mostly peaceful in Sunnyshore City, but he couldn't guarantee it would stay like that forever. The crowds were so large that their chants were distracting him from his workload. He hadn't minded that it had increased, for years he had handled the majority of Cynthia's workload in addition to his own, covering for his superior when she was Pokémon Master. Lucian knew that he was effectively running the Sinnoh region in all but name. Yet it was the definitions that counted. Cynthia was still the Sinnoh Champion, and the people of Sinnoh felt that she was being removed by an overzealous Pokémon Master.

There was movement at the side of the crowd that caught Lucian's eye. In the back of his mind, he thought it strange that a single movement could be obvious in a sea of motion, but now he had seen it, he couldn't look away. A tall figure stood, dressed in black, watching the crowd. He was flanked by two Pokémon, with another on his shoulder. Lucian tilted his head slightly in confusion. Ash Ketchum was here, for reasons that he couldn't fathom.

Suddenly Ash looked up, straight at Lucian who stepped back from the window for a moment in shock. He recovered but when he looked down, Ketchum was gone, no trace of his ever being there.

"What the…" Lucian murmured.

"What are your thoughts?"

Lucian spun, shock registering across his face. Behind him stood Ash Ketchum, the same two Pokémon by his side, Pikachu on his shoulder.

"How did you…" Lucian spluttered.

Ash gestured to the Alakazam at his side. "Teleport."

"Oh." Lucian felt unbelievably foolish. Of course, a trainer with Pokémon of such strength would have ways of moving around quickly.

"What are your thoughts?" Ash asked again.

"On?"

Ash clicked in tongue impatiently. "The protests."

"They are larger than yesterday."

"Obviously."

"And getting more agitated."

Ash crossed his arms and raised his eyebrow. "I don't need fact. I need your opinion."

Lucian flushed. He had not been made to feel this inadequate for years.

"I'm not sure. Something is wrong."

"I'd concur," Ash said, striding past Lucian to look out of the window. "I never expected the impeachment to create this much anger."

As they watched the chants reached a crescendo, louder than ever before. Lucian actually took a step back as the noise washed over them. Even though the vitriol was directed at the Pokémon League, not himself, he couldn't help but feel intimidated.

"Something is wrong," Lucian repeated.

Ash gave him a pitying look. "You already said that."

"Cynthia is popular, that I knew," Lucian said. "But this popular? This is an incredible amount of hostility. Something else is pushing this."

Ash nodded, his eyes not leaving the crowd below. "Find out Lucian. You are in charge of this region, you need to protect it. Find out what is behind this."


Skiploom felt the contact touch her mind, questioning. She embraced it lovingly, welcoming it as she drifted through the air before she sensed the desire to change direction. Instantly she allowed herself to drift towards the human settlement a short distance away, floating high in the air over it. She looked down and watched the humans with an interest that was not entirely her own.

It was amusing she thought from her lofty view. She never quite understood humans. Some of them were stood in lines, all facing one way. They were all dressed the same and they all had the same stern expression on their faces. Around them were more humans, some moving around, all shouting angrily. Skiploom shivered, she could feel the raw emotion from all the way up in the sky. Yet more humans were stood nearby, watching impassively. As she watched, she saw some of the shouting humans begin to push the lines around them. Quickly it turned into a full-blown fight, with humans attacking other humans.

Skiploom allowed herself to float away from the battle. She felt a wave of satisfaction pass through her as she did so. She blinked in surprise, the satisfaction was not hers.

"No, it is not," a voice said in the back of her mind. "But I thank you for your assistance."

The contact withdrew, leaving Skiploom to float back towards her home, reflecting on the polite, yet bizarre contact.


"Thank you all." Steven said. "Three days in and we are making good progress. I'd estimate another couple of days before we bring in Cynthia."

The Gym Leaders filed out under the watchful eye of the regional leaders before Steven turned to Mellanie, Lance and Sam.

"We need to wrap this up soon though."

"Why?" Mellanie asked.

Steven sighed. "In law, we cannot release evidence unless Cynthia is found guilty. And the protests in Sinnoh are getting worse. Either she needs to be released or the evidence needs to be released to the world so they can see why she is removed. At the moment all they can see in the Pokémon League removing their beloved leader."

Mellanie's gaze was stern when it found Steven but he met it coolly.

"This is just a statement of fact," Steven said. "Cynthia is extremely popular, and as yet, we haven't stated clearly what it is she might have done. We can't."

"Very well," Mellanie growled. "I'll take care of it."

"That wasn't…" Steven started but Mellanie had brushed past him and vanished out through the door. Steven turned back to Sam and Lance.

"This isn't going to end well."


Mellanie pushed her office door shut behind her and crossed to her desk. She tapped at the keyboard furiously, bringing up information on the situation in Sinnoh. After a few minutes, she leaned back in her chair, contemplating her screen. It was worse than she had realised. Images from the media of full-blown clashes between the protestors and the police were getting spread across the four regions.

"Mellanie."

Her gaze snapped up to see Ash stood in front of her.

"We need to talk," he told her.

"I really don't think we do," she said coolly.

Ash tilted his head slightly, eyes questioning. "Then you are more foolish than I ever thought."

Mellanie slammed her hands down on the table and surged to her feet. It was a move so sudden, so aggressive that even Ash blinked in slight surprise.

"I have had enough of you telling me I'm foolish!" Mellanie shouted. "That I'm not good enough! I am the Pokémon Master, Ash, not you. I earned that position, I gave everything to take that position, and it was all for you. And ever since I did, you have told me I'm not worthy, I'm not smart enough, I'm not ready. Well, I am. I'm the one who will bring Cynthia to justice, not you. I'm the one who will bring Officer Jenny to justice, not you. I'm the one in charge of the four regions now, not you. So think very carefully about your next words Ash, because I am sick of hearing you parrot the same things to me."

Ash took a slow step backwards before sighing and reaching for a chair. Under Mellanie's furious glare, he calmly lowered himself into the seat.

"I apologise," Ash said quietly. "You are right, I never congratulated you properly. It was an exceptional achievement to become Pokémon Master, but you are still young Mellanie."

"Careful," Mellanie growled.

"It is true," Ash said, slightly defensively. The aggression that Mellanie was showing towards him was unnerving. "You are still young Mellanie. You are only nineteen."

"I'm older than you were when you vanished off the face of the earth."

"And far younger than I was when I returned to become Pokémon Master myself." Ash retorted. "And I made mistakes, plenty of them. I am trying to prevent you from doing the same."

"It isn't your job anymore Ash," Mellanie said forcefully. "You gave it up, you chose not to fight for it."

"That is true," Ash admitted. "I gave it up. But I would still like to help you Mellanie."

"I appreciate that, but I don't need your help."

Ash inclined his head. "Very well. May I ask what you intend to do about the protests in Sinnoh?"

"They are turning into riots," Mellanie said instantly. "And I will deal with them appropriately."

Ash winced. "Please be careful Mellanie. There is something wrong in Sinnoh, and the situation requires a more delicate touch than you have shown thus far."

"Perhaps my approach is better at getting things done Ash, have you considered that?"

"I…" Ash started, but Mellanie was in no mood to let him speak.

"When faced with a political problem, you ran away." Mellanie snapped, her voice accusing. "I stood and faced it. I became everything that I needed to be. I never ran away, I never hid. I did what I promised to do, no matter what. If honesty and loyalty were as important to you as you always claim, you'd be supporting me."

"I'm trying to support you Mellanie, but you won't let me," Ash growled.

Mellanie gave him such a pitying look that Ash almost felt guilty. He hadn't realised how much she had grown up in his absence.

"If you were supporting me, you wouldn't have blocked the investigation into Officer Jenny and you wouldn't have publicly gone against the impeachment trial. So no Ash, I do not believe you are on my side. And so I will do what I believe is right, and I shall do it alone."

Ash opened his mouth to speak, but a look from Mellanie told him that it was pointless.

"Get out," Mellanie said, her voice final. "And don't come back. I've outgrown you."


Misty sat in Sam's office, spinning around in his chair. Try as she might, she couldn't concentrate. She hadn't been able to concentrate ever since Ash had left four days previously. All she wanted to be was at home with her husband when he needed her, but the wretched impeachment had forced her to work long hours. And now an old friend had caused her no end of problems. She sighed and gave in, reaching for the phone.

"Hello?" Misty asked. "I need a favour."


Lucian felt a fear he wasn't sure he had ever faced before. Any possibility of work was gone, he was now watching the police getting driven back by what he could only describe as a full-blown riot. He looked back at the phone on the desk behind him. Ten minutes ago he had received a phone call from the Head of Police, requesting permission to deploy extra police into the city. It was something that had not happened for more than three decades, but Lucian hadn't hesitated for a moment. They were due to deploy in another fifteen minutes. He just hoped that the beleaguered officers below him could hold out that long.

They had been in a line for the protest, channelling it along the agreed route, but the size of it had taken them by surprise. More police had been hurried in, reinforcing the police, forming packs ready to respond to trouble. And when it had come they had reacted smoothly and professionally. They had cut off the head of the protest from the riot, urging the protestors away. They had been successful, but the violence had spread rapidly and containing it was proving difficult.

As Lucian watched, a fresh squad of officers jogged up, Pokéballs in hand. In unison, they raised their arms and a group of Machoke appeared. At a curt order, the Pokémon linked their arms before stepping forwards to take the place of police officers who had been tiring against the constant press. The rioters in front of the Machoke drew up short as they realised what they were facing, and started to back away.

Another order was barked and three of the Machoke stepped forwards, grabbing rioters. They passed them back to their colleagues who passed them onto police officers to be handcuffed and led away. As Lucian watched it was an action repeated in several places, but those being arrested barely seemed to make an impact on the numbers of rioters.

Lucian spun as there was a knock on the door behind him. The rest of the Elite Four entered at his call, trooping in forlornly. Lucian watched them line up in front of him, an idea forming in his head.

"Lucian…" Bertha started but he held his hand up, stopping her.

"I know that I am only the leader by default." Lucian started. "But I cannot let our region, our city, fall into chaos like this."

Flint looked at him, a wary look in his eye. "What do you want to do?"

"Pokémon can beat the crowds," Lucian said. "The police are doing so now. We will go and support them. Our Pokémon are an order of magnitude stronger."

The other three Elites exchanged nervous glances.

"I'm not sure," Aaron said. "It seems dangerous."

Lucian looked at him in surprise. "It is dangerous. But we can stop anybody else getting hurt. Let's go."


Ash slumped into his chair on Mystery Island, staring at the television. He didn't blame Lucian although it was tempting. To turn Pokémon onto his own people was an incredible step to take. Ash just wasn't sure if it was a brave step or a foolish one. The news reports certainly weren't helping.

"The actions of the interim leader of Sinnoh were able to quell the riots in Sunnyshore City, but he has come under further criticism for supporting the Pokémon League at the cost of his support for Cynthia. Furthermore, the Pokémon that fought against each other after Lucian's intervention caused significant damage to parts of the city before the riots could be fully quelled. Questions have been asked what the difference is between Lucian's actions and those Cynthia who it appears was so heavily involved in an investigation into former Pokémon Master Ash Ketchum that she was impeached. The riots are over for now, but more trouble is on the horizon."

As the news show returned to the studio, Ash reached out for the remote to turn the television off. He froze with the remote half raised towards the screen in front of him. A breaking news sign rolled across the screen and it transitioned into the image of the Pokémon Master herself.

"Oh, crap," Ash muttered as he read the subtitle for the broadcast. Mellanie was making a speech about the civil disturbances in Sinnoh.

Mellanie stood at the podium, looking at the assembled reporters in the Indigo Plateau press room. She glanced down at the speech in front of her, before looking straight into the camera, her confidence evident in her poise. Even the way she held herself was different from the girl he remembered from the years previously. But then the girl who he had known would never have shouted at him the way she did in her office. She had truly changed.

"Today we witnessed full-blown civil unrest in the Sinnoh Region," Mellanie said, her clipped words easily being picked up by the microphones in front of her. "Unrest against the lawful government in both the devolved region of Sinnoh and here, at the heart of government in Indigo Plateau. Unrest that was only quelled through the brave actions of the police and even the Sinnoh Elite Four. To those who risked their health to try to restore order, I say thank you. Thank you for sticking to your duty. Thank you for doing what was right, when those around you wanted to attack you and to harm you."

There was a ripple through the reporters as Mellanie took a deep breath. She flicked her eyes down at the speech before looking back up.

"To those involved in the civil unrest, I condemn your actions in the strongest terms. You have attacked your fellow citizens, you have attacked those who stand between you and harms way. Those who would protect you, need protection from you. I now appeal to you. Let there be no more violence. Let the rule of law be upheld."

"The inquest currently being conducted into Cynthia Shirona for her actions will continue. As it approaches its conclusion, the verdict will come. And if the judgement is guilty, the Pokémon League will react to continued unrest. To those who made a mistake, do not make it again. And to those who wanted the unrest, who wanted to make their statements. Protest peacefully if you wish. I do not dissuade it, in fact, I encourage it. But the violence that took place today cannot be repeated. The Pokémon League will support the Sinnoh region in quelling any further civil disturbances."

Mellanie bowed her head.

"Thank you for your time."

A/N

So firstly, I apologise for there being no update last week. When I hoped for a slightly less hectic week, I got a week from hell instead and I didn't have a chance to do any writing. That said, there will also be no chapter next week. Regrettably, I am away and thus unable to write for parts of the week and so won't have time to produce one. My plan is for the next chapter to come out on either Friday 15th or Saturday 16th June.

Onto the chapter... I deliberately chose not to include the rest of Ash's interview with Zane. It was effectively recapping things that have already been seen in previous stories, so I didn't feel the need. I'm sorry if anybody was really looking forward to it, but some parts of it will most likely feature in future chapters, so it isn't completely gone.

Finally, I'd like to take the chance to thank those who both read this story every week (or every week there is a chapter!) as well as those who review. I do genuinely read every single one, so I assure you, your contributions don't go ignored!

Until next time,

Iama2p