August 17, 13 AL

1:37 PM

Agatha appeared on top of the giant Pokémart in Lilycove holding an Abra. While most Abras just teleported to the nearest Pokémon center, Agatha's transport Abras were able to teleport exactly where she wanted them to go. She had been training another one, but its Pokéball was missing when she picked this one up. Unfortunately, meeting the leaders of Teams Aqua and Magma was more important than finding one Abra. Drake had already been attacked.

Before the awakening of Kyogre and Groudon, both team leaders would have laughed at a vague offer from the Elite Four, but those times were gone. The destruction wrought by the two guardians showed the world how extreme both teams could be. Officially, the doctrines of climate change were forgotten and replaced with simple environmentalism in water and on land. Of course, there were always a few who did not wish to change.

Archie flew down on top of a Pelipper. Agatha greeted him just as the elevator opened to reveal Maxie with a Macargo. Both Team leaders stopped and stared at each other.

"No," said Archie, "Whatever you want, I am not working with him. He will destroy anything you try."

"Me?" replied Maxie, "I've never destroyed ancient cliffs just to add a little bit to the sea. He is the lunatic!"

Archie bellowed back, "The police looked into that cliff explosion; it was just tourists playing with firecrackers. I had nothing to do with it!"

"Stop!" yelled Agatha as she stepped between them, "I know you have your differences, but we need both of you if we are going to get anything done. I would have told you on the phone, but the chances of being overheard were too great. We have things both of you want. The records that were hidden away when your bases were taken over are now in the vaults of the Elite Four. I don't like some of the experiments your scientists were trying, but there is a way for you to get all of that back. The Elite Four need an army, and you already have one. I know that you will not work together, but you will not need to. Archie, you and Team Aqua will guard the water routes and island cities while Team Magma watches the mainland. A resistance is forming based on Alexander's letter, and we need your eyes and ears everywhere to stop it."

"If we answer to you, how can we continue helping the Pokémon? That is our real mission."

"You will have plenty of extra time to spend on that. Pay coming from us will be enough to hire better researchers than the men you have," Agatha explained, "Now, will you join us?"

"Decide now? We need to have a meeting to discuss this. Give us… a week at least."

Agatha looked at her watch. "You have half an hour. By that time I will be telling the Hoenn Senate why I need an army. If you do not enter at the right time, you will not get your records back. Wait outside the doors with your teams, and you will know when to come in and let the Senate see my army. I will see you there."

She then walked over to the stairs and went down. They had enough time to make that easy decision. Neither would admit their love of power with the other one watching. When she reached the bottom floor, she left the building and walked south to the Hoenn Capitol. It had replaced the contest arena when public interest returned to real challenge battles shown on television.

As she walked in the back door, the opening ceremonies were beginning. It seemed like every little town's Senator needed to thank someone before they began any real business. A discussion of fishing rights near Dewford town followed. After it was decided that commercial fishermen could not stop trainers from fishing off the shore, Agatha took the floor. She watched and waited until she had complete silence, and then her speech began.

"We are no longer safe. Pokémon are no longer just for battles against each other. Earlier today, Drake was attacked by a trainer and all six of his Pokémon before he was even allowed time to pull out a Pokéball. As you know, engagement rules dictate that only one Pokémon may be brought out at a time, but we have no way to remotely know whether or not it is a battle. Noman could have survived the attack, but luckily his Salamence was nearby and able to block the attacker before Drake was hurt badly. He held off until Glacia was able to push away this trainer with a Blizzard, and Drake is now recovering from second-degree burns. We now have reason to believe that this trainer was not working alone, and more will follow. They do not only mean to destroy the sacred institution of the Elite Four, but also to replace this Senate with a government of their own choosing. If trainers think it is fine to use Pokémon as weapons, real battles can no longer be conducted. To protect the fair nation of Hoenn, the Elite Four needs military power and emergency executive power to stop these traitors. Allow us this, and we will create an invincible Elite Guard to protect you."

"Where can you get such an army? How do you have time to train it?" asked a Senator from Little Root Town.

"We already have one," answered Agatha, and Teams Aqua and Magma stepped in. "Also, these rebel trainers need to be weakened. After seeing the danger of allowing trainers six Pokémon, the limit for Pokémon held must be dropped from six to two. The Elite Guard will still hold six for their own safety. Given the high probability of rebels attacking again, the Elite Four must also have the full power to do whatever is necessary to stop them. Any rules created will be checked with you as soon as the emergency is over. We question the commitment of anyone who does not think we need these safeguards to defend you and all of Hoenn."

She ended, and a minute later, the Senate had unanimously voted in favor of everything the Elite Four wanted.