Oh boy, here it is. This is when things start kicking into high gear. Sparks are going to fly in this chapter - I had a lot of fun writing it, and you'll see why momentarily.

I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe with everything going on. That's enough about real life, though; you didn't come here for that. So thank you all for 12 reviews, 15 favorites, and 13 follows, and may there be many more. Enjoy the chapter!

Current music: Tongue Tied - Grouplove

Ash stood just outside the auditorium, fidgeting with the tie that hung around his neck. As public a figure as he'd become, he still didn't much care for that accessory, but it was required at the event. He just had to grin and bear it.

Oh well, he thought. At least I'm in a position where I need to wear it. It means my campaign isn't floundering, unlike some other joke candidates might be.

Last week, the donation counter had reached the high four hundred thousands. And then the counter rolled past 500,000, and that's when Ash had sprung out of his chair, over the moon at the news.

As soon as the screenshot had been shared with the Unova Commission on Presidential Debates, they notified the candidate that he would be allowed to join the event at Nimbasa University. And, although the campaign could not yet afford the private jet, this wasn't an issue; they were flown to Nimbasa City for free.

To this day, Ash didn't know why the debate commission, a nonpartisan organization who always presented themselves as being above all the bickering, hadn't asked for more proof than just the screenshot. Of course, why should Ash care? He'd made it onto that debate stage.

Now, as the candidate fiddled with his tie, he chanced a glance at the podium he would take momentarily. It was about the same height as the ones he'd spoken from at his various rallies, and would have been nondescript otherwise, except that its microphone appeared to be state-of-the-art.

Ash's palms sweated, and his stomach churned at the thought of sharing a stage with the man he was running against. The man whose name Ash had spent so much time and money trying to tarnish.

It would not be pretty, to say the least.

"Candidates, please take to the stage. Line up in reverse polling order from the left-hand side of the stage; that means Joe Bidoof is at podium four, Ash Ketchum at podium three, Robert Chilacoth at podium two, and Grings Kodai at podium one."

Ash rolled his eyes and sighed. Way to throw some shade at us.

Though Ash was far from a natural at the art of the campaign, he knew that a stellar debate performance could work wonders for a campaign. It could bring it back from the dead, just like a set of defibrillator paddles.

As the black-haired walked up to his podium, he caught the eye of one of his opponents. You probably know which one I'm talking about.

Kodai's eyes, the color of a field of grain beneath a summer sun, glinted as he saw Ash. And the younger man knew immediately that he didn't like that look. To Kodai, Ash was probably a specimen the businessman couldn't wait to dissect.

"Candidates, shake hands."

Oh, great. I have to shake hands with Kodai?

In order to put that off until the last minute, Ash first took Joe Bidoof's right paw in his own. Just like his mother had always coached him before his non-political speaking engagements, he gave the paw four shakes, then set it down. He did the same for Senator Chilacoth, whose beady eyes and awkward grin made Ash cringe.

And then it came time for what he'd been dreading.

Ash Ketchum glanced up at Grings Kodai, treating his eyes like the sun: Necessary for life, perhaps, but fly too close to it and you'll get burned. Even so, Ash did what he'd been commanded to.

Kodai's hand felt sterile, much cleaner than it should have been. Given all the opposition research, the younger man had expected it to be slimy of sorts, but of course Kodai had access to whatever lotion he wanted. He was a billionaire, after all.

"Thank you all," the announcer, a thin woman with white-blonde hair and near-perfect teeth, said curtly. "Now, allow me to introduce myself.

"My name is Margaret Marksman, also known as Maggie. I will moderate this debate, which will be broadcast live on all the networks. All the networks," she emphasized, as though the candidates hadn't understood her the first time.

The four candidates nodded.

"Anyway," Mrs. Marksman continued, "we'll start by introducing the candidates, once more in reverse polling order."

Ash barely resisted the urge to laugh dryly. Mocking Joe Bidoof for polling below him, of course, wasn't likely to reflect well on any candidate.

"First off, polling in fourth place, we have Joe Bidoof, a businessman and perennial candidate from Driftveil City. He is fifty-six years old and has run for various offices on the Democratic Party line. He has only won one nomination, for Governor of Driftveil Province in 2014, though he narrowly lost the subsequent general election."

Joe Bidoof visibly squirmed as his biography was laid out. Really, why shouldn't he have been uncomfortable? Mrs. Marksman really seemed to enjoy throwing shade at the candidates.

A few other facts were listed about Joe, but Ash could hardly be bothered to pay attention to them. All that mattered was the knowledge that he'd be next, and he would need to stand there as the host re-hashed both the flattering and the less flattering moments of his life.

"Next, we have Ash Ketchum, polling in third place. He is our youngest participant in this debate, at age twenty-five. He is perhaps best known as the most accomplished Pokémon trainer in a generation, having won several leagues. Ketchum, a native of Pallet Town, Kanto, moved to Crown City several years ago with his girlfriend, Serena Courtland. She's in the audience right now, in fact."

Peering into the crowd, Ash couldn't find Serena. This was unfortunate, since he felt certain that his girlfriend would have been a comforting sight at the moment. Of course, it might also trip him up, because the worst thing you could be on a debate stage was comfortable.

"Polling in second, we have Senator Robert Chilacoth, better known as Robbie. Like Ash Ketchum, he lives in Crown City, partly because he is a veteran Unovan Senator, currently serving his fourth term. He is our oldest candidate on stage at sixty-five, and this is his second time running for President."

At the sound of his name, Senator Chilacoth waved at the crowd. Despite his obvious age, the man seemed in his element right here, relishing the spotlight and his ability to think on his feet.

"Last but not least - in fact, most if you go by polling numbers, is Grings Kodai. This Nimbasa City businessman, forty-seven years old, owns the Kodai Network Group and has an estimated net worth of $7.15 billion. Clearly, he isn't in this campaign for the money, for he has promised to divest from his businesses if elected. Kodai lives in Nimbasa City, and this is his first time running for any public office."

As facts about Kodai were read aloud, the businessman visibly stood to his full height. He was already taller than Ash, six feet and several inches by the younger man's estimate, and carried himself well on stage. One didn't have to like him to admit that.

"Now, here is how the debate will work," Mrs. Marksman continued. "We'll ask a series of questions about policy, and each candidate will have forty-five seconds to give his answer. The other candidates will each get thirty seconds to either concur with or rebut this answer. This will continue until every candidate has his opportunity to respond to the prompt, and then we'll move on. Some questions will be for all four of you; others will only be for one candidate to answer."

Ash frowned. This sounds like a questionable format to me. But then, I guess it's not my job to come up with it.

After everyone had nodded to show that they understood the rules, Mrs. Marksman continued her monologue.

"Now, the first topic of this debate is immigration. Over the last several years, we've seen a considerable number of migrants on our southern border. Some of them are seeking asylum from the war-torn region of Hoenn, but the majority simply want better jobs than what's available in Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh.

"Here is the question: In general, do you support a more restrictive immigration policy, a more lenient one, or keeping things roughly the same? Mr. Ketchum, you're going first."

Ash gasped. He'd been well aware, of course, that he'd need to answer questions; that was the point of a debate, was it not? But he hadn't expected to go first, even if it had been a distinct possibility.

"I…uh…".

"Your time starts now, Mr. Ketchum."

Ash scrambled, trying to brainstorm an answer. Right away, he understood just why debating was a skill that needed to be honed.

Eventually, he came up with something, though he spoke haltingly.

"I believe… I think that our policy on immigration needs to strike the right balance, you know? We shouldn't let too many people come in undocumented, though sometimes that's the only way. But if someone can further this region's economic development - then I'm for it. For them coming here, that is. And…".

BZZZZZT.

"That was the buzzer, Mr. Ketchum. I'm sorry to say that you're out of time. Mr. Bidoof, you have thirty seconds to respond."

Ash grunted in frustration. Just when he'd thought he was hitting his stride, the damn buzzer had to butt in and put his bliss to an end.

"So Ash, you have a solid proposal," the Bidoof began. "It's certainly nice to think that we can have an open set of borders. But there's just one problem - how are we going to pay for it?"

"That's the dumbest question I've ever heard," Ash snapped, not caring that he wasn't supposed to talk.

"Let him finish, Mr. Ketchum."

Ash had to resist the urge to face-palm as Joe Bidoof mentioned that his key policy proposal would be infeasible if there were an unlimited number of immigrants to Unova. And yet, he knew that trying to fight would only make his own position worse.

"Next rebuttal - that's Senator Chilacoth's job. Take it away, Mr. Chilacoth."

"In large part, Mr. Ketchum, I agree with you," Senator Chilacoth responded, turning to face his rival. "But you don't seem to have a grasp on the finer points of how the agenda will be implemented. Immigration policy isn't just a matter of what ought to be."

He's calling me young and idealistic. Why am I not surprised by that?

Then it was Kodai's turn. The businessman faced Ash, and the trainer could see those golden eyes glint with glee. He was going to (verbally) tear Ash to shreds, and would enjoy every second of it.

"Now, Mr. Ketchum," Kodai told the trainer, "if we can get native-born Unovans to fill high-skilled jobs, why shouldn't we just do that? Why take the risk on someone whose loyalty may not even be to this region?"

Those are Republican talking points, Mr. Kodai!

That's what Ash wanted to yell, but restrained himself from doing. He waited for the merciful moment when the buzzer would cut Kodai off, and they'd all be able to move on.

The next candidate to answer the immigration question was Senator Chilacoth. With that creepy grin of his, the Senator spoke slowly, yet gracefully.

"We should stop speaking about immigrants as though they are a monolith," Chilacoth responded, fiddling with his tie. "Quite frankly, nothing could be further from the truth. There are the asylum seekers from the war in Hoenn, there are those professionals who believe they can find better pay in Unova, and then there are those who want to help the economy here.

"Most importantly, the language Mr. Kodai has used tonight could be described as nativist. It breeds resentment towards and discrimination against Unovans born abroad, and should be avoided at all costs. My proposal is to make it easier for trainers to immigrate here with their Pokémon, for if someone wants to contribute -".

BZZZZZT.

"Time's up, Mr. Chilacoth," Mrs. Marksman announced curtly, brushing her white-blonde hair to the side. "I will now give Mr. Kodai a chance to respond."

"But I wasn't done yet!" the Senator complained.

"You know the rules, and I do too," the moderator said. "Mr. Kodai, please take it away."

"Well, immigrants might contribute to our economy," the businessman responded, standing on his tiptoes so that he was well over the podium, "but they also take funding away from social services. Why do we not prioritize those who are already here?"

"Because these people want to be citizens!" Senator Chilacoth barked.

"You can't respond to a rebuttal!" Kodai bellowed. "It's my turn to talk!"

"I damn well can!" the Senator exclaimed. "Who says the Unovan social contract cannot be adopted? Who says one must be born into -".

BZZZT.

"With all due respect, Mr. Chilacoth", Mrs. Marksman told the Senator, "it was Kodai's turn to speak. Quite frankly, you're acting very immature for a 65-year-old man."

The Senator grumbled audibly, but he nonetheless acquiesced to the moderator's demands. Like Ash, Senator Chilacoth had seemingly realized that trying to resist the rulebook just wasn't worth it.

"Do I get a bit more time to speak?" Kodai asked Mrs. Marksman.

"Yes, I'll grant you an additional fifteen seconds," the moderator told the businessman, which made it hard for Ash to suppress a snort. Fifteen seconds wasn't much time to say anything of value.

"Thank you," Kodai replied. "Anyway, immigrants are a strain on our region's limited resources. As demand increases, and supply doesn't, costs will go up for all of us."

"Then build more houses, dammit!" Senator Chilacoth bellowed, banging his fist on the podium.

BZZZZZT.

"And you think that's a solution?" Kodai asked testily, wagging a finger in the air. "We can't afford to build new homes without raising taxes - ".

"On people like you!" Chilacoth yelled. "You're a billionaire, Mr. Kodai, and I won't let you forget that!"

"Gentlemen, please. Cut it out," Mrs. Marksman demanded.

Grings Kodai and Robbie Chilacoth pointed their thumbs at each other. And then, in near-perfect unison, they exclaimed, "He started it!"

Although Ash knew better than to jump into this feud, he couldn't help but feel viscerally satisfied by it. Let Kodai and Chilacoth tear one another apart, and I'll benefit!

"It doesn't matter who started it," the moderator insisted. "Both of you are making it harder for the Unovan people to be informed. Because debates are just that - they're meant to inform voters, not to entertain them."

Both men grumbled, giving each other looks of utmost loathing. Ash couldn't get enough of it; internally, the trainer wanted to yell, Keep going at it, guys! But he managed to keep quiet nonetheless.

"Okay" Mrs. Marksman responded. "Now that this little spat is behind us, it is time to move on. Our next topic will be tax policy. Allow me to introduce the question, and please, I don't want anyone to argue with me, or one another, when I pose it. Do we have a deal?"

Ash and the others nodded. In reality, of course, there was every reason to think that this deal wouldn't last forever. Indeed, it probably wouldn't last very long at all.

"Very well, then. Because this is a more complex policy issue than immigration, I will allow each of you sixty seconds for your answer, followed by forty seconds for each of your rebuttals. I'm being generous, you know; that's an increase of thirty-three percent from your previous allotted time!"

Yes. That's very generous indeed… not!

"Okay," Mrs. Marksman continued. "The first question is for Mr. Kodai. You're on the record stating that you want taxes to be lower on the very wealthy, such as yourself. Can you make an argument that this should be the case, rather than what some would call a more progressive tax system? Like I said, sixty seconds."

She's really going for the jugular. And she's not even a candidate. Maybe I like her after all.

"Very well," Kodai replied, clearing his throat. "Mrs. Marksman, it's no secret that I am a billionaire. I've never tried to hide my wealth from anyone, but some to the left of me - those socialists - want to raise my taxes. In reality, I am a job creator. The more money I can make, the more jobs I can create through my business. Isn't that what we all want?

"This is why I've proposed a tax plan that would raise taxes on the upper middle class, lower them on the middle class, and also lower them for those at the top of our economy. We - and by we I mean those in the top one percent of income earners - are the ones who power the economy through producing more occupations for people below us. As President, I will -".

BZZZZZT.

"Time is up, Mr. Kodai," the moderator said. "I will implore you to finish that thought later, but we now turn to the rebuttals. Mr. Bidoof, you have forty seconds. Go."

Joe Bidoof also cleared his throat before giving his response. When it came, it contained a lot of talking points about how a rising tide would lift all boats, or how giving money to the wealthy would "trickle down" to the lower classes.

Ash didn't find these arguments convincing. However, there was something about the way people like Grings Kodai and Joe Bidoof made their arguments that made them sound… more legitimate, in a way. They weren't meant for Ash - they were meant for the rank-and-file voter.

And that's kind of scary. They know how to sound polished, no matter what they're saying, and I could learn a thing or two from them.

Indeed, many members of the audience (whom Ash hadn't been paying much attention to so far) were nodding. This made sense to them, at least on a superficial level.

"Thank you for your response, Mr. Bidoof," Mrs. Marksman told the bidoof after the buzzer had gone off. Turning to Ash, she said, "Now it is your turn, Mr. Ketchum. Like Mr. Bidoof, you have forty seconds. Your time starts now."

Ash swiveled in Kodai's direction and began to speak.

"It doesn't matter how convincing you can sound, Mr. Kodai. If your argument doesn't make sense, it's probably wrong. You're quite the charmer, but you're not fooling me. Trickle-down economics does not work, has never worked, and will never work."

There were a few claps from the audience, but Ash didn't stop to admire them. He had only one chance to make an impression on this issue, and he wouldn't waste it.

"The wealthy people, like yourself, don't any more tax breaks. If you want to make a difference and stimulate the economy, give the money to people who have no choice but to sp-".

BZZZZZT.

"-spend it."

Kodai chuckled. "Nice buzzer beater, Mr. Ketchum."

Mrs. Marksman gave Kodai a rather dirty look, but she didn't acknowledge the businessman any further than that. She then nodded at Ash.

"Thank you for the response, Mr. Ketchum," the moderator told the trainer. "Now, Senator Chilacoth, it is your turn. You have forty seconds. Take it away."

As Ash listened to Senator Chilacoth give his rebuttal to Kodai, the youngest man on stage couldn't help but feel a vague satisfaction taking over his body.

With that rebuttal, Ash felt certain that he'd gain some momentum in the polls. At a minimum, he'd made an impression on the audience; not just those in the Nimbasa University auditorium, but also those viewers tuning in at home. Maybe they'd give themselves over to the idea that Ash should be the Democratic Party's nominee.

That being said, he couldn't keep his head in the clouds too long. It wouldn't be long before he needed to speak again, and things could quickly go south in Unova's 24-hour news cycle. In other words, he had the momentum; he just couldn't screw it up.

"Mr. Ketchum?"

Ash blinked. He hadn't exactly been asleep, but he hadn't been paying as much attention to his surroundings as he should have been. For this, he was about to pay dearly.

"What is it?" the trainer enquired.

"I was wondering," Mrs. Marksman responded, "why you didn't respond to the question I just posed."

"Oh, uh…" Ash began. "I was just thinking about how I'd respond to…".

Ash's heart thumped rapidly in his chest, threatening to burst out of his rib cage. Additionally, his face felt hotter than the surface of the sun, his palms sweating like crazy.

"Uh, what was the question again?"

Some members of the audience laughed; others groaned. Ash knew that he couldn't let himself zone out again; that would fall under the heading of "screwing up", and then some.

"What do you propose for the income tax system in Unova?" the announcer asked. "We've all gotten to see what you don't want to happen, but what do you want?"

"I want everyone to pay their fair share in taxes," Ash responded, leaning forward over his microphone. "It will be a progressive system - that is, the more money one makes, the more the government should take. Quite frankly, that's just common sense - the government needs revenue to fund its projects.

"If I am elected, I will hire people to advise me on this area of policy. I'll put together a nonpartisan commission to study what the best percentages and brackets would be. I'll admit that I'm not perfect… but I'll hire people who are. The best people."

BZZZZZT.

"Your time is up, Mr. Ketchum. Mr. Chilacoth, it's your turn to respond. You have forty seconds."

"Mr. Ketchum, I, by and large, agree with your proposal. I think it makes sense to increase taxes on those in the upper class, but I disagree about how you'll implement it. You stated that you'd put together a nonpartisan commission, but how do you know they'll be nonpartisan?"

"Because I'll hire them and make sure they are," Ash snapped. He knew he was breaking the rules here; he just didn't care.

"But you don't understand, Mr. Ketchum," Senator Chilacoth shot back. "How are you qualified to know who the true experts are? Why not delegate this responsibility to the people of Unova? We are supposed to be a democracy, after all."

BZZZZZT.

As the buzzer went off that time, Ash realized his mistake. By naïvely suggesting that he'd hire "the best people", he'd most likely played into his critics' notion of him.

To Ash Ketchum's opponents, the 25-year-old was young and idealistic. His ideas might sound wonderful on paper, but once they saw the light of day, it became clear just how much of a pipe dream they were. And by stating them aloud, he was giving the Unovan people false hope.

Fortunately, Senator Chilacoth had only been allotted forty seconds to damage Ash. Unfortunately, Kodai was next.

"Mr. Ketchum, I don't know where you got all these ideas. It's wonderful to imagine that we can all live in harmony and be free from hardship. But you're being too idealistic. Nothing is ever as simple or easy as it seems, and by pretending that it is, you're doing real damage to this region."

"No, I'm not," Ash said under his breath. But he'd forgotten about the microphone!

"Please don't interrupt me, young man," Kodai continued coolly. "In any case, perhaps Ash Ketchum is simply too young to run Unova. He's got no relevant experience, either in government or in the private sector. And it shows, because his ideas are truly delusional."

BZZZZZT.

"Thank you for your words, Candidate Kodai," Mrs. Marksman responded. "I will now let Candidate Bidoof voice his response. Whatever he agrees with, whatever he might disagree with - it's all fair game. Go."

Ash didn't listen very carefully as Joe Bidoof voiced his objections to Ash's tax plan. If Ash were being honest, you couldn't really call it a "plan", just an "idea." But that hadn't stopped Kodai from tearing into the young man, and Ash knew his stock had taken a hit.

Well, I can't control what the other candidates say about me. All I can do is find the best words to use in the situation I'm presented with.

The forty seconds the Bidoof spent might as well have been forty minutes. During this time, Ash had plenty of time to stand stock-still and feel his face heat up from self-consciousness. And then…

"It is now time for our next topic," Mrs. Marksman announced. "Each of you will have sixty seconds to answer this question, and forty seconds for your rebuttals, just as it was for the previous question. The topic is Pokémon rights."

Ash's heart fluttered marginally upward. If Kodai's last rebuttal was the wind that had blown his house of cards apart, now was the trainer's chance to put those cards back into place.

"As all of you know, the status of Pokémon in Unovan society has been the subject of considerable debate and controversy ever since this region was founded. The last war to be fought in what is now Unova was won by the human side, and since then Pokémon have been relegated to what some would say is a status equivalent to pets."

Pikachu's not just my pet. He's my best friend. We are equals.

"The first question goes to Mr. Joe Bidoof. Mr. Bidoof, you've been very vocal about how you think the history of Pokémon subjugation should be taught in schools. What would you say to your critics who dub this as 'critical species theory' or something similar? Your time starts now."

"Quite frankly, they're wrong," the bidoof began, taking a step back from his podium and pacing around his section of the stage. "It's hard to look at what these people claim and come up with a word other than wrong. The fact is, they believe that I'm claiming Unova is fundamentally speciesist - that is, that it was based on human supremacy. But that's not what I'm saying.

"We have to look at the root causes of these issues, yes. But the best way to do that is to make sure our students are informed. Children are our future, and if we can't teach them to think critically about Unova's past, then are we really serving them well?"

BZZZZZT.

"Your allotted time has expired, Mr. Bidoof. Now, Mr. Kodai, you have forty seconds to respond. Go."

Kodai cleared his throat once more. "Mr. Bidoof, just because the Republicans are going to brand you as a proponent of CST, that doesn't mean you should embrace the label. Far from it. That's not what you believe in."

"I think I know what I believe in, thank you very much," the Bidoof snapped,

"Gentlemen!" Mrs. Marksman bellowed. "The next time you speak out of term, I will give the offender a yellow card! This has been a disaster of a debate, and it's going to tank ratings like you wouldn't believe!"

Ash could barely hold back laughter at that idea. The candidates' bickering amongst themselves wouldn't hurt the network's ratings; in fact, little could be further from the truth. Everyone and their grandmother would want to tune in to see what the hell was happening on the networks.

BZZZZZT.

"Do I get to finish speaking?" Kodai asked.

"It wasn't even your turn," Mr. Bidoof stated matter-of-factly. "Why would you get to finish?"

The moderator shrugged. "If neither of you will respect the rules, you'll waste valuable time that you could have spent making a substantive point. This isn't punishment; it's just a natural consequence of refusing to follow our code of conduct."

Kodai and Mr. Bidoof glared at one another, but this staring contest ended abruptly when Mrs. Marksman clapped. This brought all four candidates back to Nexus.

"Okay, next question," the moderator said. "This one is for Candidate Ketchum."

Okay, here we go! Now's my chance to turn things back around! Ash told himself, with a surge of adrenaline.

"Mr. Ketchum, you've been quoted as saying that the well-being of Pokémon was instrumental in your decision to run for President. Could you please elaborate on your thought process, as well as any actions you'll take if elected to alleviate the problems? You have sixty seconds, starting now."

"Sure," the trainer began, feeling tears fill his eyes. "I've always been passionate about this issue; you'll all know that I'm best friends with a pikachu. But the tipping point for me, the day when I ultimately chose to become a candidate, was actually on the very night that President Fiddlesticks announced his retirement."

I can't get choked up now. Not here. Or maybe it would actually help make the audience think I mean what I say?

"Pokémon were on the screen, taking part in what looked like a cruel game show. They were made to bite into shoes, drawers, plants, all sorts of items that might have been made of cake or candy. That cannot be good for their fangs or their self-esteem, but that's what they were forced to do."

There were a few chuckles from the crowd, which is what pushed Ash over the edge. Without even thinking about it, he uttered the following:

"It might be funny to you, motherfuckers, but it's not funny to me."

The laughter ceased totally after that, to be replaced by a chorus of gasps. Most likely, this was out of disbelief that Ash Ketchum had dropped the F-bomb. But the trainer would not apologize for speaking his mind.

BZZZZT.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ketchum, but your time has come to an end. I'm sure you had more to say, but we have to move on. Now, Mr. Kodai, it is your turn to respond. As always, you have forty seconds."

Kodai's eyes turned into what looked like solid gold slits. The businessman adjusted his tie, which, unlike Ash's, looked perfectly in place. It was as though he was used to wearing them, which was probably true.

"Look, Mr. Ketchum," Kodai began. "I've got plenty of Pokémon working for my company. I treat all of them like members of my own family, because in a way, we are family. It is regrettable that those on film are treated the way you describe, but you should not assume that this is how they're all treated."

I'm not saying they're all exploited like that! But isn't one Pokémon forced to be embarrassed on regional TV one too many?

"Personally, I don't see the need for more protections. Pokémon at the Kodai Network Group already have all the same benefits as the human workers."

BZZZZZT.

Do I dare?

Ash's palms sweated, and he balled his hands into fists. Somehow, bursting out what he truly thought sounded like it might be a good idea - or rather, the urge to do so was overpowering.

It was a risk, for sure. As Mrs. Marksman congratulated Kodai on his response, Ash knew that he only had a few seconds to decide what to do.

I'm not going to waste my chance for a bit more publicity. If I go for the jugular, people will be excited to donate to me. They'll want me fighting for them in the Crimson Chamber.

"Mr. Kodai, I think you're lying," Ash said, so quietly at first that the microphone barely picked it up.

The businessman narrowed his eyes in what Ash could only assume was extreme anger. "What did you just say?"

Mrs. Marksman fidgeted with her necklace as she jumped into the argument.

"Mr. Ketchum, I know you want to make a splash on stage, but now is really not the time - it's not your turn to speak, for one."

"I'm well aware of that," Ash replied testily. "But I don't care what happens. I don't care if I get a yellow card, or even a red card. I just don't give a shit, you know?"

"I don't care what you think you can get away with," Kodai snapped. "We all have to follow the rules at this debate, even when they're inconvenient for your goal of getting attention. Don't we all want attention?"

"Well, there's more," Ash asserted.

Kodai shrugged, his frown turning upside down. With a gesture at Ash that would have appeared friendly under other circumstances, he said, "Continue."

"Why do you keep exploiting Pokémon for your own gain?" Ash snarled.

There was a collective gasp from the audience. Mrs. Marksman, too, gasped, her mouth hanging agape. But then, there was silence in the air, albeit possibly the loudest silence Ash had ever heard.

For the longest time, nobody spoke. Joe Bidoof and Robbie Chilacoth looked up from their podiums, and the Senator even licked his lips. They might not have been relishing this, but they didn't exactly want it to stop either.

It was as though a nuclear weapon had gone off, leaving all of Nimbasa City in ruins. There was simply nothing to say - until, that is, Kodai broke the silence.

"I could throw that question right back at you," the businessman responded, a hint of annoyance entering his voice. "Why do you assert things about me that you've got no evidence for?"

Ash tried to keep a poker face. Of course, he had little practice with this; he wasn't much of a gambler. But he knew full well that there was no going back. Once such a serious allegation had entered the air, no amount of fumigation would chase it away.

"Look at it this way, Mr. Ketchum," Kodai continued, this time not afraid to turn up the volume. "There are certain things that just can't be proven, and therefore shouldn't be brought up at a serious debate. Stop spreading assertions that you can't demonstrate are true."

"You're not denying it," Ash pointed out.

"Just because you can't prove something is false doesn't make it true."

"That's how I know you've got something to hide," the trainer responded, nodding so quickly that his black hair was probably reverting to its typical unruly nature. "If you were truly innocent, Mr. Kodai, you would just say so."

By this time, those in the audience were sitting on the edges of their seats. Even those who had brought buckets of popcorn to the auditorium had now put them down, having elected to give this spat their undivided attention. This would likely be the biggest domestic news story the following day, maybe even the biggest global news story.

"Well, do you have the receipts, Ash?" Kodai snarled.

"There's plenty of sketchy information about you online," the younger man loudly muttered. "Really, I don't understand why you'd even run for President if you have so many skeletons in your closet."

"Gentlemen, that is enough!" Mrs. Marksman exclaimed. "Both of you will receive yellow cards! And if you get another yellow card, that is equivalent to a red card, which means you're out of the debate!"

Why is she treating this like a game show or sporting event? This isn't supposed to be entertainment!

Nonetheless, Ash wouldn't fight Mrs. Marksman on this. While his accusation against Kodai might bring him more coverage (read: more donations and higher polling numbers), that advantage would be cut down significantly if he was kicked out of the debate.

Kodai, for all his faults (and he had many), seemed to reason the same way. The businessman rubbed his forehead and then looked down at the floor.

Both candidates had learned their lesson. And Mrs. Marksman would make sure they didn't forget it.

"Okay," the moderator continued. "After that horrendous display, here is our next question. This one is meant for Senator Chilacoth…".

The debate, much like the constant news cycle, had to go on. No matter how shocking the argument between the two candidates had been, it was likely to be forgotten in just a few days' time.

And I don't know how to feel about that.