AJ Styles frowns as he looks at the cluster of newer Digidestined, holding onto their very young partners and clearly uncertain what to do. "Guys?" he calls out. Once everyone is looking at him, he clears his throat and squares his shoulders. "I've been thinkin', since there's been so many changes, and I'm one of the more experienced digidestined remaining on the Smackdown side of things, I can lead."
Most of the digidestined before him look less than pleased by this. "Why do we need a leader?" Escobar asks, accent thicker in his frustration, Cruz and Joaquin making vague supportive noises behind him.
"Besides," Dakota says, with some anxiety in her voice as she glances around, "Wouldn't Asuka be the leader? She was before, if I remember correctly."
AJ frowns. "You would honestly want Asuka to lead you?" he asks, disbelief in his voice.
Before the argument could go much further, a soft voice intercedes. "Hello, sorry to keep you waiting." All eyes move to the woman approaching them. She smiles. "I am Louise, Luke's associate. I am here to help guide you through your journeys in the Digital World."
AJ quirks an eyebrow. "Oh right, I heard about you," he says. "Well-"
"Good," Escobar says, crossing his arms over his chest. "She can decide what we should do."
AJ looks even more frustrated as Louise peers between the two men. "I'll do whatever I can to help," she promises. "What's the issue?"
"Most of these guys," AJ says, waving his hand back at the group behind him, "Haven't been Digidestined long at all, and I thought maybe they could use someone with some experience to lead them. Especially right now, when they're still learning. But their egos are getting in the way." He sends a pointed glance towards Escobar, who flushes angrily at this.
"Now, now," Louise interjects before fists could be thrown. "Keep it to the ring on earth, please." She mulls it over, looking between the two of them. "Were there any other suggestions?"
"Asuka," Dakota offers after a moment. "She's led in the past, and I believe it went well."
Louise hums. "If I recall, Raw has divided leaders in the past," she says. "Granted, their group is a fair deal larger, but perhaps that can be arranged for the Smackdown Digidestined as well, with AJ and Asuka dividing responsibilities." She peers from AJ to Escobar to Dakota and back. "I understand this is a period of change and growth for many of you. With patience, I believe we can figuring out a suitable compromise that may work for all."
"Yeah, well," AJ mumbles, glowering at Escobar. "Here's hopin'."