John's Team
Tyrant - Slaking
Vordt - Ursaluna
Smough - Snorlax
Klee - Blissey
Port - Mantine
Zephyr - Pidgeot
Klaus - Wyrdeer
Luna - Clefable
Pixel - Porygon
The New Normal – 3-11 – Aftermath
"Elite John, thank you for your efforts here." The Officer Jenny told me as she approached me. Even while speaking to me, she was looking around and inspecting the unconscious criminals and their Pokémon. Despite her best efforts to conceal it, she appeared take aback by the sheer number of criminals and Pokémon lying unconscious on the ship.
"It's not a worry, Officer, thanks for coming by so quickly." I said with a nod.
"Yes, but we definitely could have arrived faster if we knew what was going on earlier." The Jenny muttered bitterly, before returning to her professionally blank tone. "If you don't mind, I would like to ask the two of you a few questions about what happened here."
Karen and I proceeded to describe the course of events. I started with my explanation about how I heard screams from the crowd, which led me to confronting the first few Team Rocket grunts attacking a security guard, before the whole thing escalated and I boarded the ship to take out the leader.
In the meanwhile, Karen spoke about her experiences helping out with the crowds and trying to minimize injuries. She informed the Jenny that, before I started to give commands and directed the friendly Pokémon to the sides, the battle was complete chaos, and it was near impossible to distinguish friend from foe. She described that the Team Rocket grunts prioritized doing as much damage and spreading as much chaos as they could so they could escape into the crowds, but fortunately weren't looking to deliberately injure anyone.
However, after the civilians started to band together and fight more cohesively and as a team, they started to surround the Team Rocket grunts and prevent most of them from escaping, though Karen mentioned that a few probably still managed to get away amidst all of the chaos.
The Jenny dutifully recorded all of our words in her notepad before she turned to me.
"Elite John, it seems like from your words that you managed to confront and defeat the leader of this group." I nodded in confirmation. "Did you manage to find out anything important about why there was such a large concentration of Team Rocket grunts here?" She asked me.
"Yes, once I had defeated all of the remaining Team Rocket grunts and confronted the leader, they briefly commented about their objectives here." I replied, concealing how I truly got the info. "It seems that the true leader of Team Rocket had decided to move their operations to Hoenn because they believed that remaining in Indigo was far too big of a risk. So, and this is my own speculation, I believe that the grunts were ordered to disguise themselves and make their way to Hoenn on ships such as these before they would eventually restart their operations there."
The Jenny frowned at my words but accepted them with a stiff nod. I guess she realized how bad of a situation this was, since Hoenn could very justifiably blame us for 'sending' our criminals over to them. Reading the thoughts from her expression, I decided to comfort her.
"I understand that the situation is going to look very bad for the Indigo Police, but I will try to limit the damage as much as I can when I speak to the reporters." I told her with a small smile. "Your department responded as quickly as they could and instantly moved to assist the civilians in the combat zone, so I would feel terrible if you took undeserved blame for this."
The Jenny let out a sigh, "Yes, that would be very much appreciated, Elite John. Still, I dread to see what the news would come up for their headlines tomorrow." She gave me a helpless smile. "Nevertheless, thank you very much for answering my questions. There are Nurse Joys stationed around here for any Pokémon of yours that needs to be checked." I thanked her and began to make my way off the ship as the Jenny started speaking on the radio asking for more hands to help her arrest all of these grunts and their Pokémon.
Just before I left though, I decided to formally capture the Eevee and become her trainer. I crouched with a Pokéball in my hand to where Eevee was resting in Klee's arms and asked her gently.
"So, Eevee, are you sure you want to join me?" I gestured to the Pokéball in my hand. But, to my surprise, Eevee pounced off of Klee's arms and tapped the Pokéball with a paw and captured herself. As the Pokéball clicked shut, Klee started to cheer, and I shared a laugh with Karen.
After that cute moment, I withdrew all of my Pokémon into their Premier Balls and started to make my way off the ship with Karen.
As we were walking off the ship, Karen suddenly prodded me. I turned to her with a questioning look as she pointed towards where several civilians and their Pokémon were being tended to by the Nurse Joys or being directly transported to a Pokécenter if their injuries were more serious. I recognized a few of them who had helped out in the fight.
"John, do you mind if I went over there and thanked them for their efforts?" She asked softly, "They really helped a lot with dealing with the grunts, and I want to at least show my appreciation."
"Of course." I answered instantly. "Actually, I would like to accompany you too. I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to arrest the leader if it wasn't for their help." She nodded thankfully and the two of us then made our way to the Nurse Joys.
I let Karen take the lead as she began to check up on everyone and thanked everyone there if they had helped out in the fights and received many murmured thanks from the group. She checked up on a few people that I didn't recognize, and she expressed her wish that they would recover quickly. I went around and exchanged thanks with a few of them as well, some of whom I had rescued as hostages before I noticed that the reporters had arrived and were pointing cameras our way. Fortunately, they were being held back for the moment by a few Jennys to prevent them from disturbing the Nurse Joys.
I tried to ignore them for a moment as I continued giving my thanks before Karen eventually tapped me on the shoulder.
"Hey, John. Why don't you say something to them? Give a small speech or something so that they know they've done something incredible today." She suggested with a whisper as she gestured behind to the civilians, some of whom had participated in the battle. I was a bit surprised at her request but quickly recognized the opportunity this provided and accepted.
I moved to face the wall of reporters and loudly cleared my throat to catch their attention, and they quickly quieted down.
"Before I answer any questions, I would like to thank each and every one of the civilians who had assisted me in the fight today. Whether out of a sense of duty or confidence in themselves or their teams, they have all chosen to step up and fight against these criminals terrorising our home, when none would have blamed them for choosing to hide away. From the depths of my heart, I am truly grateful for your aid today, and you have my sincerest thanks. If it were not for your bravery, we may not have managed to capture as many of these criminals and they would have likely caused far more damage to the city of Olivine. Thank you for your efforts." I bowed my head deeply towards the cameras.
I continued bowing for a few seconds before eventually raising my head and continuing. "As for what happened today, the members of Team Rocket here were attempting to sneak away to Hoenn to continue their criminal operations in a region not actively hunting for them." Gasps could be heard amongst the crowd, and I paused to allow the crowd to digest what I had just said.
Many were making noises of concern that I eventually silenced with a sweep of my hand as I continued. "This was not the first time they have done this, and after questioning the leader of this group, they have revealed that other Team Rocket members have already made their way to Hoenn with similar methods. Thus, I am afraid to say that Team Rocket may have already established themselves in Hoenn at this very moment." This elicited more gasps of shock and alarm from the reporters and the other audience members.
Was I fearmongering? Yes. But I figured that since the news was going to get out eventually, warning Hoenn as soon as possible using my position as an Elite Four was for the better. Besides, I felt like causing a bit of fear was justified if it meant that Hoenn was going to take the threat seriously. I knew how much harm Team Rocket could cause if left to their own devices for too long, especially when they had access to an 'unknown' backer.
"Elite John!" One of the reporters spoke up. "Who do you think is to blame for this incident? And for letting Team Rocket escape to Hoenn?"
Ah, here comes the expected blame game. "It is far too early to say if negligence was the reason why Team Rocket was able to go through with their plans." I said evasively.
"However, I would like to emphasize that, under no circumstances, should the Indigo Police be blamed for this incident. As we've seen from their actions today, the Indigo Police responded swiftly and efficiently as soon as the incident occurred, and even if I was not there today to help assist in the arrest of this group's leader, I express my utmost confidence that the Indigo Police would have been sufficient at apprehending these criminals." I stated clearly to the wall of reporters.
I wanted to make it clear that I did not want the public to be blaming the Indigo Police, as I didn't need that kind of anti-police sentiment being spread across Indigo. That would only benefit Team Rocket.
"But, sir, don't you think that the Indigo Police deserve some of the blame for not being able to detect Team Rocket's movements?" Another reporter added snidely, looking like he was trying to stir up some controversy. Well, I was going to put a stop to it.
"With all due respect, I do not believe that asking such questions is conducive for the continued safety of the public." I asserted while looking that reporter in the eye. "Attempting to place the blame on the Indigo Police for this incident, when they have done nothing wrong, is both foolish and detrimental to society. After all, aren't our fine members of the Indigo Police simply acting on the evidence that is available to them? Aren't they just using the resources they have been provided by the Indigo League?" The reporter looked like he wanted to say something, but I kept going and cut him off.
"No, as I have mentioned before, the Indigo Police is not to blame for today's events. After all, they do not dictate the policy of the League. They did not inadvertently cause many disenfranchised individuals to turn to crime because of the economy's stagnation. They did not choose to allow a system of corruption to exist to allow these criminals to thrive in. No, they did none of these things. Instead, when it mattered, the Indigo Police and the brave Jennys stepped up to the plate and efficiently cracked down on all criminal activities throughout Indigo until Team Rocket was forced to flee the region to avoid being caught. If anything, that just demonstrates how hard the Indigo Police have been working over the past few weeks, and they should most certainly be commended for their hard work and efforts." I declared confidently.
A loud applause broke out behind me, and I turned around and saw there were many spectators applauding my sentiments. Apparently, my speech had drew in many of the surrounding civilians into listening to what I had to say.
Of course, an astute listener would have realized that my speech was a roundabout denunciation of the Indigo League, and Pryce. I hinted at the fact that Team Rocket's existence was created due to the League's mishandling of their domestic policies, which was Pryce's responsibility.
I hoped that a few of the more cunning and observant listeners would become enlightened at my words and see for themselves how Pryce was an incompetent Champion who was very much not deserving of his position.
"Elite John!" A reporter asked as the applause died down. "Do you have anything to say to those listening in Hoenn at the very moment? Since you said that Team Rocket may have set up a base there?"
I carefully worded my answer as to not accidentally step on anyone's toes in Hoenn, "I would not presume to make any statements that may influence the decisions of the Hoenn League, as that would be a grave overreach. Instead, I would just like to say, not as a representative of the League but as a private citizen, I apologize for not being able to stop the Team Rocket menace from spreading past our borders to yours." I said solemnly.
I knew that the Indigo League was about to be in some deep trouble in the future with Hoenn. Both with their exposed side-lining of me to Hoenn without informing them, and now with Team Rocket spreading to their borders due to our mismanagement. Thus, I wanted to directly separate myself from the actions of the Indigo League to show that I was not connected to their incompetence.
It was the same idea as what Giovanni did with Team Rocket, as soon as he realized that they had become a liability, he quickly acted to separate himself from them. I was just copying him. It seems that I did learn a thing or two from Giovanni after all.
Suddenly one of the reporters recognized Karen, who had been standing behind me chatting with the injured civilians and rushed forwards to ask her a few questions. Seeing the sudden interest of one of their colleagues, the other reporters realized the untapped goldmine that Karen represented and joined in to extract everything they could from Karen.
I could see Karen being briefly surprised by all of the sudden attention, but then her posture suddenly changed, and she stood up straight and proud as if a switch had been flicked as she confidently fielded the reporters' questions. I guess Agatha must have tutored her about how to handle the press. Or perhaps she was just naturally inclined to being in the spotlight. I thought both were reasonable assumptions.
Although I was finally free from the reporters, I couldn't just leave because I had to stick around to wait for Karen, which was the whole point of why I came to Olivine in the first place. I decided to spend a bit of time mingling with some of the less busy looking Jennys, just to see their thoughts.
When I approached, they were all very happy and thankful for my speech. Evidently, the Jennys were all very worried that they would have been bashed and attacked on the news for not doing more, even though there was nothing more they could really do. I replied that I was just doing the right thing to ensure that they weren't wrongly blamed, which seemed to have been the right thing to say as they all expressed their thanks once again.
With that, I left them to their duties and was about to reach for my phone to contact Giovanni and Drake about today's events when I spotted a VERY familiar girl with light brown hair standing next to an equally recognisable Ampharos. I contemplated for a moment whether to approach them, but I made my decision after I saw that Karen was still bogged down and dealing with the reporters.
The pair of them looked up as I approached, and the girl gave me a shy smile as she recognized me.
"Thank you, Elite John, for helping out today at Olivine." She told me, and her Ampharos joined in with a small noise of agreement. I waved off her thanks.
"No, it should be me expressing my thanks to YOU." I replied. "I was just doing my duty as a member of the Elite Four. However, as I said to the press, you could have easily just left and ensured your own safety. Instead, you chose to be brave and help out with the battle. To me, that is far more impressive and shows off your strength of character."
She blushed embarrassingly and couldn't meet my eyes, only giving me a whispered murmur of thanks. Deciding that I didn't want to embarrass her any further, I simply shook her Ampharos' hand, since she seemed too shy at the moment, and walked away to finally call Giovanni. I didn't think we'd meet again, but I was glad to have met her.
Once I walked a short distance away from everyone to prevent eavesdroppers, I called Giovanni, who promptly picked up.
"John, I've just been watching the interview you gave at Olivine. Great work." He praised, and I gave him my thanks. Our friendship seems to have repaired itself after the exposing of Team Rocket, which I was thankful for.
Then he sighed, "I cannot believe that this incident would happen in the first place. Never did I think that these scoundrels would try to escape to Hoenn." He grumbled, "I do apologize for this oversight, but they must have concealed their actions better than I anticipated when they began making their move to Hoenn."
A part of me wanted to get angry at Giovanni, but I didn't really think that this was his fault. Sure, he may have previously funded Team Rocket, but I didn't consider him responsible for the attack. Besides, I didn't want to harm our newly repaired friendship. Seeing that I wasn't saying anything, Giovanni continued in a friendlier tone.
"I was very pleased that you tried to divert the blame from the Indigo Police to the Indigo League, hopefully that would provide some fuel for Pryce's critics." I could hear his smirk through the phone. "I'm not sure if the public is going to heed your words and not blame the Indigo Police, but I'm sure that the Indigo Police will be very grateful for your efforts for trying. They are a valuable ally to have, and you definitely don't want to get on their wrong side." He advised, and I hummed to show that I understood before I started talking.
"Thanks, Giovanni. I'm also about to jump on a call with Drake after I finish speaking with you. Is there anything you want me to say to them?" I asked.
"Hmmm…not particularly. Just try to make sure that you can direct any anger or indignation that they may have towards the CURRENT Indigo League government. Try to reassure them that all of the recent troubles can be laid solely on the current administration's heads. We don't want to risk them breaking off relations with Indigo just because of these incidents." He stated seriously.
"I understand." I replied. "Is there anything else?" Giovanni said no so I hung up on him and dialled up Drake, who quickly accepted the call.
"John, I thought I would be getting a call from you." Drake's gruff voice spoke up, "I just saw the news. Terrible stuff. Glad you were there to help."
"Thanks Drake." I said before asking, "Listen, do you know what the sentiment is like over there in Hoenn at the moment? How are the people reacting to this revelation?"
"Well, I had just spoken to the other members of the Elite Four as soon as your interview was over, lad, and it's safe to say that we're pretty mad." He explained. "Not that we blame you of course, and we're glad that you 'fessed up, but those fuckin' idiots running your League have been cocking up massively over the past few weeks, and this is just another shit in the already big pile of steaming shit stinking up our garden." He grumbled.
"I see…" I replied slowly, thinking through my words. "Well, like I said in the interview, I do apologize for pushing all this onto you-"
"Ah, no need to apologize lad." Drake interrupted. "Everyone in Hoenn knows you're not to blame, and if they don't, I'll set them straight." He remarked gruffly. "And don't you worry yourself about Team Rocket. You might have beat me in a battle, but I bet you my fucking stash that these chumps aren't nearly as strong as the news make them out to be."
"…Well, alright, but please don't them lightly. I suspect that they have a backer in Hoenn who are funding them." I finally said, revealing a little of my suspicions about Team Magma and Aqua. "Just remember that if you ever need my help, I'll be there as soon as I can. I truly hope that we can repair any damaged relations between our regions as soon as possible."
"Aye, and we thank you for your offer." He said approvingly. "But we can take care of them."
There wasn't much else to say after that, so the two of us just made some small chat before Drake told me that he had to go, and we hung up. I felt like that our conversation went well, and hopefully when Lance becomes Champion, he'll able to repair any damage that has occurred between our two regions.
Just as that thought rolled through my head, I felt my phone ringing once again. My parents were calling.
"JOHN, ARE YOU OKAY?" My mom's worried voice came through, "We saw that you were in Olivine and your interview, but are you unhurt?"
"It's fine, mom." I replied, trying to ease her worries. "I probably took no more than a few scratches. You know my team will always be there to protect me."
"I know, I know, but it's a mother's prerogative to worry." She said, fortunately sounding far less worried. "Are you coming home soon?"
"Yes, I think I'm done with all the interviews, so I'll be coming back." I spoke.
"Good, good…Oh, and John? We're very proud of what you did there. Your dad and I are glad you were there to help out." My mom remarked, her words turning my cheeks red as I blushed.
"…Thanks mom. And thank dad for me too. I'll be coming back soon." I simply said, trying but likely failing to keep the embarrassment out of my voice. Then we hung up.
Before I could put my phone away, it rang again as I received another call.
It was Lance.
"John, good work on the interview." He greeted me, his voice a bit more rushed than usual. "I don't have much time at the moment, but I wanted to just let you know one thing."
"What is it?" I asked curiously.
"Thanks to your words today, my sources tell me that it's chaos in the League building right now. Everyone's panicking as they all realize how the public is going to react. Pryce is in big trouble, and everyone's jumping ship." He informed me, with a trace of excitement and confidence in his voice.
"Well, that's good. Isn't it?" I asked perplexedly.
"Yes, and it's why the Blackthorn Clan and I have finally decided that now is the time to strike." He took in a deep breath, "I'm going to be announcing my challenge to replace Pryce as Champion." He declared.
A.N And that's the final non-interlude chapter for the Indigo Politics Arc, with Lance finally about to make his announcement to become Champion!
Thanks to Allute for BETAing this chapter. And to anyone who wants to support me, please check out my p atreon at CartecTNN where you can read 8 advanced chapters! Thanks to those who have supported me already!