The New Normal – 9-18 – Interlude – Cynthia
Cynthia let out a tired breath as she finally managed to escape from the crowds of reporters and well-wishers. They had been hounding after her after she made her open challenge, and while she usually would have the patience to at least answer a few more questions, she wasn't feeling up to it today.
But the day wasn't over yet. As she flung open the door to her new private office, she already found the Sinnoh Elite Four waiting for her there.
They spent a few minutes giving their congratulations and expressing their approval of her open challenge. They already knew she was going to do such a thing beforehand; it was a plan that both she and Lucian had come up with.
She was just glad that the Sinnoh Elite Four had been so welcoming to a 'newcomer' like her and weren't bitter about her victory. It said a lot about their characters and virtues that they were willing to share power instead of nominating themselves as Champion.
So she would have to work extra hard to prove herself to be worthy of their friendship and abilities if she was to lead them in the future.
But as they finished with their congratulations, it was time to get down to business.
"So, what's first on the agenda, boss?" Aaron asked, "We need to hit the ground running after your two weeks of Open Challenge is over. No time to dilly dally."
"As promised, my first act will to copy what Lance did and grant the Elite Four the power to directly vote in the Committee." Cynthia stated, "Your efforts in governing Sinnoh during the absence of a Champion has placed you in a good light in the eyes of the public; and you MUST be rewarded for your efforts."
"Won't that risk giving off the impression that you are just a puppet of the Elite Four?" Bertha asked.
"In the beginning, yes. But I'm confident in being able to prove my abilities as a Champion and win back their trust in the future." She explained, "The most important thing right now is to ensure that we lower the Committee's ability to hold us in a deadlock. I don't want a repeat of what the traditionalists have done to happen again in the future."
"And besides, her Open Challenge is meant to reinforce the public's confidence in her." Lucian added, "I highly doubt she'll be seen as a mere puppet of the Elite Four when she crushed us so handedly in battle. Momentum and recency is on her side."
Bertha nodded, "Fine. I can see it. Then what's next? I know I've been out of the loop compared to everyone else, but what else do you have planned for Sinnoh?"
"We need to give back to the other regions." She responded, "Ever since we've opened our borders all we've really done is taking in their charity and their business. We have not really proven what we can contribute to THEIR regions as well. We need to start on that as soon as possible and reaffirm our status as a member of the international community. Show the world that we are willing to give back the friendship that they showed to us."
She had a few ideas on how she would accomplish that, besides the obvious like creating their own branch of the International Police and making it easier for businesses to invest into foreign regions.
"It's important that we establish good relations with our counterparts." Flint agreed, "John and Will's stint in Sinnoh was a good idea in the short term to show the public a few friendly faces, but we need to make sure that Hoenn understands that they have a friend in us as well."
"Leave that to me. I'll be speaking to Wallace soon enough." She nodded. She was looking forward to that conversation. Wallace had a brilliantly artistic mind and was known for his creativity and showmanship. What kind of ideas could she pluck from that brain of his?
She hoped that it was something that they could implement jointly between all of the regions.
The sound of the phone ringing interrupted their discussion, "Apologies. I have to get this." Lucian said, before walking off to the corner of the room as he picked up the call.
"Anyways, moving onto something more exciting, any idea who's going to be taking you up on that Open Challenge, Cynthia?" Aaron asked, "Or maybe a fellow someone might have a better idea." He gave a pointed look towards Flint.
Flint shrugged, "I can't say I always know what Volkner's thinking, but I'm pretty sure he'll take you up on your challenge."
Bertha stared, "Volkner? Surely he can't think he'll win? I know you've always said that he's strong enough to be the Elite Four, but Cynthia's already proven that just being in the Elite Four is not enough to win."
"He knows that too. It's about the challenge for him." Flint explained, "Volkner's always seeking out a good fight to test himself and his team. And this challenge is going to be just the thing."
"I'm not sure if the others Gym Leaders will follow suit, though." Flint continued, "It would be up to their own judgment in whether they can give you a worthy fight. It wouldn't be good if you completely dominated them. They certainly won't be eager to repeat the actions of that one trainer against John."
She stifled a chuckle; Shin's reputation really had hit dirt.
"I don't mind if they challenge me; I thought that something like this would happen anyways." She said, "In fact, the more the better. Every subsequent victory will be another bit of proof that I deserve to hold this position."
"That's a lot of battles that you'll be going through. I hope you have the stamina to make it through it." Bertha said.
"I will." She affirmed. She was going to say more, but she was interrupted by Lucian returning from his call with a complicated look on his face.
"So…that was something." He said as he rejoined the conversation.
"What happened?" Flint asked.
"Just got a call from a friend of mine." He explained, "It looks like you might have quite the interesting challenger on your hands."
"…It's Ex-Champion Hayato, isn't it?" She replied, cutting through the mysteriousness.
Lucian sighed, "It's no fun when you can guess like that. But yes, Hayato seems like he'll be trying to force his way out of retirement with a battle."
"Bah. That old has-been doesn't know when to quit and stay down." Bertha spat, "I think the message is pretty clear – we don't want the traditionalists anymore."
"Indeed." Lucian nodded, turning to Cynthia, "This will be an important battle for you to win. It'll be a symbol of our new future."
"I understand. I fully intend on it." She nodded back, already realizing what she must do. It was just ironic that John had already showed her the path.
She was going to have to repeat John's actions against Shin and utterly crush Hayato in a battle. Not because she hated the man, even if she certainly disagreed with him politically, but because it was the best way to show the public that Sinnoh was going to be led into a new age.
And with the Elite Four standing behind her, she was sure the future was bright.
A.N. Considering the importance of everything happening with Cynthia, I felt she deserved just one last bit of insight into what's happening after her ascension and the trust that the Elite Four have in her. And yes, in the world of Pokémon, a sign of trust is being able to defeat all of your opponents in battle. That's just how it is. Strength matters.
And just to reassure everyone, I'm not going to have Cynthia's upcoming battles all be fully described, nor will I have her retread exactly the same steps as John. She will have her moments like all the other characters, but the main POV will still be on John.
Like I said, more battles planned ahead for the next arc!
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!