[It's already been half a day… why haven't Elite Four Lance and Elite Four Sato come out to give an explanation?]
[Could it actually be true? DO ELITE FOUR JUST GET TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT?]
[I don't care, I'm not listening. My idol must've had his reasons!]
[…Obvious fake fan above. Case closed.]
[+10086]
"..."
[WAIT, LOOK AT THIS!]
While the internet was still ablaze with discussion, a new video officially verified by the League was pushed to the homepage of every major platform.
[The Most Luxurious Legendary Lineup in History: A Short Film You Can't Miss!]
'…What the heck?'
'Since when did the League start using clickbait titles?'
Even knowing the real content probably wouldn't live up to the hype, the majority of people still clicked in.
And then… everyone was stunned.
[My mom asked why I was kneeling while watching the movie… IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE IT DEEPLY!]
[No way… don't tell me someone out there only saw the flashy effects?]
[Speak human, please!]
[Check the cast list for the short film: ZOROARK!]
[Zoroark? I thought it was about Ho-Oh and Lugia?]
[Aww, how cute~ Someone go pro… ahem… protect him!]
[Exactly! Kyogre and Groudon were totally real, right? (doge.jpg)]
[Yeah, tooooooootally real. (doge.jpg)]
"..."
[Zoroark: extremely rare in the Kanto Region, known in legends as the Master of Illusions. Its illusions are so lifelike they can even fool digital cameras!
And Sato's very first ace Pokémon… is Zoroark!]
Finally, a single serious explanation emerged, instantly clearing up confusion for the masses online.
When people connected it back to the previously viral "private battle" footage, everything began to click…
Illusion… truly a terrifying ability!
As expected, an official update soon appeared below the video, an investigation report from the League itself.
Sato and Lance were jointly carrying out a covert mission to destroy a major Rocket Hideout located in Poplar Town.
Because the base was half underground and half underwater, the seawater flooding afterward led to some damage to the natural landscape.
But the scenes of massive trees crushing baby Pokémon? Pure slander.
The destruction of the base didn't happen all at once, and its effects on the surface weren't immediate either.
Plus, the presence of Elite Four level Pokémon had already driven away all nearby wild Pokémon in advance through sheer intimidation.
At long last, the long-awaited turnaround had arrived. The people of Johto expressed their excitement in droves, delivering counterarguments so fierce that the critics had no choice but to retreat!
Never mind the rollercoaster drama online, or the power struggles now breaking out within the Dragon Tamer Clan…
Inside the Johto League building, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of Battle had seen the video even before the public.
But they didn't seem the least bit concerned about their lies being exposed. In fact, they looked smug and satisfied.
[Zoroark is definitely powerful. But the stronger you are, the more excited we get~] The Minister of Battle said into the phone.
"Isn't that the truth? Let's launch the second wave of public opinion. Let's see how he handles this one~"
BANG! BANG!
Suddenly, both ministers' office doors were kicked open. A group of Elite Four candidates rushed in and, without hesitation, detained the two high-ranking officials on the spot.
At the front stood Mark. Beside him, Reuniclus pulsed with blue light, instantly locking down the Minister of Internal Affairs.
The Minister of Internal Affairs was frozen in shock, unable to even hang up the call.
Mark snatched the still-connected phone and casually brought it to his mouth.
"Hey~? Is it handled on your end?"
Two seconds later, a slightly sultry voice came through from the other side.
[Mark, you're pretty fast, huh…]
"Grrrr…! FAST YOURSELF!"
As if triggered, Mark snapped back with a grumble, then hung up the phone without hesitation.
On the other end, Ronda curled her red lips, completely unfazed by Mark's "rudeness". In fact, she found it quite amusing.
"Bring them along. We're going to see the branch President."
"Yes, Chief Ronda!"
All the Elite Four candidates replied in unison, clearly holding deep respect for Ronda.
With a casual wave, Ronda turned and left the room with Bellossom beside her, leaving the cleanup to the others.
Ten minutes later, the Johto League Branch President stared in disbelief at the two restrained ministers in front of him.
"…Aren't you two supposed to hate each other? How are you suddenly in this together… or wait, were you just faking the whole time?!"
Looking as if he had just reached enlightenment, the branch President's reaction even made the two ministers question everything.
'…How did someone this dumb become branch President, while we're just ministers?'
"President Nagasawa, per President Goodshow's directive, these two and all related personnel are to be taken back to headquarters for strict investigation. Please approve."
"No approval needed. Take them! I fully support everything President Goodshow instructs!"
Nagasawa Shin shook his head repeatedly. All he wanted now was to survive quietly until retirement.
---◓---
At Pokémon League Headquarters, President Goodshow wore a stern expression as he reviewed the materials recently submitted, documents that were prepared to target Sato's Zoroark.
[An ability more realistic than reality itself… doesn't that mean he can do whatever he wants?]
[No one can tell illusion from reality, not even Elite Four Sato himself!]
[Invincible spatial defense. Unsolvable true illusion. Who in the world can still restrain Sato?]
It turned out that the two ministers were never naïve enough to think a single slanderous video could take down Sato and Lance.
It was the follow-up actions -the layered moves- that would gradually push them off their pedestals.
The entire article was filled with rhetorical questions and speculation, subtly guiding the public to see Sato's Zoroark in a negative light.
And also his previously famed Gengar.
Relentless defamation and rumors would eventually lead some people to believe it. And once enough did, the lie would become truth.
Such a blow would be devastating to any Elite Four's reputation.
And this… was only phase two.
There were still phase three, four, five… all waiting for Sato.
After a long silence, Charles Goodshow closed the folder and slowly fed it into the shredder. At the same time, he ordered the secretaries to seal all related materials.
The online circus might be over, but the unrest within the League was far from resolved.
Perhaps out of guilt toward Sato for what had happened, Nagasawa Shin directly appointed Mark to handle the matter in full.
As Sato's number one "lackey", Mark naturally showed no mercy.
He didn't hesitate to use his unique ability, operating with speed and logic that defied common understanding!
Dragging down a large number of implicated individuals, causing panic across the board!
Of course, there was no logic… Just pure luck and instinct.
And with the latest battle announcements, the Poplar Town incident finally came to a quiet close.
The second round of the Elite Four Tournament…
Sato ⚔️ Pryce!
Lance ⚔️ Sen!
Will be held simultaneously… in half a month!