"What exactly are you hoping to gain from this alliance, Lance?" Cynthia arched an elegant eyebrow, her tone cool and measured. "Surely you're not proposing a war just because you suspect someone might be dangerous. As long as Blue stays within Kanto's borders, he can rule however he pleases."
Lance's jaw tightened. "In terms of raw power, we're already outmatched. Kanto is in a league of its own now. I'm not asking for a direct confrontation—at least not yet. Not unless Blue makes the first move across our lines."
Steven leaned back in his seat, fingers steepled. "So… you're thinking economic warfare," he murmured.
A slow, knowing grin spread across Lance's face. "Exactly. Kanto can't stand isolated. Johto alone exports enough to cripple half their infrastructure. But if Sinnoh and Hoenn join us..."
"And what do we get out of it?" Cynthia cut in, voice sharp with skepticism. "Why back you when we could go to Blue Oak ourselves? With Oak Hatchery under his command, he has plenty to offer."
Lance laughed bitterly. "You think I'm acting out of pride? That I'm throwing a tantrum because I lost?"
"Aren't you?" Kukui asked, tilting his head. "Look, we all know the guy's strong—maybe too strong—but he's also Professor Oak's grandson. He can't be all bad, right?"
Steven nodded solemnly. "I've respected you for years, Lance. But right now... your paranoia doesn't sit well with me."
Lance fell silent, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. Was he really the only one who saw the threat Blue represented?
The door creaked open. His secretary entered briskly, leaned in, and whispered something into his ear.
Lance straightened with a smirk. "Well now… maybe fate just handed me a trump card. Blue Oak's making one of his 'global broadcasts'—something he does monthly. What's strange is that it's not limited to Kanto. It airs in every region. Want to see it?"
The Champions exchanged wary glances, then gave a collective shrug. Lance grabbed the remote and switched on the massive screen.
Static faded, replaced by a surreal image.
Blue Oak lounged on a towering throne of black stone—of course it was a throne—one leg draped lazily over the armrest, his expression dripping with practiced boredom. Behind him, a storm of colors shimmered: hundreds of Pokémon slowly faded into view. Legendary, Mythical, rare, radiant—an impossible collection.
Then came the voiceover.
"Wealth."
"Fame."
"Power."
Blue's voice cut like a blade through the air.
"I attained it all. Everything this world could offer."
He paused.
"I am the best. Like no one ever was!"
He leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming.
"You want my treasure?"
The screen exploded with motion. Pokémon filled the frame, a kaleidoscope of elemental might.
"You can have it."
"I left everything I've gathered... in one place."
The camera surged upward, revealing a sprawling landscape centered around the Indigo Plateau. Blue sat unmoved, a sovereign surveying his domain.
"INDIGO PLATEAU!"
His voice thundered like a god's.
"Dreams, glory, riches—it's all within your reach. It doesn't matter where you come from: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, or beyond!"
A Mew floated down and curled up beside him, nuzzling his shoulder with childlike affection.
"What do you have to do?"
Blue paused, then flashed a predator's grin.
"Conquer the new Kanto League Challenge."
The camera soared once more—this time sweeping across a transformed Kanto, a region reborn for war and glory. Eighteen colossal stadiums dotted the land like titans' footprints, each carved into the landscape with awe-inspiring design and purpose.
One stood deep within a sprawling, primeval forest, where bug-types swarmed like living shadows. Another pierced the clouds atop a jagged mountain, its arena ringed by dark, volatile Pokémon that thrived in the thin, storm-laced air.
And one—hidden from sunlight—was buried beneath the earth itself, a subterranean coliseum echoing with the roars of creatures long thought lost to myth.
A battle world, forged in Blue Oak's image.
Kanto was no longer just a region.
It was a proving ground.
"Defeat the strongest Trainers in this reimagined circuit. And if you reach the top—if you manage to stand before me…"
His grin deepened.
"...I'll grant any wish you have."
"Wealth. Power. Any Pokémon your heart desires."
Blue rose from the throne, eyes ablaze.
"Forget everything you knew. The eight-Gym path? Scrapped. The Elite Four? History."
Excitement coursed through Blue like wildfire.
"Welcome to the first annual Kanto League Circuit! We kick off with Phase One: the Qualifying Stage. Eighteen teams from across Kanto have already registered, each hosting their own grueling tournament to identify their six strongest trainers. Those six will advance to the next phase—the true test of strength begins there!"
He pointed directly at the camera, like a challenge hurled across the world.
"One thing is certain—the battles ahead will be nothing short of legendary! And every single clash will be broadcast right here, live for all of you to witness!"
He winked.
"Until next time, Kanto—and the rest of the world."
The screen went black.
Silence fell over the room.
Then Lance saw something in the eyes of his fellow Champions that he hadn't expected.
Pure, unfiltered excitement.
"Did you see all the Pokémon surrounding him?" Cynthia gasped, practically breathless.
"There were so many legendaries… mythicals…" Professor Kukui ran a hand through his hair, barely able to contain himself. "Most of those we only know from myths! That was insane!"
"When was the last time I felt this kind of thrill?" Steven said, voice rising with anticipation. "It's like… the start of a whole new journey!"
Lance stared at them, dumbfounded.
Were they serious? Had none of them registered what they'd just witnessed? Blue Oak, seated like a monarch, flanked by Pokémon powerful enough to flatten entire regions—and they were excited?
"Here!" Cynthia suddenly exclaimed, spinning her laptop around. "The Kanto League just dropped the entry requirements for the challenge!"
Steven, Professor Kukui, and Lance gathered behind her, eyes scanning the screen.
Cynthia grinned. "As Champions, we're not just allowed to enter—we're allowed to form our own teams and compete. Apparently, every regional Champion has that right."
"You're thinking what I'm thinking?" Steven almost jumped where he stood, the excitement getting the better of him.
"This feels like the days before my first journey all over again," Kukui said, nodding with a broad smile.
Lance blinked. "Wait… you want us to form a team?"
Cynthia's grin turned wicked.
"Exactly." She pointed to the screen again. "The qualifying stage determines the six strongest trainers in each team. Only the top six move on to face the others. We're already four—just need two more."
"That's perfect for you, Lance!" Kukui laughed. "You'll get your shot at Blue, and I'll get to study all those rare Pokémon and their moves in action. It's win-win!"
"Maybe I'll finally catch a legendary Steel-type," Steven said, his eyes practically sparkling.
"And I'll finally find a real challenge," Cynthia added, her grin growing. "Sinnoh's been far too quiet. It's about time I had some fun again."
Lance shook his head, chuckling darkly.
You fools... you're walking straight into Blue Oak's trap.
But he couldn't help it. He was a fool, too.
And fools like him could never say no to a real battle.
"Alright," Lance said, eyes gleaming with determination. "Let's find two more champions—and forge the strongest team the world has ever known. Kanto won't know what hit it."
It was the only way Lance could reveal the truth to the other Champions—the truth about Blue Oak.
Maybe to them, his actions seemed petty. Maybe even reckless. But there was one thing Lance had always trusted, more than logic, more than evidence.
His instinct.
It had never failed him.
It warned him when danger lurked.
It saved him when reason alone would've faltered.
And now, it screamed one thing with unwavering certainty:
Blue Oak is the villain.