"By the way, has Team Plasma made any new moves?"
Xia Chi brought the conversation back on track.
Compared with Team Rocket, which had gone quiet for now, Team Plasma, which would hold its "Coronation Ceremony" in seven days, was the enemy they most needed to watch.
At the mention of Team Plasma, the slight ease in Cynthia's expression gave way to solemnity again.
"I was just about to tell you about that."
Her voice lowered a little. "I just came across this. Team Plasma has made another move."
As she spoke, she tapped the screen and presented a video to Xia Chi.
In the footage, Ghetsis stood behind an imposing podium, dressed in his signature sage's robes.
He waved his arms at the camera with a fanatical expression, his amplified voice carrying a power that could bewitch people's hearts.
"...The League's actions are sinful and wrong! They imprison souls in cold Poké Balls and restrain natural instincts with narrow-minded rules of battle. This undeniably robs Pokémon of their birthright to freedom! These are the shackles of civilization, a step backward for our age!"
He spread his arms as though embracing an illusory future.
"Team Plasma will fight to the end for the noble ideal of liberating Pokémon! In seven days, the 'New King's Coronation Ceremony' will begin. We will broadcast it live across the globe, inviting every person of conscience in this world to witness the dawn of a new era of freedom!"
A dense flood of scrolling comments filled the screen.
Clearly, the declaration had provoked an intense response.
[Well damn, they've stopped pretending altogether, huh? Going straight for a suicide charge?]
[Yeah, sure, the League is evil and Trainers are slave owners. Only Team Plasma controlling Pokémon to conquer the world counts as justice, right? (sweating emoji)]