<div class="floatleft">(http://api.ning.com/files/mdHZvw03i*CGtsDN0LtfmUcgwnGEzcn1TYwBd-dIje3UhHDsWx0iVsng64hRwI31SfNV4pQJqB1nofG6HkqXVYVMMEycorew/Drayolagain.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Cedric Oleaster<br/><br/><strong>Location:</strong>Douglasberg Stadium<br/><br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Elektra<br/><br/><strong>Current Pokemon:</strong>Gloom (Priscilla), Turtwig<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Now was probably as good a time to talk as any, but Cedric had a feeling that the Summit would be starting any minute now, and he had quite a bit to share. On top of that (and he knew this was probably a bit too distrusting), he didn't really want to fill in the other Leaders too much on what had happened on the Ferry. They only knew as much as he had known yesterday, which would be enough until he confirmed the problem was getting bigger.<br/><br/>Too bad, since that meant Elektra's questions about Rae Ann would have to wait a little bit longer. "Let's talk about it during the Summit," Cedric suggested firmly, glancing down as Turtwig started hopping up against Elektra's leg, eager to investigate the potential Pichu playmate she was carrying with her. It was a bit amusing, but the scientist still gave him a slight reprimanding look for bothering the girl before withdrawing him, Priscilla following shortly. "I just need to get you and Katsuo up-to-date on everything, nothing major."<br/><br/>"Stage time in five minutes!" came the warning from a young man as he leaned through the doorway and left in a flash, letting the Gym Leaders know it was time to go. With a parting nod, Cedric gathered his confidence and went out the door. One corner later, they were at the gate leading to the back of the stage, waiting to be called out...<br/><br/>===<br/><br/>"Well, it looks like our amateur battle contest has just wrapped up. The top three trainers will be receiving a three-of-a-kind Seastorm League commemorative Premier Ball for the good showing, while the winner, of course, is going home today with a Champion Ball, courtesy of Horizon Futuristics. That's a lot of catching power in one ball, so let's hope he makes the best of it."<br/><br/>"With that, I guess there's really only one question to ask you all: Are you ready to meet your new Gym Leaders?" The crowd gave their loudest cheer of the morning, the kind of cry that shook your bones. If they were ever going to be ready, it was now. "Then let's get to it!"<br/><br/>The crowd went silent as the lights (the few that could be made out in total daylight) directed all eyes to the main stage; a simple blue field with a pokeball symbol on it, at the back of which was a black curtain. Behind that curtain was a gate, where nine potential masters waited to be called out one-by-one.<br/><br/>"First up, we have Douglasberg's own, a ruthless trainer who is without peer in his Type, our very own master of the Dark, Madisooooon Saaaage!" An uproar as Madison was sent out onto the stage to wave to the crowd, drawing more attention than any others from the locals that had come to know him these past few months.<br/><br/>"A man who made quite a showing at the Casino's monthly Pokegames yesterday, former student of a world-class trainer, hailing from Kanto, the master of the mountains, Marcuuuuuus Cormaaaaaac!"<br/><br/>"An energetic bugkeeper coming to us from the vibrant forests of Johto, she's won over the hearts of many with her endless energy and vibrant enthusiasm, jittery as a jitterbug, the master of insects, Amyyyyyyy Cataleeeeeee!"<br/><br/>"An aspiring author from our own Ciderhelm, a woman who's as fierce and inspiring with a pokeball as she is with a pen, so be sure to keep an eye out for her next book, we have the master of flames, Drevanaaaaa Nasaruuuuus!"<br/><br/>"Aspiring Pokemon Professor and current keeper of the Hiddenbloom Garden, wielding pokemon both beautiful and deadly, and a name to fit the bill, the master of the forest, Cedriiiiiiic Oleasteeeeeeer!"<br/><br/>"Another Tasmina native, coming to us from the tradition and festivities of South Point Town, an experienced trainer with big visions for the League, the master of the mind, Katsuoooo Katashiiiiii!"<br/><br/>"And finally, a quiet trainer with an eye for the unusual, with a legacy to back her up, she has some rare sights in store for anyone who can make it past her challenge, the master of multitype, Elektraaaaaaaa Kandooooou!"<br/><br/>One by one, the Gym Leaders were brought out to equal amounts of cheers, having their chance to wave to the crowd and be shown up on the jumbo screen next to an image of their badge before the next one was introduced. None of them had much reputation yet outside of their own cities, but the locals were excited to meet them nonetheless.<br/><br/>"Now, you may be noticing that we're short one Leader today, but don't you fear: despite one dropout, the Seastorm League has TWO replacements ready to step up to the plate, and they're here to battle it out to see who gets the honor of being Tasmina's final Gym Leader, I give to you, Skylaaaaaar Rhodes and Alexandra Noxkageeeeee!"<br/><br/>===<br/><br/>"There's no money here. What could you even gain from all this...?" The eyepatched man turned as he heard the strained voice from behind him. As he and his comrades finished changing into their newly "borrowed" security uniforms, it seemed the captain of the old team felt like speaking up, even on the floor with his hands tied.<br/><br/>The criminal's Luxio did a small figure 8 through his master's legs, then looked up to see what he had in mind. The man just smiled down at his companion, then grabbed a nearby rag from the cleaning supply to stuff into the protesting security officer's mouth. "Luxio, give him a higher dose, let him know what happens if he doesn't forget my face."<br/><br/>Luxio nodded, its fur crackling with electricity as it charged up, the officer shaking his head until the pokemon unleashed the charge at him, his scream muffled by the rag and the thick walls of the ship's lower levels...<br/><br/>===<br/><br/>To the left of the stadium, a number of small rings that had previously been used for the amateur contest were now set up for the First Shot raffle; a very few lucky trainers would draw the opportunity to be the first in the region to take on Gym Leaders for the opportunity to earn a badge before anyone else! Cedric, Hibana, Elektra, Katsuo would be the ones up to bat right now, since the three others had a much harder battle awaiting them. Of course, Cedric still wanted to talk to the other two, but it would have to be quick. It looked like there might be some interesting challengers among the winners.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, a larger ring was set up in the center for Skylar and Lexi, which drew a lot more attention than one would expect for a couple of relative no-names. Everyone wanted to witness the completion of the new Seastorm League. Hell, one of these two could end up establishing a gym in any number of towns!<br/><br/>===<br/><br/>The Pokemon League Summit was only distant noise on the television above the door of one office in Douglasberg. A older man with hair whiter than snow and a small beard to match ignored the noise as he filled out a staggering pile of forms at his desk, thin-rimmed glasses tilted over the bridge of his nose to make easier sense of the endless requisitions and permissions before him.<br/><br/>A younger woman with auburn hair stepped through the door with a stack of paper and added to his pile, glancing longingly at the TV for just long enough to get caught. "Ashley, I told you to take the day off," the man told his secretary without lifting his eyes, his voice even and sagely. "There's no one in the office today and no one calling. I'm fairly certain I can retrieve my own paperwork for at least one day."<br/><br/>The young sighed and shook her head at her base, keeping her eyes peeled away from the TV. "It's alright, Mr. Frost. I don't even battle pokemon, and the pay is more important right now. Let me know if you need anything else." Turning, she walked swiftly and straightly out of the room, Mr. Frost exhaling at her stubbornness before his full focus returned to his work.<br/><br/>Moments later, a loud thump was heard in the hall outside of the office, and the footsteps stopped. Mr. Frost finally lifted his eyes and looked out toward the door. "Ashley?"<br/><br/>===<br/><br/>At the right of the stadium, drawing more attention than any of the other events, the largest ring of all was set up for Drevana, Marco, and Madison. As they walked to it, Brock and Misty were both already waiting up top, arms folded challengingly as they stood equidistantly apart for their two-on-three showdown. Misty especially seemed pumped for the challenge, while Brock was a little more laid back.<br/><br/>"I spent all night thinking about rules we could add to even things out, but what's the fun in giving you a handicap? Two-on-three, one pokemon each, a real match to make Tasmina proud with!" the redhead exclaimed, sending out Starmie immediately in her section of the ring. Didn't look like she was going to make it easy for them , but maybe none of them expected her to.<br/><br/>===<br/><br/>So close, and they didn't even know, right behind the curtain as each of them got introduced, close enough to see the colors of their eyes, and now following through the crowd, able to reach out and grab the Fire woman's hair if the notion appeared. But no,  just staying close for now. So close. If only they what was coming...