The Siege of Western Grandeport

Bang bang bang!

Andrew looked up from his desk toward his office door. He was clutching a pencil between his fingers, and a piece of paper crudely depicting the forested landscape beyond the walls of the castle rested below him.

I wonder who that could be.

“Come in~!” he yelled cheerfully.

Andrew was in an oddly good mood, in spite of the fact whoever was at the door had demanded his attention only a half hour before lunch. There had been no incidents in the past month of winter. No mass protests, bombings, castle invasions, or complaints of any other kind had made their way to Andrew. Even Charlie and Thomas seemed to have been off his tail fins as of late.

The door opened, and in walked a Pokemon Andrew didn’t recognize. 

She was a Kingambit. The creature loomed over him, standing on her two feet at over six and a half feet tall. From the small Marshtomp’s perspective, she took up the whole room, as though the whole office reconfigured itself to center on her.

Andrew raised his brow. “Do I know you?”

“We have yet to meet formally, Andrew Marshtomp,” she said in a gruff voice. “I am Freya Kingambit, Minister of Defense and the mightiest warrior in all of Grandeport.”

Andrew rolled his eyes. “Well, that’s quite the claim.”

“Are you mocking me, boy? Do you need proof?” Freya flexed her strange, spherical, golden arm blade. “As I am more than capable of giving you a demonstration.”

Oh boy, I’m surrounded by crazy ladies. Go me.

He placed his pencil down and put on a smile. His left eye twitched. “Why, I never doubted you for a second! Anyways, why are you here?”

“I bring forth news on behalf of the police of the National Defense Council.” 

Andrew cocked his head to the side. “The what now?”

“Silence, insolent Marshtomp!” the Kingambit shouted, her voice booming. Whether by pure fear or some unforeseen force she possessed, Andrew felt compelled to, for once in his life, stop talking.

She’s gonna kill me, isn’t she?

“An attack has been launched on the Western side of the city. The Resistance terrorists have overrun the police station there and are currently fighting to expel all officers from the area. By law, we must inform the King of this disturbance.”

He crossed his arms. “I’m not the king!”

“Those are your first words upon hearing this information? Insolent Marshtomp, they wish to overthrow your rule!” Freya scoffed as she shook her head.

“I’m sure it’s no big deal.”

She humphed. “Your certainty is misplaced. But I do not wish to upset the council by discussing too much with you, Marshtomp. I implore you to look into this further.”

The Kingambit walked back over toward the door, the ground shaking with each of her steps. She opened the door before twisting her head around to catch one last glimpse at Andrew.

“Good day.”

And with those simple words, she left the Marshtomp to his important business.

Andrew sat still, speechless. He looked out his window at the lush horizon of the untamed forest, stretching as far as his eyes could see.

It’s no big deal. I mean, how bad could it be? Couldn’t be any worse than the time they tried to break in here and kill me. Yeah, I’m sure it’s fine.

“It’s fiiiiine!” he said, trying to convince himself.

It’s fine, everything’s fine. You’re not in danger! Leo’s in prison where he can’t hurt you anymore, locked away where you will never, ever, ever, see him again.

“I’m safe, yeah, I’m safe.”

I’m not safe.

Andrew picked up his pencil as a crazed, deranged smile spread across his face. Without looking and without trying, he snapped the object in half. He let the two pieces fall to the floor.

Why did my pencil break? Who broke my pencil?

He slammed his fist on the desk. “Who broke my pencil?”

As per usual, nobody answered in the otherwise empty office.

Andrew got up from his seat. He marched toward the door, his eyes darting to each side as though someone was watching him. He couldn’t focus. Something was wrong, his heart was beating too fast, his legs weren’t moving fast enough.

Is someone inside the office?

He whipped his head around. Nobody was there.

The Marshtomp exited the room with his flippers trembling. Immediately a new detail of the castle stood out to him, something which had not been there before… Pokemon! Not Bisharp guards, council members, or even police. Instead, random groups of Pokemon he didn’t recognize roamed the halls outside of his office.

A chill went down Andrew’s spine. Without making eye contact with any of the Pokemon, he began speed walking to Charlie’s office. 

One, five, eight, fourteen… 

Andrew counted the Pokemon he didn’t recognize. For the first time ever, the castle didn’t feel empty.

The Marshtomp quickly reached Charlie’s—formerly Mirage’s—chamber. He cracked the door open, sticking his head through. The Raichu sat on his oversized cushion across the room.

“Now a good time?” Andrew called out.

Charlie looked up and gave him a deadpan glare. “Didn’t I tell you to knock?”

“It’s important!”

He groaned. “Fine! I assume this is about Western Grandeport?”

Andrew stepped inside before gently closing the door. He ran up to Charle, feeling his bare feet patter against the creaky floor. “They’re attacking the West or something. Western Grandeport? And the police station, it’s—”

“I know what’s happening,” Charlie interrupted. “Who do you think sent Minister Kingambit?”

“She could have come herself!” Andrew humphed, crossing his arms.

Charlie snorted. “Yeah, right. I’m sure she’d just love to pay you a visit on her own accord. Not sure why you’d want that, though. I’ve been having nightmares about that lady since I was a Pichu.”

“Are we going to do something about Western Grandeport?” Andrew questioned.

The Raichu tapped his chin before narrowing his eyes. “Come with me, Andrew.”

He followed Charlie up a couple flights of stairs and into another room. It appeared to be some sort of office, with basic furnishings like a table, desk, and a few empty shelves on the walls. A window on the room’s far wall allowed for a view of Grandeport.

“You see that?” Charlie asked, pointing a paw toward it.

Andrew looked out at the city nestled between the forest and the ocean. To his left, plumes of smoke rose overhead. They were small, thin lines of gray, yet still, they slashed across the otherwise pristine, blue sky. Small red and orange dots danced across rooftops beneath the smoke, also reaching toward the heavens. 

“I can barely see anything. Just some smoke and fire.”

“Just some smoke and fire?” Charlie repeated, his mouth falling open.

Andrew scowled. “Are they setting the city on fire? Trying to burn me alive?!”

“They’re fighting with the police and destroying everything in their path. Get used to this view, because it’s the closest you’re getting to the action,” Charlie said sternly.

The Marshtomp grabbed his gill, a wave of pain shooting through his face. “It’s not like I want to go there. No, why would I? Goddamnit! Why are they destroying my city? Why aren’t they all dead, Charlie? Why is there even a fight?”

“They took us by surprise,” Charlie muttered, begrudgingly forcing the words out of his mouth, which was a twisted scowl.

Andrew balled his fists and seethed. “Everett said the Resistance was going to attack! I knew this was coming! Didn’t you? Didn’t everyone? It was obvious, of course, that they were going to attack us! What am I doing?! What am I…?” 

Andrew’s voice trailed off, becoming little more than a murmur. “God, what am I going to do?”

“Calm down, Andrew,” Charlie said, grabbing his flipper. “I’m stressed too, more than you are. But this will be over soon. You won’t have to worry about this tomorrow.”

Andrew looked at the Raichu with weary eyes. “Really? You promise.”

“I promise.”

---

“So anyways, Charlie’s a big fucking liar!” Andrew yelled, stomping his foot on the ground. The whole of the house shook, Thomas, turning his gaze to the ceiling as if something were about to fall.

The Servine gave his partner a nervous smile. “Maybe he was just being optimistic. Sure, the Resistance has been fighting for two days. But, did you really want him to tell you anything else?”

A loud boom echoed outside, like thunder but more tangible. Andrew’s head fin vibrated as the aftershock passed through the house, causing him to let out a soft grunt. “That one felt close.” 

Thomas bit his lip. “We aren’t too far from the western side of the city, that’s all. Nothing to worry about.”

“That’s a bad thing!” Andrew cried, throwing his flippers in the air. “What if fighting breaks out here?”

Thomas raised his vines, inching his left one over toward Andrew’s shoulder. “Andrew, it’s okay. The Resistance isn’t winning. In fact, I wrote an article about how record numbers of their members are defecting.”

“Record numbers?” he muttered before glancing out the window again. A large, thick cloud of smoke had formed only a couple of miles from their home. It was large, thick, and dark, the complete opposite of what he’d seen while viewing from the castle. “They’ve only existed for a few months. How can they even have record numbers?”

“Don’t worry about it,” the Servine laughed innocently. Too innocently. 

Andrew raised his brow. “Right…”

Another blast resounded, this time a bit quieter and not shaking the house. Andrew sighed, his head falling. The sun had begun to set, and the fighting, or at least the explosions, seemed to die down during the night. 

“I want to go and see the fighting.” 

Thomas’ eyes widened. “You—what?! No, Andrew, that’s a terrible idea! What if somebody hurts you? Do you know what I’ll do if you get hurt? I don’t!”

“It’ll be fine. I’ll bring some guards and stick to the main roads. At this point I think most people know who I am, so they’ll defend me if any of the Resistance guys try to kill me.”

The Servine frowned. “It also means people who want to hurt you will know where you are. I think it’s best if you lay low.”

“Thomas?” Andrew asked. “Do you know my job title?”

He narrowed his eyes. “The president?”

“Yes, and do you know what the president does?”

Thomas shrugged. “You do… king stuff?”

Andrew slapped his forehead with his flipper. “Sure, king stuff. And you know what a president—or king—is supposed to do? Be courageous, and be there for his people. And Thomas, the Pokemon of Grandeport are my people. I have to be there.”

“But what if you get hurt?” Thomas objected.

Andrew crossed his flippers. “You don’t have to be so… protective! I’m my own person, and if I want to I can go—I don’t know—make a speech? Yeah! I want to give a speech near Western Grandeport. Imagine how cool it’d be!”

Thomas’s expression fell, and he sighed. “Andrew…”

The Marshtomp stuck his finger into the air. “Great presidents are remembered for their speeches. ‘To be, or not to be, that is the question.’ It’s my civic duty to give a speech, Thomas. You have to say yes.”

He imagined himself on a golden podium. A large—no, an impossibly gigantic crowd—surrounded him. He spoke with might and bravery, and the deep voice of a true leader. One that was not his own, erupting from his mouth through the sheer force of will. The people clapped and cheered. It was a party, a celebration of him.

“Andrew!”

“Andrew! Andrew! Andrew!” They cheered.

“Andrew!” Thomas shouted. 

Andrew snapped out of his trance. “Huh? Where were we?”

The Servine cleared his throat. “I was just about to tell you how I don’t have to say yes to anything.”

“W-Well,” he stammered. “You should say yes to this.”

Thomas appeared to contemplate the idea, rubbing his chin with a vine. His eyes darted back and forth before he let out a relenting sigh. “Andrew, I trust you. If you think that giving some sort of speech is the best choice, I’ll support you. But, Arceus forbid something were to happen to you… I’ll hunt your tails in the afterlife and give you a piece of my mind.”

“I’d like that.”

A mischievous smile came across Thomas’ face. “Trust me, Andrew. You would not.”

---

Another day had passed, ushering in the third one since the Resistance began occupying Western Grandeport. Andrew had just exited a meeting with the so-called National Defense Council, an organization he had suspiciously only heard about after Freya Kingambit told him of its existence.

The meeting itself was hardly anything special. A table, similar to the council’s, filled with large, intimidating Pokemon discussing how to best deal with the invasion. Felicia and Freya were the only familiar faces—if Freya could be considered one. 

He had mostly tuned out the meeting’s events. The only vivid memory was that of a Tyrannitar with a red scar across his eye. He looked just like a James Bond Villain, Andrew thought. The Pokemon droned on about the importance of defense spending, strategies, and whatever other topics old Pokemon found interesting.

I’m going to be an old Pokemon one day, aren’t I? I mean, I would have eventually been an old human too. At least I’ll get to evolve into a Swampert and be one of the big, intimidating, old Pokemon. 

“Then people will finally start taking me seriously!” he yelled to no one in particular. 

A Sentret and Tinkaton passing through the hallway looked up at him. An immediate sensation of embarrassment shot through Andrew’s body. It’s not my fault they decided to load up the castle with nobodies! He quickly found his way to the stairwell and descended to the lower floors of the castle.

The cafeteria downstairs was bustling with activity, packed with Pokemon sitting at tables, yelling at each other, and waiting in long lines to receive their food. It was the first time Andrew had ever seen the room crowded. 

He let out a long, exaggerated groan.

Navigating between larger Pokemon and around the smaller ones, Andrew found Charlie sitting at their usual table in the center of the cafeteria. He hopped up onto his seat. “What the hell is this? Why is it so crowded today?”

“Because we have a lot of Pokemon here,” Charlie sighed.

Andrew rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I’m not blind. Western Grandeport gets attacked and suddenly I have to wait an hour in line for food? Has the world finally gone mad?”

“You’re the mad one.”

“Shut up,” he snarled at the Raichu. “Anyways, I want to give a speech.”

Charlie shrugged and let out a snort. “So? You’re the president. Go and give a speech.”

“I’d like to do it as close to Western Grandeport as possible. Right near the border of the fighting,” he proclaimed in a stern tone of voice.

Charlie stuck up his paw. “That sounds like… like…”

 The Raichu became lost in thought, his eyes seeming to lose focus on Andrew and drifting toward the crowd. “A good idea.”

“R-Really?” Andrew asked, his eyes wide with surprise.

Charlie nodded, a sinister smile coming across his snout. “A speech could be good for us. This whole invasion is going to be a PR disaster. Better hope Thomas is working overtime to cover for you because the media’s going to be all over our tails.”

“I’m sure he can write some rather positive things about us,” Andrew said, tugging at his bowtie.

The Raichu’s eyes lit up. “And a speech would show that we care about Western Grandeport. Yeah, that’s probably what the Pokemon will want to hear after the attack. I approve.”

“That’s good,” Andrew muttered, still looking a bit shocked that Charlie had agreed to his idea without pushback. “I went to a National Defense Council, or whatever, meeting.”

“That sounds fun,” he said sarcastically, smirking. “Felicia gets invited to those things and tells me they’re a waste of time. I’m surprised they wanted you there, though. The ministers have generally tried to distance themselves from you.”

“They what?” Andrew questioned, anger in his voice.

Charlie laughed. “What do you want me to say? They’re all a bunch of Eugene-aged grumps. Well, maybe not that old, but you get the idea. They were all put in their positions by Mirage and might still be a little salty that he…”

Charlie proceeded to raise his paws in the air, thrashing them as if he were trying to swim to the surface of an imaginary pool. He then shot them down to his neck. He grabbed it, opening his mouth and writhing in a cruel imitation of Mirage’s final moments. 

“They’re all Mirage supporters? I-I—that’s not acceptable! What if they try to overthrow me?! Why are they allowed to keep their jobs?” Andrew yelled, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

“Andrew,” the Raichu sighed. “You’ve been president for what, six months? Did you expect everyone to drop everything they’ve ever believed and start loving you?”

“Yes!”

Charlie shook his head. “It will take time. If you do as I say, eventually the people will revere you the same way they did Mirage.”

The Marshtomp pouted. “I thought everyone hated Mirage.”

“It’s complicated,” Charlie said as he stood up and stretched his arms. “Anyways, I’m going to get something to eat.”

Andrew hopped down from his chair. “Yeah, I’m hungry. But, where does the lunch line even start? This place is more packed than when we got raided.”

Charlie snorted. “Beats me.”

---

Andrew’s stress grew with each passing day. It was Saturday, a time when he would never even think to go into the castle. However, with the invasion of Western Grandeport, his mind wandered to places it shouldn’t have. Flashing to its forefront were images of the Resistance: Jason, Ryder, and an escaped Leo parading through the city burning posters of his face. Not his Marshtomp one—but the face of Andrew the human.

Of course, such a thing was impossible… probably. But he could not wait for more updates on the situation. Whether out of a genuine feeling of responsibility or a selfish need for knowledge, Andrew found himself inside the castle like it was any other day.

“Just gotta find Everett,” he whispered to himself.

He walked through the door to his office, carefully shutting it behind him. But before he did so, a thought seized his mind.

Maybe I should check on Western Grandeport?

He went upstairs and back into the room Charlie had brought him to several days before. He looked out at the city.

The fires had since mostly died down. A cloud of smoke still hung heavy over the area, making it darker than the rest of the otherwise vibrant city. It was… peaceful. That energy of uncertainty from the previous days felt weaker. Maybe the fighting is over?

Feeling relieved, Andrew began to actually walk to Everett’s office. The halls were still filled with Pokemon he didn’t recognize. They never seemed to be alone, often traveling in groups of two or three. Occasionally he’d recognize the green bandana of police officers, but most remained unmarked. 

The entrance to Everett’s office was an inconspicuous door with tinted translucent glass, proudly stating: “GRANDEPORT CHIEF OF POLICE.”

More than I ever got, Andrew thought. He knocked twice on the door. 

The heavy thumps of Everett’s heavy, golden body could be heard right before the door was opened.

“Oh, you.”

“Yep!” Andrew said cheerfully, smiling. “Me.”

The Gholdengo groaned, his head slumping. “And how can I be of service today, Andrew?” He spoke in the most apathetic, uninterested voice imaginable.

“I want to know what kind of progress has been made on Grandeport—”

 “Lots of progress has been made,” he quickly interjected. “The border has been secured for your speech tomorrow. Now go away.”

And with those brief words, Everett stepped back into his office and slammed the door in Andrew’s face.

The Marshtomp knocked again twice. “Everett? I have more questions.”

No response.

“Everett? “I’m still here! Everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrret!” he called, pounding his fist against the door in an obnoxious rhythm.

There was a loud thump behind the door. “I’m busy right now, Marshtomp! If you want to have a meeting with me, make a damn appointment. Some of us have jobs to do!”

“Everett?” Andrew asked again in the same, innocent tone.

“WHAT!?” the Gholdengo shrieked from inside his office. 

The Marshtomp held a flipper up to his mouth and snorted, barely able to stifle a laugh. “Can I make an appointment?”

“No! You can’t make an appointment Andrew. Now for the love Arceus would you fuck off?!”

“Everett!” Andrew shouted, anger creeping into his voice. “How dare you speak to me that way! Open up this door right now!”

Andrew waited for the Gholdengo to respond.

And waited.

…And waited.

But, the police chief seemed to have no interest in abiding Andrew’s order. Something went off within him. A snap, a fuse, an explosion. Perhaps if he were human, his face would have gone entirely red. With a swift, strong motion, he slammed his flipper into the hardwood of the door. Disregarding the pain shooting through his fingers, he was ready to really yell.

“EVERETT! OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW OR I’LL MELT YOU DOWN, CHOP YOU INTO COINS, AND SWIM IN YOUR DAMN CORPSE!”

A Garchomp and Wobbuffet stopped in their tracks to stare at Andrew, with a look of shock coming over the Garchomp’s face. Andrew craned his neck to shoot an ice-cold glare through the two of them. The Pokemon recoiled before scurrying along to wherever their destination may have been.

Everett was still yet to answer the door. Andrew repeatedly pounded on it, the resulting thuds becoming louder and louder. “Do you think I’m playing?! I’ll break this door down if I have to!”

Finally, after the Marshtomp banged the door a few more times, it finally opened.

“Andrew!” the Gholdengo hissed.

It was hard to judge his facial expression. Of course, it reeked of anger—that was to be expected. But with the uniform golden shade of all his face, Andrew found it quite challenging to tell if Everett was the most upset he had been in his life or merely found this to be a minor annoyance.

“Western Grandeport,” Andrew said plainly.

Everett let out a sigh, one of both anger and disappointment. “You really are a child, aren’t you?”

“I’ve been told I look young for my age.”

He bit his lip. “Cut the bullshit, Andrew.”

“You know,” he began, sticking out his flipper and leaning against the doorframe. “It’s not like I come to you because I want to. I don’t wake up in the morning and think, ‘Oh boy! I get to see Everett today!’”

The Gholdengo scowled. “The feeling is mutual.”

“Just tell me what I want to know and I’ll leave you alone,” he remarked with a smile. And as a bonus, “I might not have you killed.”

Everett stayed silent for a moment. His body stiffened, and his expression managed to soften ever so slightly. “I told you already, we’ve made good progress. The border is secured, and we’ll gain control of the police station within the next few days. From there, it’ll just be a matter of dealing with a few street gangs to regain control.”

“You see? Was that so hard, Everett?” Andrew asked. He tilted his head to the side, his smile growing.

Everett scoffed. “Whatever, Marshtomp. Now leave me alone, I have actual work to do.”

Without any sort of goodbye, Everett again slammed the door in Andrew’s face. His smile remained. Something about the whole interaction created a warm, fuzzy feeling inside him.

“Idiot.”

---

As promised, the area in which Andrew would give his speech had been secured by the police. While the podium set up for him to speak was not in Western Grandeport, the neighborhood was visible, only a few dozen feet down.

It was a strange part of the city, a crossroads between old and new, between rich and poor. Where Andrew was located, the street was made of sturdy cobblestone. The border of Western Grandeport had been made obvious by the cobblestone street simply… ending; It turned into nothing more than a thin pile of dirt.

The houses, too, were different. The quality of buildings near the square was impeccable. Most buildings stood three or four stories tall and there were few blemishes or imperfections. The parts of Grandeport he frequented looked like a picturesque European city.

However, the buildings around him were anything but that. They were dull, with discolored patches on walls, messy, untamed green spaces, and even the occasional boarded-up window. The houses were shorter. Most only reached two, sometimes three stories tall. 

Down the street, Western Grandeport fared even worse. The roofs were broken, with shingles littering the street. The houses were all coated in a brownish residue from the dust blown up from the dirt street. Large gaps and alleys were sprawled out between buildings. And the starkest contrast of all was that there was no activity in Western Grandeport.

Not a single Pokemon walked its streets. It was left in an ominous, absolute dead silence. Despite this, a crowd had begun to form around Andrew’s podium. He was positioned in a park, where trees shaded him and lush, green grass covered the ground. The crowd wasn’t too big, comprising about a hundred Pokemon—but it was growing, with a steady line of Pokemon slowly lumbering their way to the crowd.

“This should be interesting,” Andrew mused out loud.

Aside from Bisharp guards surrounding him, he was alone. Not Charlie, Thomas, nor even Jason or Ryder were there to provide a familiar face.

He was alone.

Andrew sighed, turning to a guard standing to his left. “Do you know when I should start talking? Usually, someone tells me when everyone’s ready.”

The Bisharp blinked. It was as if he, or she, or them—Andrew had no way of knowing—didn’t even notice him. 

“N-Nothing?” Andrew asked softly. “I don’t mean to be rude but are you guys like… mute?”

This time, the Bisharp turned their head. Their expression did not change, nor did they say anything or make vocalizations of any kind. Instead, it stared at him for a moment before slowly moving its head back to face forward.

Weird. Did I offend them? Can they even get offended? Do they have emotions?

Such important questions would have to wait. The crowd had swelled at least three times its previous size, and the line of Pokemon entering had dwindled. Loudly, Andrew cleared his throat. The murmurs and casual conversation from the crowd began to die down; The area was left in a near-total, dead silence.

“My fellow Amer—I mean Pokemon!” Andrew yelled with the vigor and authority of a being thrice his size. “Four out of seventy-three-hundredths of a score, and one day ago, a group referring to themselves as the Resistance launched an attack on our humble city.”

Andrew paused for a moment. A single, fluffy white cloud came in from overhead, briefly blocking the sun.

“Just down the road is Western Grandeport, and look at it! It’s empty, dead! This is what the so-called Resistance has done to our city. They’ve wounded it, they’ve created weeping, smoldering scars! In the great words of a great leader, that leader being myself, I have only this to say about the Resistance.”

All eyes were on him. He took a deep breath.

“Perhaps today, maybe even at this moment, hypothetically, I could be drunk! Tomorrow I will be sober. And still, the Resistance will be ugly. They will be evil, disgusting creatures with no regard for the safety of others. A penny saved is a penny earned, and they’ve saved not a single penny!”

Without warning, an explosion sounded from nearby. Everybody’s head turned to see a plume of smoke rising a couple of miles away. Murmurs and gasps erupted throughout the crowd. Some of the Pokemon along the edges of the crowd scampered away.

No, you idiots! Stay!

“I have a dream,” he continued, disregarding the panic and confusion “A dream that terrorist groups like the Resistance would not have the gall to hurt us. And that word, us, is a powerful one. I’ll admit, we have entered a dark time. But we have each other, citizens of Grandeport. We have us, and if we have us, we can defeat them. I’ve always liked to say: ‘Believe you can, and you’re already halfway there.’ Tell me, do you believe we can?”

The crowd stirred. A cacophony of voices called out at once, disunified and jumbled, forming no words Andrew could make out.

“What?” he asked the crowd. “I can’t hear you! Do you believe we can?”

“Yes!” yelled the crowd, more unified this time.

“I STILL CAN’T HEAR YOU!” Andrew shouted, raising his voice as high as it could go. “DO YOU BELIEVE WE CAN?”

“YES!” the crowd screamed, erupting into a wave of cheers.

Andrew raised his flippers, grinning as the Pokemon stomped and clapped. The noise soon died down, a smirk on his face, Andrew would continue.

“Grandeport, I will not deny we have made mistakes as a people. But we have not failed. No! Not at all. We have simply tried ten thousand ways that don’t work. I know the Resistance may seem tough, scary, and at times… they might even seem correct. However, to entertain that thought is to let them win!”

He pointed his finger out to the crowd. 

“We may be in a dark time, but I foresee better days. In the face of evil, there is always total need. I believe that is what the Resistance desires. Total control, absolute power. It is what drives them to destroy our cities and murder our children. But, my dear friends, do not fret! These Pokemon will be brought to justice! I swear upon my gills that the strong arm of the law will come down on all of them. You have my word.”

He raised his flippers in victory, prompting the crowd to voice their faith in him.

The crowd cheered, resonant with his crazed but confident speech, applauding the uninformed promise of peace and safety.