The next day.
Indigo League Headquarters.
Silas and Gary Oak's father, Shingen Oak, had just arrived at his office when he discovered Lance already there, devouring steamed buns at his desk. Lance was wolfing them down like a man starved for days, making Shingen want to secretly snap a photo on his phone so all Lance's fangirls in Kanto could see what their idol was really like behind the scenes.
"Shingen." Lance didn't even look up from his breakfast as he waved Shingen over. "Come eat, I brought some for you too—don't be shy!"
"Heh…" Shingen Oak's mouth twitched as he dropped into the chair next to Lance, grabbed a bun, and stuffed it in his mouth. Between bites, he muttered, "I've already had breakfast. If you're here to ask me for help, sorry—no can do!"
Cough, cough.
Shingen's words made Lance choke outright, and after coughing several times, Lance shot him a dirty look. "What's with that attitude? Can't an old friend drop by for breakfast and a little bonding?"
"Heh." Shingen, full after just a couple of bites, reached for a napkin and wiped his mouth, replying in irritation, "Breakfast is done, our friendship's refreshed, so you can get lost now, right?"
"Fine, fine."
Lance didn't mind the rudeness at all. Grinning goofily, he said, "But before I go, there's something I want to discuss with you."
"Not interested."
"Come on!" Lance grew anxious as Shingen showed no interest in even talking. "Are we brothers or not? You just ate the breakfast I brought! The least you can do is hear me out, right?"
"Brothers?"
Hearing Lance drop that word made Shingen's eyes spark with anger. Raising an eyebrow, he said, "You dare call us that? Last time you got yourself into trouble and pinned it on me—do you know how Silas looks at me now? Or what it's like having my old man refuse to even talk to me?"
"And the time before that—when you gave Lorelei the love letter and wimped out, saying it was from me? Do you know Yuuko won't even take my calls now, let alone see me?"
"And the time before that…"
Cough, cough.
Not wanting the usually calm Shingen to get too worked up, Lance quickly coughed to interrupt, forced a smile, and said awkwardly, "Those were all accidents! I promise, never again. At the very least, I'll call Yuuko and your dad myself to explain, alright?"
"Like hell you will."
Shingen Oak swore outright, his tone entirely unfriendly. "First off, you should've explained those things ages ago. And second, if you're bothering to promise to explain this time, that means what you actually want is nothing but trouble. Why would I ask for it?"
"No, no, no."
Lance shook his head vigorously, still grinning. "This time, what I'm about to say is actually good news for you."
"Good news?" Shingen's lips twisted in a cold smile. He doubted it, but brothers—or not—he could tell from Lance's grin that this was serious. "Alright, let's hear it."
Lance immediately grew solemn. "Your little monster—he's out traveling now, isn't he?"
Little monster.
That, of course, meant Silas.
Shingen Oak didn't deny it, simply arching an eyebrow and waiting for Lance to continue.
When he saw Shingen's lack of denial, Lance dropped his bombshell: "I want your boy to become one of Kanto's Elite Four!"
"No." Shingen refused without a second's thought, then added with a touch of pride, "Sure, he's got Elite Four-level abilities, but he's still young, and his Pokémon team isn't even full. What he ought to do is travel more, get experience—plus…"
"Stop!" Lance interrupted, looking miserable. "I know everything you're about to say, but there's nothing I can do! The new rules for the regional Elite Four and Champion exhibition battles won't let me represent Kanto—I have to represent Johto. I'm desperate here, what can I do?"
"What about other candidates?" Shingen frowned, concerned for Kanto's reputation.
"No one's suitable." Lance shook his head, frustration clear in his tone. "Those who are old are too old—their Pokémon aren't at peak anymore. The young ones are too inexperienced. My brother Drake is the strongest, but his Dragonite is only quasi-Elite Four level. The only reliable choice is Silas and his unfathomable Charizard."
"And all the old veterans?" Shingen pressed.
"They refuse to come out." Displeasure flickered on Lance's face as he spoke, clearly angry. "Those old men just want to guard their own tiny plot of land, care only about their own interests, and don't give a damn about Kanto's face!"
Shingen Oak fell silent at these words, calculating in his heart.
Rationally, he should reject the proposal outright—giving Silas the Elite Four title now would do more harm than good.
But emotionally, Kanto's honor meant too much. If Kanto lost face in the regional Elite Four and Champion battle, how could they ever hold their heads up in other regions again?
Seeing Shingen deep in thought, Lance waited in silence.
One minute…
Five minutes…
Ten minutes…
Finally, after ten minutes, Shingen spoke. Calmly, he said, "Alright. Here's what we'll do. Let's see how he performs in the Kanto tournament. If he stands out—and has a second Elite Four-level Pokémon besides Charizard—then he can take your place as an Elite Four and represent Kanto in the exhibition battle. If not, then I'm scrapping this idea."
"Deal!"
Lance nodded vigorously. From the League's internal review, he had already watched the footage of Silas's battle with Brock uploaded yesterday. He understood perfectly—besides that terrifying Charizard, Silas now had a formidable Pikachu. Even if Pikachu wasn't yet Elite Four-tier, he felt sure it would be by the end of the Kanto tournament.
In other words, this was a bet Lance was certain to win!