Cracks, Courtrooms, and a Net That Quietly Closed
The world did not end all at once.
It fractured.
Lunaria Valencrest Breaks
Lunaria sat alone in her room, curtains drawn, phone face-down on the table.
She hadn't checked social media in hours.
Not because she was calm—
—but because she was afraid.
Her name was everywhere.
Cheater.
Golden Betrayer.
Runcandel Reject.
Her hands trembled.
"This wasn't how it was supposed to be…"
Leon was meant to rise.
She was meant to stand beside him.
The world was meant to applaud.
Instead—
Everything burned.
Her assistant's voice echoed in her head from earlier that day.
"Sponsors are freezing contracts."
"The board is considering distancing themselves from you."
Lunaria finally picked up her phone.
And dialed the only number she could think of.
"…Alex."
It rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
Voicemail.
Her breath hitched.
She typed instead.
Alex, please. We need to talk. I can explain everything.
No reply.
She clenched her phone tighter.
Her thoughts spiraled.
If Alex spoke—
If the Runcandels softened—
If this could be framed as a misunderstanding—
She stood up suddenly.
"I'll fix this myself."
Lunaria opened her contacts.
And made a call she should not have.
League Hearing — Leon vs Reality
The League hearing room was sterile.
Cold.
Unforgiving.
Leon Ashford stood alone at the center.
No Lunaria.
No supporters.
No smiling luck.
Across from him sat:
League officials College representatives Dungeon safety officers
A screen behind them played footage.
Leon yelling at commenters.
Leon mishandling his Pokémon.
Leon's failed dungeon run.
"Leon Ashford," a League officer said evenly,
"do you deny these incidents?"
Leon swallowed.
"…They're taken out of context."
The room did not react.
Another official spoke.
"You are under review for repeated negligence, misconduct, and reputational damage."
Leon clenched his fists.
"I'm being targeted."
That finally earned him looks.
"By whom?" the officer asked calmly.
Leon opened his mouth—
Then stopped.
He couldn't say it.
He couldn't say Runcandel.
Because there was no proof.
Only coincidence.
And coincidence didn't matter in hearings.
The Verdict (Interim)
The decision came quickly.
Too quickly.
Leon Ashford
• Dungeon access suspended (temporary)
• Pokémon activity under strict supervision
• College probation enforced
• License revocation pending further review
The words rang in Leon's ears.
"…Pending?"
The officer looked at him.
"That depends on your future behavior."
Leon's legs felt weak.
This wasn't a setback.
This was the edge.
Runcandel Family — Quiet Adjustments
While Leon's world collapsed loudly—
The Runcandels moved silently.
In Evelyn's office, reports were stacked neatly.
"Valencrest partnerships are unraveling," Grayfia reported.
"They've lost three key backers."
Ningguang nodded.
"Market pressure is increasing naturally."
Victor crossed his arms.
"No direct moves?"
Evelyn smiled faintly.
"We don't need to push."
She looked at Alex.
"Their own weight is enough."
Alex nodded.
Kirlia floated beside him, expression serious.
One Final Thread Tightened
Lucien spoke next.
"Several dungeon permits linked to Valencrest subsidiaries are under review."
Evelyn closed the file.
"Let the League handle it."
Victor smirked.
"Clean."
Alex leaned back.
The system chimed softly.
DING
System Status:
Protagonist fate stability: Critical
External pressure synchronized
Recommended action window: Open
Alex closed the panel.
"Not yet," he said calmly.
Kirlia tilted her head.
Alex looked toward the window.
"Let them struggle a little more."
Desperation Meets Silence
That night—
Leon sat alone, staring at the League notice.
Lunaria stared at her unanswered messages.
Both felt the same thing.
The floor was gone.
And above them—
No luck answered.