#dragon champion ingo

[nemesis-is-my-middle-name]

former dragon champions/protagonists ingo and emmet plus any scenario where n runs into them would actually be so funny. n’s spent all this time hating these people who are like, symbols of everything he thinks is evil about society, and his ultimate goal is to wake and win the favor of the dragon of truth and/or ideals specifically to get rid of everything related to battling, and ghetsis just. conveniently forgot to mentioned that they were also the current reshiram and zekrom’s chosen

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Masterlist: Pokémon x Reader

Sword/Shield

Reader comforting Hop after Bede insults him

HCs: Hop being mentored by a Trainer!Reader who specializes in electric types

Cuddling w/ Piers

HCs: Piers falling in love with Pokepasta!Reader

Raihan reacting to Reader's intimidating Pokémon being soft

HCs: Raihan reacting to Reader, who owns a Zekrom and is sweet to dragon types

Leon encountering Bisharp!Reader in the Galar Championship

Legends of Arceus

HCs: Reader comforting Volo after his defeat

HCs: Warden Ingo w/ a Wanderer!Reader

HCs: Porygon!Reader in Hisui

Reader showing Ingo a Shiny Sneasel (drabble)

Reviving Lady Sneasler (Post-Hisui AU)

Scarlet/Violet

Paldea Trio

Jokingly proposing to Arven

HCs: Arven meeting Reader's Iron Hands

HCs: Meeting Chien-Pao

HCs: Meeting Chi-Yu

HCs: Meeting Ogerpon

Meeting the "Loyal" Three

Meeting Reader's Type: Null (who evolves into Silvally)

HCs: Reacting to Reader's Scolipede

Reacting to Pokepasta!Reader's team

Meeting and helping Mewtwo!Reader who escaped Team Rocket

HCs: Reacting to Reader's Elderly Garchomp (who use to be their grandpa's back in Alola)

HCs: Reacting to Kalosian!Reader who is of royal descent & owns a Furfrou

HCs: The trio (+ Hassel) reacting to Reader who lost their Mightyena

HCs: Reacting to Reader's birthday falling on Halloween

HCs: Reacting to Reader (who is the grandchild of a celebrity model/singer) and their Espathra

HCs: The trio (+ Carmine & Kieran) w/ a Dancer!Reader who is a descendant of sirens and owns Hoopa, Toxtricity, Oricorio, Alpha Primarinna, Meloetta, and Scream Tail

Team Star

HCs: Eri dating Reader, who is also a Shiny Hunter

HCs: Eri w/ Fem!Reader who acts like Team Star's Nurse Joy

HCs: Ortega meeting Fashion Designer!Reader

Gym Leaders + Professors

HCs: Hassel reacting to Reader's Elderly Garchomp

Jacq & Reader reacting to twin Shiny Growlithes hatching from their Arcanines' egg

Reader being cautious of Raifort

Reader convincing Professor Turo to make amends with Arven

Taming Aggressive!Miraidon (Turo Lives AU)

HCs: Cuddling with Turo (angst)

HCs: Larry reacting to Shy!Champion!Reader confessing to him

HCs: Larry meeting Mermaid!Tatsugiri!Reader

Reader w/ Missingno!Larry

Grusha falling in love with a Challenger!Reader who specializes in fire types and easily gets cold

Teal Mask/Indigo Disk/Mochi Mayhem

HCs: Carmine, Kieran, & Perrin meeting Pokepasta!Reader

Reader giving Ogerpon to Kieran (post-DLC)

Kieran reuniting w/ Reader, who was his shy childhood best friend

HCs: Drayton reacting to a reckless Reader

HCs: Kieran (+ Arven) meeting Shy!Reader with a Tapu Koko, Bloodmoon Ursaluna, Salazzle, and Iron Valiant

HCs: BB Elite Four (+ Kieran) dating Reader whose Miraidon get extremely jealous

HCs: Kieran, Carmine, & Drayton reacting to Reader falling into a coma after Terapagos' attack.

HCs: Kieran & Carmine reacting to Reader's new team (BM Ursaluna, Armarouge, Ogerpon, Shiny Slither Wing, Koraidon, & Chien-Pao) in the Indigo Disk

Reader w/ Pokemon

HCs: Paleontologist!Reader meeting Ancient Paradox Pokémon

Iron Valiant rescuing a Child!Reader from Iron Jugalis

HCs: Trainer!Reader comforting Koraidon, Iron Valiant, Mimikyuu, and Maushold after accidentally harming them

Garchomp protecting Fidough!Reader

[au-wannabe-the-very-best]

I wonder how the clans and galaxy team are going to react once they realize that they guy that had no memories has: a terrifying ghost that eats souls and is literally on fire, a huge dragon with blades on its face that can rearrange the landscape, and a digging mole with blades for hands

and that all his “clans men” also have terrifyingly powerful Pokémon on them.

They're all freaking terrifying! There's only a handful of people in this "clan," but every one of them are perfectly capable trainers and don't seem to have much fear of Pokémon!

On one hand, everyone is going to be incredibly wary and watching for any hostile movement. On the other hand, no one wants to initiate any animosity, because, well... They'd lose. Badly. That funky little lantern ghost took down an enraged Alpha Steelix in a single hit. They're not touching that with a ten foot pole.

I'd like to think that Ingo and every depot agent has three Pokémon, except for one or two people with a non-competitive team. One of those people definitely has a full team of healing Pokémon, like a designated medic in case an accident were to happen. The medic works separately from the recovery machine you put pokéballs in. Which is great because that machine is probably completely busted after the crash. As for the other person with a non-competitive team, I imagine they're an engineer who's around in case train takes too much damage.

The complete train wreck might be a little much for them though...

The train didn't make it to the station to pick up the rest of the trainers and depot agents, so there's not enough of them to be considered an army or anything. But, they're all fully trained competitive battlers who are MEANT to be considered a challenge for modern champion-level trainers. They're scary as all shit.

[kiwikipedia]

Here’s this fucking thing ig

(Slight indigo disc spoilers)

There’s a child staring at him.

Small and cute, her brown eyes big and deerling-like.

Now, for the record. Drayden is used to children staring at him. He’s tall, broad, and a gym leader to boot along with being the mayor of his respective town as well. Not to mention, one of the few Dragon Tamers worldwide— though now that he thought about it, almost all of the others were also part of their regions’ leagues.

So yes, Drayden was used to children staring at him.

However, he was NOT used to children staring at him from behind the leg of his friend and coworker while the other Gym Leaders and League Members went about business as usual during the annual Unovan League Meet.

That was not normal.

Not to say that bringing kids to the meets wasn’t, Drayden and Alder both had been perpetrators of such acts during their long runs with the league. When Ingo and Emmet were young, he had been babysitting and had to drag them along, and Alder had brought his son back then too— and now the Champion brought Benga every so often, and Drayden often had Iris tagging along since he was hoping for her to eventually take over as Gym Leader.

(Not to mention that the Striatan trio were just barely adults and not yet out of their teenage years at nineteen and a half years old.)

So yes, occasionally Gym Leaders and other League members (be it staff, Elite Four, or the Champion) have brought children to meetings.

And yet, Drayden knew for a fact that Clay was not one of those.

Not until now.

[warpednyliummybeloved]

now i dont think you can call my drayden family hcs complicated, but there's quite a bit going on. adopted daughter is iris, who is related to leon, hop and raifort by being cousins i think. he also has his sons ingo and emmet, and then he's also brothers with hassel (they're both dragon masters with yellow eyes). which makes hassel an uncle. these are all hcs i came up with seperately but putting them all together is a bit complicated. also it means that the family tree has two champions, an elite four member and a gym leader.

[alolanrain]

here are all my Au’s! feel free to ask about any of them. (italics are notes)

Ta!au - my most beloved au. 

Tatto!au 

 Arceus Motheman! au

Godly Human Council!au - Godly Council!au - Council!au - human gods!au - all the same but I just screwed up their names repeatedly 

Interview Revelations!au

Poke Twitter!au - Ash/Raihan established relationship

Wing shift!au

Hot goss!au

Non-hao!au - Ash/Raihan established relationship

Dad!ingo

Dad!kabu

Crown prince!au

Dance!au

Go-pro!au

Time stamp!au - no romantic relationships

Alolan Swap!au - Ash/Hop established relationship/divorce - possible remarry in the future

Mothering Latios!au

Dollar store avatar!au

Little prince!au

Blind!au

Ash found a gun!au

Riolu starter!au

Miraculous ladybug!au - Ash/Raihan established relationship - don’t have a lot this is just a little au

Cryptid one!au

Arranged court!au

Soulmark!au - Raihan/Sonia/Ash/Leon established relationship

Mafia!au - not a whole lot/would love to get into this more

Fantasy!au

Head council!au 

Medieval!au

Helper and the front desk!au - maybe jessie/james in the future

Omegas touch!au - no established relationship for Ash

rat&meowth!au - Pikachu/Meowth established relationship

Challenger025!au - no established relationship 

Wrong kinda pikachu!au - no established relationship

Not so secretly married!au - Ash/Raihan established relationship

Reincarnation!au

Mini tapu!au

Shadow Lugia

De aged ash!au

Phantump!au - phantump!ash

Wiffleball - over multiple au’s

Champion disasters!au

Champions in hisui!au

Dad!lance

Drake vs lance

Nightmare!au

Bby!ash

Language buff!au

Found family!au

Found dragon fam!au

[nell0-0]

Accidentally turned on anonymous; I’m the one who posted that champion talk.I’m glad you love that route too! I can actually see them doing that(and not just because every like four months Gamefreak Twitter decides to remind people of Ingo’s current fate.

For one, Unova’s legend is built on two twin brothers, older one truth and younger ideals. We got the differences with Alder and Iris for that(and the rivals having Cherrim as Ideals, Bianca as truth, and Hugh as balance) but the twins are literally black and white twin brothers. A third champion can round out the truth, ideals, and balance and Emmet feels perfect for it storywise with Unova starting with twins and ending with twins(bonus if Emmet incorporates grey in his outfit since it’s the mix of his and Ingo’s color scheme).

Secondly, it feels that the regions go in real time. Red and Blue aging matching up with how old Gen 1 was to both Johto and the Unova sequel having that timeskip matching up with their releases. Ingo’s concept art of him being found in Hisui also is listed as “XX years ago” which implies he been there for at least a decade which lines up with Black and White 2 age(excuse me as I crumple to dust-) and also is plenty of time for Emmet to take everything in for better coping skills. ALSO, the constant mentions to Unova and seeing the changes outside of the region. Unova was mentioned multiple times in Kalos, specifically the Subway and Coleress research. In the Ultra Games Grimsley is revealed to have retired from being the dark type elite four member while Coleress is revealed to have been traveling regions to pursue his totally not illegal research. Several Unovan Pokémon received love in Gen 8 with evolutions and the nobles. And of course Ingo was sent hundreds of years into the past(side note: almost every Gen has a ghost. Marowak, the little girl in Pheobe gym, Old Chateau and the abandoned house, the strange house girl, the elevator girl, the trainer school girl, the love letter girl, and vessa. But we never got to fight one besides Marowak. If ghost Ingo comes true, please have a fight and some true closure with Emmet) and wasn’t sent back afterwards. This means so much has changed since the sequel and since many things weren’t answered already like what the original dragon looked like, they could totally do a third and final game as a send off. Having a fan favorite like Emmet be the champion(since the twins are adored in Japan) be a fitting way to conclude their story.

As for Emmet himself, he is possibly the strongest double fighter in the series. The twins are basically champion level fighters and there are even headcanons they wanted to be champions until realizing only one of them could be. Emmet runs a competitive team and in all the media, he’s implied to have only lost to the protagonist and Ingo(in the Manga Hilda merely tied with Ingo. In Masters Emmet reveals he and Ingo practice fights with each other where Ingo hardly loses matches. And in the anime no one could beat them to the point of someone lying that he did to seem impressive) so he’s definitely strong enough to be one. Being champion and thus in the spotlight could also give us more info on the Unova myths, Emmet’s backstory(I have sad headcanons with that), or his relationships with the other people in Unova. But also…Emmet is a double battler, and including Gurdurr and Boldore, the two have twelve Pokémon. We could possibly have our first ever double battle champion, and given Pokémon been adding harder challenges(Ultra Necrozma, BDSP Cynthia, Volo, and final boss of Scarlet and Violet) this could be something they could do at a stand out final fight. In conclusion, less evil Emmet, more champion Emmet(and please Gamefreak! You’ve been building up something for Unova for years, please be good-)

I would love for Emmet to be the first ever double battler champion! He's a beloved character with a lot of potential. I wouldn't get my hopes up since the pokemon franchise has a lot of ongoing stories in world that never seem to progress, or at least we have to wait a long time to get a glimpse of it (pointedly looking at Looker and Anabel, for example). And even when we do get progress, closing the story line seems like wishful thinking. Not that I complain much since it allows for a lot of content creators to go wild, although it would be nice to get some closure in some of them. Gamefreak better let the twins reunite at some point. Acknowledge what you did to those two poor twins, cowards.

On the other hand, I love all your thoughts about this. But but BUT-

Did you really have to go there. Omg. My heart.

[r0-boat]

MASTER LIST part 1

( if see any posts not on this list please DM me the link I will add it)

Key

⭐: original(mostly written by me)

🌹:smut

🔪:yandere

🍷: other content warnings

🧨:darker Cw's and Tw's

Volo+ Submas

General hcs

Diamonds, pearls and Proposals

Ingo

Ingo baby trapping🔪⭐🍷🌹

Ingo worships you: pt1, pt2, pt3 🌹⭐

Pussy drunk Ingo cant it take anymore🌹⭐

Ingo during No Nut November 🍷🌹⭐

Ingo kiss you hcs ⭐

Yan!ingo sneaks into your house while your asleep ⭐🌹🔪🧨

Ingo's cam girl⭐🌹🍷

Octomer!s/o tentacle fucking ingo⭐🌹🧨

You tease sub!ingo⭐🌹

Bull!ingo breeds you while your stuck🍷⭐🌹

Emmet

Emmet stalking you🔪🍷⭐

Emmet dresses up as his brother to fuck his partner🧨⭐🌹🍷

Dragon!Emmet fully breeds you ⭐🌹🍷

Yan!Emmet loves your photos🧨🍷🌹💫 🔪

Emmet spends time with his favorite playboy bunny🌟🌹

Pussy slapping🌹

Subams together

Purge au ramble🔪🍷⭐

Submas Gwa Hcs 🍷⭐🌹

Random hcs⭐

Feral!emmet & primal!ingo threesome idea🌹🍷

Alpha!submas hcs +volo 🌹🍷⭐

Submas comfort hcs+Volo⭐

Purge au! Masks > part 2🌹🍷

Purge au! Kidnapping plan turn rescue🍷🔪

Animatronic submas ⭐

Lemon shark Twins 🌹🍷

Scp twins ramble🌹🍷

Volo

Volo relieves his horny bunny hybrid🌹🍷

Peg him :)🌹

Volo Smut Headcannons🌹🍷⭐

Yan!volo breeds you🧨⭐🍷🔪🌹

Alpha!volo headcannons🔪🍷⭐🌹

Trapped beneath the ice and snow🌹🍷⭐

You cut your finger near Vamp!Volo🍷⭐

Volo puts you in a trance and breeds you: pt2🍷⭐🌹🔪🧨

MerVolo⭐

Volo body writing idea 🌹🔪🧨🍷

Volo is jealous of a vibrator🌹🍷

Kitsune!volo

HGSS

Morty

Morty can't sleep he's too busy missing you🌹⭐

Morty really missed you brain rot:🌹

Proton

Proton with a badass partner

BDSP/ Hisui

Roark

Roark kissing Headcanons+ Riley ⭐

Hisui

Hisui men if they had audio accounts⭐🌹🍷

Catboy! Melli making his cum with your boot⭐🌹

Cynthia

GarchompHybrid! Cynthia🌹🍷⭐

Cynthia hcs 🌹⭐

BW

N

N smut hcs🌹

N comforts Dysphoric lover hc ft:Volo, Emmet, ingo 🌹

Grimsley

Grimsley Smut headcanons🌹

ORAS

Steven Stone

Steven's marriage and honeymoon Ramble⭐

Hybrid Maxie&Archie go feral bc of Red and blue orb🍷🌹⭐

Ocs

Silas Creed the Half-Dragon Tyrant King🐉

You were meant to be mine⭐🔪🧨🍷🌹

Lovey Gulit⭐🍷🔪

Zero The Wasp hybrid🐝

Zero your wasp boyfriend ⭐🍷🔪

Zero's colony and world 💫 🍷

Zero 'just the tip?' Lie⭐🌹🍷

Cole The Werewolf Dilf🐺

Cole the werewolf⭐🌹🍷

Cole breeds you⭐🌹🍷

Out of the Forest⭐🍷

Salem the scavenger 🕷

Drider bf nsfw&sfw 🌹⭐🍷

Noah leopard mershark🦈

The boys together

Just the tip please?🕷🐺🐝🐉(React)🌹

Fantastic Aus and Where to find them

Searching though all of Tumblr is much easier than though my blog( for some reason)

Bull Boy Farm Au: #bullfarmau

your boss is a dick anon ask 🧨🌹

Bull!guzma hcs⭐🌹

God!volo and his Priestess: #god!voloxpriestess

Art by Cmpumkin

you could go through the tag but honestly it's better to read the 20K word fic made by an anon that basically made this AU 🌹

Mob boss! champions + info broker Mc: #pokemon champion mob boss au & #mob boss mc

The International police

N's dream come true🍷⭐🌹

A mysterious island inhabited by hybrids that ache for a human mate: #monsterislandau

Saytr!Submas hcs🌹🔪⭐🧨🍷

Monster Island genshin impact edition⭐🔪

Monster Island obey me!small hcs⭐

Kitsune!volo is very sneaky🔪🧨🌹🍷

Monster Island Rf5 🍷

1960s greasers!Submas AU: #Greaser!submas, #Soc!Volo

Greaser!submas hcs🌹⭐🍷

Soc!Volo⭐🔪🌹🧨

Moar greaser!au (about Pokemon)⭐

Ro's Universe #ro verse

( an post apocalyptic world where the dwindling human population fights tooth and nail against newly evolved insect hybrids)

((An excuse to fuck insect hybrids?...perhaps))

Zero's colony and world 💫 🍷

Hall of Fame ( Anon submissions)

Ingo touches himself thinking about you🌹🍷

Volo shatters your heart Ingo comforts you

Vamp!Emmet Makes you mindless and obedient🌹🧨🍷

Spider!Submas fill you up with Eggs🍷🌹

Vamp!volo x (named) oblivious Mc x Vamp! Adaman🍷

Strip poker with Vamp!grimsly🌹🍷

Noodle anon gives us Alpha!ingo sauce🌹🍷

Roark smut given by a lovely anon🌹

Ed's anon's Trans ingo🌹

Alpha reader x omega Meli🌹

Grimsley strip poker🌹

[autumn-sweet-fae]

Literally anyone online after that whole thing with N: "How do we know it isn't lying? He used to be part of a terrorist organization in Unova!" Any Unovian online: "...Reshiram, the dragon of truth, is right there."

Emmet meanwhile furiously texting Hilda/Hibert/Rosa/Nate: "WHAT IS N'S NUMBER, I NEED ANSWERS!!!"

This will be this biggest divide for Unova vs the world! For them, culturally their legendary pokemon staying with N is living proof that he’s telling the Truth!! But everywhere else/Sinnoh is like, ‘hmmm I dunno, are we sure this legendary is that big a deal? I mean, ours are gods of time and space!! 💅’

Ha! Though real it’s more like Emmet shaking Elesa/furiously texting Iris to get in contact with the former champions to contact N. That thread might not go anywhere though, since I’m not too familiar with the black/white portags yet.

If Emmet does reach N though, the fact that neither Ingo or Akari have reached out to N after he gave then his contact info (not knowing how cheap Arceus phone plan is) makes him believe that the two want to be left alone/have their own plan. He does not know what’s going on between the brothers but if Ingo does not want to be found N might respect that, to Emmets frustration. He does assure Emmet that he will let him know if Ingo and Akari do contact him though.

[ownerofthisaccount]

You know something that slightly annoys me? When a lot of people say if we get a Unova Legends game or BW3(which is what I want) that Emmet would be the villian trying to bring Ingo back. I don’t really like this for two reasons. The first is that it feels too similar to original Lusamine just with him sticking with the goal. The second is though he can be blunt, he cares too much about others that I wouldn’t see him risking everyone even if it was for Ingo.

But there’s been an idea in my head for a while(two actually. The other as I said briefly before being Ingo becoming a rock/ghost, perhaps from possessing and breaking apart his tombstone to form pieces of outer casing to make a form. I just haven’t drawn that since I’m not exactly sure how I would behind the pieces of rock and his legs forming tails) that I think is a lot more interesting.

Basically in my head, this takes place years after Ingo disappears into Hisui. Emmet instead of going bad decides to use his strengths at battling to become Unova’s champion to both protect others from this happening and try to figure out what happened to Ingo. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure wearing a mask and leading a team starts to cause trouble in Unova and seems determined to take the dragons for their own, making some wonder if Plasma has risen again. I see Emmet having a more active role than most champions due to his past and his want to protect the region. When the masked leader is eventually cornered, the protagonist and Emmet find out that this man is Ingo, but it’s not a happy reunion. Due to his missing memories and things like his possible death in the past, his soul slowly became corrupted and desperate. Having been around for a long time, he saw the dragon before the split, and for a moment felt like it was helping him regain his missing pieces(unbeknownst to him, he was actually getting that feeling from the black and white twins) but it faded just as quickly. Though he was initially willing to let things go, when he learned others suffered the same fate he had he decided he couldn’t just wander in the shadows. He wanted to bring back that dragon with the hope of gaining the truth about himself and save everyone from going through what he had to. Meanwhile Emmet is unable to let Ingo put everyone they care about at risk and reluctantly fight him with his ideals, like the original twins did all those years ago. He will be able to break through to the ghost and bring Ingo’s mind back, but that’s a bittersweet note as Ingo is put to rest and leaves Emmet a second time, this time for good.

I don’t know, it just feels like pinning the two together to re-enact what happened with the original dragon splitting could be a cool way to end off the Unova Trilogy, and it just makes more sense to me for Ingo to be the antagonist due to corrupting after death while still having a pure goal than Emmet betraying what he stood for. Obviously some of this can be fine tuned but who really knows what will happen in the future, I just hope something(also I kinda just want to fight a ghost? We got Marowak but I mean a ghost trainer. There’s a lot yet none are fightable).

I hope you all enjoy this! Have a great rest of your day

[nemesis-is-my-middle-name]

i am also... a little bit obsessed with the idea of regular pla ingo, completely by accident, summoning The Original Undivided Unova Legendary out of sheer willpower. i just can’t decide on a good scenario that would necessitate it

[adobe-outdesign]

Really tall female Pokémon characters:

Carmine, who is taller than Drayton, the generic adult male NPCs, the BB academy headmaster, and her grandparents.

Zisu, who is taller than basically everyone except Kamado and Volo (including Laventon, Ingo, and every clan member, male or female).

Eri, self-explanatory.

Shelly from Team Aqua seems pretty tall, taller than any named member of Team Magma, anyhow.

Nessa is the third-tallest gym leader after Piers and the dragon guy.

Nemona’s also pretty tall for a teenage girl- taller than most male characters.

Maybe Lusamine?

I’d kill for a tall female champion with some muscle tone, though, fr.

I was going to say that Eri has muscle tone but looking back at her she really doesn't?? She's stockily built but doesn't have any actual muscles which feels all kinds of wrong considering the wrestling motif and fighting-type Pokemon

[au-wannabe-the-very-best]

I think Palkia, Dialga, and Giratina wag their big tails when Akari baby talks them and promises to stuff them with their favorite berries. It freaks out literally every other person in Hisui except Ingo, who has a vague recollection of someone doing the same thing with some other legendary dragons. (The Unova Champion)

[sana-yan]

the sound of secret minds; a deep dive on SANADA [part one]

or, alternatively, "Why the hell did SANADA leave Los Ingobernables de Japón?"

! Content Warnings: depictions of blood

Disclaimer: This editorial on SANADA's exit from Los Ingos is based on my interpretation of NJPW kayfabe and information from match results, backstage comments, social media, and interviews. Kayfabe is enforced, but I will sometimes reference "out of character" context to analyze events from 2020 to current-day 2023. I will do my best to provide sources, and I highly recommend you subscribe to NJPW World and watch the matches.

Since much of the information is in Japanese, there may be gaps because I am not a native speaker and rely on my/NJPW's translations. As this is a developing storyline, when new information is revealed, some interpretations in this post may become outdated/debunked.

Furthermore, I love LIJ; however, I will analyze and critique the group dynamics (especially Naito) in this meta. I recommend a different read if this current event is a sore spot for readers.

To avoid getting my premium account removed for providing evidence from paywalled content, please do not share outside of Tumblr. Thank you!

Overture;

Los Ingobernables de Japón is fine. More than that, actually. They've had massive wins since their debut in 2015, and their sleek five-man band of Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, BUSHI, SANADA, and Hiromu Takahashi finally acquired their newest pareja, decorated Dragon Gate veteran Shingo Takagi, in October 2018. LIJ seemed to be on an all-time high, led by the man of cool, Naito.

[ID: A screenshot from Bushi's Twitter, posted on March 17, 2020. The members of LIJ pose for a group picture at Korakuen Hall. From left to right: SANADA, BUSHI, Naito, Shingo, Hiromu, and EVIL. Of note: SANADA and EVIL stand on opposite ends, at the edges of the group. Naito is in the center, lying down in his "Tranquilo" pose. SANADA is looking off to the side. EVIL has his back to the viewer, looking over his shoulder. End ID.]

The early iteration of LIJ founder Tetsuya Naito was that of the anti-establishment upstart looking to disrupt the very place that had rejected him as the Stardust Genius. He looked to antagonize the crowd who had driven him away, and his parejas were instrumental to his ascent, assisting him in crucial matches and cheating on his behalf to get the victory.

Nowadays, they've more or so dispersed from the ringside, and Naito himself has shed those ways, arguably losing that bitter bite after winning over the fans in the 2017 G1 Climax. He follows the same vein of New Japan's classic babyfaces in the ring, wanting no interference from his faction during his singles matches.

Los Ingos' appeal is its rebellious aesthetic. I say "aesthetic" as LIJ adopts counterculture motifs but benefits and plays to the society that had scorned their leader. Although Naito quips at the company and speaks unfavorably about some of their decisions, he also abides by New Japan's rules in kayfabe. It's a mishmash, the best of both worlds, despite being ideologically insensible to the true nature of being ungovernable.

Nonetheless, LIJ's brand of rebellion is one that straight-laced Japanese young adults can consume without retribution to their social standing by aligning with something truly anarchist. (It's really shonen manga-esque if you think about it.) By the time 2019 rolls in, Naito and his stable are the establishments now, one of the most popular and prominent stables in NJPW's history. The company fully backs its projects, and branded merch sells faster than hotcakes.

Furthering that triumph, it's a big win for the members of LIJ at Wrestle Kingdom 14 (Jan. 4-5, 2020): Naito wins both IWGP Intercontinental and Heavyweight Belts from Jay White and Kazuchika Okada; Hiromu Takahashi defeats Will Ospreay and gets the IWGP Junior Heavyweight, becoming a 3-time champion; and BUSHI, EVIL, and Shingo win the Gauntlet match for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Championships. Yes, the members of LIJ were bona fide champions. A faction draped in victory and riches.

Ah, did I forget someone?

That's right, I did. SANADA was the only member of LIJ not to win his bout versus Zack Sabre Jr. for the RevPro British Heavyweight Championship. However, I believe it was the correct outcome. Unlike Zack, who had his pride on the line and the drive to raise the prestige of the belt, SANADA didn't seem to be as hungry.

[ID: The members of LIJ pose for the magazine Weekly Pro Wrestling (Issue No. 2061, April 22, 2020). From left to right: EVIL, Shingo, BUSHI, Naito, SANADA, and Hiromu. Of note: EVIL is the farthest from the group, dressed head-to-toe in black. SANADA stands out with his white suit as the only one without a belt. As the Double Champion, Naito sits on a chair, showing off his belts (the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental). End ID.]

Even though Naito's big roll call in the Tokyo Dome was ruined by a malicious KENTA (the king of iconic behavior), Naito had these words to say:

"What he [KENTA] did was truly amazing, professionally speaking. You have to speak up or make a move if you want to show the fans what you want."

Remember this: Naito is a big "Pull Yourself Up By Your Bootstraps" type. This is his philosophy after the toxicity he had received from the fans as the Stardust Genius. Life doesn't give you chances, so you must seize your opportunities.

As Naito deals with KENTA, SANADA pins Jay White during a tag match at New Years Dash 2020, catching the ire of the Switchblade. After sparring again at a Feb 1, 2020 match, Jay rants backstage, calling out SANADA for his apparent lack of depth.

"But... SANADA... you can never win when it matters! How many times have you *evil bastard gaspy breathing* won the US Championship? Zero! ...The Intercontinental Championship... Zero! How many times, after chance, after chance, after chance, have you held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship? *evil bastard chuckle* Any guesses?! ... It's another ZERO!"

Jay White refers to SANADA's record of unsuccessfully challenging Kazuchika Okada, New Japan Pro Wrestling's undeniably dominant champion in the heavyweight division. SANADA had challenged him for the title at Wrestling Dontaku 2019, and at King of Pro-Wrestling 2019, the Rainmaker reigned supreme. The singles titles in NJPW are seen as the pinnacle of success, and although SANADA had won trios and tag team titles, his singles run was barren.

So, is SANADA a dud? A choke artist? Not so fast.

Kota Ibushi, who you might know as one of the most talented and most himbo wrestlers from the nation of Japan, had these words to say during his bout with SANADA leading up to G1 Climax 29:

[ID: A video from Night 6 of the G1 climax. SANADA and Ibushi have a friendly pec-popping contest. End ID.]

This interaction interests me because the calm and collected Cold Skull from Los Ingos is approaching Kota first of his own free will. On Japanese commentary, they state that SANADA acknowledges "four wrestling prodigies with super abilities: Keiji Mutoh (his mentor), Naomichi Marufuji (the premier Ace of Pro Wrestling NOAH), AJ Styles (🌈), and Kota Ibushi (the man who doesn't trust books)."

In the segment, I want to highlight how engaged SANADA is in a competitive comradeship with Kota, as opposed to his matchups with other wrestlers during this time. The commentary remarks on their obvious parallels as the two do some himbo-to-himbo communication. Both are seen as wrestling prodigies, babyfaces at heart, effortlessly good-looking, and have the crowd's devotion, yet ― Kota achieves success, and SANADA does not. Kota would beat SANADA on July 20, 2019, in the G1 Climax and be one more step closer to becoming "God."

Reflecting on the match, Kota had this to say:

"He doesn’t really fit in with LIJ to me. I think there’s a spot for him where he can be at his best, and it isn’t as SANADA, it’s as Seiya Sanada." (emphasis added) 

But that's 2019. Let's fast-forward to the current timeline. On February 9, 2020, Jay White and SANADA square off in a special singles exhibition... and SANADA loses.

You might have noticed I have not mentioned any of SANADA's backstage comments from his feud with Jay. There weren't any from the Cold Skull at the time.

On the other hand, Naito defeats KENTA and retains his titles on the same day as SANADA's loss. He reiterates his statement, veiled in blood because I cannot find a youtube link:

[ID: A bloody Naito gives a press conference after defeating KENTA. He says, "It's like I say, you have to speak up to be heard. The wrestler who ventured out into the world [KENTA] is very hungry. He wants to reach for any chance available. I like his attitude. I like that kind of attitude. So other wrestlers should be wary. He'll do what he wants, regardless of the blowback. I do think that is amazing." End ID.]

This further illustrates how Naito feels about his competition ― friends and foes alike. Yes, KENTA besmirched Naito's big moment, but Naito respects the man who feeds his hunger to win by any means necessary. If you want to make your mark in the world, you must get your hands dirty digging into the earth.

Right after that match, Hiromu challenges Naito for a special match. They set the date. March 3, 2020. Naito vs. Hiromu. Shingo, BUSHI, and EVIL are set to defend their trio's titles. And lastly, the runt of the litter, SANADA, tries to regroup through the New Japan Cup to compensate for his loss of momentum. He earns a win over Mikey Nicholls in the first round. However, his strive to ascend among his stablemates is short-lived as Japan enacts its emergency COVID-19 pandemic countermeasures, and NJPW's show dates are canceled until June.

Although these videos are centered on Hiromu and Naito, they portray LIJ's group dynamics. What makes some members resonate with the group's ethos and others feel left behind all boils down to Naito's vision for the group.

[ID: A video detailing Naito and Hiromu's past before LIJ. End ID.]

Compared to his other parejas, Naito sees Hiromu as his prized student... and the 2nd Generation of Tetsuya Naito. Yes, while LIJ mainly functions as a group of individuals first and foremost, and every member is focused on their own goals rather than each other, Naito's relationship with Hiromu goes beyond his partnership with the other teammates. Almost as if he knows he will be passing on the torch of LIJ to Hiromu.

My prediction is if NJPW wants to pull the trigger and move Hiromu to the Heavyweight Division, he will be the one to replace Naito as the "leader" of LIJ (said loosely, as Naito noted there is no leader in LIJ.) According to the video, Naito mentions he even queried Hiromu about the possibility of Los Ingos in Japan. As per Naito's belief in "Destino," LIJ's bonds weren't just discovered; Naito predestined Hiromu's inclusion into the team from LIJ's inception.

[ID: Part one of a video from Hiromu's YouTube channel showing the rare meetup between all members of LIJ. Of note: The Youtube thumbnail is from the same photoshoot featured in Issue No. 2061 of Weekly Pro Wrestling. End ID.]

Some points I wanted to emphasize in this video:

LIJ does not keep tabs on one another outside of the ring. As Naito says in an interview: "We aren’t super sociable as a group, but we’ll send texts here and there." Their out-of-ring distance will be a motif among the members.

Naito likes to instigate conflict. Some people thrive and play well with it (Hiromu, Shingo). Others do not.

Uncle Shingo is such an uncle. This kinda plays into this meta.

[ID: Part 2 of a video from Hiromu’s YouTube channel showing the rare meetup between all members of LIJ. Of note: The Youtube thumbnail is from the same photoshoot featured in Issue No. 2061 of Weekly Pro Wrestling. BUSHI, Naito, and Shingo share a couch while Hiromu sprawls on the floor. EVIL is seated on a chair at the group's left, with a large gap separating him from everyone else. At the opposite end of the group from EVIL, SANADA also sits alone in a chair that is pushed close to Shingo's side of the couch. End ID.]

Key points in this video:

"We wanted to do the LIJ roll call in the Dome; I thought it'd be great if we were all champions. But SANADA lost his title match... Even before I won, we decided not to do it." - Naito (0:56-1:05)

"I have no desire to impose my will on the rest of the team." - Naito (3:03)

"The thing about this unit is that each of us is especially hungry. If even one of us were to take it easy, that would lower the value of the team." - Hiromu (3:35)

BUSHI is Team Mom (SANADA responds well to BUSHI because they have a shared history before LIJ; they trained at AJPW roughly around the same time.)

EVIL does not respond when BUSHI says, "We're like family." In fact, EVIL does not speak at all in these videos.

This might be something tumblr user @taichi-niiyan and I might be reading too much into, but it feels noteworthy to mention the group's visual aesthetic in these videos. EVIL and SANADA are seated at both ends, with EVIL in a pure black ensemble and SANADA in white. Both would leave LIJ in the future, but their methods would be at opposing ends. Also, SANADA's white suit catches the viewer's attention, quickly demarking that he is the only member without a title.

In June 2020, Japan lifted a few COVID restrictions, and NJPW resumed its New Japan Cup. In this interlude during the lockdown, NJPW releases a curious interview where Naito shows his priorities among his members, choosing Hiromu and EVIL to make it to the finals in the 2020 Cup. Infamously, Naito muses aloud,

"Is EVIL fourth at bat, or is he the fourth of four heavyweights? SANADA doesn’t have a title, and EVIL is NEVER Openweight 6-Man Champion, but he [EVIL] seems to be further behind in a way."

He also compares SANADA's performance and how his lack of a belt doesn't seem to faze the Cold Skull. How Naito operates is why he didn't choose SANADA in his final bracket. The people who "want it more" will always appear on Naito's radar. He walks his critiques back a little, saying that he says these things to motivate the group, but as I mentioned before, Naito enjoys mind games a little too much to notice that not everyone finds his "encouragement" inspiring.

SANADA even quips about it in a 2018 NJPW interview:

NJPW: — Last September [2017], as Naito was heading into a match with Tomohiro Ishii, he taunted Ishii by saying he needed to speak his mind, to speak up. There’s an extent to which that was directed at you, perhaps, as advice, or that he was being cognisant of you.

SANADA: Ah, yes. Naito is very ‘kind’ with his advice in so many ways, isn’t he..

— Do you feel that Naito is aware of you, that he does keep you in mind?

SANADA: Yes,  but only in so much that he feels he has the energy left over for it. He has his antenna going all the time. He isn’t entirely wrapped up in himself, but he has an awareness of everything going on around him. That I’m worthy of coming up on his radar, I guess that’s ‘kindness’ on his part.

LIJ's competitive environment centered on personal success and self-started motivation, plus Naito's provocative comments, open to an electrifying NJ Cup where Hiromu, Shingo, EVIL, and SANADA, duke it out, among others on the roster, to challenge the double champ, Naito.

SANADA faces off against Ryusuke Taguchi, SHO, and, lastly, Taichi in the quarter-finals to make his way to the semi-finals of the NJ Cup. Funnily enough, Cold Skull doesn't provide any backstage NJ Cup commentary until the Taichi match, to which SANADA says:

[ID: A video from July 2, 2020's New Japan Cup between SANADA and Taichi. SANADA remarks on the mic, "I confirmed something while competing in this New Japan Cup. I love fighting in this ring more than anything else in life." End ID.]

A fun fact SANADA brings up in his July 10, 2020, kayfabe diary entry is that his battle with Taichi contained all previous AJPW personnel in his opponent (Taichi), ring announcer (Makoto Abe), referee (Red Shoes Unno), and guest commentary (Yoshinobu Kanemaru).

Now making it to the semi-finals of the New Japan Cup, SANADA must face his LIJ stablemate and tag team partner of over 3 years, EVIL. He ensures he means friendly competition, offering a handshake to EVIL at the start of the match, to which the big bruiser accepts ― to create an opening for a quick finish. SANADA and EVIL break off to create space, and SANADA's expression says it all: something is off.

Throughout the match, SANADA gives EVIL multiple sportsmanlike chances, even holding the rope open for EVIL to return to the ring when the King of Darkness goes outside to disrupt the pace. Still, each goodwill from SANADA is thwarted, and the match ends with a cheap shot from EVIL to crush SANADA's chances of winning the New Japan Cup (as well as his balls).

Eventually, EVIL would triumph as the victor of the New Japan Cup, defeating Okada with help from Bullet Club interference. While giving his victory speech, EVIL calls out Naito. And the rest is history.

Bereft by the betrayal, Hiromu clashes with EVIL, failing to regain the belts EVIL has cheated from Naito at Sengoku Lord (July 25, 2020). At this time, SANADA has been processing the betrayal, making no comments backstage about losing his long-term tag team partner. However, it's not to say his emotions aren't brewing underneath it all.

Later on, he briefly reflects on his tag team with EVIL:

そして、新日本に来てからのパートナーはEVILでした。EVILとは未完成がフィットした時の快感が凄く良く、タッグならではの味が出て、パートナーがいないと強くもカッコ良くもならいような感覚、2人が組む事に意味があるパートナーでした。 "Ever since coming to New Japan, my partner was EVIL. It felt fulfilling when our partnership began to fall into place, our tag team flavor was unique, and there was a sense that we couldn't become strong or cool without each other. It was meaningful for us to work together." (Mar. 5, 2021)

SANADA acknowledges that during his tag run with EVIL, there was no way for them to shine independently, for they lacked that extra something, though he doesn't know what. In EVIL's perspective, he had to drastically betray LIJ to finally overcome that hurdle. Throughout the summer, SANADA and his teammates fend off EVIL and his cronies and succeed. Naito wins back his titles at Jingu Stadium.

SANADA's next big moment is the G1 Climax 30, where he faces a block where he'll have to go head-to-head with Naito. But things aren't looking so good. He's on a losing streak, with Yano, Goto, and YOSHI-HASHI besting him. Naito, on the other hand, has been breezing by with his wins, and he remarks on his upcoming match with SANADA in Nagaoka:

[ID: A video from Naito's backstge comments from Night 6 (September 29, 2020) of the G1 Climax 30. End ID.]

"SANADA doesn't seem ready for that kind of underdog story, yet." - (6:25)

"...That frustration [from losing] will serve him well in the future." - (6:43)

October 1, 2020, Naito vs SANADA. If SANADA loses here, he's basically out of the G1 Climax Tournament. After a grueling fight, miraculously, SANADA wins this one, setting his and Naito's singles record to 1-1. After the Naito upset, SANADA is on fire, beating ZSJ, KENTA, Juice Robinson, and even toppling the Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi.

After the Ace, what remains is EVIL. On Oct. 17, 2020, almost 3 months after his loss to his former tag partner in the New Japan Cup, they have a head-to-head in a singles match. As per EVIL's new modus operandi, there's a lot of interference on behalf of Dick Togo, but what makes this match stand out is that Hiromu leaves the commentary booth to help SANADA during EVIL and Dick Togo's illegal 2-on-1 attack, a rare feat for modern-day LIJ. His stablemate's much-needed aid pushes SANADA into victory to move onto the finals and face the Block A winner ― Kota Ibushi.

And at the Tokyo Ryoguku Kokugikan, Kota Ibushi makes history, becoming the first wrestler to go to the finals 3 times straight and becomes a back-to-back champion, in the same vein as legends Masahiro Chono and Hiroyoshi Tenzan.

In the closing remarks, Kota fields a question from a reporter asking about what it was like to face SANADA in the longest G1 final ever. Kota, without hesitation, says his sentiments have stayed the same.

"SANADA should be on this side. I was reminded of that today."

And after his match on the card, Naito says it one more time backstage, almost pleased that EVIL hasn't given up on exacting revenge on Naito and LIJ, and directs his message to the world:

"It's good to speak up, or else no one will ever hear you."

But SANADA remains silent.

Da Capo;

SANADA returns to tag team action after his failed attempts at breaking out on his own. Tagging with Naito, he neutralizes EVIL and Dick Togo on the road to Power Struggle and then joins World Tag League again with Shingo Takagi for the first time.

Although they don't win the Tag League, Shingo fosters a good relationship with SANADA. He declares that they "exist between the calm and the fury." He also gives SANADA credit for his achievements in previous World Tag Leagues.

[ID: A video from November 19, 2020 depicting Shingo Takagi and SANADA. Shingo encourages SANADA to speak to the crowd. End ID.]

Unlike the other members of LIJ, Shingo is very social and seeks company, which initially confuses the Cold Skull. He's more used to LIJ, mainly Naito and Hiromu, commanding control and attention. However, with Shingo's insistence, SANADA plays along, speaking on the mic. However, backstage, SANADA has a silent moment with the camera and moves on.

[ID: A video from December 4, 2020 depicting Shingo Takagi and SANADA. Shingo offers SANADA the mic. End ID.]

I believe Shingo was a positive influence on SANADA. He helped crack SANADA's shell, encouraging him to be more emotive. Behind SANADA's calm exterior is someone who wishes to connect with others, with an all-too-human desire to feel "seen" and liked. (His asking, "Do you like SANADA?" is a crucial motif.) In a diary entry, SANADA writes how he respects Shingo:

TKGは本当になんでも出来て頼れるパートナーで、パワー、スピード、カッコイイ全部揃ってるところが魅力的なパートナーです。 "TKG is a reliable tag partner who can do anything. He's got power, speed, and coolness all-in-one." (Mar. 5, 2021, diary entry)

However, while these interactions with the crowd are cute, I cannot help but feel that SANADA loses his agency.

I likened Shingo to an Uncle because that's what it feels like in hindsight; SANADA is put in a spot by his senior teammate, much like a child whose uncle wants him to entertain. Shingo's solution to SANADA's disaffection is to hype him up and get SANADA to emulate his fiery spirit for the crowd. But from where it stands, his inclusivity efforts fail to reach SANADA ultimately. You get the sense that SANADA feels uncomfortable in his own skin when he passes backstage.

A quick aside, during the WTL, Hiromu enters the Best of the Super Juniors and wins against El Desperado in the finale (which you should watch since it is an amazing match).

[ID: A video from the backstage of the Best of the Super Juniors finals. The winner, Hiromu, sits alone with a ZIMA in his hands. End ID.]

He asks, "Doesn't everyone from Los Ingobernables de Japón want to celebrate my victory [with me]?" He jokes that they're probably going to "watch and laugh" and moves on. This may be controversial to popular belief, but to me, LIJ is a family... but a dysfunctional one. Naito's non-leadership outlook and pick-and-choose involvement with his parejas negatively affect LIJ.

It's not that they don't care about or have never protected each other, but they don't go out of their way to be present for each other's victories (except for Naito's roll call) or struggles. They don't expect that support from each other, as it's not considered fighting one's own battles to lean on someone during times of strife.

Compare that with the camaraderie in United Empire, Suzuki-gun, and as scattered as they are, CHAOS even shows up for Okada in his victory press conferences. LIJ, in contrast, majorly commemorate their grand feats alone. If other factions are continents, LIJ is an archipelago. The members may group together when their goals align, but at their crux, they are insular, focused only on their faculties and goals.

Therefore, it's no stretch to see where EVIL came from when he said LIJ was "rotten." He didn't know how to articulate his loneliness or disappointment in being so close to his hero, Naito, yet feeling like they were on different teams altogether. That's why SANADA didn't have the explosive outcry Hiromu did right after EVIL's betrayal.

Hiromu, who's always been doted on by Naito and BUSHI, doesn't understand that his experience in LIJ isn't universal. SANADA, on the other hand, lowkey understood how LIJ dispirited EVIL. (For more on the events leading to EVIL's betrayal, I recommend you watch this excellent video essay.)

However, EVIL has become twisted with his vindictive revenge, and on the last day of the World Tag League, he unleashes SANADA's repressed anger through his cheap, violent tactics. Even Shingo cannot rein in SANADA. The two fight it out on the ramp, and SANADA drags EVIL backstage.

[ID: A gifset featuring the December 11, 2020 tag match between Shingo and SANADA vs. EVIL and Yujiro. Image 1: Dick Togo chokes out SANADA from behind with a garrote wire. EVIL taunts SANADA, curling a finger and slapping his face. Image 2: SANADA strikes a prone EVIL, pushing off a Young Lion trying to stop him. Image 3: Shingo approaches SANADA, trying to calm him down. Image 4: SANADA shoves past Shingo to jump the ropes to go after EVIL on the ramp. End ID.]

In the following video, it's clear that EVIL is in over his head and panicking, and SANADA has lost his patience.

[ID: A video showing EVIL, Dick Togo, and SANADA backstage. Although EVIL makes vague threats to SANADA, he escapes up the stairs with a chair. SANADA silently stalks off. End ID.]

On the Road to Wrestle Kingdom 15, the two go after each other, and although the first night is in EVIL's favor, and the King of Darkness revels in his easy win, yelling at SANADA to "get mad," he is not ready for the war about to take place between them.

The normally cool-headed Cold Skull finally lets go of the nostalgia of his old tag team partner, the closest member of LIJ who he had known for the past 4 years. He comes up to EVIL intending to hurt him, carrying that "killer edge" that the English commentary says SANADA has been missing to propel his intensity. However, it's worth noting SANADA doesn't find the cheer in victory (like Naito and Hiromu) but appears deeply unsatisfied in enacting such violence, as seen in these gifs:

[ID: A gifset featuring the December 22, 2020 tag match between SANADA, Naito, and Hiromu vs. EVIL, Dick Togo, and Yujiro. Image 1: SANADA keeps EVIL in his sleeper hold, Skull End, even after the bell has rung. Young Lions come to try to free EVIL, but SANADA holds on. Naito shoves off the Young Lions, encouraging SANADA to keep holding on. Image 2: SANADA releases EVIL and looks over at his ex-teammate with a serious expression. Image 3: SANADA stands in the ring, hands at his sides, frowning. Image 4: Naito and Hiromu swing their arms up and down in their victory. SANADA keeps to himself, watching as ring staff help EVIL out. End ID.]

When their feud culminates at Wrestle Kingdom 15, SANADA comes to terms with his relationship with EVIL. It's done and done. When he defeats EVIL, he moves on with a clean break. He challenges Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Intercontinental belts just as the Golden Star plans his unification process. He wants to test himself against the best to see how he matches up to the Golden Star.

どっちが強いのか、 どっちがカッコイイのか、 どっちが凄いのか、 チャンピオン、勝負しましょう。 "Which one is stronger? Which one is cooler? Which one is more awesome? Champion, let's fight." (Jan. 8, 2021 diary entry)

In the days leading up to the New Beginning in Hiroshima, Kota, while down to fight SANADA, also wonders about the reason why SANADA has chosen to challenge for the belts. In an interview posing the same question, SANADA replies,

"I want to be where the lights shine the brightest... To me, what shines the brightest is the IWGP Heavyweight Championship."

In the same interview, SANADA finally addresses Kota's invitation to join Hontai but turns him down. He doesn't believe in leaving LIJ without getting results; he doesn't want to regress to the past of Seiya Sanada. He's happy where he is now, he says.

However, he agrees that there's a lot "unfulfilled" with his career. It's becoming clear that the idea of leaving LIJ has been on his mind. However, he says he can't go "half-assed." Although SANADA's words sound like they're full of conviction, in actuality, they're hollow; it's an excuse to the painful core of why SANADA chases for the title.

[ID: SANADA interviewed by New Japan. He says, "Also becoming champion will end any doubt about SANADA." Of note: he lowers his gaze away from the camera. End ID.]

It's to quell his anxiety. SANADA secretly wonders if being "just a member" of LIJ is the height of all he can achieve with New Japan. That LIJ is his ceiling. His safe route.

[ID: Kota Ibushi interviewed by New Japan. He says, "However, I'm not sure about SANADA's ambitions towards becoming champion." End ID.]

And Kota picks up on something amiss immediately. He suspects SANADA's ambitions of becoming champion aren't "true." In a way, SANADA fulfills his own words. His chase for the title is half-assed, just like how he had challenged for Zack's RevPro British Heavyweight title a year before.

February 11, 2021, at the New Beginning in Hiroshima, SANADA suffers another loss to Kota Ibushi. And as SANADA goes backstage, fading into the shadows, none other than Tetsuya Naito saunters up to the victorious Ibushi, in the full spotlight, standing up to the God of Wrestling as the next challenger.

In his backstage interview, Kota remarks on SANADA for the final time.

"I think he's still unsure of where he's supposed to be. Even though he said he has to make his mark before he moves on, I don't think that's right. He should keep moving forward... But this is the last time I'll tell him that."

And SANADA remains silent.

END PART ONE.

To be covered In the next installment: "Sana-yan", "Ni-yan", Instagram thirst traps but not really, masks, ennui, and hope.

[erikalentz]

Half Moon Datas #9

Some various trivia.

About Dawn:

- She’s a good guitarist, both classic and electric. She has a pretty and clear singing voice too. She doesn’t mind people hearing her playing guitar, but she mostly sings when she’s alone (although her Pokemon can hear her in their Pokeballs).

- While her skills as a trainer are definitively real and the Elite Four genuinely respect and care for her, Dawn isn’t happy with being a Champion. When the Sinnoh League announced its new top trainer, people inevitably compared her to Cynthia: many said she’s too young to be a Champion, others were confused about a teenager being one (despite Iris’ case in Unova, an even younger girl than her) and some others goes as far as to say the only true Champion of Sinnoh is Cynthia and no one else. Dawn quickly became disillusioned and jaded about her new title, to the point that she hides her trophy certifying her place in the League’s Pantheon in her closet, on a corner of the furniture. She did manage to get fans defending her and trainers saying she’s a great Champion (even if they lost against her), but she’s convinced she’s just a fake top trainer, an impostor. That’s why she doesn’t bother to go to national Champion Competitions in the world: what people want to see in those events is “the Champion of Sinnoh Cynthia”, not her.

- Unlike her mother Johanna, Dawn isn’t really interested in Pokemon Contests. She did like fashion and creating her own outfits, but she doesn’t plan to do a career in contests. She’s even more convinced of it after recovering from her breakdown, claiming that a girl like her won’t be able to keep a smile on her face and acting bubbly and cute all competition. She even says she’d rather do Pokemon battles in the League even if she isn’t feeling anything in it rather that pretending to be happy and forcing herself to smile in front of people when she clearly doesn’t want to.

About the Unova Dragons’ absence in the present-time:

- Since only Drayden and Elesa know about her plan of bringing back the last victims of the series of mysterious disappearances home, Althea regularly call them to tell them how it’s going. She knew she couldn’t hide Emmet’s absence for long with convincing lies, so she had to reveal the circumstances of Ingo’s disappearance to them and that the Unova Dragons were sent in Hisui to stop any potential danger before they all come back. Of course, the two gym leaders were shocked to learn this, but given Althea’s genuine desire to help others and the length she go through for it, they decided to trust her for this mission.

- Emmet is in Hisui, so his absence has to be covered. Althea has a Zoroark, so she asked him to shapeshift into the Subway Master and act like him in the Battle Subway, something the Pokemon manage to do without much problems (though he can call his trainer for advice if necessary). Drayden and Elesa - aware of this plan by the detective - also help keeping the illusion.

[a-land-lacking-sleep]

Electric Trains are the Future Timeline

Since I plan for Electric Trains are the Future to cover multiple time periods with small time skips throughout, as well as small one-shots/smaller stories connected to it, I wanted to put a timeline together for it that I will update as the story goes on and more stories are added. Note: There are two time periods in this fic, but they are both tracked here.

Hisuian Era

October 28th, 1868 - Ingo appears in the Alabaster Icelands of Hisui, and becomes a rumored spirit.

November 7th, 1868 - Gaeric sees Ingo atop Avalugg’s Legacy.

November 9th, 1868 - Lady Sneasler arrives at the Pearl Settlement with a bloodied Ingo. Ingo receives medical attention, and after seeing that he is without memories or a home, he is welcomed into the Pearl Clan.

September 30th, 1869 - The Galaxy Expedition Team lands in Prelude Beach, and sets up a base camp in a natural valley. After a few weeks of discussion with Irida and Adaman, Galaxy Commander Denboku Kamado is allowed to settle his people permanently in what becomes Jubilife Village, and given leave to bring more settlers, as long as sovereign lands and treaties with the Clans are respected.

December 19th, 1869 - Shiki, the Warden of Lady Sneasler, passes away at age 87. After a week of mourning, Sneasler chooses Ingo, who Shiki had been helping get used to Clan life, as her new Warden. He is official indicted as Warden on December 29th.

January 13th, 1871 - The Space-Time Rift tears itself open above Mt. Coronet, sending both the Clans and Jubilife into a panic.

September 18th, 1871 - Hikari falls from the sky and takes the name Akari as she joins the Galaxy Expedition Team. The next night, after she is accepted into the Team, Lord Kleavor is sent into a Frenzy.

September 18th, 1871 to January 30th, 1871 - The events of Pokemon Legends Arceus take place. Akari, 15, frees the Nobles of their Frenzy, is banished  for a short time, and defeats Volo at the Spear Pillar.

March 18th, 1872 - Akari accidentally summons Elesa into Hisui, and Electric Trains are the Future begins. Akari spends the night talking with Giratina to plan how to fix her mistake, and Elesa and Ingo talk about their shared history.

March 19th, 1872 - Elesa begins work at Edith’s Hair Salon and with the Galaxy Security Corp. Later that day, Warden Ingo collapses due to the strain of his memories returning.

June 24th, 1872 - Warden Ingo’s coat is restored by Elesa.

July 2nd, 1872 - Akari completes the Hisuian Pokedex, evolving her last Pokemon and turning it in to Laventon. That night, she gets a text on her Arc Phone, summoning her to the Temple, and a new page adds itself to the Pokedex.

July 5th, 1872 - While investigating potential locations for a new Galaxy-funded Village, Warden Ingo falls from a cliff face. 

July 6th, 1872 - Warden Ingo is in critical but non-life threatening condition.

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Modern Sinnoan/Unovan Era

August 18th, 2010 - Ingo and Emmet Grayn, 23, form the Battle Subway in Nimbasa City with the support of Champion Alder and League Official Palmer Walton. Ingo has been Head of the Unovan Transportation Authority for 4 months.

June 2012 to November 2012 - The events of Pokémon Black take place. Hilbert Blackmore, 14, bonds with Reshiram, the Dragon of Truth, and defeats N, the King of Team Plasma and trainer bonded to Zekrom, the Dragon of Ideals. Though inducted into the Hall of Fame, Hilbert refuses the position of Champion and leaves Unova to search for N.

October 17th, 2013 - Alder Begay, 56, steps down as the Unova League Champion after holding the position for 16 years. Iris Grayn, 14, the co-Gym Leader of Opelucid Gym, is appointed to the position of Champion due to her previous win against the League Champion in an exhibition match. Drayden Grayn, 65, returns to being the full-time Gym Leader.

April 2014 to September 2014 - The story of Pokémon Black 2 takes place. Nate Rivers, 13, defeats a renewed Team Plasma, and completes his Gym Challenge. He faces against Champion Iris, but is unsuccessful, and begins working in earnest at Pokéstar Studios.

December 23rd, 2016 - Palmer Walton moves to Sinnoh to establish the Battle Tower, as well as to take care of his ailing mother. His family moves with him.

June 8th, 2017 - Elesa Stark, 31, and Skyla Cirrus, 29, are married in a private ceremony in Lentimas with friends and family.

December 25th, 2017 - In a Delibird Day Miracle, Hilbert Blackmore, 19, returns to Unova after interning at the Indigo League with Kukui Mahi’ai, 21. A few weeks after his return, Hilbet challenges the League once more, defeating Iris Grayn, now 18, and taking the spot as Champion. Iris takes control of Opelucid Gym, while Drayden, now 69, retires to administrative work.

February 18th, 2018 - Palmer expands the Battle Tower into a Battle Frontier.

November 28th, 2018 - During a check on Pokémon in the tunnels, Ingo Grayn, 32, disappears and remains missing. Multiple regional Leagues look into the disappearance, but no major leads are found.

January 2019 to July 2019 - The events of a Pokémon Platinum Remake occur. Hikari Mifune, alongside Lucas Kubo and Barry Walton, all age 12, take down Team Galactic in the Sinnoh region. Hikari and Barry both finish their Gym Challenge, and while Barry is unable to defeat Lucian Hale, Hikari defeats the Champion, Cynthia Kurosawa. Note: This event is used by both Interpol and the Aether Foundation to help ascertain when they are dealing with Fallers or Travelers from other realities, as almost every other reality had these events happen in 2007.

September 13th, 2019 - Hilda Whitman, 21, is instated as the new Subway Boss full-time, moving from the Afternoon Singles line to running Singles and Super Singles on all operating days. She battles alongside Emmet on the Multi Lines in addition to her Single Lines duties. Rosa Whitaker, 19, is hired as a Depot Agent for the Double Line.

April 14th to June 3rd, 2020 - Team Plasma resurges, attempting to attack the Subway and Pokemon League before they were quickly quashed by N Gropius, Hilbert Blackmore, and Rosa Whitaker. 

September 21st, 2020 - Grimsley Winstar, 38, resigns from the Unovan Elite Four due to a medicial emergency. After a short search, N Gropius, 28, is hired on to replace him, taking over both the spot and the typing.

February 19th, 2021 - Elesa Stark, 35, and Emmet Grayn, 34, are married in a small ceremony in Anville Town, with only family and close friends in attendence.

September 18th, 2021 - Hikari Mifune, 15, disappears from her room. There are no signs of entry or exit, and her Pokemon were still in the house. Investigations are ongoing.

March 18th, 2022 - Elesa Stark, 36, disappears from the runway of her Gym during a photoshoot. Investigations are ongoing.

May 31st, 2022 - Emmet meets with Professor Burnet Mahi’ai, 27, of Alola to discuss what may have happened to Elesa. Volo, age unknown takes the chance to visit the Ruins of Life with Professor Kukui Mahi’ai.

June 18th, 2022 - Emmet returns to Nimbasa City briefly with Volo and Alolan Champion Elio Nozawa, 12, to check in on the Transport Authority and investigate Ingo’s disappearance.

July 5th, 2022 - Emmet collapses in the Eterna Forest, and is taken to Galactic Urgent Care in Eterna City. He is discharged within hours, but is unconscious through the ordeal.

July 6th, 2022 - Emmet meets with former Sinnoh Champion Cynthia Kurosawa, and makes a plan to find their missing families.