THE SUNYSHORE SCUTTLEBUTT

In a pattern we've seen play out 5 times before, teams across the globe are rushing to make their applications to join the next season of the most popular inter-regional league in the professional battling world, the Citrus League. For many teams, the Citrus League's open recruitment is their chance for greatness, a spot on the global stage and all the fame and fortune that comes along with it. Even just a single appearance in the league can make a huge difference for a team's reputation, as we're sure our Sunyshore readers know. With all the hubbub about getting a chance to play in the Citrus League, it looks like most Alolan hopefuls may not get their chance next season.

With Alola being a relatively small region, the Citrus League only has a single office within the area, which has unfortunately allowed for very underhanded tactics by a certain group of rambunctious rogues that the locals are calling "Team Skull". This collective of teens and young adults has completely shut down the operations of the Citrus League's Alolan branch office until their demands are met. The determination and coordination of this Team Skull is quite impressive, with representatives from other teams not able to get a single word in edgewise to the staff. The sit-in has been under operation for at least three days, by local testimony, with squads of Team Skull members rotating out on the regular to allow for breaks and rest.

We approached one member of this Team Skull for comment, and he simply responded "'Ey, yo, we're not taking questions. If you're not with the League, it's none of your business, yo." after showing our journalist's badge, he relented; "We're here to get the Po Town Punks in the league, yo. We're goin' straight to the top, just like the bossman said. We're not stoppin' 'til we get that team license, heck maybe we'll push for the hosting rights, too! Put in a good word for us, yeah? Hey, who do you work for?"

We left the Team Skull representative to his business, and asked a non-affiliated bystander for comment. "I've been trying to talk to someone for hours, but these dang kids are jamming up the whole system! It's ridiculous, I tell you! The Panolia Ranch Tauros Riders have come a long way to be here, and we deserve this league spot! But if they don't get out of the way, the committee isn't even going to know we exist! Is there anything you can do, please!?" We assured the Tauros Riders manager we were doing all we could as journalists, which seemed to agitate him more. "Journalists!? I thought they were bringing in security! These meddling kids are going to ruin our career!" We kindly and quickly disengaged the ornery fellow to prevent escalation.

It remains up in the air how the Citrus League higher-ups will handle this situation, but it seems like at the pace it's going, we may be seeing the Po Town Punks appearing in the next season of the Citrus League. We at the Sunyshore Scuttlebutt offer our condolances to any teams which have been blocked from application by this act of protest, and hope for a swift resolution from the Citrus League council!