The scandal had shattered Flashback's world, a whirlwind of accusations and destructive media frenzy. In the eye of the storm, a mistranslation by popular and influential VLR user ButterflyEffect23 had transformed a cheating scandal into a far more heinous crime in the eyes of the American audience. Flashback had lost sponsors, fans, and the trust of many, all because of a single mistake. Despite the eventual clarification, the damage was done.
Months passed, and the gaming world moved on, but the wound between Flashback and ButterflyEffect23 remained open. However, fate intervened when Valorant Champions 2024 saw ButterflyEffect23 travel to Seoul to witness the tournament's final games. DRX had just lost the upper finals in dominating fashion to their Korean rivals, GEN.G. Flashback's 20 ACS stood out, as VLR users once again criticized the player, bringing about the old allegations once more that even when proved false, still remained in the heads of VLR baiters.
When ButterflyEffect23 went to the post-match fan meeting, a tense initial meeting occurred, where ButterflyEffect23's heartfelt apologies seemed to bounce off Flashback's cold exterior. However, as DRX fans swarmed to Flashback, ready to exact vengeance for the day's performance, ButterflyEffect23 secretly whisked Flashback away to his motel, not looking back until they arrived in his room. ButterflyEffect23 turned, only to see the blushing face of Flashback. And in a twist of sadness and fate, they collided in a euphoria of love--and it was in fact, ButterflyEffect23 that did not utilize protection that night.
In the following days, spurred on only by the thought of his one true love, Flashback dominated his lobbies, dropping over 120 kills in each final, the latter of which he lost in a close 2-3 nailbiter against GEN.G, the final map only being lost because t0rmi put MaKo on Breach. However, as Flashback tussled with his lover in the old, love-filled motel room, Flashback knew that he had won something so much more important.