"I was blindsided this time by a coalition of several Hoenn factions," Shiori said, a sudden, powerful aura erupting from her. "It seems they've finally decided to make their move against Meteor Falls."
"It's because of the rare minerals in the Meteorite Caverns, isn't it?" Feng Che interjected calmly.
"The caverns are rich in Meteoritic Iron—an exceptional conductive metal and a primary raw material for precision instruments. In the entire Pokémon world, Meteor Falls is the only significant source of this ore. By occupying it and refusing access, you're standing in the way of a lot of people's fortunes."
Feng Che stared directly at her as he laid out the harsh reality. "It's not just that the Hoenn factions want to wipe you out. The financial conglomerates of the entire world are eye-ing you like vultures."
"But the Meteorite Caverns are the sacred domain of the Lord of the Sky!" Shiori retorted passionately. "How could we ever allow them to desecrate it with mining? Not only would it cause environmental pollution, but it would provoke attacks from the powerful Dragon-types residing there."
"The Lord of the Sky's true domain is the ozone layer," Feng Che countered. "I doubt Rayquaza cares one way or the other if you dig up some rocks. What the Lord cares about is whether the faith of the Draconids remains pure. I think you've fundamentally misunderstood your god's priorities."
He paced the small room, his voice steady. "Furthermore, Meteor Falls is an isolated, impoverished place. You import almost all your resources. What 'environment' are you polluting? As for the Dragon Pokémon attacking—that's the easiest fix of all."
"Promise to convert a portion of the mining profits into high-grade, glittering gemstones for those dragons. I guarantee those Dragon-types will be more enthusiastic about the mining than the humans. You could even set a fixed exchange rate: so much iron for one gem. Those 'ferocious' dragons will be as obedient as house pets."
Shiori looked at Feng Che, stunned into silence.
"You sit upon a mountain of treasure but don't know how to develop it; you have skilled people but don't know how to utilize them," Feng Che continued. "That is why your people, despite being an elite Dragon clan, live such a miserable existence. Times have changed. The world is different now. You must learn to adapt and advance with the era."
"A High Priestess is also a Clan Leader. You require your people to worship Rayquaza, but you must first ensure they can eat. If their stomachs are empty, how can they maintain their faith? How can they feel gratitude toward their Lord?"
"By keeping them in poverty, you aren't protecting your god; you are eroding your people's devotion."
His words struck Shiori like a physical blow. To her ears, these ideas were borderline heretical, yet she found herself utterly unable to refute his logic.
"Rayquaza only cares if your faith is pure. The rest is beneath its notice," Feng Che said, softening his tone slightly. "Shiori, as the High Priestess, you must start looking at things from the perspective of your people's survival. Think comprehensively. Use diplomacy where you can, and save your strength for when the enemy is truly at the gates."
Shiori nodded slowly, a deep frown creasing her brow. Have I been leading us in the wrong direction all this time?
"Think about why those factions are uniting against you," Feng Che added. "It's purely about profit. The Draconids cannot afford to stand alone against the world; that path leads only to isolation and ruin. To ensure your lineage survives, you must learn to screen your neighbors—decide who is worth befriending and who must be kept at arm's length. There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests."
He let out a long breath. "That is all I can tell you. The rest is up to you."
Shiori looked at him with newfound respect. "Your perspective is... unique, Mr. Feng Che. Thank you. Your words have given me much to consider. This concerns the very future of my clan."
"By the way," Feng Che said, changing the subject. "I saw a Salamence attacking the Sky Tower earlier. I assume your kin have come looking for you. You should contact them; it's safer than traveling alone in your condition."
"I see. If I'm not mistaken, that would be Zinnia. I will reach out to her," Shiori agreed. "Thank you again. If you ever find yourself in trouble, bring my token to Meteor Falls. I will do everything in my power to help you."
"Don't mention it. It was a fair trade; you've already given me the reward I sought," Feng Che smiled. "Actually, I do have one more question. I have a Lightning-type Pokémon that needs to absorb the essence of electricity. Do you know of any places with such a source?"
As a leader of an ancient clan, Shiori possessed a wealth of hidden lore. She thought for a moment before answering.
"There is a place... the site where the Regieleki is sealed. Ancient texts suggest that to find it, one must first catch a Relicanth. A map etched into that Pokémon's very being leads to the seal. However, Relicanth are incredibly rare, appearing only in specific deep-sea ruins. They can fetch over a billion League coins on the black market."
"Regieleki..." Feng Che committed the name to memory. "I see. Thank you. I am a Master Breeder and Alchemist; here is my contact information. If you ever need specialized potions or energy blocks, let me know."
He handed her a small slip of paper. Shiori smiled. "I will certainly call upon you, Mr. Feng Che."
En Route to Johto
Zinnia, soaring atop her Salamence, suddenly checked her communicator and beamed.
"Latias, stop for a second! I have word from my sister!"
The Latias—a streamlined, bird-like dragon with red-and-white plumage and high intelligence—slowed its flight. Using its psychic powers, Latias shimmered, refracting light through its glass-like feathers to transform into a small girl with pigtails.
[Latias: What is it, Lady Zinnia? Is Lady Shiori safe?] The dragon's voice echoed softly in Zinnia's mind.
"Yes! She just messaged me. She wants me to pick her up and bring her back to Meteor Falls to stabilize the clan. Let's go, Latias—destination: Goldenrod City!"
The Johto Coast
Koga and Lt. Surge were approaching the region via a stealth mini-sub.
"Koga, you think we have a chance at this?" Surge asked.
"The odds are slim," Koga replied grimly. "The League has surely fortified Goldenrod. Getting in and out won't be easy. We're relying on Feng Che's inside intel now."
Beep. Beep.
Koga checked his device and let out a long sigh of relief. "Change of plans. Feng Che reports that Rayquaza has broken out of the Sky Tower on its own. It dropped a massive meteor on the building for good measure as it left."
A moment later, Surge received a direct order from Giovanni.
"The Boss wants us back at headquarters immediately," Surge reported. "We're deploying for the next phase of the offensive against the League. Rayquaza is gone, and the League's morale must be in the dirt. If we strike now, we'll catch them completely off guard."