Feng Che stepped out of the Earth Shrine.
The surrounding Fire Stones had been completely depleted, their fiery red luster replaced by a dull, chalky white.
"My goals at Mt. Chimney have been achieved," he noted. "The fire energy in the shrine is nearly gone. When the time comes for Vulpix to evolve, I'll likely have to head to Mt. Silver to find Ho-Oh's shrine. For now, I need to make a trip to the Meteorite Caverns to evolve Corvisquire into Corviknight."
"First, I'll bolster Corvisquire's Flying-type origin, then I'll use various rare ores to nourish its growth. Breeding a Corviknight is truly a bottomless pit; many of the high-quality ores required are worth a fortune on the open market."
With a thought, Feng Che used Teleport and vanished from Mt. Chimney.
Rustboro City: Devon Corporation, President's Office
Steven Stone and Mr. Stone sat facing each other.
"We were completely played by Goodshow at the Embedded Tower," Mr. Stone said with a bitter laugh. "The plan was simple: capture Shiori and use her as leverage to get the Draconids to open the mines. But that traitor Goodshow changed the script mid-act—he wanted her solely to blackmail Rayquaza."
"And now look at the mess. Shiori is missing, Rayquaza has fled, and the Draconids' fury is aimed squarely at Devon and Greater Mauville. Mauville is already pressuring us to strike first and seize the mining sites by force."
"The Draconids hate us now," Steven noted grimly. "An armed conflict would cost us countless men. I believe we should wait and watch. Force is never the best way to open a door. If we can reach a peaceful understanding and obtain mining rights through negotiation, it would be far better. What's the word from Greater Mauville?"
"They're taking a hard line," Mr. Stone sighed. "They think the Draconids are no threat and plan to hire Team Magma and Team Aqua as vanguards for a purge. They don't understand the danger. The Draconids are a branch of the Dragon Clan; if they are wiped out, the clans from other regions will use it as an excuse to declare war on us. The losses would be catastrophic."
"Peace is the priority, even if we have to concede a portion of the profits," Steven said. "But that Meteoritic Iron is vital for our defense against future disasters in Hoenn."
Just then, the secretary, Ogawa, knocked and entered. "President, young Master Steven, there is someone at the gates claiming to be a representative of the Draconids. They wish to see you."
"The moment has arrived," Mr. Stone said. "I will give them an explanation. Send them up."
"And remember," Mr. Stone cautioned Steven, "we must remain composed. Do not do anything to further provoke them, or we'll just be giving Greater Mauville a show to laugh at."
A moment later, a figure draped in a cloak and wearing a fox mask entered the conference room.
"Greetings, representative," Mr. Stone began apologetically. "Regarding what happened at the tower... it was a misunderstanding. We deeply regret the incident involving your High Priestess, and we are prepared to make full amends for our error."
It's exactly as Feng Che predicted, Shiori thought, feeling a surge of confidence. Devon doesn't want war. They were only driven into a corner because we refused to negotiate on the iron.
"Mr. Stone, the High Priestess isn't dead yet, so please stop talking like I'm already in a grave," Shiori said as she slowly removed the mask, revealing her elegant features.
"Shiori! How can you be here? Your injuries were reported as fatal!" Mr. Stone's eyes went wide, looking as if he'd seen a ghost.
"I was saved by a master pharmacist," she explained succinctly. "I've come to Devon because I require an explanation." Her sharp gaze locked onto Mr. Stone.
"It was my mistake for trusting Goodshow," Mr. Stone explained with a weary sigh. "He convinced me that capturing you was the only way to save the region's economy through the iron. We never intended for you to be harmed, nor did we seek to cage the Sky Lord. That was entirely Goodshow's doing. Devon had no part in it."
"Be that as it may, I nearly lost my life, and Devon's hands are far from clean," Shiori said coldly. "Unless you provide adequate compensation, the Draconids will declare war on the Stone family. And you know our kin—the Dragon Clans of the world—will seek vengeance for us even if we fall."
"Understood," Mr. Stone replied quickly, a glimmer of relief in his eyes. "We were misled, and we are prepared to make things right."
He was secretly thrilled. If he could settle the clan's anger with material compensation and eventually secure mining rights through a peaceful treaty, it would be a triumph.
After a long session of intense negotiation, Shiori and Devon Corporation reached a landmark agreement.
Land Grant: The Stone family would cede a large area of land near a major town to the Draconids for the establishment of a modern settlement. Devon would provide unconditional funding and resources for its construction.
Infrastructure: Devon would provide full access to modern education and medical care for the entire Draconid population.
Supplies: Devon would provide necessary humanitarian aid and resources as the clan transitioned.
Seeing Mr. Stone's significant concessions, Shiori felt her resentment begin to fade. Feng Che was right, she thought. There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.
"Since Devon has shown such sincerity," Shiori said, getting to the heart of the matter, "I am authorized to begin formal negotiations for the joint extraction of Meteoritic Iron and other rare ores."
This caught Mr. Stone off guard with joy. He hadn't expected them to agree to mining so soon. They further agreed:
Devon would provide free technical training for the Draconid miners. In exchange, Devon would have the right of first refusal on all extracted ore.
All transactions would be settled in cash, high-grade gemstones, and resources.
Devon would have no say in the internal governance of the Draconids.
"I hope our people will be friends forever," Shiori added as the meeting concluded. "When Devon faces hardship, the Draconids will stand with you."
"Of course," Mr. Stone beamed. "We shall sign a treaty of mutual assistance."
Shiori replaced her mask, summoned her Salamence, and took flight toward Meteor Falls.
"I wonder what changed those old-fashioned elders' minds so suddenly," Steven mused as he watched her leave. "Father, what do you make of this?"
"I don't know what sparked the shift, but it's a miracle," Mr. Stone replied thoughtfully. "At the very least, they've extended an olive branch. I feel as though a great weight has been lifted."
Shiori flew back to the Meteorite Caverns. As she approached the entrance, she spotted a familiar figure. Feng Che was standing at the threshold of the caves, gazing at the thundering waterfall.
The rapid torrent fell from a height of over a hundred meters like ten thousand silver arrows, crashing against the boulders below and creating a dense white mist. Feng Che could hear the low roars of Gyarados from beneath the surface—the waterfall was the first line of defense for the Draconids.
Suddenly, a massive shadow blocked the light above him.
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