"Feng Che, that Purrloin from earlier has returned to its trainer—a middle-aged man in sunglasses," Mewtwo's voice suddenly echoed in Feng Che's mind. "I overhead him plotting to kidnap Yuan Na. He intends to use her to extort the Green Leaf Orb from the current Head of the Gardenia family."
Kidnap Yuan Na to get the Orb? Feng Che mused. It seems her status in the Gardenia family is far from ordinary.
"By the way, Mr. Feng Che," Yuan Na said playfully, breaking his train of thought. "As the Viridian Gym Leader, you must be incredibly busy. Why the sudden trip to Sinnoh? Are you perhaps attending the Great Pharmacist Convention? I'm a Master Pharmacist myself, and I can smell the scent of rare berries and medicinal herbs all over you."
"Actually, I'm heading to Sinnoh specifically to visit your family," Feng Che replied, releasing his Rowlet. The small owl was, as usual, sound asleep, a tiny bubble of drool expanding and contracting at its beak. "My Rowlet has developed a severe case of narcolepsy that I can't seem to cure. I was hoping the Gardenia family might have a solution."
"What a coincidence! I am indeed a member of the Gardenia clan," Yuan Na said, her eyes lighting up. "Let me take a look. If I can find the cause, you won't even need to make the full trip."
She closed her eyes, and a deep green glow emanated from her palms, enveloping the sleeping Rowlet. After a long moment, the light faded, and she shook her head helplessly.
"I can't find any physical abnormality," she admitted. "Its wood-type origin energy is incredibly dense—comparable to a fully evolved Venusaur—but I can't find the trigger for the sleep. However, I can take you to see our Elder. He is the only Grandmaster Pharmacist in the family. With his vast knowledge, he might find the answer."
"That would be a great help, Yuan Na. Thank you," Feng Che said smoothly. This was exactly what he wanted: a natural way to enter the Gardenia estate without jumping through diplomatic hoops.
Shadows of the Temple
Three days later, Feng Che and Yuan Na arrived in Sinnoh. From Sunyshore City, they boarded a private Gardenia family jet heading toward Floaroma Town.
By now, Feng Che had identified the man in sunglasses. He belonged to the Temple faction. The Temple was currently plotting to seize the five Orbs from the great families to reconstruct the Jewel of Life and perform a ritual to awaken the slumbering Arceus.
I have a bad feeling about the Temple's motives, Feng Che thought. But Sinnoh is the strongest region, guarded by the trio of Time, Space, and Spirit. Even if Arceus wakes up, it shouldn't cause total chaos... hopefully.
Meanwhile, at the Sinnoh Temple: The interior was a display of obscene wealth, with floors of polished lapis lazuli and a massive golden statue of Arceus at its center. The Pope stood beneath the statue, his gaze unfocused.
A priest rushed in and knelt. "Reporting to His Holiness... the operative sent to kidnap Yuan Na has vanished. She has successfully returned to Sinnoh and is currently on a private jet to Floaroma Town. Shall we intercept?"
"Intercept them," the Pope said calmly. "If this fails, suspend the plans regarding the Gardenias for now."
The priest was stunned by the Pope's lack of anger. He hurried out to relay the orders. Shortly after, a man with blue hair and a grey-black uniform stepped from the shadows.
"Cyrus," the Pope said, turning to face him. "Do you believe the plan to capture the Twin Dragons of Time and Space will succeed?"
"The Galactic Bomb is in development," Cyrus said, his eyes burning with fanatical light. "Once we capture the Lake Trio and extract their emotions to forge the Red Chain, the dragons will be ours. With them, and an awakened Arceus, the Temple will unify the Pokémon world."
"Excellent," the Pope replied. "You were my most brilliant High Priest, the one most fit to succeed me. Do you resent me for forcing you to 'betray' the Temple and become the leader of an underground organization?"
"Whatever the Pope commands, I will execute without hesitation, even if it means walking into the abyss," Cyrus declared firmly.
Crisis at 30,000 Feet
On the private jet, Yuan Na had undergone a transformation. She had traded her traveler's clothes for a crisp white shirt and a black business suit, her long hair pinned up. The "girl next door" was gone, replaced by a sharp, dignified noblewoman.
"I apologize for hiding my full identity," she told Feng Che. "I am the daughter of the current Head of the Gardenia family. I went to Kanto to find someone, but I couldn't find a trace of them. Thank you for your help on the road. I'll take you to the Grandmaster immediately."
A maid approached. "Milady, a video call from the Head."
Yuan Na excused herself and went to a private terminal to speak with her father, Yuan Xiong. He was a burly man in his forties with thick eyebrows and a bushy beard.
"Yuan Na... still no word on your Aunt?" Yuan Xiong sighed.
"No, Father," she replied quietly.
"When the internal rebellion happened twenty years ago, the Green Leaf Orb was hidden by the previous Head," Yuan Xiong explained tiredly. "The map was split between your Aunt and me. We were separated in the chaos. I finally stabilized the family ten years ago, but without the Orb, we've fallen to the bottom of the five families. Our only saving grace was the Mythical Shaymin, but its origin energy is depleted. It fell into a deep sleep recently. If we don't find the Orb soon, our proud Flowery Gardens will wither."
Suddenly, a series of violent thuds rocked the plane. The cabin tilted sharply, and Yuan Na nearly lost her footing.
"What's happening?!" she shouted. "Turbulence? Or a wild Pokémon attack?"
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