Yuan Na answered the phone almost instantly.
"Head of the House."
She was startled that Feng Che was calling so late. The urgency in his voice was unmistakable.
"I have received intelligence that the Temple and the League are conspiring to launch a coordinated attack on both the Garden family and Celestic Town," Feng Che said, his voice level but firm. "Notify Celestic Town through our secure channels immediately. Start a secret shipment of vital medical and combat supplies to them tonight."
"Furthermore, I need a face-to-face meeting with Dr. Carolina, the head of the Celestic Clan. Arrange it for three days from now."
"I... I understand. I will handle it immediately," Yuan Na replied, her eyes wide with worry. "But sir, is it truly happening? A total war with the Temple?"
"Assume the worst and prepare for it. Strengthen our perimeter defenses; we cannot afford to be caught off guard by a sneak attack. I am heading back to Sinnoh now. Don't worry, I have a plan. The Garden family will not fall."
After hanging up, Yuan Na rushed to find Yuan Xiong. The elderly man's expression froze as he listened; he knew the weight of a warning from Feng Che. Throughout the night, the Garden estate became a beehive of activity as crates of supplies were moved through hidden mountain passes.
The Conspiracy of the Pope
While Feng Che was disappearing into the night at Slateport Airport, the atmosphere in the Great Temple of Sinnoh was thick with ambition. The Pope was currently in a private meeting with Boldo, the head of the Sinnoh League.
"The Garden family has crossed a line," Boldo snarled, pacing the hall. "Their 'Merit System' has siphoned our points and drained our treasuries. The public opinion of the Temple and the League is at an all-time low. If this continues, the Garden family will effectively own Sinnoh."
Boldo was under immense pressure. The Global Federation had already sent several inquiries demanding a resolution to the "economic instability" in the region.
"The Garden family is a secondary problem," the Pope said, a cold smirk playing on his wrinkled face. "Market share means nothing if you lack the teeth to defend it. They are healers, not warriors. Even with that Heatran guarding them, they are isolated."
"Our true enemy is Celestic Town. If we erase the Celestic Clan, the Garden family will be nothing more than meat on a cutting board. I have already secured the cooperation of the new Bounty Hunter Guild leader, J. She will blockade the Garden estate."
"But Celestic Town is guarded by powerful Elites," Boldo countered, looking hesitant. "A direct siege will cost us half our standing army."
"Have no fear. I have secured the assistance of Brandon, the head of the Battle Pyramid. He brings the Three Legendary Titans. With Regirock, Registeel, and Regice, the Celestic defenses will crumble. Furthermore, I possess the secret arts of Arceus; I can rain down the Judgment Plates from the heavens."
"Think of it, Boldo. When the dust settles, the Temple will hold the divine right, and the League will hold absolute administrative power. You will have unified Sinnoh. The Global Federation will promote you in a heartbeat. I just hope you remember your friends when you reach the top."
Boldo thought of the Garden family's growing wealth and his own dwindling influence. He nodded. "I have already secured the Bertha clan; they will deploy their ground forces to assist. I will send the Elite Four to intercept any reinforcements from the Garden family."
The Meeting of the Titans
Three days later, Feng Che arrived secretly in Celestic Town. Under the cover of a routine supply delivery, he was ushered into the private study of Dr. Carolina.
"Welcome, Master of the Garden Family," Dr. Carolina said politely. "Or should I say, Leader of the Viridian Gym, Mr. Feng Che?"
Carolina had done her homework. Three days prior, when Yuan Xiong requested this meeting, she had used her own deep-cover channels to verify the young man's identity.
Sitting beside her was Cynthia, dressed in her signature elegant black coat. Her gray eyes were sharp and observant, quietly measuring the young man across the table.
Feng Che, in turn, observed the future Sinnoh Champion. He could feel it—Cynthia had already secretly broken through to the Champion rank, likely bolstered by the flood of high-quality resources Feng Che had been funneling through the Garden family trade.
The Temple thinks they're performing a 'decapitation strike,' Feng Che thought. They have no idea she's already reached the top.
Cynthia was equally surprised. She felt the heavy, unmistakable aura of a Champion radiating from Feng Che. "The hidden head of the Garden family is a Champion-level trainer at such a young age?" she mused. "He's the reason the Garden family has become the most respected clan in Sinnoh. But why is he here? To seek protection?"
"Dr. Carolina," Feng Che began, his voice calm. "Our families are the twin pillars of Sinnoh's history. Today, Celestic Town faces an unprecedented crisis, and the Garden family stands ready to provide our full support."
Dr. Carolina's eyes narrowed in confusion. My reports say the Temple is targeting the Gardens. Why is he so composed, and why is he claiming that we are the ones in danger?
She didn't voice her confusion, merely gesturing for him to continue.