The Mega Sharpedo before Feng Che was a terrifying sight. Its body was covered in yellow cruciform scars and jagged protrusions. After Mega Evolution, the dorsal fins and snout spikes had transformed into living weapons; even if they were broken or shed, the Miasma allowed them to regenerate instantly.
Mega Sharpedo possesses explosive propulsion, capable of hitting speeds over 200 km/h in a heartbeat. It attacks by firing its spikes at the moment of impact, boring deep into the opponent's flesh.
"The Sea Miasma can actually force a Mega Evolution... incredible," Feng Che muttered. "I wonder if the Land Miasma shares this trait."
From his observations, the Sky Miasma (which controlled the Ho-Oh avatar) could only buff stats, not trigger Mega states. This suggested the Sea and Land variants were more deeply entwined with the Primal energies of Hoenn.
"Mega Sharpedo, Crunch!" Matt roared.
The two sharks opened their cavernous mouths, but instead of biting, they launched a "Sword Rain" of needle-sharp teeth toward Feng Che.
"Hmph. Go, Steelix!"
Feng Che released his colossal Steelix. The behemoth coiled its massive, metallic body in front of its trainer like an impenetrable fortress.
Clang! Ping! Clink!
The barrage of Mega Sharpedo's teeth struck the Steelix's hide, but they failed to leave even a single white scratch on its reinforced plating.
"How is its defense this high?!" Matt and Amber gasped in unison.
Before they could recover, the super-giant Steelix unhinged its massive jaws. It exhaled a Dragon Breath that manifested into a snarling, fifty-meter-long dragon of pure energy. The spectral dragon lunged, engulfing both Mega Sharpedo in a searing blast.
BOOM!
The sharks hit the ground, scorched and smoking, the smell of burnt protein filling the air.
"Dammit... Team Aqua won't forget this!" Realizing they were hopelessly outmatched, Matt and Amber recalled their Pokémon and turned to flee into the darkness.
"Mewtwo, don't let them go. Inject the Psychic Marks now," Feng Che commanded.
Mewtwo nodded, its eyes glowing a cold violet. Matt and Amber suddenly stiffened. Their bodies froze, and a sharp pain lanced through their skulls before their eyes glazed over.
"Feng Che, I've rewritten their memories," Mewtwo reported. "They now believe you are their secret 'Boss.' In their minds, they are deep-cover moles you planted within Team Aqua. Every piece of intel Archie receives will now pass through an encrypted channel to you first."
"Excellent. I now have two high-ranking eyes inside the Sea God's cult."
"Mewtwo, can the Sea Miasma detect these marks?" Feng Che asked.
"Unlikely," Mewtwo said confidently. "The Miasma is currently in an incomplete state—stuck between a Mythical and a true God. I am a fully realized God. My psychic signatures are far beyond its current sensory range."
Shadows on the Mountain
High above on a tombstone, Grandma's Gengar watched the entire exchange. It had seen the colossal Steelix and the golden Zeraora dismantle the Team Aqua elite. It slipped back into the shadows to report.
"A powerful trainer defeated the Aqua agents," Grandma mused after hearing Gengar's report. "He has a golden electrical beast and a Steelix of impossible proportions. Could he be a scion of the Stone family (Steven's clan)?"
"Only the Stones possess Steelix of that caliber," she added, her face grave.
"Perhaps," Grandpa replied, gripping his cane. "Our duty is the Spirit Gate and the Orbs. As long as he doesn't trespass into the inner sanctum, we will leave him be." He looked out at the peaceful moonlight, praying the calm would hold.
News from Sinnoh
Feng Che let Matt and Amber leave and began his trek toward Rustboro City. He wanted to see if Steven had made any progress on the Sky Pillar. Suddenly, his communicator chirped.
It was a video call from Hunter J.
"Master Feng Che," J said, bowing slightly on the screen.
"J, what's the emergency?"
"The Great Temple is mobilizing. They've allied with the Bertha family (Agatha's Sinnoh counterparts) to strike at the Garden family (Feng Che's mother's clan). Your 'Merit System' has caused massive financial losses for the Temple and the League."
"The Temple has already seized the Earth Orb from Bertha's clan, the Ocean Orb from the Pastoria Temple, and the Lightning Orb from the Volkner family. They are trying to gather all the orbs to forcibly release the sealed Arceus."
"The Temple has also hired a high-level mercenary named Brandon (神代)," J continued. "He commands the Three Legendary Titans. My gut tells me their real target isn't just the Gardens, but Celestic Town. They want to cut off your family's supply lines first."
"The Pope is finally making his move," Feng Che murmured. "He wants the remaining Orbs held by my family and the Cynthia clan. J, thank you for this. I'm heading back to Sinnoh as soon as possible."
He ended the call, his mind racing. With a Champion-level Gengar and the God-tier Mewtwo, he was no longer afraid of a direct confrontation.
"Brandon and his Regis are no threat to the Dragon Titan and Shaymin," Feng Che thought. "But the Pope... he likely possesses ancient secrets I haven't accounted for."
He paused, then dialed a specific number on his communicator.