"Ahh I'm floating"
In Snowpoint City, inside a hot springs inn, Rosa is soaking in the water in a bathrobe, feeling like she's about to melt.
So comfy~
"Who was the genius who thought of doing hot springs in weather like this? This is way too good~"
Rosa tilts her head back, watching snowflakes drift slowly down from the sky, and can't help sighing.
Snowpoint City is locked in winter year‑round; its location is just that special.
Snow from Mount Coronet falls all year, so Snowpoint City is always covered in a layer of silver frost.
Same logic as Viridian City being green and in bloom all year—the only difference being that Viridian's a bit more mystical, supposedly thanks to Viridian Forest.
"Yeah. I feel like my whole body's finally relaxed."
Elesa totally agrees.
Her gaze drifts toward Rosa's flushed little face and pointedly refuses to drop any lower.
Rosa's chest really is something to be jealous of.
She's just a sixteen‑year‑old girl—how is she this… developed already?
Hilda just quietly enjoys the soak, saying nothing.
"Since we wrapped up those hunter‑org remnants here, where're we going tomorrow?"
After a while, Rosa speaks up.
The only reason they came to Snowpoint City at all is because there happened to be a pack of hunter‑org leftovers nearby.
"Let's see what missions pop up."
Elesa answers casually.
"Man~ time's flying way too fast. These past few days have been so much fun."
Rosa stretches.
The damp towel outlines a faint, shifting curve beneath—her figure's almost too good.
With the company footing the bill, Rosa's been going wild these last few days.
Especially since this is her first time in the Sinnoh region; everything here feels fresh and new.
"Mm‑hmm~ we're heading back to Unova in a couple days, y'know."
Elesa smiles faintly.
"Eh? That soon?"
Rosa freezes.
"This is already day four, Rosa."
Hilda rolls her eyes, cute and exasperated.
"Damn it! I haven't even hooked up with Damian yet! And I still don't have enough points."
Rosa is extremely unwilling to accept this.
Hilda: "…"
Elesa can't help laughing.
"There's nothing we can do about the points. We've got those guys fighting us for them, remember."
Hilda sounds a little helpless.
"Those students are so shameless. And that Dawn and Paul too—they're locals, so why are they stealing work from us out‑of‑towners?"
Rosa grumbles, totally unconvinced.
As far as she's concerned, the locals are the rude ones here.
"Or—and hear me out—it might be the other way around. The locals might think we out‑of‑towners are the rude ones."
Hilda stares at Rosa, stunned.
Strictly speaking, Sinnoh‑region missions should be getting handled by Dawn and the others.
They're the ones from Unova.
They're the ones "stealing jobs," aren't they?
"So what? The company posted the missions. If we can take them, that means there's no problem, okay!"
Rosa is 100% righteous about it.
"The company itself is hunting for Team Galactic's HQ location. If they find it, that's gonna be a huge chunk of merit."
Elesa picks up her phone and checks the app.
One look—and Elesa lights up.
"Rosa, Hilda! Big missions!"
"For real? Seriously?!"
"Where's my phone?"
Rosa and Hilda scramble for their phones too.
"Big mission: Michina Town."
Rosa is over the moon.
It really is a big mission, and big missions are great.
Her Tornadus is just thirty‑odd thousand merit short.
If they're lucky this time, she might be able to max her points in one go.
"Mission main target: Team Galactic boss Cyrus. Champion‑tier."
A Champion‑tier opponent—that's no small ask.
Hilda thinks it over.
Without question, if they can pull this mission off—especially if they can take Cyrus alive—the merit will be enormous.
But taking down Cyrus is absolutely going to be hard.
The guy's Team Galactic's top boss.
And a Champion‑tier Trainer.
"Hilda! We've gotta grab this chance!"
Rosa, though, is fired up.
Her big, deer‑bright eyes look like they've caught fire.
"Don't get cocky, Rosa. This Cyrus is definitely gonna be a nightmare to deal with. If we run into him mid‑mission and we have to back off, then we back off."
Elesa reminds her.
She's telling Rosa not to charge in alone at Cyrus, eat a beating, and get sent flying.
"Hah? Me, back off from him?"
Rosa's totally unimpressed.
"He's just a random evil‑org boss. I'm the future Unova Champion."
Rosa has always believed she's built different.
And besides, Drayton and those students and Dawn's crew will all be there when the mission goes live.
They can jump Cyrus first and see how hard he actually hits.
...
The next day flashes by.
At the base of Michina's great mountain, a large number of Team Galactic members in silver‑and‑black uniforms have gathered.
"Boss."
Mars, bright red bob cut and a vaguely lolita‑style dress, walks up to Cyrus and bows.
"The squad is assembled and waiting on your orders."
"Mm."
Cyrus nods and tilts his head up a little, looking toward the heights.
"This is the place. The Michina ruins are up there. Move out."
"Yes."
Cyrus takes the lead toward the top.
Mars follows with a team of elites.
The rest stay at the foot of the mountain to keep anyone from interfering.
"Do we hit them now?"
"Hold up. Wait for news from the top."
"Exactly. No point spooking them early. Let the fight start up there first; then we move in."
Not far away, Lacey and Crispin are huddled over a pair of binoculars, whispering.
They've already set up their ambush.
Up on the mountain, in front of the Michina Town ruins—
"This is it."
Cyrus stands before the ancient temple site, hands clasped behind his back.
"And you are…?"
Sheena and Kevin just happen to be outside the doors.
They freeze when they see Cyrus and his people.
"Cyrus. My name is Cyrus."
Cyrus steps forward a couple of paces, voice flat.
"You two are the guardians of these ruins, right? I've heard you're looking after Arceus's Jewel of Life. Would you hand it over to me?"
"No. The Jewel of Life is our most important treasure. We can't give it to outsiders."
Sheena shakes her head, rejecting him outright.
"Is that so. Pointless resistance."
Cyrus's voice still never shifts.
"Girl, do you even know what the most important shining thing in this world really is?"
Cyrus fixes his gaze on Sheena—the guardian of these ruins.
"Just like you—the weak. Ugly, ignorant, and completely lacking in self‑awareness. Saddled with the flaw you call a 'soul.' You're all idiots."
"What did you say?"
Kevin glares daggers at Cyrus.
This guy is the very definition of arrogance.
"I won't repeat myself."
Cyrus is still calm as ever.
A Poké Ball pops open at his hand; a Houndoom appears in front of him.
The snarling Houndoom stares Sheena and Kevin down with murderous eyes.
"Hand the Jewel of Life over. Otherwise, I'll get rid of you first… then find it myself."
Cyrus's threat lands without a single shift in his expression.
"Tsk~ Cyrus, you born‑evil man, you really are vicious."
A lazy, drawling male voice drifts over.
Cyrus's brow furrows instantly.
A wave of irritation rises in his chest before he can catch it.
He's not actually without emotion.
He just likes to think he's scrubbed it all away.
But hearing "born‑evil Cyrus" still pisses him off a little.
He's working to build a perfect world.
He's going to be a savior.
He's going to be a god.
And this guy calls him "born evil"?
Cyrus turns his head.
A black‑clad boy is walking toward them at an easy pace.
Behind the boy, a psychic young lady with impossibly gorgeous golden hair walks in his shadow.
That boy… looks familiar.
Cyrus frowns slightly.
He's sure he's seen this kid somewhere.
Wait—
"You're Team Rocket's Damian?"
Cyrus finally places him.
Isn't this kid exactly that Team Rocket Damian?
Earlier this year, Sird had sent Cyrus Damian's files and data.
Cyrus's expression goes even uglier at the thought.
Damn it.
You're from Team Rocket—and you've got the nerve to call me "born evil"?
Do you not feel any shame?
~~
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