"Contact them now," Feng Che commanded.
Yuan Xiong dialed an encrypted frequency. Dr. Carolina's image appeared on the holographic projector.
"Yuan Xiong, what's the emergency?"
"Master Feng Che has vital intelligence for you."
Feng Che stepped forward. "Dr. Carolina, I've confirmed that the Pastoria Temple, the Volkner family, and the Bertha clan have officially sided with the Pope. They will participate in the siege."
Carolina's pupils shrank. She took a sharp breath, then nodded as if a piece of a puzzle had clicked into place. "That explains it. Pastoria and Sunyshore have been hounding me lately to send my troops to deal with 'wild Pokémon outbreaks' in their territories. It was a ploy to divide my forces and leave the town vulnerable."
"Short-sighted fools," she hissed. "If the Temple erases us, they'll be next on the chopping block. Master Feng Che, thank you for the warning. I will adjust our deployments accordingly."
The call ended.
"Now, we settle our own business," Feng Che said. "This war will decide who truly rules Sinnoh. I don't want to be the figurehead—I want the Celestic Clan to hold the public throne while the Garden family controls the economic lifeblood from the shadows."
"But first, we must show the world our teeth. General Julian will be the sacrifice to warn others. I will personally oversee the defense against his fleet."
Feng Che snapped his fingers. A spark of white-hot flame ignited the discarded letter on the floor, turning it to ash in seconds.
"Mobilize all combat personnel," Feng Che ordered. "We're going to make sure the Steel General never sees another sunrise."
Julian's Fury
"General, the Garden family has responded," Shumoto said, cold sweat beadng on his forehead. "They sent a single line: 'If you want a war, you shall have one.'"
"Arrogant brats!" Julian snarled, his eyes murderous. "Men, we show them no mercy! We trample the Garden estate into the dust! It seems I've been quiet for too long if a bunch of flower-growers think they can spit in my face."
Julian was already fuming over the loss of Jirachi. He had intended to bully the "weak" Garden family to recoup his losses. Their defiance only added fuel to his fire.
The Pope's Games
In the Great Temple, Brandon knelt before the Pope, begging for forgiveness for his failure at the Tower.
"Rise, Mr. Brandon. It was not your fault. Celestic Town likely reached the Starry Sky Shrine first," the Pope said smoothly. "Dr. Carolina is a scholar; she would have known the coordinates. However, there are other sites. I have already dispatched my Sun, Moon, and Star Priests to Hoenn to track the comet's second anchor."
"Prepare yourself, Brandon. The final battle is near."
The Pope maintained a gentle tone; Brandon was a partner, not a servant, and he needed the man's Titans for the siege.
"Lord Pope," a messenger interrupted, kneeling. "General Julian of the Hunter Guild is currently moving against the Garden Estate to seize their Heatran."
"And the Garden family's response?" the Pope asked, his eyes remaining half-closed.
"They replied: 'If you want a war, you shall have one.'"
"Bold words for a family of healers," the Pope mused. "If it were Yuan Xiong, he would have groveled. Someone is pulling the strings from the shadows. Let Julian test their strength; he's a blunt instrument, but effective. Once Celestic Town is gone, the Gardens will follow."
The Pope grinned, revealing a row of gold teeth. "Let them fight. I still have my hidden trump card—a Mythical beast that not even the Dragon Titan can match."