"As I thought, Bertha and Flint aren't here?"
Cynthia stood on the challenger's podium, her eyes sweeping the VIP box. "It seems Chairman Boldo has dispatched them to wait for the opportune moment to strike Celestic Town."
She gripped her Poké Ball tight, a staggering aura of authority radiating from her. "Does he truly think so little of me? Does he believe that Aaron and Lucian alone are enough to halt my path to the Championship?"
In the stands, Chairman Boldo watched Cynthia's burning fighting spirit with a growing sense of unease. He had indeed sent Bertha and Flint to lead the ambush on her hometown. If Cynthia defeated the first two Elite Four members too quickly, he would be forced to recall them prematurely—a move that would alert the Global Federation to his internal interference.
Boldo wiped the cold sweat from his brow. This was a sanctioned Championship match; any major "incident" would result in his immediate removal by the Supreme Chief. If Cynthia won, she would take administrative control of the Sinnoh League, and he would be ousted by a mere girl. He couldn't allow that.
The Pope is desperate to breach the town, Boldo thought. His hunger for the Dragon Orb is greater than mine. As long as the war starts now, it will shatter Cynthia's focus. She won't be able to fight at her peak while her family is being slaughtered.
Cynthia, however, had already switched off her communicator. She and Dr. Carolina had agreed: no matter the status of the town, she had to win. Only as the Champion could she legally command the League to cease fire.
"Go, Garchomp!"
Cynthia released her ace. She intended to sweep Aaron's entire team with a single Pokémon. Feng Che had provided her with top-tier recovery elixirs, ensuring Garchomp could recover from any injury in an instant.
The Fleet of the Temple
At the Great Temple, the Pope watched the rising sun cast an orange-red glow over his palm.
"The time for the crusade has come," he rasped. "We march to erase Celestic Town and reclaim the treasures of Arceus."
Above the temple, the sky darkened as dozens of massive warships rose into the air. This was the Temple's hidden legacy—a fleet of ancient design powered by modern tech.
"Let's go, Brandon. This battle requires my personal command."
The Pope boarded his flagship, a vessel of breathtaking opulence. Deep within its hold lay a specialized Mythical Pokémon—his final trump card. The fleet merged with the League's naval forces mid-flight, forming a gargantuan armada that set a direct course for Celestic Town.
The Vow of the Lorekeeper
In the Dragon God Shrine, Dr. Carolina gathered her people once more.
"Intelligence confirms the Temple and League fleets have launched. They will cross the Mt. Coronet range in two hours. Beyond that lie our homes."
"We are the children of the Dragon! We protect what is ours!"
"Those who invade my home shall be slain!" she roared.
"SHALL BE SLAIN!" the clansmen echoed, their voices shaking the very foundations of the temple.
Feng Che, Yuan Jia, and Yuan Xiong stood among them.
"Uncle, Cousin—take the elites and the Mythical Shaymin to the Life Garden in the caves," Feng Che instructed. "If the Bertha clan or the Sunyshore forces try to flank us via Route 210, you are the shield. Focus on healing the wounded; don't let the casualties mount."
"I am heading to the front lines to draw out the Pope and Brandon."
He leaned in, handing Yuan Xiong a specific Poké Ball. "When you see Regidrago, open this. It's the final piece of the puzzle."
With a burst of Teleport, Feng Che vanished.