"Your Pokémon have merely inherited the legacy of Legendary beasts; they aren't even Mythical tier yet. To challenge my Three Titans face-to-face is folly," Brandon stated, his sharp eyes fixed on Feng Che. "If you had used the Pokémon from our previous encounter, perhaps you'd stand a chance. But these three? They cannot win."
"I have full confidence in my Pokémon's ability to topple your Titans," Feng Che replied, completely unfazed.
"Well, if it isn't Brandon," an aged, rasping voice crackled from the side. "What are you doing in such a desolate place? If I hadn't heard the commotion, I wouldn't have known a high-level battle was unfolding in this hidden valley."
Bertha emerged from the shadows of the crags, her face etched with a cold, calculating grin. Beside her stood a man with a fiery red afro—Flint. Both were Elite Four members of the Sinnoh League.
"Bertha, Flint. Perfect timing," Brandon proposed. "Join me in taking this man down. He has the Garden family's Green Earth Orb in his possession."
"The Green Earth Orb?" Bertha's predatory eyes locked onto Feng Che. "Who are you to the Garden family?"
Feng Che remained silent, his gaze effectively dismissive.
"Fine. If you won't talk, I'll beat the answers out of you," Bertha snarled, clutching a Poké Ball. "Go, Garchomp!"
As a Ground-type Master, it wasn't surprising that Bertha commanded a Garchomp. However, the dragon didn't move to attack. Instead, it sniffed the air, detecting the potent Dragon Power radiating from Feng Che. To Bertha's shock, her ace walked across the clearing to stand in front of the masked youth.
Garchomp: I smell Lady Yuan Jia's scent... no, it's slightly different. This must be her blood relative.Garchomp: Bertha, you damned old hag... you've enslaved me for so long. Now that I've found a scion of my true masters, I won't let you lay a finger on him!
The Garchomp bared its fangs at Bertha, letting out a low, menacing growl.
"So this Garchomp belonged to my mother," Feng Che realized, reading its heart. "It fell into Bertha's hands during the internal chaos of the Garden family years ago."
"Ungrateful beast! One look at a Garden scion and you turn traitor?" Bertha's face twisted in rage. "I suspected a mastermind was behind the Garden family's sudden resurgence after the Gracidea fields were supposedly ruined. It was you all along, wasn't it?"
"To think they even entrusted the Green Earth Orb to you. You must have the entire family under your thumb. The 'Merit Point' scheme that bled the clans dry—that was your trap too, wasn't it? My family suffered because of you. I've dreamed of tearing you apart, and now you've delivered yourself to me."
"Go, Hippowdon and Rhyperior!" Bertha released her strongest heavy-hitters. "Flint, help me capture him. The Bertha clan will reward you handsomely."
"Go, Charizard and Infernape!" Flint added, his casual demeanor replaced by professional focus.
"Trying to overwhelm me with numbers?" Feng Che remarked. "Fortunately, my team is larger than yours."
He released four more Pokémon: Gyarados, Aerodactyl, Corviknight, and Venusaur.
"Venusaur, Deep Forest Genesis (Tree World Arrival)!" "Gyarados, Surf!" "Aerodactyl, Draco Meteor!" "Garchomp, join Flygon and expand the Sandstorm!"
Feng Che's commands were surgical. Within his shadow, Decidueye and Gengar opened their eyes, ready to strike. Feng Che reached out toward Bertha, and the Garchomp's Poké Ball flew into his hand. With a surge of psychic force, he crushed it, permanently severing Bertha's control.
A storm of sand and fire erupted. Massive, knotted vines burst from the earth, shaping themselves into wooden dragons that roared toward Bertha. Greninja raised its hands, forming two gargantuan Water Shurikens as the valley descended into absolute war.
The Siege of the Town
Meanwhile, the main assault on Celestic Town had begun. Forces from the Volkner family, the Bertha clan, and the Pastoria Temple arrived, their members masked to hide their identities.
Dr. Carolina watched the monitors, recognizing the signature Pokémon of the traitorous clans. "So, they've truly sold their souls to the Temple. Only the Garden family remains by our side. We shall not forget this loyalty."
In the caves, Shaymin was working tirelessly, its Grassy Terrain healing wounded defenders and Pokémon alike.
"Lorekeeper! The Temple and League fleets have breached the first line!" Drasna's voice came through the comms. "But their main hitters—Brandon, Bertha, and Flint—are being held back by Master Feng Che in a remote valley. He's taking all three on alone!"
"His strength is second only to Cynthia's; he can handle himself," Carolina replied. "Focus on the main fleet! We must hold until the Championship match is decided!"