"The situation isn't ideal, but it's not a total loss yet," Norman explained, leaning against his Swellow. "The Psychic General, Greya, was defeated by Sabrina and Caitlin working together. However, Bruno is trapped in General Zorn's Rose Labyrinth and hasn't broken free. Wallace is pinned down by General Nien in the Flame Valley."
"Furthermore, the Ghost General, Longchuan, has summoned a legion of specters to hunt down our fellow trainers, and the Flying General, Jecal, has mobilized every bird on the island. No one has successfully breached their castles yet. As for General King Kai... he's barricaded behind a wall of Elite Dragon-types at the Dragon's Nest. That's the gist of it."
"Alright," Feng Che said, adjusting his gloves. "Mr. Norman, you head to the Flame Valley to assist Wallace against Nien. I'll go bail out Bruno. We'll regroup at Jecal's castle."
Feng Che mounted his Corviknight, soaring toward the scent of roses. General Zorn's territory was unmistakable—vast, rolling fields of vibrant flowers that looked out of place on this jagged island. In the center of a particularly lush field, Zorn—the "beauty" of the Generals—sat lazily on a chaise lounge, reading a book. Nearby, Bruno and his team were lashed to giant rose-thorns by thick, pulsating vines.
"Another fly in the ointment," Zorn sighed, not looking up from his page. "Can't anyone let me read in peace?"
He snapped his fingers. A dozen Grass-type Pokémon combined their power to unleash Frenzy Plant. Massive, thorny trunks erupted from the earth, lashing out at Feng Che.
"Corviknight, Air Slash!"
The steel bird beat its wings, sending out blades of air as thin as gossamer. They didn't just shred the vines into finger-sized bits; they struck the Pokémon behind them with surgical precision, leaving deep gouges that sent them reeling.
Zorn finally closed his book. "Interesting. Your entry has actually given me the urge to battle." He pulled a small vial from his robes, inhaling a single drop of a glowing green liquid. He flicked his wrist, and a fine mist settled over his injured Pokémon.
"Have you heard of a Pokémon Regenerator? I am the finest of my craft."
In an instant, the Grass Pokémon's wounds vanished, their stamina fully restored.
"Regenerators are usually dedicated to restoring extinct species," Feng Che noted, floating down via his psychic power. "Why would someone of your talent join a band of thieves?"
"Because the Poachers have the largest botanical library in the world," Zorn smiled arrogantly. "My only regret is that I cannot regenerate the Gracidea Flower. No matter what I try, I cannot bring it back. I heard the Floaroma Town family once had a field that attracted Shaymin, but it's nothing but scorched earth now."
Zorn's eyes sharpened. "But enough small talk. Let's see what you're made of. Go, Lurantis!"
The Lurantis had a pale red body with wave-like patterns on its skirts and massive, scythe-like petals for arms.
"A Contrary Lurantis... formidable. Corviknight, this one's yours."
"A simple battle is boring," Zorn proposed. "Let's make a wager. If I lose, I quit the Poachers and hand this castle to you. If I win... these vines will snap the heads off your friends over there. How does that sound?"
"The stakes are too low," Feng Che countered boldly. "If you lose, you don't just quit—you join my organization. If I lose, I'll gladly become fertilizer for your garden."
"Heh, confident. I like it. Lurantis, Seed Bomb!"
Lurantis vanished into the foliage using its Camouflage, firing a volley of exploding seeds.
"Protection through color? Not bad. But my Corviknight has a higher lineage."
Feng Che snapped his fingers. Corviknight unleashed another Air Slash, splitting the seeds mid-air. Boom! The seeds exploded into a golden dust.
"Paralysis powder hidden inside the bombs... clever," Feng Che admitted.
"And I didn't expect your bird to carry the heritage of Rayquaza," Zorn noted, squinting. "The Delta Stream coating its wings—my powder didn't even touch its skin. Truly a magnificent specimen."
"Corviknight, Hurricane! Flush it out!"
Harnessing a fragment of Rayquaza's power, Corviknight generated six massive pillars of wind that reached the clouds. The rose fields were torn apart, petals swirling into the vortex.
"Destroying my hard work? Fine! Lurantis, Leaf Storm!"
Zorn pointed a single petal at Corviknight, and the greenery turned into a lethal, swirling cyclone.